\'Againtherearetwosidestothequestion，MrsLammle。Whatdoyoupretendtobelieve?\'
\'Soyoufirstdeceivemeandtheninsultme！\'criesthelady，withaheavingbosom。
\'Notatall。Ihaveoriginatednothing。Thedouble-edgedquestionwasyours。\'
\'Wasmine！\'thebriderepeats，andherparasolbreaksinherangryhand。
Hiscolourhasturnedtoalividwhite，andominousmarkshavecometolightabouthisnose，asifthefingeroftheverydevilhimselfhad，withinthelastfewmoments，touchedithereandthere。Buthehasrepressivepower，andshehasnone。
\'Throwitaway，\'hecoollyrecommendsastotheparasol；\'youhavemadeituseless；youlookridiculouswithit。\'
Whereuponshecallshiminherrage，\'Adeliberatevillain，\'andsocaststhebrokenthingfromherasthatitstrikeshiminfalling。
Thefinger-marksaresomethingwhiterfortheinstant，buthewalksonatherside。
Sheburstsintotears，declaringherselfthewretchedest，themostdeceived，theworst-used，ofwomen。Thenshesaysthatifshehadthecouragetokillherself，shewoulddoit。Thenshecallshimvileimpostor。Thensheaskshim，why，inthedisappointmentofhisbasespeculation，hedoesnottakeherlifewithhisownhand，underthepresentfavourablecircumstances。Thenshecriesagain。
Thensheisenragedagain，andmakessomementionofswindlers。
Finally，shesitsdowncryingonablockofstone，andisinalltheknownandunknownhumoursofhersexatonce。Pendingherchanges，thoseaforesaidmarksinhisfacehavecomeandgone，nowherenowthere，likewhitestepsofapipeonwhichthediabolicalperformerhasplayedatune。Alsohislividlipsarepartedatlast，asifhewerebreathlesswithrunning。Yetheisnot。
\'Now，getup，MrsLammle，andletusspeakreasonably。\'
Shesitsuponherstone，andtakesnoheedofhim。
\'Getup，Itellyou。\'
Raisingherhead，shelookscontemptuouslyinhisface，andrepeats，\'Youtellme！Tellme，forsooth！\'
Sheaffectsnottoknowthathiseyesarefastenedonherasshedroopsherheadagain；butherwholefigurerevealsthatsheknowsituneasily。
\'Enoughofthis。Come！Doyouhear?Getup。\'
Yieldingtohishand，sherises，andtheywalkagain；butthistimewiththeirfacesturnedtowardstheirplaceofresidence。
\'MrsLammle，wehavebothbeendeceiving，andwehavebothbeendeceived。Wehavebothbeenbiting，andwehavebothbeenbitten。Inanut-shell，there\'sthestateofthecase。\'
\'Yousoughtmeout——\'
\'Tut！Letushavedonewiththat。WEknowverywellhowitwas。
WhyshouldyouandItalkaboutit，whenyouandIcan\'tdisguiseit?Toproceed。Iamdisappointedandcutapoorfigure。\'
\'AmInoone?\'
\'Someone——andIwascomingtoyou，ifyouhadwaitedamoment。
You，too，aredisappointedandcutapoorfigure。\'
\'Aninjuredfigure！\'
\'Youarenowcoolenough，Sophronia，toseethatyoucan\'tbeinjuredwithoutmybeingequallyinjured；andthatthereforethemerewordisnottothepurpose。WhenIlookback，IwonderhowIcanhavebeensuchafoolastotakeyoutosogreatanextentupontrust。\'
\'AndwhenIlookback——\'thebridecries，interrupting。
\'Andwhenyoulookback，youwonderhowyoucanhavebeen——
you\'llexcusetheword?\'
\'Mostcertainly，withsomuchreason。
\'——SuchafoolastotakeMEtosogreatanextentupontrust。Butthefollyiscommittedonbothsides。Icannotgetridofyou；youcannotgetridofme。Whatfollows?\'
\'Shameandmisery，\'thebridebitterlyreplies。
\'Idon\'tknow。Amutualunderstandingfollows，andIthinkitmaycarryusthrough。HereIsplitmydiscoursegivemeyourarm，Sophronia，intothreeheads，tomakeitshorterandplainer。
Firstly，it\'senoughtohavebeendone，withoutthemortificationofbeingknowntohavebeendone。Soweagreetokeepthefacttoourselves。Youagree?\'
\'Ifitispossible，Ido。\'
\'Possible！Wehavepretendedwellenoughtooneanother。Can\'twe，united，pretendtotheworld?Agreed。Secondly，weowetheVeneeringsagrudge，andweoweallotherpeoplethegrudgeofwishingthemtobetakenin，asweourselveshavebeentakenin。
Agreed?\'
\'Yes。Agreed。\'
\'Wecomesmoothlytothirdly。Youhavecalledmeanadventurer，Sophronia。SoIam。InplainuncomplimentaryEnglish，soIam。
Soareyou，mydear。Soaremanypeople。Weagreetokeepourownsecret，andtoworktogetherinfurtheranceofourownschemes。\'
\'Whatschemes?\'
\'Anyschemethatwillbringusmoney。Byourownschemes，I
meanourjointinterest。Agreed?\'
Sheanswers，afteralittlehesitation，\'Isupposeso。Agreed。\'
\'Carriedatonce，yousee！Now，Sophronia，onlyhalfadozenwordsmore。Weknowoneanotherperfectly。Don\'tbetemptedintotwittingmewiththepastknowledgethatyouhaveofme，becauseitisidenticalwiththepastknowledgethatIhaveofyou，andintwittingme，youtwityourself，andIdon\'twanttohearyoudoit。Withthisgoodunderstandingestablishedbetweenus，itisbetterneverdone。Towindupall:——Youhaveshowntempertoday，Sophronia。Don\'tbebetrayedintodoingsoagain，becauseIhaveaDevilofatempermyself。\'
So，thehappypair，withthishopefulmarriagecontractthussigned，sealed，anddelivered，repairhomeward。If，whenthoseinfernalfinger-markswereonthewhiteandbreathlesscountenanceofAlfredLammle，Esquire，theydenotedthatheconceivedthepurposeofsubduinghisdearwifeMrsAlfredLammle，byatoncedivestingherofanylingeringrealityorpretenceofself-respect，thepurposewouldseemtohavebeenpresentlyexecuted。Thematureyoungladyhasmightylittleneedofpowder，now，forherdowncastface，asheescortsherinthelightofthesettingsuntotheirabodeofbliss。
Chapter11
PODSNAPPERY
MrPodsnapwaswelltodo，andstoodveryhighinMrPodsnap\'sopinion。Beginningwithagoodinheritance，hehadmarriedagoodinheritance，andhadthrivenexceedinglyintheMarineInsuranceway，andwasquitesatisfied。Henevercouldmakeoutwhyeverybodywasnotquitesatisfied，andhefeltconsciousthathesetabrilliantsocialexampleinbeingparticularlywellsatisfiedwithmostthings，and，aboveallotherthings，withhimself。
Thushappilyacquaintedwithhisownmeritandimportance，MrPodsnapsettledthatwhateverheputbehindhimheputoutofexistence。Therewasadignifiedconclusiveness——nottoaddagrandconvenience——inthiswayofgettingridofdisagreeableswhichhaddonemuchtowardsestablishingMrPodsnapinhisloftyplaceinMrPodsnap\'ssatisfaction。\'Idon\'twanttoknowaboutit；Idon\'tchoosetodiscussit；Idon\'tadmitit！\'MrPodsnaphadevenacquiredapeculiarflourishofhisrightarminoftenclearingtheworldofitsmostdifficultproblems，bysweepingthembehindhimandconsequentlysheerawaywiththosewordsandaflushedface。Fortheyaffrontedhim。
MrPodsnap\'sworldwasnotaverylargeworld，morally；no，norevengeographically:seeingthatalthoughhisbusinesswassustaineduponcommercewithothercountries，heconsideredothercountries，withthatimportantreservation，amistake，andoftheirmannersandcustomswouldconclusivelyobserve，\'NotEnglish！\'
when，PRESTO！withaflourishofthearm，andaflushoftheface，theyweresweptaway。Elsewhere，theworldgotupateight，shavedcloseataquarter-past，breakfastedatnine，wenttotheCityatten，camehomeathalf-pastfive，anddinedatseven。MrPodsnap\'snotionsoftheArtsintheirintegritymighthavebeenstatedthus。Literature；largeprint，respectfullydescriptiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。PaintingandSculpture；modelsandportraitsrepresentingProfessorsofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。Music；arespectableperformancewithoutvariationsonstringedandwindinstruments，sedatelyexpressiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。NothingelsetobepermittedtothosesamevagrantstheArts，onpainofexcommunication。NothingelseToBe——anywhere！
Asasoeminentlyrespectableman，MrPodsnapwassensibleofitsbeingrequiredofhimtotakeProvidenceunderhisprotection。
ConsequentlyhealwaysknewexactlywhatProvidencemeant。
Inferiorandlessrespectablemenmightfallshortofthatmark，butMrPodsnapwasalwaysuptoit。AnditwasveryremarkableandmusthavebeenverycomfortablethatwhatProvidencemeant，wasinvariablywhatMrPodsnapmeant。
Thesemaybesaidtohavebeenthearticlesofafaithandschoolwhichthepresentchaptertakesthelibertyofcalling，afteritsrepresentativeman，Podsnappery。Theywereconfinedwithinclosebounds，asMrPodsnap\'sownheadwasconfinedbyhisshirt-
