 - is a highly genteel young lady. Business has
prevented me from mixing much with general society, in any but a professional
character; still I trust I am competent to perceive that she is a highly genteel
young lady. As to beauty, I am not a judge of that myself, and I never did give
much attention to it from a boy; but I dare say the young lady is equally
eligible, in that point of view. She is considered so (I have heard) among the
clerks in the Inn, and it is a point more in their way than in mine. In
reference to Mr. C.'s pursuit of his interests -«
    »O! His interests, Mr. Vholes!«
    »Pardon me,« returned Mr. Vholes, going on in exactly the same inward and
dispassionate manner. »Mr. C. takes certain interests under certain wills
disputed in the suit. It is a term we use. In reference to Mr. C.'s pursuit of
his interests, I mentioned to you, Miss Summerson, the first time I had the
pleasure of seeing you, in my desire that everything should be openly carried on
- I used those words, for I happened afterwards to note them in my diary, which
is producible at any time - I mentioned to you that Mr. C. had laid down the
principle of watching his own interests; and that when a client of mine laid
down a principle which was not of an immoral (that is to say, unlawful) nature,
it devolved upon me to carry it out. I have carried it out; I do carry it out.
But I will not smooth things over, to any connexion of Mr. C.'s, on any account.
As open as I was to Mr. Jarndyce, I am to you. I regard it in the light of a
professional duty to be so, though it can be charged to no one. I openly say,
unpalatable as it may be, that I consider Mr. C.'s affairs in a very bad way,
that I consider Mr. C. himself in a very bad way, and that I regard this as an
exceedingly ill-advised marriage. - Am I here, sir? Yes, I thank you; I am here,
Mr. C., and enjoying the pleasure of some agreeable conversation with Miss
Summerson, for which I have to thank you very much, sir!«
    He broke off thus, in answer to Richard, who addressed him as he came into
the room
