第15章

Pleasant，consequently，wipeshereyeswithherback-hair，whichisinfreshneedofbeingwoundup，andhavinggotitoutoftheway，watcheswithterrifiedinterestallthatgoeson。Hernaturalwoman\'saptitudesoonrendersherabletogivealittlehelp。

Anticipatingthedoctor\'swantofthisorthat，shequietlyhasitreadyforhim，andsobydegreesisintrustedwiththechargeofsupportingherfather\'sheaduponherarm。

ItissomethingsonewtoPleasanttoseeherfatheranobjectofsympathyandinterest，tofindanyoneverywillingtotoleratehissocietyinthisworld，nottosaypressinglyandsoothinglyentreatinghimtobelongtoit，thatitgivesherasensationsheneverexperiencedbefore。Somehazyideathatifaffairscouldremainthusforalongtimeitwouldbearespectablechange，floatsinhermind。Alsosomevagueideathattheoldevilisdrownedoutofhim，andthatifheshouldhappilycomebacktoresumehisoccupationoftheemptyformthatliesuponthebed，hisspiritwillbealtered。Inwhichstateofmindshekissesthestonylips，andquitebelievesthattheimpassivehandshechafeswillreviveatenderhand，ifitreviveever。

SweetdelusionforPleasantRiderhood。Buttheyministertohimwithsuchextraordinaryinterest，theiranxietyissokeen，theirvigilanceissogreat，theirexcitedjoygrowssointenseasthesignsoflifestrengthen，thathowcansheresistit，poorthing！Andnowhebeginstobreathenaturally，andhestirs，andthedoctordeclareshimtohavecomebackfromthatinexplicablejourneywherehestoppedonthedarkroad，andtobehere。

TomTootle，whoisnearesttothedoctorwhenhesaysthis，graspsthedoctorferventlybythehand。BobGlamour，WilliamWilliams，andJonathanofthenosurname，allshakehandswithoneanotherround，andwiththedoctortoo。BobGlamourblowshisnose，andJonathanofthenosurnameismovedtodolikewise，butlackingapockethandkerchiefabandonsthatoutletforhisemotion。Pleasantshedstearsdeservingherownname，andhersweetdelusionisatitsheight。

Thereisintelligenceinhiseyes。Hewantstoaskaquestion。Hewonderswhereheis。Tellhim。

\'Father，youwererundownontheriver，andareatMissAbbeyPotterson\'s。\'

Hestaresathisdaughter，staresallaroundhim，closeshiseyes，andliesslumberingonherarm。

Theshort-liveddelusionbeginstofade。Thelow，bad，unimpressiblefaceiscomingupfromthedepthsoftheriver，orwhatotherdepths，tothesurfaceagain。Ashegrowswarm，thedoctorandthefourmencool。Ashislineamentssoftenwithlife，theirfacesandtheirheartshardentohim。

\'Hewilldonow，\'saysthedoctor，washinghishands，andlookingatthepatientwithgrowingdisfavour。

\'Manyabetterman，\'moralizesTomTootlewithagloomyshakeofthehead，\'ain\'thadhisluck。\'

\'It\'stobehopedhe\'llmakeabetteruseofhislife，\'saysBobGlamour，\'thanIexpecthewill。\'

\'Orthanhedoneafore，\'addsWilliamWilliams。

\'Butno，nothe！\'saysJonathanofthenosurname，clinchingthequartette。

Theyspeakinalowtonebecauseofhisdaughter，butsheseesthattheyhavealldrawnoff，andthattheystandinagroupattheotherendoftheroom，shunninghim。Itwouldbetoomuchtosuspectthemofbeingsorrythathedidn\'tdiewhenhehaddonesomuchtowardsit，buttheyclearlywishthattheyhadhadabettersubjecttobestowtheirpainson。IntelligenceisconveyedtoMissAbbeyinthebar，whoreappearsonthescene，andcontemplatesfromadistance，holdingwhispereddiscoursewiththedoctor。Thesparkoflifewasdeeplyinterestingwhileitwasinabeyance，butnowthatithasgotestablishedinMrRiderhood，thereappearstobeageneraldesirethatcircumstanceshadadmittedofitsbeingdevelopedinanybodyelse，ratherthanthatgentleman。

\'However，\'saysMissAbbey，cheeringthemup，\'youhavedoneyourdutylikegoodandtruemen，andyouhadbettercomedownandtakesomethingattheexpenseofthePorters。\'

Thistheyalldo，leavingthedaughterwatchingthefather。Towhom，intheirabsence，BobGlidderypresentshimself。

\'Hisgillslooksrum；don\'tthey?\'saysBob，afterinspectingthepatient。

Pleasantfaintlynods。

\'Hisgills\'lllookrummerwhenhewakes；won\'tthey?\'saysBob。

Pleasanthopesnot。Why?

\'Whenhefindshimselfhere，youknow，\'Bobexplains。\'CauseMissAbbeyforbidhimthehouseandorderedhimoutofit。ButwhatyoumaycalltheFatesorderedhimintoitagain。Whichisrumness；ain\'tit?\'

\'Hewouldn\'thavecomehereofhisownaccord，\'returnspoorPleasant，withaneffortatalittlepride。

\'No，\'retortsBob。\'Norhewouldn\'thavebeenletin，ifhehad。\'

Theshortdelusionisquitedispellednow。Asplainlyassheseesonherarmtheoldfather，unimproved，Pleasantseesthateverybodytherewillcuthimwhenherecoversconsciousness。\'I\'lltakehimawayeversosoonasIcan，\'thinksPleasantwithasigh；

\'he\'sbestathome。\'

Presentlytheyallreturn，andwaitforhimtobecomeconsciousthattheywillallbegladtogetridofhim。Someclothesaregottogetherforhimtowear，hisownbeingsaturatedwithwater，andhispresentdressbeingcomposedofblankets。

Becomingmoreandmoreuncomfortable，asthoughtheprevalentdislikewerefindinghimoutsomewhereinhissleepandexpressingitselftohim，thepatientatlastopenshiseyeswide，andisassistedbyhisdaughtertositupinbed。

\'Well，Riderhood，\'saysthedoctor，\'howdoyoufeel?\'

Herepliesgruffly，\'Nothingtoboaston。\'Having，infact，returnedtolifeinanuncommonlysulkystate。

\'Idon\'tmeantopreach；butIhope，\'saysthedoctor，gravelyshakinghishead，\'thatthisescapemayhaveagoodeffectuponyou，Riderhood。\'

Thepatient\'sdiscontentedgrowlofareplyisnotintelligible；hisdaughter，however，couldinterpret，ifshewould，thatwhathesaysis，he\'don\'twantnoPoll-Parroting\'。

MrRiderhoodnextdemandshisshirt；anddrawsitonoverhishead(withhisdaughter\'shelp)exactlyasifhehadjusthadaFight。

\'Warn\'titasteamer?\'hepausestoaskher。

\'Yes，father。\'

\'I\'llhavethelawonher，busther！andmakeherpayforit。\'

Hethenbuttonshislinenverymoodily，twiceorthricestoppingtoexaminehisarmsandhands，asiftoseewhatpunishmenthehasreceivedintheFight。Hethendoggedlydemandshisothergarments，andslowlygetsthemon，withanappearanceofgreatmalevolencetowardshislateopponentandallthespectators。Hehasanimpressionthathisnoseisbleeding，andseveraltimesdrawsthebackofhishandacrossit，andlooksfortheresult，inapugilisticmanner，greatlystrengtheningthatincongruousresemblance。

\'Where\'smyfurcap?\'heasksinasurlyvoice，whenhehasshuffledhisclotheson。

\'Intheriver，\'somebodyrejoins。

\'Andwarn\'ttherenohonestmantopickitup?O\'coursetherewasthough，andtocutoffwithitarterwards。Youareararelot，allonyou！\'

Thus，MrRiderhood:takingfromthehandsofhisdaughter，withspecialill-will，alentcap，andgrumblingashepullsitdownoverhisears。Then，gettingonhisunsteadylegs，leaningheavilyuponher，andgrowling，\'Holdstill，can\'tyou?What！Youmustbeastaggeringnext，mustyou?\'hetakeshisdepartureoutoftheringinwhichhehashadthatlittleturn-upwithDeath。

Chapter4

AHAPPYRETURNOFTHEDAY

MrandMrsWilferhadseenafullquarterofahundredmoreanniversariesoftheirweddingdaythanMrandMrsLammlehadseenoftheirs，buttheystillcelebratedtheoccasioninthebosomoftheirfamily。Notthatthesecelebrationseverresultedinanythingparticularlyagreeable，orthatthefamilywaseverdisappointedbythatcircumstanceonaccountofhavinglookedforwardtothereturnoftheauspiciousdaywithsanguineanticipationsofenjoyment。Itwaskeptmorally，ratherasaFastthanaFeast，enablingMrsWilfertoholdasombredarklingstate，whichexhibitedthatimpressivewomaninherchoicestcolours。

Thenoblelady\'sconditiononthesedelightfuloccasionswasonecompoundedofheroicenduranceandheroicforgiveness。Luridindicationsofthebettermarriagesshemighthavemade，shoneathwarttheawfulgloomofhercomposure，andfitfullyrevealedthecherubasalittlemonsterunaccountablyfavouredbyHeaven，whohadpossessedhimselfofablessingforwhichmanyofhissuperiorshadsuedandcontendedinvain。Sofirmlyhadthishispositiontowardshistreasurebecomeestablished，thatwhentheanniversaryarrived，italwaysfoundhiminanapologeticstate。Itisnotimpossiblethathismodestpenitencemayhaveevengonethelengthofsometimesseverelyreprovinghimforthatheevertookthelibertyofmakingsoexaltedacharacterhiswife。

Asforthechildrenoftheunion，theirexperienceofthesefestivalshadbeensufficientlyuncomfortabletoleadthemannuallytowish，whenoutoftheirtenderestyears，eitherthatMahadmarriedsomebodyelseinsteadofmuch-teasedPa，orthatPahadmarriedsomebodyelseinsteadofMa。Whentherecametobebuttwosistersleftathome，thedaringmindofBellaonthenextoftheseoccasionsscaledtheheightofwonderingwithdrollvexation\'whatonearthPaevercouldhaveseeninMa，toinducehimtomakesuchalittlefoolofhimselfastoaskhertohavehim。\'

