MrFledgebyshookhisheaddeploringlyatTwemlow，andmutelyexpressedinreferencetothevenerablefigurestandingbeforehimwitheyesupontheground:\'WhataMonsterofanIsraelitethisis！\'
\'MrRiah，\'saidFledgeby。
TheoldmanlifteduphiseyesoncemoretothelittleeyesinMrFledgeby\'shead，withsomerevivinghopethatthesignmightbecomingyet。
\'MrRiah，it\'sofnousemyholdingbackthefact。There\'sacertaingreatpartyinthebackgroundinMrTwemlow\'scase，andyouknowit。
\'Iknowit，\'theoldmanadmitted。
\'Now，I\'llputitasaplainpointofbusiness，MrRiah。Areyoufullydeterminedasaplainpointofbusinesseithertohavethatsaidgreatparty\'ssecurity，orthatsaidgreatparty\'smoney?\'
\'Fullydetermined，\'answeredRiah，ashereadhismaster\'sface，andlearntthebook。
\'Notatallcaringfor，andindeedasitseemstomeratherenjoying，\'
saidFledgeby，withpeculiarunction，\'thepreciouskick-upandrowthatwillcomeoffbetweenMrTwemlowandthesaidgreatparty?\'
Thisrequirednoanswer，andreceivednone。PoorMrTwemlow，whohadbetrayedthekeenestmentalterrorssincehisnoblekinsmanloomedintheperspective，rosewithasightotakehisdeparture。\'Ithankyouverymuch，sir，\'hesaid，offeringFledgebyhisfeverishhand。\'Youhavedonemeanunmeritedservice。
Thankyou，thankyou！\'
\'Don\'tmentionit，\'answeredFledgeby。\'It\'safailuresofar，butI\'llstaybehind，andtakeanothertouchatMrRiah。\'
\'DonotdeceiveyourselfMrTwemlow，\'saidtheJew，thenaddressinghimdirectlyforthefirsttime。\'Thereisnohopeforyou。Youmustexpectnoleniencyhere。Youmustpayinfull，andyoucannotpaytoopromptly，oryouwillbeputtoheavycharges。
Trustnothingtome，sir。Money，money，money。\'Whenhehadsaidthesewordsinanemphaticmanner，heacknowledgedMrTwemlow\'sstillpolitemotionofhishead，andthatamiablelittleworthytookhisdepartureinthelowestspirits。
FascinationFledgebywasinsuchamerryveinwhenthecounting-
housewasclearedofhim，thathehadnothingforitbuttogotothewindow，andleanhisarmsontheframeoftheblind，andhavehissilentlaughout，withhisbacktohissubordinate。Whenheturnedroundagainwithacomposedcountenance，hissubordinatestillstoodinthesameplace，andthedolls\'dressmakersatbehindthedoorwithalookofhorror。
\'Halloa！\'criedMrFledgeby，\'you\'reforgettingthisyounglady，MrRiah，andshehasbeenwaitinglongenoughtoo。Sellherherwaste，please，andgivehergoodmeasureifyoucanmakeupyourmindtodotheliberalthingforonce。\'
Helookedonforatime，astheJewfilledherlittlebasketwithsuchscrapsasshewasusedtobuy；but，hismerryveincomingonagain，hewasobligedtoturnroundtothewindowoncemore，andleanhisarmsontheblind。
\'There，myCinderelladear，\'saidtheoldmaninawhisper，andwithaworn-outlook，\'thebasket\'sfullnow。Blessyou！Andgetyougone！\'
\'Don\'tcallmeyourCinderelladear，\'returnedMissWren。\'Oyoucruelgodmother！\'
Sheshookthatemphaticlittleforefingerofhersinhisfaceatparting，asearnestlyandreproachfullyasshehadevershakenitathergrimoldchildathome。
\'Youarenotthegodmotheratall！\'saidshe。\'YouaretheWolfintheForest，thewickedWolf！AndifevermydearLizzieissoldandbetrayed，Ishallknowwhosoldandbetrayedher！\'
Chapter14
MRWEGGPREPARESAGRINDSTONEFORMRBOFFIN\'SNOSE
HavingassistedatafewmoreexpositionsofthelivesofMisers，MrVenusbecamealmostindispensabletotheeveningsattheBower。ThecircumstanceofhavinganotherlistenertothewondersunfoldedbyWegg，or，asitwere，anothercalculatortocastuptheguineasfoundinteapots，chimneys，racksandmangers，andothersuchbanksofdeposit，seemedgreatlytoheightenMrBoffin\'senjoyment；whileSilasWegg，forhispart，thoughofajealoustemperamentwhichmightunderordinarycircumstanceshaveresentedtheanatomist\'sgettingintofavour，wassoveryanxioustokeephiseyeonthatgentleman——lest，beingtoomuchlefttohimself，heshouldbetemptedtoplayanytrickswiththepreciousdocumentinhiskeeping——thatheneverlostanopportunityofcommendinghimtoMrBoffin\'snoticeasathirdpartywhosecompanywasmuchtobedesired。AnotherfriendlydemonstrationtowardshimMrWeggnowregularlygratified。
Aftereachsittingwasover，andthepatronhaddeparted，MrWegginvariablysawMrVenushome。Tobesure，heasinvariablyrequestedtoberefreshedwithasightofthepaperinwhichhewasajointproprietor；butheneverfailedtoremarkthatitwasthegreatpleasurehederivedfromMrVenus\'simprovingsocietywhichhadinsensiblyluredhimroundtoClerkenwellagain，andthat，findinghimselfoncemoreattractedtothespotbythesocialpowersofMrV。，hewouldbegleavetogothroughthatlittleincidentalprocedure，asamatterofform。\'ForwellIknow，sir，\'MrWeggwouldadd，\'thatamanofyourdelicatemindwouldwishtobecheckedoffwhenevertheopportunityarises，anditisnotformetobaulkyourfeelings。\'
AcertainrustinessinMrVenus，whichneverbecamesolubricatedbytheoilofMrWeggbutthatheturnedunderthescrewinacreakingandstiffmanner，wasverynoticeableataboutthisperiod。Whileassistingattheliteraryevenings，heevenwentsofar，ontwoorthreeoccasions，astocorrectMrWeggwhenhegrosslymispronouncedaword，ormadenonsenseofapassage；
insomuchthatMrWeggtooktosurveyinghiscourseintheday，andtomakingarrangementsforgettingroundrocksatnightinsteadofrunningstraightuponthem。Oftheslightestanatomicalreferencehebecameparticularlyshy，and，ifhesawaboneahead，wouldgoanydistanceoutofhiswayratherthanmentionitbyname。
TheadversedestiniesordainedthatoneeveningMrWegg\'slabouringbarkbecamebesetbypolysyllables，andembarrassedamongaperfectarchipelagoofhardwords。Itbeingnecessarytotakesoundingseveryminute，andtofeelthewaywiththegreatestcaution，MrWegg\'sattentionwasfullyemployed。AdvantagewastakenofthisdilemmabyMrVenus，topassascrapofpaperintoMrBoffin\'shand，andlayhisfingeronhisownlip。
WhenMrBoffingothomeatnighthefoundthatthepapercontainedMrVenus\'scardandthesewords:\'Shouldbegladtobehonouredwithacallrespectingbusinessofyourown，aboutduskonanearlyevening。\'
TheverynexteveningsawMrBoffinpeepinginatthepreservedfrogsinMrVenus\'sshop-window，andsawMrVenusespyingMrBoffinwiththereadinessofoneonthealert，andbeckoningthatgentlemanintohisinterior。Responding，MrBoffinwasinvitedtoseathimselfontheboxofhumanmiscellaniesbeforethefire，anddidso，lookingroundtheplacewithadmiringeyes。Thefirebeinglowandfitful，andtheduskgloomy，thewholestockseemedtobewinkingandblinkingwithbotheyes，asMrVenusdid。TheFrenchgentleman，thoughhehadnoeyes，wasnotatallbehind-
hand，butappeared，astheflameroseandfell，toopenandshuthisnoeyes，withtheregularityoftheglass-eyeddogsandducksandbirds。Thebig-headedbabieswereequallyobliginginlendingtheirgrotesqueaidtothegeneraleffect。
\'Yousee，MrVenus，I\'velostnotime，\'saidMrBoffin。\'HereIam。\'
\'Hereyouare，sir，\'assentedMrVenus。
\'Idon\'tlikesecrecy，\'pursuedMrBoffin——\'atleast，notinageneralwayIdon\'t——butIdaresayyou\'llshowmegoodreasonforbeingsecretsofar。\'
\'IthinkIshall，sir，\'returnedVenus。
\'Good，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Youdon\'texpectWegg，Itakeitforgranted?\'
\'No，sir。Iexpectnoonebutthepresentcompany。\'
MrBoffinglancedabouthim，asacceptingunderthatinclusivedenominationtheFrenchgentlemanandthecircleinwhichhedidn\'tmove，andrepeated，\'Thepresentcompany。\'
\'Sir，\'saidMrVenus，\'beforeenteringuponbusiness，Ishallhavetoaskyouforyourwordandhonourthatweareinconfidence。\'
\'Let\'swaitabitandunderstandwhattheexpressionmeans，\'
answeredMrBoffin。\'Inconfidenceforhowlong?Inconfidenceforeverandaday?\'
