Onceagain，Stephenhadtoconqueraninstinctivepropensitytodislikethisoldwoman，thoughhermannerwasashonestandsimpleasamannerpossiblycouldbe。WithagentlenessthatwasasnaturaltohimasheknewittobetoRachael，hepursuedthesubjectthatinterestedherinheroldage。
\'Well，missus，\'saidhe，\'Ihaseenthelady，andshewereyoungandhansom。Wi\'finedarkthinkineyes，andastillway，Rachael，asIhaneverseenthelikeon。\'
\'Youngandhandsome。Yes！\'criedtheoldwoman，quitedelighted。
\'Asbonnyasarose！Andwhatahappywife！\'
\'Aye，missus，Isupposeshebe，\'saidStephen。ButwithadoubtfulglanceatRachael。
\'Supposeshebe？Shemustbe。She\'syourmaster\'swife，\'returnedtheoldwoman。
Stephennoddedassent。\'Thoughastomaster，\'saidhe，glancingagainatRachael，\'notmasteronnymore。That\'sawenden\'twixthimandme。\'
\'Haveyoulefthiswork，Stephen？\'askedRachael，anxiouslyandquickly。
\'Why，Rachael，\'hereplied，\'whetherIhalef\'nhiswork，orwhetherhisworkhalef\'nme，coomst\'th\'same。Hisworkandmeareparted。\'Tisasweelso-better，Iwerethinkinwhenyocoomupwi\'me。Itwouldhabrought\'ntroubleupontroubleifIhadstayedtheer。Haply\'tisakindnesstomonnythatIgo；haply\'tisakindnesstomyseln；anywaysitmunbedone。ImunturnmyfacefroCoketownfurth\'time，andseekafort\'n，dear，bybeginninfresh。\'
\'Wherewillyougo，Stephen？\'
\'Idonnot\'night，\'saidhe，liftingoffhishat，andsmoothinghisthinhairwiththeflatofhishand。\'ButI\'mnotgoint\'night，Rachael，noryett\'morrow。\'Tan\'teasyovermucht\'knowwheert\'
turn，butagoodheartwillcoomtome。\'
Herein，too，thesenseofeventhinkingunselfishlyaidedhim。
BeforehehadsomuchasclosedMr。Bounderby\'sdoor，hehadreflectedthatatleasthisbeingobligedtogoawaywasgoodforher，asitwouldsaveherfromthechanceofbeingbroughtintoquestionfornotwithdrawingfromhim。Thoughitwouldcosthimahardpangtoleaveher，andthoughhecouldthinkofnosimilarplaceinwhichhiscondemnationwouldnotpursuehim，perhapsitwasalmostarelieftobeforcedawayfromtheenduranceofthelastfourdays，eventounknowndifficultiesanddistresses。
Sohesaid，withtruth，\'I\'mmoreleetsome，Rachael，under\'t，thanIcould\'nhabelieved。\'Itwasnotherparttomakehisburdenheavier。Sheansweredwithhercomfortingsmile，andthethreewalkedontogether。
Age，especiallywhenitstrivestobeself-reliantandcheerful，findsmuchconsiderationamongthepoor。Theoldwomanwassodecentandcontented，andmadesolightofherinfirmities，thoughtheyhadincreaseduponhersinceherformerinterviewwithStephen，thattheybothtookaninterestinher。Shewastoosprightlytoallowoftheirwalkingataslowpaceonheraccount，butshewasverygratefultobetalkedto，andverywillingtotalktoanyextent:so，whentheycametotheirpartofthetown，shewasmorebriskandvivaciousthanever。
\'Cometomypoorplace，missus，\'saidStephen，\'andtakacoopo\'
tea。Rachaelwillcoomthen；andarterwardsI\'llseetheesafet\'
thyTravellers\'lodgin。\'Tmaybelong，Rachael，ereeverIhath\'
chanceo\'thycoompanyagen。\'
Theycomplied，andthethreewentontothehousewherehelodged。
Whentheyturnedintoanarrowstreet，Stephenglancedathiswindowwithadreadthatalwayshauntedhisdesolatehome；butitwasopen，ashehadleftit，andnoonewasthere。Theevilspiritofhislifehadflittedawayagain，monthsago，andhehadheardnomoreofhersince。Theonlyevidenceofherlastreturnnow，werethescantiermoveablesinhisroom，andthegrayerhairuponhishead。
Helightedacandle，setouthislittletea-board，gothotwaterfrombelow，andbroughtinsmallportionsofteaandsugar，aloaf，andsomebutterfromthenearestshop。Thebreadwasnewandcrusty，thebutterfresh，andthesugarlump，ofcourse-infulfilmentofthestandardtestimonyoftheCoketownmagnates，thatthesepeoplelivedlikeprinces，sir。Rachaelmadetheteasolargeapartynecessitatedtheborrowingofacup，andthevisitorenjoyeditmightily。Itwasthefirstglimpseofsocialitythehosthadhadformanydays。Hetoo，withtheworldawideheathbeforehim，enjoyedthemeal-againincorroborationofthemagnates，asexemplifyingtheutterwantofcalculationonthepartofthesepeople，sir。
\'Ihaneverthowtyet，missus，\'saidStephen，\'o\'askinthyname。\'
Theoldladyannouncedherselfas\'Mrs。Pegler。\'
\'Awidder，Ithink？\'saidStephen。
\'Oh，manylongyears！\'Mrs。Pegler\'shusbandoneofthebestonrecordwasalreadydead，byMrs。Pegler\'scalculation，whenStephenwasborn。
\'\'Twereabadjob，too，tolosesogoodaone，\'saidStephen。
\'Onnychildren？\'
Mrs。Pegler\'scup，rattlingagainsthersaucerassheheldit，denotedsomenervousnessonherpart。\'No，\'shesaid。\'Notnow，notnow。\'
\'Dead，Stephen，\'Rachaelsoftlyhinted。
\'I\'msooaryIhaspok\'non\'t，\'saidStephen，\'Ioughtt\'hadninmymindasImighttouchasoreplace。I-Iblamemyseln。\'
Whileheexcusedhimself，theoldlady\'scuprattledmoreandmore。
\'Ihadason，\'shesaid，curiouslydistressed，andnotbyanyoftheusualappearancesofsorrow；\'andhedidwell，wonderfullywell。Butheisnottobespokenofifyouplease。Heis-\'
Puttingdownhercup，shemovedherhandsasifshewouldhaveadded，byheraction，\'dead！\'Thenshesaidaloud，\'Ihavelosthim。\'
Stephenhadnotyetgotthebetterofhishavinggiventheoldladypain，whenhislandladycamestumblingupthenarrowstairs，andcallinghimtothedoor，whisperedinhisear。Mrs。Peglerwasbynomeansdeaf，forshecaughtawordasitwasuttered。
\'Bounderby！\'shecried，inasuppressedvoice，startingupfromthetable。\'Ohhideme！Don\'tletmebeseenfortheworld。Don\'tlethimcomeuptillI\'vegotaway。Pray，pray！\'Shetrembled，andwasexcessivelyagitated；gettingbehindRachael，whenRachaeltriedtoreassureher；andnotseemingtoknowwhatshewasabout。
\'Buthearken，missus，hearken，\'saidStephen，astonished。\"Tisn\'tMr。Bounderby；\'tishiswife。Yo\'rnotfearfo\'o\'her。Yowashey-go-madabouther，butanhoursin。\'
\'Butareyousureit\'sthelady，andnotthegentleman？\'sheasked，stilltrembling。
\'Certainsure！\'
\'Wellthen，praydon\'tspeaktome，noryettakeanynoticeofme，\'
saidtheoldwoman。\'Letmebequitetomyselfinthiscorner。\'
Stephennodded；lookingtoRachaelforanexplanation，whichshewasquiteunabletogivehim；tookthecandle，wentdownstairs，andinafewmomentsreturned，lightingLouisaintotheroom。Shewasfollowedbythewhelp。
Rachaelhadrisen，andstoodapartwithhershawlandbonnetinherhand，whenStephen，himselfprofoundlyastonishedbythisvisit，putthecandleonthetable。Thenhetoostood，withhisdoubledhanduponthetablenearit，waitingtobeaddressed。