Therevolvingyearnowbringingthedayroundinitsorderlysequence，BellaarrivedintheBoffinchariottoassistatthecelebration。Itwasthefamilycustomwhenthedayrecurred，tosacrificeapairoffowlsonthealtarofHymen；andBellahadsentanotebeforehand，tointimatethatshewouldbringthevotiveofferingwithher。So，Bellaandthefowls，bytheunitedenergiesoftwohorses，twomen，fourwheels，andaplum-puddingcarriagedogwithasuncomfortableacollaronasifhehadbeenGeorgetheFourth，weredepositedatthedooroftheparentaldwelling。TheyweretherereceivedbyMrsWilferinperson，whosedignityonthis，asonmostspecialoccasions，washeightenedbyamysterioustoothache。

\'Ishallnotrequirethecarriageatnight，\'saidBella。\'Ishallwalkback。\'

ThemaledomesticofMrsBoffintouchedhishat，andintheactofdeparturehadanawfulglarebestoweduponhimbyMrsWilfer，intendedtocarrydeepintohisaudacioussoultheassurancethat，whateverhisprivatesuspicionsmightbe，maledomesticsinliverywerenoraritythere。

\'Well，dearMa，\'saidBella，\'andhowdoyoudo?\'

\'Iamaswell，Bella，\'repliedMrsWilfer，\'ascanbeexpected。\'

\'Dearme，Ma，\'saidBella；\'youtalkasifonewasjustborn！\'

\'That\'sexactlywhatMahasbeendoing，\'interposedLavvy，overthematernalshoulder，\'eversincewegotupthismorning。It\'sallverywelltolaugh，Bella，butanythingmoreexasperatingitisimpossibletoconceive。\'

MrsWilfer，withalooktoofullofmajestytobeaccompaniedbyanywords，attendedbothherdaughterstothekitchen，wherethesacrificewastobeprepared。

\'MrRokesmith，\'saidshe，resignedly，\'hasbeensopoliteastoplacehissitting-roomatourdisposalto-day。Youwilltherefore，Bella，beentertainedinthehumbleabodeofyourparents，sofarinaccordancewithyourpresentstyleofliving，thattherewillbeadrawing-roomforyourreceptionaswellasadining-room。YourpapainvitedMrRokesmithtopartakeofourlowlyfare。Inexcusinghimselfonaccountofaparticularengagement，heofferedtheuseofhisapartment。\'

BellahappenedtoknowthathehadnoengagementoutofhisownroomatMrBoffin\'s，butsheapprovedofhisstayingaway。\'Weshouldonlyhaveputoneanotheroutofcountenance，\'shethought，\'andwedothatquiteoftenenoughasitis。\'

Yetshehadsufficientcuriosityabouthisroom，torunuptoitwiththeleastpossibledelay，andmakeacloseinspectionofitscontents。Itwastastefullythougheconomicallyfurnished，andveryneatlyarranged。Therewereshelvesandstandsofbooks，English，French，andItalian；andinaportfolioonthewriting-tablethereweresheetsuponsheetsofmemorandaandcalculationsinfigures，evidentlyreferringtotheBoffinproperty。Onthattablealso，carefullybackedwithcanvas，varnished，mounted，androlledlikeamap，wastheplacarddescriptiveofthemurderedmanwhohadcomefromafartobeherhusband。Sheshrankfromthisghostlysurprise，andfeltquitefrightenedassherolledandtieditupagain。Peepingabouthereandthere，shecameuponaprint，agracefulheadofaprettywoman，elegantlyframed，hanginginthecornerbytheeasychair。\'Oh，indeed，sir！\'saidBella，afterstoppingtoruminatebeforeit。\'Oh，indeed，sir！IfancyIcanguesswhomyouthinkTHAT\'Slike。ButI\'lltellyouwhatit\'smuchmorelike——yourimpudence！\'Havingsaidwhichshedecamped:

notsolelybecauseshewasoffended，butbecausetherewasnothingelsetolookat。

\'Now，Ma，\'saidBella，reappearinginthekitchenwithsomeremainsofablush，\'youandLavvythinkmagnificentmefitfornothing，butIintendtoprovethecontrary。ImeantobeCooktoday。\'

\'Hold！\'rejoinedhermajesticmother。\'Icannotpermitit。Cook，inthatdress！\'

\'Asformydress，Ma，\'returnedBella，merrilysearchinginadresser-drawer，\'Imeantoapronitandtowelitalloverthefront；

andastopermission，Imeantodowithout。\'

\'YOUcook?\'saidMrsWilfer。\'YOU，whonevercookedwhenyouwereathome?\'

\'Yes，Ma，\'returnedBella；\'thatispreciselythestateofthecase。\'

Shegirdedherselfwithawhiteapron，andbusilywithknotsandpinscontrivedabibtoit，comingcloseandtightunderherchin，asifithadcaughtherroundthenecktokissher。Overthisbibherdimpleslookeddelightful，andunderitherprettyfigurenotlessso。

\'Now，Ma，\'saidBella，pushingbackherhairfromhertempleswithbothhands，\'what\'sfirst?\'

\'First，\'returnedMrsWilfersolemnly，\'ifyoupersistinwhatI

cannotbutregardasconductutterlyincompatiblewiththeequipageinwhichyouarrived——\'

(\'WhichIdo，Ma。\')

\'First，then，youputthefowlsdowntothefire。\'

\'To——be——sure！\'criedBella；\'andflourthem，andtwirlthemround，andtheretheygo！\'sendingthemspinningatagreatrate。\'What\'snext，Ma?\'

\'Next，\'saidMrsWilferwithawaveofhergloves，expressiveofabdicationunderprotestfromtheculinarythrone，\'Iwouldrecommendexaminationofthebaconinthesaucepanonthefire，andalsoofthepotatoesbytheapplicationofafork。Preparationofthegreenswillfurtherbecomenecessaryifyoupersistinthisunseemlydemeanour。\'

\'AsofcourseIdo，Ma。\'

Persisting，Bellagaveherattentiontoonethingandforgottheother，andgaveherattentiontotheotherandforgotthethird，andrememberingthethirdwasdistractedbythefourth，andmadeamendswhenevershewentwrongbygivingtheunfortunatefowlsanextraspin，whichmadetheirchanceofevergettingcookedexceedinglydoubtful。Butitwaspleasantcookerytoo。MeantimeMissLavinia，oscillatingbetweenthekitchenandtheoppositeroom，preparedthedining-tableinthelatterchamber。Thisofficeshe(alwaysdoingherhouseholdspiritingwithunwillingness)

performedinastartlingseriesofwhisksandbumps；layingthetable-clothasifshewereraisingthewind，puttingdowntheglassesandsalt-cellarsasifshewereknockingatthedoor，andclashingtheknivesandforksinaskirmishingmannersuggestiveofhand-to-handconflict。

\'LookatMa，\'whisperedLaviniatoBellawhenthiswasdone，andtheystoodovertheroastingfowls。\'Ifonewasthemostdutifulchildinexistence(ofcourseonthewholeonehopesoneis)，isn\'tsheenoughtomakeonewanttopokeherwithsomethingwooden，sittingthereboltuprightinacorner?\'

\'Onlysuppose，\'returnedBella，\'thatpoorPawastositboltuprightinanothercorner。\'

\'Mydear，hecouldn\'tdoit，\'saidLavvy。\'Pawouldlolldirectly。

ButindeedIdonotbelievethereeverwasanyhumancreaturewhocouldkeepsoboltuprightasMa，\'orputsuchanamountofaggravationintooneback！What\'sthematter，Ma?Ain\'tyouwell，Ma?\'

\'DoubtlessIamverywell，\'returnedMrsWilfer，turninghereyesuponheryoungestborn，withscornfulfortitude。\'WhatshouldbethematterwithMe?\'

\'Youdon\'tseemverybrisk，Ma，\'retortedLavvythebold。

\'Brisk?\'repeatedherparent，\'Brisk?Whencethelowexpression，Lavinia?IfIamuncomplaining，ifIamsilentlycontentedwithmylot，letthatsufficeformyfamily。\'

\'Well，Ma，\'returnedLavvy，\'sinceyouwillforceitoutofme，I

mustrespectfullytakeleavetosaythatyourfamilyarenodoubtunderthegreatestobligationstoyouforhavinganannualtoothacheonyourweddingday，andthatit\'sverydisinterestedinyou，andanimmenseblessingtothem。Still，onthewhole，itispossibletobetooboastfulevenofthatboon。\'

\'Youincarnationofsauciness，\'saidMrsWilfer，\'doyouspeaklikethattome?Onthisday，ofalldaysintheyear?Praydoyouknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofyou，ifIhadnotbestowedmyhanduponR。W。，yourfather，onthisday?\'

\'No，Ma，\'repliedLavvy，\'Ireallydonot；and，withthegreatestrespectforyourabilitiesandinformation，Iverymuchdoubtifyoudoeither。\'

WhetherornothesharpvigourofthissallyonaweakpointofMrsWilfer\'sentrenchmentsmighthaveroutedthatheroineforthetime，isrendereduncertainbythearrivalofaflagoftruceinthepersonofMrGeorgeSampson:biddentothefeastasafriendofthefamily，whoseaffectionswerenowunderstoodtobeincourseoftransferencefromBellatoLavinia，andwhomLaviniakept——

possiblyinremembranceofhisbadtasteinhavingoverlookedherinthefirstinstance——underacourseofstingingdiscipline。

\'Icongratulateyou，MrsWilfer，\'saidMrGeorgeSampson，whohadmeditatedthisneataddresswhilecomingalong，\'ontheday。\'

MrsWilferthankedhimwithamagnanimoussigh，andagainbecameanunresistingpreytothatinscrutabletoothache。

\'Iamsurprised，\'saidMrSampsonfeebly，\'thatMissBellacondescendstocook。\'

HereMissLaviniadescendedontheill-starredyounggentlemanwithacrushingsuppositionthatatalleventsitwasnobusinessofhis。ThisdisposedofMrSampsoninamelancholyretirementofspirit，untilthecherubarrived，whoseamazementatthelovelywoman\'soccupationwasgreat。

