Page 982 - bleak-house

and looks at him. There is a stern expression on her face
and a part of her lower lip is compressed under her teeth.
‘This woman understands me,’ Mr. Tulkinghorn thinks as
she lets her glance fall again. ‘SHE cannot be spared. Why
should she spare others?’
For a little while they are silent. Lady Dedlock has eaten
no dinner, but has twice or thrice poured out water with
a steady hand and drunk it. She rises from table, takes a
lounging-chair, and reclines in it, shading her face. There
is nothing in her manner to express weakness or excite
compassion. It is thoughtful, gloomy, concentrated. ‘This
woman,’ thinks Mr. Tulkinghorn, standing on the hearth,
again a dark object closing up her view, ‘is a study.’
He studies her at his leisure, not speaking for a time.
She too studies something at her leisure. She is not the first
to speak, appearing indeed so unlikely to be so, though he
stood there until midnight, that even he is driven upon
breaking silence.
‘Lady Dedlock, the most disagreeable part of this busi-
ness interview remains, but it is business. Our agreement
is broken. A lady of your sense and strength of character
will be prepared for my now declaring it void and taking
my own course.’
‘I am quite prepared.’
Mr. Tulkinghorn inclines his head. ‘That is all I have to
trouble you with, Lady Dedlock.’
She stops him as he is moving out of the room by asking,
‘This is the notice I was to receive? I wish not to misappre-
hend you.’

982 Bleak House