第15章

InJacob\'sIsland，thewarehousesarerooflessandempty；thewallsarecrumblingdown；thewindowsarewindowsnomore；thedoorsarefallingintothestreets；thechimneysareblackened，buttheyyieldnosmoke。Thirtyorfortyyearsago，beforelossesandchancerysuitscameuponit，itwasathrivingplace；

butnowitisadesolateislandindeed。Thehouseshavenoowners；theyarebrokenopen，andentereduponbythosewhohavethecourage；andtheretheylive，andtheretheydie。Theymusthavepowerfulmotivesforasecretresidence，orbereducedtoadestituteconditionindeed，whoseekarefugeinJacob\'sIsland。

Inanupperroomofoneofthesehouses——adetachedhouseoffairsize，ruinousinotherrespects，butstronglydefendedatdoorandwindow:ofwhichhousethebackcommandedtheditchinmanneralreadydescribed——therewereassembledthreemen，who，regardingeachothereverynowandthenwithlooksexpressiveofperplexityandexpectation，satforsometimeinprofoundandgloomysilence。OneofthesewasTobyCrackit，anotherMr。

Chitling，andthethirdarobberoffiftyyears，whosenosehadbeenalmostbeatenin，insomeoldscuffle，andwhosefaceboreafrightfulscarwhichmightprobablybetracedtothesameoccasion。Thismanwasareturnedtransport，andhisnamewasKags。

\'Iwish，\'saidTobyturningtoMr。Chitling，\'thatyouhadpickedoutsomeothercrigwhenthetwooldonesgottoowarm，andhadnotcomehere，myfinefeller。\'

\'Whydidn\'tyou，blunder-head！\'saidKags。

\'Well，Ithoughtyou\'dhavebeenalittlemoregladtoseemethanthis，\'repliedMr。Chitling，withamelancholyair。

\'Why，look\'e，younggentleman，\'saidToby，\'whenamankeepshimselfsoveryex-clusiveasIhavedone，andbythatmeanshasasnughouseoverhisheadwithnobodyapryingandsmellingaboutit，it\'sratherastartlingthingtohavethehonourofawisitfromayounggentleman(howeverrespectableandpleasantapersonhemaybetoplaycardswithatconweniency)circumstancedasyouare。\'

\'Especially，whentheexclusiveyoungmanhasgotafriendstoppingwithhim，that\'sarrivedsoonerthanwasexpectedfromforeignparts，andistoomodesttowanttobepresentedtotheJudgesonhisreturn，\'addedMr。Kags。

Therewasashortsilence，afterwhichTobyCrackit，seemingtoabandonashopelessanyfurtherefforttomaintainhisusualdevil-may-careswagger，turnedtoChitlingandsaid，\'WhenwasFagintookthen?\'

\'Justatdinner-time——twoo\'clockthisafternoon。CharleyandI

madeourluckyupthewash-uschimney，andBoltergotintotheemptywater-butt，headdownwards；buthislegsweresopreciouslongthattheystuckoutatthetop，andsotheytookhimtoo。\'

\'AndBet?\'

\'PoorBet！ShewenttoseetheBody，tospeaktowhoitwas，\'

repliedChitling，hiscountenancefallingmoreandmore，\'andwentoffmad，screamingandraving，andbeatingherheadagainsttheboards；sotheyputastrait-weskutonherandtookhertothehospital——andtheresheis。\'

\'Wot\'scomeofyoungBates?\'demandedKags。

\'Hehungabout，nottocomeoverhereaforedark，buthe\'llbeheresoon，\'repliedChitling。\'There\'snowhereelsetogotonow，forthepeopleattheCripplesareallincustody，andthebaroftheken——Iwentupthereandseeitwithmyowneyes——isfilledwithtraps。\'

\'Thisisasmash，\'observedToby，bitinghislips。\'There\'smorethanonewillgowiththis。\'

\'Thesessionsareon，\'saidKags:\'iftheygettheinquestover，andBolterturnsKing\'sevidence:asofcoursehewill，fromwhathe\'ssaidalready:theycanproveFaginanaccessorybeforethefact，andgetthetrialononFriday，andhe\'llswinginsixdaysfromthis，byG——！\'

\'Youshouldhaveheardthepeoplegroan，\'saidChitling；\'theofficersfoughtlikedevils，orthey\'dhavetornhimaway。Hewasdownonce，buttheymadearingroundhim，andfoughttheirwayalong。Youshouldhaveseenhowhelookedabouthim，allmuddyandbleeding，andclungtothemasiftheywerehisdearestfriends。Icansee\'emnow，notabletostanduprightwiththepressingofthemob，anddragginhimalongamongst\'em；Icanseethepeoplejumpingup，onebehindanother，andsnarlingwiththeirteethandmakingathim；Icanseetheblooduponhishairandbeard，andhearthecrieswithwhichthewomenworkedthemselvesintothecentreofthecrowdatthestreetcorner，andsworethey\'dtearhisheartout！\'

Thehorror-strickenwitnessofthisscenepressedhishandsuponhisears，andwithhiseyesclosedgotupandpacedviolentlytoandfro，likeonedistracted。

Whilehewasthusengaged，andthetwomensatbyinsilencewiththeireyesfixeduponthefloor，apatteringnoisewashearduponthestairs，andSikes\'sdogboundedintotheroom。Theyrantothewindow，downstairs，andintothestreet。Thedoghadjumpedinatanopenwindow；hemadenoattempttofollowthem，norwashismastertobeseen。

\'What\'sthemeaningofthis?\'saidTobywhentheyhadreturned。

\'Hecan\'tbecominghere。I——I——hopenot。\'

\'Ifhewascominghere，he\'dhavecomewiththedog，\'saidKags，stoopingdowntoexaminetheanimal，wholaypantingonthefloor。\'Here！Giveussomewaterforhim；hehasrunhimselffaint。\'

\'He\'sdrunkitallup，everydrop，\'saidChitlingafterwatchingthedogsometimeinsilence。\'Coveredwithmud——lame——halfblind——hemusthavecomealongway。\'

\'Wherecanhehavecomefrom！\'exclaimedToby。\'He\'sbeentotheotherkensofcourse，andfindingthemfilledwithstrangerscomeonhere，wherehe\'sbeenmanyatimeandoften。Butwherecanhehavecomefromfirst，andhowcomesheherealonewithouttheother！\'

\'He\'——(noneofthemcalledthemurdererbyhisoldname)——\'Hecan\'thavemadeawaywithhimself。Whatdoyouthink?\'saidChitling。

Tobyshookhishead。

\'Ifhehad，\'saidKags，\'thedog\'udwanttoleadusawaytowherehedidit。No。Ithinkhe\'sgotoutofthecountry，andleftthedogbehind。Hemusthavegivenhimtheslipsomehow，orhewouldn\'tbesoeasy。\'

Thissolution，appearingthemostprobableone，wasadoptedastheright；thedog，creepingunderachair，coiledhimselfuptosleep，withoutmorenoticefromanybody。

Itbeingnowdark，theshutterwasclosed，andacandlelightedandplaceduponthetable。Theterribleeventsofthelasttwodayshadmadeadeepimpressiononallthree，increasedbythedangeranduncertaintyoftheirownposition。Theydrewtheirchairsclosertogether，startingateverysound。Theyspokelittle，andthatinwhispers，andwereassilentandawe-strickenasiftheremainsofthemurderedwomanlayinthenextroom。

Theyhadsatthus，sometime，whensuddenlywasheardahurriedknockingatthedoorbelow。

\'YoungBates，\'saidKags，lookingangrilyround，tocheckthefearhefelthimself。

Theknockingcameagain。No，itwasn\'the。Heneverknockedlikethat。

Crackitwenttothewindow，andshakingallover，drewinhishead。Therewasnoneedtotellthemwhoitwas；hispalefacewasenough。Thedogtoowasonthealertinaninstant，andranwhiningtothedoor。

\'Wemustlethimin，\'hesaid，takingupthecandle。

\'Isn\'tthereanyhelpforit?\'askedtheothermaninahoarsevoice。

\'None。HeMUSTcomein。\'

\'Don\'tleaveusinthedark，\'saidKags，takingdownacandlefromthechimney-piece，andlightingit，withsuchatremblinghandthattheknockingwastwicerepeatedbeforehehadfinished。

Crackitwentdowntothedoor，andreturnedfollowedbyamanwiththelowerpartofhisfaceburiedinahandkerchief，andanothertiedoverhisheadunderhishat。Hedrewthemslowlyoff。Blanchedface，sunkeneyes，hollowcheeks，beardofthreedays\'growth，wastedflesh，shortthickbreath；itwastheveryghostofSikes。

Helaidhishanduponachairwhichstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，butshudderingashewasabouttodropintoit，andseemingtoglanceoverhisshoulder，draggeditbackclosetothewall——ascloseasitwouldgo——andgrounditagainstit——andsatdown。

Notawordhadbeenexchanged。Helookedfromonetoanotherinsilence。Ifaneyewerefurtivelyraisedandmethis，itwasinstantlyaverted。Whenhishollowvoicebrokesilence，theyallthreestarted。Theyseemednevertohavehearditstonesbefore。

\'Howcamethatdoghere?\'heasked。

\'Alone。Threehoursago。\'

\'To-night\'spapersaysthatFagin\'stook。Isittrue，oralie?\'

\'True。\'

Theyweresilentagain。

\'Damnyouall！\'saidSikes，passinghishandacrosshisforehead。

\'Haveyounothingtosaytome?\'

Therewasanuneasymovementamongthem，butnobodyspoke。

\'Youthatkeepthishouse，\'saidSikes，turninghisfacetoCrackit，\'doyoumeantosellme，ortoletmelieheretillthishuntisover?\'

\'Youmaystophere，ifyouthinkitsafe，\'returnedthepersonaddressed，aftersomehesitation。

Sikescarriedhiseyesslowlyupthewallbehindhim:rathertryingtoturnhisheadthanactuallydoingit:andsaid，\'Is——it——thebody——isitburied?\'