However，shepersistedindishingthedinneraswellascookingit，andthensatdown，biblessandapronless，topartakeofitasanillustriousguest:MrsWilferfirstrespondingtoherhusband\'scheerful\'Forwhatweareabouttoreceive——\'withasepulchralAmen，calculatedtocastadampuponthestoutestappetite。

\'Butwhat，\'saidBella，asshewatchedthecarvingofthefowls，\'makesthempinkinside，Iwonder，Pa！Isitthebreed?\'

\'No，Idon\'tthinkit\'sthebreed，mydear，\'returnedPa。\'Iratherthinkitisbecausetheyarenotdone。\'

\'Theyoughttobe，\'saidBella。

\'Yes，Iamawaretheyoughttobe，mydear，\'rejoinedherfather，\'butthey——ain\'t。\'

So，thegridironwasputinrequisition，andthegood-temperedcherub，whowasoftenasun-cherubicallyemployedinhisownfamilyasifhehadbeenintheemploymentofsomeoftheOldMasters，undertooktogrillthefowls。Indeed，exceptinrespectofstaringabouthim(abranchofthepublicservicetowhichthepictorialcherubismuchaddicted)，thisdomesticcherubdischargedasmanyoddfunctionsashisprototype；withthedifference，say，thatheperformedwithablacking-brushonthefamily\'sboots，insteadofperformingonenormouswindinstrumentsanddouble-basses，andthatheconductedhimselfwithcheerfulalacritytomuchusefulpurpose，insteadofforeshorteninghimselfintheairwiththevaguestintentions。

Bellahelpedhimwithhissupplementalcookery，andmadehimveryhappy，butputhiminmortalterrortoobyaskinghimwhentheysatdownattableagain，howhesupposedtheycookedfowlsattheGreenwichdinners，andwhetherhebelievedtheyreallyweresuchpleasantdinnersaspeoplesaid?Hissecretwinksandnodsofremonstrance，inreply，madethemischievousBellalaughuntilshechoked，andthenLaviniawasobligedtoslapherontheback，andthenshelaughedthemore。

Buthermotherwasafinecorrectiveattheotherendofthetable；towhomherfather，intheinnocenceofhisgood-fellowship，atintervalsappealedwith:\'Mydear，Iamafraidyouarenotenjoyingyourself?\'

\'Whyso，R。W。?\'shewouldsonorouslyreply。

\'Because，mydear，youseemalittleoutofsorts。\'

\'Notatall，\'wouldbetherejoinder，inexactlythesametone。

\'Wouldyoutakeamerry-thought，mydear?\'

\'Thankyou。Iwilltakewhateveryouplease，R。W。\'

\'Well，butmydear，doyoulikeit?\'

\'IlikeitaswellasIlikeanything，R。W。\'Thestatelywomanwouldthen，withameritoriousappearanceofdevotingherselftothegeneralgood，pursueherdinnerasifshewerefeedingsomebodyelseonhighpublicgrounds。

Bellahadbroughtdessertandtwobottlesofwine，thussheddingunprecedentedsplendourontheoccasion。MrsWilferdidthehonoursofthefirstglassbyproclaiming:\'R。W。Idrinktoyou。

\'Thankyou，mydear。AndItoyou。\'

\'PaandMa！\'saidBella。

\'Permitme，\'MrsWilferinterposed，withoutstretchedglove。\'No。I

thinknot。Idranktoyourpapa。If，however，youinsistonincludingme，Icaningratitudeoffernoobjection。\'

\'Why，Lor，Ma，\'interposedLavvythebold，\'isn\'titthedaythatmadeyouandPaoneandthesame?Ihavenopatience！\'

\'Bywhateverothercircumstancethedaymaybemarked，itisnottheday，Lavinia，onwhichIwillallowachildofminetopounceuponme。Ibeg——nay，command！——thatyouwillnotpounce。R。W。，itisappropriatetorecallthatitisforyoutocommandandformetoobey。Itisyourhouse，andyouaremasteratyourowntable。

Bothourhealths！\'Drinkingthetoastwithtremendousstiffness。

\'Ireallyamalittleafraid，mydear，\'hintedthecherubmeekly，\'thatyouarenotenjoyingyourself?\'

\'Onthecontrary，\'returnedMrsWilfer，\'quiteso。WhyshouldI

not?\'

\'Ithought，mydear，thatperhapsyourfacemight——\'

\'Myfacemightbeamartyrdom，butwhatwouldthatimport，orwhoshouldknowit，ifIsmiled?\'

Andshedidsmile；manifestlyfreezingthebloodofMrGeorgeSampsonbysodoing。Forthatyounggentleman，catchinghersmilingeye，wassoverymuchappalledbyitsexpressionastocastaboutinhisthoughtsconcerningwhathehaddonetobringitdownuponhimself。

\'Themindnaturallyfalls，\'saidMrsWilfer，\'shallIsayintoareverie，orshallIsayintoaretrospect?onadaylikethis。\'

Lavvy，sittingwithdefiantlyfoldedarms，replied(butnotaudibly)，\'Forgoodness\'sakesaywhicheverofthetwoyoulikebest，Ma，andgetitover。\'

\'Themind，\'pursuedMrsWilferinanoratoricalmanner，\'naturallyrevertstoPapaandMamma——Iherealludetomyparents——ataperiodbeforetheearliestdawnofthisday。Iwasconsideredtall；

perhapsIwas。PapaandMammawereunquestionablytall。Ihaverarelyseenafinerwomenthanmymother；neverthanmyfather。\'

TheirrepressibleLavvyremarkedaloud，\'Whatevergrandpapawas，hewasn\'tafemale。\'

\'Yourgrandpapa，\'retortedMrsWilfer，withanawfullook，andinanawfultone，\'waswhatIdescribehimtohavebeen，andwouldhavestruckanyofhisgrandchildrentotheearthwhopresumedtoquestionit。Itwasoneofmamma\'scherishedhopesthatIshouldbecomeunitedtoatallmemberofsociety。Itmayhavebeenaweakness，butifso，itwasequallytheweakness，Ibelieve，ofKingFrederickofPrussia。\'TheseremarksbeingofferedtoMrGeorgeSampson，whohadnotthecouragetocomeoutforsinglecombat，butlurkedwithhischestunderthetableandhiseyescastdown，MrsWilferproceeded，inavoiceofincreasingsternnessandimpressiveness，untilsheshouldforcethatskulkertogivehimselfup。\'Mammawouldappeartohavehadanindefinableforebodingofwhatafterwardshappened，forshewouldfrequentlyurgeuponme，“Notalittleman。Promiseme，mychild，notalittleman。

Never，never，never，marryalittleman！“Papaalsowouldremarktome(hepossessedextraordinaryhumour)，“thatafamilyofwhalesmustnotallythemselveswithsprats。”Hiscompanywaseagerlysought，asmaybesupposed，bythewitsoftheday，andourhousewastheircontinualresort。Ihaveknownasmanyasthreecopper-plateengraversexchangingthemostexquisitesalliesandretortsthere，atonetime。\'(HereMrSampsondeliveredhimselfcaptive，andsaid，withanuneasymovementonhischair，thatthreewasalargenumber，anditmusthavebeenhighlyentertaining。)

\'Amongthemostprominentmembersofthatdistinguishedcircle，wasagentlemanmeasuringsixfeetfourinheight。HEwasNOT

anengraver。\'(HereMrSampsonsaid，withnoreasonwhatever，Ofcoursenot。)\'ThisgentlemanwassoobligingastohonourmewithattentionswhichIcouldnotfailtounderstand。\'(HereMrSampsonmurmuredthatwhenitcametothat，youcouldalwaystell。)\'Iimmediatelyannouncedtobothmyparentsthatthoseattentionsweremisplaced，andthatIcouldnotfavourhissuit。

Theyinquiredwashetootall?Ireplieditwasnotthestature，buttheintellectwastoolofty。Atourhouse，Isaid，thetonewastoobrilliant，thepressurewastoohigh，tobemaintainedbyme，amerewoman，inevery-daydomesticlife。Iwellremembermamma\'sclaspingherhands，andexclaiming“Thiswillendinalittleman！“\'

(HereMrSampsonglancedathishostandshookhisheadwithdespondency。)\'Sheafterwardswentsofarastopredictthatitwouldendinalittlemanwhosemindwouldbebelowtheaverage，butthatwasinwhatImaydenominateaparoxysmofmaternaldisappointment。Withinamonth，\'saidMrsWilfer，deepeninghervoice，asifshewererelatingaterribleghoststory，\'withina-month，IfirstsawR。W。myhusband。Withinayear，Imarriedhim。Itisnaturalforthemindtorecallthesedarkcoincidencesonthepresentday。\'

MrSampsonatlengthreleasedfromthecustodyofMrsWilfer\'seye，nowdrewalongbreath，andmadetheoriginalandstrikingremarkthattherewasnoaccountingforthesesortofpresentiments。R。W。scratchedhisheadandlookedapologeticallyallroundthetableuntilhecametohiswife，whenobservingherasitwereshroudedinamoresombreveilthanbefore，heoncemorehinted，\'Mydear，Iamreallyafraidyouarenotaltogetherenjoyingyourself?\'Towhichsheoncemorereplied，\'Onthecontrary，R。W。

Quiteso。\'

ThewretchedMrSampson\'spositionatthisagreeableentertainmentwastrulypitiable。For，notonlywasheexposeddefencelesstotheharanguesofMrsWilfer，buthereceivedtheutmostcontumelyatthehandsofLavinia；who，partlytoshowBellathatshe(Lavinia)coulddowhatshelikedwithhim，andpartlytopayhimoffforstillobviouslyadmiringBella\'sbeauty，ledhimthelifeofadog。IlluminatedontheonehandbythestatelygracesofMrsWilfer\'soratory，andshadowedontheotherbythechecksandfrownsoftheyoungladytowhomhehaddevotedhimselfinhisdestitution，thesufferingsofthisyounggentlemanweredistressingtowitness。Ifhismindforthemomentreeledunderthem，itmaybeurged，inextenuationofitsweakness，thatitwasconstitutionallyaknock-knee\'dmindandneververystronguponitslegs。

