下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Yoursubject，\'saidMortimer，afterlightingacigar，andcomfortinghimselfwithawhiffortwo，\'wasscouts，Eugene。\'
\'Exactly。Isn\'titdrollthatInevergooutafterdark，butIfindmyselfattended，alwaysbyonescout，andoftenbytwo?\'
Lightwoodtookhiscigarfromhislipsinsurprise，andlookedathisfriend，asifwithalatentsuspicionthattheremustbeajestorhiddenmeaninginhiswords。
\'Onmyhonour，no，\'saidWrayburn，answeringthelookandsmilingcarelessly；\'Idon\'twonderatyoursupposingso，butonmyhonour，no。IsaywhatImean。Inevergooutafterdark，butIfindmyselfintheludicroussituationofbeingfollowedandobservedatadistance，alwaysbyonescout，andoftenbytwo。\'
\'Areyousure，Eugene?\'
\'Sure?Mydearboy，theyarealwaysthesame。\'
\'Butthere\'snoprocessoutagainstyou。TheJewsonlythreaten。
Theyhavedonenothing。Besides，theyknowwheretofindyou，andIrepresentyou。Whytakethetrouble?\'
\'Observethelegalmind！\'remarkedEugene，turningroundtothefurnitureagain，withanairofindolentrapture。\'Observethedyer\'shand，assimilatingitselftowhatitworksin，——orwouldworkin，ifanybodywouldgiveitanythingtodo。Respectedsolicitor，it\'snotthat。Theschoolmaster\'sabroad。\'
\'Theschoolmaster?\'
\'Ay！Sometimestheschoolmasterandthepupilarebothabroad。
Why，howsoonyourustinmyabsence！Youdon\'tunderstandyet?
Thosefellowswhowerehereonenight。TheyarethescoutsI
speakof，asdoingmethehonourtoattendmeafterdark。\'
\'Howlonghasthisbeengoingon?\'askedLightwood，opposingaseriousfacetothelaughofhisfriend。
\'Iapprehendithasbeengoingon，eversinceacertainpersonwentoff。Probably，ithadbeengoingonsomelittletimebeforeI
noticedit:whichwouldbringittoaboutthattime。\'
\'Doyouthinktheysupposeyoutohaveinveigledheraway?\'
\'MydearMortimer，youknowtheabsorbingnatureofmyprofessionaloccupations；Ireallyhavenothadleisuretothinkaboutit。\'
\'Haveyouaskedthemwhattheywant?Haveyouobjected?\'
\'WhyshouldIaskthemwhattheywant，dearfellow，whenIamindifferentwhattheywant?WhyshouldIexpressobjection，whenIdon\'tobject?\'
\'Youareinyourmostrecklessmood。Butyoucalledthesituationjustnow，aludicrousone；andmostmenobjecttothat，eventhosewhoareutterlyindifferenttoeverythingelse。\'
\'Youcharmme，Mortimer，withyourreadingofmyweaknesses。
(By-the-by，thatveryword，Reading，initscriticaluse，alwayscharmsme。Anactress\'sReadingofachambermaid，adancer\'sReadingofahornpipe，asinger\'sReadingofasong，amarinepainter\'sReadingofthesea，thekettle-drum\'sReadingofaninstrumentalpassage，arephraseseveryouthfulanddelightful。)I
wasmentioningyourperceptionofmyweaknesses。Iowntotheweaknessofobjectingtooccupyaludicrousposition，andthereforeItransferthepositiontothescouts。\'
\'Iwish，Eugene，youwouldspeakalittlemoresoberlyandplainly，ifitwereonlyoutofconsiderationformyfeelinglessateasethanyoudo。\'
\'Thensoberlyandplainly，Mortimer，Igoadtheschoolmastertomadness。Imaketheschoolmastersoridiculous，andsoawareofbeingmaderidiculous，thatIseehimchafeandfretateveryporewhenwecrossoneanother。Theamiableoccupationhasbeenthesolaceofmylife，sinceIwasbaulkedinthemannerunnecessarytorecall。Ihavederivedinexpressiblecomfortfromit。Idoitthus:I
strolloutafterdark，strollalittleway，lookinatawindowandfurtivelylookoutfortheschoolmaster。Soonerorlater，Iperceivetheschoolmasteronthewatch；sometimesaccompaniedbyhishopefulpupil；oftener，pupil-less。Havingmadesureofhiswatchingme，Itempthimon，alloverLondon。OnenightIgoeast，anothernightnorth，inafewnightsIgoallroundthecompass。Sometimes，Iwalk；sometimes，Iproceedincabs，drainingthepocketoftheschoolmasterwhothenfollowsincabs。
IstudyandgetupabstruseNoThoroughfaresinthecourseoftheday。WithVenetianmysteryIseekthoseNoThoroughfaresatnight，glideintothembymeansofdarkcourts，tempttheschoolmastertofollow，turnsuddenly，andcatchhimbeforehecanretreat。Thenwefaceoneanother，andIpasshimasunawareofhisexistence，andheundergoesgrindingtorments。Similarly，I
walkatagreatpacedownashortstreet，rapidlyturnthecorner，and，gettingoutofhisview，asrapidlyturnback。Icatchhimcomingonpost，againpasshimasunawareofhisexistence，andagainheundergoesgrindingtorments。Nightafternighthisdisappointmentisacute，buthopespringseternalinthescholasticbreast，andhefollowsmeagainto-morrow。ThusIenjoythepleasuresofthechase，andderivegreatbenefitfromthehealthfulexercise。WhenIdonotenjoythepleasuresofthechase，foranythingIknowhewatchesattheTempleGateallnight。\'
\'Thisisanextraordinarystory，\'observedLightwood，whohadhearditoutwithseriousattention。\'Idon\'tlikeit。\'
\'Youarealittlehipped，dearfellow，\'saidEugene；\'youhavebeentoosedentary。Comeandenjoythepleasuresofthechase。\'
\'Doyoumeanthatyoubelieveheiswatchingnow?\'
\'Ihavenottheslightestdoubtheis。\'
\'Haveyouseenhimto-night?\'
\'IforgottolookforhimwhenIwaslastout，\'returnedEugenewiththecalmestindifference；\'butIdaresayhewasthere。Come！BeaBritishsportsmanandenjoythepleasuresofthechase。Itwilldoyougood。\'
Lightwoodhesitated；but，yieldingtohiscuriosity，rose。
\'Bravo！\'criedEugene，risingtoo。\'Or，ifYoickswouldbeinbetterkeeping，considerthatIsaidYoicks。Looktoyourfeet，Mortimer，forweshalltryyourboots。Whenyouareready，Iam——needIsaywithaHeyHoChivey，andlikewisewithaHarkForward，HarkForward，Tantivy?\'
\'Willnothingmakeyouserious?\'saidMortimer，laughingthroughhisgravity。
\'Iamalwaysserious，butjustnowIamalittleexcitedbythegloriousfactthatasoutherlywindandacloudyskyproclaimahuntingevening。Ready?So。Weturnoutthelampandshutthedoor，andtakethefield。\'
AsthetwofriendspassedoutoftheTempleintothepublicstreet，EugenedemandedwithashowofcourteouspatronageinwhichdirectionMortimerwouldyouliketheruntobe?\'ThereisaratherdifficultcountryaboutBethnalGreen，\'saidEugene，\'andwehavenottakeninthatdirectionlately。WhatisyouropinionofBethnalGreen?\'MortimerassentedtoBethnalGreen，andtheyturnedeastward。\'Now，whenwecometoStPaul\'schurchyard，\'pursuedEugene，\'we\'llloiterartfully，andI\'llshowyoutheschoolmaster。\'
But，theybothsawhim，beforetheygotthere；alone，andstealingafterthemintheshadowofthehouses，ontheoppositesideoftheway。
\'Getyourwind，\'saidEugene，\'forIamoffdirectly。DoesitoccurtoyouthattheboysofMerryEnglandwillbegintodeteriorateinaneducationallight，ifthislastslong?Theschoolmastercan\'tattendtomeandtheboystoo。Gotyourwind?Iamoff！\'
Atwhataratehewent，tobreathetheschoolmaster；andhowhethenloungedandloitered，toputhispatiencetoanotherkindofwear；whatpreposterouswayshetook，withnootherobjectonearththantodisappointandpunishhim；andhowheworehimoutbyeverypieceofingenuitythathiseccentrichumourcoulddevise；
allthisLightwoodnoted，withafeelingofastonishmentthatsocarelessamancouldbesowary，andthatsoidleamancouldtakesomuchtrouble。Atlast，faroninthethirdhourofthepleasuresofthechase，whenhehadbroughtthepoordoggingwretchroundagainintotheCity，hetwistedMortimerupafewdarkentries，twistedhimintoalittlesquarecourt，twistedhimsharproundagain，andtheyalmostranagainstBradleyHeadstone。
