第14章

\'Whyfails?\'asksBoots。

\'Howfails?\'asksBrewer。

\'Pardonme，\'returnsLightwood，\'Imustpostponethereplyforonemoment，orweshallhaveananti-climax。Artichokefailingsignally，myclientrefersthetasktome:hispurposebeingtoadvancetheinterestsoftheobjectofhissearch。Iproceedtoputmyselfincommunicationwithher；Ievenhappentopossesssomespecialmeans，\'withaglanceatEugene，\'ofputtingmyselfincommunicationwithher；butIfailtoo，becauseshehasvanished。\'

\'Vanished！\'isthegeneralecho。

\'Disappeared，\'saysMortimer。\'Nobodyknowshow，nobodyknowswhen，nobodyknowswhere。Andsoendsthestorytowhichmyhonourableandfairenslaveroppositereferred。\'

Tippins，withabewitchinglittlescream，opinesthatweshalleveryoneofusbemurderedinourbeds。Eugeneeyesherasifsomeofuswouldbeenoughforhim。MrsVeneering，W。M。P。，remarksthatthesesocialmysteriesmakeoneafraidofleavingBaby。

Veneering，M。P。，wishestobeinformed(withsomethingofasecond-handairofseeingtheRightHonourableGentlemanattheheadoftheHomeDepartmentinhisplace)whetheritisintendedtobeconveyedthatthevanishedpersonhasbeenspiritedawayorotherwiseharmed?InsteadofLightwood\'sanswering，Eugeneanswers，andanswershastilyandvexedly:\'No，no，no；hedoesn\'tmeanthat；hemeansvoluntarilyvanished——bututterly——

completely。\'

However，thegreatsubjectofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammlemustnotbeallowedtovanishwiththeothervanishments——withthevanishingofthemurderer，thevanishingofJuliusHandford，thevanishingofLizzieHexam，——andthereforeVeneeringmustrecallthepresentsheeptothepenfromwhichtheyhavestrayed。WhosofittodiscourseofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammle，theybeingthedearestandoldestfriendshehasintheworld；orwhataudiencesofitforhimtotakeintohisconfidenceasthataudience，anounofmultitudeorsignifyingmany，whoarealltheoldestanddearestfriendshehasintheworld?SoVeneering，withouttheformalityofrising，launchesintoafamiliaroration，graduallytoningintotheParliamentarysing-song，inwhichheseesatthatboardhisdearfriendTwemlowwhoonthatdaytwelvemonthbestowedonhisdearfriendLammlethefairhandofhisdearfriendSophronia，andinwhichhealsoseesatthatboardhisdearfriendsBootsandBrewerwhoserallyingroundhimataperiodwhenhisdearfriendLadyTippinslikewiseralliedroundhim——ay，andintheforemostrank——

hecanneverforgetwhilememoryholdsherseat。ButheisfreetoconfessthathemissesfromthatboardhisdearoldfriendPodsnap，thoughheiswellrepresentedbyhisdearyoungfriendGeorgiana。Andhefurtherseesatthatboard(thisheannounceswithpomp，asifexultinginthepowersofanextraordinarytelescope)hisfriendMrFledgeby，ifhewillpermithimtocallhimso。Forallofthesereasons，andmanymorewhichherightwellknowswillhaveoccurredtopersonsofyourexceptionalacuteness，heisheretosubmittoyouthatthetimehasarrivedwhen，withourheartsinourglasses，withtearsinoureyes，withblessingsonourlips，andinageneralwaywithaprofusionofgammonandspinachinouremotionallarders，weshouldoneandalldrinktoourdearfriendstheLammles，wishingthemmanyyearsashappyasthelast，andmanymanyfriendsascongeniallyunitedasthemselves。Andthishewilladd；thatAnastatiaVeneering(whoisinstantlyheardtoweep)isformedonthesamemodelasheroldandchosenfriendSophroniaLammle，inrespectthatsheisdevotedtothemanwhowooedandwonher，andnoblydischargesthedutiesofawife。

Seeingnobetterwayoutofit，VeneeringherepullsuphisoratoricalPegasusextremelyshort，andplumpsdown，cleanoverhishead，with:\'Lammle，Godblessyou！\'

ThenLammle。Toomuchofhimeveryway；pervadinglytoomuchnoseofacoarsewrongshape，andhisnoseinhismindandhismanners；toomuchsmiletobereal；toomuchfrowntobefalse；toomanylargeteethtobevisibleatoncewithoutsuggestingabite。Hethanksyou，dearfriends，foryourkindlygreeting，andhopestoreceiveyou——itmaybeonthenextofthesedelightfiiloccasions——inaresidencebettersuitedtoyourclaimsontheritesofhospitality。HewillneverforgetthatatVeneering\'shefirstsawSophronia。SophroniawillneverforgetthatatVeneering\'sshefirstsawhim。\'Theyspokeofitsoonaftertheyweremarried，andagreedthattheywouldneverforgetit。Infact，toVeneeringtheyowetheirunion。Theyhopetoshowtheirsenseofthissomeday(\'No，no，fromVeneering)——ohyes，yes，andlethimrelyuponit，theywilliftheycan！HismarriagewithSophroniawasnotamarriageofinterestoneitherside:shehadherlittlefortune，hehadhislittlefortune:theyjoinedtheirlittlefortunes:itwasamarriageofpureinclinationandsuitability。Thankyou！

Sophroniaandhearefondofthesocietyofyoungpeople；butheisnotsurethattheirhousewouldbeagoodhouseforyoungpeopleproposingtoremainsingle，sincethecontemplationofitsdomesticblissmightinducethemtochangetheirminds。Hewillnotapplythistoanyonepresent；certainlynottotheirdarlinglittleGeorgiana。Againthankyou！Neither，by-the-by，willheapplyittohisfriendFledgeby。HethanksVeneeringforthefeelingmannerinwhichhereferredtotheircommonfriendFledgeby，forheholdsthatgentlemaninthehighestestimation。

Thankyou。Infact(returningunexpectedlytoFledgeby)，thebetteryouknowhim，themoreyoufindinhimthatyoudesiretoknow。Againthankyou！InhisdearSophronia\'snameandinhisown，thankyou！

MrsLammlehassatquitestill，withhereyescastdownuponthetable-cloth。AsMrLammle\'saddressends，Twemlowoncemoreturnstoherinvoluntarily，notcuredyetofthatoftenrecurringimpressionthatsheisgoingtospeaktohim。Thistimeshereallyisgoingtospeaktohim。Veneeringistalkingwithhisothernextneighbour，andshespeaksinalowvoice。

\'MrTwemlow。\'

Heanswers，\'Ibegyourpardon?Yes?\'Stillalittledoubtful，becauseofhernotlookingathim。

\'Youhavethesoulofagentleman，andIknowImaytrustyou。

Willyougivemetheopportunityofsayingafewwordstoyouwhenyoucomeupstairs?\'

\'Assuredly。Ishallbehonoured。\'

\'Don\'tseemtodoso，ifyouplease，anddon\'tthinkitinconsistentifmymannershouldbemorecarelessthanmywords。Imaybewatched。\'

Intenselyastonished，Twemlowputshishandtohisforehead，andsinksbackinhischairmeditating。MrsLammlerises。Allrise。

Theladiesgoupstairs。Thegentlemensoonsaunterafterthem。

FledgebyhasdevotedtheintervaltotakinganobservationofBoots\'swhiskers，Brewer\'swhiskers，andLammle\'swhiskers，andconsideringwhichpatternofwhiskerhewouldprefertoproduceoutofhimselfbyfriction，iftheGenieofthecheekwouldonlyanswertohisrubbing。

Inthedrawing-room，groupsformasusual。Lightwood，Boots，andBrewer，flutterlikemothsaroundthatyellowwaxcandle——

gutteringdown，andwithsomehintofawinding-sheetinit——LadyTippins。OutsiderscultivateVeneering，MP。，andMrsVeneering，W。M。P。Lammlestandswithfoldedarms，Mephistopheleaninacorner，withGeorgianaandFledgeby。MrsLammle，onasofabyatable，invitesMrTwemlow\'sattentiontoabookofportraitsinherhand。

MrTwemlowtakeshisstationonasetteebeforeher，andMrsLammleshowshimaportrait。

\'Youhavereasontobesurprised，\'shesayssoftly，\'butIwishyouwouldn\'tlookso。\'

DisturbedTwemlow，makinganeffortnottolookso，looksmuchmoreso。

\'Ithink，MrTwemlow，youneversawthatdistantconnexionofyoursbeforeto-day?\'

\'No，never。\'

\'Nowthatyoudoseehim，youseewhatheis。Youarenotproudofhim?\'

\'Tosaythetruth，MrsLammle，no。\'

\'Ifyouknewmoreofhim，youwouldbelessinclinedtoacknowledgehim。Hereisanotherportrait。Whatdoyouthinkofit?\'

Twemlowhasjustpresenceofmindenoughtosayaloud:\'Verylike！Uncommonlylike！\'

\'Youhavenoticed，perhaps，whomhefavourswithhisattentions?

