Eugenelookedathim，butsaidnothing。
\'Allthispastsummer，youhavebeenwithholdingsomethingfromme。Beforeweenteredonourboatingvacation，youwereasbentuponitasIhaveseenyouuponanythingsincewefirstrowedtogether。Butyoucaredverylittleforitwhenitcame，oftenfounditatieandadraguponyou，andwereconstantlyaway。
Nowitwaswellenoughhalf-a-dozentimes，adozentimes，twentytimes，tosaytomeinyourownoddmanner，whichIknowsowellandlikesomuch，thatyourdisappearanceswereprecautionsagainstourboringoneanother；butofcourseafterashortwhileI
begantoknowthattheycoveredsomething。Idon\'taskwhatitis，asyouhavenottoldme；butthefactisso。Say，isitnot?\'
\'Igiveyoumywordofhonour，Mortimer，\'returnedEugene，afteraseriouspauseofafewmoments，\'thatIdon\'tknow。\'
\'Don\'tknow，Eugene?\'
\'Uponmysoul，don\'tknow。Iknowlessaboutmyselfthanaboutmostpeopleintheworld，andIdon\'tknow。\'
\'Youhavesomedesigninyourmind?\'
\'HaveI?Idon\'tthinkIhave。\'
\'Atanyrate，youhavesomesubjectofinteresttherewhichusednottobethere?\'
\'Ireallycan\'tsay，\'repliedEugene，shakinghisheadblankly，afterpausingagaintoreconsider。\'AttimesIhavethoughtyes；atothertimesIhavethoughtno。Now，Ihavebeeninclinedtopursuesuchasubject；nowIhavefeltthatitwasabsurd，andthatittiredandembarrassedme。Absolutely，Ican\'tsay。Franklyandfaithfully，IwouldifIcould。\'
Soreplying，heclappedahand，inhisturn，onhisfriend\'sshoulder，asherosefromhisseatuponthebed，andsaid:
\'Youmusttakeyourfriendasheis。YouknowwhatIam，mydearMortimer。YouknowhowdreadfullysusceptibleIamtoboredom。YouknowthatwhenIbecameenoughofamantofindmyselfanembodiedconundrum，IboredmyselftothelastdegreebytryingtofindoutwhatImeant。YouknowthatatlengthIgaveitup，anddeclinedtoguessanymore。ThenhowcanIpossiblygiveyoutheanswerthatIhavenotdiscovered?Theoldnurseryformruns，“Riddle-me-riddle-me-ree，p\'rapsyoucan\'ttellmewhatthismaybe?“Myreplyruns，“No。Uponmylife，Ican\'t。”\'
SomuchofwhatwasfantasticallytruetohisownknowledgeofthisutterlycarelessEugene，mingledwiththeanswer，thatMortimercouldnotreceiveitasamereevasion。Besides，itwasgivenwithanengagingairofopenness，andofspecialexemptionoftheonefriendhevalued，fromhisrecklessindifference。
\'Come，dearboy！\'saidEugene。\'Letustrytheeffectofsmoking。
Ifitenlightensmeatallonthisquestion，Iwillimpartunreservedly。\'
Theyreturnedtotheroomtheyhadcomefrom，and，findingitheated，openedawindow。Havinglightedtheircigars，theyleanedoutofthiswindow，smoking，andlookingdownatthemoonlight，asitshoneintothecourtbelow。
\'Noenlightenment，\'resumedEugene，aftercertainminutesofsilence。\'Ifeelsincerelyapologetic，mydearMortimer，butnothingcomes。\'
\'Ifnothingcomes，\'returnedMortimer，\'nothingcancomefromit。
SoIshallhopethatthismayholdgoodthroughout，andthattheremaybenothingonfoot。Nothinginjurioustoyou，Eugene，or——\'
Eugenestayedhimforamomentwithhishandonhisarm，whilehetookapieceofearthfromanoldflowerpotonthewindow-sillanddexterouslyshotitatalittlepointoflightopposite；havingdonewhichtohissatisfaction，hesaid，\'Or?\'
\'Orinjurioustoanyoneelse。\'
\'How，\'saidEugene，takinganotherlittlepieceofearth，andshootingitwithgreatprecisionattheformermark，\'howinjurioustoanyoneelse?\'
\'Idon\'tknow。\'
\'And，\'saidEugene，taking，ashesaidtheword，anothershot，\'towhomelse?\'
\'Idon\'tknow。\'
Checkinghimselfwithanotherpieceofearthinhishand，Eugenelookedathisfriendinquiringlyandalittlesuspiciously。Therewasnoconcealedorhalf-expressedmeaninginhisface。
\'Twobelatedwanderersinthemazesofthelaw，\'saidEugene，attractedbythesoundoffootsteps，andglancingdownashespoke，\'strayintothecourt。Theyexaminethedoor-postsofnumberone，seekingthenametheywant。Notfindingitatnumberone，theycometonumbertwo。Onthehatofwanderernumbertwo，theshorterone，Idropthispellet。Hittinghimonthehat，Ismokeserenely，andbecomeabsorbedincontemplationofthesky。\'
Boththewandererslookeduptowardsthewindow；but，afterinterchangingamutterortwo，soonappliedthemselvestothedoor-postsbelow。Theretheyseemedtodiscoverwhattheywanted，fortheydisappearedfromviewbyenteringatthedoorway。\'Whentheyemerge，\'saidEugene，\'youshallseemebringthembothdown\'；andsopreparedtwopelletsforthepurpose。
Hehadnotreckonedontheirseekinghisname，orLightwood\'s。
Buteithertheoneortheotherwouldseemtobeinquestion，fornowtherecameaknockatthedoor。\'Iamondutyto-night，\'saidMortimer，\'stayyouwhereyouare，Eugene。\'Requiringnopersuasion，hestayedthere，smokingquietly，andnotatallcurioustoknowwhoknocked，untilMortimerspoketohimfromwithintheroom，andtouchedhim。Then，drawinginhishead，hefoundthevisitorstobeyoungCharleyHexamandtheschoolmaster；
bothstandingfacinghim，andbothrecognizedataglance。
\'Yourecollectthisyoungfellow，Eugene?\'saidMortimer。
\'Letmelookathim，\'returnedWrayburn，coolly。\'Oh，yes，yes。I
recollecthim！\'
Hehadnotbeenabouttorepeatthatformeractionoftakinghimbythechin，buttheboyhadsuspectedhimofit，andhadthrownuphisarmwithanangrystart。Laughingly，WrayburnlookedtoLightwoodforanexplanationofthisoddvisit。
\'Hesayshehassomethingtosay。\'
\'Surelyitmustbetoyou，Mortimer。\'
\'SoIthought，buthesaysno。Hesaysitistoyou。\'
\'Yes，Idosayso，\'interposedtheboy。\'AndImeantosaywhatI
wanttosay，too，MrEugeneWrayburn！\'
Passinghimwithhiseyesasiftherewerenothingwherehestood，EugenelookedontoBradleyHeadstone。Withconsummateindolence，heturnedtoMortimer，inquiring:\'Andwhomaythisotherpersonbe?\'
\'IamCharlesHexam\'sfriend，\'saidBradley；\'IamCharlesHexam\'sschoolmaster。\'
\'Mygoodsir，youshouldteachyourpupilsbettermanners，\'
returnedEugene。
Composedlysmoking，heleanedanelbowonthechimneypiece，atthesideofthefire，andlookedattheschoolmaster。Itwasacruellook，initscolddisdainofhim，asacreatureofnoworth。Theschoolmasterlookedathim，andthat，too，wasacruellook，thoughofthedifferentkind，thatithadaragingjealousyandfierywrathinit。
Veryremarkably，neitherEugeneWrayburnnorBradleyHeadstonelookedatallattheboy。Throughtheensuingdialogue，thosetwo，nomatterwhospoke，orwhomwasaddressed，lookedateachother。Therewassomesecret，sureperceptionbetweenthem，whichsetthemagainstoneanotherinallways。
\'Insomehighrespects，MrEugeneWrayburn，\'saidBradley，answeringhimwithpaleandquiveringlips，\'thenaturalfeelingsofmypupilsarestrongerthanmyteaching。\'
\'Inmostrespects，Idaresay，\'repliedEugene，enjoyinghiscigar，\'thoughwhetherhighorlowisofnoimportance。Youhavemynameverycorrectly。Praywhatisyours?\'
\'Itcannotconcernyoumuchtoknow，but——\'
\'True，\'interposedEugene，strikingsharplyandcuttinghimshortathismistake，\'itdoesnotconcernmeatalltoknow。IcansaySchoolmaster，whichisamostrespectabletitle。Youareright，Schoolmaster。\'
ItwasnotthedullestpartofthisgoadinitsgallingofBradleyHeadstone，thathehadmadeithimselfinamomentofincautiousanger。Hetriedtosethislipssoastopreventtheirquivering，buttheyquiveredfast。
\'MrEugeneWrayburn，\'saidtheboy，\'Iwantawordwithyou。I
havewanteditsomuch，thatwehavelookedoutyouraddressinthebook，andwehavebeentoyouroffice，andwehavecomefromyourofficehere。\'
\'Youhavegivenyourselfmuchtrouble，Schoolmaster，\'observedEugene，blowingthefeatheryashfromhiscigar。\'Ihopeitmayproveremunerative。\'
\'AndIamgladtospeak，\'pursuedtheboy，\'inpresenceofMrLightwood，becauseitwasthroughMrLightwoodthatyoueversawmysister。\'
Forameremoment，WrayburnturnedhiseyesasidefromtheschoolmastertonotetheeffectofthelastwordonMortimer，who，standingontheoppositesideofthefire，assoonasthewordwasspoken，turnedhisfacetowardsthefireandlookeddownintoit。
\'Similarly，itwasthroughMrLightwoodthatyoueversawheragain，foryouwerewithhimonthenightwhenmyfatherwasfound，andsoIfoundyouwithheronthenextday。Sincethen，youhaveseenmysisteroften。Youhaveseenmysisteroftenerandoftener。AndIwanttoknowwhy?\'