\'Itakeyourhint，sir，\'saidVenus；\'youthinkyoumightconsiderthebusiness，whenyoucametoknowit，tobeofanatureincompatiblewithconfidenceonyourpart?\'
\'Imight，\'saidMrBoffinwithacautiouslook。
\'True，sir。Well，sir，\'observedVenus，afterclutchingathisdustyhair，tobrightenhisideas，\'letusputitanotherway。Iopenthebusinesswithyou，relyinguponyourhonournottodoanythinginit，andnottomentionmeinit，withoutmyknowledge。\'
\'Thatsoundsfair，\'saidMrBoffin。\'Iagreetothat。\'
\'Ihaveyourwordandhonour，sir?\'
\'Mygoodfellow，\'retortedMrBoffin，\'youhavemyword；andhowyoucanhavethat，withoutmyhonourtoo，Idon\'tknow。I\'vesortedalotofdustinmytime，butIneverknewthetwothingsgointoseparateheaps。\'
ThisremarkseemedrathertoabashMrVenus。Hehesitated，andsaid，\'Verytrue，sir；\'andagain，\'Verytrue，sir，\'beforeresumingthethreadofhisdiscourse。
\'MrBoffin，ifIconfesstoyouthatIfellintoaproposalofwhichyouwerethesubject，andofwhichyououghtn\'ttohavebeenthesubject，youwillallowmetomention，andwillpleasetakeintofavourableconsideration，thatIwasinacrushedstateofmindatthetime。\'
TheGoldenDustman，withhishandsfoldedonthetopofhisstoutstick，withhischinrestinguponthem，andwithsomethingleeringandwhimsicalinhiseyes，gaveanod，andsaid，\'Quiteso，Venus。\'
\'Thatproposal，sir，wasaconspiringbreachofyourconfidence，tosuchanextent，thatIoughtatoncetohavemadeitknowntoyou。
ButIdidn\'t，MrBoffin，andIfellintoit。\'
Withoutmovingeyeorfinger，MrBoffingaveanothernod，andplacidlyrepeated，\'Quiteso，Venus。\'
\'NotthatIwaseverheartyinit，sir，\'thepenitentanatomistwenton，\'orthatIeverviewedmyselfwithanythingbutreproachforhavingturnedoutofthepathsofscienceintothepathsof——\'hewasgoingtosay\'villany，\'but，unwillingtopresstooharduponhimself，substitutedwithgreatemphasis——\'Weggery。\'
Placidandwhimsicaloflookasever，MrBoffinanswered:
\'Quiteso，Venus。\'
\'Andnow，sir，\'saidVenus，\'havingpreparedyourmindintherough，Iwillarticulatethedetails。\'Withwhichbriefprofessionalexordium，heenteredonthehistoryofthefriendlymove，andtrulyrecountedit。Onemighthavethoughtthatitwouldhaveextractedsomeshowofsurpriseoranger，orotheremotion，fromMrBoffin，butitextractednothingbeyondhisformercomment:
\'Quiteso，Venus。\'
\'Ihaveastonishedyou，sir，Ibelieve?\'saidMrVenus，pausingdubiously。
MrBoffinsimplyansweredasaforesaid:\'Quiteso，Venus。\'
Bythistimetheastonishmentwasallontheotherside。Itdidnot，however，socontinue。For，whenVenuspassedtoWegg\'sdiscovery，andfromthattotheirhavingbothseenMrBoffindiguptheDutchbottle，thatgentlemanchangedcolour，changedhisattitude，becameextremelyrestless，andendedwhenVenusendedbybeinginastateofmanifestanxiety，trepidation，andconfusion。
\'Now，sir，\'saidVenus，finishingoff；\'youbestknowwhatwasinthatDutchbottle，andwhyyoudugitup，andtookitaway。Idon\'tpretendtoknowanythingmoreaboutitthanIsaw。AllIknowisthis:Iamproudofmycallingafterallthoughithasbeenattendedbyonedreadfuldrawbackwhichhastolduponmyheart，andalmostequallyuponmyskeleton，andImeantolivebymycalling。Puttingthesamemeaningintootherwords，Idonotmeantoturnasingledishonestpennybythisaffair。AsthebestamendsIcanmakeyouforhavingevergoneintoit，Imakeknowntoyou，asawarning，whatWegghasfoundout。Myopinionis，thatWeggisnottobesilencedatamodestprice，andIbuildthatopiniononhisbeginningtodisposeofyourpropertythemomentheknewhispower。Whetherit\'sworthyourwhiletosilencehimatanyprice，youwilldecideforyourself，andtakeyourmeasuresaccordingly。AsfarasIamconcerned，Ihavenoprice。IfIamevercalleduponforthetruth，Itellit，butIwanttodonomorethanIhavenowdoneandended。\'
\'Thank\'ee，Venus！\'saidMrBoffin，withaheartygripofhishand；
\'thank\'ee，Venus，thank\'ee，Venus！\'Andthenwalkedupanddownthelittleshopingreatagitation。\'Butlookhere，Venus，\'heby-
and-byresumed，nervouslysittingdownagain；\'ifIhavetobuyWeggup，Ishan\'tbuyhimanycheaperforyourbeingoutofit。
Insteadofhishavinghalfthemoney——itwastohavebeenhalf，I
suppose?Shareandsharealike?\'
\'Itwastohavebeenhalf，sir，\'answeredVenus。
\'Insteadofthat，he\'llnowhaveall。Ishallpaythesame，ifnotmore。Foryoutellmehe\'sanunconscionabledog，aravenousrascal。\'
\'Heis，\'saidVenus。
\'Don\'tyouthink，Venus，\'insinuatedMrBoffin，afterlookingatthefireforawhile——\'don\'tyoufeelasif——youmightliketopretendtobeinittillWeggwasboughtup，andtheneaseyourmindbyhandingovertomewhatyouhadmadebelievetopocket?\'
\'NoIdon\'t，sir，\'returnedVenus，verypositively。
\'Nottomakeamends?\'insinuatedMrBoffin。
\'No，sir。Itseemstome，aftermaturelythinkingitover，thatthebestamendsforhavinggotoutofthesquareistogetbackintothesquare。\'
\'Humph！\'musedMrBoffin。\'Whenyousaythesquare，youmean——\'
\'Imean，\'saidVenus，stoutlyandshortly，\'theright。\'
\'Itappearstome，\'saidMrBoffin，grumblingoverthefireinaninjuredmanner，\'thattherightiswithme，ifit\'sanywhere。Ihavemuchmorerighttotheoldman\'smoneythantheCrowncaneverhave。WhatwastheCrowntohimexcepttheKing\'sTaxes?
Whereas，meandmywife，wewasallinalltohim。\'
MrVenus，withhisheaduponhishands，renderedmelancholybythecontemplationofMrBoffin\'savarice，onlymurmuredtosteephimselfintheluxuryofthatframeofmind:\'Shedidnotwishsotoregardherself，noryettobesoregarded。\'
\'AndhowamItolive，\'askedMrBoffin，piteously，\'ifI\'mtobegoingbuyingfellowsupoutofthelittlethatI\'vegot?AndhowamItosetaboutit?WhenamItogetmymoneyready?WhenamI
tomakeabid?Youhaven\'ttoldmewhenhethreatenstodropdownuponme。\'
Venusexplainedunderwhatconditions，andwithwhatviews，thedroppingdownuponMrBoffinwasheldoveruntiltheMoundsshouldbeclearedaway。MrBoffinlistenedattentively。\'I
suppose，\'saidhe，withagleamofhope，\'there\'snodoubtaboutthegenuinenessanddateofthisconfoundedwill?\'
\'Nonewhatever，\'saidMrVenus。
\'Wheremightitbedepositedatpresent?\'askedMrBoffin，inawheedlingtone。
\'It\'sinmypossession，sir。\'
\'Isit?\'hecried，withgreateagerness。\'Now，foranyliberalsumofmoneythatcouldbeagreedupon，Venus，wouldyouputitinthefire?\'
\'No，sir，Iwouldn\'t，\'interruptedMrVenus。
\'Norpassitovertome?\'
\'Thatwouldbethesamething。No，sir，\'saidMrVenus。
TheGoldenDustmanseemedabouttopursuethesequestions，whenastumpingnoisewasheardoutside，comingtowardsthedoor。\'Hush！here\'sWegg！\'saidVenus。\'Getbehindtheyoungalligatorinthecorner，MrBoffin，andjudgehimforyourself。I
won\'tlightacandletillhe\'sgone；there\'llonlybetheglowofthefire；Wegg\'swellacquaintedwiththealligator，andhewon\'ttakeparticularnoticeofhim。Drawyourlegsin，MrBoffin，atpresentI
seeapairofshoesattheendofhistail。Getyourheadwellbehindhissmile，MrBoffin，andyou\'llliecomfortablethere；you\'llfindplentyofroombehindhissmile。He\'salittledusty，buthe\'sverylikeyouintone。Areyouright，sir?\'
MrBoffinhadbutwhisperedanaffirmativeresponse，whenWeggcamestumpingin。\'Partner，\'saidthatgentlemaninasprightlymanner，\'how\'syourself?\'
\'Tolerable，\'returnedMrVenus。\'Notmuchtoboastof。\'
\'In-deed！\'saidWegg:\'sorry，partner，thatyou\'renotpickingupfaster，butyoursoul\'stoolargeforyourbody，sir；that\'swhereitis。
Andhow\'sourstockintrade，partner?Safebind，safefind，partner?Isthataboutit?\'
\'Doyouwishtoseeit?\'askedVenus。
\'Ifyouplease，partner，\'saidWegg，rubbinghishands。\'Iwishtoseeitjintlywithyourself。Or，insimilarwordstosomethatwassettomusicsometimeback:
“Iwishyoutoseeitwithyoureyes，AndIwillpledgewithmine。”\'
