Mr。Bumble，seeingwithexcruciatingfeelings，thedelightofthetwooldpaupers，whoweretitteringtogethermostrapturously，hesitatedforaninstant。Mrs。Bumble，whosepatiencebrookednodelay，caughtupabowlofsoap-suds，andmotioninghimtowardsthedoor，orderedhiminstantlytodepart，onpainofreceivingthecontentsuponhisportlyperson。
　　WhatcouldMr。Bumbledo?Helookeddejectedlyround，andslunkaway；and，ashereachedthedoor，thetitteringsofthepaupersbrokeintoashrillchuckleofirrepressibledelight。Itwantedbutthis。Hewasdegradedintheireyes；hehadlostcasteandstationbeforetheverypaupers；hehadfallenfromalltheheightandpompofbeadleship，tothelowestdepthofthemostsnubbedhen-peckery。
　　'Allintwomonths！'saidMr。Bumble，filledwithdismalthoughts。'Twomonths！Nomorethantwomonthsago，Iwasnotonlymyownmaster，buteverybodyelse's，sofarastheporochialworkhousewasconcerned，andnow！——'
　　Itwastoomuch。Mr。Bumbleboxedtheearsoftheboywhoopenedthegateforhimforhehadreachedtheportalinhisreverie；
　　andwalked，distractedly，intothestreet。
　　Hewalkeduponestreet，anddownanother，untilexercisehadabatedthefirstpassionofhisgrief；andthentherevulsionoffeelingmadehimthirsty。Hepassedagreatmanypublic-houses；
　　but，atlengthpausedbeforeoneinaby-way，whoseparlour，ashegatheredfromahastypeepovertheblinds，wasdeserted，savebyonesolitarycustomer。Itbegantorain，heavily，atthemoment。Thisdeterminedhim。Mr。Bumblesteppedin；andorderingsomethingtodrink，ashepassedthebar，enteredtheapartmentintowhichhehadlookedfromthestreet。
　　Themanwhowasseatedthere，wastallanddark，andworealargecloak。Hehadtheairofastranger；andseemed，byacertainhaggardnessinhislook，aswellasbythedustysoilsonhisdress，tohavetravelledsomedistance。HeeyedBumbleaskance，asheentered，butscarcelydeignedtonodhisheadinacknowledgmentofhissalutation。
　　Mr。Bumblehadquitedignityenoughfortwo；supposingeventhatthestrangerhadbeenmorefamiliar:sohedrankhisgin-and-waterinsilence，andreadthepaperwithgreatshowofpompandcircumstance。
　　Itsohappened，however:asitwillhappenveryoften，whenmenfallintocompanyundersuchcircumstances:thatMr。Bumblefelt，everynowandthen，apowerfulinducement，whichhecouldnotresist，tostealalookatthestranger:andthatwheneverhedidso，hewithdrewhiseyes，insomeconfusion，tofindthatthestrangerwasatthatmomentstealingalookathim。Mr。
　　Bumble'sawkwardnesswasenhancedbytheveryremarkableexpressionofthestranger'seye，whichwaskeenandbright，butshadowedbyascowlofdistrustandsuspicion，unlikeanythinghehadeverobservedbefore，andrepulsivetobehold。
　　Whentheyhadencounteredeachother'sglanceseveraltimesinthisway，thestranger，inaharsh，deepvoice，brokesilence。
　　'Wereyoulookingforme，'hesaid，'whenyoupeeredinatthewindow?'
　　'NotthatIamawareof，unlessyou'reMr——'HereMr。Bumblestoppedshort；forhewascurioustoknowthestranger'sname，andthoughtinhisimpatience，hemightsupplytheblank。
　　'Iseeyouwerenot，'saidthestranger；andexpressionofquietsarcasmplayingabouthismouth；'oryouhaveknownmyname。Youdon'tknowit。Iwouldrecommendyounottoaskforit。'
　　'Imeantnoharm，youngman，'observedMr。Bumble，majestically。
　　'Andhavedonenone，'saidthestranger。
　　Anothersilencesucceededthisshortdialogue:whichwasagainbrokenbythestranger。
　　'Ihaveseenyoubefore，Ithink?'saidhe。'Youweredifferentlydressedatthattime，andIonlypassedyouinthestreet，butIshouldknowyouagain。Youwerebeadlehere，once；
　　wereyounot?'
　　'Iwas，'saidMr。Bumble，insomesurprise；'porochialbeadle。'
　　'Justso，'rejoinedtheother，noddinghishead。'ItwasinthatcharacterIsawyou。Whatareyounow?'