\'Andyousee，asIwassaying，Mortimer，\'remarkedEugenealoudwiththeutmostcoolness，asthoughtherewerenoonewithinhearingbythemselves:\'andyousee，asIwassaying——undergoinggrindingtorments。\'
Itwasnottoostrongaphrasefortheoccasion。Lookinglikethehuntedandnotthehunter，baffled，worn，withtheexhaustionofdeferredhopeandconsuminghateandangerinhisface，white-
lipped，wild-eyed，draggle-haired，seamedwithjealousyandanger，andtorturinghimselfwiththeconvictionthatheshoweditallandtheyexultedinit，hewentbytheminthedark，likeahaggardheadsuspendedintheair:socompletelydidtheforceofhisexpressioncancelhisfigure。
MortimerLightwoodwasnotanextraordinarilyimpressibleman，butthisfaceimpressedhim。Hespokeofitmorethanonceontheremainderofthewayhome，andmorethanoncewhentheygothome。
Theyhadbeenabedintheirrespectiveroomstwoorthreehours，whenEugenewaspartlyawakenedbyhearingafootstepgoingabout，andwasfullyawakenedbyseeingLightwoodstandingathisbedside。
\'Nothingwrong，Mortimer?\'
\'No。\'
\'Whatfancytakesyou，then，forwalkingaboutinthenight?\'
\'Iamhorriblywakeful。\'
\'Howcomesthatabout，Iwonder！\'
\'Eugene，Icannotlosesightofthatfellow\'sface。\'
\'Odd！\'saidEugenewithalightlaugh，\'Ican。\'Andturnedover，andfellasleepagain。
Chapter11
INTHEDARK
TherewasnosleepforBradleyHeadstoneonthatnightwhenEugeneWrayburnturnedsoeasilyinhisbed；therewasnosleepforlittleMissPeecher。Bradleyconsumedthelonelyhours，andconsumedhimselfinhauntingthespotwherehiscarelessrivallayadreaming；littleMissPeecherworethemawayinlisteningforthereturnhomeofthemasterofherheart，andinsorrowfullypresagingthatmuchwasamisswithhim。YetmorewasamisswithhimthanMissPeecher\'ssimplyarrangedlittlework-boxofthoughts，fittedwithnogloomyanddarkrecesses，couldhold。
For，thestateofthemanwasmurderous。
Thestateofthemanwasmurderous，andheknewit。More；heirritatedit，withakindofperversepleasureakintothatwhichasickmansometimeshasinirritatingawounduponhisbody。Tiedupalldaywithhisdisciplinedshowuponhim，subduedtotheperformanceofhisroutineofeducationaltricks，encircledbyagabblingcrowd，hebrokelooseatnightlikeanill-tamedwildanimal。Underhisdailyrestraint，itwashiscompensation，nothistrouble，togiveaglancetowardshisstateatnight，andtothefreedomofitsbeingindulged。Ifgreatcriminalstoldthetruth——
which，beinggreatcriminals，theydonot——theywouldveryrarelytelloftheirstrugglesagainstthecrime。Theirstrugglesaretowardsit。Theybuffetwithopposingwaves，togainthebloodyshore，nottorecedefromit。Thismanperfectlycomprehendedthathehatedhisrivalwithhisstrongestandworstforces，andthatifhetrackedhimtoLizzieHexam，hissodoingwouldneverservehimselfwithher，orserveher。Allhispainsweretaken，totheendthathemightincensehimselfwiththesightofthedetestedfigureinhercompanyandfavour，inherplaceofconcealment。Andheknewaswellwhatactofhiswouldfollowifhedid，asheknewthathismotherhadbornehim。Granted，thathemaynothavehelditnecessarytomakeexpressmentiontohimselfoftheonefamiliartruthanymorethanoftheother。
Heknewequallywellthathefedhiswrathandhatred，andthatheaccumulatedprovocationandself-justification，bybeingmadethenightlysportoftherecklessandinsolentEugene。Knowingallthis，——andstillalwaysgoingonwithinfiniteendurance，pains，andperseverance，couldhisdarksouldoubtwhitherhewent?
Baffled，exasperated，andweary，helingeredoppositetheTemplegatewhenitclosedonWrayburnandLightwood，debatingwithhimselfshouldhegohomeforthattimeorshouldhewatchlonger。
PossessedinhisjealousybythefixedideathatWrayburnwasinthesecret，ifitwerenotaltogetherofhiscontriving，Bradleywasasconfidentofgettingthebetterofhimatlastbysullenlystickingtohim，ashewouldhavebeen——andoftenhadbeen——ofmasteringanypieceofstudyinthewayofhisvocation，bythelikeslowpersistentprocess。Amanofrapidpassionsandsluggishintelligence，ithadservedhimoftenandshouldservehimagain。
ThesuspicioncrossedhimasherestedinadoorwaywithhiseyesupontheTemplegate，thatperhapsshewasevenconcealedinthatsetofChambers。ItwouldfurnishanotherreasonforWrayburn\'spurposelesswalks，anditmightbe。Hethoughtofitandthoughtofit，untilheresolvedtostealupthestairs，ifthegatekeeperwouldlethimthrough，andlisten。So，thehaggardheadsuspendedintheairflittedacrosstheroad，likethespectreofoneofthemanyheadsersthoisteduponneighbouringTempleBar，andstoppedbeforethewatchman。
Thewatchmanlookedatit，andasked:\'Whofor?\'
\'MrWrayburn。\'
\'It\'sverylate。\'
\'HecamebackwithMrLightwood，Iknow，nearupontwohoursago。Butifhehasgonetobed，I\'llputapaperinhisletter-box。I
amexpected。\'
Thewatchmansaidnomore，butopenedthegate，thoughratherdoubtfully。Seeing，however，thatthevisitorwentstraightandfastintherightdirection，heseemedsatisfied。
Thehaggardheadfloatedupthedarkstaircase，andsoftlydescendednearertotheflooroutsidetheouterdoorofthechambers。Thedoorsoftheroomswithin，appearedtobestandingopen。Therewereraysofcandlelightfromoneofthem，andtherewasthesoundofafootstepgoingabout。Thereweretwovoices。
Thewordstheyutteredwerenotdistinguishable，buttheywereboththevoicesofmen。Inafewmomentsthevoicesweresilent，andtherewasnosoundoffootstep，andtheinnerlightwentout。IfLightwoodcouldhaveseenthefacewhichkepthimawake，staringandlisteninginthedarknessoutsidethedoorashespokeofit，hemighthavebeenlessdisposedtosleep，throughtheremainderofthenight。
\'Notthere，\'saidBradley；\'butshemighthavebeen。\'Theheadarosetoitsformerheightfromtheground，floateddownthestair-
caseagain，andpassedontothegate。Amanwasstandingthere，inparleywiththewatchman。
\'Oh！\'saidthewatchman。\'Hereheis！\'
Perceivinghimselftobetheantecedent，Bradleylookedfromthewatchmantotheman。
\'ThismanisleavingaletterforMrLightwood，\'thewatchmanexplained，showingitinhishand；\'andIwasmentioningthatapersonhadjustgoneuptoMrLightwood\'schambers。Itmightbethesamebusinessperhaps?\'
\'No，\'saidBradley，glancingattheman，whowasastrangertohim。
\'No，\'themanassentedinasurlyway；\'myletter——it\'swrotebymydaughter，butit\'smine——isaboutmybusiness，andmybusinessain\'tnobodyelse\'sbusiness。\'
AsBradleypassedoutatthegatewithanundecidedfoot，hehearditshutbehindhim，andheardthefootstepofthemancomingafterhim。
\'\'Scuseme，\'saidtheman，whoappearedtohavebeendrinkingandratherstumbledathimthantouchedhim，toattracthisattention:
\'butmightyoubeacquaintedwiththeT\'otherGovernor?\'
\'Withwhom?\'askedBradley。
\'With，\'returnedtheman，pointingbackwardoverhisrightshoulderwithhisrightthumb，\'theT\'otherGovernor?\'
\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean。\'
\'Whylookhere，\'hookinghispropositiononhisleft-handfingerswiththeforefingerofhisright。\'There\'stwoGovernors，ain\'tthere?
