第5章

\'Againtherearetwosidestothequestion，MrsLammle。Whatdoyoupretendtobelieve?\'

\'Soyoufirstdeceivemeandtheninsultme！\'criesthelady，withaheavingbosom。

\'Notatall。Ihaveoriginatednothing。Thedouble-edgedquestionwasyours。\'

\'Wasmine！\'thebriderepeats，andherparasolbreaksinherangryhand。

Hiscolourhasturnedtoalividwhite，andominousmarkshavecometolightabouthisnose，asifthefingeroftheverydevilhimselfhad，withinthelastfewmoments，touchedithereandthere。Buthehasrepressivepower，andshehasnone。

\'Throwitaway，\'hecoollyrecommendsastotheparasol；\'youhavemadeituseless；youlookridiculouswithit。\'

Whereuponshecallshiminherrage，\'Adeliberatevillain，\'andsocaststhebrokenthingfromherasthatitstrikeshiminfalling。

Thefinger-marksaresomethingwhiterfortheinstant，buthewalksonatherside。

Sheburstsintotears，declaringherselfthewretchedest，themostdeceived，theworst-used，ofwomen。Thenshesaysthatifshehadthecouragetokillherself，shewoulddoit。Thenshecallshimvileimpostor。Thensheaskshim，why，inthedisappointmentofhisbasespeculation，hedoesnottakeherlifewithhisownhand，underthepresentfavourablecircumstances。Thenshecriesagain。

Thensheisenragedagain，andmakessomementionofswindlers。

Finally，shesitsdowncryingonablockofstone，andisinalltheknownandunknownhumoursofhersexatonce。Pendingherchanges，thoseaforesaidmarksinhisfacehavecomeandgone，nowherenowthere，likewhitestepsofapipeonwhichthediabolicalperformerhasplayedatune。Alsohislividlipsarepartedatlast，asifhewerebreathlesswithrunning。Yetheisnot。

\'Now，getup，MrsLammle，andletusspeakreasonably。\'

Shesitsuponherstone，andtakesnoheedofhim。

\'Getup，Itellyou。\'

Raisingherhead，shelookscontemptuouslyinhisface，andrepeats，\'Youtellme！Tellme，forsooth！\'

Sheaffectsnottoknowthathiseyesarefastenedonherasshedroopsherheadagain；butherwholefigurerevealsthatsheknowsituneasily。

\'Enoughofthis。Come！Doyouhear?Getup。\'

Yieldingtohishand，sherises，andtheywalkagain；butthistimewiththeirfacesturnedtowardstheirplaceofresidence。

\'MrsLammle，wehavebothbeendeceiving，andwehavebothbeendeceived。Wehavebothbeenbiting，andwehavebothbeenbitten。Inanut-shell，there\'sthestateofthecase。\'

\'Yousoughtmeout——\'

\'Tut！Letushavedonewiththat。WEknowverywellhowitwas。

WhyshouldyouandItalkaboutit，whenyouandIcan\'tdisguiseit?Toproceed。Iamdisappointedandcutapoorfigure。\'

\'AmInoone?\'

\'Someone——andIwascomingtoyou，ifyouhadwaitedamoment。

You，too，aredisappointedandcutapoorfigure。\'

\'Aninjuredfigure！\'

\'Youarenowcoolenough，Sophronia，toseethatyoucan\'tbeinjuredwithoutmybeingequallyinjured；andthatthereforethemerewordisnottothepurpose。WhenIlookback，IwonderhowIcanhavebeensuchafoolastotakeyoutosogreatanextentupontrust。\'

\'AndwhenIlookback——\'thebridecries，interrupting。

\'Andwhenyoulookback，youwonderhowyoucanhavebeen——

you\'llexcusetheword?\'

\'Mostcertainly，withsomuchreason。

\'——SuchafoolastotakeMEtosogreatanextentupontrust。Butthefollyiscommittedonbothsides。Icannotgetridofyou；youcannotgetridofme。Whatfollows?\'

\'Shameandmisery，\'thebridebitterlyreplies。

\'Idon\'tknow。Amutualunderstandingfollows，andIthinkitmaycarryusthrough。HereIsplitmydiscourse(givemeyourarm，Sophronia)，intothreeheads，tomakeitshorterandplainer。

Firstly，it\'senoughtohavebeendone，withoutthemortificationofbeingknowntohavebeendone。Soweagreetokeepthefacttoourselves。Youagree?\'

\'Ifitispossible，Ido。\'

\'Possible！Wehavepretendedwellenoughtooneanother。Can\'twe，united，pretendtotheworld?Agreed。Secondly，weowetheVeneeringsagrudge，andweoweallotherpeoplethegrudgeofwishingthemtobetakenin，asweourselveshavebeentakenin。

Agreed?\'

\'Yes。Agreed。\'

\'Wecomesmoothlytothirdly。Youhavecalledmeanadventurer，Sophronia。SoIam。InplainuncomplimentaryEnglish，soIam。

Soareyou，mydear。Soaremanypeople。Weagreetokeepourownsecret，andtoworktogetherinfurtheranceofourownschemes。\'

\'Whatschemes?\'

\'Anyschemethatwillbringusmoney。Byourownschemes，I

meanourjointinterest。Agreed?\'

Sheanswers，afteralittlehesitation，\'Isupposeso。Agreed。\'

\'Carriedatonce，yousee！Now，Sophronia，onlyhalfadozenwordsmore。Weknowoneanotherperfectly。Don\'tbetemptedintotwittingmewiththepastknowledgethatyouhaveofme，becauseitisidenticalwiththepastknowledgethatIhaveofyou，andintwittingme，youtwityourself，andIdon\'twanttohearyoudoit。Withthisgoodunderstandingestablishedbetweenus，itisbetterneverdone。Towindupall:——Youhaveshowntempertoday，Sophronia。Don\'tbebetrayedintodoingsoagain，becauseIhaveaDevilofatempermyself。\'

So，thehappypair，withthishopefulmarriagecontractthussigned，sealed，anddelivered，repairhomeward。If，whenthoseinfernalfinger-markswereonthewhiteandbreathlesscountenanceofAlfredLammle，Esquire，theydenotedthatheconceivedthepurposeofsubduinghisdearwifeMrsAlfredLammle，byatoncedivestingherofanylingeringrealityorpretenceofself-respect，thepurposewouldseemtohavebeenpresentlyexecuted。Thematureyoungladyhasmightylittleneedofpowder，now，forherdowncastface，asheescortsherinthelightofthesettingsuntotheirabodeofbliss。

Chapter11

PODSNAPPERY

MrPodsnapwaswelltodo，andstoodveryhighinMrPodsnap\'sopinion。Beginningwithagoodinheritance，hehadmarriedagoodinheritance，andhadthrivenexceedinglyintheMarineInsuranceway，andwasquitesatisfied。Henevercouldmakeoutwhyeverybodywasnotquitesatisfied，andhefeltconsciousthathesetabrilliantsocialexampleinbeingparticularlywellsatisfiedwithmostthings，and，aboveallotherthings，withhimself。

Thushappilyacquaintedwithhisownmeritandimportance，MrPodsnapsettledthatwhateverheputbehindhimheputoutofexistence。Therewasadignifiedconclusiveness——nottoaddagrandconvenience——inthiswayofgettingridofdisagreeableswhichhaddonemuchtowardsestablishingMrPodsnapinhisloftyplaceinMrPodsnap\'ssatisfaction。\'Idon\'twanttoknowaboutit；Idon\'tchoosetodiscussit；Idon\'tadmitit！\'MrPodsnaphadevenacquiredapeculiarflourishofhisrightarminoftenclearingtheworldofitsmostdifficultproblems，bysweepingthembehindhim(andconsequentlysheeraway)withthosewordsandaflushedface。Fortheyaffrontedhim。

MrPodsnap\'sworldwasnotaverylargeworld，morally；no，norevengeographically:seeingthatalthoughhisbusinesswassustaineduponcommercewithothercountries，heconsideredothercountries，withthatimportantreservation，amistake，andoftheirmannersandcustomswouldconclusivelyobserve，\'NotEnglish！\'

when，PRESTO！withaflourishofthearm，andaflushoftheface，theyweresweptaway。Elsewhere，theworldgotupateight，shavedcloseataquarter-past，breakfastedatnine，wenttotheCityatten，camehomeathalf-pastfive，anddinedatseven。MrPodsnap\'snotionsoftheArtsintheirintegritymighthavebeenstatedthus。Literature；largeprint，respectfullydescriptiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。PaintingandSculpture；modelsandportraitsrepresentingProfessorsofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。Music；arespectableperformance(withoutvariations)onstringedandwindinstruments，sedatelyexpressiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。NothingelsetobepermittedtothosesamevagrantstheArts，onpainofexcommunication。NothingelseToBe——anywhere！

Asasoeminentlyrespectableman，MrPodsnapwassensibleofitsbeingrequiredofhimtotakeProvidenceunderhisprotection。

ConsequentlyhealwaysknewexactlywhatProvidencemeant。

Inferiorandlessrespectablemenmightfallshortofthatmark，butMrPodsnapwasalwaysuptoit。Anditwasveryremarkable(andmusthavebeenverycomfortable)thatwhatProvidencemeant，wasinvariablywhatMrPodsnapmeant。

Thesemaybesaidtohavebeenthearticlesofafaithandschoolwhichthepresentchaptertakesthelibertyofcalling，afteritsrepresentativeman，Podsnappery。Theywereconfinedwithinclosebounds，asMrPodsnap\'sownheadwasconfinedbyhisshirt-

collar；andtheywereenunciatedwithasoundingpompthatsmackedofthecreakingofMrPodsnap\'sownboots。

