\'Whyfails?\'asksBoots。
\'Howfails?\'asksBrewer。
\'Pardonme，\'returnsLightwood，\'Imustpostponethereplyforonemoment，orweshallhaveananti-climax。Artichokefailingsignally，myclientrefersthetasktome:hispurposebeingtoadvancetheinterestsoftheobjectofhissearch。Iproceedtoputmyselfincommunicationwithher；Ievenhappentopossesssomespecialmeans，\'withaglanceatEugene，\'ofputtingmyselfincommunicationwithher；butIfailtoo，becauseshehasvanished。\'
\'Vanished！\'isthegeneralecho。
\'Disappeared，\'saysMortimer。\'Nobodyknowshow，nobodyknowswhen，nobodyknowswhere。Andsoendsthestorytowhichmyhonourableandfairenslaveroppositereferred。\'
Tippins，withabewitchinglittlescream，opinesthatweshalleveryoneofusbemurderedinourbeds。Eugeneeyesherasifsomeofuswouldbeenoughforhim。MrsVeneering，W。M。P。，remarksthatthesesocialmysteriesmakeoneafraidofleavingBaby。
Veneering，M。P。，wishestobeinformedwithsomethingofasecond-handairofseeingtheRightHonourableGentlemanattheheadoftheHomeDepartmentinhisplacewhetheritisintendedtobeconveyedthatthevanishedpersonhasbeenspiritedawayorotherwiseharmed?InsteadofLightwood\'sanswering，Eugeneanswers，andanswershastilyandvexedly:\'No，no，no；hedoesn\'tmeanthat；hemeansvoluntarilyvanished——bututterly——
completely。\'
However，thegreatsubjectofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammlemustnotbeallowedtovanishwiththeothervanishments——withthevanishingofthemurderer，thevanishingofJuliusHandford，thevanishingofLizzieHexam，——andthereforeVeneeringmustrecallthepresentsheeptothepenfromwhichtheyhavestrayed。WhosofittodiscourseofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammle，theybeingthedearestandoldestfriendshehasintheworld；orwhataudiencesofitforhimtotakeintohisconfidenceasthataudience，anounofmultitudeorsignifyingmany，whoarealltheoldestanddearestfriendshehasintheworld?SoVeneering，withouttheformalityofrising，launchesintoafamiliaroration，graduallytoningintotheParliamentarysing-song，inwhichheseesatthatboardhisdearfriendTwemlowwhoonthatdaytwelvemonthbestowedonhisdearfriendLammlethefairhandofhisdearfriendSophronia，andinwhichhealsoseesatthatboardhisdearfriendsBootsandBrewerwhoserallyingroundhimataperiodwhenhisdearfriendLadyTippinslikewiseralliedroundhim——ay，andintheforemostrank——
hecanneverforgetwhilememoryholdsherseat。ButheisfreetoconfessthathemissesfromthatboardhisdearoldfriendPodsnap，thoughheiswellrepresentedbyhisdearyoungfriendGeorgiana。Andhefurtherseesatthatboardthisheannounceswithpomp，asifexultinginthepowersofanextraordinarytelescopehisfriendMrFledgeby，ifhewillpermithimtocallhimso。Forallofthesereasons，andmanymorewhichherightwellknowswillhaveoccurredtopersonsofyourexceptionalacuteness，heisheretosubmittoyouthatthetimehasarrivedwhen，withourheartsinourglasses，withtearsinoureyes，withblessingsonourlips，andinageneralwaywithaprofusionofgammonandspinachinouremotionallarders，weshouldoneandalldrinktoourdearfriendstheLammles，wishingthemmanyyearsashappyasthelast，andmanymanyfriendsascongeniallyunitedasthemselves。Andthishewilladd；thatAnastatiaVeneeringwhoisinstantlyheardtoweepisformedonthesamemodelasheroldandchosenfriendSophroniaLammle，inrespectthatsheisdevotedtothemanwhowooedandwonher，andnoblydischargesthedutiesofawife。
Seeingnobetterwayoutofit，VeneeringherepullsuphisoratoricalPegasusextremelyshort，andplumpsdown，cleanoverhishead，with:\'Lammle，Godblessyou！\'
ThenLammle。Toomuchofhimeveryway；pervadinglytoomuchnoseofacoarsewrongshape，andhisnoseinhismindandhismanners；toomuchsmiletobereal；toomuchfrowntobefalse；toomanylargeteethtobevisibleatoncewithoutsuggestingabite。Hethanksyou，dearfriends，foryourkindlygreeting，andhopestoreceiveyou——itmaybeonthenextofthesedelightfiiloccasions——inaresidencebettersuitedtoyourclaimsontheritesofhospitality。HewillneverforgetthatatVeneering\'shefirstsawSophronia。SophroniawillneverforgetthatatVeneering\'sshefirstsawhim。\'Theyspokeofitsoonaftertheyweremarried，andagreedthattheywouldneverforgetit。Infact，toVeneeringtheyowetheirunion。Theyhopetoshowtheirsenseofthissomeday\'No，no，fromVeneering——ohyes，yes，andlethimrelyuponit，theywilliftheycan！HismarriagewithSophroniawasnotamarriageofinterestoneitherside:shehadherlittlefortune，hehadhislittlefortune:theyjoinedtheirlittlefortunes:itwasamarriageofpureinclinationandsuitability。Thankyou！
Sophroniaandhearefondofthesocietyofyoungpeople；butheisnotsurethattheirhousewouldbeagoodhouseforyoungpeopleproposingtoremainsingle，sincethecontemplationofitsdomesticblissmightinducethemtochangetheirminds。Hewillnotapplythistoanyonepresent；certainlynottotheirdarlinglittleGeorgiana。Againthankyou！Neither，by-the-by，willheapplyittohisfriendFledgeby。HethanksVeneeringforthefeelingmannerinwhichhereferredtotheircommonfriendFledgeby，forheholdsthatgentlemaninthehighestestimation。
Thankyou。InfactreturningunexpectedlytoFledgeby，thebetteryouknowhim，themoreyoufindinhimthatyoudesiretoknow。Againthankyou！InhisdearSophronia\'snameandinhisown，thankyou！
MrsLammlehassatquitestill，withhereyescastdownuponthetable-cloth。AsMrLammle\'saddressends，Twemlowoncemoreturnstoherinvoluntarily，notcuredyetofthatoftenrecurringimpressionthatsheisgoingtospeaktohim。Thistimeshereallyisgoingtospeaktohim。Veneeringistalkingwithhisothernextneighbour，andshespeaksinalowvoice。
\'MrTwemlow。\'
Heanswers，\'Ibegyourpardon?Yes?\'Stillalittledoubtful，becauseofhernotlookingathim。
\'Youhavethesoulofagentleman，andIknowImaytrustyou。
Willyougivemetheopportunityofsayingafewwordstoyouwhenyoucomeupstairs?\'
\'Assuredly。Ishallbehonoured。\'
\'Don\'tseemtodoso，ifyouplease，anddon\'tthinkitinconsistentifmymannershouldbemorecarelessthanmywords。Imaybewatched。\'
Intenselyastonished，Twemlowputshishandtohisforehead，andsinksbackinhischairmeditating。MrsLammlerises。Allrise。
Theladiesgoupstairs。Thegentlemensoonsaunterafterthem。
FledgebyhasdevotedtheintervaltotakinganobservationofBoots\'swhiskers，Brewer\'swhiskers，andLammle\'swhiskers，andconsideringwhichpatternofwhiskerhewouldprefertoproduceoutofhimselfbyfriction，iftheGenieofthecheekwouldonlyanswertohisrubbing。
Inthedrawing-room，groupsformasusual。Lightwood，Boots，andBrewer，flutterlikemothsaroundthatyellowwaxcandle——
gutteringdown，andwithsomehintofawinding-sheetinit——LadyTippins。OutsiderscultivateVeneering，MP。，andMrsVeneering，W。M。P。Lammlestandswithfoldedarms，Mephistopheleaninacorner，withGeorgianaandFledgeby。MrsLammle，onasofabyatable，invitesMrTwemlow\'sattentiontoabookofportraitsinherhand。
MrTwemlowtakeshisstationonasetteebeforeher，andMrsLammleshowshimaportrait。
\'Youhavereasontobesurprised，\'shesayssoftly，\'butIwishyouwouldn\'tlookso。\'
DisturbedTwemlow，makinganeffortnottolookso，looksmuchmoreso。
\'Ithink，MrTwemlow，youneversawthatdistantconnexionofyoursbeforeto-day?\'
\'No，never。\'
\'Nowthatyoudoseehim，youseewhatheis。Youarenotproudofhim?\'
\'Tosaythetruth，MrsLammle，no。\'
\'Ifyouknewmoreofhim，youwouldbelessinclinedtoacknowledgehim。Hereisanotherportrait。Whatdoyouthinkofit?\'
Twemlowhasjustpresenceofmindenoughtosayaloud:\'Verylike！Uncommonlylike！\'
\'Youhavenoticed，perhaps，whomhefavourswithhisattentions?