\'Wasthisworthwhile，Schoolmaster?\'murmuredEugene，withtheairofadisinterestedadviser。\'Somuchtroublefornothing?Youshouldknowbest，butIthinknot。\'
\'Idon\'tknow，MrWrayburn，\'answeredBradley，withhispassionrising，\'whyyouaddressme——\'
\'Don\'tyou?saidEugene。\'ThenIwon\'t。\'
Hesaiditsotauntinglyinhisperfectplacidity，thattherespectableright-handclutchingtherespectablehair-guardoftherespectablewatchcouldhavewounditroundhisthroatandstrangledhimwithit。NotanotherworddidEugenedeemitworthwhiletoutter，butstoodleaninghisheaduponhishand，smoking，andlookingimperturbablyatthechafingBradleyHeadstonewithhisclutchingright-hand，untilBradleywaswellnighmad。
\'MrWrayburn，\'proceededtheboy，\'wenotonlyknowthisthatI
havechargeduponyou，butweknowmore。Ithasnotyetcometomysister\'sknowledgethatwehavefounditout，butwehave。
Wehadaplan，MrHeadstoneandI，formysister\'seducation，andforitsbeingadvisedandoverlookedbyMrHeadstone，whoisamuchmorecompetentauthority，whateveryoumaypretendtothink，asyousmoke，thanyoucouldproduce，ifyoutried。Then，whatdowefind?Whatdowefind，MrLightwood?Why，wefindthatmysisterisalreadybeingtaught，withoutourknowingit。
Wefindthatwhilemysistergivesanunwillingandcoldeartoourschemesforheradvantage——I，herbrother，andMrHeadstone，themostcompetentauthority，ashiscertificateswouldeasilyprove，thatcouldbeproduced——sheiswilfullyandwillinglyprofitingbyotherschemes。Ay，andtakingpains，too，forIknowwhatsuchpainsare。AndsodoesMrHeadstone！Well！Somebodypaysforthis，isathoughtthatnaturallyoccurstous；whopays?Weapplyourselvestofindout，MrLightwood，andwefindthatyourfriend，thisMrEugeneWrayburn，here，pays。ThenIaskhimwhatrighthashetodoit，andwhatdoeshemeanbyit，andhowcomeshetobetakingsuchalibertywithoutmyconsent，whenIamraisingmyselfinthescaleofsocietybymyownexertionsandMrHeadstone\'said，andhavenorighttohaveanydarknesscastuponmyprospects，oranyimputationuponmyrespectability，throughmysister?\'
Theboyishweaknessofthisspeech，combinedwithitsgreatselfishness，madeitapooroneindeed。AndyetBradleyHeadstone，usedtothelittleaudienceofaschool，andunusedtothelargerwaysofmen，showedakindofexultationinit。
\'NowItellMrEugeneWrayburn，\'pursuedtheboy，forcedintotheuseofthethirdpersonbythehopelessnessofaddressinghiminthefirst，\'thatIobjecttohishavinganyacquaintanceatallwithmysister，andthatIrequesthimtodropitaltogether。HeisnottotakeitintohisheadthatIamafraidofmysister\'scaringforHIM——\'
Astheboysneered，theMastersneered，andEugeneblewoffthefeatheryashagain。——
\'ButIobjecttoit，andthat\'senough。Iammoreimportanttotomysisterthanhethinks。AsIraisemyself，Iintendtoraiseher；
sheknowsthat，andshehastolooktomeforherprospects。NowIunderstandallthisverywell，andsodoesMrHeadstone。Mysisterisanexcellentgirl，butshehassomeromanticnotions；notaboutsuchthingsasyourMrEugeneWrayburns，butaboutthedeathofmyfatherandothermattersofthatsort。MrWrayburnencouragesthosenotionstomakehimselfofimportance，andsoshethinkssheoughttobegratefultohim，andperhapsevenlikestobe。NowIdon\'tchoosehertobegratefultohim，ortobegratefultoanybodybutme，exceptMrHeadstone。AndItellMrWrayburnthatifhedon\'ttakeheedofwhatIsay，itwillbeworseforher。Lethimturnthatoverinhismemory，andmakesureofit。
Worseforher！\'
Apauseensued，inwhichtheschoolmasterlookedveryawkward。
\'MayIsuggest，Schoolmaster，\'saidEugene，removinghisfast-
waningcigarfromhislipstoglanceatit，\'thatyoucannowtakeyourpupilaway。\'
\'AndMrLightwood，\'addedtheboy，withaburningface，undertheflamingaggravationofgettingnosortofanswerorattention，\'I
hopeyou\'lltakenoticeofwhatIhavesaidtoyourfriend，andofwhatyourfriendhasheardmesay，wordbyword，whateverhepretendstothecontrary。Youareboundtotakenoticeofit，MrLightwood，for，asIhavealreadymentioned，youfirstbroughtyourfriendintomysister\'scompany，andbutforyouwenevershouldhaveseenhim。Lordknowsnoneofuseverwantedhim，anymorethananyofuswillevermisshim。NowMrHeadstone，asMrEugeneWrayburnhasbeenobligedtohearwhatIhadtosay，andcouldn\'thelphimself，andasIhavesaiditouttothelastword，wehavedoneallwewantedtodo，andmaygo。\'
\'Godown-stairs，andleavemeamoment，Hexam，\'hereturned。
Theboycomplyingwithanindignantlookandasmuchnoiseashecouldmake，swungoutoftheroom；andLightwoodwenttothewindow，andleanedthere，lookingout。
\'Youthinkmeofnomorevaluethanthedirtunderyourfeet，\'saidBradleytoEugene，speakinginacarefullyweighedandmeasuredtone，orhecouldnothavespokenatall。
\'Iassureyou，Schoolmaster，\'repliedEugene，\'Idon\'tthinkaboutyou。\'
\'That\'snottrue，\'returnedtheother；\'youknowbetter。\'
\'That\'scoarse，\'Eugeneretorted；\'butyouDON\'Tknowbetter。\'
\'MrWrayburn，atleastIknowverywellthatitwouldbeidletosetmyselfagainstyouininsolentwordsoroverbearingmanners。
Thatladwhohasjustgoneoutcouldputyoutoshameinhalf-a-
dozenbranchesofknowledgeinhalfanhour，butyoucanthrowhimasidelikeaninferior。Youcandoasmuchbyme，Ihavenodoubt，beforehand。\'
\'Possibly，\'remarkedEugene。
\'ButIammorethanalad，\'saidBradley，withhisclutchinghand，\'andIWILLbeheard，sir。\'
\'Asaschoolmaster，\'saidEugene，\'youarealwaysbeingheard。
Thatoughttocontentyou。\'
\'Butitdoesnotcontentme，\'repliedtheother，whitewithpassion。
\'Doyousupposethataman，informinghimselfforthedutiesI
discharge，andinwatchingandrepressinghimselfdailytodischargethemwell，dismissesaman\'snature?\'
\'Isupposeyou，\'saidEugene，\'judgingfromwhatIseeasIlookatyou，toberathertoopassionateforagoodschoolmaster。\'Ashespoke，hetossedawaytheendofhiscigar。
\'Passionatewithyou，sir，IadmitIam。Passionatewithyou，sir，I
respectmyselfforbeing。ButIhavenotDevilsformypupils。\'
\'ForyourTeachers，Ishouldrathersay，\'repliedEugene。
\'MrWrayburn。\'
\'Schoolmaster。\'
\'Sir，mynameisBradleyHeadstone。\'
\'Asyoujustlysaid，mygoodsir，yournamecannotconcernme。
Now，whatmore?\'
\'Thismore。Oh，whatamisfortuneismine，\'criedBradley，breakingofftowipethestartingperspirationfromhisfaceasheshookfromheadtofoot，\'thatIcannotsocontrolmyselfastoappearastrongercreaturethanthis，whenamanwhohasnotfeltinallhislifewhatIhavefeltinadaycansocommandhimself！\'
Hesaiditinaveryagony，andevenfolloweditwithanerrantmotionofhishandsasifhecouldhavetornhimself。
EugeneWrayburnlookedonathim，asifhefoundhimbeginningtoberatheranentertainingstudy。
\'MrWrayburn，Idesiretosaysomethingtoyouonmyownpart。\'
\'Come，come，Schoolmaster，\'returnedEugene，withalanguidapproachtoimpatienceastheotheragainstruggledwithhimself；
\'saywhatyouhavetosay。Andletmeremindyouthatthedoorisstandingopen，andyouryoungfriendwaitingforyouonthestairs。\'
\'WhenIaccompaniedthatyouthhere，sir，Ididsowiththepurposeofadding，asamanwhomyoushouldnotbepermittedtoputaside，incaseyouputhimasideasaboy，thathisinstinctiscorrectandright。\'ThusBradleyHeadstone，withgreateffortanddifficulty。
\'Isthatall?\'askedEugene。
\'No，sir，\'saidtheother，flushedandfierce。\'Istronglysupporthiminhisdisapprovalofyourvisitstohissister，andinhisobjectiontoyourofficiousness——andworse——inwhatyouhavetakenuponyourselftodoforher。\'
\'IsTHATall?\'askedEugene。
\'No，sir。Ideterminedtotellyouthatyouarenotjustifiedintheseproceedings，andthattheyareinjurioustohissister。\'
\'Areyouherschoolmasteraswellasherbrother\'s?——Orperhapsyouwouldliketobe?\'saidEugene。
Itwasastabthatthebloodfollowed，initsrushtoBradleyHeadstone\'sface，asswiftlyasifithadbeendealtwithadagger。
\'Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\'wasasmuchashecouldutter。
