下载辰思小说免费APP
Iamnotinthetea\'sway，ifIdrawmyarmoveryourshoulderlikethis，Pa?\'
\'Yes，mydear，andno，mydear。Yestothefirstquestion，andCertainlyNottothesecond。Respectingthequiettea，mydear，whyyouseetheoccupationsofthedayaresometimesalittlewearing；andifthere\'snothinginterposedbetweenthedayandyourmother，whySHEissometimesalittlewearing，too。\'
\'Iknow，Pa。\'
\'Yes，mydear。SosometimesIputaquietteaatthewindowhere，withalittlequietcontemplationoftheLane(whichcomessoothing)，betweentheday，anddomestic——\'
\'Bliss，\'suggestedBella，sorrowfully。
\'AnddomesticBliss，\'saidherfather，quitecontentedtoacceptthephrase。
Bellakissedhim。\'Anditisinthisdarkdingyplaceofcaptivity，poordear，thatyoupassallthehoursofyourlifewhenyouarenotathome?\'
\'Notathome，ornotontheroadthere，orontheroadhere，mylove。
Yes。Youseethatlittledeskinthecorner?\'
\'Inthedarkcorner，furthestbothfromthelightandfromthefireplace?Theshabbiestdeskofallthedesks?\'
\'Now，doesitreallystrikeyouinthatpointofview，mydear?\'saidherfather，surveyingitartisticallywithhisheadononeside:\'that\'smine。That\'scalledRumty\'sPerch。\'
\'WhosePerch?\'askedBellawithgreatindignation。
\'Rumty\'s。Yousee，beingratherhighanduptwostepstheycallitaPerch。AndtheycallMERumty。\'
\'Howdarethey！\'exclaimedBella。
\'They\'replayful，Bellamydear；they\'replayful。They\'remoreorlessyoungerthanIam，andthey\'replayful。Whatdoesitmatter?
ItmightbeSurly，orSulky，orfiftydisagreeablethingsthatIreallyshouldn\'tliketobeconsidered。ButRumty！Lor，whynotRumty?\'
Toinflictaheavydisappointmentonthissweetnature，whichhadbeen，throughallhercaprices，theobjectofherrecognition，love，andadmirationfrominfancy，Bellafelttobethehardesttaskofherhardday。\'Ishouldhavedonebetter，\'shethought，\'totellhimatfirst；Ishouldhavedonebettertotellhimjustnow，whenhehadsomeslightmisgiving；heisquitehappyagain，andIshallmakehimwretched。\'
Hewasfallingbackonhisloafandmilk，withthepleasantestcomposure，andBellastealingherarmalittlecloserabouthim，andatthesametimestickinguphishairwithanirresistiblepropensitytoplaywithhimfoundedonthehabitofherwholelife，hadpreparedherselftosay:\'Padear，don\'tbecastdown，butI
musttellyousomethingdisagreeable！\'whenheinterruptedherinanunlooked-formanner。
\'Mygraciousme！\'heexclaimed，invokingtheMincingLaneechoesasbefore。\'Thisisveryextraordinary！\'
\'Whatis，Pa?\'
\'Whyhere\'sMrRokesmithnow！\'
\'No，no，Pa，no，\'criedBella，greatlyflurried。\'Surelynot。\'
\'Yesthereis！Lookhere！\'
Soothtosay，MrRokesmithnotonlypassedthewindow，butcameintothecounting-house。Andnotonlycameintothecounting-
house，but，findinghimselfalonetherewithBellaandherfather，rushedatBellaandcaughtherinhisarms，withtherapturouswords\'Mydear，deargirl；mygallant，generous，disinterested，courageous，noblegirl！\'Andnotonlythateven，(whichonemighthavethoughtastonishmentenoughforonedose)，butBella，afterhangingherheadforamoment，lifteditupandlaiditonhisbreast，asifthatwereherhead\'schosenandlastingresting-place！
\'Iknewyouwouldcometohim，andIfollowedyou，\'saidRokesmith。\'Mylove，mylife！YouAREmine?\'
TowhichBellaresponded，\'Yes，IAMyoursifyouthinkmeworthtaking！\'Andafterthat，seemedtoshrinktonexttonothingintheclaspofhisarms，partlybecauseitwassuchastrongoneonhispart，andpartlybecausetherewassuchayieldingtoitonhers。
Thecherub，whosehairwouldhavedoneforitselfundertheinfluenceofthisamazingspectacle，whatBellahadjustnowdoneforit，staggeredbackintothewindow-seatfromwhichhehadrisen，andsurveyedthepairwithhiseyesdilatedtotheirutmost。
\'ButwemustthinkofdearPa，\'saidBella；\'Ihaven\'ttolddearPa；
letusspeaktoPa。\'Uponwhichtheyturnedtodoso。
\'Iwishfirst，mydear，\'remarkedthecherubfaintly，\'thatyou\'dhavethekindnesstosprinklemewithalittlemilk，forIfeelasifIwas——
Going。\'
Infact，thegoodlittlefellowhadbecomealarminglylimp，andhissensesseemedtoberapidlyescaping，fromthekneesupward。
Bellasprinkledhimwithkissesinsteadofmilk，butgavehimalittleofthatarticletodrink；andhegraduallyrevivedunderhercaressingcare。
\'We\'llbreakittoyougently，dearestPa，\'saidBella。
\'Mydear，\'returnedthecherub，lookingatthemboth，\'youbrokesomuchinthefirst——Gush，ifImaysoexpressmyself——thatIthinkI
amequaltoagoodlargebreakagenow。\'
\'MrWilfer，\'saidJohnRokesmith，excitedlyandjoyfully，\'Bellatakesme，thoughIhavenofortune，evennopresentoccupation；
nothingbutwhatIcangetinthelifebeforeus。Bellatakesme！\'
\'Yes，Ishouldratherhaveinferred，mydearsir，\'returnedthecherubfeebly，\'thatBellatookyou，fromwhatIhavewithinthesefewminutesremarked。\'
\'Youdon\'tknow，Pa，\'saidBella，\'howillIhaveusedhim！\'
\'Youdon\'tknow，sir，\'saidRokesmith，\'whataheartshehas！\'
\'Youdon\'tknow，Pa，\'saidBella，\'whatashockingcreatureIwasgrowing，whenhesavedmefrommyself！\'
\'Youdon\'tknow，sir，\'saidRokesmith，\'whatasacrificeshehasmadeforme！\'
\'MydearBella，\'repliedthecherub，stillpatheticallyscared，\'andmydearJohnRokesmith，ifyouwillallowmesotocallyou——\'
\'Yesdo，Pa，do！\'urgedBella。\'Iallowyou，andmywillishislaw。
Isn\'tit——dearJohnRokesmith?\'
TherewasanengagingshynessinBella，coupledwithanengagingtendernessofloveandconfidenceandpride，inthusfirstcallinghimbyname，whichmadeitquiteexcusableinJohnRokesmithtodowhathedid。Whathedidwas，oncemoretogivehertheappearanceofvanishingasaforesaid。
\'Ithink，mydears，\'observedthecherub，\'thatifyoucouldmakeitconvenienttositoneononesideofme，andtheotherontheother，weshouldgetonrathermoreconsecutively，andmakethingsratherplainer。JohnRokesmithmentioned，awhileago，thathehadnopresentoccupation。\'
\'None，\'saidRokesmith。
\'No，Pa，none，\'saidBella。
\'FromwhichIargue，\'proceededthecherub，\'thathehasleftMrBoffin?\'
\'Yes，Pa。Andso——\'
\'Stopabit，mydear。Iwishtoleaduptoitbydegrees。AndthatMrBoffinhasnottreatedhimwell?\'
\'Hastreatedhimmostshamefully，dearPa！\'criedBellawithaflashingface。
\'Ofwhich，\'pursuedthecherub，enjoiningpatiencewithhishand，\'acertainmercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，couldnotapprove?AmIleadinguptoitright?\'
\'Couldnotapprove，sweetPa，\'saidBella，withatearfullaughandajoyfulkiss。
\'Uponwhich，\'pursuedthecherub，\'thecertainmercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，havingpreviouslyobservedandmentionedtomyselfthatprosperitywasspoilingMrBoffin，feltthatshemustnotsellhersenseofwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong，andwhatwastrueandwhatwasfalse，andwhatwasjustandwhatwasunjust，foranypricethatcouldbepaidtoherbyanyonealive?AmIleadinguptoitright?\'
WithanothertearfullaughBellajoyfullykissedhimagain。
\'Andtherefore——andtherefore，\'thecherubwentoninaglowingvoice，asBella\'shandstolegraduallyuphiswaistcoattohisneck，\'thismercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，refusedtheprice，tookoffthesplendidfashionsthatwerepartofit，putonthecomparativelypoordressthatIhadlastgivenher，andtrustingtomysupportingherinwhatwasright，camestraighttome。HaveIleduptoit?\'
Bella\'shandwasroundhisneckbythistime，andherfacewasonit。
\'Themercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，\'saidhergoodfather，\'didwell！Themercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，didnottrusttomeinvain！Iadmirethismercenaryyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，moreinthisdressthanifshehadcometomeinChinasilks，Cashmereshawls，andGolcondadiamonds。Ilovethisyoungpersondearly。Isaytothemanofthisyoungperson\'sheart，outofmyheartandwithallofit，“Myblessingonthisengagementbetwixtyou，andshebringsyouagoodfortunewhenshebringsyouthepovertyshehasacceptedforyoursakeandthehonesttruth\'s！“\'
Thestanchlittleman\'svoicefailedhimashegaveJohnRokesmithhishand，andhewassilent，bendinghisfacelowoverhisdaughter。But，notforlong。Hesoonlookedup，sayinginasprightlytone:
\'Andnow，mydearchild，ifyouthinkyoucanentertainJohnRokesmithforaminuteandahalf，I\'llrunovertotheDairy，andfetchHIMacottageloafandadrinkofmilk，thatwemayallhaveteatogether。\'
