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Youhavenoidea，asasingleman，ofthedifficultyIhavehadinwearingmorethanonegoodarticleatatime。\'
\'Icaneasilybelieveit，MrWilfer。\'
\'Ionlymentionit，\'saidR。W。inthewarmthofhisheart，\'asaproofoftheamiable，delicate，andconsiderateaffectionofmydaughterBella。Ifshehadbeenalittlespoilt，Icouldn\'thavethoughtsoverymuchofit，underthecircumstances。Butno，notabit。Andsheissoverypretty！Ihopeyouagreewithmeinfindingherverypretty，MrRokesmith?\'
\'CertainlyIdo。Everyonemust。\'
\'Ihopeso，\'saidthecherub。\'Indeed，Ihavenodoubtofit。Thisisagreatadvancementforherinlife，MrRokesmith。Agreatopeningofherprospects?\'
\'MissWilfercouldhavenobetterfriendsthanMrandMrsBoffin。\'
\'Impossible！\'saidthegratifiedcherub。\'ReallyIbegintothinkthingsareverywellastheyare。IfMrJohnHarmonhadlived——\'
\'Heisbetterdead，\'saidtheSecretary。
\'No，Iwon\'tgosofarastosaythat，\'urgedthecherub，alittleremonstrantagainsttheverydecisiveandunpityingtone；\'buthemightn\'thavesuitedBella，orBellamightn\'thavesuitedhim，orfiftythings，whereasnowIhopeshecanchooseforherself。\'
\'Hasshe——asyouplacetheconfidenceinmeofspeakingonthesubject，youwillexcusemyasking——hasshe——perhaps——chosen?\'
falteredtheSecretary。
\'Ohdearno！\'returnedR。W。
\'Youngladiessometimes，\'Rokesmithhinted，\'choosewithoutmentioningtheirchoicetotheirfathers。\'
\'Notinthiscase，MrRokesmith。BetweenmydaughterBellaandmethereisaregularleagueandcovenantofconfidence。Itwasratifiedonlytheotherday。Theratificationdatesfrom——these，\'
saidthecherub，givingalittlepullatthelappelsofhiscoatandthepocketsofhistrousers。\'Ohno，shehasnotchosen。Tobesure，youngGeorgeSampson，inthedayswhenMrJohnHarmon——\'
\'WhoIwishhadneverbeenborn！\'saidtheSecretary，withagloomybrow。
R。W。lookedathimwithsurprise，asthinkinghehadcontractedanunaccountablespiteagainstthepoordeceased，andcontinued:
\'InthedayswhenMrJohnHarmonwasbeingsoughtout，youngGeorgeSampsoncertainlywashoveringaboutBella，andBellalethimhover。Butitneverwasseriouslythoughtof，andit\'sstilllessthanevertobethoughtofnow。ForBellaisambitious，MrRokesmith，andIthinkImaypredictwillmarryfortune。Thistime，yousee，shewillhavethepersonandthepropertybeforehertogether，andwillbeabletomakeherchoicewithhereyesopen。Thisismyroad。Iamverysorrytopartcompanysosoon。
Goodmorning，sir！\'
TheSecretarypursuedhisway，notverymuchelevatedinspiritsbythisconversation，and，arrivingattheBoffinmansion，foundBettyHigdenwaitingforhim。
\'Ishouldthankyoukindly，sir，\'saidBetty，\'ifImightmakesoboldashaveawordortwowi\'you。\'
Sheshouldhaveasmanywordsassheliked，hetoldher；andtookherintohisroom，andmadehersitdown。
\'\'TisconcerningSloppy，sir，\'saidBetty。\'Andthat\'showIcomeherebymyself。NotwishinghimtoknowwhatI\'ma-goingtosaytoyou，Igotthestartofhimearlyandwalkedup。\'
\'Youhavewonderfulenergy，\'returnedRokesmith。\'YouareasyoungasIam。\'
BettyHigdengravelyshookherhead。\'Iamstrongformytimeoflife，sir，butnotyoung，thanktheLord！\'
\'Areyouthankfulfornotbeingyoung?\'
\'Yes，sir。IfIwasyoung，itwouldallhavetobegonethroughagain，andtheendwouldbeawearywayoff，don\'tyousee?Butnevermindme；\'tisconcerningSloppy。\'
\'Andwhatabouthim，Betty?\'
\'\'Tisjustthis，sir。Itcan\'tbereasonedoutofhisheadbyanypowersofminebutwhatthathecandorightbyyourkindladyandgentlemananddohisworkforme，bothtogether。Nowhecan\'t。Togivehimselfuptobeingputinthewayofarningagoodlivingandgettingon，hemustgivemeup。Well；hewon\'t。\'
\'Irespecthimforit，\'saidRokesmith。
\'DOye，sir?Idon\'tknowbutwhatIdomyself。Stillthatdon\'tmakeitrighttolethimhavehisway。Soashewon\'tgivemeup，I\'ma-goingtogivehimup。\'
\'How，Betty?\'
\'I\'ma-goingtorunawayfromhim。\'
Withanastonishedlookattheindomitableoldfaceandthebrighteyes，theSecretaryrepeated，\'Runawayfromhim?\'
\'Yes，sir，\'saidBetty，withonenod。Andinthenodandinthefirmsetofhermouth，therewasavigourofpurposenottobedoubted。
\'Come，come！\'saidtheSecretary。\'Wemusttalkaboutthis。Letustakeourtimeoverit，andtrytogetatthetruesenseofthecaseandthetruecourse，bydegrees。\'
\'Now，lookeehere，bydear，\'returnedoldBetty——\'askingyourexcuseforbeingsofamiliar，butbeingofatimeoflifea\'mosttobeyourgrandmothertwiceover。Now，lookee，here。\'TisapoorlivingandahardasistobegotoutofthisworkthatI\'madoingnow，andbutforSloppyIdon\'tknowasIshouldhaveheldtoitthislong。Butitdidjustkeepuson，thetwotogether。NowthatI\'malone——withevenJohnnygone——I\'dfarsoonerbeuponmyfeetandtiringofmyselfout，thanasittingfoldingandfoldingbythefire。AndI\'lltellyouwhy。There\'sadeadnessstealsovermeattimes，thatthekindoflifefavoursandIdon\'tlike。Now，IseemtohaveJohnnyinmyarms——now，hismother——now，hismother\'smother——now，Iseemtobeachildmyself，alyingonceagaininthearmsofmyownmother——thenIgetnumbed，thoughtandsense，tillIstartoutofmyseat，afeerdthatI\'magrowinglikethepooroldpeoplethattheybrickupintheUnions，asyoumaysometimesseewhentheylet\'emoutofthefourwallstohaveawarminthesun，crawlingquitescaredaboutthestreets。Iwasanimblegirl，andhavealwaysbeenaactivebody，asItoldyourlady，firsttimeeverIseehergoodface。IcanstillwalktwentymileifIamputtoit。I\'dfarbetterbeawalkingthanagettingnumbedanddreary。
I\'magoodfairknitter，andcanmakemanylittlethingstosell。
Theloanfromyourladyandgentlemanoftwentyshillingstofitoutabasketwith，wouldbeafortuneforme。Trudgingroundthecountryandtiringofmyselfout，Ishallkeepthedeadnessoff，andgetmyownbreadbymyownlabour。AndwhatmorecanI
want?\'
\'Andthisisyourplan，\'saidtheSecretary，\'forrunningaway?\'
\'Showmeabetter！Mydeary，showmeabetter！Why，Iknowverywell，\'saidoldBettyHigden，\'andyouknowverywell，thatyourladyandgentlemanwouldsetmeuplikeaqueenfortherestofmylife，ifsobethatwecouldmakeitrightamongustohaveitso。Butwecan\'tmakeitrightamongustohaveitso。I\'venevertookcharityyet，noryethasanyonebelongingtome。Anditwouldbeforsakingofmyselfindeed，andforsakingofmychildrendeadandgone，andforsakingoftheirchildrendeadandgone，tosetupacontradictionnowatlast。\'
\'Itmightcometobejustifiableandunavoidableatlast，\'theSecretarygentlyhinted，withaslightstressontheword。
\'Ihopeitneverwill！Itain\'tthatImeantogiveoffencebybeinganywaysproud，\'saidtheoldcreaturesimply，\'butthatIwanttobeofapiecelike，andhelpfulofmyselfrightthroughtomydeath。\'
\'Andtobesure，\'addedtheSecretary，asacomfortforher，\'Sloppywillbeeagerlylookingforwardtohisopportunityofbeingtoyouwhatyouhavebeentohim。\'
\'Trusthimforthat，sir！\'saidBetty，cheerfully。\'Thoughhehadneedtobesomethingquickaboutit，forI\'magettingtobeanoldone。ButI\'mastrongonetoo，andtravelandweatherneverhurtmeyet！Now，besokindasspeakformetoyourladyandgentleman，andtell\'emwhatIaskoftheirgoodfriendlinesstoletmedo，andwhyIaskit。\'
TheSecretaryfeltthattherewasnogainsayingwhatwasurgedbythisbraveoldheroine，andhepresentlyrepairedtoMrsBoffinandrecommendedhertoletBettyHigdenhaveherway，atalleventsforthetime。\'Itwouldbefarmoresatisfactorytoyourkindheart，Iknow，\'hesaid，\'toprovideforher，butitmaybeadutytorespectthisindependentspirit。\'MrsBoffinwasnotproofagainsttheconsiderationsetbeforeher。Sheandherhusbandhadworkedtoo，andhadbroughttheirsimplefaithandhonourcleanoutofdustheaps。IftheyowedadutytoBettyHigden，ofasuretythatdutymustbedone。
\'But，Betty，\'saidMrsBoffin，whensheaccompaniedJohnRokesmithbacktohisroom，andshoneuponherwiththelightofherradiantface，\'grantedallelse，IthinkIwouldn\'trunaway\'。
\'\'TwouldcomeeasiertoSloppy，\'saidMrsHigden，shakingherhead。\'\'Twouldcomeeasiertometoo。But\'tisasyouplease。\'
\'Whenwouldyougo?\'
\'Now，\'wasthebrightandreadyanswer。\'To-day，mydeary，to-
morrow。Blessye，Iamusedtoit。Iknowmanypartsofthecountrywell。Whennothingelsewastobedone，Ihaveworkedinmanyamarket-gardenaforenow，andinmanyahop-gardentoo。\'
\'IfIgivemyconsenttoyourgoing，Betty——whichMrRokesmiththinksIoughttodo——\'
Bettythankedhimwithagratefulcurtsey。