\'Anaturalambitionenough，\'saidEugene，coolly。Farbeitfrommetosayotherwise。Thesisterwhoissomethingtoomuchuponyourlips，perhaps——issoverydifferentfromalltheassociationstowhichshehadbeenused，andfromallthelowobscurepeopleabouther，thatitisaverynaturalambition。\'
\'Doyouthrowmyobscurityinmyteeth，MrWrayburn?\'
\'Thatcanhardlybe，forIknownothingconcerningit，Schoolmaster，andseektoknownothing。\'
\'Youreproachmewithmyorigin，\'saidBradleyHeadstone；\'youcastinsinuationsatmybringing-up。ButItellyou，sir，Ihaveworkedmywayonward，outofbothandinspiteofboth，andhavearighttobeconsideredabettermanthanyou，withbetterreasonsforbeingproud。\'
\'HowIcanreproachyouwithwhatisnotwithinmyknowledge，orhowIcancaststonesthatwereneverinmyhand，isaproblemfortheingenuityofaschoolmastertoprove，\'returnedEugene。\'IsTHATall?\'
\'No，sir。Ifyousupposethatboy——\'
\'Whoreallywillbetiredofwaiting，\'saidEugene，politely。
\'Ifyousupposethatboytobefriendless，MrWrayburn，youdeceiveyourself。Iamhisfriend，andyoushallfindmeso。\'
\'AndyouwillfindHIMonthestairs，\'remarkedEugene。
\'Youmayhavepromisedyourself，sir，thatyoucoulddowhatyouchosehere，becauseyouhadtodealwithamereboy，inexperienced，friendless，andunassisted。ButIgiveyouwarningthatthismeancalculationiswrong。Youhavetodowithamanalso。Youhavetodowithme。Iwillsupporthim，and，ifneedbe，requirereparationforhim。Myhandandheartareinthiscause，andareopentohim。\'
\'And——quiteacoincidence——thedoorisopen，\'remarkedEugene。
\'Iscornyourshiftyevasions，andIscornyou，\'saidtheschoolmaster。\'Inthemeannessofyournatureyourevilemewiththemeannessofmybirth。Iholdyouincontemptforit。Butifyoudon\'tprofitbythisvisit，andactaccordingly，youwillfindmeasbitterlyinearnestagainstyouasIcouldbeifIdeemedyouworthasecondthoughtonmyownaccount。\'
Withaconsciouslybadgraceandstiffmanner，asWrayburnlookedsoeasilyandcalmlyon，hewentoutwiththesewords，andtheheavydoorclosedlikeafurnace-dooruponhisredandwhiteheatsofrage。
\'Acuriousmonomaniac，\'saidEugene。\'Themanseemstobelievethateverybodywasacquaintedwithhismother！\'
MortimerLightwoodbeingstillatthewindow，towhichhehadindelicacywithdrawn，Eugenecalledtohim，andhefelltoslowlypacingtheroom。
\'Mydearfellow，\'saidEugene，ashelightedanothercigar，\'Ifearmyunexpectedvisitorshavebeentroublesome。Ifasaset-offexcusethelegalphrasefromabarrister-at-lawyouwouldliketoaskTippinstotea，Ipledgemyselftomakelovetoher。\'
\'Eugene，Eugene，Eugene，\'repliedMortimer，stillpacingtheroom，\'Iamsorryforthis。AndtothinkthatIhavebeensoblind！\'
\'Howblind，dearboy?\'inquiredhisunmovedfriend。
\'Whatwereyourwordsthatnightattheriver-sidepublic-house?\'
saidLightwood，stopping。\'Whatwasitthatyouaskedme?DidI
feellikeadarkcombinationoftraitorandpickpocketwhenI
thoughtofthatgirl?\'
\'Iseemtoremembertheexpression，\'saidEugene。
\'HowdoYOUfeelwhenyouthinkofherjustnow?\'
Hisfriendmadenodirectreply，butobserved，afterafewwhiffsofhiscigar，\'Don\'tmistakethesituation。ThereisnobettergirlinallthisLondonthanLizzieHexam。Thereisnobetteramongmypeopleathome；nobetteramongyourpeople。\'
\'Granted。Whatfollows?\'
\'There，\'saidEugene，lookingafterhimdubiouslyashepacedawaytotheotherendoftheroom，\'youputmeagainuponguessingtheriddlethatIhavegivenup。\'
\'Eugene，doyoudesigntocaptureanddesertthisgirl?\'
\'Mydearfellow，no。\'
\'Doyoudesigntomarryher?\'
\'Mydearfellow，no。\'
\'Doyoudesigntopursueher?\'
\'Mydearfellow，Idon\'tdesignanything。Ihavenodesignwhatever。Iamincapableofdesigns。IfIconceivedadesign，I
shouldspeedilyabandonit，exhaustedbytheoperation。\'
\'OhEugene，Eugene！\'
\'MydearMortimer，notthattoneofmelancholyreproach，I
entreat。WhatcanIdomorethantellyouallIknow，andacknowledgemyignoranceofallIdon\'tknow！Howdoesthatlittleoldsonggo，which，underpretenceofbeingcheerful，isbyfarthemostlugubriousIeverheardinmylife?
“Awaywithmelancholy，NordolefulchangesringOnlifeandhumanfolly，ButmerrilymerrilysingFalla！“
Don\'tletussingFalla，mydearMortimerwhichiscomparativelyunmeaning，butletussingthatwegiveupguessingtheriddlealtogether。\'
\'Areyouincommunicationwiththisgirl，Eugene，andiswhatthesepeoplesaytrue?\'
\'Iconcedebothadmissionstomyhonourableandlearnedfriend。\'
\'Thenwhatistocomeofit?Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?\'
\'MydearMortimer，onewouldthinktheschoolmasterhadleftbehindhimacatechizinginfection。Youareruffledbythewantofanothercigar。Takeoneofthese，Ientreat。Lightitatmine，whichisinperfectorder。So！NowdomethejusticetoobservethatIamdoingallIcantowardsself-improvement，andthatyouhavealightthrownonthosehouseholdimplementswhich，whenyouonlysawthemasinaglassdarkly，youwerehastily——Imustsayhastily——inclinedtodepreciate。Sensibleofmydeficiencies，I
havesurroundedmyselfwithmoralinfluencesexpresslymeanttopromotetheformationofthedomesticvirtues。Tothoseinfluences，andtotheimprovingsocietyofmyfriendfromboyhood，commendmewithyourbestwishes。\'
\'Ah，Eugene！\'saidLightwood，affectionately，nowstandingnearhim，sothattheybothstoodinonelittlecloudofsmoke；\'Iwouldthatyouansweredmythreequestions！Whatistocomeofit?
Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?\'
\'AndmydearMortimer，\'returnedEugene，lightlyfanningawaythesmokewithhishandforthebetterexpositionofhisfranknessoffaceandmanner，\'believeme，IwouldanswertheminstantlyifIcould。Buttoenablemetodoso，Imustfirsthavefoundoutthetroublesomeconundrumlongabandoned。Hereitis。EugeneWrayburn。\'Tappinghisforeheadandbreast。\'Riddle-me，riddle-
me-ree，perhapsyoucan\'ttellmewhatthismaybe?——No，uponmylifeIcan\'t。Igiveitup！\'
Chapter7
INWHICHAFRIENDLYMOVEISORIGINATED
ThearrangementbetweenMrBoffinandhisliteraryman，MrSilasWegg，sofaralteredwiththealteredhabitsofMrBoffin\'slife，asthattheRomanEmpireusuallydeclinedinthemorningandintheeminentlyaristocraticfamilymansion，ratherthanintheevening，asofyore，andinBoffin\'sBower。Therewereoccasions，however，whenMrBoffin，seekingabriefrefugefromtheblandishmentsoffashion，wouldpresenthimselfattheBowerafterdark，toanticipatethenextsallyingforthofWegg，andwouldthere，ontheoldsettle，pursuethedownwardfortunesofthoseenervatedandcorruptedmastersoftheworldwhowerebythistimeontheirlastlegs。IfWegghadbeenworsepaidforhisoffice，orbetterqualifiedtodischargeit，hewouldhaveconsideredthesevisitscomplimentaryandagreeable；but，holdingthepositionofahandsomely-remuneratedhumbug，heresentedthem。Thiswasquiteaccordingtorule，fortheincompetentservant，bywhomsoeveremployed，isalwaysagainsthisemployer。Eventhoseborngovernors，nobleandrighthonourablecreatures，whohavebeenthemostimbecileinhighplaces，haveuniformlyshownthemselvesthemostopposedsometimesinbelyingdistrust，sometimesinvapidinsolencetoTHEIR
employer。Whatisinsuchwisetrueofthepublicmasterandservant，isequallytrueoftheprivatemasterandservantalltheworldover。
WhenMrSilasWeggdidatlastobtainfreeaccessto\'OurHouse\'，ashehadbeenwonttocallthemansionoutsidewhichhehadsatshelterlesssolong，andwhenhedidatlastfinditinallparticularsasdifferentfromhismentalplansofitasaccordingtothenatureofthingsitwellcouldbe，thatfar-seeingandfar-reachingcharacter，bywayofassertinghimselfandmakingoutacaseforcompensation，affectedtofallintoamelancholystrainofmusingoverthemournfulpast；asifthehouseandhehadhadafallinlifetogether。
\'Andthis，sir，\'Silaswouldsaytohispatron，sadlynoddinghisheadandmusing，\'wasonceOurHouse！This，sir，isthebuildingfromwhichIhavesooftenseenthosegreatcreatures，MissElizabeth，MasterGeorge，AuntJane，andUncleParker\'——whoseverynameswereofhisowninventing——\'passandrepass！Andhasitcometothis，indeed！Ahdearme，dearme！\'