Oneandone，two——LawyerLightwood，myfirstfinger，he\'sone，ain\'the?Well；mightyoubeacquaintedwithmymiddlefinger，theT\'other?\'
\'Iknowquiteasmuchofhim，\'saidBradley，withafrownandadistantlookbeforehim，\'asIwanttoknow。\'
\'Hooroar！\'criedtheman。\'HooroarT\'othert\'otherGovernor。
HooroarT\'otherestGovernor！Iamofyourwayofthinkin\'。\'
\'Don\'tmakesuchanoiseatthisdeadhourofthenight。Whatareyoutalkingabout?\'
\'Lookhere，T\'otherestGovernor，\'repliedtheman，becominghoarselyconfidential。\'TheT\'otherGovernorhe\'salwaysjokedhisjokesaginme，owing，asIbelieve，tomybeingahonestmanasgetsmylivingbythesweatofmybrow。Whichheain\'t，andhedon\'t。\'
\'Whatisthattome?\'
\'T\'otherestGovernor，\'returnedthemaninatoneofinjuredinnocence，\'ifyoudon\'tcaretohearnomore，don\'thearnomore。
Youbegunit。Yousaid，andlikewaysshowedprettyplain，asyouwarn\'tbynomeansfriendlytohim。ButIdon\'tseektoforcemycompanynoryetmyopinionsonnoman。Iamahonestman，that\'swhatIam。Putmeinthedockanywhere——Idon\'tcarewhere——andIsays，“MyLord，Iamahonestman。”Putmeinthewitness-
boxanywhere——Idon\'tcarewhere——andIsaysthesametohislordship，andIkissesthebook。Idon\'tkissmycoat-cuff；Ikissesthebook。\'
Itwasnotsomuchindeferencetothesestrongtestimonialstocharacter，asinhisrestlesscastingaboutforanywayorhelptowardsthediscoveryonwhichhewasconcentrated，thatBradleyHeadstonereplied:\'Youneedn\'ttakeoffence。Ididn\'tmeantostopyou。Youweretoo——loudintheopenstreet；thatwasall。\'
\'\'TotherestGovernor，\'repliedMrRiderhood，mollifiedandmysterious，\'Iknowwotitistobeloud，andIknowwotitistobesoft。Nat\'rallyIdo。ItwouldbeawonderifIdidnot，beingbytheChris\'ennameofRoger，whichtookitartermyownfather，whichtookitfromhisownfather，thoughwhichofourfam\'lyfusttookitnat\'ralIwillnotinanywaysmisleadyoubyundertakin\'tosay。
Andwishingthatyourelthmaybebetterthanyourlooks，whichyourinsidemustbebadindeedifit\'sonthefootingofyourout。\'
Startledbytheimplicationthathisfacerevealedtoomuchofhismind，Bradleymadeanefforttoclearhisbrow。Itmightbeworthknowingwhatthisstrangeman\'sbusinesswaswithLightwood，orWrayburn，orboth，atsuchanunseasonablehour。Hesethimselftofindout，forthemanmightprovetobeamessengerbetweenthosetwo。
\'YoucallattheTemplelate，\'heremarked，withalumberingshowofease。
\'WishImaydie，\'criedMrRiderhood，withahoarselaugh，\'ifI
warn\'tagoin\'tosaytheself-samewordstoyou，T\'otherestGovernor！\'
\'Itchancedsowithme，\'saidBradley，lookingdisconcertedlyabouthim。
\'Anditchancedsowithme，\'saidRiderhood。\'ButIdon\'tmindtellingyouhow。WhyshouldImindtellingyou?I\'maDeputyLock-keeperuptheriver，andIwasoffdutyyes\'day，andIshallbeonto-morrow。\'
\'Yes?\'
\'Yes，andIcometoLondontolookartermyprivateaffairs。MyprivateaffairsistogetappintedtotheLockasreg\'larkeeperatfusthand，andtohavethelawofabustedB\'low-Bridgesteamerwhichdrowndedofme。Iain\'tagoin\'tobedrowndedandnotpaidforit！\'
Bradleylookedathim，asthoughhewereclaimingtobeaGhost。
\'Thesteamer，\'saidMrRiderhood，obstinately，\'runmedownanddrowndedofme。Interferenceonthepartofotherpartiesbroughtmeround；butIneverasked\'emtobringmeround，noryetthesteamerneverasked\'emtoit。Imeantobepaidforthelifeasthesteamertook。\'
\'WasthatyourbusinessatMrLightwood\'schambersinthemiddleofthenight?\'askedBradley，eyeinghimwithdistrust。
\'Thatandtogetawritingtobefust-handLockKeeper。A
recommendationinwritingbeinglookedfor，whoelseoughttogiveittome?AsIsaysintheletterinmydaughter\'shand，withmymarkputtoittomakeitgoodinlaw，Whobutyou，LawyerLightwood，oughttohandoverthisherestifficate，andwhobutyououghttogoinfordamagesonmyaccountagintheSteamer?For(asIsaysundermymark)Ihavehadtroubleenoughalongofyouandyourfriend。Ifyou，LawyerLightwood，hadbackedmegoodandtrue，andiftheT\'otherGovernorhadtookmedowncorrect(I
saysundermymark)，Ishouldhavebeenworthmoneyatthepresenttime，insteadofhavingabarge-loadofbadnameschuckedatme，andbeingforcedtoeatmywords，whichisaunsatisfyingsortoffoodwoteveraman\'sappetite！Andwhenyoumentionthemiddleofthenight，T\'otherestGovernor，\'growledMrRiderhood，windinguphismonotonoussummaryofhiswrongs，\'throwyoureyeonthisherebundleundermyarm，andbearinmindthatI\'mawalkingbacktomyLock，andthattheTemplelaiduponmylineofroad。\'
BradleyHeadstone\'sfacehadchangedduringthislatterrecital，andhehadobservedthespeakerwithamoresustainedattention。
\'Doyouknow，\'saidhe，afterapause，duringwhichtheywalkedonsidebyside，\'thatIbelieveIcouldtellyouyourname，ifItried?\'
\'Proveyouropinion，\'wastheanswer，accompaniedwithastopandastare。\'Try。\'
\'YournameisRiderhood。\'
\'I\'mblestifitain\'t，\'returnedthatgentleman。\'ButIdon\'tknowyour\'n。\'
\'That\'squiteanotherthing，\'saidBradley。\'Ineversupposedyoudid。\'
AsBradleywalkedonmeditating，theRoguewalkedonathissidemuttering。Thepurportofthemutteringwas:\'thatRogueRiderhood，byGeorge！seemedtobemadepublicpropertyon，now，andthateverymanseemedtothinkhimselffreetohandlehisnameasifitwasaStreetPump。\'Thepurportofthemeditatingwas:\'Hereisaninstrument。CanIuseit?\'
TheyhadwalkedalongtheStrand，andintoPallMall，andhadturnedup-hilltowardsHydeParkCorner；BradleyHeadstonewaitingonthepaceandleadofRiderhood，andleavinghimtoindicatethecourse。Soslowweretheschoolmaster\'sthoughts，andsoindistincthispurposeswhentheywerebuttributarytotheoneabsorbingpurposeorratherwhen，likedarktreesunderastormysky，theyonlylinedthelongvistaattheendofwhichhesawthosetwofiguresofWrayburnandLizzieonwhichhiseyeswerefixed——
thatatleastagoodhalf-milewastraversedbeforehespokeagain。
Eventhen，itwasonlytoask:
\'WhereisyourLock?\'
\'Twentymileandodd——callitfive-and-twentymileandodd，ifyoulike——upstream，\'wasthesullenreply。
\'Howisitcalled?\'
\'PlashwaterWeirMillLock。\'
\'SupposeIwastoofferyoufiveshillings；whatthen?\'
\'Why，then，I\'dtakeit，\'saidMrRiderhood。
Theschoolmasterputhishandinhispocket，andproducedtwohalf-crowns，andplacedtheminMrRiderhood\'spalm:whostoppedataconvenientdoorsteptoringthemboth，beforeacknowledgingtheirreceipt。
\'There\'sonethingaboutyou，T\'otherestGovernor，\'saidRiderhood，faringonagain，\'aslookswellandgoesfur。You\'reareadymoneyman。Now；\'whenhehadcarefullypocketedthecoinsonthatsideofhimselfwhichwasfurthestfromhisnewfriend；\'what\'sthisfor?\'
\'Foryou。\'
\'Why，o\'courseIknowTHAT，\'saidRiderhood，asarguingsomethingthatwasself-evident。\'O\'courseIknowverywellasnomaninhisrightsenseswouldsupposeasanythinkwouldmakemegiveitupaginwhenI\'doncegotit。Butwhatdoyouwantforit?\'
\'Idon\'tknowthatIwantanythingforit。OrifIdowantanythingforit，Idon\'tknowwhatitis。\'Bradleygavethisanswerinastolid，vacant，andself-communingmanner，whichMrRiderhoodfoundveryextraordinary。
\'YouhavenogoodwilltowardsthisWrayburn，\'saidBradley，comingtothenameinareluctantandforcedway，asifheweredraggedtoit。
\'No。\'
\'NeitherhaveI。\'
Riderhoodnodded，andasked:\'Isitforthat?\'
\'It\'sasmuchforthatasanythingelse。It\'ssomethingtobeagreedwith，onasubjectthatoccupiessomuchofone\'sthoughts。\'
\'Itdon\'tagreewithYOU，\'returnedMrRiderhood，bluntly。\'No！Itdon\'t，T\'otherestGovernor，andit\'snousealookin\'asifyouwantedtomakeoutthatitdid。Itellyouitranklesinyou。Itranklesinyou，rustsinyou，andpisonsyou。\'
\'Saythatitdoesso，\'returnedBradleywithquiveringlips；\'istherenocauseforit?\'
\'Causeenough，I\'llbetapound！\'criedMrRiderhood。
\'Haven\'tyouyourselfdeclaredthatthefellowhasheapedprovocations，insults，andaffrontsonyou，orsomethingtothateffect?Hehasdonethesamebyme。Heismadeofvenomousinsultsandaffronts，fromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot。Areyousohopefulorsostupid，asnottoknowthatheandtheotherwilltreatyourapplicationwithcontempt，andlighttheircigarswithit?\'