Theyshooktheirheads。

\'Whyisn\'tit！\'heretortedwiththesameglancebehindhim。

\'Wotdotheykeepsuchuglythingsabovethegroundfor?——Who\'sthatknocking?\'

Crackitintimated，byamotionofhishandashelefttheroom，thattherewasnothingtofear；anddirectlycamebackwithCharleyBatesbehindhim。Sikessatoppositethedoor，sothatthemomenttheboyenteredtheroomheencounteredhisfigure。

\'Toby，\'saidtheboyfallingback，asSikesturnedhiseyestowardshim，\'whydidn\'tyoutellmethis，downstairs?\'

Therehadbeensomethingsotremendousintheshrinkingoffofthethree，thatthewretchedmanwaswillingtopropitiateeventhislad。Accordinglyhenodded，andmadeasthoughhewouldshakehandswithhim。

\'Letmegointosomeotherroom，\'saidtheboy，retreatingstillfarther。

\'Charley！\'saidSikes，steppingforward。\'Don\'tyou——don\'tyouknowme?\'

\'Don\'tcomenearerme，\'answeredtheboy，stillretreating，andlooking，withhorrorinhiseyes，uponthemurderer\'sface。\'Youmonster！\'

Themanstoppedhalf-way，andtheylookedateachother；butSikes\'seyessunkgraduallytotheground。

\'Witnessyouthree，\'criedtheboyshakinghisclenchedfist，andbecomingmoreandmoreexcitedashespoke。\'Witnessyouthree——I\'mnotafraidofhim——iftheycomehereafterhim，I\'llgivehimup；Iwill。Itellyououtatonce。Hemaykillmeforitifhelikes，orifhedares，butifIamhereI\'llgivehimup。I\'dgivehimupifhewastobeboiledalive。Murder！

Help！Ifthere\'sthepluckofamanamongyouthree，you\'llhelpme。Murder！Help！Downwithhim！\'

Pouringoutthesecries，andaccompanyingthemwithviolentgesticulation，theboyactuallythrewhimself，single-handed，uponthestrongman，andintheintensityofhisenergyandthesuddennessofhissurprise，broughthimheavilytotheground。

Thethreespectatorsseemedquitestupefied。Theyofferednointerference，andtheboyandmanrolledonthegroundtogether；

theformer，heedlessoftheblowsthatshowereduponhim，wrenchinghishandstighterandtighterinthegarmentsaboutthemurderer\'sbreast，andneverceasingtocallforhelpwithallhismight。

Thecontest，however，wastoounequaltolastlong。Sikeshadhimdown，andhiskneewasonhisthroat，whenCrackitpulledhimbackwithalookofalarm，andpointedtothewindow。Therewerelightsgleamingbelow，voicesinloudandearnestconversation，thetrampofhurriedfootsteps——endlesstheyseemedinnumber——crossingthenearestwoodenbridge。Onemanonhorsebackseemedtobeamongthecrowd；fortherewasthenoiseofhoofsrattlingontheunevenpavement。Thegleamoflightsincreased；

thefootstepscamemorethicklyandnoisilyon。Then，camealoudknockingatthedoor，andthenahoarsemurmurfromsuchamultitudeofangryvoicesaswouldhavemadetheboldestquail。

\'Help！\'shriekedtheboyinavoicethatrenttheair。

\'He\'shere！Breakdownthedoor！\'

\'IntheKing\'sname，\'criedthevoiceswithout；andthehoarsecryaroseagain，butlouder。

\'Breakdownthedoor！\'screamedtheboy。\'Itellyouthey\'llneveropenit。Runstraighttotheroomwherethelightis。

Breakdownthedoor！\'

Strokes，thickandheavy，rattleduponthedoorandlowerwindow-shuttersasheceasedtospeak，andaloudhuzzahburstfromthecrowd；givingthelistener，forthefirsttime，someadequateideaofitsimmenseextent。

\'OpenthedoorofsomeplacewhereIcanlockthisscreechingHell-babe，\'criedSikesfiercely；runningtoandfro，anddraggingtheboy，now，aseasilyasifhewereanemptysack。

\'Thatdoor。Quick！\'Heflunghimin，boltedit，andturnedthekey。\'Isthedownstairsdoorfast?\'

\'Double-lockedandchained，\'repliedCrackit，who，withtheothertwomen，stillremainedquitehelplessandbewildered。

\'Thepanels——aretheystrong?\'

\'Linedwithsheet-iron。\'

\'Andthewindowstoo?\'

\'Yes，andthewindows。\'

\'Damnyou！\'criedthedesperateruffian，throwingupthesashandmenacingthecrowd。\'Doyourworst！I\'llcheatyouyet！\'

Ofalltheterrificyellsthateverfellonmortalears，nonecouldexceedthecryoftheinfuriatedthrong。Someshoutedtothosewhowerenearesttosetthehouseonfire；othersroaredtotheofficerstoshoothimdead。Amongthemall，noneshowedsuchfuryasthemanonhorseback，who，throwinghimselfoutofthesaddle，andburstingthroughthecrowdasifhewerepartingwater，cried，beneaththewindow，inavoicethatroseaboveallothers，\'Twentyguineastothemanwhobringsaladder！\'

Thenearestvoicestookupthecry，andhundredsechoedit。Somecalledforladders，someforsledge-hammers；someranwithtorchestoandfroasiftoseekthem，andstillcamebackandroaredagain；somespenttheirbreathinimpotentcursesandexecrations；somepressedforwardwiththeecstasyofmadmen，andthusimpededtheprogressofthosebelow；someamongtheboldestattemptedtoclimbupbythewater-spoutandcrevicesinthewall；andallwavedtoandfro，inthedarknessbeneath，likeafieldofcornmovedbyanangrywind:andjoinedfromtimetotimeinoneloudfuriousroar。

\'Thetide，\'criedthemurderer，ashestaggeredbackintotheroom，andshutthefacesout，\'thetidewasinasIcameup。

Givemearope，alongrope。They\'reallinfront。ImaydropintotheFollyDitch，andclearoffthatway。Givemearope，orIshalldothreemoremurdersandkillmyself。

Thepanic-strickenmenpointedtowheresucharticleswerekept；

themurderer，hastilyselectingthelongestandstrongestcord，hurrieduptothehouse-top。

Allthewindowintherearofthehousehadbeenlongagobrickedup，exceptonesmalltrapintheroomwheretheboywaslocked，andthatwastoosmallevenforthepassageofhisbody。But，fromthisaperture，hehadneverceasedtocallonthosewithout，toguardtheback；andthus，whenthemurdereremergedatlastonthehouse-topbythedoorintheroof，aloudshoutproclaimedthefacttothoseinfront，whoimmediatelybegantopourround，pressinguponeachotherinanunbrokenstream。

Heplantedaboard，whichhehadcarriedupwithhimforthepurpose，sofirmlyagainstthedoorthatitmustbematterofgreatdifficultytoopenitfromtheinside；andcreepingoverthetiles，lookedoverthelowparapet。

Thewaterwasout，andtheditchabedofmud。

Thecrowdhadbeenhushedduringthesefewmoments，watchinghismotionsanddoubtfulofhispurpose，buttheinstanttheyperceiveditandknewitwasdefeated，theyraisedacryoftriumphantexecrationtowhichalltheirpreviousshoutinghadbeenwhispers。Againandagainitrose。Thosewhowereattoogreatadistancetoknowitsmeaning，tookupthesound；itechoedandre-echoed；itseemedasthoughthewholecityhadpoureditspopulationouttocursehim。

Onpressedthepeoplefromthefront——on，on，on，inastrongstrugglingcurrentofangryfaces，withhereandthereaglaringtorchtolightenthemup，andshowthemoutinalltheirwrathandpassion。Thehousesontheoppositesideoftheditchhadbeenenteredbythemob；sasheswerethrownup，ortornbodilyout；thereweretiersandtiersoffacesineverywindow；clusteruponclusterofpeopleclingingtoeveryhouse-top。Eachlittlebridge(andtherewerethreeinsight)bentbeneaththeweightofthecrowduponit。Stillthecurrentpouredontofindsomenookorholefromwhichtoventtheirshouts，andonlyforaninstantseethewretch。

\'Theyhavehimnow，\'criedamanonthenearestbridge。\'Hurrah！\'

Thecrowdgrewlightwithuncoveredheads；andagaintheshoutuprose。

\'Iwillgivefiftypounds，\'criedanoldgentlemanfromthesamequarter，\'tothemanwhotakeshimalive。Iwillremainhere，tillhecometoaskmeforit。\'

Therewasanotherroar。Atthismomentthewordwaspassedamongthecrowdthatthedoorwasforcedatlast，andthathewhohadfirstcalledfortheladderhadmountedintotheroom。Thestreamabruptlyturned，asthisintelligenceranfrommouthtomouth；andthepeopleatthewindows，seeingthoseuponthebridgespouringback，quittedtheirstations，andrunningintothestreet，joinedtheconcoursethatnowthrongedpell-melltothespottheyhadleft:eachmancrushingandstrivingwithhisneighbor，andallpantingwithimpatiencetogetnearthedoor，andlookuponthecriminalastheofficersbroughthimout。Thecriesandshrieksofthosewhowerepressedalmosttosuffocation，ortrampleddownandtroddenunderfootintheconfusion，weredreadful；thenarrowwayswerecompletelyblockedup；andatthistime，betweentherushofsometoregainthespaceinfrontofthehouse，andtheunavailingstrugglesofotherstoextricatethemselvesfromthemass，theimmediateattentionwasdistractedfromthemurderer，althoughtheuniversaleagernessforhiscapturewas，ifpossible，increased。

Themanhadshrunkdown，thoroughlyquelledbytheferocityofthecrowd，andtheimpossibilityofescape；butseeingthissuddenchangewithnolessrapiditythanithadoccurred，hespranguponhisfeet，determinedtomakeonelasteffortforhislifebydroppingintotheditch，and，attheriskofbeingstifled，endeavouringtocreepawayinthedarknessandconfusion。