Sotenderwerehislamentations，thatthekindlyMrBoffinwasquitesorryforhim，andalmostfeltmistrustfulthatinbuyingthehousehehaddonehimanirreparableinjury。
Twoorthreediplomaticinterviews，theresultofgreatsubtletyonMrWegg\'spart，butassumingthemaskofcarelessyieldingtoafortuitouscombinationofcircumstancesimpellinghimtowardsClerkenwell，hadenabledhimtocompletehisbargainwithMrVenus。
\'BringmeroundtotheBower，\'saidSilas，whenthebargainwasclosed，\'nextSaturdayevening，andifasociableglassofoldJamaikeywarmshouldmeetyourviews，Iamnotthemantobegrudgeit。\'
\'Youareawareofmybeingpoorcompany，sir，\'repliedMrVenus，\'butbeitso。\'
Itbeingso，hereisSaturdayeveningcome，andhereisMrVenuscome，andringingattheBower-gate。
MrWeggopensthegate，descriesasortofbrownpapertruncheonunderMrVenus\'sarm，andremarks，inadrytone:\'Oh！Ithoughtperhapsyoumighthavecomeinacab。\'
\'No，MrWegg，\'repliesVenus。\'Iamnotaboveaparcel。\'
\'Aboveaparcel！No！\'saysWegg，withsomedissatisfaction。Butdoesnotopenlygrowl，\'acertainsortofparcelmightbeaboveyou。\'
\'Hereisyourpurchase，MrWegg，\'saysVenus，politelyhandingitover，\'andIamgladtorestoreittothesourcefromwhenceit——
flowed。\'
\'Thankee，\'saysWegg。\'Nowthisaffairisconcluded，ImaymentiontoyouinafriendlywaythatI\'vemydoubtswhether，ifI
hadconsultedalawyer，youcouldhavekeptthisarticlebackfromme。Ionlythrowitoutasalegalpoint。\'
\'Doyouthinkso，MrWegg?Iboughtyouinopencontract。\'
\'Youcan\'tbuyhumanfleshandbloodinthiscountry，sir；notalive，youcan\'t，\'saysWegg，shakinghishead。\'Thenquery，bone?\'
\'Asalegalpoint?\'asksVenus。
\'Asalegalpoint。\'
\'Iamnotcompetenttospeakuponthat，MrWegg，\'saysVenus，reddeningandgrowingsomethinglouder；\'butuponapointoffactIthinkmyselfcompetenttospeak；andasapointoffactIwouldhaveseenyou——willyouallowmetosay，further?\'
\'Iwouldn\'tsaymorethanfurther，ifIwasyou，\'MrWeggsuggests，pacifically——
\'BeforeI\'dhavegiventhatpacketintoyourhandwithoutbeingpaidmypriceforit。Idon\'tpretendtoknowhowthepointoflawmaystand，butI\'mthoroughlyconfidentuponthepointoffact。\'
AsMrVenusisirritablenodoubtowingtohisdisappointmentinlove，andasitisnotthecueofMrWeggtohavehimoutoftemper，thelattergentlemansoothinglyremarks，\'Ionlyputitasalittlecase；Ionlyputitha\'porthetically。\'
\'ThenI\'drather，MrWegg，youputitanothertime，penn\'orth-
etically，\'isMrVenus\'sretort，\'forItellyoucandidlyIdon\'tlikeyourlittlecases。\'
ArrivedbythistimeinMrWegg\'ssitting-room，madebrightonthechillyeveningbygaslightandfire，MrVenussoftensandcomplimentshimonhisabode；profitingbytheoccasiontoremindWeggthatheVenustoldhimhehadgotintoagoodthing。
\'Tolerable，\'Weggrejoins。\'Butbearinmind，MrVenus，thatthere\'snogoldwithoutitsalloy。Mixforyourselfandtakeaseatinthechimbley-corner。Willyouperformuponapipe，sir?\'
\'Iambutanindifferentperformer，sir，\'returnstheother；\'butI\'llaccompanyyouwithawhiffortwoatintervals。\'
So，MrVenusmixes，andWeggmixes；andMrVenuslightsandpuffs，andWegglightsandpuffs。
\'Andthere\'salloyeveninthismetalofyours，MrWegg，youwasremarking?\'
\'Mystery，\'returnsWegg。\'Idon\'tlikeit，MrVenus。Idon\'tliketohavethelifeknockedoutofformerinhabitantsofthishouse，inthegloomydark，andnotknowwhodidit。\'
\'Mightyouhaveanysuspicions，MrWegg?\'
\'No，\'returnsthatgentleman。\'Iknowwhoprofitsbyit。ButI\'venosuspicions。\'
Havingsaidwhich，MrWeggsmokesandlooksatthefirewithamostdeterminedexpressionofCharity；asifhehadcaughtthatcardinalvirtuebytheskirtsasshefeltitherpainfuldutytodepartfromhim，andheldherbymainforce。
\'Similarly，\'resumesWegg，\'IhaveobservationsasIcanofferuponcertainpointsandparties；butImakenoobjections，MrVenus。
Hereisanimmensefortunedropsfromthecloudsuponapersonthatshallbenameless。Hereisaweeklyallowance，withacertainweightofcoals，dropsfromthecloudsuponme。Whichofusisthebetterman?Notthepersonthatshallbenameless。That\'sanobservationofmine，butIdon\'tmakeitanobjection。Itakemyallowanceandmycertainweightofcoals。Hetakeshisfortune。
That\'sthewayitworks。\'
\'Itwouldbeagoodthingforme，ifIcouldseethingsinthecalmlightyoudo，MrWegg。\'
\'Againlookhere，\'pursuesSilas，withanoratoricalflourishofhispipeandhiswoodenleg:thelatterhavinganundignifiedtendencytotilthimbackinhischair；\'here\'sanotherobservation，MrVenus，unaccompaniedwithanobjection。Himthatshallbenamelessisliabletobetalkedover。Hegetstalkedover。Himthatshallbenameless，havingmeathisrighthand，naturallylookingtobepromotedhigher，andyoumayperhapssaymeritingtobepromotedhigher——\'
MrVenusmurmursthathedoessayso。
\'——Himthatshallbenameless，undersuchcircumstancespassesmeby，andputsatalking-overstrangerabovemyhead。Whichofustwoisthebetterman?Whichofustwocanrepeatmostpoetry?
Whichofustwohas，intheserviceofhimthatshallbenameless，tackledtheRomans，bothcivilandmilitary，tillhehasgotashuskyasifhe\'dbeenweanedandeversincebroughtuponsawdust?Notthetalking-overstranger。Yetthehouseisasfreetohimasifitwashis，andhehashisroom，andisputuponafooting，anddrawsaboutathousandayear。IambanishedtotheBower，tobefoundinitlikeapieceoffurniturewheneverwanted。Merit，therefore，don\'twin。That\'sthewayitworks。I
observeit，becauseIcan\'thelpobservingit，beingaccustomedtotakeapowerfulsightofnotice；butIdon\'tobject。Everherebefore，MrVenus?\'
\'Notinsidethegate，MrWegg。\'
\'You\'vebeenasfarasthegatethen，MrVenus?\'
\'Yes，MrWegg，andpeepedinfromcuriosity。\'
\'Didyouseeanything?\'
\'Nothingbutthedust-yard。\'
MrWeggrollshiseyesallroundtheroom，inthateverunsatisfiedquestofhis，andthenrollshiseyesallroundMrVenus；asifsuspiciousofhishavingsomethingabouthimtobefoundout。
\'Andyet，sir，\'hepursues，\'beingacquaintedwitholdMrHarmon，onewouldhavethoughtitmighthavebeenpoliteinyou，too，togivehimacall。Andyou\'renaturallyofapolitedisposition，youare。\'ThislastclauseasasofteningcomplimenttoMrVenus。
\'Itistrue，sir，\'repliesVenus，winkinghisweakeyes，andrunninghisfingersthroughhisdustyshockofhair，\'thatIwasso，beforeacertainobservationsouredme。YouunderstandtowhatIallude，MrWegg?Toacertainwrittenstatementrespectingnotwishingtoberegardedinacertainlight。Sincethat，allisfled，savegall。\'
\'Notall，\'saysMrWegg，inatoneofsentimentalcondolence。
\'Yes，sir，\'returnsVenus，\'all！Theworldmaydeemitharsh，butI\'dquiteassoonpitchintomybestfriendasnot。Indeed，I\'dsooner！\'
InvoluntarilymakingapasswithhiswoodenlegtoguardhimselfasMrVenusspringsupintheemphasisofthisunsociabledeclaration，MrWeggtiltsoveronhisback，chairandall，andisrescuedbythatharmlessmisanthrope，inadisjointedstateandruefullyrubbinghishead。
\'Why，youlostyourbalance，MrWegg，\'saysVenus，handinghimhispipe。
\'Andabouttimetodoit，\'grumblesSilas，\'whenaman\'svisitors，withoutawordofnotice，conductthemselveswiththesuddenwiciousnessofJacks-in-boxes！Don\'tcomeflyingoutofyourchairlikethat，MrVenus！\'
\'Iaskyourpardon，MrWegg。Iamsosoured。\'
\'Yes，buthangit，\'saysWeggargumentatively，\'awell-governedmindcanbesouredsitting！Andastobeingregardedinlights，there\'sbumpeylightsaswellasbony。INwhich，\'againrubbinghishead，\'Iobjecttoregardmyself。\'
\'I\'llbearitinmemory，sir。\'
\'Ifyou\'llbesogood。\'MrWeggslowlysubdueshisironicaltoneandhislingeringirritation，andresumeshispipe。\'WeweretalkingofoldMrHarmonbeingafriendofyours。\'
\'Notafriend，MrWegg。Onlyknowntospeakto，andtohavealittledealwithnowandthen。Averyinquisitivecharacter，MrWegg，regardingwhatwasfoundinthedust。Asinquisitiveassecret。\'
\'Ah！Youfoundhimsecret?\'returnsWegg，withagreedyrelish。
\'Hehadalwaysthelookofit，andthemannerofit。\'