TherosyhourswerethusbeguileduntilitwastimeforBellatohavePa\'sescortback。Thedimplesdulytiedupinthebonnet-

stringsandtheleave-takingdone，theygotoutintotheair，andthecherubdrewalongbreathasifhefounditrefreshing。

\'Well，dearPa，\'saidBella，\'theanniversarymaybeconsideredover。\'

\'Yes，mydear，\'returnedthecherub，\'there\'sanotherof\'emgone。\'

Belladrewhisarmcloserthroughhersastheywalkedalong，andgaveitanumberofconsolatorypats。\'Thankyou，mydear，\'hesaid，asifshehadspoken；\'Iamallright，mydear。Well，andhowdoyougeton，Bella?\'

\'Iamnotatallimproved，Pa。\'

\'Ain\'tyoureallythough?\'

\'No，Pa。Onthecontrary，Iamworse。\'

\'Lor！\'saidthecherub。

\'Iamworse，Pa。ImakesomanycalculationshowmuchayearI

musthavewhenImarry，andwhatistheleastIcanmanagetodowith，thatIambeginningtogetwrinklesovermynose。Didyounoticeanywrinklesovermynosethisevening，Pa?\'

Palaughingatthis，Bellagavehimtwoorthreeshakes。

\'Youwon\'tlaugh，sir，whenyouseeyourlovelywomanturninghaggard。Youhadbetterbepreparedintime，Icantellyou。Ishallnotbeabletokeepmygreedinessformoneyoutofmyeyeslong，andwhenyouseeitthereyou\'llbesorry，andserveyourightfornotbeingwarnedintime。Now，sir，weenteredintoabondofconfidence。Haveyouanythingtoimpart?\'

\'Ithoughtitwasyouwhowastoimpart，mylove。\'

\'Oh！didyouindeed，sir?Thenwhydidn\'tyouaskme，themomentwecameout?Theconfidencesoflovelywomenarenottobeslighted。However，Iforgiveyouthisonce，andlookhere，Pa；

that\'s\'——Bellalaidthelittleforefingerofherrightgloveonherlip，andthenlaiditonherfather\'slip——\'that\'sakissforyou。AndnowI

amgoingseriouslytotellyou——letmeseehowmany——foursecrets。

Mind！Serious，grave，weightysecrets。Strictlybetweenourselves。\'

\'Numberone，mydear?\'saidherfather，settlingherarmcomfortablyandconfidentially。

\'Numberone，\'saidBella，\'willelectrifyyou，Pa。Whodoyouthinkhas\'——shewasconfusedhereinspiteofhermerrywayofbeginning\'hasmadeanoffertome?\'

Palookedinherface，andlookedattheground，andlookedinherfaceagain，anddeclaredhecouldneverguess。

\'MrRokesmith。\'

\'Youdon\'ttellmeso，mydear！\'

\'Mis——terRoke——smith，Pa，\'saidBellaseparatingthesyllablesforemphasis。\'WhatdoyousaytoTHAT?\'

Paansweredquietlywiththecounter-question，\'WhatdidYOUsaytothat，mylove?\'

\'IsaidNo，\'returnedBellasharply。\'Ofcourse。\'

\'Yes。Ofcourse，\'saidherfather，meditating。

\'AndItoldhimwhyIthoughtitabetrayaloftrustonhispart，andanaffronttome，\'saidBella。

\'Yes。Tobesure。Iamastonishedindeed。Iwonderhecommittedhimselfwithoutseeingmoreofhiswayfirst。NowIthinkofit，I

suspecthealwayshasadmiredyouthough，mydear。\'

\'Ahackneycoachmanmayadmireme，\'remarkedBella，withatouchofhermother\'sloftiness。

\'It\'shighlyprobable，mylove。Numbertwo，mydear?\'

\'Numbertwo，Pa，ismuchtothesamepurpose，thoughnotsopreposterous。MrLightwoodwouldproposetome，ifIwouldlethim。\'

\'ThenIunderstand，mydear，thatyoudon\'tintendtolethim?\'

Bellaagainsaying，withherformeremphasis，\'Why，ofcoursenot！\'

herfatherfelthimselfboundtoecho，\'Ofcoursenot。\'

\'Idon\'tcareforhim，\'saidBella。

\'That\'senough，\'herfatherinterposed。

\'No，Pa，it\'sNOTenough，\'rejoinedBella，givinghimanothershakeortwo。\'Haven\'tItoldyouwhatamercenarylittlewretchI

am?Itonlybecomesenoughwhenhehasnomoney，andnoclients，andnoexpectations，andnoanythingbutdebts。\'

\'Hah！\'saidthecherub，alittledepressed。\'Numberthree，mydear?\'

\'Numberthree，Pa，isabetterthing。Agenerousthing，anoblething，adelightfulthing。MrsBoffinhasherselftoldme，asasecret，withherownkindlips——andtruerlipsneveropenedorclosedinthislife，Iamsure——thattheywishtoseemewellmarried；andthatwhenImarrywiththeirconsenttheywillportionmemosthandsomely。\'Herethegratefulgirlburstoutcryingveryheartily。

\'Don\'tcry，mydarling，\'saidherfather，withhishandtohiseyes；

\'it\'sexcusableinmetobealittleovercomewhenIfindthatmydearfavouritechildis，afteralldisappointments，tobesoprovidedforandsoraisedintheworld；butdon\'tYOUcry，don\'tYOUcry。

Iamverythankful。Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart，mydear。\'

Thegoodsoftlittlefellow，dryinghiseyes，here，Bellaputherarmsroundhisneckandtenderlykissedhimonthehighroad，passionatelytellinghimhewasthebestoffathersandthebestoffriends，andthatonherwedding-morningshewouldgodownonherkneestohimandbeghispardonforhavingeverteasedhimorseemedinsensibletotheworthofsuchapatient，sympathetic，genial，freshyoungheart。Ateveryoneofheradjectivessheredoubledherkisses，andfinallykissedhishatoff，andthenlaughedimmoderatelywhenthewindtookitandheranafterit。

Whenhehadrecoveredhishatandhisbreath，andtheyweregoingonagainoncemore，saidherfatherthen:\'Numberfour，mydear?\'

Bella\'scountenancefellinthemidstofhermirth。\'Afterall，perhapsIhadbetterputoffnumberfour，Pa。Letmetryoncemore，ifforneversoshortatime，tohopethatitmaynotreallybeso。\'

Thechangeinher，strengthenedthecherub\'sinterestinnumberfour，andhesaidquietly:\'Maynotbeso，mydear?Maynotbehow，mydear?\'

Bellalookedathimpensively，andshookherhead。

\'AndyetIknowrightwellitisso，Pa。Iknowitonlytoowell。\'

\'Mylove，\'returnedherfather，\'youmakemequiteuncomfortable。

HaveyousaidNotoanybodyelse，mydear?\'

\'No，Pa。\'

\'Yestoanybody?\'hesuggested，liftinguphiseyebrows。

\'No，Pa。\'

\'IsthereanybodyelsewhowouldtakehischancebetweenYesandNo，ifyouwouldlethim，mydear?\'

\'NotthatIknowof，Pa。\'

\'Therecan\'tbesomebodywhowon\'ttakehischancewhenyouwanthimto?\'saidthecherub，asalastresource。

\'Why，ofcoursenot，Pa，saidBella，givinghimanothershakeortwo。

\'No，ofcoursenot，\'heassented。\'Bella，mydear，IamafraidImusteitherhavenosleepto-night，orImustpressfornumberfour。\'

\'Oh，Pa，thereisnogoodinnumberfour！Iamsosorryforit，Iamsounwillingtobelieveit，Ihavetriedsoearnestlynottoseeit，thatitisveryhardtotell，eventoyou。ButMrBoffinisbeingspoiltbyprosperity，andischangingeveryday。\'

\'MydearBella，Ihopeandtrustnot。\'

\'Ihavehopedandtrustednottoo，Pa；buteverydayhechangesfortheworse，andfortheworse。Nottome——heisalwaysmuchthesametome——buttoothersabouthim。Beforemyeyeshegrowssuspicious，capricious，hard，tyrannical，unjust。Ifeveragoodmanwereruinedbygoodfortune，itismybenefactor。Andyet，Pa，thinkhowterriblethefascinationofmoneyis！Iseethis，andhatethis，anddreadthis，anddon\'tknowbutthatmoneymightmakeamuchworsechangeinme。AndyetIhavemoneyalwaysinmythoughtsandmydesires；andthewholelifeIplacebeforemyselfismoney，money，money，andwhatmoneycanmakeoflife！\'

Chapter5

THEGOLDENDUSTMANFALLSINTOBADCOMPANY

WereBellaWilfer\'sbrightandreadylittlewitsatfault，orwastheGoldenDustmanpassingthroughthefurnaceofproofandcomingoutdross?Illnewstravelsfast。Weshallknowfullsoon。

OnthatverynightofherreturnfromtheHappyReturn，somethingchancedwhichBellacloselyfollowedwithhereyesandears。

TherewasanapartmentatthesideoftheBoffinmansion，knownasMrBoffin\'sroom。Farlessgrandthantherestofthehouse，itwasfarmorecomfortable，beingpervadedbyacertainairofhomelysnugness，whichupholsteringdespotismhadbanishedtothatspotwhenitinexorablysetitsfaceagainstMrBoffin\'sappealsformercyinbehalfofanyotherchamber。Thus，althougharoomofmodestsituation——foritswindowsgaveonSilasWegg\'soldcorner——andofnopretensionstovelvet，satin，orgilding，ithadgotitselfestablishedinadomesticpositionanalogoustothatofaneasydressing-gownorpairofslippers；andwheneverthefamilywantedtoenjoyaparticularlypleasantfiresideevening，theyenjoyedit，asaninstitutionthatmustbe，inMrBoffin\'sroom。

MrandMrsBoffinwerereportedsittinginthisroom，whenBellagotback。Enteringit，shefoundtheSecretarytheretoo；inofficialattendanceitwouldappear，forhewasstandingwithsomepapersinhishandbyatablewithshadedcandlesonit，atwhichMrBoffinwasseatedthrownbackinhiseasychair。

