Theringingandknockingstillcontinuing——hispanictoo——hewentbacktothedoorinthebed-chamber，andwithsomenewefforts，eachmorestubbornthanthelast，wrencheditopen。Seeingthelittlestaircasenotfaroff，andfeelingthenight-aircomingup，hestolebackforhishatandcoat，madethedoorassecureafterhimashecould，creptdownlampinhand，extinguisheditonseeingthestreet，andhavingputitinacorner，wentoutwherethestarswereshining。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]DICKENS：DombeyandSon，Chapter55[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERLVRobtheGrinderloseshisPlaceTHEporterattheirongatewhichshutthecourt-yardfromthestreet，hadleftthelittlewicketofhishouseopen，andwasgoneaway；nodoubttomingleinthedistantnoiseatthedoorofthegreatstaircase。Liftingthelatchsoftly，Carkercreptout，andshuttingthejanglinggateafterhimwithaslittlenoiseaspossible，hurriedoff。
Inthefeverofhismortificationandunavailingrage，thepanicthathadseizeduponhimmasteredhimcompletely。Itrosetosuchaheightthathewouldhaveblindlyencounteredalmostanyrisk，ratherthanmeetthemanofwhom，twohoursago，hehadbeenutterlyregardless。Hisfiercearrival，whichhehadneverexpected；thesoundofhisvoice；theirhavingbeensonearameeting，facetoface，hewouldhavebravedoutthis，afterthefirstmomentaryshockofalarm，andwouldhaveputasboldafrontuponhisguiltasanyvillain。Butthespringingofhismineuponhimself，seemedtohaverentandshiveredallhishardihoodandself-reliance。Spurnedlikeanyreptile；entrappedandmocked；turnedupon，andtroddendownbytheproudwomanwhosemindhehadslowlypoisoned，ashethought，untilshehadsunkintothemerecreatureofhispleasure；undeceivedinhisdeceit，andwithhisfox\'shidestrippedoff，hesneakedaway，abashed，degraded，andafraid。
Someotherterrorcameuponhimquiteremovedfromthisofbeingpursued，suddenly，likeanelectricshock，ashewascreepingthroughthestreets。Somevisionaryterror，unintelligibleandinexplicable，associatedwithatremblingoftheground，——arushandsweepofsomethingthroughtheair，likeDeathuponthewing。Heshrunk，asiftoletthethinggoby。Itwasnotgone，itneverhadbeenthere，yetwhatastartlinghorrorithadleftbehind。
Heraisedhiswickedface，sofulloftrouble，tothenightsky，wherethestars，sofullofpeace，wereshiningonhimastheyhadbeenwhenhefirststoleoutintotheair；andstoppedtothinkwhatheshoulddo。Thedreadofbeinghuntedinastrangeremoteplace，wherethelawsmightnotprotecthim——thenoveltyofthefeelingthatitwasstrangeandremote，originatinginhisbeingleftalonesosuddenlyamidtheruinsofhisplans——hisgreaterdreadofseekingrefugenow，inItalyorinSicily，wheremenmightbehiredtoassassinatehim，hethought，atanydarkstreetcorner——thewaywardnessofguiltandfear——perhapssomesympathyofactionwiththeturningbackofallhisschemes——impelledhimtoturnbacktoo，andgotoEngland。
`Iamsaferthere，inanycase。IfIshouldnotdecide，\'hethought，`togivethisfoolameeting，Iamlesslikelytobetracedthere，thanabroadhere，now。AndifIshouldthiscursedfitbeingover，atleastIshallnotbealone，withoutasoultospeakto，oradvisewith，orstandbyme。Ishallnotberuninuponandworriedlikearat。\'
HemutteredEdith\'sname，andclenchedhishand。Ashecreptalong，intheshadowofthemassivebuildings，hesethisteeth，andmuttereddreadfulimprecationsonherhead，andlookedfromsidetoside，asifinsearchofher。Thus，hestoleontothegateofaninn-yard。Thepeoplewerea-bed；buthisringingatthebellsoonproducedamanwithalantern，incompanywithwhomhewaspresentlyinadimcoach-house，bargainingforthehireofanoldphaeton，toParis。
Thebargainwasashortone；andthehorsesweresoonsentfor。
Leavingwordthatthecarriagewastofollowhimwhentheycame，hestoleawayagain，beyondthetown，pasttheoldramparts，outontheopenroad，whichseemedtoglideawayalongthedarkplain，likeastream。
Whitherdiditflow？Whatwastheendofit？Ashepaused，withsomesuchsuggestionwithinhim，lookingoverthegloomyflatwheretheslendertreesmarkedouttheway，againthatflightofDeathcamerushingup，againwenton，impetuousandresistless，againwasnothingbutahorrorinhismind，darkasthesceneandundefinedasitsremotestverge。
Therewasnowind；therewasnopassingshadowonthedeepshadeofthenight；therewasnonoise。Thecitylaybehindhim，lightedhereandthere，andstarryworldswerehiddenbythemasonryofspireandroofthathardlymadeoutanyshapesagainstthesky。Darkandlonelydistancelayaroundhimeverywhere，andtheclockswerefaintlystrikingtwo。
Hewentforwardforwhatappearedalongtime，andalongway；
oftenstoppingtolisten。Atlasttheringingofhorses\'bellsgreetedhisanxiousears。Nowsofter，andnowlouder，nowinaudible，nowringingveryslowlyoverbadground，nowbriskandmerry，itcameon；untilwithaloudshoutingandlashing，ashadowypostillionmuffledtotheeyes，checkedhisfourstrugglinghorsesathisside。
`Whogoesthere！Monsieur？\'
`Yes。\'
`Monsieurhaswalkedalongwayinthedarkmidnight。\'
`Nomatter。Everyonetohistaste。WerethereanyotherhorsesorderedatthePost-house？\'
`Athousanddevils！——andpardons！otherhorses？atthishour？
No。\'
`Listen，myfriend。Iammuchhurried。Letusseehowfastwecantravel！Thefaster，themoremoneytherewillbetodrink。Offwegothen！Quick！\'
`Halloa！whoop！Halloa！Hi！\'Away，atagallop，overtheblacklandscape，scatteringthedustanddirtlikespray！
Theclatterandcommotionechoedtothehurryanddiscordanceofthefugitive\'sideas。Nothingclearwithout，andnothingclearwithin。
Objectsflittingpast，mergingintooneanother，dimlydescried，confusedlylostsightof，gone！Beyondthechangingscrapsoffenceandcottageimmediatelyupontheroad，aloweringwaste。Beyondtheshiftingimagesthatroseupinhismindandvanishedastheyshowedthemselves，ablackexpanseofdreadandrageandbaffledvillany。Occasionally，asighofmountainaircamefromthedistantJura，fadingalongtheplain。Sometimesthatrushwhichwassofuriousandhorrible，againcamesweepingthroughhisfancy，passedaway，andleftachilluponhisblood。
Thelamps，gleamingonthemedleyofhorses\'heads，jumbledwiththeshadowydriver，andtheflutteringofhiscloak，madeathousandindistinctshapes，answeringtohisthoughts。Shadowsoffamiliarpeople，stoopingattheirdesksandbooks，intheirrememberedattitudes；strangeapparitionsofthemanwhomhewasflyingfrom，orofEdith；repetitionsintheringingbellsandrollingwheels，ofwordsthathadbeenspoken；confusionsoftimeandplace，makinglastnightamonthago，amonthagolastnight——homenowdistantbeyondhope，nowinstantlyaccessible；commotion，discord，hurry，darkness，andconfusioninhismind，andallaroundhim——Hallo！
Hi！awayatagallopovertheblacklandscape；dustanddirtflyinglikespray，thesmokinghorsessnortingandplungingasifeachofthemwereriddenbyademon，awayinafrantictriumphonthedarkroad——whither？
Againthenamelessshockcomesspeedingup，andasitpasses，thebellsringinhisears`whither？\'Thewheelsroarinhisears`whither？\'
Allthenoiseandrattleshapesitselfintothatcry。Thelightsandshadowsdanceuponthehorses\'headslikeimps。Nostoppingnow：noslackening！
On，on！Awaywithhimuponthedarkroadwildly！