Turninghisbackandturningakey，MrVenusproducedthedocument，holdingonbyhisusualcorner。MrWegg，holdingonbytheoppositecorner，satdownontheseatsolatelyvacatedbyMrBoffin，andlookeditover。\'Allright，sir，\'heslowlyandunwillinglyadmitted，inhisreluctancetoloosehishold，\'allright！\'
Andgreedilywatchedhispartnerasheturnedhisbackagain，andturnedhiskeyagain。
\'There\'snothingnew，Isuppose?\'saidVenus，resuminghislowchairbehindthecounter。
\'Yesthereis，sir，\'repliedWegg；\'therewassomethingnewthismorning。Thatfoxeyoldgrasperandgriper——\'
\'MrBoffin?\'inquiredVenus，withaglancetowardsthealligator\'syardortwoofsmile。
\'Misterbeblowed！\'criedWegg，yieldingtohishonestindignation。
\'Boffin。DustyBoffin。Thatfoxeyoldgrunterandgrinder，sir，turnsintotheyardthismorning，tomeddlewithourproperty，amenialtoolofhisown，ayoungmanbythenameofSloppy。Ecod，whenIsaytohim，“Whatdoyouwanthere，youngman?Thisisaprivateyard，“hepullsoutapaperfromBoffin\'sotherblackguard，theoneIwaspassedoverfor。“ThisistoauthorizeSloppytooverlookthecartingandtowatchthework。”That\'sprettystrong，I
think，MrVenus?\'
\'Rememberhedoesn\'tknowyetofourclaimontheproperty，\'
suggestedVenus。
\'Thenhemusthaveahintofit，\'saidWegg，\'andastrongonethat\'lljoghisterrorsabit。Givehimaninch，andhe\'lltakeanell。Lethimalonethistime，andwhat\'llhedowithourpropertynext?I
tellyouwhat，MrVenus；itcomestothis；ImustbeoverbearingwithBoffin，orIshallflyintoseveralpieces。Ican\'tcontainmyselfwhenIlookathim。EverytimeIseehimputtinghishandinhispocket，Iseehimputtingitintomypocket。EverytimeIhearhimjinglinghismoney，Ihearhimtakinglibertieswithmymoney。
Fleshandbloodcan\'tbearit。No，\'saidMrWegg，greatlyexasperated，\'andI\'llgofurther。Awoodenlegcan\'tbearit！\'
\'But，MrWegg，\'urgedVenus，\'itwasyourownideathatheshouldnotbeexplodedupon，tilltheMoundswerecartedaway。\'
\'Butitwaslikewisemyidea，MrVenus，\'retortedWegg，\'thatifhecamesneakingandsniffingabouttheproperty，heshouldbethreatened，giventounderstandthathehasnorighttoit，andbemadeourslave。Wasn\'tthatmyidea，MrVenus?\'
\'Itcertainlywas，MrWegg。\'
\'Itcertainlywas，asyousay，partner，\'assentedWegg，putintoabetterhumourbythereadyadmission。\'Verywell。Iconsiderhisplantingoneofhismenialtoolsintheyard，anactofsneakingandsniffing。Andhisnoseshallbeputtothegrindstoneforit。\'
\'Itwasnotyourfault，MrWegg，Imustadmit，\'saidVenus，\'thathegotoffwiththeDutchbottlethatnight。\'
\'Asyouhandsomelysayagain，partner！No，itwasnotmyfault。
I\'dhavehadthatbottleoutofhim。Wasittobebornethatheshouldcome，likeathiefinthedark，diggingamongstuffthatwasfarmoreoursthanhisseeingthatwecoulddeprivehimofeverygrainofit，ifhedidn\'tbuyusatourownfigure，andcarryingofftreasurefromitsbowels?No，itwasnottobeborne。Andforthat，too，hisnoseshallbeputtothegrindstone。\'
\'Howdoyouproposetodoit，MrWegg?\'
\'Toputhisnosetothegrindstone?Ipropose，\'returnedthatestimableman，\'toinsulthimopenly。And，iflookingintothiseyeofmine，hedarestoofferawordinanswer，toretortuponhimbeforehecantakehisbreath，“Addanotherwordtothat，youdustyolddog，andyou\'reabeggar。”\'
\'Supposehesaysnothing，MrWegg?\'
\'Then，\'repliedWegg，\'weshallhavecometoanunderstandingwithverylittletrouble，andI\'llbreakhimanddrivehim，MrVenus。I\'llputhiminharness，andI\'llbearhimuptight，andI\'llbreakhimanddrivehim。ThehardertheoldDustisdriven，sir，thehigherhe\'llpay。AndImeantobepaidhigh，MrVenus，I
promiseyou。\'
\'Youspeakquiterevengefully，MrWegg。\'
\'Revengefully，sir?IsitforhimthatIhavedeclinedandfalled，nightafternight?IsitforhispleasurethatI\'vewaitedathomeofanevening，likeasetofskittles，tobesetupandknockedover，setupandknockedover，bywhateverballs——orbooks——hechosetobringagainstme?Why，I\'mahundredtimesthemanheis，sir；
fivehundredtimes！\'
PerhapsitwaswiththemaliciousintentofurginghimontohisworstthatMrVenuslookedasifhedoubtedthat。
\'What?Wasitoutsidethehouseatpresentockypied，toitsdisgrace，bythatminionoffortuneandwormofthehour，\'saidWegg，fallingbackuponhisstrongesttermsofreprobation，andslappingthecounter，\'thatI，SilasWegg，fivehundredtimesthemanheeverwas，satinallweathers，waitingforaerrandoracustomer?WasitoutsidethatveryhouseasIfirstseteyesuponhim，rollinginthelapofluxury，whenIwassellinghalfpennyballadsthereforaliving?AndamItogrovelinthedustforHIM
towalkover?No！\'
TherewasagrinupontheghastlycountenanceoftheFrenchgentlemanundertheinfluenceofthefirelight，asifhewerecomputinghowmanythousandslanderersandtraitorsarraythemselvesagainstthefortunate，onpremisesexactlyansweringtothoseofMrWegg。Onemighthavefanciedthatthebig-headedbabiesweretopplingoverwiththeirhydrocephalicattemptstoreckonupthechildrenofmenwhotransformtheirbenefactorsintotheirinjurersbythesameprocess。Theyardortwoofsmileonthepartofthealligatormighthavebeeninvestedwiththemeaning，\'Allaboutthiswasquitefamiliarknowledgedowninthedepthsoftheslime，agesago。\'
\'But，\'saidWegg，possiblywithsomeslightperceptiontotheforegoingeffect，\'yourspeakingcountenanceremarks，MrVenus，thatI\'mdullerandsavagerthanusual。PerhapsIHAVEallowedmyselftobroodtoomuch。Begone，dullCare！\'Tisgone，sir。I\'velookedinuponyou，andempireresumeshersway。For，asthesongsays——subjecttoyourcorrection，sir——
“Whentheheartofamanisdepressedwithcares，ThemistisdispelledifVenusappears。
Likethenotesofafiddle，yousweetly，sir，sweetly，Raisesourspiritsandcharmsourears。”
Good-night，sir。\'
\'Ishallhaveawordortwotosaytoyou，MrWegg，beforelong，\'
remarkedVenus，\'respectingmyshareintheprojectwe\'vebeenspeakingof。\'
\'Mytime，sir，\'returnedWegg，\'isyours。InthemeanwhileletitbefullyunderstoodthatIshallnotneglectbringingthegrindstonetobear，noryetbringingDustyBoffin\'snosetoit。Hisnoseoncebroughttoit，shallbeheldtoitbythesehands，MrVenus，tillthesparksfliesoutinshowers。\'
WiththisagreeablepromiseWeggstumpedout，andshuttheshop-doorafterhim。\'WaittillIlightacandle，MrBoffin，\'saidVenus，\'andyou\'llcomeoutmorecomfortable。\'So，helightingacandleandholdingitupatarm\'slength，MrBoffindisengagedhimselffrombehindthealligator\'ssmile，withanexpressionofcountenancesoverydowncastthatitnotonlyappearedasifthealligatorhadthewholeofthejoketohimself，butfurtherasifithadbeenconceivedandexecutedatMrBoffin\'sexpense。
\'That\'satreacherousfellow，\'saidMrBoffin，dustinghisarmsandlegsashecameforth，thealligatorhavingbeenbutmustycompany。\'That\'sadreadfulfellow。\'
\'Thealligator，sir?\'saidVenus。
\'No，Venus，no。TheSerpent。\'
\'You\'llhavethegoodnesstonotice，MrBoffin，\'remarkedVenus，\'thatIsaidnothingtohimaboutmygoingoutoftheaffairaltogether，becauseIdidn\'twishtotakeyouanywaysbysurprise。
ButIcan\'tbetoosoonoutofitformysatisfaction，MrBoffin，andInowputittoyouwhenitwillsuityourviewsformetoretire?\'
\'Thank\'ee，Venus，thank\'ee，Venus；butIdon\'tknowwhattosay，\'
returnedMrBoflin，\'Idon\'tknowwhattodo。He\'lldropdownonmeanyway。Heseemsfullydeterminedtodropdown；don\'the?\'
MrVenusopinedthatsuchwasclearlyhisintention。
\'Youmightbeasortofprotectionforme，ifyouremainedinit，\'
saidMrBoffin；\'youmightstandbetwixthimandme，andtaketheedgeoffhim。Don\'tyoufeelasifyoucouldmakeashowofremaininginit，Venus，tillIhadtimetoturnmyselfround?\'
VenusnaturallyinquiredhowlongMrBoffinthoughtitmighttakehimtoturnhimselfround?
