excuse me if I decline to accept your proposal."

Miss Pink had not expected to receive such an answer as this. The
lawyer's brief refusal surprised and annoyed her.

"Why do you decline to assist me?" she asked.

"Because," answered Mr. Troy, "my services are already engaged, in Miss
Isabel's interest, by a client whom I have served for more than twenty
years. My client is--"

Miss Pink anticipated the coming disclosure. "You need not trouble
yourself, sir, to mention your client's name," she said.

"My client," persisted Mr. Troy, "loves Miss Isabel dearly."

"That is a matter of opinion," Miss Pink interposed.

"And believes in Miss Isabel's innocence," proceeded the irrepressible
lawyer, "as firmly as you believe in it yourself."

Miss Pink (being human) had a temper; and Mr. Troy had found his way to
it.

"If Lady Lydiard believes in my niece's innocence," said Miss Pink,
suddenly sitting bolt upright in her chair, "why has my niece been
compelled, in justice to herself, to leave Lady Lydiard's house?"

"You will admit, madam," Mr. Troy answered cautiously, "that we are all
of us liable, in this wicked world, to be the victims of appearances.