Itwas，asBellagailysaid，likethesupperprovidedforthethreenurseryhobgoblinsattheirhouseintheforest，withouttheirthunderouslowgrowlingsofthealarmingdiscovery，\'Somebody\'sbeendrinkingMYmilk！\'Itwasadeliciousrepast；byfarthemostdeliciousthatBella，orJohnRokesmith，orevenR。Wilferhadevermade。Theuncongenialoddityofitssurroundings，withthetwobrassknobsoftheironsafeofChicksey，Veneering，andStobblesstaringfromacorner，liketheeyesofsomedulldragon，onlymadeitthemoredelightful。
\'Tothink，\'saidthecherub，lookingroundtheofficewithunspeakableenjoyment，\'thatanythingofatendernatureshouldcomeoffhere，iswhatticklesme。TothinkthateverIshouldhaveseenmyBellafoldedinthearmsofherfuturehusband，HERE，youknow！\'
Itwasnotuntilthecottageloavesandthemilkhadforsometimedisappeared，andtheforeshadowingsofnightwerecreepingoverMincingLane，thatthecherubbydegreesbecamealittlenervous，andsaidtoBella，asheclearedhisthroat:
\'Hem！——Haveyouthoughtatallaboutyourmother，mydear?\'
\'Yes，Pa。\'
\'AndyoursisterLavvy，forinstance，mydear?\'
\'Yes，Pa。Ithinkwehadbetternotenterintoparticularsathome。I
thinkitwillbequiteenoughtosaythatIhadadifferencewithMrBoffin，andhaveleftforgood。\'
\'JohnRokesmithbeingacquaintedwithyourMa，mylove，\'saidherfather，aftersomeslighthesitation，\'IneedhavenodelicacyinhintingbeforehimthatyoumayperhapsfindyourMaalittlewearing。\'
\'Alittle，patientPa?\'saidBellawithatunefullaugh:thetunefullerforbeingsolovinginitstone。
\'Well！We\'llsay，strictlyinconfidenceamongourselves，wearing；
wewon\'tqualifyit，\'thecherubstoutlyadmitted。\'Andyoursister\'stemperiswearing。\'
\'Idon\'tmind，Pa。\'
\'Andyoumustprepareyourselfyouknow，myprecious，\'saidherfather，withmuchgentleness，\'forourlookingverypoorandmeagreathome，andbeingatthebestbutveryuncomfortable，afterMrBoffin\'shouse。\'
\'Idon\'tmind，Pa。Icouldbearmuchhardertrials——forJohn。\'
TheclosingwordswerenotsosoftlyandblushinglysaidbutthatJohnheardthem，andshowedthatheheardthembyagainassistingBellatoanotherofthosemysteriousdisappearances。
\'Well！\'saidthecherubgaily，andnotexpressingdisapproval，\'whenyou——whenyoucomebackfromretirement，mylove，andreappearonthesurface，Ithinkitwillbetimetolockupandgo。\'
Ifthecounting-houseofChicksey，Veneering，andStobbleshadeverbeenshutupbythreehappierpeople，gladasmostpeopleweretoshutitup，theymusthavebeensuperlativelyhappyindeed。
ButfirstBellamounteduponRumty\'sPerch，andsaid，\'Showmewhatyoudoherealldaylong，dearPa。Doyouwritelikethis?\'
layingherroundcheekuponherplumpleftarm，andlosingsightofherpeninwavesofhair，inahighlyunbusiness-likemanner。
ThoughJohnRokesmithseemedtolikeit。
So，thethreehobgoblins，havingeffacedalltracesoftheirfeast，andsweptupthecrumbs，cameoutofMincingLanetowalktoHolloway；andiftwoofthehobgoblinsdidn\'twishthedistancetwiceaslongasitwas，thethirdhobgoblinwasmuchmistaken。
Indeed，thatmodestspiritdeemedhimselfsomuchinthewayoftheirdeepenjoymentofthejourney，thatheapologeticallyremarked:\'Ithink，mydears，I\'lltaketheleadontheothersideoftheroad，andseemnottobelongtoyou。\'Whichhedid，cherubicallystrewingthepathwithsmiles，intheabsenceofflowers。
Itwasalmostteno\'clockwhentheystoppedwithinviewofWilferCastle；andthen，thespotbeingquietanddeserted，Bellabeganaseriesofdisappearanceswhichthreatenedtolastallnight。
\'Ithink，John，\'thecherubhintedatlast，\'thatifyoucansparemetheyoungpersondistantlyrelatedtomyself，I\'lltakeherin。\'
\'Ican\'tspareher，\'answeredJohn，\'butImustlendhertoyou。\'——MyDarling！\'AwordofmagicwhichcausedBellainstantlytodisappearagain。
\'Now，dearestPa，\'saidBella，whenshebecamevisible，\'putyourhandinmine，andwe\'llrunhomeasfastaseverwecanrun，andgetitover。Now，Pa。Once！——\'
\'Mydear，\'thecherubfaltered，withsomethingofacravenair，\'I
wasgoingtoobservethatifyourmother——\'
\'Youmustn\'thangback，sir，togaintime，\'criedBella，puttingoutherrightfoot；\'doyouseethat，sir?That\'sthemark；comeuptothemark，sir。Once！Twice！Threetimesandaway，Pa！\'Offsheskimmed，bearingthecherubalong，noreverstopped，norsufferedhimtostop，untilshehadpulledatthebell。\'Now，dearPa，\'saidBella，takinghimbybothearsasifhewereapitcher，andconveyinghisfacetoherrosylips，\'weareinforit！\'
MissLavvycameouttoopenthegate，waitedonbythatattentivecavalierandfriendofthefamily，MrGeorgeSampson。\'Why，it\'sneverBella！\'exclaimedMissLavvystartingbackatthesight。Andthenbawled，\'Ma！Here\'sBella！\'
Thisproduced，beforetheycouldgetintothehouse，MrsWilfer。
Who，standingintheportal，receivedthemwithghostlygloom，andallherotherappliancesofceremony。
\'Mychildiswelcome，thoughunlookedfor，\'saidshe，atthetimepresentinghercheekasifitwereacoolslateforvisitorstoenrolthemselvesupon。\'Youtoo，R。W。，arewelcome，thoughlate。
DoesthemaledomesticofMrsBoffinhearmethere?\'Thisdeep-
tonedinquirywascastforthintothenight，forresponsefromthemenialinquestion。
\'Thereisnoonewaiting，Ma，dear，\'saidBella。
\'Thereisnoonewaiting?\'repeatedMrsWilferinmajesticaccents。
\'No，Ma，dear。\'
AdignifiedshiverpervadedMrsWilfer\'sshouldersandgloves，aswhoshouldsay，\'AnEnigma！\'andthenshemarchedattheheadoftheprocessiontothefamilykeeping-room，wheresheobserved:
\'Unless，R。W。\':whostartedonbeingsolemnlyturnedupon:\'youhavetakentheprecautionofmakingsomeadditiontoourfrugalsupperonyourwayhome，itwillprovebutadistastefulonetoBella。ColdneckofmuttonandalettucecanillcompetewiththeluxuriesofMrBoffin\'sboard。\'
\'Praydon\'ttalklikethat，Madear，\'saidBella；\'MrBoffin\'sboardisnothingtome。\'
But，hereMissLavinia，whohadbeenintentlyeyeingBella\'sbonnet，struckinwith\'Why，Bella！\'
\'Yes，Lavvy，Iknow。\'
TheIrrepressibleloweredhereyestoBella\'sdress，andstoopedtolookatit，exclaimingagain:\'Why，Bella！\'
\'Yes，Lavvy，IknowwhatIhavegoton。IwasgoingtotellMawhenyouinterrupted。IhaveleftMrBoffin\'shouseforgood，Ma，andIhavecomehomeagain。\'
MrsWilferspakenoword，but，havingglaredatheroffspringforaminuteortwoinanawfulsilence，retiredintohercornerofstatebackward，andsatdown:likeafrozenarticleonsaleinaRussianmarket。
\'Inshort，dearMa，\'saidBella，takingoffthedepreciatedbonnetandshakingoutherhair，\'IhavehadaveryseriousdifferencewithMrBoffinonthesubjectofhistreatmentofamemberofhishousehold，andit\'safinaldifference，andthere\'sanendofall。\'
\'AndIamboundtotellyou，mydear，\'addedR。W。，submissively，\'thatBellahasactedinatrulybravespirit，andwithatrulyrightfeeling。AndthereforeIhope，mydear，you\'llnotallowyourselftobegreatlydisappointed。\'
\'George！\'saidMissLavvy，inasepulchral，warningvoice，foundedonhermother\'s；\'GeorgeSampson，speak！WhatdidItellyouaboutthoseBoffins?\'
MrSampsonperceivinghisfrailbarktobelabouringamongshoalsandbreakers，thoughtitsafestnottoreferbacktoanyparticularthingthathehadbeentold，lestheshouldreferbacktothewrongthing。Withadmirableseamanshiphegothisbarkintodeepwaterbymurmuring\'Yesindeed。\'
\'Yes！ItoldGeorgeSampson，asGeorgeSampsontellsyou，saidMissLavvy，\'thatthosehatefulBoffinswouldpickaquarrelwithBella，assoonashernoveltyhadwornoff。Havetheydoneit，orhavetheynot?WasIright，orwasIwrong?Andwhatdoyousaytous，Bella，ofyourBoffinsnow?\'
\'LavvyandMa，\'saidBella，\'IsayofMrandMrsBoffinwhatI
alwayshavesaid；andIalwaysshallsayofthemwhatIalwayshavesaid。Butnothingwillinducemetoquarrelwithanyoneto-
night。Ihopeyouarenotsorrytoseeme，Madear，\'kissingher；
\'andIhopeyouarenotsorrytoseeme，Lavvy，\'kissinghertoo；
\'andasInoticethelettuceMamentioned，onthetable，I\'llmakethesalad。\'
Bellaplayfullysettingherselfaboutthetask，MrsWilfer\'simpressivecountenancefollowedherwithglaringeyes，presentingacombinationoftheoncepopularsignoftheSaracen\'sHead，withapieceofDutchclock-work，andsuggestingtoanimaginativemindthatfromthecompositionofthesalad，herdaughtermightprudentlyomitthevinegar。Butnowordissuedfromthemajesticmatron\'slips。Andthiswasmoreterrifictoherhusband(asperhapssheknew)thananyflowofeloquencewithwhichshecouldhaveedifiedthecompany。
\'Now，Madear，\'saidBellainduecourse，\'thesalad\'sready，andit\'spastsupper-time。\'
MrsWilferrose，butremainedspeechless。\'George！\'saidMissLaviniainhervoiceofwarning，\'Ma\'schair！\'MrSampsonflewtotheexcellentlady\'sback，andfollowedherupclosechairinhand，asshestalkedtothebanquet。Arrivedatthetable，shetookherrigidseat，afterfavouringMrSampsonwithaglareforhimself，whichcausedtheyounggentlemantoretiretohisplaceinmuchconfusion。