\'Youarebusy，sir，\'saidBella，hesitatingatthedoor。

\'Notatall，mydear，notatall。You\'reoneofourselves。Wenevermakecompanyofyou。Comein，comein。Here\'stheoldladyinherusualplace。\'

MrsBoffinaddinghernodandsmileofwelcometoMrBoffin\'swords，Bellatookherbooktoachairinthefiresidecorner，byMrsBoffin\'swork-table。MrBoffin\'sstationwasontheoppositeside。

\'Now，Rokesmith，\'saidtheGoldenDustman，sosharplyrappingthetabletobespeakhisattentionasBellaturnedtheleavesofherbook，thatshestarted；\'wherewerewe?\'

\'Youweresaying，sir，\'returnedtheSecretary，withanairofsomereluctanceandaglancetowardsthoseotherswhowerepresent，\'thatyouconsideredthetimehadcomeforfixingmysalary。\'

\'Don\'tbeabovecallingitwages，man，\'saidMrBoffin，testily。

\'Whatthedeuce！InevertalkedofanysalarywhenIwasinservice。\'

\'Mywages，\'saidtheSecretary，correctinghimself。

\'Rokesmith，youarenotproud，Ihope?\'observedMrBoffin，eyeinghimaskance。

\'Ihopenot，sir。\'

\'BecauseIneverwas，whenIwaspoor，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Povertyandpridedon\'tgoatallwelltogether。Mindthat。Howcantheygowelltogether?Whyitstandstoreason。Aman，beingpoor，hasnothingtobeproudof。It\'snonsense。\'

Withaslightinclinationofhishead，andalookofsomesurprise，theSecretaryseemedtoassentbyformingthesyllablesoftheword\'nonsense\'onhislips。

\'Now，concerningthesesamewages，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Sitdown。\'

TheSecretarysatdown。

\'Whydidn\'tyousitdownbefore?\'askedMrBoffin，distrustfully。\'I

hopethatwasn\'tpride?Butaboutthesewages。Now，I\'vegoneintothematter，andIsaytwohundredayear。Whatdoyouthinkofit?Doyouthinkit\'senough?\'

\'Thankyou。Itisafairproposal。\'

\'Idon\'tsay，youknow，\'MrBoffinstipulated，\'butwhatitmaybemorethanenough。AndI\'lltellyouwhy，Rokesmith。Amanofproperty，likeme，isboundtoconsiderthemarket-price。AtfirstI

didn\'tenterintothatasmuchasImighthavedone；butI\'vegotacquaintedwithothermenofpropertysince，andI\'vegotacquaintedwiththedutiesofproperty。Imustn\'tgoputtingthemarket-priceup，becausemoneymayhappennottobeanobjectwithme。Asheepisworthsomuchinthemarket，andIoughttogiveitandnomore。Asecretaryisworthsomuchinthemarket，andIoughttogiveitandnomore。However，Idon\'tmindstretchingapointwithyou。\'

\'MrBoffin，youareverygood，\'repliedtheSecretary，withaneffort。

\'Thenweputthefigure，\'saidMrBoffin，\'attwohundredayear。

Thenthefigure\'sdisposedof。Now，theremustbenomisunderstandingregardingwhatIbuyfortwohundredayear。IfIpayforasheep，Ibuyitoutandout。Similarly，ifIpayforasecretary，IbuyHIMoutandout。\'

\'Inotherwords，youpurchasemywholetime?\'

\'CertainlyIdo。Lookhere，\'saidMrBoffin，\'itain\'tthatIwanttooccupyyourwholetime；youcantakeupabookforaminuteortwowhenyou\'venothingbettertodo，thoughIthinkyou\'lla\'mostalwaysfindsomethingusefultodo。ButIwanttokeepyouinattendance。It\'sconvenienttohaveyouatalltimesreadyonthepremises。Therefore，betwixtyourbreakfastandyoursupper，——onthepremisesIexpecttofindyou。\'

TheSecretarybowed。

\'Inbygonedays，whenIwasinservicemyself，\'saidMrBoffin，\'I

couldn\'tgocuttingaboutatmywillandpleasure，andyouwon\'texpecttogocuttingaboutatyourwillandpleasure。You\'verathergotintoahabitofthat，lately；butperhapsitwasforwantofarightspecificationbetwixtus。Now，lettherebearightspecificationbetwixtus，andletitbethis。Ifyouwantleave，askforit。\'

AgaintheSecretarybowed。Hismannerwasuneasyandastonished，andshowedasenseofhumiliation。

\'I\'llhaveabell，\'saidMrBoffin，\'hungfromthisroomtoyours，andwhenIwantyou，I\'lltouchit。Idon\'tcalltomindthatIhaveanythingmoretosayatthepresentmoment。\'

TheSecretaryrose，gathereduphispapers，andwithdrew。Bella\'seyesfollowedhimtothedoor，lightedonMrBoffincomplacentlythrownbackinhiseasychair，anddroopedoverherbook。

\'Ihaveletthatchap，thatyoungmanofmine，\'saidMrBoffin，takingatrotupanddowntheroom，getabovehiswork。Itwon\'tdo。Imusthavehimdownapeg。Amanofpropertyowesadutytoothermenofproperty，andmustlooksharpafterhisinferiors。\'

BellafeltthatMrsBoffinwasnotcomfortable，andthattheeyesofthatgoodcreaturesoughttodiscoverfromherfacewhatattentionshehadgiventothisdiscourse，andwhatimpressionithadmadeuponher。ForwhichreasonBella\'seyesdroopedmoreengrossedlyoverherbook，andsheturnedthepagewithanairofprofoundabsorptioninit。

\'Noddy，\'saidMrsBoffin，afterthoughtfullypausinginherwork。

\'Mydear，\'returnedtheGoldenDustman，stoppingshortinhistrot。

\'Excusemyputtingittoyou，Noddy，butnowreally！Haven\'tyoubeenalittlestrictwithMrRokesmithto-night?Haven\'tyoubeenalittle——justalittlelittle——notquitelikeyouroldself?\'

\'Why，oldwoman，Ihopeso，\'returnedMrBoffin，cheerfully，ifnotboastfully。

\'Hopeso，deary?\'

\'Ouroldselveswouldn\'tdohere，oldlady。Haven\'tyoufoundthatoutyet?Ouroldselveswouldbefitfornothingherebuttoberobbedandimposedupon。Ouroldselvesweren\'tpeopleoffortune；ournewselvesare；it\'sagreatdifference。\'

\'Ah！\'saidMrsBoffin，pausinginherworkagain，softlytodrawalongbreathandtolookatthefire。\'Agreatdifference。\'

\'Andwemustbeuptothedifference，\'pursuedherhusband；\'wemustbeequaltothechange；that\'swhatwemustbe。We\'vegottoholdourownnow，againsteverybody(foreverybody\'shandisstretchedouttobedippedintoourpockets)，andwehavegottorecollectthatmoneymakesmoney，aswellasmakeseverythingelse。\'

\'Mentioningrecollecting，\'saidMrsBoffin，withherworkabandoned，hereyesuponthefire，andherchinuponherhand，\'doyourecollect，Noddy，howyousaidtoMrRokesmithwhenhefirstcametoseeusattheBower，andyouengagedhim——howyousaidtohimthatifithadpleasedHeaventosendJohnHarmontohisfortunesafe，wecouldhavebeencontentwiththeoneMoundwhichwasourlegacy，andshouldneverhavewantedtherest?\'

\'Ay，Iremember，oldlady。Butwehadn\'ttriedwhatitwastohavetherestthen。Ournewshoeshadcomehome，butwehadn\'tput\'emon。We\'rewearing\'emnow，we\'rewearing\'em，andmuststepoutaccordingly。\'

MrsBoffintookupherworkagain，andpliedherneedleinsilence。

\'AstoRokesmith，thatyoungmanofmine，\'saidMrBoffin，droppinghisvoiceandglancingtowardsthedoorwithanapprehensionofbeingoverheardbysomeeavesdropperthere，\'it\'sthesamewithhimaswiththefootmen。Ihavefoundoutthatyoumusteitherscrunchthem，orletthemscrunchyou。Ifyouain\'timperiouswith\'em，theywon\'tbelieveinyourbeinganybetterthanthemselves，ifasgood，afterthestories(liesmostly)thattheyhaveheardofyourbeginnings。There\'snothingbetwixtstiffeningyourselfup，andthrowingyourselfaway；takemywordforthat，oldlady。\'

Bellaventuredforamomenttolookstealthilytowardshimunderhereyelashes，andshesawadarkcloudofsuspicion，covetousness，andconceit，overshadowingtheonceopenface。

\'Hows\'ever，\'saidhe，\'thisisn\'tentertainingtoMissBella。Isit，Bella?\'

AdeceivingBellashewas，tolookathimwiththatpensivelyabstractedair，asifhermindwerefullofherbook，andshehadnotheardasingleword！

\'Hah！Betteremployedthantoattendtoit，\'saidMrBoffin。\'That\'sright，that\'sright。Especiallyasyouhavenocalltobetoldhowtovalueyourself，mydear。\'

Colouringalittleunderthiscompliment，Bellareturned，\'Ihopesir，youdon\'tthinkmevain?\'

\'Notabit，mydear，\'saidMrBoffin。\'ButIthinkit\'sverycreditableinyou，atyourage，tobesowellupwiththepaceoftheworld，andtoknowwhattogoinfor。Youareright。Goinformoney，mylove。Money\'sthearticle。You\'llmakemoneyofyourgoodlooks，andofthemoneyMrsBoffinandmewillhavethepleasureofsettlinguponyou，andyou\'llliveanddierich。That\'sthestatetoliveanddiein！\'saidMrBoffin，inanunctuousmanner。R——r——

rich！\'

TherewasanexpressionofdistressinMrsBoffin\'sface，as，afterwatchingherhusband\'s，sheturnedtotheiradoptedgirl，andsaid:

\'Don\'tmindhim，Bella，mydear。\'

\'Eh?\'criedMrBoffin。\'What！Notmindhim?\'

\'Idon\'tmeanthat，\'saidMrsBoffin，withaworriedlook，\'butI

mean，don\'tbelievehimtobeanythingbutgoodandgenerous，Bella，becauseheisthebestofmen。No，Imustsaythatmuch，Noddy。Youarealwaysthebestofmen。\'