Rousedintonewstrengthandenergy，andstimulatedbythenoisewithinthehousewhichannouncedthatanentrancehadreallybeeneffected，hesethisfootagainstthestackofchimneys，fastenedoneendoftheropetightlyandfirmlyroundit，andwiththeothermadeastrongrunningnoosebytheaidofhishandsandteethalmostinasecond。Hecouldlethimselfdownbythecordtowithinalessdistanceofthegroundthanhisownheight，andhadhisknifereadyinhishandtocutitthenanddrop。

Attheveryinstantwhenhebroughttheloopoverhisheadprevioustoslippingitbeneathhisarm-pits，andwhentheoldgentlemanbefore-mentioned(whohadclungsotighttotherailingofthebridgeastoresisttheforceofthecrowd，andretainhisposition)earnestlywarnedthoseabouthimthatthemanwasabouttolowerhimselfdown——atthatveryinstantthemurderer，lookingbehindhimontheroof，threwhisarmsabovehishead，andutteredayellofterror。

\'Theeyesagain！\'hecriedinanunearthlyscreech。

Staggeringasifstruckbylightning，helosthisbalanceandtumbledovertheparapet。Thenoosewasonhisneck。Itranupwithhisweight，tightasabow-string，andswiftasthearrowitspeeds。Hefellforfive-and-thirtyfeet。Therewasasuddenjerk，aterrificconvulsionofthelimbs；andtherehehung，withtheopenknifeclenchedinhisstiffeninghand。

Theoldchimneyquiveredwiththeshock，butstooditbravely。

Themurdererswunglifelessagainstthewall；andtheboy，thrustingasidethedanglingbodywhichobscuredhisview，calledtothepeopletocomeandtakehimout，forGod\'ssake。

Adog，whichhadlainconcealedtillnow，ranbackwardsandforwardsontheparapetwithadismalhowl，andcollectinghimselfforaspring，jumpedforthedeadman\'sshoulders。

Missinghisaim，hefellintotheditch，turningcompletelyoverashewent；andstrikinghisheadagainstastone，dashedouthisbrains。

CHAPTERLI

AFFORDINGANEXPLANATIONOFMOREMYSTERIESTHANONE，AND

COMPREHENDINGAPROPOSALOFMARRIAGEWITHNOWORDOFSETTLEMENT

ORPIN-MONEY

Theeventsnarratedinthelastchapterwereyetbuttwodaysold，whenOliverfoundhimself，atthreeo\'clockintheafternoon，inatravelling-carriagerollingfasttowardshisnativetown。Mrs。Maylie，andRose，andMrs。Bedwin，andthegooddoctorwerewithhim:andMr。Brownlowfollowedinapost-chaise，accompaniedbyoneotherpersonwhosenamehadnotbeenmentioned。

Theyhadnottalkedmuchupontheway；forOliverwasinaflutterofagitationanduncertaintywhichdeprivedhimofthepowerofcollectinghisthoughts，andalmostofspeech，andappearedtohavescarcelylesseffectonhiscompanions，whosharedit，inatleastanequaldegree。HeandthetwoladieshadbeenverycarefullymadeacquaintedbyMr。BrownlowwiththenatureoftheadmissionswhichhadbeenforcedfromMonks；andalthoughtheyknewthattheobjectoftheirpresentjourneywastocompletetheworkwhichhadbeensowellbegun，stillthewholematterwasenvelopedinenoughofdoubtandmysterytoleavetheminenduranceofthemostintensesuspense。

Thesamekindfriendhad，withMr。Losberne\'sassistance，cautiouslystoppedallchannelsofcommunicationthroughwhichtheycouldreceiveintelligenceofthedreadfuloccurrencesthatsorecentlytakenplace。\'Itwasquitetrue，\'hesaid，\'thattheymustknowthembeforelong，butitmightbeatabettertimethanthepresent，anditcouldnotbeataworse。\'So，theytravelledoninsilence:eachbusiedwithreflectionsontheobjectwhichhadbroughtthemtogether:andnoonedisposedtogiveutterancetothethoughtswhichcrowdeduponall。

ButifOliver，undertheseinfluences，hadremainedsilentwhiletheyjourneyedtowardshisbirth-placebyaroadhehadneverseen，howthewholecurrentofhisrecollectionsranbacktooldtimes，andwhatacrowdofemotionswerewakenedupinhisbreast，whentheyturnedintothatwhichhehadtraversedonfoot:apoorhouseless，wanderingboy，withoutafriendtohelphim，orarooftoshelterhishead。

\'Seethere，there！\'criedOliver，eagerlyclaspingthehandofRose，andpointingoutatthecarriagewindow；\'that\'sthestileIcameover；therearethehedgesIcreptbehind，forfearanyoneshouldovertakemeandforcemeback！Yonderisthepathacrossthefields，leadingtotheoldhousewhereIwasalittlechild！OhDick，Dick，mydearoldfriend，ifIcouldonlyseeyounow！\'

\'Youwillseehimsoon，\'repliedRose，gentlytakinghisfoldedhandsbetweenherown。\'Youshalltellhimhowhappyyouare，andhowrichyouhavegrown，andthatinallyourhappinessyouhavenonesogreatasthecomingbacktomakehimhappytoo。\'

\'Yes，yes，\'saidOliver，\'andwe\'ll——we\'lltakehimawayfromhere，andhavehimclothedandtaught，andsendhimtosomequietcountryplacewherehemaygrowstrongandwell，——shallwe?\'

Rosenodded\'yes，\'fortheboywassmilingthroughsuchhappytearsthatshecouldnotspeak。

\'Youwillbekindandgoodtohim，foryouaretoeveryone，\'

saidOliver。\'Itwillmakeyoucry，Iknow，tohearwhathecantell；butnevermind，nevermind，itwillbeallover，andyouwillsmileagain——Iknowthattoo——tothinkhowchangedheis；

youdidthesamewithme。Hesaid“Godblessyou“tomewhenI

ranaway，\'criedtheboywithaburstofaffectionateemotion；

\'andIwillsay“Godblessyou“now，andshowhimhowIlovehimforit！\'

Astheyapproachedthetown，andatlengthdrovethroughitsnarrowstreets，itbecamematterofnosmalldifficultytorestraintheboywithinreasonablebounds。TherewasSowerberry\'stheundertaker\'sjustasitusedtobe，onlysmallerandlessimposinginappearancethanherememberedit——therewereallthewell-knownshopsandhouses，withalmosteveryoneofwhichhehadsomeslightincidentconnected——therewasGamfield\'scart，theverycartheusedtohave，standingattheoldpublic-housedoor——therewastheworkhouse，thedrearyprisonofhisyouthfuldays，withitsdismalwindowsfrowningonthestreet——therewasthesameleanporterstandingatthegate，atsightofwhomOliverinvoluntarilyshrunkback，andthenlaughedathimselfforbeingsofoolish，thencried，thenlaughedagain——therewerescoresoffacesatthedoorsandwindowsthatheknewquitewell——therewasnearlyeverythingasifhehadleftitbutyesterday，andallhisrecentlifehadbeenbutahappydream。

Butitwaspure，earnest，joyfulreality。Theydrovestraighttothedoorofthechiefhotel(whichOliverusedtostareupat，withawe，andthinkamightypalace，butwhichhadsomehowfallenoffingrandeurandsize)；andherewasMr。Grimwigallreadytoreceivethem，kissingtheyounglady，andtheoldonetoo，whentheygotoutofthecoach，asifhewerethegrandfatherofthewholeparty，allsmilesandkindness，andnotofferingtoeathishead——no，notonce；notevenwhenhecontradictedaveryoldpostboyaboutthenearestroadtoLondon，andmaintainedheknewitbest，thoughhehadonlycomethatwayonce，andthattimefastasleep。Therewasdinnerprepared，andtherewerebedroomsready，andeverythingwasarrangedasifbymagic。

Notwithstandingallthis，whenthehurryofthefirsthalf-hourwasover，thesamesilenceandconstraintprevailedthathadmarkedtheirjourneydown。Mr。Brownlowdidnotjointhematdinner，butremainedinaseparateroom。Thetwoothergentlemenhurriedinandoutwithanxiousfaces，and，duringtheshortintervalswhentheywerepresent，conversedapart。Once，Mrs。

Mayliewascalledaway，andafterbeingabsentfornearlyanhour，returnedwitheyesswollenwithweeping。AllthesethingsmadeRoseandOliver，whowerenotinanynewsecrets，nervousanduncomfortable。Theysatwondering，insilence；or，iftheyexchangedafewwords，spokeinwhispers，asiftheywereafraidtohearthesoundoftheirownvoices。

Atlength，whennineo\'clockhadcome，andtheybegantothinktheyweretohearnomorethatnight，Mr。LosberneandMr。

Grimwigenteredtheroom，followedbyMr。BrownlowandamanwhomOliveralmostshriekedwithsurprisetosee；fortheytoldhimitwashisbrother，anditwasthesamemanhehadmetatthemarket-town，andseenlookinginwithFaginatthewindowofhislittleroom。Monkscastalookofhate，which，eventhen，hecouldnotdissemble，attheastonishedboy，andsatdownnearthedoor。Mr。Brownlow，whohadpapersinhishand，walkedtoatablenearwhichRoseandOliverwereseated。

\'Thisisapainfultask，\'saidhe，\'butthesedeclarations，whichhavebeensignedinLondonbeforemanygentlemen，mustbesubstancerepeatedhere。Iwouldhavesparedyouthedegradation，butwemusthearthemfromyourownlipsbeforewepart，andyouknowwhy。\'

\'Goon，\'saidthepersonaddressed，turningawayhisface。

\'Quick。Ihavealmostdoneenough，Ithink。Don\'tkeepmehere。\'

\'Thischild，\'saidMr。Brownlow，drawingOlivertohim，andlayinghishanduponhishead，\'isyourhalf-brother；theillegitimatesonofyourfather，mydearfriendEdwinLeeford，bypooryoungAgnesFleming，whodiedingivinghimbirth。\'

\'Yes，\'saidMonks，scowlingatthetremblingboy:thebeatingofwhosehearthemighthaveheard。\'Thatisthebastardchild。\'

