How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"That is very true. If in my knowledge of the secret I do what I can to spare an innocent girl (especially, remembering your own reference to her when you told my story to the assembled guests at Chesney Wold) from the taint of my impending shame, I act upon a resolution I have taken. Nothing in the world, and no one in the world, could shake it or could move me." This she says with great deliberation and distinctness and with no more outward passion than himself. As for him, he methodically discusses his matter of business as if she were any insensible instrument used in business.
"Really? Then you see, Lady Dedlock," he returns, "you are not to be trusted. You have put the case in a perfectly plain way, and according to the literal fact; and that being the case, you are not to be trusted. [...] As to sparing the girl, of what importance or value is she? Spare! Lady Dedlock, here is a family name compromised. One might have supposed that the course was straight on--over everything, neither to the right nor to the left, regardless of all considerations in the way, sparing nothing, treading everything under foot." (48.101-105)
It's interesting...when Lady Dedlock and Tulkinghorn are talking here about the "innocent girl" who should be "spared," they mean Rosa, the maid. But the way the dialogue is structured, they could just as easily be talking about Esther and how her life would be affected if this secret were to come out. A nice double-entendre. Oh, and check out how Tulkinghorn totally doesn't care about human life. He treats Lady Dedlock like an object of "business," and Rosa should just be a thing trod "under foot."