\'Ishouldn\'twonderiftheydid，byGeorge！\'saidRiderhood，turningangry。
\'Iftheydid！Theywill。Letmeaskyouaquestion。Iknowsomethingmorethanyournameaboutyou；IknewsomethingaboutGafferHexam。Whendidyoulastseteyesuponhisdaughter?\'
\'WhendidIlastseteyesuponhisdaughter，T\'otherestGovernor?\'
repeatedMrRiderhood，growingintentionallyslowerofcomprehensionastheotherquickenedinhisspeech。
\'Yes。Nottospeaktoher。Toseeher——anywhere?\'
TheRoguehadgotthecluehewanted，thoughhehelditwithaclumsyhand。Lookingperplexedlyatthepassionateface，asifheweretryingtoworkoutasuminhismind，heslowlyanswered:
\'Iain\'tseteyesuponher——neveronce——notsincethedayofGaffer\'sdeath。\'
\'Youknowherwell，bysight?\'
\'IshouldthinkIdid！Noonebetter。\'
\'Andyouknowhimaswell?\'
\'Who\'shim?\'askedRiderhood，takingoffhishatandrubbinghisforehead，ashedirectedadulllookathisquestioner。
\'Cursethename！Isitsoagreeabletoyouthatyouwanttohearitagain?\'
\'Oh！HIM！\'saidRiderhood，whohadcraftilyworkedtheschoolmasterintothiscorner，thathemightagaintakenoteofhisfaceunderitsevilpossession。\'I\'dknowHIMamongathousand。\'
\'Didyou——\'Bradleytriedtoaskitquietly；but，dowhathemightwithhisvoice，hecouldnotsubduehisface；——\'didyoueverseethemtogether?\'
(TheRoguehadgottheclueinbothhandsnow。)
\'Isee\'emtogether，T\'otherestGovernor，ontheverydaywhenGafferwastowedashore。\'
Bradleycouldhavehiddenareservedpieceofinformationfromthesharpeyesofawholeinquisitiveclass，buthecouldnotveilfromtheeyesoftheignorantRiderhoodthewithheldquestionnextinhisbreast。\'Youshallputitplainifyouwantitanswered，\'thoughttheRogue，doggedly；\'Iain\'ta-goingawolunteering。\'
\'Well！washeinsolenttohertoo?\'askedBradleyafterastruggle。
\'Ordidhemakeashowofbeingkindtoher?\'
\'Hemadeashowofbeingmostuncommonkindtoher，\'saidRiderhood。\'ByGeorge！nowI——\'
Hisflyingoffatatangentwasindisputablynatural。Bradleylookedathimforthereason。
\'NowIthinkofit，\'saidMrRiderhood，evasively，forhewassubstitutingthosewordsfor\'NowIseeyousojealous，\'whichwasthephrasereallyinhismind；\'P\'r\'apshewentandtookmedownwrong，apurpose，onaccounto\'beingsweetuponher！\'
Thebasenessofconfirminghiminthissuspicionorpretenceofone(forhecouldnothavereallyentertainedit)，wasaline\'sbreadthbeyondthemarktheschoolmasterhadreached。Thebasenessofcommuningandintriguingwiththefellowwhowouldhavesetthatstainuponher，anduponherbrothertoo，wasattained。Theline\'sbreadthfurther，laybeyond。Hemadenoreply，butwalkedonwithaloweringface。
Whathemightgainbythisacquaintance，hecouldnotworkoutinhisslowandcumbrousthoughts。Themanhadaninjuryagainsttheobjectofhishatred，andthatwassomething；thoughitwaslessthanhesupposed，fortheredweltinthemannosuchdeadlyrageandresentmentasburnedinhisownbreast。Themanknewher，andmightbyafortunatechanceseeher，orhearofher；thatwassomething，asenlistingonepairofeyesandearsthemore。Themanwasabadman，andwillingenoughtobeinhispay。Thatwassomething，forhisownstateandpurposewereasbadasbadcouldbe，andheseemedtoderiveavaguesupportfromthepossessionofacongenialinstrument，thoughitmightneverbeused。
Suddenlyhestoodstill，andaskedRiderhoodpoint-blankifheknewwhereshewas?Clearly，hedidnotknow。HeaskedRiderhoodifhewouldbewilling，incaseanyintelligenceofher，orofWrayburnasseekingherorassociatingwithher，shouldfallinhisway，tocommunicateitifitwerepaidfor?Hewouldbeverywillingindeed。Hewas\'agin\'emboth，\'hesaidwithanoath，andforwhy?\'Causetheyhadbothstoodbetwixthimandhisgettinghislivingbythesweatofhisbrow。
\'Itwillnotbelongthen，\'saidBradleyHeadstone，aftersomemorediscoursetothiseffect，\'beforeweseeoneanotheragain。Hereisthecountryroad，andhereistheday。Bothhavecomeuponmebysurprise。\'
\'But，T\'otherestGovernor，\'urgedMrRiderhood，\'Idon\'tknowwheretofindyou。\'
\'Itisofnoconsequence。Iknowwheretofindyou，andI\'llcometoyourLock。\'
\'But，T\'otherestGovernor，\'urgedMrRiderhoodagain，\'nolucknevercomeyetofadryacquaintance。Let\'swetit，inamouth-fillofrumandmilk，T\'otherestGovernon\'
Bradleyassenting，wentwithhimintoanearlypublic-house，hauntedbyunsavourysmellsofmustyhayandstalestraw，wherereturningcarts，farmers\'men，gauntdogs，fowlsofabeerybreed，andcertainhumannightbirdsflutteringhometoroost，weresolacingthemselvesaftertheirseveralmanners；andwherenotoneofthenightbirdshoveringaboutthesloppybarfailedtodiscernataglanceinthepassion-wastednightbirdwithrespectablefeathers，theworstnightbirdofall。
Aninspirationofaffectionforahalf-drunkencartergoinghiswayledtoMrRiderhood\'sbeingelevatedonahighheapofbasketsonawaggon，andpursuinghisjourneyrecumbentonhisbackwithhisheadonhisbundle。Bradleythenturnedtoretracehissteps，andby-and-bystruckoffthroughlittle-traversedways，andby-and-
byreachedschoolandhome。Upcamethesuntofindhimwashedandbrushed，methodicallydressedindecentblackcoatandwaistcoat，decentformalblacktie，andpepper-and-saltpantaloons，withhisdecentsilverwatchinitspocket，anditsdecenthair-guardroundhisneck:ascholastichuntsmancladforthefield，withhisfreshpackyelpingandbarkingaroundhim。
Yetmorereallybewitchedthanthemiserablecreaturesofthemuch-lamentedtimes，whoaccusedthemselvesofimpossibilitiesunderacontagionofhorrorandthestronglysuggestiveinfluencesofTorture，hehadbeenriddenhardbyEvilSpiritsinthenightthatwasnewlygone。Hehadbeenspurredandwhippedandheavilysweated。IfarecordofthesporthadusurpedtheplacesofthepeacefultextsfromScriptureonthewall，themostadvancedofthescholarsmighthavetakenfrightandrunawayfromthemaster。
Chapter12
MEANINGMISCHIEF
Upcamethesun，steamingalloverLondon，andinitsgloriousimpartialityevencondescendingtomakeprismaticsparklesinthewhiskersofMrAlfredLammleashesatatbreakfast。Inneedofsomebrighteningfromwithout，wasMrAlfredLammle，forhehadtheairofbeingdullenoughwithin，andlookedgrievouslydiscontented。
MrsAlfredLammlefacedherlord。Thehappypairofswindlers，withthecomfortabletiebetweenthemthateachhadswindledtheother，satmoodilyobservantofthetablecloth。Thingslookedsogloomyinthebreakfast-room，albeitonthesunnysideofSackvilleStreet，thatanyofthefamilytradespeopleglancingthroughtheblindsmighthavetakenthehinttosendinhisaccountandpressforit。Butthis，indeed，mostofthefamilytradespeoplehadalreadydone，withoutthehint。
\'Itseemstome，\'saidMrsLammle，\'thatyouhavehadnomoneyatall，eversincewehavebeenmarried。\'
\'Whatseemstoyou，\'saidMrLammle，\'tohavebeenthecase，maypossiblyhavebeenthecase。Itdoesn\'tmatter。\'
WasitthespecialityofMrandMrsLammle，ordoesiteverobtainwithotherlovingcouples?Inthesematrimonialdialoguestheyneveraddressedeachother，butalwayssomeinvisiblepresencethatappearedtotakeastationaboutmidwaybetweenthem。
Perhapstheskeletoninthecupboardcomesouttobetalkedto，onsuchdomesticoccasions?
\'Ihaveneverseenanymoneyinthehouse，\'saidMrsLammletotheskeleton，\'exceptmyownannuity。ThatIswear。\'
\'Youneedn\'ttakethetroubleofswearing，\'saidMrLammletotheskeleton；\'oncemore，itdoesn\'tmatter。Youneverturnedyourannuitytosogoodanaccount。\'
\'Goodanaccount！Inwhatway?\'askedMrsLammle。
\'Inthewayofgettingcredit，andlivingwell，\'saidMrLammle。
Perhapstheskeletonlaughedscornfullyonbeingintrustedwiththisquestionandthisanswer；certainlyMrsLammledid，andMrLammledid。
\'Andwhatistohappennext?\'askedMrsLammleoftheskeleton。
\'Smashistohappennext，\'saidMrLammletothesameauthority。
Afterthis，MrsLammlelookeddisdainfullyattheskeleton——butwithoutcarryingthelookontoMrLammle——anddroopedhereyes。
Afterthat，MrLammledidexactlythesamething，anddroopedHISeyes。Aservantthenenteringwithtoast，theskeletonretiredintothecloset，andshutitselfup。