\'Thetermyouuse，\'saidMr。Brownlow，sternly，\'isareproachtothoselongsincepassedbeyongthefeeblecensureoftheworld。

Itreflectsdisgraceonnooneliving，exceptyouwhouseit。

Letthatpass。Hewasborninthistown。\'

\'Intheworkhouseofthistown，\'wasthesullenreply。\'Youhavethestorythere。\'Hepointedimpatientlytothepapersashespoke。

\'Imusthaveithere，too，\'saidMr。Brownlow，lookingrounduponthelisteners。

\'Listenthen！You！\'returnedMonks。\'HisfatherbeingtakenillatRome，wasjoinedbyhiswife，mymother，fromwhomhehadbeenlongseparated，whowentfromParisandtookmewithher——tolookafterhisproperty，forwhatIknow，forshehadnogreataffectionforhim，norheforher。Heknewnothingofus，forhissensesweregone，andheslumberedontillnextday，whenhedied。Amongthepapersinhisdesk，weretwo，datedonthenighthisillnessfirstcameon，directedtoyourself\'；headdressedhimselftoMr。Brownlow；\'andenclosedinafewshortlinestoyou，withanintimationonthecoverofthepackagethatitwasnottobeforwardedtillafterhewasdead。OneofthesepaperswasalettertothisgirlAgnes；theotherawill。\'

\'Whatoftheletter?\'askedMr。Brownlow。

\'Theletter?——Asheetofpapercrossedandcrossedagain，withapenitentconfession，andprayerstoGodtohelpher。Hehadpalmedataleonthegirlthatsomesecretmystery——tobeexplainedoneday——preventedhismarryingherjustthen；andsoshehadgoneon，trustingpatientlytohim，untilshetrustedtoofar，andlostwhatnonecouldevergiveherback。Shewas，atthattime，withinafewmonthsofherconfinement。Hetoldherallhehadmeanttodo，tohidehershame，ifhehadlived，andprayedher，ifhedied，nottocursehimmemory，orthinktheconsequencesoftheirsinwouldbevisitedonherortheiryoungchild；foralltheguiltwashis。Heremindedherofthedayhehadgivenherthelittlelocketandtheringwithherchristiannameengraveduponit，andablankleftforthatwhichhehopedonedaytohavebestoweduponher——prayedheryettokeepit，andwearitnextherheart，asshehaddonebefore——andthenranon，wildly，inthesamewords，overandoveragain，asifhehadgonedistracted。Ibelievehehad。\'

\'Thewill，\'saidMr。Brownlow，asOliver\'stearsfellfast。

Monkswassilent。

\'Thewill，\'saidMr。Brownlow，speakingforhim，\'wasinthesamespiritastheletter。Hetalkedofmiserieswhichhiswifehadbroughtuponhim；oftherebelliousdisposition，vice，malice，andprematurebadpassionsofyouhisonlyson，whohadbeentrainedtohatehim；andleftyou，andyourmother，eachanannuityofeighthundredpounds。Thebulkofhispropertyhedividedintotwoequalportions——oneforAgnesFleming，andtheotherfortheirchild，ititshouldbebornalive，andevercomeofage。Ifitwereagirl，itwastoinheritthemoneyunconditionally；butifaboy，onlyonthestipulationthatinhisminorityheshouldneverhavestainedhisnamewithanypublicactofdishonour，meanness，cowardice，orwrong。Hedidthis，hesaid，tomarkhisconfidenceintheother，andhisconviction——onlystrengthenedbyapproachingdeath——thatthechildwouldsharehergentleheart，andnoblenature。Ifheweredisappointedinthisexpectation，thenthemoneywastocometoyou:forthen，andnottillthen，whenbothchildrenwereequal，wouldherecogniseyourpriorclaimuponhispurse，whohadnoneuponhisheart，buthad，fromaninfant，repulsedhimwithcoldnessandaversion。\'

\'Mymother，\'saidMonks，inaloudertone，\'didwhatawomanshouldhavedone。Sheburntthiswill。Theletterneverreacheditsdestination；butthat，andotherproofs，shekept，incasetheyevertriedtolieawaytheblot。Thegirl\'sfatherhadthetruthfromherwitheveryaggravationthatherviolenthate——I

loveherforitnow——couldadd。GoadedbyshameanddishonourhefledwithhischildrenintoaremotecornerofWales，changinghisverynamethathisfriendsmightneverknowofhisretreat；

andhere，nogreatwhileafterwards，hewasfounddeadinhisbed。Thegirlhadleftherhome，insecret，someweeksbefore；

hehadsearchedforher，onfoot，ineverytownandvillagenear；

itwasonthenightwhenhereturnedhome，assuredthatshehaddestroyedherself，tohidehershameandhis，thathisoldheartbroke。\'

Therewasashortsilencehere，untilMr。Brownlowtookupthethreadofthenarrative。

\'Yearsafterthis，\'hesaid，\'thisman\'s——EdwardLeeford\'s——mothercametome。Hehadlefther，whenonlyeighteen；robbedherofjewelsandmoney；gambled，squandered，forged，andfledtoLondon:wherefortwoyearshehadassociatedwiththelowestoutcasts。Shewassinkingunderapainfulandincurabledisease，andwishedtorecoverhimbeforeshedied。Inquiriesweresetonfoot，andstrictsearchesmade。

Theywereunavailingforalongtime，butultimatelysuccessful；

andhewentbackwithhertoFrance。

\'Thereshedied，\'saidMonks，\'afteralingeringillness；and，onherdeath-bed，shebequeathedthesesecretstome，togetherwithherunquenchableanddeadlyhatredofallwhomtheyinvolved——thoughsheneednothaveleftmethat，forIhadinheriteditlongbefore。Shewouldnotbelievethatthegirlhaddestroyedherself，andthechildtoo，butwasfilledwiththeimpressionthatamalechildhadbeenborn，andwasalive。I

sworetoher，ifeveritcrossedmypath，tohuntitdown；nevertoletitrest；topursueitwiththebitterestandmostunrelentinganimosity；toventuponitthehatredthatIdeeplyfelt，andtospitupontheemptyvauntofthatinsultingwillbydragginit，ifIcould，totheverygallows-foot。Shewasright。

Hecameinmywayatlast。Ibeganwell；and，butforbabblingdrabs，IwouldhavefinishedasIbegan！\'

Asthevillainfoldedhisarmstighttogether，andmutteredcursesonhimselfintheimpotenceofbaffledmalice，Mr。

Brownlowturnedtotheterrifiedgroupbesidehim，andexplainedthattheJew，whohadbeenhisoldaccompliceandconfidant，hadalargerewardforkeepingOliverensnared:ofwhichsomepartwastobegivenup，intheeventofhisbeingrescued:andthatadisputeonthisheadhadledtotheirvisittothecountryhouseforthepurposeofidentifyinghim。

\'Thelocketandring?\'saidMr。Brownlow，turningtoMonks。

\'IboughtthemfromthemanandwomanItoldyouof，whostolethemfromthenurse，whostolethemfromthecorpse，\'answeredMonkswithoutraisinghiseyes。\'Youknowwhatbecameofthem。\'

Mr。BrownlowmerelynoddedtoMr。Grimwig，whodisappearingwithgreatalacrity，shortlyreturned，pushinginMrs。Bumble，anddraggingherunwillingconsortafterhim。

\'Domyhi\'sdeceiveme！\'criedMr。Bumble，withill-feignedenthusiasm，\'oristhatlittleOliver?OhO-li-ver，ifyouknow\'dhowI\'vebeena-grievingforyou——\'

\'Holdyourtongue，fool，\'murmuredMrs。Bumble。

\'Isn\'tnatur，natur，Mrs。Bumble?\'remonstratedtheworkhousemaster。\'Can\'tIbesupposedtofeel——_I_asbroughthimupporochially——whenIseehima-settinghereamongladiesandgentlemenoftheveryaffablestdescription！Ialwayslovedthatboyasifhe\'dbeenmy——my——myowngrandfather，\'saidMr。Bumble，haltingforanappropriatecomparison。\'MasterOliver，mydear，youremembertheblessedgentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat?Ah！

hewenttoheavenlastweek，inaoakcoffinwithplatedhandles，Oliver。\'

\'Come，sir，\'saidMr。Grimwig，tartly；\'suppressyourfeelings。\'

\'Iwilldomyendeavours，sir，\'repliedMr。Bumble。\'Howdoyoudo，sir?Ihopeyouareverywell。\'

ThissalutationwasaddressedtoMr。Brownlow，whohadsteppeduptowithinashortdistanceoftherespectablecouple。Heinquired，ashepointedtoMonks，\'Doyouknowthatperson?\'

\'No，\'repliedMrs。Bumbleflatly。

\'PerhapsYOUdon\'t?\'saidMr。Brownlow，addressingherspouse。

\'Ineversawhiminallmylife，\'saidMr。Bumble。

\'Norsoldhimanything，perhaps?\'

\'No，\'repliedMrs。Bumble。

\'Youneverhad，perhaps，acertaingoldlocketandring?\'saidMr。Brownlow。

\'Certainlynot，\'repliedthematron。\'Whyarewebroughtheretoanswertosuchnonsenseasthis?\'

AgainMr。BrownlownoddedtoMr。Grimwig；andagainthatgentlemanlimpedawaywithextraordinaryreadiness。Butnotagaindidhereturnwithastoutmanandwife；forthistime，heledintwopalsiedwomen，whoshookandtotteredastheywalked。

\'YoushutthedoorthenightoldSallydied，\'saidtheforemostone，raisinghershrivelledhand，\'butyoucouldn\'tshutoutthesound，norstopthechinks。\'

\'No，no，\'saidtheother，lookingroundherandwagginghertoothlessjaws。\'No，no，no。\'

\'Weheardhertrytotellyouwhatshe\'ddone，andsawyoutakeapaperfromherhand，andwatchedyoutoo，nextday，tothepawnbroker\'sshop，\'saidthefirst。

\'Yes，\'addedthesecond，\'anditwasa“locketandgoldring。”