\'——Wemustnotlosesightofyou。Wemustnotletyoupassoutofourknowledge。Wemustknowallaboutyou。\'
\'Yes，mydeary，butnotthroughletter-writing，becauseletter-
writing——indeed，writingofmostsortshadn\'tmuchcomeupforsuchasmewhenIwasyoung。ButIshallbetoandfro。Nofearofmymissingachanceofgivingmyselfasightofyourrevivingface。Besides，\'saidBetty，withlogicalgoodfaith，\'Ishallhaveadebttopayoff，bylittles，andnaturallythatwouldbringmeback，ifnothingelsewould。\'
\'MUSTitbedone?\'askedMrsBoffin，stillreluctant，oftheSecretary。
\'Ithinkitmust。\'
Aftermorediscussionitwasagreedthatitshouldbedone，andMrsBoffinsummonedBellatonotedownthelittlepurchasesthatwerenecessarytosetBettyupintrade。\'Don\'tyebetimorousforme，mydear，\'saidthestancholdheart，observantofBella\'sface:
whenItakemyseatwithmywork，cleanandbusyandfresh，inacountrymarket-place，Ishallturnasixpenceassureaseverafarmer\'swifethere。\'
TheSecretarytookthatopportunityoftouchingonthepracticalquestionofMrSloppy\'scapabilities。Hewouldhavemadeawonderfulcabinet-maker，saidMrsHigden，\'iftherehadbeenthemoneytoputhimtoit。\'Shehadseenhimhandletoolsthathehadborrowedtomendthemangle，ortoknockabrokenpieceoffurnituretogether，inasurprisingmanner。AstoconstructingtoysfortheMinders，outofnothing，hehaddonethatdaily。Andonceasmanyasadozenpeoplehadgottogetherinthelanetoseetheneatnesswithwhichhefittedthebrokenpiecesofaforeignmonkey\'smusicalinstrument。\'That\'swell，\'saidtheSecretary。\'Itwillnotbehardtofindatradeforhim。\'
JohnHarmonbeingburiedundermountainsnow，theSecretarythatverysamedaysethimselftofinishhisaffairsandhavedonewithhim。Hedrewupanampledeclaration，tobesignedbyRogueRiderhood(knowinghecouldgethissignaturetoit，bymakinghimanotherandmuchshortereveningcall)，andthenconsideredtowhomshouldhegivethedocument?ToHexam\'sson，ordaughter?Resolvedspeedily，tothedaughter。Butitwouldbesafertoavoidseeingthedaughter，becausethesonhadseenJuliusHandford，and——hecouldnotbetoocareful——theremightpossiblybesomecomparisonofnotesbetweenthesonanddaughter，whichwouldawakenslumberingsuspicion，andleadtoconsequences。\'Imighteven，\'hereflected，\'beapprehendedashavingbeenconcernedinmyownmurder！\'Therefore，besttosendittothedaughterundercoverbythepost。PleasantRiderhoodhadundertakentofindoutwhereshelived，anditwasnotnecessarythatitshouldbeattendedbyasinglewordofexplanation。Sofar，straight。
But，allthatheknewofthedaughterhederivedfromMrsBoffin\'saccountsofwhatsheheardfromMrLightwood，whoseemedtohaveareputationforhismannerofrelatingastory，andtohavemadethisstoryquitehisown。Itinterestedhim，andhewouldliketohavethemeansofknowingmore——as，forinstance，thatshereceivedtheexoneratingpaper，andthatitsatisfiedher——byopeningsomechannelaltogetherindependentofLightwood:wholikewisehadseenJuliusHandford，whohadpubliclyadvertisedforJuliusHandford，andwhomofallmenhe，theSecretary，mostavoided。\'Butwithwhomthecommoncourseofthingsmightbringmeinamomentfacetoface，anydayintheweekoranyhourintheday。\'
Now，tocastaboutforsomelikelymeansofopeningsuchachannel。Theboy，Hexam，wastrainingforandwithaschoolmaster。TheSecretaryknewit，becausehissister\'sshareinthatdisposalofhimseemedtobethebestpartofLightwood\'saccountofthefamily。Thisyoungfellow，Sloppy，stoodinneedofsomeinstruction。Ifhe，theSecretary，engagedthatschoolmastertoimpartittohim，thechannelmightbeopened。Thenextpointwas，didMrsBoffinknowtheschoolmaster\'sname?No，butsheknewwheretheschoolwas。Quiteenough。PromptlytheSecretarywrotetothemasterofthatschool，andthatveryeveningBradleyHeadstoneansweredinperson。
TheSecretarystatedtotheschoolmasterhowtheobjectwas，tosendtohimforcertainoccasionaleveninginstruction，ayouthwhomMrandMrsBoffinwishedtohelptoanindustriousandusefulplaceinlife。Theschoolmasterwaswillingtoundertakethechargeofsuchapupil。TheSecretaryinquiredonwhatterms?
Theschoolmasterstatedonwhatterms。Agreedanddisposedof。
\'MayIask，sir，\'saidBradleyHeadstone，\'towhosegoodopinionI
owearecommendationtoyou?\'
\'YoushouldknowthatIamnottheprincipalhere。IamMrBoffin\'sSecretary。MrBoffinisagentlemanwhoinheritedapropertyofwhichyoumayhaveheardsomepublicmention；theHarmonproperty。\'
\'MrHarmon，\'saidBradley:whowouldhavebeenagreatdealmoreatalossthanhewas，ifhehadknowntowhomhespoke:
\'wasmurderedandfoundintheriver。\'
\'Wasmurderedandfoundintheriver。\'
\'Itwasnot——\'
\'No，\'interposedtheSecretary，smiling，\'itwasnothewhorecommendedyou。MrBoffinheardofyouthroughacertainMrLightwood。IthinkyouknowMrLightwood，orknowofhim?\'
\'IknowasmuchofhimasIwishtoknow，sir。IhavenoacquaintancewithMrLightwood，andIdesirenone。IhavenoobjectiontoMrLightwood，butIhaveaparticularobjectiontosomeofMrLightwood\'sfriends——inshort，tooneofMrLightwood\'sfriends。Hisgreatfriend。\'
Hecouldhardlygetthewordsout，eventhenandthere，sofiercedidhegrow(thoughkeepinghimselfdownwithinfinitepainsofrepression)，whenthecarelessandcontemptuousbearingofEugeneWrayburnrosebeforehismind。
TheSecretarysawtherewasastrongfeelinghereonsomesorepoint，andhewouldhavemadeadiversionfromit，butforBradley\'sholdingtoitinhiscumbersomeway。
\'Ihavenoobjectiontomentionthefriendbyname，\'hesaid，doggedly。\'ThepersonIobjectto，isMrEugeneWrayburn。\'
TheSecretaryrememberedhim。Inhisdisturbedrecollectionofthatnightwhenhewasstrivingagainstthedruggeddrink，therewasbutadimimageofEugene\'sperson；butherememberedhisname，andhismannerofspeaking，andhowhehadgonewiththemtoviewthebody，andwherehehadstood，andwhathehadsaid。
\'Pray，MrHeadstone，whatisthename，\'heasked，againtryingtomakeadiversion，\'ofyoungHexam\'ssister?\'
\'HernameisLizzie，\'saidtheschoolmaster，withastrongcontractionofhiswholeface。
\'Sheisayoungwomanofaremarkablecharacter；isshenot?\'
\'SheissufficientlyremarkabletobeverysuperiortoMrEugeneWrayburn——thoughanordinarypersonmightbethat，\'saidtheschoolmaster；\'andIhopeyouwillnotthinkitimpertinentinme，sir，toaskwhyyouputthetwonamestogether?\'
\'Bymereaccident，\'returnedtheSecretary。\'ObservingthatMrWrayburnwasadisagreeablesubjectwithyou，Itriedtogetawayfromit:thoughnotverysuccessfully，itwouldappear。\'
\'DoyouknowMrWrayburn，sir?\'
\'No。\'
\'Thenperhapsthenamescannotbeputtogetherontheauthorityofanyrepresentationofhis?\'
\'Certainlynot。\'
\'Itookthelibertytoask，\'saidBradley，aftercastinghiseyesontheground，\'becauseheiscapableofmakinganyrepresentation，intheswaggeringlevityofhisinsolence。I——Ihopeyouwillnotmisunderstandme，sir。I——Iammuchinterestedinthisbrotherandsister，andthesubjectawakensverystrongfeelingswithinme。
Very，very，strongfeelings。\'Withashakinghand，Bradleytookouthishandkerchiefandwipedhisbrow。
TheSecretarythought，asheglancedattheschoolmaster\'sface，thathehadopenedachannelhereindeed，andthatitwasanunexpectedlydarkanddeepandstormyone，anddifficulttosound。Allatonce，inthemidstofhisturbulentemotions，Bradleystoppedandseemedtochallengehislook。Muchasthoughhesuddenlyaskedhim，\'Whatdoyouseeinme?\'
\'Thebrother，youngHexam，wasyourrealrecommendationhere，\'
saidtheSecretary，quietlygoingbacktothepoint；\'MrandMrsBoffinhappeningtoknow，throughMrLightwood，thathewasyourpupil。AnythingthatIaskrespectingthebrotherandsister，oreitherofthem，Iaskformyselfoutofmyowninterestinthesubject，andnotinmyofficialcharacter，oronMrBoffin\'sbehalf。
HowIcometobeinterested，Ineednotexplain。Youknowthefather\'sconnectionwiththediscoveryofMrHarmon\'sbody。\'
\'Sir，\'repliedBradley，veryrestlesslyindeed，\'Iknowallthecircumstancesofthatcase。\'
\'Praytellme，MrHeadstone，\'saidtheSecretary。\'Doesthesistersufferunderanystigmabecauseoftheimpossibleaccusation——
groundlesswouldbeabetterword——thatwasmadeagainstthefather，andsubstantiallywithdrawn?\'
\'No，sir，\'returnedBradley，withakindofanger。
\'Iamverygladtohearit。\'