ForthefirsttimeinherlifeLouisahadcomeintooneofthedwellingsoftheCoketownHands；forthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasfacetofacewithanythinglikeindividualityinconnectionwiththem。Sheknewoftheirexistencebyhundredsandbythousands。Sheknewwhatresultsinworkagivennumberofthemwouldproduceinagivenspaceoftime。Sheknewthemincrowdspassingtoandfromtheirnests，likeantsorbeetles。Butsheknewfromherreadinginfinitelymoreofthewaysoftoilinginsectsthanofthesetoilingmenandwomen。
Somethingtobeworkedsomuchandpaidsomuch，andthereended；
somethingtobeinfalliblysettledbylawsofsupplyanddemand；
somethingthatblunderedagainstthoselaws，andflounderedintodifficulty；somethingthatwasalittlepinchedwhenwheatwasdear，andover-ateitselfwhenwheatwascheap；somethingthatincreasedatsucharateofpercentage，andyieldedsuchanotherpercentageofcrime，andsuchanotherpercentageofpauperism；
somethingwholesale，ofwhichvastfortunesweremade；somethingthatoccasionallyroselikeasea，anddidsomeharmandwastechieflytoitself，andfellagain；thissheknewtheCoketownHandstobe。But，shehadscarcelythoughtmoreofseparatingthemintounits，thanofseparatingtheseaitselfintoitscomponentdrops。
Shestoodforsomemomentslookingroundtheroom。Fromthefewchairs，thefewbooks，thecommonprints，andthebed，sheglancedtothetwowomen，andtoStephen。
\'Ihavecometospeaktoyou，inconsequenceofwhatpassedjustnow。Ishouldliketobeserviceabletoyou，ifyouwillletme。
Isthisyourwife？\'
Rachaelraisedhereyes，andtheysufficientlyansweredno，anddroppedagain。
\'Iremember，\'saidLouisa，reddeningathermistake；\'Irecollect，now，tohaveheardyourdomesticmisfortunesspokenof，thoughI
wasnotattendingtotheparticularsatthetime。Itwasnotmymeaningtoaskaquestionthatwouldgivepaintoanyonehere。IfIshouldaskanyotherquestionthatmayhappentohavethatresult，givemecredit，ifyouplease，forbeinginignorancehowtospeaktoyouasIought。\'
AsStephenhadbutalittlewhileagoinstinctivelyaddressedhimselftoher，soshenowinstinctivelyaddressedherselftoRachael。Hermannerwasshortandabrupt，yetfalteringandtimid。
\'Hehastoldyouwhathaspassedbetweenhimselfandmyhusband？
Youwouldbehisfirstresource，Ithink。\'
\'Ihaveheardtheendofit，younglady，\'saidRachael。
\'DidIunderstand，that，beingrejectedbyoneemployer，hewouldprobablyberejectedbyall？Ithoughthesaidasmuch？\'
\'Thechancesareverysmall，younglady-nexttonothing-foramanwhogetsabadnameamongthem。\'
\'WhatshallIunderstandthatyoumeanbyabadname？\'
\'Thenameofbeingtroublesome。\'
\'Then，bytheprejudicesofhisownclass，andbytheprejudicesoftheother，heissacrificedalike？Arethetwosodeeplyseparatedinthistown，thatthereisnoplacewhateverforanhonestworkmanbetweenthem？\'
Rachaelshookherheadinsilence。
\'Hefellintosuspicion，\'saidLouisa，\'withhisfellow-weavers，because-hehadmadeapromisenottobeoneofthem。Ithinkitmusthavebeentoyouthathemadethatpromise。MightIaskyouwhyhemadeit？\'
Rachaelburstintotears。\'Ididn\'tseekitofhim，poorlad。I
prayedhimtoavoidtroubleforhisowngood，littlethinkinghe\'dcometoitthroughme。ButIknowhe\'ddieahundreddeaths，ereeverhe\'dbreakhisword。Iknowthatofhimwell。\'
Stephenhadremainedquietlyattentive，inhisusualthoughtfulattitude，withhishandathischin。Henowspokeinavoiceratherlesssteadythanusual。
\'Noone，exceptingmyseln，caneverknowwhathonour，an\'whatlove，an\'respect，IbeartoRachael，orwi\'whatcause。WhenI
passedthatpromess，Itowdhertrue，shewereth\'Angelo\'mylife。\'Twereasolemnpromess。\'Tisgonefro\'me，forever。\'
Louisaturnedherheadtohim，andbentitwithadeferencethatwasnewinher。ShelookedfromhimtoRachael，andherfeaturessoftened。\'Whatwillyoudo？\'sheaskedhim。Andhervoicehadsoftenedtoo。
\'Weel，ma\'am，\'saidStephen，makingthebestofit，withasmile；
\'whenIhafinishedoff，Imunquitthispart，andtryanother。
Fortnetormisfortnet，amancanbuttry；there\'snowttobedonewi\'outtryin\'-ceptlayingdownanddying。\'
\'Howwillyoutravel？\'
\'Afoot，mykindledy，afoot。\'
Louisacoloured，andapurseappearedinherhand。Therustlingofabank-notewasaudible，assheunfoldedoneandlaiditonthetable。
\'Rachael，willyoutellhim-foryouknowhow，withoutoffence-
thatthisisfreelyhis，tohelphimonhisway？Willyouentreathimtotakeit？\'
\'Icannadothat，younglady，\'sheanswered，turningherheadaside。\'Blessyouforthinkingo\'thepoorladwi\'suchtenderness。But\'tisforhimtoknowhisheart，andwhatisrightaccordingtoit。\'
Louisalooked，inpartincredulous，inpartfrightened，inpartovercomewithquicksympathy，whenthismanofsomuchself-
command，whohadbeensoplainandsteadythroughthelateinterview，losthiscomposureinamoment，andnowstoodwithhishandbeforehisface。Shestretchedouthers，asifshewouldhavetouchedhim；thencheckedherself，andremainedstill。
\'Note\'enRachael，\'saidStephen，whenhestoodagainwithhisfaceuncovered，\'couldmaksitchakindofferin，byonnywords，kinder。
T\'showthatI\'mnotamanwi\'outreasonandgratitude，I\'lltaktwopound。I\'llborrow\'tfort\'pay\'tback。\'TwillbethesweetestworkaseverIhadone，thatputsitinmypowert\'
acknowledgeoncemoremylastinthankfulnessforthispresentaction。\'
Shewasfaintotakeupthenoteagain，andtosubstitutethemuchsmallersumhehadnamed。Hewasneithercourtly，norhandsome，norpicturesque，inanyrespect；andyethismannerofacceptingit，andofexpressinghisthankswithoutmorewords，hadagraceinitthatLordChesterfieldcouldnothavetaughthissoninacentury。
Tomhadsatuponthebed，swingingonelegandsuckinghiswalking-
stickwithsufficientunconcern，untilthevisithadattainedthisstage。Seeinghissisterreadytodepart，hegotup，ratherhurriedly，andputinaword。
\'Justwaitamoment，Loo！Beforewego，Ishouldliketospeaktohimamoment。Somethingcomesintomyhead。Ifyou\'llstepoutonthestairs，Blackpool，I\'llmentionit。Nevermindalight，man！\'
Tomwasremarkablyimpatientofhismovingtowardsthecupboard，togetone。\'Itdon\'twantalight。\'
Stephenfollowedhimout，andTomclosedtheroomdoor，andheldthelockinhishand。
\'Isay！\'hewhispered。\'IthinkIcandoyouagoodturn。Don\'taskmewhatitis，becauseitmaynotcometoanything。Butthere\'snoharminmytrying。\'
HisbreathfelllikeaflameoffireonStephen\'sear，itwassohot。
\'ThatwasourlightporterattheBank，\'saidTom，\'whobroughtyouthemessageto-night。Icallhimourlightporter，becauseI
belongtotheBanktoo。\'
Stephenthought，\'Whatahurryheisin！\'Hespokesoconfusedly。
\'Well！\'saidTom。\'Nowlookhere！Whenareyouoff？\'
\'T\'day\'sMonday，\'repliedStephen，considering。\'Why，sir，FridayorSaturday，nigh\'bout。\'