Wefoundoutthat，andsawitgivenyou。Wewereby。Oh！wewereby。\'

\'Andweknowmorethanthat，\'resumedthefirst，\'forshetoldusoften，longago，thattheyoungmotherhadtoldherthat，feelingsheshouldnevergetoverit，shewasonherway，atthetimethatshewastakenill，todienearthegraveofthefatherofthechild。\'

\'Wouldyouliketoseethepawnbrokerhimself?\'askedMr。Grimwigwithamotiontowardsthedoor。

\'No，\'repliedthewoman；\'ifhe——shepointedtoMonks——\'hasbeencowardenoughtoconfess，asIseehehad，andyouhavesoundedallthesehagstillyouhavefoundtherightones，Ihavenothingmoretosay。IDIDsellthem，andthey\'rewhereyou\'llnevergetthem。Whatthen?\'

\'Nothing，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，\'exceptthatitremainsforustotakecarethatneitherofyouisemployedinasituationoftrustagain。Youmayleavetheroom。\'

\'Ihope，\'saidMr。Bumble，lookingabouthimwithgreatruefulness，asMr。Grimwigdisappearedwiththetwooldwomen:

\'Ihopethatthisunfortunatelittlecircumstancewillnotdeprivemeofmyporochialoffice?\'

\'Indeeditwill，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'Youmaymakeupyourmindtothat，andthinkyourselfwelloffbesides。\'

\'ItwasallMrs。Bumble。SheWOULDdoit，\'urgedMr。Bumble；

firstlookingroundtoascertainthathispartnerhadlefttheroom。

\'Thatisnoexcuse，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'Youwerepresentontheoccasionofthedestructionofthesetrinkets，andindeedarethemoreguiltyofthetwo，intheeyeofthelaw；forthelawsupposesthatyourwifeactsunderyourdirection。\'

\'Ifthelawsupposesthat，\'saidMr。Bumble，squeezinghishatemphaticallyinbothhands，\'thelawisaass——aidiot。Ifthat\'stheeyeofthelaw，thelawisabachelor；andtheworstI

wishthelawis，thathiseyemaybeopenedbyexperience——byexperience。\'

Layinggreatstressontherepetitionofthesetwowords，Mr。

Bumblefixedhishatonverytight，andputtinghishandsinhispockets，followedhishelpmatedownstairs。

\'Younglady，\'saidMr。Brownlow，turningtoRose，\'givemeyourhand。Donottremble。Youneednotfeartohearthefewremainingwordswehavetosay。\'

\'Iftheyhave——Idonotknowhowtheycan，butiftheyhave——anyreferencetome，\'saidRose，\'prayletmehearthematsomeothertime。Ihavenotstrengthorspiritsnow。\'

\'Nay，\'returnedtheoldgentlman，drawingherarmthroughhis；

\'youhavemorefortitudethanthis，Iamsure。Doyouknowthisyounglady，sir?\'

\'Yes，\'repliedMonks。

\'Ineversawyoubefore，\'saidRosefaintly。

\'Ihaveseenyouoften，\'returnedMonks。

\'ThefatheroftheunhappyAgneshadTWOdaughters，\'saidMr。

Brownlow。\'Whatwasthefateoftheother——thechild?\'

\'Thechild，\'repliedMonks，\'whenherfatherdiedinastrangeplace，inastrangename，withoutaletter，book，orscrapofpaperthatyieldedthefaintestcluebywhichhisfriendsorrelativescouldbetraced——thechildwastakenbysomewretchedcottagers，whoreareditastheirown。\'

\'Goon，\'saidMr。Brownlow，signingtoMrs。Maylietoapproach。

\'Goon！\'

\'Youcouldn\'tfindthespottowhichthesepeoplehadrepaired，\'

saidMonks，\'butwherefriendshipfails，hatredwilloftenforceaway。Mymotherfoundit，afterayearofcunningsearch——ay，andfoundthechild。\'

\'Shetookit，didshe?\'

\'No。Thepeoplewerepoorandbegantosicken——atleastthemandid——oftheirfinehumanity；sosheleftitwiththem，givingthemasmallpresentofmoneywhichwouldnotlastlong，andpromisedmore，whichshenevermeanttosend。Shedidn\'tquiterely，however，ontheirdiscontentandpovertyforthechild\'sunhappiness，buttoldthehistoryofthesister\'sshame，withsuchalterationsassuitedher；badethemtakegoodheedofthechild，forshecameofbadblood；；andtoldthemshewasillegitimate，andsuretogowrongatonetimeorother。Thecircumstancescountenancedallthis；thepeoplebelievedit；andtherethechilddraggedonanexistence，miserableenougheventosatisfyus，untilawidowlady，residing，then，atChester，sawthegirlbychance，pitiedher，andtookherhome。Therewassomecursedspell，Ithink，againstus；forinspiteofalloureffortssheremainedthereandwashappy。Ilostsightofher，twoorthreeyearsago，andsawhernomoreuntilafewmonthsback。\'

\'Doyouseehernow?\'

\'Yes。Leaningonyourarm。\'

\'Butnotthelessmyniece，\'criedMrs。Maylie，foldingthefaintinggirlinherarms；\'notthelessmydearestchild。I

wouldnotlosehernow，forallthetreasuresoftheworld。Mysweetcompanion，myowndeargirl！\'

\'TheonlyfriendIeverhad，\'criedRose，clingingtoher。\'Thekindest，bestoffriends。Myheartwillburst。Icannotbearallthis。\'

\'Youhavebornemore，andhavebeen，throughall，thebestandgentlestcreaturethatevershedhappinessoneveryonesheknew，\'saidMrs。Maylie，embracinghertenderly。\'Come，come，mylove，rememberwhothisiswhowaitstoclaspyouinhisarms，poorchild！Seehere——look，look，mydear！\'

\'Notaunt，\'criedOliver，throwinghisarmsaboutherneck；\'I\'llnevercallheraunt——sister，myowndearsister，thatsomethingtaughtmyhearttolovesodearlyfromthefirst！Rose，dear，darlingRose！\'

Letthetearswhichfell，andthebrokenwordswhichwereexchangedinthelongcloseembracebetweentheorphans，besacred。Afather，sister，andmother，weregained，andlost，inthatonemoment。Joyandgriefweremingledinthecup；buttherewerenobittertears:forevengriefitselfarosesosoftened，andclothedinsuchsweetandtenderrecollections，thatitbecameasolemnpleasure，andlostallcharacterofpain。

Theywerealong，longtimealone。Asofttapatthedoor，atlengthannouncedthatsomeonewaswithout。Oliveropenedit，glidedaway，andgaveplacetoHarryMaylie。

\'Iknowitall，\'hesaid，takingaseatbesidethelovelygirl。

\'DearRose，Iknowitall。\'

\'Iamnotherebyaccident，\'headdedafteralengthenedsilence；

\'norhaveIheardallthisto-night，forIknewityesterday——onlyyesterday。DoyouguessthatIhavecometoremindyouofapromise?\'

\'Stay，\'saidRose。\'YouDOknowall。\'

\'All。Yougavemeleave，atanytimewithinayear，torenewthesubjectofourlastdiscourse。\'

\'Idid。\'

\'Nottopressyoutoalteryourdetermination，\'pursuedtheyoungman，\'buttohearyourepeatit，ifyouwould。IwastolaywhateverofstationorfortuneImightpossessatyourfeet，andifyoustilladheredtoyourformerdetermination，Ipledgedmyself，bynowordoract，toseektochangeit。\'

\'Thesamereasonswhichinfluencedmethen，willinfluencemeknow，\'saidRosefirmly。\'IfIeverowedastrictandrigiddutytoher，whosegoodnesssavedmefromalifeofindigenceandsuffering，whenshouldIeverfeelit，asIshouldto-night?Itisastruggle，\'saidRose，\'butoneIamproudtomake；itisapang，butonemyheartshallbear。\'

\'Thedisclosureofto-night，\'——Harrybegan。

\'Thedisclosureofto-night，\'repliedRosesoftly，\'leavesmeinthesameposition，withreferencetoyou，asthatinwhichI

stoodbefore。\'

\'Youhardenyourheartagainstme，Rose，\'urgedherlover。

\'OhHarry，Harry，\'saidtheyounglady，burstingintotears；\'I

wishIcould，andsparemyselfthispain。\'

\'Thenwhyinflictitonyourself?\'saidHarry，takingherhand。

\'Think，dearRose，thinkwhatyouhaveheardto-night。\'

\'AndwhathaveIheard！WhathaveIheard！\'criedRose。\'Thatasenseofhisdeepdisgracesoworkeduponmyownfatherthatheshunnedall——there，wehavesaidenough，Harry，wehavesaidenough。\'

\'Notyet，notyet，\'saidtheyoungman，detainingherassherose。\'Myhopes，mywishes，prospects，feeling:everythoughtinlifeexceptmyloveforyou:haveundergoneachange。I

offeryou，now，nodistinctionamongabustlingcrowd；nominglingwithaworldofmaliceanddetraction，wherethebloodiscalledintohonestcheeksbyaughtbutrealdisgraceandshame；butahome——aheartandhome——yes，dearestRose，andthose，andthosealone，areallIhavetooffer。\'

\'Whatdoyoumean！\'shefaltered。

\'Imeanbutthis——thatwhenIleftyoulast，Ileftyouwithafirmdeterminationtolevelallfanciedbarriersbetweenyourselfandme；resolvedthatifmyworldcouldnotbeyours，Iwouldmakeyoursmine；thatnoprideofbirthshouldcurlthelipatyou，forIwouldturnfromit。ThisIhavedone。Thosewhohaveshrunkfrommebecauseofthis，haveshrunkfromyou，andprovedyousofarright。Suchpowerandpatronage:suchrelativesofinfluenceandrank:assmileduponmethen，lookcoldlynow；buttherearesmilingfieldsandwavingtreesinEngland\'srichestcounty；andbyonevillagechurch——mine，Rose，myown！——therestandsarusticdwellingwhichyoucanmakemeprouderof，thanallthehopesIhaverenounced，measuredathousandfold。Thisismyrankandstationnow，andhereIlayitdown！\'