Younoticewhereheisnow，andhowengaged?\'

\'Yes。ButMrLammle——\'

Shedartsalookathimwhichhecannotcomprehend，andshowshimanotherportrait。

\'Verygood；isitnot?\'

\'Charming！\'saysTwemlow。

\'Solikeastobealmostacaricature?——MrTwemlow，itisimpossibletotellyouwhatthestruggleinmymindhasbeen，beforeIcouldbringmyselftospeaktoyouasIdonow。ItisonlyintheconvictionthatImaytrustyounevertobetrayme，thatI

canproceed。Sincerelypromisemethatyouneverwillbetraymyconfidence——thatyouwillrespectit，eventhoughyoumaynolongerrespectme，——andIshallbeassatisfiedasifyouhadswornit。\'

\'Madam，onthehonourofapoorgentleman——\'

\'Thankyou。Icandesirenomore。MrTwemlow，Iimploreyoutosavethatchild！\'

\'Thatchild?\'

\'Georgiana。Shewillbesacrificed。Shewillbeinveigledandmarriedtothatconnexionofyours。Itisapartnershipaffair，amoney-speculation。Shehasnostrengthofwillorcharactertohelpherselfandsheisonthebrinkofbeingsoldintowretchednessforlife。\'

\'Amazing！ButwhatcanIdotopreventit?\'demandsTwemlow，shockedandbewilderedtothelastdegree。

\'Hereisanotherportrait。Andnotgood，isit?\'

Aghastatthelightmannerofherthrowingherheadbacktolookatitcritically，Twemlowstilldimlyperceivestheexpediencyofthrowinghisownheadback，anddoesso。ThoughhenomoreseestheportraitthanifitwereinChina。

\'Decidedlynotgood，\'saysMrsLammle。\'Stiffandexaggerated！\'

\'Andex——\'ButTwemlow，inhisdemolishedstate，cannotcommandtheword，andtrailsoffinto\'——actlyso。\'

\'MrTwemlow，yourwordwillhaveweightwithherpompous，self-blindedfather。Youknowhowmuchhemakesofyourfamily。Losenotime。Warnhim。\'

\'Butwarnhimagainstwhom?\'

\'Againstme。\'

BygreatgoodfortuneTwemlowreceivesastimulantatthiscriticalinstant。ThestimulantisLammle\'svoice。

\'Sophronia，mydear，whatportraitsareyoushowingTwemlow?\'

\'Publiccharacters，Alfred。\'

\'Showhimthelastofme。\'

\'Yes，Alfred。\'

Sheputsthebookdown，takesanotherbookup，turnstheleaves，andpresentstheportraittoTwemlow。

\'ThatisthelastofMrLammle。Doyouthinkitgood?——Warnherfatheragainstme。Ideserveit，forIhavebeenintheschemefromthefirst。Itismyhusband\'sscheme，yourconnexion\'s，andmine。

Itellyouthis，onlytoshowyouthenecessityofthepoorlittlefoolishaffectionatecreature\'sbeingbefriendedandrescued。Youwillnotrepeatthistoherfather。Youwillsparemesofar，andsparemyhusband。For，thoughthiscelebrationofto-dayisallamockery，heismyhusband，andwemustlive——Doyouthinkitlike?\'

Twemlow，inastunnedcondition，feignstocomparetheportraitinhishandwiththeoriginallookingtowardshimfromhisMephistopheleancorner。

\'Verywellindeed！\'areatlengththewordswhichTwemlowwithgreatdifficultyextractsfromhimself。

\'Iamgladyouthinkso。Onthewhole，Imyselfconsideritthebest。Theothersaresodark。Nowhere，forinstance，isanotherofMrLammle——\'

\'ButIdon\'tunderstand；Idon\'tseemyway，\'Twemlowstammers，ashefaltersoverthebookwithhisglassathiseye。\'Howwarnherfather，andnottellhim?Tellhimhowmuch?Tellhimhowlittle?I——I——amgettinglost。\'

\'TellhimIamamatch-maker；tellhimIamanartfulanddesigningwoman；tellhimyouaresurehisdaughterisbestoutofmyhouseandmycompany。Tellhimanysuchthingsofme；theywillallbetrue。Youknowwhatapuffed-upmanheis，andhoweasilyyoucancausehisvanitytotakethealarm。Tellhimasmuchaswillgivehimthealarmandmakehimcarefulofher，andsparemetherest。MrTwemlow，Ifeelmysuddendegradationinyoureyes；familiarasIamwithmydegradationinmyowneyes，I

keenlyfeelthechangethatmusthavecomeuponmeinyours，intheselastfewmoments。ButItrusttoyourgoodfaithwithmeasimplicitlyaswhenIbegan。IfyouknewhowoftenIhavetriedtospeaktoyouto-day，youwouldalmostpityme。Iwantnonewpromisefromyouonmyownaccount，forIamsatisfied，andI

alwaysshallbesatisfied，withthepromiseyouhavegivenme。I

canventuretosaynomore，forIseethatIamwatched。Ifyouwouldsetmymindatrestwiththeassurancethatyouwillinterposewiththefatherandsavethisharmlessgirl，closethatbookbeforeyoureturnittome，andIshallknowwhatyoumean，anddeeplythankyouinmyheart——Alfred，MrTwemlowthinksthelastonethebest，andquiteagreeswithyouandme。\'

Alfredadvances。Thegroupsbreakup。LadyTippinsrisestogo，andMrsVeneeringfollowsherleader。Forthemoment，MrsLammledoesnotturntothem，butremainslookingatTwemlowlookingatAlfred\'sportraitthroughhiseyeglass。Themomentpast，Twemlowdropshiseyeglassatitsribbon\'slength，rises，andclosesthebookwithanemphasiswhichmakesthatfragilenurslingofthefairies，Tippins，start。

Thengood-byeandgood-bye，andcharmingoccasionworthyoftheGoldenAge，andmoreabouttheflitchofbacon，andthelikeofthat；andTwemlowgoesstaggeringacrossPiccadillywithhishandtohisforehead，andisnearlyrundownbyaflushedlettercart，andatlastdropssafeinhiseasy-chair，innocentgoodgentleman，withhishandtohisforeheadstill，andhisheadinawhirl。

BOOKTHETHIRDALONGLANE

Chapter1

LODGERSINQUEERSTREET

ItwasafoggydayinLondon，andthefogwasheavyanddark。

AnimateLondon，withsmartingeyesandirritatedlungs，wasblinking，wheezing，andchoking；inanimateLondonwasasootyspectre，dividedinpurposebetweenbeingvisibleandinvisible，andsobeingwhollyneither。Gaslightsflaredintheshopswithahaggardandunblestair，asknowingthemselvestobenight-

creaturesthathadnobusinessabroadunderthesun；whilethesunitselfwhenitwasforafewmomentsdimlyindicatedthroughcirclingeddiesoffog，showedasifithadgoneoutandwerecollapsingflatandcold。Eveninthesurroundingcountryitwasafoggyday，buttherethefogwasgrey，whereasinLondonitwas，atabouttheboundaryline，darkyellow，andalittlewithinitbrown，andthenbrowner，andthenbrowner，untilattheheartoftheCity——

whichcallSaintMaryAxe——itwasrusty-black。Fromanypointofthehighridgeoflandnorthward，itmighthavebeendiscernedthattheloftiestbuildingsmadeanoccasionalstruggletogettheirheadsabovethefoggysea，andespeciallythatthegreatdomeofSaintPaul\'sseemedtodiehard；butthiswasnotperceivableinthestreetsattheirfeet，wherethewholemetropoliswasaheapofvapourchargedwithmuffledsoundofwheels，andenfoldingagiganticcatarrh。

Atnineo\'clockonsuchamorning，theplaceofbusinessofPubseyandCo。wasnottheliveliestobjecteveninSaintMaryAxe——whichisnotaverylivelyspot——withasobbinggaslightinthecounting-

housewindow，andaburglariousstreamoffogcreepingintostrangleitthroughthekeyholeofthemaindoor。Butthelightwentout，andthemaindooropened，andRiahcameforthwithabagunderhisarm。

Almostintheactofcomingoutatthedoor，Riahwentintothefog，andwaslosttotheeyesofSaintMaryAxe。Buttheeyesofthishistorycanfollowhimwestward，byCornhill，Cheapside，FleetStreet，andtheStrand，toPiccadillyandtheAlbany。Thitherhewentathisgraveandmeasuredpace，staffinhand，skirtatheel；

andmorethanonehead，turningtolookbackathisvenerablefigurealreadylostinthemist，supposedittobesomeordinaryfigureindistinctlyseen，whichfancyandthefoghadworkedintothatpassinglikeness。

Arrivedatthehouseinwhichhismaster\'schamberswereonthesecondfloor，Riahproceededupthestairs，andpausedatFascinationFledgeby\'sdoor。Makingfreewithneitherbellnorknocker，hestruckuponthedoorwiththetopofhisstaff，and，havinglistened，satdownonthethreshold。Itwascharacteristicofhishabitualsubmission，thathesatdownontherawdarkstaircase，asmanyofhisancestorshadprobablysatdownindungeons，takingwhatbefellhimasitmightbefall。

Afteratime，whenhehadgrownsocoldastobefaintoblowuponhisfingers，hearoseandknockedwithhisstaffagain，andlistenedagain，andagainsatdowntowait。ThriceherepeatedtheseactionsbeforehislisteningearsweregreetedbythevoiceofFledgeby，callingfromhisbed，\'Holdyourrow！——I\'llcomeandopenthedoordirectly！\'But，inlieuofcomingdirectly，hefellintoasweetsleepforsomequarterofanhourmore，duringwhichaddedintervalRiahsatuponthestairsandwaitedwithperfectpatience。

Atlengththedoorstoodopen，andMrFledgeby\'sretreatingdraperyplungedintobedagain。Followingitatarespectfuldistance，Riahpassedintothebed-chamber，whereafirehadbeensometimelighted，andwasburningbriskly。

\'Why，whattimeofnightdoyoumeantocallit?\'inquiredFledgeby，turningawaybeneaththeclothes，andpresentingacomfortablerampartofshouldertothechilledfigureoftheoldman。

\'Sir，itisfullhalf-pastteninthemorning。\'

\'Thedeuceitis！Thenitmustbepreciousfoggy?\'

