How we cite our quotes: Volume.Part.Chapter.Paragraph
Quote #1
If the machinery of Law could be depended on to fathom every case of suspicion, and to conduct every process of inquiry, with moderate assistance only from the lubricating influences of oil of gold, the events which fill these pages might have claimed their share of the public attention at the Court of Justice. (1.1.1.2)
Collins's "if" statement here really sets the tone for the way the law is treated in this book. The law is great in theory, but it's actually less than useful in Laura's case.
Quote #2
As the Judge might once have heard it, so the Reader shall hear it now. (1.1.1.3)
Walter really sets up the narrative style here and gives new meaning to the phrase "courtroom drama." In this case we get all the trappings of a courtroom drama—confessions, high emotion, lots of facts—but without the courtroom. Which is too bad—those British barristers are pretty fabulous in their wigs.
Quote #3
If, after due reflection on those two subjects, she seriously desired that he should withdraw his pretensions to the honour of becoming her husband—and if she would tell him so plainly, with her own lips—he would sacrifice himself by leaving her perfectly free to withdraw from the engagement. (1.2.2.12)
Mr. Gilmore's diction and style all point to his being a lawyer—he likes big words and legal-sounding phrases. Having Gilmore describe Sir Percival's actions as super-reasonable add to the tension in this scene though, since we already know how shifty Sir Percival is.