Shemadethedeclarationasifhewereobjectingtoit:whichassuredlyhewasnotinanyway。

\'Andastoyou，mydearBella，\'saidMrsBoffin，stillwiththatdistressedexpression，\'heissomuchattachedtoyou，whateverhesays，thatyourownfatherhasnotatruerinterestinyouandcanhardlylikeyoubetterthanhedoes。\'

\'Saystoo！\'criedMrBoffin。\'Whateverhesays！Why，Isayso，openly。Givemeakiss，mydearchild，insayingGoodNight，andletmeconfirmwhatmyoldladytellsyou。Iamveryfondofyou，mydear，andIamentirelyofyourmind，andyouandIwilltakecarethatyoushallberich。Thesegoodlooksofyours(whichyouhavesomerighttobevainof；mydear，thoughyouarenot，youknow)areworthmoney，andyoushallmakemoneyof\'em。Themoneyyouwillhave，willbeworthmoney，andyoushallmakemoneyofthattoo。There\'sagoldenballatyourfeet。Goodnight，mydear。\'

Somehow，Bellawasnotsowellpleasedwiththisassuranceandthisprospectasshemighthavebeen。Somehow，whensheputherarmsroundMrsBoffin\'sneckandsaidGoodNight，shederivedasenseofunworthinessfromthestillanxiousfaceofthatgoodwomanandherobviouswishtoexcuseherhusband。\'Why，whatneedtoexcusehim?\'thoughtBella，sittingdowninherownroom。

\'Whathesaidwasverysensible，Iamsure，andverytrue，Iamsure。ItisonlywhatIoftensaytomyself。Don\'tIlikeitthen?No，Idon\'tlikeit，and，thoughheismyliberalbenefactor，Idisparagehimforit。Thenpray，\'saidBella，sternlyputtingthequestiontoherselfinthelooking-glassasusual，\'whatdoyoumeanbythis，youinconsistentlittleBeast?\'

Thelooking-glasspreservingadiscreetministerialsilencewhenthuscalleduponforexplanation，Bellawenttobedwithawearinessuponherspiritwhichwasmorethanthewearinessofwantofsleep。Andagaininthemorning，shelookedforthecloud，andforthedeepeningofthecloud，upontheGoldenDustman\'sface。

Shehadbegunbythistimetobehisfrequentcompanioninhismorningstrollsaboutthestreets，anditwasatthistimethathemadeherapartytohisengaginginacuriouspursuit。Havingbeenhardatworkinonedullenclosureallhislife，hehadachild\'sdelightinlookingatshops。Ithadbeenoneofthefirstnoveltiesandpleasuresofhisfreedom，andwasequallythedelightofhiswife。FormanyyearstheironlywalksinLondonhadbeentakenonSundayswhentheshopswereshut；andwheneverydayintheweekbecametheirholiday，theyderivedanenjoymentfromthevarietyandfancyandbeautyofthedisplayinthewindows，whichseemedincapableofexhaustion。AsiftheprincipalstreetswereagreatTheatreandtheplaywerechildishlynewtothem，MrandMrsBoffin，fromthebeginningofBella\'sintimacyintheirhouse，hadbeenconstantlyinthefrontrow，charmedwithalltheysawandapplaudingvigorously。Butnow，MrBoffin\'sinterestbegantocentreinbook-shops；andmorethanthat——forthatofitselfwouldnothavebeenmuch——inoneexceptionalkindofbook。

\'Lookinhere，mydear，\'MrBoffinwouldsay，checkingBella\'sarmatabookseller\'swindow；\'youcanreadatsight，andyoureyesareassharpasthey\'rebright。Now，lookwellaboutyou，mydear，andtellmeifyouseeanybookaboutaMiser。\'

IfBellasawsuchabook，MrBoffinwouldinstantlydartinandbuyit。Andstill，asiftheyhadnotfoundit，theywouldseekoutanotherbook-shop，andMrBoffinwouldsay，\'Now，lookwellallround，mydear，foraLifeofaMiser，oranybookofthatsort；anyLivesofoddcharacterswhomayhavebeenMisers。\'

Bella，thusdirected，wouldexaminethewindowwiththegreatestattention，whileMrBoffinwouldexamineherface。ThemomentshepointedoutanybookasbeingentitledLivesofeccentricpersonages，Anecdotesofstrangecharacters，Recordsofremarkableindividuals，oranythingtothatpurpose，MrBoffin\'scountenancewouldlightup，andhewouldinstantlydartinandbuyit。Size，price，quality，wereofnoaccount。Anybookthatseemedtopromiseachanceofmiserlybiography，MrBoffinpurchasedwithoutamoment\'sdelayandcarriedhome。HappeningtobeinformedbyabooksellerthataportionoftheAnnualRegisterwasdevotedto\'Characters\'，MrBoffinatonceboughtawholesetofthatingeniouscompilation，andbegantocarryithomepiecemeal，confidingavolumetoBella，andbearingthreehimself。

Thecompletionofthislabouroccupiedthemaboutafortnight。

Whenthetaskwasdone，MrBoffin，withhisappetiteforMiserswhettedinsteadofsatiated，begantolookoutagain。

ItverysoonbecameunnecessarytotellBellawhattolookfor，andanunderstandingwasestablishedbetweenherandMrBoffinthatshewasalwaystolookforLivesofMisers。Morningaftermorningtheyroamedaboutthetowntogether，pursuingthissingularresearch。Miserlyliteraturenotbeingabundant，theproportionoffailurestosuccessesmayhavebeenasahundredtoone；stillMrBoffin，neverwearied，remainedasavariciousformisersashehadbeenatthefirstonset。ItwascuriousthatBellaneversawthebooksaboutthehouse，nordidsheeverhearfromMrBoffinonewordofreferencetotheircontents。HeseemedtosaveuphisMisersastheyhadsaveduptheirmoney。Astheyhadbeengreedyforit，andsecretaboutit，andhadhiddenit，sohewasgreedyforthem，andsecretaboutthem，andhidthem。Butbeyondalldoubtitwastobenoticed，andwasbyBellaveryclearlynoticed，that，ashepursuedtheacquisitionofthosedismalrecordswiththeardourofDonQuixoteforhisbooksofchivalry，hebegantospendhismoneywithamoresparinghand。Andoftenwhenhecameoutofashopwithsomenewaccountofoneofthosewretchedlunatics，shewouldalmostshrinkfromtheslydrychucklewithwhichhewouldtakeherarmagainandtrotaway。ItdidnotappearthatMrsBoffinknewofthistaste。Hemadenoallusiontoit，exceptinthemorningwalkswhenheandBellawerealwaysalone；andBella，partlyundertheimpressionthathetookherintohisconfidencebyimplication，andpartlyinremembranceofMrsBoffin\'sanxiousfacethatnight，heldthesamereserve。

Whiletheseoccurrenceswereinprogress，MrsLammlemadethediscoverythatBellahadafascinatinginfluenceoverher。TheLammles，originallypresentedbythedearVeneerings，visitedtheBoffinsonallgrandoccasions，andMrsLammlehadnotpreviouslyfoundthisout；butnowtheknowledgecameuponherallatonce。Itwasamostextraordinarything(shesaidtoMrsBoffin)；shewasfoolishlysusceptibleofthepowerofbeauty，butitwasn\'taltogetherthat；sheneverhadbeenabletoresistanaturalgraceofmanner，butitwasn\'taltogetherthat；itwasmorethanthat，andtherewasnonamefortheindescribableextentanddegreetowhichshewascaptivatedbythischarminggirl。

ThischarminggirlhavingthewordsrepeatedtoherbyMrsBoffin(whowasproudofherbeingadmired，andwouldhavedoneanythingtogiveherpleasure)，naturallyrecognizedinMrsLammleawomanofpenetrationandtaste。Respondingtothesentiments，bybeingverygracioustoMrsLammle，shegavethatladythemeansofsoimprovingheropportunity，asthatthecaptivationbecamereciprocal，thoughalwayswearinganappearanceofgreatersobrietyonBella\'spartthanontheenthusiasticSophronia\'s。Howbeit，theyweresomuchtogetherthat，foratime，theBoffinchariotheldMrsLammleoftenerthanMrsBoffin:apreferenceofwhichthelatterworthysoulwasnotintheleastjealous，placidlyremarking，\'MrsLammleisayoungercompanionforherthanIam，andLor！she\'smorefashionable。\'

ButbetweenBellaWilferandGeorgianaPodsnaptherewasthisonedifference，amongmanyothers，thatBellawasinnodangerofbeingcaptivatedbyAlfred。Shedistrustedanddislikedhim。

Indeed，herperceptionwassoquick，andherobservationsosharp，thatafterallshemistrustedhiswifetoo，thoughwithhergiddyvanityandwilfulnessshesqueezedthemistrustawayintoacornerofhermind，andblockeditupthere。

MrsLammletookthefriendliestinterestinBella\'smakingagoodmatch。MrsLammlesaid，inasportiveway，shereallymustshowherbeautifulBellawhatkindofwealthycreaturessheandAlfredhadonhand，whowouldasonemanfallatherfeetenslaved。

Fittingoccasionmade，MrsLammleaccordinglyproducedthemostpassableofthosefeverish，boastful，andindefinablyloosegentlemenwhowerealwayslounginginandoutoftheCityonquestionsoftheBourseandGreekandSpanishandIndiaandMexicanandparandpremiumanddiscountandthree-quartersandseven-eighths。WhointheiragreeablemannerdidhomagetoBellaasifshewereacompoundoffinegirl，thorough-bredhorse，well-builtdrag，andremarkablepipe。Butwithouttheleasteffect，thoughevenMrFledgeby\'sattractionswerecastintothescale。

\'Ifear，Belladear，\'saidMrsLammleonedayinthechariot，\'thatyouwillbeveryhardtoplease。\'

\'Idon\'texpecttobepleased，dear，\'saidBella，withalanguidturnofhereyes。

\'Truly，mylove，\'returnedSophronia，shakingherhead，andsmilingherbestsmile，\'itwouldnotbeveryeasytofindamanworthyofyourattractions。\'