*******

\'It\'satryingthingwaitingsupperforlovers，\'saidMr。

Grimwig，wakingup，andpullinghispocket-handkerchieffromoverhishead。

Truthtotell，thesupperhadbeenwaitingamostunreasonabletime。NeitherMrs。Maylie，norHarry，norRose(whoallcameintogether)，couldofferawordinextenuation。

\'Ihadseriousthoughtsofeatingmyheadto-night，\'saidMr。

Grimwig，\'forIbegantothinkIshouldgetnothingelse。I\'lltaketheliberty，ifyou\'llallowme，ofsalutingthebridethatistobe。\'

Mr。Grimwiglostnotimeincarryingthisnoticeintoeffectupontheblushinggirl；andtheexample，beingcontagious，wasfollowedbothbythedoctorandMr。Brownlow:somepeopleaffirmthatHarryMayliehadbeenobservedtosetit，orginally，inadarkroomadjoining；butthebestauthoritiesconsiderthisdownrightscandal:hebeingyoungandaclergyman。

\'Oliver，mychild，\'saidMrs。Maylie，\'wherehaveyoubeen，andwhydoyoulooksosad?Therearetearsstealingdownyourfaceatthismoment。Whatisthematter?\'

Itisaworldofdisappointment:oftentothehopeswemostcherish，andhopesthatdoournaturethegreatesthonour。

PoorDickwasdead！

CHAPTERLII

FAGIN\'SLASTNIGHTALIVE

Thecourtwaspaved，fromfloortoroof，withhumanfaces。

Inquisitiveandeagereyespeeredfromeveryinchofspace。Fromtherailbeforethedock，awayintothesharpestangleofthesmallestcornerinthegalleries，alllookswerefixedupononeman——Fagin。Beforehimandbehind:above，below，ontherightandontheleft:heseemedtostandsurroundedbyafirmament，allbrightwithgleamingeyes。

Hestoodthere，inallthisglareoflivinglight，withonehandrestingonthewoodenslabbeforehim，theotherheldtohisear，andhisheadthrustforwardtoenablehimtocatchwithgreaterdistinctnesseverywordthatfellfromthepresidingjudge，whowasdeliveringhischargetothejury。Attimes，heturnedhiseyessharplyuponthemtoobservetheeffectoftheslightestfeatherweightinhisfavour；andwhenthepointsagainsthimwerestatedwithterribledistinctness，lookedtowardshiscounsel，inmuteappealthathewould，eventhen，urgesomethinginhisbehalf。Beyondthesemanifestationsofanxiety，hestirrednothandorfoot。Hehadscarcelymovedsincethetrialbegan；andnowthatthejudgeceasedtospeak，hestillremainedinthesamestrainedattitudeofcloseattention，withhisgazebenonhim，asthoughhelistenedstill。

Aslightbustleinthecourt，recalledhimtohimself。Lookinground，hesawthatthejurymanhadturnedtogether，toconsidertheirverdict。Ashiseyeswanderedtothegallery，hecouldseethepeoplerisingaboveeachothertoseehisface:somehastilyapplyingtheirglassestotheireyes:andotherswhisperingtheirneighbourswithlooksexpressiveofabhorrence。Afewtherewere，whoseemedunmindfulofhim，andlookedonlytothejury，inimpatientwonderhowtheycoulddelay。Butinnooneface——notevenamongthewomen，ofwhomthereweremanythere——couldhereadthefaintestsympathywithhimself，oranyfeelingbutoneofall-absorbinginterestthatheshouldbecondemned。

Ashesawallthisinonebewilderedglance，thedeathlikestillnesscameagain，andlookingbackhesawthatthejurymenhadturnedtowardsthejudge。Hush！

Theyonlysoughtpermissiontoretire。

Helooked，wistfully，intotheirfaces，onebyonewhentheypassedout，asthoughtoseewhichwaythegreaternumberleant；

butthatwasfruitless。Thejailedtouchedhimontheshoulder。

Hefollowedmechanicallytotheendofthedock，andsatdownonachair。Themanpointeditout，orhewouldnothaveseenit。

Helookedupintothegalleryagain。Someofthepeoplewereeating，andsomefanningthemselveswithhandkerchiefs；forthecrowdedplacewasveryhot。Therewasoneyoungmansketchinghisfaceinalittlenote-book。Hewonderedwhetheritwaslike，andlookedonwhentheartistbrokehispencil-point，andmadeanotherwithhisknife，asanyidlespectatormighthavedone。

Inthesameway，whenheturnedhiseyestowardsthejudge，hismindbegantobusyitselfwiththefashionofhisdress，andwhatitcost，andhowheputiton。Therewasanoldfatgentlemanonthebench，too，whohadgoneout，somehalfanhourbefore，andnowcomeback。Hewonderedwithinhimselfwhetherthismanhadbeentogethisdinner，whathehadhad，andwherehehadhadit；

andpursuedthistrainofcarelessthoughtuntilsomenewobjectcaughthiseyeandrousedanother。

Notthat，allthistime，hismindwas，foraninstant，freefromoneoppressiveoverwhelmingsenseofthegravethatopenedathisfeet；itwaseverpresenttohim，butinavagueandgeneralway，andhecouldnotfixhisthoughtsuponit。Thus，evenwhilehetrembled，andturnedburninghotattheideaofspeedydeath，hefelltocountingtheironspikesbeforehim，andwonderinghowtheheadofonehadbeenbrokenoff，andwhethertheywouldmendit，orleaveitasitwas。Then，hethoughtofallthehorrorsofthegallowsandthescaffold——andstoppedtowatchamansprinklingthefloortocoolit——andthenwentontothinkagain。

Atlengththerewasacryofsilence，andabreathlesslookfromalltowardsthedoor。Thejuryreturned，andpassedhimclose。

Hecouldgleannothingfromtheirfaces；theymightaswellhavebeenofstone。Perfectstillnessensued——notarustle——notabreath——Guilty。

Thebuildingrangwithatremendousshout，andanother，andanother，andthenitechoedloudgroans，thatgatheredstrengthastheyswelledout，likeangrythunder。Itwasapealofjoyfromthepopulaceoutside，greetingthenewsthathewoulddieonMonday。

Thenoisesubsided，andhewasaskedifhehadanythingtosaywhysentenceofdeathshouldnotbepasseduponhim。Hehadresumedhislisteningattitude，andlookedintentlyathisquestionerwhilethedemandwasmade；butitwastwicerepeatedbeforeheseemedtohearit，andthenheonlymutteredthathewasanoldman——anoldman——andso，droppingintoawhisper，wassilentagain。

Thejudgeassumedtheblackcap，andtheprisonerstillstoodwiththesameairandgesture。Awomaninthegallery，utteredsomeexclamation，calledforthbythisdreadsolemnity；helookedhastilyupasifangryattheinterruption，andbentforwardyetmoreattentively。Theaddresswassolemnandimpressive；thesentencefearfultohear。Buthestood，likeamarblefigure，withoutthemotionofanerve。Hishaggardfacewasstillthrustforward，hisunder-jawhangingdown，andhiseyesstaringoutbeforehim，whenthejailerputhishanduponhisarm，andbeckonedhimaway。Hegazedstupidlyabouthimforaninstant，andobeyed。

Theyledhimthroughapavedroomunderthecourt，wheresomeprisonerswerewaitingtilltheirturnscame，andothersweretalkingtotheirfriends，whocrowdedroundagratewhichlookedintotheopenyard。TherewasnobodytheretospeaktoHIM；but，ashepassed，theprisonersfellbacktorenderhimmorevisibletothepeoplewhowereclingingtothebars:andtheyassailedhimwithopprobriousnames，andscreechedandhissed。Heshookhisfist，andwouldhavespatuponthem；buthisconductorshurriedhimon，throughagloomypassagelightedbyafewdimlamps，intotheinterioroftheprison。

Here，hewassearched，thathemightnothaveabouthimthemeansofanticipatingthelaw；thisceremonyperformed，theyledhimtooneofthecondemnedcells，andlefthimthere——alone。

Hesatdownonastonebenchoppositethedoor，whichservedforseatandbedstead；andcastinghisblood-shoteyesupontheground，triedtocollecthisthoughts。Afterawhile，hebegantorememberafewdisjointedfragmentsofwhatthejudgehadsaid:

thoughithadseemedtohim，atthetime，thathecouldnothearaword。Thesegraduallyfellintotheirproperplaces，andbydegreessuggestedmore:sothatinalittletimehehadthewhole，almostasitwasdelivered。Tobehangedbytheneck，tillhewasdead——thatwastheend。Tobehangedbythenecktillhewasdead。

Asitcameonverydark，hebegantothinkofallthemenhehadknownwhohaddieduponthescaffold；someofthemthroughhismeans。Theyroseup，insuchquicksuccession，thathecouldhardlycountthem。Hehadseensomeofthemdie，——andhadjokedtoo，becausetheydiedwithprayersupontheirlips。Withwhatarattlingnoisethedropwentdown；andhowsuddenlytheychanged，fromstrongandvigorousmentodanglingheapsofclothes！

Someofthemmighthaveinhabitedthatverycell——satuponthatveryspot。Itwasverydark；whydidn\'ttheybringalight?Thecellhadbeenbuiltformanyyears。Scoresofmenmusthavepassedtheirlasthoursthere。Itwaslikesittinginavaultstrewnwithdeadbodies——thecap，thenoose，thepinionedarms，thefacesthatheknew，evenbeneaththathideousveil——Light，light！

Atlength，whenhishandswererawwithbeatingagainsttheheavydoorandwalls，twomenappeared:onebearingacandle，whichhethrustintoanironcandlestickfixedagainstthewall:theotherdragginginamattressonwhichtopassthenight；fortheprisonerwastobeleftalonenomore。

Thencamethenight——dark，dismal，silentnight。Otherwatchersaregladtohearthischurch-clockstrike，fortheytelloflifeandcomingday。Tohimtheybroughtdespair。Theboomofeveryironbellcameladenwiththeone，deep，hollowsound——Death。