Younoticewhereheisnow，andhowengaged?\'
\'Yes。ButMrLammle——\'
Shedartsalookathimwhichhecannotcomprehend，andshowshimanotherportrait。
\'Verygood；isitnot?\'
\'Charming！\'saysTwemlow。
\'Solikeastobealmostacaricature?——MrTwemlow，itisimpossibletotellyouwhatthestruggleinmymindhasbeen，beforeIcouldbringmyselftospeaktoyouasIdonow。ItisonlyintheconvictionthatImaytrustyounevertobetrayme，thatI
canproceed。Sincerelypromisemethatyouneverwillbetraymyconfidence——thatyouwillrespectit，eventhoughyoumaynolongerrespectme，——andIshallbeassatisfiedasifyouhadswornit。\'
\'Madam，onthehonourofapoorgentleman——\'
\'Thankyou。Icandesirenomore。MrTwemlow，Iimploreyoutosavethatchild！\'
\'Thatchild?\'
\'Georgiana。Shewillbesacrificed。Shewillbeinveigledandmarriedtothatconnexionofyours。Itisapartnershipaffair，amoney-speculation。Shehasnostrengthofwillorcharactertohelpherselfandsheisonthebrinkofbeingsoldintowretchednessforlife。\'
\'Amazing！ButwhatcanIdotopreventit?\'demandsTwemlow，shockedandbewilderedtothelastdegree。
\'Hereisanotherportrait。Andnotgood，isit?\'
Aghastatthelightmannerofherthrowingherheadbacktolookatitcritically，Twemlowstilldimlyperceivestheexpediencyofthrowinghisownheadback，anddoesso。ThoughhenomoreseestheportraitthanifitwereinChina。
\'Decidedlynotgood，\'saysMrsLammle。\'Stiffandexaggerated！\'
\'Andex——\'ButTwemlow，inhisdemolishedstate，cannotcommandtheword，andtrailsoffinto\'——actlyso。\'
\'MrTwemlow，yourwordwillhaveweightwithherpompous，self-blindedfather。Youknowhowmuchhemakesofyourfamily。Losenotime。Warnhim。\'
\'Butwarnhimagainstwhom?\'
\'Againstme。\'
BygreatgoodfortuneTwemlowreceivesastimulantatthiscriticalinstant。ThestimulantisLammle\'svoice。
\'Sophronia，mydear，whatportraitsareyoushowingTwemlow?\'
\'Publiccharacters，Alfred。\'
\'Showhimthelastofme。\'
\'Yes，Alfred。\'
Sheputsthebookdown，takesanotherbookup，turnstheleaves，andpresentstheportraittoTwemlow。
\'ThatisthelastofMrLammle。Doyouthinkitgood?——Warnherfatheragainstme。Ideserveit，forIhavebeenintheschemefromthefirst。Itismyhusband\'sscheme，yourconnexion\'s，andmine。
Itellyouthis，onlytoshowyouthenecessityofthepoorlittlefoolishaffectionatecreature\'sbeingbefriendedandrescued。Youwillnotrepeatthistoherfather。Youwillsparemesofar，andsparemyhusband。For，thoughthiscelebrationofto-dayisallamockery，heismyhusband，andwemustlive——Doyouthinkitlike?\'
Twemlow，inastunnedcondition，feignstocomparetheportraitinhishandwiththeoriginallookingtowardshimfromhisMephistopheleancorner。
\'Verywellindeed！\'areatlengththewordswhichTwemlowwithgreatdifficultyextractsfromhimself。
\'Iamgladyouthinkso。Onthewhole，Imyselfconsideritthebest。Theothersaresodark。Nowhere，forinstance，isanotherofMrLammle——\'
\'ButIdon\'tunderstand；Idon\'tseemyway，\'Twemlowstammers，ashefaltersoverthebookwithhisglassathiseye。\'Howwarnherfather，andnottellhim?Tellhimhowmuch?Tellhimhowlittle?I——I——amgettinglost。\'
\'TellhimIamamatch-maker；tellhimIamanartfulanddesigningwoman；tellhimyouaresurehisdaughterisbestoutofmyhouseandmycompany。Tellhimanysuchthingsofme；theywillallbetrue。Youknowwhatapuffed-upmanheis，andhoweasilyyoucancausehisvanitytotakethealarm。Tellhimasmuchaswillgivehimthealarmandmakehimcarefulofher，andsparemetherest。MrTwemlow，Ifeelmysuddendegradationinyoureyes；familiarasIamwithmydegradationinmyowneyes，I
keenlyfeelthechangethatmusthavecomeuponmeinyours，intheselastfewmoments。ButItrusttoyourgoodfaithwithmeasimplicitlyaswhenIbegan。IfyouknewhowoftenIhavetriedtospeaktoyouto-day，youwouldalmostpityme。Iwantnonewpromisefromyouonmyownaccount，forIamsatisfied，andI
alwaysshallbesatisfied，withthepromiseyouhavegivenme。I
canventuretosaynomore，forIseethatIamwatched。Ifyouwouldsetmymindatrestwiththeassurancethatyouwillinterposewiththefatherandsavethisharmlessgirl，closethatbookbeforeyoureturnittome，andIshallknowwhatyoumean，anddeeplythankyouinmyheart——Alfred，MrTwemlowthinksthelastonethebest，andquiteagreeswithyouandme。\'
Alfredadvances。Thegroupsbreakup。LadyTippinsrisestogo，andMrsVeneeringfollowsherleader。Forthemoment，MrsLammledoesnotturntothem，butremainslookingatTwemlowlookingatAlfred\'sportraitthroughhiseyeglass。Themomentpast，Twemlowdropshiseyeglassatitsribbon\'slength，rises，andclosesthebookwithanemphasiswhichmakesthatfragilenurslingofthefairies，Tippins，start。
Thengood-byeandgood-bye，andcharmingoccasionworthyoftheGoldenAge，andmoreabouttheflitchofbacon，andthelikeofthat；andTwemlowgoesstaggeringacrossPiccadillywithhishandtohisforehead，andisnearlyrundownbyaflushedlettercart，andatlastdropssafeinhiseasy-chair，innocentgoodgentleman，withhishandtohisforeheadstill，andhisheadinawhirl。
BOOKTHETHIRDALONGLANE
Chapter1
LODGERSINQUEERSTREET
ItwasafoggydayinLondon，andthefogwasheavyanddark。
AnimateLondon，withsmartingeyesandirritatedlungs，wasblinking，wheezing，andchoking；inanimateLondonwasasootyspectre，dividedinpurposebetweenbeingvisibleandinvisible，andsobeingwhollyneither。Gaslightsflaredintheshopswithahaggardandunblestair，asknowingthemselvestobenight-
creaturesthathadnobusinessabroadunderthesun；whilethesunitselfwhenitwasforafewmomentsdimlyindicatedthroughcirclingeddiesoffog，showedasifithadgoneoutandwerecollapsingflatandcold。Eveninthesurroundingcountryitwasafoggyday，buttherethefogwasgrey，whereasinLondonitwas，atabouttheboundaryline，darkyellow，andalittlewithinitbrown，andthenbrowner，andthenbrowner，untilattheheartoftheCity——
whichcallSaintMaryAxe——itwasrusty-black。Fromanypointofthehighridgeoflandnorthward，itmighthavebeendiscernedthattheloftiestbuildingsmadeanoccasionalstruggletogettheirheadsabovethefoggysea，andespeciallythatthegreatdomeofSaintPaul\'sseemedtodiehard；butthiswasnotperceivableinthestreetsattheirfeet，wherethewholemetropoliswasaheapofvapourchargedwithmuffledsoundofwheels，andenfoldingagiganticcatarrh。
Atnineo\'clockonsuchamorning，theplaceofbusinessofPubseyandCo。wasnottheliveliestobjecteveninSaintMaryAxe——whichisnotaverylivelyspot——withasobbinggaslightinthecounting-
housewindow，andaburglariousstreamoffogcreepingintostrangleitthroughthekeyholeofthemaindoor。Butthelightwentout，andthemaindooropened，andRiahcameforthwithabagunderhisarm。
Almostintheactofcomingoutatthedoor，Riahwentintothefog，andwaslosttotheeyesofSaintMaryAxe。Buttheeyesofthishistorycanfollowhimwestward，byCornhill，Cheapside，FleetStreet，andtheStrand，toPiccadillyandtheAlbany。Thitherhewentathisgraveandmeasuredpace，staffinhand，skirtatheel；
andmorethanonehead，turningtolookbackathisvenerablefigurealreadylostinthemist，supposedittobesomeordinaryfigureindistinctlyseen，whichfancyandthefoghadworkedintothatpassinglikeness。
Arrivedatthehouseinwhichhismaster\'schamberswereonthesecondfloor，Riahproceededupthestairs，andpausedatFascinationFledgeby\'sdoor。Makingfreewithneitherbellnorknocker，hestruckuponthedoorwiththetopofhisstaff，and，havinglistened，satdownonthethreshold。Itwascharacteristicofhishabitualsubmission，thathesatdownontherawdarkstaircase，asmanyofhisancestorshadprobablysatdownindungeons，takingwhatbefellhimasitmightbefall。
Afteratime，whenhehadgrownsocoldastobefaintoblowuponhisfingers，hearoseandknockedwithhisstaffagain，andlistenedagain，andagainsatdowntowait。ThriceherepeatedtheseactionsbeforehislisteningearsweregreetedbythevoiceofFledgeby，callingfromhisbed，\'Holdyourrow！——I\'llcomeandopenthedoordirectly！\'But，inlieuofcomingdirectly，hefellintoasweetsleepforsomequarterofanhourmore，duringwhichaddedintervalRiahsatuponthestairsandwaitedwithperfectpatience。
Atlengththedoorstoodopen，andMrFledgeby\'sretreatingdraperyplungedintobedagain。Followingitatarespectfuldistance，Riahpassedintothebed-chamber，whereafirehadbeensometimelighted，andwasburningbriskly。
