I protested against playing that treacherous part in my employer's house: and, besides, I urged the cruelty and selfishness of his destroying Mrs. Linton's tranquillity for his satisfaction. "The commonest occurrence startles her painfully," I said. "She's all nerves, and she couldn't bear the surprise, I'm positive. 
I protested, and told him it would be treacherous, and cruel and selfish. 'Mrs. Linton is all nerves, and she couldn't bear the surprise,' I said. 