\'Thesister，\'saidBradley，separatinghiswordsover-carefully，andspeakingasifhewererepeatingthemfromabook，\'suffersundernoreproachthatrepelsamanofunimpeachablecharacterwhohadmadeforhimselfeverystepofhiswayinlife，fromplacingherinhisownstation。Iwillnotsay，raisinghertohisownstation；Isay，placingherinit。Thesisterlaboursundernoreproach，unlesssheshouldunfortunatelymakeitforherself。
Whensuchamanisnotdeterredfromregardingherashisequal，andwhenhehasconvincedhimselfthatthereisnoblemishonher，Ithinkthefactmustbetakentobeprettyexpressive。\'
\'Andthereissuchaman?\'saidtheSecretary。
BradleyHeadstoneknottedhisbrows，andsquaredhislargelowerjaw，andfixedhiseyesonthegroundwithanairofdeterminationthatseemedunnecessarytotheoccasion，ashereplied:\'Andthereissuchaman。\'
TheSecretaryhadnoreasonorexcuseforprolongingtheconversation，anditendedhere。Withinthreehourstheoakum-
headedapparitiononcemoredivedintotheLeavingShop，andthatnightRogueRiderhood\'srecantationlayinthepostoffice，addressedundercovertoLizzieHexamatherrightaddress。
AlltheseproceedingsoccupiedJohnRokesmithsomuch，thatitwasnotuntilthefollowingdaythathesawBellaagain。Itseemedthentobetacitlyunderstoodbetweenthemthattheyweretobeasdistantlyeasyastheycould，withoutattractingtheattentionofMrandMrsBoffintoanymarkedchangeintheirmanner。ThefittingoutofoldBettyHigdenwasfavourabletothis，askeepingBellaengagedandinterested，andasoccupyingthegeneralattention。
\'Ithink，\'saidRokesmith，whentheyallstoodabouther，whileshepackedhertidybasket——exceptBella，whowasbusilyhelpingonherkneesatthechaironwhichitstood；\'thatatleastyoumightkeepaletterinyourpocket，MrsHigden，whichIwouldwriteforyouanddatefromhere，merelystating，inthenamesofMrandMrsBoffin，thattheyareyourfriends；——Iwon\'tsaypatrons，becausetheywouldn\'tlikeit。\'
\'No，no，no，\'saidMrBoffin；\'nopatronizing！Let\'skeepoutofTHAT，whateverwecometo。\'
\'There\'smorethanenoughofthatabout，withoutus；ain\'tthere，Noddy?\'saidMrsBoffin。
\'Ibelieveyou，oldlady！\'returnedtheGoldenDustman。
\'Overmuchindeed！\'
\'Butpeoplesometimesliketobepatronized；don\'tthey，sir?\'askedBella，lookingup。
\'Idon\'t。AndifTHEYdo，mydear，theyoughttolearnbetter，\'
saidMrBoffin。\'PatronsandPatronesses，andVice-PatronsandVice-Patronesses，andDeceasedPatronsandDeceasedPatronesses，andEx-Vice-PatronsandEx-Vice-Patronesses，whatdoesitallmeaninthebooksoftheCharitiesthatcomepouringinonRokesmithashesitsamong\'emprettywelluptohisneck！IfMrTomNoakesgiveshisfiveshillingsain\'theaPatron，andifMrsJackStylesgivesherfiveshillingsain\'tsheaPatroness?
Whatthedeuceisitallabout?Ifitain\'tstarkstaringimpudence，whatdoyoucallit?\'
\'Don\'tbewarm，Noddy，\'MrsBoffinurged。
\'Warm！\'criedMrBoffin。\'It\'senoughtomakeamansmokinghot。
Ican\'tgoanywherewithoutbeingPatronized。Idon\'twanttobePatronized。IfIbuyaticketforaFlowerShow，oraMusicShow，oranysortofShow，andpayprettyheavyforit，whyamItobePatronedandPatronessedasifthePatronsandPatronessestreatedme?Ifthere\'sagoodthingtobedone，can\'titbedoneonitsownmerits?Ifthere\'sabadthingtobedone，caniteverbePatronedandPatronessedright?YetwhenanewInstitution\'sgoingtobebuilt，itseemstomethatthebricksandmortarain\'tmadeofhalfsomuchconsequenceasthePatronsandPatronesses；no，noryettheobjects。IwishsomebodywouldtellmewhetherothercountriesgetPatronizedtoanythingliketheextentofthisone！AndastothePatronsandPatronessesthemselves，Iwonderthey\'renotashamedofthemselves。Theyain\'tPills，orHair-Washes，orInvigoratingNervousEssences，tobepuffedinthatway！\'
Havingdeliveredhimselfoftheseremarks，MrBoffintookatrot，accordingtohisusualcustom，andtrottedbacktothespotfromwhichhehadstarted。
\'Astotheletter，Rokesmith，\'saidMrBoffin，\'you\'reasrightasatrivet。Givehertheletter，makehertaketheletter，putitinherpocketbyviolence。Shemightfallsick。Youknowyoumightfallsick，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Don\'tdenyit，MrsHigden，inyourobstinacy；youknowyoumight。\'
OldBettylaughed，andsaidthatshewouldtaketheletterandbethankful。
\'That\'sright！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Come！That\'ssensible。Anddon\'tbethankfultous(forweneverthoughtofit)，buttoMrRokesmith。\'
Theletterwaswritten，andreadtoher，andgiventoher。
\'Now，howdoyoufeel?\'saidMrBoffin。\'Doyoulikeit?\'
\'Theletter，sir?\'saidBetty。\'Ay，it\'sabeautifulletter！\'
\'No，no，no；nottheletter，\'saidMrBoffin；\'theidea。Areyousureyou\'restrongenoughtocarryouttheidea?\'
\'Ishallbestronger，andkeepthedeadnessoffbetter，thisway，thananywayleftopentome，sir。\'
\'Don\'tsaythananywayleftopen，youknow，\'urgedMrBoffin；
\'becausetherearewayswithoutend。AhousekeeperwouldbeacceptableoveryonderattheBower，forinstance。Wouldn\'tyouliketoseetheBower，andknowaretiredliterarymanofthenameofWeggthatlivesthere——WITHawoodenleg?\'
OldBettywasproofevenagainstthistemptation，andfelltoadjustingherblackbonnetandshawl。
\'Iwouldn\'tletyougo，nowitcomestothis，afterall，\'saidMrBoffin，\'ifIdidn\'thopethatitmaymakeamanandaworkmanofSloppy，inasshortatimeaseveramanandworkmanwasmadeyet。Why，whathaveyougotthere，Betty?Notadoll?\'
ItwasthemanintheGuardswhohadbeenondutyoverJohnny\'sbed。Thesolitaryoldwomanshowedwhatitwas，andputitupquietlyinherdress。Then，shegratefullytookleaveofMrsBoffin，andofMrBoffin，andofRokesmith，andthenputheroldwitheredarmsroundBella\'syoungandbloomingneck，andsaid，repeatingJohnny\'swords:\'Akissforthebooferlady。\'
TheSecretarylookedonfromadoorwayatthebooferladythusencircled，andstilllookedonatthebooferladystandingalonethere，whenthedeterminedoldfigurewithitssteadybrighteyeswastrudgingthroughthestreets，awayfromparalysisandpauperism。
Chapter15
THEWHOLECASESOFAR
BradleyHeadstoneheldfastbythatotherinterviewhewastohavewithLizzieHexam。Instipulatingforit，hehadbeenimpelledbyafeelinglittleshortofdesperation，andthefeelingabidedbyhim。ItwasverysoonafterhisinterviewwiththeSecretary，thatheandCharleyHexamsetoutoneleadenevening，notunnoticedbyMissPeecher，tohavethisdesperateinterviewaccomplished。
\'Thatdolls\'dressmaker，\'saidBradley，\'isfavourableneithertomenortoyou，Hexam。\'
\'Apertcrookedlittlechit，MrHeadstone！Iknewshewouldputherselfintheway，ifshecould，andwouldbesuretostrikeinwithsomethingimpertinent。ItwasonthataccountthatIproposedourgoingtotheCityto-nightandmeetingmysister。\'
\'SoIsupposed，\'saidBradley，gettinghisglovesonhisnervoushandsashewalked。\'SoIsupposed。\'
\'Nobodybutmysister，\'pursuedCharley，\'wouldhavefoundoutsuchanextraordinarycompanion。Shehasdoneitinaridiculousfancyofgivingherselfuptoanother。Shetoldmeso，thatnightwhenwewentthere。\'
\'Whyshouldshegiveherselfuptothedressmaker?\'askedBradley。
\'Oh！\'saidtheboy，colouring。\'Oneofherromanticideas！Itriedtoconvinceherso，butIdidn\'tsucceed。However，whatwehavegottodo，is，tosucceedto-night，MrHeadstone，andthenalltherestfollows。\'
\'Youarestillsanguine，Hexam。\'
\'CertainlyIam，sir。Why，wehaveeverythingonourside。\'
\'Exceptyoursister，perhaps，\'thoughtBradley。Butheonlygloomilythoughtit，andsaidnothing。
\'Everythingonourside，\'repeatedtheboywithboyishconfidence。
\'Respectability，anexcellentconnexionforme，commonsense，everything！\'
\'Tobesure，yoursisterhasalwaysshownherselfadevotedsister，\'
saidBradley，willingtosustainhimselfoneventhatlowgroundofhope。
\'Naturally，MrHeadstone，Ihaveagooddealofinfluencewithher。Andnowthatyouhavehonouredmewithyourconfidenceandspokentomefirst，Isayagain，wehaveeverythingonourside。\'
AndBradleythoughtagain，\'Exceptyoursister，perhaps。\'
AgreydustywitheredeveninginLondoncityhasnotahopefulaspect。Theclosedwarehousesandofficeshaveanairofdeathaboutthem，andthenationaldreadofcolourhasanairofmourning。Thetowersandsteeplesofthemanyhouse-
encompassedchurches，darkanddingyastheskythatseemsdescendingonthem，arenorelieftothegeneralgloom；asun-dialonachurch-wallhasthelook，initsuselessblackshade，ofhavingfailedinitsbusinessenterpriseandstoppedpaymentforever；