\'IamsureIdon\'tknow，\'wastheanswer，givenquiteataloss。
\'Everythingissoatsixesandsevens。IfIhadnevercomeintotheproperty，Ishouldn\'thaveminded。Butbeinginit，itwouldbeverytryingtobeturnedout；now，don\'tyouacknowledgethatitwould，Venus?\'
MrVenuspreferred，hesaid，toleaveMrBoffintoarriveathisownconclusionsonthatdelicatequestion。
\'IamsureIdon\'tknowwhattodo，\'saidMrBoffin。\'IfIaskadviceofanyoneelse，it\'sonlylettinginanotherpersontobeboughtout，andthenIshallberuinedthatway，andmightaswellhavegivenupthepropertyandgoneslaptotheworkhouse。IfI
wastotakeadviceofmyyoungman，Rokesmith，IshouldhavetobuyHIMout。Soonerorlater，ofcourse，he\'ddropdownuponme，likeWegg。Iwasbroughtintotheworldtobedroppeddownupon，itappearstome。\'
MrVenuslistenedtotheselamentationsinsilence，whileMrBoffinjoggedtoandfro，holdinghispocketsasifhehadapaininthem。
\'Afterall，youhaven\'tsaidwhatyoumeantodoyourself，Venus。
Whenyoudogooutofit，howdoyoumeantogo?\'
VenusrepliedthatasWegghadfoundthedocumentandhandedittohim，itwashisintentiontohanditbacktoWegg，withthedeclarationthathehimselfwouldhavenothingtosaytoit，ordowithit，andthatWeggmustactashechose，andtaketheconsequences。
\'AndthenhedropsdownwithhiswholeweightuponME！\'criedMrBoffin，ruefully。\'I\'dsoonerbedroppeduponbyyouthanbyhim，orevenbyyoujintly，thanbyhimalone！\'
MrVenuscouldonlyrepeatthatitwashisfixedintentiontobetakehimselftothepathsofscience，andtowalkinthesameallthedaysofhislife；notdroppingdownuponhisfellow-creaturesuntiltheyweredeceased，andthenonlytoarticulatethemtothebestofhishumbleability。
\'Howlongcouldyoubepersuadedtokeepuptheappearanceofremaininginit?\'askedMrBoffin，retiringonhisotheridea。
\'Couldyoubegottodoso，tilltheMoundsaregone?\'
No。ThatwouldprotractthementaluneasinessofMrVenustoolong，hesaid。
\'NotifIwastoshowyoureasonnow?\'demandedMrBoffin；\'notifIwastoshowyougoodandsufficientreason?\'
IfbygoodandsufficientreasonMrBoffinmeanthonestandunimpeachablereason，thatmightweighwithMrVenusagainsthispersonalwishesandconvenience。Buthemustaddthathesawnoopeningtothepossibilityofsuchreasonbeingshownhim。
\'Comeandseeme，Venus，\'saidMrBoffin，\'atmyhouse。\'
\'Isthereasonthere，sir?\'askedMrVenus，withanincreduloussmileandblink。
\'Itmaybe，ormaynotbe，\'saidMrBoffin，\'justasyouviewit。Butinthemeantimedon\'tgooutofthematter。Lookhere。Dothis。
Givemeyourwordthatyouwon\'ttakeanystepswithWegg，withoutmyknowledge，justasIhavegivenyoumywordthatI
won\'twithoutyours。\'
\'Done，MrBoffin！\'saidVenus，afterbriefconsideration。
\'Thank\'ee，Venus，thank\'ee，Venus！Done！\'
\'WhenshallIcometoseeyou，MrBoffin。\'
\'Whenyoulike。Thesoonerthebetter。Imustbegoingnow。
Good-night，Venus。\'
\'Good-night，sir。\'
\'Andgood-nighttotherestofthepresentcompany，\'saidMrBoffin，glancingroundtheshop。\'Theymakeaqueershow，Venus，andIshouldliketobebetteracquaintedwiththemsomeday。
Good-night，Venus，good-night！Thankee，Venus，thankee，Venus！\'Withthathejoggedoutintothestreet，andjoggeduponhishomewardway。
\'Now，Iwonder，\'hemeditatedashewentalong，nursinghisstick，\'whetheritcanbe，thatVenusissettinghimselftogetthebetterofWegg?Whetheritcanbe，thathemeans，whenIhaveboughtWeggout，tohavemealltohimselfandtopickmecleantothebones！\'
Itwasacunningandsuspiciousidea，quiteinthewayofhisschoolofMisers，andhelookedverycunningandsuspiciousashewentjoggingthroughthestreets。Morethanonceortwice，morethantwiceorthrice，sayhalfadozentimes，hetookhisstickfromthearmonwhichhenursedit，andhitastraightsharprapattheairwithitshead。PossiblythewoodencountenanceofMrSilasWeggwasincorporeallybeforehimatthosemoments，forhehitwithintensesatisfaction。
Hewaswithinafewstreetsofhisownhouse，whenalittleprivatecarriage，cominginthecontrarydirection，passedhim，turnedround，andpassedhimagain。Itwasalittlecarriageofeccentricmovement，foragainhehearditstopbehindhimandturnround，andagainhesawitpasshim。Thenitstopped，andthenwenton，outofsight。But，notfaroutofsight，for，whenhecametothecornerofhisownstreet，thereitstoodagain。
Therewasalady\'sfaceatthewindowashecameupwiththiscarriage，andhewaspassingitwhentheladysoftlycalledtohimbyhisname。
\'Ibegyourpardon，Ma\'am?\'saidMrBoffin，comingtoastop。
\'ItisMrsLammle，\'saidthelady。
MrBoffinwentuptothewindow，andhopedMrsLammlewaswell。
\'Notverywell，dearMrBoffin；Ihaveflutteredmyselfbybeing——
perhapsfoolishly——uneasyandanxious。Ihavebeenwaitingforyousometime。CanIspeaktoyou?\'
MrBoffinproposedthatMrsLammleshoulddriveontohishouse，afewhundredyardsfurther。
\'Iwouldrathernot，MrBoffin，unlessyouparticularlywishit。I
feelthedifficultyanddelicacyofthemattersomuchthatIwouldratheravoidspeakingtoyouatyourownhome。Youmustthinkthisverystrange?\'
MrBoffinsaidno，butmeantyes。
\'ItisbecauseIamsogratefulforthegoodopinionofallmyfriends，andamsotouchedbyit，thatIcannotbeartoruntheriskofforfeitingitinanycase，eveninthecauseofduty。IhaveaskedmyhusbandmydearAlfred，MrBoffinwhetheritisthecauseofduty，andhehasmostemphaticallysaidYes。IwishIhadaskedhimsooner。Itwouldhavesparedmemuchdistress。\'
\'Canthisbemoredroppingdownuponme！\'thoughtMrBoffin，quitebewildered。
\'ItwasAlfredwhosentmetoyou，MrBoffin。Alfredsaid，“Don\'tcomeback，Sophronia，untilyouhaveseenMrBoffin，andtoldhimall。Whateverhemaythinkofit，heoughtcertainlytoknowit。”
Wouldyoumindcomingintothecarriage?\'
MrBoffinanswered，\'Notatall，\'andtookhisseatatMrsLammle\'sside。
\'Driveslowlyanywhere，\'MrsLammlecalledtohercoachman，\'anddon\'tletthecarriagerattle。\'
\'ItMUSThemoredroppingdown，Ithink，\'saidMrBoffintohimself。\'Whatnext?\'
Chapter15
THEGOLDENDUSTMANATHISWORST
ThebreakfasttableatMrBoffin\'swasusuallyaverypleasantone，andwasalwayspresidedoverbyBella。Asthoughhebeganeachnewdayinhishealthynaturalcharacter，andsomewakinghourswerenecessarytohisrelapseintothecorruptinginfluencesofhiswealth，thefaceandthedemeanouroftheGoldenDustmanweregenerallyuncloudedatthatmeal。Itwouldhavebeeneasytobelievethen，thattherewasnochangeinhim。Itwasasthedaywentonthatthecloudsgathered，andthebrightnessofthemornmgbecameobscured。Onemighthavesaidthattheshadowsofavariceanddistrustlengthenedashisownshadowlengthened，andthatthenightclosedaroundhimgradually。
But，onemorninglongafterwardstoberemembered，itwasblackmidnightwiththeGoldenDustmanwhenhefirstappeared。Hisalteredcharacterhadneverbeensogrosslymarked。HisbearingtowardshisSecretarywassochargedwithinsolentdistrustandarrogance，thatthelatterroseandleftthetablebeforebreakfastwashalfdone。ThelookhedirectedattheSecretary\'sretiringfigurewassocunninglymalignant，thatBellawouldhavesatastoundedandindignant，eventhoughhehadnotgonethelengthofsecretlythreateningRokesmithwithhisclenchedfistasheclosedthedoor。Thisunluckymorning，ofallmorningsintheyear，wasthemorningnextafterMrBoffin\'sinterviewwithMrsLammleinherlittlecarriage。
BellalookedtoMrsBoffin\'sfaceforcommenton，orexplanationof，thisstormyhumourinherhusband，butnonewasthere。Ananxiousandadistressedobservationofherownfacewasallshecouldreadinit。Whentheywereleftalonetogether——whichwasnotuntilnoon，forMrBoffinsatlonginhiseasy-chair，byturnsjoggingupanddownthebreakfast-room，clenchinghisfistandmuttering——Bella，inconsternation，askedherwhathadhappened，whatwaswrong?\'Iamforbiddentospeaktoyouaboutit，Belladear；Imustn\'ttellyou，\'wasalltheanswershecouldget。Andstill，whenever，inherwonderanddismay，sheraisedhereyestoMrsBoffin\'sface，shesawinitthesameanxiousanddistressedobservationofherown。
Oppressedbyhersensethattroublewasimpending，andlostinspeculationswhyMrsBoffinshouldlookatherasifshehadanypartinit，Bellafoundthedaylonganddreary。Itwasfaronintheafternoonwhen，shebeinginherownroom，aservantbroughtheramessagefromMrBoffinbegginghertocometohis。