collar；andtheywereenunciatedwithasoundingpompthatsmackedofthecreakingofMrPodsnap\'sownboots。
TherewasaMissPodsnap。Andthisyoungrocking-horsewasbeingtrainedinhermother\'sartofprancinginastatelymannerwithoutevergettingon。Butthehighparentalactionwasnotyetimpartedtoher，andintruthshewasbutanundersizeddamsel，withhighshoulders，lowspirits，chilledelbows，andaraspedsurfaceofnose，whoseemedtotakeoccasionalfrostypeepsoutofchildhoodintowomanhood，andtoshrinkbackagain，overcomebyhermother\'shead-dressandherfatherfromheadtofoot——crushedbythemeredead-weightofPodsnappery。
AcertaininstitutioninMrPodsnap\'smindwhichhecalled\'theyoungperson\'maybeconsideredtohavebeenembodiedinMissPodsnap，hisdaughter。Itwasaninconvenientandexactinginstitution，asrequiringeverythingintheuniversetobefileddownandfittedtoit。Thequestionabouteverythingwas，woulditbringablushintothecheekoftheyoungperson?Andtheinconvenienceoftheyoungpersonwas，that，accordingtoMrPodsnap，sheseemedalwaysliabletoburstintoblusheswhentherewasnoneedatall。Thereappearedtobenolineofdemarcationbetweentheyoungperson\'sexcessiveinnocence，andanotherperson\'sguiltiestknowledge。TakeMrPodsnap\'swordforit，andthesoberesttintsofdrab，white，lilac，andgrey，wereallflamingredtothistroublesomeBullofayoungperson。
ThePodsnapslivedinashadyangleadjoiningPortmanSquare。
Theywereakindofpeoplecertaintodwellintheshade，wherevertheydwelt。MissPodsnap\'slifehadbeen，fromherfirstappearanceonthisplanet，altogetherofashadyorder；for，MrPodsnap\'syoungpersonwaslikelytogetlittlegoodoutofassociationwithotheryoungpersons，andhadthereforebeenrestrictedtocompanionshipwithnotverycongenialolderpersons，andwithmassivefurniture。MissPodsnap\'searlyviewsoflifebeingprincipallyderivedfromthereflectionsofitinherfather\'sboots，andinthewalnutandrosewoodtablesofthedimdrawing-
rooms，andintheirswarthygiantsoflooking-glasses，wereofasombrecast；anditwasnotwonderfulthatnow，whenshewasonmostdayssolemnlytooledthroughtheParkbythesideofhermotherinagreattallcustard-colouredphaeton，sheshowedabovetheapronofthatvehiclelikeadejectedyoungpersonsittingupinbedtotakeastartledlookatthingsingeneral，andverystronglydesiringtogetherheadunderthecounterpaneagain。
SaidMrPodsnaptoMrsPodsnap，\'Georgianaisalmosteighteen。\'
SaidMrsPodsnaptoMrPodsnap，assenting，\'Almosteighteen。\'
SaidMrPodsnapthentoMrsPodsnap，\'ReallyIthinkweshouldhavesomepeopleonGeorgiana\'sbirthday。\'
SaidMrsPodsnapthentoMrPodsnap，\'Whichwillenableustoclearoffallthosepeoplewhoaredue。\'
SoitcametopassthatMrandMrsPodsnaprequestedthehonourofthecompanyofseventeenfriendsoftheirsoulsatdinner；andthattheysubstitutedotherfriendsoftheirsoulsforsuchoftheseventeenoriginalfriendsoftheirsoulsasdeeplyregrettedthatapriorengagementpreventedtheirhavingthehonourofdiningwithMrandMrsPodsnap，inpursuanceoftheirkindinvitation；andthatMrsPodsnapsaidofalltheseinconsolablepersonages，asshecheckedthemoffwithapencilinherlist，\'Asked，atanyrate，andgotridof；\'andthattheysuccessfullydisposedofagoodmanyfriendsoftheirsoulsinthisway，andfelttheirconsciencesmuchlightened。
Therewerestillotherfriendsoftheirsoulswhowerenotentitledtobeaskedtodinner，buthadaclaimtobeinvitedtocomeandtakeahaunchofmuttonvapour-bathathalf-pastnine。Fortheclearingoffoftheseworthies，MrsPodsnapaddedasmallandearlyeveningtothedinner，andlookedinatthemusic-shoptobespeakawell-conductedautomatontocomeandplayquadrillesforacarpetdance。
MrandMrsVeneering，andMrandMrsVeneering\'sbran-newbrideandbridegroom，wereofthedinnercompany；butthePodsnapestablishmenthadnothingelseincommonwiththeVeneerings。MrPodsnapcouldtoleratetasteinamushroommanwhostoodinneedofthatsortofthing，butwasfaraboveithimself。HideoussoliditywasthecharacteristicofthePodsnapplate。Everythingwasmadetolookasheavyasitcould，andtotakeupasmuchroomaspossible。Everythingsaidboastfully，\'HereyouhaveasmuchofmeinmyuglinessasifIwereonlylead；butIamsomanyouncesofpreciousmetalworthsomuchanounce；——wouldn\'tyouliketomeltmedown?\'Acorpulentstraddlingepergne，blotchedalloverasifithadbrokenoutinaneruptionratherthanbeenornamented，deliveredthisaddressfromanunsightlysilverplatforminthecentreofthetable。Foursilverwine-coolers，eachfurnishedwithfourstaringheads，eachheadobtrusivelycarryingabigsilverringineachofitsears，conveyedthesentimentupanddownthetable，andhandeditontothepot-
belliedsilversalt-cellars。Allthebigsilverspoonsandforkswidenedthemouthsofthecompanyexpresslyforthepurposeofthrustingthesentimentdowntheirthroatswitheverymorseltheyate。
Themajorityoftheguestswereliketheplate，andincludedseveralheavyarticlesweighingeversomuch。Buttherewasaforeigngentlemanamongthem:whomMrPodsnaphadinvitedaftermuchdebatewithhimself——believingthewholeEuropeancontinenttobeinmortalallianceagainsttheyoungperson——andtherewasadrolldisposition，notonlyonthepartofMrPodsnapbutofeverybodyelse，totreathimasifhewereachildwhowashardofhearing。
Asadelicateconcessiontothisunfortunately-bornforeigner，MrPodsnap，inreceivinghim，hadpresentedhiswifeas\'MadamePodsnap；\'alsohisdaughteras\'MademoisellePodsnap，\'withsomeinclinationtoadd\'mafille，\'inwhichboldventure，however，hecheckedhimself。TheVeneeringsbeingatthattimetheonlyotherarrivals，hehadaddedinacondescendinglyexplanatorymanner，\'MonsieurVey-nair-reeng，\'andhadthensubsidedintoEnglish。
\'HowDoYouLikeLondon?\'MrPodsnapnowinquiredfromhisstationofhost，asifhewereadministeringsomethinginthenatureofapowderorpotiontothedeafchild；\'London，Londres，London?\'
Theforeigngentlemanadmiredit。
\'YoufinditVeryLarge?\'saidMrPodsnap，spaciously。
Theforeigngentlemanfounditverylarge。
\'AndVeryRich?\'
Theforeigngentlemanfoundit，withoutdoubt，enormementriche。
\'EnormouslyRich，Wesay，\'returnedMrPodsnap，inacondescendingmanner。\'OurEnglishadverbsdoNotterminateinMong，andWePronouncethe“ch“asiftherewerea“t“beforeit。
WesayRitch。\'
\'Reetch，\'remarkedtheforeigngentleman。
\'AndDoYouFind，Sir，\'pursuedMrPodsnap，withdignity，\'ManyEvidencesthatStrikeYou，ofourBritishConstitutionintheStreetsOfTheWorld\'sMetropolis，London，Londres，London?\'
Theforeigngentlemanbeggedtobepardoned，butdidnotaltogetherunderstand。
\'TheConstitutionBritannique，\'MrPodsnapexplained，asifhewereteachinginaninfantschool。\'WeSayBritish，ButYouSayBritannique，YouKnow\'forgivingly，asifthatwerenothisfault。
\'TheConstitution，Sir。\'
Theforeigngentlemansaid，\'Mais，yees；Iknoweem。\'
Ayoungishsallowishgentlemaninspectacles，withalumpyforehead，seatedinasupplementarychairatacornerofthetable，herecausedaprofoundsensationbysaying，inaraisedvoice，\'ESKER，\'andthenstoppingdead。
\'Maisoui，\'saidtheforeigngentleman，turningtowardshim。\'Est-ceque?Quoidonc?\'
Butthegentlemanwiththelumpyforeheadhavingforthetimedeliveredhimselfofallthathefoundbehindhislumps，spakeforthetimenomore。
\'IWasInquiring，\'saidMrPodsnap，resumingthethreadofhisdiscourse，\'WhetherYouHaveObservedinourStreetsasWeshouldsay，UponourPavvyasYouwouldsay，anyTokens——\'
Theforeigngentleman，withpatientcourtesyentreatedpardon；
\'Butwhatwastokenz?\'
\'Marks，\'saidMrPodsnap；\'Signs，youknow，Appearances——
Traces。\'
\'Ah！OfaOrse?\'inquiredtheforeigngentleman。
\'WecallitHorse，\'saidMrPodsnap，withforbearance。\'InEngland，Angleterre，England，WeAspiratethe“H，“andWeSay“Horse。”OnlyourLowerClassesSay“Orse！“\'
\'Pardon，\'saidtheforeigngentleman；\'Iamalwizwrong！\'
\'OurLanguage，\'saidMrPodsnap，withagraciousconsciousnessofbeingalwaysright，\'isDifficult。OursisaCopiousLanguage，andTryingtoStrangers。IwillnotPursuemyQuestion。\'