Whatavailedthenoiseandbustleofcheerfulmorning，whichpenetratedeventhere，tohim?Itwasanotherformofknell，withmockeryaddedtothewarning。

Thedaypassedoff。Day?Therewasnoday；itwasgoneassoonascome——andnightcameonagain；nightsolong，andyetsoshort；longinitsdreadfulsilence，andshortinitsfleetinghours。Atonetimeheravedandblasphemed；andatanotherhowledandtorehishair。Venerablemenofhisownpersuasionhadcometopraybesidehim，buthehaddriventhemawaywithcurses。Theyrenewedtheircharitableefforts，andhebeatthemoff。

Saturdaynight。Hehadonlyonenightmoretolive。Andashethoughtofthis，thedaybroke——Sunday。

Itwasnotuntilthenightofthislastawfulday，thatawitheringsenseofhishelpless，desperatestatecameinitsfullintensityuponhisblightedsoul；notthathehadeverheldanydefinedorpositivehopeofmercy，butthathehadneverbeenabletoconsidermorethanthedimprobabilityofdyingsosoon。

Hehadspokenlittletoeitherofthetwomen，whorelievedeachotherintheirattendanceuponhim；andthey，fortheirparts，madenoefforttorousehisattention。Hehadsatthere，awake，butdreaming。Now，hestartedup，everyminute，andwithgaspingmouthandburningskin，hurriedtoandfro，insuchaparoxysmoffearandwraththateventhey——usedtosuchsights——recoiledfromhimwithhorror。Hegrewsoterrible，atlast，inallthetorturesofhisevilconscience，thatonemancouldnotbeartositthere，eyeinghimalone；andsothetwokeptwatchtogether。

Hecowereddownuponhisstonebed，andthoughtofthepast。Hehadbeenwoundedwithsomemissilesfromthecrowdonthedayofhiscapture，andhisheadwasbandagedwithalinencloth。Hisredhairhungdownuponhisbloodlessface；hisbeardwastorn，andtwistedintoknots；hiseyesshonewithaterriblelight；hisunwashedfleshcrackledwiththefeverthatburnthimup。

Eight——nine——then。Ifitwasnotatricktofrightenhim，andthoseweretherealhourstreadingoneachother\'sheels，wherewouldhebe，whentheycameroundagain！Eleven！Anotherstruck，beforethevoiceoftheprevioushourhadceasedtovibrate。Ateight，hewouldbetheonlymournerinhisownfuneraltrain；ateleven——

ThosedreadfulwallsofNewgate，whichhavehiddensomuchmiseryandsuchunspeakableanguish，notonlyfromtheeyes，but，toooften，andtoolong，fromthethoughts，ofmen，neverheldsodreadaspectacleasthat。Thefewwholingeredastheypassed，andwonderedwhatthemanwasdoingwhowastobehangedto-morrow，wouldhavesleptbutillthatnight，iftheycouldhaveseenhim。

Fromearlyintheeveninguntilnearlymidnight，littlegroupsoftwoandthreepresentedthemselvesatthelodge-gate，andinquired，withanxiousfaces，whetheranyreprievehadbeenreceived。Thesebeingansweredinthenegative，communicatedthewelcomeintelligencetoclustersinthestreet，whopointedouttooneanotherthedoorfromwhichhemustcomeout，andshowedwherethescaffoldwouldbebuilt，and，walkingwithunwillingstepsaway，turnedbacktoconjureupthescene。Bydegreestheyfelloff，onebyone；and，foranhour，inthedeadofnight，thestreetwaslefttosolitudeanddarkness。

Thespacebeforetheprisonwascleared，andafewstrongbarriers，paintedblack，hadbeenalreadythrownacrosstheroadtobreakthepressureoftheexpectedcrowd，whenMr。BrownlowandOliverappearedatthewicket，andpresentedanorderofadmissiontotheprisoner，signedbyoneofthesheriffs。Theywereimmediatelyadmittedintothelodge。

\'Istheyounggentlemantocometoo，sir?\'saidthemanwhosedutyitwastoconductthem。\'It\'snotasightforchildren，sir。\'

\'Itisnotindeed，myfriend，\'rejoinedMr。Brownlow；\'butmybusinesswiththismanisintimatelyconnectedwithhim；andasthischildhasseenhiminthefullcareerofhissuccessandvillainy，Ithinkitaswell——evenatthecostofsomepainandfear——thatheshouldseehimnow。\'

Thesefewwordshadbeensaidapart，soastobeinaudibletoOliver。Themantouchedhishat；andglancingatOliverwithsomecuriousity，openedanothergate，oppositetothatbywhichtheyhadentered，andledthemon，throughdarkandwindingways，towardsthecells。

\'This，\'saidtheman，stoppinginagloomypassagewhereacoupleofworkmenweremakingsomepreparationsinprofoundsilence——\'thisistheplacehepassesthrough。Ifyoustepthisway，youcanseethedoorhegoesoutat。\'

Heledthemintoastonekitchen，fittedwithcoppersfordressingtheprisonfood，andpointedtoadoor。Therewasanopengratingaboveit，throughtwhichcamethesoundofmen\'svoices，mingledwiththenoiseofhammering，andthethrowingdownofboards。Therewereputtingupthescaffold。

Fromthisplace，theypassedthroughseveralstronggates，openedbyotherturnkeysfromtheinnerside；and，havingenteredanopenyard，ascendedaflightofnarrowsteps，andcameintoapassagewitharowofstrongdoorsonthelefthand。Motioningthemtoremainwheretheywere，theturnkeyknockedatoneofthesewithhisbunchofkeys。Thetwoattendants，afteralittlewhispering，cameoutintothepassage，stretchingthemselvesasifgladofthetemporaryrelief，andmotionedthevisitorstofollowthejailerintothecell。Theydidso。

Thecondemnedcriminalwasseatedonhisbed，rockinghimselffromsidetoside，withacountenancemorelikethatofasnaredbeastthanthefaceofaman。Hismindwasevidentlywanderingtohisoldlife，forhecontinuedtomutter，withoutappearingconsciousoftheirpresenceotherwisethanasapartofhisvision。

\'Goodboy，Charley——welldone——\'hemumbled。\'Oliver，too，ha！

ha！ha！Olivertoo——quitethegentlemannow——quitethe——takethatboyawaytobed！\'

ThejailertookthedisengagedhandofOliver；and，whisperinghimnottobealarmed，lookedonwithoutspeaking。

\'Takehimawaytobed！\'criedFagin。\'Doyouhearme，someofyou?Hehasbeenthe——the——somehowthecauseofallthis。It\'sworththemoneytobringhimuptoit——Bolter\'sthroat，Bill；

nevermindthegirl——Bolter\'sthroatasdeepasyoucancut。Sawhisheadoff！\'

\'Fagin，\'saidthejailer。

\'That\'sme！\'criedtheJew，fallinginstantly，intotheattitudeoflisteninghehadassumeduponhistrial。\'Anoldman，myLord；averyold，oldman！\'

\'Here，\'saidtheturnkey，layinghishanduponhisbreasttokeephimdown。\'Here\'ssomebodywantstoseeyou，toaskyousomequestions，Isuppose。Fagin，Fagin！Areyouaman?\'

\'Ishan\'tbeonelong，\'hereplied，lookingupwithafaceretainingnohumanexpressionbutrageandterror。\'Strikethemalldead！Whatrighthavetheytobutcherme?\'

AshespokehecaughtsightofOliverandMr。Brownlow。Shrinkingtothefurthestcorneroftheseat，hedemandedtoknowwhattheywantedthere。

\'Steady，\'saidtheturnkey，stillholdinghimdown。\'Now，sir，tellhimwhatyouwant。Quick，ifyouplease，forhegrowsworseasthetimegetson。\'

\'Youhavesomepapers，\'saidMr。Brownlowadvancing，\'whichwereplacedinyourhands，forbettersecurity，byamancalledMonks。\'

\'It\'sallalietogether，\'repliedFagin。\'Ihaven\'tone——notone。\'

\'FortheloveofGod，\'saidMr。Brownlowsolemnly，\'donotsaythatnow，upontheveryvergeofdeath；buttellmewheretheyare。YouknowthatSikesisdead；thatMonkshasconfessed；thatthereisnohopeofanyfurthergain。Wherearethosepapers?\'

\'Oliver，\'criedFagin，beckoningtohim。\'Here，here！Letmewhispertoyou。\'

\'Iamnotafraid，\'saidOliverinalowvoice，asherelinquishedMr。Brownlow\'shand。

\'Thepapers，\'saidFagin，drawingOlivertowardshim，\'areinacanvasbag，inaholealittlewayupthechimneyinthetopfront-room。Iwanttotalktoyou，mydear。Iwanttotalktoyou。\'

\'Yes，yes，\'returnedOliver。\'Letmesayaprayer。Do！Letmesayoneprayer。Sayonlyone，uponyourknees，withme，andwewilltalktillmorning。\'

\'Outside，outside，\'repliedFagin，pushingtheboybeforehimtowardsthedoor，andlookingvacantlyoverhishead。\'SayI\'vegonetosleep——they\'llbelieveyou。Youcangetmeout，ifyoutakemeso。Nowthen，nowthen！\'

\'Oh！Godforgivethiswretchedman！\'criedtheboywithaburstoftears。

\'That\'sright，that\'sright，\'saidFagin。\'That\'llhelpuson。

Thisdoorfirst。IfIshakeandtremble，aswepassthegallows，don\'tyoumind，buthurryon。Now，now，now！\'

\'Haveyounothingelsetoaskhim，sir?\'inquiredtheturnkey。

\'Nootherquestion，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'IfIhopedwecouldrecallhimtoasenseofhisposition——\'

\'Nothingwilldothat，sir，\'repliedtheman，shakinghishead。

\'Youhadbetterleavehim。\'

Thedoorofthecellopened，andtheattendantsreturned。

\'Presson，presson，\'criedFagin。\'Softly，butnotsoslow。

Faster，faster！\'