Thecherubnotpresumingtoaddresssotremendousanobject，transactedhersupperthroughtheagencyofathirdperson，as\'MuttontoyourMa，Bella，mydear\'；and\'Lavvy，IdaresayyourMawouldtakesomelettuceifyouweretoputitonherplate。\'
MrsWilfer\'smannerofreceivingthoseviandswasmarkedbypetrifiedabsenceofmind；inwhichstate，likewise，shepartookofthem，occasionallylayingdownherknifeandfork，assayingwithinherownspirit，\'WhatisthisIamdoing?\'andglaringatoneorotheroftheparty，asifinindignantsearchofinformation。A
magneticresultofsuchglaringwas，thatthepersonglaredatcouldnotbyanymeanssuccessfullypretendtoheignorantofthefact:
sothatabystander，withoutbeholdingMrsWilferatall，musthaveknownatwhomshewasglaring，byseeingherrefractedfromthecountenanceofthebeglaredone。
MissLaviniawasextremelyaffabletoMrSampsononthisspecialoccasion，andtooktheopportunityofinforminghersisterwhy。
\'Itwasnotworthtroublingyouabout，Bella，whenyouwereinaspheresofarremovedfromyourfamilyastomakeitamatterinwhichyoucouldbeexpectedtotakeverylittleinterest，\'saidLaviniawithatossofherchin；\'butGeorgeSampsonispayinghisaddressestome。\'
Bellawasgladtohearit。MrSampsonbecamethoughtfullyred，andfeltcalledupontoencircleMissLavinia\'swaistwithhisarm；
but，encounteringalargepinintheyounglady\'sbelt，scarifiedafinger，utteredasharpexclamation，andattractedthelightningofMrsWilfer\'sglare。
\'Georgeisgettingonverywell，\'saidMissLaviniawhichmightnothavebeensupposedatthemoment——\'andIdaresayweshallbemarried，oneofthesedays。Ididn\'tcaretomentionitwhenyouwerewithyourBof——\'hereMissLaviniacheckedherselfinabounce，andaddedmoreplacidly，\'whenyouwerewithMrandMrsBoffin；butnowIthinkitsisterlytonamethecircumstance。\'
\'Thankyou，Lavvydear。Icongratulateyou。\'
\'Thankyou，Bella。Thetruthis，GeorgeandIdiddiscusswhetherI
shouldtellyou；butIsaidtoGeorgethatyouwouldn\'tbemuchinterestedinsopaltryanaffair，andthatitwasfarmorelikelyyouwouldratherdetachyourselffromusaltogether，thanhavehimaddedtotherestofus。\'
\'Thatwasamistake，dearLavvy，\'saidBella。
\'Itturnsouttobe，\'repliedMissLavinia；\'butcircumstanceshavechanged，youknow，mydear。Georgeisinanewsituation，andhisprospectsareverygoodindeed。Ishouldn\'thavehadthecouragetotellyousoyesterday，whenyouwouldhavethoughthisprospectspoor，andnotworthnotice；butIfeelquiteboldtonight。\'
\'Whendidyoubegintofeeltimid，Lavvy?inquiredBella，withasmile。
\'Ididn\'tsaythatIeverfelttimid，Bella，\'repliedtheIrrepressible。
\'ButperhapsImighthavesaid，ifIhadnotbeenrestrainedbydelicacytowardsasister\'sfeelings，thatIhaveforsometimefeltindependent；tooindependent，mydear，tosubjectmyselftohavemyintendedmatch(you\'llprickyourselfagain，George)lookeddownupon。ItisnotthatIcouldhaveblamedyouforlookingdownuponit，whenyouwerelookinguptoarichandgreatmatch，Bella；itisonlythatIwasindependent。\'
WhethertheIrrepressiblefeltslightedbyBella\'sdeclarationthatshewouldnotquarrel，orwhetherherspitefulnesswasevokedbyBella\'sreturntothesphereofMrGeorgeSampson\'scourtship，orwhetheritwasanecessaryfilliptoherspiritsthatsheshouldcomeintocollisionwithsomebodyonthepresentoccasion，——anyhowshemadeadashatherstatelyparentnow，withthegreatestimpetuosity。
\'Ma，praydon\'tsitstaringatmeinthatintenselyaggravatingmanner！Ifyouseeablackonmynose，tellmeso；ifyoudon\'t，leavemealone。\'
\'DoyouaddressMeinthosewords?\'saidMrsWilfer。\'Doyoupresume?\'
\'Don\'ttalkaboutpresuming，Ma，forgoodness\'sake。Agirlwhoisoldenoughtobeengaged，isquiteoldenoughtoobjecttobestaredatasifshewasaClock。\'
\'Audaciousone！\'saidMrsWilfer。\'Yourgrandmamma，ifsoaddressedbyoneofherdaughters，atanyage，wouldhaveinsistedonherretiringtoadarkapartment。\'
\'Mygrandmamma，\'returnedLavvy，foldingherarmsandleaningbackinherchair，\'wouldn\'thavesatstaringpeopleoutofcountenance，Ithink。\'
\'Shewould！\'saidMrsWilfer。
\'Thenit\'sapityshedidn\'tknowbetter，\'saidLavvy。\'Andifmygrandmammawasn\'tinherdotagewhenshetooktoinsistingonpeople\'sretiringtodarkapartments，sheoughttohavebeen。A
prettyexhibitionmygrandmammamusthavemadeofherself！I
wonderwhethersheeverinsistedonpeople\'sretiringintotheballofStPaul\'s；andifshedid，howshegotthemthere！\'
\'Silence！\'proclaimedMrsWilfer。\'Icommandsilence！\'
\'Ihavenottheslightestintentionofbeingsilent，Ma，\'returnedLaviniacoolly，\'butquitethecontrary。IamnotgoingtobeeyedasifIhadcomefromtheBoffins，andsitsilentunderit。IamnotgoingtohaveGeorgeSampsoneyedasifHEhadcomefromtheBoffins，andsitsilentunderit。IfPathinkspropertobeeyedasifHEhadcomefromtheBoffinsalso，wellandgood。Idon\'tchooseto。AndIwon\'t！\'
Lavinia\'sengineeringhavingmadethiscrookedopeningatBella，MrsWilferstrodeintoit。
\'Yourebelliousspirit！Youmutinouschild！Tellmethis，Lavinia。
Ifinviolationofyourmother\'ssentiments，youhadcondescendedtoallowyourselftobepatronizedbytheBoffins，andifyouhadcomefromthosehallsofslavery——\'
\'That\'smerenonsense，Ma，\'saidLavinia。
\'How！\'exclaimedMrsWilfer，withsublimeseverity。
\'Hallsofslavery，Ma，ismerestuffandnonsense，\'returnedtheunmovedIrrepressible。
\'Isay，presumptuouschild，ifyouhadcomefromtheneighbourhoodofPortlandPlace，bendingundertheyokeofpatronageandattendedbyitsdomesticsinglitteringgarbtovisitme，doyouthinkmydeep-seatedfeelingscouldhavebeenexpressedinlooks?\'
\'AllIthinkaboutit，is，\'returnedLavinia，\'thatIshouldwishthemexpressedtotherightperson。\'
\'Andif，\'pursuedhermother，\'ifmakinglightofmywarningsthatthefaceofMrsBoffinalonewasafaceteemingwithevil，youhadclungtoMrsBoffininsteadoftome，andhadafterallcomehomerejectedbyMrsBoffin，trampledunderfootbyMrsBoffin，andcastoutbyMrsBoffin，doyouthinkmyfeelingscouldhavebeenexpressedinlooks?\'
Laviniawasaboutreplyingtoherhonouredparentthatshemightaswellhavedispensedwithherlooksaltogetherthen，whenBellaroseandsaid，\'Goodnight，dearMa。Ihavehadatiringday，andI\'llgotobed。\'Thisbrokeuptheagreeableparty。MrGeorgeSampsonshortlyafterwardstookhisleave，accompaniedbyMissLaviniawithacandleasfarasthehall，andwithoutacandleasfarasthegardengate；MrsWilfer，washingherhandsoftheBoffins，wenttobedafterthemannerofLadyMacbeth；andR。W。wasleftaloneamongthedilapidationsofthesuppertable，inamelancholyattitude。
But，alightfootsteprousedhimfromhismeditations，anditwasBella\'s。Herprettyhairwashangingallabouther，andshehadtrippeddownsoftly，brushinhand，andbarefoot，tosaygood-nighttohim。
\'Mydear，youmostunquestionablyAREalovelywoman，\'saidthecherub，takingupatressinhishand。
\'Lookhere，sir，\'saidBella；\'whenyourlovelywomanmarries，youshallhavethatpieceifyoulike，andshe\'llmakeyouachainofit。
Wouldyouprizethatremembranceofthedearcreature?\'
\'Yes，myprecious。\'
\'Thenyoushallhaveitifyou\'regood，sir。Iamvery，verysorry，dearestPa，tohavebroughthomeallthistrouble。\'
\'Mypet，\'returnedherfather，inthesimplestgoodfaith，\'don\'tmakeyourselfuneasyaboutthat。Itreallyisnotworthmentioning，becausethingsathomewouldhavetakenprettymuchthesameturnanyway。Ifyourmotherandsisterdon\'tfindonesubjecttogetattimesalittlewearingon，theyfindanother。We\'reneveroutofawearingsubject，mydear，Iassureyou。IamafraidyoufindyouroldroomwithLavvy，dreadfullyinconvenient，Bella?\'
\'NoIdon\'t，Pa；Idon\'tmind。Whydon\'tImind，doyouthink，Pa?\'
\'Well，mychild，youusedtocomplainofitwhenitwasn\'tsuchacontrastasitmustbenow。Uponmyword，Icanonlyanswer，becauseyouaresomuchimproved。\'
\'No，Pa。BecauseIamsothankfulandsohappy！\'
Hereshechokedhimuntilherlonghairmadehimsneeze，andthenshelaugheduntilshemadehimlaugh，andthenshechokedhimagainthattheymightnotbeoverheard。
\'Listen，sir，\'saidBella。\'Yourlovelywomanwastoldherfortunetonightonherwayhome。Itwon\'tbealargefortune，becauseifthelovelywoman\'sIntendedgetsacertainappointmentthathehopestogetsoon，shewillmarryonahundredandfiftypoundsayear。Butthat\'satfirst，andevenifitshouldneverbemore，thelovelywomanwillmakeitquiteenough。Butthat\'snotall，sir。Inthefortunethere\'sacertainfairman——alittleman，thefortune-tellersaid——who，itseems，willalwaysfindhimselfnearthelovelywoman，andwillalwayshavekept，expresslyforhim，suchapeacefulcornerinthelovelywoman\'slittlehouseasneverwas。