TherewasaMissPodsnap。Andthisyoungrocking-horsewasbeingtrainedinhermother\'sartofprancinginastatelymannerwithoutevergettingon。Butthehighparentalactionwasnotyetimpartedtoher，andintruthshewasbutanundersizeddamsel，withhighshoulders，lowspirits，chilledelbows，andaraspedsurfaceofnose，whoseemedtotakeoccasionalfrostypeepsoutofchildhoodintowomanhood，andtoshrinkbackagain，overcomebyhermother\'shead-dressandherfatherfromheadtofoot——crushedbythemeredead-weightofPodsnappery。

AcertaininstitutioninMrPodsnap\'smindwhichhecalled\'theyoungperson\'maybeconsideredtohavebeenembodiedinMissPodsnap，hisdaughter。Itwasaninconvenientandexactinginstitution，asrequiringeverythingintheuniversetobefileddownandfittedtoit。Thequestionabouteverythingwas，woulditbringablushintothecheekoftheyoungperson?Andtheinconvenienceoftheyoungpersonwas，that，accordingtoMrPodsnap，sheseemedalwaysliabletoburstintoblusheswhentherewasnoneedatall。Thereappearedtobenolineofdemarcationbetweentheyoungperson\'sexcessiveinnocence，andanotherperson\'sguiltiestknowledge。TakeMrPodsnap\'swordforit，andthesoberesttintsofdrab，white，lilac，andgrey，wereallflamingredtothistroublesomeBullofayoungperson。

ThePodsnapslivedinashadyangleadjoiningPortmanSquare。

Theywereakindofpeoplecertaintodwellintheshade，wherevertheydwelt。MissPodsnap\'slifehadbeen，fromherfirstappearanceonthisplanet，altogetherofashadyorder；for，MrPodsnap\'syoungpersonwaslikelytogetlittlegoodoutofassociationwithotheryoungpersons，andhadthereforebeenrestrictedtocompanionshipwithnotverycongenialolderpersons，andwithmassivefurniture。MissPodsnap\'searlyviewsoflifebeingprincipallyderivedfromthereflectionsofitinherfather\'sboots，andinthewalnutandrosewoodtablesofthedimdrawing-

rooms，andintheirswarthygiantsoflooking-glasses，wereofasombrecast；anditwasnotwonderfulthatnow，whenshewasonmostdayssolemnlytooledthroughtheParkbythesideofhermotherinagreattallcustard-colouredphaeton，sheshowedabovetheapronofthatvehiclelikeadejectedyoungpersonsittingupinbedtotakeastartledlookatthingsingeneral，andverystronglydesiringtogetherheadunderthecounterpaneagain。

SaidMrPodsnaptoMrsPodsnap，\'Georgianaisalmosteighteen。\'

SaidMrsPodsnaptoMrPodsnap，assenting，\'Almosteighteen。\'

SaidMrPodsnapthentoMrsPodsnap，\'ReallyIthinkweshouldhavesomepeopleonGeorgiana\'sbirthday。\'

SaidMrsPodsnapthentoMrPodsnap，\'Whichwillenableustoclearoffallthosepeoplewhoaredue。\'

SoitcametopassthatMrandMrsPodsnaprequestedthehonourofthecompanyofseventeenfriendsoftheirsoulsatdinner；andthattheysubstitutedotherfriendsoftheirsoulsforsuchoftheseventeenoriginalfriendsoftheirsoulsasdeeplyregrettedthatapriorengagementpreventedtheirhavingthehonourofdiningwithMrandMrsPodsnap，inpursuanceoftheirkindinvitation；andthatMrsPodsnapsaidofalltheseinconsolablepersonages，asshecheckedthemoffwithapencilinherlist，\'Asked，atanyrate，andgotridof；\'andthattheysuccessfullydisposedofagoodmanyfriendsoftheirsoulsinthisway，andfelttheirconsciencesmuchlightened。

Therewerestillotherfriendsoftheirsoulswhowerenotentitledtobeaskedtodinner，buthadaclaimtobeinvitedtocomeandtakeahaunchofmuttonvapour-bathathalf-pastnine。Fortheclearingoffoftheseworthies，MrsPodsnapaddedasmallandearlyeveningtothedinner，andlookedinatthemusic-shoptobespeakawell-conductedautomatontocomeandplayquadrillesforacarpetdance。

MrandMrsVeneering，andMrandMrsVeneering\'sbran-newbrideandbridegroom，wereofthedinnercompany；butthePodsnapestablishmenthadnothingelseincommonwiththeVeneerings。MrPodsnapcouldtoleratetasteinamushroommanwhostoodinneedofthatsortofthing，butwasfaraboveithimself。HideoussoliditywasthecharacteristicofthePodsnapplate。Everythingwasmadetolookasheavyasitcould，andtotakeupasmuchroomaspossible。Everythingsaidboastfully，\'HereyouhaveasmuchofmeinmyuglinessasifIwereonlylead；butIamsomanyouncesofpreciousmetalworthsomuchanounce；——wouldn\'tyouliketomeltmedown?\'Acorpulentstraddlingepergne，blotchedalloverasifithadbrokenoutinaneruptionratherthanbeenornamented，deliveredthisaddressfromanunsightlysilverplatforminthecentreofthetable。Foursilverwine-coolers，eachfurnishedwithfourstaringheads，eachheadobtrusivelycarryingabigsilverringineachofitsears，conveyedthesentimentupanddownthetable，andhandeditontothepot-

belliedsilversalt-cellars。Allthebigsilverspoonsandforkswidenedthemouthsofthecompanyexpresslyforthepurposeofthrustingthesentimentdowntheirthroatswitheverymorseltheyate。

Themajorityoftheguestswereliketheplate，andincludedseveralheavyarticlesweighingeversomuch。Buttherewasaforeigngentlemanamongthem:whomMrPodsnaphadinvitedaftermuchdebatewithhimself——believingthewholeEuropeancontinenttobeinmortalallianceagainsttheyoungperson——andtherewasadrolldisposition，notonlyonthepartofMrPodsnapbutofeverybodyelse，totreathimasifhewereachildwhowashardofhearing。

Asadelicateconcessiontothisunfortunately-bornforeigner，MrPodsnap，inreceivinghim，hadpresentedhiswifeas\'MadamePodsnap；\'alsohisdaughteras\'MademoisellePodsnap，\'withsomeinclinationtoadd\'mafille，\'inwhichboldventure，however，hecheckedhimself。TheVeneeringsbeingatthattimetheonlyotherarrivals，hehadadded(inacondescendinglyexplanatorymanner)，\'MonsieurVey-nair-reeng，\'andhadthensubsidedintoEnglish。

\'HowDoYouLikeLondon?\'MrPodsnapnowinquiredfromhisstationofhost，asifhewereadministeringsomethinginthenatureofapowderorpotiontothedeafchild；\'London，Londres，London?\'

Theforeigngentlemanadmiredit。

\'YoufinditVeryLarge?\'saidMrPodsnap，spaciously。

Theforeigngentlemanfounditverylarge。

\'AndVeryRich?\'

Theforeigngentlemanfoundit，withoutdoubt，enormementriche。

\'EnormouslyRich，Wesay，\'returnedMrPodsnap，inacondescendingmanner。\'OurEnglishadverbsdoNotterminateinMong，andWePronouncethe“ch“asiftherewerea“t“beforeit。

WesayRitch。\'

\'Reetch，\'remarkedtheforeigngentleman。

\'AndDoYouFind，Sir，\'pursuedMrPodsnap，withdignity，\'ManyEvidencesthatStrikeYou，ofourBritishConstitutionintheStreetsOfTheWorld\'sMetropolis，London，Londres，London?\'

Theforeigngentlemanbeggedtobepardoned，butdidnotaltogetherunderstand。

\'TheConstitutionBritannique，\'MrPodsnapexplained，asifhewereteachinginaninfantschool。\'WeSayBritish，ButYouSayBritannique，YouKnow\'(forgivingly，asifthatwerenothisfault)。

\'TheConstitution，Sir。\'

Theforeigngentlemansaid，\'Mais，yees；Iknoweem。\'

Ayoungishsallowishgentlemaninspectacles，withalumpyforehead，seatedinasupplementarychairatacornerofthetable，herecausedaprofoundsensationbysaying，inaraisedvoice，\'ESKER，\'andthenstoppingdead。

\'Maisoui，\'saidtheforeigngentleman，turningtowardshim。\'Est-ceque?Quoidonc?\'

Butthegentlemanwiththelumpyforeheadhavingforthetimedeliveredhimselfofallthathefoundbehindhislumps，spakeforthetimenomore。

\'IWasInquiring，\'saidMrPodsnap，resumingthethreadofhisdiscourse，\'WhetherYouHaveObservedinourStreetsasWeshouldsay，UponourPavvyasYouwouldsay，anyTokens——\'

Theforeigngentleman，withpatientcourtesyentreatedpardon；

\'Butwhatwastokenz?\'

\'Marks，\'saidMrPodsnap；\'Signs，youknow，Appearances——

Traces。\'

\'Ah！OfaOrse?\'inquiredtheforeigngentleman。

\'WecallitHorse，\'saidMrPodsnap，withforbearance。\'InEngland，Angleterre，England，WeAspiratethe“H，“andWeSay“Horse。”OnlyourLowerClassesSay“Orse！“\'

\'Pardon，\'saidtheforeigngentleman；\'Iamalwizwrong！\'

\'OurLanguage，\'saidMrPodsnap，withagraciousconsciousnessofbeingalwaysright，\'isDifficult。OursisaCopiousLanguage，andTryingtoStrangers。IwillnotPursuemyQuestion。\'