\'FridayorSaturday，\'saidTom。\'Nowlookhere！IamnotsurethatIcandoyouthegoodturnIwanttodoyou-that\'smysister，youknow，inyourroom-butImaybeableto，andifI
shouldnotbeableto，there\'snoharmdone。SoItellyouwhat。
You\'llknowourlightporteragain？\'
\'Yes，sure，\'saidStephen。
\'Verywell，\'returnedTom。\'Whenyouleaveworkofanight，betweenthisandyourgoingaway，justhangabouttheBankanhourorso，willyou？Don\'ttakeon，asifyoumeantanything，ifheshouldseeyouhangingaboutthere；becauseIshan\'tputhimuptospeaktoyou，unlessIfindIcandoyoutheserviceIwanttodoyou。Inthatcasehe\'llhaveanoteoramessageforyou，butnotelse。Nowlookhere！Youaresureyouunderstand。\'
Hehadwormedafinger，inthedarkness，throughabutton-holeofStephen\'scoat，andwasscrewingthatcornerofthegarmenttightuproundandround，inanextraordinarymanner。
\'Iunderstand，sir，\'saidStephen。
\'Nowlookhere！\'repeatedTom。\'Besureyoudon\'tmakeanymistakethen，anddon\'tforget。Ishalltellmysisteraswegohome，whatIhaveinview，andshe\'llapprove，Iknow。Nowlookhere！You\'reallright，areyou？Youunderstandallaboutit？Verywellthen。
Comealong，Loo！\'
Hepushedthedooropenashecalledtoher，butdidnotreturnintotheroom，orwaittobelighteddownthenarrowstairs。Hewasatthebottomwhenshebegantodescend，andwasinthestreetbeforeshecouldtakehisarm。
Mrs。Peglerremainedinhercorneruntilthebrotherandsisterweregone，anduntilStephencamebackwiththecandleinhishand。
ShewasinastateofinexpressibleadmirationofMrs。Bounderby，and，likeanunaccountableoldwoman，wept，\'becauseshewassuchaprettydear。\'YetMrs。Peglerwassoflurriedlesttheobjectofheradmirationshouldreturnbychance，oranybodyelseshouldcome，thathercheerfulnesswasendedforthatnight。Itwaslatetoo，topeoplewhoroseearlyandworkedhard；thereforethepartybrokeup；andStephenandRachaelescortedtheirmysteriousacquaintancetothedooroftheTravellers\'CoffeeHouse，wheretheypartedfromher。
TheywalkedbacktogethertothecornerofthestreetwhereRachaellived，andastheydrewnearerandnearertoit，silencecreptuponthem。Whentheycametothedarkcornerwheretheirunfrequentmeetingsalwaysended，theystopped，stillsilent，asifbothwereafraidtospeak。
\'Ishallstrivet\'seetheeagen，Rachael，aforeIgo，butifnot-
\'
\'Thouwiltnot，Stephen，Iknow。\'Tisbetterthatwemakeupourmindstobeopenwi\'oneanother。\'
\'Thou\'rtawlusright。\'Tisbolderandbetter。Ihabeenthinkinthen，Rachael，thatas\'tisbutadayortwothatremains，\'twerebetterforthee，mydear，nott\'beseenwi\'me。\'Tmightbringtheeintotrouble，furnogood。\'
\'\'Tisnotforthat，Stephen，thatImind。Butthouknow\'stouroldagreement。\'Tisforthat。\'
\'Well，well，\'saidhe。\"Tisbetter，onnyways。\'
\'Thou\'ltwritetome，andtellmeallthathappens，Stephen？\'
\'Yes。WhatcanIsaynow，butHeavenbewi\'thee，Heavenblessthee，Heaventhanktheeandrewardthee！\'
\'Mayitblessthee，Stephen，too，inallthywanderings，andsendtheepeaceandrestatlast！\'
\'Itowdthee，mydear，\'saidStephenBlackpool-\'thatnight-thatIwouldneverseeorthinko\'onnythingthatangeredme，butthou，somuchbetterthanme，should\'stbebesideit。Thou\'rtbesideitnow。Thoumak\'stmeseeitwi\'abettereye。Blessthee。Goodnight。Good-bye！\'
Itwasbutahurriedpartinginacommonstreet，yetitwasasacredremembrancetothesetwocommonpeople。Utilitarianeconomists，skeletonsofschoolmasters，CommissionersofFact，genteelandused-upinfidels，gabblersofmanylittledog\'s-earedcreeds，thepooryouwillhavealwayswithyou。Cultivateinthem，whilethereisyettime，theutmostgracesofthefanciesandaffections，toadorntheirlivessomuchinneedofornament；or，inthedayofyourtriumph，whenromanceisutterlydrivenoutoftheirsouls，andtheyandabareexistencestandfacetoface，Realitywilltakeawolfishturn，andmakeanendofyou。
Stephenworkedthenextday，andthenext，uncheeredbyawordfromanyone，andshunnedinallhiscomingsandgoingsasbefore。Attheendofthesecondday，hesawland；attheendofthethird，hisloomstoodempty。
HehadoverstayedhishourinthestreetoutsidetheBank，oneachofthetwofirstevenings；andnothinghadhappenedthere，goodorbad。Thathemightnotberemissinhispartoftheengagement，heresolvedtowaitfulltwohours，onthisthirdandlastnight。
TherewastheladywhohadoncekeptMr。Bounderby\'shouse，sittingatthefirst-floorwindowashehadseenherbefore；andtherewasthelightporter，sometimestalkingwithherthere，andsometimeslookingovertheblindbelowwhichhadBANKuponit，andsometimescomingtothedoorandstandingonthestepsforabreathofair。
Whenhefirstcameout，Stephenthoughthemightbelookingforhim，andpassednear；butthelightporteronlycasthiswinkingeyesuponhimslightly，andsaidnothing。
Twohourswerealongstretchofloungingabout，afteralongday\'slabour。Stephensatuponthestepofadoor，leanedagainstawallunderanarchway，strolledupanddown，listenedforthechurchclock，stoppedandwatchedchildrenplayinginthestreet。Somepurposeorotherissonaturaltoeveryone，thatamereloitereralwayslooksandfeelsremarkable。Whenthefirsthourwasout，Stephenevenbegantohaveanuncomfortablesensationuponhimofbeingforthetimeadisreputablecharacter。
Thencamethelamplighter，andtwolengtheninglinesoflightalldownthelongperspectiveofthestreet，untiltheywereblendedandlostinthedistance。Mrs。Sparsitclosedthefirst-floorwindow，drewdowntheblind，andwentup-stairs。Presently，alightwentup-stairsafterher，passingfirstthefanlightofthedoor，andafterwardsthetwostaircasewindows，onitswayup。Byandby，onecornerofthesecond-floorblindwasdisturbed，asifMrs。Sparsit\'seyewerethere；alsotheothercorner，asifthelightporter\'seyewereonthatside。Still，nocommunicationwasmadetoStephen。Muchrelievedwhenthetwohourswereatlastaccomplished，hewentawayataquickpace，asarecompenseforsomuchloitering。
Hehadonlytotakeleaveofhislandlady，andliedownonhistemporarybeduponthefloor；forhisbundlewasmadeupforto-
morrow，andallwasarrangedforhisdeparture。Hemeanttobeclearofthetownveryearly；beforetheHandswereinthestreets。
Itwasbarelydaybreak，when，withapartinglookroundhisroom，mournfullywonderingwhetherheshouldeverseeitagain，hewentout。Thetownwasasentirelydesertedasiftheinhabitantshadabandonedit，ratherthanholdcommunicationwithhim。Everythinglookedwanatthathour。Eventhecomingsunmadebutapalewasteinthesky，likeasadsea。
BytheplacewhereRachaellived，thoughitwasnotinhisway；bytheredbrickstreets；bythegreatsilentfactories，nottremblingyet；bytherailway，wherethedanger-lightswerewaninginthestrengtheningday；bytherailway\'scrazyneighbourhood，halfpulleddownandhalfbuiltup；byscatteredredbrickvillas，wherethebesmokedevergreensweresprinkledwithadirtypowder，likeuntidysnuff-takers；bycoal-dustpathsandmanyvarietiesofugliness；Stephengottothetopofthehill，andlookedback。