melancholywaifsandstraysofhousekeepersandportersweepmelancholywaifsandstraysofpapersandpinsintothekennels，andothermoremelancholywaifsandstraysexplorethem，searchingandstoopingandpokingforanythingtosell。ThesetofhumanityoutwardfromtheCityisasasetofprisonersdepartingfromgaol，anddismalNewgateseemsquiteasfitastrongholdforthemightyLordMayorashisownstate-dwelling。
Onsuchanevening，whenthecitygritgetsintothehairandeyesandskin，andwhenthefallenleavesofthefewunhappycitytreesgrinddownincornersunderwheelsofwind，theschoolmasterandthepupilemergedupontheLeadenhallStreetregion，spyingeastwardforLizzie。Beingsomethingtoosoonintheirarrival，theylurkedatacorner，waitingforhertoappear。Thebest-
lookingamonguswillnotlookverywell，lurkingatacorner，andBradleycameoutofthatdisadvantageverypoorlyindeed。
\'Hereshecomes，MrHeadstone！Letusgoforwardandmeether。\'
Astheyadvanced，shesawthemcoming，andseemedrathertroubled。Butshegreetedherbrotherwiththeusualwarmth，andtouchedtheextendedhandofBradley。
\'Why，whereareyougoing，Charley，dear?\'sheaskedhimthen。
\'Nowhere。Wecameonpurposetomeetyou。\'
\'Tomeetme，Charley?\'
\'Yes。Wearegoingtowalkwithyou。Butdon\'tletustakethegreatleadingstreetswhereeveryonewalks，andwecan\'thearourselvesspeak。Letusgobythequietbackways。Here\'salargepavedcourtbythischurch，andquiet，too。Letusgouphere。\'
\'Butit\'snotintheway，Charley。\'
\'Yesitis，\'saidtheboy，petulantly。\'It\'sinmyway，andmywayisyours。\'
Shehadnotreleasedhishand，and，stillholdingit，lookedathimwithakindofappeal。Heavoidedhereyes，underpretenceofsaying，\'Comealong，MrHeadstone。\'Bradleywalkedathisside——
notathers——andthebrotherandsisterwalkedhandinhand。Thecourtbroughtthemtoachurchyard；apavedsquarecourt，witharaisedbankofearthaboutbreasthigh，inthemiddle，enclosedbyironrails。Here，convenientlyandheathfullyelevatedabovetheleveloftheliving，werethedead，andthetombstones；someofthelatterdroopinglyinclinedfromtheperpendicular，asiftheywereashamedoftheliestheytold。
Theypacedthewholeofthisplaceonce，inaconstrainedanduncomfortablemanner，whentheboystoppedandsaid:
\'Lizzie，MrHeadstonehassomethingtosaytoyou。Idon\'twishtobeaninterruptioneithertohimortoyou，andsoI\'llgoandtakealittlestrollandcomeback。IknowinageneralwaywhatMrHeadstoneintendstosay，andIveryhighlyapproveofit，asI
hope——andindeedIdonotdoubt——youwill。Ineedn\'ttellyou，Lizzie，thatIamundergreatobligationstoMrHeadstone，andthatIamveryanxiousforMrHeadstonetosucceedinallheundertakes。AsIhope——andas，indeed，Idon\'tdoubt——youmustbe。\'
\'Charley，\'returnedhissister，detaininghishandashewithdrewit，\'Ithinkyouhadbetterstay。IthinkMrHeadstonehadbetternotsaywhathethinksofsaying。\'
\'Why，howdoyouknowwhatitis?\'returnedtheboy。
\'PerhapsIdon\'t，but——\'
\'Perhapsyoudon\'t?No，Liz，Ishouldthinknot。Ifyouknewwhatitwas，youwouldgivemeaverydifferentanswer。There；letgo；
besensible。Iwonderyoudon\'trememberthatMrHeadstoneislookingon。\'
Sheallowedhimtoseparatehimselffromher，andhe，aftersaying，\'NowLiz，bearationalgirlandagoodsister，\'walkedaway。SheremainedstandingalonewithBradleyHeadstone，anditwasnotuntilsheraisedhereyes，thathespoke。
\'Isaid，\'hebegan，\'whenIsawyoulast，thattherewassomethingunexplained，whichmightperhapsinfluenceyou。Ihavecomethiseveningtoexplainit。IhopeyouwillnotjudgeofmebymyhesitatingmannerwhenIspeaktoyou。Youseemeatmygreatestdisadvantage。ItismostunfortunateformethatIwishyoutoseemeatmybest，andthatIknowyouseemeatmyworst。\'
Shemovedslowlyonwhenhepaused，andhemovedslowlyonbesideher。
\'Itseemsegotisticaltobeginbysayingsomuchaboutmyself，\'heresumed，\'butwhateverIsaytoyouseems，eveninmyownears，belowwhatIwanttosay，anddifferentfromwhatIwanttosay。I
can\'thelpit。Soitis。Youaretheruinofme。\'
Shestartedatthepassionatesoundofthelastwords，andatthepassionateactionofhishands，withwhichtheywereaccompanied。
\'Yes！youaretheruin——theruin——theruin——ofme。Ihavenoresourcesinmyself，Ihavenoconfidenceinmyself，Ihavenogovernmentofmyselfwhenyouarenearmeorinmythoughts。
Andyouarealwaysinmythoughtsnow。IhaveneverbeenquitofyousinceIfirstsawyou。Oh，thatwasawretcheddayforme！
Thatwasawretched，miserableday！\'
Atouchofpityforhimmingledwithherdislikeofhim，andshesaid:\'MrHeadstone，Iamgrievedtohavedoneyouanyharm，butIhavenevermeantit。\'
\'There！\'hecried，despairingly。\'Now，Iseemtohavereproachedyou，insteadofrevealingtoyouthestateofmyownmind！Bearwithme。Iamalwayswrongwhenyouareinquestion。Itismydoom。\'
Strugglingwithhimself，andbytimeslookingupatthedesertedwindowsofthehousesasiftherecouldbeanythingwrittenintheirgrimypanesthatwouldhelphim，hepacedthewholepavementatherside，beforehespokeagain。
\'Imusttrytogiveexpressiontowhatisinmymind；itshallandmustbespoken。Thoughyouseemesoconfounded——thoughyoustrikemesohelpless——Iaskyoutobelievethattherearemanypeoplewhothinkwellofme；thattherearesomepeoplewhohighlyesteemme；thatIhaveinmywaywonaStationwhichisconsideredworthwinning。\'
\'Surely，MrHeadstone，Idobelieveit。SurelyIhavealwaysknownitfromCharley。\'
\'IaskyoutobelievethatifIweretooffermyhomesuchasitis，mystationsuchasitis，myaffectionssuchastheyare，toanyoneofthebestconsidered，andbestqualified，andmostdistinguished，amongtheyoungwomenengagedinmycalling，theywouldprobablybeaccepted。Evenreadilyaccepted。\'
\'Idonotdoubtit，\'saidLizzie，withhereyesupontheground。
\'Ihavesometimeshaditinmythoughtstomakethatofferandtosettledownasmanymenofmyclassdo:Iontheonesideofaschool，mywifeontheother，bothofusinterestedinthesamework。\'
\'Whyhaveyounotdoneso?\'askedLizzieHexam。\'Whydoyounotdoso?\'
\'FarbetterthatIneverdid！TheonlyonegrainofcomfortIhavehadthesemanyweeks，\'hesaid，alwaysspeakingpassionately，and，whenmostemphatic，repeatingthatformeractionofhishands，whichwaslikeflinginghisheart\'sblooddownbeforeherindropsuponthepavement-stones；\'theonlyonegrainofcomfortI
havehadthesemanyweeksis，thatIneverdid。ForifIhad，andifthesamespellhadcomeuponmeformyruin，IknowIshouldhavebrokenthattieasunderasifithadbeenthread。\'
Sheglancedathimwithaglanceoffear，andashrinkinggesture。
Heanswered，asifshehadspoken。
\'No！Itwouldnothavebeenvoluntaryonmypart，anymorethanitisvoluntaryinmetobeherenow。Youdrawmetoyou。IfI
wereshutupinastrongprison，youwoulddrawmeout。Ishouldbreakthroughthewalltocometoyou。IfIwerelyingonasickbed，youwoulddrawmeup——tostaggertoyourfeetandfallthere。\'
Thewildenergyoftheman，nowquiteletloose，wasabsolutelyterrible。Hestoppedandlaidhishanduponapieceofthecopingoftheburial-groundenclosure，asifhewouldhavedislodgedthestone。
\'Nomanknowstillthetimecomes，whatdepthsarewithinhim。
Tosomemenitnevercomes；letthemrestandbethankful！Tome，youbroughtit；onme，youforcedit；andthebottomofthisragingsea，\'strikinghimselfuponthebreast，\'hasbeenheavedupeversince。\'
\'MrHeadstone，Ihaveheardenough。Letmestopyouhere。Itwillbebetterforyouandbetterforme。Letusfindmybrother。\'
\'Notyet。Itshallandmustbespoken。IhavebeenintormentseversinceIstoppedshortofitbefore。Youarealarmed。ItisanotherofmymiseriesthatIcannotspeaktoyouorspeakofyouwithoutstumblingateverysyllable，unlessIletthecheckgoaltogetherandrunmad。Hereisamanlightingthelamps。Hewillbegonedirectly。Ientreatofyouletuswalkroundthisplaceagain。Youhavenoreasontolookalarmed；Icanrestrainmyself，andIwill。\'
Sheyieldedtotheentreaty——howcouldshedootherwise！——andtheypacedthestonesinsilence。Onebyonethelightsleapedupmakingthecoldgreychurchtowermoreremote，andtheywerealoneagain。Hesaidnomoreuntiltheyhadregainedthespotwherehehadbrokenoff；there，heagainstoodstill，andagaingraspedthestone。Insayingwhathesaidthen，heneverlookedather；butlookedatitandwrenchedatit。
\'YouknowwhatIamgoingtosay。Iloveyou。Whatothermenmaymeanwhentheyusethatexpression，Icannottell；whatI
