Mr。Bumble，seeingwithexcruciatingfeelings，thedelightofthetwooldpaupers，whoweretitteringtogethermostrapturously，hesitatedforaninstant。Mrs。Bumble，whosepatiencebrookednodelay，caughtupabowlofsoap-suds，andmotioninghimtowardsthedoor，orderedhiminstantlytodepart，onpainofreceivingthecontentsuponhisportlyperson。
WhatcouldMr。Bumbledo?Helookeddejectedlyround，andslunkaway；and，ashereachedthedoor，thetitteringsofthepaupersbrokeintoashrillchuckleofirrepressibledelight。Itwantedbutthis。Hewasdegradedintheireyes；hehadlostcasteandstationbeforetheverypaupers；hehadfallenfromalltheheightandpompofbeadleship，tothelowestdepthofthemostsnubbedhen-peckery。
\'Allintwomonths！\'saidMr。Bumble，filledwithdismalthoughts。\'Twomonths！Nomorethantwomonthsago，Iwasnotonlymyownmaster，buteverybodyelse\'s，sofarastheporochialworkhousewasconcerned，andnow！——\'
Itwastoomuch。Mr。Bumbleboxedtheearsoftheboywhoopenedthegateforhimforhehadreachedtheportalinhisreverie；
andwalked，distractedly，intothestreet。
Hewalkeduponestreet，anddownanother，untilexercisehadabatedthefirstpassionofhisgrief；andthentherevulsionoffeelingmadehimthirsty。Hepassedagreatmanypublic-houses；
but，atlengthpausedbeforeoneinaby-way，whoseparlour，ashegatheredfromahastypeepovertheblinds，wasdeserted，savebyonesolitarycustomer。Itbegantorain，heavily，atthemoment。Thisdeterminedhim。Mr。Bumblesteppedin；andorderingsomethingtodrink，ashepassedthebar，enteredtheapartmentintowhichhehadlookedfromthestreet。
Themanwhowasseatedthere，wastallanddark，andworealargecloak。Hehadtheairofastranger；andseemed，byacertainhaggardnessinhislook，aswellasbythedustysoilsonhisdress，tohavetravelledsomedistance。HeeyedBumbleaskance，asheentered，butscarcelydeignedtonodhisheadinacknowledgmentofhissalutation。
Mr。Bumblehadquitedignityenoughfortwo；supposingeventhatthestrangerhadbeenmorefamiliar:sohedrankhisgin-and-waterinsilence，andreadthepaperwithgreatshowofpompandcircumstance。
Itsohappened，however:asitwillhappenveryoften，whenmenfallintocompanyundersuchcircumstances:thatMr。Bumblefelt，everynowandthen，apowerfulinducement，whichhecouldnotresist，tostealalookatthestranger:andthatwheneverhedidso，hewithdrewhiseyes，insomeconfusion，tofindthatthestrangerwasatthatmomentstealingalookathim。Mr。
Bumble\'sawkwardnesswasenhancedbytheveryremarkableexpressionofthestranger\'seye，whichwaskeenandbright，butshadowedbyascowlofdistrustandsuspicion，unlikeanythinghehadeverobservedbefore，andrepulsivetobehold。
Whentheyhadencounteredeachother\'sglanceseveraltimesinthisway，thestranger，inaharsh，deepvoice，brokesilence。
\'Wereyoulookingforme，\'hesaid，\'whenyoupeeredinatthewindow?\'
\'NotthatIamawareof，unlessyou\'reMr——\'HereMr。Bumblestoppedshort；forhewascurioustoknowthestranger\'sname，andthoughtinhisimpatience，hemightsupplytheblank。
\'Iseeyouwerenot，\'saidthestranger；andexpressionofquietsarcasmplayingabouthismouth；\'oryouhaveknownmyname。Youdon\'tknowit。Iwouldrecommendyounottoaskforit。\'
\'Imeantnoharm，youngman，\'observedMr。Bumble，majestically。
\'Andhavedonenone，\'saidthestranger。
Anothersilencesucceededthisshortdialogue:whichwasagainbrokenbythestranger。
\'Ihaveseenyoubefore，Ithink?\'saidhe。\'Youweredifferentlydressedatthattime，andIonlypassedyouinthestreet，butIshouldknowyouagain。Youwerebeadlehere，once；
wereyounot?\'
\'Iwas，\'saidMr。Bumble，insomesurprise；\'porochialbeadle。\'
\'Justso，\'rejoinedtheother，noddinghishead。\'ItwasinthatcharacterIsawyou。Whatareyounow?\'
\'Masteroftheworkhouse，\'rejoinedMr。Bumble，slowlyandimpressively，tocheckanyunduefamiliaritythestrangermightotherwiseassume。\'Masteroftheworkhouse，youngman！\'
\'Youhavethesameeyetoyourowninterest，thatyoualwayshad，Idoubtnot?\'resumedthestranger，lookingkeenlyintoMr。
Bumble\'seyes，asheraisedtheminastonishmentatthequestion。
\'Don\'tscrupletoanswerfreely，man。Iknowyouprettywell，yousee。\'
\'Isuppose，amarriedman，\'repliedMr。Bumble，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，andsurveyingthestranger，fromheadtofoot，inevidentperplexity，\'isnotmoreaversetoturninganhonestpennywhenhecan，thanasingleone。Porochialofficersarenotsowellpaidthattheycanaffordtorefuseanylittleextrafee，whenitcomestotheminacivilandpropermanner。\'
Thestrangersmiled，andnoddedhisheadagain:asmuchtosay，hehadnotmistakenhisman；thenrangthebell。
\'Fillthisglassagain，\'hesaid，handingMr。Bumble\'semptytumblertothelandlord。\'Letitbestrongandhot。Youlikeitso，Isuppose?\'
\'Nottoostrong，\'repliedMr。Bumble，withadelicatecough。
\'Youunderstandwhatthatmeans，landlord！\'saidthestranger，drily。
Thehostsmiled，disappeared，andshortlyafterwardsreturnedwithasteamingjorum:ofwhich，thefirstgulpbroughtthewaterintoMr。Bumble\'seyes。
\'Nowlistentome，\'saidthestranger，afterclosingthedoorandwindow。\'Icamedowntothisplace，to-day，tofindyouout；
and，byoneofthosechanceswhichthedevilthrowsinthewayofhisfriendssometimes，youwalkedintotheveryroomIwassittingin，whileyouwereuppermostinmymind。Iwantsomeinformationfromyou。Idon\'taskyoutogiveitformothing，slightasitis。Putupthat，tobeginwith。\'
Ashespoke，hepushedacoupleofsovereignsacrossthetabletohiscompanion，carefully，asthoughunwillingthatthechinkingofmoneyshouldbeheardwithout。WhenMr。Bumblehadscrupulouslyexaminedthecoins，toseethattheyweregenuine，andhadputthemup，withmuchsatisfaction，inhiswaistcoat-pocket，hewenton:
\'Carryyourmemoryback——letmesee——twelveyears，lastwinter。\'
\'It\'salongtime，\'saidMr。Bumble。\'Verygood。I\'vedoneit。\'
\'Thescene，theworkhouse。\'
\'Good！\'
\'Andthetime，night。\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Andtheplace，thecrazyhole，whereveritwas，inwhichmiserabledrabsbroughtforththelifeandhealthsooftendeniedtothemselves——gavebirthtopulingchildrenfortheparishtorear；andhidtheirshame，rot\'eminthegrave！\'
\'Thelying-inroom，Isuppose?\'saidMr。Bumble，notquitefollowingthestranger\'sexciteddescription。
\'Yes，\'saidthestranger。\'Aboywasbornthere。\'
\'Amanyboys，\'observedMr。Bumble，shakinghishead，despondingly。
\'Amurrainontheyoungdevils！\'criedthestranger；\'Ispeakofone；ameek-looking，pale-facedboy，whowasapprenticeddownhere，toacoffin-maker——Iwishhehadmadehiscoffin，andscrewedhisbodyinit——andwhoafterwardsranawaytoLondon，asitwassupposed。
\'Why，youmeanOliver！YoungTwist！\'saidMr。Bumble；\'I
