According to my observation of him, he deserves his reputation as long as he has his own way, and not a moment longer.
The next day, exactly as I had foreseen, Aunt Ablewhite was as near to being astonished as her nature would permit, by the sudden appearance of her husband.

He had barely been a minute in the house, before he was followed, to MY astonishment this time, by an unexpected complication in the shape of Mr.Bruff.
I never remember feeling the presence of the lawyer to be more unwelcome than I felt it at that moment.

He looked ready for anything in the way of an obstructive proceeding--capable even of keeping the peace with Rachel for one of the combatants! "This is a pleasant surprise, sir," said Mr.Ablewhite, addressing himself with his deceptive cordiality to Mr.Bruff.

"When I left your office yesterday, I didn't expect to have the honour of seeing you at Brighton to-day." "I turned over our conversation in my mind, after you had gone," replied Mr.Bruff.

"And it occurred to me that I might perhaps be of some use on this occasion.