meanis，thatIamundertheinfluenceofsometremendousattractionwhichIhaveresistedinvain，andwhichovermastersme。Youcoulddrawmetofire，youcoulddrawmetowater，youcoulddrawmetothegallows，youcoulddrawmetoanydeath，youcoulddrawmetoanythingIhavemostavoided，youcoulddrawmetoanyexposureanddisgrace。Thisandtheconfusionofmythoughts，sothatIamfitfornothing，iswhatImeanbyyourbeingtheruinofme。Butifyouwouldreturnafavourableanswertomyofferofmyselfinmarringe，youcoulddrawmetoanygood——everygood——withequalforce。Mycircumstancesarequiteeasy，andyouwouldwantfornothing。Myreputationstandsquitehigh，andwouldbeashieldforyours。Ifyousawmeatmywork，abletodoitwellandrespectedinit，youmightevencometotakeasortofprideinme；——Iwouldtryhardthatyoushould。WhateverconsiderationsImayhavethoughtofagainstthisoffer，Ihaveconquered，andImakeitwithallmyheart。Yourbrotherfavoursmetotheutmost，anditislikelythatwemightliveandworktogether；anyhow，itiscertainthathewouldhavemybestinfluenceandsupport。Idon\'tknowwhatIcouldsaymoreifI
tried。Imightonlyweakenwhatisillenoughsaidasitis。Ionlyaddthatifitisanyclaimonyoutobeinearnest，Iaminthoroughearnest，dreadfulearnest。\'
Thepowderedmortarfromunderthestoneatwhichhewrenched，rattledonthepavementtoconfirmhiswords。
\'MrHeadstone——\'
\'Stop！Iimploreyou，beforeyouanswerme，towalkroundthisplaceoncemore。Itwillgiveyouaminute\'stimetothink，andmeaminute\'stimetogetsomefortitudetogether。\'
Againsheyieldedtotheentreaty，andagaintheycamebacktothesameplace，andagainheworkedatthestone。
\'Isit，\'hesaid，withhisattentionapparentlyengrossedbyit，\'yes，orno?\'
\'MrHeadstone，Ithankyousincerely，Ithankyougratefully，andhopeyoumayfindaworthywifebeforelongandbeveryhappy。
Butitisno。\'
\'Isnoshorttimenecessaryforreflection；noweeksordays?\'heasked，inthesamehalf-suffocatedway。
\'Nonewhatever。\'
\'Areyouquitedecided，andistherenochanceofanychangeinmyfavour?\'
\'Iamquitedecided，MrHeadstone，andIamboundtoanswerI
amcertainthereisnone。\'
\'Then，\'saidhe，suddenlychanginghistoneandturningtoher，andbringinghisclenchedhanddownuponthestonewithaforcethatlaidtheknucklesrawandbleeding；\'thenIhopethatImayneverkillhim！\'
Thedarklookofhatredandrevengewithwhichthewordsbrokefromhislividlips，andwithwhichhestoodholdingouthissmearedhandasifitheldsomeweaponandhadjuststruckamortalblow，madehersoafraidofhimthatsheturnedtorunaway。Buthecaughtherbythearm。
\'MrHeadstone，letmego。MrHeadstone，Imustcallforhelp！\'
\'ItisIwhoshouldcallforhelp，\'hesaid；\'youdon\'tknowyethowmuchIneedit。\'
Theworkingofhisfaceassheshrankfromit，glancingroundforherbrotheranduncertainwhattodo，mighthaveextortedacryfromherinanotherinstant；butallatoncehesternlystoppeditandfixedit，asifDeathitselfhaddoneso。
\'There！YouseeIhaverecoveredmyself。Hearmeout。\'
Withmuchofthedignityofcourage，assherecalledherself-
reliantlifeandherrighttobefreefromaccountabilitytothisman，shereleasedherarmfromhisgraspandstoodlookingfullathim。
Shehadneverbeensohandsome，inhiseyes。Ashadecameoverthemwhilehelookedbackather，asifshedrewtheverylightoutofthemtoherself。
\'Thistime，atleast，Iwillleavenothingunsaid，\'hewenton，foldinghishandsbeforehim，clearlytopreventhisbeingbetrayedintoanyimpetuousgesture；\'thislasttimeatleastIwillnotbetorturedwithafter-thoughtsofalostopportunity。MrEugeneWrayburn。\'
\'Wasitofhimyouspokeinyourungovernablerageandviolence?\'
LizzieHexamdemandedwithspirit。
Hebithislip，andlookedather，andsaidneveraword。
\'WasitMrWrayburnthatyouthreatened?\'
Hebithislipagain，andlookedather，andsaidneveraword。
\'Youaskedmetohearyouout，andyouwillnotspeak。Letmefindmybrother。\'
\'Stay！Ithreatenednoone。\'
Herlookdroppedforaninstanttohisbleedinghand。Heliftedittohismouth，wipeditonhissleeve，andagainfoldeditovertheother。\'MrEugeneWrayburn，\'herepeated。
\'Whydoyoumentionthatnameagainandagain，MrHeadstone?\'
\'BecauseitisthetextofthelittleIhavelefttosay。Observe！
Therearenothreatsinit。IfIutterathreat，stopme，andfastenituponme。MrEugeneWrayburn。\'
Aworsethreatthanwasconveyedinhismannerofutteringthename，couldhardlyhaveescapedhim。
\'Hehauntsyou。Youacceptfavoursfromhim。YouarewillingenoughtolistentoHIM。Iknowit，aswellashedoes。\'
\'MrWrayburnhasbeenconsiderateandgoodtome，sir，\'saidLizzie，proudly，\'inconnexionwiththedeathandwiththememoryofmypoorfather。\'
\'Nodoubt。Heisofcourseaveryconsiderateandaverygoodman，MrEugeneWrayburn。\'
\'Heisnothingtoyou，Ithink，\'saidLizzie，withanindignationshecouldnotrepress。
\'Ohyes，heis。Thereyoumistake。Heismuchtome。\'
\'Whatcanhebetoyou?\'
\'Hecanbearivaltomeamongotherthings，\'saidBradley。
\'MrHeadstone，\'returnedLizzie，withaburningface，\'itiscowardlyinyoutospeaktomeinthisway。ButitmakesmeabletotellyouthatIdonotlikeyou，andthatIneverhavelikedyoufromthefirst，andthatnootherlivingcreaturehasanythingtodowiththeeffectyouhaveproduceduponmeforyourself。\'
Hisheadbentforamoment，asifunderaweight，andhethenlookedupagain，moisteninghislips。\'IwasgoingonwiththelittleIhadlefttosay。IknewallthisaboutMrEugeneWrayhurn，allthewhileyouweredrawingmetoyou。Istroveagainsttheknowledge，butquiteinvain。Itmadenodifferenceinme。WithMrEugeneWrayburninmymind，Iwenton。WithMrEugeneWrayburninmymind，Ispoketoyoujustnow。WithMrEugeneWrayburninmymind，IhavebeensetasideandIhavebeencastout。\'
\'Ifyougivethosenamestomythankingyouforyourproposalanddecliningit，isitmyfault，MrHeadstone?\'saidLizzie，compassionatingthebitterstrugglehecouldnotconceal，almostasmuchasshewasrepelledandalarmedbyit。
\'Iamnotcomplaining，\'hereturned，\'Iamonlystatingthecase。I
hadtowrestlewithmyself-respectwhenIsubmittedtobedrawntoyouinspiteofMrWrayburn。Youmayimaginehowlowmyself-respectliesnow。\'
Shewashurtandangry；butrepressedherselfinconsiderationofhissuffering，andofhisbeingherbrother\'sfriend。
\'Anditliesunderhisfeet，\'saidBradley，unfoldinghishandsinspiteofhimself，andfiercelymotioningwiththembothtowardsthestonesofthepavement。\'Rememberthat！Itliesunderthatfellow\'sfeet，andhetreadsuponitandexultsaboveit。\'
\'Hedoesnot！\'saidLizzie。
\'Hedoes！\'saidBradley。\'Ihavestoodbeforehimfacetoface，andhecrushedmedowninthedirtofhiscontempt，andwalkedoverme。Why?Becauseheknewwithtriumphwhatwasinstoreformeto-night。\'
\'O，MrHeadstone，youtalkquitewildly。\'
\'Quitecollectedly。IknowwhatIsaytoowell。NowIhavesaidall。Ihaveusednothreat，remember；Ihavedonenomorethanshowyouhowthecasestands；——howthecasestands，sofar。\'
Atthismomentherbrothersaunteredintoviewcloseby。Shedartedtohim，andcaughthimbythehand。Bradleyfollowed，andlaidhisheavyhandontheboy\'soppositeshoulder。
\'CharleyHexam，Iamgoinghome。Imustwalkhomebymyselfto-night，andgetshutupinmyroomwithoutbeingspokento。
Givemehalfanhour\'sstart，andletmebe，tillyoufindmeatmyworkinthemorning。Ishallbeatmyworkinthemorningjustasusual。\'
Claspinghishands，heutteredashortunearthlybrokencry，andwenthisway。Thebrotherandsisterwereleftlookingatoneanothernearalampinthesolitarychurchyard，andtheboy\'sfacecloudedanddarkened，ashesaidinaroughtone:\'Whatisthemeaningofthis?Whathaveyoudonetomybestfriend?Outwiththetruth！\'
\'Charley！\'saidhissister。\'Speakalittlemoreconsiderately！\'
\'Iamnotinthehumourforconsideration，orfornonsenseofanysort，\'repliedtheboy。\'Whathaveyoubeendoing?WhyhasMrHeadstonegonefromusinthatway?\'
\'Heaskedme——youknowheaskedme——tobehiswife，Charley。\'
\'Well?\'saidtheboy，impatiently。
\'AndIwasobligedtotellhimthatIcouldnotbehiswife。\'
\'Youwereobligedtotellhim，\'repeatedtheboyangrily，betweenhisteeth，andrudelypushingheraway。\'Youwereobligedtotellhim！Doyouknowthatheisworthfiftyofyou?\'
\'Itmayeasilybeso，Charley，butIcannotmarryhim。\'
\'Youmeanthatyouareconsciousthatyoucan\'tappreciatehim，anddon\'tdeservehim，Isuppose?\'
\'ImeanthatIdonotlikehim，Charley，andthatIwillnevermarryhim。\'
\'Uponmysoul，\'exclaimedtheboy，\'youareanicepictureofasister！Uponmysoul，youareaprettypieceofdisinterestedness！
Andsoallmyendeavourstocancelthepastandtoraisemyselfintheworld，andtoraiseyouwithme，aretobebeatendownbyYOURlowwhims；arethey?\'