\'Ah！\'withanotherrollofhiseyes。\'Astowhatwasfoundinthedustnow。Didyoueverhearhimmentionhowhefoundit，mydearfriend?Livingonthemysteriouspremises，onewouldliketoknow。Forinstance，wherehefoundthings?Or，forinstance，howhesetaboutit?Whetherhebeganatthetopotthemounds，orwhetherhebeganatthebottom。Whetherheprodded\'；MrWegg\'spantomimeisskilfulandexpressivehere；\'orwhetherhescooped?Shouldyousayscooped，mydearMrVenus；orshouldyouasaman——sayprodded?\'
\'Ishouldsayneither，MrWegg。\'
\'Asafellow-man，MrVenus——mixagain——whyneither?\'
\'BecauseIsuppose，sir，thatwhatwasfound，wasfoundinthesortingandsifting。Allthemoundsaresortedandsifted?\'
\'Youshallsee\'emandpassyouropinion。Mixagain。\'
Oneachoccasionofhissaying\'mixagain\'，MrWegg，withahoponhiswoodenleg，hitcheshischairalittlenearer；moreasifhewereproposingthathimselfandMrVenusshouldmixagain，thanthattheyshouldreplenishtheirglasses。
\'LivingasIsaidbeforeonthemysteriouspremises，\'saysWeggwhentheotherhasactedonhishospitableentreaty，\'onelikestoknow。Wouldyoubeinclinedtosaynow——asabrother——thatheeverhidthingsinthedust，aswellasfound\'em?\'
\'MrWegg，onthewholeIshouldsayhemight。\'
MrWeggclapsonhisspectacles，andadmiringlysurveysMrVenusfromheadtofoot。
\'Asamortalequallywithmyself，whosehandItakeinmineforthefirsttimethisday，havingunaccountablyoverlookedthatactsofullofboundlessconfidencebindingafellow-creeturTOafellowcreetur，\'saysWegg，holdingMrVenus\'spalmout，flatandreadyforsmiting，andnowsmitingit；\'assuch——andnoother——forI
scornalllowliertiesbetwixtmyselfandthemanwalkingwithhisfaceerectthataloneIcallmyTwin——regardedandregardinginthistrustfulbond——whatdoyouthinkhemighthavehid?\'
\'Itisbutasupposition，MrWegg。\'
\'AsaBeingwithhishanduponhisheart，\'criesWegg；andtheapostropheisnotthelessimpressivefortheBeing\'shandbeingactuallyuponhisrumandwater；\'putyoursuppositionintolanguage，andbringitout，MrVenus！\'
\'Hewasthespeciesofoldgentleman，sir，\'slowlyreturnsthatpracticalanatomist，afterdrinking，\'thatIshouldjudgelikelytotakesuchopportunitiesasthisplaceoffered，ofstowingawaymoney，valuables，maybepapers。\'
\'Asonethatwaseveranornamenttohumanlife，\'saysMrWegg，againholdingoutMrVenus\'spalmasifheweregoingtotellhisfortunebychiromancy，andholdinghisownupreadyforsmitingitwhenthetimeshouldcome；\'asonethatthepoetmighthavehadhiseyeon，inwritingthenationalnavalwords:
Helma-weather，nowlayherclose，Yardarmandyardarmshelies；
Again，criedI，MrVenus，givehert\'otherdose，Manshroudsandgrapple，sir，orsheflies！——
thatistosay，regardedinthelightoftrueBritishOak，forsuchyouareexplain，MrVenus，theexpression“papers“！\'
\'Seeingthattheoldgentlemanwasgenerallycuttingoffsomenearrelation，orblockingoutsomenaturalaffection，\'MrVenusrejoins，\'hemostlikelymadeagoodmanywillsandcodicils。\'
ThepalmofSilasWeggdescendswithasoundingsmackuponthepalmofVenus，andWegglavishlyexclaims，\'Twininopinionequallywithfeeling！Mixalittlemore！\'
HavingnowhitchedhiswoodenlegandhischaircloseinfrontofMrVenus，MrWeggrapidlymixesforboth，giveshisvisitorhisglass，touchesitsrimwiththerimofhisown，putshisowntohislips，putsitdown，andspreadinghishandsonhisvisitor\'skneesthusaddresseshim:
\'MrVenus。Itain\'tthatIobjecttobeingpassedoverforastranger，thoughIregardthestrangerasamorethandoubtfulcustomer。Itain\'tforthesakeofmakingmoney，thoughmoneyiseverwelcome。Itain\'tformyself，thoughIamnotsohaughtyastobeabovedoingmyselfagoodturn。It\'sforthecauseoftheright。\'
MrVenus，passivelywinkinghisweakeyesbothatonce，demands:\'Whatis，MrWegg?\'
\'Thefriendlymove，sir，thatInowpropose。Youseethemove，sir?\'
\'Tillyouhavepointeditout，MrWegg，Ican\'tsaywhetherIdoornot。\'
\'IfthereISanythingtobefoundonthesepremises，letusfindittogether。Letusmakethefriendlymoveofagreeingtolookforittogether。Letusmakethefriendlymoveofagreeingtosharetheprofitsofitequallybetwixtus。Inthecauseoftheright。\'ThusSilasassuminganobleair。
\'Then，\'saysMrVenus，lookingup，aftermeditatingwithhishairheldinhishands，asifhecouldonlyfixhisattentionbyfixinghishead；\'ifanythingwastobeunburiedfromunderthedust，itwouldbekeptasecretbyyouandme?Wouldthatbeit，MrWegg?\'
\'Thatwoulddependuponwhatitwas，MrVenus。Sayitwasmoney，orplate，orjewellery，itwouldbeasmuchoursasanybodyelse\'s。\'
MrVenusrubsaneyebrow，interrogatively。
\'Inthecauseoftherightitwould。Becauseitwouldbeunknowinglysoldwiththemoundselse，andthebuyerwouldgetwhathewasnevermeanttohave，andneverbought。Andwhatwouldthatbe，MrVenus，butthecauseofthewrong?\'
\'Sayitwaspapers，\'MrVenuspropounds。
\'Accordingtowhattheycontainedweshouldoffertodisposeof\'emtothepartiesmostinterested，\'repliesWegg，promptly。
\'Inthecauseoftheright，MrWegg?\'
\'Alwaysso，MrVenus。Ifthepartiesshouldusetheminthecauseofthewrong，thatwouldbetheiractanddeed。MrVenus。Ihaveanopinionofyou，sir，towhichitisnoteasytogivemouth。SinceIcalleduponyouthateveningwhenyouwere，asImaysay，floatingyourpowerfulmindintea，Ihavefeltthatyourequiredtoberousedwithanobject。Inthisfriendlymove，sir，youwillhaveagloriousobjecttorouseyou。\'
MrWeggthengoesontoenlargeuponwhatthroughouthasbeenuppermostinhiscraftymind:——thequalificationsofMrVenusforsuchasearch。HeexpatiatesonMrVenus\'spatienthabitsanddelicatemanipulation；onhisskillinpiecinglittlethingstogether；
onhisknowledgeofvarioustissuesandtextures；onthelikelihoodofsmallindicationsleadinghimontothediscoveryofgreatconcealments。\'Whileastomyself，\'saysWegg，\'Iamnotgoodatit。WhetherIgavemyselfuptoprodding，orwhetherIgavemyselfuptoscooping，Icouldn\'tdoitwiththatdelicatetouchsoasnottoshowthatIwasdisturbingthemounds。QuitedifferentwithYOU，goingtoworkasYOUwouldinthelightofafellow-
man，holilypledgedinafriendlymovetohisbrotherman。\'MrWeggnextmodestlyremarksonthewantofadaptationinawoodenlegtoladdersandsuchlikeairyperches，andalsohintsataninherenttendencyinthattimberfiction，whencalledintoactionforthepurposesofapromenadeonanasheyslope，tostickitselfintotheyieldingfoothold，andpegitsownertoonespot。
Then，leavingthispartofthesubject，heremarksonthespecialphenomenonthatbeforehisinstallationintheBower，itwasfromMrVenusthathefirstheardofthelegendofhiddenwealthintheMounds:\'which\'，heobserveswithavaguelypiousair，\'wassurelynevermeantfornothing。\'Lastly，hereturnstothecauseoftheright，gloomilyforeshadowingthepossibilityofsomethingbeingunearthedtocriminateMrBoffinofwhomheoncemorecandidlyadmitsitcannotbedeniedthatheprofitsbyamurder，andanticipatinghisdenunciationbythefriendlymoverstoavengingjustice。Andthis，MrWeggexpresslypointsout，notatallforthesakeofthereward——thoughitwouldbeawantofprinciplenottotakeit。
Toallthis，MrVenus，withhisshockofdustyhaircockedafterthemannerofaterrier\'sears，attendsprofoundly。WhenMrWegg，havingfinished，openshisarmswide，asiftoshowMrVenushowbarehisbreastis，andthenfoldsthempendingareply，MrVenuswinksathimwithbotheyessomelittletimebeforespeaking。
\'Iseeyouhavetrieditbyyourself，MrWegg，\'hesayswhenhedoesspeak。\'Youhavefoundoutthedifficultiesbyexperience。\'
\'No，itcanhardlybesaidthatIhavetriedit，\'repliesWegg，alittledashedbythehint。\'Ihavejustskimmedit。Skimmedit。\'
\'Andfoundnothingbesidesthedifficulties?\'
Weggshakeshishead。
\'Iscarcelyknowwhattosaytothis，MrWegg，\'observesVenus，afterruminatingforawhile。
\'Sayyes，\'Weggnaturallyurges。
\'IfIwasn\'tsoured，myanswerwouldbeno。Butbeingsoured，MrWegg，anddriventorecklessmadnessanddesperation，Isupposeit\'sYes。\'
Weggjoyfullyreproducesthetwoglasses，repeatstheceremonyofclinkingtheirrims，andinwardlydrinkswithgreatheartinesstothehealthandsuccessinlifeoftheyoungladywhohasreducedMrVenustohispresentconvenientstateofmind。