\'Sophronia，\'saidMrLammle，whentheservanthadwithdrawn。
Andthen，verymuchlouder:\'Sophronia！\'
\'Well?\'
\'Attendtome，ifyouplease。\'Heeyedhersternlyuntilshedidattend，andthenwenton。\'Iwanttotakecounselwithyou。Come，come；nomoretrifling。Youknowourleagueandcovenant。Wearetoworktogetherforourjointinterest，andyouareasknowingahandasIam。Weshouldn\'tbetogether，ifyouwerenot。What\'stobedone?Wearehemmedintoacorner。Whatshallwedo?\'
\'Haveyounoschemeonfootthatwillbringinanything?\'
MrLammleplungedintohiswhiskersforreflection，andcameouthopeless:\'No；asadventurersweareobligedtoplayrashgamesforchancesofhighwinnings，andtherehasbeenarunofluckagainstus。\'
Shewasresuming，\'Haveyounothing——\'whenhestoppedher。
\'We，Sophronia。We，we，we。\'
\'Havewenothingtosell?\'
\'Deuceabit。IhavegivenaJewabillofsaleonthisfurniture，andhecouldtakeitto-morrow，to-day，now。Hewouldhavetakenitbeforenow，Ibelieve，butforFledgeby。\'
\'WhathasFledgebytodowithhim?\'
\'Knewhim。CautionedmeagainsthimbeforeIgotintohisclaws。
Couldn\'tpersuadehimthen，inbehalfofsomebodyelse。\'
\'DoyoumeanthatFledgebyhasatallsoftenedhimtowardsyou?\'
\'Us，Sophronia。Us，us，us。\'
\'Towardsus?\'
\'ImeanthattheJewhasnotyetdonewhathemighthavedone，andthatFledgebytakesthecreditofhavinggothimtoholdhishand。\'
\'DoyoubelieveFledgeby?\'
\'Sophronia，Ineverbelieveanybody。Ineverhave，mydear，sinceI
believedyou。Butitlookslikeit。\'
Havinggivenherthisback-handedreminderofhermutinousobservationstotheskeleton，MrLammlerosefromtable——perhaps，thebettertoconcealasmile，andawhitedintortwoabouthisnose——andtookaturnonthecarpetandcametothehearthrug。
\'IfwecouldhavepackedthebruteoffwithGeorgiana；——buthowever；that\'sspilledmilk。\'
AsLammle，standinggatheringuptheskirtsofhisdressing-gownwithhisbacktothefire，saidthis，lookingdownathiswife，sheturnedpaleandlookeddownattheground。Withasenseofdisloyaltyuponher，andperhapswithasenseofpersonaldanger——
forshewasafraidofhim——evenafraidofhishandandafraidofhisfoot，thoughhehadneverdoneherviolence——shehastenedtoputherselfrightinhiseyes。
\'Ifwecouldborrowmoney，Alfred——\'
\'Begmoney，borrowmoney，orstealmoney。Itwouldbeallonetous，Sophronia，\'herhusbandstruckin。
\'——Then，wecouldweatherthis?\'
\'Nodoubt。Toofferanotheroriginalandundeniableremark，Sophronia，twoandtwomakefour。\'
But，seeingthatshewasturningsomethinginhermind，hegathereduptheskirtsofhisdressing-gownagain，and，tuckingthemunderonearm，andcollectinghisamplewhiskersinhisotherhand，kepthiseyeuponher，silently。
\'Itisnatural，Alfred，\'shesaid，lookingupwithsometimidityintohisface，\'tothinkinsuchanemergencyoftherichestpeopleweknow，andthesimplest。\'
\'Justso，Sophronia。\'
\'TheBoffins。\'
\'Justso，Sophronia。\'
\'Istherenothingtobedonewiththem?\'
\'Whatistheretobedonewiththem，Sophronia?\'
Shecastaboutinherthoughtsagain，andhekepthiseyeuponherasbefore。
\'OfcourseIhaverepeatedlythoughtoftheBoffins，Sophronia，\'heresumed，afterafruitlesssilence；\'butIhaveseenmywaytonothing。Theyarewellguarded。ThatinfernalSecretarystandsbetweenthemand——peopleofmerit。\'
\'Ifhecouldbegotridof?\'saidshe，brighteningalittle，aftermorecastingabout。
\'Taketime，Sophronia，\'observedherwatchfulhusband，inapatronizingmanner。
\'IfworkinghimoutofthewaycouldbepresentedinthelightofaservicetoMrBoffin?\'
\'Taketime，Sophronia。\'
\'Wehaveremarkedlately，Alfred，thattheoldmanisturningverysuspiciousanddistrustful。\'
\'Miserlytoo，mydear；whichisfarthemostunpromisingforus。
Nevertheless，taketime，Sophronia，taketime。\'
Shetooktimeandthensaid:
\'Supposeweshouldaddressourselvestothattendencyinhimofwhichwehavemadeourselvesquitesure。Supposemyconscience——\'
\'Andweknowwhataconscienceitis，mysoul。Yes?\'
\'SupposemyconscienceshouldnotallowmetokeeptomyselfanylongerwhatthatupstartgirltoldmeoftheSecretary\'shavingmadeadeclarationtoher。SupposemyconscienceshouldobligemetorepeatittoMrBoffin。\'
\'Iratherlikethat，\'saidLammle。
\'SupposeIsorepeatedittoMrBoffin，astoinsinuatethatmysensitivedelicacyandhonour——\'
\'Verygoodwords，Sophronia。\'
\'——AstoinsinuatethatOURsensitivedelicacyandhonour，\'sheresumed，withabitterstressuponthephrase，\'wouldnotallowustobesilentpartiestosomercenaryanddesigningaspeculationontheSecretary\'spart，andsogrossabreachoffaithtowardshisconfidingemployer。SupposeIhadimpartedmyvirtuousuneasinesstomyexcellenthusband，andhehadsaid，inhisintegrity，“Sophronia，youmustimmediatelydisclosethistoMrBoffin。”\'
\'Oncemore，Sophronia，\'observedLammle，changingthelegonwhichhestood，\'Iratherlikethat。\'
\'Youremarkthatheiswellguarded，\'shepursued。\'Ithinksotoo。
ButifthisshouldleadtohisdischarginghisSecretary，therewouldbeaweakplacemade。\'
\'Goonexpounding，Sophronia。Ibegintolikethisverymuch。\'
\'Having，inourunimpeachablerectitude，donehimtheserviceofopeninghiseyestothetreacheryofthepersonhetrusted，weshallhaveestablishedaclaimuponhimandaconfidencewithhim。
Whetheritcanbemademuchof，orlittleof，wemustwait——
becausewecan\'thelpit——tosee。Probablyweshallmakethemostofitthatistobemade。\'
\'Probably，\'saidLammIe。
\'Doyouthinkitimpossible，\'sheasked，inthesamecoldplottingway，\'thatyoumightreplacetheSecretary?\'
\'Notimpossible，Sophronia。Itmightbebroughtabout。Atanyrateitmightbeskilfullyledupto。\'
Shenoddedherunderstandingofthehint，asshelookedatthefire。
\'MrLammle，\'shesaid，musingly:notwithoutaslightironicaltouch:\'MrLammlewouldbesodelightedtodoanythinginhispower。MrLammle，himselfamanofbusinessaswellasacapitalist。MrLammle，accustomedtobeintrustedwiththemostdelicateaffairs。MrLammle，whohasmanagedmyownlittlefortunesoadmirably，butwho，tobesure，begantomakehisreputationwiththeadvantageofbeingamanofproperty，abovetemptation，andbeyondsuspicion。\'
MrLammlesmiled，andevenpattedheronthehead。Inhissinisterrelishofthescheme，ashestoodaboveher，makingitthesubjectofhiscogitations，heseemedtohavetwiceasmuchnoseonhisfaceashehadeverhadinhislife。
Hestoodpondering，andshesatlookingatthedustyfirewithoutmoving，forsometime。But，themomenthebegantospeakagainshelookedupwithawinceandattendedtohim，asifthatdouble-
dealingofhershadbeeninhermind，andthefearwererevivedinherofhishandorhisfoot。
\'Itappearstome，Sophronia，thatyouhaveomittedonebranchofthesubject。Perhapsnot，forwomenunderstandwomen。Wemightoustthegirlherself?\'
MrsLammleshookherhead。\'Shehasanimmenselystrongholduponthemboth，Alfred。Nottobecomparedwiththatofapaidsecretary。
\'Butthedearchild，\'saidLammle，withacrookedsmile，\'oughttohavebeenopenwithherbenefactorandbenefactress。Thedarlingloveoughttohavereposedunboundedconfidenceinherbenefactorandbenefactress。\'
Sophroniashookherheadagain。
\'Well！Womenunderstandwomen，\'saidherhusband，ratherdisappointed。\'Idon\'tpressit。Itmightbethemakingofourfortunetomakeacleansweepofthemboth。Withmetomanagetheproperty，andmywifetomanagethepeople——Whew！\'
Againshakingherhead，shereturned:\'Theywillneverquarrelwiththegirl。Theywillneverpunishthegirl。Wemustacceptthegirl，relyuponit。\'
\'Well！\'criedLammle，shrugginghisshoulders，\'sobeit:onlyalwaysrememberthatwedon\'twanther。\'
\'Now，thesoleremainingquestionis，\'saidMrsLammle，\'whenshallIbegin?\'
\'Youcannotbegintoosoon，Sophronia。AsIhavetoldyou，theconditionofouraffairsisdesperate，andmaybeblownuponatanymoment。\'
\'ImustsecureMrBoffinalone，Alfred。Ifhiswifewaspresent，shewouldthrowoiluponthewaters。IknowIshouldfailtomovehimtoanangryoutburst，ifhiswifewasthere。Andastothegirlherself——asIamgoingtobetrayherconfidence，sheisequallyoutofthequestion。\'
\'Itwouldn\'tdotowriteforanappointment?\'saidLammle。
\'No，certainlynot。TheywouldwonderamongthemselveswhyI
wrote，andIwanttohavehimwhollyunprepared。\'