Hecouldnotthinktoanypurpose。Hecouldnotseparateonesubjectofreflectionfromanother，sufficientlytodwelluponit，byitself，foraminuteatatime。Thecrashofhisprojectforthegainingofavoluptuouscompensationforpastrestraint；theoverthrowofhistreacherytoonewhohadbeentrueandgeneroustohim，butwhoseleastproudwordandlookhehadtreasuredup，atinterest，foryears——forfalseandsubtlemenwillalwayssecretlydespiseanddisliketheobjectuponwhichtheyfawn，andalwaysresentthepaymentandreceiptofhomagethattheyknowtobeworthless；
thesewerethethemesuppermostinhismind。Alurkingrageagainstthewomanwhohadsoentrappedhimandavengedherselfwasalwaysthere；crudeandmisshapenschemesofretaliationuponher，floatedinhisbrain；butnothingwasdistinct。Ahurryandcontradictionpervadedallhisthoughts。
Evenwhilehewassobusywiththisfevered，ineffectualthinking，hisoneconstantideawas，thathewouldpostponereflectionuntilsomeindefinitetime。
Then，theolddaysbeforethesecondmarriageroseupinhisremembrance。
Hethoughthowjealoushehadbeenoftheboy，howjealoushehadbeenofthegirl，howartfullyhehadkeptintrudersatadistance，anddrawnacircleroundhisdupethatnonebuthimselfshouldcross；andthenhethought，hadhedoneallthistobeflyingnow，likeascaredthief，fromonlythepoordupe？
Hecouldhavelaidhandsuponhimselfforhiscowardice，butitwastheveryshadowofhisdefeat，andcouldnotbeseparatedfromit。
Tohavehisconfidenceinhisownknaverysoshatteredatablow——tobewithinhisownknowledgesuchamiserabletool——waslikebeingparalysed。
WithanimpotentferocityheragedatEdith，andhatedMr。Dombeyandhatedhimself，butstillhefled，andcoulddonothingelse。
Againandagainhelistenedforthesoundofwheelsbehind。Againandagainhisfancyheardit，comingonlouderandlouder。Atlasthewassopersuadedofthis，thathecriedout，`Stop！\'preferringeventhelossofgroundtosuchuncertainty。
Thewordsoonbroughtcarriage，horses，driver，allinaheaptogether，acrosstheroad。
`Thedevil！\'criedthedriver，lookingoverhisshoulder，`what\'sthematter？\'
`Hark！What\'sthat？\'
`What？\'
`Thatnoise？\'
`AhHeaven，bequiet，cursedbrigand！\'toahorsewhoshookhisbells。`Whatnoise？\'
`Behind。Isitnotanothercarriageatagallop？There！what\'sthat？\'
`Miscreantwithapig\'shead，standstill！\'toanotherhorse，whobitanother，whofrightenedtheothertwo，whoplungedandbacked。
`Thereisnothingcoming。\'
`Nothing。\'
`No，nothingbutthedayyonder。\'
`Youareright，Ithink。Ihearnothingnow，indeed。Goon！\'
Theentangledequipage，halfhiddeninthereekingcloudfromthehorses，goesonslowlyatfirst，forthedriver，checkedunnecessarilyinhisprogress，sulkilytakesoutapocket-knife，andputsanewlashtohiswhip。Then`Hallo，whoop！Hallo，hi！\'Awayoncemore，savagely。
Andnowthestarsfaded，andthedayglimmered，andstandinginthecarriage，lookingback，hecoulddiscernthetrackbywhichhehadcome，andseethattherewasnotravellerwithinview，onalltheheavyexpanse。Andsoonitwasbroadday，andthesunbegantoshineoncornfieldsandvineyards；andsolitarylabourers，risenfromlittletemporaryhutsbyheapsofstonesupontheroad，were，hereandthere，atworkrepairingthehighway，oreatingbread。Byandby，therewerepeasantsgoingtotheirdailylabour，ortomarket，orloungingatthedoorsofpoorcottages，gazingidlyathimashepassed。Anthentherewasapostyard，ankle-deepinmud，withsteamingdunghillsandvastouthouseshalfruined；andlookingonthisdaintyprospect，animmense，oldshadeless，glaring，stonechateau，withhalfitswindowsblinded，andgreendampcrawlinglazilyoverit，fromthebalustradedterracetothetapertipsoftheextinguishersupontheturrets。
Gatheredupmoodilyinacornerofthecarriage，andonlyintentongoingfast——exceptwhenhestoodup，foramiletogether，andlookedback；whichhewoulddowhenevertherewasapieceofopencountry——hewenton，stillpostponingthoughtindefinitely，andstillalwaystormentedwiththinkingtonopurpose。
Shame，disappointment，anddiscomfituregnawedathisheart；aconstantapprehensionofbeingovertaken，ormet——forhewasgroundlesslyafraidevenoftravellers，whocametowardshimbythewayhewasgoing——oppressedhimheavily。Thesameintolerableaweanddreadthathadcomeuponhisinthenight，returnedunweakenedintheday。Themonotonousringingofthebellsandtrampingofthehorses；themonotonyofhisanxiety，anduselessrage；themonotonouswheeloffear，regret，andpassion，hekeptturningroundandround；madethejourneylikeavision，inwhichnothingwasquiterealbuthisowntorment。
Itwasavisionoflongroads；thatstretchedawaytoanhorizon，alwaysrecedingandnevergained；ofill-pavedtowns，uphillanddown，wherefacescametodarkdoorsandill-glazedwindows，andwhererowsofmud-bespatteredcowsandoxenweretiedupforsaleinthelongnarrowstreets，buttingandlowing，andreceivingblowsontheirbluntheadsfrombludgeonsthatmighthavebeatenthemin；ofbridges，crosses，churches，postyards，newhorsesbeingputinagainsttheirwills，andthehorsesofthelaststagereeking，panting，andlayingtheirdroopingheadstogetherdolefullyatstabledoors；oflittlecemeterieswithblackcrossessettledsidewaysinthegraves，andwitheredwreathsuponthemdroppingaway；againoflong，longroads，draggingthemselvesout，uphillanddown，tothetreacheroushorizon。
Ofmorning，noon，andsunset；night，andtherisingofanearlymoon。Oflongroadstemporarilyleftbehind，andaroughpavementreached；
ofbatteringandclatteringoverit，andlookingup，amonghouse-roofs，atagreatchurch-tower；ofgettingoutandeatinghastily，anddrinkingdraughtsofwinethathadnocheeringinfluence；ofcomingforthafoot，amongahostofbeggars——blindmenwithquiveringeyelids，ledbyoldwomenholdingcandlestotheirfaces；idiotgirls；thelame，theepileptic，andthepalsied——ofpassingthroughtheclamour，andlookingfromhisseatattheupturnedcountenancesandoutstretchedhands，withahurrieddreadofrecognisingsomepursuerpressingforward——ofgallopingawayagain，uponthelong，longroad，gatheredup，dullandstunned，inhiscorner，orrisingtoseewherethemoonshonefaintlyonapatchofthesameendlessroadmilesaway，orlookingbacktoseewhofollowed。
Ofneversleeping，butsometimesdozingwithunclosedeyes，andspringingupwithastart，andareplyaloudtoanimaginaryvoice。Ofcursinghimselfforbeingthere，forhavingfled，forhavinglethergo，fornothavingconfrontedanddefiedhim。Ofhavingadeadlyquarrelwiththewholeworld，butchieflywithhimself。Ofblightingeverythingwithhisblackmoodashewascarriedonandaway。
Itwasafeveredvisionofthingspastandpresentallconfoundedtogether；ofhislifeandjourneyblendedintoone。Ofbeingmadlyhurriedsomewhere，whitherhemustgo。Ofoldscenesstartingupamongthenoveltiesthroughwhichhetravelled。Ofmusingandbroodingoverwhatwaspastanddistant，andseemingtotakenonoticeoftheactualobjectsheencountered，butwithawearisomeexhaustingconsciousnessofbeingbewilderedbythem，andhavingtheirimagesallcrowdedinhishotbrainaftertheyweregone。
Avisionofchangeuponchange，andstillthesamemonotonyofbellsandwheels，andhorses\'feet，andnorest。Oftownandcountry，postyards，horses，drivers，hillandvalley，lightanddarkness，roadandpavement，heightandhollow，wetweatheranddry，andstillthesamemonotonyofbellsandwheels，andhorses\'feet，andnorest。Avisionoftendingonatlast，towardsthedistantcapital，bybusierroads，andsweepinground，byoldcathedrals，anddashingthroughsmalltownsandvillages，lessthinlyscatteredontheroadthanformerly，andsittingshroudedinhiscorner，withhiscloakuptohisface，aspeoplepassingbylookedathim。