　　'Masteroftheworkhouse，'rejoinedMr。Bumble，slowlyandimpressively，tocheckanyunduefamiliaritythestrangermightotherwiseassume。'Masteroftheworkhouse，youngman！'
　　'Youhavethesameeyetoyourowninterest，thatyoualwayshad，Idoubtnot?'resumedthestranger，lookingkeenlyintoMr。
　　Bumble'seyes，asheraisedtheminastonishmentatthequestion。
　　'Don'tscrupletoanswerfreely，man。Iknowyouprettywell，yousee。'
　　'Isuppose，amarriedman，'repliedMr。Bumble，shadinghiseyeswithhishand，andsurveyingthestranger，fromheadtofoot，inevidentperplexity，'isnotmoreaversetoturninganhonestpennywhenhecan，thanasingleone。Porochialofficersarenotsowellpaidthattheycanaffordtorefuseanylittleextrafee，whenitcomestotheminacivilandpropermanner。'
　　Thestrangersmiled，andnoddedhisheadagain:asmuchtosay，hehadnotmistakenhisman；thenrangthebell。
　　'Fillthisglassagain，'hesaid，handingMr。Bumble'semptytumblertothelandlord。'Letitbestrongandhot。Youlikeitso，Isuppose?'
　　'Nottoostrong，'repliedMr。Bumble，withadelicatecough。
　　'Youunderstandwhatthatmeans，landlord！'saidthestranger，drily。
　　Thehostsmiled，disappeared，andshortlyafterwardsreturnedwithasteamingjorum:ofwhich，thefirstgulpbroughtthewaterintoMr。Bumble'seyes。
　　'Nowlistentome，'saidthestranger，afterclosingthedoorandwindow。'Icamedowntothisplace，to-day，tofindyouout；
　　and，byoneofthosechanceswhichthedevilthrowsinthewayofhisfriendssometimes，youwalkedintotheveryroomIwassittingin，whileyouwereuppermostinmymind。Iwantsomeinformationfromyou。Idon'taskyoutogiveitformothing，slightasitis。Putupthat，tobeginwith。'
　　Ashespoke，hepushedacoupleofsovereignsacrossthetabletohiscompanion，carefully，asthoughunwillingthatthechinkingofmoneyshouldbeheardwithout。WhenMr。Bumblehadscrupulouslyexaminedthecoins，toseethattheyweregenuine，andhadputthemup，withmuchsatisfaction，inhiswaistcoat-pocket，hewenton:
　　'Carryyourmemoryback——letmesee——twelveyears，lastwinter。'
　　'It'salongtime，'saidMr。Bumble。'Verygood。I'vedoneit。'
　　'Thescene，theworkhouse。'
　　'Good！'
　　'Andthetime，night。'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Andtheplace，thecrazyhole，whereveritwas，inwhichmiserabledrabsbroughtforththelifeandhealthsooftendeniedtothemselves——gavebirthtopulingchildrenfortheparishtorear；andhidtheirshame，rot'eminthegrave！'
　　'Thelying-inroom，Isuppose?'saidMr。Bumble，notquitefollowingthestranger'sexciteddescription。
　　'Yes，'saidthestranger。'Aboywasbornthere。'
　　'Amanyboys，'observedMr。Bumble，shakinghishead，despondingly。
　　'Amurrainontheyoungdevils！'criedthestranger；'Ispeakofone；ameek-looking，pale-facedboy，whowasapprenticeddownhere，toacoffin-maker——Iwishhehadmadehiscoffin，andscrewedhisbodyinit——andwhoafterwardsranawaytoLondon，asitwassupposed。
　　'Why，youmeanOliver！YoungTwist！'saidMr。Bumble；'I
　　rememberhim，ofcourse。Therewasn'taobstinateryoungrascal——'
　　'It'snotofhimIwanttohear；I'veheardenoughofhim，'saidthestranger，stoppingMr。BumbleintheoutsetofatiradeonthesubjectofpoorOliver'svices。'It'sofawoman；thehagthatnursedhismother。Whereisshe?'