\'Call，andasktoseehimalone?\'suggestedLammle。
\'Iwouldrathernotdothateither。Leaveittome。Sparemethelittlecarriageforto-day，andforto-morrow(ifIdon\'tsucceedto-
day)，andI\'lllieinwaitforhim。\'
Itwasbarelysettledwhenamanlyformwasseentopassthewindowsandheardtoknockandring。\'Here\'sFledgeby，\'saidLammle。\'Headmiresyou，andhasahighopinionofyou。I\'llbeout。CoaxhimtousehisinfluencewiththeJew。HisnameisRiah，oftheHouseofPubseyandCo。\'Addingthesewordsunderhisbreath，lestheshouldbeaudibleintheerectearsofMrFledgeby，throughtwokeyholesandthehall，Lammle，makingsignalsofdiscretiontohisservant，wentsoftlyupstairs。
\'MrFledgeby，\'saidMrsLammle，givinghimaverygraciousreception，\'sogladtoseeyou！MypoordearAlfred，whoisgreatlyworriedjustnowabouthisaffairs，wentoutratherearly。DearMrFledgeby，dositdown。\'
DearMrFledgebydidsitdown，andsatisfiedhimself(or，judgingfromtheexpressionofhiscountenance，DISsatisfiedhimself)thatnothingnewhadoccurredinthewayofwhisker-sproutsincehecameroundthecornerfromtheAlbany。
\'DearMrFledgeby，itwasneedlesstomentiontoyouthatmypoordearAlfredismuchworriedabouthisaffairsatpresent，forhehastoldmewhatacomfortyouaretohiminhistemporarydifficulties，andwhatagreatserviceyouhaverenderedhim。\'
\'Oh！\'saidMrFledgeby。
\'Yes，\'saidMrsLammle。
\'Ididn\'tknow，\'remarkedMrFledgeby，tryinganewpartofhischair，\'butthatLammlemightbereservedabouthisaffairs。\'
\'Nottome，\'saidMrsLammle，withdeepfeeling。
\'Oh，indeed?\'saidFledgeby。
\'Nottome，dearMrFledgeby。Iamhiswife。\'
\'Yes。I——Ialwaysunderstoodso，\'saidMrFledgeby。
\'AndasthewifeofAlfred，mayI，dearMrFledgeby，whollywithouthisauthorityorknowledge，asIamsureyourdiscernmentwillperceive，entreatyoutocontinuethatgreatservice，andoncemoreuseyourwell-earnedinfluencewithMrRiahforalittlemoreindulgence?ThenameIhaveheardAlfredmention，tossinginhisdreams，ISRiah；isitnot?\'
\'ThenameoftheCreditorisRiah，\'saidMrFledgehy，witharatheruncompromisingaccentonhisnoun-substantive。\'SaintMaryAxe。
PubseyandCo。\'
\'Ohyes！\'exclaimedMrsLammle，claspingherhandswithacertaingushingwildness。\'PubseyandCo。！\'
\'Thepleadingofthefeminine——\'MrFledgebybegan，andtherestucksolongforawordtogetonwith，thatMrsLammleofferedhimsweetly，\'Heart?\'
\'No，\'saidMrFledgeby，\'Gender——iseverwhatamanisboundtolistento，andIwishitrestedwithmyself。ButthisRiahisanastyone，MrsLammle；hereallyis。\'
\'NotifYOUspeaktohim，dearMrFledgeby。\'
\'Uponmysoulandbodyheis！\'saidFledgeby。
\'Try。Tryoncemore，dearestMrFledgeby。Whatisthereyoucannotdo，ifyouwill！\'
\'Thankyou，\'saidFledgeby，\'you\'reverycomplimentarytosayso。
Idon\'tmindtryinghimagain，atyourrequest。ButofcourseI
can\'tanswerfortheconsequences。Riahisatoughsubject，andwhenhesayshe\'lldoathing，he\'lldoit。\'
\'Exactlyso，\'criedMrsLammle，\'andwhenhesaystoyouhe\'llwait，he\'llwait。\'
(\'Sheisadevilishcleverwoman，\'thoughtFledgeby。\'Ididn\'tseethatopening，butshespiesitoutandcutsintoitassoonasit\'smade。\')
\'Inpointoffact，dearMrFledgeby，\'MrsLammlewentoninaveryinterestingmanner，\'nottoaffectconcealmentofAlfred\'shopes，toyouwhoaresomuchhisfriend，thereisadistantbreakinhishorizon。\'
ThisfigureofspeechseemedrathermysterioustoFascinationFledgeby，whosaid，\'There\'sawhatinhis——eh?\'
\'Alfred，dearMrFledgeby，discussedwithmethisverymorningbeforehewentout，someprospectshehas，whichmightentirelychangetheaspectofhispresenttroubles。\'
\'Really?\'saidFledgeby。
\'Oyes！\'HereMrsLammlebroughtherhandkerchiefintoplay。
\'Andyouknow，dearMrFledgeby——youwhostudythehumanheart，andstudytheworld——whatanafflictionitwouldbetolosepositionandtolosecredit，whenabilitytotideoveraveryshorttimemightsaveallappearances。\'
\'Oh！\'saidFledgeby。\'Thenyouthink，MrsLammle，thatifLammlegottime，hewouldn\'tburstup?——Touseanexpression，\'MrFledgebyapologeticallyexplained，\'whichisadoptedintheMoneyMarket。\'
\'Indeedyes。Truly，truly，yes！\'
\'Thatmakesallthedifference，\'saidFledgeby。\'I\'llmakeapointofseeingRiahatonce。\'
\'Blessingsonyou，dearestMrFledgeby！\'
\'Notatall，\'saidFledgeby。Shegavehimherhand。\'Thehand，\'
saidMrFledgeby，\'ofalovelyandsuperior-mindedfemaleisevertherepaymentofa——\'
\'Nobleaction！\'saidMrsLammle，extremelyanxioustogetridofhim。
\'Itwasn\'twhatIwasgoingtosay，\'returnedFledgeby，whoneverwould，underanycircumstances，acceptasuggestedexpression，\'butyou\'reverycomplimentary。MayIimprinta——aone——uponit?
Goodmorning！\'
\'Imaydependuponyourpromptitude，dearestMrFledgeby?\'
SaidFledgeby，lookingbackatthedoorandrespectfullykissinghishand，\'Youmaydependuponit。\'
Infact，MrFledgebyspedonhiserrandofmercythroughthestreets，atsobriskaratethathisfeetmighthavebeenwingedbyallthegoodspiritsthatwaitonGenerosity。Theymighthavetakenuptheirstationinhisbreast，too，forhewasblitheandmerry。
Therewasquiteafreshtrillinhisvoice，when，arrivingatthecounting-houseinStMaryAxe，andfindingitforthemomentempty，hetrolledforthatthefootofthestaircase:\'Now，Judah，whatareyouuptothere?\'
Theoldmanappeared，withhisaccustomeddeference。
\'Halloa！\'saidFledgeby，fallingback，withawink。\'Youmeanmischief，Jerusalem！\'
Theoldmanraisedhiseyesinquiringly。
\'Yesyoudo，\'saidFledgeby。\'Oh，yousinner！Oh，youdodger！
What！You\'regoingtoactuponthatbillofsaleatLammle\'s，areyou?Nothingwillturnyou，won\'tit?Youwon\'tbeputoffforanothersingleminute，won\'tyou?\'
Orderedtoimmediateactionbythemaster\'stoneandlook，theoldmantookuphishatfromthelittlecounterwhereitlay。
\'Youhavebeentoldthathemightpullthroughit，ifyoudidn\'tgointowin，Wide-Awake；haveyou?\'saidFledgeby。\'Andit\'snotyourgamethatheshouldpullthroughit；ain\'tit?Youhavinggotsecurity，andtherebeingenoughtopayyou?Oh，youJew！\'
Theoldmanstoodirresoluteanduncertainforamoment，asiftheremightbefurtherinstructionsforhiminreserve。
\'DoIgo，sir?\'heatlengthaskedinalowvoice。
\'Asksmeifheisgoing！\'exclaimedFledgeby。\'Asksme，asifhedidn\'tknowhisownpurpose！Asksme，asifhehadn\'tgothishatonready！Asksme，asifhissharpoldeye——why，itcutslikeaknife——wasn\'tlookingathiswalking-stickbythedoor！\'
\'DoIgo，sir?\'
\'Doyougo?\'sneeredFledgeby。\'Yes，youdogo。Toddle，Judah！\'
Chapter13
GIVEADOGABADNAME，ANDHANGHIM
FascinationFledgeby，leftaloneinthecounting-house，strolledaboutwithhishatononeside，whistling，andinvestigatingthedrawers，andpryinghereandthereforanysmallevidencesofhisbeingcheated，butcouldfindnone。\'Nothismeritthathedon\'tcheatme，\'wasMrFledgeby\'scommentarydeliveredwithawink，\'butmyprecaution。\'HethenwithalazygrandeurassertedhisrightsaslordofPubseyandCo。bypokinghiscaneatthestoolsandboxes，andspittinginthefireplace，andsoloiteredroyallytothewindowandlookedoutintothenarrowstreet，withhissmalleyesjustpeeringoverthetopofPubseyandCo。\'sblind。Asablindinmoresensesthanone，itremindedhimthathewasaloneinthecounting-housewiththefrontdooropen。Hewasmovingawaytoshutit，lestheshouldbeinjudiciouslyidentifiedwiththeestablishment，whenhewasstoppedbysomeonecomingtothedoor。
Thissomeonewasthedolls\'dressmaker，withalittlebasketonherarm，andhercrutchstickinherhand。HerkeeneyeshadespiedMrFledgebybeforeMrFledgebyhadespiedher，andhewasparalysedinhispurposeofshuttingherout，notsomuchbyherapproachingthedoor，asbyherfavouringhimwithashowerofnods，theinstanthesawher。ThisadvantagesheimprovedbyhobblingupthestepswithsuchdespatchthatbeforeMrFledgebycouldtakemeasuresforherfindingnobodyathome，shewasfacetofacewithhiminthecounting-house。
\'HopeIseeyouwell，sir，\'saidMissWren。\'MrRiahin?\'
Fledgebyhaddroppedintoachair，intheattitudeofonewaitingwearily。\'Isupposehewillbebacksoon，\'hereplied；\'hehascutoutandleftmeexpectinghimback，inanoddway。Haven\'tIseenyoubefore?\'