\'Iwillnotreproachyou，Charley。\'
\'Hearher！\'exclaimedtheboy，lookingroundatthedarkness。\'Shewon\'treproachme！Shedoesherbesttodestroymyfortunesandherown，andshewon\'treproachme！Why，you\'lltellme，next，thatyouwon\'treproachMrHeadstoneforcomingoutofthespheretowhichheisanornament，andputtinghimselfatYOUR
feet，toberejectedbyYOU！\'
\'No，Charley；Iwillonlytellyou，asItoldhimself，thatIthankhimfordoingso，thatIamsorryhedidso，andthatIhopehewilldomuchbetter，andbehappy。\'
Sometouchofcompunctionsmotetheboy\'shardeningheartashelookeduponher，hispatientlittlenurseininfancy，hispatientfriend，adviser，andreclaimerinboyhood，theself-forgettingsisterwhohaddoneeverythingforhim。Histonerelented，andhedrewherarmthroughhis。
\'Now，come，Liz；don\'tletusquarrel:letusbereasonableandtalkthisoverlikebrotherandsister。Willyoulistentome?\'
\'Oh，Charley！\'sherepliedthroughherstartingtears；\'doInotlistentoyou，andhearmanyhardthings！\'
\'ThenIamsorry。There，Liz！Iamunfeignedlysorry。Onlyyoudoputmeoutso。Nowsee。MrHeadstoneisperfectlydevotedtoyou。HehastoldmeinthestrongestmannerthathehasneverbeenhisoldselfforonesingleminutesinceIfirstbroughthimtoseeyou。MissPeecher，ourschoolmistress——prettyandyoung，andallthat——isknowntobeverymuchattachedtohim，andhewon\'tsomuchaslookatherorhearofher。Now，hisdevotiontoyoumustbeadisinterestedone；mustn\'tit?IfhemarriedMissPeecher，hewouldbeagreatdealbetteroffinallworldlyrespects，thaninmarryingyou。Wellthen；hehasnothingtogetbyit，hashe?\'
\'Nothing，Heavenknows！\'
\'Verywellthen，\'saidtheboy；\'that\'ssomethinginhisfavour，andagreatthing。ThenIcomein。MrHeadstonehasalwaysgotmeon，andhehasagooddealinhispower，andofcourseifhewasmybrother-in-lawhewouldn\'tgetmeonless，butwouldgetmeonmore。MrHeadstonecomesandconfidesinme，inaverydelicateway，andsays，“Ihopemymarryingyoursisterwouldbeagreeabletoyou，Hexam，andusefultoyou?“Isay，“There\'snothingintheworld，MrHeadstone，thatIcouldhebetterpleasedwith。”MrHeadstonesays，“ThenImayrelyuponyourintimateknowledgeofmeforyourgoodwordwithyoursister，Hexam?“
AndIsay，“Certainly，MrHeadstone，andnaturallyIhaveagooddealofinfluencewithher。”SoIhave；haven\'tI，Liz?\'
\'Yes，Charley。\'
\'Wellsaid！Now，yousee，webegintogeton，themomentwebegintobereallytalkingitover，likebrotherandsister。Verywell。ThenYOUcomein。AsMrHeadstone\'swifeyouwouldbeoccupyingamostrespectablestation，andyouwouldbeholdingafarbetterplaceinsocietythanyouholdnow，andyouwouldatlengthgetquitoftheriver-sideandtheolddisagreeablesbelongingtoit，andyouwouldberidforgoodofdolls\'
dressmakersandtheirdrunkenfathers，andthelikeofthat。NotthatIwanttodisparageMissJennyWren:Idaresaysheisallverywellinherway；butherwayisnotyourwayasMrHeadstone\'swife。Now，yousee，Liz，onallthreeaccounts——onMrHeadstone\'s，onmine，onyours——nothingcouldbebetterormoredesirable。\'
Theywerewalkingslowlyastheboyspoke，andherehestoodstill，toseewhateffecthehadmade。Hissister\'seyeswerefixeduponhim；butastheyshowednoyielding，andassheremainedsilent，hewalkedheronagain。Therewassomediscomfitureinhistoneasheresumed，thoughhetriedtoconcealit。
\'Havingsomuchinfluencewithyou，Liz，asIhave，perhapsI
shouldhavedonebettertohavehadalittlechatwithyouinthefirstinstance，beforeMrHeadstonespokeforhimself。Butreallyallthisinhisfavourseemedsoplainandundeniable，andIknewyoutohavealwaysbeensoreasonableandsensible，thatIdidn\'tconsideritworthwhile。Verylikelythatwasamistakeofmine。
However，it\'ssoonsetright。Allthatneedbedonetosetitright，isforyoutotellmeatoncethatImaygohomeandtellMrHeadstonethatwhathastakenplaceisnotfinal，andthatitwillallcomeroundby-and-by。\'
Hestoppedagain。Thepalefacelookedanxiouslyandlovinglyathim，butsheshookherhead。
\'Can\'tyouspeak?\'saidtheboysharply。
\'Iamveryunwillingtospeak，Charley。IfImust，Imust。IcannotauthorizeyoutosayanysuchthingtoMrHeadstone:IcannotallowyoutosayanysuchthingtoMrHeadstone。Nothingremainstobesaidtohimfromme，afterwhatIhavesaidforgoodandall，to-night。\'
\'Andthisgirl，\'criedtheboy，contemptuouslythrowingheroffagain，\'callsherselfasister！\'
\'Charley，dear，thatisthesecondtimethatyouhavealmoststruckme。Don\'tbehurtbymywords。Idon\'tmean——Heavenforbid！——
thatyouintendedit；butyouhardlyknowwithwhatasuddenswingyouremovedyourselffromme。\'
\'However！\'saidtheboy，takingnoheedoftheremonstrance，andpursuinghisownmortifieddisappointment，\'Iknowwhatthismeans，andyoushallnotdisgraceme。\'
\'ItmeanswhatIhavetoldyou，Charley，andnothingmore。\'
\'That\'snottrue，\'saidtheboyinaviolenttone，\'andyouknowit\'snot。ItmeansyourpreciousMrWrayburn；that\'swhatitmeans。\'
\'Charley！Ifyourememberanyolddaysofourstogether，forbear！\'
\'Butyoushallnotdisgraceme，\'doggedlypursuedtheboy。\'IamdeterminedthatafterIhaveclimbedupoutofthemire，youshallnotpullmedown。Youcan\'tdisgracemeifIhavenothingtodowithyou，andIwillhavenothingtodowithyouforthefuture。\'
\'Charley！Onmanyanightlikethis，andmanyaworsenight，I
havesatonthestonesofthestreet，hushingyouinmyarms。
Unsaythosewordswithoutevensayingyouaresorryforthem，andmyarmsareopentoyoustill，andsoismyheart。\'
\'I\'llnotunsaythem。I\'llsaythemagain。Youareaninveteratelybadgirl，andafalsesister，andIhavedonewithyou。Forever，I
havedonewithyou！\'
Hethrewuphisungratefulandungracioushandasifitsetupabarrierbetweenthem，andflunghimselfuponhisheelandlefther。
Sheremainedimpassiveonthesamespot，silentandmotionless，untilthestrikingofthechurchclockrousedher，andsheturnedaway。Butthen，withthebreakingupofherimmobilitycamethebreakingupofthewatersthatthecoldheartoftheselfishboyhadfrozen。And\'OthatIwerelyingherewiththedead！\'and\'O
Charley，Charley，thatthisshouldbetheendofourpicturesinthefire！\'wereallthewordsshesaid，asshelaidherfaceinherhandsonthestonecoping。
Afigurepassedby，andpassedon，butstoppedandlookedroundather。Itwasthefigureofanoldmanwithabowedhead，wearingalargebrimmedlow-crownedhat，andalong-skirtedcoat。Afterhesitatingalittle，thefigureturnedback，and，advancingwithanairofgentlenessandcompassion，said:
\'Pardonme，youngwoman，forspeakingtoyou，butyouareundersomedistressofmind。Icannotpassuponmywayandleaveyouweepingherealone，asiftherewasnothingintheplace。CanI
helpyou?CanIdoanythingtogiveyoucomfort?\'
Sheraisedherheadatthesoundofthesekindwords，andansweredgladly，\'O，MrRiah，isityou?\'
\'Mydaughter，\'saidtheoldman，\'Istandamazed！Ispokeastoastranger。Takemyarm，takemyarm。Whatgrievesyou?Whohasdonethis?Poorgirl，poorgirl！\'
\'Mybrotherhasquarrelledwithme，\'sobbedLizzie，\'andrenouncedme。\'
\'Heisathanklessdog，\'saidtheJew，angrily。\'Lethimgo。\'Shakethedustfromthyfeetandlethimgo。Come，daughter！Comehomewithme——itisbutacrosstheroad——andtakealittletimetorecoveryourpeaceandtomakeyoureyesseemly，andthenIwillbearyoucompanythroughthestreets。Foritispastyourusualtime，andwillsoonbelate，andthewayislong，andthereismuchcompanyoutofdoorsto-night。\'
Sheacceptedthesupportheofferedher，andtheyslowlypassedoutofthechurchyard。Theywereintheactofemergingintothemainthoroughfare，whenanotherfigureloiteringdiscontentedlyby，andlookingupthestreetanddownit，andallabout，startedandexclaimed，\'Lizzie！why，wherehaveyoubeen?Why，what\'sthematter?\'
AsEugeneWrayburnthusaddressedher，shedrewclosertotheJew，andbentherhead。TheJewhavingtakeninthewholeofEugeneatonesharpglance，casthiseyesupontheground，andstoodmute。
\'Lizzie，whatisthematter?\'
\'MrWrayburn，Icannottellyounow。Icannottellyouto-night，ifIevercantellyou。Prayleaveme。\'
\'But，Lizzie，Icameexpresslytojoinyou。Icametowalkhomewithyou，havingdinedatacoffee-houseinthisneighbourhoodandknowingyourhour。AndIhavebeenlingeringabout，\'addedEugene，\'likeabailiff；or，\'withalookatRiah，\'anoldclothesman。\'
TheJewlifteduphiseyes，andtookinEugeneoncemore，atanotherglance。
\'MrWrayburn，pray，pray，leavemewiththisprotector。Andonethingmore。Pray，praybecarefulofyourself。\'