Butthelumpygentleman，unwillingtogiveitup，againmadlysaid，\'ESKER，\'andagainspakenomore。

\'Itmerelyreferred，\'MrPodsnapexplained，withasenseofmeritoriousproprietorship，\'toOurConstitution，Sir。WeEnglishmenareVeryProudofourConstitution，Sir。ItWasBestowedUponUsByProvidence。NoOtherCountryissoFavouredasThisCountry。\'

\'Andozercountries?——\'theforeigngentlemanwasbeginning，whenMrPodsnapputhimrightagain。

\'WedonotsayOzer；wesayOther:thelettersare“T“and“H；“

YousayTayandAish，YouKnow；(stillwithclemency)。Thesoundis“th“——“th！“\'

\'AndOTHERcountries，\'saidtheforeigngentleman。\'Theydohow?\'

\'Theydo，Sir，\'returnedMrPodsnap，gravelyshakinghishead；

\'theydo——Iamsorrytobeobligedtosayit——AStheydo。\'

\'ItwasalittleparticularofProvidence，\'saidtheforeigngentleman，laughing；\'forthefrontierisnotlarge。\'

\'Undoubtedly，\'assentedMrPodsnap；\'ButSoitis。ItwastheCharteroftheLand。ThisIslandwasBlest，Sir，totheDirectExclusionofsuchOtherCountriesas——astheremayhappentobe。

AndifwewereallEnglishmenpresent，Iwouldsay，\'addedMrPodsnap，lookingrounduponhiscompatriots，andsoundingsolemnlywithhistheme，\'thatthereisintheEnglishmanacombinationofqualities，amodesty，anindependence，aresponsibility，arepose，combinedwithanabsenceofeverythingcalculatedtocallablushintothecheekofayoungperson，whichonewouldseekinvainamongtheNationsoftheEarth。\'

Havingdeliveredthislittlesummary，MrPodsnap\'sfaceflushed，ashethoughtoftheremotepossibilityofitsbeingatallqualifiedbyanyprejudicedcitizenofanyothercountry；and，withhisfavouriteright-armflourish，heputtherestofEuropeandthewholeofAsia，Africa，andAmericanowhere。

Theaudienceweremuchedifiedbythispassageofwords；andMrPodsnap，feelingthathewasinratherremarkableforceto-day，becamesmilingandconversational。

\'Hasanythingmorebeenheard，Veneering，\'heinquired，\'oftheluckylegatee?\'

\'Nothingmore，\'returnedVeneering，\'thanthathehascomeintopossessionoftheproperty。IamtoldpeoplenowcallhimTheGoldenDustman。Imentionedtoyousometimeago，Ithink，thattheyoungladywhoseintendedhusbandwasmurderedisdaughtertoaclerkofmine?\'

\'Yes，youtoldmethat，\'saidPodsnap；\'andby-the-bye，Iwishyouwouldtellitagainhere，forit\'sacuriouscoincidence——curiousthatthefirstnewsofthediscoveryshouldhavebeenbroughtstraighttoyourtable(whenIwasthere)，andcuriousthatoneofyourpeopleshouldhavebeensonearlyinterestedinit。Justrelatethat，willyou?\'

Veneeringwasmorethanreadytodoit，forhehadprosperedexceedinglyupontheHarmonMurder，andhadturnedthesocialdistinctionitconferreduponhimtotheaccountofmakingseveraldozenofbran-newbosom-friends。Indeed，suchanotherluckyhitwouldalmosthavesethimupinthatwaytohissatisfaction。So，addressinghimselftothemostdesirableofhisneighbours，whileMrsVeneeringsecuredthenextmostdesirable，heplungedintothecase，andemergedfromittwentyminutesafterwardswithaBankDirectorinhisarms。Inthemeantime，MrsVeneeringhaddivedintothesamewatersforawealthyShip-Broker，andhadbroughthimup，safeandsound，bythehair。ThenMrsVeneeringhadtorelate，toalargercircle，howshehadbeentoseethegirl，andhowshewasreallypretty，and(consideringherstation)

presentable。Andthisshedidwithsuchasuccessfuldisplayofhereightaquilinefingersandtheirencirclingjewels，thatshehappilylaidholdofadriftingGeneralOfficer，hiswifeanddaughter，andnotonlyrestoredtheiranimationwhichhadbecomesuspended，butmadethemlivelyfriendswithinanhour。

AlthoughMrPodsnapwouldinageneralwayhavehighlydisapprovedofBodiesinriversasineligibletopicswithreferencetothecheekoftheyoungperson，hehad，asonemaysay，ashareinthisaffairwhichmadehimapartproprietor。Asitsreturnswereimmediate，too，inthewayofrestrainingthecompanyfromspeechlesscontemplationofthewine-coolers，itpaid，andhewassatisfied。

Andnowthehaunchofmuttonvapour-bathhavingreceivedagameyinfusion，andafewlasttouchesofsweetsandcoffee，wasquiteready，andthebatherscame；butnotbeforethediscreetautomatonhadgotbehindthebarsofthepianomusic-desk，andtherepresentedtheappearanceofacaptivelanguishinginarose-

woodjail。AndwhonowsopleasantorsowellassortedasMrandMrsAlfredLammle，heallsparkle，sheallgraciouscontentment，bothatoccasionalintervalsexchanginglookslikepartnersatcardswhoplayedagameagainstAllEngland。

Therewasnotmuchyouthamongthebathers，buttherewasnoyouth(theyoungpersonalwaysexcepted)inthearticlesofPodsnappery。BaldbathersfoldedtheirarmsandtalkedtoMrPodsnaponthehearthrug；sleek-whiskeredbathers，withhatsintheirhands，lungedatMrsPodsnapandretreated；prowlingbathers，wentaboutlookingintoornamentalboxesandbowlsasiftheyhadsuspicionsoflarcenyonthepartofthePodsnaps，andexpectedtofindsomethingtheyhadlostatthebottom；bathersofthegentlersexsatsilentlycomparingivoryshoulders。Allthistimeandalways，poorlittleMissPodsnap，whosetinyefforts(ifshehadmadeany)wereswallowedupinthemagnificenceofhermother\'srocking，keptherselfasmuchoutofsightandmindasshecould，andappearedtobecountingonmanydismalreturnsoftheday。Itwassomehowunderstood，asasecretarticleinthestateproprietiesofPodsnapperythatnothingmustbesaidabouttheday。

Consequentlythisyoungdamsel\'snativitywashushedupandlookedover，asifitwereagreedonallhandsthatitwouldhavebeenbetterthatshehadneverbeenborn。

TheLammlesweresofondofthedearVeneeringsthattheycouldnotforsometimedetachthemselvesfromthoseexcellentfriends；

butatlength，eitheraveryopensmileonMrLammle\'spart，oraverysecretelevationofoneofhisgingerouseyebrows——certainlytheoneortheother——seemedtosaytoMrsLammle，\'Whydon\'tyouplay?\'Andso，lookingabouther，shesawMissPodsnap，andseemingtosayresponsively，\'Thatcard?\'andtobeanswered，\'Yes，\'

wentandsatbesideMissPodsnap。

MrsLammlewasoverjoyedtoescapeintoacornerforalittlequiettalk。

Itpromisedtobeaveryquiettalk，forMissPodsnaprepliedinaflutter，\'Oh！Indeed，it\'sverykindofyou，butIamafraidIDON\'T

talk。\'

\'Letusmakeabeginning，\'saidtheinsinuatingMrsLammle，withherbestsmile。

\'Oh！Iamafraidyou\'llfindmeverydull。ButMatalks！\'

Thatwasplainlytobeseen，forMawastalkingthenatherusualcanter，witharchedheadandmane，openedeyesandnostrils。

\'Fondofreadingperhaps?\'

\'Yes。AtleastI——don\'tmindthatsomuch，\'returnedMissPodsnap。

\'M-m-m-m-music。SoinsinuatingwasMrsLammlethatshegothalfadozenmsintothewordbeforeshegotitout。

\'Ihaven\'tnervetoplayevenifIcould。Maplays。\'

(Atexactlythesamecanter，andwithacertainflourishingappearanceofdoingsomething，Madid，infact，occasionallytakearockupontheinstrument。)

\'Ofcourseyoulikedancing?\'

\'Ohno，Idon\'t，\'saidMissPodsnap。

\'No?Withyouryouthandattractions?Truly，mydear，yousurpriseme！\'

\'Ican\'tsay，\'observedMissPodsnap，afterhesitatingconsiderably，andstealingseveraltimidlooksatMrsLammle\'scarefullyarrangedface，\'howImighthavelikeditifIhadbeena——youwon\'tmentionit，WILLyou?\'

\'Mydear！Never！\'

\'No，Iamsureyouwon\'t。Ican\'tsaythenhowIshouldhavelikedit，ifIhadbeenachimney-sweeponMay-day。\'

\'Gracious！\'wastheexclamationwhichamazementelicitedfromMrsLammle。

\'There！Iknewyou\'dwonder。Butyouwon\'tmentionit，willyou?\'

\'Uponmyword，mylove，\'saidMrsLammle，\'youmakemetentimesmoredesirous，nowItalktoyou，toknowyouwellthanI

waswhenIsatoveryonderlookingatyou。HowIwishwecouldberealfriends！Trymeasarealfriend。Come！Don\'tfancymeafrumpyoldmarriedwoman，mydear；Iwasmarriedbuttheotherday，youknow；Iamdressedasabridenow，yousee。Aboutthechimney-sweeps?\'

\'Hush！Ma\'llhear。\'

\'Shecan\'thearfromwhereshesits。\'