MrsBoffinwasthere，seatedonasofa，andMrBoffinwasjoggingupanddown。OnseeingBellahestopped，beckonedhertohim，anddrewherarmthroughhis。\'Don\'tbealarmed，mydear，\'hesaid，gently；\'Iamnotangrywithyou。Whyyouactuallytremble！
Don\'tbealarmed，Bellamydear。I\'llseeyourighted。\'
\'Seemerighted?\'thoughtBella。Andthenrepeatedaloudinatoneofastonishment:\'seemerighted，sir?\'
\'Ay，ay！\'saidMrBoffin。\'Seeyourighted。SendMrRokesmithhere，yousir。\'
Bellawouldhavebeenlostinperplexityiftherehadbeenpauseenough；buttheservantfoundMrRokesmithnearathand，andhealmostimmediatelypresentedhimself。
\'Shutthedoor，sir！\'saidMrBoffin。\'IhavegotsomethingtosaytoyouwhichIfancyyou\'llnotbepleasedtohear。\'
\'Iamsorrytoreply，MrBoffin，\'returnedtheSecretary，as，havingclosedthedoor，heturnedandfacedhim，\'thatIthinkthatverylikely。\'
\'Whatdoyoumean?\'blusteredMrBoffin。
\'ImeanthatithasbecomenonoveltytometohearfromyourlipswhatIwouldrathernothear。\'
\'Oh！Perhapsweshallchangethat，\'saidMrBoffinwithathreateningrollofhishead。
\'Ihopeso，\'returnedtheSecretary。Hewasquietandrespectful；
butstood，asBellathoughtandwasgladtothink，onhismanhoodtoo。
\'Now，sir，\'saidMrBoffin，\'lookatthisyoungladyonmyarm。
Bellainvoluntarilyraisinghereyes，whenthissuddenreferencewasmadetoherself，metthoseofMrRokesmith。Hewaspaleandseemedagitated。ThenhereyespassedontoMrsBoffin\'s，andshemetthelookagain。Inaflashitenlightenedher，andshebegantounderstandwhatshehaddone。
\'Isaytoyou，sir，\'MrBoffinrepeated，\'lookatthisyoungladyonmyarm。
\'Idoso，\'returnedtheSecretary。
AshisglancerestedagainonBellaforamoment，shethoughttherewasreproachinit。Butitispossiblethatthereproachwaswithinherself。
\'Howdareyou，sir，\'saidMrBoffin，\'tamper，unknowntome，withthisyounglady?Howdareyoucomeoutofyourstation，andyourplaceinmyhouse，topesterthisyoungladywithyourimpudentaddresses?\'
\'Imustdeclinetoanswerquestions，\'saidtheSecretary，\'thataresooffensivelyasked。\'
\'Youdeclinetoanswer?\'retortedMrBoffin。\'Youdeclinetoanswer，doyou?ThenI\'lltellyouwhatitis，Rokesmith；I\'llanswerforyou。Therearetwosidestothismatter，andI\'lltake\'emseparately。Thefirstsideis，sheerInsolence。That\'sthefirstside。\'
TheSecretarysmiledwithsomebitterness，asthoughhewouldhavesaid，\'SoIseeandhear。\'
\'ItwassheerInsolenceinyou，Itellyou，\'saidMrBoffin，\'eventothinkofthisyounglady。ThisyoungladywasfaraboveYOU。
ThisyoungladywasnomatchforYOU。Thisyoungladywaslyinginwaitasshewasqualifiedtodoformoney，andyouhadnomoney。\'
BellahungherheadandseemedtoshrinkalittlefromMrBoffin\'sprotectingarm。
\'Whatareyou，Ishouldliketoknow，\'pursuedMrBoffin，\'thatyouweretohavetheaudacitytofollowupthisyounglady?Thisyoungladywaslookingaboutthemarketforagoodbid；shewasn\'tinittobesnappedupbyfellowsthathadnomoneytolayout；nothingtobuywith。\'
\'Oh，MrBoffin！MrsBoffin，praysaysomethingforme！\'
murmuredBella，disengagingherarm，andcoveringherfacewithherhands。
\'Oldlady，\'saidMrBoflin，anticipatinghiswife，\'youholdyourtongue。Bella，mydear，don\'tyouletyourselfbeputout。I\'llrightyou。\'
\'Butyoudon\'t，youdon\'trightme！\'exclaimedBella，withgreatemphasis。\'Youwrongme，wrongme！\'
\'Don\'tyoubeputout，mydear，\'complacentlyretortedMrBoffin。
\'I\'llbringthisyoungmantobook。Now，youRokesmith！Youcan\'tdeclinetohear，youknow，aswellastoanswer。YouhearmetellyouthatthefirstsideofyourconductwasInsolence——InsolenceandPresumption。Answermeonething，ifyoucan。Didn\'tthisyoungladytellyousoherself?\'
\'DidI，MrRokesmith?\'askedBellawithherfacestillcovered。\'O
say，MrRokesmith！DidI?\'
\'Don\'tbedistressed，MissWilfer；itmattersverylittlenow。\'
\'Ah！Youcan\'tdenyit，though！\'saidMrBoffin，withaknowingshakeofhishead。
\'ButIhaveaskedhimtoforgivemesince，\'criedBella；\'andI
wouldaskhimtoforgivemenowagain，uponmyknees，ifitwouldsparehim！\'
HereMrsBoffinbrokeouta-crying。
\'Oldlady，\'saidMrBoffin，\'stopthatnoise！Tender-heartedinyou，MissBella；butImeantohaveitoutrightthroughwiththisyoungman，havinggothimintoacorner。Now，youRokesmith。I
tellyouthat\'sonesideofyourconduct——InsolenceandPresumption。Now，I\'ma-comingtotheother，whichismuchworse。Thiswasaspeculationofyours。\'
\'Iindignantlydenyit。\'
\'It\'sofnouseyourdenyingit；itdoesn\'tsignifyabitwhetheryoudenyitornot；I\'vegotaheaduponmyshoulders，anditain\'tababy\'s。What！\'saidMrBoffin，gatheringhimselftogetherinhismostsuspiciousattitude，andwrinklinghisfaceintoaverymapofcurvesandcorners。\'Don\'tIknowwhatgrabsaremadeatamanwithmoney?IfIdidn\'tkeepmyeyesopen，andmypocketsbuttoned，shouldn\'tIbebroughttotheworkhousebeforeIknewwhereIwas?Wasn\'ttheexperienceofDancer，andElwes，andHopkins，andBlewburyJones，andeversomanymoreof\'em，similartomine?Didn\'teverybodywanttomakegrabsatwhatthey\'dgot，andbring\'emtopovertyandruin?Weren\'ttheyforcedtohideeverythingbelongingto\'em，forfearitshouldbesnatchedfrom\'em?Ofcoursetheywas。Ishallbetoldnextthattheydidn\'tknowhumannatur！\'
\'They！Poorcreatures，\'murmuredtheSecretary。
\'Whatdoyousay?\'askedMrBoffin，snappingathim。\'However，youneedn\'tbeatthetroubleofrepeatingit，foritain\'tworthhearing，andwon\'tgodownwithME。I\'ma-goingtounfoldyourplan，beforethisyounglady；I\'ma-goingtoshowthisyoungladythesecondviewofyou；andnothingyoucansaywillstaveitoff。
Now，attendhere，Bella，mydear。Rokesmith，you\'reaneedychap。You\'reachapthatIpickupinthestreet。Areyou，orain\'tyou?\'
\'Goon，MrBoflin；don\'tappealtome。\'
\'NotappealtoYOU，\'retortedMrBoffinasifhehadn\'tdoneso。
\'No，Ishouldhopenot！AppealingtoYOU，wouldberatherarumcourse。AsIwassaying，you\'reaneedychapthatIpickupinthestreet。YoucomeandaskmeinthestreettotakeyouforaSecretary，andItakeyou。Verygood。\'
\'Verybad，\'murmuredtheSecretary。
\'Whatdoyousay?\'askedMrBoffin，snappingathimagain。
Hereturnednoanswer。MrBoffin，aftereyeinghimwithacomicallookofdiscomfitedcuriosity，wasfaintobeginafresh。
\'ThisRokesmithisaneedyyoungmanthatItakeformySecretaryoutoftheopenstreet。ThisRokesmithgetsacquaintedwithmyaffairs，andgetstoknowthatImeantosettleasumofmoneyonthisyounglady。“Oho！“saysthisRokesmith；\'hereMrBoffinclappedafingeragainsthisnose，andtappeditseveraltimeswithasneakingair，asembodyingRokesmithconfidentiallyconfabulatingwithhisownnose；\'“Thiswillbeagoodhaul；I\'llgoinforthis！“AndsothisRokesmith，greedyandhungering，beginsa-creepingonhishandsandkneestowardsthemoney。Notsobadaspeculationeither:forifthisyoungladyhadhadlessspirit，orhadhadlesssense，throughbeingatallintheromanticline，byGeorgehemighthaveworkeditoutandmadeitpay！Butfortunatelyshewastoomanyforhim，andaprettyfigurehecutsnowheisexposed。Therehestands！\'saidMrBoffin，addressingRokesmithhimselfwithridiculousinconsistency。\'Lookathim！\'
\'Yourunfortunatesuspicions，MrBoffin——\'begantheSecretary。
\'Preciousunfortunateforyou，Icantellyou，\'saidMrBoffin。
\'——arenottobecombatedbyanyone，andIaddressmyselftonosuchhopelesstask。ButIwillsayaworduponthetruth。\'
\'Yah！Muchyoucareaboutthetruth，\'saidMrBoffin，withasnapofhisfingers。
\'Noddy！Mydearlove！\'expostulatedhiswife。
\'Oldlady，\'returnedMrBoffin，\'youkeepstill。IsaytothisRokesmithhere，muchhecaresaboutthetruth。Itellhimagain，muchhecaresaboutthetruth。\'
\'Ourconnexionbeingatanend，MrBoffin，\'saidtheSecretary，\'itcanbeofverylittlemomenttomewhatyousay。\'
\'Oh！Youareknowingenough，\'retortedMrBoffin，withaslylook，\'tohavefoundoutthatourconnexion\'satanend，eh?Butyoucan\'tgetbeforehandwithme。Lookatthisinmyhand。Thisisyourpay，onyourdischarge。Youcanonlyfollowsuit。Youcan\'tdeprivemeofthelead。Let\'shavenopretendingthatyoudischargeyourself。Idischargeyou。\'
\'SothatIgo，\'remarkedtheSecretary，wavingthepointasidewithhishand，\'itisallonetome。\'