Tellmethenameofthatman，sir。\'
\'IsheaKnaveinthepackofcards?\'inquiredthecherub，withatwinkleinhiseyes。
\'Yes！\'criedBella，inhighglee，chokinghimagain。\'He\'stheKnaveofWilfers！DearPa，thelovelywomanmeanstolookforwardtothisfortunethathasbeentoldforher，sodelightfully，andtocauseittomakeheramuchbetterlovelywomanthansheeverhasbeenyet。Whatthelittlefairmanisexpectedtodo，sir，istolookforwardtoitalso，bysayingtohimselfwhenheisindangerofbeingover-worried，“Iseelandatlast！“
\'Iseelandatlast！\'repeatedherfather。
\'There\'sadearKnaveofWilfers！\'exclaimedBella；thenputtingouthersmallwhitebarefoot，\'That\'sthemark，sir。Cometothemark。
Putyourbootagainstit。Wekeeptoittogether，mind！Now，sir，youmaykissthelovelywomanbeforesherunsaway，sothankfulandsohappy。Oyes，fairlittleman，sothankfulandsohappy！\'
Chapter17
ASOCIALCHORUS
AmazementsitsenthroneduponthecountenancesofMrandMrsAlfredLammle\'scircleofacquaintance，whenthedisposaloftheirfirst-classfurnitureandeffects(includingaBilliardTableincapitalletters)，\'byauction，underabillofsale，\'ispubliclyannouncedonawavinghearthruginSackvilleStreet。But，nobodyishalfsomuchamazedasHamiltonVeneering，Esquire，M。P。forPocket-Breaches，whoinstantlybeginstofindoutthattheLammlesaretheonlypeopleeverenteredonhissoul\'sregister，whoareNOTtheoldestanddearestfriendshehasintheworld。
MrsVeneering，W。M。P。forPocket-Breaches，likeafaithfulwifesharesherhusband\'sdiscoveryandinexpressibleastonishment。
PerhapstheVeneeringstwainmaydeemthelastunutterablefeelingparticularlyduetotheirreputation，byreasonthatonceuponatimesomeofthelongerheadsintheCityarewhisperedtohaveshakenthemselves，whenVeneering\'sextensivedealingsandgreatwealthwerementioned。But，itiscertainthatneitherMrnorMrsVeneeringcanfindwordstowonderin，anditbecomesnecessarythattheygivetotheoldestanddearestfriendstheyhaveintheworld，awonderingdinner。
For，itisbythistimenoticeablethat，whateverbefals，theVeneeringsmustgiveadinneruponit。LadyTippinslivesinachronicstateofinvitationtodinewiththeVeneerings，andinachronicstateofinflammationarisingfromthedinners。BootsandBrewergoaboutincabs，withnootherintelligiblebusinessonearththantobeatuppeopletocomeanddinewiththeVeneerings。
Veneeringpervadesthelegislativelobbies，intentuponentrappinghisfellow-legislatorstodinner。MrsVeneeringdinedwithfive-
and-twentybran-newfacesovernight；callsuponthemalltoday；
sendsthemeveryoneadinner-cardto-morrow，fortheweekafternext；beforethatdinnerisdigested，callsupontheirbrothersandsisters，theirsonsanddaughters，theirnephewsandnieces，theirauntsandunclesandcousins，andinvitesthemalltodinner。Andstill，asatfirst，howsoever，thediningcirclewidens，itistobeobservedthatallthedinersareconsistentinappearingtogototheVeneerings，nottodinewithMrandMrsVeneering(whichwouldseemtobethelastthingintheirminds)，buttodinewithoneanother。
Perhaps，afterall，——whoknows?——Veneeringmayfindthisdining，thoughexpensive，remunerative，inthesensethatitmakeschampions。MrPodsnap，asarepresentativeman，isnotaloneincaringveryparticularlyforhisowndignity，ifnotforthatofhisacquaintances，andthereforeinangrilysupportingtheacquaintanceswhohavetakenouthisPermit，lest，intheirbeinglessened，heshouldbe。Thegoldandsilvercamels，andtheice-
pails，andtherestoftheVeneeringtabledecorations，makeabrilliantshow，andwhenI，Podsnap，casuallyremarkelsewherethatIdinedlastMondaywithagorgeouscaravanofcamels，Ifinditpersonallyoffensivetohaveithintedtomethattheyarebroken-
kneedcamels，orcamelslabouringundersuspicionofanysort。\'I
don\'tdisplaycamelsmyself，Iamabovethem:Iamamoresolidman；butthesecamelshavebaskedinthelightofmycountenance，andhowdareyou，sir，insinuatetomethatIhaveirradiatedanybutunimpeachablecamels?\'
ThecamelsarepolishingupintheAnalytical\'spantryforthedinnerofwondermentontheoccasionoftheLammlesgoingtopieces，andMrTwemlowfeelsalittlequeeronthesofaathislodgingsoverthestableyardinDukeStreet，SaintJames\'s，inconsequenceofhavingtakentwoadvertisedpillsataboutmid-day，onthefaithoftheprintedrepresentationaccompanyingthebox(priceoneandapennyhalfpenny，governmentstampincluded)，thatthesame\'willbefoundhighlysalutaryasaprecautionarymeasureinconnectionwiththepleasuresofthetable。\'Towhom，whilesicklywiththefancyofaninsolublepillstickinginhisgullet，andalsowiththesensationofadepositofwarmgumlanguidlywanderingwithinhimalittlelowerdown，aservantenterswiththeannouncementthataladywishestospeakwithhim。
\'Alady！\'saysTwemlow，pluminghisruffledfeathers。\'Askthefavourofthelady\'sname。\'
Thelady\'snameisLammle。TheladywillnotdetainMrTwemlowlongerthanaveryfewminutes。TheladyissurethatMrTwemlowwilldoherthekindnesstoseeher，onbeingtoldthatsheparticularlydesiresashortinterview。TheladyhasnodoubtwhateverofMrTwemlow\'scompliancewhenhehearshername。
Hasbeggedtheservanttobeparticularnottomistakehername。
Wouldhavesentinacard，buthasnone。
\'Showtheladyin。\'Ladyshownin，comesin。
MrTwemlow\'slittleroomsaremodestlyfurnished，inanold-
fashionedmanner(ratherlikethehousekeeper\'sroomatSnigsworthyPark)，andwouldbebareofmereornament，wereitnotforafull-lengthengravingofthesublimeSnigsworthoverthechimneypiece，snortingataCorinthiancolumn，withanenormousrollofpaperathisfeet，andaheavycurtaingoingtotumbledownonhishead；thoseaccessoriesbeingunderstoodtorepresentthenoblelordassomehowintheactofsavinghiscountry。
\'Praytakeaseat，MrsLammle。\'MrsLammletakesaseatandopenstheconversation。
\'Ihavenodoubt，MrTwemlow，thatyouhaveheardofareverseoffortunehavingbefallenus。Ofcourseyouhaveheardofit，fornokindofnewstravelssofast——amongone\'sfriendsespecially。\'
Mindfulofthewonderingdinner，Twemlow，withalittletwinge，admitstheimputation。
\'Probablyitwillnot，\'saysMrsLammle，withacertainhardenedmanneruponher，thatmakesTwemlowshrink，\'havesurprisedyousomuchassomeothers，afterwhatpassedbetweenusatthehousewhichisnowturnedoutatwindows。Ihavetakenthelibertyofcallinguponyou，MrTwemlow，toaddasortofpostscripttowhatIsaidthatday。\'
MrTwemlow\'sdryandhollowcheeksbecomemoredryandhollowattheprospectofsomenewcomplication。
\'Really，\'saystheuneasylittlegentleman，\'really，MrsLammle，I
shouldtakeitasafavourifyoucouldexcusemefromanyfurtherconfidence。Ithaseverbeenoneoftheobjectsofmylife——which，unfortunately，hasnothadmanyobjects——tobeinoffensive，andtokeepoutofcabalsandinterferences。\'
MrsLammle，byfarthemoreobservantofthetwo，scarcelyfindsitnecessarytolookatTwemlowwhilehespeaks，soeasilydoesshereadhim。
\'Mypostscript——toretainthetermIhaveused\'——saysMrsLammle，fixinghereyesonhisface，toenforcewhatshesaysherself——
\'coincidesexactlywithwhatyousay，MrTwemlow。Sofarfromtroublingyouwithanynewconfidence，Imerelywishtoremindyouwhattheoldonewas。Sofarfromaskingyouforinterference，Imerelywishtoclaimyourstrictneutrality。\'
Twemlowgoingontoreply，sherestshereyesagain，knowingherearstobequiteenoughforthecontentsofsoweakavessel。
\'Ican，Isuppose，\'saysTwemlow，nervously，\'offernoreasonableobjectiontohearinganythingthatyoudomethehonourtowishtosaytomeunderthoseheads。ButifImay，withallpossibledelicacyandpoliteness，entreatyounottorangebeyondthem，I——I
begtodoso。\'
\'Sir，\'saysMrsLammle，raisinghereyestohisfaceagain，andquitedauntinghimwithherhardenedmanner，\'Iimpartedtoyouacertainpieceofknowledge，tobeimpartedagain，asyouthoughtbest，toacertainperson。\'
\'WhichIdid，\'saysTwemlow。
\'Andfordoingwhich，Ithankyou；though，indeed，IscarcelyknowwhyIturnedtraitresstomyhusbandinthematter，forthegirlisapoorlittlefool。Iwasapoorlittlefooloncemyself；Icanfindnobetterreason。\'Seeingtheeffectsheproducesonhimbyherindifferentlaughandcoldlook，shekeepshereyesuponhimassheproceeds。\'MrTwemlow，ifyoushouldchancetoseemyhusband，ortoseeme，ortoseebothofus，inthefavourorconfidenceofanyoneelse——whetherofourcommonacquaintanceornot，isofnoconsequence——youhavenorighttouseagainstustheknowledgeIintrustedyouwith，foronespecialpurposewhichhasbeenaccomplished。ThisiswhatIcametosay。Itisnotastipulation；toagentlemanitissimplyareminder。\'