Daywasshiningradiantlyuponthetownthen，andthebellsweregoingforthemorningwork。Domesticfireswerenotyetlighted，andthehighchimneyshadtheskytothemselves。Puffingouttheirpoisonousvolumes，theywouldnotbelonginhidingit；but，forhalfanhour，someofthemanywindowsweregolden，whichshowedtheCoketownpeopleasuneternallyineclipse，throughamediumofsmokedglass。
Sostrangetoturnfromthechimneystothebirds。Sostrange，tohavetheroad-dustonhisfeetinsteadofthecoal-grit。Sostrangetohavelivedtohistimeoflife，andyettobebeginninglikeaboythissummermorning！Withthesemusingsinhismind，andhisbundleunderhisarm，Stephentookhisattentivefacealongthehighroad。Andthetreesarchedoverhim，whisperingthatheleftatrueandlovingheartbehind。
CHAPTERVII-GUNPOWDER
MR。JAMESHARTHOUSE，\'goingin\'forhisadoptedparty，soonbegantoscore。Withtheaidofalittlemorecoachingforthepoliticalsages，alittlemoregenteellistlessnessforthegeneralsociety，andatolerablemanagementoftheassumedhonestyindishonesty，mosteffectiveandmostpatronizedofthepolitedeadlysins，hespeedilycametobeconsideredofmuchpromise。Thenotbeingtroubledwithearnestnesswasagrandpointinhisfavour，enablinghimtotaketothehardFactfellowswithasgoodagraceasifhehadbeenbornoneofthetribe，andtothrowallothertribesoverboard，asconscioushypocrites。
\'Whomnoneofusbelieve，mydearMrs。Bounderby，andwhodonotbelievethemselves。Theonlydifferencebetweenusandtheprofessorsofvirtueorbenevolence，orphilanthropy-nevermindthename-is，thatweknowitisallmeaningless，andsayso；
whiletheyknowitequallyandwillneversayso。\'
Whyshouldshebeshockedorwarnedbythisreiteration？Itwasnotsounlikeherfather\'sprinciples，andherearlytraining，thatitneedstartleher。Wherewasthegreatdifferencebetweenthetwoschools，wheneachchainedherdowntomaterialrealities，andinspiredherwithnofaithinanythingelse？WhatwasthereinhersoulforJamesHarthousetodestroy，whichThomasGradgrindhadnurturedthereinitsstateofinnocence！
Itwaseventheworseforheratthispass，thatinhermind-
implantedtherebeforehereminentlypracticalfatherbegantoformit-astrugglingdispositiontobelieveinawiderandnoblerhumanitythanshehadeverheardof，constantlystrovewithdoubtsandresentments。Withdoubts，becausetheaspirationhadbeensolaidwasteinheryouth。Withresentments，becauseofthewrongthathadbeendoneher，ifitwereindeedawhisperofthetruth。
Uponanaturelongaccustomedtoself-suppression，thustornanddivided，theHarthousephilosophycameasareliefandjustification。Everythingbeinghollowandworthless，shehadmissednothingandsacrificednothing。Whatdiditmatter，shehadsaidtoherfather，whenheproposedherhusband。Whatdiditmatter，shesaidstill。Withascornfulself-reliance，sheaskedherself，Whatdidanythingmatter-andwenton。
Towardswhat？Stepbystep，onwardanddownward，towardssomeend，yetsogradually，thatshebelievedherselftoremainmotionless。
AstoMr。Harthouse，whitherhetended，heneitherconsiderednorcared。Hehadnoparticulardesignorplanbeforehim:noenergeticwickednessruffledhislassitude。Hewasasmuchamusedandinterested，atpresent，asitbecamesofineagentlemantobe；
perhapsevenmorethanitwouldhavebeenconsistentwithhisreputationtoconfess。Soonafterhisarrivalhelanguidlywrotetohisbrother，thehonourableandjocularmember，thattheBounderbyswere\'greatfun；\'andfurther，thatthefemaleBounderby，insteadofbeingtheGorgonhehadexpected，wasyoung，andremarkablypretty。Afterthat，hewrotenomoreaboutthem，anddevotedhisleisurechieflytotheirhouse。Hewasveryoftenintheirhouse，inhisflittingsandvisitingsabouttheCoketowndistrict；andwasmuchencouragedbyMr。Bounderby。ItwasquiteinMr。Bounderby\'sgustywaytoboasttoallhisworldthathedidn\'tcareaboutyourhighlyconnectedpeople，butthatifhiswifeTomGradgrind\'sdaughterdid，shewaswelcometotheircompany。
Mr。JamesHarthousebegantothinkitwouldbeanewsensation，ifthefacewhichchangedsobeautifullyforthewhelp，wouldchangeforhim。
Hewasquickenoughtoobserve；hehadagoodmemory，anddidnotforgetawordofthebrother\'srevelations。Heinterwovethemwitheverythinghesawofthesister，andhebegantounderstandher。
Tobesure，thebetterandprofounderpartofhercharacterwasnotwithinhisscopeofperception；forinnatures，asinseas，depthanswersuntodepth；buthesoonbegantoreadtherestwithastudent\'seye。
Mr。Bounderbyhadtakenpossessionofahouseandgrounds，aboutfifteenmilesfromthetown，andaccessiblewithinamileortwo，byarailwaystridingonmanyarchesoverawildcountry，underminedbydesertedcoal-shafts，andspottedatnightbyfiresandblackshapesofstationaryenginesatpits\'mouths。Thiscountry，graduallysofteningtowardstheneighbourhoodofMr。
Bounderby\'sretreat，theremellowedintoarusticlandscape，goldenwithheath，andsnowywithhawthorninthespringoftheyear，andtremulouswithleavesandtheirshadowsallthesummertime。Thebankhadforeclosedamortgageeffectedonthepropertythuspleasantlysituated，byoneoftheCoketownmagnates，who，inhisdeterminationtomakeashortercutthanusualtoanenormousfortune，overspeculatedhimselfbyabouttwohundredthousandpounds。TheseaccidentsdidsometimeshappeninthebestregulatedfamiliesofCoketown，butthebankruptshadnoconnexionwhateverwiththeimprovidentclasses。
ItaffordedMr。Bounderbysupremesatisfactiontoinstalhimselfinthissnuglittleestate，andwithdemonstrativehumilitytogrowcabbagesintheflower-garden。Hedelightedtolive，barrack-
fashion，amongtheelegantfurniture，andhebulliedtheverypictureswithhisorigin。\'Why，sir，\'hewouldsaytoavisitor，\'IamtoldthatNickits，\'thelateowner，\'gavesevenhundredpoundforthatSeabeach。Now，tobeplainwithyou，ifIever，inthewholecourseofmylife，takesevenlooksatit，atahundredpoundalook，itwillbeasmuchasIshalldo。No，byGeorge！Idon\'tforgetthatIamJosiahBounderbyofCoketown。Foryearsuponyears，theonlypicturesinmypossession，orthatIcouldhavegotintomypossession，byanymeans，unlessIstole\'em，weretheengravingsofamanshavinghimselfinaboot，ontheblackingbottlesthatIwasoverjoyedtouseincleaningbootswith，andthatIsoldwhentheywereemptyforafarthinga-piece，andgladtogetit！\'
ThenhewouldaddressMr。Harthouseinthesamestyle。
