As you talk with him yourself, you feel tempted to prolong the interview--so lucid an intellect exercises an indefinable charm.
Keen and shrewd as he is, the solicitor has a kindly reputation.

Men say that he is slow to press them, that he makes allowances for circumstances; that if the tenant is honestly willing to discharge his obligation he need fear no arbitrary selling up.

But he is equally reputed swift of punishment upon those who would take shelter behind more shallow pretence, or attempt downright deceit.

Let a man only be straightforward, and the solicitor will wait rather than put the law in force.

Therefore, he is popular, and people have faith in him.