Twemlowsitsmurmuringtohimselfwithhishandtohisforehead。
\'Itissoplainacase，\'MrsLammlegoeson，\'asbetweenme(fromthefirstrelyingonyourhonour)andyou，thatIwillnotwasteanotherworduponit。\'ShelookssteadilyatMrTwemlow，until，withashrug，hemakesheralittleone-sidedbow，asthoughsaying\'Yes，Ithinkyouhavearighttorelyuponme，\'andthenshemoistensherlips，andshowsasenseofrelief。
\'ItrustIhavekeptthepromiseImadethroughyourservant，thatI
woulddetainyouaveryfewminutes。Ineedtroubleyounolonger，MrTwemlow。\'
\'Stay！\'saysTwemlow，risingassherises。\'Pardonmeamoment。I
shouldneverhavesoughtyouout，madam，tosaywhatIamgoingtosay，butsinceyouhavesoughtmeoutandarehere，Iwillthrowitoffmymind。Wasitquiteconsistent，incandour，withourtakingthatresolutionagainstMrFledgeby，thatyoushouldafterwardsaddressMrFledgebyasyourdearandconfidentialfriend，andentreatafavourofMrFledgeby?Alwayssupposingthatyoudid；Iassertnoknowledgeofmyownonthesubject；ithasbeenrepresentedtomethatyoudid。\'
\'Thenhetoldyou?\'retortsMrsLammle，whoagainhassavedhereyeswhilelistening，andusesthemwithstrongeffectwhilespeaking。
\'Yes。\'
\'Itisstrangethatheshouldhavetoldyouthetruth，\'saysMrsLammle，seriouslypondering。\'Praywheredidacircumstancesoveryextraordinaryhappen?\'
Twemlowhesitates。Heisshorterthantheladyaswellasweaker，and，asshestandsabovehimwithherhardenedmannerandherwell-usedeyes，hefindshimselfatsuchadisadvantagethathewouldliketobeoftheoppositesex。
\'MayIaskwhereithappened，MrTwemlow?Instrictconfidence?\'
\'Imustconfess，\'saysthemildlittlegentleman，comingtohisanswerbydegrees，\'thatIfeltsomecompunctionswhenMrFledgebymentionedit。ImustadmitthatIcouldnotregardmyselfinanagreeablelight。Moreparticularly，asMrFledgebydid，withgreatcivility，whichIcouldnotfeelthatIdeservedfromhim，rendermethesameservicethatyouhadentreatedhimtorenderyou。
Itisapartofthetruenobilityofthepoorgentleman\'ssoultosaythislastsentence。\'Otherwise，\'hehasreffected，\'Ishallassumethesuperiorpositionofhavingnodifficultiesofmyown，whileIknowofhers。Whichwouldbemean，verymean。
\'WasMrFledgeby\'sadvocacyaseffectualinyourcaseasinours?\'
MrsLammledemands。
\'Asineffectual。\'
\'CanyoumakeupyourmindtotellmewhereyousawMrFledgeby，MrTwemlow?\'
\'Ibegyourpardon。Ifullyintendedtohavedoneso。Thereservationwasnotintentional。IencounteredMrFledgeby，quitebyaccident，onthespot——Bytheexpression，onthespot，ImeanatMrRiah\'sinSaintMaryAxe。\'
\'HaveyouthemisfortunetobeinMrRiah\'shandsthen?\'
\'Unfortunately，madam，\'returnsTwemlow，\'theonemoneyobligationtowhichIstandcommitted，theonedebtofmylife(butitisajustdebt；prayobservethatIdon\'tdisputeit)，hasfallenintoMrRiah\'shands。\'
\'MrTwemlow，\'saysMrsLammle，fixinghiseyeswithhers:whichhewouldpreventherdoingifhecould，buthecan\'t；\'ithasfallenintoMrFledgeby\'shands。MrRiahishismask。IthasfallenintoMrFledgeby\'shands。Letmetellyouthat，foryourguidance。Theinformationmaybeofusetoyou，ifonlytopreventyourcredulity，injudginganotherman\'struthfulnessbyyourown，frombeingimposedupon。\'
\'Impossible！\'criesTwemlow，standingaghast。\'Howdoyouknowit?\'
\'IscarcelyknowhowIknowit。Thewholetrainofcircumstancesseemedtotakefireatonce，andshowittome。\'
\'Oh！Thenyouhavenoproof。\'
\'Itisverystrange，\'saysMrsLammle，coldlyandboldly，andwithsomedisdain，\'howlikemenaretooneanotherinsomethings，thoughtheircharactersareasdifferentascanbe！Notwomencanhavelessaffinitybetweenthem，onewouldsay，thanMrTwemlowandmyhusband。Yetmyhusbandrepliestome“Youhavenoproof，“andMrTwemlowrepliestomewiththeverysamewords！\'
\'Butwhy，madam?\'Twemlowventuresgentlytoargue。\'Considerwhytheverysamewords?Becausetheystatethefact。BecauseyouHAVEnoproof。\'
\'Menareverywiseintheirway，\'quothMrsLammle，glancinghaughtilyattheSnigsworthportrait，andshakingoutherdressbeforedeparting；\'buttheyhavewisdomtolearn。Myhusband，whoisnotover-confiding，ingenuous，orinexperienced，seesthisplainthingnomorethanMrTwemlowdoes——becausethereisnoproof！YetIbelievefivewomenoutofsix，inmyplace，wouldseeitasclearlyasIdo。However，Iwillneverrest(ifonlyinremembranceofMrFledgeby\'shavingkissedmyhand)untilmyhusbanddoesseeit。Andyouwilldowellforyourselftoseeitfromthistimeforth，MrTwemlow，thoughICANgiveyounoproof。\'
Asshemovestowardsthedoor，MrTwemlow，attendingonher，expresseshissoothinghopethattheconditionofMrLammle\'saffairsisnotirretrievable。
\'Idon\'tknow，\'MrsLammleanswers，stopping，andsketchingoutthepatternofthepaperonthewallwiththepointofherparasol；\'itdepends。Theremaybeanopeningforhimdawningnow，ortheremaybenone。Weshallsoonfindout。Ifnone，wearebankrupthere，andmustgoabroad，Isuppose。\'
MrTwemlow，inhisgood-natureddesiretomakethebestofit，remarksthattherearepleasantlivesabroad。
\'Yes，\'returnsMrsLammle，stillsketchingonthewall；\'butIdoubtwhetherbilliard-playing，card-playing，andsoforth，forthemeanstoliveundersuspicionatadirtytable-d\'hote，isoneofthem。\'
ItismuchforMrLammle，Twemlowpolitelyintimates(thoughgreatlyshocked)，tohaveonealwaysbesidehimwhoisattachedtohiminallhisfortunes，andwhoserestraininginfluencewillpreventhimfromcoursesthatwouldbediscreditableandruinous。
Ashesaysit，MrsLammleleavesoffsketching，andlooksathim。
\'Restraininginfluence，MrTwemlow?Wemusteatanddrink，anddress，andhavearoofoverourheads。Alwaysbesidehimandattachedinallhisfortunes?Notmuchtoboastofinthat；whatcanawomanatmyagedo?MyhusbandandIdeceivedoneanotherwhenwemarried；wemustbeartheconsequencesofthedeception——thatistosay，bearoneanother，andbeartheburdenofschemingtogetherforto-day\'sdinnerandto-morrow\'sbreakfast——
tilldeathdivorcesus。\'
Withthosewords，shewalksoutintoDukeStreet，SaintJames\'s。
MrTwemlowreturningtohissofa，laysdownhisachingheadonitsslipperylittlehorsehairbolster，withastronginternalconvictionthatapainfulinterviewisnotthekindofthingtobetakenafterthedinnerpillswhicharesohighlysalutaryinconnexionwiththepleasuresofthetable。
But，sixo\'clockintheeveningfindstheworthylittlegentlemangettingbetter，andalsogettinghimselfintohisobsoletelittlesilkstockingsandpumps，forthewonderingdinnerattheVeneerings。
Andseveno\'clockintheeveningfindshimtrottingoutintoDukeStreet，totrottothecornerandsaveasixpenceincoach-hire。
Tippinsthedivinehasdinedherselfintosuchaconditionbythistime，thatamorbidmindmightdesireher，forablessedchange，tosupatlast，andturnintobed。SuchamindhasMrEugeneWrayburn，whomTwemlowfindscontemplatingTippinswiththemoodiestofvisages，whilethatplayfulcreaturerallieshimonbeingsolongoverdueatthewoolsack。SkittishisTippinswithMortimerLightwoodtoo，andhasrapstogivehimwithherfanforhavingbeenbestmanatthenuptialsofthesedeceivingwhat\'s-
their-nameswhohavegonetopieces。Though，indeed，thefanisgenerallylively，andtapsawayatthemeninalldirections，withsomethingofagrislysoundsuggestiveoftheclatteringofLadyTippins\'sbones。
AnewraceofintimatefriendshassprungupatVeneering\'ssincehewentintoParliamentforthepublicgood，towhomMrsVeneeringisveryattentive。Thesefriends，likeastronomicaldistances，areonlytobespokenofintheverylargestfigures。
BootssaysthatoneofthemisaContractorwho(ithasbeencalculated)givesemployment，directlyandindirectly，tofivehundredthousandmen。BrewersaysthatanotherofthemisaChairman，insuchrequestatsomanyBoards，sofarapart，thathenevertravelslessbyrailwaythanthreethousandmilesaweek。
Buffersaysthatanotherofthemhadn\'tasixpenceeighteenmonthsago，and，throughthebrilliancyofhisgeniusingettingthosesharesissuedateighty-five，andbuyingthemallupwithnomoneyandsellingthematparforcash，hasnowthreehundredandseventy-fivethousandpounds——Bufferparticularlyinsistingontheoddseventy-five，anddecliningtotakeafarthingless。WithBuffer，Boots，andBrewer，LadyTippinsiseminentlyfacetiousonthesubjectoftheseFathersoftheScrip-Church:surveyingthemthroughhereyeglass，andinquiringwhetherBootsandBrewerandBufferthinktheywillmakeherfortuneifshemakeslovetothem?