\'Veryfoggy，sir。\'

\'Andraw，then?\'

\'Chillandbitter，\'saidRiah，drawingoutahandkerchief，andwipingthemoisturefromhisbeardandlonggreyhairashestoodonthevergeoftherug，withhiseyesontheacceptablefire。

Withaplungeofenjoyment，Fledgebysettledhimselfafresh。

\'Anysnow，orsleet，orslush，oranythingofthatsort?\'heasked。

\'No，sir，no。Notquitesobadasthat。Thestreetsareprettyclean。\'

\'Youneedn\'tbragaboutit，\'returnedFledgeby，disappointedinhisdesiretoheightenthecontrastbetweenhisbedandthestreets。

\'Butyou\'realwaysbraggingaboutsomething。Gotthebooksthere?\'

\'Theyarehere，sir。\'

\'Allright。I\'llturnthegeneralsubjectoverinmymindforaminuteortwo，andwhileI\'maboutityoucanemptyyourbagandgetreadyforme。\'

Withanothercomfortableplunge，MrFledgebyfellasleepagain。

Theoldman，havingobeyedhisdirections，satdownontheedgeofachair，and，foldinghishandsbeforehim，graduallyyieldedtotheinfluenceofthewarmth，anddozed。HewasrousedbyMrFledgeby\'sappearingerectatthefootofthebed，inTurkishslippers，rose-colouredTurkishtrousers(gotcheapfromsomebodywhohadcheatedsomeothersomebodyoutofthem)，andagownandcaptocorrespond。Inthatcostumehewouldhaveleftnothingtobedesired，ifhehadbeenfurtherfittedoutwithabottomlesschair，alantern，andabunchofmatches。

\'Now，old\'un！\'criedFascination，inhislightraillery，\'whatdodgeryareyouuptonext，sittingtherewithyoureyesshut?Youain\'tasleep。Catchaweaselatit，andcatchaJew！\'

\'Truly，sir，IfearInodded，\'saidtheoldman。

\'Notyou！\'returnedFledgeby，withacunninglook。\'Atellingmovewithagoodmany，Idaresay，butitwon\'tputMEoffmyguard。

Notabadnotionthough，ifyouwanttolookindifferentindrivingabargain。Oh，youareadodger！\'

Theoldmanshookhishead，gentlyrepudiatingtheimputation，andsuppresedasigh，andmovedtothetableatwhichMrFledgebywasnowpouringoutforhimselfacupofsteamingandfragrantcoffeefromapotthathadstoodreadyonthehob。Itwasanedifyingspectacle，theyoungmaninhiseasychairtakinghiscoffee，andtheoldmanwithhisgreyheadbent，standingawaitinghispleasure。

\'Now！\'saidFledgeby。\'Forkoutyourbalanceinhand，andprovebyfigureshowyoumakeitoutthatitain\'tmore。Firstofall，lightthatcandle。\'

Riahobeyed，andthentakingabagfromhisbreast，andreferringtothesumintheaccountsforwhichtheymadehimresponsible，tolditoutuponthetable。Fledgebytolditagainwithgreatcare，andrangeverysovereign。

\'Isuppose，\'hesaid，takingoneuptoeyeitclosely，\'youhaven\'tbeenlighteninganyofthese；butit\'satradeofyourpeople\'s，youknow。YOUunderstandwhatsweatingapoundmeans，don\'tyou?\'

\'Muchasyoudo，sir，\'returnedtheoldman，withhishandsunderoppositecuffsofhisloosesleeves，ashestoodatthetable，deferentiallyobservantofthemaster\'sface。\'MayItakethelibertytosaysomething?\'

\'Youmay，\'Fledgebygraciouslyconceded。

\'Doyounot，sir——withoutintendingit——ofasuretywithoutintendingit——sometimesminglethecharacterIfairlyearninyouremployment，withthecharacterwhichitisyourpolicythatI

shouldbear?\'

\'Idon\'tfinditworthmywhiletocutthingssofineastogointotheinquiry，\'Fascinationcoollyanswered。

\'Notinjustice?\'

\'Botherjustice！\'saidFledgeby。

\'Notingenerosity?\'

\'Jewsandgenerosity！\'saidFledgeby。\'That\'sagoodconnexion！

Bringoutyourvouchers，anddon\'ttalkJerusalempalaver。\'

Thevoucherswereproduced，andforthenexthalf-hourMrFledgebyconcentratedhissublimeattentiononthem。Theyandtheaccountswereallfoundcorrect，andthebooksandthepapersresumedtheirplacesinthebag。

\'Next，\'saidFledgeby，\'concerningthatbill-brokingbranchofthebusiness；thebranchIlikebest。Whatqueerbillsaretobebought，andatwhatprices?Youhavegotyourlistofwhat\'sinthemarket?\'

\'Sir，alonglist，\'repliedRiah，takingoutapocket-book，andselectingfromitscontentsafoldedpaper，which，beingunfolded，becameasheetoffoolscapcoveredwithclosewriting。

\'Whew！\'whistledFledgeby，ashetookitinhishand。\'QueerStreetisfulloflodgersjustatpresent！Thesearetobedisposedofinparcels；arethey?\'

\'Inparcelsassetforth，\'returnedtheoldman，lookingoverhismaster\'sshoulder；\'orthelump。\'

\'Halfthelumpwillbewaste-paper，oneknowsbeforehand，\'saidFledgeby。\'Canyougetitatwaste-paperprice?That\'sthequestion。\'

Riahshookhishead，andFledgebycasthissmalleyesdownthelist。Theypresentlybegantotwinkle，andhenosoonerbecameconsciousoftheirtwinkling，thanhelookedupoverhisshoulderatthegravefaceabovehim，andmovedtothechimney-piece。

Makingadeskofit，hestoodtherewithhisbacktotheoldman，warminghisknees，perusingthelistathisleisure，andoftenreturningtosomelinesofit，asthoughtheywereparticularlyinteresting。Atthosetimesheglancedinthechimney-glasstoseewhatnotetheoldmantookofhim。Hetooknonethatcouldbedetected，but，awareofhisemployer\'ssuspicions，stoodwithhiseyesontheground。

MrFledgebywasthusamiablyengagedwhenastepwasheardattheouterdoor，andthedoorwasheardtoopenhastily。\'Hark！

That\'syourdoing，youPumpofIsrael，\'saidFledgeby；\'youcan\'thaveshutit。\'Thenthestepwasheardwithin，andthevoiceofMrAlfredLammlecalledaloud，\'Areyouanywherehere，Fledgeby?\'

TowhichFledgeby，aftercautioningRiahinalowvoicetotakehiscueasitshouldbegivenhim，replied，\'HereIam！\'andopenedhisbedroomdoor。

\'Comein！\'saidFledgeby。\'ThisgentlemanisonlyPubseyandCo。

ofSaintMaryAxe，thatIamtryingtomaketermsforanunfortunatefriendwithinamatterofsomedishonouredbills。ButreallyPubseyandCo。aresostrictwiththeirdebtors，andsohardtomove，thatIseemtobewastingmytime。Can\'tImakeANY

termswithyouonmyfriend\'spart，MrRiah?\'

\'Iambuttherepresentativeofanother，sir，\'returnedtheJewinalowvoice。\'IdoasIambiddenbymyprincipal。Itisnotmycapitalthatisinvestedinthebusiness。Itisnotmyprofitthatarisestherefrom。\'

\'Haha！\'laughedFledgeby。\'Lammle?\'

\'Haha！\'laughedLammle。\'Yes。Ofcourse。Weknow。\'

\'Devilishgood，ain\'tit，Lammle?\'saidFledgeby，unspeakablyamusedbyhishiddenjoke。

\'Alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame！\'saidLammle。\'Mr——\'

\'Riah，PubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，\'Fledgebyputin，ashewipedawaythetearsthattrickledfromhiseyes，sorarewashisenjoymentofhissecretjoke。

\'MrRiahisboundtoobservetheinvaRiahleformsforsuchcasesmadeandprovided，\'saidLammle。

\'Heisonlytherepresentativeofanother！\'criedFledgeby。\'Doesasheistoldbyhisprincipal！Nothiscapitalthat\'sinvestedinthebusiness。Oh，that\'sgood！Hahahaha！\'MrLammlejoinedinthelaughandlookedknowing；andthemorehedidboth，themoreexquisitethesecretjokebecameforMrFledgeby。

\'However，\'saidthatfascinatinggentleman，wipinghiseyesagain，\'ifwegooninthisway，weshallseemtobealmostmakinggameofMrRiah，orofPubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，orofsomebody:

whichisfarfromourintention。MrRiah，ifyouwouldhavethekindnesstostepintothenextroomforafewmomentswhileI

speakwithMrLammlehere，Ishouldliketotrytomaketermswithyouonceagainbeforeyougo。\'

Theoldman，whohadneverraisedhiseyesduringthewholetransactionofMrFledgeby\'sjoke，silentlybowedandpassedoutbythedoorwhichFledgebyopenedforhim。Havingcloseditonhim，FledgebyreturnedtoLammle，standingwithhisbacktothebedroomfire，withonehandunderhiscoat-skirts，andallhiswhiskersintheother。

\'Halloa！\'saidFledgeby。\'There\'ssomethingwrong！\'

\'Howdoyouknowit?\'demandedLammle。

\'Becauseyoushowit，\'repliedFledgebyinunintentionalrhyme。

\'Wellthen；thereis，\'saidLammle；\'thereISsomethingwrong；thewholething\'swrong。\'

\'Isay！\'remonstratedFascinationveryslowly，andsittingdownwithhishandsonhiskneestostareathisgloweringfriendwithhisbacktothefire。