Thearticlesofthefriendlymovearethenseverallyrecitedandagreedupon。Theyarebutsecrecy，fidelity，andperseverance。
TheBowertobealwaysfreeofaccesstoMrVenusforhisresearches，andeveryprecautiontobetakenagainsttheirattractingobservationintheneighbourhood。
\'There\'safootstep！\'exclaimsVenus。
\'Where?\'criesWegg，starting。
\'Outside。St！\'
Theyareintheactofratifyingthetreatyoffriendlymove，byshakinghandsuponit。Theysoftlybreakoff，lighttheirpipeswhichhavegoneout，andleanbackintheirchairs。Nodoubt，afootstep。Itapproachesthewindow，andahandtapsattheglass。
\'Comein！\'callsWegg；meaningcomeroundbythedoor。Buttheheavyold-fashionedsashisslowlyraised，andaheadslowlylooksinoutofthedarkbackgroundofnight。
\'PrayisMrSilasWegghere?Oh！Iseehim！\'
Thefriendlymoversmightnothavebeenquiteattheirease，eventhoughthevisitorhadenteredintheusualmanner。But，leaningonthebreast-highwindow，andstaringinoutofthedarkness，theyfindthevisitorextremelyembarrassing。ExpeciallyMrVenus:
whoremoveshispipe，drawsbackhishead，andstaresatthestarer，asifitwerehisownHindoobabycometofetchhimhome。
\'Goodevening，MrWegg。Theyardgate-lockshouldbelookedto，ifyouplease；itdon\'tcatch。\'
\'IsitMrRokesmith?\'faltersWegg。
\'ItisMrRokesmith。Don\'tletmedisturbyou。Iamnotcomingin。
Ihaveonlyamessageforyou，whichIundertooktodeliveronmywayhometomylodgings。Iwasintwomindsaboutcomingbeyondthegatewithoutringing:notknowingbutyoumighthaveadogabout。\'
\'IwishIhad，\'muttersWegg，withhisbackturnedasherosefromhischair。St！Hush！Thetalking-overstranger，MrVenus。\'
\'IsthatanyoneIknow?\'inquiresthestaringSecretary。
\'No，MrRokesmith。Friendofmine。Passingtheeveningwithme。\'
\'Oh！Ibeghispardon。MrBoffinwishesyoutoknowthathedoesnotexpectyoutostayathomeanyevening，onthechanceofhiscoming。Ithasoccurredtohimthathemay，withoutintendingit，havebeenatieuponyou。Infuture，ifheshouldcomewithoutnotice，hewilltakehischanceoffindingyou，anditwillbeallthesametohimifhedoesnot。Iundertooktotellyouonmyway。
That\'sall。\'
Withthat，and\'Goodnight，\'theSecretarylowersthewindow，anddisappears。Theylisten，andhearhisfootstepsgobacktothegate，andhearthegatecloseafterhim。
\'Andforthatindividual，MrVenus，\'remarksWegg，whenheisfullygone，\'Ihavebeenpassedover！Letmeaskyouwhatyouthinkofhim?\'
Apparently，MrVenusdoesnotknowwhattothinkofhim，forhemakessundryeffortstoreply，withoutdeliveringhimselfofanyotherarticulateutterancethanthathehas\'asingularlook\'。
\'Adoublelook，youmean，sir，\'rejoinsWegg，playingbitterlyupontheword。\'That\'sHISlook。Anyamountofsingularlookforme，butnotadoublelook！That\'sanunder-handedmind，sir。\'
\'Doyousaythere\'ssomethingagainsthim?\'Venusasks。
\'Somethingagainsthim?\'repeatsWegg。\'Something?Whatwouldthereliefbetomyfeelings——asafellow-man——ifIwasn\'ttheslaveoftruth，anddidn\'tfeelmyselfcompelledtoanswer，Everything！\'
Seeintowhatwonderfulmaudlinrefuges，featherlessostrichesplungetheirheads！ItissuchunspeakablemoralcompensationtoWegg，tobeovercomebytheconsiderationthatMrRokesmithhasanunderhandedmind！
\'Onthisstarlightnight，MrVenus，\'heremarks，whenheisshowingthatfriendlymoveroutacrosstheyard，andbotharesomethingtheworseformixingagainandagain:\'onthisstarlightnighttothinkthattalking-overstrangers，andunderhandedminds，cangowalkinghomeunderthesky，asiftheywasallsquare！\'
\'Thespectacleofthoseorbs，\'saysMrVenus，gazingupwardwithhishattumblingoff；\'bringsheavyonmehercrushingwordsthatshedidnotwishtoregardherselfnoryettoberegardedinthat——\'
\'Iknow！Iknow！Youneedn\'trepeat\'em，\'saysWegg，pressinghishand。\'Butthinkhowthosestarssteadymeinthecauseoftherightagainstsomethatshallbenameless。Itisn\'tthatIbearmalice。Butseehowtheyglistenwitholdremembrances！Oldremembrancesofwhat，sir?\'
MrVenusbeginsdrearilyreplying，\'Ofherwords，inherownhandwriting，thatshedoesnotwishtoregardherself，noryet——\'
whenSilascutshimshortwithdignity。
\'No，sir！RemembrancesofOurHouse，ofMasterGeorge，ofAuntJane，ofUncleParker，alllaidwaste！Allofferedupsacrificestotheminionoffortuneandthewormofthehour！\'
Chapter8
INWHICHANINNOCENTELOPEMENTOCCURS
Theminionoffortuneandthewormofthehour，orinlesscuttinglanguage，NicodemusBoffin，Esquire，theGoldenDustman，hadbecomeasmuchathomeinhiseminentlyaristocraticfamilymansionashewaslikelyevertobe。Hecouldnotbutfeelthat，likeaneminentlyaristocraticfamilycheese，itwasmuchtoolargeforhiswants，andbredaninfiniteamountofparasites；buthewascontenttoregardthisdrawbackonhispropertyasasortofperpetualLegacyDuty。Hefeltthemoreresignedtoit，forasmuchasMrsBoffinenjoyedherselfcompletely，andMissBellawasdelighted。
Thatyoungladywas，nodoubt，andacquisitiontotheBoffins。
Shewasfartooprettytobeunattractiveanywhere，andfartooquickofperceptiontobebelowthetoneofhernewcareer。
Whetheritimprovedherheartmightbeamatteroftastethatwasopentoquestion；butastouchinganothermatteroftaste，itsimprovementofherappearanceandmanner，therecouldbenoquestionwhatever。
AndthusitsooncameaboutthatMissBellabegantosetMrsBoffinright；andevenfurther，thatMissBellabegantofeelillatease，andasitwereresponsible，whenshesawMrsBoffingoingwrong。NotthatsosweetadispositionandsosoundanaturecouldevergoverywrongevenamongthegreatvisitingauthoritieswhoagreedthattheBoffinswere\'charminglyvulgar\'whichforcertainwasnottheirowncaseinsayingso，butthatwhenshemadeasliponthesocialiceonwhichallthechildrenofPodsnappery，withgenteelsoulstobesaved，arerequiredtoskateincircles，ortoslideinlongrows，sheinevitablytrippedMissBellaupsothatyoungladyfelt，andcausedhertoexperiencegreatconfusionundertheglancesofthemoreskilfulperformersengagedinthoseice-exercises。
AtMissBella\'stimeoflifeitwasnottobeexpectedthatsheshouldexamineherselfverycloselyonthecongruityorstabilityofherpositioninMrBoffin\'shouse。Andasshehadneverbeensparingofcomplaintsofheroldhomewhenshehadnoothertocompareitwith，sotherewasnonoveltyofingratitudeordisdaininherverymuchpreferringhernewone。
\'AninvaluablemanisRokesmith，\'saidMrBoffin，aftersometwoorthreemonths。\'ButIcan\'tquitemakehimout。\'
NeithercouldBella，soshefoundthesubjectratherinteresting。
\'Hetakesmorecareofmyaffairs，morning，noon，andnight，\'saidMrBoffin，\'thanfiftyothermenputtogethereithercouldorwould；andyethehaswaysofhisownthatareliketyingascaffolding-polerightacrosstheroad，andbringingmeupshortwhenIamalmosta-walkingarminarmwithhim。\'
\'MayIaskhowso，sir?\'inquiredBella。
\'Well，mydear，\'saidMrBoffin，\'hewon\'tmeetanycompanyhere，butyou。Whenwehavevisitors，Ishouldwishhimtohavehisregularplaceatthetablelikeourselves；butno，hewon\'ttakeit。\'
\'Ifheconsidershimselfaboveit，\'saidMissBella，withanairytossofherhead，\'Ishouldleavehimalone。\'
\'Itain\'tthat，mydear，\'repliedMrBoffin，thinkingitover。\'Hedon\'tconsiderhimselfaboveit。\'
\'Perhapsheconsidershimselfbeneathit，\'suggestedBella。\'Ifso，heoughttoknowbest。\'
\'No，mydear；noritain\'tthat，neither。No，\'repeatedMrBoffin，withashakeofhishead，afteragainthinkingitover；\'Rokesmith\'samodestman，buthedon\'tconsiderhimselfbeneathit。\'
\'Thenwhatdoesheconsider，sir?\'askedBella。
\'DashedifIknow！\'saidMrBoffin。\'ItseemedthatfirstasifitwasonlyLightwoodthatheobjectedtomeet。Andnowitseemstobeeverybody，exceptyou。\'
Oho！thoughtMissBella。\'In——deed！That\'sit，isit！\'ForMrMortimerLightwoodhaddinedtheretwoorthreetimes，andshehadmethimelsewhere，andhehadshownhersomeattention。
\'RathercoolinaSecretary——andPa\'slodger——tomakemethesubjectofhisjealousy！\'
ThatPa\'sdaughtershouldbesocontemptuousofPa\'slodgerwasodd；buttherewereodderanomaliesthanthatinthemindofthespoiltgirl:spoiltfirstbypoverty，andthenbywealth。Beitthishistory\'spart，however，toleavethemtounravelthemselves。