　　'Whereisshe?'saidMr。Bumble，whomthegin-and-waterhadrenderedfacetious。'Itwouldbehardtotell。There'snomidwiferythere，whicheverplaceshe'sgoneto；soIsupposeshe'soutofemployment，anyway。'
　　'Whatdoyoumean?'demandedthestranger，sternly。
　　'Thatshediedlastwinter，'rejoinedMr。Bumble。
　　Themanlookedfixedlyathimwhenhehadgiventhisinformation，andalthoughhedidnotwithdrawhiseyesforsometimeafterwards，hisgazegraduallybecamevacantandabstracted，andheseemedlostinthought。Forsometime，heappeareddoubtfulwhetherheoughttoberelievedordisappointedbytheintelligence；butatlengthhebreathedmorefreely；andwithdrawinghiseyes，observedthatitwasnogreatmatter。Withthatherose，asiftodepart。
　　ButMr。Bumblewascunningenough；andheatoncesawthatanopportunitywasopened，forthelucrativedisposalofsomesecretinthepossessionofhisbetterhalf。HewellrememberedthenightofoldSally'sdeath，whichtheoccurrencesofthatdayhadgivenhimgoodreasontorecollect，astheoccasiononwhichhehadproposedtoMrs。Corney；andalthoughthatladyhadneverconfidedtohimthedisclosureofwhichshehadbeenthesolitarywitness，hehadheardenoughtoknowthatitrelatedtosomethingthathadoccurredintheoldwoman'sattendance，asworkhousenurse，upontheyoungmotherofOliverTwist。Hastilycallingthiscircumstancetomind，heinformedthestranger，withanairofmystery，thatonewomanhadbeenclosetedwiththeoldharridanshortlybeforeshedied；andthatshecould，ashehadreasontobelieve，throwsomelightonthesubjectofhisinquiry。
　　'HowcanIfindher?'saidthestranger，thrownoffhisguard；
　　andplainlyshowingthatallhisfearswhatevertheywerewerearousedafreshbytheintelligence。
　　'Onlythroughme，'rejoinedMr。Bumble。
　　'When?'criedthestranger，hastily。
　　'To-morrow，'rejoinedBumble。
　　'Atnineintheevening，'saidthestranger，producingascrapofpaper，andwritingdownuponit，anobscureaddressbythewater-side，incharactersthatbetrayedhisagitation；'atnineintheevening，bringhertomethere。Ineedn'ttellyoutobesecret。It'syourinterest。'
　　Withthesewords，heledthewaytothedoor，afterstoppingtopayfortheliquorthathadbeendrunk。Shortlyremarkingthattheirroadsweredifferent，hedeparted，withoutmoreceremonythananemphaticrepetitionofthehourofappointmentforthefollowingnight。
　　Onglancingattheaddress，theparochialfunctionaryobservedthatitcontainednoname。Thestrangerhadnotgonefar，sohemadeafterhimtoaskit。
　　'Whatdoyouwant?'criedtheman。turningquicklyround，asBumbletouchedhimonthearm。'Followingme?'
　　'Onlytoaskaquestion，'saidtheother，pointingtothescrapofpaper。'WhatnameamItoaskfor?'
　　'Monks！'rejoinedtheman；andstrodehastily，away。
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　CONTAININGANACCOUNTOFWHATPASSEDBETWEENMR。ANDMRS。BUMBLE，ANDMR。MONKS，ATTHEIRNOCTURNALINTERVIEW
　　Itwasadull，close，overcastsummerevening。Theclouds，whichhadbeenthreateningallday，spreadoutinadenseandsluggishmassofvapour，alreadyyieldedlargedropsofrain，andseemedtopresageaviolentthunder-storm，whenMr。andMrs。Bumble，turningoutofthemainstreetofthetown，directedtheircoursetowardsascatteredlittlecolonyofruinoushouses，distantfromitsomemileanda-half，orthereabouts，anderectedonalowunwholesomeswamp，borderingupontheriver。
　　Theywerebothwrappedinoldandshabbyoutergarments，whichmight，perhaps，servethedoublepurposeofprotectingtheirpersonsfromtherain，andshelteringthemfromobservation。Thehusbandcarriedalantern，fromwhich，however，nolightyetshone；andtrudgedon，afewpacesinfront，asthough——thewaybeingdirty——togivehiswifethebenefitoftreadinginhisheavyfootprints。Theywenton，inprofoundsilence；everynowandthen，Mr。Bumblerelaxedhispace，andturnedhisheadasiftomakesurethathishelpmatewasfollowing；then，discoveringthatshewascloseathisheels，hemendedhisrateofwalking，andproceeded，ataconsiderableincreaseofspeed，towardstheirplaceofdestination。
