’Ihearyouareacquainted，MrSparkler，’saidhishostatdinner，’with——ha——MrGowan。MrHenryGowan？’
’Perfectly，sir，’returnedMrSparkler。’Hismotherandmymotherarecroniesinfact。’
’IfIhadthoughtofit，Amy，’saidMrDorrit，withapatronageasmagnificentasthatofLordDecimushimself，’youshouldhavedespatchedanotetothem，askingthemtodineto-day。Someofourpeoplecouldhave——ha——fetchedthem，andtakenthemhome。Wecouldhavespareda——hum——gondolaforthatpurpose。Iamsorrytohaveforgottenthis。Prayremindmeofthemto-morrow。’
LittleDorritwasnotwithoutdoubtshowMrHenryGowanmighttaketheirpatronage；butshepromisednottofailinthereminder。
’Pray，doesMrHenryGowanpaint——ha——Portraits？’inquiredMrDorrit。