Ofrollingonandon，alwayspostponingthought，andalwaysrackedwiththinking；ofbeingunabletoreckonupthehourshehadbeenupontheroad，ortocomprehendthepointsoftimeandplaceinhisjourney。
Ofbeingparchedandgiddy，andhalfmad。Ofpressingon，inspiteofall，asifhecouldnotstop，andcomingintoParis，wheretheturbidriverhelditsswiftcourseundisturbed，betweentwobrawlingstreamsoflifeandmotion。
Atroubledvision，then，ofbridges，quays，interminablestreets；
ofwine-shops，water-carriers，greatcrowdsofpeople，soldiers，coaches，militarydrums，arcades。Ofthemonotonyofbellsandwheelsandhorses\'
feetbeingatlengthlostintheuniversaldinanduproar。Ofthegradualsubsidenceofthatnoiseashepassedoutinanothercarriagebyadifferentbarrierfromthatbywhichhehadentered。Oftherestoration，ashetravelledontowardsthesea-coast，ofthemonotonyofbellsandwheels，andhorses\'
feet，andnorest。
Ofsunsetonceagain，andnightfall。Oflongroadsagain，anddeadofnight，andfeeblelightsinwindowsbytheroad-side；andstilltheoldmonotonyofbellsandwheels，andhorses\'feet，andnorest。Ofdawn，anddaybreak，andtherisingofthesun。Oftoilingslowlyupahill，andfeelingonitstopthefreshsea-breeze；andseeingthemorninglightupontheedgesofthedistantwaves。Ofcomingdownintoaharbourwhenthetidewasatitsfull，andseeingfishing-boatsfloaton，andgladwomenandchildrenwaitingforthem。Ofnetsandseamen\'sclothesspreadouttodryupontheshore；ofbusysailors，andtheirvoiceshighamongships\'
mastsandrigging；ofthebuoyancyandbrightnessofthewater，andtheuniversalsparkling。
Ofrecedingfromthecoast，andlookingbackuponitfromthedeckwhenitwasahazeuponthewater，withhereandtherealittleopeningofbrightlandwheretheSunstruck。Oftheswell，andflash，andmurmurofthecalmsea。Ofanothergreylineontheocean，onthevessel\'strack，fastgrowingclearerandhigher。Ofcliffsandbuildings，andawindmill，andachurch，becomingmoreandmorevisibleuponit。Ofsteamingonatlastintosmoothwater，andmooringtoapierwhencegroupsofpeoplelookeddown，greetingfriendsonboard。Ofdisembarking，passingamongthemquickly，shunningeveryone；andofbeingatlastagaininEngland。
Hehadthought，inhisdream，ofgoingdownintoaremotecountry-placeheknew，andlyingquietthere，whilehesecretlyinformedhimselfofwhattranspired，anddeterminedhowtoact。Stillinthesamestunnedcondition，herememberedacertainstationontherailway，wherehewouldhavetobranchofftohisplaceofdestination，andwheretherewasaquietInn。
Here，heindistinctlyresolvedtotarryandrest。
Withthispurposeheslunkintoarailwaycarriageasquicklyashecould，andlyingtherewrappedinhiscloakasifhewereasleep，wassoonbornefarawayfromthesea，anddeepintotheinlandgreen。Arrivedathisdestinationhelookedout，andsurveyeditcarefully。Hewasnotmistakeninhisimpressionoftheplace。Itwasaretiredspot，onthebordersofalittlewood。Onlyonehouse，newly-builtoralteredforthepurpose，stoodthere，surroundedbyitsneatgarden；thesmalltownthatwasnearest，wassomemilesaway。Herehealightedthen；andgoingstraightintothetavern，unobservedbyanyone，securedtworoomsupstairscommunicatingwitheachother，sufficientlyretired。
Hisobjectwastorest，andrecoverthecommandofhimself，andthebalanceofhismind。Imbecilediscomfitureandrage——sothat，ashewalkedabouthisroom，hegroundhisteeth——hadcompletepossessionofhim。Histhoughts，nottobestoppedordirected，stillwanderedwheretheywould，anddraggedhimafterthem。Hewasstupefied，andhewasweariedtodeath。
But，asiftherewereacurseuponhimthatheshouldneverrestagain，hisdrowsysenseswouldnotlosetheirconsciousness。Hehadnomoreinfluencewiththeminthisregard，thaniftheyhadbeenanotherman\'s。Itwasnotthattheyforcedhimtotakenoteofpresentsoundsandobjects，butthattheywouldnotbedivertedfromthewholehurriedvisionofhisjourney。Itwasconstantlybeforehimallatonce。Shestoodthere，withherdarkdisdainfuleyesagainuponhim；andhewasridingonnevertheless，throughtownandcountry，lightanddarkness，wetweatheranddry，overroadandpavement，hillandvalley，heightandhollow，jadedandscaredbythemonotonyofbellsandwheels，andhorses\'feet，andnorest。
`Whatdayisthis？\'heaskedofthewaiter，whowasmakingpreparationsforhisdinner。
`Day，Sir？\'
`IsitWednesday？\'
`Wednesday，Sir？No，Sir。Thursday，Sir。\'
`Iforgot。Howgoesthetime？Mywatchisunwound。\'
`Wantsafewminutesoffiveo\'clock，Sir。Beentravellingalongtime，Sir，perhaps？\'
`Yes。\'
`Byrail，Sir？\'
`Yes。\'
`Veryconfusing，Sir。Notmuchinthehabitoftravellingbyrailmyself，Sir，butgentlemenfrequentlysayso。\'
`Domanygentlemencomehere？\'
`Prettywell，Sir，ingeneral。Nobodyhereatpresent。Ratherslackjustnow，Sir。Everythingisslack，Sir。\'
Hemadenoanswer；buthadrisenintoasittingpostureonthesofawherehehadbeenlying，andleanedforwardwithanarmoneachknee，staringattheground。Hecouldnotmasterhisownattentionforaminutetogether。Itrushedawaywhereitwould，butitnever，foraninstant，lostitselfinsleep。
Hedrankaquantityofwineafterdinner，invain。Nosuchartificialmeanswouldbringsleeptohiseyes。Histhoughts，moreincoherent，draggedhimmoreunmercifullyafterthem——asifawretch，condemnedtosuchexpiation，weredrawnattheheelsofwildhorses。Nooblivion，andnorest。
Howlonghesat，drinkingandbrooding，andbeingdraggedinimaginationhitherandthither，noonecouldhavetoldlesscorrectlythanhe。Butheknewthathehadbeensittingalongtimebycandle-light，whenhestartedupandlistened，inasuddenterror。
Fornow，indeed，itwasnofancy。Thegroundshook，thehouserattled，thefierceimpetuousrushwasintheair！Hefeltitcomeup，andgodartingby；andevenwhenhehadhurriedtothewindow，andsawwhatitwas，hestood，shrinkingfromit，asifitwerenotsafetolook。
Acurseuponthefierydevil，thunderingalongsosmoothly，trackedthroughthedistantvalleybyaglareoflightandluridsmoke，andgone！
Hefeltasifhehadbeenpluckedoutofitspath，andsavedfrombeingtornasunder。Itmadehimshrinkandshudderevennow，whenitsfaintesthumwashushed，andwhenthelinesofironroadhecouldtraceinthemoonlight，runningtoapoint，wereasemptyandassilentasadesert。
Unabletorest，andirresistiblyattracted——orhethoughtso——tothisroad，hewentoutandloungedonthebrinkofit，markingthewaythetrainhadgone，bytheyetsmokingcindersthatwerelyinginitstrack。
Afteraloungeofsomehalfhourinthedirectionbywhichithaddisappeared，heturnedandwalkedtheotherway——stillkeepingtothebrinkoftheroad——pasttheinngarden，andalongwaydown；lookingcuriouslyatthebridges，signals，lamps，andwonderingwhenanotherDevilwouldcomeby。
Atremblingoftheground，andquickvibrationinhisears；adistantshriek；adulllightadvancing，quicklychangedtotworedeyes，andafiercefire，droppingglowingcoals；anirresistiblebearingonofagreatroaringanddilatingmass；ahighwind，andarattle——anothercomeandgone，andheholdingtoagate，asiftosavehimself！
Hewaitedforanother，andforanother。Hewalkedbacktohisformerpoint，andbackagaintothat，andstill，throughthewearisomevisionofhisjourney，lookedfortheseapproachingmonsters。Heloiteredaboutthestation，waitinguntiloneshouldstaytocallthere；andwhenonedid，andwasdetachedforwater，hestoodparallelwithit，watchingitsheavywheelsandbrazenfront，andthinkingwhatacruelpowerandmightithad。Ugh！Toseethegreatwheelsslowlyturning，andtothinkofbeingrundownandcrushed！