rememberhim，ofcourse。Therewasn\'taobstinateryoungrascal——\'
\'It\'snotofhimIwanttohear；I\'veheardenoughofhim，\'saidthestranger，stoppingMr。BumbleintheoutsetofatiradeonthesubjectofpoorOliver\'svices。\'It\'sofawoman；thehagthatnursedhismother。Whereisshe?\'
\'Whereisshe?\'saidMr。Bumble，whomthegin-and-waterhadrenderedfacetious。\'Itwouldbehardtotell。There\'snomidwiferythere，whicheverplaceshe\'sgoneto；soIsupposeshe\'soutofemployment，anyway。\'
\'Whatdoyoumean?\'demandedthestranger，sternly。
\'Thatshediedlastwinter，\'rejoinedMr。Bumble。
Themanlookedfixedlyathimwhenhehadgiventhisinformation，andalthoughhedidnotwithdrawhiseyesforsometimeafterwards，hisgazegraduallybecamevacantandabstracted，andheseemedlostinthought。Forsometime，heappeareddoubtfulwhetherheoughttoberelievedordisappointedbytheintelligence；butatlengthhebreathedmorefreely；andwithdrawinghiseyes，observedthatitwasnogreatmatter。Withthatherose，asiftodepart。
ButMr。Bumblewascunningenough；andheatoncesawthatanopportunitywasopened，forthelucrativedisposalofsomesecretinthepossessionofhisbetterhalf。HewellrememberedthenightofoldSally\'sdeath，whichtheoccurrencesofthatdayhadgivenhimgoodreasontorecollect，astheoccasiononwhichhehadproposedtoMrs。Corney；andalthoughthatladyhadneverconfidedtohimthedisclosureofwhichshehadbeenthesolitarywitness，hehadheardenoughtoknowthatitrelatedtosomethingthathadoccurredintheoldwoman\'sattendance，asworkhousenurse，upontheyoungmotherofOliverTwist。Hastilycallingthiscircumstancetomind，heinformedthestranger，withanairofmystery，thatonewomanhadbeenclosetedwiththeoldharridanshortlybeforeshedied；andthatshecould，ashehadreasontobelieve，throwsomelightonthesubjectofhisinquiry。
\'HowcanIfindher?\'saidthestranger，thrownoffhisguard；
andplainlyshowingthatallhisfearswhatevertheywerewerearousedafreshbytheintelligence。
\'Onlythroughme，\'rejoinedMr。Bumble。
\'When?\'criedthestranger，hastily。
\'To-morrow，\'rejoinedBumble。
\'Atnineintheevening，\'saidthestranger，producingascrapofpaper，andwritingdownuponit，anobscureaddressbythewater-side，incharactersthatbetrayedhisagitation；\'atnineintheevening，bringhertomethere。Ineedn\'ttellyoutobesecret。It\'syourinterest。\'
Withthesewords，heledthewaytothedoor，afterstoppingtopayfortheliquorthathadbeendrunk。Shortlyremarkingthattheirroadsweredifferent，hedeparted，withoutmoreceremonythananemphaticrepetitionofthehourofappointmentforthefollowingnight。
Onglancingattheaddress，theparochialfunctionaryobservedthatitcontainednoname。Thestrangerhadnotgonefar，sohemadeafterhimtoaskit。
\'Whatdoyouwant?\'criedtheman。turningquicklyround，asBumbletouchedhimonthearm。\'Followingme?\'
\'Onlytoaskaquestion，\'saidtheother，pointingtothescrapofpaper。\'WhatnameamItoaskfor?\'
\'Monks！\'rejoinedtheman；andstrodehastily，away。
CHAPTERXXXVIII
CONTAININGANACCOUNTOFWHATPASSEDBETWEENMR。ANDMRS。BUMBLE，ANDMR。MONKS，ATTHEIRNOCTURNALINTERVIEW
Itwasadull，close，overcastsummerevening。Theclouds，whichhadbeenthreateningallday，spreadoutinadenseandsluggishmassofvapour，alreadyyieldedlargedropsofrain，andseemedtopresageaviolentthunder-storm，whenMr。andMrs。Bumble，turningoutofthemainstreetofthetown，directedtheircoursetowardsascatteredlittlecolonyofruinoushouses，distantfromitsomemileanda-half，orthereabouts，anderectedonalowunwholesomeswamp，borderingupontheriver。
Theywerebothwrappedinoldandshabbyoutergarments，whichmight，perhaps，servethedoublepurposeofprotectingtheirpersonsfromtherain，andshelteringthemfromobservation。Thehusbandcarriedalantern，fromwhich，however，nolightyetshone；andtrudgedon，afewpacesinfront，asthough——thewaybeingdirty——togivehiswifethebenefitoftreadinginhisheavyfootprints。Theywenton，inprofoundsilence；everynowandthen，Mr。Bumblerelaxedhispace，andturnedhisheadasiftomakesurethathishelpmatewasfollowing；then，discoveringthatshewascloseathisheels，hemendedhisrateofwalking，andproceeded，ataconsiderableincreaseofspeed，towardstheirplaceofdestination。
Thiswasfarfrombeingaplaceofdoubtfulcharacter；forithadlongbeenknownastheresidenceofnonebutlowruffians，who，undervariouspretencesoflivingbytheirlabour，subsistedchieflyonplunderandcrime。Itwasacollectionofmerehovels:some，hastilybuiltwithloosebricks:others，ofoldworm-eatenship-timber:jumbledtogetherwithoutanyattemptatorderorarrangement，andplanted，forthemostpart，withinafewfeetoftheriver\'sbank。Afewleakyboatsdrawnuponthemud，andmadefasttothedwarfwallwhichskirtedit:andhereandthereanoarorcoilofrope:appeared，atfirst，toindicatethattheinhabitantsofthesemiserablecottagespursuedsomeavocationontheriver；butaglanceattheshatteredanduselessconditionofthearticlesthusdisplayed，wouldhaveledapasser-by，withoutmuchdifficulty，totheconjecturethattheyweredisposedthere，ratherforthepreservationofappearances，thanwithanyviewtotheirbeingactuallyemployed。
Intheheartofthisclusterofhuts；andskirtingtheriver，whichitsupperstoriesoverhung；stoodalargebuilding，formerlyusedasamanufactoryofsomekind。Ithad，initsday，probablyfurnishedemploymenttotheinhabitantsofthesurroundingtenements。Butithadlongsincegonetoruin。Therat，theworm，andtheactionofthedamp，hadweakenedandrottedthepilesonwhichitstood；andaconsiderableportionofthebuildinghadalreadysunkdownintothewater；whiletheremainder，totteringandbendingoverthedarkstream，seemedtowaitafavourableopportunityoffollowingitsoldcompanion，andinvolvingitselfinthesamefate。
Itwasbeforethisruinousbuildingthattheworthycouplepaused，asthefirstpealofdistantthunderreverberatedintheair，andtheraincommencedpouringviolentlydown。
\'Theplaceshouldbesomewherehere，\'saidBumble，consultingascrapofpaperheheldinhishand。
\'Halloathere！\'criedavoicefromabove。
Followingthesound，Mr。Bumbleraisedhisheadanddescriedamanlookingoutofadoor，breast-high，onthesecondstory。
\'Standstill，aminute，\'criedthevoice；\'I\'llbewithyoudirectly。\'Withwhichtheheaddisappeared，andthedoorclosed。
\'Isthattheman?\'askedMr。Bumble\'sgoodlady。
Mr。Bumblenoddedintheaffirmative。
\'Then，mindwhatItoldyou，\'saidthematron:\'andbecarefultosayaslittleasyoucan，oryou\'llbetrayusatonce。\'
Mr。Bumble，whohadeyedthebuildingwithveryruefullooks，wasapparentlyabouttoexpresssomedoubtsrelativetotheadvisabilityofproceedinganyfurtherwiththeenterprisejustthen，whenhewaspreventedbytheappearanceofMonks:whoopenedasmalldoor，nearwhichtheystood，andbeckonedtheminwards。