\'Harthouse，youhaveacoupleofhorsesdownhere。Bringhalfadozenmoreifyoulike，andwe\'llfindroomfor\'em。There\'sstablinginthisplaceforadozenhorses；andunlessNickitsisbelied，hekeptthefullnumber。Arounddozenof\'em，sir。Whenthatmanwasaboy，hewenttoWestminsterSchool。WenttoWestminsterSchoolasaKing\'sScholar，whenIwasprincipallylivingongarbage，andsleepinginmarketbaskets。Why，ifI
wantedtokeepadozenhorses-whichIdon\'t，forone\'senoughforme-Icouldn\'tbeartosee\'emintheirstallshere，andthinkwhatmyownlodgingusedtobe。Icouldn\'tlookat\'em，sir，andnotorder\'emout。Yetsothingscomeround。Youseethisplace；
youknowwhatsortofaplaceitis；youareawarethatthere\'snotacompleterplaceofitssizeinthiskingdomorelsewhere-I
don\'tcarewhere-andhere，gotintothemiddleofit，likeamaggotintoanut，isJosiahBounderby。WhileNickitsasamancameintomyoffice，andtoldmeyesterday，Nickits，whousedtoactinLatin，intheWestminsterSchoolplays，withthechief-
justicesandnobilityofthiscountryapplaudinghimtilltheywereblackintheface，isdrivellingatthisminute-drivelling，sir！-
inafifthfloor，upanarrowdarkbackstreetinAntwerp。\'
Itwasamongtheleafyshadowsofthisretirement，inthelongsultrysummerdays，thatMr。Harthousebegantoprovethefacewhichhadsethimwonderingwhenhefirstsawit，andtotryifitwouldchangeforhim。
\'Mrs。Bounderby，IesteemitamostfortunateaccidentthatIfindyoualonehere。Ihaveforsometimehadaparticularwishtospeaktoyou。\'
Itwasnotbyanywonderfulaccidentthathefoundher，thetimeofdaybeingthatatwhichshewasalwaysalone，andtheplacebeingherfavouriteresort。Itwasanopeninginadarkwood，wheresomefelledtreeslay，andwhereshewouldsitwatchingthefallenleavesoflastyear，asshehadwatchedthefallingashesathome。
Hesatdownbesideher，withaglanceatherface。
\'Yourbrother。MyyoungfriendTom-\'
Hercolourbrightened，andsheturnedtohimwithalookofinterest。\'Ineverinmylife，\'hethought，\'sawanythingsoremarkableandsocaptivatingasthelightingofthosefeatures！\'
Hisfacebetrayedhisthoughts-perhapswithoutbetrayinghim，foritmighthavebeenaccordingtoitsinstructionssotodo。
\'Pardonme。Theexpressionofyoursisterlyinterestissobeautiful-Tomshouldbesoproudofit-Iknowthisisinexcusable，butIamsocompelledtoadmire。\'
\'Beingsoimpulsive，\'shesaidcomposedly。
\'Mrs。Bounderby，no:youknowImakenopretencewithyou。YouknowIamasordidpieceofhumannature，readytosellmyselfatanytimeforanyreasonablesum，andaltogetherincapableofanyArcadianproceedingwhatever。\'
\'Iamwaiting，\'shereturned，\'foryourfurtherreferencetomybrother。\'
\'Youarerigidwithme，andIdeserveit。Iamasworthlessadogasyouwillfind，exceptthatIamnotfalse-notfalse。Butyousurprisedandstartedmefrommysubject，whichwasyourbrother。
Ihaveaninterestinhim。\'
\'Haveyouaninterestinanything，Mr。Harthouse？\'sheasked，halfincredulouslyandhalfgratefully。
\'IfyouhadaskedmewhenIfirstcamehere，Ishouldhavesaidno。
Imustsaynow-evenatthehazardofappearingtomakeapretence，andofjustlyawakeningyourincredulity-yes。\'
Shemadeaslightmovement，asifsheweretryingtospeak，butcouldnotfindvoice；atlengthshesaid，\'Mr。Harthouse，Igiveyoucreditforbeinginterestedinmybrother。\'
\'Thankyou。Iclaimtodeserveit。YouknowhowlittleIdoclaim，butIwillgothatlength。Youhavedonesomuchforhim，youaresofondofhim；yourwholelife，Mrs。Bounderby，expressessuchcharmingself-forgetfulnessonhisaccount-pardonmeagain-
Iamrunningwideofthesubject。Iaminterestedinhimforhisownsake。\'
Shehadmadetheslightestactionpossible，asifshewouldhaveriseninahurryandgoneaway。Hehadturnedthecourseofwhathesaidatthatinstant，andsheremained。
\'Mrs。Bounderby，\'heresumed，inalightermanner，andyetwithashowofeffortinassumingit，whichwasevenmoreexpressivethanthemannerhedismissed；\'itisnoirrevocableoffenceinayoungfellowofyourbrother\'syears，ifheisheedless，inconsiderate，andexpensive-alittledissipated，inthecommonphrase。Ishe？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Allowmetobefrank。Doyouthinkhegamesatall？\'
\'Ithinkhemakesbets。\'Mr。Harthousewaiting，asifthatwerenotherwholeanswer，sheadded，\'Iknowhedoes。\'
\'Ofcourseheloses？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Everybodydoeslosewhobets。MayIhintattheprobabilityofyoursometimessupplyinghimwithmoneyforthesepurposes？\'
Shesat，lookingdown；but，atthisquestion，raisedhereyessearchinglyandalittleresentfully。
\'Acquitmeofimpertinentcuriosity，mydearMrs。Bounderby。I
thinkTommaybegraduallyfallingintotrouble，andIwishtostretchoutahelpinghandtohimfromthedepthsofmywickedexperience-ShallIsayagain，forhissake？Isthatnecessary？\'
Sheseemedtotrytoanswer，butnothingcameofit。
\'Candidlytoconfesseverythingthathasoccurredtome，\'saidJamesHarthouse，againglidingwiththesameappearanceofeffortintohismoreairymanner；\'Iwillconfidetoyoumydoubtwhetherhehashadmanyadvantages。Whether-forgivemyplainness-
whetheranygreatamountofconfidenceislikelytohavebeenestablishedbetweenhimselfandhismostworthyfather。\'
\'Idonot，\'saidLouisa，flushingwithherowngreatremembranceinthatwise，\'thinkitlikely。\'
\'Or，betweenhimself，and-Imaytrusttoyourperfectunderstandingofmymeaning，Iamsure-andhishighlyesteemedbrother-in-law。\'
Sheflusheddeeperanddeeper，andwasburningredwhensherepliedinafaintervoice，\'Idonotthinkthatlikely，either。\'
\'Mrs。Bounderby，\'saidHarthouse，afterashortsilence，\'maytherebeabetterconfidencebetweenyourselfandme？Tomhasborrowedaconsiderablesumofyou？\'
\'Youwillunderstand，Mr。Harthouse，\'shereturned，aftersomeindecision:shehadbeenmoreorlessuncertain，andtroubledthroughouttheconversation，andyethadinthemainpreservedherself-containedmanner；\'youwillunderstandthatifItellyouwhatyoupresstoknow，itisnotbywayofcomplaintorregret。I
wouldnevercomplainofanything，andwhatIhavedoneIdonotintheleastregret。\'
\'Sospirited，too！\'thoughtJamesHarthouse。
\'WhenImarried，Ifoundthatmybrotherwasevenatthattimeheavilyindebt。Heavilyforhim，Imean。Heavilyenoughtoobligemetosellsometrinkets。Theywerenosacrifice。Isoldthemverywillingly。Iattachednovaluetothem。They，werequiteworthlesstome。\'
Eithershesawinhisfacethatheknew，orsheonlyfearedinherconsciencethatheknew，thatshespokeofsomeofherhusband\'sgifts。Shestopped，andreddenedagain。Ifhehadnotknownitbefore，hewouldhaveknownitthen，thoughhehadbeenamuchdullermanthanhewas。