　　Thiswasfarfrombeingaplaceofdoubtfulcharacter；forithadlongbeenknownastheresidenceofnonebutlowruffians，who，undervariouspretencesoflivingbytheirlabour，subsistedchieflyonplunderandcrime。Itwasacollectionofmerehovels:some，hastilybuiltwithloosebricks:others，ofoldworm-eatenship-timber:jumbledtogetherwithoutanyattemptatorderorarrangement，andplanted，forthemostpart，withinafewfeetoftheriver'sbank。Afewleakyboatsdrawnuponthemud，andmadefasttothedwarfwallwhichskirtedit:andhereandthereanoarorcoilofrope:appeared，atfirst，toindicatethattheinhabitantsofthesemiserablecottagespursuedsomeavocationontheriver；butaglanceattheshatteredanduselessconditionofthearticlesthusdisplayed，wouldhaveledapasser-by，withoutmuchdifficulty，totheconjecturethattheyweredisposedthere，ratherforthepreservationofappearances，thanwithanyviewtotheirbeingactuallyemployed。
　　Intheheartofthisclusterofhuts；andskirtingtheriver，whichitsupperstoriesoverhung；stoodalargebuilding，formerlyusedasamanufactoryofsomekind。Ithad，initsday，probablyfurnishedemploymenttotheinhabitantsofthesurroundingtenements。Butithadlongsincegonetoruin。Therat，theworm，andtheactionofthedamp，hadweakenedandrottedthepilesonwhichitstood；andaconsiderableportionofthebuildinghadalreadysunkdownintothewater；whiletheremainder，totteringandbendingoverthedarkstream，seemedtowaitafavourableopportunityoffollowingitsoldcompanion，andinvolvingitselfinthesamefate。
　　Itwasbeforethisruinousbuildingthattheworthycouplepaused，asthefirstpealofdistantthunderreverberatedintheair，andtheraincommencedpouringviolentlydown。
　　'Theplaceshouldbesomewherehere，'saidBumble，consultingascrapofpaperheheldinhishand。
　　'Halloathere！'criedavoicefromabove。
　　Followingthesound，Mr。Bumbleraisedhisheadanddescriedamanlookingoutofadoor，breast-high，onthesecondstory。
　　'Standstill，aminute，'criedthevoice；'I'llbewithyoudirectly。'Withwhichtheheaddisappeared，andthedoorclosed。
　　'Isthattheman?'askedMr。Bumble'sgoodlady。
　　Mr。Bumblenoddedintheaffirmative。
　　'Then，mindwhatItoldyou，'saidthematron:'andbecarefultosayaslittleasyoucan，oryou'llbetrayusatonce。'
　　Mr。Bumble，whohadeyedthebuildingwithveryruefullooks，wasapparentlyabouttoexpresssomedoubtsrelativetotheadvisabilityofproceedinganyfurtherwiththeenterprisejustthen，whenhewaspreventedbytheappearanceofMonks:whoopenedasmalldoor，nearwhichtheystood，andbeckonedtheminwards。
　　'Comein！'hecriedimpatiently，stampinghisfootupontheground。'Don'tkeepmehere！'
　　Thewoman，whohadhesitatedatfirst，walkedboldlyin，withoutanyotherinvitation。Mr。Bumble，whowasashamedorafraidtolagbehind，followed:obviouslyveryillateaseandwithscarcelyanyofthatremarkabledignitywhichwasusuallyhischiefcharacteristic。
　　'Whatthedevilmadeyoustandlingeringthere，inthewet?'saidMonks，turninground，andaddressingBumble，afterhehadboltedthedoorbehindthem。
　　'We——wewereonlycoolingourselves，'stammeredBumble，lookingapprehensivelyabouthim。
　　'Coolingyourselves！'retortedMonks。'Notalltherainthateverfell，oreverwillfall，willputasmuchofhell'sfireout，asamancancarryaboutwithhim。Youwon'tcoolyourselfsoeasily；don'tthinkit！'
　　Withthisagreeablespeech，Monksturnedshortuponthematron，andbenthisgazeuponher，tillevenshe，whowasnoteasilycowed，wasfaintowithdrawhereyes，andturnthemthemtowardstheground。
　　'Thisisthewoman，isit?'demandedMonks。
　　'Hem！Thatisthewoman，'repliedMr。Bumble，mindfulofhiswife'scaution。
　　'Youthinkwomennevercankeepsecrets，Isuppose?'saidthematron，interposing，andreturning，asshespoke，thesearchinglookofMonks。
　　'IknowtheywillalwayskeepONEtillit'sfoundout，'saidMonks。
　　'Andwhatmaythatbe?'askedthematron。
　　'Thelossoftheirowngoodname，'repliedMonks。'So，bythesamerule，ifawoman'sapartytoasecretthatmighthangortransporther，I'mnotafraidofhertellingittoanybody；notI！Doyouunderstand，mistress?'