\'Comein！\'hecriedimpatiently，stampinghisfootupontheground。\'Don\'tkeepmehere！\'
Thewoman，whohadhesitatedatfirst，walkedboldlyin，withoutanyotherinvitation。Mr。Bumble，whowasashamedorafraidtolagbehind，followed:obviouslyveryillateaseandwithscarcelyanyofthatremarkabledignitywhichwasusuallyhischiefcharacteristic。
\'Whatthedevilmadeyoustandlingeringthere，inthewet?\'saidMonks，turninground，andaddressingBumble，afterhehadboltedthedoorbehindthem。
\'We——wewereonlycoolingourselves，\'stammeredBumble，lookingapprehensivelyabouthim。
\'Coolingyourselves！\'retortedMonks。\'Notalltherainthateverfell，oreverwillfall，willputasmuchofhell\'sfireout，asamancancarryaboutwithhim。Youwon\'tcoolyourselfsoeasily；don\'tthinkit！\'
Withthisagreeablespeech，Monksturnedshortuponthematron，andbenthisgazeuponher，tillevenshe，whowasnoteasilycowed，wasfaintowithdrawhereyes，andturnthemthemtowardstheground。
\'Thisisthewoman，isit?\'demandedMonks。
\'Hem！Thatisthewoman，\'repliedMr。Bumble，mindfulofhiswife\'scaution。
\'Youthinkwomennevercankeepsecrets，Isuppose?\'saidthematron，interposing，andreturning，asshespoke，thesearchinglookofMonks。
\'IknowtheywillalwayskeepONEtillit\'sfoundout，\'saidMonks。
\'Andwhatmaythatbe?\'askedthematron。
\'Thelossoftheirowngoodname，\'repliedMonks。\'So，bythesamerule，ifawoman\'sapartytoasecretthatmighthangortransporther，I\'mnotafraidofhertellingittoanybody；notI！Doyouunderstand，mistress?\'
\'No，\'rejoinedthematron，slightlycolouringasshespoke。
\'Ofcourseyoudon\'t！\'saidMonks。\'Howshouldyou?\'
Bestowingsomethinghalf-waybetweenasmileandafrownuponhistwocompanions，andagainbeckoningthemtofollowhim，themanhastenedacrosstheapartment，whichwasofconsiderableextent，butlowintheroof。Hewaspreparingtoascendasteepstaircase，orratherladder，leadingtoanotherfloorofwarehousesabove:whenabrightflashoflightningstreameddowntheaperture，andapealofthunderfollowed，whichshookthecrazybuildingtoitscentre。
\'Hearit！\'hecried，shrinkingback。\'Hearit！Rollingandcrashingonasifitechoedthroughathousandcavernswherethedevilswerehidingfromit。Ihatethesound！\'
Heremainedsilentforafewmoments；andthen，removinghishandssuddenlyfromhisface，showed，totheunspeakablediscomposureofMr。Bumble，thatitwasmuchdistortedanddiscoloured。
\'Thesefitscomeoverme，nowandthen，\'saidMonks，observinghisalarm；\'andthundersometimesbringsthemon。Don\'tmindmenow；it\'salloverforthisonce。\'
Thusspeaking，heledthewayuptheladder；andhastilyclosingthewindow-shutteroftheroomintowhichitled，loweredalanternwhichhungattheendofaropeandpulleypassedthroughoneoftheheavybeamsintheceiling:andwhichcastadimlightuponanoldtableandthreechairsthatwereplacedbeneathit。
\'Now，\'saidMonks，whentheyhadallthreeseatedthemselves，\'thesoonerwecometoourbusiness，thebetterforall。Thewomanknowwhatitis，doesshe?\'
ThequestionwasaddressedtoBumble；buthiswifeanticipatedthereply，byintimatingthatshewasperfectlyacquaintedwithit。
\'Heisrightinsayingthatyouwerewiththishagthenightshedied；andthatshetoldyousomething——\'
\'Aboutthemotheroftheboyyounamed，\'repliedthematroninterruptinghim。\'Yes。\'
\'Thefirstquestionis，ofwhatnaturewashercommunication?\'
saidMonks。
\'That\'sthesecond，\'observedthewomanwithmuchdeliberation。
\'Thefirstis，whatmaythecommunicationbeworth?\'
\'Whothedevilcantellthat，withoutknowingofwhatkinditis?\'askedMonks。
\'Nobodybetterthanyou，Iampersuaded，\'answeredMrs。Bumble:
whodidnotwantforspirit，asheryoke-fellowcouldabundantlytestify。
\'Humph！\'saidMonkssignificantly，andwithalookofeagerinquiry；\'theremaybemoney\'sworthtoget，eh?\'
\'Perhapstheremay，\'wasthecomposedreply。
\'Somethingthatwastakenfromher，\'saidMonks。\'Somethingthatshewore。Somethingthat——\'
\'Youhadbetterbid，\'interruptedMrs。Bumble。\'Ihaveheardenough，already，toassuremethatyouarethemanIoughttotalkto。\'
Mr。Bumble，whohadnotyetbeenadmittedbyhisbetterhalfintoanygreatershareofthesecretthanhehadoriginallypossessed，listenedtothisdialoguewithoutstretchedneckanddistendedeyes:whichhedirectedtowardshiswifeandMonks，byturns，inundisguisedastonishment；increased，ifpossible，whenthelattersternlydemanded，whatsumwasrequiredforthedisclosure。
\'What\'sitworthtoyou?\'askedthewoman，ascollectedlyasbefore。
\'Itmaybenothing；itmaybetwentypounds，\'repliedMonks。
\'Speakout，andletmeknowwhich。\'
\'Addfivepoundstothesumyouhavenamed；givemefive-and-twentypoundsingold，\'saidthewoman；\'andI\'lltellyouallIknow。Notbefore。\'
\'Five-and-twentypounds！\'exclaimedMonks，drawingback。
\'IspokeasplainlyasIcould，\'repliedMrs。Bumble。\'It\'snotalargesum，either。\'
\'Notalargesumforapaltrysecret，thatmaybenothingwhenit\'stold！\'criedMonksimpatiently；\'andwhichhasbeenlyingdeadfortwelveyearspastormore！\'
\'Suchmatterskeepwell，and，likegoodwine，oftendoubletheirvalueincourseoftime，\'answeredthematron，stillpreservingtheresoluteindifferenceshehadassumed。\'Astolyingdead，therearethosewhowillliedeadfortwelvethousandyearstocome，ortwelvemillion，foranythingyouorIknow，whowilltellstrangetalesatlast！\'
\'WhatifIpayitfornothing?\'askedMonks，hesitating。
\'Youcaneasilytakeitawayagain，\'repliedthematron。\'Iambutawoman；alonehere；andunprotected。\'
\'Notalone，mydear，norunprotected，neither，\'submittedMr。
Bumble，inavoicetremulouswithfear:\'_I_amhere，mydear。
Andbesides，\'saidMr。Bumble，histeethchatteringashespoke，\'Mr。Monksistoomuchofagentlemantoattemptanyviolenceonporochialpersons。Mr。MonksisawarethatIamnotayoungman，mydear，andalsothatIamalittleruntoseed，asImaysay；
buhehasheerd:IsayIhavenodoubtMr。Monkshasheerd，mydear:thatIamaverydeterminedofficer，withveryuncommonstrength，ifI\'monceroused。Ionlywantalittlerousing；
that\'sall。\'
AsMr。Bumblespoke，hemadeamelancholyfeintofgraspinghislanternwithfiercedetermination；andplainlyshowed，bythealarmedexpressionofeveryfeature，thatheDIDwantalittlerousing，andnotalittle，priortomakinganyverywarlikedemonstration:unless，indeed，againstpaupers，orotherpersonorpersonstraineddownforthepurpose。
\'Youareafool，\'saidMrs。Bumble，inreply；\'andhadbetterholdyourtongue。\'
\'Hehadbetterhavecutitout，beforehecame，ifhecan\'tspeakinalowertone，\'saidMonks，grimly。\'So！He\'syourhusband，eh?\'