\'Sincethen，Ihavegivenmybrother，atvarioustimes，whatmoneyIcouldspare:inshort，whatmoneyIhavehad。Confidinginyouatall，onthefaithoftheinterestyouprofessforhim，Iwillnotdosobyhalves。Sinceyouhavebeeninthehabitofvisitinghere，hehaswantedinonesumasmuchasahundredpounds。Ihavenotbeenabletogiveittohim。Ihavefeltuneasyfortheconsequencesofhisbeingsoinvolved，butIhavekeptthesesecretsuntilnow，whenItrustthemtoyourhonour。Ihaveheldnoconfidencewithanyone，because-youanticipatedmyreasonjustnow。\'Sheabruptlybrokeoff。
Hewasareadyman，andhesaw，andseized，anopportunityhereofpresentingherownimagetoher，slightlydisguisedasherbrother。
\'Mrs。Bounderby，thoughagracelessperson，oftheworldworldly，I
feeltheutmostinterest，Iassureyou，inwhatyoutellme。I
cannotpossiblybeharduponyourbrother。Iunderstandandsharethewiseconsiderationwithwhichyouregardhiserrors。WithallpossiblerespectbothforMr。GradgrindandforMr。Bounderby，I
thinkIperceivethathehasnotbeenfortunateinhistraining。
Bredatadisadvantagetowardsthesocietyinwhichhehashisparttoplay，herushesintotheseextremesforhimself，fromoppositeextremesthathavelongbeenforced-withtheverybestintentionswehavenodoubt-uponhim。Mr。Bounderby\'sfinebluffEnglishindependence，thoughamostcharmingcharacteristic，doesnot-aswehaveagreed-inviteconfidence。IfImightventuretoremarkthatitistheleastintheworlddeficientinthatdelicacytowhichayouthmistaken，acharactermisconceived，andabilitiesmisdirected，wouldturnforreliefandguidance，Ishouldexpresswhatitpresentstomyownview。\'
Asshesatlookingstraightbeforeher，acrossthechanginglightsuponthegrassintothedarknessofthewoodbeyond，hesawinherfaceherapplicationofhisverydistinctlyutteredwords。
\'Allallowance，\'hecontinued，\'mustbemade。IhaveonegreatfaulttofindwithTom，however，whichIcannotforgive，andforwhichItakehimheavilytoaccount。\'
Louisaturnedhereyestohisface，andaskedhimwhatfaultwasthat？
\'Perhaps，\'hereturned，\'Ihavesaidenough。Perhapsitwouldhavebeenbetter，onthewhole，ifnoallusiontoithadescapedme。\'
\'Youalarmme，Mr。Harthouse。Prayletmeknowit。\'
\'Torelieveyoufromneedlessapprehension-andasthisconfidenceregardingyourbrother，whichIprizeIamsureaboveallpossiblethings，hasbeenestablishedbetweenus-Iobey。Icannotforgivehimfornotbeingmoresensibleineveryword，look，andactofhislife，oftheaffectionofhisbestfriend；ofthedevotionofhisbestfriend；ofherunselfishness；ofhersacrifice。Thereturnhemakesher，withinmyobservation，isaverypoorone。Whatshehasdoneforhimdemandshisconstantloveandgratitude，nothisill-
humourandcaprice。CarelessfellowasIam，Iamnotsoindifferent，Mrs。Bounderby，astoberegardlessofthisviceinyourbrother，orinclinedtoconsideritavenialoffence。\'
Thewoodfloatedbeforeher，forhereyesweresuffusedwithtears。
Theyrosefromadeepwell，longconcealed，andherheartwasfilledwithacutepainthatfoundnoreliefinthem。
\'Inaword，itistocorrectyourbrotherinthis，Mrs。Bounderby，thatImustaspire。Mybetterknowledgeofhiscircumstances，andmydirectionandadviceinextricatingthem-rathervaluable，I
hope，ascomingfromascapegraceonamuchlargerscale-willgivemesomeinfluenceoverhim，andallIgainIshallcertainlyusetowardsthisend。Ihavesaidenough，andmorethanenough。I
seemtobeprotestingthatIamasortofgoodfellow，when，uponmyhonour，Ihavenottheleastintentiontomakeanyprotestationtothateffect，andopenlyannouncethatIamnothingofthesort。
Yonder，amongthetrees，\'headded，havinglifteduphiseyesandlookedabout；forhehadwatchedhercloselyuntilnow；\'isyourbrotherhimself；nodoubt，justcomedown。Asheseemstobeloiteringinthisdirection，itmaybeaswell，perhaps，towalktowardshim，andthrowourselvesinhisway。Hehasbeenverysilentanddolefuloflate。Perhaps，hisbrotherlyconscienceistouched-iftherearesuchthingsasconsciences。Though，uponmyhonour，Ihearofthemmuchtoooftentobelieveinthem。\'
Heassistedhertorise，andshetookhisarm，andtheyadvancedtomeetthewhelp。Hewasidlybeatingthebranchesasheloungedalong:orhestoopedviciouslytoripthemossfromthetreeswithhisstick。Hewasstartledwhentheycameuponhimwhilehewasengagedinthislatterpastime，andhiscolourchanged。
\'Halloa！\'hestammered；\'Ididn\'tknowyouwerehere。\'
\'Whosename，Tom，\'saidMr。Harthouse，puttinghishanduponhisshoulderandturninghim，sothattheyallthreewalkedtowardsthehousetogether，\'haveyoubeencarvingonthetrees？\'
\'Whosename？\'returnedTom。\'Oh！Youmeanwhatgirl\'sname？\'
\'Youhaveasuspiciousappearanceofinscribingsomefaircreature\'sonthebark，Tom。\'
\'Notmuchofthat，Mr。Harthouse，unlesssomefaircreaturewithaslashingfortuneatherowndisposalwouldtakeafancytome。Orshemightbeasuglyasshewasrich，withoutanyfearoflosingme。I\'dcarvehernameasoftenassheliked。\'
\'Iamafraidyouaremercenary，Tom。\'
\'Mercenary，\'repeatedTom。\'Whoisnotmercenary？Askmysister。\'
\'Haveyousoprovedittobeafailingofmine，Tom？\'saidLouisa，showingnoothersenseofhisdiscontentandill-nature。
\'Youknowwhetherthecapfitsyou，Loo，\'returnedherbrothersulkily。\'Ifitdoes，youcanwearit。\'
\'Tomismisanthropicalto-day，asallboredpeoplearenowandthen，\'saidMr。Harthouse。\'Don\'tbelievehim，Mrs。Bounderby。Heknowsmuchbetter。Ishalldisclosesomeofhisopinionsofyou，privatelyexpressedtome，unlessherelentsalittle。\'
\'Atallevents，Mr。Harthouse，\'saidTom，softeninginhisadmirationofhispatron，butshakinghisheadsullenlytoo，\'youcan\'ttellherthatIeverpraisedherforbeingmercenary。Imayhavepraisedherforbeingthecontrary，andIshoulddoitagain，ifIhadasgoodreason。However，nevermindthisnow；it\'snotveryinterestingtoyou，andIamsickofthesubject。\'
Theywalkedontothehouse，whereLouisaquittedhervisitor\'sarmandwentin。Hestoodlookingafterher，assheascendedthesteps，andpassedintotheshadowofthedoor；thenputhishanduponherbrother\'sshoulderagain，andinvitedhimwithaconfidentialnodtoawalkinthegarden。
\'Tom，myfinefellow，Iwanttohaveawordwithyou。\'
Theyhadstoppedamongadisorderofroses-itwaspartofMr。
Bounderby\'shumilitytokeepNickits\'srosesonareducedscale-
andTomsatdownonaterrace-parapet，pluckingbudsandpickingthemtopieces；whilehispowerfulFamiliarstoodoverhim，withafootupontheparapet，andhisfigureeasilyrestingonthearmsupportedbythatknee。Theywerejustvisiblefromherwindow。
Perhapsshesawthem。
\'Tom，what\'sthematter？\'
\'Oh！Mr。Harthouse，\'saidTomwithagroan，\'Iamhardup，andbotheredoutofmylife。\'
\'Mygoodfellow，soamI。\'
\'You！\'returnedTom。\'Youarethepictureofindependence。Mr。