Disorderedwithwineandwantofrest——thatwantwhichnothing，althoughhewassoweary，wouldappease——theseideasandobjectsassumedadiseasedimportanceinhisthoughts。Whenhewentbacktohisroom，whichwasnotuntilnearmidnight，theystillhauntedhim，andhesatlisteningforthecomingofanother。
Soinhisbed，whitherherepairedwithnohopeofsleep。Hestilllaylistening；andwhenhefeltthetremblingandvibration，gotupandwenttothewindow，towatchashecouldfromitspositionthedulllightchangingtothetworedeyes，andthefiercefiredroppingglowingcoals，andtherushofthegiantasitfledpast，andthetrackofglareandsmokealongthevalley。Thenhewouldglanceinthedirectionbywhichheintendedtodepartatsunrise，astherewasnorestforhimthere；andwouldliedownagain，tobetroubledbythevisionofhisjourney，andtheoldmonotonyofbellsandwheelsandhorses\'feet，untilanothercame。Thislastedallnight。Sofarfromresumingthemasteryofhimself，heseemed，ifpossible，toloseitmoreandmore，asthenightcrepton。Whenthedawnappeared，hewasstilltormentedwiththinking，stillpostponingthoughtuntilheshouldbeinabetterstate；thepast，present，andfuture，allfloatedconfusedlybeforehim，andhehadlostallpoweroflookingsteadilyatanyoneofthem。
`Atwhattime，\'heaskedthemanwhohadwaitedonhimover-night，nowenteringwithacandle，`doIleavehere，didyousay？\'
`Aboutaquarterafterfour，Sir。Expresscomesthroughatfour，Sir——Itdon\'tstop。\'
Hepassedhishandacrosshisthrobbinghead，andlookedathiswatch。Nearlyhalf-pastthree。
`Nobodygoingwithyou，Sir，probably，\'observedtheman。`Twogentlemenhere，Sir，butthey\'rewaitingforthetraintoLondon。\'
`Ithoughtyousaidtherewasnobodyhere，\'saidCarker，turninguponhimwiththeghostofhisoldsmile，whenhewasangryorsuspicious。
`Notthen，Sir。Twogentlemencameinthenightbytheshorttrainthatstopshere，Sir。Warmwater，Sir？\'
`No；andtakeawaythecandle。There\'sdayenoughforme。\'
Havingthrownhimselfuponthebed，half-dressed，hewasatthewindowasthemanlefttheroom。Thecoldlightofmorninghadsucceededtonight，andtherewasalready，inthesky，theredsuffusionofthecomingsun。Hebathedhisheadandfacewithwater——therewasnocoolinginfluenceinitforhim——hurriedlyputonhisclothes，paidwhatheowed，andwentout。
Theairstruckchillandcomfortless，asitbreatheduponhim。
Therewasaheavydew；and，hotashewas，itmadehimshiver。Afteraglanceattheplacewherehehadwalkedlastnight，andatthesignal-lightsburningfeeblyinthemorning，andbereftoftheirsignificance，heturnedtowherethesunwasrising，andbeheldit，initsglory，asitbrokeuponthescene。
Soawful，sotranscendentinitsbeauty，sodivinelysolemn。Ashecasthisfadedeyesuponit，whereitrose，tranquilandserene，unmovedbyallthewrongandwickednessonwhichitsbeamshadshonesincethebeginningoftheworld，whoshallsaythatsomeweaksenseofvirtueuponEarth，anditsrewardinHeaven，didnotmanifestitself，eventohim？
Ifeverherememberedsisterorbrotherwithatouchoftendernessandremorse，whoshallsayitwasnotthen？
Heneededsomesuchtouchthen。Deathwasonhim。Hewasmarkedofffromthelivingworld，andgoingdownintohisgrave。
Hepaidthemoneyforhisjourneytothecountry-placehehadthoughtof；andwaswalkingtoandfro，alone，lookingalongthelinesofiron，acrossthevalleyinonedirection，andtowardsadarkbridgenearathandintheother；when，turninginhiswalk，whereitwasboundedbyoneendofthewoodenstageonwhichhepacedupanddown，hesawthemanfromwhomhehadfled，emergingfromthedoorbywhichhehimselfhadenteredthere。Andtheireyesmet。
Inthequickunsteadinessofthesurprise，hestaggered，andslippedontotheroadbelowhim。Butrecoveringhisfeetimmediately，hesteppedbackapaceortwouponthatroad，tointerposesomewiderspacebetweenthem，andlookedathispursuer，breathingshortandquick。
Heheardashout——another——sawthefacechangefromitsvindictivepassiontoafaintsicknessandterror——felttheearthtremble——knewinamomentthattherushwascome——utteredashriek——lookedround——sawtheredeyes，blearedanddim，inthedaylight，closeuponhim——wasbeatendown，caughtup，andwhirledawayuponajaggedmill，thatspunhimroundandround，andstruckhimlimbfromlimb，andlickedhisstreamoflifeupwithitsfieryheat，andcasthismutilatedfragmentsintheair。
Whenthetraveller，whohadbeenrecognised，recoveredfromaswoon，hesawthembringingfromadistancesomethingcovered，thatlayheavyandstill，uponaboard，betweenfourmen，andsawthatothersdrovesomedogsawaythatsniffedupontheroad，andsoakedhisbloodup，withatrainofashes。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]DICKENS：DombeyandSon，Chapter56[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERLVISeveralPeopledelighted，andtheGameChickendisgustedTHEMidshipmanwasallalive。Mr。TootsandSusanhadarrivedatlast。
Susanhasrunupstairslikeayoungwomanbereftofhersenses，andMr。
TootsandtheChickenhadgoneintotheparlour。
`OhmyownprettydarlingsweetMissFloy！\'criedtheNipper，runningintoFlorence\'sroom，`tothinkthatitshouldcometothisandIshouldfindyouheremyowndeardovewithnobodytowaituponyouandnohometocallyourownbutneverneverwillIgoawayagainMissFloyforthoughImaynotgathermossI\'mnotarollingstonenorismyheartastoneorelseitwouldn\'tbustasitisbustingnowohdearohdear！\'
Pouringoutthesewords，withoutthefaintestindicationofastop，ofanysort，MissNipper，onherkneesbesidehermistress，huggedherclose。
`Ohlove！\'criedSusan，`Iknowallthat\'spastIknowitallmytenderpetandI\'machokinggivemeair！\'
`Susan，deargoodSusan！\'saidFlorence。
`Ohblessher！Ithatwasherlittlemaidwhenshewasalittlechild！andisshereally，reallytrulygoingtobemarried？\'exclaimedSusan，inaburstofpainandpleasure，prideandgrief，andHeavenknowshowmanyotherconflictingfeelings。
`Whotoldyouso？\'saidFlorence。
`Ohgraciousme！thatinnocentestcreeturToots，\'returnedSusanhysterically。`Iknewhemustberightmydearbecausehetookonso。He\'sthedevotedestandinnocentestinfant！Andismydarling，\'pursuedSusan，withanothercloseembraceandburstoftears，`reallyreallygoingtobemarried！\'
Themixtureofcompassion，pleasure，tenderness，protection，andregretwithwhichtheNipperconstantlyrecurredtothissubject，andateverysuchrecurrence，raisedherheadtolookintheyoungfaceandkissit，andthenlaidherheadagainuponhermistress\'sshoulder，caressingherandsobbing，wasaswomanlyandgoodathing，initsway，aseverwasseenintheworld。
`There，there！\'saidthesoothingvoiceofFlorencepresently。
`Nowyou\'requiteyourself，dearSusan！\'
MissNipper，sittingdownuponthefloor，athermistress\'sfeet，laughingandsobbing，holdingherpocket-handkerchieftohereyeswithonehand，andpattingDiogeneswiththeotherashelickedherface，confessedtobeingmorecomposed，andlaughedandcriedalittlemoreinproofofit。
`I——I——IneverdidseesuchacreeturasthatToots，\'saidSusan，`inallmyborndaysnever！\'
`Sokind，\'suggestedFlorence。
`Andsocomic！\'Susansobbed。`Thewayhe\'sbeengoingoninsidewithmewiththatdisrespectableChickenonthebox！\'
`Aboutwhat，Susan？\'inquiredFlorencetimidly。
`OhaboutLieutenantWalters，andCaptainGills，andyoumydearMissFloy，andthesilenttomb，\'saidSusan。
`Thesilenttomb！\'repeatedFlorence。
`Hesays，\'hereSusanburstintoaviolenthystericallaugh，`thathe\'llgodownintoitnowimmediatelyandquitecomfortable，butblessyourheartmydearMissFloyhewon\'t，he\'sagreatdealtoohappyinseeingotherpeoplehappyforthat，hemaynotbeaSolomon，\'pursuedtheNipper，withherusualvolubility，`nordoIsayheisbutthisIdosayalessselfishhumancreaturehumannatureneverknew！\'