\'Why，whattimeofnightdoyoumeantocallit?\'inquiredFledgeby，turningawaybeneaththeclothes，andpresentingacomfortablerampartofshouldertothechilledfigureoftheoldman。
\'Sir，itisfullhalf-pastteninthemorning。\'
\'Thedeuceitis！Thenitmustbepreciousfoggy?\'
\'Veryfoggy，sir。\'
\'Andraw，then?\'
\'Chillandbitter，\'saidRiah，drawingoutahandkerchief，andwipingthemoisturefromhisbeardandlonggreyhairashestoodonthevergeoftherug，withhiseyesontheacceptablefire。
Withaplungeofenjoyment，Fledgebysettledhimselfafresh。
\'Anysnow，orsleet，orslush，oranythingofthatsort?\'heasked。
\'No，sir，no。Notquitesobadasthat。Thestreetsareprettyclean。\'
\'Youneedn\'tbragaboutit，\'returnedFledgeby，disappointedinhisdesiretoheightenthecontrastbetweenhisbedandthestreets。
\'Butyou\'realwaysbraggingaboutsomething。Gotthebooksthere?\'
\'Theyarehere，sir。\'
\'Allright。I\'llturnthegeneralsubjectoverinmymindforaminuteortwo，andwhileI\'maboutityoucanemptyyourbagandgetreadyforme。\'
Withanothercomfortableplunge，MrFledgebyfellasleepagain。
Theoldman，havingobeyedhisdirections，satdownontheedgeofachair，and，foldinghishandsbeforehim，graduallyyieldedtotheinfluenceofthewarmth，anddozed。HewasrousedbyMrFledgeby\'sappearingerectatthefootofthebed，inTurkishslippers，rose-colouredTurkishtrousersgotcheapfromsomebodywhohadcheatedsomeothersomebodyoutofthem，andagownandcaptocorrespond。Inthatcostumehewouldhaveleftnothingtobedesired，ifhehadbeenfurtherfittedoutwithabottomlesschair，alantern，andabunchofmatches。
\'Now，old\'un！\'criedFascination，inhislightraillery，\'whatdodgeryareyouuptonext，sittingtherewithyoureyesshut?Youain\'tasleep。Catchaweaselatit，andcatchaJew！\'
\'Truly，sir，IfearInodded，\'saidtheoldman。
\'Notyou！\'returnedFledgeby，withacunninglook。\'Atellingmovewithagoodmany，Idaresay，butitwon\'tputMEoffmyguard。
Notabadnotionthough，ifyouwanttolookindifferentindrivingabargain。Oh，youareadodger！\'
Theoldmanshookhishead，gentlyrepudiatingtheimputation，andsuppresedasigh，andmovedtothetableatwhichMrFledgebywasnowpouringoutforhimselfacupofsteamingandfragrantcoffeefromapotthathadstoodreadyonthehob。Itwasanedifyingspectacle，theyoungmaninhiseasychairtakinghiscoffee，andtheoldmanwithhisgreyheadbent，standingawaitinghispleasure。
\'Now！\'saidFledgeby。\'Forkoutyourbalanceinhand，andprovebyfigureshowyoumakeitoutthatitain\'tmore。Firstofall，lightthatcandle。\'
Riahobeyed，andthentakingabagfromhisbreast，andreferringtothesumintheaccountsforwhichtheymadehimresponsible，tolditoutuponthetable。Fledgebytolditagainwithgreatcare，andrangeverysovereign。
\'Isuppose，\'hesaid，takingoneuptoeyeitclosely，\'youhaven\'tbeenlighteninganyofthese；butit\'satradeofyourpeople\'s，youknow。YOUunderstandwhatsweatingapoundmeans，don\'tyou?\'
\'Muchasyoudo，sir，\'returnedtheoldman，withhishandsunderoppositecuffsofhisloosesleeves，ashestoodatthetable，deferentiallyobservantofthemaster\'sface。\'MayItakethelibertytosaysomething?\'
\'Youmay，\'Fledgebygraciouslyconceded。
\'Doyounot，sir——withoutintendingit——ofasuretywithoutintendingit——sometimesminglethecharacterIfairlyearninyouremployment，withthecharacterwhichitisyourpolicythatI
shouldbear?\'
\'Idon\'tfinditworthmywhiletocutthingssofineastogointotheinquiry，\'Fascinationcoollyanswered。
\'Notinjustice?\'
\'Botherjustice！\'saidFledgeby。
\'Notingenerosity?\'
\'Jewsandgenerosity！\'saidFledgeby。\'That\'sagoodconnexion！
Bringoutyourvouchers，anddon\'ttalkJerusalempalaver。\'
Thevoucherswereproduced，andforthenexthalf-hourMrFledgebyconcentratedhissublimeattentiononthem。Theyandtheaccountswereallfoundcorrect，andthebooksandthepapersresumedtheirplacesinthebag。
\'Next，\'saidFledgeby，\'concerningthatbill-brokingbranchofthebusiness；thebranchIlikebest。Whatqueerbillsaretobebought，andatwhatprices?Youhavegotyourlistofwhat\'sinthemarket?\'
\'Sir，alonglist，\'repliedRiah，takingoutapocket-book，andselectingfromitscontentsafoldedpaper，which，beingunfolded，becameasheetoffoolscapcoveredwithclosewriting。
\'Whew！\'whistledFledgeby，ashetookitinhishand。\'QueerStreetisfulloflodgersjustatpresent！Thesearetobedisposedofinparcels；arethey?\'
\'Inparcelsassetforth，\'returnedtheoldman，lookingoverhismaster\'sshoulder；\'orthelump。\'
\'Halfthelumpwillbewaste-paper，oneknowsbeforehand，\'saidFledgeby。\'Canyougetitatwaste-paperprice?That\'sthequestion。\'
Riahshookhishead，andFledgebycasthissmalleyesdownthelist。Theypresentlybegantotwinkle，andhenosoonerbecameconsciousoftheirtwinkling，thanhelookedupoverhisshoulderatthegravefaceabovehim，andmovedtothechimney-piece。
Makingadeskofit，hestoodtherewithhisbacktotheoldman，warminghisknees，perusingthelistathisleisure，andoftenreturningtosomelinesofit，asthoughtheywereparticularlyinteresting。Atthosetimesheglancedinthechimney-glasstoseewhatnotetheoldmantookofhim。Hetooknonethatcouldbedetected，but，awareofhisemployer\'ssuspicions，stoodwithhiseyesontheground。
MrFledgebywasthusamiablyengagedwhenastepwasheardattheouterdoor，andthedoorwasheardtoopenhastily。\'Hark！
That\'syourdoing，youPumpofIsrael，\'saidFledgeby；\'youcan\'thaveshutit。\'Thenthestepwasheardwithin，andthevoiceofMrAlfredLammlecalledaloud，\'Areyouanywherehere，Fledgeby?\'
TowhichFledgeby，aftercautioningRiahinalowvoicetotakehiscueasitshouldbegivenhim，replied，\'HereIam！\'andopenedhisbedroomdoor。
\'Comein！\'saidFledgeby。\'ThisgentlemanisonlyPubseyandCo。
ofSaintMaryAxe，thatIamtryingtomaketermsforanunfortunatefriendwithinamatterofsomedishonouredbills。ButreallyPubseyandCo。aresostrictwiththeirdebtors，andsohardtomove，thatIseemtobewastingmytime。Can\'tImakeANY
termswithyouonmyfriend\'spart，MrRiah?\'
\'Iambuttherepresentativeofanother，sir，\'returnedtheJewinalowvoice。\'IdoasIambiddenbymyprincipal。Itisnotmycapitalthatisinvestedinthebusiness。Itisnotmyprofitthatarisestherefrom。\'
\'Haha！\'laughedFledgeby。\'Lammle?\'
\'Haha！\'laughedLammle。\'Yes。Ofcourse。Weknow。\'
\'Devilishgood，ain\'tit，Lammle?\'saidFledgeby，unspeakablyamusedbyhishiddenjoke。
\'Alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame！\'saidLammle。\'Mr——\'
\'Riah，PubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，\'Fledgebyputin，ashewipedawaythetearsthattrickledfromhiseyes，sorarewashisenjoymentofhissecretjoke。
\'MrRiahisboundtoobservetheinvaRiahleformsforsuchcasesmadeandprovided，\'saidLammle。
\'Heisonlytherepresentativeofanother！\'criedFledgeby。\'Doesasheistoldbyhisprincipal！Nothiscapitalthat\'sinvestedinthebusiness。Oh，that\'sgood！Hahahaha！\'MrLammlejoinedinthelaughandlookedknowing；andthemorehedidboth，themoreexquisitethesecretjokebecameforMrFledgeby。
\'However，\'saidthatfascinatinggentleman，wipinghiseyesagain，\'ifwegooninthisway，weshallseemtobealmostmakinggameofMrRiah，orofPubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，orofsomebody:
whichisfarfromourintention。MrRiah，ifyouwouldhavethekindnesstostepintothenextroomforafewmomentswhileI
speakwithMrLammlehere，Ishouldliketotrytomaketermswithyouonceagainbeforeyougo。\'
Theoldman，whohadneverraisedhiseyesduringthewholetransactionofMrFledgeby\'sjoke，silentlybowedandpassedoutbythedoorwhichFledgebyopenedforhim。Havingcloseditonhim，FledgebyreturnedtoLammle，standingwithhisbacktothebedroomfire，withonehandunderhiscoat-skirts，andallhiswhiskersintheother。
\'Halloa！\'saidFledgeby。\'There\'ssomethingwrong！\'
\'Howdoyouknowit?\'demandedLammle。
\'Becauseyoushowit，\'repliedFledgebyinunintentionalrhyme。
\'Wellthen；thereis，\'saidLammle；\'thereISsomethingwrong；thewholething\'swrong。\'
\'Isay！\'remonstratedFascinationveryslowly，andsittingdownwithhishandsonhiskneestostareathisgloweringfriendwithhisbacktothefire。
\'Itellyou，Fledgeby，\'repeatedLammle，withasweepofhisrightarm，\'thewholething\'swrong。Thegame\'sup。\'
\'Whatgame\'sup?\'demandedFledgeby，asslowlyasbefore，andmoresternly。
\'THEgame。OURgame。Readthat。\'