\'Don\'tyoubetoosureofthat，\'saidMissPodsnap，inalowervoice。

\'Well，whatImeanis，thattheyseemtoenjoyit。\'

\'Andthatperhapsyouwouldhaveenjoyedit，ifyouhadbeenoneofthem?\'

MissPodsnapnoddedsignificantly。

\'Thenyoudon\'tenjoyitnow?\'

\'Howisitpossible?\'saidMissPodsnap。\'Ohitissuchadreadfulthing！IfIwaswickedenough——andstrongenough——tokillanybody，itshouldbemypartner。\'

ThiswassuchanentirelynewviewoftheTerpsichoreanartassociallypractised，thatMrsLammlelookedatheryoungfriendinsomeastonishment。Heryoungfriendsatnervouslytwiddlingherfingersinapinionedattitude，asifsheweretryingtohideherelbows。ButthislatterUtopianobject(inshortsleeves)alwaysappearedtobethegreatinoffensiveaimofherexistence。

\'Itsoundshorrid，don\'tit?\'saidMissPodsnap，withapenitentialface。

MrsLammle，notverywellknowingwhattoanswer，resolvedherselfintoalookofsmilingencouragement。

\'Butitis，anditalwayshasbeen，\'pursuedMissPodsnap，\'suchatrialtome！Isodreadbeingawful。Anditissoawful！NooneknowswhatIsufferedatMadameSauteuse\'s，whereIlearnttodanceandmakepresentation-curtseys，andotherdreadfulthings——

oratleastwheretheytriedtoteachme。Macandoit。\'

\'Atanyrate，mylove，\'saidMrsLammle，soothingly，\'that\'sover。\'

\'Yes，it\'sover，\'returnedMissPodsnap，\'butthere\'snothinggainedbythat。It\'sworsehere，thanatMadameSauteuse\'s。Mawasthere，andMa\'shere；butPawasn\'tthere，andcompanywasn\'tthere，andtherewerenotrealpartnersthere。Ohthere\'sMaspeakingtothemanatthepiano！Ohthere\'sMagoinguptosomebody！OhIknowshe\'sgoingtobringhimtome！Ohpleasedon\'t，pleasedon\'t，pleasedon\'t！Ohkeepaway，keepaway，keepaway！\'ThesepiousejaculationsMissPodsnaputteredwithhereyesclosed，andherheadleaningbackagainstthewall。

ButtheOgreadvancedunderthepilotageofMa，andMasaid，\'Georgiana，MrGrompus，\'andtheOgreclutchedhisvictimandboreherofftohiscastleinthetopcouple。Thenthediscreetautomatonwhohadsurveyedhisground，playedablossomlesstuneless\'set，\'andsixteendisciplesofPodsnapperywentthroughthefiguresof-1，Gettingupateightandshavingcloseataquarterpast-2，Breakfastingatnine-3，GoingtotheCityatten-4，Cominghomeathalf-pastfive-5，Diningatseven，andthegrandchain。

Whilethesesolemnitieswereinprogress，MrAlfredLammle(mostlovingofhusbands)approachedthechairofMrsAlfredLammle(mostlovingofwives)，andbendingoverthebackofit，trifledforsomefewsecondswithMrsLammle\'sbracelet。Slightlyincontrastwiththisbriefairytoying，onemighthavenoticedacertaindarkattentioninMrsLammle\'sfaceasshesaidsomewordswithhereyesonMrLammle\'swaistcoat，andseemedinreturntoreceivesomelesson。Butitwasalldoneasabreathpassesfromamirror。

Andnow，thegrandchainrivetedtothelastlink，thediscreetautomatonceased，andthesixteen，twoandtwo，tookawalkamongthefurniture。AndhereintheunconsciousnessoftheOgreGrompuswaspleasantlyconspicuous；for，thatcomplacentmonster，believingthathewasgivingMissPodsnapatreat，prolongedtotheutmoststretchofpossibilityaperipateticaccountofanarcherymeeting；whilehisvictim，headingtheprocessionofsixteenasitslowlycircledabout，likearevolvingfuneral，neverraisedhereyesexceptoncetostealaglanceatMrsLammle，expressiveofintensedespair。

Atlengththeprocessionwasdissolvedbytheviolentarrivalofanutmeg，beforewhichthedrawing-roomdoorbouncedopenasifitwereacannon-ball；andwhilethatfragrantarticle，dispersedthroughseveralglassesofcolouredwarmwater，wasgoingtheroundofsociety，MissPodsnapreturnedtoherseatbyhernewfriend。

\'Ohmygoodness，\'saidMissPodsnap。\'THAT\'Sover！Ihopeyoudidn\'tlookatme。\'

\'Mydear，whynot?\'

\'OhIknowallaboutmyself，\'saidMissPodsnap。

\'I\'lltellyousomethingIknowaboutyou，mydear，\'returnedMrsLammleinherwinningway，\'andthatis，youaremostunnecessarilyshy。\'

\'Maain\'t，\'saidMissPodsnap。\'——Idetestyou！Goalong！\'ThisshotwaslevelledunderherbreathatthegallantGrompusforbestowinganinsinuatingsmileuponherinpassing。

\'PardonmeifIscarcelysee，mydearMissPodsnap，\'MrsLammlewasbeginningwhentheyoungladyinterposed。

\'Ifwearegoingtoberealfriends(andIsupposeweare，foryouaretheonlypersonwhoeverproposedit)don\'tletusbeawful。It\'sawfulenoughtoBEMissPodsnap，withoutbeingcalledso。CallmeGeorgiana。\'

\'DearestGeorgiana，\'MrsLammlebeganagain。

\'Thankyou，\'saidMissPodsnap。

\'DearestGeorgiana，pardonmeifIscarcelysee，mylove，whyyourmamma\'snotbeingshy，isareasonwhyyoushouldbe。\'

\'Don\'tyoureallyseethat?\'askedMissPodsnap，pluckingatherfingersinatroubledmanner，andfurtivelycastinghereyesnowonMrsLammle，nowontheground。\'Thenperhapsitisn\'t?\'

\'MydearestGeorgiana，youdefermuchtooreadilytomypooropinion。Indeeditisnotevenanopinion，darling，foritisonlyaconfessionofmydullness。\'

\'OhYOUarenotdull，\'returnedMissPodsnap。\'Iamdull，butyoucouldn\'thavemademetalkifyouwere。\'

Somelittletouchofconscienceansweringthisperceptionofherhavinggainedapurpose，calledbloomenoughintoMrsLammle\'sfacetomakeitlookbrighterasshesatsmilingherbestsmileonherdearGeorgiana，andshakingherheadwithanaffectionateplayfulness。Notthatitmeantanything，butthatGeorgianaseemedtolikeit。

\'WhatImeanis，\'pursuedGeorgiana，\'thatMabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andPabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andtherebeingsomuchawfulnesseverywhere——Imean，atleast，everywherewhereIam——perhapsitmakesmewhoamsodeficientinawfulness，andfrightenedatit——Isayitverybadly——Idon\'tknowwhetheryoucanunderstandwhatImean?\'

\'Perfectly，dearestGeorgiana！\'MrsLammlewasproceedingwitheveryreassuringwile，whentheheadofthatyoungladysuddenlywentbackagainstthewallagainandhereyesclosed。

\'Ohthere\'sMabeingawfulwithsomebodywithaglassinhiseye！

OhIknowshe\'sgoingtobringhimhere！Ohdon\'tbringhim，don\'tbringhim！Ohhe\'llbemypartnerwithhisglassinhiseye！

OhwhatshallIdo！\'ThistimeGeorgianaaccompaniedherejaculationswithtapsofherfeetuponthefloor，andwasaltogetherinquiteadesperatecondition。But，therewasnoescapefromthemajesticMrsPodsnap\'sproductionofanamblingstranger，withoneeyescrewedupintoextinctionandtheotherframedandglazed，who，havinglookeddownoutofthatorgan，asifhedescriedMissPodsnapatthebottomofsomeperpendicularshaft，broughthertothesurface，andambledoffwithher。Andthenthecaptiveatthepianoplayedanother\'set，\'expressiveofhismournfulaspirationsafterfreedom，andothersixteenwentthroughtheformermelancholymotions，andtheamblertookMissPodsnapforafurniturewalk，asifhehadstruckoutanentirelyoriginalconception。

Inthemeantimeastraypersonageofameekdemeanour，whohadwanderedtothehearthrugandgotamongtheheadsoftribesassembledthereinconferencewithMrPodsnap，eliminatedMrPodsnap\'sflushandflourishbyahighlyunpoliteremark；nolessthanareferencetothecircumstancethatsomehalf-dozenpeoplehadlatelydiedinthestreets，ofstarvation。Itwasclearlyill-timedafterdinner。Itwasnotadaptedtothecheekoftheyoungperson。

Itwasnotingoodtaste。

\'Idon\'tbelieveit，\'saidMrPodsnap，puttingitbehindhim。

Themeekmanwasafraidwemusttakeitasproved，becausethereweretheInquestsandtheRegistrar\'sreturns。

\'Thenitwastheirownfault，\'saidMrPodsnap。

Veneeringandothereldersoftribescommendedthiswayoutofit。

Atonceashortcutandabroadroad。

Themanofmeekdemeanourintimatedthattrulyitwouldseemfromthefacts，asifstarvationhadbeenforcedupontheculpritsinquestion——asif，intheirwretchedmanner，theyhadmadetheirweakprotestsagainstit——asiftheywouldhavetakenthelibertyofstavingitoffiftheycould——asiftheywouldrathernothavebeenstarveduponthewhole，ifperfectlyagreeabletoallparties。

\'Thereisnot，\'saidMrPodsnap，flushingangrily，\'thereisnotacountryintheworld，sir，wheresonobleaprovisionismadeforthepoorasinthiscountry。\'

Themeekmanwasquitewillingtoconcedethat，butperhapsitrenderedthematterevenworse，asshowingthattheremustbesomethingappallinglywrongsomewhere。

\'Where?\'saidMrPodsnap。

ThemeekmanhintedWouldn\'titbewelltotry，veryseriously，tofindoutwhere?