MissNipperbeingstillhysterical，laughedimmoderatelyaftermakingthisenergeticdeclaration，andtheninformedFlorencethathewaswaitingbelowtoseeher；whichwouldbearichrepaymentforthetroublehehadhadinhislateexpedition。
FlorenceentreatedSusantobegofMr。Tootsasafavourthatshemighthavethepleasureofthankinghimforhiskindness；andSusan，inafewmoments，producedthatyounggentleman，stillverymuchdishevelledinappearance，andstammeringexceedingly。
`MissDombey，\'saidMr。Toots。`Tobeagainpermittedto——to——gaze——atleast，nottogaze，but——Idon\'texactlyknowwhatIwasgoingtosay，butit\'sofnoconsequence。\'
`Ihavetothankyousooften，\'returnedFlorence，givinghimbothherhands，withallherinnocentgratitudebeaminginherface，`thatIhavenowordsleft，anddon\'tknowhowtodoit。\'
`MissDombey，\'saidMr。Toots，inanawfulvoice，`ifitwaspossiblethatyoucould，consistentlywithyourangelicnature，Curseme，youwould——ifImaybeallowedtosayso——floormeinfinitelyless，thanbytheseundeservedexpressionsofkindness。Theireffectuponme——is——but，\'saidMr。Toots，abruptly，`thisisadigression，and\'sofnoconsequenceatall。\'
Asthereseemedtobenomeansofreplyingtothis，butbythankinghimagain，Florencethankedhimagain。
`Icouldwish，\'saidMr。Toots，`totakethisopportunity，MissDombey，ifImight，ofenteringintoawordofexplanation。Ishouldhavehadthepleasureof——ofreturningwithSusanatanearlierperiod；but，inthefirstplace，wedidn\'tknowthenameoftherelationtowhosehouseshehadgone，and，inthesecond，asshehadleftthatrelation\'sandgonetoanotheratadistance，IthinkthatscarcelyanythingshortofthesagacityoftheChicken，wouldhavefoundheroutinthetime。\'
Florencewassureofit。
`This，however，\'saidMr。Toots，`isnotthepoint。ThecompanyofSusanhasbeen，Iassureyou，MissDombey，aconsolationandsatisfactiontome，inmystateofmind，moreeasilyconceivedthandescribed。Thejourneyhasbeenitsownreward。That，however，still，isnotthepoint。MissDombey，IhavebeforeobservedthatIknowIamnotwhatisconsideredaquickperson。Iamperfectlyawareofthat。Idon\'tthinkanybodycouldbebetteracquaintedwithhisown——ifitwasnottoostronganexpression，Ishouldsaywiththethicknessofhisownhead——thanmyself。But，MissDombey，Ido，notwithstanding，perceivethestateof——ofthings——withLieutenantWalters。Whateveragonythatstateofthingsmayhavecausedmewhichisofnoconsequenceatall，Iamboundtosay，thatLieutenantWaltersisapersonwhoappearstobeworthyoftheblessingthathasfallenonhis——onhisbrow。Mayhewearitlong，andappreciateit，asaverydifferent，andveryunworthyindividual，thatitisofnoconsequencetoname，wouldhavedone！That，however，still，isnotthepoint。MissDombey，CaptainGillsisafriendofmine；andduringtheintervalthatisnowelapsing，IbelieveitwouldaffordCaptainGillspleasuretoseemeoccasionallycomingbackwardsandforwardshere。Itwouldaffordmepleasuresotocome。
ButIcannotforgetthatIoncecommittedmyself，fatally，atthecorneroftheSquareatBrighton；andifmypresencewillbe，intheleastdegree，unpleasanttoyou，Ionlyaskyoutonameittomenow，andassureyouthatIshallperfectlyunderstandyou。Ishallnotconsideritatallunkind，andshallonlybetoodelightedandhappytobehonouredwithyourconfidence。\'
`Mr。Toots，\'returnedFlorence，`ifyou，whoaresooldandtrueafriendofmine，weretostayawayfromthishousenow，youwouldmakemeveryunhappy。Itcannever，never，givemeanyfeelingbutpleasuretoseeyou。\'
`MissDombey，\'saidMr。Toots，takingouthispocket-handkerchief，`ifIshedatear，itisatearofjoy。Itisofnoconsequence，andI
amverymuchobligedtoyou。Imaybeallowedtoremark，afterwhatyouhavesokindlysaid，thatitisnotmyintentiontoneglectmypersonanylonger。\'
Florencereceivedthisintimationwiththeprettiestexpressionofperplexitypossible。
`Imean，\'saidMr。Toots，`thatIshallconsideritmydutyasafellow-creaturegenerally，untilIamclaimedbythesilenttomb，tomakethebestofmyself，andto——tohavemybootsasbrightlypolished，as——ascircumstanceswilladmitof。Thisisthelasttime，MissDombey，ofmyintrudinganyobservationofaprivateandpersonalnature。Ithankyouverymuchindeed。IfIamnot，inageneralway，assensibleasmyfriendscouldwishmetobe，orasIcouldwishmyself，Ireallyam，uponmywordandhonour，particularlysensibleofwhatisconsiderateandkind。
Ifeel，\'saidMr。Toots，inanimpassionedtone，`asifIcouldexpressmyfeelings，atthepresentmoment，inamostremarkablemanner，if——if——I
couldonlygetastart。\'
Appearingnottogetit，afterwaitingaminuteortwotoseeifitwouldcome，Mr。Toots，tookahastyleave，andwentbelowtoseektheCaptain，whomhefoundintheshop。
`CaptainGills，\'saidMr。Toots，`whatisnowtotakeplacebetweenus，takesplaceunderthesacredsealofconfidence。Itisthesequel，CaptainGills，ofwhathastakenplacebetweenmyselfandMissDombey，upstairs。\'
`Alowandaloft，eh，mylad？\'murmuredtheCaptain。
`Exactlyso，CaptainGills，\'saidMr。Toots，whosefervourofacquiescencewasgreatlyheightenedbyhisentireignoranceoftheCaptain\'smeaning。`MissDombey，Ibelieve，CaptainGills，istobeshortlyunitedtoLieutenantWalters？\'
`Why，aye，mylad。We\'reallshipmentshere，——Wal\'randsweetheartwillbejinedtogetherinthehouseofbondage，assoonastheaskingsisover，\'whisperedCaptainCuttle，inhisear。
`Theaskings，CaptainGills！\'repeatedMr。Toots。
`Inthechurch，downyonder，\'saidtheCaptain，pointinghisthumboverhisshoulder。
`Oh！Yes！\'returnedMr。Toots。
`Andthen，\'saidtheCaptain，inhishoarsewhisper，andtappingMr。Tootsonthechestwiththebackofhishand，andfallingfromhimwithalookofinfiniteadmiration，`whatfollers？Thatthereprettycreetur，asdelicatelybroughtupasaforeignbird，goesawayupontheroaringmainwithWal\'ronawoyagetoChina！\'
`Lord，CaptainGills！\'saidMr。Toots。
`Aye！\'noddedtheCaptain。`Theshipastookhimup，whenhewaswreckedinthehurricanethathaddrovehercleanoutofhercourse，wasaChinatrader，andWal\'rmadethewoyage，andgotintofavour，aboardandashore——beingassmartandgoodaladaseverstepped——andso，thesupercargodyingatCanton，hegotmadehavingactedasclerkafore，andnowhe\'ssupercargoaboardanothership，sameowners。Andso，yousee，\'
repeatedtheCaptain，thoughtfully，`theprettycreeturgoesawayupontheroaringmainwithWal\'r，onawoyagetoChina。\'
Mr。TootsandCaptainCuttleheavedasighinconcert。
`Whatthen？\'saidtheCaptain。`Sheloveshimtrue。Heloveshertrue。Themasshouldhavelovedandtendedofher，treatedofherlikethebeastsasperish。Whenshe，castoutofhome，comeheretome，anddroppeduponthemplanks，herwowndedheartwasbroke。Iknowit。I，Ed\'ardCuttle，seeit。There\'snowtbuttrue，kind，steadylove，ascaneverpieceitupagain。IfsobeIdidn\'tknowthat，anddidn\'tknowasWal\'rwashertruelove，brother，andshehis，I\'dhavetheseherebluearmsandlegschoppedoff，aforeI\'dlethergo。ButIdoknowit，andwhatthen？Why，then，Isay，Heavengowith\'emboth，andsoitwill！Amen！\'
`CaptainGills，\'saidMr。Toots，`letmehavethepleasureofshakinghands。You\'veawayofsayingthings，thatgivesmeanagreeablewarmth，allupmyback。IsayAmen。Youareaware，CaptainGills，thatI，too，haveadoredMissDombey。\'
`Cheerup！\'saidtheCaptain，layinghishandonMr。Toots\'sshoulder。