\'Thequestionisnotaman，mydear，\'saidBella，coolly，\'butanestablishment。\'

\'Mylove，\'returnedMrsLammle，\'yourprudenceamazesme——

whereDIDyoustudylifesowell！——youareright。Insuchacaseasyours，theobjectisafittingestablishment。YoucouldnotdescendtoaninadequateonefromMrBoffin\'shouse，andevenifyourbeautyalonecouldnotcommandit，itistobeassumedthatMrandMrsBoffinwill——\'

\'Oh！theyhavealready，\'Bellainterposed。

\'No！Havetheyreally?\'

Alittlevexedbyasuspicionthatshehadspokenprecipitately，andwithalalittledefiantofherownvexation，Belladeterminednottoretreat。

\'Thatistosay，\'sheexplained，\'theyhavetoldmetheymeantoportionmeastheiradoptedchild，ifyoumeanthat。Butdon\'tmentionit。\'

\'Mentionit！\'repliedMrsLammle，asifshewerefullofawakenedfeelingatthesuggestionofsuchanimpossibility。\'Men-tionit！\'

\'Idon\'tmindtellingyou，MrsLammle——\'Bellabeganagain。

\'Mylove，saySophronia，orImustnotsayBella。\'

Withalittleshort，petulant\'Oh！\'Bellacomplied。\'Oh！——Sophroniathen——Idon\'tmindtellingyou，Sophronia，thatIamconvincedI

havenoheart，aspeoplecallit；andthatIthinkthatsortofthingisnonsense。\'

\'Bravegirl！\'murmuredMrsLammle。

\'Andso，\'pursuedBella，\'astoseekingtopleasemyself，Idon\'t；

exceptintheonerespectIhavementioned。Iamindifferentotherwise。\'

\'Butyoucan\'thelppleasing，Bella，\'saidMrsLammle，rallyingherwithanarchlookandherbestsmile，\'youcan\'thelpmakingaproudandanadmiringhusband。Youmaynotcaretopleaseyourself，andyoumaynotcaretopleasehim，butyouarenotafreeagentastopleasing:youareforcedtodothat，inspiteofyourself，mydear；soitmaybeaquestionwhetheryoumaynotaswellpleaseyourselftoo，ifyoucan。\'

Now，theverygrossnessofthisflatteryputBellauponprovingthatsheactuallydidpleaseinspiteofherself。Shehadamisgivingthatshewasdoingwrong——thoughshehadanindistinctforeshadowingthatsomeharmmightcomeofitthereafter，shelittlethoughtwhatconsequencesitwouldreallybringabout——butshewentonwithherconfidence。

\'Don\'ttalkofpleasinginspiteofone\'sself，dear，\'saidBella。\'I

havehadenoughofthat。\'

\'Ay?\'criedMrsLammle。\'AmIalreadycorroborated，Bella?\'

\'Nevermind，Sophronia，wewillnotspeakofitanymore。Don\'taskmeaboutit。\'

ThisplainlymeaningDoaskmeaboutit，MrsLammledidasshewasrequested。

\'Tellme，Bella。Come，mydear。Whatprovokingburrhasbeeninconvenientlyattractedtothecharmingskirts，andwithdifficultyshakenoff?\'

\'Provokingindeed，\'saidBella，\'andnoburrtoboastof！Butdon\'taskme。\'

\'ShallIguess?\'

\'Youwouldneverguess。WhatwouldyousaytoourSecretary?\'

\'Mydear！ThehermitSecretary，whocreepsupanddownthebackstairs，andisneverseen！\'

\'Idon\'tknowabouthiscreepingupanddownthebackstairs，\'saidBella，rathercontemptuously，\'furtherthanknowingthathedoesnosuchthing；andastohisneverbeingseen，Ishouldbecontentnevertohaveseenhim，thoughheisquiteasvisibleasyouare。

ButIpleasedHIM(formysins)andhehadthepresumptiontotellmeso。\'

\'Themannevermadeadeclarationtoyou，mydearBella！\'

\'Areyousureofthat，Sophronia?\'saidBella。\'Iamnot。Infact，I

amsureofthecontrary。\'

\'Themanmustbemad，\'saidMrsLammle，withakindofresignation。

\'Heappearedtobeinhissenses，\'returnedBella，tossingherhead，\'andhehadplentytosayforhimself。Itoldhimmyopinionofhisdeclarationandhisconduct，anddismissedhim。Ofcoursethishasallbeenveryinconvenienttome，andverydisagreeable。Ithasremainedasecret，however。Thatwordremindsmetoobserve，Sophronia，thatIhaveglidedonintotellingyouthesecret，andthatIrelyuponyounevertomentionit。\'

\'Mentionit！\'repeatedMrsLammlewithherformerfeeling。\'Men-

tionit！\'

ThistimeSophroniawassomuchinearnestthatshefounditnecessarytobendforwardinthecarriageandgiveBellaakiss。A

Judasorderofkiss；forshethought，whilesheyetpressedBella\'shandaftergivingit，\'Uponyourownshowing，youvainheartlessgirl，puffedupbythedotingfollyofadustman，IneedhavenorelentingtowardsYOU。Ifmyhusband，whosendsmehere，shouldformanyschemesformakingYOUavictim，Ishouldcertainlynotcrosshimagain。\'Inthoseverysamemoments，Bellawasthinking，\'WhyamIalwaysatwarwithmyself?WhyhaveI

told，asifuponcompulsion，whatIknewallalongIoughttohavewithheld?WhyamImakingafriendofthiswomanbesideme，inspiteofthewhispersagainstherthatIhearinmyheart?\'

Asusual，therewasnoanswerinthelooking-glasswhenshegothomeandreferredthesequestionstoit。Perhapsifshehadconsultedsomebetteroracle，theresultmighthavebeenmoresatisfactory；butshedidnot，andallthingsconsequentmarchedthemarchbeforethem。

OnonepointconnectedwiththewatchshekeptonMrBoffin，shefeltveryinquisitive，andthatwasthequestionwhethertheSecretarywatchedhimtoo，andfollowedthesureandsteadychangeinhim，asshedid?HerverylimitedintercoursewithMrRokesmithrenderedthishardtofindout。Theircommunicationnow，atnotimeextendedbeyondthepreservationofcommonplaceappearancesbeforeMrandMrsBoffin；andifBellaandtheSecretarywereeverleftalonetogetherbyanychance，heimmediatelywithdrew。Sheconsultedhisfacewhenshecoulddosocovertly，assheworkedorread，andcouldmakenothingofit。

Helookedsubdued；buthehadacquiredastrongcommandoffeature，and，wheneverMrBoffinspoketohiminBella\'spresence，orwhateverrevelationofhimselfMrBoffinmade，theSecretary\'sfacechangednomorethanawall。Aslightlyknittedbrow，thatexpressednothingbutanalmostmechanicalattention，andacompressionofthemouth，thatmighthavebeenaguardagainstascornfulsmile——theseshesawfrommorningtonight，fromdaytoday，fromweektoweek，monotonous，unvarying，set，asinapieceofsculpture。

Theworstofthematterwas，thatitthusfelloutinsensibly——andmostprovokingly，asBellacomplainedtoherself，inherimpetuouslittlemanner——thatherobservationofMrBoffininvolvedacontinualobservationofMrRokesmith。\'Won\'tTHATextractalookfromhim?\'——\'CanitbepossibleTHATmakesnoimpressiononhim?\'SuchquestionsBellawouldproposetoherself，oftenasmanytimesinadayastherewerehoursinit。Impossibletoknow。

Alwaysthesamefixedface。

\'Canhebesobaseastosellhisverynaturefortwohundredayear?\'Bellawouldthink。Andthen，\'Butwhynot?It\'samerequestionofpricewithothersbesideshim。IsupposeIwouldsellmine，ifIcouldgetenoughforit。\'Andsoshewouldcomeroundagaintothewarwithherself。

Akindofillegibility，thoughadifferentkind，stoleoverMrBoffin\'sface。Itsoldsimplicityofexpressiongotmaskedbyacertaincraftinessthatassimilatedevenhisgood-humourtoitself。

Hisverysmilewascunning，asifhehadbeenstudyingsmilesamongtheportraitsofhismisers。Savinganoccasionalburstofimpatience，orcoarseassertionofhismastery，hisgood-humourremainedtohim，butithadnowasordidalloyofdistrust；andthoughhiseyesshouldtwinkleandallhisfaceshouldlaugh，hewouldsitholdinghimselfinhisownarms，asifhehadaninclinationtohoardhimselfup，andmustalwaysgrudginglystandonthedefensive。

Whatwithtakingheedofthesetwofaces，andwhatwithfeelingconsciousthatthestealthyoccupationmustsetsomemarkonherown，BellasoonbegantothinkthattherewasnotacandidoranaturalfaceamongthemallbutMrsBoffin\'s。Nonethelessbecauseitwasfarlessradiantthanofyore，faithfullyreflectinginitsanxietyandregreteverylineofchangeintheGoldenDustman\'s。

\'Rokesmith，\'saidMrBoffinoneeveningwhentheywereallinhisroomagain，andheandtheSecretaryhadbeengoingoversomeaccounts，\'Iamspendingtoomuchmoney。Orleastways，youarespendingtoomuchforme。\'

\'Youarerich，sir。\'

\'Iamnot，\'saidMrBoffin。

ThesharpnessoftheretortwasnexttotellingtheSecretarythathelied。Butitbroughtnochangeofexpressionintothesetface。

\'ItellyouIamnotrich，\'repeatedMrBoffin，\'andIwon\'thaveit。\'

\'Youarenotrich，sir?\'repeatedtheSecretary，inmeasuredwords。

\'Well，\'returnedMrBoffin，\'ifIam，that\'smybusiness。Iamnotgoingtospendatthisrate，topleaseyou，oranybody。Youwouldn\'tlikeit，ifitwasyourmoney。\'

\'Eveninthatimpossiblecase，sir，I——\'

\'Holdyourtongue！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Yououghtn\'ttolikeitinanycase。There！Ididn\'tmeantoherude，butyouputmeoutso，andafterallI\'mmaster。Ididn\'tintendtotellyoutoholdyourtongue。