\'Ah！\'saidMrPodsnap。\'Easytosaysomewhere；notsoeasytosaywhere！ButIseewhatyouaredrivingat。Iknewitfromthefirst。

Centralization。No。Neverwithmyconsent。NotEnglish。\'

Anapprovingmurmurarosefromtheheadsoftribes；assaying，\'Thereyouhavehim！Holdhim！\'

Hewasnotaware(themeekmansubmittedofhimself)thathewasdrivingatanyization。Hehadnofavouriteizationthatheknewof。Buthecertainlywasmorestaggeredbytheseterribleoccurrencesthanhewasbynames，ofhowsoeversomanysyllables。Mightheask，wasdyingofdestitutionandneglectnecessarilyEnglish?

\'YouknowwhatthepopulationofLondonis，Isuppose，\'saidMrPodsnap。

Themeekmansupposedhedid，butsupposedthathadabsolutelynothingtodowithit，ifitslawswerewelladministered。

\'Andyouknow；atleastIhopeyouknow；\'saidMrPodsnap，withseverity，\'thatProvidencehasdeclaredthatyoushallhavethepooralwayswithyou?\'

Themeekmanalsohopedheknewthat。

\'Iamgladtohearit，\'saidMrPodsnapwithaportentousair。\'Iamgladtohearit。ItwillrenderyoucautioushowyouflyinthefaceofProvidence。\'

Inreferencetothatabsurdandirreverentconventionalphrase，themeekmansaid，forwhichMrPodsnapwasnotresponsible，hethemeekmanhadnofearofdoinganythingsoimpossible；but——

ButMrPodsnapfeltthatthetimehadcomeforflushingandflourishingthismeekmandownforgood。Sohesaid:

\'Imustdeclinetopursuethispainfuldiscussion。Itisnotpleasanttomyfeelings；itisrepugnanttomyfeelings。IhavesaidthatIdonotadmitthesethings。Ihavealsosaidthatiftheydooccur(notthatIadmitit)，thefaultlieswiththesufferersthemselves。ItisnotforME\'——MrPodsnappointed\'me\'forcibly，asaddingbyimplicationthoughitmaybeallverywellforYOU——\'itisnotformetoimpugntheworkingsofProvidence。Iknowbetterthanthat，Itrust，andIhavementionedwhattheintentionsofProvidenceare。

Besides，\'saidMrPodsnap，flushinghighupamonghishair-

brushes，withastrongconsciousnessofpersonalaffront，\'thesubjectisaverydisagreeableone。Iwillgosofarastosayitisanodiousone。Itisnotonetobeintroducedamongourwivesandyoungpersons，andI——\'Hefinishedwiththatflourishofhisarmwhichaddedmoreexpressivelythananywords，AndIremoveitfromthefaceoftheearth。

Simultaneouslywiththisquenchingofthemeekman\'sineffectualfire；Georgianahavinglefttheamblerupalaneofsofa，inaNoThoroughfareofbackdrawing-room，tofindhisownwayout，camebacktoMrsLammle。AndwhoshouldbewithMrsLammle，butMrLammle。Sofondofher！

\'Alfred，mylove，hereismyfriend。Georgiana，dearestgirl，youmustlikemyhusbandnexttome。

MrLammlewasproudtobesosoondistinguishedbythisspecialcommendationtoMissPodsnap\'sfavour。ButifMrLammlewerepronetobejealousofhisdearSophronia\'sfriendships，hewouldbejealousofherfeelingtowardsMissPodsnap。

\'SayGeorgiana，darling，\'interposedhiswife。

\'Towards——shallI?——Georgiana。\'MrLammleutteredthename，withadelicatecurveofhisrighthand，fromhislipsoutward。\'ForneverhaveIknownSophronia(whoisnotapttotakesuddenlikings)soattractedandsocaptivatedassheisby——shallIoncemore?——Georgiana。\'

Theobjectofthishomagesatuneasilyenoughinreceiptofit，andthensaid，turningtoMrsLammle，muchembarrassed:

\'Iwonderwhatyoulikemefor！IamsureIcan\'tthink。\'

\'DearestGeorgiana，foryourself。Foryourdifferencefromallaroundyou。\'

\'Well！Thatmaybe。ForIthinkIlikeyouforyourdifferencefromallaroundme，\'saidGeorgianawithasmileofrelief。

\'Wemustbegoingwiththerest，\'observedMrsLammle，risingwithashowofunwillingness，amidstageneraldispersal。\'Wearerealfriends，Georgianadear?\'

\'Real。\'

\'Goodnight，deargirl！\'

Shehadestablishedanattractionovertheshrinkingnatureuponwhichhersmilingeyeswerefixed，forGeorgianaheldherhandwhilesheansweredinasecretandhalf-frightenedtone:

\'Don\'tforgetmewhenyouaregoneaway。Andcomeagainsoon。

Goodnight！\'

CharmingtoseeMrandMrsLammletakingleavesogracefully，andgoingdownthestairssolovinglyandsweetly。Notquitesocharmingtoseetheirsmilingfacesfallandbroodastheydroppedmoodilyintoseparatecornersoftheirlittlecarriage。Buttohesurethatwasasightbehindthescenes，whichnobodysaw，andwhichnobodywasmeanttosee。

Certainbig，heavyvehicles，builtonthemodelofthePodsnapplate，tookawaytheheavyarticlesofguestsweighingeversomuch；andthelessvaluablearticlesgotawayaftertheirvariousmanners；andthePodsnapplatewasputtobed。AsMrPodsnapstoodwithhisbacktothedrawing-roomfire，pullinguphisshirtcollar，likeaveritablecockofthewalkliterallypluminghimselfinthemidstofhispossessions，nothingwouldhaveastonishedhimmorethananintimationthatMissPodsnap，oranyotheryoungpersonproperlybornandbred，couldnotbeexactlyputawayliketheplate，broughtoutliketheplate，polishedliketheplate，counted，weighed，andvaluedliketheplate。Thatsuchayoungpersoncouldpossiblyhaveamorbidvacancyintheheartforanythingyoungerthantheplate，orlessmonotonousthantheplate；

orthatsuchayoungperson\'sthoughtscouldtrytoscaletheregionboundedonthenorth，south，east，andwest，bytheplate；wasamonstrousimaginationwhichhewouldonthespothaveflourishedintospace。ThisperhapsinsomesortarosefromMrPodsnap\'sblushingyoungpersonbeing，sotospeak，allcheek；whereasthereisapossibilitythattheremaybeyoungpersonsofarathermorecomplexorganization。

IfMrPodsnap，pullinguphisshirt-collar，couldonlyhavebeardhimselfcalled\'thatfellow\'inacertainshortdialogue，whichpassedbetweenMrandMrsLammleintheiroppositecornersoftheirlittlecarriage，rollinghome！

\'Sophronia，areyouawake?\'

\'AmIlikelytobeasleep，sir?\'

\'Verylikely，Ishouldthink，afterthatfellow\'scompany。AttendtowhatIamgoingtosay。\'

\'Ihaveattendedtowhatyouhavealreadysaid，haveInot?WhatelsehaveIbeendoingallto-night。\'

\'Attend，Itellyou，\'(inaraisedvoice)\'towhatIamgoingtosay。

Keepclosetothatidiotgirl。Keepherunderyourthumb。Youhaveherfast，andyouarenottolethergo。Doyouhear?\'

\'Ihearyou。\'

\'Iforeseethereismoneytobemadeoutofthis，besidestakingthatfellowdownapeg。Weoweeachothermoney，youknow。\'

MrsLammlewincedalittleatthereminder，butonlyenoughtoshakeherscentsandessencesanewintotheatmosphereofthelittlecarriage，asshesettledherselfafreshinherowndarkcorner。

Chapter12

THESWEATOFANHONESTMAN\'SBROW

MrMortimerLightwoodandMrEugeneWrayburntookacoffee-

housedinnertogetherinMrLightwood\'soffice。Theyhadnewlyagreedtosetupajointestablishmenttogether。TheyhadtakenabachelorcottagenearHampton，onthebrinkoftheThames，withalawn，andaboat-house；andallthingsfitting，andweretofloatwiththestreamthroughthesummerandtheLongVacation。

Itwasnotsummeryet，butspring；anditwasnotgentlespringethereallymild，asinThomson\'sSeasons，butnippingspringwithaneasterlywind，asinJohnson\'s，Jackson\'s，Dickson\'s，Smith\'s，andJones\'sSeasons。Thegratingwindsawedratherthanblew；

andasitsawed，thesawdustwhirledaboutthesawpit。Everystreetwasasawpit，andtherewerenotop-sawyers；everypassengerwasanunder-sawyer，withthesawdustblindinghimandchokinghim。

ThatmysteriouspapercurrencywhichcirculatesinLondonwhenthewindblows，gyratedhereandthereandeverywhere。Whencecanitcome，whithercanitgo?Ithangsoneverybush，fluttersineverytree，iscaughtflyingbytheelectricwires，hauntseveryenclosure，drinksateverypump，cowersateverygrating，shuddersuponeveryplotofgrass，seeksrestinvainbehindthelegionsofironrails。InParis，wherenothingiswasted，costlyandluxuriouscitythoughitbe，butwherewonderfulhumanantscreepoutofholesandpickupeveryscrap，thereisnosuchthing。There，itblowsnothingbutdust。There，sharpeyesandsharpstomachsreapeventheeastwind，andgetsomethingoutofit。

Thewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。Theshrubswrungtheirmanyhands，bemoaningthattheyhadbeenover-persuadedbythesuntobud；theyoungleavespined；thesparrowsrepentedoftheirearlymarriages，likemenandwomen；thecoloursoftherainbowwerediscernible，notinfloralspring，butinthefacesofthepeoplewhomitnibbledandpinched。Andeverthewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。

Whenthespringeveningsaretoolongandlighttoshutout，andsuchweatherisrife，thecitywhichMrPodsnapsoexplanatorilycalledLondon，Londres，London，isatitsworst。Suchablackshrillcity，combiningthequalitiesofasmokyhouseandascoldingwife；suchagrittycity；suchahopelesscity，withnorentintheleadencanopyofitssky；suchabeleagueredcity，investedbythegreatMarshForcesofEssexandKent。Sothetwooldschoolfellowsfeltittobe，as，theirdinnerdone，theyturnedtowardsthefiretosmoke。YoungBlightwasgone，thecoffee-

housewaiterwasgone，theplatesanddishesweregone，thewinewasgoing——butnotinthesamedirection。

\'Thewindsoundsuphere，\'quothEugene，stirringthefire，\'asifwewerekeepingalighthouse。Iwishwewere。\'

\'Don\'tyouthinkitwouldboreus?\'Lightwoodasked。

\'Notmorethananyotherplace。AndtherewouldbenoCircuittogo。Butthat\'saselfishconsideration，personaltome。\'

\'Andnoclientstocome，\'addedLightwood。\'Notthatthat\'saselfishconsiderationatallpersonaltoME。\'

\'Ifwewereonanisolatedrockinastormysea，\'saidEugene，smokingwithhiseyesonthefire，\'LadyTippinscouldn\'tputofftovisitus，or，betterstill，mightputoffandgetswamped。Peoplecouldn\'taskonetoweddingbreakfasts。TherewouldbenoPrecedentstohammerat，excepttheplain-sailingPrecedentofkeepingthelightup。Itwouldbeexcitingtolookoutforwrecks。\'

\'Butotherwise，\'suggestedLightwood，\'theremightbeadegreeofsamenessinthelife。\'

\'Ihavethoughtofthatalso，\'saidEugene，asifhereallyhadbeenconsideringthesubjectinitsvariousbearingswithaneyetothebusiness；\'butitwouldbeadefinedandlimitedmonotony。Itwouldnotextendbeyondtwopeople。Now，it\'saquestionwithme，Mortimer，whetheramonotonydefinedwiththatprecisionandlimitedtothatextent，mightnotbemoreendurablethantheunlimitedmonotonyofone\'sfellow-creatures。\'

AsLightwoodlaughedandpassedthewine，heremarked，\'Weshallhaveanopportunity，inourboatingsummer，oftryingthequestion。\'

\'Animperfectone，\'Eugeneacquiesced，withasigh，\'butsoweshall。Ihopewemaynotprovetoomuchforoneanother。\'

\'Now，regardingyourrespectedfather，\'saidLightwood，bringinghimtoasubjecttheyhadexpresslyappointedtodiscuss:alwaysthemostslipperyeelofeelsofsubjectstolayholdof。

\'Yes，regardingmyrespectedfather，\'assentedEugene，settlinghimselfinhisarm-chair。\'Iwouldratherhaveapproachedmyrespectedfatherbycandlelight，asathemerequiringalittleartificialbrilliancy；butwewilltakehimbytwilight，enlivenedwithaglowofWallsend。\'

Hestirredthefireagainashespoke，andhavingmadeitblaze，resumed。

\'Myrespectedfatherhasfound，downintheparentalneighbourhood，awifeforhisnot-generally-respectedson。\'

\'Withsomemoney，ofcourse?\'

\'Withsomemoney，ofcourse，orhewouldnothavefoundher。Myrespectedfather——letmeshortenthedutifultautologybysubstitutinginfutureM。R。F。，whichsoundsmilitary，andratherliketheDukeofWellington。\'

\'Whatanabsurdfellowyouare，Eugene！\'

\'Notatall，Iassureyou。M。R。F。havingalwaysintheclearestmannerprovided(ashecallsit)forhischildrenbypre-arrangingfromthehourofthebirthofeach，andsometimesfromanearlierperiod，whatthedevotedlittlevictim\'scallingandcourseinlifeshouldbe，M。R。F。pre-arrangedformyselfthatIwastobethebarristerIam(withtheslightadditionofanenormouspractice，whichhasnotaccrued)，andalsothemarriedmanIamnot。\'

\'Thefirstyouhaveoftentoldme。\'

\'ThefirstIhaveoftentoldyou。Consideringmyselfsufficientlyincongruousonmylegaleminence，Ihaveuntilnowsuppressedmydomesticdestiny。YouknowM。R。F。，butnotaswellasIdo。

IfyouknewhimaswellasIdo，hewouldamuseyou。\'

\'Filiallyspoken，Eugene！\'

\'Perfectlyso，believeme；andwitheverysentimentofaffectionatedeferencetowardsM。R。F。Butifheamusesme，Ican\'thelpit。

Whenmyeldestbrotherwasborn，ofcoursetherestofusknew(I

meantherestofuswouldhaveknown，ifwehadbeeninexistence)thathewasheirtotheFamilyEmbarrassments——wecallitbeforethecompanytheFamilyEstate。Butwhenmysecondbrotherwasgoingtobebornby-and-by，“this，“saysM。R。F。，“isalittlepillarofthechurch。”WASborn，andbecameapillarofthechurch；averyshakyone。Mythirdbrotherappeared，considerablyinadvanceofhisengagementtomymother；butM。R。F。，notatallputoutbysurprise，instantlydeclaredhimaCircumnavigator。

Waspitch-forkedintotheNavy，buthasnotcircumnavigated。I

announcedmyselfandwasdisposedofwiththehighlysatisfactoryresultsembodiedbeforeyou。Whenmyyoungerbrotherwashalfanhourold，itwassettledbyM。R。F。thatheshouldhaveamechanicalgenius。Andsoon。ThereforeIsaythatM。R。F。

amusesme。\'

\'Touchingthelady，Eugene。\'

\'ThereM。R。F。ceasestobeamusing，becausemyintentionsareopposedtotouchingthelady。\'

\'Doyouknowher?\'

\'Notintheleast。\'

\'Hadn\'tyoubetterseeher?\'

\'MydearMortimer，youhavestudiedmycharacter。CouldI

possiblygodownthere，labelled“ELIGIBLE。ONVIEW，“andmeetthelady，similarlylabelled?AnythingtocarryoutM。R。F。\'sarrangements，Iamsure，withthegreatestpleasure——exceptmatrimony。CouldIpossiblysupportit?I，sosoonbored，soconstantly，sofatally?\'

\'Butyouarenotaconsistentfellow，Eugene。\'

\'Insusceptibilitytoboredom，\'returnedthatworthy，\'IassureyouI

amthemostconsistentofmankind。\'

\'Why，itwasbutnowthatyouweredwellingintheadvantagesofamonotonyoftwo。\'

\'Inalighthouse。Domethejusticetorememberthecondition。Inalighthouse。\'

Mortimerlaughedagain，andEugene，havinglaughedtooforthefirsttime，asifhefoundhimselfonreflectionratherentertaining，relapsedintohisusualgloom，anddrowsilysaid，asheenjoyedhiscigar，\'No，thereisnohelpforit；oneofthepropheticdeliveriesofM。R。F。mustforeverremainunfulfilled。Witheverydispositiontoobligehim，hemustsubmittoafailure。\'

Ithadgrowndarkerastheytalked，andthewindwassawingandthesawdustwaswhirlingoutsidepalerwindows。Theunderlyingchurchyardwasalreadysettlingintodeepdimshade，andtheshadewascreepinguptothehousetopsamongwhichtheysat。\'Asif，\'saidEugene，\'asifthechurchyardghostswererising。\'

Hehadwalkedtothewindowwithhiscigarinhismouth，toexaltitsflavourbycomparingthefiresidewiththeoutside，whenhestoppedmidwayonhisreturntohisarm-chair，andsaid:

\'Apparentlyoneoftheghostshaslostitsway，anddroppedintobedirected。Lookatthisphantom！\'

Lightwood，whosebackwastowardsthedoor，turnedhishead，andthere，inthedarknessoftheentry，stoodasomethinginthelikenessofaman:towhomheaddressedthenotirrelevantinquiry，\'Whothedevilareyou?\'

\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，\'repliedtheghost，inahoarsedouble-barrelledwhisper，\'butmighteitheronyoubeLawyerLightwood?\'

\'Whatdoyoumeanbynotknockingatthedoor?\'demandedMortimer。

\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，\'repliedtheghost，asbefore，\'butprobableyouwasnotawareyourdoorstoodopen。\'

\'Whatdoyouwant?\'

Hereuntotheghostagainhoarselyreplied，initsdouble-barrelledmanner，\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，butmightoneonyoubeLawyerLightwood?\'

\'Oneofusis，\'saidtheownerofthatname。

\'Allright，GovernorsBoth，\'returnedtheghost，carefullyclosingtheroomdoor；\'\'ticklerbusiness。\'

Mortimerlightedthecandles。Theyshowedthevisitortobeanill-

lookingvisitorwithasquintingleer，who，ashespoke，fumbledatanoldsoddenfurcap，formlessandmangey，thatlookedlikeafurryanimal，dogorcat，puppyorkitten，drownedanddecaying。