`Standby，boy！\'
`Itismyintention，CaptainGills，\'returnedthespiritedMr。
Toots，`tocheerup。Alsotostandby，asmuchaspossible。Whenthesilenttombshallyawn，CaptainGills，Ishallbereadyforburial；
notbefore。Butnotbeingcertain，justatpresent，ofmypowerovermyself，whatIwishtosaytoyou，andwhatIshalltakeitasaparticularfavourifyouwillmentiontoLieutenantWalters，isasfollows。\'
`Isasfollers，\'echoedtheCaptain。`Steady！\'
`MissDombeybeingsoinexpressiblykind，\'continuedMr。Tootswithwateryeyes，`astosaythatmypresenceisthereverseofdisagreeabletoher，andyouandeverybodyherebeingnolessforbearingandtoleranttowardsonewho——whocertainly，\'saidMr。Toots，withmomentarydejection，`wouldappeartohavebeenbornbymistake，Ishallcomebackwardsandforwardsofanevening，duringtheshorttimewecanallbetogether。
ButwhatIaskisthis。If，atanymoment，IfindthatIcannotendurethecontemplationofLieutenantWalters\'sbliss，andshouldrushout，I
hope，CaptainGills，thatyouandhewillbothconsideritasmymisfortuneandnotmyfault，orthewantofinwardconflict。Thatyou\'llfeelconvincedIbearnomalicetoanylivingcreature——leastofalltoLieutenantWaltershimself——andthatyou\'llcasuallyremarkthatIhavegoneoutforawalk，orprobablytoseewhato\'clockitisbytheRoyalExchange。CaptainGills，ifyourcouldenterintothisarrangement，andcouldanswerforLieutenantWalters，itwouldbearelieftomyfeelingsthatIshouldthinkcheapatthesacrificeofaconsiderableportionofmyproperty。\'
`Mylad，\'returnedtheCaptain，`saynomore。Thereain\'tacolouryoucanrunup，aswon\'tbemadeout，andansweredto，byWal\'randself。\'
`CaptainGills，\'saidMr。Toots，`mymindisgreatlyrelieved。
Iwishtopreservethegoodopinionofallhere。I——I——meanwell，uponmyhonour，howeverbadlyImayshowit。Youknow，\'saidMr。Toots，`it\'sexactlyasifBurgessandCo。wishedtoobligeacustomerwithamostextraordinarypairoftrousers，andcouldnotcutoutwhattheyhadintheirminds。\'
Withthisappositeillustration，ofwhichheseemedalittleproud，Mr。TootsgavecaptainCuttlehisblessinganddeparted。
ThehonestCaptain，withhisHeart\'sDelightinthehouse，andSusantendingher，wasabeamingandahappyman。Asthedaysflewby，hegrewmorebeamingandmorehappy，everyday。AftersomeconferenceswithSusanforwhosewisdomtheCaptainhadaprofoundrespect，andwhosevaliantprecipitationofherselfonMrs。MacStingerhecouldneverforget，heproposedtoFlorencethatthedaughteroftheelderlyladywhousuallysatundertheblueumbrellainLeadenhallMarket，should，forprudentialreasonsandconsiderationsofprivacy，besupersededinthetemporarydischargeofthehouseholdduties，bysomeonewhowasnotunknowntothem，andinwhomtheycouldsafelyconfide。Susan，beingpresent，thennamed，infurtheranceofasuggestionshehadpreviouslyofferedtotheCaptain，Mrs。Richards。
Florencebrightenedatthename。AndSusan，settingoffthatveryafternoontotheToodledomicile，tosoundMrs。Richards，returnedintriumphthesameevening，accompaniedbytheidenticalrosy-cheekedapple-facedPolly，whosedemonstrations，whenbroughtintoFlorence\'spresence，werehardlylessaffectionatethanthoseofSusanNipperherself。
Thispieceofgeneralshipaccomplished；fromwhichtheCaptainderiveduncommonsatisfaction，ashedid，indeed，fromeverythingelsethatwasdone，whateverithappenedtobe；FlorencehadnexttoprepareSusanfortheirapproachingseparation。Thiswasamuchmoredifficulttask，asMissNipperwasofaresolutedisposition，andhadfullymadeuphermindthatshehadcomebacknevertobepartedfromheroldmistressanymore。
`AstowagesdearMissFloy，\'shesaid，`youwouldn\'thintandwrongmesoasthinkofnamingthem，forI\'veputmoneybyandwouldn\'tsellmyloveanddutyatatimelikethiseveniftheSavings\'BanksandmeweretotalstrangersortheBankswerebroketopieces，butyou\'veneverbeenwithoutmedarlingfromthetimeyourpoordearmawastookaway，andthoughI\'mnothingtobeboastedofyou\'reusedtomeandohmyowndearmistressthroughsomanyyearsdon\'tthinkofgoinganywherewithoutme，foritmustn\'tandcan\'tbe！\'
`DearSusan，Iamgoingonalong，longvoyage。\'
`WellMissFloy，andwhatofthat？themoreyou\'llwantme。Lengthsofvoyagesain\'tanobjectinmyeyes，thankGod！\'saidtheimpetuousSusanNipper。
`But，Susan，IamgoingwithWalter，andIwouldgowithWalteranywhere——everywhere！Walterispoor，andIamverypoor，andImustlearn，now，bothtohelpmyself，andhelphim。\'
`DearMissFloy！\'criedSusan，burstingoutafresh，andshakingherheadviolently，`it\'snothingnewtoyoutohelpyourselfandotherstooandbethepatientestandtruestofnoblehearts，butletmetalktoMr。WalterGayandsettleitwithhim，forsufferyoutogoawayacrosstheworldaloneIcannot，andIwon\'t。\'
`Alone，Susan？\'returnedFlorence。`Alone？andWaltertakingmewithhim！\'Ah，whatabright，amazed，enrapturedsmilewasonherface！——Heshouldhaveseenit。`IamsureyouwillnotspeaktoWalterifIaskyounot，\'sheaddedtenderly；`andpraydon\'t，dear。\'
Susansobbed`Whynot，MissFloy？\'
`Because，\'saidFlorence，`Iamgoingtobehiswife，togivehimupmywholeheart，andtolivewithhimanddiewithhim。Hemightthink，ifyousaidtohimwhatyouhavesaidtome，thatIamafraidofwhatisbeforeme，orthatyouhavesomecausetobeafraidforme。Why，Susan，dear，Ilovehim！\'
MissNipperwassomuchaffectedbythequietfervourofthesewords，andsimple，heartfelt，all-pervadingearnestnessexpressedinthem，andmakingthespeaker\'sfacemorebeautifulandpurethanever，thatshecouldonlyclingtoheragain，cryingWasherlittlemistressreally，reallygoingtobemarried，andpitying，caressing，andprotectingher，asshehaddonebefore。
ButtheNipper，thoughsusceptibleofwomanlyweaknesses，wasalmostascapableofputtingconstraintuponherselfasofattackingtheredoubtableMacStinger。Fromthattime，sheneverreturnedtothesubject，butwasalwayscheerful，active，bustling，andhopeful。Shedid，indeed，informMr。Tootsprivately，thatshewasonly`keepingup\'forthetime，andthatwhenitwasallover，andMissDombeywasgone，shemightbeexpectedtobecomeaspectacledistressful；andMr。Tootsdidalsoexpressthatitwashiscasetoo，andthattheywouldmingletheirtearstogether；butsheneverotherwiseindulgedherprivatefeelingsinthepresenceofFlorenceorwithintheprecinctsoftheMidshipman。
LimitedandplainasFlorence\'swardrobewas——whatacontrasttothatpreparedforthelastmarriageinwhichshehadtakenpart！——therewasagooddealtodoingettingitready，andSusanNipperworkedawayatherside，allday，withtheconcentratedzealoffiftysempstresses。
ThewonderfulcontributionsCaptainCuttlewouldhavemadetothisbranchoftheoutfit，ifhehadbeenpermitted——aspinkparasols，tintedsilkstockings，blueshoes，andotherarticlesnolessnecessaryonshipboard——wouldoccupysomespaceintherecital。Hewasinduced，however，byvariousfraudulentrepresentations，tolimithiscontributionstoaworkboxanddressing-case，ofeachofwhichhepurchasedtheverylargestspecimenthatcouldbegotformoney。Fortendaysorafortnightafterwards，hegenerallysat，duringthegreaterpartoftheday，gazingattheseboxes；dividedbetweenextremeadmirationofthem，anddejectedmisgivingsthattheywerenotgorgeousenough，andfrequentlydivingoutintothestreettopurchasesomewildarticlethathedeemednecessarytotheircompleteness。Buthismaster-strokewas，thebearingofthembothoff，suddenly，onemorning，andgettingthetwowordsFLORENCEGAYengraveduponabrassheartinlaidoverthelidofeach。Afterthis，hesmokedfourpipessuccessivelyinthelittleparlourbyhimself，andwasdiscoveredchuckling，attheexpirationofasmanyhours。