Fledgebytookanotefromhisextendedhandandreaditaloud。
\'AlfredLammle，Esquire。Sir:AllowMrsPodsnapandmyselftoexpressourunitedsenseofthepoliteattentionsofMrsAlfredLammleandyourselftowardsourdaughter，Georgiana。Allowusalso，whollytorejectthemforthefuture，andtocommunicateourfinaldesirethatthetwofamiliesmaybecomeentirestrangers。I
havethehonourtobe，Sir，yourmostobedientandveryhumbleservant，JOHNPODSNAP。\'Fledgebylookedatthethreeblanksidesofthisnote，quiteaslongandearnestlyasatthefirstexpressiveside，andthenlookedatLammle，whorespondedwithanotherextensivesweepofhisrightarm。
\'Whosedoingisthis?\'saidFledgeby。
\'Impossibletoimagine，\'saidLammle。
\'Perhaps，\'suggestedFledgeby，afterreflectingwithaverydiscontentedbrow，\'somebodyhasbeengivingyouabadcharacter。\'
\'Oryou，\'saidLammle，withadeeperfrown。
MrFledgebyappearedtobeonthevergeofsomemutinousexpressions，whenhishandhappenedtotouchhisnose。Acertainremembranceconnectedwiththatfeatureoperatingasatimelywarning，hetookitthoughtfullybetweenhisthumbandforefinger，andpondered；Lammlemeanwhileeyeinghimwithfurtiveeyes。
\'Well！\'saidFledgeby。\'Thiswon\'timprovewithtalkingabout。Ifweeverfindoutwhodidit，we\'llmarkthatperson。There\'snothingmoretobesaid，exceptthatyouundertooktodowhatcircumstancespreventyourdoing。\'
\'Andthatyouundertooktodowhatyoumighthavedonebythistime，ifyouhadmadeaprompteruseofcircumstances，\'snarledLammle。
\'Hah！That，\'remarkedFledgeby，withhishandsintheTurkishtrousers，\'ismatterofopinion。\'
\'MrFledgeby，\'saidLammle，inabullyingtone，\'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?\'
\'No，\'saidFledgeby；\'providedyouhavebroughtmypromissorynoteinyourpocket，andnowhanditover。\'
Lammleproducedit，notwithoutreluctance。Fledgebylookedatit，identifiedit，twisteditup，andthrewitintothefire。Theybothlookedatitasitblazed，wentout，andflewinfeatheryashupthechimney。
\'NOW，MrFledgeby，\'saidLammle，asbefore；\'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?\'
\'No，\'saidFledgeby。
\'Finallyandunreservedlyno?\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Fledgeby，myhand。\'
MrFledgebytookit，saying，\'Andifweeverfindoutwhodidthis，we\'llmarkthatperson。Andinthemostfriendlymanner，letmementiononethingmore。Idon\'tknowwhatyourcircumstancesare，andIdon\'task。Youhavesustainedalosshere。Manymenareliabletobeinvolvedattimes，andyoumaybe，oryoumaynotbe。Butwhateveryoudo，Lammle，don\'t——don\'t——don\'t，Ibegofyou——everfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。inthenextroom，fortheyaregrinders。Regularflayersandgrinders，mydearLammle，\'repeatedFledgebywithapeculiarrelish，\'andthey\'llskinyoubytheinch，fromthenapeofyournecktothesoleofyourfoot，andgrindeveryinchofyourskintotooth-powder。YouhaveseenwhatMrRiahis。Neverfallintohishands，Lammle，Ibegofyouasafriend！\'
MrLammle，disclosingsomealarmatthesolemnityofthisaffectionateadjuration，demandedwhythedevilheevershouldfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。?
\'Toconfessthefact，Iwasmadealittleuneasy，\'saidthecandidFledgeby，\'bythemannerinwhichthatJewlookedatyouwhenheheardyourname。Ididn\'tlikehiseye。Butitmayhavebeentheheatedfancyofafriend。Ofcourseifyouaresurethatyouhavenopersonalsecurityout，whichyoumaynotbequiteequaltomeeting，andwhichcanhavegotintohishands，itmusthavebeenfancy。Still，Ididn\'tlikehiseye。\'
ThebroodingLammle，withcertainwhitedintscomingandgoinginhispalpitatingnose，lookedasifsometormentingimpwerepinchingit。Fledgeby，watchinghimwithatwitchinhismeanfacewhichdiddutythereforasmile，lookedverylikethetormentorwhowaspinching。
\'ButImustn\'tkeephimwaitingtoolong，\'saidFledgeby，\'orhe\'llrevengeitonmyunfortunatefriend。How\'syourverycleverandagreeablewife?Sheknowswehavebrokendown?\'
\'Ishowedhertheletter。\'
\'Verymuchsurprised?\'askedFledgeby。
\'Ithinkshewouldhavebeenmoreso，\'answeredLammle，\'iftherehadbeenmoregoinYOU?\'
\'Oh！——Shelaysituponme，then?\'
\'MrFledgeby，Iwillnothavemywordsmisconstrued。\'
\'Don\'tbreakout，Lammle，\'urgedFledgeby，inasubmissivetone，\'becausethere\'snooccasion。Ionlyaskedaquestion。Thenshedon\'tlayituponme?Toaskanotherquestion。\'
\'No，sir。\'
\'Verygood，\'saidFledgeby，plainlyseeingthatshedid。\'Mycomplimentstoher。Good-bye！\'
Theyshookhands，andLammlestrodeoutpondering。Fledgebysawhimintothefog，and，returningtothefireandmusingwithhisfacetoit，stretchedthelegsoftherose-colouredTurkishtrouserswideapart，andmeditativelybenthisknees，asifheweregoingdownuponthem。
\'Youhaveapairofwhiskers，Lammle，whichIneverliked，\'
murmuredFledgeby，\'andwhichmoneycan\'tproduce；youareboastfulofyourmannersandyourconversation；youwantedtopullmynose，andyouhaveletmeinforafailure，andyourwifesaysIamthecauseofit。I\'llbowlyoudown。Iwill，thoughIhavenowhiskers，\'hereherubbedtheplaceswheretheyweredue，\'andnomanners，andnoconversation！\'
Havingthusrelievedhisnoblemind，hecollectedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousers，straightenedhimselfonhisknees，andcalledouttoRiahinthenextroom，\'Halloa，yousir！\'Atsightoftheoldmanre-enteringwithagentlenessmonstrouslyincontrastwiththecharacterhehadgivenhim，MrFledgebywassotickledagain，thatheexclaimed，laughing，\'Good！Good！Uponmysoulitisuncommongood！\'
\'Now，old\'un，\'proceededFledgeby，whenhehadhadhislaughout，\'you\'llbuyuptheselotsthatImarkwithmypencil——there\'satickthere，andatickthere，andatickthere——andIwagertwo-penceyou\'llafterwardsgoonsqueezingthoseChristiansliketheJewyouare。Now，nextyou\'llwantacheque——oryou\'llsayyouwantit，thoughyou\'vecapitalenoughsomewhere，ifoneonlyknewwhere，butyou\'dbepepperedandsaltedandgrilledonagridironbeforeyou\'downtoit——andthatchequeI\'llwrite。\'
Whenhehadunlockedadrawerandtakenakeyfromittoopenanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasthechequebook；andwhenhehadwrittenthecheque；
andwhen，reversingthekeyanddrawerprocess，hehadplacedhischequebookinsafetyagain；hebeckonedtheoldman，withthefoldedcheque，tocomeandtakeit。
\'Old\'un，\'saidFledgeby，whentheJewhadputitinhispocketbook，andwasputtingthatinthebreastofhisoutergarment；\'somuchatpresentformyaffairs。Nowawordaboutaffairsthatarenotexactlymine。Whereisshe?\'
Withhishandnotyetwithdrawnfromthebreastofhisgarment，Riahstartedandpaused。
\'Oho！\'saidFledgeby。\'Didn\'texpectit！Wherehaveyouhiddenher?\'
Showingthathewastakenbysurprise，theoldmanlookedathismasterwithsomepassingconfusion，whichthemasterhighlyenjoyed。
\'IssheinthehouseIpayrentandtaxesforinSaintMaryAxe?\'
demandedFledgeby。
\'No，sir。\'
\'Issheinyourgardenupatopofthathouse——goneuptobedead，orwhateverthegameis?\'askedFledgeby。
\'No，sir。\'
\'Whereisshethen?\'
Riahbenthiseyesupontheground，asifconsideringwhetherhecouldanswerthequestionwithoutbreachoffaith，andthensilentlyraisedthemtoFledgeby\'sface，asifhecouldnot。
\'Come！\'saidFledgeby。\'Iwon\'tpressthatjustnow。ButIwanttoknowthis，andIwillknowthis，mindyou。Whatareyouupto?\'
Theoldman，withanapologeticactionofhisheadandhands，asnotcomprehendingthemaster\'smeaning，addressedtohimalookofmuteinquiry。
\'Youcan\'tbeagallivantingdodger，\'saidFledgeby。\'Foryou\'rea“regularpitythesorrows“，youknow——ifyouDOknowanyChristianrhyme——“whosetremblinglimbshavebornehimto“——etcetrer。You\'reoneofthePatriarchs；you\'reashakyoldcard；andyoucan\'tbeinlovewiththisLizzie?\'
\'O，sir！\'expostulatedRiah。\'O，sir，sir，sir！\'
\'Thenwhy，\'retortedFledgeby，withsomeslighttingeofablush，\'don\'tyououtwithyourreasonforhavingyourspooninthesoupatall?\'
\'Sir，Iwilltellyouthetruth。Butyourpardonforthestipulationitisinsacredconfidence；itisstrictlyuponhonour。\'
\'Honourtoo！\'criedFledgeby，withamockinglip。\'HonouramongJews。Well。Cutaway。\'
\'Itisuponhonour，sir?\'theotherstillstipulated，withrespectfulfirmness。
\'Oh，certainly。Honourbright，\'saidFledgeby。