\'Itellyou，Fledgeby，\'repeatedLammle，withasweepofhisrightarm，\'thewholething\'swrong。Thegame\'sup。\'

\'Whatgame\'sup?\'demandedFledgeby，asslowlyasbefore，andmoresternly。

\'THEgame。OURgame。Readthat。\'

Fledgebytookanotefromhisextendedhandandreaditaloud。

\'AlfredLammle，Esquire。Sir:AllowMrsPodsnapandmyselftoexpressourunitedsenseofthepoliteattentionsofMrsAlfredLammleandyourselftowardsourdaughter，Georgiana。Allowusalso，whollytorejectthemforthefuture，andtocommunicateourfinaldesirethatthetwofamiliesmaybecomeentirestrangers。I

havethehonourtobe，Sir，yourmostobedientandveryhumbleservant，JOHNPODSNAP。\'Fledgebylookedatthethreeblanksidesofthisnote，quiteaslongandearnestlyasatthefirstexpressiveside，andthenlookedatLammle，whorespondedwithanotherextensivesweepofhisrightarm。

\'Whosedoingisthis?\'saidFledgeby。

\'Impossibletoimagine，\'saidLammle。

\'Perhaps，\'suggestedFledgeby，afterreflectingwithaverydiscontentedbrow，\'somebodyhasbeengivingyouabadcharacter。\'

\'Oryou，\'saidLammle，withadeeperfrown。

MrFledgebyappearedtobeonthevergeofsomemutinousexpressions，whenhishandhappenedtotouchhisnose。Acertainremembranceconnectedwiththatfeatureoperatingasatimelywarning，hetookitthoughtfullybetweenhisthumbandforefinger，andpondered；Lammlemeanwhileeyeinghimwithfurtiveeyes。

\'Well！\'saidFledgeby。\'Thiswon\'timprovewithtalkingabout。Ifweeverfindoutwhodidit，we\'llmarkthatperson。There\'snothingmoretobesaid，exceptthatyouundertooktodowhatcircumstancespreventyourdoing。\'

\'Andthatyouundertooktodowhatyoumighthavedonebythistime，ifyouhadmadeaprompteruseofcircumstances，\'snarledLammle。

\'Hah！That，\'remarkedFledgeby，withhishandsintheTurkishtrousers，\'ismatterofopinion。\'

\'MrFledgeby，\'saidLammle，inabullyingtone，\'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?\'

\'No，\'saidFledgeby；\'providedyouhavebroughtmypromissorynoteinyourpocket，andnowhanditover。\'

Lammleproducedit，notwithoutreluctance。Fledgebylookedatit，identifiedit，twisteditup，andthrewitintothefire。Theybothlookedatitasitblazed，wentout，andflewinfeatheryashupthechimney。

\'NOW，MrFledgeby，\'saidLammle，asbefore；\'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?\'

\'No，\'saidFledgeby。

\'Finallyandunreservedlyno?\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Fledgeby，myhand。\'

MrFledgebytookit，saying，\'Andifweeverfindoutwhodidthis，we\'llmarkthatperson。Andinthemostfriendlymanner，letmementiononethingmore。Idon\'tknowwhatyourcircumstancesare，andIdon\'task。Youhavesustainedalosshere。Manymenareliabletobeinvolvedattimes，andyoumaybe，oryoumaynotbe。Butwhateveryoudo，Lammle，don\'t——don\'t——don\'t，Ibegofyou——everfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。inthenextroom，fortheyaregrinders。Regularflayersandgrinders，mydearLammle，\'repeatedFledgebywithapeculiarrelish，\'andthey\'llskinyoubytheinch，fromthenapeofyournecktothesoleofyourfoot，andgrindeveryinchofyourskintotooth-powder。YouhaveseenwhatMrRiahis。Neverfallintohishands，Lammle，Ibegofyouasafriend！\'

MrLammle，disclosingsomealarmatthesolemnityofthisaffectionateadjuration，demandedwhythedevilheevershouldfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。?

\'Toconfessthefact，Iwasmadealittleuneasy，\'saidthecandidFledgeby，\'bythemannerinwhichthatJewlookedatyouwhenheheardyourname。Ididn\'tlikehiseye。Butitmayhavebeentheheatedfancyofafriend。Ofcourseifyouaresurethatyouhavenopersonalsecurityout，whichyoumaynotbequiteequaltomeeting，andwhichcanhavegotintohishands，itmusthavebeenfancy。Still，Ididn\'tlikehiseye。\'

ThebroodingLammle，withcertainwhitedintscomingandgoinginhispalpitatingnose，lookedasifsometormentingimpwerepinchingit。Fledgeby，watchinghimwithatwitchinhismeanfacewhichdiddutythereforasmile，lookedverylikethetormentorwhowaspinching。

\'ButImustn\'tkeephimwaitingtoolong，\'saidFledgeby，\'orhe\'llrevengeitonmyunfortunatefriend。How\'syourverycleverandagreeablewife?Sheknowswehavebrokendown?\'

\'Ishowedhertheletter。\'

\'Verymuchsurprised?\'askedFledgeby。

\'Ithinkshewouldhavebeenmoreso，\'answeredLammle，\'iftherehadbeenmoregoinYOU?\'

\'Oh！——Shelaysituponme，then?\'

\'MrFledgeby，Iwillnothavemywordsmisconstrued。\'

\'Don\'tbreakout，Lammle，\'urgedFledgeby，inasubmissivetone，\'becausethere\'snooccasion。Ionlyaskedaquestion。Thenshedon\'tlayituponme?Toaskanotherquestion。\'

\'No，sir。\'

\'Verygood，\'saidFledgeby，plainlyseeingthatshedid。\'Mycomplimentstoher。Good-bye！\'

Theyshookhands，andLammlestrodeoutpondering。Fledgebysawhimintothefog，and，returningtothefireandmusingwithhisfacetoit，stretchedthelegsoftherose-colouredTurkishtrouserswideapart，andmeditativelybenthisknees，asifheweregoingdownuponthem。

\'Youhaveapairofwhiskers，Lammle，whichIneverliked，\'

murmuredFledgeby，\'andwhichmoneycan\'tproduce；youareboastfulofyourmannersandyourconversation；youwantedtopullmynose，andyouhaveletmeinforafailure，andyourwifesaysIamthecauseofit。I\'llbowlyoudown。Iwill，thoughIhavenowhiskers，\'hereherubbedtheplaceswheretheyweredue，\'andnomanners，andnoconversation！\'

Havingthusrelievedhisnoblemind，hecollectedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousers，straightenedhimselfonhisknees，andcalledouttoRiahinthenextroom，\'Halloa，yousir！\'Atsightoftheoldmanre-enteringwithagentlenessmonstrouslyincontrastwiththecharacterhehadgivenhim，MrFledgebywassotickledagain，thatheexclaimed，laughing，\'Good！Good！Uponmysoulitisuncommongood！\'

\'Now，old\'un，\'proceededFledgeby，whenhehadhadhislaughout，\'you\'llbuyuptheselotsthatImarkwithmypencil——there\'satickthere，andatickthere，andatickthere——andIwagertwo-penceyou\'llafterwardsgoonsqueezingthoseChristiansliketheJewyouare。Now，nextyou\'llwantacheque——oryou\'llsayyouwantit，thoughyou\'vecapitalenoughsomewhere，ifoneonlyknewwhere，butyou\'dbepepperedandsaltedandgrilledonagridironbeforeyou\'downtoit——andthatchequeI\'llwrite。\'

Whenhehadunlockedadrawerandtakenakeyfromittoopenanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasthechequebook；andwhenhehadwrittenthecheque；

andwhen，reversingthekeyanddrawerprocess，hehadplacedhischequebookinsafetyagain；hebeckonedtheoldman，withthefoldedcheque，tocomeandtakeit。

\'Old\'un，\'saidFledgeby，whentheJewhadputitinhispocketbook，andwasputtingthatinthebreastofhisoutergarment；\'somuchatpresentformyaffairs。Nowawordaboutaffairsthatarenotexactlymine。Whereisshe?\'

Withhishandnotyetwithdrawnfromthebreastofhisgarment，Riahstartedandpaused。

\'Oho！\'saidFledgeby。\'Didn\'texpectit！Wherehaveyouhiddenher?\'

Showingthathewastakenbysurprise，theoldmanlookedathismasterwithsomepassingconfusion，whichthemasterhighlyenjoyed。

\'IssheinthehouseIpayrentandtaxesforinSaintMaryAxe?\'

demandedFledgeby。

\'No，sir。\'

\'Issheinyourgardenupatopofthathouse——goneuptobedead，orwhateverthegameis?\'askedFledgeby。

\'No，sir。\'

\'Whereisshethen?\'

Riahbenthiseyesupontheground，asifconsideringwhetherhecouldanswerthequestionwithoutbreachoffaith，andthensilentlyraisedthemtoFledgeby\'sface，asifhecouldnot。

\'Come！\'saidFledgeby。\'Iwon\'tpressthatjustnow。ButIwanttoknowthis，andIwillknowthis，mindyou。Whatareyouupto?\'

Theoldman，withanapologeticactionofhisheadandhands，asnotcomprehendingthemaster\'smeaning，addressedtohimalookofmuteinquiry。

\'Youcan\'tbeagallivantingdodger，\'saidFledgeby。\'Foryou\'rea“regularpitythesorrows“，youknow——ifyouDOknowanyChristianrhyme——“whosetremblinglimbshavebornehimto“——etcetrer。You\'reoneofthePatriarchs；you\'reashakyoldcard；andyoucan\'tbeinlovewiththisLizzie?\'

\'O，sir！\'expostulatedRiah。\'O，sir，sir，sir！\'