withotherpleasantriesofthatnature。Veneering，inhisdifferentway，ismuchoccupiedwiththeFatherstoo，piouslyretiringwiththemintotheconservatory，fromwhichretreattheword\'Committee\'isoccasionallyheard，andwheretheFathersinstructVeneeringhowhemustleavethevalleyofthepianoonhisleft，takethelevelofthemantelpiece，crossbyanopencuttingatthecandelabra，seizethecarrying-trafficattheconsole，andcutuptheoppositionrootandbranchatthewindowcurtains。
MrandMrsPodsnapareofthecompany，andtheFathersdescryinMrsPodsnapafinewoman。SheisconsignedtoaFather——Boots\'sFather，whoemploysfivehundredthousandmen——andisbroughttoanchoronVeneering\'sleft；thusaffordingopportunitytothesportiveTippinsonhisright(he，asusual，beingmerevacantspace)，toentreattobetoldsomethingaboutthoselovesofNavvies，andwhethertheyreallydoliveonrawbeefsteaks，anddrinkporteroutoftheirbarrows。But，inspiteofsuchlittleskirmishesitisfeltthatthiswastobeawonderingdinner，andthatthewonderingmustnotbeneglected。Accordingly，Brewer，asthemanwhohasthegreatestreputationtosustain，becomestheinterpreterofthegeneralinstinct。
\'Itook，\'saysBrewerinafavourablepause，\'acabthismorning，andIrattledofftothatSale。\'
Boots(devouredbyenvy)says，\'SodidI。\'
Buffersays，\'SodidI\'；butcanfindnobodytocarewhetherhedidornot。
\'Andwhatwasitlike?\'inquiresVeneering。
\'Iassureyou，\'repliesBrewer，lookingaboutforanybodyelsetoaddresshisanswerto，andgivingthepreferencetoLightwood；\'I
assureyou，thethingsweregoingforasong。Handsomethingsenough，butfetchingnothing。\'
\'SoIheardthisafternoon，\'saysLightwood。
Brewerbegstoknownow，woulditbefairtoaskaprofessionalmanhow——on——earth——these——people——ever——did——come——TO——such——
A——totalsmash?(Brewer\'sdivisionsbeingforemphasis。)
Lightwoodrepliesthathewasconsultedcertainly，butcouldgivenoopinionwhichwouldpayofftheBillofSale，andthereforeviolatesnoconfidenceinsupposingthatitcameoftheirlivingbeyondtheirmeans。
\'Buthow，\'saysVeneering，\'CANpeopledothat！\'
Hah！Thatisfeltonallhandstobeashotinthebull\'seye。HowCANpeopledothat！TheAnalyticalChemistgoingroundwithchampagne，looksverymuchasifHEcouldgivethemaprettygoodideahowpeopledidthat，ifhehadamind。
\'How，\'saysMrsVeneering，layingdownherforktopressheraquilinehandstogetheratthetipsofthefingers，andaddressingtheFatherwhotravelsthethreethousandmilesperweek:\'howamothercanlookatherbaby，andknowthatshelivesbeyondherhusband\'smeans，Icannotimagine。\'
EugenesuggeststhatMrsLammle，notbeingamother，hadnobabytolookat。
\'True，\'saysMrsVeneering，\'buttheprincipleisthesame。\'
Bootsisclearthattheprincipleisthesame。SoisBuffer。ItistheunfortunatedestinyofBuffertodamageacausebyespousingit。
Therestofthecompanyhavemeeklyyieldedtothepropositionthattheprincipleisthesame，untilBuffersaysitis；wheninstantlyageneralmurmurarisesthattheprincipleisnotthesame。
\'ButIdon\'tunderstand，\'saystheFatherofthethreehundredandseventy-fivethousandpounds，\'——ifthesepeoplespokenof，occupiedthepositionofbeinginsociety——theywereinsociety?\'
Veneeringisboundtoconfessthattheydinedhere，andwereevenmarriedfromhere。
\'ThenIdon\'tunderstand，\'pursuestheFather，\'howeventheirlivingbeyondtheirmeanscouldbringthemtowhathasbeentermedatotalsmash。Because，thereisalwayssuchathingasanadjustmentofaffairs，inthecaseofpeopleofanystandingatall。\'
Eugene(whowouldseemtobeinagloomystateofsuggestiveness)，suggests，\'Supposeyouhavenomeansandlivebeyondthem?\'
ThisistooinsolventastateofthingsfortheFathertoentertain。Itistooinsolventastateofthingsforanyonewithanyself-respecttoentertain，andisuniversallyscouted。But，itissoamazinghowanypeoplecanhavecometoatotalsmash，thateverybodyfeelsboundtoaccountforitspecially。OneoftheFatherssays，\'Gamingtable。\'AnotheroftheFatherssays，\'Speculatedwithoutknowingthatspeculationisascience。\'Bootssays\'Horses。\'LadyTippinssaystoherfan，\'Twoestablishments。\'MrPodsnap，sayingnothing，isreferredtoforhisopinion；whichhedeliversasfollows；
muchflushedandextremelyangry:
\'Don\'taskme。Idesiretotakenopartinthediscussionofthesepeople\'saffairs。Iabhorthesubject。Itisanodioussubject，anoffensivesubject，asubjectthatmakesmesick，andI——\'Andwithhisfavouriteright-armflourishwhichsweepsawayeverythingandsettlesitforever，MrPodsnapsweepstheseinconvenientlyunexplainablewretcheswhohavelivedbeyondtheirmeansandgonetototalsmash，offthefaceoftheuniverse。
Eugene，leaningbackinhischair，isobservingMrPodsnapwithanirreverentface，andmaybeabouttoofferanewsuggestion，whentheAnalyticalisbeheldincollisionwiththeCoachman；theCoachmanmanifestingapurposeofcomingatthecompanywithasilversalver，asthoughintentuponmakingacollectionforhiswifeandfamily；theAnalyticalcuttinghimoffatthesideboard。Thesuperiorstateliness，ifnotthesuperiorgeneralship，oftheAnalyticalprevailsoveramanwhoisasnothingoffthebox；andtheCoachman，yieldinguphissalver，retiresdefeated。
Then，theAnalytical，perusingascrapofpaperlyingonthesalver，withtheairofaliteraryCensor，adjustsit，takeshistimeaboutgoingtothetablewithit，andpresentsittoMrEugeneWrayburn。
WhereuponthepleasantTippinssaysaloud，\'TheLordChancellorhasresigned！\'
Withdistractingcoolnessandslowness——forheknowsthecuriosityoftheCharmertobealwaysdevouring——Eugenemakesapretenceofgettingoutaneyeglass，polishingit，andreadingthepaperwithdifficulty，longafterhehasseenwhatiswrittenonit。Whatiswrittenonitinwetink，is:
\'YoungBlight。\'
\'Waiting?\'saysEugeneoverhisshoulder，inconfidence，withtheAnalytical。
\'Waiting，\'returnstheAnalyticalinresponsiveconfidence。
Eugenelooks\'Excuseme，\'towardsMrsVeneering，goesout，andfindsYoungBlight，Mortimer\'sclerk，atthehall-door。
\'Youtoldmetobringhim，sir，towhereveryouwas，ifhecomewhileyouwasoutandIwasin，\'saysthatdiscreetyounggentleman，standingontiptoetowhisper；\'andI\'vebroughthim。\'
\'Sharpboy。Whereishe?\'asksEugene。
\'He\'sinacab，sir，atthedoor。Ithoughtitbestnottoshowhim，yousee，ifitcouldbehelped；forhe\'sa-shakingallover，like——
Blight\'ssimileisperhapsinspiredbythesurroundingdishesofsweets——\'likeGlueMonge。\'
\'Sharpboyagain，\'returnsEugene。\'I\'llgotohim。\'
Goesoutstraightway，and，leisurelyleaninghisarmsontheopenwindowofacabinwaiting，looksinatMrDolls:whohasbroughthisownatmospherewithhim，andwouldseemfromitsodourtohavebroughtit，forconvenienceofcarriage，inarum-cask。
\'NowDolls，wakeup！\'
\'MistWrayburn?Drection！Fifteenshillings！\'
Aftercarefullyreadingthedingyscrapofpaperhandedtohim，andascarefullytuckingitintohiswaistcoatpocket，Eugenetellsoutthemoney；beginningincautiouslybytellingthefirstshillingintoMrDolls\'shand，whichinstantlyjerksitoutofwindow；andendingbytellingthefifteenshillingsontheseat。
\'GivehimaridebacktoCharingCross，sharpboy，andtheregetridofhim。\'
Returningtothedining-room，andpausingforaninstantbehindthescreenatthedoor，Eugeneoverhears，abovethehumandclatter，thefairTippinssaying:\'Iamdyingtoaskhimwhathewascalledoutfor！\'
\'Areyou?\'muttersEugene，\'thenperhapsifyoucan\'taskhim，you\'lldie。SoI\'llbeabenefactortosociety，andgo。Astrollandacigar，andIcanthinkthisover。Thinkthisover。\'Thus，withathoughtfulface，hefindshishatandcloak，unseenoftheAnalytical，andgoeshisway。
BOOKTHEFOURTHATURNING
Chapter1
SETTINGTRAPS