　　'No，'rejoinedthematron，slightlycolouringasshespoke。
　　'Ofcourseyoudon't！'saidMonks。'Howshouldyou?'
　　Bestowingsomethinghalf-waybetweenasmileandafrownuponhistwocompanions，andagainbeckoningthemtofollowhim，themanhastenedacrosstheapartment，whichwasofconsiderableextent，butlowintheroof。Hewaspreparingtoascendasteepstaircase，orratherladder，leadingtoanotherfloorofwarehousesabove:whenabrightflashoflightningstreameddowntheaperture，andapealofthunderfollowed，whichshookthecrazybuildingtoitscentre。
　　'Hearit！'hecried，shrinkingback。'Hearit！Rollingandcrashingonasifitechoedthroughathousandcavernswherethedevilswerehidingfromit。Ihatethesound！'
　　Heremainedsilentforafewmoments；andthen，removinghishandssuddenlyfromhisface，showed，totheunspeakablediscomposureofMr。Bumble，thatitwasmuchdistortedanddiscoloured。
　　'Thesefitscomeoverme，nowandthen，'saidMonks，observinghisalarm；'andthundersometimesbringsthemon。Don'tmindmenow；it'salloverforthisonce。'
　　Thusspeaking，heledthewayuptheladder；andhastilyclosingthewindow-shutteroftheroomintowhichitled，loweredalanternwhichhungattheendofaropeandpulleypassedthroughoneoftheheavybeamsintheceiling:andwhichcastadimlightuponanoldtableandthreechairsthatwereplacedbeneathit。
　　'Now，'saidMonks，whentheyhadallthreeseatedthemselves，'thesoonerwecometoourbusiness，thebetterforall。Thewomanknowwhatitis，doesshe?'
　　ThequestionwasaddressedtoBumble；buthiswifeanticipatedthereply，byintimatingthatshewasperfectlyacquaintedwithit。
　　'Heisrightinsayingthatyouwerewiththishagthenightshedied；andthatshetoldyousomething——'
　　'Aboutthemotheroftheboyyounamed，'repliedthematroninterruptinghim。'Yes。'
　　'Thefirstquestionis，ofwhatnaturewashercommunication?'
　　saidMonks。
　　'That'sthesecond，'observedthewomanwithmuchdeliberation。
　　'Thefirstis，whatmaythecommunicationbeworth?'
　　'Whothedevilcantellthat，withoutknowingofwhatkinditis?'askedMonks。
　　'Nobodybetterthanyou，Iampersuaded，'answeredMrs。Bumble:
　　whodidnotwantforspirit，asheryoke-fellowcouldabundantlytestify。
　　'Humph！'saidMonkssignificantly，andwithalookofeagerinquiry；'theremaybemoney'sworthtoget，eh?'
　　'Perhapstheremay，'wasthecomposedreply。
　　'Somethingthatwastakenfromher，'saidMonks。'Somethingthatshewore。Somethingthat——'
　　'Youhadbetterbid，'interruptedMrs。Bumble。'Ihaveheardenough，already，toassuremethatyouarethemanIoughttotalkto。'
　　Mr。Bumble，whohadnotyetbeenadmittedbyhisbetterhalfintoanygreatershareofthesecretthanhehadoriginallypossessed，listenedtothisdialoguewithoutstretchedneckanddistendedeyes:whichhedirectedtowardshiswifeandMonks，byturns，inundisguisedastonishment；increased，ifpossible，whenthelattersternlydemanded，whatsumwasrequiredforthedisclosure。
　　'What'sitworthtoyou?'askedthewoman，ascollectedlyasbefore。
　　'Itmaybenothing；itmaybetwentypounds，'repliedMonks。
　　'Speakout，andletmeknowwhich。'
　　'Addfivepoundstothesumyouhavenamed；givemefive-and-twentypoundsingold，'saidthewoman；'andI'lltellyouallIknow。Notbefore。'
　　'Five-and-twentypounds！'exclaimedMonks，drawingback。
　　'IspokeasplainlyasIcould，'repliedMrs。Bumble。'It'snotalargesum，either。'
　　'Notalargesumforapaltrysecret，thatmaybenothingwhenit'stold！'criedMonksimpatiently；'andwhichhasbeenlyingdeadfortwelveyearspastormore！'
　　'Suchmatterskeepwell，and，likegoodwine，oftendoubletheirvalueincourseoftime，'answeredthematron，stillpreservingtheresoluteindifferenceshehadassumed。'Astolyingdead，therearethosewhowillliedeadfortwelvethousandyearstocome，ortwelvemillion，foranythingyouorIknow，whowilltellstrangetalesatlast！'