\'Now，\'saidMortimer，\'whatisit?\'

\'GovernorsBoth，\'returnedtheman，inwhathemeanttobeawheedlingtone，\'whichonyoumightbeLawyerLightwood?\'

\'Iam。\'

\'LawyerLightwood，\'duckingathimwithaservileair，\'Iamamanasgetsmyliving，andasseekstogetmyliving，bythesweatofmybrow。Nottoriskbeingdoneoutofthesweatofmybrow，byanychances，Ishouldwishaforegoingfurthertobesworein。\'

\'Iamnotaswearerinofpeople，man。\'

Thevisitor，clearlyanythingbutreliantonthisassurance，doggedlymuttered\'AlfredDavid。\'

\'Isthatyourname?\'askedLightwood。

\'Myname?\'returnedtheman。\'No；IwanttotakeaAlfredDavid。\'

(WhichEugene，smokingandcontemplatinghim，interpretedasmeaningAffidavit。)

\'Itellyou，mygoodfellow，\'saidLightwood，withhisindolentlaugh，\'thatIhavenothingtodowithswearing。\'

\'HecanswearATyou，\'Eugeneexplained；\'andsocanI。Butwecan\'tdomoreforyou。\'

Muchdiscomfitedbythisinformation，thevisitorturnedthedrowneddogorcat，puppyorkitten，aboutandabout，andlookedfromoneoftheGovernorsBothtotheotheroftheGovernorsBoth，whilehedeeplyconsideredwithinhimself。Atlengthhedecided:

\'ThenImustbetookdown。\'

\'Where?\'askedLightwood。

\'Here，\'saidtheman。\'Inpenandink。\'

\'First，letusknowwhatyourbusinessisabout。\'

\'It\'sabout，\'saidtheman，takingastepforward，droppinghishoarsevoice，andshadingitwithhishand，\'it\'saboutfromfivetotenthousandpoundreward。That\'swhatit\'sabout。It\'saboutMurder。That\'swhatit\'sabout。\'

\'Comenearerthetable。Sitdown。Willyouhaveaglassofwine?\'

\'Yes，Iwill，\'saidtheman；\'andIdon\'tdeceiveyou，Governors。\'

Itwasgivenhim。Makingastiffarmtotheelbow，hepouredthewineintohismouth，tilteditintohisrightcheek，assaying，\'Whatdoyouthinkofit?\'tilteditintohisleftcheek，assaying，\'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?\'jerkeditintohisstomach，assaying，\'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?\'Toconclude，smackedhislips，asifallthreereplied，\'Wethinkwellofit。\'

\'Willyouhaveanother?\'

\'Yes，Iwill，\'herepeated，\'andIdon\'tdeceiveyou，Governors。\'Andalsorepeatedtheotherproceedings。

\'Now，\'beganLightwood，\'what\'syourname?\'

\'Why，thereyou\'reratherfast，LawyerLightwood，\'hereplied，inaremonstrantmanner。\'Don\'tyousee，LawyerLightwood?Thereyou\'realittlebitfast。I\'mgoingtoearnfromfivetotenthousandpoundbythesweatofmybrow；andasapoormandoingjusticetothesweatofmybrow，isitlikelyIcanaffordtopartwithsomuchasmynamewithoutitsbeingtookdown?\'

Deferringtotheman\'ssenseofthebindingpowersofpenandinkandpaper，LightwoodnoddedacceptanceofEugene\'snoddedproposaltotakethosespellsinhand。Eugene，bringingthemtothetable，satdownasclerkornotary。

\'Now，\'saidLightwood，\'what\'syourname?\'

Butfurtherprecautionwasstillduetothesweatofthishonestfellow\'sbrow。

\'Ishouldwish，LawyerLightwood，\'hestipulated，\'tohavethatT\'otherGovernorasmywitnessthatwhatIsaidIsaid。

Consequent，willtheT\'otherGovernorbesogoodaschuckmehisnameandwherehelives?\'

Eugene，cigarinmouthandpeninhand，tossedhimhiscard。

Afterspellingitoutslowly，themanmadeitintoalittleroll，andtieditupinanendofhisneckerchiefstillmoreslowly。

\'Now，\'saidLightwood，forthethirdtime，\'ifyouhavequitecompletedyourvariouspreparations，myfriend，andhavefullyascertainedthatyourspiritsarecoolandnotinanywayhurried，what\'syourname?\'

\'RogerRiderhood。\'

\'Dwelling-place?\'

\'Lime\'usHole。\'

\'Callingoroccupation?\'

Notquitesoglibwiththisansweraswiththeprevioustwo，MrRiderhoodgaveinthedefinition，\'Watersidecharacter。\'

\'Anythingagainstyou?\'Eugenequietlyputin，ashewrote。

Ratherbaulked，MrRiderhoodevasivelyremarked，withaninnocentair，thathebelievedtheT\'otherGovernorhadaskedhimsumma\'t。

\'Everintrouble?\'saidEugene。

\'Once。\'(Mighthappentoanyman，MrRiderhoodaddedincidentally。)

\'Onsuspicionof——\'

\'Ofseaman\'spocket，\'saidMrRiderhood。\'WherebyIwasinrealitytheman\'sbestfriend，andtriedtotakecareofhim。\'

\'Withthesweatofyourbrow?\'askedEugene。

\'Tillitpoureddownlikerain，\'saidRogerRiderhood。

Eugeneleanedbackinhischair，andsmokedwithhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer，andhispenreadytoreducehimtomorewriting。Lightwoodalsosmoked，withhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer。

\'Nowletmebetookdownagain，\'saidRiderhood，whenhehadturnedthedrownedcapoverandunder，andhadbrusheditthewrongway(ifithadarightway)withhissleeve。\'IgiveinformationthatthemanthatdonetheHarmonMurderisGafferHexam，themanthatfoundthebody。ThehandofJesseHexam，commonlycalledGafferontheriverandalongshore，isthehandthatdonethatdeed。Hishandandnoother。\'

Thetwofriendsglancedatoneanotherwithmoreseriousfacesthantheyhadshownyet。

\'Tellusonwhatgroundsyoumakethisaccusation，\'saidMortimerLightwood。

\'Onthegrounds，\'answeredRiderhood，wipinghisfacewithhissleeve，\'thatIwasGaffer\'spardner，andsuspectedofhimmanyalongdayandmanyadarknight。OnthegroundsthatIknowedhisways。OnthegroundsthatIbrokethepardnershipbecauseIseethedanger；whichIwarnyouhisdaughtermaytellyouanotherstoryaboutthat，foranythinkIcansay，butyouknowwhatit\'llbeworth，forshe\'dtellyoulies，theworldroundandtheheavensbroad，tosaveherfather。Onthegroundsthatit\'swellunderstoodalongthecause\'aysandthestairsthathedoneit。Onthegroundsthathe\'sfellofffrom，becausehedoneit。OnthegroundsthatI

willswearhedoneit。Onthegroundsthatyoumaytakemewhereyouwill，andgetmesworntoit。Idon\'twanttobackoutoftheconsequences。IhavemadeupMYmind。Takemeanywheres。\'

\'Allthisisnothing，\'saidLightwood。

\'Nothing?\'repeatedRiderhood，indignantlyandamazedly。

\'Merelynothing。Itgoestonomorethanthatyoususpectthismanofthecrime。Youmaydosowithsomereason，oryoumaydosowithnoreason，buthecannotbeconvictedonyoursuspicion。\'

\'Haven\'tIsaid——IappealtotheT\'otherGovernorasmywitness——

haven\'tIsaidfromthefirstminutethatIopenedmymouthinthishereworld-without-end-everlastingchair\'(heevidentlyusedthatformofwordsasnextinforcetoanaffidavit)，\'thatIwaswillingtoswearthathedoneit?Haven\'tIsaid，Takemeandgetmesworntoit?Don\'tIsaysonow?Youwon\'tdenyit，LawyerLightwood?\'

\'Surelynot；butyouonlyoffertosweartoyoursuspicion，andItellyouitisnotenoughtosweartoyoursuspicion。\'

\'Notenough，ain\'tit，LawyerLightwood?\'hecautiouslydemanded。

\'Positivelynot。\'

\'AnddidIsayitWASenough?Now，IappealtotheT\'otherGovernor。Now，fair！DidIsayso?\'

\'Hecertainlyhasnotsaidthathehadnomoretotell，\'Eugeneobservedinalowvoicewithoutlookingathim，\'whateverheseemedtoimply。\'-

\'Hah！\'criedtheinformer，triumphantlyperceivingthattheremarkwasgenerallyinhisfavour，thoughapparentlynotcloselyunderstandingit。\'Fort\'nateformeIhadawitness！\'

\'Goon，then，\'saidLightwood。\'Sayoutwhatyouhavetosay。Noafter-thought。\'

\'Letmebetookdownthen！\'criedtheinformer，eagerlyandanxiously。\'Letmebetookdown，forbyGeorgeandtheDragginI\'macomingtoitnow！Don\'tdonothingtokeepbackfromahonestmanthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow！Igiveinformation，then，thathetoldmethathedoneit。IsTHATenough?\'

\'Takecarewhatyousay，myfriend，\'returnedMortimer。

\'LawyerLightwood，takecare，you，whatIsay；forIjudgeyou\'llbeanswerableforfolleringitup！\'Then，slowlyandemphaticallybeatingitalloutwithhisopenrighthandonthepalmofhisleft；