\'Isit?\'saidMrBoffin。\'Butit\'stwotome，letmetellyou。
Allowingafellowthat\'sfoundout，todischargehimself，isonething；discharginghimforinsolenceandpresumption，andlikewisefordesignsuponhismaster\'smoney，isanother。Oneandone\'stwo；notone。Oldlady，don\'tyoucutin。Youkeepstill。\'
\'Haveyousaidallyouwishtosaytome?\'demandedtheSecretary。
\'Idon\'tknowwhetherIhaveornot，\'answeredMrBoffin。\'Itdepends。\'
\'Perhapsyouwillconsiderwhetherthereareanyotherstrongexpressionsthatyouwouldliketobestowuponme?\'
\'I\'llconsiderthat，\'saidMrBoffin，obstinately，\'atmyconvenience，andnotatyours。Youwantthelastword。Itmaynotbesuitabletoletyouhaveit。\'
\'Noddy！Mydear，dearNoddy！Yousoundsohard！\'criedpoorMrsBoffin，nottobequiterepressed。
\'Oldlady，\'saidherhusband，butwithoutharshness，\'ifyoucutinwhenrequestednot，I\'llgetapillowandcarryyououtoftheroomuponit。Whatdoyouwanttosay，youRokesmith?\'
\'Toyou，MrBoffin，nothing。ButtoMissWilferandtoyourgoodkindwife，aword。\'
\'Outwithitthen，\'repliedMrBoffin，\'andcutitshort，forwe\'vehadenoughofyou。\'
\'Ihaveborne，\'saidtheSecretary，inalowvoice，\'withmyfalsepositionhere，thatImightnotbeseparatedfromMissWilfer。Tobenearher，hasbeenarecompensetomefromdaytoday，evenfortheundeservedtreatmentIhavehadhere，andforthedegradedaspectinwhichshehasoftenseenme。SinceMissWilferrejectedme，Ihaveneveragainurgedmysuit，tothebestofmybelief，withaspokensyllableoralook。ButIhaveneverchangedinmydevotiontoher，except——ifshewillforgivemysayingso——thatitisdeeperthanitwas，andbetterfounded。\'
\'Now，markthischap\'ssayingMissWilfer，whenhemeansL。s。d。！\'
criedMrBoffin，withacunningwink。\'Now，markthischap\'smakingMissWilferstandforPounds，Shillings，andPence！\'
\'MyfeelingforMissWilfer，\'pursuedtheSecretary，withoutdeigningtonoticehim，\'isnotonetobeashamedof。Iavowit。I
loveher。LetmegowhereImaywhenIpresentlyleavethishouse，Ishallgointoablanklife，leavingher。\'
\'LeavingL。s。d。behindme，\'saidMrBoffin，bywayofcommentary，withanotherwink。
\'ThatIamincapable，\'theSecretarywenton，stillwithoutheedinghim，\'ofamercenaryproject，oramercenarythought，inconnexionwithMissWilfer，isnothingmeritoriousinme，becauseanyprizethatIcouldputbeforemyfancywouldsinkintoinsignificancebesideher。Ifthegreatestwealthorthehighestrankwerehers，itwouldonlybeimportantinmysightasremovingherstillfartherfromme，andmakingmemorehopeless，ifthatcouldbe。Say，\'
remarkedtheSecretary，lookingfullathislatemaster，\'saythatwithawordshecouldstripMrBoffinofhisfortuneandtakepossessionofit，shewouldbeofnogreaterworthinmyeyesthansheis。\'
\'Whatdoyouthinkbythistime，oldlady，\'askedMrBoffin，turningtohiswifeinabanteringtone，\'aboutthisRokesmithhere，andhiscaringforthetruth?Youneedn\'tsaywhatyouthink，mydear，becauseIdon\'twantyoutocutin，butyoucanthinkitallthesame。Astotakingpossessionofmyproperty，Iwarrantyouhewouldn\'tdothathimselfifhecould。\'
\'No，\'returnedtheSecretary，withanotherfulllook。
\'Ha，ha，ha！\'laughedMrBoffin。\'There\'snothinglikeagood\'unwhileyouAREaboutit。\'
\'Ihavebeenforamoment，\'saidtheSecretary，turningfromhimandfallingintohisformermanner，\'divertedfromthelittleIhavetosay。MyinterestinMissWilferbeganwhenIfirstsawher；
evenbeganwhenIhadonlyheardofher。Itwas，infact，thecauseofmythrowingmyselfinMrBoffin\'sway，andenteringhisservice。MissWilferhasneverknownthisuntilnow。Imentionitnow，onlyasacorroborationthoughIhopeitmaybeneedlessofmybeingfreefromthesordiddesignattributedtome。\'
\'Now，thisisaveryartfuldog，\'saidMrBoffin，withadeeplook。
\'Thisisalonger-headedschemerthanIthoughthim。Seehowpatientlyandmethodicallyhegoestowork。Hegetstoknowaboutmeandmyproperty，andaboutthisyounglady，andhershareinpooryoungJohn\'sstory，andheputsthisandthattogether，andhesaystohimself，“I\'llgetinwithBoffin，andI\'llgetinwiththisyounglady，andI\'llwork\'embothatthesametime，andI\'llbringmypigstomarketsomewhere。”Ihearhimsayit，blessyou！I
lookathim，now，andIseehimsayit！\'
MrBoffinpointedattheculprit，asitwereintheact，andhuggedhimselfinhisgreatpenetration。
\'Butluckilyhehadn\'ttodealwiththepeoplehesupposed，Bella，mydear！\'saidMrBoffin。\'No！Luckilyhehadtodealwithyou，andwithme，andwithDanielandMissDancer，andwithElwes，andwithVultureHopkins，andwithBlewburyJonesandalltherestofus，onedownt\'othercomeon。Andhe\'sbeat；that\'swhatheis；regularlybeat。Hethoughttosqueezemoneyoutofus，andhehasdoneforhimselfinstead，Bellamydear！\'
Bellamydearmadenoresponse，gavenosignofacquiescence。
Whenshehadfirstcoveredherfaceshehadsunkuponachairwithherhandsrestingonthebackofit，andhadnevermovedsince。Therewasashortsilenceatthispoint，andMrsBoffinsoftlyroseasiftogotoher。But，MrBoffinstoppedherwithagesture，andsheobedientlysatdownagainandstayedwhereshewas。
\'There\'syourpay，MisterRokesmith，\'saidtheGoldenDustman，jerkingthefoldedscrapofpaperhehadinhishand，towardshislateSecretary。\'Idaresayyoucanstooptopickitup，afterwhatyouhavestoopedtohere。\'
\'Ihavestoopedtonothingbutthis，\'Rokesmithansweredashetookitfromtheground；\'andthisismine，forIhaveearneditbythehardestofhardlabour。\'
\'You\'reaprettyquickpacker，Ihope，\'saidMrBoffin；\'becausethesooneryouaregone，bagandbaggage，thebetterforallparties。\'
\'Youneedhavenofearofmylingering。\'
\'There\'sjustonethingthough，\'saidMrBoffin，\'thatIshouldliketoaskyoubeforewecometoagoodriddance，ifitwasonlytoshowthisyoungladyhowconceitedyouschemersare，inthinkingthatnobodyfindsouthowyoucontradictyourselves。\'
\'Askmeanythingyouwishtoask，\'returnedRokesmith，\'butusetheexpeditionthatyourecommend。\'
\'Youpretendtohaveamightyadmirationforthisyounglady?\'saidMrBoffin，layinghishandprotectinglyonBella\'sheadwithoutlookingdownather。
\'Idonotpretend。\'
\'Oh！Well。YouHAVEamightyadmirationforthisyounglady——
sinceyouaresoparticular?\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Howdoyoureconcilethat，withthisyounglady\'sbeingaweak-
spirited，improvidentidiot，notknowingwhatwasduetoherself，flinginguphermoneytothechurch-weathercocks，andracingoffatasplittingpacefortheworkhouse?\'
\'Idon\'tunderstandyou。\'
\'Don\'tyou?Orwon\'tyou?Whatelsecouldyouhavemadethisyoungladyouttobe，ifshehadlistenedtosuchaddressesasyours?\'
\'Whatelse，ifIhadbeensohappyastowinheraffectionsandpossessherheart?\'
\'Winheraffections，\'retortedMrBoffin，withineffablecontempt，\'andpossessherheart！Mewsaysthecat，Quack-quacksaystheduck，Bow-wow-wowsaysthedog！Winheraffectionsandpossessherheart！Mew，Quack-quack，Bow-wow！\'
JohnRokesmithstaredathiminhisoutburst，asifwithsomefaintideathathehadgonemad。
\'Whatisduetothisyounglady，\'saidMrBoffin，\'isMoney，andthisyoungladyrightwellknowsit。\'
\'Youslandertheyounglady。\'
\'YOUslandertheyounglady；youwithyouraffectionsandheartsandtrumpery，\'returnedMrBoffin。\'It\'sofapiecewiththerestofyourbehaviour。Iheardofthesedoingsofyoursonlylastnight，oryoushouldhaveheardof\'emfromme，sooner，takeyouroathofit。
Iheardof\'emfromaladywithasgoodaheadpieceasthebest，andsheknowsthisyounglady，andIknowthisyounglady，andweallthreeknowthatit\'sMoneyshemakesastandfor——money，money，money——andthatyouandyouraffectionsandheartsareaLie，sir！\'
\'MrsBoffin，\'saidRokesmith，quietlyturningtoher，\'foryourdelicateandunvaryingkindnessIthankyouwiththewarmestgratitude。Good-bye！MissWilfer，good-bye！\'
\'Andnow，mydear，\'saidMrBoffin，layinghishandonBella\'sheadagain，\'youmaybegintomakeyourselfquitecomfortable，andIhopeyoufeelthatyou\'vebeenrighted。\'
But，Bellawassofarfromappearingtofeelit，thatsheshrankfromhishandandfromthechair，and，startingupinanincoherentpassionoftears，andstretchingoutherarms，cried，\'OMrRokesmith，beforeyougo，ifyoucouldbutmakemepooragain！