Theoldman，neverbiddentositdown，stoodwithanearnesthandlaidonthebackoftheyoungman\'seasychair。Theyoungmansatlookingatthefirewithafaceoflisteningcuriosity，readytocheckhimoffandcatchhimtripping。
\'Cutaway，\'saidFledgeby。\'Startwithyourmotive。\'
\'Sir，Ihavenomotivebuttohelpthehelpless。\'
MrFledgebycouldonlyexpressthefeelingstowhichthisincrediblestatementgaveriseinhisbreast，byaprodigiouslylongderisivesniff。
\'HowIcametoknow，andmuchtoesteemandtorespect，thisdamsel，Imentionedwhenyousawherinmypoorgardenonthehouse-top，\'saidtheJew。
\'Didyou?\'saidFledgeby，distrustfully。\'Well。Perhapsyoudid，though。\'
\'ThebetterIknewher，themoreinterestIfeltinherfortunes。Theygatheredtoacrisis。Ifoundherbesetbyaselfishandungratefulbrother，besetbyanunacceptablewooer，besetbythesnaresofamorepowerfullover，besetbythewilesofherownheart。\'
\'Shetooktooneofthechapsthen?\'
\'Sir，itwasonlynaturalthatsheshouldinclinetowardshim，forhehadmanyandgreatadvantages。Buthewasnotofherstation，andtomarryherwasnotinhismind。Perilswereclosingroundher，andthecirclewasfastdarkening，whenI——beingasyouhavesaid，sir，toooldandbrokentobesuspectedofanyfeelingforherbutafather\'s——steppedin，andcounselledflight。Isaid，“Mydaughter，therearetimesofmoraldangerwhenthehardestvirtuousresolutiontoformisflight，andwhenthemostheroicbraveryisflight。”Sheanswered，shehadhadthisinherthoughts；butwhithertoflywithouthelpsheknewnot，andtherewerenonetohelpher。Ishowedhertherewasonetohelpher，anditwasI。
Andsheisgone。\'
\'Whatdidyoudowithher?\'askedFledgeby，feelinghischeek。
\'Iplacedher，\'saidtheoldman，\'atadistance；\'withagravesmoothoutwardsweepfromoneanotherofhistwoopenhandsatarm\'slength；\'atadistance——amongcertainofourpeople，whereherindustrywouldserveher，andwhereshecouldhopetoexerciseit，unassailedfromanyquarter。\'
Fledgeby\'seyeshadcomefromthefiretonoticetheactionofhishandswhenhesaid\'atadistance。\'Fledgebynowtriedveryunsuccessfullytoimitatethataction，asheshookhisheadandsaid，\'Placedherinthatdirection，didyou?Ohyoucircularolddodger！\'
Withonehandacrosshisbreastandtheotherontheeasychair，Riah，withoutjustifyinghimself，waitedforfurtherquestioning。
But，thatitwashopelesstoquestionhimonthatonereservedpoint，Fledgeby，withhissmalleyestooneartogether，sawfullwell。
\'Lizzie，\'saidFledgeby，lookingatthefireagain，andthenlookingup。\'Humph，Lizzie。Youdidn\'ttellmetheothernameinyourgardenatopofthehouse。I\'llbemorecommunicativewithyou。
Theothername\'sHexam。\'
Riahbenthisheadinassent。
\'Lookhere，yousir，\'saidFledgeby。\'IhaveanotionIknowsomethingoftheinveiglingchap，thepowerfulone。Hasheanythingtodowiththelaw?\'
\'Nominally，Ibelieveithiscalling。\'
\'Ithoughtso。NameanythinglikeLightwood?\'
\'Sir，notatalllike。\'
\'Come，old\'un，\'saidFledgeby，meetinghiseyeswithawink，\'saythename。\'
\'Wrayburn。\'
\'ByJupiter！\'criedFledgeby。\'Thatone，isit?Ithoughtitmightbetheother，butIneverdreamtofthatone！Ishouldn\'tobjecttoyourbaulkingeitherofthepair，dodger，fortheyarebothconceitedenough；butthatoneisascoolacustomeraseverImetwith。Gotabeardbesides，andpresumesuponit。Welldone，old\'un！Goonandprosper！\'
Brightenedbythisunexpectedcommendation，Riahaskedweretheremoreinstructionsforhim?
\'No，\'saidFledgeby，\'youmaytoddlenow，Judah，andgropeaboutontheordersyouhavegot。\'Dismissedwiththosepleasingwords，theoldmantookhisbroadhatandstaff，andleftthegreatpresence:moreasifheweresomesuperiorcreaturebenignantlyblessingMrFledgeby，thanthepoordependentonwhomhesethisfoot。Leftalone，MrFledgebylockedhisouterdoor，andcamebacktohisfire。
\'Welldoneyou！\'saidFascinationtohimself。\'Slow，youmaybe；
sure，youare！\'Thishetwiceorthricerepeatedwithmuchcomplacency，asheagaindispersedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousersandbenttheknees。
\'Atidyshotthat，Iflattermyself，\'hethensoliloquised。\'AndaJewbroughtdownwithit！Now，whenIheardthestorytoldatLammle\'s，Ididn\'tmakeajumpatRiah。Notahitofit；Igotathimbydegrees。\'Hereinhewasquiteaccurate；itbeinghishabit，nottojump，orleap，ormakeanupwardspring，atanythinginlife，buttocrawlateverything。
\'Igotathim，\'pursuedFledgeby，feelingforhiswhisker，\'bydegrees。IfyourLammlesoryourLightwoodshadgotathimanyhow，theywouldhaveaskedhimthequestionwhetherhehadn\'tsomethingtodowiththatgal\'sdisappearance。Iknewabetterwayofgoingtowork。Havinggotbehindthehedge，andputhiminthelight，Itookashotathimandbroughthimdownplump。
Oh！Itdon\'tcountformuch，beingaJew，inamatchagainstME！\'
Anotherdrytwistinplaceofasmile，madehisfacecrookedhere。
\'AstoChristians，\'proceededFledgeby，\'lookout，fellow-
Christians，particularlyyouthatlodgeinQueerStreet！IhavegottherunofQueerStreetnow，andyoushallseesomegamesthere。
Toworkalotofpoweroveryouandyounotknowit，knowingasyouthinkyourselves，wouldbealmostworthlayingoutmoneyupon。Butwhenitcomestosqueezingaprofitoutofyouintothebargain，it\'ssomethinglike！\'
WiththisapostropheMrFledgebyappropriatelyproceededtodivesthimselfofhisTurkishgarments，andinvesthimselfwithChristianattire。Pendingwhichoperation，andhismorningablutions，andhisanointingofhimselfwiththelastinfalliblepreparationfortheproductionofluxuriantandglossyhairuponthehumancountenancequacksbeingtheonlysageshebelievedinbesidesusurers，themurkyfogclosedabouthimandshuthimupinitssootyembrace。Ifithadneverlethimoutanymore，theworldwouldhavehadnoirreparableloss，butcouldhaveeasilyreplacedhimfromitsstockonhand。
Chapter2
ARESPECTEDFRIENDINANEWASPECT
Intheeveningofthissamefoggydaywhentheyellowwindow-
blindofPubseyandCo。wasdrawndownupontheday\'swork，RiahtheJewoncemorecameforthintoSaintMaryAxe。Butthistimehecarriednobag，andwasnotboundonhismaster\'saffairs。
HepassedoverLondonBridge，andreturnedtotheMiddlesexshorebythatofWestminster，andso，everwadingthroughthefog，wadedtothedoorstepofthedolls\'dressmaker。
MissWrenexpectedhim。Hecouldseeherthroughthewindowbythelightofherlowfire——carefullybankedupwithdampcindersthatitmightlastthelongerandwastethelesswhenshewasout——
sittingwaitingforhiminherbonnet。Histapattheglassrousedherfromthemusingsolitudeinwhichshesat，andshecametothedoortoopenit；aidingherstepswithalittlecrutch-stick。
\'Goodevening，godmother！\'saidMissJennyWren。
Theoldmanlaughed，andgaveherhisarmtoleanon。
\'Won\'tyoucomeinandwarmyourself，godmother?\'askedMissJennyWren。
\'Notifyouareready，Cinderella，mydear。\'
\'Well！\'exclaimedMissWren，delighted。\'NowyouAREacleveroldboy！Ifwegaveprizesatthisestablishmentbutweonlykeepblanks，youshouldhavethefirstsilvermedal，fortakingmeupsoquick。\'Asshespakethus，MissWrenremovedthekeyofthehouse-doorfromthekeyholeandputitinherpocket，andthenbustlinglyclosedthedoor，andtrieditastheybothstoodonthestep。Satisfiedthatherdwellingwassafe，shedrewonehandthroughtheoldman\'sarmandpreparedtoplyhercrutch-stickwiththeother。Butthekeywasaninstrumentofsuchgiganticproportions，thatbeforetheystartedRiahproposedtocarryit。
\'No，no，no！I\'llcarryitmyself，\'returnedMissWren。\'I\'mawfullylopsided，youknow，andstoweddowninmypocketit\'lltrimtheship。Toletyouintoasecret，godmother，Iwearmypocketonmyhighside，o\'purpose。\'
Withthattheybegantheirploddingthroughthefog。
\'Yes，itwastrulysharpofyou，godmother，\'resumedMissWrenwithgreatapprobation，\'tounderstandme。But，yousee，youARE
solikethefairygodmotherinthebrightlittlebooks！Youlooksounliketherestofpeople，andsomuchasifyouhadchangedyourselfintothatshape，justthismoment，withsomebenevolentobject。Boh！\'criedMissJenny，puttingherfaceclosetotheoldman\'s。\'Icanseeyourfeatures，godmother，behindthebeard。\'
\'Doesthefancygotomychangingotherobjectstoo，Jenny?\'
\'Ah！Thatitdoes！Ifyou\'donlyborrowmystickandtapthispieceofpavement——thisdirtystonethatmyfoottaps——itwouldstartupacoachandsix。Isay！Let\'sbelieveso！\'
\'Withallmyheart，\'repliedthegoodoldman。