PlashwaterWeirMillLocklookedtranquilandprettyonaneveninginthesummertime。Asoftairstirredtheleavesofthefreshgreentrees，andpassedlikeasmoothshadowovertheriver，andlikeasmoothershadowovertheyieldinggrass。Thevoiceofthefallingwater，likethevoicesoftheseaandthewind，wereasanoutermemorytoacontemplativelistener；butnotparticularlysotoMrRiderhood，whosatononeofthebluntwoodenleversofhislock-gates，dozing。Winemustbegotintoabuttbysomeagencybeforeitcanbedrawnout；andthewineofsentimentneverhavingbeengotintoMrRiderhoodbyanyagency，nothinginnaturetappedhim。
AstheRoguesat，everandagainnoddinghimselfoffhisbalance，hisrecoverywasalwaysattendedbyanangrystareandgrowl，asif，intheabsenceofanyoneelse，hehadaggressiveinclinationstowardshimself。Inoneofthesestartsthecryof\'Lock，ho！Lock！\'
preventedhisrelapseintoadoze。Shakinghimselfashegotuplikethesurlybrutehewas，hegavehisgrowlaresponsivetwistattheend，andturnedhisfacedown-streamtoseewhohailed。
Itwasanamateur-sculler，welluptohisworkthoughtakingiteasily，insolightaboatthattheRogueremarked:\'Alittlelessonyou，andyou\'da\'mostha\'beenaWagerbut\'；thenwenttoworkathiswindlasshandlesandsluices，toletthescullerin。Asthelatterstoodinhisboat，holdingonbytheboat-hooktothewoodworkatthelockside，waitingforthegatestoopen，RogueRiderhoodrecognizedhis\'T\'othergovernor，\'MrEugeneWrayburn；whowas，however，tooindifferentortoomuchengagedtorecognizehim。
Thecreakinglock-gatesopenedslowly，andthelightboatpassedinassoonastherewasroomenough，andthecreakinglock-gatescloseduponit，anditfloatedlowdowninthedockbetweenthetwosetsofgates，untilthewatershouldriseandthesecondgatesshouldopenandletitout。WhenRiderhoodhadruntohissecondwindlassandturnedit，andwhileheleanedagainsttheleverofthatgatetohelpittoswingopenpresently，henoticed，lyingtorestunderthegreenhedgebythetowing-pathasternoftheLock，aBargeman。
Thewaterroseandroseasthesluicepouredin，dispersingthescumwhichhadformedbehindthelumberinggates，andsendingtheboatup，sothatthescullergraduallyroselikeanapparitionagainstthelightfromthebargeman\'spointofview。Riderhoodobservedthatthebargemanrosetoo，leaningonhisarm，andseemedtohavehiseyesfastenedontherisingfigure。
But，therewasthetolltobetaken，asthegateswerenowcomplainingandopening。TheT\'othergovernortosseditashore，twistedinapieceofpaper，andashedidso，knewhisman。
\'Ay，ay?It\'syou，isit，honestfriend?\'saidEugene，seatinghimselfpreparatorytoresuminghissculls。\'Yougottheplace，then?\'
\'Igottheplace，andnothankstoyouforit，noryetnonetoLawyerLightwood，\'grufflyansweredRiderhood。
\'Wesavedourrecommendation，honestfellow，\'saidEugene，\'forthenextcandidate——theonewhowillofferhimselfwhenyouaretransportedorhanged。Don\'tbelongaboutit；willyoubesogood?\'
SoimperturbablewastheairwithwhichhegravelybenttohisworkthatRiderhoodremainedstaringathim，withouthavingfoundaretort，untilhehadrowedpastalineofwoodenobjectsbytheweir，whichshowedlikehugeteetotumsstandingatrestinthewater，andwasalmosthiddenbythedroopingboughsontheleftbank，asherowedaway，keepingoutoftheopposingcurrent。Itbeingthentoolatetoretortwithanyeffect——ifthatcouldeverhavebeendone——thehonestmanconfinedhimselftocursingandgrowlinginagrimunder-tone。Havingthengothisgatesshut，hecrossedbackbyhisplanklock-bridgetothetowing-pathsideoftheriver。
If，insodoing，hetookanotherglanceatthebargeman，hediditbystealth。HecasthimselfonthegrassbytheLockside，inanindolentway，withhisbackinthatdirection，and，havinggatheredafewblades，felltochewingthem。ThedipofEugeneWrayburn\'sscullshadbecomehardlyaudibleinhisearswhenthebargemanpassedhim，puttingtheutmostwidththathecouldbetweenthem，andkeepingunderthehedge。Then，Riderhoodsatupandtookalonglookathisfigure，andthencried:\'Hi——I——i！Lock，ho！Lock！
PlashwaterWeirMillLock！\'
Thebargemanstopped，andlookedback。
\'PlashwaterWeirMillLock，T\'otherestgov——er——nor——or——or——or！\'
criedMrRiderhood，withhishandstohismouth。
Thebargemanturnedback。Approachingnearerandnearer，thebargemanbecameBradleyHeadstone，inroughwater-sidesecond-
handclothing。
\'WishImaydie，\'saidRiderhood，smitinghisrightleg，andlaughing，ashesatonthegrass，\'ifyouain\'tha\'beenaimitatingme，T\'otherestgovernor！Neverthoughtmyselfsogood-lookingafore！\'
Truly，BradleyHeadstonehadtakencarefulnoteofthehonestman\'sdressinthecourseofthatnight-walktheyhadhadtogether。
Hemusthavecommittedittomemory，andslowlygotitbyheart。
Itwasexactlyreproducedinthedresshenowwore。Andwhereas，inhisownschoolmasterclothes，heusuallylookedasiftheyweretheclothesofsomeotherman，henowlooked，intheclothesofsomeothermanormen，asiftheywerehisown。
\'THISyourLock?\'saidBradley，whosesurprisehadagenuineair；
\'theytoldme，whereIlastinquired，itwasthethirdIshouldcometo。Thisisonlythesecond。\'
\'It\'smybelief，governor，\'returnedRiderhood，withawinkandshakeofhishead，\'thatyou\'vedroppedoneinyourcounting。Itain\'tLocksasYOU\'VEbeengivingyourmindto。No，no！\'
Asheexpressivelyjerkedhispointingfingerinthedirectiontheboathadtaken，aflushofimpatiencemountedintoBradley\'sface，andhelookedanxiouslyuptheriver。
\'Itain\'tLocksasYOU\'VEbeenareckoningup，\'saidRiderhood，whentheschoolmaster\'seyescamebackagain。\'No，no！\'
\'WhatothercalculationsdoyousupposeIhavebeenoccupiedwith?Mathematics?\'
\'Ineverheerditcalledthat。It\'salongwordforit。Hows\'ever，p\'rapsyoucallitso，\'saidRiderhood，stubbornlychewinghisgrass。
\'It。What?\'
\'I\'llsaythem，insteadofit，ifyoulike，\'wasthecoollygrowledreply。\'It\'ssafertalktoo。\'
\'WhatdoyoumeanthatIshouldunderstandbythem?\'
\'Spites，affronts，offencesgiv\'andtook，deadlyaggrawations，suchlike，\'answeredRiderhood。
DowhatBradleyHeadstonewould，hecouldnotkeepthatformerflushofimpatienceoutofhisface，orsomasterhiseyesastopreventtheiragainlookinganxiouslyuptheriver。
\'Haha！Don\'tbeafeerd，T\'otherest，\'saidRiderhood。\'TheT\'other\'sgottomakewayaginthestream，andhetakesiteasy。Youcansooncomeupwithhim。Butwot\'sthegoodofsayingthattoyou！
YOUknowhowfuryoucouldhaveoutwalkedhimbetwixtanywheresaboutwherehelostthetide——sayRichmond——andthis，ifyouhadamindtoit。\'
\'YouthinkIhavebeenfollowinghim?\'saidBradley。
\'IKNOWyouhave，\'saidRiderhood。
\'Well！Ihave，Ihave，\'Bradleyadmitted。\'But，\'withanotheranxiouslookuptheriver，\'hemayland。\'
\'Easyyou！Hewon\'tbelostifhedoesland，\'saidRiderhood。\'Hemustleavehisboatbehindhim。Hecan\'tmakeabundleoraparcelonit，andcarryitashorewithhimunderhisarm。\'
\'Hewasspeakingtoyoujustnow，\'saidBradley，kneelingononekneeonthegrassbesidetheLock-keeper。\'Whatdidhesay?\'
\'Cheek，\'saidRiderhood。
\'What?\'
\'Cheek，\'repeatedRiderhood，withanangryoath；\'cheekiswhathesaid。Hecan\'tsaynothingbutcheek。I\'dha\'likedtoplumpdownaboardofhim，neckandcrop，withaheavyjump，andsunkhim。\'
Bradleyturnedawayhishaggardfaceforafewmoments，andthensaid，tearingupatuftofgrass:
\'Damnhim！\'
\'Hooroar！\'criedRiderhood。\'Doesyoucredit！Hooroar！IcrychorustotheT\'otherest。\'
\'Whatturn，\'saidBradley，withaneffortatself-repressionthatforcedhimtowipehisface，\'didhisinsolencetaketo-day?\'
\'Ittooktheturn，\'answeredRiderhood，withsullenferocity，\'ofhopingasIwasgettingreadytobehanged。\'
\'Lethimlooktothat，\'criedBradley。\'Lethimlooktothat！Itwillbebadforhimwhenmenhehasinjured，andatwhomhehasjeered，arethinkingofgettinghanged。LetHIMgetreadyforHIS
fate，whenthatcomesabout。Therewasmoremeaninginwhathesaidthanheknewof，orhewouldn\'thavehadbrainsenoughtosayit。Lethimlooktoit；lethimlooktoit！Whenmenhehaswronged，andonwhomhehasbestowedhisinsolence，aregettingreadytobehanged，thereisadeath-bellringing。Andnotforthem。\'
Riderhood，lookingfixedlyathim，graduallyarosefromhisrecumbentposturewhiletheschoolmastersaidthesewordswiththeutmostconcentrationofrageandhatred。So，whenthewordswereallspoken，hetookneeledononekneeonthegrass，andthetwomenlookedatoneanother。