\'Thenwhy，\'retortedFledgeby，withsomeslighttingeofablush，\'don\'tyououtwithyourreasonforhavingyourspooninthesoupatall?\'

\'Sir，Iwilltellyouthetruth。But(yourpardonforthestipulation)itisinsacredconfidence；itisstrictlyuponhonour。\'

\'Honourtoo！\'criedFledgeby，withamockinglip。\'HonouramongJews。Well。Cutaway。\'

\'Itisuponhonour，sir?\'theotherstillstipulated，withrespectfulfirmness。

\'Oh，certainly。Honourbright，\'saidFledgeby。

Theoldman，neverbiddentositdown，stoodwithanearnesthandlaidonthebackoftheyoungman\'seasychair。Theyoungmansatlookingatthefirewithafaceoflisteningcuriosity，readytocheckhimoffandcatchhimtripping。

\'Cutaway，\'saidFledgeby。\'Startwithyourmotive。\'

\'Sir，Ihavenomotivebuttohelpthehelpless。\'

MrFledgebycouldonlyexpressthefeelingstowhichthisincrediblestatementgaveriseinhisbreast，byaprodigiouslylongderisivesniff。

\'HowIcametoknow，andmuchtoesteemandtorespect，thisdamsel，Imentionedwhenyousawherinmypoorgardenonthehouse-top，\'saidtheJew。

\'Didyou?\'saidFledgeby，distrustfully。\'Well。Perhapsyoudid，though。\'

\'ThebetterIknewher，themoreinterestIfeltinherfortunes。Theygatheredtoacrisis。Ifoundherbesetbyaselfishandungratefulbrother，besetbyanunacceptablewooer，besetbythesnaresofamorepowerfullover，besetbythewilesofherownheart。\'

\'Shetooktooneofthechapsthen?\'

\'Sir，itwasonlynaturalthatsheshouldinclinetowardshim，forhehadmanyandgreatadvantages。Buthewasnotofherstation，andtomarryherwasnotinhismind。Perilswereclosingroundher，andthecirclewasfastdarkening，whenI——beingasyouhavesaid，sir，toooldandbrokentobesuspectedofanyfeelingforherbutafather\'s——steppedin，andcounselledflight。Isaid，“Mydaughter，therearetimesofmoraldangerwhenthehardestvirtuousresolutiontoformisflight，andwhenthemostheroicbraveryisflight。”Sheanswered，shehadhadthisinherthoughts；butwhithertoflywithouthelpsheknewnot，andtherewerenonetohelpher。Ishowedhertherewasonetohelpher，anditwasI。

Andsheisgone。\'

\'Whatdidyoudowithher?\'askedFledgeby，feelinghischeek。

\'Iplacedher，\'saidtheoldman，\'atadistance；\'withagravesmoothoutwardsweepfromoneanotherofhistwoopenhandsatarm\'slength；\'atadistance——amongcertainofourpeople，whereherindustrywouldserveher，andwhereshecouldhopetoexerciseit，unassailedfromanyquarter。\'

Fledgeby\'seyeshadcomefromthefiretonoticetheactionofhishandswhenhesaid\'atadistance。\'Fledgebynowtried(veryunsuccessfully)toimitatethataction，asheshookhisheadandsaid，\'Placedherinthatdirection，didyou?Ohyoucircularolddodger！\'

Withonehandacrosshisbreastandtheotherontheeasychair，Riah，withoutjustifyinghimself，waitedforfurtherquestioning。

But，thatitwashopelesstoquestionhimonthatonereservedpoint，Fledgeby，withhissmalleyestooneartogether，sawfullwell。

\'Lizzie，\'saidFledgeby，lookingatthefireagain，andthenlookingup。\'Humph，Lizzie。Youdidn\'ttellmetheothernameinyourgardenatopofthehouse。I\'llbemorecommunicativewithyou。

Theothername\'sHexam。\'

Riahbenthisheadinassent。

\'Lookhere，yousir，\'saidFledgeby。\'IhaveanotionIknowsomethingoftheinveiglingchap，thepowerfulone。Hasheanythingtodowiththelaw?\'

\'Nominally，Ibelieveithiscalling。\'

\'Ithoughtso。NameanythinglikeLightwood?\'

\'Sir，notatalllike。\'

\'Come，old\'un，\'saidFledgeby，meetinghiseyeswithawink，\'saythename。\'

\'Wrayburn。\'

\'ByJupiter！\'criedFledgeby。\'Thatone，isit?Ithoughtitmightbetheother，butIneverdreamtofthatone！Ishouldn\'tobjecttoyourbaulkingeitherofthepair，dodger，fortheyarebothconceitedenough；butthatoneisascoolacustomeraseverImetwith。Gotabeardbesides，andpresumesuponit。Welldone，old\'un！Goonandprosper！\'

Brightenedbythisunexpectedcommendation，Riahaskedweretheremoreinstructionsforhim?

\'No，\'saidFledgeby，\'youmaytoddlenow，Judah，andgropeaboutontheordersyouhavegot。\'Dismissedwiththosepleasingwords，theoldmantookhisbroadhatandstaff，andleftthegreatpresence:moreasifheweresomesuperiorcreaturebenignantlyblessingMrFledgeby，thanthepoordependentonwhomhesethisfoot。Leftalone，MrFledgebylockedhisouterdoor，andcamebacktohisfire。

\'Welldoneyou！\'saidFascinationtohimself。\'Slow，youmaybe；

sure，youare！\'Thishetwiceorthricerepeatedwithmuchcomplacency，asheagaindispersedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousersandbenttheknees。

\'Atidyshotthat，Iflattermyself，\'hethensoliloquised。\'AndaJewbroughtdownwithit！Now，whenIheardthestorytoldatLammle\'s，Ididn\'tmakeajumpatRiah。Notahitofit；Igotathimbydegrees。\'Hereinhewasquiteaccurate；itbeinghishabit，nottojump，orleap，ormakeanupwardspring，atanythinginlife，buttocrawlateverything。

\'Igotathim，\'pursuedFledgeby，feelingforhiswhisker，\'bydegrees。IfyourLammlesoryourLightwoodshadgotathimanyhow，theywouldhaveaskedhimthequestionwhetherhehadn\'tsomethingtodowiththatgal\'sdisappearance。Iknewabetterwayofgoingtowork。Havinggotbehindthehedge，andputhiminthelight，Itookashotathimandbroughthimdownplump。

Oh！Itdon\'tcountformuch，beingaJew，inamatchagainstME！\'

Anotherdrytwistinplaceofasmile，madehisfacecrookedhere。

\'AstoChristians，\'proceededFledgeby，\'lookout，fellow-

Christians，particularlyyouthatlodgeinQueerStreet！IhavegottherunofQueerStreetnow，andyoushallseesomegamesthere。

Toworkalotofpoweroveryouandyounotknowit，knowingasyouthinkyourselves，wouldbealmostworthlayingoutmoneyupon。Butwhenitcomestosqueezingaprofitoutofyouintothebargain，it\'ssomethinglike！\'

WiththisapostropheMrFledgebyappropriatelyproceededtodivesthimselfofhisTurkishgarments，andinvesthimselfwithChristianattire。Pendingwhichoperation，andhismorningablutions，andhisanointingofhimselfwiththelastinfalliblepreparationfortheproductionofluxuriantandglossyhairuponthehumancountenance(quacksbeingtheonlysageshebelievedinbesidesusurers)，themurkyfogclosedabouthimandshuthimupinitssootyembrace。Ifithadneverlethimoutanymore，theworldwouldhavehadnoirreparableloss，butcouldhaveeasilyreplacedhimfromitsstockonhand。

Chapter2

ARESPECTEDFRIENDINANEWASPECT

Intheeveningofthissamefoggydaywhentheyellowwindow-

blindofPubseyandCo。wasdrawndownupontheday\'swork，RiahtheJewoncemorecameforthintoSaintMaryAxe。Butthistimehecarriednobag，andwasnotboundonhismaster\'saffairs。

HepassedoverLondonBridge，andreturnedtotheMiddlesexshorebythatofWestminster，andso，everwadingthroughthefog，wadedtothedoorstepofthedolls\'dressmaker。

MissWrenexpectedhim。Hecouldseeherthroughthewindowbythelightofherlowfire——carefullybankedupwithdampcindersthatitmightlastthelongerandwastethelesswhenshewasout——

sittingwaitingforhiminherbonnet。Histapattheglassrousedherfromthemusingsolitudeinwhichshesat，andshecametothedoortoopenit；aidingherstepswithalittlecrutch-stick。

\'Goodevening，godmother！\'saidMissJennyWren。

Theoldmanlaughed，andgaveherhisarmtoleanon。

\'Won\'tyoucomeinandwarmyourself，godmother?\'askedMissJennyWren。

\'Notifyouareready，Cinderella，mydear。\'

\'Well！\'exclaimedMissWren，delighted。\'NowyouAREacleveroldboy！Ifwegaveprizesatthisestablishment(butweonlykeepblanks)，youshouldhavethefirstsilvermedal，fortakingmeupsoquick。\'Asshespakethus，MissWrenremovedthekeyofthehouse-doorfromthekeyholeandputitinherpocket，andthenbustlinglyclosedthedoor，andtrieditastheybothstoodonthestep。Satisfiedthatherdwellingwassafe，shedrewonehandthroughtheoldman\'sarmandpreparedtoplyhercrutch-stickwiththeother。Butthekeywasaninstrumentofsuchgiganticproportions，thatbeforetheystartedRiahproposedtocarryit。

\'No，no，no！I\'llcarryitmyself，\'returnedMissWren。\'I\'mawfullylopsided，youknow，andstoweddowninmypocketit\'lltrimtheship。Toletyouintoasecret，godmother，Iwearmypocketonmyhighside，o\'purpose。\'