\'Hemyhusband！\'titteredthematron，parryingthequestion。
\'Ithoughtasmuch，whenyoucamein，\'rejoinedMonks，markingtheangryglancewhichtheladydartedatherspouseasshespoke。\'Somuchthebetter；Ihavelesshesitationindealingwithtwopeople，whenIfindthatthere\'sonlyonewillbetweenthem。I\'minearnest。Seehere！\'
Hethrusthishandintoaside-pocket；andproducingacanvasbag，toldouttwenty-fivesovereignsonthetable，andpushedthemovertothewoman。
\'Now，\'hesaid，\'gatherthemup；andwhenthiscursedpealofthunder，whichIfeeliscominguptobreakoverthehouse-top，isgone，let\'shearyourstory。\'
Thethunder，whichseemedinfactmuchnearer，andtoshiverandbreakalmostovertheirheads，havingsubsided，Monks，raisinghisfacefromthetable，bentforwardtolistentowhatthewomanshouldsay。Thefacesofthethreenearlytouched，asthetwomenleantoverthesmalltableintheireagernesstohear，andthewomanalsoleantforwardtorenderherwhisperaudible。Thesicklyraysofthesuspendedlanternfallingdirectlyuponthem，aggravatedthepalenessandanxietyoftheircountenances:which，encircledbythedeepestgloomanddarkness，lookedghastlyintheextreme。
\'Whenthiswoman，thatwecalledoldSally，died，\'thematronbegan，\'sheandIwerealone。\'
\'Wastherenooneby?\'askedMonks，inthesamehollowwhisper；
\'Nosickwretchoridiotinsomeotherbed?Noonewhocouldhear，andmight，bypossibility，understand?\'
\'Notasoul，\'repliedthewoman；\'wewerealone。_I_stoodalonebesidethebodywhendeathcameoverit。\'
\'Good，\'saidMonks，regardingherattentively。\'Goon。\'
\'Shespokeofayoungcreature，\'resumedthematron，\'whohadbroughtachildintotheworldsomeyearsbefore；notmerelyinthesameroom，butinthesamebed，inwhichshethenlaydying。\'
\'Ay?\'saidMonks，withquiveringlip，andglancingoverhisshoulder，\'Blood！Howthingscomeabout！\'
\'Thechildwastheoneyounamedtohimlastnight，\'saidthematron，noddingcarelesslytowardsherhusband；\'themotherthisnursehadrobbed。\'
\'Inlife?\'askedMonks。
\'Indeath，\'repliedthewoman，withsomethinglikeashudder。
\'Shestolefromthecorpse，whenithadhardlyturnedtoone，thatwhichthedeadmotherhadprayedher，withherlastbreath，tokeepfortheinfant\'ssake。\'
\'Shesoldit，\'criedMonks，withdesperateeagerness；\'didshesellit?Where?When?Towhom?Howlongbefore?\'
\'Asshetoldme，withgreatdifficulty，thatshehaddonethis，\'
saidthematron，\'shefellbackanddied。\'
\'Withoutsayingmore?\'criedMonks，inavoicewhich，fromitsverysuppression，seemedonlythemorefurious。\'It\'salie！
I\'llnotbeplayedwith。Shesaidmore。I\'lltearthelifeoutofyouboth，butI\'llknowwhatitwas。\'
\'Shedidn\'tutteranotherword，\'saidthewoman，toallappearanceunmovedasMr。Bumblewasveryfarfrombeingbythestrangeman\'sviolence；\'butsheclutchedmygown，violently，withonehand，whichwaspartlyclosed；andwhenIsawthatshewasdead，andsoremovedthehandbyforce，Ifounditclaspedascrapofdirtypaper。\'
\'Whichcontained——\'interposedMonks，stretchingforward。
\'Nothing，\'repliedthewoman；\'itwasapawnbroker\'sduplicate。\'
\'Forwhat?\'demandedMonks。
\'IngoodtimeI\'lltellyou。\'saidthewoman。\'Ijudgethatshehadkeptthetrinket，forsometime，inthehopeofturningittobetteraccount；andthenhadpawnedit；andhadsavedorscrapedtogethermoneytopaythepawnbroker\'sinterestyearbyyear，andpreventitsrunningout；sothatifanythingcameofit，itcouldstillberedeemed。Nothinghadcomeofit；and，asItellyou，shediedwiththescrapofpaper，allwornandtattered，inherhand。Thetimewasoutintwodays；Ithoughtsomethingmightonedaycomeofittoo；andsoredeemedthepledge。\'
\'Whereisitnow?\'askedMonksquickly。
\'THERE，\'repliedthewoman。And，asifgladtoberelievedofit，shehastilythrewuponthetableasmallkidbagscarcelylargeenoughforaFrenchwatch，whichMonkspouncingupon，toreopenwithtremblinghands。Itcontainedalittlegoldlocket:
inwhichweretwolocksofhair，andaplaingoldwedding-ring。
\'Ithastheword“Agnes“engravedontheinside，\'saidthewoman。
\'Thereisablankleftforthesurname；andthenfollowsthedate；whichiswithinayearbeforethechildwasborn。Ifoundoutthat。\'
\'Andthisisall?\'saidMonks，afteracloseandeagerscrutinyofthecontentsofthelittlepacket。
\'All，\'repliedthewoman。
Mr。Bumbledrewalongbreath，asifheweregladtofindthatthestorywasover，andnomentionmadeoftakingthefive-and-twentypoundsbackagain；andnowhetookcouragetowipetheperspirationwhichhadbeentricklingoverhisnose，unchecked，duringthewholeofthepreviousdialogue。
\'Iknownothingofthestory，beyondwhatIcanguessat，\'saidhiswifeaddressingMonks，afterashortsilence；\'andIwanttoknownothing；forit\'ssafernot。ButImayaskyoutwoquestions，mayI?\'
\'Youmayask，\'saidMonks，withsomeshowofsurprise；\'butwhetherIanswerornotisanotherquestion。\'
\'——Whichmakesthree，\'observedMr。Bumble，essayingastrokeoffacetiousness。
\'Isthatwhatyouexpectedtogetfromme?\'demandedthematron。
\'Itis，\'repliedMonks。\'Theotherquestion?\'
\'Whatdoyouproposetodowithit?Canitbeusedagainstme?\'
\'Never，\'rejoinedMonks；\'noragainstmeeither。Seehere！Butdon\'tmoveastepforward，oryourlifeisnotworthabulrush。\'
Withthesewords，hesuddenlywheeledthetableaside，andpullinganironringintheboarding，threwbackalargetrap-doorwhichopenedcloseatMr。Bumble\'sfeet，andcausedthatgentlemantoretireseveralpacesbackward，withgreatprecipitation。
\'Lookdown，\'saidMonks，loweringthelanternintothegulf。
\'Don\'tfearme。Icouldhaveletyoudown，quietlyenough，whenyouwereseatedoverit，ifthathadbeenmygame。\'
Thusencouraged，thematrondrewneartothebrink；andevenMr。
Bumblehimself，impelledbycuriousity，venturedtodothesame。
Theturbidwater，swollenbytheheavyrain，wasrushingrapidlyonbelow；andallothersoundswerelostinthenoiseofitsplashingandeddyingagainstthegreenandslimypiles。Therehadoncebeenawater-millbeneath；thetidefoamingandchafingroundthefewrottenstakes，andfragmentsofmachinerythatyetremained，seemedtodartonward，withanewimpulse，whenfreedfromtheobstacleswhichhadunavailinglyattemptedtostemitsheadlongcourse。
\'Ifyouflungaman\'sbodydownthere，wherewoulditbeto-morrowmorning?\'saidMonks，swingingthelanterntoandfrointhedarkwell。
\'Twelvemilesdowntheriver，andcuttopiecesbesides，\'repliedBumble，recoilingatthethought。
Monksdrewthelittlepacketfromhisbreast，wherehehadhurriedlythrustit；andtyingittoaleadenweight，whichhadformedapartofsomepulley，andwaslyingonthefloor，droppeditintothestream。Itfellstraight，andtrueasadie；clovethewaterwithascarcelyaudiblesplash；andwasgone。