\'Alittletoomuch，Ithink，\'MissBellareflectedscornfully，\'tohavePa\'slodgerlayingclaimtome，andkeepingeligiblepeopleoff！A
littletoomuch，indeed，tohavetheopportunitiesopenedtomebyMrandMrsBoffin，appropriatedbyamereSecretaryandPa\'slodger！\'
YetitwasnotsoverylongagothatBellahadbeenflutteredbythediscoverythatthissameSecretaryandlodgerseemtolikeher。
Ah！buttheeminentlyaristocraticmansionandMrsBoffin\'sdressmakerhadnotcomeintoplaythen。
Inspiteofhisseeminglyretiringmannersaveryintrusiveperson，thisSecretaryandlodger，inMissBella\'sopinion。Alwaysalightinhisoffice-roomwhenwecamehomefromtheplayorOpera，andhealwaysatthecarriage-doortohandusout。AlwaysaprovokingradiancetooonMrsBoffin\'sface，andanabominablycheerfulreceptionofhim，asifitwerepossibleseriouslytoapprovewhatthemanhadinhismind！
\'Youneverchargeme，MissWilfer，\'saidtheSecretary，encounteringherbychancealoneinthegreatdrawing-room，\'withcommissionsforhome。Ishallalwaysbehappytoexecuteanycommandsyoumayhaveinthatdirection。\'
\'Praywhatmayyoumean，MrRokesmith?\'inquiredMissBella，withlanguidlydroopingeyelids。
\'Byhome?Imeanyourfather\'shouseatHolloway。\'
Shecolouredundertheretort——soskilfullythrust，thatthewordsseemedtobemerelyaplainanswer，giveninplaingoodfaith——andsaid，rathermoreemphaticallyandsharply:
\'Whatcommissionsandcommandsareyouspeakingof?\'
\'OnlylittlewordsofremembranceasIassumeyousentsomehoworother，\'repliedtheSecretarywithhisformerair。\'Itwouldbeapleasuretomeifyouwouldmakemethebearerofthem。Asyouknow，Icomeandgobetweenthetwohouseseveryday。\'
\'Youneedn\'tremindmeofthat，sir。\'
Shewastooquickinthispetulantsallyagainst\'Pa\'slodger\'；andshefeltthatshehadbeensowhenshemethisquietlook。
\'Theydon\'tsendmany——whatwasyourexpression?——wordsofremembrancetome，\'saidBella，makinghastetotakerefugeinill-
usage。
\'Theyfrequentlyaskmeaboutyou，andIgivethemsuchslightintelligenceasIcan。\'
\'Ihopeit\'strulygiven，\'exclaimedBella。
\'Ihopeyoucannotdoubtit，foritwouldbeverymuchagainstyou，ifyoucould。\'
\'No，Idonotdoubtit。Ideservethereproach，whichisveryjustindeed。Ibegyourpardon，MrRokesmith。\'
\'Ishouldbegyounottodoso，butthatitshowsyoutosuchadmirableadvantage，\'herepliedwithearnestness。\'Forgiveme；I
couldnothelpsayingthat。ToreturntowhatIhavedigressedfrom，letmeaddthatperhapstheythinkIreportthemtoyou，deliverlittlemessages，andthelike。ButIforbeartotroubleyou，asyouneveraskme。\'
\'Iamgoing，sir，\'saidBella，lookingathimasifhehadreprovedher，\'toseethemtomorrow。\'
\'Isthat，\'heasked，hesitating，\'saidtome，ortothem?\'
\'Towhichyouplease。\'
\'Toboth?ShallImakeitamessage?\'
\'Youcanifyoulike，MrRokesmith。Messageornomessage，Iamgoingtoseethemtomorrow。\'
\'ThenIwilltellthemso。\'
Helingeredamoment，asthoughtogivehertheopportunityofprolongingtheconversationifshewished。Assheremainedsilent，helefther。TwoincidentsofthelittleinterviewwerefeltbyMissBellaherself，whenaloneagain，tobeverycurious。Thefirstwas，thatheunquestionablyleftherwithapenitentairuponher，andapenitentfeelinginherheart。Thesecondwas，thatshehadnotanintentionorathoughtofgoinghome，untilshehadannouncedittohimasasettleddesign。
\'WhatcanImeanbyit，orwhatcanhemeanbyit?\'washermentalinquiry:\'Hehasnorighttoanypoweroverme，andhowdoIcometomindhimwhenIdon\'tcareforhim?\'
MrsBoffin，insistingthatBellashouldmaketomorrow\'sexpeditioninthechariot，shewenthomeingreatgrandeur。MrsWilferandMissLaviniahadspeculatedmuchontheprobabilitiesandimprobabilitiesofhercominginthisgorgeousstate，and，onbeholdingthechariotfromthewindowatwhichtheyweresecretedtolookoutforit，agreedthatitmustbedetainedatthedooraslongaspossible，forthemortificationandconfusionoftheneighbours。Thentheyrepairedtotheusualfamilyroom，toreceiveMissBellawithabecomingshowofindifference。
Thefamilyroomlookedverysmallandverymean，andthedownwardstaircasebywhichitwasattainedlookedverynarrowandverycrooked。Thelittlehouseandallitsarrangementswereapoorcontrasttotheeminentlyaristocraticdwelling。\'Icanhardlybelieve，thoughtBella，thatIeverdidendurelifeinthisplace！\'
GloomymajestyonthepartofMrsWilfer，andnativepertnessonthepartofLavvy，didnotmendthematter。Bellareallystoodinnaturalneedofalittlehelp，andshegotnone。
\'This，\'saidMrsWilfer，presentingacheektobekissed，assympatheticandresponsiveasthebackofthebowlofaspoon，\'isquiteanhonour！YouwillprobablyfindyoursisterLavvygrown，Bella。\'
\'Ma，\'MissLaviniainterposed，\'therecanbenoobjectiontoyourbeingaggravating，becauseBellarichlydeservesit；butIreallymustrequestthatyouwillnotdraginsuchridiculousnonsenseasmyhavinggrownwhenIampastthegrowingage。\'
\'Igrew，myself，\'MrsWilfersternlyproclaimed，\'afterIwasmarried。\'
\'Verywell，Ma，\'returnedLavvy，\'thenIthinkyouhadmuchbetterhaveleftitalone。\'
Theloftyglarewithwhichthemajesticwomanreceivedthisanswer，mighthaveembarrassedalesspertopponent，butithadnoeffectuponLavinia:who，leavingherparenttotheenjoymentofanyamountofglaringatshemightdeemdesirableunderthecircumstances，accostedhersister，undismayed。
\'Isupposeyouwon\'tconsideryourselfquitedisgraced，Bella，ifI
giveyouakiss?Well！Andhowdoyoudo，Bella?AndhowareyourBoffins?\'
\'Peace！\'exclaimedMrsWilfer。\'Hold！Iwillnotsufferthistoneoflevity。\'
\'Mygoodnessme！HowareyourSpoffins，then?\'saidLavvy，\'sinceMasoverymuchobjectstoyourBoffins。\'
\'Impertinentgirl！Minx！\'saidMrswilfer，withdreadseverity。
\'Idon\'tcarewhetherIamaMinx，oraSphinx，\'returnedLavinia，coolly，tossingherhead；\'it\'sexactlythesamethingtome，andI\'deverybitassoonbeoneastheother；butIknowthis——I\'llnotgrowafterI\'mmarried！\'
\'Youwillnot?YOUwillnot?\'repeatedMrsWilfer，solemnly。
\'No，Ma，Iwillnot。Nothingshallinduceme。\'
MrsWilfer，havingwavedhergloves，becameloftilypathetic。
\'Butitwastobeexpected；\'thusshespake。\'Achildofminedesertsmefortheproudandprosperous，andanotherchildofminedespisesme。Itisquitefitting。\'
\'Ma，\'Bellastruckin，\'MrandMrsBoffinareprosperous，nodoubt；butyouhavenorighttosaytheyareproud。Youmustknowverywellthattheyarenot。\'
\'Inshort，Ma，\'saidLavvy，bouncingovertotheenemywithoutawordofnotice，youmustknowverywell——orifyoudon\'t，moreshameforyou！——thatMrandMrsBoffinarejustabsoluteperfection。\'
\'Truly，\'returnedMrsWilfer，courteouslyreceivingthedeserter，itwouldseemthatwearerequiredtothinkso。Andthis，Lavinia，ismyreasonforobjectingtoatoneoflevity。MrsBoffinofwhosephysiognomyIcanneverspeakwiththecomposureIwoulddesiretopreserve，andyourmother，arenotontermsofintimacy。
ItisnotforamomenttobesupposedthatsheandherhusbanddaretopresumetospeakofthisfamilyastheWilfers。IcannotthereforecondescendtospeakofthemastheBoffins。No；forsuchatone——callitfamiliarity，levity，equality，orwhatyouwill——
wouldimplythosesocialinterchangeswhichdonotexist。DoI
rendermyselfintelligible?\'
Withouttakingtheleastnoticeofthisinquiry，albeitdeliveredinanimposingandforensicmanner，Laviniaremindedhersister，\'Afterall，youknow，Bella，youhaven\'ttoldushowyourWhatshisnamesare。\'
\'Idon\'twanttospeakofthemhere，\'repliedBella，suppressingindignation，andtappingherfootonthefloor。\'Theyaremuchtookindandtoogoodtobedrawnintothesediscussions。\'
\'Whyputitso?\'demandedMrsWilfer，withbitingsarcasm。\'Whyadoptacircuitousformofspeech?Itispoliteanditisobliging；
butwhydoit?WhynotopenlysaythattheyaremuchtookindandtoogoodforUS?Weunderstandtheallusion。Whydisguisethephrase?\'
\'Ma，\'saidBella，withonebeatofherfoot，\'youareenoughtodriveasaintmad，andsoisLavvy。\'