　　'WhatifIpayitfornothing?'askedMonks，hesitating。
　　'Youcaneasilytakeitawayagain，'repliedthematron。'Iambutawoman；alonehere；andunprotected。'
　　'Notalone，mydear，norunprotected，neither，'submittedMr。
　　Bumble，inavoicetremulouswithfear:'_I_amhere，mydear。
　　Andbesides，'saidMr。Bumble，histeethchatteringashespoke，'Mr。Monksistoomuchofagentlemantoattemptanyviolenceonporochialpersons。Mr。MonksisawarethatIamnotayoungman，mydear，andalsothatIamalittleruntoseed，asImaysay；
　　buhehasheerd:IsayIhavenodoubtMr。Monkshasheerd，mydear:thatIamaverydeterminedofficer，withveryuncommonstrength，ifI'monceroused。Ionlywantalittlerousing；
　　that'sall。'
　　AsMr。Bumblespoke，hemadeamelancholyfeintofgraspinghislanternwithfiercedetermination；andplainlyshowed，bythealarmedexpressionofeveryfeature，thatheDIDwantalittlerousing，andnotalittle，priortomakinganyverywarlikedemonstration:unless，indeed，againstpaupers，orotherpersonorpersonstraineddownforthepurpose。
　　'Youareafool，'saidMrs。Bumble，inreply；'andhadbetterholdyourtongue。'
　　'Hehadbetterhavecutitout，beforehecame，ifhecan'tspeakinalowertone，'saidMonks，grimly。'So！He'syourhusband，eh?'
　　'Hemyhusband！'titteredthematron，parryingthequestion。
　　'Ithoughtasmuch，whenyoucamein，'rejoinedMonks，markingtheangryglancewhichtheladydartedatherspouseasshespoke。'Somuchthebetter；Ihavelesshesitationindealingwithtwopeople，whenIfindthatthere'sonlyonewillbetweenthem。I'minearnest。Seehere！'
　　Hethrusthishandintoaside-pocket；andproducingacanvasbag，toldouttwenty-fivesovereignsonthetable，andpushedthemovertothewoman。
　　'Now，'hesaid，'gatherthemup；andwhenthiscursedpealofthunder，whichIfeeliscominguptobreakoverthehouse-top，isgone，let'shearyourstory。'
　　Thethunder，whichseemedinfactmuchnearer，andtoshiverandbreakalmostovertheirheads，havingsubsided，Monks，raisinghisfacefromthetable，bentforwardtolistentowhatthewomanshouldsay。Thefacesofthethreenearlytouched，asthetwomenleantoverthesmalltableintheireagernesstohear，andthewomanalsoleantforwardtorenderherwhisperaudible。Thesicklyraysofthesuspendedlanternfallingdirectlyuponthem，aggravatedthepalenessandanxietyoftheircountenances:which，encircledbythedeepestgloomanddarkness，lookedghastlyintheextreme。
　　'Whenthiswoman，thatwecalledoldSally，died，'thematronbegan，'sheandIwerealone。'
　　'Wastherenooneby?'askedMonks，inthesamehollowwhisper；
　　'Nosickwretchoridiotinsomeotherbed?Noonewhocouldhear，andmight，bypossibility，understand?'
　　'Notasoul，'repliedthewoman；'wewerealone。_I_stoodalonebesidethebodywhendeathcameoverit。'
　　'Good，'saidMonks，regardingherattentively。'Goon。'
　　'Shespokeofayoungcreature，'resumedthematron，'whohadbroughtachildintotheworldsomeyearsbefore；notmerelyinthesameroom，butinthesamebed，inwhichshethenlaydying。'
　　'Ay?'saidMonks，withquiveringlip，andglancingoverhisshoulder，'Blood！Howthingscomeabout！'
　　'Thechildwastheoneyounamedtohimlastnight，'saidthematron，noddingcarelesslytowardsherhusband；'themotherthisnursehadrobbed。'
　　'Inlife?'askedMonks。
　　'Indeath，'repliedthewoman，withsomethinglikeashudder。
　　'Shestolefromthecorpse，whenithadhardlyturnedtoone，thatwhichthedeadmotherhadprayedher，withherlastbreath，tokeepfortheinfant'ssake。'
　　'Shesoldit，'criedMonks，withdesperateeagerness；'didshesellit?Where?When?Towhom?Howlongbefore?'