\'Oncebefore——ifyouhadyoureyesight，\'repliedMissWren；theconditionalclauseinanunder-tone。
\'Whenyouwerecarryingonsomegamesupatthetopofthehouse。Iremember。How\'syourfriend?\'
\'Ihavemorefriendsthanone，sir，Ihope，\'repliedMissWren。
\'Whichfriend?\'
\'Nevermind，\'saidMrFledgeby，shuttinguponeeye，\'anyofyourfriends，allyourfriends。Aretheyprettytolerable?\'
Somewhatconfounded，MissWrenparriedthepleasantry，andsatdowninacornerbehindthedoor，withherbasketinherlap。By-
and-by，shesaid，breakingalongandpatientsilence:
\'Ibegyourpardon，sir，butIamusedtofindMrRiahatthistime，andsoIgenerallycomeatthistime。Ionlywanttobuymypoorlittletwoshillings\'worthofwaste。Perhapsyou\'llkindlyletmehaveit，andI\'lltrotofftomywork。\'
\'Iletyouhaveit?\'saidFledgeby，turninghisheadtowardsher；forhehadbeensittingblinkingatthelight，andfeelinghischeek。
\'Why，youdon\'treallysupposethatIhaveanythingtodowiththeplace，orthebusiness；doyou?\'
\'Suppose?\'exclaimedMissWren。\'Hesaid，thatday，youwerethemaster！\'
\'Theoldcockinblacksaid?Riahsaid?Why，he\'dsayanything。\'
\'Well；butyousaidsotoo，\'returnedMissWren。\'Oratleastyoutookonlikethemaster，anddidn\'tcontradicthim。\'
\'Oneofhisdodges，\'saidMrFledgeby，withacoolandcontemptuousshrug。\'He\'smadeofdodges。Hesaidtome，“Comeuptothetopofthehouse，sir，andI\'llshowyouahandsomegirl。ButIshallcallyouthemaster。”SoIwentuptothetopofthehouseandheshowedmethehandsomegirl(verywellworthlookingatshewas)，andIwascalledthemaster。I
don\'tknowwhy。Idaresayhedon\'t。Helovesadodgeforitsownsake；being，\'addedMrFledgeby，aftercastingaboutforanexpressivephrase，\'thedodgerestofallthedodgers。\'
\'Ohmyhead！\'criedthedolls\'dressmaker，holdingitwithbothherhands，asifitwerecracking。\'Youcan\'tmeanwhatyousay。\'
\'Ican，mylittlewoman，retortedFledgeby，\'andIdo，Iassureyou。
ThisrepudiationwasnotonlyanactofdeliberatepolicyonFledgeby\'spart，incaseofhisbeingsurprisedbyanyothercaller，butwasalsoaretortuponMissWrenforherover-sharpness，andapleasantinstanceofhishumourasregardedtheoldJew。\'HehasgotabadnameasanoldJew，andheispaidfortheuseofit，andI\'llhavemymoney\'sworthoutofhim。\'ThiswasFledgeby\'shabitualreflectioninthewayofbusiness，anditwassharpenedjustnowbytheoldman\'spresumingtohaveasecretfromhim:
thoughofthesecretitself，asannoyingsomebodyelsewhomhedisliked，hebynomeansdisapproved。
MissWrenwithafallencountenancesatbehindthedoorlookingthoughtfullyattheground，andthelongandpatientsilencehadagainsetinforsometime，whentheexpressionofMrFledgeby\'sfacebetokenedthatthroughtheupperportionofthedoor，whichwasofglass，hesawsomeonefalteringonthebrinkofthecounting-house。Presentlytherewasarustleandatap，andthensomemorerustlingandanothertap。Fledgebytakingnonotice，thedoorwasatlengthsoftlyopened，andthedriedfaceofamildlittleelderlygentlemanlookedin。
\'MrRiah?\'saidthisvisitor，verypolitely。
\'Iamwaitingforhim，sir，\'returnedMrFledgeby。\'Hewentoutandleftmehere。Iexpecthimbackeveryminute。Perhapsyouhadbettertakeachair。\'
Thegentlemantookachair，andputhishandtohisforehead，asifhewereinamelancholyframeofmind。MrFledgebyeyedhimaside，andseemedtorelishhisattitude。
\'Afineday，sir，\'remarkedFledgeby。
ThelittledriedgentlemanwassooccupiedwithhisowndepressedreflectionsthathedidnotnoticetheremarkuntilthesoundofMrFledgeby\'svoicehaddiedoutofthecounting-house。Thenhestarted，andsaid:\'Ibegyourpardon，sir。Ifearyouspoketome?\'
\'Isaid，\'remarkedFledgeby，alittlelouderthanbefore，\'itwasafineday。\'
\'Ibegyourpardon。Ibegyourpardon。Yes。\'
Againthelittledriedgentlemanputhishandtohisforehead，andagainMrFledgebyseemedtoenjoyhisdoingit。Whenthegentlemanchangedhisattitudewithasigh，Fledgebyspakewithagrin。
\'MrTwemlow，Ithink?\'
Thedriedgentlemanseemedmuchsurprised。
\'HadthepleasureofdiningwithyouatLammle\'s，\'saidFledgeby。
\'Evenhavethehonourofbeingaconnexionofyours。Anunexpectedsortofplacethistomeetin；butoneneverknows，whenonegetsintotheCity，whatpeopleonemayknockupagainst。Ihopeyouhaveyourhealth，andareenjoyingyourself。\'
Theremighthavebeenatouchofimpertinenceinthelastwords；
ontheotherhand，itmighthavebeenbutthenativegraceofMrFledgeby\'smanner。MrFledgebysatonastoolwithafootontherailofanotherstool，andhishaton。MrTwemlowhaduncoveredonlookinginatthedoor，andremainedso。NowtheconscientiousTwemlow，knowingwhathehaddonetothwartthegraciousFledgeby，wasparticularlydisconcertedbythisencounter。Hewasasillateaseasagentlemanwellcouldbe。HefelthimselfboundtoconducthimselfstifflytowardsFledgeby，andhemadehimadistantbow。Fledgebymadehissmalleyessmallerintakingspecialnoteofhismanner。Thedolls\'dressmakersatinhercornerbehindthedoor，withhereyesonthegroundandherhandsfoldedonherbasket，holdinghercrutch-stickbetweenthem，andappearingtotakenoheedofanything。
\'He\'salongtime，\'mutteredMrFledgeby，lookingathiswatch。
\'Whattimemayyoumakeit，MrTwemlow?\'
MrTwemlowmadeittenminutespasttwelve，sir。
\'Asnearasatoucher，\'assentedFledgeby。\'Ihope，MrTwemlow，yourbusinessheremaybeofamoreagreeablecharacterthanmine。\'
\'Thankyou，sir，\'saidMrTwemlow。
Fledgebyagainmadehissmalleyessmaller，asheglancedwithgreatcomplacencyatTwemlow，whowastimorouslytappingthetablewithafoldedletter。
\'WhatIknowofMrRiah，\'saidFledgeby，withaverydisparagingutteranceofhisname，\'leadsmetobelievethatthisisabouttheshopfordisagreeablebusiness。IhavealwaysfoundhimthebitingestandtightestscrewinLondon。\'
MrTwemlowacknowledgedtheremarkwithalittledistantbow。
Itevidentlymadehimnervous。
\'Somuchso，\'pursuedFledgeby，\'thatifitwasn\'ttobetruetoafriend，nobodyshouldcatchmewaitinghereasingleminute。Butifyouhavefriendsinadversity，standbythem。That\'swhatIsayandactupto。\'
TheequitableTwemlowfeltthatthissentiment，irrespectiveoftheutterer，demandedhiscordialassent。\'Youareveryright，sir，\'herejoinedwithspirit。\'Youindicatethegenerousandmanlycourse。
\'Gladtohaveyourapprobation，\'returnedFledgeby。\'It\'sacoincidence，MrTwemlow；\'herehedescendedfromhisperch，andsaunteredtowardshim；\'thatthefriendsIamstandingbyto-dayarethefriendsatwhosehouseImetyou！TheLammles。She\'saverytakingandagreeablewoman?\'
ConsciencesmotethegentleTwemlowpale。\'Yes，\'hesaid。\'Sheis。\'
\'Andwhensheappealedtomethismorning，tocomeandtrywhatIcoulddotopacifytheircreditor，thisMrRiah——thatIcertainlyhavegainedsomelittleinfluencewithintransactingbusinessforanotherfriend，butnothinglikesomuchasshesupposes——andwhenawomanlikethatspoketomeasherdearestMrFledgeby，andshedtears——whywhatcouldIdo，youknow?\'
Twemlowgasped\'Nothingbutcome。\'
\'Nothingbutcome。AndsoIcame。Butwhy，\'saidFledgeby，puttinghishandsinhispocketsandcounterfeitingdeepmeditation，\'whyRiahshouldhavestartedup，whenItoldhimthattheLammlesentreatedhimtoholdoveraBillofSalehehasonalltheireffects；andwhyheshouldhavecutout，sayinghewouldbebackdirectly；andwhyheshouldhaveleftmeherealonesolong；I
cannotunderstand。\'
ThechivalrousTwemlow，KnightoftheSimpleHeart，wasnotinaconditiontoofferanysuggestion。Hewastoopenitent，tooremorseful。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehehaddoneanunderhandedaction，andhehaddonewrong。Hehadsecretlyinterposedagainstthisconfidingyoungman，fornobetterrealreasonthanbecausetheyoungman\'swayswerenothisways。
But，theconfidingyoungmanproceededtoheapcoalsoffireonhissensitivehead。
\'Ibegyourpardon，MrTwemlow；youseeIamacquaintedwiththenatureoftheaffairsthataretransactedhere。IsthereanythingI
candoforyouhere?Youhavealwaysbeenbroughtupasagentleman，andneverasamanofbusiness；\'anothertouchofpossibleimpertinenceinthisplace；\'andperhapsyouarebutapoormanofbusiness。Whatelseistobeexpected！\'