Walterwasbusyandawayallday，butcamethereeverymorningearlytoseeFlorence，andalwayspassedtheeveningwithher。Florenceneverleftherhighroomsbuttostealdownstairstowaitforhimwhenitwashistimetocome，or，shelteredbyhisproud，encirclingarm，tobearhimcompanytothedooragain，andsometimespeepintothestreet。
Inthetwilighttheywerealwaystogether。Ohblessedtime！Ohwanderingheartatrest！Ohdeep，exhaustless，mightywelloflove，inwhichsomuchwassunk！
Thecruelmarkwasonherbosomyet。Itroseagainstherfatherwiththebreathshedrew，itlaybetweenherandherloverwhenhepressedhertohisheart。Butsheforgotit。Inthebeatingofthatheartforher，andinthebeatingofherownforhim，allharshermusicwasunheard，allsternunlovingheartsforgotten。Fragileanddelicateshewas，butwithamightoflovewithinherthatcould，anddid，createaworldtoflyto，andtorestin，outofhisoneimage。
Howoftendidthegreathouse，andtheolddays，comebeforeherinthetwilighttime，whenshewasshelteredbythearm，soproud，sofond，and，creepingclosertohim，shrunkwithinitattherecollection！Howoften，fromrememberingthenightwhenshewentdowntothatroomandmetthenever-to-be-forgottenlook，didsheraisehereyestothosethatwatchedherwithsuchlovingearnestness，andweepwithhappinessinsucharefuge！
Themoresheclungtoit，themorethedeardeadchildwasinherthoughts：
butasifthelasttimeshehadseenherfather，hadbeenwhenhewassleepingandshekissedhisface，shealwayslefthimso，andnever，inherfancy，passedthathour。
`Walter，dear，\'saidFlorence，oneevening，whenitwasalmostdark。`DoyouKnowwhatIhavebeenthinkingto-day？\'
`Thinkinghowthetimeisflyingon，andhowsoonweshallbeuponthesea，sweetFlorence？\'
`Idon\'tmeanthat，Walter，thoughIthinkofthattoo。IhavebeenthinkingwhatachargeIamtoyou。\'
`Aprecious，sacredcharge，dearheart！WhyIthinkthatsometimes。\'
`Youarelaughing，Walter。Iknowthat\'smuchmoreinyourthoughtsthanmine。ButImeanacost。\'
`Acost，myown？\'
`Inmoney，dear。AllthesepreparationsthatSusanandIaresobusywith——Ihavebeenabletopurchaseverylittleformyself。Youwerepoorbefore。ButhowmuchpoorerIshallmakeyou，Walter！\'
`Andhowmuchricher，Florence！\'
Florencelaughed，andshookherhead。
`Besides，\'saidWalter，`longago——beforeIwenttosea——Ihadalittlepursepresentedtome，dearest，whichhadmoneyinit。\'
`Ah！\'returnedFlorence，laughingsorrowfully，`verylittle！Verylittle，Walter！But，youmustnotthink，\'andhereshelaidherlighthandonhisshoulder，andlookedintohisface，`thatIregrettobethisburdenonyou。No，dearlove，Iamgladofit。Iamhappyinit。Iwouldn\'thaveitotherwiseforalltheworld！\'
`NorI，indeed，dearFlorence。\'
`Aye！but，Walter，youcanneverfeelitasIdo。Iamsoproudofyou！Itmakesmyheartswellwithsuchdelighttoknowthatthosewhospeakofyoumustsayyoumarriedapoordisownedgirl，whohadtakenshelterhere；whohadnootherhome，nootherfriends；whohadnothing——nothing！
Oh，Walter，ifIcouldhavebroughtyoumillions，Inevercouldhavebeensohappyforyoursake，asIam！\'
`Andyou，dearFlorence？areyounothing？\'hereturned。
`No，nothing，Walter。Nothingbutyourwife。\'Thelighthandstoleabouthisneck，andthevoicecamenearer——nearer。`Iamnothinganymore，thatisnotyou。Ihavenoearthlyhopeanymore，thatisnotyou。Ihavenothingdeartomeanymore，thatisnotyou。\'
Oh！wellmightMr。Tootsleavethelittlecompanythatevening，andtwicegoouttocorrecthiswatchbytheRoyalExchange，andoncetokeepanappointmentwithabankerwhichhesuddenlyremembered，andoncetotakealittleturntoAldgatePumpandback！
Butbeforehewentupontheseexpeditions，orindeedbeforehecame，andbeforelightswerebrought，Waltersaid：
`Florence，love，theladingofourshipisnearlyfinished，andprobablyontheverydayofourmarriageshewilldropdowntheriver。
Shallwegoawaythatmorning，andstayinKentuntilwegoonboardatGravesendwithinaweek？\'
`Ifyouplease，Walter。Ishallbehappyanywhere。But`Yes，mylife？\'
`Youknow，\'saidFlorence，`thatweshallhavenomarriageparty，andthatnobodywilldistinguishusbyourdressfromotherpeople。Asweleavethesameday，willyou——willyoutakemesomewherethatmorning，Walter——early——beforewegotochurch？\'
Walterseemedtounderstandher，assotruealoversotrulylovedshould，andconfirmedhisreadypromisewithakiss——withmorethanoneperhaps，ortwoorthree，orfiveorsix；andinthegrave，peacefulevening，Florencewasveryhappy。
ThenintothequietroomcameSusanNipperandthecandles：shortlyafterwards，thetea，theCaptain，andtheexcursiveMr。Toots，who，asabovementioned，wasfrequentlyonthemoveafterwards，andpassedbutarestlessevening。This，however，wasnothishabit：forhegenerallygotonverywell，bydintofplayingatcribbagewiththeCaptainundertheadviceandguidanceofMissNipper，anddistractinghismindwiththecalculationsincidentaltothegame；whichhefoundtobeaveryeffectualmeansofutterlyconfoundinghimself。
TheCaptain\'svisageontheseoccasionspresentedoneofthefinestexamplesofcombinationandsuccessionofexpressioneverobserved。HisinstinctivedelicacyandhischivalrousfeelingtowardsFlorence，taughthimthatitwasnotatimeforanyboisterousjollity，orviolentdisplayofsatisfaction。CertainfloatingreminiscencesofLovelyPeg，ontheotherhand，wereconstantlystrugglingforavent，andurgingtheCaptaintocommithimselfbysomeirreparabledemonstration。Anon，hisadmirationofFlorenceandWalter——well-matched，truly，andfullofgraceandinterestintheiryouth，andlove，andgoodlooks，astheysatapart——wouldtakesuchcompletepossessionofhim，thathewouldlaydownhiscards，andbeamuponthem，dabbinghisheadalloverwithhispocket-handkerchief；
untilwarned，perhaps，bythesuddenrushingforthofMr。Toots，thathehadunconsciouslybeenveryinstrumental，indeed，inmakingthatgentlemanmiserable。ThisreflectionwouldmaketheCaptainprofoundlymelancholy，untilthereturnofMr。Toots；whenhewouldfalltohiscardsagain，withmanysidewinksandnods，andpolitewavesofhishookatMissNipper，importingthathewasn\'tgoingtodosoanymore。Thestatethatensuedonthis，was，perhaps，hisbest；forthen，endeavouringtodischargeallexpressionfromhisface，hewouldsit，staringroundtheroom，withalltheseexpressionsconveyedintoitatonce，andeachwrestlingwiththeother。DelightedadmirationofFlorenceandWalteralwaysoverthrewtherest，andremainedvictoriousandundisguised，unlessMr。Tootsmadeanotherrushintotheair，andthentheCaptainwouldsit，likearemorsefulculprit，untilhecamebackagain，occasionallycallinguponhimself，inalowreproachfulvoice，to`Standby！\'orgrowlingsomeremonstranceto`Ed\'ardCuttle，mylad，\'onthewantofcautionobservableinhisbehaviour。
OneofMr。Toots\'shardesttrials，however，wasofhisownseeking。
OntheapproachoftheSundaywhichwastowitnessthelastofthoseaskingsinchurchofwhichtheCaptainhadspoken，Mr。TootsthusstatedhisfeelingstoSusanNipper。
`Susan，\'saidMr。Toots，`Iamdrawntowardsthebuilding。ThewordswhichcutmeofffromMissDombeyforever，willstrikeuponmyearslikeaknellyouknow，butuponmywordandhonour，IfeelthatImusthearthem。Therefore，\'saidMr。Toots，`willyouaccompanymeto-morrow，tothesacrededifice？\'
MissNipperexpressedherreadinesstodoso，ifthatwouldbeanysatisfactiontoMr。Toots，butbesoughthimtoabandonhisideaofgoing。