\'Oh！\'saidRiderhood，verydeliberatelyspittingoutthegrasshehadbeenchewing。\'Then，Imakeout，T\'otherest，asheisa-goingtoher?\'
\'HeleftLondon，\'answeredBradley，\'yesterday。Ihavehardlyadoubt，thistime，thatatlastheisgoingtoher。\'
\'Youain\'tsure，then?\'
\'Iamassurehere，\'saidBradley，withaclutchatthebreastofhiscoarseshirt，\'asifitwaswrittenthere；\'withabloworastabatthesky。
\'Ah！Butjudgingfromthelooksonyou，\'retortedRiderhood，completelyriddinghimselfofhisgrass，anddrawinghissleeveacrosshismouth，\'you\'vemadeekallysureafore，andhavegotdisapinted。Ithastolduponyou。\'
\'Listen，\'saidBradley，inalowvoice，bendingforwardtolayhishandupontheLock-keeper\'sshoulder。\'Thesearemyholidays。\'
\'Arethey，byGeorge！\'mutteredRiderhood，withhiseyesonthepassion-wastedface。\'Yourworkingdaysmustbestiff\'uns，iftheseisyourholidays。\'
\'AndIhaveneverlefthim，\'pursuedBradley，wavingtheinterruptionasidewithanimpatienthand，\'sincetheybegan。AndIneverwillleavehimnow，tillIhaveseenhimwithher。\'
\'Andwhenyouhaveseenhimwithher?\'saidRiderhood。
\'——I\'llcomebacktoyou。\'
Riderhoodstiffenedthekneeonwhichhehadbeenresting，gotup，andlookedgloomilyathisnewfriend。Afterafewmomentstheywalkedsidebysideinthedirectiontheboathadtaken，asifbytacitconsent；Bradleypressingforward，andRiderhoodholdingback；Bradleygettingouthisneatprimpurseintohishand(apresentmadehimbypennysubscriptionamonghispupils)；andRiderhood，unfoldinghisarmstosmearhiscoat-cuffacrosshismouthwithathoughtfulair。
\'Ihaveapoundforyou，\'saidBradley。
\'You\'vetwo，\'saidRiderhood。
Bradleyheldasovereignbetweenhisfingers。Slouchingathissidewithhiseyesuponthetowing-path，Riderhoodheldhislefthandopen，withacertainslightdrawingactiontowardshimself。
Bradleydippedinhispurseforanothersovereign，andtwochinkedinRiderhood\'shand，thedrawingactionofwhich，promptlystrengthening，drewthemhometohispocket。
\'Now，Imustfollowhim，\'saidBradleyHeadstone。\'Hetakesthisriver-road——thefool！——toconfuseobservation，ordivertattention，ifnotsolelytobaffleme。ButhemusthavethepowerofmakinghimselfinvisiblebeforehecanshakeMeoff。\'
Riderhoodstopped。\'Ifyoudon\'tgetdisapintedagin，T\'otherest，maybeyou\'llputupattheLock-housewhenyoucomeback?\'
\'Iwill。\'
Riderhoodnodded，andthefigureofthebargemanwentitswayalongthesoftturfbythesideofthetowing-path，keepingnearthehedgeandmovingquickly。Theyhadturnedapointfromwhichalongstretchofriverwasvisible。Astrangertothescenemighthavebeencertainthathereandtherealongthelineofhedgeafigurestood，watchingthebargeman，andwaitingforhimtocomeup。Sohehimselfhadoftenbelievedatfirst，untilhiseyesbecameusedtotheposts，bearingthedaggerthatslewWatTyler，intheCityofLondonshield。
WithinMrRiderhood\'sknowledgealldaggerswereasone。EventoBradleyHeadstone，whocouldhavetoldtotheletterwithoutbookallaboutWatTyler，LordMayorWalworth，andtheKing，thatitisdutifulforyouthtoknow，therewasbutonesubjectlivingintheworldforeverysharpdestructiveinstrumentthatsummerevening。So，Riderhoodlookingafterhimashewent，andhewithhisfurtivehandlaiduponthedaggerashepassedit，andhiseyesupontheboat，weremuchuponapar。
Theboatwenton，underthearchingtrees，andovertheirtranquilshadowsinthewater。Thebargemanskulkingontheoppositebankofthestream，wentonafterit。SparklesoflightshowedRiderhoodwhenandwheretherowerdippedhisblades，until，evenashestoodidlywatching，thesunwentdownandthelandscapewasdyedred。AndthentheredhadtheappearanceoffadingoutofitandmountinguptoHeaven，aswesaythatblood，guiltilyshed，does。
TurningbacktowardshisLock(hehadnotgoneoutofviewofit)，theRogueponderedasdeeplyasitwaswithinthecontractedpowerofsuchafellowtodo。\'Whydidhecopymyclothes?Hecouldhavelookedlikewhathewantedtolooklike，withoutthat。\'
Thiswasthesubject-matterinhisthoughts；inwhich，too，therecamelumberingup，bytimes，likeanyhalffloatingandhalfsinkingrubbishintheriver，thequestion，Wasitdonebyaccident?
Thesettingofatrapforfindingoutwhetheritwasaccidentallydone，soonsuperseded，asapracticalpieceofcunning，theabstruserinquirywhyotherwiseitwasdone。Andhedevisedameans。
RogueRiderhoodwentintohisLock-house，andbroughtforth，intothenowsobergreylight，hischestofclothes。Sittingonthegrassbesideit，heturnedout，onebyone，thearticlesitcontained，untilhecametoaconspicuousbrightredneckerchiefstainedblackhereandtherebywear。Itarrestedhisattention，andhesatpausingoverit，untilhetookofftherustycolourlesswispthatheworeroundhisthroat，andsubstitutedtheredneckerchief，leavingthelongendsflowing。\'Now，\'saidtheRogue，\'ifarterheseesmeinthisneckhankecher，Iseehiminasim\'larneckhankecher，itwon\'tbeaccident！\'Elatedbyhisdevice，hecarriedhischestinagainandwenttosupper。
\'Lockho！Lock！\'Itwasalightnight，andabargecomingdownsummonedhimoutofalongdoze。Induecoursehehadletthebargethroughandwasaloneagain，lookingtotheclosingofhisgates，whenBradleyHeadstoneappearedbeforehim，standingonthebrinkoftheLock。
\'Halloa！\'saidRiderhood。\'Backa\'ready，T\'otherest?\'
\'Hehasputupforthenight，atanAngler\'sInn，\'wasthefatiguedandhoarsereply。\'Hegoeson，uptheriver，atsixinthemorning。I
havecomebackforacoupleofhours\'rest。\'
\'Youwant\'em，\'saidRiderhood，makingtowardstheschoolmasterbyhisplankbridge。
\'Idon\'twantthem，\'returnedBradley，irritably，\'becauseIwouldrathernothavethem，butwouldmuchprefertofollowhimallnight。However，ifhewon\'tlead，Ican\'tfollow。Ihavebeenwaitingabout，untilIcoulddiscover，foracertainty，atwhattimehestarts；ifIcouldn\'thavemadesureofit，Ishouldhavestayedthere——Thiswouldbeabadpitforamantobeflungintowithhishandstied。Theseslipperysmoothwallswouldgivehimnochance。AndIsupposethosegateswouldsuckhimdown?\'
\'Suckhimdown，orswallerhimup，hewouldn\'tgetout，\'saidRiderhood。\'Noteven，ifhishandswarn\'ttied，hewouldn\'t。Shuthiminatbothends，andI\'dgivehimapinto\'oldaleevertocomeuptomestandinghere。\'
Bradleylookeddownwithaghastlyrelish。\'Yourunaboutthebrink，andrunacrossit，inthisuncertainlight，onafewincheswidthofrottenwood，\'saidhe。\'Iwonderyouhavenothoughtofbeingdrowned。\'
\'Ican\'tbe！\'saidRiderhood。
\'Youcan\'tbedrowned?\'
\'No！\'saidRiderhood，shakinghisheadwithanairofthoroughconviction，\'it\'swellknown。I\'vebeenbroughtouto\'drowning，andIcan\'tbedrowned。Iwouldn\'thavethattherebustedB\'lowbridgerawareonit，orherpeoplemightmakeittellagin\'thedamagesImeantoget。Butit\'swellknowntowater-sidecharacterslikemyself，thathimashasbeenbroughtoutodrowning，canneverbedrowned。\'
Bradleysmiledsourlyattheignorancehewouldhavecorrectedinoneofhispupils，andcontinuedtolookdownintothewater，asiftheplacehadagloomyfascinationforhim。
\'Youseemtolikeit，\'saidRiderhood。
Hetooknonotice，butstoodlookingdown，asifhehadnotheardthewords。Therewasaverydarkexpressiononhisface；anexpressionthattheRoguefoundithardtounderstand。Itwasfierce，andfullofpurpose；butthepurposemighthavebeenasmuchagainsthimselfasagainstanother。Ifhehadsteppedbackforaspring，takenaleap，andthrownhimselfin，itwouldhavebeennosurprisingsequeltothelook。Perhapshistroubledsoul，setuponsomeviolence，didhoverforthemomentbetweenthatviolenceandanother。
\'Didn\'tyousay，\'askedRiderhood，afterwatchinghimforawhilewithasidelongglance，\'asyouhadcomebackforacoupleo\'
hours\'rest?\'But，eventhenhehadtojoghimwithhiselbowbeforeheanswered。
\'Eh?Yes。\'
\'Hadn\'tyoubettercomeinandtakeyourcoupleo\'hours\'rest?\'
\'Thankyou。Yes。\'