Butthelumpygentleman，unwillingtogiveitup，againmadlysaid，\'ESKER，\'andagainspakenomore。
\'Itmerelyreferred，\'MrPodsnapexplained，withasenseofmeritoriousproprietorship，\'toOurConstitution，Sir。WeEnglishmenareVeryProudofourConstitution，Sir。ItWasBestowedUponUsByProvidence。NoOtherCountryissoFavouredasThisCountry。\'
\'Andozercountries?——\'theforeigngentlemanwasbeginning，whenMrPodsnapputhimrightagain。
\'WedonotsayOzer；wesayOther:thelettersare“T“and“H；“
YousayTayandAish，YouKnow；stillwithclemency。Thesoundis“th“——“th！“\'
\'AndOTHERcountries，\'saidtheforeigngentleman。\'Theydohow?\'
\'Theydo，Sir，\'returnedMrPodsnap，gravelyshakinghishead；
\'theydo——Iamsorrytobeobligedtosayit——AStheydo。\'
\'ItwasalittleparticularofProvidence，\'saidtheforeigngentleman，laughing；\'forthefrontierisnotlarge。\'
\'Undoubtedly，\'assentedMrPodsnap；\'ButSoitis。ItwastheCharteroftheLand。ThisIslandwasBlest，Sir，totheDirectExclusionofsuchOtherCountriesas——astheremayhappentobe。
AndifwewereallEnglishmenpresent，Iwouldsay，\'addedMrPodsnap，lookingrounduponhiscompatriots，andsoundingsolemnlywithhistheme，\'thatthereisintheEnglishmanacombinationofqualities，amodesty，anindependence，aresponsibility，arepose，combinedwithanabsenceofeverythingcalculatedtocallablushintothecheekofayoungperson，whichonewouldseekinvainamongtheNationsoftheEarth。\'
Havingdeliveredthislittlesummary，MrPodsnap\'sfaceflushed，ashethoughtoftheremotepossibilityofitsbeingatallqualifiedbyanyprejudicedcitizenofanyothercountry；and，withhisfavouriteright-armflourish，heputtherestofEuropeandthewholeofAsia，Africa，andAmericanowhere。
Theaudienceweremuchedifiedbythispassageofwords；andMrPodsnap，feelingthathewasinratherremarkableforceto-day，becamesmilingandconversational。
\'Hasanythingmorebeenheard，Veneering，\'heinquired，\'oftheluckylegatee?\'
\'Nothingmore，\'returnedVeneering，\'thanthathehascomeintopossessionoftheproperty。IamtoldpeoplenowcallhimTheGoldenDustman。Imentionedtoyousometimeago，Ithink，thattheyoungladywhoseintendedhusbandwasmurderedisdaughtertoaclerkofmine?\'
\'Yes，youtoldmethat，\'saidPodsnap；\'andby-the-bye，Iwishyouwouldtellitagainhere，forit\'sacuriouscoincidence——curiousthatthefirstnewsofthediscoveryshouldhavebeenbroughtstraighttoyourtablewhenIwasthere，andcuriousthatoneofyourpeopleshouldhavebeensonearlyinterestedinit。Justrelatethat，willyou?\'
Veneeringwasmorethanreadytodoit，forhehadprosperedexceedinglyupontheHarmonMurder，andhadturnedthesocialdistinctionitconferreduponhimtotheaccountofmakingseveraldozenofbran-newbosom-friends。Indeed，suchanotherluckyhitwouldalmosthavesethimupinthatwaytohissatisfaction。So，addressinghimselftothemostdesirableofhisneighbours，whileMrsVeneeringsecuredthenextmostdesirable，heplungedintothecase，andemergedfromittwentyminutesafterwardswithaBankDirectorinhisarms。Inthemeantime，MrsVeneeringhaddivedintothesamewatersforawealthyShip-Broker，andhadbroughthimup，safeandsound，bythehair。ThenMrsVeneeringhadtorelate，toalargercircle，howshehadbeentoseethegirl，andhowshewasreallypretty，andconsideringherstation
presentable。Andthisshedidwithsuchasuccessfuldisplayofhereightaquilinefingersandtheirencirclingjewels，thatshehappilylaidholdofadriftingGeneralOfficer，hiswifeanddaughter，andnotonlyrestoredtheiranimationwhichhadbecomesuspended，butmadethemlivelyfriendswithinanhour。
AlthoughMrPodsnapwouldinageneralwayhavehighlydisapprovedofBodiesinriversasineligibletopicswithreferencetothecheekoftheyoungperson，hehad，asonemaysay，ashareinthisaffairwhichmadehimapartproprietor。Asitsreturnswereimmediate，too，inthewayofrestrainingthecompanyfromspeechlesscontemplationofthewine-coolers，itpaid，andhewassatisfied。
Andnowthehaunchofmuttonvapour-bathhavingreceivedagameyinfusion，andafewlasttouchesofsweetsandcoffee，wasquiteready，andthebatherscame；butnotbeforethediscreetautomatonhadgotbehindthebarsofthepianomusic-desk，andtherepresentedtheappearanceofacaptivelanguishinginarose-
woodjail。AndwhonowsopleasantorsowellassortedasMrandMrsAlfredLammle，heallsparkle，sheallgraciouscontentment，bothatoccasionalintervalsexchanginglookslikepartnersatcardswhoplayedagameagainstAllEngland。
Therewasnotmuchyouthamongthebathers，buttherewasnoyouththeyoungpersonalwaysexceptedinthearticlesofPodsnappery。BaldbathersfoldedtheirarmsandtalkedtoMrPodsnaponthehearthrug；sleek-whiskeredbathers，withhatsintheirhands，lungedatMrsPodsnapandretreated；prowlingbathers，wentaboutlookingintoornamentalboxesandbowlsasiftheyhadsuspicionsoflarcenyonthepartofthePodsnaps，andexpectedtofindsomethingtheyhadlostatthebottom；bathersofthegentlersexsatsilentlycomparingivoryshoulders。Allthistimeandalways，poorlittleMissPodsnap，whosetinyeffortsifshehadmadeanywereswallowedupinthemagnificenceofhermother\'srocking，keptherselfasmuchoutofsightandmindasshecould，andappearedtobecountingonmanydismalreturnsoftheday。Itwassomehowunderstood，asasecretarticleinthestateproprietiesofPodsnapperythatnothingmustbesaidabouttheday。
Consequentlythisyoungdamsel\'snativitywashushedupandlookedover，asifitwereagreedonallhandsthatitwouldhavebeenbetterthatshehadneverbeenborn。
TheLammlesweresofondofthedearVeneeringsthattheycouldnotforsometimedetachthemselvesfromthoseexcellentfriends；
butatlength，eitheraveryopensmileonMrLammle\'spart，oraverysecretelevationofoneofhisgingerouseyebrows——certainlytheoneortheother——seemedtosaytoMrsLammle，\'Whydon\'tyouplay?\'Andso，lookingabouther，shesawMissPodsnap，andseemingtosayresponsively，\'Thatcard?\'andtobeanswered，\'Yes，\'
wentandsatbesideMissPodsnap。
MrsLammlewasoverjoyedtoescapeintoacornerforalittlequiettalk。
Itpromisedtobeaveryquiettalk，forMissPodsnaprepliedinaflutter，\'Oh！Indeed，it\'sverykindofyou，butIamafraidIDON\'T
talk。\'
\'Letusmakeabeginning，\'saidtheinsinuatingMrsLammle，withherbestsmile。
\'Oh！Iamafraidyou\'llfindmeverydull。ButMatalks！\'
Thatwasplainlytobeseen，forMawastalkingthenatherusualcanter，witharchedheadandmane，openedeyesandnostrils。
\'Fondofreadingperhaps?\'
\'Yes。AtleastI——don\'tmindthatsomuch，\'returnedMissPodsnap。
\'M-m-m-m-music。SoinsinuatingwasMrsLammlethatshegothalfadozenmsintothewordbeforeshegotitout。
\'Ihaven\'tnervetoplayevenifIcould。Maplays。\'
Atexactlythesamecanter，andwithacertainflourishingappearanceofdoingsomething，Madid，infact，occasionallytakearockupontheinstrument。
\'Ofcourseyoulikedancing?\'
\'Ohno，Idon\'t，\'saidMissPodsnap。
\'No?Withyouryouthandattractions?Truly，mydear，yousurpriseme！\'
\'Ican\'tsay，\'observedMissPodsnap，afterhesitatingconsiderably，andstealingseveraltimidlooksatMrsLammle\'scarefullyarrangedface，\'howImighthavelikeditifIhadbeena——youwon\'tmentionit，WILLyou?\'
\'Mydear！Never！\'
\'No，Iamsureyouwon\'t。Ican\'tsaythenhowIshouldhavelikedit，ifIhadbeenachimney-sweeponMay-day。\'
\'Gracious！\'wastheexclamationwhichamazementelicitedfromMrsLammle。
\'There！Iknewyou\'dwonder。Butyouwon\'tmentionit，willyou?\'
\'Uponmyword，mylove，\'saidMrsLammle，\'youmakemetentimesmoredesirous，nowItalktoyou，toknowyouwellthanI
waswhenIsatoveryonderlookingatyou。HowIwishwecouldberealfriends！Trymeasarealfriend。Come！Don\'tfancymeafrumpyoldmarriedwoman，mydear；Iwasmarriedbuttheotherday，youknow；Iamdressedasabridenow，yousee。Aboutthechimney-sweeps?\'
\'Hush！Ma\'llhear。\'
\'Shecan\'thearfromwhereshesits。\'
\'Don\'tyoubetoosureofthat，\'saidMissPodsnap，inalowervoice。
\'Well，whatImeanis，thattheyseemtoenjoyit。\'
\'Andthatperhapsyouwouldhaveenjoyedit，ifyouhadbeenoneofthem?\'
MissPodsnapnoddedsignificantly。
