So，TinklerthevaletwasinstructedtofindMissAmy’smaid，andtorequestthatsubordinatetoinformMissAmythatMrDorritwishedtoseeherinhisownroom。IndeliveringthischargetoTinkler，MrDorritlookedseverelyathim，andalsokeptajealouseyeuponhimuntilhewentoutatthedoor，mistrustingthathemighthavesomethinginhismindprejudicialtothefamilydignity；
thathemighthaveevengotwindofsomeCollegiatejokebeforehecameintotheservice，andmightbederisivelyrevivingitsremembranceatthepresentmoment。IfTinklerhadhappenedtosmile，howeverfaintlyandinnocently，nothingwouldhavepersuadedMrDorrit，tothehourofhisdeath，butthatthiswasthecase。
AsTinklerhappened，however，veryfortunatelyforhimself，tobeofaseriousandcomposedcountenance，heescapedthesecretdangerthatthreatenedhim。Andasonhisreturn——whenMrDorriteyedhimagain——heannouncedMissAmyasifshehadcometoafuneral，heleftavagueimpressiononMrDorrit’smindthathewasawell-
conductedyoungfellow，whohadbeenbroughtupinthestudyofhisCatechismbyawidowedmother。
’Amy，’saidMrDorrit，’youhavejustnowbeenthesubjectofsomeconversationbetweenmyselfandMrsGeneral。Weagreethatyouscarcelyseemathomehere。Ha——howisthis？’