Harthouse，Iaminahorriblemess。YouhavenoideawhatastateIhavegotmyselfinto-whatastatemysistermighthavegotmeoutof，ifshewouldonlyhavedoneit。\'
Hetooktobitingtherosebudsnow，andtearingthemawayfromhisteethwithahandthattrembledlikeaninfirmoldman\'s。Afteroneexceedinglyobservantlookathim，hiscompanionrelapsedintohislightestair。
\'Tom，youareinconsiderate:youexpecttoomuchofyoursister。
Youhavehadmoneyofher，youdog，youknowyouhave。\'
\'Well，Mr。Harthouse，IknowIhave。HowelsewasItogetit？
Here\'soldBounderbyalwaysboastingthatatmyagehelivedupontwopenceamonth，orsomethingofthatsort。Here\'smyfatherdrawingwhathecallsaline，andtyingmedowntoitfromababy，neckandheels。Here\'smymotherwhoneverhasanythingofherown，excepthercomplaints。Whatisafellowtodoformoney，andwhereamItolookforit，ifnottomysister？\'
Hewasalmostcrying，andscatteredthebudsaboutbydozens。Mr。
Harthousetookhimpersuasivelybythecoat。
\'But，mydearTom，ifyoursisterhasnotgotit-\'
\'Notgotit，Mr。Harthouse？Idon\'tsayshehasgotit。Imayhavewantedmorethanshewaslikelytohavegot。Butthensheoughttogetit。Shecouldgetit。It\'sofnousepretendingtomakeasecretofmattersnow，afterwhatIhavetoldyoualready；
youknowshedidn\'tmarryoldBounderbyforherownsake，orforhissake，butformysake。Thenwhydoesn\'tshegetwhatIwant，outofhim，formysake？Sheisnotobligedtosaywhatsheisgoingtodowithit；sheissharpenough；shecouldmanagetocoaxitoutofhim，ifshechose。Thenwhydoesn\'tshechoose，whenI
tellherofwhatconsequenceitis？Butno。Thereshesitsinhiscompanylikeastone，insteadofmakingherselfagreeableandgettingiteasily。Idon\'tknowwhatyoumaycallthis，butIcallitunnaturalconduct。\'
Therewasapieceofornamentalwaterimmediatelybelowtheparapet，ontheotherside，intowhichMr。JamesHarthousehadaverystronginclinationtopitchMr。ThomasGradgrindjunior，astheinjuredmenofCoketownthreatenedtopitchtheirpropertyintotheAtlantic。Buthepreservedhiseasyattitude；andnothingmoresolidwentoverthestonebalustradesthantheaccumulatedrosebudsnowfloatingabout，alittlesurface-island。
\'MydearTom，\'saidHarthouse，\'letmetrytobeyourbanker。\'
\'ForGod\'ssake，\'repliedTom，suddenly，\'don\'ttalkaboutbankers！\'Andverywhitehelooked，incontrastwiththeroses。
Verywhite。
Mr。Harthouse，asathoroughlywell-bredman，accustomedtothebestsociety，wasnottobesurprised-hecouldassoonhavebeenaffected-butheraisedhiseyelidsalittlemore，asiftheywereliftedbyafeebletouchofwonder。Albeititwasasmuchagainstthepreceptsofhisschooltowonder，asitwasagainstthedoctrinesoftheGradgrindCollege。
\'Whatisthepresentneed，Tom？Threefigures？Outwiththem。
Saywhattheyare。\'
\'Mr。Harthouse，\'returnedTom，nowactuallycrying；andhistearswerebetterthanhisinjuries，howeverpitifulafigurehemade:
\'it\'stoolate；themoneyisofnousetomeatpresent。Ishouldhavehaditbeforetobeofusetome。ButIamverymuchobligedtoyou；you\'reatruefriend。\'
Atruefriend！\'Whelp，whelp！\'thoughtMr。Harthouse，lazily；
\'whatanAssyouare！\'
\'AndItakeyourofferasagreatkindness，\'saidTom，graspinghishand。\'Asagreatkindness，Mr。Harthouse。\'
\'Well，\'returnedtheother，\'itmaybeofmoreusebyandby。And，mygoodfellow，ifyouwillopenyourbedevilmentstomewhentheycomethickuponyou，Imayshowyoubetterwaysoutofthemthanyoucanfindforyourself。\'
\'Thankyou，\'saidTom，shakinghisheaddismally，andchewingrosebuds。\'IwishIhadknownyousooner，Mr。Harthouse。\'
\'Now，yousee，Tom，\'saidMr。Harthouseinconclusion，himselftossingoveraroseortwo，asacontributiontotheisland，whichwasalwaysdriftingtothewallasifitwantedtobecomeapartofthemainland:\'everymanisselfishineverythinghedoes，andI
amexactlyliketherestofmyfellow-creatures。Iamdesperatelyintent；\'thelanguorofhisdesperationbeingquitetropical；\'onyoursofteningtowardsyoursister-whichyououghttodo；andonyourbeingamorelovingandagreeablesortofbrother-whichyououghttobe。\'
\'Iwillbe，Mr。Harthouse。\'
\'Notimelikethepresent，Tom。Beginatonce。\'
\'CertainlyIwill。AndmysisterLooshallsayso。\'
\'Havingmadewhichbargain，Tom，\'saidHarthouse，clappinghimontheshoulderagain，withanairwhichlefthimatlibertytoinfer-ashedid，poorfool-thatthisconditionwasimposeduponhiminmerecarelessgoodnaturetolessenhissenseofobligation，\'wewilltearourselvesasunderuntildinner-time。\'
WhenTomappearedbeforedinner，thoughhismindseemedheavyenough，hisbodywasonthealert；andheappearedbeforeMr。
Bounderbycamein。\'Ididn\'tmeantobecross，Loo，\'hesaid，givingherhishand，andkissingher。\'Iknowyouarefondofme，andyouknowIamfondofyou。\'
Afterthis，therewasasmileuponLouisa\'sfacethatday，forsomeoneelse。Alas，forsomeoneelse！
\'Somuchthelessisthewhelptheonlycreaturethatshecaresfor，\'thoughtJamesHarthouse，reversingthereflectionofhisfirstday\'sknowledgeofherprettyface。\'Somuchtheless，somuchtheless。\'
CHAPTERVIII-EXPLOSION
THEnextmorningwastoobrightamorningforsleep，andJamesHarthouseroseearly，andsatinthepleasantbaywindowofhisdressing-room，smokingtheraretobaccothathadhadsowholesomeaninfluenceonhisyoungfriend。Reposinginthesunlight，withthefragranceofhiseasternpipeabouthim，andthedreamysmokevanishingintotheair，sorichandsoftwithsummerodours，hereckoneduphisadvantagesasanidlewinnermightcounthisgains。
Hewasnotatallboredforthetime，andcouldgivehismindtoit。
Hehadestablishedaconfidencewithher，fromwhichherhusbandwasexcluded。Hehadestablishedaconfidencewithher，thatabsolutelyturneduponherindifferencetowardsherhusband，andtheabsence，nowandatalltimes，ofanycongenialitybetweenthem。Hehadartfully，butplainly，assuredherthatheknewherheartinitslastmostdelicaterecesses；hehadcomesoneartoherthroughitstenderestsentiment；hehadassociatedhimselfwiththatfeeling；andthebarrierbehindwhichshelived，hadmeltedaway。Allveryodd，andverysatisfactory！
Andyethehadnot，evennow，anyearnestwickednessofpurposeinhim。Publiclyandprivately，itweremuchbetterfortheageinwhichhelived，thatheandthelegionofwhomhewasoneweredesignedlybad，thanindifferentandpurposeless。Itisthedriftingicebergssettingwithanycurrentanywhere，thatwrecktheships。
WhentheDevilgoethaboutlikearoaringlion，hegoethaboutinashapebywhichfewbutsavagesandhuntersareattracted。But，whenheistrimmed，smoothed，andvarnished，accordingtothemode；
whenheisawearyofvice，andawearyofvirtue，usedupastobrimstone，andusedupastobliss；then，whetherhetaketotheservingoutofredtape，ortothekindlingofredfire，heistheveryDevil。
