I am here to represent your niece."
"In other words, you, a lawyer, are here to represent an infraction of
the law."
"Admirably put!" said Bintrey. "If all the people I have to deal with
were only like you, what an easy profession mine would be! I am here to
represent an infraction of the law--that is your point of view. I am
here to make a compromise between you and your niece--that is my point of
view."
"There must be two parties to a compromise," rejoined Obenreizer. "I
decline, in this case, to be one of them. The law gives me authority to
control my niece's actions, until she comes of age. She is not yet of
age; and I claim my authority."
At this point Maitre attempted to speak. Bintrey silenced him with a
compassionate indulgence of tone and manner, as if he was silencing a
favourite child.
"No, my worthy friend, not a word. Don't excite yourself unnecessarily;
leave it to me." He turned, and addressed himself again to Obenreizer.
"I can think of nothing comparable to you, Mr. Obenreizer, but
granite--and even that wears out in course of time. In the interests of
peace and quietness--for the sake of your own dignity--relax a little. If
you will only delegate your authority to another person whom I know of,
that person may be trusted never to lose sight of your niece, night or
day!"
"You are wasting your time and mine," returned Obenreizer. "If my niece
is not rendered up to my authority within one week from this day, I
invoke the law.
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