\'Thenyoudon\'tenjoyitnow?\'
\'Howisitpossible?\'saidMissPodsnap。\'Ohitissuchadreadfulthing！IfIwaswickedenough——andstrongenough——tokillanybody，itshouldbemypartner。\'
ThiswassuchanentirelynewviewoftheTerpsichoreanartassociallypractised，thatMrsLammlelookedatheryoungfriendinsomeastonishment。Heryoungfriendsatnervouslytwiddlingherfingersinapinionedattitude，asifsheweretryingtohideherelbows。ButthislatterUtopianobjectinshortsleevesalwaysappearedtobethegreatinoffensiveaimofherexistence。
\'Itsoundshorrid，don\'tit?\'saidMissPodsnap，withapenitentialface。
MrsLammle，notverywellknowingwhattoanswer，resolvedherselfintoalookofsmilingencouragement。
\'Butitis，anditalwayshasbeen，\'pursuedMissPodsnap，\'suchatrialtome！Isodreadbeingawful。Anditissoawful！NooneknowswhatIsufferedatMadameSauteuse\'s，whereIlearnttodanceandmakepresentation-curtseys，andotherdreadfulthings——
oratleastwheretheytriedtoteachme。Macandoit。\'
\'Atanyrate，mylove，\'saidMrsLammle，soothingly，\'that\'sover。\'
\'Yes，it\'sover，\'returnedMissPodsnap，\'butthere\'snothinggainedbythat。It\'sworsehere，thanatMadameSauteuse\'s。Mawasthere，andMa\'shere；butPawasn\'tthere，andcompanywasn\'tthere，andtherewerenotrealpartnersthere。Ohthere\'sMaspeakingtothemanatthepiano！Ohthere\'sMagoinguptosomebody！OhIknowshe\'sgoingtobringhimtome！Ohpleasedon\'t，pleasedon\'t，pleasedon\'t！Ohkeepaway，keepaway，keepaway！\'ThesepiousejaculationsMissPodsnaputteredwithhereyesclosed，andherheadleaningbackagainstthewall。
ButtheOgreadvancedunderthepilotageofMa，andMasaid，\'Georgiana，MrGrompus，\'andtheOgreclutchedhisvictimandboreherofftohiscastleinthetopcouple。Thenthediscreetautomatonwhohadsurveyedhisground，playedablossomlesstuneless\'set，\'andsixteendisciplesofPodsnapperywentthroughthefiguresof-1，Gettingupateightandshavingcloseataquarterpast-2，Breakfastingatnine-3，GoingtotheCityatten-4，Cominghomeathalf-pastfive-5，Diningatseven，andthegrandchain。
Whilethesesolemnitieswereinprogress，MrAlfredLammlemostlovingofhusbandsapproachedthechairofMrsAlfredLammlemostlovingofwives，andbendingoverthebackofit，trifledforsomefewsecondswithMrsLammle\'sbracelet。Slightlyincontrastwiththisbriefairytoying，onemighthavenoticedacertaindarkattentioninMrsLammle\'sfaceasshesaidsomewordswithhereyesonMrLammle\'swaistcoat，andseemedinreturntoreceivesomelesson。Butitwasalldoneasabreathpassesfromamirror。
Andnow，thegrandchainrivetedtothelastlink，thediscreetautomatonceased，andthesixteen，twoandtwo，tookawalkamongthefurniture。AndhereintheunconsciousnessoftheOgreGrompuswaspleasantlyconspicuous；for，thatcomplacentmonster，believingthathewasgivingMissPodsnapatreat，prolongedtotheutmoststretchofpossibilityaperipateticaccountofanarcherymeeting；whilehisvictim，headingtheprocessionofsixteenasitslowlycircledabout，likearevolvingfuneral，neverraisedhereyesexceptoncetostealaglanceatMrsLammle，expressiveofintensedespair。
Atlengththeprocessionwasdissolvedbytheviolentarrivalofanutmeg，beforewhichthedrawing-roomdoorbouncedopenasifitwereacannon-ball；andwhilethatfragrantarticle，dispersedthroughseveralglassesofcolouredwarmwater，wasgoingtheroundofsociety，MissPodsnapreturnedtoherseatbyhernewfriend。
\'Ohmygoodness，\'saidMissPodsnap。\'THAT\'Sover！Ihopeyoudidn\'tlookatme。\'
\'Mydear，whynot?\'
\'OhIknowallaboutmyself，\'saidMissPodsnap。
\'I\'lltellyousomethingIknowaboutyou，mydear，\'returnedMrsLammleinherwinningway，\'andthatis，youaremostunnecessarilyshy。\'
\'Maain\'t，\'saidMissPodsnap。\'——Idetestyou！Goalong！\'ThisshotwaslevelledunderherbreathatthegallantGrompusforbestowinganinsinuatingsmileuponherinpassing。
\'PardonmeifIscarcelysee，mydearMissPodsnap，\'MrsLammlewasbeginningwhentheyoungladyinterposed。
\'IfwearegoingtoberealfriendsandIsupposeweare，foryouaretheonlypersonwhoeverproposeditdon\'tletusbeawful。It\'sawfulenoughtoBEMissPodsnap，withoutbeingcalledso。CallmeGeorgiana。\'
\'DearestGeorgiana，\'MrsLammlebeganagain。
\'Thankyou，\'saidMissPodsnap。
\'DearestGeorgiana，pardonmeifIscarcelysee，mylove，whyyourmamma\'snotbeingshy，isareasonwhyyoushouldbe。\'
\'Don\'tyoureallyseethat?\'askedMissPodsnap，pluckingatherfingersinatroubledmanner，andfurtivelycastinghereyesnowonMrsLammle，nowontheground。\'Thenperhapsitisn\'t?\'
\'MydearestGeorgiana，youdefermuchtooreadilytomypooropinion。Indeeditisnotevenanopinion，darling，foritisonlyaconfessionofmydullness。\'
\'OhYOUarenotdull，\'returnedMissPodsnap。\'Iamdull，butyoucouldn\'thavemademetalkifyouwere。\'
Somelittletouchofconscienceansweringthisperceptionofherhavinggainedapurpose，calledbloomenoughintoMrsLammle\'sfacetomakeitlookbrighterasshesatsmilingherbestsmileonherdearGeorgiana，andshakingherheadwithanaffectionateplayfulness。Notthatitmeantanything，butthatGeorgianaseemedtolikeit。
\'WhatImeanis，\'pursuedGeorgiana，\'thatMabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andPabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andtherebeingsomuchawfulnesseverywhere——Imean，atleast，everywherewhereIam——perhapsitmakesmewhoamsodeficientinawfulness，andfrightenedatit——Isayitverybadly——Idon\'tknowwhetheryoucanunderstandwhatImean?\'
\'Perfectly，dearestGeorgiana！\'MrsLammlewasproceedingwitheveryreassuringwile，whentheheadofthatyoungladysuddenlywentbackagainstthewallagainandhereyesclosed。
\'Ohthere\'sMabeingawfulwithsomebodywithaglassinhiseye！
OhIknowshe\'sgoingtobringhimhere！Ohdon\'tbringhim，don\'tbringhim！Ohhe\'llbemypartnerwithhisglassinhiseye！
OhwhatshallIdo！\'ThistimeGeorgianaaccompaniedherejaculationswithtapsofherfeetuponthefloor，andwasaltogetherinquiteadesperatecondition。But，therewasnoescapefromthemajesticMrsPodsnap\'sproductionofanamblingstranger，withoneeyescrewedupintoextinctionandtheotherframedandglazed，who，havinglookeddownoutofthatorgan，asifhedescriedMissPodsnapatthebottomofsomeperpendicularshaft，broughthertothesurface，andambledoffwithher。Andthenthecaptiveatthepianoplayedanother\'set，\'expressiveofhismournfulaspirationsafterfreedom，andothersixteenwentthroughtheformermelancholymotions，andtheamblertookMissPodsnapforafurniturewalk，asifhehadstruckoutanentirelyoriginalconception。
Inthemeantimeastraypersonageofameekdemeanour，whohadwanderedtothehearthrugandgotamongtheheadsoftribesassembledthereinconferencewithMrPodsnap，eliminatedMrPodsnap\'sflushandflourishbyahighlyunpoliteremark；nolessthanareferencetothecircumstancethatsomehalf-dozenpeoplehadlatelydiedinthestreets，ofstarvation。Itwasclearlyill-timedafterdinner。Itwasnotadaptedtothecheekoftheyoungperson。
Itwasnotingoodtaste。
\'Idon\'tbelieveit，\'saidMrPodsnap，puttingitbehindhim。
Themeekmanwasafraidwemusttakeitasproved，becausethereweretheInquestsandtheRegistrar\'sreturns。
\'Thenitwastheirownfault，\'saidMrPodsnap。
Veneeringandothereldersoftribescommendedthiswayoutofit。
Atonceashortcutandabroadroad。
Themanofmeekdemeanourintimatedthattrulyitwouldseemfromthefacts，asifstarvationhadbeenforcedupontheculpritsinquestion——asif，intheirwretchedmanner，theyhadmadetheirweakprotestsagainstit——asiftheywouldhavetakenthelibertyofstavingitoffiftheycould——asiftheywouldrathernothavebeenstarveduponthewhole，ifperfectlyagreeabletoallparties。
\'Thereisnot，\'saidMrPodsnap，flushingangrily，\'thereisnotacountryintheworld，sir，wheresonobleaprovisionismadeforthepoorasinthiscountry。\'
Themeekmanwasquitewillingtoconcedethat，butperhapsitrenderedthematterevenworse，asshowingthattheremustbesomethingappallinglywrongsomewhere。
\'Where?\'saidMrPodsnap。
ThemeekmanhintedWouldn\'titbewelltotry，veryseriously，tofindoutwhere?