　　'Asshetoldme，withgreatdifficulty，thatshehaddonethis，'
　　saidthematron，'shefellbackanddied。'
　　'Withoutsayingmore?'criedMonks，inavoicewhich，fromitsverysuppression，seemedonlythemorefurious。'It'salie！
　　I'llnotbeplayedwith。Shesaidmore。I'lltearthelifeoutofyouboth，butI'llknowwhatitwas。'
　　'Shedidn'tutteranotherword，'saidthewoman，toallappearanceunmovedasMr。Bumblewasveryfarfrombeingbythestrangeman'sviolence；'butsheclutchedmygown，violently，withonehand，whichwaspartlyclosed；andwhenIsawthatshewasdead，andsoremovedthehandbyforce，Ifounditclaspedascrapofdirtypaper。'
　　'Whichcontained——'interposedMonks，stretchingforward。
　　'Nothing，'repliedthewoman；'itwasapawnbroker'sduplicate。'
　　'Forwhat?'demandedMonks。
　　'IngoodtimeI'lltellyou。'saidthewoman。'Ijudgethatshehadkeptthetrinket，forsometime，inthehopeofturningittobetteraccount；andthenhadpawnedit；andhadsavedorscrapedtogethermoneytopaythepawnbroker'sinterestyearbyyear，andpreventitsrunningout；sothatifanythingcameofit，itcouldstillberedeemed。Nothinghadcomeofit；and，asItellyou，shediedwiththescrapofpaper，allwornandtattered，inherhand。Thetimewasoutintwodays；Ithoughtsomethingmightonedaycomeofittoo；andsoredeemedthepledge。'
　　'Whereisitnow?'askedMonksquickly。
　　'THERE，'repliedthewoman。And，asifgladtoberelievedofit，shehastilythrewuponthetableasmallkidbagscarcelylargeenoughforaFrenchwatch，whichMonkspouncingupon，toreopenwithtremblinghands。Itcontainedalittlegoldlocket:
　　inwhichweretwolocksofhair，andaplaingoldwedding-ring。
　　'Ithastheword“Agnes“engravedontheinside，'saidthewoman。
　　'Thereisablankleftforthesurname；andthenfollowsthedate；whichiswithinayearbeforethechildwasborn。Ifoundoutthat。'
　　'Andthisisall?'saidMonks，afteracloseandeagerscrutinyofthecontentsofthelittlepacket。
　　'All，'repliedthewoman。
　　Mr。Bumbledrewalongbreath，asifheweregladtofindthatthestorywasover，andnomentionmadeoftakingthefive-and-twentypoundsbackagain；andnowhetookcouragetowipetheperspirationwhichhadbeentricklingoverhisnose，unchecked，duringthewholeofthepreviousdialogue。
　　'Iknownothingofthestory，beyondwhatIcanguessat，'saidhiswifeaddressingMonks，afterashortsilence；'andIwanttoknownothing；forit'ssafernot。ButImayaskyoutwoquestions，mayI?'
　　'Youmayask，'saidMonks，withsomeshowofsurprise；'butwhetherIanswerornotisanotherquestion。'
　　'——Whichmakesthree，'observedMr。Bumble，essayingastrokeoffacetiousness。
　　'Isthatwhatyouexpectedtogetfromme?'demandedthematron。
　　'Itis，'repliedMonks。'Theotherquestion?'
　　'Whatdoyouproposetodowithit?Canitbeusedagainstme?'