Withthattheybegantheirploddingthroughthefog。

\'Yes，itwastrulysharpofyou，godmother，\'resumedMissWrenwithgreatapprobation，\'tounderstandme。But，yousee，youARE

solikethefairygodmotherinthebrightlittlebooks！Youlooksounliketherestofpeople，andsomuchasifyouhadchangedyourselfintothatshape，justthismoment，withsomebenevolentobject。Boh！\'criedMissJenny，puttingherfaceclosetotheoldman\'s。\'Icanseeyourfeatures，godmother，behindthebeard。\'

\'Doesthefancygotomychangingotherobjectstoo，Jenny?\'

\'Ah！Thatitdoes！Ifyou\'donlyborrowmystickandtapthispieceofpavement——thisdirtystonethatmyfoottaps——itwouldstartupacoachandsix。Isay！Let\'sbelieveso！\'

\'Withallmyheart，\'repliedthegoodoldman。

\'AndI\'lltellyouwhatImustaskyoutodo，godmother。Imustaskyoutobesokindasgivemychildatap，andchangehimaltogether。Omychildhasbeensuchabad，badchildoflate！Itworriesmenearlyoutofmywits。Notdoneastrokeofworkthesetendays。Hashadthehorrors，too，andfanciedthatfourcopper-

colouredmeninredwantedtothrowhimintoafieryfurnace。\'

\'Butthat\'sdangerous，Jenny。\'

\'Dangerous，godmother?Mychildisalwaysdangerous，moreorless。Hemight\'——herethelittlecreatureglancedbackoverhershoulderatthesky——\'besettingthehouseonfireatthispresentmoment。Idon\'tknowwhowouldhaveachild，formypart！It\'snouseshakinghim。IhaveshakenhimtillIhavemademyselfgiddy。“Whydon\'tyoumindyourCommandmentsandhonouryourparent，younaughtyoldboy?“Isaidtohimallthetime。Butheonlywhimperedandstaredatme。\'

\'Whatshallbechanged，afterhim?\'askedRiahinacompassionatelyplayfulvoice。

\'Uponmyword，godmother，IamafraidImustbeselfishnext，andgetyoutosetmerightinthebackandthelegs。It\'salittlethingtoyouwithyourpower，godmother，butit\'sagreatdealtopoorweakachingme。\'

Therewasnoquerulouscomplaininginthewords，buttheywerenotthelesstouchingforthat。

\'Andthen?\'

\'Yes，andthen——YOUknow，godmother。We\'llbothjumpupintothecoachandsixandgotoLizzie。Thisremindsme，godmother，toaskyouaseriousquestion。Youareaswiseaswisecanbe(havingbeenbroughtupbythefairies)，andyoucantellmethis:Isitbettertohavehadagoodthingandlostit，ornevertohavehadit?\'

\'Explain，god-daughter。\'

\'IfeelsomuchmoresolitaryandhelplesswithoutLizzienow，thanIusedtofeelbeforeIknewher。\'(Tearswereinhereyesasshesaidso。)

\'Somebelovedcompanionshipfadesoutofmostlives，mydear，\'

saidtheJew，——\'thatofawife，andafairdaughter，andasonofpromise，hasfadedoutofmyownlife——butthehappinesswas。\'

\'Ah！\'saidMissWrenthoughtfully，bynomeansconvinced，andchoppingtheexclamationwiththatsharplittlehatchetofhers；

\'thenItellyouwhatchangeIthinkyouhadbetterbeginwith，godmother。YouhadbetterchangeIsintoWasandWasintoIs，andkeepthemso。\'

\'Wouldthatsuityourcase?Wouldyounotbealwaysinpainthen?\'askedtheoldmantenderly。

\'Right！\'exclaimedMissWrenwithanotherchop。\'Youhavechangedmewiser，godmother——Not，\'sheaddedwiththequainthitchofherchinandeyes，\'thatyouneedbeaverywonderfulgodmothertodothatdeed。\'

Thusconversing，andhavingcrossedWestminsterBridge，theytraversedthegroundthatRiahhadlatelytraversed，andnewgroundlikewise；for，whentheyhadrecrossedtheThamesbywayofLondonBridge，theystruckdownbytheriverandheldtheirstillfoggiercoursethatway。

Butpreviously，astheyweregoingalong，Jennytwistedhervenerablefriendasidetoabrilliantly-lightedtoy-shopwindow，andsaid:\'Nowlookat\'em！Allmywork！\'

Thisreferredtoadazzlingsemicircleofdollsinallthecoloursoftherainbow，whoweredressedforpresentationatcourt，forgoingtoballs，forgoingoutdriving，forgoingoutonhorseback，forgoingoutwalking，forgoingtogetmarried，forgoingtohelpotherdollstogetmarried，forallthegayeventsoflife。\'

\'Pretty，pretty，pretty！\'saidtheoldmanwithaclapofhishands。

\'Mosteleganttaste！\'

\'Gladyoulike\'em，\'returnedMissWren，loftily。\'Butthefunis，godmother，howImakethegreatladiestrymydresseson。Thoughit\'sthehardestpartofmybusiness，andwouldbe，evenifmybackwerenotbadandmylegsqueer。\'

Helookedatherasnotunderstandingwhatshesaid。

\'Blessyou，godmother，\'saidMissWren，\'Ihavetoscudabouttownatallhours。Ifitwasonlysittingatmybench，cuttingoutandsewing，itwouldbecomparativelyeasywork；butit\'sthetrying-onbythegreatladiesthattakesitoutofme。\'

\'How，thetrying-on?\'askedRiah。

\'Whatamooneygodmotheryouare，afterall！\'returnedMissWren。

\'Lookhere。There\'saDrawingRoom，oragranddayinthePark，oraShow，oraFete，orwhatyoulike。Verywell。Isqueezeamongthecrowd，andIlookaboutme。WhenIseeagreatladyverysuitableformybusiness，Isay“You\'lldo，mydear！\'andItakeparticularnoticeofher，andrunhomeandcutheroutandbasteher。Thenanotherday，Icomescuddingbackagaintotryon，andthenItakeparticularnoticeofheragain。Sometimessheplainlyseemstosay，\'Howthatlittlecreatureisstaring！\'andsometimeslikesitandsometimesdon\'t，butmuchmoreoftenyesthanno。AllthetimeIamonlysayingtomyself，“Imusthollowoutabithere；I

mustslopeawaythere；“andIammakingaperfectslaveofher，withmakinghertryonmydoll\'sdress。Eveningpartiesaresevererworkforme，becausethere\'sonlyadoorwayforafullview，andwhatwithhobblingamongthewheelsofthecarriagesandthelegsofthehorses，Ifullyexpecttoberunoversomenight。However，thereIhave\'em，justthesame。Whentheygobobbingintothehallfromthecarriage，andcatchaglimpseofmylittlephysiognomypokedoutfrombehindapoliceman\'scapeintherain，IdaresaytheythinkIamwonderingandadmiringwithallmyeyesandheart，buttheylittlethinkthey\'reonlyworkingformydolls！TherewasLadyBelindaWhitrose。Imadeherdodoubledutyinonenight。Isaidwhenshecameoutofthecarriage，“YOU\'lldo，mydear！“andIranstraighthomeandcutheroutandbastedher。BackIcameagain，andwaitedbehindthementhatcalledthecarriages。Verybadnighttoo。Atlast，“LadyBelindaWhitrose\'scarriage！LadyBelindaWhitrosecomingdown！“AndImadehertryon——oh！andtakepainsaboutittoo——beforeshegotseated。That\'sLadyBelindahangingupbythewaist，muchtoonearthegaslightforawaxone，withhertoesturnedin。\'

Whentheyhadploddedonforsometimenightheriver，RiahaskedthewaytoacertaintaverncalledtheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。Followingthedirectionshereceived，theyarrived，aftertwoorthreepuzzledstoppagesforconsideration，andsomeuncertainlookingaboutthem，atthedoorofMissAbbeyPotterson\'sdominions。Apeepthroughtheglassportionofthedoorrevealedtothemthegloriesofthebar，andMissAbbeyherselfseatedinstateonhersnugthrone，readingthenewspaper。

Towhom，withdeference，theypresentedthemselves。

Takinghereyesoffhernewspaper，andpausingwithasuspendedexpressionofcountenance，asifshemustfinishtheparagraphinhandbeforeundertakinganyotherbusinesswhatever，MissAbbeydemanded，withsomeslightasperity:\'Nowthen，what\'sforyou?\'

\'CouldweseeMissPotterson?\'askedtheoldman，uncoveringhishead。

\'Younotonlycould，butyoucanandyoudo，\'repliedthehostess。

\'Mightwespeakwithyou，madam?\'

BythistimeMissAbbey\'seyeshadpossessedthemselvesofthesmallfigureofMissJennyWren。Forthecloserobservationofwhich，MissAbbeylaidasidehernewspaper，rose，andlookedoverthehalf-doorofthebar。Thecrutch-stickseemedtoentreatforitsownerleavetocomeinandrestbythefire；so，MissAbbeyopenedthehalf-door，andsaid，asthoughreplyingtothecrutch-

stick:

\'Yes，comeinandrestbythefire。\'

\'MynameisRiah，\'saidtheoldman，withcourteousaction，\'andmyavocationisinLondoncity。This，myyoungcompanion——\'

\'Stopabit，\'interposedMissWren。\'I\'llgivetheladymycard。\'Sheproduceditfromherpocketwithanair，afterstrugglingwiththegiganticdoor-keywhichhadgotuponthetopofitandkeptitdown。MissAbbey，withmanifesttokensofastonishment，tookthediminutivedocument，andfoundittorunconciselythus:——