\'AndI\'lltellyouwhatImustaskyoutodo，godmother。Imustaskyoutobesokindasgivemychildatap，andchangehimaltogether。Omychildhasbeensuchabad，badchildoflate！Itworriesmenearlyoutofmywits。Notdoneastrokeofworkthesetendays。Hashadthehorrors，too，andfanciedthatfourcopper-
colouredmeninredwantedtothrowhimintoafieryfurnace。\'
\'Butthat\'sdangerous，Jenny。\'
\'Dangerous，godmother?Mychildisalwaysdangerous，moreorless。Hemight\'——herethelittlecreatureglancedbackoverhershoulderatthesky——\'besettingthehouseonfireatthispresentmoment。Idon\'tknowwhowouldhaveachild，formypart！It\'snouseshakinghim。IhaveshakenhimtillIhavemademyselfgiddy。“Whydon\'tyoumindyourCommandmentsandhonouryourparent，younaughtyoldboy?“Isaidtohimallthetime。Butheonlywhimperedandstaredatme。\'
\'Whatshallbechanged，afterhim?\'askedRiahinacompassionatelyplayfulvoice。
\'Uponmyword，godmother，IamafraidImustbeselfishnext，andgetyoutosetmerightinthebackandthelegs。It\'salittlethingtoyouwithyourpower，godmother，butit\'sagreatdealtopoorweakachingme。\'
Therewasnoquerulouscomplaininginthewords，buttheywerenotthelesstouchingforthat。
\'Andthen?\'
\'Yes，andthen——YOUknow，godmother。We\'llbothjumpupintothecoachandsixandgotoLizzie。Thisremindsme，godmother，toaskyouaseriousquestion。Youareaswiseaswisecanbehavingbeenbroughtupbythefairies，andyoucantellmethis:Isitbettertohavehadagoodthingandlostit，ornevertohavehadit?\'
\'Explain，god-daughter。\'
\'IfeelsomuchmoresolitaryandhelplesswithoutLizzienow，thanIusedtofeelbeforeIknewher。\'Tearswereinhereyesasshesaidso。
\'Somebelovedcompanionshipfadesoutofmostlives，mydear，\'
saidtheJew，——\'thatofawife，andafairdaughter，andasonofpromise，hasfadedoutofmyownlife——butthehappinesswas。\'
\'Ah！\'saidMissWrenthoughtfully，bynomeansconvinced，andchoppingtheexclamationwiththatsharplittlehatchetofhers；
\'thenItellyouwhatchangeIthinkyouhadbetterbeginwith，godmother。YouhadbetterchangeIsintoWasandWasintoIs，andkeepthemso。\'
\'Wouldthatsuityourcase?Wouldyounotbealwaysinpainthen?\'askedtheoldmantenderly。
\'Right！\'exclaimedMissWrenwithanotherchop。\'Youhavechangedmewiser，godmother——Not，\'sheaddedwiththequainthitchofherchinandeyes，\'thatyouneedbeaverywonderfulgodmothertodothatdeed。\'
Thusconversing，andhavingcrossedWestminsterBridge，theytraversedthegroundthatRiahhadlatelytraversed，andnewgroundlikewise；for，whentheyhadrecrossedtheThamesbywayofLondonBridge，theystruckdownbytheriverandheldtheirstillfoggiercoursethatway。
Butpreviously，astheyweregoingalong，Jennytwistedhervenerablefriendasidetoabrilliantly-lightedtoy-shopwindow，andsaid:\'Nowlookat\'em！Allmywork！\'
Thisreferredtoadazzlingsemicircleofdollsinallthecoloursoftherainbow，whoweredressedforpresentationatcourt，forgoingtoballs，forgoingoutdriving，forgoingoutonhorseback，forgoingoutwalking，forgoingtogetmarried，forgoingtohelpotherdollstogetmarried，forallthegayeventsoflife。\'
\'Pretty，pretty，pretty！\'saidtheoldmanwithaclapofhishands。
\'Mosteleganttaste！\'
\'Gladyoulike\'em，\'returnedMissWren，loftily。\'Butthefunis，godmother，howImakethegreatladiestrymydresseson。Thoughit\'sthehardestpartofmybusiness，andwouldbe，evenifmybackwerenotbadandmylegsqueer。\'
Helookedatherasnotunderstandingwhatshesaid。
\'Blessyou，godmother，\'saidMissWren，\'Ihavetoscudabouttownatallhours。Ifitwasonlysittingatmybench，cuttingoutandsewing，itwouldbecomparativelyeasywork；butit\'sthetrying-onbythegreatladiesthattakesitoutofme。\'
\'How，thetrying-on?\'askedRiah。
\'Whatamooneygodmotheryouare，afterall！\'returnedMissWren。
\'Lookhere。There\'saDrawingRoom，oragranddayinthePark，oraShow，oraFete，orwhatyoulike。Verywell。Isqueezeamongthecrowd，andIlookaboutme。WhenIseeagreatladyverysuitableformybusiness，Isay“You\'lldo，mydear！\'andItakeparticularnoticeofher，andrunhomeandcutheroutandbasteher。Thenanotherday，Icomescuddingbackagaintotryon，andthenItakeparticularnoticeofheragain。Sometimessheplainlyseemstosay，\'Howthatlittlecreatureisstaring！\'andsometimeslikesitandsometimesdon\'t，butmuchmoreoftenyesthanno。AllthetimeIamonlysayingtomyself，“Imusthollowoutabithere；I
mustslopeawaythere；“andIammakingaperfectslaveofher，withmakinghertryonmydoll\'sdress。Eveningpartiesaresevererworkforme，becausethere\'sonlyadoorwayforafullview，andwhatwithhobblingamongthewheelsofthecarriagesandthelegsofthehorses，Ifullyexpecttoberunoversomenight。However，thereIhave\'em，justthesame。Whentheygobobbingintothehallfromthecarriage，andcatchaglimpseofmylittlephysiognomypokedoutfrombehindapoliceman\'scapeintherain，IdaresaytheythinkIamwonderingandadmiringwithallmyeyesandheart，buttheylittlethinkthey\'reonlyworkingformydolls！TherewasLadyBelindaWhitrose。Imadeherdodoubledutyinonenight。Isaidwhenshecameoutofthecarriage，“YOU\'lldo，mydear！“andIranstraighthomeandcutheroutandbastedher。BackIcameagain，andwaitedbehindthementhatcalledthecarriages。Verybadnighttoo。Atlast，“LadyBelindaWhitrose\'scarriage！LadyBelindaWhitrosecomingdown！“AndImadehertryon——oh！andtakepainsaboutittoo——beforeshegotseated。That\'sLadyBelindahangingupbythewaist，muchtoonearthegaslightforawaxone，withhertoesturnedin。\'
Whentheyhadploddedonforsometimenightheriver，RiahaskedthewaytoacertaintaverncalledtheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。Followingthedirectionshereceived，theyarrived，aftertwoorthreepuzzledstoppagesforconsideration，andsomeuncertainlookingaboutthem，atthedoorofMissAbbeyPotterson\'sdominions。Apeepthroughtheglassportionofthedoorrevealedtothemthegloriesofthebar，andMissAbbeyherselfseatedinstateonhersnugthrone，readingthenewspaper。
Towhom，withdeference，theypresentedthemselves。
Takinghereyesoffhernewspaper，andpausingwithasuspendedexpressionofcountenance，asifshemustfinishtheparagraphinhandbeforeundertakinganyotherbusinesswhatever，MissAbbeydemanded，withsomeslightasperity:\'Nowthen，what\'sforyou?\'
\'CouldweseeMissPotterson?\'askedtheoldman，uncoveringhishead。
\'Younotonlycould，butyoucanandyoudo，\'repliedthehostess。
\'Mightwespeakwithyou，madam?\'
BythistimeMissAbbey\'seyeshadpossessedthemselvesofthesmallfigureofMissJennyWren。Forthecloserobservationofwhich，MissAbbeylaidasidehernewspaper，rose，andlookedoverthehalf-doorofthebar。Thecrutch-stickseemedtoentreatforitsownerleavetocomeinandrestbythefire；so，MissAbbeyopenedthehalf-door，andsaid，asthoughreplyingtothecrutch-
stick:
\'Yes，comeinandrestbythefire。\'
\'MynameisRiah，\'saidtheoldman，withcourteousaction，\'andmyavocationisinLondoncity。This，myyoungcompanion——\'
\'Stopabit，\'interposedMissWren。\'I\'llgivetheladymycard。\'Sheproduceditfromherpocketwithanair，afterstrugglingwiththegiganticdoor-keywhichhadgotuponthetopofitandkeptitdown。MissAbbey，withmanifesttokensofastonishment，tookthediminutivedocument，andfoundittorunconciselythus:——
MISSJENNYWREN
DOLLS\'DRESSMAKER。
Dollsattendedattheirownresidences。
\'Lud！\'exclaimedMissPotterson，staring。Anddroppedthecard。
\'Wetakethelibertyofcoming，myyoungcompanionandI，madam，\'saidRiah，\'onbehalfofLizzieHexam。\'
MissPottersonwasstoopingtoloosenthebonnet-stringsofthedolls\'dressmaker。Shelookedroundratherangrily，andsaid:
\'LizzieHexamisaveryproudyoungwoman。\'
\'Shewouldbesoproud，\'returnedRiah，dexterously，\'tostandwellinyourgoodopinion，thatbeforeshequittedLondonfor——\'
\'Forwhere，inthenameoftheCapeofGoodHope?\'askedMissPotterson，asthoughsupposinghertohaveemigrated。
\'Forthecountry，\'wasthecautiousanswer，——\'shemadeuspromisetocomeandshowyouapaper，whichsheleftinourhandsforthatspecialpurpose。Iamanunserviceablefriendofhers，whobegantoknowherafterherdeparturefromthisneighbourhood。Shehasbeenforsometimelivingwithmyyoungcompanion，andhasbeenahelpfulandacomfortablefriendtoher。Muchneeded，madam，\'
headded，inalowervoice。\'Believeme；ifyouknewall，muchneeded。\'
\'Icanbelievethat，\'saidMissAbbey，withasofteningglanceatthelittlecreature。