Thethreelookingintoeachother\'sfaces，seemedtobreathemorefreely。
\'There！\'saidMonks，closingthetrap-door，whichfellheavilybackintoitsformerposition。\'Iftheseaevergivesupitsdead，asbookssayitwill，itwillkeepitsgoldandsilvertoitself，andthattrashamongit。Wehavenothingmoretosay，andmaybreakupourpleasantparty。\'
\'Byallmeans，\'observedMr。Bumble，withgreatalacrity。
\'You\'llkeepaquiettongueinyourhead，willyou?\'saidMonks，withathreateninglook。\'Iamnotafraidofyourwife。\'
\'Youmaydependuponme，youngman，\'answeredMr。Bumble，bowinghimselfgraduallytowardstheladder，withexcessivepoliteness。
\'Oneverybody\'saccount，youngman；onmyown，youknow，Mr。
Monks。\'
\'Iamglad，foryoursake，tohearit，\'remarkedMonks。\'Lightyourlantern！Andgetawayfromhereasfastasyoucan。\'
Itwasfortunatethattheconversationterminatedatthispoint，orMr。Bumble，whohadbowedhimselftowithinsixinchesoftheladder，wouldinfalliblyhavepitchedheadlongintotheroombelow。HelightedhislanternfromthatwhichMonkshaddetachedfromtherope，andnowcarriedinhishand；andmakingnoefforttoprolongthediscourse，descendedinsilence，followedbyhiswife。Monksbroughtuptherear，afterpausingonthestepstosatisfyhimselfthattherewerenoothersoundstobeheardthanthebeatingoftherainwithout，andtherushingofthewater。
Theytraversedthelowerroom，slowly，andwithcaution；forMonksstartedateveryshadow；andMr。Bumble，holdinghislanternafootabovetheground，walkednotonlywithremarkablecare，butwithamarvellouslylightstepforagentlemanofhisfigure:lookingnervouslyabouthimforhiddentrap-doors。Thegateatwhichtheyhadentered，wassoftlyunfastenedandopenedbyMonks；merelyexchanginganodwiththeirmysteriousacquaintance，themarriedcoupleemergedintothewetanddarknessoutside。
Theywerenosoonergone，thanMonks，whoappearedtoentertainaninvinciblerepugnancetobeingleftalone，calledtoaboywhohadbeenhiddensomewherebelow。Biddinghimgofirst，andbearthelight，hereturnedtothechamberhehadjustquitted。
CHAPTERXXXIX
INTRODUCESSOMERESPECTABLECHARACTERSWITHWHOMTHEREADERIS
ALREADYACQUAINTED，ANDSHOWSHOWMONKSANDTHEJEWLAIDTHEIR
WORTHYHEADSTOGETHER
Ontheeveningfollowingthatuponwhichthethreeworthiesmentionedinthelastchapter，disposedoftheirlittlematterofbusinessasthereinnarrated，Mr。WilliamSikes，awakeningfromanap，drowsilygrowledforthaninquirywhattimeofnightitwas。
TheroominwhichMr。Sikespropoundedthisquestion，wasnotoneofthosehehadtenanted，previoustotheChertseyexpedition，althoughitwasinthesamequarterofthetown，andwassituatedatnogreatdistancefromhisformerlodgings。Itwasnot，inappearance，sodesirableahabitationashisoldquarters:beingameanandbadly-furnishedapartment，ofverylimitedsize；
lightedonlybyonesmallwindowintheshelvingroof，andabuttingonacloseanddirtylane。Norweretherewantingotherindicationsofthegoodgentleman\'shavinggonedownintheworldoflate:foragreatscarcityoffurniture，andtotalabsenceofcomfort，togetherwiththedisappearanceofallsuchsmallmoveablesasspareclothesandlinen，bespokeastateofextremepoverty；whilethemeagreandattenuatedconditionofMr。Sikeshimselfwouldhavefullyconfirmedthesesymptoms，iftheyhadstoodinanyneedofcorroboration。
Thehousebreakerwaslyingonthebed，wrappedinhiswhitegreat-coat，bywayofdressing-gown，anddisplayingasetoffeaturesinnodegreeimprovedbythecadaveroushueofillness，andtheadditionofasoilednightcap，andastiff，blackbeardofaweek\'sgrowth。Thedogsatatthebedside:noweyeinghismasterwithawistfullook，andnowprickinghisears，andutteringalowgrowlassomenoiseinthestreet，orinthelowerpartofthehouse，attractedhisattention。Seatedbythewindow，busilyengagedinpatchinganoldwaistcoatwhichformedaportionoftherobber\'sordinarydress，wasafemale:sopaleandreducedwithwatchingandprivation，thattherewouldhavebeenconsiderabledifficultyinrecognisingherasthesameNancywhohasalreadyfiguredinthistale，butforthevoiceinwhichsherepliedtoMr。Sikes\'squestion。
\'Notlonggoneseven，\'saidthegirl。\'Howdoyoufeelto-night，Bill?\'
\'Asweakaswater，\'repliedMr。Sikes，withanimprecationonhiseyesandlimbs。\'Here；lendusahand，andletmegetoffthisthunderingbedanyhow。\'
IllnesshadnotimprovedMr。Sikes\'stemper；for，asthegirlraisedhimupandledhimtoachair，hemutteredvariouscursesonherawkwardnewss，andstruckher。
\'Whiningareyou?\'saidSikes。\'Come！Don\'tstandsnivellingthere。Ifyoucan\'tdoanythingbetterthanthat，cutoffaltogether。D\'yehearme?\'
\'Ihearyou，\'repliedthegirl，turningherfaceaside，andforcingalaugh。\'Whatfancyhaveyougotinyourheadnow?\'
\'Oh！you\'vethoughtbetterofit，haveyou?\'growledSikes，markingthetearwhichtrembledinhereye。\'Allthebetterforyou，youhave。\'
\'Why，youdon\'tmeantosay，you\'dbeharduponmeto-night，Bill，\'saidthegirl，layingherhanduponhisshoulder。
\'No！\'criedMr。Sikes。\'Whynot?\'
\'Suchanumberofnights，\'saidthegirl，withatouchofwoman\'stenderness，whichcommunicatedsomethinglikesweetnessoftone，eventohervoice:\'suchanumberofnightsasI\'vebeenpatientwithyou，nursingandcaringforyou，asifyouhadbeenachild:
andthisthefirstthatI\'veseenyoulikeyourself；youwouldn\'thaveservedmeasyoudidjustnow，ifyou\'dthoughtofthat，wouldyou?Come，come；sayyouwouldn\'t。\'
\'Well，then，\'rejoinedMr。Sikes，\'Iwouldn\'t。Why，damme，now，thegirls\'swhiningagain！\'
\'It\'snothing，\'saidthegirl，throwingherselfintoachair。
\'Don\'tyouseemtomindme。It\'llsoonbeover。\'
\'What\'llbeover?\'demandedMr。Sikesinasavagevoice。\'Whatfooleryareyouupto，now，again?Getupandbustleabout，anddon\'tcomeovermewithyourwoman\'snonsense。\'
Atanyothertime，thisremonstrance，andthetoneinwhichitwasdelivered，wouldhavehadthedesiredeffect；butthegirlbeingreallyweakandexhausted，droppedherheadoverthebackofthechair，andfainted，beforeMr。Sikescouldgetoutafewoftheappropriateoathswithwhich，onsimilaroccasions，hewasaccustomedtogarnishhisthreats。Notknowing，verywell，whattodo，inthisuncommonemergency；forMissNancy\'shystericswereusuallyofthatviolentkindwhichthepatientfightsandstrugglesoutof，withoutmuchassistance；Mr。Sikestriedalittleblasphemy:andfindingthatmodeoftreatmentwhollyineffectual，calledforassistance。
\'What\'sthematterhere，mydear?\'saidFagin，lookingin。
\'Lendahandtothegirl，can\'tyou?\'repliedSikesimpatiently。
\'Don\'tstandchatteringandgrinningatme！\'