Ibegyourpardon。Don\'tholdyourtongue。Only，don\'tcontradict。

DidyouevercomeacrossthelifeofMrElwes?\'referringtohisfavouritesubjectatlast。

\'Themiser?\'

\'Ah，peoplecalledhimamiser。Peoplearealwayscallingotherpeoplesomething。Didyoueverreadabouthim?\'

\'Ithinkso。\'

\'Heneverownedtobeingrich，andyethemighthaveboughtmetwiceover。DidyoueverhearofDanielDancer?\'

\'Anothermiser?Yes。\'

\'Hewasagood\'un，\'saidMrBoffin，\'andhehadasisterworthyofhim。Theynevercalledthemselvesrichneither。IftheyHAD

calledthemselvesrich，mostlikelytheywouldn\'thavebeenso。\'

\'Theylivedanddiedverymiserably。Didtheynot，sir?\'

\'No，Idon\'tknowthattheydid，\'saidMrBoffin，curtly。

\'ThentheyarenottheMisersImean。Thoseabjectwretches——\'

\'Don\'tcallnames，Rokesmith，\'saidMrBoffin。

\'——Thatexemplarybrotherandsister——livedanddiedinthefoulestandfilthiestdegradation。\'

\'Theypleasedthemselves，\'saidMrBoffin，\'andIsupposetheycouldhavedonenomoreiftheyhadspenttheirmoney。Buthowever，Iain\'tgoingtoflingmineaway。Keeptheexpensesdown。Thefactis，youain\'tenoughhere，Rokesmith。Itwantsconstantattentioninthelittlestthings。Someofuswillbedyinginaworkhousenext。\'

\'Asthepersonsyouhavecited，\'quietlyremarkedtheSecretary，\'thoughttheywould，ifIremember，sir。\'

\'Andverycreditablein\'emtoo，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Veryindependentin\'em！Butnevermindthemjustnow。Haveyougivennoticetoquityourlodgings?\'

\'Underyourdirection，Ihave，sir。\'

\'ThenItellyouwhat，\'saidMrBoffin；\'paythequarter\'srent——paythequarter\'srent，it\'llbethecheapestthingintheend——andcomehereatonce，sothatyoumaybealwaysonthespot，dayandnight，andkeeptheexpensesdown。You\'llchargethequarter\'srenttome，andwemusttryandsaveitsomewhere。You\'vegotsomelovelyfurniture；haven\'tyou?\'

\'Thefurnitureinmyroomsismyown。\'

\'Thenweshan\'thavetobuyanyforyou。Incaseyouwastothinkit，\'saidMrBoffin，withalookofpeculiarshrewdness，\'sohonourablyindependentinyouastomakeitarelieftoyourmind，tomakethatfurnitureovertomeinthelightofaset-offagainstthequarter\'srent，whyeaseyourmind，easeyourmind。Idon\'taskit，butIwon\'tstandinyourwayifyoushouldconsideritduetoyourself。Astoyourroom，chooseanyemptyroomatthetopofthehouse。\'

\'Anyemptyroomwilldoforme，\'saidtheSecretary。

\'Youcantakeyourpick，\'saidMrBoffin，\'andit\'llbeasgoodaseightortenshillingsaweekaddedtoyourincome。Iwon\'tdeductforit；Ilooktoyoutomakeituphandsomelybykeepingtheexpensesdown。Now，ifyou\'llshowalight，I\'llcometoyouroffice-roomanddisposeofaletterortwo。\'

Onthatclear，generousfaceofMrsBoffin\'s，Bellahadseensuchtracesofapangattheheartwhilethisdialoguewasbeingheld，thatshehadnotthecouragetoturnhereyestoitwhentheywereleftalone。Feigningtobeintentonherembroidery，shesatplyingherneedleuntilherbusyhandwasstoppedbyMrsBoffin\'shandbeinglightlylaiduponit。Yieldingtothetouch，shefeltherhandcarriedtothegoodsoul\'slips，andfeltatearfallonit。

\'Oh，mylovedhusband！\'saidMrsBoffin。\'Thisishardtoseeandhear。ButmydearBella，believemethatinspiteofallthechangeinhim，heisthebestofmen。\'

Hecameback，atthemomentwhenBellahadtakenthehandcomfortinglybetweenherown。

\'Eh?\'saidhe，mistrustfullylookinginatthedoor。\'What\'sshetellingyou?\'

\'Sheisonlypraisingyou，sir，\'saidBella。

\'Praisingme?Youaresure?Notblamingmeforstandingonmyowndefenceagainstacrewofplunderers，whocouldsuckmedrybydriblets?Notblamingmeforgettingalittlehoardtogether?\'

Hecameuptothem，andhiswifefoldedherhandsuponhisshoulder，andshookherheadasshelaiditonherhands。

\'There，there，there！\'urgedMrBoffin，notunkindly。\'Don\'ttakeon，oldlady。\'

\'ButIcan\'tbeartoseeyouso，mydear。\'

\'Nonsense！Recollectwearenotouroldselves。Recollect，wemustscrunchorbescrunched。Recollect，wemustholdourown。

Recollect，moneymakesmoney。Don\'tyoubeuneasy，Bella，mychild；don\'tyoubedoubtful。ThemoreIsave，themoreyoushallhave。\'

Bellathoughtitwaswellforhiswifethatshewasmusingwithheraffectionatefaceonhisshoulder；fortherewasacunninglightinhiseyesashesaidallthis，whichseemedtocastadisagreeableilluminationonthechangeinhim，andmakeitmorallyuglier。

Chapter6

THEGOLDENDUSTMANFALLSINTOWORSECOMPANY

IthadcometopassthatMrSilasWeggnowrarelyattendedtheminionoffortuneandthewormofthehour，athis(theworm\'sandminion\'s)ownhouse，butlayundergeneralinstructionstoawaithimwithinacertainmarginofhoursattheBower。MrWeggtookthisarrangementingreatdudgeon，becausetheappointedhourswereeveninghours，andthoseheconsideredprecioustotheprogressofthefriendlymove。Butitwasquiteincharacter，hebitterlyremarkedtoMrVenus，thattheupstartwhohadtrampledonthoseeminentcreatures，MissElizabeth，MasterGeorge，AuntJane，andUncleParker，shouldoppresshisliteraryman。

TheRomanEmpirehavingworkedoutitsdestruction，MrBoffinnextappearedinacabwithRollin\'sAncientHistory，whichvaluableworkbeingfoundtopossesslethargicproperties，brokedown，atabouttheperiodwhenthewholeofthearmyofAlexandertheMacedonian(atthattimeaboutfortythousandstrong)burstintotearssimultaneously，onhisbeingtakenwithashiveringfitafterbathing。TheWarsoftheJews，likewiselanguishingunderMrWegg\'sgeneralship，MrBoffinarrivedinanothercabwithPlutarch:whoseLiveshefoundinthesequelextremelyentertaining，thoughhehopedPlutarchmightnotexpecthimtobelievethemall。Whattobelieve，inthecourseofhisreading，wasMrBoffin\'schiefliterarydifficultyindeed；forsometimehewasdividedinhismindbetweenhalf，all，ornone；atlength，whenhedecided，asamoderateman，tocompoundwithhalf，thequestionstillremained，whichhalf?Andthatstumbling-

blockhenevergotover。

Oneevening，whenSilasWegghadgrownaccustomedtothearrivalofhispatroninacab，accompaniedbysomeprofanehistorianchargedwithunutterablenamesofincomprehensiblepeoples，ofimpossibledescent，wagingwarsanynumberofyearsandsyllableslong，andcarryingillimitablehostsandrichesabout，withthegreatestease，beyondtheconfinesofgeography——oneeveningtheusualtimepassedby，andnopatronappeared。Afterhalfanhour\'sgrace，MrWeggproceededtotheoutergate，andthereexecutedawhistle，conveyingtoMrVenus，ifperchancewithinhearing，thetidingsofhisbeingathomeanddisengaged。

Forthfromtheshelterofaneighbouringwall，MrVenusthenemerged。

\'Brotherinarms，\'saidMrWegg，inexcellentspirits，\'welcome！\'

Inreturn，MrVenusgavehimaratherdrygoodevening。

\'Walkin，brother，\'saidSilas，clappinghimontheshoulder，\'andtakeyourseatinmychimleycorner；forwhatsaystheballad?

“Nomalicetodread，sir，Andnofalsehoodtofear，Buttruthtodelightme，MrVenus，AndIforgotwhattocheer。

Litoddledeomdee。

Andsomethingtoguide，Myainfireside，sir，Myainfireside。”\'

Withthisquotation(dependingforitsneatnessratheronthespiritthanthewords)，MrWeggconductedhisguesttohishearth。

\'Andyoucome，brother，\'saidMrWegg，inahospitableglow，\'youcomelikeIdon\'tknowwhat——exactlylikeit——Ishouldn\'tknowyoufromit——sheddingahaloallaroundyou。\'

\'Whatkindofhalo?\'askedMrVenus。

\'\'Opesir，\'repliedSilas。\'That\'sYOURhalo。\'

MrVenusappeareddoubtfulonthepoint，andlookedratherdiscontentedlyatthefire。

\'We\'lldevotetheevening，brother，\'exclaimedWegg，\'toprosecuteourfriendlymove。Andarterwards，crushingaflowingwine-cup——

whichIalludetobrewingrumandwater——we\'llpledgeoneanother。ForwhatsaysthePoet?

“Andyouneedn\'tMrVenusbeyourblackbottle，ForsurelyI\'llbemine，Andwe\'lltakeaglasswithasliceoflemoninittowhichyou\'repartial，Forauldlangsyne。”\'

ThisflowofquotationandhospitalityinWeggindicatedhisobservationofsomelittlequerulousnessonthepartofVenus。

\'Why，astothefriendlymove，\'observedthelast-namedgentleman，rubbinghiskneespeevishly，\'oneofmyobjectionstoitis，thatitDON\'Tmove。\'

\'Rome，brother，\'returnedWegg:\'acitywhich(itmaynotbegenerallyknown)originatedintwinsandawolf；andendedinImperialmarble:wasn\'tbuiltinaday。\'

\'DidIsayitwas?\'askedVenus。

\'No，youdidnot，brother。Well-inquired。\'