\'UnfortunateLavvy！\'criedMrsWilfer，inatoneofcommiseration。
\'Shealwayscomesforit。Mypoorchild！\'ButLavvy，withthesuddennessofherformerdesertion，nowbouncedovertotheotherenemy:verysharplyremarking，\'Don\'tpatronizeME，Ma，becauseIcantakecareofmyself。\'
\'Ionlywonder，\'resumedMrsWilfer，directingherobservationstoherelderdaughter，assaferonthewholethanherutterlyunmanageableyounger，\'thatyoufoundtimeandinclinationtotearyourselffromMrandMrsBoffin，andcometoseeusatall。I
onlywonderthatourclaims，contendingagainstthesuperiorclaimsofMrandMrsBoffin，hadanyweight。IfeelIoughttobethankfulforgainingsomuch，incompetitionwithMrandMrsBoffin。\'ThegoodladybitterlyemphasizedthefirstletterofthewordBoffin，asifitrepresentedherchiefobjectiontotheownersofthatname，andasifshecouldhavebornDoffin，Moffin，orPoffinmuchbetter。
\'Ma，\'saidBella，angrily，\'youforcemetosaythatIamtrulysorryIdidcomehome，andthatIneverwillcomehomeagain，exceptwhenpoordearPaishere。For，Paistoomagnanimoustofeelenvyandspitetowardsmygenerousfriends，andPaisdelicateenoughandgentleenoughtorememberthesortoflittleclaimtheythoughtIhaduponthemandtheunusuallytryingpositioninwhich，throughnoactofmyown，Ihadbeenplaced。AndI
alwaysdidlovepoordearPabetterthanalltherestofyouputtogether，andIalwaysdoandIalwaysshall！\'
HereBella，derivingnocomfortfromhercharmingbonnetandherelegantdress，burstintotears。
\'Ithink，R。W。，\'criedMrsWilfer，liftinguphereyesandapostrophisingtheair，\'thatifyouwerepresent，itwouldbeatrialtoyourfeelingstohearyourwifeandthemotherofyourfamilydepreciatedinyourname。ButFatehassparedyouthis，R。W。，whateveritmayhavethoughtpropertoinflictuponher！\'
HereMrsWilferburstintotears。
\'IhatetheBoffins！\'protestedMissLavinia。Idon\'tcarewhoobjectstotheirbeingcalledtheBoffins。IWILLcall\'emtheBoffins。TheBoffins，theBoffins，theBoffins！AndIsaytheyaremischief-makingBoffins，andIsaytheBoffinshavesetBellaagainstme，andItelltheBoffinstotheirfaces:\'whichwasnotstrictlythefact，buttheyoungladywasexcited:\'thattheyaredetestableBoffins，disreputableBoffins，odiousBoffins，beastlyBoffins。There！\'
HereMissLaviniaburstintotears。
Thefrontgarden-gateclanked，andtheSecretarywasseencomingatabriskpaceupthesteps。\'LeaveMetoopenthedoortohim，\'
saidMrsWilfer，risingwithstatelyresignationassheshookherheadanddriedhereyes；\'wehaveatpresentnostipendiarygirltodoso。Wehavenothingtoconceal。Ifheseesthesetracesofemotiononourcheeks，lethimconstruethemashemay。\'
Withthosewordsshestalkedout。Inafewmomentsshestalkedinagain，proclaiminginherheraldicmanner，\'MrRokesmithisthebearerofapacketforMissBellaWilfer。\'
MrRokesmithfollowedcloseuponhisname，andofcoursesawwhatwasamiss。Buthediscreetlyaffectedtoseenothing，andaddressedMissBella。
\'MrBoffinintendedtohaveplacedthisinthecarriageforyouthismorning。Hewishedyoutohaveit，asalittlekeepsakehehadprepared——itisonlyapurse，MissWilfer——butashewasdisappointedinhisfancy，Ivolunteeredtocomeafteryouwithit。\'
Bellatookitinherhand，andthankedhim。
\'Wehavebeenquarrellingherealittle，MrRokesmith，butnotmorethanweused；youknowouragreeablewaysamongourselves。Youfindmejustgoing。Good-bye，mamma。Good-
bye，Lavvy！\'andwithakissforeachMissBellaturnedtothedoor。TheSecretarywouldhaveattendedher，butMrsWilferadvancingandsayingwithdignity，\'Pardonme！Permitmetoassertmynaturalrighttoescortmychildtotheequipagewhichisinwaitingforher，\'hebeggedpardonandgaveplace。Itwasaverymagnificentspectacleindeed，tooseeMrsWilferthrowopenthehouse-door，andloudlydemandwithextendedgloves，\'ThemaledomesticofMrsBoffin！\'Towhompresentinghimself，shedeliveredthebriefbutmajesticcharge，\'MissWilfer。Comingout！\'
andsodeliveredherover，likeafemaleLieutenantoftheTowerrelinquishingaStatePrisoner。Theeffectofthisceremonialwasforsomequarterofanhourafterwardsperfectlyparalyzingontheneighbours，andwasmuchenhancedbytheworthyladyairingherselfforthatterminakindofsplendidlyserenetranceonthetopstep。
WhenBellawasseatedinthecarriage，sheopenedthelittlepacketinherhand。Itcontainedaprettypurse，andthepursecontainedabanknoteforfiftypounds。\'ThisshallbeajoyfulsurpriseforpoordearPa，\'saidBella，\'andI\'lltakeitmyselfintotheCity！\'
AsshewasuninformedrespectingtheexactlocalityoftheplaceofbusinessofChickseyVeneeringandStobbles，butknewittobenearMincingLane，shedirectedherselftobedriventothecornerofthatdarksomespot。Thenceshedespatched\'themaledomesticofMrsBoffin，\'insearchofthecounting-houseofChickseyVeneeringandStobbles，withamessageimportingthatifR。
Wilfercouldcomeout，therewasaladywaitingwhowouldbegladtospeakwithhim。Thedeliveryofthesemysteriouswordsfromthemouthofafootmancausedsogreatanexcitementinthecounting-house，thatayouthfulscoutwasinstantlyappointedtofollowRumty，observethelady，andcomeinwithhisreport。Norwastheagitationbyanymeansdiminished，whenthescoutrushedbackwiththeintelligencethattheladywas\'aslap-upgalinabang-upchariot。\'
Rumtyhimself，withhispenbehindhisearunderhisrustyhat，arrivedatthecarriage-doorinabreathlesscondition，andhadbeenfairlyluggedintothevehiclebyhiscravatandembracedalmostuntochoking，beforeherecognizedhisdaughter。\'Mydearchild！\'hethenpanted，incoherently。\'Goodgraciousme！Whatalovelywomanyouare！Ithoughtyouhadbeenunkindandforgottenyourmotherandsister。\'
\'Ihavejustbeentoseethem，Padear。\'
\'Oh！andhow——howdidyoufindyourmother?\'askedR。W。，dubiously。
\'Verydisagreeable，Pa，andsowasLavvy。\'
\'Theyaresometimesalittleliabletoit，\'observedthepatientcherub；\'butIhopeyoumadeallowances，Bella，mydear?\'
\'No。Iwasdisagreeabletoo，Pa；wewereallofusdisagreeabletogether。ButIwantyoutocomeanddinewithmesomewhere，Pa。\'
\'Why，mydear，Ihavealreadypartakenofa——ifonemightmentionsuchanarticleinthissuperbchariot——ofa——Saveloy，\'repliedR。
Wilfer，modestlydroppinghisvoiceontheword，asheeyedthecanary-colouredfittings。
\'Oh！That\'snothing，Pa！\'
\'Truly，itain\'tasmuchasonecouldsometimeswishittobe，mydear，\'headmitted，drawinghishandacrosshismouth。\'Still，whencircumstancesoverwhichyouhavenocontrol，interposeobstaclesbetweenyourselfandSmallGermans，youcan\'tdobetterthanbringacontentedmindtohearon\'——againdroppinghisvoiceindeferencetothechariot——\'Saveloys！\'
\'YoupoorgoodPa！Pa，do，Ibegandpray，getleavefortherestoftheday，andcomeandpassitwithme！\'
\'Well，mydear，I\'llcutbackandaskforleave。\'
\'Butbeforeyoucutback，\'saidBella，whohadalreadytakenhimbythechin，pulledhishatoff，andbeguntostickuphishairinheroldway，\'dosaythatyouaresureIamgiddyandinconsiderate，buthaveneverreallyslightedyou，Pa。\'
\'Mydear，Isayitwithallmyheart。AndmightIlikewiseobserve，\'
herfatherdelicatelyhinted，withaglanceoutatwindow，\'thatperhapsitmighthecalculatedtoattractattention，havingone\'shairpubliclydonebyalovelywomaninanelegantturn-outinFenchurchStreet?\'
Bellalaughedandputonhishatagain。Butwhenhisboyishfigurebobbedaway，itsshabbinessandcheerfulpatiencesmotethetearsoutofhereyes。\'IhatethatSecretaryforthinkingitofme，\'shesaidtoherself，\'andyetitseemshalftrue！\'
Backcameherfather，morelikeaboythanever，inhisreleasefromschool。\'Allright，mydear。Leavegivenatonce。Reallyveryhandsomelydone！\'
\'Nowwherecanwefindsomequietplace，Pa，inwhichIcanwaitforyouwhileyougoonanerrandforme，ifIsendthecarriageaway?\'
Itdemandedcogitation。\'Yousee，mydear，\'heexplained，\'youreallyhavebecomesuchaverylovelywoman，thatitoughttoheaveryquietplace。\'Atlengthhesuggested，\'NearthegardenupbytheTrinityHouseonTowerHill。\'So，theyweredriventhere，andBelladismissedthechariot；sendingapencillednotebyittoMrsBoffin，thatshewaswithherfather。