\'MysteriesofUdolpho！\'saidEugene，withalookofwonder。\'MayIbeexcusedforasking，intheelderlygentleman\'spresence，whoisthiskindprotector?\'
\'Atrustworthyfriend，\'saidLizzie。
\'Iwillrelievehimofhistrust，\'returnedEugene。\'Butyoumusttellme，Lizzie，whatisthematter?\'
\'Herbrotheristhematter，\'saidtheoldman，liftinguphiseyesagain。
\'Ourbrotherthematter?\'returnedEugene，withairycontempt。
\'Ourbrotherisnotworthathought，farlessatear。Whathasourbrotherdone?\'
Theoldmanlifteduphiseyesagain，withonegravelookatWrayburn，andonegraveglanceatLizzie，asshestoodlookingdown。BothweresofullofmeaningthatevenEugenewascheckedinhislightcareer，andsubsidedintoathoughtful\'Humph！\'
Withanairofperfectpatiencetheoldman，remainingmuteandkeepinghiseyescastdown，stood，retainingLizzie\'sarm，asthoughinhishabitofpassiveendurance，itwouldbeallonetohimifhehadstoodtheremotionlessallnight。
\'IfMrAaron，\'saidEugene，whosoonfoundthisfatiguing，\'willbegoodenoughtorelinquishhischargetome，hewillbequitefreeforanyengagementhemayhaveattheSynagogue。MrAaron，willyouhavethekindness?\'
Buttheoldmanstoodstockstill。
\'Goodevening，MrAaron，\'saidEugene，politely；\'weneednotdetainyou。\'ThenturningtoLizzie，\'IsourfriendMrAaronalittledeaf?\'
\'Myhearingisverygood，Christiangentleman，\'repliedtheoldman，calmly；\'butIwillhearonlyonevoiceto-night，desiringmetoleavethisdamselbeforeIhaveconveyedhertoherhome。Ifsherequestsit，Iwilldoit。Iwilldoitfornooneelse。\'
\'MayIaskwhyso，MrAaron?\'saidEugene，quiteundisturbedinhisease。
\'Excuseme。Ifsheasksme，Iwilltellher，\'repliedtheoldman。\'I
willtellnooneelse。\'
\'Idonotaskyou，\'saidLizzie，\'andIbegyoutotakemehome。MrWrayburn，Ihavehadabittertrialto-night，andIhopeyouwillnotthinkmeungrateful，ormysterious，orchangeable。Iamneither；Iamwretched。PrayrememberwhatIsaidtoyou。Pray，pray，takecare。\'
\'MydearLizzie，\'hereturned，inalowvoice，bendingoverherontheotherside；\'ofwhat?Ofwhom?\'
\'Ofanyoneyouhavelatelyseenandmadeangry。\'
Hesnappedhisfingersandlaughed。\'Come，\'saidhe，\'sincenobettermaybe，MrAaronandIwilldividethistrust，andseeyouhometogether。MrAarononthatside；Ionthis。IfperfectlyagreeabletoMrAaron，theescortwillnowproceed。\'
Heknewhispoweroverher。Heknewthatshewouldnotinsistuponhisleavingher。Heknewthat，herfearsforhimbeingaroused，shewouldbeuneasyifhewereoutofhersight。Forallhisseeminglevityandcarelessness，heknewwhateverhechosetoknowofthethoughtsofherheart。
Andgoingonatherside，sogaily，regardlessofallthathadbeenurgedagainsthim；sosuperiorinhissalliesandself-possessiontothegloomyconstraintofhersuitorandtheselfishpetulanceofherbrother；sofaithfultoher，asitseemed，whenherownstockwasfaithless；whatanimmenseadvantage，whatanoverpoweringinfluence，werehisthatnight！Addtotherest，poorgirl，thatshehadheardhimvilifiedforhersake，andthatshehadsufferedforhis，andwherethewonderthathisoccasionaltonesofseriousinterest(settingoffhiscarelessness，asifitwereassumedtocalmher)，thathislightesttouch，hislightestlook，hisverypresencebesideherinthedarkcommonstreet，werelikeglimpsesofanenchantedworld，whichitwasnaturalforjealousyandmaliceandallmeannesstobeunabletobearthebrightnessof，andtogirdatasbadspiritsmight。
NothingmorebeingsaidofrepairingtoRiah\'s，theywentdirecttoLizzie\'slodging。Alittleshortofthehouse-doorshepartedfromthem，andwentinalone。
\'MrAaron，\'saidEugene，whentheywerelefttogetherinthestreet，\'withmanythanksforyourcompany，itremainsformeunwillinglytosayFarewell。\'
\'Sir，\'returnedtheother，\'Igiveyougoodnight，andIwishthatyouwerenotsothoughtless。\'
\'MrAaron，\'returnedEugene，\'Igiveyougoodnight，andIwish(foryouarealittledull)thatyouwerenotsothoughtful。\'
Butnow，thathispartwasplayedoutfortheevening，andwheninturninghisbackupontheJewhecameoffthestage，hewasthoughtfulhimself。\'HowdidLightwood\'scatechismrun?\'hemurmured，ashestoppedtolighthiscigar。\'Whatistocomeofit?
Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?Weshallsoonknownow。Ah！\'withaheavysigh。
Theheavysighwasrepeatedasifbyanecho，anhourafterwards，whenRiah，whohadbeensittingonsomedarkstepsinacorneroveragainstthehouse，aroseandwenthispatientway；stealingthroughthestreetsinhisancientdress，liketheghostofadepartedTime。
Chapter16
ANANNIVERSARYOCCASION
TheestimableTwemlow，dressinghimselfinhislodgingsoverthestable-yardinDukeStreet，SaintJames\'s，andhearingthehorsesattheirtoilettebelow，findshimselfonthewholeinadisadvantageouspositionascomparedwiththenobleanimalsatlivery。Forwhereas，ontheonehand，hehasnoattendanttoslaphimsoundinglyandrequirehimingruffaccentstocomeupandcomeover，still，ontheotherhand，hehasnoattendantatall；andthemildgentleman\'sfinger-jointsandotherjointsworkingrustilyinthemorning，hecoulddeemitagreeableeventobetiedupbythecountenanceathischamber-door，sohewerethereskilfullyrubbeddownandslushedandsluicedandpolishedandclothed，whilehimselftakingmerelyapassivepartinthesetryingtransactions。
HowthefascinatingTippinsgetsonwhenarrayingherselfforthebewildermentofthesensesofmen，isknownonlytotheGracesandhermaid；butperhapseventhatengagingcreature，thoughnotreducedtotheself-dependenceofTwemlowcoulddispensewithagooddealofthetroubleattendantonthedailyrestorationofhercharms，seeingthatastoherfaceandneckthisadorabledivinityis，asitwere，adiurnalspeciesoflobster——throwingoffashelleveryforenoon，andneedingtokeepinaretiredspotuntilthenewcrusthardens。
Howbeit，Twemlowdothatlengthinvesthimselfwithcollarandcravatandwristbandstohisknuckles，andgoethforthtobreakfast。Andtobreakfastwithwhombuthisnearneighbours，theLammlesofSackvilleStreet，whohaveimpartedtohimthathewillmeethisdistantkinsman，MrFledgely。TheawfulSnigsworthmighttabooandprohibitFledgely，butthepeaceableTwemlowreasons，IfheISmykinsmanIdidn\'tmakehimso，andtomeetamanisnottoknowhim。\'
ItisthefirstanniversaryofthehappymarriageofMrandMrsLammle，andthecelebrationisabreakfast，becauseadinneronthedesiredscaleofsumptuositycannotbeachievedwithinlesslimitsthanthoseofthenon-existentpalatialresidenceofwhichsomanypeoplearemadlyenvious。So，TwemlowtripswithnotalittlestiffnessacrossPiccadilly，sensibleofhavingoncebeenmoreuprightinfigureandlessindangerofbeingknockeddownbyswiftvehicles。TobesurethatwasinthedayswhenhehopedforleavefromthedreadSnigsworthtodosomething，orbesomething，inlife，andbeforethatmagnificentTartarissuedtheukase，\'Ashewillneverdistinguishhimself，hemustbeapoorgentleman-pensionerofmine，andlethimherebyconsiderhimselfpensioned。\'
Ah！myTwemlow！Say，littlefeeblegreypersonage，whatthoughtsareinthybreastto-day，oftheFancy——sostilltocallherwhobruisedthyheartwhenitwasgreenandthyheadbrown——andwhetheritbebetterorworse，morepainfulorless，tobelieveintheFancytothishour，thantoknowherforagreedyarmour-
platedcrocodile，withnomorecapacityofimaginingthedelicateandsensitiveandtenderspotbehindthywaistcoat，thanofgoingstraightatitwithaknitting-needle。Saylikewise，myTwemlow，whetheritbethehappierlottobeapoorrelationofthegreat，ortostandinthewintryslushgivingthehackhorsestodrinkoutoftheshallowtubatthecoach-stand，intowhichthouhassonearlysetthyuncertainfoot。Twemlowsaysnothing，andgoeson。
AsheapproachestheLammles\'door，drivesupalittleone-horsecarriage，containingTippinsthedivine。Tippins，lettingdownthewindow，playfullyextolsthevigilanceofhercavalierinbeinginwaitingtheretohandherout。Twemlowhandsheroutwithasmuchpolitegravityasifshewereanythingreal，andtheyproceedupstairs。Tippinsallabroadaboutthelegs，andseekingtoexpressthatthoseunsteadyarticlesareonlyskippingintheirnativebuoyancy。
AnddearMrsLammleanddearMrLammle，howdoyoudo，andwhenareyougoingdowntowhat\'s-its-nameplace——Guy，EarlofWarwick，youknow——whatisit?——DunCow——toclaimtheflitchofbacon?AndMortimer，whosenameisforeverblottedoutfrommylistoflovers，byreasonfirstofficklenessandthenofbasedesertion，howdoYOUdo，wretch?AndMrWrayburn，YOU