\'I，RogerRiderhood，Lime\'usHole，Watersidecharacter，tellyou，LawyerLightwood，thatthemanJesseHexam，commonlycalledupontheriverandalong-shoreGaffer，toldmethathedonethedeed。What\'smore，hetoldmewithhisownlipsthathedonethedeed。What\'smore，hesaidthathedonethedeed。AndI\'llswearit！\'

\'Wheredidhetellyouso?\'

\'Outside，\'repliedRiderhood，alwaysbeatingitout，withhisheaddeterminedlysetaskew，andhiseyeswatchfullydividingtheirattentionbetweenhistwoauditors，\'outsidethedooroftheSixJollyFellowships，towardsaquarteraftertwelveo\'clockatmidnight——butIwillnotinmyconscienceundertaketosweartosofineamatterasfiveminutes——onthenightwhenhepickedupthebody。TheSixJollyFellowshipswon\'trunaway。Ifitturnsoutthathewarn\'tattheSixJollyFellowshipsthatnightatmidnight，I\'maliar。\'

\'Whatdidhesay?\'

\'I\'lltellyou(takemedown，T\'otherGovernor，Iasknobetter)。Hecomeoutfirst；Icomeoutlast。Imightbeaminutearterhim；I

mightbehalfaminute，Imightbeaquarterofaminute；Icannotsweartothat，andthereforeIwon\'t。That\'sknowingtheobligationsofaAlfredDavid，ain\'tit?\'

\'Goon。\'

\'Ifoundhimawaitingtospeaktome。Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood“——forthat\'sthenameI\'mmostlycalledby——notforanymeaninginit，formeaningithasnone，butbecauseofitsbeingsimilartoRoger。\'

\'Nevermindthat。\'

\'\'ScuseME，LawyerLightwood，it\'sapartofthetruth，andassuchIdomindit，andImustminditandIwillmindit。“RogueRiderhood，“hesays，“wordspassedbetwixtusontherivertonight。”Whichtheyhad；askhisdaughter！“Ithreatenedyou，“

hesays，“tochopyouoverthefingerswithmyboat\'sstretcher，ortakeaaimatyourbrainswithmyboathook。IdidsoonaccountsofyourlookingtoohardatwhatIhadintow，asifyouwassuspicious，andonaccountsofyourholdingontothegunwaleofmyboat。”Isaystohim，“Gaffer，Iknowit。”Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood，youareamaninadozen“——Ithinkhesaidinascore，butofthatIamnotpositive，sotakethelowestfigure，forpreciousbetheobligationsofaAlfredDavid。“And，“hesays，“whenyourfellow-menisup，beittheirlivesorbeittheirwatches，sharpiseverthewordwithyou。Hadyoususpicions?“Isays，“Gaffer，Ihad；andwhat\'smore，Ihave。”Hefallsashaking，andhesays，“Ofwhat?“Isays，“Offoulplay。”Hefallsashakingworse，andhesays，“ThereWASfoulplaythen。Idoneitforhismoney。Don\'tbetrayme！“Thosewerethewordsaseverheused。\'

Therewasasilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate。Anopportunitywhichtheinformerimprovedbysmearinghimselfallovertheheadandneckandfacewithhisdrownedcap，andnotatallimprovinghisownappearance。

\'Whatmore?\'askedLightwood。

\'Ofhim，d\'yemean，LawyerLightwood?\'

\'Ofanythingtothepurpose。\'

\'Now，I\'mblestifIunderstandyou，GovernorsBoth，\'saidtheinformer，inacreepingmanner:propitiatingboth，thoughonlyonehadspoken。\'What?Ain\'tTHATenough?\'

\'Didyouaskhimhowhedidit，wherehedidit，whenhedidit?\'

\'Farbeitfromme，LawyerLightwood！Iwassotroubledinmymind，thatIwouldn\'thaveknowedmore，no，notforthesumasI

expecttoearnfromyoubythesweatofmybrow，twicetold！Ihadputanendtothepardnership。Ihadcuttheconnexion。Icouldn\'tundowhatwasdone；andwhenhebegsandprays，“Oldpardner，onmyknees，don\'tsplituponme！“Ionlymakesanswer“NeverspeakanotherwordtoRogerRiderhood，norlookhimintheface！“

andIshunsthatman。\'

Havinggiventhesewordsaswingtomakethemmountthehigherandgothefurther，RogueRiderhoodpouredhimselfoutanotherglassofwineunbidden，andseemedtochewit，as，withthehalf-

emptiedglassinhishand，hestaredatthecandles。

MortimerglancedatEugene，butEugenesatgloweringathispaper，andwouldgivehimnoresponsiveglance。Mortimeragainturnedtotheinformer，towhomhesaid:

\'Youhavebeentroubledinyourmindalongtime，man?\'

Givinghiswineafinalchew，andswallowingit，theinformeransweredinasingleword:

\'Hages！\'

\'Whenallthatstirwasmade，whentheGovernmentrewardwasoffered，whenthepolicewereonthealert，whenthewholecountryrangwiththecrime！\'saidMottimer，impatiently。

\'Hah！\'MrRiderhoodveryslowlyandhoarselychimedin，withseveralretrospectivenodsofhishead。\'Warn\'tItroubledinmymindthen！\'

\'Whenconjectureranwild，whenthemostextravagantsuspicionswereafloat，whenhalfadozeninnocentpeoplemighthavebeenlaidbytheheelsanyhourintheday！\'saidMortimer，almostwarming。

\'Hah！\'MrRiderhoodchimedin，asbefore。\'Warn\'tItroubledinmymindthroughitall！\'

\'Buthehadn\'t，\'saidEugene，drawingalady\'sheaduponhiswriting-paper，andtouchingitatintervals，\'theopportunitythenofearningsomuchmoney，yousee。\'

\'TheT\'otherGovernorhitsthenail，LawyerLightwood！Itwasthatasturnedme。Ihadmanytimesandagainstruggledtorelievemyselfofthetroubleonmymind，butIcouldn\'tgetitoff。IhadonceverynighgotitofftoMissAbbeyPottersonwhichkeepstheSixJollyFellowships——thereisthe\'ouse，itwon\'trunaway，——therelivesthelady，sheain\'tlikelytobestruckdeadaforeyougetthere——

askher！——butIcouldn\'tdoit。Atlast，outcomesthenewbillwithyourownlawfulname，LawyerLightwood，printedtoit，andthenI

asksthequestionofmyownintellects，AmItohavethistroubleonmymindforever?AmInevertothrowitoff?AmIalwaystothinkmoreofGafferthanofmyownself?Ifhe\'sgotadaughter，ain\'tIgotadaughter?\'

\'Andechoanswered——?\'Eugenesuggested。

\'“Youhave，“\'saidMrRiderhood，inafirmtone。

\'Incidentallymentioning，atthesametime，herage?\'inquiredEugene。

\'Yes，governor。Two-and-twentylastOctober。AndthenIputittomyself，“Regardingthemoney。Itisapotofmoney。”ForitISapot，\'saidMrRiderhood，withcandour，\'andwhydenyit?\'

\'Hear！\'fromEugeneashetouchedhisdrawing。

\'“Itisapotofmoney；butisitasinforalabouringmanthatmoistenseverycrustofbreadheearns，withhistears——orifnotwiththem，withthecoldshecatchesinhishead——isitasinforthatmantoearnit?Saythereisanythingagainearningit。”ThisIputtomyselfstrong，asindutybound；“howcanitbesaidwithoutblamingLawyerLightwoodforofferingittobeearned?“AndwasitforMEtoblameLawyerLightwood?No。\'

\'No，\'saidEugene。

\'Certainlynot，Governor，\'MrRiderhoodacquiesced。\'SoImadeupmymindtogetmytroubleoffmymind，andtoearnbythesweatofmybrowwhatwasheldouttome。Andwhat\'smore，headded，suddenlyturningbloodthirsty，\'Imeantohaveit！AndnowItellyou，onceandaway，LawyerLightwood，thatJesseHexam，commonlycalledGaffer，hishandandnoother，donethedeed，onhisownconfessiontome。AndIgivehimuptoyou，andIwanthimtook。Thisnight！\'

Afteranothersilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate，whichattractedtheinformer\'sattentionasifitwerethechinkingofmoney，MortimerLightwoodleanedoverhisfriend，andsaidinawhisper:

\'IsupposeImustgowiththisfellowtoourimperturbablefriendatthepolice-station。\'

\'Isuppose，\'saidEugene，\'thereisnohelpforit。\'

\'Doyoubelievehim?\'

\'Ibelievehimtobeathoroughrascal。Buthemaytellthetruth，forhisownpurpose，andforthisoccasiononly。\'

\'Itdoesn\'tlooklikeit。\'

\'HEdoesn\'t，\'saidEugene。\'Butneitherishislatepartner，whomhedenounces，aprepossessingperson。Thefirmarecut-throatShepherdsboth，inappearance。Ishouldliketoaskhimonething。\'

Thesubjectofthisconferencesatleeringattheashes，tryingwithallhismighttooverhearwhatwassaid，butfeigningabstractionasthe\'GovernorsBoth\'glancedathim。

\'Youmentioned(twice，Ithink)adaughterofthisHexam\'s，\'saidEugene，aloud。\'Youdon\'tmeantoimplythatshehadanyguiltyknowledgeofthecrime?\'

Thehonestman，afterconsidering——perhapsconsideringhowhisanswermightaffectthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow——replied，unreservedly，\'No，Idon\'t。\'

\'Andyouimplicatenootherperson?\'

\'Itain\'twhatIimplicate，it\'swhatGafferimplicated，\'wasthedoggedanddeterminedanswer。\'Idon\'tpretendtoknowmorethanthathiswordstomewas，“Idoneit。”Thosewashiswords。\'