Withanexclamationofsurprise，Faginhastenedtothegirl\'sassistance，whileMr。JohnDawkinsotherwisetheArtfulDodger，whohadfollowedhisvenerablefriendintotheroom，hastilydepositedonthefloorabundlewithwhichhewasladen；andsnatchingabottlefromthegraspofMasterCharlesBateswhocamecloseathisheels，uncorkeditinatwinklingwithhisteeth，andpouredaportionofitscontentsdownthepatient\'sthroat:previouslytakingataste，himself，topreventmistakes。
\'Giveherawhiffoffreshairwiththebellows，Charley，\'saidMr。Dawkins；\'andyouslapherhands，Fagin，whileBillundoesthepetticuts。\'
Theseunitedrestoratives，administeredwithgreatenergy:
especiallythatdepartmentconsignedtoMasterBates，whoappearedtoconsiderhisshareintheproceedings，apieceofunexampledpleasantry:werenotlonginproducingthedesiredeffect。Thegirlgraduallyrecoveredhersenses；and，staggeringtoachairbythebedside，hidherfaceuponthepillow:leavingMr。Sikestoconfrontthenewcomers，insomeastonishmentattheirunlooked-forappearance。
\'Why，whatevilwindhasblowedyouhere?\'heaskedFagin。
\'Noevilwindatall，mydear，forevilwindsblownobodyanygood；andI\'vebroughtsomethinggoodwithme，thatyou\'llbegladtosee。Dodger，mydear，openthebundle；andgiveBillthelittletriflesthatwespentallourmoneyon，thismorning。\'
IncompliancewithMr。Fagin\'srequest，theArtfuluntiedthisbundle，whichwasoflargesize，andformedofanoldtable-cloth；andhandedthearticlesitcontained，onebyone，toCharleyBates:whoplacedthemonthetable，withvariousencomiumsontheirrarityandexcellence。
\'Sitcharabbitpie，Bill，\'exclaimedthatyounggentleman，disclosingtoviewahugepasty；\'sitchdelicatecreeturs，withsitchtenderlimbs，Bill，thatthewerybonesmeltinyourmouth，andthere\'snooccasiontopick\'em；halfapoundofsevenandsix-pennygreen，sopreciousstrongthatifyoumixitwithbilingwater，it\'llgonightoblowthelidofthetea-potoff；apoundandahalfofmoistsugarthattheniggersdidn\'tworkatallat，aforetheygotituptositchapitchofgoodness，——ohno！Twohalf-quarternbrans；poundofbestfresh；pieceofdoubleGlo\'ster；and，towindupall，someoftherichestsortyoueverlushed！\'
Utteringthislastpanegyrie，MasterBatesproduced，fromoneofhisextensivepockets，afull-sizedwine-bottle，carefullycorked；whileMr。Dawkins，atthesameinstant，pouredoutawine-glassfulofrawspiritsfromthebottlehecarried:whichtheinvalidtosseddownhisthroatwithoutamoment\'shesitation。
\'Ah！\'saidFagin，rubbinghishandswithgreatsatisfaction。
\'You\'lldo，Bill；you\'lldonow。\'
\'Do！\'exclaimedMr。Sikes；\'Imighthavebeendonefor，twentytimesover，aforeyou\'dhavedoneanythingtohelpme。Whatdoyoumeanbyleavingamaninthisstate，threeweeksandmore，youfalse-heartedwagabond?\'
\'Onlyhearhim，boys！\'saidFagin，shrugginghisshoulders。\'Anduscometobringhimallthesebeau-ti-fulthings。\'
\'Thethingsiswellenoughintheirway，\'observedMr。Sikes:alittlesoothedasheglancedoverthetable；\'butwhathaveyougottosayforyourself，whyyoushouldleavemehere，downinthemouth，health，blunt，andeverythingelse；andtakenomorenoticeofme，allthismortaltime，thanifIwasthat\'eredog——Drivehimdown，Charley！\'
\'Ineverseesuchajollydogasthat，\'criedMasterBates，doingashewasdesired。\'Smellingthegrublikeaoldladyagoingtomarket！He\'dmakehisfortun\'onthestagethatdogwould，andrewivethedraymabesides。\'
\'Holdyourdin，\'criedSikes，asthedogretreatedunderthebed:
stillgrowlingangrily。\'Whathaveyougottosayforyourself，youwitheredoldfence，eh?\'
\'IwasawayfromLondon，aweekandmore，mydear，onaplant，\'
repliedtheJew。
\'Andwhatabouttheotherfortnight?\'demandedSikes。\'Whatabouttheotherfortnightthatyou\'veleftmelyinghere，likeasickratinhishole?\'
\'Icouldn\'thelpit，Bill。Ican\'tgointoalongexplanationbeforecompany；butIcouldn\'thelpit，uponmyhonour。\'
\'Uponyourwhat?\'growledSikes，withexcessivedisgust。\'Here！
Cutmeoffapieceofthatpie，oneofyouboys，totakethetasteofthatoutofmymouth，orit\'llchokemedead。\'
\'Don\'tbeoutoftemper，mydear，\'urgedFagin，submissively。\'I
haveneverforgotyou，Bill；neveronce。\'
\'No！I\'llpounditthatyouhan\'t，\'repliedSikes，withabittergrin。\'You\'vebeenschemingandplottingaway，everyhourthatI
havelaidshiveringandburninghere；andBillwastodothis；
andBillwastodothat；andBillwastodoitall，dirtcheap，assoonashegotwell:andwasquitepoorenoughforyourwork。
Ifithadn\'tbeenforthegirl，Imighthavedied。\'
\'Therenow，Bill，\'remonstratedFagin，eagerlycatchingattheword。\'Ifithadn\'tbeenforthegirl！WhobutpoorouldFaginwasthemeansofyourhavingsuchahandygirlaboutyou?\'
\'Hesaystrueenoughthere！\'saidNancy，cominghastilyforward。
\'Lethimbe；lethimbe。\'
Nancy\'sappearancegaveanewturntotheconversation；fortheboys，receivingaslywinkfromthewaryoldJew，begantoplyherwithliquor:ofwhich，however，shetookverysparingly；
whileFagin，assuminganunusualflowofspirits，graduallybroughtMr。Sikesintoabettertemper，byaffectingtoregardhisthreatsasalittlepleasantbanter；and，moreover，bylaughingveryheartilyatoneortworoughjokes，which，afterrepeatedapplicationstothespirit-bottle，hecondescendedtomake。
\'It\'sallverywell，\'saidMr。Sikes；\'butImusthavesomebluntfromyouto-night。\'
\'Ihaven\'tapieceofcoinaboutme，\'repliedtheJew。
\'Thenyou\'vegotlotsathome，\'retortedSikes；\'andImusthavesomefromthere。\'
\'Lots！\'criedFagin，holdingupishands。\'Ihaven\'tsomuchaswould——\'
\'Idon\'tknowhowmuchyou\'vegot，andIdaresayyouhardlyknowyourself，asitwouldtakeaprettylongtimetocountit，\'saidSikes；\'butImusthavesometo-night；andthat\'sflat。\'
\'Well，well，\'saidFagin，withasigh，\'I\'llsendtheArtfulroundpresently。\'
\'Youwon\'tdonothingofthekind，\'rejoinedMr。Sikes。\'TheArtful\'sadealtooartful，andwouldforgettocome，orlosehisway，orgetdodgedbytrapsandsobeperwented，oranythingforanexcuse，ifyouputhimuptoit。Nancyshallgotothekenandfetchit，tomakeallsure；andI\'llliedownandhaveasnoozewhileshe\'sgone。\'
Afteragreatdealofhagglingandsquabbling，Faginbeatdowntheamountoftherequiredadvancefromfivepoundstothreepoundsfourandsixpence:protestingwithmanysolemnasseverationsthatthatwouldonlyleavehimeighteen-pencetokeephousewith；Mr。Sikessullenlyremarkingthatifhecouldn\'tgetanymorehemustaccompanyhimhome；withtheDodgerandMasterBatesputtheeatablesinthecupboard。TheJewthen，takingleaveofhisaffectionatefriend，returnedhomeward，attendedbyNancyandtheboys:Mr。Sikes，meanwhile，flinginghimselfonthebed，andcomposinghimselftosleepawaythetimeuntiltheyounglady\'sreturn。