\'Andifit\'sproudtohaveaheartthatneverhardens，andatemperthatnevertires，andatouchthatneverhurts，\'MissJennystruckin，flushed，\'sheisproud。Andifit\'snot，sheisNOT。\'
HersetpurposeofcontradictingMissAbbeypointblank，wassofarfromoffendingthatdreadauthority，astoelicitagracioussmile。\'Youdoright，child，\'saidMissAbbey，\'tospeakwellofthosewhodeservewellofyou。\'
\'Rightorwrong，\'mutteredMissWren，inaudibly，withavisiblehitchofherchin，\'Imeantodoit，andyoumaymakeupyourmindtoTHAT，oldlady。\'
\'Hereisthepaper，madam，\'saidtheJew，deliveringintoMissPotterson\'shandstheoriginaldocumentdrawnupbyRokesmith，andsignedbyRiderhood。\'Willyoupleasetoreadit?\'
\'Butfirstofall，\'saidMissAbbey，\'——didyouevertasteshrub，child?\'
MissWrenshookherhead。
\'Shouldyouliketo?\'
\'Shouldifit\'sgood，\'returnedMissWren。
\'Youshalltry。And，ifyoufinditgood，I\'llmixsomeforyouwithhotwater。Putyourpoorlittlefeetonthefender。It\'sacold，coldnight，andthefogclingsso。\'AsMissAbbeyhelpedhertoturnherchair，herloosenedbonnetdroppedonthefloor。\'Why，whatlovelyhair！\'criedMissAbbey。\'Andenoughtomakewigsforallthedollsintheworld。Whataquantity！\'
\'CallTHATaquantity?\'returnedMissWren。\'Poof！Whatdoyousaytotherestofit?\'Asshespoke，sheuntiedaband，andthegoldenstreamfelloverherselfandoverthechair，andfloweddowntotheground。MissAbbey\'sadmirationseemedtoincreaseherperplexity。ShebeckonedtheJewtowardsher，asshereacheddowntheshrub-bottlefromitsniche，andwhispered:
\'Child，orwoman?\'
\'Childinyears，\'wastheanswer；\'womaninself-relianceandtrial。\'
\'YouaretalkingaboutMe，goodpeople，\'thoughtMissJenny，sittinginhergoldenbower，warmingherfeet。\'Ican\'thearwhatyousay，butIknowyourtricksandyourmanners！\'
Theshrub，whentastedfromaspoon，perfectlyharmonizingwithMissJenny\'spalate，ajudiciousamountwasmixedbyMissPotterson\'sskilfulhands，whereofRiahtoopartook。Afterthispreliminary，MissAbbeyreadthedocument；and，asoftenassheraisedhereyebrowsinsodoing，thewatchfulMissJennyaccompaniedtheactionwithanexpressiveandemphaticsipoftheshrubandwater。
\'Asfarasthisgoes，\'saidMissAbbeyPotterson，whenshehadreaditseveraltimes，andthoughtaboutit，\'itproveswhatdidn\'tmuchneedprovingthatRogueRiderhoodisavillain。Ihavemydoubtswhetherheisnotthevillainwhosolelydidthedeed；butI
havenoexpectationofthosedoubtseverbeingclearedupnow。I
believeIdidLizzie\'sfatherwrong，butneverLizzie\'sself；becausewhenthingswereattheworstItrustedher，hadperfectconfidenceinher，andtriedtopersuadehertocometomeforarefuge。Iamverysorrytohavedoneamanwrong，particularlywhenitcan\'tbeundone。BekindenoughtoletLizzieknowwhatIsay；notforgettingthatifshewillcometothePorters，afterall，bygonesbeingbygones，shewillfindahomeatthePorters，andafriendatthePorters。SheknowsMissAbbeyofold，remindher，andsheknowswhat-likethehome，andwhat-likethefriend，islikelytoturnout。Iamgenerallyshortandsweet——orshortandsour，accordingasitmaybeandasopinionsvary——\'remarkedMissAbbey，\'andthat\'saboutallIhavegottosay，andenoughtoo。\'
Butbeforetheshrubandwaterwassippedout，MissAbbeybethoughtherselfthatshewouldliketokeepacopyofthepaperbyher。\'It\'snotlong，sir，\'saidshetoRiah，\'andperhapsyouwouldn\'tmindjustjottingitdown。\'Theoldmanwillinglyputonhisspectacles，and，standingatthelittledeskinthecornerwhereMissAbbeyfiledherreceiptsandkepthersamplephialscustomers\'scoreswereinterdictedbythestrictadministrationofthePorters，wroteoutthecopyinafairroundcharacter。Ashestoodthere，doinghismethodicalpenmanship，hisancientscribelikefigureintentuponthework，andthelittledolls\'
dressmakersittinginhergoldenbowerbeforethefire，MissAbbeyhadherdoubtswhethershehadnotdreamedthosetworarefiguresintothebaroftheSixJollyFellowships，andmightnotwakewithanodnextmomentandfindthemgone。
MissAbbeyhadtwicemadetheexperimentofshuttinghereyesandopeningthemagain，stillfindingthefiguresthere，when，dreamlike，aconfusedhubbubaroseinthepublicroom。Asshestartedup，andtheyallthreelookedatoneanother，itbecameanoiseofclamouringvoicesandofthestiroffeet；thenallthewindowswereheardtobehastilythrownup，andshoutsandcriescamefloatingintothehousefromtheriver。Amomentmore，andBobGlidderycameclatteringalongthepassage，withthenoiseofallthenailsinhisbootscondensedintoeveryseparatenail。
\'Whatisit?\'askedMissAbbey。
\'It\'ssummutrundowninthefog，ma\'am，\'answeredBob。\'There\'seversomanypeopleintheriver。\'
\'Tell\'emtoputonallthekettles！\'criedMissAbbey。\'Seethattheboiler\'sfull。Getabathout。Hangsomeblanketstothefire。Heatsomestonebottles。Haveyoursensesaboutyou，yougirlsdownstairs，anduse\'em。\'
WhileMissAbbeypartlydeliveredthesedirectionstoBob——whomsheseizedbythehair，andwhoseheadsheknockedagainstthewall，asageneralinjunctiontovigilanceandpresenceofmind——
andpartlyhailedthekitchenwiththem——thecompanyinthepublicroom，jostlingoneanother，rushedouttothecauseway，andtheouternoiseincreased。
\'Comeandlook，\'saidMissAbbeytohervisitors。Theyallthreehurriedtothevacatedpublicroom，andpassedbyoneofthewindowsintothewoodenverandahoverhangingtheriver。
\'Doesanybodydownthereknowwhathashappened?\'demandedMissAbbey，inhervoiceofauthority。
\'It\'sasteamer，MissAbbey，\'criedoneblurredfigureinthefog。
\'ItalwaysISasteamer，MissAbbey，\'criedanother。
\'Them\'sherlights，MissAbbey，wotyouseea-blinkingyonder，\'
criedanother。
\'She\'sa-blowingoffhersteam，MissAbbey，andthat\'swhatmakesthefogandthenoiseworse，don\'tyousee?\'explainedanother。
Boatswereputtingoff，torcheswerelightingup，peoplewererushingtumultuouslytothewater\'sedge。Somemanfellinwithasplash，andwaspulledoutagainwitharoaroflaughter。Thedragswerecalledfor。Acryforthelife-buoypassedfrommouthtomouth。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatwasgoingonupontheriver，foreveryboatthatputoffsculledintothefogandwaslosttoviewataboat\'slength。Nothingwasclearbutthattheunpopularsteamerwasassailedwithreproachesonallsides。ShewastheMurderer，boundforGallowsBay；shewastheManslaughterer，boundforPenalSettlement；hercaptainoughttobetriedforhislife；hercrewrandownmeninrow-boatswitharelish；shemashedupThameslightermenwithherpaddles；shefiredpropertywithherfunnels；shealwayswas，andshealwayswouldbe，wreakingdestructionuponsomebodyorsomething，afterthemannerofallherkind。Thewholebulkofthefogteemedwithsuchtaunts，utteredintonesofuniversalhoarseness。Allthewhile，thesteamer\'slightsmovedspectrallyaverylittle，asshelay-
to，waitingtheupshotofwhateveraccidenthadhappened。Now，shebeganburningblue-lights。Thesemadealuminouspatchabouther，asifshehadsetthefogonfire，andinthepatch——thecrieschangingtheirnote，andbecomingmorefitfulandmoreexcited——shadowsofmenandboatscouldbeseenmoving，whilevoicesshouted:\'There！\'\'Thereagain！\'\'Acouplemorestrokesa-
head！\'\'Hurrah！\'\'Lookout！\'\'Holdon！\'\'Haulin！\'andthelike。Lastly，withafewtumblingclotsofbluefire，thenightclosedindarkagain，thewheelsofthesteamerwereheardrevolving，andherlightsglidedsmoothlyawayinthedirectionofthesea。
ItappearedtoMissAbbeyandhertwocompanionsthataconsiderabletimehadbeenthusoccupied。Therewasnowaseagerasettowardstheshorebeneaththehouseastherehadbeenfromit；anditwasonlyonthefirstboatoftherushcominginthatitwasknownwhathadoccurred。
\'Ifthat\'sTomTootle，\'MissAbbeymadeproclamation，inhermostcommandingtones，\'lethiminstantlycomeunderneathhere。\'
ThesubmissiveTomcomplied，attendedbyacrowd。
\'Whatisit，Tootle?\'demandedMissAbbey。
\'It\'saforeignsteamer，miss，rundownawherry。\'
\'Howmanyinthewherry?\'
\'Oneman，MissAbbey。\'
\'Found?\'
\'Yes。He\'sbeenunderwateralongtime，Miss；butthey\'vegrappledupthebody。\'
\'Let\'embringithere。You，BobGliddery，shutthehouse-doorandstandbyitontheinside，anddon\'tyouopentillItellyou。Anypolicedownthere?\'
\'Here，MissAbbey，\'wasofficialrejoinder。
\'Aftertheyhavebroughtthebodyin，keepthecrowdout，willyou?