SoJamesHarthousereclinedinthewindow，indolentlysmoking，andreckoningupthestepshehadtakenontheroadbywhichhehappenedtobetravelling。Theendtowhichitledwasbeforehim，prettyplainly；buthetroubledhimselfwithnocalculationsaboutit。Whatwillbe，willbe。
Ashehadratheralongridetotakethatday-fortherewasapublicoccasion\'todo\'atsomedistance，whichaffordedatolerableopportunityofgoinginfortheGradgrindmen-hedressedearlyandwentdowntobreakfast。Hewasanxioustoseeifshehadrelapsedsincethepreviousevening。No。Heresumedwherehehadleftoff。Therewasalookofinterestforhimagain。
Hegotthroughthedayasmuchoraslittletohisownsatisfaction，aswastobeexpectedunderthefatiguingcircumstances；andcameridingbackatsixo\'clock。Therewasasweepofsomehalf-milebetweenthelodgeandthehouse，andhewasridingalongatafootpaceoverthesmoothgravel，onceNickits\'s，whenMr。Bounderbyburstoutoftheshrubbery，withsuchviolenceastomakehishorseshyacrosstheroad。
\'Harthouse！\'criedMr。Bounderby。\'Haveyouheard？\'
\'Heardwhat？\'saidHarthouse，soothinghishorse，andinwardlyfavouringMr。Bounderbywithnogoodwishes。
\'Thenyouhaven\'theard！\'
\'Ihaveheardyou，andsohasthisbrute。Ihaveheardnothingelse。\'
Mr。Bounderby，redandhot，plantedhimselfinthecentreofthepathbeforethehorse\'shead，toexplodehisbombshellwithmoreeffect。
\'TheBank\'srobbed！\'
\'Youdon\'tmeanit！\'
\'Robbedlastnight，sir。Robbedinanextraordinarymanner。
Robbedwithafalsekey。\'
\'Ofmuch？\'
Mr。Bounderby，inhisdesiretomakethemostofit，reallyseemedmortifiedbybeingobligedtoreply，\'Why，no；notofverymuch。
Butitmighthavebeen。\'
\'Ofhowmuch？\'
\'Oh！asasum-ifyousticktoasum-ofnotmorethanahundredandfiftypound，\'saidBounderby，withimpatience。\'Butit\'snotthesum；it\'sthefact。It\'sthefactoftheBankbeingrobbed，that\'stheimportantcircumstance。Iamsurprisedyoudon\'tseeit。\'
\'MydearBounderby，\'saidJames，dismounting，andgivinghisbridletohisservant，\'Idoseeit；andamasovercomeasyoucanpossiblydesiremetobe，bythespectacleaffordedtomymentalview。Nevertheless，Imaybeallowed，Ihope，tocongratulateyou-whichIdowithallmysoul，Iassureyou-onyournothavingsustainedagreaterloss。\'
\'Thank\'ee，\'repliedBounderby，inashort，ungraciousmanner。\'ButItellyouwhat。Itmighthavebeentwentythousandpound。\'
\'Isupposeitmight。\'
\'Supposeitmight！BytheLord，youmaysupposeso。ByGeorge！\'
saidMr。Bounderby，withsundrymenacingnodsandshakesofhishead。\'Itmighthavebeentwicetwenty。There\'snoknowingwhatitwouldhavebeen，orwouldn\'thavebeen，asitwas，butforthefellows\'beingdisturbed。\'
Louisahadcomeupnow，andMrs。Sparsit，andBitzer。
\'Here\'sTomGradgrind\'sdaughterknowsprettywellwhatitmighthavebeen，ifyoudon\'t，\'blusteredBounderby。\'Dropped，sir，asifshewasshotwhenItoldher！Neverknewherdosuchathingbefore。Doeshercredit，underthecircumstances，inmyopinion！\'
Shestilllookedfaintandpale。JamesHarthousebeggedhertotakehisarm；andastheymovedonveryslowly，askedherhowtherobberyhadbeencommitted。
\'Why，Iamgoingtotellyou，\'saidBounderby，irritablygivinghisarmtoMrs。Sparsit。\'Ifyouhadn\'tbeensomightyparticularaboutthesum，Ishouldhavebeguntotellyoubefore。Youknowthisladyforsheisalady，Mrs。Sparsit？\'
\'Ihavealreadyhadthehonour-\'
\'Verywell。Andthisyoungman，Bitzer，yousawhimtooonthesameoccasion？\'Mr。Harthouseinclinedhisheadinassent，andBitzerknuckledhisforehead。
\'Verywell。TheyliveattheBank。YouknowtheyliveattheBank，perhaps？Verywell。Yesterdayafternoon，atthecloseofbusinesshours，everythingwasputawayasusual。Intheironroomthatthisyoungfellowsleepsoutsideof，therewasnevermindhowmuch。InthelittlesafeinyoungTom\'scloset，thesafeusedforpettypurposes，therewasahundredandfiftyoddpound。\'
\'Ahundredandfifty-four，seven，one，\'saidBitzer。
\'Come！\'retortedBounderby，stoppingtowheelrounduponhim，\'let\'shavenoneofyourinterruptions。It\'senoughtoberobbedwhileyou\'resnoringbecauseyou\'retoocomfortable，withoutbeingputrightwithyourfoursevenones。Ididn\'tsnore，myself，whenIwasyourage，letmetellyou。Ihadn\'tvictualsenoughtosnore。AndIdidn\'tfoursevenone。NotifIknewit。\'
Bitzerknuckledhisforeheadagain，inasneakingmanner，andseemedatonceparticularlyimpressedanddepressedbytheinstancelastgivenofMr。Bounderby\'smoralabstinence。
\'Ahundredandfiftyoddpound，\'resumedMr。Bounderby。\'Thatsumofmoney，youngTomlockedinhissafe，notaverystrongsafe，butthat\'snomatternow。Everythingwasleft，allright。Sometimeinthenight，whilethisyoungfellowsnored-Mrs。Sparsit，ma\'am，yousayyouhaveheardhimsnore？\'
\'Sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsit，\'IcannotsaythatIhaveheardhimpreciselysnore，andthereforemustnotmakethatstatement。Butonwinterevenings，whenhehasfallenasleepathistable，Ihaveheardhim，whatIshouldprefertodescribeaspartiallychoke。I
haveheardhimonsuchoccasionsproducesoundsofanaturesimilartowhatmaybesometimesheardinDutchclocks。Not，\'saidMrs。
Sparsit，withaloftysenseofgivingstrictevidence，\'thatI
wouldconveyanyimputationonhismoralcharacter。Farfromit。
IhavealwaysconsideredBitzerayoungmanofthemostuprightprinciple；andtothatIbegtobearmytestimony。\'
\'Well！\'saidtheexasperatedBounderby，\'whilehewassnoring，orchoking，orDutch-clocking，orsomethingorother-beingasleep-
somefellows，somehow，whetherpreviouslyconcealedinthehouseornotremainstobeseen，gottoyoungTom\'ssafe，forcedit，andabstractedthecontents。Beingthendisturbed，theymadeoff；
lettingthemselvesoutatthemaindoor，anddouble-lockingitagainitwasdouble-locked，andthekeyunderMrs。Sparsit\'spillowwithafalsekey，whichwaspickedupinthestreetneartheBank，abouttwelveo\'clockto-day。Noalarmtakesplace，tillthischap，Bitzer，turnsoutthismorning，andbeginstoopenandpreparetheofficesforbusiness。Then，lookingatTom\'ssafe，heseesthedoorajar，andfindsthelockforced，andthemoneygone。\'
\'WhereisTom，bytheby？\'askedHarthouse，glancinground。
\'Hehasbeenhelpingthepolice，\'saidBounderby，\'andstaysbehindattheBank。IwishthesefellowshadtriedtorobmewhenIwasathistimeoflife。Theywouldhavebeenoutofpocketiftheyhadinvestedeighteenpenceinthejob；Icantell\'emthat。\'
\'Isanybodysuspected？\'
\'Suspected？Ishouldthinktherewassomebodysuspected。Egod！\'
saidBounderby，relinquishingMrs。Sparsit\'sarmtowipehisheatedhead。\'JosiahBounderbyofCoketownisnottobeplunderedandnobodysuspected。No，thankyou！\'
MightMr。HarthouseinquireWhowassuspected？