Induecourse，theyarrivedatFagin\'sabode，wheretheyfoundTobyCrackitandMr。Chitlingintentupontheirfifteenthgameatcribbage，whichitisscarcelynecessarytosaythelattergentlemanlost，andwithit，hisfifteenthandlastsixpence:
muchtotheamusementofhisyoungfriends。Mr。Crackit，apparentlysomewhatashamedatbeingfoundrelaxinghimselfwithagentlemansomuchhisinferiorinstationandmentalendowments，yawned，andinquiringafterSikes，tookuphishattogo。
\'Hasnobodybeen，Toby?\'askedFagin。
\'Notalivingleg，\'answeredMr。Crackit，pullinguphiscollar；
\'it\'sbeenasdullasswipes。Yououghttostandsomethinghandsome，Fagin，torecompensemeforkeepinghousesolong。
Damme，I\'masflatasajuryman；andshouldhavegonetosleep，asfastasNewgate，ifIhadn\'thadthegoodnatur\'toamusethisyoungster。Horriddull，I\'mblessedifIan\'t！\'
Withtheseandotherejaculationsofthesamekind，Mr。TobyCrackitsweptuphiswinnings，andcrammedthemintohiswaistcoatpocketwithahaughtyair，asthoughsuchsmallpiecesofsilverwerewhollybeneaththeconsiderationofamanofhisfigure；thisdone，heswaggeredoutoftheroom，withsomucheleganceandgentility，thatMr。Chitling，bestowingnumerousadmiringglancesonhislegsandbootstilltheywereoutofsight，assuredthecompanythatheconsideredhisacquaintancecheapatfifteensixpencesaninterview，andthathedidn\'tvaluehislossesthesnapofhislittlefinger。
\'Wotarumchapyouare，Tom！\'saidMasterBates，highlyamusedbythisdeclaration。
\'Notabitofit，\'repliedMr。Chitling。\'AmI，Fagin?\'
\'Averycleverfellow，mydear，\'saidFagin，pattinghimontheshoulder，andwinkingtohisotherpupils。
\'AndMr。Crackitisaheavyswell；an\'the，Fagin?\'askedTom。
\'Nodoubtatallofthat，mydear。\'
\'Anditisacreditablethingtohavehisacquaintance；an\'tit，Fagin?\'pursuedTom。
\'Verymuchso，indeed，mydear。They\'reonlyjealous，Tom，becausehewon\'tgiveittothem。\'
\'Ah！\'criedTom，triumphantly，\'that\'swhereitis！Hehascleanedmeout。ButIcangoandearnsomemore，whenIlike；
can\'tI，Fagin?\'
\'Tobesureyoucan，andthesooneryougothebetter，Tom；somakeupyourlossatonce，anddon\'tloseanymoretime。Dodger！
Charley！It\'stimeyouwereonthelay。Come！It\'snearten，andnothingdoneyet。\'
Inobediencetothishint，theboys，noddingtoNancy，tookuptheirhats，andlefttheroom；theDodgerandhisvivaciousfriendindulging，astheywent，inmanywitticismsattheexpenseofMr。Chitling；inwhoseconduct，itisbutjusticetosay，therewasnothingveryconspicuousorpeculiar:inasmuchasthereareagreatnumberofspiritedyoungbloodsupontown，whopayamuchhigherpricethanMr。Chitlingforbeingseeningoodsociety:andagreatnumberoffinegentlemencomposingthegoodsocietyaforesaidwhoestablishedtheirreputationuponverymuchthesamefootingasflashTobyCrackit。
\'Now，\'saidFagin，whentheyhadlefttheroom，\'I\'llgoandgetyouthatcash，Nancy。ThisisonlythekeyofalittlecupboardwhereIkeepafewoddthingstheboysget，mydear。Ineverlockupmymoney，forI\'vegotnonetolockup，mydear——ha！ha！
ha！——nonetolockup。It\'sapoortrade，Nancy，andnothanks；
butI\'mfondofseeingtheyoungpeopleaboutme；andIbearitall，Ibearitall。Hush！\'hesaid，hastilyconcealingthekeyinhisbreast；\'who\'sthat?Listen！\'
Thegirl，whowassittingatthetablewithherarmsfolded，appearedinnowayinterestedinthearrival:ortocarewhethertheperson，whoeverhewas，cameorwent:untilthemurmurofaman\'svoicereachedherears。Theinstantshecaughtthesound，shetoreoffherbonnetandshawl，withtherapidityoflightning，andthrustthemunderthetable。TheJew，turningroundimmediatelyafterwards，shemutteredacomplaintoftheheat:inatoneoflanguorthatcontrasted，veryremarkably，withtheextremehasteandviolenceofthisaction:which，however，hadbeenunobservedbyFagin，whohadhisbacktowardsheratthetime。
\'Bah！\'hewhispered，asthoughnettledbytheinterruption；\'it\'sthemanIexpectedbefore；he\'scomingdownstairs。Notawordaboutthemoneywhilehe\'shere，Nance。Hewon\'tstoplong。Nottenminutes，mydear。\'
Layinghisskinnyforefingeruponhislip，theJewcarriedacandletothedoor，asaman\'sstepwashearduponthestairswithout。Hereachedit，atthesamemomentasthevisitor，who，cominghastilyintotheroom，wascloseuponthegirlbeforeheobservedher。
ItwasMonks。
\'Onlyoneofmyyoungpeople，\'saidFagin，observingthatMonksdrewback，onbeholdingastranger。\'Don\'tmove，Nancy。\'
Thegirldrewclosertothetable，andglancingatMonkswithanairofcarelesslevity，withdrewhereyes；butasheturnedtowardsFagin，shestoleanotherlook；sokeenandsearching，andfullofpurpose，thatiftherehadbeenanybystandertoobservethechange，hecouldhardlyhavebelievedthetwolookstohaveproceededfromthesameperson。
\'Anynews?\'inquiredFagin。
\'Great。\'
\'And——and——good?\'askedFagin，hesitatingasthoughhefearedtovextheothermanbybeingtoosanguine。
\'Notbad，anyway，\'repliedMonkswithasmile。\'Ihavebeenpromptenoughthistime。Letmehaveawordwithyou。\'
Thegirldrewclosertothetable，andmadenooffertoleavetheroom，althoughshecouldseethatMonkswaspointingtoher。TheJew:perhapsfearingshemightsaysomethingaloudaboutthemoney，ifheendeavouredtogetridofher:pointedupward，andtookMonksoutoftheroom。
\'Notthatinfernalholewewereinbefore，\'shecouldhearthemansayastheywentupstairs。Faginlaughed；andmakingsomereplywhichdidnotreachher，seemed，bythecreakingoftheboards，toleadhiscompaniontothesecondstory。
Beforethesoundoftheirfootstepshadceasedtoechothroughthehouse，thegirlhadslippedoffhershoes；anddrawinghergownlooselyoverherhead，andmufflingherarmsinit，stoodatthedoor，listeningwithbreathlessinterest。Themomentthenoiseceased，sheglidedfromtheroom；ascendedthestairswithincrediblesoftnessandsilence；andwaslostinthegloomabove。
Theroomremaineddesertedforaquarterofanhourormore；thegirlglidedbackwiththesameunearthlytread；and，immediatelyafterwards，thetwomenwerehearddescending。Monkswentatonceintothestreet；andtheJewcrawledupstairsagainforthemoney。Whenhereturned，thegirlwasadjustinghershawlandbonnet，asifpreparingtobegone。
\'Why，Nance！，\'exclaimedtheJew，startingbackasheputdownthecandle，\'howpaleyouare！\'
\'Pale！\'echoedthegirl，shadinghereyeswithherhands，asiftolooksteadilyathim。
\'Quitehorrible。Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?\'
\'NothingthatIknowof，exceptsittinginthiscloseplaceforI
don\'tknowhowlongandall，\'repliedthegirlcarelessly。
\'Come！Letmegetback；that\'sadear。\'
Withasighforeverypieceofmoney，Fagintoldtheamountintoherhand。Theypartedwithoutmoreconversation，merelyinterchanginga\'good-night。\'