here！WhatcanYOUcomefor，becauseweareallverysurebefore-handthatyouarenotgoingtotalk！AndVeneering，M。P。，howarethingsgoingondownatthehouse，andwhenwillyouturnoutthoseterriblepeopleforus?AndMrsVeneering，mydear，canitpositivelybetruethatyougodowntothatstiflingplacenightafternight，tohearthosemenprose?Talkingofwhich，Veneering，whydon\'tyouprose，foryouhaven\'topenedyourlipsthereyet，andwearedyingtohearwhatyouhavegottosaytous！MissPodsnap，charmedtoseeyou。Pa，here?No！
Ma，neither?Oh！MrBoots！Delighted。MrBrewer！ThisISagatheringoftheclans。ThusTippins，andsurveysFledgebyandoutsidersthroughgoldenglass，murmuringassheturnsaboutandabout，inherinnocentgiddyway，AnybodyelseIknow?No，I
thinknot。Nobodythere。NobodyTHERE。Nobodyanywhere！
MrLammle，alla-glitter，produceshisfriendFledgeby，asdyingforthehonourofpresentationtoLadyTippins。Fledgebypresented，hastheairofgoingtosaysomething，hastheairofgoingtosaynothing，hasanairsuccessivelyofmeditation，ofresignation，andofdesolation，backsonBrewer，makesthetourofBoots，andfadesintotheextremebackground，feelingforhiswhisker，asifitmighthaveturnedupsincehewastherefiveminutesago。
ButLammlehashimoutagainbeforehehassomuchascompletelyascertainedthebarenessoftheland。Hewouldseemtobeinabadway，Fledgeby；forLammlerepresentshimasdyingagain。Heisdyingnow，ofwantofpresentationtoTwemlow。
Twemlowoffershishand。Gladtoseehim。\'Yourmother，sir，wasaconnexionofmine。\'
\'Ibelieveso，\'saysFledgeby，\'butmymotherandherfamilyweretwo。\'
\'Areyoustayingintown?\'asksTwemlow。
\'Ialwaysam，\'saysFledgeby。
\'Youliketown，\'saysTwemlow。ButisfelledflatbyFledgeby\'stakingitquiteill，andreplying，No，hedon\'tliketown。Lammletriestobreaktheforceofthefall，byremarkingthatsomepeopledonotliketown。Fledgebyretortingthatheneverheardofanysuchcasebuthisown，Twemlowgoesdownagainheavily。
\'Thereisnothingnewthismorning，Isuppose?\'saysTwemlow，returningtothemarkwithgreatspirit。
Fledgebyhasnotheardofanything。
\'No，there\'snotawordofnews，\'saysLammle。
\'Notaparticle，\'addsBoots。
\'Notanatom，\'chimesinBrewer。
Somehowtheexecutionofthislittleconcertedpieceappearstoraisethegeneralspiritsaswithasenseofdutydone，andsetsthecompanyagoing。Everybodyseemsmoreequalthanbefore，tothecalamityofbeinginthesocietyofeverybodyelse。EvenEugenestandinginawindow，moodilyswingingthetasselofablind，givesitasmarterjerknow，asifhefoundhimselfinbettercase。
Breakfastannounced。Everythingontableshowyandgaudy，butwithaself-assertinglytemporaryandnomadicaironthedecorations，asboastingthattheywillbemuchmoreshowyandgaudyinthepalatialresidence。MrLammle\'sownparticularservantbehindhischair；theAnalyticalbehindVeneering\'schair；
instancesinpointthatsuchservantsfallintotwoclasses:onemistrustingthemaster\'sacquaintances，andtheothermistrustingthemaster。MrLammle\'sservant，ofthesecondclass。Appearingtobelostinwonderandlowspiritsbecausethepolicearesolongincomingtotakehismasteruponsomechargeofthefirstmagnitude。
Veneering，M。P。，ontherightofMrsLammle；Twemlowonherleft；MrsVeneering，W。M。P。(wifeofMemberofParliament)，andLadyTippinsonMrLammle\'srightandleft。ButbesurethatwellwithinthefascinationofMrLammle\'seyeandsmilesitslittleGeorgiana。AndbesurethatclosetolittleGeorgiana，alsounderinspectionbythesamegingerousgentleman，sitsFledgeby。
Oftenerthantwiceorthricewhilebreakfastisinprogress，MrTwemlowgivesalittlesuddenturntowardsMrsLammle，andthensaystoher，\'Ibegyourpardon！\'ThisnotbeingTwemlow\'susualway，whyisithiswayto-day?Why，thetruthis，TwemlowrepeatedlylaboursundertheimpressionthatMrsLammleisgoingtospeaktohim，andturningfindsthatitisnotso，andmostlythatshehashereyesuponVeneering。StrangethatthisimpressionsoabidesbyTwemlowafterbeingcorrected，yetsoitis。
LadyTippinspartakingplentifullyofthefruitsoftheearth(includinggrape-juiceinthecategory)becomeslivelier，andappliesherselftoelicitsparksfromMortimerLightwood。Itisalwaysunderstoodamongtheinitiated，thatthatfaithlesslovermustbeplantedattableoppositetoLadyTippins，whowillthenstrikeconversationalfireoutofhim。Inapauseofmasticationanddeglutition，LadyTippins，contemplatingMortimer，recallsthatitwasatourdearVeneerings，andinthepresenceofapartywhoaresurelyallhere，thathetoldthemhisstoryofthemanfromsomewhere，whichafterwardsbecamesohorriblyinterestingandvulgarlypopular。
\'Yes，LadyTippins，\'assentsMortimer；\'astheysayonthestage，“Evenso！“
\'Thenweexpectyou，\'retortsthecharmer，\'tosustainyourreputation，andtellussomethingelse。\'
\'LadyTippins，Iexhaustedmyselfforlifethatday，andthereisnothingmoretobegotoutofme。\'
Mortimerparriesthus，withasenseuponhimthatelsewhereitisEugeneandnothewhoisthejester，andthatinthesecircleswhereEugenepersistsinbeingspeechless，he，Mortimer，isbutthedoubleofthefriendonwhomhehasfoundedhimself。
\'But，\'quoththefascinatingTippins，\'Iamresolvedongettingsomethingmoreoutofyou。Traitor！whatisthisIhearaboutanotherdisappearance?\'
\'Asitisyouwhohaveheardit，\'returnsLightwood，\'perhapsyou\'lltellus。\'
\'Monster，away！\'retortsLadyTippins。\'YourownGoldenDustmanreferredmetoyou。\'
MrLammle，strikinginhere，proclaimsaloudthatthereisasequeltothestoryofthemanfromsomewhere。Silenceensuesupontheproclamation。
\'Iassureyou，\'saysLightwood，glancingroundthetable，\'Ihavenothingtotell。\'ButEugeneaddinginalowvoice，\'There，tellit，tellit！\'hecorrectshimselfwiththeaddition，\'Nothingworthmentioning。\'
BootsandBrewerimmediatelyperceivethatitisimmenselyworthmentioning，andbecomepolitelyclamorous。Veneeringisalsovisitedbyaperceptiontothesameeffect。Butitisunderstoodthathisattentionisnowratherusedup，anddifficulttohold，thatbeingthetoneoftheHouseofCommons。
\'Praydon\'tbeatthetroubleofcomposingyourselvestolisten，\'
saysMortimerLightwood，\'becauseIshallhavefinishedlongbeforeyouhavefallenintocomfortableattitudes。It\'slike——\'
\'It\'slike，\'impatientlyinterruptsEugene，\'thechildren\'snarrative:
“I\'lltellyouastoryOfJackaManory，Andnowmystory\'sbegun；
I\'lltellyouanotherOfJackandhisbrother，Andnowmystoryisdone。”——
Geton，andgetitover！\'
Eugenesaysthiswithasoundofvexationinhisvoice，leaningbackinhischairandlookingbalefullyatLadyTippins，whonodstohimasherdearBear，andplayfullyinsinuatesthatshe(aself-
evidentproposition)isBeauty，andheBeast。
\'Thereference，\'proceedsMortimer，\'whichIsupposetobemadebymyhonourableandfairenslaveropposite，istothefollowingcircumstance。Verylately，theyoungwoman，LizzieHexam，daughterofthelateJesseHexam，otherwiseGaffer，whowillberememberedtohavefoundthebodyofthemanfromsomewhere，mysteriouslyreceived，sheknewnotfromwhom，anexplicitretractionofthechargesmadeagainstherfather，byanotherwater-sidecharacterofthenameofRiderhood。Nobodybelievedthem，becauselittleRogueRiderhood——IamtemptedintotheparaphrasebyrememberingthecharmingwolfwhowouldhaverenderedsocietyagreatserviceifhehaddevouredMrRiderhood\'sfatherandmotherintheirinfancy——hadpreviouslyplayedfastandloosewiththesaidcharges，and，infact，abandonedthem。However，theretractionIhavementionedfounditswayintoLizzieHexam\'shands，withageneralflavouronitofhavingbeenfavouredbysomeanonymousmessengerinadarkcloakandslouchedhat，andwasbyherforwarded，inherfather\'svindication，toMrBoffin，myclient。Youwillexcusethephraseologyoftheshop，butasIneverhadanotherclient，andinalllikelihoodnevershallhave，Iamratherproudofhimasanaturalcuriosityprobablyunique。\'
Althoughaseasyasusualonthesurface，Lightwoodisnotquiteaseasyasusualbelowit。WithanairofnotmindingEugeneatall，hefeelsthatthesubjectisnotaltogetherasafeoneinthatconnexion。
\'Thenaturalcuriositywhichformsthesoleornamentofmyprofessionalmuseum，\'heresumes，\'hereupondesireshisSecretary——anindividualofthehermit-craboroysterspecies，andwhosename，Ithink，isChokesmith——butitdoesn\'tintheleastmatter——sayArtichoke——toputhimselfincommunicationwithLizzieHexam。Artichokeprofesseshisreadinesssotodo，endeavourstodoso，butfails。\'