Themenlaidhandsuponhim，anddisengagingOliverfromhisgrasp，heldhimback。Hestruggledwiththepowerofdesperation，foraninstant；andthensentupcryuponcrythatpenetratedeventhosemassivewalls，andrangintheirearsuntiltheyreachedtheopenyard。

Itwassometimebeforetheylefttheprison。Olivernearlyswoonedafterthisfrightfulscene，andwassoweakthatforanhourormore，hehadnotthestrengthtowalk。

Daywasdawningwhentheyagainemerged。Agreatmultitudehadalreadyassembled；thewindowswerefilledwithpeople，smokingandplayingcardstobeguilethetime；thecrowdwerepushing，quarrelling，joking。Everythingtoldoflifeandanimation，butonedarkclusterofobjectsinthecentreofall——theblackstage，thecross-beam，therope，andallthehideousapparatusofdeath。

CHAPTERLIII

ANDLAST

Thefortunesofthosewhohavefiguredinthistalearenearlyclosed。Thelittlethatremainstotheirhistoriantorelate，istoldinfewandsimplewords。

Beforethreemonthshadpassed，RoseFlemingandHarryMaylieweremarriedinthevillagechurchwhichwashenceforthtobethesceneoftheyoungclergyman\'slabours；onthesamedaytheyenteredintopossessionoftheirnewandhappyhome。

Mrs。Maylietookupherabodewithhersonanddaughter-in-law，toenjoy，duringthetranquilremainderofherdays，thegreatestfelicitythatageandworthcanknow——thecontemplationofthehappinessofthoseonwhomthewarmestaffectionsandtenderestcaresofawell-spentlife，havebeenunceasinglybestowed。

Itappeared，onfullandcarefulinvestigation，thatifthewreckofpropertyremaininginthecustodyofMonks(whichhadneverprosperedeitherinhishandsorinthoseofhismother)wereequallydividedbetweenhimselfandOliver，itwouldyield，toeach，littlemorethanthreethousandpounds。Bytheprovisionsofhisfather\'swill，Oliverwouldhavebeenentitledtothewhole；butMr。Brownlow，unwillingtodeprivetheeldersonoftheopportunityofretrievinghisformervicesandpursuinganhonestcareer，proposedthismodeofdistribution，towhichhisyoungchargejoyfullyacceded。

Monks，stillbearingthatassumedname，retiredwithhisportiontoadistantpartoftheNewWorld；where，havingquicklysquanderedit，heoncemorefellintohisoldcourses，and，afterundergoingalongconfinementforsomefreshactoffraudandknavery，atlengthsunkunderanattackofhisolddisorder，anddiedinprison。Asfarfromhome，diedthechiefremainingmembersofhisfriendFagin\'sgang。

Mr。BrownlowadoptedOliverashisson。Removingwithhimandtheoldhousekeepertowithinamileoftheparsonage-house，wherehisdearfriendsresided，hegratifiedtheonlyremainingwishofOliver\'swarmandearnestheart，andthuslinkedtogetheralittlesociety，whoseconditionapproachedasnearlytooneofperfecthappinessascaneverbeknowninthischangingworld。

Soonafterthemarriageoftheyoungpeople，theworthydoctorreturnedtoChertsey，where，bereftofthepresenceofhisoldfriends，hewouldhavebeendiscontentedifhistemperamenthadadmittedofsuchafeeling；andwouldhaveturnedquitepeevishifhehadknownhow。Fortwoorthreemonths，hecontentedhimselfwithhintingthathefearedtheairbegantodisagreewithhim；then，findingthattheplacereallynolongerwas，tohim，whatithadbeen，hesettledhisbusinessonhisassistant，tookabachelor\'scottageoutsidethevillageofwhichhisyoungfriendwaspastor，andinstantaneouslyrecovered。Herehetooktogardening，planting，fishing，carpentering，andvariousotherpursuitsofasimilarkind:allundertakenwithhischaracteristicimpetuosity。Ineachandallhehassincebecomefamousthroughouttheneighborhood，asamostprofoundauthority。

Beforehisremoval，hehadmanagedtocontractastrongfriendshipforMr。Grimwig，whichthateccentricgentlemancordiallyreciprocated。HeisaccordinglyvisitedbyMr。Grimwigagreatmanytimesinthecourseoftheyear。Onallsuchoccasions，Mr。Grimwigplants，fishes，andcarpenters，withgreatardour；doingeverythinginaverysingularandunprecedentedmanner，butalwaysmaintainingwithhisfavouriteasseveration，thathismodeistherightone。OnSundays，heneverfailstocriticisethesermontotheyoungclergyman\'sface:alwaysinformingMr。Losberne，instrictconfidenceafterwards，thatheconsidersitanexcellentperformance，butdeemsitaswellnottosayso。Itisastandingandveryfavouritejoke，forMr。

BrownlowtorallyhimonhisoldprophecyconcerningOliver，andtoremindhimofthenightonwhichtheysatwiththewatchbetweenthem，waitinghisreturn；butMr。Grimwigcontendsthathewasrightinthemain，and，inproofthereof，remarksthatOliverdidnotcomebackafterall；whichalwayscallsforthalaughonhisside，andincreaseshisgoodhumour。

Mr。NoahClaypole:receivingafreepardonfromtheCrowninconsequenceofbeingadmittedapproveragainstFagin:andconsideringhisprofessionnotaltogetherassafeaoneashecouldwish:was，forsomelittletime，atalossforthemeansofalivelihood，notburdenedwithtoomuchwork。Aftersomeconsideration，hewentintobusinessasanInformer，inwhichcallingherealisesagenteelsubsistence。Hisplanis，towalkoutonceaweekduringchurchtimeattendedbyCharlotteinrespectableattire。Theladyfaintsawayatthedoorsofcharitablepublicans，andthegentlemanbeingaccommodatedwiththree-pennyworthofbrandytorestoreher，laysaninformationnextday，andpocketshalfthepenalty。SometimesMr。Claypolefaintshimself，buttheresultisthesame。

Mr。andMrs。Bumble，deprivedoftheirsituations，weregraduallyreducedtogreatindigenceandmisery，andfinallybecamepaupersinthatverysameworkhouseinwhichtheyhadoncelordeditoverothers。Mr。Bumblehasbeenheardtosay，thatinthisreverseanddegradation，hehasnotevenspiritstobethankfulforbeingseparatedfromhiswife。

AstoMr。GilesandBrittles，theystillremainintheiroldposts，althoughtheformerisbald，andthelast-namedboyquitegrey。Theysleepattheparsonage，butdividetheirattentionssoequallyamongitsinmates，andOliverandMr。Brownlow，andMr。Losberne，thattothisdaythevillagershaveneverbeenabletodiscovertowhichestablishmenttheyproperlybelong。

MasterCharlesBates，appalledbySikes\'scrime，fellintoatrainofreflectionwhetheranhonestlifewasnot，afterall，thebest。Arrivingattheconclusionthatitcertainlywas，heturnedhisbackuponthescenesofthepast，resolvedtoamenditinsomenewsphereofaction。Hestruggledhard，andsufferedmuch，forsometime；but，havingacontenteddisposition，andagoodpurpose，succeededintheend；and，frombeingafarmer\'sdrudge，andacarrier\'slad，heisnowthemerriestyounggrazierinallNorthamptonshire。

Andnow，thehandthattracesthesewords，falters，asitapproachestheconclusionofitstask；andwouldweave，foralittlelongerspace，thethreadoftheseadventures。

IwouldfainlingeryetwithafewofthoseamongwhomIhavesolongmoved，andsharetheirhappinessbyendeavouringtodepictit。IwouldshowRoseMaylieinallthebloomandgraceofearlywomanhood，sheddingonhersecludedpathinlifesoftandgentlelight，thatfellonallwhotroditwithher，andshoneintotheirhearts。Iwouldpaintherthelifeandjoyofthefire-sidecircleandthelivelysummergroup；Iwouldfollowherthroughthesultryfieldsatnoon，andhearthelowtonesofhersweetvoiceinthemoonliteveningwalk；Iwouldwatchherinallhergoodnessandcharityabroad，andthesmilinguntiringdischargeofdomesticdutiesathome；Iwouldpaintherandherdeadsister\'schildhappyintheirloveforoneanother，andpassingwholehourstogetherinpicturingthefriendswhomtheyhadsosadlylost；Iwouldsummonbeforeme，onceagain，thosejoyouslittlefacesthatclusteredroundherknee，andlistentotheirmerryprattle；Iwouldrecallthetonesofthatclearlaugh，andconjureupthesympathisingtearthatglistenedinthesoftblueeye。These，andathousandlooksandsmiles，andturnsfothoughtandspeech——Iwouldfainrecallthemeveryone。

HowMr。Brownlowwenton，fromdaytoday，fillingthemindofhisadoptedchildwithstoresofknowledge，andbecomingattachedtohim，moreandmore，ashisnaturedevelopeditself，andshowedthethrivingseedsofallhewishedhimtobecome——howhetracedinhimnewtraitsofhisearlyfriend，thatawakenedinhisownbosomoldremembrances，melancholyandyetsweetandsoothing——howthetwoorphans，triedbyadversity，remembereditslessonsinmercytoothers，andmutuallove，andferventthankstoHimwhohadprotectedandpreservedthem——theseareallmatterswhichneednottobetold。Ihavesaidthattheyweretrulyhappy；andwithoutstrongaffectionandhumanityofheart，andgratitudetothatBeingwhosecodeisMercy，andwhosegreatattributeisBenevolencetoallthingsthatbreathe，happinesscanneverbeattained。

Withinthealtaroftheoldvillagechurchtherestandsawhitemarbletablet，whichbearsasyetbutoneword:\'AGNES。\'Thereisnocoffininthattomb；andmayitbemany，manyyears，beforeanothernameisplacedaboveit！But，ifthespiritsoftheDeadevercomebacktoearth，tovisitspotshallowedbythelove——thelovebeyondthegrave——ofthosewhomtheyknewinlife，IbelievethattheshadeofAgnessometimeshoversroundthatsolemnnook。

IbelieveitnonethelessbecausethatnookisinaChurch，andshewasweakanderring。

End