\'Ah！\'saidMrPodsnap。\'Easytosaysomewhere；notsoeasytosaywhere！ButIseewhatyouaredrivingat。Iknewitfromthefirst。
Centralization。No。Neverwithmyconsent。NotEnglish。\'
Anapprovingmurmurarosefromtheheadsoftribes；assaying，\'Thereyouhavehim！Holdhim！\'
Hewasnotawarethemeekmansubmittedofhimselfthathewasdrivingatanyization。Hehadnofavouriteizationthatheknewof。Buthecertainlywasmorestaggeredbytheseterribleoccurrencesthanhewasbynames，ofhowsoeversomanysyllables。Mightheask，wasdyingofdestitutionandneglectnecessarilyEnglish?
\'YouknowwhatthepopulationofLondonis，Isuppose，\'saidMrPodsnap。
Themeekmansupposedhedid，butsupposedthathadabsolutelynothingtodowithit，ifitslawswerewelladministered。
\'Andyouknow；atleastIhopeyouknow；\'saidMrPodsnap，withseverity，\'thatProvidencehasdeclaredthatyoushallhavethepooralwayswithyou?\'
Themeekmanalsohopedheknewthat。
\'Iamgladtohearit，\'saidMrPodsnapwithaportentousair。\'Iamgladtohearit。ItwillrenderyoucautioushowyouflyinthefaceofProvidence。\'
Inreferencetothatabsurdandirreverentconventionalphrase，themeekmansaid，forwhichMrPodsnapwasnotresponsible，hethemeekmanhadnofearofdoinganythingsoimpossible；but——
ButMrPodsnapfeltthatthetimehadcomeforflushingandflourishingthismeekmandownforgood。Sohesaid:
\'Imustdeclinetopursuethispainfuldiscussion。Itisnotpleasanttomyfeelings；itisrepugnanttomyfeelings。IhavesaidthatIdonotadmitthesethings。IhavealsosaidthatiftheydooccurnotthatIadmitit，thefaultlieswiththesufferersthemselves。ItisnotforME\'——MrPodsnappointed\'me\'forcibly，asaddingbyimplicationthoughitmaybeallverywellforYOU——\'itisnotformetoimpugntheworkingsofProvidence。Iknowbetterthanthat，Itrust，andIhavementionedwhattheintentionsofProvidenceare。
Besides，\'saidMrPodsnap，flushinghighupamonghishair-
brushes，withastrongconsciousnessofpersonalaffront，\'thesubjectisaverydisagreeableone。Iwillgosofarastosayitisanodiousone。Itisnotonetobeintroducedamongourwivesandyoungpersons，andI——\'Hefinishedwiththatflourishofhisarmwhichaddedmoreexpressivelythananywords，AndIremoveitfromthefaceoftheearth。
Simultaneouslywiththisquenchingofthemeekman\'sineffectualfire；Georgianahavinglefttheamblerupalaneofsofa，inaNoThoroughfareofbackdrawing-room，tofindhisownwayout，camebacktoMrsLammle。AndwhoshouldbewithMrsLammle，butMrLammle。Sofondofher！
\'Alfred，mylove，hereismyfriend。Georgiana，dearestgirl，youmustlikemyhusbandnexttome。
MrLammlewasproudtobesosoondistinguishedbythisspecialcommendationtoMissPodsnap\'sfavour。ButifMrLammlewerepronetobejealousofhisdearSophronia\'sfriendships，hewouldbejealousofherfeelingtowardsMissPodsnap。
\'SayGeorgiana，darling，\'interposedhiswife。
\'Towards——shallI?——Georgiana。\'MrLammleutteredthename，withadelicatecurveofhisrighthand，fromhislipsoutward。\'ForneverhaveIknownSophroniawhoisnotapttotakesuddenlikingssoattractedandsocaptivatedassheisby——shallIoncemore?——Georgiana。\'
Theobjectofthishomagesatuneasilyenoughinreceiptofit，andthensaid，turningtoMrsLammle，muchembarrassed:
\'Iwonderwhatyoulikemefor！IamsureIcan\'tthink。\'
\'DearestGeorgiana，foryourself。Foryourdifferencefromallaroundyou。\'
\'Well！Thatmaybe。ForIthinkIlikeyouforyourdifferencefromallaroundme，\'saidGeorgianawithasmileofrelief。
\'Wemustbegoingwiththerest，\'observedMrsLammle，risingwithashowofunwillingness，amidstageneraldispersal。\'Wearerealfriends，Georgianadear?\'
\'Real。\'
\'Goodnight，deargirl！\'
Shehadestablishedanattractionovertheshrinkingnatureuponwhichhersmilingeyeswerefixed，forGeorgianaheldherhandwhilesheansweredinasecretandhalf-frightenedtone:
\'Don\'tforgetmewhenyouaregoneaway。Andcomeagainsoon。
Goodnight！\'
CharmingtoseeMrandMrsLammletakingleavesogracefully，andgoingdownthestairssolovinglyandsweetly。Notquitesocharmingtoseetheirsmilingfacesfallandbroodastheydroppedmoodilyintoseparatecornersoftheirlittlecarriage。Buttohesurethatwasasightbehindthescenes，whichnobodysaw，andwhichnobodywasmeanttosee。
Certainbig，heavyvehicles，builtonthemodelofthePodsnapplate，tookawaytheheavyarticlesofguestsweighingeversomuch；andthelessvaluablearticlesgotawayaftertheirvariousmanners；andthePodsnapplatewasputtobed。AsMrPodsnapstoodwithhisbacktothedrawing-roomfire，pullinguphisshirtcollar，likeaveritablecockofthewalkliterallypluminghimselfinthemidstofhispossessions，nothingwouldhaveastonishedhimmorethananintimationthatMissPodsnap，oranyotheryoungpersonproperlybornandbred，couldnotbeexactlyputawayliketheplate，broughtoutliketheplate，polishedliketheplate，counted，weighed，andvaluedliketheplate。Thatsuchayoungpersoncouldpossiblyhaveamorbidvacancyintheheartforanythingyoungerthantheplate，orlessmonotonousthantheplate；
orthatsuchayoungperson\'sthoughtscouldtrytoscaletheregionboundedonthenorth，south，east，andwest，bytheplate；wasamonstrousimaginationwhichhewouldonthespothaveflourishedintospace。ThisperhapsinsomesortarosefromMrPodsnap\'sblushingyoungpersonbeing，sotospeak，allcheek；whereasthereisapossibilitythattheremaybeyoungpersonsofarathermorecomplexorganization。
IfMrPodsnap，pullinguphisshirt-collar，couldonlyhavebeardhimselfcalled\'thatfellow\'inacertainshortdialogue，whichpassedbetweenMrandMrsLammleintheiroppositecornersoftheirlittlecarriage，rollinghome！
\'Sophronia，areyouawake?\'
\'AmIlikelytobeasleep，sir?\'
\'Verylikely，Ishouldthink，afterthatfellow\'scompany。AttendtowhatIamgoingtosay。\'
\'Ihaveattendedtowhatyouhavealreadysaid，haveInot?WhatelsehaveIbeendoingallto-night。\'
\'Attend，Itellyou，\'inaraisedvoice\'towhatIamgoingtosay。
Keepclosetothatidiotgirl。Keepherunderyourthumb。Youhaveherfast，andyouarenottolethergo。Doyouhear?\'
\'Ihearyou。\'
\'Iforeseethereismoneytobemadeoutofthis，besidestakingthatfellowdownapeg。Weoweeachothermoney，youknow。\'
MrsLammlewincedalittleatthereminder，butonlyenoughtoshakeherscentsandessencesanewintotheatmosphereofthelittlecarriage，asshesettledherselfafreshinherowndarkcorner。
Chapter12
THESWEATOFANHONESTMAN\'SBROW
MrMortimerLightwoodandMrEugeneWrayburntookacoffee-
housedinnertogetherinMrLightwood\'soffice。Theyhadnewlyagreedtosetupajointestablishmenttogether。TheyhadtakenabachelorcottagenearHampton，onthebrinkoftheThames，withalawn，andaboat-house；andallthingsfitting，andweretofloatwiththestreamthroughthesummerandtheLongVacation。
Itwasnotsummeryet，butspring；anditwasnotgentlespringethereallymild，asinThomson\'sSeasons，butnippingspringwithaneasterlywind，asinJohnson\'s，Jackson\'s，Dickson\'s，Smith\'s，andJones\'sSeasons。Thegratingwindsawedratherthanblew；
andasitsawed，thesawdustwhirledaboutthesawpit。Everystreetwasasawpit，andtherewerenotop-sawyers；everypassengerwasanunder-sawyer，withthesawdustblindinghimandchokinghim。
ThatmysteriouspapercurrencywhichcirculatesinLondonwhenthewindblows，gyratedhereandthereandeverywhere。Whencecanitcome，whithercanitgo?Ithangsoneverybush，fluttersineverytree，iscaughtflyingbytheelectricwires，hauntseveryenclosure，drinksateverypump，cowersateverygrating，shuddersuponeveryplotofgrass，seeksrestinvainbehindthelegionsofironrails。InParis，wherenothingiswasted，costlyandluxuriouscitythoughitbe，butwherewonderfulhumanantscreepoutofholesandpickupeveryscrap，thereisnosuchthing。There，itblowsnothingbutdust。There，sharpeyesandsharpstomachsreapeventheeastwind，andgetsomethingoutofit。
Thewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。Theshrubswrungtheirmanyhands，bemoaningthattheyhadbeenover-persuadedbythesuntobud；theyoungleavespined；thesparrowsrepentedoftheirearlymarriages，likemenandwomen；thecoloursoftherainbowwerediscernible，notinfloralspring，butinthefacesofthepeoplewhomitnibbledandpinched。Andeverthewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。
Whenthespringeveningsaretoolongandlighttoshutout，andsuchweatherisrife，thecitywhichMrPodsnapsoexplanatorilycalledLondon，Londres，London，isatitsworst。Suchablackshrillcity，combiningthequalitiesofasmokyhouseandascoldingwife；suchagrittycity；suchahopelesscity，withnorentintheleadencanopyofitssky；suchabeleagueredcity，investedbythegreatMarshForcesofEssexandKent。Sothetwooldschoolfellowsfeltittobe，as，theirdinnerdone，theyturnedtowardsthefiretosmoke。YoungBlightwasgone，thecoffee-
housewaiterwasgone，theplatesanddishesweregone，thewinewasgoing——butnotinthesamedirection。
\'Thewindsoundsuphere，\'quothEugene，stirringthefire，\'asifwewerekeepingalighthouse。Iwishwewere。\'
\'Don\'tyouthinkitwouldboreus?\'Lightwoodasked。
\'Notmorethananyotherplace。AndtherewouldbenoCircuittogo。Butthat\'saselfishconsideration，personaltome。\'
\'Andnoclientstocome，\'addedLightwood。\'Notthatthat\'saselfishconsiderationatallpersonaltoME。\'
\'Ifwewereonanisolatedrockinastormysea，\'saidEugene，smokingwithhiseyesonthefire，\'LadyTippinscouldn\'tputofftovisitus，or，betterstill，mightputoffandgetswamped。Peoplecouldn\'taskonetoweddingbreakfasts。TherewouldbenoPrecedentstohammerat，excepttheplain-sailingPrecedentofkeepingthelightup。Itwouldbeexcitingtolookoutforwrecks。\'
\'Butotherwise，\'suggestedLightwood，\'theremightbeadegreeofsamenessinthelife。\'
\'Ihavethoughtofthatalso，\'saidEugene，asifhereallyhadbeenconsideringthesubjectinitsvariousbearingswithaneyetothebusiness；\'butitwouldbeadefinedandlimitedmonotony。Itwouldnotextendbeyondtwopeople。Now，it\'saquestionwithme，Mortimer，whetheramonotonydefinedwiththatprecisionandlimitedtothatextent，mightnotbemoreendurablethantheunlimitedmonotonyofone\'sfellow-creatures。\'
AsLightwoodlaughedandpassedthewine，heremarked，\'Weshallhaveanopportunity，inourboatingsummer，oftryingthequestion。\'
\'Animperfectone，\'Eugeneacquiesced，withasigh，\'butsoweshall。Ihopewemaynotprovetoomuchforoneanother。\'
\'Now，regardingyourrespectedfather，\'saidLightwood，bringinghimtoasubjecttheyhadexpresslyappointedtodiscuss:alwaysthemostslipperyeelofeelsofsubjectstolayholdof。
\'Yes，regardingmyrespectedfather，\'assentedEugene，settlinghimselfinhisarm-chair。\'Iwouldratherhaveapproachedmyrespectedfatherbycandlelight，asathemerequiringalittleartificialbrilliancy；butwewilltakehimbytwilight，enlivenedwithaglowofWallsend。\'
Hestirredthefireagainashespoke，andhavingmadeitblaze，resumed。
\'Myrespectedfatherhasfound，downintheparentalneighbourhood，awifeforhisnot-generally-respectedson。\'
\'Withsomemoney，ofcourse?\'
\'Withsomemoney，ofcourse，orhewouldnothavefoundher。Myrespectedfather——letmeshortenthedutifultautologybysubstitutinginfutureM。R。F。，whichsoundsmilitary，andratherliketheDukeofWellington。\'
\'Whatanabsurdfellowyouare，Eugene！\'
\'Notatall，Iassureyou。M。R。F。havingalwaysintheclearestmannerprovidedashecallsitforhischildrenbypre-arrangingfromthehourofthebirthofeach，andsometimesfromanearlierperiod，whatthedevotedlittlevictim\'scallingandcourseinlifeshouldbe，M。R。F。pre-arrangedformyselfthatIwastobethebarristerIamwiththeslightadditionofanenormouspractice，whichhasnotaccrued，andalsothemarriedmanIamnot。\'
\'Thefirstyouhaveoftentoldme。\'
\'ThefirstIhaveoftentoldyou。Consideringmyselfsufficientlyincongruousonmylegaleminence，Ihaveuntilnowsuppressedmydomesticdestiny。YouknowM。R。F。，butnotaswellasIdo。
IfyouknewhimaswellasIdo，hewouldamuseyou。\'
\'Filiallyspoken，Eugene！\'
\'Perfectlyso，believeme；andwitheverysentimentofaffectionatedeferencetowardsM。R。F。Butifheamusesme，Ican\'thelpit。
Whenmyeldestbrotherwasborn，ofcoursetherestofusknewI
meantherestofuswouldhaveknown，ifwehadbeeninexistencethathewasheirtotheFamilyEmbarrassments——wecallitbeforethecompanytheFamilyEstate。Butwhenmysecondbrotherwasgoingtobebornby-and-by，“this，“saysM。R。F。，“isalittlepillarofthechurch。”WASborn，andbecameapillarofthechurch；averyshakyone。Mythirdbrotherappeared，considerablyinadvanceofhisengagementtomymother；butM。R。F。，notatallputoutbysurprise，instantlydeclaredhimaCircumnavigator。
Waspitch-forkedintotheNavy，buthasnotcircumnavigated。I
announcedmyselfandwasdisposedofwiththehighlysatisfactoryresultsembodiedbeforeyou。Whenmyyoungerbrotherwashalfanhourold，itwassettledbyM。R。F。thatheshouldhaveamechanicalgenius。Andsoon。ThereforeIsaythatM。R。F。
amusesme。\'
\'Touchingthelady，Eugene。\'
\'ThereM。R。F。ceasestobeamusing，becausemyintentionsareopposedtotouchingthelady。\'
\'Doyouknowher?\'
\'Notintheleast。\'
\'Hadn\'tyoubetterseeher?\'
\'MydearMortimer，youhavestudiedmycharacter。CouldI
possiblygodownthere，labelled“ELIGIBLE。ONVIEW，“andmeetthelady，similarlylabelled?AnythingtocarryoutM。R。F。\'sarrangements，Iamsure，withthegreatestpleasure——exceptmatrimony。CouldIpossiblysupportit?I，sosoonbored，soconstantly，sofatally?\'
\'Butyouarenotaconsistentfellow，Eugene。\'
\'Insusceptibilitytoboredom，\'returnedthatworthy，\'IassureyouI
amthemostconsistentofmankind。\'
\'Why，itwasbutnowthatyouweredwellingintheadvantagesofamonotonyoftwo。\'
\'Inalighthouse。Domethejusticetorememberthecondition。Inalighthouse。\'
Mortimerlaughedagain，andEugene，havinglaughedtooforthefirsttime，asifhefoundhimselfonreflectionratherentertaining，relapsedintohisusualgloom，anddrowsilysaid，asheenjoyedhiscigar，\'No，thereisnohelpforit；oneofthepropheticdeliveriesofM。R。F。mustforeverremainunfulfilled。Witheverydispositiontoobligehim，hemustsubmittoafailure。\'
Ithadgrowndarkerastheytalked，andthewindwassawingandthesawdustwaswhirlingoutsidepalerwindows。Theunderlyingchurchyardwasalreadysettlingintodeepdimshade，andtheshadewascreepinguptothehousetopsamongwhichtheysat。\'Asif，\'saidEugene，\'asifthechurchyardghostswererising。\'
Hehadwalkedtothewindowwithhiscigarinhismouth，toexaltitsflavourbycomparingthefiresidewiththeoutside，whenhestoppedmidwayonhisreturntohisarm-chair，andsaid:
\'Apparentlyoneoftheghostshaslostitsway，anddroppedintobedirected。Lookatthisphantom！\'
Lightwood，whosebackwastowardsthedoor，turnedhishead，andthere，inthedarknessoftheentry，stoodasomethinginthelikenessofaman:towhomheaddressedthenotirrelevantinquiry，\'Whothedevilareyou?\'
\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，\'repliedtheghost，inahoarsedouble-barrelledwhisper，\'butmighteitheronyoubeLawyerLightwood?\'
\'Whatdoyoumeanbynotknockingatthedoor?\'demandedMortimer。
\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，\'repliedtheghost，asbefore，\'butprobableyouwasnotawareyourdoorstoodopen。\'
\'Whatdoyouwant?\'
Hereuntotheghostagainhoarselyreplied，initsdouble-barrelledmanner，\'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，butmightoneonyoubeLawyerLightwood?\'
\'Oneofusis，\'saidtheownerofthatname。
\'Allright，GovernorsBoth，\'returnedtheghost，carefullyclosingtheroomdoor；\'\'ticklerbusiness。\'
Mortimerlightedthecandles。Theyshowedthevisitortobeanill-
lookingvisitorwithasquintingleer，who，ashespoke，fumbledatanoldsoddenfurcap，formlessandmangey，thatlookedlikeafurryanimal，dogorcat，puppyorkitten，drownedanddecaying。