O！Makemepooragain，Somebody，Ibegandpray，ormyheartwillbreakifthisgoeson！Pa，dear，makemepooragainandtakemehome！Iwasbadenoughthere，butIhavebeensomuchworsehere。Don\'tgivememoney，MrBoffin，Iwon\'thavemoney。Keepitawayfromme，andonlyletmespeaktogoodlittlePa，andlaymyheaduponhisshoulder，andtellhimallmygriefs。Nobodyelsecanunderstandme，nobodyelsecancomfortme，nobodyelseknowshowunworthyIam，andyetcanlovemelikealittlechild。
IambetterwithPathananyone——moreinnocent，moresorry，moreglad！\'So，cryingoutinawildwaythatshecouldnotbearthis，BelladroopedherheadonMrsBoffin\'sreadybreast。
JohnRokesmithfromhisplaceintheroom，andMrBoffinfromhis，lookedonatherinsilenceuntilshewassilentherself。ThenMrBoffinobservedinasoothingandcomfortabletone，\'There，mydear，there；youarerightednow，andit\'sALLright。Idon\'twonder，I\'msure，atyourbeingalittleflurriedbyhavingascenewiththisfellow，butit\'sallover，mydear，andyou\'rerighted，andit\'s——andit\'sALLright！\'WhichMrBoffinrepeatedwithahighlysatisfiedairofcompletenessandfinality。
\'Ihateyou！\'criedBella，turningsuddenlyuponhim，withastampofherlittlefoot——\'atleast，Ican\'thateyou，butIdon\'tlikeyou！\'
\'HUL——LO！\'exclaimedMrBoffininanamazedunder-tone。
\'You\'reascolding，unjust，abusive，aggravating，badoldcreature！\'
criedBella。\'Iamangrywithmyungratefulselfforcallingyounames；butyouare，youare；youknowyouare！\'
MrBoffinstaredhere，andstaredthere，asmisdoubtingthathemustbeinsomesortoffit。
\'Ihaveheardyouwithshame，\'saidBella。\'Withshameformyself，andwithshameforyou。Yououghttobeabovethebasetale-
bearingofatime-servingwoman；butyouareabovenothingnow。\'
MrBoffin，seemingtobecomeconvincedthatthiswasafit，rolledhiseyesandloosenedhisneckcloth。
\'WhenIcamehere，Irespectedyouandhonouredyou，andIsoonlovedyou，\'criedBella。\'AndnowIcan\'tbearthesightofyou。Atleast，Idon\'tknowthatIoughttogosofarasthat——onlyyou\'rea——
you\'reaMonster！\'Havingshotthisboltoutwithagreatexpenditureofforce，Bellahystericallylaughedandcriedtogether。
\'ThebestwishIcanwishyouis，\'saidBella，returningtothecharge，\'thatyouhadnotonesinglefarthingintheworld。Ifanytruefriendandwell-wishercouldmakeyouabankrupt，youwouldbeaDuck；butasamanofpropertyyouareaDemon！\'
Afterdespatchingthissecondboltwithastillgreaterexpenditureofforce，Bellalaughedandcriedstillmore。
\'MrRokesmith，praystayonemoment。Prayhearonewordfrommebeforeyougo！Iamdeeplysorryforthereproachesyouhaveborneonmyaccount。OutofthedepthsofmyheartIearnestlyandtrulybegyourpardon。\'
Asshesteppedtowardshim，hemether。Asshegavehimherhand，heputittohislips，andsaid，\'Godblessyou！\'NolaughingwasmixedwithBella\'scryingthen；hertearswerepureandfervent。
\'ThereisnotanungenerouswordthatIhaveheardaddressedtoyou——heardwithscornandindignation，MrRokesmith——butithaswoundedmefarmorethanyou，forIhavedeservedit，andyouneverhave。MrRokesmith，itistomeyouowethispervertedaccountofwhatpassedbetweenusthatnight。Ipartedwiththesecret，evenwhileIwasangrywithmyselffordoingso。Itwasverybadinme，butindeeditwasnotwicked。Ididitinamomentofconceitandfolly——oneofmymanysuchmoments——oneofmymanysuchhours——years。AsIampunishedforitseverely，trytoforgiveit！\'
\'Idowithallmysoul。\'
\'Thankyou。Othankyou！Don\'tpartfrommetillIhavesaidoneotherword，todoyoujustice。Theonlyfaultyoucanbetrulychargedwith，inhavingspokentomeasyoudidthatnight——withhowmuchdelicacyandhowmuchforbearancenoonebutIcanknoworbegratefultoyoufor——is，thatyoulaidyourselfopentobeslightedbyaworldlyshallowgirlwhoseheadwasturned，andwhowasquiteunabletorisetotheworthofwhatyouofferedher。
MrRokesmith，thatgirlhasoftenseenherselfinapitifulandpoorlightsince，butneverinsopitifulandpooralightasnow，whenthemeantoneinwhichsheansweredyou——sordidandvaingirlthatshewas——hasbeenechoedinherearsbyMrBoffin。\'
Hekissedherhandagain。
\'MrBoffin\'sspeechesweredetestabletome，shockingtome，\'saidBella，startlingthatgentlemanwithanotherstampofherlittlefoot。
\'Itisquitetruethattherewasatime，andverylately，whenI
deservedtobeso“righted，“MrRokesmith；butIhopethatIshallneverdeserveitagain！\'
Heoncemoreputherhandtohislips，andthenrelinquishedit，andlefttheroom。Bellawashurryingbacktothechairinwhichshehadhiddenherfacesolong，when，catchingsightofMrsBoffinbytheway，shestoppedather。\'Heisgone，\'sobbedBellaindignantly，despairingly，infiftywaysatonce，withherarmsroundMrsBoffin\'sneck。\'Hehasbeenmostshamefullyabused，andmostunjustlyandmostbaselydrivenaway，andIamthecauseofit！\'
Allthistime，MrBoffinhadbeenrollinghiseyesoverhisloosenedneckerchief，asifhisfitwerestilluponhim。Appearingnowtothinkthathewascomingto，hestaredstraightbeforehimforawhile，tiedhisneckerchiefagain，tookseverallonginspirations，swallowedseveraltimes，andultimatelyexclaimedwithadeepsigh，asifhefelthimselfonthewholebetter:\'Well！\'
Noword，goodorbad，didMrsBoffinsay；butshetenderlytookcareofBella，andglancedatherhusbandasiffororders。MrBoffin，withoutimpartingany，tookhisseatonachairoveragainstthem，andtheresatleaningforward，withafixedcountenance，hislegsapart，ahandoneachknee，andhiselbowssquared，untilBellashoulddryhereyesandraiseherhead，whichinthefulnessoftimeshedid。
\'Imustgohome，\'saidBella，risinghurriedly。\'Iamverygratefultoyouforallyouhavedoneforme，butIcan\'tstayhere。\'
\'Mydarlinggirl！\'remonstratedMrsBoffin。
\'No，Ican\'tstayhere，\'saidBella；\'Ican\'tindeed——Ugh！youviciousoldthing！\'ThistoMrBoffin。
\'Don\'tberash，mylove，\'urgedMrsBoffin。\'Thinkwellofwhatyoudo。\'
\'Yes，youhadbetterthinkwell，\'saidMrBoffin。
\'IshallnevermorethinkwellofYOU，\'criedBella，cuttinghimshort，withintensedefianceinherexpressivelittleeyebrows，andchampionshipofthelateSecretaryineverydimple。\'No！Neveragain！Yourmoneyhaschangedyoutomarble。Youareahard-
heartedMiser。YouareworsethanDancer，worsethanHopkins，worsethanBlackberryJones，worsethananyofthewretches。Andmore！\'proceededBella，breakingintotearsagain，\'youwerewhollyundeservingoftheGentlemanyouhavelost。\'
\'Why，youdon\'tmeantosay，MissBella，\'theGoldenDustmanslowlyremonstrated，\'thatyousetupRokesmithagainstme?\'
\'Ido！\'saidBella。\'HeisworthaMillionofyou。\'
Veryprettyshelooked，thoughveryangry，asshemadeherselfastallasshepossiblycouldwhichwasnotextremelytall，andutterlyrenouncedherpatronwithaloftytossofherrichbrownhead。
\'Iwouldratherhethoughtwellofme，\'saidBella，\'thoughhesweptthestreetforbread，thanthatyoudid，thoughyousplashedthemuduponhimfromthewheelsofachariotofpuregold——There！\'
\'WellI\'msure！\'criedMrBoffin，staring。
\'Andforalongtimepast，whenyouhavethoughtyousetyourselfabovehim，Ihaveonlyseenyouunderhisfeet，\'saidBella——\'There！
AndthroughoutIsawinhimthemaster，andIsawinyoutheman——There！Andwhenyouusedhimshamefully，Itookhispartandlovedhim——There！Iboastofit！\'
AfterwhichstrongavowalBellaunderwentreaction，andcriedtoanyextent，withherfaceonthebackofherchair。
\'Now，lookhere，\'saidMrBoffin，assoonashecouldfindanopeningforbreakingthesilenceandstrikingin。\'Givemeyourattention，Bella。Iamnotangry。\'
\'IAM！\'saidBella。
\'Isay，\'resumedtheGoldenDustman，\'Iamnotangry，andImeankindlytoyou，andIwanttooverlookthis。Soyou\'llstaywhereyouare，andwe\'llagreetosaynomoreaboutit。\'
\'No，Ican\'tstayhere，\'criedBella，risinghurriedlyagain；\'Ican\'tthinkofstayinghere。Imustgohomeforgood。\'
\'Now，don\'tbesilly，\'MrBoffinreasoned。\'Don\'tdowhatyoucan\'tundo；don\'tdowhatyou\'resuretobesorryfor。\'
\'Ishallneverbesorryforit，\'saidBella；\'andIshouldalwaysbesorry，andshouldeveryminuteofmylifedespisemyselfifI
remainedhereafterwhathashappened。\'
\'Atleast，Bella，\'arguedMrBoffin，\'lettherebenomistakeaboutit。
Lookbeforeyouleap，youknow。Staywhereyouare，andall\'swell，andall\'sasitwastobe。Goaway，andyoucannevercomeback。\'