Whenthegirlgotintotheopenstreet，shesatdownuponadoorstep；andseemed，forafewmoments，whollybewilderedandunabletopursueherway。Suddenlyshearose；andhurryingon，inadirectionquiteoppositetothatinwhichSikeswasawaitingherreturned，quickenedherpace，untilitgraduallyresolvedintoaviolentrun。Aftercompletelyexhaustingherself，shestoppedtotakebreath:and，asifsuddenlyrecollectingherself，anddeploringherinabilitytodosomethingshewasbentupon，wrungherhands，andburstintotears。
Itmightbethathertearsrelievedher，orthatshefeltthefullhopelessnessofhercondition；butsheturnedback；andhurryingwithnearlyasgreatrapidityinthecontrarydirection；
partlytorecoverlosttime，andpartlytokeeppacewiththeviolentcurrentofherownthoughts:soonreachedthedwellingwhereshehadleftthehousebreaker。
Ifshebetrayedanyagitation，whenshepresentedherselftoMr。
Sikes，hedidnotobserveit；formerelyinquiringifshehadbroughtthemoney，andreceivingareplyintheaffirmative，heutteredagrowlofsatisfaction，andreplacinghisheaduponthepillow，resumedtheslumberswhichherarrivalhadinterrupted。
Itwasfortunateforherthatthepossessionofmoneyoccasionedhimsomuchemploymentnextdayinthewayofeatinganddrinking；andwithalhadsobeneficialaneffectinsmoothingdowntheasperitiesofhistemper；thathehadneithertimenorinclinationtobeverycriticaluponherbehaviouranddeportment。Thatshehadalltheabstractedandnervousmannerofonewhoisontheeveofsomeboldandhazardousstep，whichithasrequirednocommonstruggletoresolveupon，wouldhavebeenobvioustothelynx-eyedFagin，whowouldmostprobablyhavetakenthealarmatonce；butMr。Sikeslackingthenicetiesofdiscrimination，andbeingtroubledwithnomoresubtlemisgivingsthanthosewhichresolvethemselvesintoadoggedroughnessofbehaviourtowardseverybody；andbeing，furthermore，inanunusuallyamiablecondition，ashasbeenalreadyobserved；sawnothingunusualinherdemeanor，andindeed，troubledhimselfsolittleabouther，that，hadheragitationbeenfarmoreperceptiblethanitwas，itwouldhavebeenveryunlikelytohaveawakenedhissuspicions。
Asthatdayclosedin，thegirl\'sexcitementincreased；and，whennightcameon，andshesatby，watchinguntilthehousebreakershoulddrinkhimselfasleep，therewasanunusualpalenessinhercheek，andafireinhereye，thatevenSikesobservedwithastonishment。
Mr。Sikesbeingweakfromthefever，waslyinginbed，takinghotwaterwithhisgintorenderitlessinflammatory；andhadpushedhisglasstowardsNancytobereplenishedforthethirdorfourthtime，whenthesesymptomsfirststruckhim。
\'Why，burnmybody！\'saidtheman，raisinghimselfonhishandsashestaredthegirlintheface。\'Youlooklikeacorpsecometolifeagain。What\'sthematter?\'
\'Matter！\'repliedthegirl。\'Nothing。Whatdoyoulookatmesohardfor?\'
\'Whatfooleryisthis?\'demandedSikes，graspingherbythearm，andshakingherroughly。\'Whatisit?Whatdoyoumean?Whatareyouthinkingof?\'
\'Ofmanythings，Bill，\'repliedthegirl，shivering，andasshedidso，pressingherhandsuponhereyes。\'But，Lord！Whatoddsinthat?\'
Thetoneofforcedgaietyinwhichthelastwordswerespoken，seemdtoproduceadeeperimpressiononSikesthanthewildandrigidlookwhichhadprecededthem。
\'Itellyouwotitis，\'saidSikes；\'ifyouhaven\'tcaughtthefever，andgotitcomin\'on，now，there\'ssomethingmorethanusualinthewind，andsomethingdangeroustoo。You\'renota-goingto。No，damme！youwouldn\'tdothat！\'
\'Dowhat?\'askedthegirl。
\'Thereain\'t，\'saidSikes，fixinghiseyesuponher，andmutteringthewordstohimself；\'thereain\'tastauncher-heartedgalgoing，orI\'dhavecutherthroatthreemonthsago。She\'sgotthefevercomingon；that\'sit。\'
Fortifyinghimselfwiththisassurance，Sikesdrainedtheglasstothebottom，andthen，withmanygrumblingoaths，calledforhisphysic。Thegirljumpedup，withgreatalacrity；poureditquicklyout，butwithherbacktowardshim；andheldthevesseltohislips，whilehedrankoffthecontents。
\'Now，\'saidtherobber，\'comeandsitasideofme，andputonyourownface；orI\'llalteritso，thatyouwon\'tknowitaginwhenyoudowantit。\'
Thegirlobeyed。Sikes，lockingherhandinhis，fellbackuponthepillow:turninghiseyesuponherface。Theyclosed；openedagain；closedoncemore；againopened。Heshiftedhispositionrestlessly；and，afterdozingagain，andagain，fortwoorthreeminutes，andasoftenspringingupwithalookofterror，andgazingvacantlyabouthim，wassuddenlystricken，asitwere，whileintheveryattitudeofrising，intoadeepandheavysleep。Thegraspofhishandrelaxed；theupraisedarmfelllanguidlybyhisside；andhelaylikeoneinaprofoundtrance。
\'Thelaudanumhastakeneffectatlast，\'murmuredthegirl，assherosefromthebedside。\'Imaybetoolate，evennow。\'
Shehastilydressedherselfinherbonnetandshawl:lookingfearfullyround，fromtimetotime，asif，despitethesleepingdraught，sheexpectedeverymomenttofeelthepressureofSikes\'sheavyhanduponhershoulder；then，stoopingsoftlyoverthebed，shekissedtherobber\'slips；andthenopeningandclosingtheroom-doorwithnoiselesstouch，hurriedfromthehouse。
Awatchmanwascryinghalf-pastnine，downadarkpassagethroughwhichshehadtopass，ingainingthemainthoroughfare。
\'Hasitlonggonethehalf-hour?\'askedthegirl。
\'It\'llstrikethehourinanotherquarter，\'saidtheman:
raisinghislanterntoherface。
\'AndIcannotgetthereinlessthananhourormore，\'mutteredNancy:brushingswiftlypasthim，andglidingrapidlydownthestreet。
Manyoftheshopswerealreadyclosinginthebacklanesandavenuesthroughwhichshetrackedherway，inmakingfromSpitalfieldstowardstheWest-EndofLondon。Theclockstruckten，increasingherimpatience。Shetorealongthenarrowpavement:elbowingthepassengersfromsidetoside；anddartingalmostunderthehorses\'heads，crossedcrowdedstreets，whereclustersofpersonswereeagerlywatchingtheiropportunitytodothelike。
\'Thewomanismad！\'saidthepeople，turningtolookafterherassherushedaway。
Whenshereachedthemorewealthyquarterofthetown，thestreetswerecomparativelydeserted；andhereherheadlongprogressexcitedastillgreatercuriosityinthestragglerswhomshehurriedpast。Somequickenedtheirpacebehind，asthoughtoseewhithershewashasteningatsuchanunusualrate；andafewmadeheaduponher，andlookedback，surprisedatherundiminishedspeed；buttheyfelloffonebyone；andwhenshenearedherplaceofdestination，shewasalone。
ItwasafamilyhotelinaquietbuthandsomestreetnearHydePark。Asthebrilliantlightofthelampwhichburntbeforeitsdoor，guidedhertothespot，theclockstruckeleven。Shehadloiteredforafewpacesasthoughirresolute，andmakinguphermindtoadvance；butthesounddeterminedher，andshesteppedintothehall。Theporter\'sseatwasvacant。Shelookedroundwithanairofincertitude，andadvancedtowardsthestairs。