\'IamevenapoorermanofbusinessthanIamaman，sir，\'returnedTwemlow，\'andIcouldhardlyexpressmydeficiencyinastrongerway。IreallydonotsomuchasclearlyunderstandmypositioninthematteronwhichIambroughthere。Buttherearereasonswhichmakemeverydelicateofacceptingyourassistance。Iamgreatly，greatly，disinclinedtoprofitbyit。Idon\'tdeserveit。\'
Goodchildishcreature！Condemnedtoapassagethroughtheworldbysuchnarrowlittledimly-lightedways，andpickingupsofewspecksorspotsontheroad！
\'Perhaps，\'saidFledgeby，\'youmaybealittleproudofenteringonthetopic，——havingbeenbroughtupasagentleman。\'
\'It\'snotthat，sir，\'returnedTwemlow，\'it\'snotthat。IhopeI
distinguishbetweentrueprideandfalsepride。\'
\'Ihavenoprideatall，myself，\'saidFledgeby，\'andperhapsIdon\'tcutthingssofineastoknowonefromt\'other。ButIknowthisisaplacewhereevenamanofbusinessneedshiswitsabouthim；andifminecanbeofanyusetoyouhere，you\'rewelcometothem。\'
\'Youareverygood，\'saidTwemlow，faltering。\'ButIammostunwilling——\'
\'Idon\'t，youknow，\'proceededFledgebywithanill-favouredglance，\'entertainthevanityofsupposingthatmywitscouldbeofanyusetoyouinsociety，buttheymightbehere。Youcultivatesocietyandsocietycultivatesyou，butMrRiah\'snotsociety。Insociety，MrRiahiskeptdark；eh，MrTwemlow?\'
Twemlow，muchdisturbed，andwithhishandflutteringabouthisforehead，replied:\'Quitetrue。\'
Theconfidingyoungmanbesoughthimtostatehiscase。TheinnocentTwemlow，expectingFledgebytobeastoundedbywhatheshouldunfold，andnotforaninstantconceivingthepossibilityofitshappeningeveryday，buttreatingofitasaterriblephenomenonoccurringinthecourseofages，relatedhowthathehadhadadeceasedfriend，amarriedcivilofficerwithafamily，whohadwantedmoneyforchangeofplaceonchangeofpost，andhowhe，Twemlow，had\'givenhimhisname，\'withtheusual，butintheeyesofTwemlowalmostincredibleresultthathehadbeenlefttorepaywhathehadneverhad。How，inthecourseofyears，hehadreducedtheprincipalbytriflingsums，\'having，\'saidTwemlow，\'alwaystoobservegreateconomy，beingintheenjoymentofafixedincomelimitedinextent，andthatdependingonthemunificenceofacertainnobleman，\'andhadalwayspinchedthefullinterestoutofhimselfwithpunctualpinches。Howhehadcome，incourseoftime，tolookuponthisoneonlydebtofhislifeasaregularquarterlydrawback，andnoworse，when\'hisname\'
hadsomewayfallenintothepossessionofMrRiah，whohadsenthimnoticetoredeemitbypayingupinfull，inoneplumpsum，ortaketremendousconsequences。This，withhazyremembrancesofhowhehadbeencarriedtosomeofficeto\'confessjudgment\'(asherecollectedthephrase)，andhowhehadbeencarriedtoanotherofficewherehislifewasassuredforsomebodynotwhollyunconnectedwiththesherrytradewhomherememberedbytheremarkablecircumstancethathehadaStraduariusviolintodisposeof，andalsoaMadonna，formedthesumandsubstanceofMrTwemlow\'snarrative。ThroughwhichstalkedtheshadowoftheawfulSnigsworth，eyedafaroffbymoney-lendersasSecurityintheMist，andmenacingTwemlowwithhisbaronialtruncheon。
Toall，MrFledgebylistenedwiththemodestgravitybecomingaconfidingyoungmanwhoknewitallbeforehand，and，whenitwasfinished，seriouslyshookhishead。\'Idon\'tlike，MrTwemlow，\'saidFledgeby，\'Idon\'tlikeRiah\'scallingintheprincipal。Ifhe\'sdeterminedtocallitin，itmustcome。\'
\'Butsupposing，sir，\'saidTwemlow，downcast，\'thatitcan\'tcome?\'
\'Then，\'retortedFledgeby，\'youmustgo，youknow。\'
\'Where?\'askedTwemlow，faintly。
\'Toprison，\'returnedFledgeby。WhereatMrTwemlowleanedhisinnocentheaduponhishand，andmoanedalittlemoanofdistressanddisgrace。
\'However，\'saidFledgeby，appearingtopluckuphisspirits，\'we\'llhopeit\'snotsobadasthatcomesto。Ifyou\'llallowme，I\'llmentiontoMrRiahwhenhecomesin，whoyouare，andI\'lltellhimyou\'remyfriend，andI\'llsaymysayforyou，insteadofyoursayingitforyourself；Imaybeabletodoitinamorebusiness-likeway。Youwon\'tconsideritaliberty?\'
\'Ithankyouagainandagain，sir，\'saidTwemlow。\'Iamstrong，strongly，disinclinedtoavailmyselfofyourgenerosity，thoughmyhelplessnessyields。ForIcannotbutfeelthatI——toputitinthemildestformofspeech——thatIhavedonenothingtodeserveit。\'
\'WhereCANhebe?\'mutteredFledgeby，referringtohiswatchagain。\'WhatCANhehavegoneoutfor?Didyoueverseehim，MrTwemlow?\'
\'Never。\'
\'HeisathoroughJewtolookat，butheisamorethoroughJewtodealwith。He\'sworstwhenhe\'squiet。Ifhe\'squiet，Ishalltakeitasaverybadsign。Keepyoureyeuponhimwhenhecomesin，and，ifhe\'squiet，don\'tbehopeful。Hereheis！——Helooksquiet。\'
Withthesewords，whichhadtheeffectofcausingtheharmlessTwemlowpainfulagitation，MrFledgebywithdrewtohisformerpost，andtheoldmanenteredthecounting-house。
\'Why，MrRiah，\'saidFledgeby，\'Ithoughtyouwerelost！\'
Theoldman，glancingatthestranger，stoodstock-still。Heperceivedthathismasterwasleadinguptotheordershewastotake，andhewaitedtounderstandthem。
\'Ireallythought，\'repeatedFledgebyslowly，\'thatyouwerelost，MrRiah。Why，nowIlookatyou——butno，youcan\'thavedoneit；no，youcan\'thavedoneit！\'
Hatinhand，theoldmanliftedhishead，andlookeddistressfullyatFledgebyasseekingtoknowwhatnewmoralburdenhewastobear。
\'Youcan\'thaverushedouttogetthestartofeverybodyelse，andputinthatbillofsaleatLammle\'s?\'saidFledgeby。\'Sayyouhaven\'t，MrRiah。\'
\'Sir，Ihave，\'repliedtheoldmaninalowvoice。
\'Ohmyeye！\'criedFledgeby。\'Tut，tut，tut！Dear，dear，dear！Well！
Iknewyouwereahardcustomer，MrRiah，butIneverthoughtyouwereashardasthat。\'
\'Sir，\'saidtheoldman，withgreatuneasiness，\'IdoasIamdirected。Iamnottheprincipalhere。Iambuttheagentofasuperior，andIhavenochoice，nopower。\'
\'Don\'tsayso，\'retortedFledgeby，secretlyexultantastheoldmanstretchedouthishands，withashrinkingactionofdefendinghimselfagainstthesharpconstructionofthetwoobservers。\'Don\'tplaythetuneofthetrade，MrRiah。You\'vearighttogetinyourdebts，ifyou\'redeterminedtodoit，butdon\'tpretendwhateveryoneinyourlineregularlypretends。Atleast，don\'tdoittome。
Whyshouldyou，MrRiah?YouknowIknowallaboutyou。\'
Theoldmanclaspedtheskirtofhislongcoatwithhisdisengagedhand，anddirectedawistfullookatFledgeby。
\'Anddon\'t，\'saidFledgeby，\'don\'t，Ientreatyouasafavour，MrRiah，besodevilishmeek，forIknowwhat\'llfollowifyouare。
Lookhere，MrRiah。ThisgentlemanisMrTwemlow。\'
TheJewturnedtohimandbowed。Thatpoorlambbowedinreturn；polite，andterrified。
\'Ihavemadesuchafailure，\'proceededFledgeby，\'intryingtodoanythingwithyouformyfriendLammle，thatI\'vehardlyahopeofdoinganythingwithyouformyfriend(andconnexionindeed)MrTwemlow。ButIdothinkthatifyouwoulddoafavourforanybody，youwouldforme，andIwon\'tfailforwantoftrying，andI\'vepassedmypromisetoMrTwemlowbesides。Now，MrRiah，hereisMrTwemlow。Alwaysgoodforhisinterest，alwayscominguptotime，alwayspayinghislittleway。Now，whyshouldyoupressMrTwemlow?Youcan\'thaveanyspiteagainstMrTwemlow！WhynotbeeasywithMrTwemlow?\'
TheoldmanlookedintoFledgeby\'slittleeyesforanysignofleavetobeeasywithMrTwemlow；buttherewasnosigninthem。
\'MrTwemlowisnoconnexionofyours，MrRiah，\'saidFledgeby；
\'youcan\'twanttobeevenwithhimforhavingthroughlifegoneinforagentlemanandhungontohisFamily。IfMrTwemlowhasacontemptforbusiness，whatcanitmattertoyou?\'
\'Butpardonme，\'interposedthegentlevictim，\'Ihavenot。I
shouldconsideritpresumption。\'
\'There，MrRiah！\'saidFledgeby，\'isn\'tthathandsomelysaid?
Come！MaketermswithmeforMrTwemlow。\'
Theoldmanlookedagainforanysignofpermissiontosparethepoorlittlegentleman。No。MrFledgebymeanthimtoberacked。
\'Iamverysorry，MrTwemlow，\'saidRiah。\'Ihavemyinstructions。Iaminvestedwithnoauthorityfordivergingfromthem。Themoneymustbepaid。\'
\'Infullandslapdown，doyoumean，MrRiah?\'askedFledgeby，tomakethingsquiteexplicit。
\'Infull，sir，andatonce，\'wasRiah\'sanswer。