\'IknowthatIcannevercomeback，andthat\'swhatImean，\'saidBella。
\'Youmustn\'texpect，\'MrBoffinpursued，\'thatI\'ma-goingtosettlemoneyonyou，ifyouleaveuslikethis，becauseIamnot。No，Bella！Becareful！Notonebrassfarthing。\'
\'Expect！\'saidBella，haughtily。\'Doyouthinkthatanypoweronearthcouldmakemetakeit，ifyoudid，sir?\'
ButtherewasMrsBoffintopartfrom，and，inthefullflushofherdignity，theimpressiblelittlesoulcollapsedagain。Downuponherkneesbeforethatgoodwoman，sherockedherselfuponherbreast，andcried，andsobbed，andfoldedherinherarmswithallhermight。
\'You\'readear，adear，thebestofdears！\'criedBella。\'You\'rethebestofhumancreatures。Icanneverbethankfulenoughtoyou，andIcanneverforgetyou。IfIshouldlivetobeblindanddeafI
knowIshallseeandhearyou，inmyfancy，tothelastofmydimolddays！\'
MrsBoffinweptmostheartily，andembracedherwithallfondness；butsaidnotonesinglewordexceptthatshewasherdeargirl。Shesaidthatoftenenough，tobesure，forshesaiditoverandoveragain；butnotonewordelse。
Bellabrokefromheratlength，andwasgoingweepingoutoftheroom，wheninherownlittlequeeraffectionateway，shehalfrelentedtowardsMrBoffin。
\'Iamveryglad，\'sobbedBella，\'thatIcalledyounames，sir，becauseyourichlydeservedit。ButIamverysorrythatIcalledyounames，becauseyouusedtobesodifferent。Saygood-bye！\'
\'Good-bye，\'saidMrBoffin，shortly。
\'IfIknewwhichofyourhandswastheleastspoilt，Iwouldaskyoutoletmetouchit，\'saidBella，\'forthelasttime。ButnotbecauseIrepentofwhatIhavesaidtoyou。ForIdon\'t。It\'strue！\'
\'Trythelefthand，\'saidMrBoffin，holdingitoutinastolidmanner；\'it\'stheleastused。\'
\'Youhavebeenwonderfullygoodandkindtome，\'saidBella，\'andIkissitforthat。YouhavebeenasbadasbadcouldbetoMrRokesmith，andIthrowitawayforthat。Thankyouformyself，andgood-bye！\'
\'Good-bye，\'saidMrBoffinasbefore。
Bellacaughthimroundtheneckandkissedhim，andranoutforever。
Sheranup-stairs，andsatdownonthefloorinherownroom，andcriedabundantly。Butthedaywasdecliningandshehadnotimetolose。Sheopenedalltheplaceswhereshekeptherdresses；
selectedonlythoseshehadbroughtwithher，leavingalltherest；
andmadeagreatmisshapenbundleofthem，tobesentforafterwards。
\'Iwon\'ttakeoneoftheothers，\'saidBella，tyingtheknotsofthebundleverytight，intheseverityofherresolution。\'I\'llleaveallthepresentsbehind，andbeginagainentirelyonmyownaccount。\'
Thattheresolutionmightbethoroughlycarriedintopractice，sheevenchangedthedressshewore，forthatinwhichshehadcometothegrandmansion。Eventhebonnetsheputon，wasthebonnetthathadmountedintotheBoffinchariotatHolloway。
\'Now，Iamcomplete，\'saidBella。\'It\'salittletrying，butIhavesteepedmyeyesincoldwater，andIwon\'tcryanymore。Youhavebeenapleasantroomtome，dearroom。Adieu！Weshallneverseeeachotheragain。\'
Withapartingkissofherfingerstoit，shesoftlyclosedthedoorandwentwithalightfootdownthegreatstaircase，pausingandlisteningasshewent，thatshemightmeetnoneofthehousehold。
Noonechancedtobeabout，andshegotdowntothehallinquiet。
ThedoorofthelateSecretary\'sroomstoodopen。Shepeepedinasshepassed，anddivinedfromtheemptinessofhistable，andthegeneralappearanceofthings，thathewasalreadygone。Softlyopeningthegreathalldoor，andsoftlyclosingituponherself，sheturnedandkisseditontheoutside——insensibleoldcombinationofwoodandironthatitwas！——beforesheranawayfromthehouseataswiftpace。
\'Thatwaswelldone！\'pantedBella，slackeninginthenextstreet，andsubsidingintoawalk。\'IfIhadleftmyselfanybreathtocrywith，Ishouldhavecriedagain。NowpoordeardarlinglittlePa，youaregoingtoseeyourlovelywomanunexpectedly。\'
Chapter16
THEFEASTOFTHETHREEHOBGOBLINS
TheCitylookedunpromisingenough，asBellamadeherwayalongitsgrittystreets。Mostofitsmoney-millswereslackeningsail，orhadleftoffgrindingfortheday。Themaster-millershadalreadydeparted，andthejourneymenweredeparting。Therewasajadedaspectonthebusinesslanesandcourts，andtheverypavementshadawearyappearance，confusedbythetreadofamillionoffeet。Theremustbehoursofnighttotemperdowntheday\'sdistractionofsofeverishaplace。Asyettheworryofthenewly-stoppedwhirlingandgrindingonthepartofthemoney-
millsseemedtolingerintheair，andthequietwasmoreliketheprostrationofaspentgiantthanthereposeofonewhowasrenewinghisstrength。
IfBellathought，assheglancedatthemightyBank，howagreeableitwouldbetohaveanhour\'sgardeningthere，withabrightcoppershovel，amongthemoney，stillshewasnotinanavariciousvein。
Muchimprovedinthatrespect，andwithcertainhalf-formedimageswhichhadlittlegoldintheircomposition，dancingbeforeherbrighteyes，shearrivedinthedrug-flavouredregionofMincingLane，withthesensationofhavingjustopenedadrawerinachemist\'sshop。
Thecounting-houseofChicksey，Veneering，andStobbleswaspointedoutbyanelderlyfemaleaccustomedtothecareofoffices，whodroppeduponBellaoutofapublic-house，wipinghermouth，andaccountedforitshumidityonnaturalprincipleswellknowntothephysicalsciences，byexplainingthatshehadlookedinatthedoortoseewhato\'clockitwas。Thecounting-housewasawall-
eyedgroundfloorbyadarkgateway，andBellawasconsidering，assheapproachedit，couldtherebeanyprecedentintheCityforhergoinginandaskingforR。Wilfer，whenwhomshouldshesee，sittingatoneofthewindowswiththeplate-glasssashraised，butR。Wilferhimself，preparingtotakeaslightrefection。
Onapproachingnearer，Belladiscernedthattherefectionhadtheappearanceofasmallcottage-loafandapennyworthofmilk。
Simultaneouslywiththisdiscoveryonherpart，herfatherdiscoveredher，andinvokedtheechoesofMincingLanetoexclaim\'Mygraciousme！\'
Hethencamecherubicallyflyingoutwithoutahat，andembracedher，andhandedherin。\'Forit\'safterhoursandIamallalone，mydear，\'heexplained，\'andamhaving——asIsometimesdowhentheyareallgone——aquiettea。\'
Lookingroundtheoffice，asifherfatherwereacaptiveandthishiscell，Bellahuggedhimandchokedhimtoherheart\'scontent。
\'Ineverwassosurprised，mydear！\'saidherfather。\'Icouldn\'tbelievemyeyes。Uponmylife，Ithoughttheyhadtakentolying！
TheideaofyourcomingdowntheLaneyourself！Whydidn\'tyousendthefootmandowntheLane，mydear?\'
\'Ihavebroughtnofootmanwithme，Pa。\'
\'Ohindeed！Butyouhavebroughttheelegantturn-out，mylove?\'
\'No，Pa。\'
\'Younevercanhavewalked，mydear?\'
\'Yes，Ihave，Pa。\'
Helookedsoverymuchastonished，thatBellacouldnotmakeuphermindtobreakittohimjustyet。
\'Theconsequenceis，Pa，thatyourlovelywomanfeelsalittlefaint，andwouldverymuchliketoshareyourtea。\'
Thecottageloafandthepennyworthofmilkhadbeensetforthonasheetofpaperonthewindow-seat。Thecherubicpocket-knife，withthefirstbitoftheloafstillonitspoint，laybesidethemwhereithadbeenhastilythrowndown。Bellatookthebitoff，andputitinhermouth。\'Mydearchild，\'saidherfather，\'theideaofyourpartakingofsuchlowlyfare！Butatleastyoumusthaveyourownloafandyourownpenn\'orth。Onemoment，mydear。TheDairyisjustoverthewayandroundthecorner。\'
RegardlessofBella\'sdissuasionsheranout，andquicklyreturnedwiththenewsupply。\'Mydearchild，\'hesaid，ashespreaditonanotherpieceofpaperbeforeher，\'theideaofasplendid——！\'andthenlookedatherfigure，andstoppedshort。
\'What\'sthematter，Pa?\'
\'——ofasplendidfemale，\'heresumedmoreslowly，\'puttingupwithsuchaccommodationasthepresent！——Isthatanewdressyouhaveon，mydear?\'
\'No，Pa，anoldone。Don\'tyourememberit?\'
\'Why，ITHOUGHTIrememberedit，mydear！\'
\'Youshould，foryouboughtit，Pa。\'
\'Yes，ITHOUGHTIboughtitmydear！\'saidthecherub，givinghimselfalittleshake，asiftorousehisfaculties。
\'Andhaveyougrownsoficklethatyoudon\'tlikeyourowntaste，Padear?\'
\'Well，mylove，\'hereturned，swallowingabitofthecottageloafwithconsiderableeffort，foritseemedtostickbytheway:\'Ishouldhavethoughtitwashardlysufficientlysplendidforexistingcircumstances。\'
\'Andso，Pa，\'saidBella，movingcoaxinglytohissideinsteadofremainingopposite，\'yousometimeshaveaquietteahereallalone?