`Susan，\'returnedMr。Toots，withmuchsolemnity，`beforemywhiskersbegantobeobservedbyanybodybutmyself，IadoredMissDombey。WhileyetavictimtothethraldomofBlimber，IadoredMissDombey。WhenIcouldnolongerbekeptoutofmyproperty，inalegalpointofview，and——andaccordinglycameintoit——IadoredMissDombey。ThebannswhichconsignhertoLieutenantWalters，andmeto——toGloom，youknow，\'saidMr。Toots，afterhesitatingforastrongexpression，`maybedreadful，willbedreadful；butIfeelthatIshouldwishtohearthemspoken。IfeelthatIshouldwishtoknowthatthegroundwascertainlycutfromunderme，andthatIhadn\'tahopetocherish，ora——oraleg，inshort，to——togoupon。\'
SusanNippercouldonlycommiserateMr。Toots\'sunfortunatecondition，andagree，underthesecircumstances，toaccompanyhim；whichshedidnextmorning。
ThechurchWalterhadchosenforthepurpose，wasamouldyoldchurchinayard，hemmedinbyalabyrinthofbackstreetsandcourts，withalittleburying-groundroundit，anditselfburiedinakindofvault，formedbytheneighbouringhouses，andpavedwithechoingstones。Itwasagreatdim，shabbypile，withhigholdoakenpews，amongwhichaboutascoreofpeoplelostthemselveseverySunday；whiletheclergyman\'svoicedrowsilyresoundedthroughtheemptiness，andtheorganrumbledandrolledasifthechurchhadgotthecolic，forwantofacongregationtokeepthewindanddampout。Butsofarwasthiscitychurchfromlanguishingforthecompanyofotherchurches，thatspireswereclusteredroundit，asthemastsofshippingclusterontheriver。Itwouldhavebeenhardtocountthemfromitssteeple-top，theyweresomany。Inalmosteveryyardandblind-placenear，therewasachurch。TheconfusionofbellswhenSusanandMr。TootsbetookthemselvestowardsitontheSundaymorning，wasdeafening。Thereweretwentychurchesclosetogether，clamouringforpeopletocomein。
Thetwostraysheepinquestionwerepennedbyabeadleinacommodiouspew，and，beingearly，satforsometimecountingthecongregation，listeningtothedisappointedbellhighupinthetower，orlookingatashabbylittleoldmanintheporchbehindthescreen，whowasringingthesame，liketheBullinCockRobin，withhisfootinastirrup。Mr。Toots，afteralengthenedsurveyofthelargebooksonthereading-desk，whisperedMissNipperthathewonderedwherethebannswerekept，butthatyoungladymerelyshookherheadandforward；repellingforthetimeallapproachesofatemporalnature。
Mr。Toots，however，appearingunabletokeephisthoughtsfromthebanns，wasevidentlylookingoutforthemduringthewholepreliminaryportionoftheservice。Asthetimeforreadingthemapproached，thepooryounggentlemanmanifestedgreatanxietyandtrepidation，whichwasnotdiminishedbytheunexpectedapparitionoftheCaptaininthefrontrowofthegallery。Whentheclerkhandedupalisttotheclergyman，Mr。Toots，beingthenseated，heldonbytheseatofthepew；butwhenthenamesofWalterGayandFlorenceDombeywerereadaloudasbeinginthethirdandlaststageofthatassociation，hewassoentirelyconqueredbyhisfeelingsastorushfromthechurchwithouthishat，followedbythebeadleandpew-opener，andtwogentlemenofthemedicalprofession，whohappenedtobepresent；ofwhomthefirst-namedpresentlyreturnedforthatarticle，informingMissNipperinawhisperthatshewasnottomakeherselfuneasyaboutthegentleman，asthegentlemansaidhisindispositionwasofnoconsequence。
MissNipper，feelingthattheeyesofthatintegralportionofEuropewhichlostitselfweeklyamongthehigh-backedpews，wereuponher，wouldhavebeensufficientlyembarrassedbythisincident，thoughithadterminatedhere；themoreso，astheCaptaininthefrontrowofthegallery，wasinastateofunmitigatedconsciousnesswhichcouldhardlyfailtoexpresstothecongregationthathehadsomemysteriousconnexionwithit。ButtheextremerestlessnessofMr。Tootspainfullyincreasedandprotractedthedelicacyofhersituation。Thatyounggentleman，incapable，inhisstateofmind，ofremainingaloneinthechurchyard，apreytosolitarymeditation，andalsodesirous，nodoubt，oftestifyinghisrespectfortheofficeshehadinsomemeasureinterrupted，suddenlyreturned——notcomingbacktothepew，butstationinghimselfonafreeseatintheaisle，betweentwoelderlyfemaleswhowereinthehabitofreceivingtheirportionofaweeklydoleofbreadthensetforthonashelfintheporch。InthisconjunctionMr。Tootsremained，greatlydisturbingthecongregation，whofeltitimpossibletoavoidlookingathim，untilhisfeelingsovercamehimagain，whenhedepartedsilentlyandsuddenly。Notventuringtotrusthimselfinthechurchanymore，andyetwishingtohavesomesocialparticipationinwhatwasgoingonthere，Mr。Tootswasafterthis，seenfromtimetotime，lookingin，withalornaspect，atoneorotherofthewindows；andastherewereseveralwindowsaccessibletohimfromwithout，andashisrestlessnesswasverygreat，itnotonlybecamedifficulttoconceiveatwhichwindowhewouldappearnext，butlikewisebecamenecessary，asitwere，forthewholecongregationtospeculateuponthechancesofthedifferentwindows，duringthecomparativeleisureaffordedthembythesermon。Mr。
Toots\'smovementsinthechurchyardweresoeccentric，thatheseemedgenerallytodefeatallcalculation，andtoappear，liketheconjuror\'sfigure，wherehewasleastexpected；andtheeffectofthesemysteriouspresentationswasmuchincreasedbyitsbeingdifficulttohimtoseein，andeasytoeverybodyelsetoseeout：whichoccasionedhisremaining，everytime，longerthanmighthavebeenexpected，withhisfaceclosetotheglass，untilheallatoncebecameawarethatalleyeswereuponhim，andvanished。
TheseproceedingsonthepartofMr。Toots，andthestrongindividualconsciousnessofthemthatwasexhibitedbytheCaptain，renderedMissNipper\'spositionsoresponsibleaone，thatshewasmightilyrelievedbytheconclusionoftheservice；andwashardlysoaffabletoMr。Tootsasusual，whenheinformedherandtheCaptain，onthewayback，thatnowhewassurehehadnohope，youknow，hefeltmorecomfortable——atleastnotexactlymorecomfortable，butmorecomfortablyandcompletelymiserable。
Swiftlynow，indeed，thetimeflewbyuntilitwastheeveningbeforethedayappointedforthemarriage。TheywereallassembledintheupperroomattheMidshipman\'s，andhadnofearofinterruption；fortherewerenolodgersinthehousenow，andtheMidshipmanhaditalltohimself。
Theyweregraveandquietintheprospectofto-morrow，butmoderatelycheerfultoo。Florence，withWalterclosebesideher，wasfinishingalittlepieceofworkintendedasapartinggifttotheCaptain。TheCaptainwasplayingcribbagewithMr。Toots。Mr。Tootswastakingcounselastohishand，ofSusanNipper。MissNipperwasgivingit，withallduesecrecyandcircumspection。Diogeneswaslistening，andoccasionallybreakingoutintoagruffhalf-smotheredfragmentofabark，ofwhichheafterwardsseemedhalf-ashamed，asifhedoubtedhavinganyreasonforit。
`Steady，steady！\'saidtheCaptaintoDiogenes，`what\'samisswithyou？Youdon\'tseemeasyinyourmindto-night，myboy！\'
Diogeneswaggedhistail，butprickeduphisearsimmediatelyafterwards，andgaveutterancetoanotherfragmentofabark；forwhichheapologisedtotheCaptain，byagainwagginghistail。
`It\'smyopinion，Di，\'saidtheCaptain，lookingthoughtfullyathiscards，andstrokinghischinwithhishook，`asyouhaveyourdoubtsofMrs。Richards；butifyou\'retheanimalItakeyoutobe，you\'llthinkbettero\'that；forherlooksishercommission。Now，Brother：\'toMr。
Toots：`ifsobeasyou\'reready，heaveahead。\'