AndhelpBobGlidderytoshut\'emout。\'
\'Allright，MissAbbey。\'
TheautocraticlandladywithdrewintothehousewithRiahandMissJenny，anddisposedthoseforces，oneoneithersideofher，withinthehalf-doorofthebar，asbehindabreastwork。
\'Youtwostandclosehere，\'saidMissAbbey，\'andyou\'llcometonohurt，andseeitbroughtin。Bob，youstandbythedoor。\'
Thatsentinel，smartlygivinghisrolledshirt-sleevesanextraandafinaltuckonhisshoulders，obeyed。
Soundofadvancingvoices，soundofadvancingsteps。Shuffleandtalkwithout。Momentarypause。Twopeculiarlybluntknocksorpokesatthedoor，asifthedeadmanarrivingonhisbackwerestrikingatitwiththesolesofhismotionlessfeet。
\'That\'sthestretcher，ortheshutter，whicheverofthetwotheyarecarrying，\'saidMissAbbey，withexperiencedear。\'Open，youBob！\'
Dooropened。Heavytreadofladenmen。Ahalt。Arush。
Stoppageofrush。Doorshut。Baffledbootsfromthevexedsoulsofdisappointedoutsiders。
\'Comeon，men！\'saidMissAbbey；forsopotentwasshewithhersubjectsthateventhenthebearersawaitedherpermission。\'Firstfloor。\'
Theentrybeinglow，andthestaircasebeinglow，theysotookuptheburdentheyhadsetdown，astocarrythatlow。Therecumbentfigure，inpassing，layhardlyashighasthehalfdoor。
MissAbbeystartedbackatsightofit。\'Why，goodGod！\'saidshe，turningtohertwocompanions，\'that\'stheverymanwhomadethedeclarationwehavejusthadinourhands。That\'sRiderhood！\'
Chapter3
THESAMERESPECTEDFRIENDINMOREASPECTSTHANONE
Insooth，itisRiderhoodandnoother，oritistheouterhuskandshellofRiderhoodandnoother，thatisborneintoMissAbbey\'sfirst-floorbedroom。SuppletotwistandturnastheRoguehaseverbeen，heissufficientlyrigidnow；andnotwithoutmuchshufflingofattendantfeet，andtiltingofhisbierthiswayandthatway，andperilevenofhisslidingoffitandbeingtumbledinaheapoverthebalustrades，canhebegotupstairs。
\'Fetchadoctor，\'quothMissAbbey。Andthen，\'Fetchhisdaughter。\'
Onbothofwhicherrands，quickmessengersdepart。
Thedoctor-seekingmessengermeetsthedoctorhalfway，comingunderconvoyofpolice。Doctorexaminesthedankcarcase，andpronounces，nothopefully，thatitisworthwhiletryingtoreanimatethesame。Allthebestmeansareatonceinaction，andeverybodypresentlendsahand，andaheartandsoul。Noonehastheleastregardfortheman；withthemall，hehasbeenanobjectofavoidance，suspicion，andaversion；butthesparkoflifewithinhimiscuriouslyseparablefromhimselfnow，andtheyhaveadeepinterestinit，probablybecauseitISlife，andtheyarelivingandmustdie。
Inanswertothedoctor\'sinquiryhowdidithappen，andwasanyonetoblame，TomTootlegivesinhisverdict，unavoidableaccidentandnoonetoblamebutthesufferer。\'Hewasslinkingaboutinhisboat，\'saysTom，\'whichslinkingwere，nottospeakillofthedead，themanneroftheman，whenhecomerightathwartthesteamer\'sbowsandshecuthimintwo。\'MrTootleissofarfigurative，touchingthedismemberment，asthathemeanstheboat，andnottheman。For，themanlieswholebeforethem。
CaptainJoey，thebottle-nosedregularcustomerintheglazedhat，isapupilofthemuch-respectedoldschool，andhavinginsinuatedhimselfintothechamber，intheexecutionoftheimpontantserviceofcarryingthedrownedman\'sneck-kerchieffavoursthedoctorwithasagaciousold-scholasticsuggestionthatthebodyshouldbehungupbytheheels，\'sim\'lar\'，saysCaptainJoey，\'tomuttoninabutcher\'sshop，\'andshouldthen，asaparticularlychoicemanoeuvreforpromotingeasyrespiration，berolleduponcasks。
Thesescrapsofthewisdomofthecaptain\'sancestorsarereceivedwithsuchspeechlessindignationbyMissAbbey，thatsheinstantlyseizestheCaptainbythecollar，andwithoutasinglewordejectshim，notpresumingtoremonstrate，fromthescene。
Therethenremain，toassistthedoctorandTom，onlythosethreeotherregularcustomers，BobGlamour，WilliamWilliams，andJonathanfamilynameofthelatter，ifany，unknowntoman-kind，whoarequiteenough。MissAbbeyhavinglookedintomakesurethatnothingiswanted，descendstothebar，andthereawaitstheresult，withthegentleJewandMissJennyWren。
Ifyouarenotgoneforgood，MrRiderhood，itwouldbesomethingtoknowwhereyouarehidingatpresent。Thisflabbylumpofmortalitythatweworksohardatwithsuchpatientperseverance，yieldsnosignofyou。Ifyouaregoneforgood，Rogue，itisverysolemn，andifyouarecomingback，itishardlylessso。Nay，inthesuspenseandmysteryofthelatterquestion，involvingthatofwhereyoumaybenow，thereisasolemnityevenaddedtothatofdeath，makinguswhoareinattendancealikeafraidtolookonyouandtolookoffyou，andmakingthosebelowstartattheleastsoundofacreakingplankinthefloor。
Stay！Didthateyelidtremble?Sothedoctor，breathinglow，andcloselywatching，askshimself。
No。
Didthatnostriltwitch?
No。
Thisartificialrespirationceasing，doIfeelanyfaintflutterundermyhanduponthechest?
No。
OverandoveragainNo。No。Buttryoverandoveragain，nevertheless。
See！Atokenoflife！Anindubitabletokenoflife！Thesparkmaysmoulderandgoout，oritmayglowandexpand，butsee！Thefourroughfellows，seeing，shedtears。NeitherRiderhoodinthisworld，norRiderhoodintheother，coulddrawtearsfromthem；butastrivinghumansoulbetweenthetwocandoiteasily。
Heisstrugglingtocomeback。Now，heisalmosthere，nowheisfarawayagain。Nowheisstrugglinghardertogetback。Andyet——
likeusall，whenweswoon——likeusall，everydayofourliveswhenwewake——heisinstinctivelyunwillingtoberestoredtotheconsciousnessofthisexistence，andwouldbeleftdormant，ifhecould。
BobGlidderyreturnswithPleasantRiderhood，whowasoutwhensoughtfor，andhardtofind。Shehasashawloverherhead，andherfirstaction，whenshetakesitoffweeping，andcurtseystoMissAbbey，istowindherhairup。
\'Thankyou，MissAbbey，forhavingfatherhere。\'
\'Iamboundtosay，girl，Ididn\'tknowwhoitwas，\'returnsMissAbbey；\'butIhopeitwouldhavebeenprettymuchthesameifI
hadknown。\'
PoorPleasant，fortifiedwithasipofbrandy，isusheredintothefirst-floorchamber。Shecouldnotexpressmuchsentimentaboutherfatherifshewerecalledupontopronouncehisfuneraloration，butshehasagreatertendernessforhimthanheeverhadforher，andcryingbitterlywhensheseeshimstretchedunconscious，asksthedoctor，withclaspedhands:\'Istherenohope，sir?Opoorfather！Ispoorfatherdead?\'
Towhichthedoctor，ononekneebesidethebody，busyandwatchful，onlyrejoinswithoutlookinground:\'Now，mygirl，unlessyouhavetheself-commandtobeperfectlyquiet，Icannotallowyoutoremainintheroom。\'