\'Now，\'saidMortimer，\'whatisit?\'
\'GovernorsBoth，\'returnedtheman，inwhathemeanttobeawheedlingtone，\'whichonyoumightbeLawyerLightwood?\'
\'Iam。\'
\'LawyerLightwood，\'duckingathimwithaservileair，\'Iamamanasgetsmyliving，andasseekstogetmyliving，bythesweatofmybrow。Nottoriskbeingdoneoutofthesweatofmybrow，byanychances，Ishouldwishaforegoingfurthertobesworein。\'
\'Iamnotaswearerinofpeople，man。\'
Thevisitor，clearlyanythingbutreliantonthisassurance，doggedlymuttered\'AlfredDavid。\'
\'Isthatyourname?\'askedLightwood。
\'Myname?\'returnedtheman。\'No；IwanttotakeaAlfredDavid。\'
WhichEugene，smokingandcontemplatinghim，interpretedasmeaningAffidavit。
\'Itellyou，mygoodfellow，\'saidLightwood，withhisindolentlaugh，\'thatIhavenothingtodowithswearing。\'
\'HecanswearATyou，\'Eugeneexplained；\'andsocanI。Butwecan\'tdomoreforyou。\'
Muchdiscomfitedbythisinformation，thevisitorturnedthedrowneddogorcat，puppyorkitten，aboutandabout，andlookedfromoneoftheGovernorsBothtotheotheroftheGovernorsBoth，whilehedeeplyconsideredwithinhimself。Atlengthhedecided:
\'ThenImustbetookdown。\'
\'Where?\'askedLightwood。
\'Here，\'saidtheman。\'Inpenandink。\'
\'First，letusknowwhatyourbusinessisabout。\'
\'It\'sabout，\'saidtheman，takingastepforward，droppinghishoarsevoice，andshadingitwithhishand，\'it\'saboutfromfivetotenthousandpoundreward。That\'swhatit\'sabout。It\'saboutMurder。That\'swhatit\'sabout。\'
\'Comenearerthetable。Sitdown。Willyouhaveaglassofwine?\'
\'Yes，Iwill，\'saidtheman；\'andIdon\'tdeceiveyou，Governors。\'
Itwasgivenhim。Makingastiffarmtotheelbow，hepouredthewineintohismouth，tilteditintohisrightcheek，assaying，\'Whatdoyouthinkofit?\'tilteditintohisleftcheek，assaying，\'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?\'jerkeditintohisstomach，assaying，\'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?\'Toconclude，smackedhislips，asifallthreereplied，\'Wethinkwellofit。\'
\'Willyouhaveanother?\'
\'Yes，Iwill，\'herepeated，\'andIdon\'tdeceiveyou，Governors。\'Andalsorepeatedtheotherproceedings。
\'Now，\'beganLightwood，\'what\'syourname?\'
\'Why，thereyou\'reratherfast，LawyerLightwood，\'hereplied，inaremonstrantmanner。\'Don\'tyousee，LawyerLightwood?Thereyou\'realittlebitfast。I\'mgoingtoearnfromfivetotenthousandpoundbythesweatofmybrow；andasapoormandoingjusticetothesweatofmybrow，isitlikelyIcanaffordtopartwithsomuchasmynamewithoutitsbeingtookdown?\'
Deferringtotheman\'ssenseofthebindingpowersofpenandinkandpaper，LightwoodnoddedacceptanceofEugene\'snoddedproposaltotakethosespellsinhand。Eugene，bringingthemtothetable，satdownasclerkornotary。
\'Now，\'saidLightwood，\'what\'syourname?\'
Butfurtherprecautionwasstillduetothesweatofthishonestfellow\'sbrow。
\'Ishouldwish，LawyerLightwood，\'hestipulated，\'tohavethatT\'otherGovernorasmywitnessthatwhatIsaidIsaid。
Consequent，willtheT\'otherGovernorbesogoodaschuckmehisnameandwherehelives?\'
Eugene，cigarinmouthandpeninhand，tossedhimhiscard。
Afterspellingitoutslowly，themanmadeitintoalittleroll，andtieditupinanendofhisneckerchiefstillmoreslowly。
\'Now，\'saidLightwood，forthethirdtime，\'ifyouhavequitecompletedyourvariouspreparations，myfriend，andhavefullyascertainedthatyourspiritsarecoolandnotinanywayhurried，what\'syourname?\'
\'RogerRiderhood。\'
\'Dwelling-place?\'
\'Lime\'usHole。\'
\'Callingoroccupation?\'
Notquitesoglibwiththisansweraswiththeprevioustwo，MrRiderhoodgaveinthedefinition，\'Watersidecharacter。\'
\'Anythingagainstyou?\'Eugenequietlyputin，ashewrote。
Ratherbaulked，MrRiderhoodevasivelyremarked，withaninnocentair，thathebelievedtheT\'otherGovernorhadaskedhimsumma\'t。
\'Everintrouble?\'saidEugene。
\'Once。\'Mighthappentoanyman，MrRiderhoodaddedincidentally。
\'Onsuspicionof——\'
\'Ofseaman\'spocket，\'saidMrRiderhood。\'WherebyIwasinrealitytheman\'sbestfriend，andtriedtotakecareofhim。\'
\'Withthesweatofyourbrow?\'askedEugene。
\'Tillitpoureddownlikerain，\'saidRogerRiderhood。
Eugeneleanedbackinhischair，andsmokedwithhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer，andhispenreadytoreducehimtomorewriting。Lightwoodalsosmoked，withhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer。
\'Nowletmebetookdownagain，\'saidRiderhood，whenhehadturnedthedrownedcapoverandunder，andhadbrusheditthewrongwayifithadarightwaywithhissleeve。\'IgiveinformationthatthemanthatdonetheHarmonMurderisGafferHexam，themanthatfoundthebody。ThehandofJesseHexam，commonlycalledGafferontheriverandalongshore，isthehandthatdonethatdeed。Hishandandnoother。\'
Thetwofriendsglancedatoneanotherwithmoreseriousfacesthantheyhadshownyet。
\'Tellusonwhatgroundsyoumakethisaccusation，\'saidMortimerLightwood。
\'Onthegrounds，\'answeredRiderhood，wipinghisfacewithhissleeve，\'thatIwasGaffer\'spardner，andsuspectedofhimmanyalongdayandmanyadarknight。OnthegroundsthatIknowedhisways。OnthegroundsthatIbrokethepardnershipbecauseIseethedanger；whichIwarnyouhisdaughtermaytellyouanotherstoryaboutthat，foranythinkIcansay，butyouknowwhatit\'llbeworth，forshe\'dtellyoulies，theworldroundandtheheavensbroad，tosaveherfather。Onthegroundsthatit\'swellunderstoodalongthecause\'aysandthestairsthathedoneit。Onthegroundsthathe\'sfellofffrom，becausehedoneit。OnthegroundsthatI
willswearhedoneit。Onthegroundsthatyoumaytakemewhereyouwill，andgetmesworntoit。Idon\'twanttobackoutoftheconsequences。IhavemadeupMYmind。Takemeanywheres。\'
\'Allthisisnothing，\'saidLightwood。
\'Nothing?\'repeatedRiderhood，indignantlyandamazedly。
\'Merelynothing。Itgoestonomorethanthatyoususpectthismanofthecrime。Youmaydosowithsomereason，oryoumaydosowithnoreason，buthecannotbeconvictedonyoursuspicion。\'
\'Haven\'tIsaid——IappealtotheT\'otherGovernorasmywitness——
haven\'tIsaidfromthefirstminutethatIopenedmymouthinthishereworld-without-end-everlastingchair\'heevidentlyusedthatformofwordsasnextinforcetoanaffidavit，\'thatIwaswillingtoswearthathedoneit?Haven\'tIsaid，Takemeandgetmesworntoit?Don\'tIsaysonow?Youwon\'tdenyit，LawyerLightwood?\'
\'Surelynot；butyouonlyoffertosweartoyoursuspicion，andItellyouitisnotenoughtosweartoyoursuspicion。\'
\'Notenough，ain\'tit，LawyerLightwood?\'hecautiouslydemanded。
\'Positivelynot。\'
\'AnddidIsayitWASenough?Now，IappealtotheT\'otherGovernor。Now，fair！DidIsayso?\'
\'Hecertainlyhasnotsaidthathehadnomoretotell，\'Eugeneobservedinalowvoicewithoutlookingathim，\'whateverheseemedtoimply。\'-
\'Hah！\'criedtheinformer，triumphantlyperceivingthattheremarkwasgenerallyinhisfavour，thoughapparentlynotcloselyunderstandingit。\'Fort\'nateformeIhadawitness！\'
\'Goon，then，\'saidLightwood。\'Sayoutwhatyouhavetosay。Noafter-thought。\'
\'Letmebetookdownthen！\'criedtheinformer，eagerlyandanxiously。\'Letmebetookdown，forbyGeorgeandtheDragginI\'macomingtoitnow！Don\'tdonothingtokeepbackfromahonestmanthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow！Igiveinformation，then，thathetoldmethathedoneit。IsTHATenough?\'
\'Takecarewhatyousay，myfriend，\'returnedMortimer。
\'LawyerLightwood，takecare，you，whatIsay；forIjudgeyou\'llbeanswerableforfolleringitup！\'Then，slowlyandemphaticallybeatingitalloutwithhisopenrighthandonthepalmofhisleft；
\'I，RogerRiderhood，Lime\'usHole，Watersidecharacter，tellyou，LawyerLightwood，thatthemanJesseHexam，commonlycalledupontheriverandalong-shoreGaffer，toldmethathedonethedeed。What\'smore，hetoldmewithhisownlipsthathedonethedeed。What\'smore，hesaidthathedonethedeed。AndI\'llswearit！\'