MISSJENNYWREN

DOLLS\'DRESSMAKER。

Dollsattendedattheirownresidences。

\'Lud！\'exclaimedMissPotterson，staring。Anddroppedthecard。

\'Wetakethelibertyofcoming，myyoungcompanionandI，madam，\'saidRiah，\'onbehalfofLizzieHexam。\'

MissPottersonwasstoopingtoloosenthebonnet-stringsofthedolls\'dressmaker。Shelookedroundratherangrily，andsaid:

\'LizzieHexamisaveryproudyoungwoman。\'

\'Shewouldbesoproud，\'returnedRiah，dexterously，\'tostandwellinyourgoodopinion，thatbeforeshequittedLondonfor——\'

\'Forwhere，inthenameoftheCapeofGoodHope?\'askedMissPotterson，asthoughsupposinghertohaveemigrated。

\'Forthecountry，\'wasthecautiousanswer，——\'shemadeuspromisetocomeandshowyouapaper，whichsheleftinourhandsforthatspecialpurpose。Iamanunserviceablefriendofhers，whobegantoknowherafterherdeparturefromthisneighbourhood。Shehasbeenforsometimelivingwithmyyoungcompanion，andhasbeenahelpfulandacomfortablefriendtoher。Muchneeded，madam，\'

headded，inalowervoice。\'Believeme；ifyouknewall，muchneeded。\'

\'Icanbelievethat，\'saidMissAbbey，withasofteningglanceatthelittlecreature。

\'Andifit\'sproudtohaveaheartthatneverhardens，andatemperthatnevertires，andatouchthatneverhurts，\'MissJennystruckin，flushed，\'sheisproud。Andifit\'snot，sheisNOT。\'

HersetpurposeofcontradictingMissAbbeypointblank，wassofarfromoffendingthatdreadauthority，astoelicitagracioussmile。\'Youdoright，child，\'saidMissAbbey，\'tospeakwellofthosewhodeservewellofyou。\'

\'Rightorwrong，\'mutteredMissWren，inaudibly，withavisiblehitchofherchin，\'Imeantodoit，andyoumaymakeupyourmindtoTHAT，oldlady。\'

\'Hereisthepaper，madam，\'saidtheJew，deliveringintoMissPotterson\'shandstheoriginaldocumentdrawnupbyRokesmith，andsignedbyRiderhood。\'Willyoupleasetoreadit?\'

\'Butfirstofall，\'saidMissAbbey，\'——didyouevertasteshrub，child?\'

MissWrenshookherhead。

\'Shouldyouliketo?\'

\'Shouldifit\'sgood，\'returnedMissWren。

\'Youshalltry。And，ifyoufinditgood，I\'llmixsomeforyouwithhotwater。Putyourpoorlittlefeetonthefender。It\'sacold，coldnight，andthefogclingsso。\'AsMissAbbeyhelpedhertoturnherchair，herloosenedbonnetdroppedonthefloor。\'Why，whatlovelyhair！\'criedMissAbbey。\'Andenoughtomakewigsforallthedollsintheworld。Whataquantity！\'

\'CallTHATaquantity?\'returnedMissWren。\'Poof！Whatdoyousaytotherestofit?\'Asshespoke，sheuntiedaband，andthegoldenstreamfelloverherselfandoverthechair，andfloweddowntotheground。MissAbbey\'sadmirationseemedtoincreaseherperplexity。ShebeckonedtheJewtowardsher，asshereacheddowntheshrub-bottlefromitsniche，andwhispered:

\'Child，orwoman?\'

\'Childinyears，\'wastheanswer；\'womaninself-relianceandtrial。\'

\'YouaretalkingaboutMe，goodpeople，\'thoughtMissJenny，sittinginhergoldenbower，warmingherfeet。\'Ican\'thearwhatyousay，butIknowyourtricksandyourmanners！\'

Theshrub，whentastedfromaspoon，perfectlyharmonizingwithMissJenny\'spalate，ajudiciousamountwasmixedbyMissPotterson\'sskilfulhands，whereofRiahtoopartook。Afterthispreliminary，MissAbbeyreadthedocument；and，asoftenassheraisedhereyebrowsinsodoing，thewatchfulMissJennyaccompaniedtheactionwithanexpressiveandemphaticsipoftheshrubandwater。

\'Asfarasthisgoes，\'saidMissAbbeyPotterson，whenshehadreaditseveraltimes，andthoughtaboutit，\'itproves(whatdidn\'tmuchneedproving)thatRogueRiderhoodisavillain。Ihavemydoubtswhetherheisnotthevillainwhosolelydidthedeed；butI

havenoexpectationofthosedoubtseverbeingclearedupnow。I

believeIdidLizzie\'sfatherwrong，butneverLizzie\'sself；becausewhenthingswereattheworstItrustedher，hadperfectconfidenceinher，andtriedtopersuadehertocometomeforarefuge。Iamverysorrytohavedoneamanwrong，particularlywhenitcan\'tbeundone。BekindenoughtoletLizzieknowwhatIsay；notforgettingthatifshewillcometothePorters，afterall，bygonesbeingbygones，shewillfindahomeatthePorters，andafriendatthePorters。SheknowsMissAbbeyofold，remindher，andsheknowswhat-likethehome，andwhat-likethefriend，islikelytoturnout。Iamgenerallyshortandsweet——orshortandsour，accordingasitmaybeandasopinionsvary——\'remarkedMissAbbey，\'andthat\'saboutallIhavegottosay，andenoughtoo。\'

Butbeforetheshrubandwaterwassippedout，MissAbbeybethoughtherselfthatshewouldliketokeepacopyofthepaperbyher。\'It\'snotlong，sir，\'saidshetoRiah，\'andperhapsyouwouldn\'tmindjustjottingitdown。\'Theoldmanwillinglyputonhisspectacles，and，standingatthelittledeskinthecornerwhereMissAbbeyfiledherreceiptsandkepthersamplephials(customers\'scoreswereinterdictedbythestrictadministrationofthePorters)，wroteoutthecopyinafairroundcharacter。Ashestoodthere，doinghismethodicalpenmanship，hisancientscribelikefigureintentuponthework，andthelittledolls\'

dressmakersittinginhergoldenbowerbeforethefire，MissAbbeyhadherdoubtswhethershehadnotdreamedthosetworarefiguresintothebaroftheSixJollyFellowships，andmightnotwakewithanodnextmomentandfindthemgone。

MissAbbeyhadtwicemadetheexperimentofshuttinghereyesandopeningthemagain，stillfindingthefiguresthere，when，dreamlike，aconfusedhubbubaroseinthepublicroom。Asshestartedup，andtheyallthreelookedatoneanother，itbecameanoiseofclamouringvoicesandofthestiroffeet；thenallthewindowswereheardtobehastilythrownup，andshoutsandcriescamefloatingintothehousefromtheriver。Amomentmore，andBobGlidderycameclatteringalongthepassage，withthenoiseofallthenailsinhisbootscondensedintoeveryseparatenail。

\'Whatisit?\'askedMissAbbey。

\'It\'ssummutrundowninthefog，ma\'am，\'answeredBob。\'There\'seversomanypeopleintheriver。\'

\'Tell\'emtoputonallthekettles！\'criedMissAbbey。\'Seethattheboiler\'sfull。Getabathout。Hangsomeblanketstothefire。Heatsomestonebottles。Haveyoursensesaboutyou，yougirlsdownstairs，anduse\'em。\'

WhileMissAbbeypartlydeliveredthesedirectionstoBob——whomsheseizedbythehair，andwhoseheadsheknockedagainstthewall，asageneralinjunctiontovigilanceandpresenceofmind——

andpartlyhailedthekitchenwiththem——thecompanyinthepublicroom，jostlingoneanother，rushedouttothecauseway，andtheouternoiseincreased。

\'Comeandlook，\'saidMissAbbeytohervisitors。Theyallthreehurriedtothevacatedpublicroom，andpassedbyoneofthewindowsintothewoodenverandahoverhangingtheriver。

\'Doesanybodydownthereknowwhathashappened?\'demandedMissAbbey，inhervoiceofauthority。

\'It\'sasteamer，MissAbbey，\'criedoneblurredfigureinthefog。

\'ItalwaysISasteamer，MissAbbey，\'criedanother。

\'Them\'sherlights，MissAbbey，wotyouseea-blinkingyonder，\'

criedanother。

\'She\'sa-blowingoffhersteam，MissAbbey，andthat\'swhatmakesthefogandthenoiseworse，don\'tyousee?\'explainedanother。

Boatswereputtingoff，torcheswerelightingup，peoplewererushingtumultuouslytothewater\'sedge。Somemanfellinwithasplash，andwaspulledoutagainwitharoaroflaughter。Thedragswerecalledfor。Acryforthelife-buoypassedfrommouthtomouth。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatwasgoingonupontheriver，foreveryboatthatputoffsculledintothefogandwaslosttoviewataboat\'slength。Nothingwasclearbutthattheunpopularsteamerwasassailedwithreproachesonallsides。ShewastheMurderer，boundforGallowsBay；shewastheManslaughterer，boundforPenalSettlement；hercaptainoughttobetriedforhislife；hercrewrandownmeninrow-boatswitharelish；shemashedupThameslightermenwithherpaddles；shefiredpropertywithherfunnels；shealwayswas，andshealwayswouldbe，wreakingdestructionuponsomebodyorsomething，afterthemannerofallherkind。Thewholebulkofthefogteemedwithsuchtaunts，utteredintonesofuniversalhoarseness。Allthewhile，thesteamer\'slightsmovedspectrallyaverylittle，asshelay-

to，waitingtheupshotofwhateveraccidenthadhappened。Now，shebeganburningblue-lights。Thesemadealuminouspatchabouther，asifshehadsetthefogonfire，andinthepatch——thecrieschangingtheirnote，andbecomingmorefitfulandmoreexcited——shadowsofmenandboatscouldbeseenmoving，whilevoicesshouted:\'There！\'\'Thereagain！\'\'Acouplemorestrokesa-

head！\'\'Hurrah！\'\'Lookout！\'\'Holdon！\'\'Haulin！\'andthelike。Lastly，withafewtumblingclotsofbluefire，thenightclosedindarkagain，thewheelsofthesteamerwereheardrevolving，andherlightsglidedsmoothlyawayinthedirectionofthesea。

ItappearedtoMissAbbeyandhertwocompanionsthataconsiderabletimehadbeenthusoccupied。Therewasnowaseagerasettowardstheshorebeneaththehouseastherehadbeenfromit；anditwasonlyonthefirstboatoftherushcominginthatitwasknownwhathadoccurred。

\'Ifthat\'sTomTootle，\'MissAbbeymadeproclamation，inhermostcommandingtones，\'lethiminstantlycomeunderneathhere。\'

ThesubmissiveTomcomplied，attendedbyacrowd。

\'Whatisit，Tootle?\'demandedMissAbbey。

\'It\'saforeignsteamer，miss，rundownawherry。\'

\'Howmanyinthewherry?\'

\'Oneman，MissAbbey。\'

\'Found?\'

\'Yes。He\'sbeenunderwateralongtime，Miss；butthey\'vegrappledupthebody。\'

\'Let\'embringithere。You，BobGliddery，shutthehouse-doorandstandbyitontheinside，anddon\'tyouopentillItellyou。Anypolicedownthere?\'

\'Here，MissAbbey，\'wasofficialrejoinder。

\'Aftertheyhavebroughtthebodyin，keepthecrowdout，willyou?

AndhelpBobGlidderytoshut\'emout。\'

\'Allright，MissAbbey。\'

TheautocraticlandladywithdrewintothehousewithRiahandMissJenny，anddisposedthoseforces，oneoneithersideofher，withinthehalf-doorofthebar，asbehindabreastwork。

\'Youtwostandclosehere，\'saidMissAbbey，\'andyou\'llcometonohurt，andseeitbroughtin。Bob，youstandbythedoor。\'

Thatsentinel，smartlygivinghisrolledshirt-sleevesanextraandafinaltuckonhisshoulders，obeyed。

Soundofadvancingvoices，soundofadvancingsteps。Shuffleandtalkwithout。Momentarypause。Twopeculiarlybluntknocksorpokesatthedoor，asifthedeadmanarrivingonhisbackwerestrikingatitwiththesolesofhismotionlessfeet。

\'That\'sthestretcher，ortheshutter，whicheverofthetwotheyarecarrying，\'saidMissAbbey，withexperiencedear。\'Open，youBob！\'

Dooropened。Heavytreadofladenmen。Ahalt。Arush。

Stoppageofrush。Doorshut。Baffledbootsfromthevexedsoulsofdisappointedoutsiders。

\'Comeon，men！\'saidMissAbbey；forsopotentwasshewithhersubjectsthateventhenthebearersawaitedherpermission。\'Firstfloor。\'

Theentrybeinglow，andthestaircasebeinglow，theysotookuptheburdentheyhadsetdown，astocarrythatlow。Therecumbentfigure，inpassing，layhardlyashighasthehalfdoor。

MissAbbeystartedbackatsightofit。\'Why，goodGod！\'saidshe，turningtohertwocompanions，\'that\'stheverymanwhomadethedeclarationwehavejusthadinourhands。That\'sRiderhood！\'

Chapter3

THESAMERESPECTEDFRIENDINMOREASPECTSTHANONE

Insooth，itisRiderhoodandnoother，oritistheouterhuskandshellofRiderhoodandnoother，thatisborneintoMissAbbey\'sfirst-floorbedroom。SuppletotwistandturnastheRoguehaseverbeen，heissufficientlyrigidnow；andnotwithoutmuchshufflingofattendantfeet，andtiltingofhisbierthiswayandthatway，andperilevenofhisslidingoffitandbeingtumbledinaheapoverthebalustrades，canhebegotupstairs。

\'Fetchadoctor，\'quothMissAbbey。Andthen，\'Fetchhisdaughter。\'

Onbothofwhicherrands，quickmessengersdepart。

Thedoctor-seekingmessengermeetsthedoctorhalfway，comingunderconvoyofpolice。Doctorexaminesthedankcarcase，andpronounces，nothopefully，thatitisworthwhiletryingtoreanimatethesame。Allthebestmeansareatonceinaction，andeverybodypresentlendsahand，andaheartandsoul。Noonehastheleastregardfortheman；withthemall，hehasbeenanobjectofavoidance，suspicion，andaversion；butthesparkoflifewithinhimiscuriouslyseparablefromhimselfnow，andtheyhaveadeepinterestinit，probablybecauseitISlife，andtheyarelivingandmustdie。

Inanswertothedoctor\'sinquiryhowdidithappen，andwasanyonetoblame，TomTootlegivesinhisverdict，unavoidableaccidentandnoonetoblamebutthesufferer。\'Hewasslinkingaboutinhisboat，\'saysTom，\'whichslinkingwere，nottospeakillofthedead，themanneroftheman，whenhecomerightathwartthesteamer\'sbowsandshecuthimintwo。\'MrTootleissofarfigurative，touchingthedismemberment，asthathemeanstheboat，andnottheman。For，themanlieswholebeforethem。

CaptainJoey，thebottle-nosedregularcustomerintheglazedhat，isapupilofthemuch-respectedoldschool，and(havinginsinuatedhimselfintothechamber，intheexecutionoftheimpontantserviceofcarryingthedrownedman\'sneck-kerchief)favoursthedoctorwithasagaciousold-scholasticsuggestionthatthebodyshouldbehungupbytheheels，\'sim\'lar\'，saysCaptainJoey，\'tomuttoninabutcher\'sshop，\'andshouldthen，asaparticularlychoicemanoeuvreforpromotingeasyrespiration，berolleduponcasks。

Thesescrapsofthewisdomofthecaptain\'sancestorsarereceivedwithsuchspeechlessindignationbyMissAbbey，thatsheinstantlyseizestheCaptainbythecollar，andwithoutasinglewordejectshim，notpresumingtoremonstrate，fromthescene。

Therethenremain，toassistthedoctorandTom，onlythosethreeotherregularcustomers，BobGlamour，WilliamWilliams，andJonathan(familynameofthelatter，ifany，unknowntoman-kind)，whoarequiteenough。MissAbbeyhavinglookedintomakesurethatnothingiswanted，descendstothebar，andthereawaitstheresult，withthegentleJewandMissJennyWren。

Ifyouarenotgoneforgood，MrRiderhood，itwouldbesomethingtoknowwhereyouarehidingatpresent。Thisflabbylumpofmortalitythatweworksohardatwithsuchpatientperseverance，yieldsnosignofyou。Ifyouaregoneforgood，Rogue，itisverysolemn，andifyouarecomingback，itishardlylessso。Nay，inthesuspenseandmysteryofthelatterquestion，involvingthatofwhereyoumaybenow，thereisasolemnityevenaddedtothatofdeath，makinguswhoareinattendancealikeafraidtolookonyouandtolookoffyou，andmakingthosebelowstartattheleastsoundofacreakingplankinthefloor。

Stay！Didthateyelidtremble?Sothedoctor，breathinglow，andcloselywatching，askshimself。

No。

Didthatnostriltwitch?

No。

Thisartificialrespirationceasing，doIfeelanyfaintflutterundermyhanduponthechest?

No。

OverandoveragainNo。No。Buttryoverandoveragain，nevertheless。

See！Atokenoflife！Anindubitabletokenoflife！Thesparkmaysmoulderandgoout，oritmayglowandexpand，butsee！Thefourroughfellows，seeing，shedtears。NeitherRiderhoodinthisworld，norRiderhoodintheother，coulddrawtearsfromthem；butastrivinghumansoulbetweenthetwocandoiteasily。

Heisstrugglingtocomeback。Now，heisalmosthere，nowheisfarawayagain。Nowheisstrugglinghardertogetback。Andyet——

likeusall，whenweswoon——likeusall，everydayofourliveswhenwewake——heisinstinctivelyunwillingtoberestoredtotheconsciousnessofthisexistence，andwouldbeleftdormant，ifhecould。

BobGlidderyreturnswithPleasantRiderhood，whowasoutwhensoughtfor，andhardtofind。Shehasashawloverherhead，andherfirstaction，whenshetakesitoffweeping，andcurtseystoMissAbbey，istowindherhairup。

\'Thankyou，MissAbbey，forhavingfatherhere。\'

\'Iamboundtosay，girl，Ididn\'tknowwhoitwas，\'returnsMissAbbey；\'butIhopeitwouldhavebeenprettymuchthesameifI

hadknown。\'

PoorPleasant，fortifiedwithasipofbrandy，isusheredintothefirst-floorchamber。Shecouldnotexpressmuchsentimentaboutherfatherifshewerecalledupontopronouncehisfuneraloration，butshehasagreatertendernessforhimthanheeverhadforher，andcryingbitterlywhensheseeshimstretchedunconscious，asksthedoctor，withclaspedhands:\'Istherenohope，sir?Opoorfather！Ispoorfatherdead?\'

Towhichthedoctor，ononekneebesidethebody，busyandwatchful，onlyrejoinswithoutlookinground:\'Now，mygirl，unlessyouhavetheself-commandtobeperfectlyquiet，Icannotallowyoutoremainintheroom。\'