\'Wheredidhetellyouso?\'
\'Outside，\'repliedRiderhood，alwaysbeatingitout，withhisheaddeterminedlysetaskew，andhiseyeswatchfullydividingtheirattentionbetweenhistwoauditors，\'outsidethedooroftheSixJollyFellowships，towardsaquarteraftertwelveo\'clockatmidnight——butIwillnotinmyconscienceundertaketosweartosofineamatterasfiveminutes——onthenightwhenhepickedupthebody。TheSixJollyFellowshipswon\'trunaway。Ifitturnsoutthathewarn\'tattheSixJollyFellowshipsthatnightatmidnight，I\'maliar。\'
\'Whatdidhesay?\'
\'I\'lltellyoutakemedown，T\'otherGovernor，Iasknobetter。Hecomeoutfirst；Icomeoutlast。Imightbeaminutearterhim；I
mightbehalfaminute，Imightbeaquarterofaminute；Icannotsweartothat，andthereforeIwon\'t。That\'sknowingtheobligationsofaAlfredDavid，ain\'tit?\'
\'Goon。\'
\'Ifoundhimawaitingtospeaktome。Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood“——forthat\'sthenameI\'mmostlycalledby——notforanymeaninginit，formeaningithasnone，butbecauseofitsbeingsimilartoRoger。\'
\'Nevermindthat。\'
\'\'ScuseME，LawyerLightwood，it\'sapartofthetruth，andassuchIdomindit，andImustminditandIwillmindit。“RogueRiderhood，“hesays，“wordspassedbetwixtusontherivertonight。”Whichtheyhad；askhisdaughter！“Ithreatenedyou，“
hesays，“tochopyouoverthefingerswithmyboat\'sstretcher，ortakeaaimatyourbrainswithmyboathook。IdidsoonaccountsofyourlookingtoohardatwhatIhadintow，asifyouwassuspicious，andonaccountsofyourholdingontothegunwaleofmyboat。”Isaystohim，“Gaffer，Iknowit。”Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood，youareamaninadozen“——Ithinkhesaidinascore，butofthatIamnotpositive，sotakethelowestfigure，forpreciousbetheobligationsofaAlfredDavid。“And，“hesays，“whenyourfellow-menisup，beittheirlivesorbeittheirwatches，sharpiseverthewordwithyou。Hadyoususpicions?“Isays，“Gaffer，Ihad；andwhat\'smore，Ihave。”Hefallsashaking，andhesays，“Ofwhat?“Isays，“Offoulplay。”Hefallsashakingworse，andhesays，“ThereWASfoulplaythen。Idoneitforhismoney。Don\'tbetrayme！“Thosewerethewordsaseverheused。\'
Therewasasilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate。Anopportunitywhichtheinformerimprovedbysmearinghimselfallovertheheadandneckandfacewithhisdrownedcap，andnotatallimprovinghisownappearance。
\'Whatmore?\'askedLightwood。
\'Ofhim，d\'yemean，LawyerLightwood?\'
\'Ofanythingtothepurpose。\'
\'Now，I\'mblestifIunderstandyou，GovernorsBoth，\'saidtheinformer，inacreepingmanner:propitiatingboth，thoughonlyonehadspoken。\'What?Ain\'tTHATenough?\'
\'Didyouaskhimhowhedidit，wherehedidit，whenhedidit?\'
\'Farbeitfromme，LawyerLightwood！Iwassotroubledinmymind，thatIwouldn\'thaveknowedmore，no，notforthesumasI
expecttoearnfromyoubythesweatofmybrow，twicetold！Ihadputanendtothepardnership。Ihadcuttheconnexion。Icouldn\'tundowhatwasdone；andwhenhebegsandprays，“Oldpardner，onmyknees，don\'tsplituponme！“Ionlymakesanswer“NeverspeakanotherwordtoRogerRiderhood，norlookhimintheface！“
andIshunsthatman。\'
Havinggiventhesewordsaswingtomakethemmountthehigherandgothefurther，RogueRiderhoodpouredhimselfoutanotherglassofwineunbidden，andseemedtochewit，as，withthehalf-
emptiedglassinhishand，hestaredatthecandles。
MortimerglancedatEugene，butEugenesatgloweringathispaper，andwouldgivehimnoresponsiveglance。Mortimeragainturnedtotheinformer，towhomhesaid:
\'Youhavebeentroubledinyourmindalongtime，man?\'
Givinghiswineafinalchew，andswallowingit，theinformeransweredinasingleword:
\'Hages！\'
\'Whenallthatstirwasmade，whentheGovernmentrewardwasoffered，whenthepolicewereonthealert，whenthewholecountryrangwiththecrime！\'saidMottimer，impatiently。
\'Hah！\'MrRiderhoodveryslowlyandhoarselychimedin，withseveralretrospectivenodsofhishead。\'Warn\'tItroubledinmymindthen！\'
\'Whenconjectureranwild，whenthemostextravagantsuspicionswereafloat，whenhalfadozeninnocentpeoplemighthavebeenlaidbytheheelsanyhourintheday！\'saidMortimer，almostwarming。
\'Hah！\'MrRiderhoodchimedin，asbefore。\'Warn\'tItroubledinmymindthroughitall！\'
\'Buthehadn\'t，\'saidEugene，drawingalady\'sheaduponhiswriting-paper，andtouchingitatintervals，\'theopportunitythenofearningsomuchmoney，yousee。\'
\'TheT\'otherGovernorhitsthenail，LawyerLightwood！Itwasthatasturnedme。Ihadmanytimesandagainstruggledtorelievemyselfofthetroubleonmymind，butIcouldn\'tgetitoff。IhadonceverynighgotitofftoMissAbbeyPottersonwhichkeepstheSixJollyFellowships——thereisthe\'ouse，itwon\'trunaway，——therelivesthelady，sheain\'tlikelytobestruckdeadaforeyougetthere——
askher！——butIcouldn\'tdoit。Atlast，outcomesthenewbillwithyourownlawfulname，LawyerLightwood，printedtoit，andthenI
asksthequestionofmyownintellects，AmItohavethistroubleonmymindforever?AmInevertothrowitoff?AmIalwaystothinkmoreofGafferthanofmyownself?Ifhe\'sgotadaughter，ain\'tIgotadaughter?\'
\'Andechoanswered——?\'Eugenesuggested。
\'“Youhave，“\'saidMrRiderhood，inafirmtone。
\'Incidentallymentioning，atthesametime，herage?\'inquiredEugene。
\'Yes，governor。Two-and-twentylastOctober。AndthenIputittomyself，“Regardingthemoney。Itisapotofmoney。”ForitISapot，\'saidMrRiderhood，withcandour，\'andwhydenyit?\'
\'Hear！\'fromEugeneashetouchedhisdrawing。
\'“Itisapotofmoney；butisitasinforalabouringmanthatmoistenseverycrustofbreadheearns，withhistears——orifnotwiththem，withthecoldshecatchesinhishead——isitasinforthatmantoearnit?Saythereisanythingagainearningit。”ThisIputtomyselfstrong，asindutybound；“howcanitbesaidwithoutblamingLawyerLightwoodforofferingittobeearned?“AndwasitforMEtoblameLawyerLightwood?No。\'
\'No，\'saidEugene。
\'Certainlynot，Governor，\'MrRiderhoodacquiesced。\'SoImadeupmymindtogetmytroubleoffmymind，andtoearnbythesweatofmybrowwhatwasheldouttome。Andwhat\'smore，headded，suddenlyturningbloodthirsty，\'Imeantohaveit！AndnowItellyou，onceandaway，LawyerLightwood，thatJesseHexam，commonlycalledGaffer，hishandandnoother，donethedeed，onhisownconfessiontome。AndIgivehimuptoyou，andIwanthimtook。Thisnight！\'
Afteranothersilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate，whichattractedtheinformer\'sattentionasifitwerethechinkingofmoney，MortimerLightwoodleanedoverhisfriend，andsaidinawhisper:
\'IsupposeImustgowiththisfellowtoourimperturbablefriendatthepolice-station。\'
\'Isuppose，\'saidEugene，\'thereisnohelpforit。\'
\'Doyoubelievehim?\'
\'Ibelievehimtobeathoroughrascal。Buthemaytellthetruth，forhisownpurpose，andforthisoccasiononly。\'
\'Itdoesn\'tlooklikeit。\'
\'HEdoesn\'t，\'saidEugene。\'Butneitherishislatepartner，whomhedenounces，aprepossessingperson。Thefirmarecut-throatShepherdsboth，inappearance。Ishouldliketoaskhimonething。\'
Thesubjectofthisconferencesatleeringattheashes，tryingwithallhismighttooverhearwhatwassaid，butfeigningabstractionasthe\'GovernorsBoth\'glancedathim。
\'Youmentionedtwice，IthinkadaughterofthisHexam\'s，\'saidEugene，aloud。\'Youdon\'tmeantoimplythatshehadanyguiltyknowledgeofthecrime?\'
Thehonestman，afterconsidering——perhapsconsideringhowhisanswermightaffectthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow——replied，unreservedly，\'No，Idon\'t。\'
\'Andyouimplicatenootherperson?\'
\'Itain\'twhatIimplicate，it\'swhatGafferimplicated，\'wasthedoggedanddeterminedanswer。\'Idon\'tpretendtoknowmorethanthathiswordstomewas，“Idoneit。”Thosewashiswords。\'