　　'Never，'rejoinedMonks；'noragainstmeeither。Seehere！Butdon'tmoveastepforward，oryourlifeisnotworthabulrush。'
　　Withthesewords，hesuddenlywheeledthetableaside，andpullinganironringintheboarding，threwbackalargetrap-doorwhichopenedcloseatMr。Bumble'sfeet，andcausedthatgentlemantoretireseveralpacesbackward，withgreatprecipitation。
　　'Lookdown，'saidMonks，loweringthelanternintothegulf。
　　'Don'tfearme。Icouldhaveletyoudown，quietlyenough，whenyouwereseatedoverit，ifthathadbeenmygame。'
　　Thusencouraged，thematrondrewneartothebrink；andevenMr。
　　Bumblehimself，impelledbycuriousity，venturedtodothesame。
　　Theturbidwater，swollenbytheheavyrain，wasrushingrapidlyonbelow；andallothersoundswerelostinthenoiseofitsplashingandeddyingagainstthegreenandslimypiles。Therehadoncebeenawater-millbeneath；thetidefoamingandchafingroundthefewrottenstakes，andfragmentsofmachinerythatyetremained，seemedtodartonward，withanewimpulse，whenfreedfromtheobstacleswhichhadunavailinglyattemptedtostemitsheadlongcourse。
　　'Ifyouflungaman'sbodydownthere，wherewoulditbeto-morrowmorning?'saidMonks，swingingthelanterntoandfrointhedarkwell。
　　'Twelvemilesdowntheriver，andcuttopiecesbesides，'repliedBumble，recoilingatthethought。
　　Monksdrewthelittlepacketfromhisbreast，wherehehadhurriedlythrustit；andtyingittoaleadenweight，whichhadformedapartofsomepulley，andwaslyingonthefloor，droppeditintothestream。Itfellstraight，andtrueasadie；clovethewaterwithascarcelyaudiblesplash；andwasgone。
　　Thethreelookingintoeachother'sfaces，seemedtobreathemorefreely。
　　'There！'saidMonks，closingthetrap-door，whichfellheavilybackintoitsformerposition。'Iftheseaevergivesupitsdead，asbookssayitwill，itwillkeepitsgoldandsilvertoitself，andthattrashamongit。Wehavenothingmoretosay，andmaybreakupourpleasantparty。'
　　'Byallmeans，'observedMr。Bumble，withgreatalacrity。
　　'You'llkeepaquiettongueinyourhead，willyou?'saidMonks，withathreateninglook。'Iamnotafraidofyourwife。'
　　'Youmaydependuponme，youngman，'answeredMr。Bumble，bowinghimselfgraduallytowardstheladder，withexcessivepoliteness。
　　'Oneverybody'saccount，youngman；onmyown，youknow，Mr。
　　Monks。'
　　'Iamglad，foryoursake，tohearit，'remarkedMonks。'Lightyourlantern！Andgetawayfromhereasfastasyoucan。'
　　Itwasfortunatethattheconversationterminatedatthispoint，orMr。Bumble，whohadbowedhimselftowithinsixinchesoftheladder，wouldinfalliblyhavepitchedheadlongintotheroombelow。HelightedhislanternfromthatwhichMonkshaddetachedfromtherope，andnowcarriedinhishand；andmakingnoefforttoprolongthediscourse，descendedinsilence，followedbyhiswife。Monksbroughtuptherear，afterpausingonthestepstosatisfyhimselfthattherewerenoothersoundstobeheardthanthebeatingoftherainwithout，andtherushingofthewater。
　　Theytraversedthelowerroom，slowly，andwithcaution；forMonksstartedateveryshadow；andMr。Bumble，holdinghislanternafootabovetheground，walkednotonlywithremarkablecare，butwithamarvellouslylightstepforagentlemanofhisfigure:lookingnervouslyabouthimforhiddentrap-doors。Thegateatwhichtheyhadentered，wassoftlyunfastenedandopenedbyMonks；merelyexchanginganodwiththeirmysteriousacquaintance，themarriedcoupleemergedintothewetanddarknessoutside。
　　Theywerenosoonergone，thanMonks，whoappearedtoentertainaninvinciblerepugnancetobeingleftalone，calledtoaboywhohadbeenhiddensomewherebelow。Biddinghimgofirst，andbearthelight，hereturnedtothechamberhehadjustquitted。
　　CHAPTERXXXIX
　　INTRODUCESSOMERESPECTABLECHARACTERSWITHWHOMTHEREADERIS
　　ALREADYACQUAINTED，ANDSHOWSHOWMONKSANDTHEJEWLAIDTHEIR
　　WORTHYHEADSTOGETHER
　　Ontheeveningfollowingthatuponwhichthethreeworthiesmentionedinthelastchapter，disposedoftheirlittlematterofbusinessasthereinnarrated，Mr。WilliamSikes，awakeningfromanap，drowsilygrowledforthaninquirywhattimeofnightitwas。
　　TheroominwhichMr。Sikespropoundedthisquestion，wasnotoneofthosehehadtenanted，previoustotheChertseyexpedition，althoughitwasinthesamequarterofthetown，andwassituatedatnogreatdistancefromhisformerlodgings。Itwasnot，inappearance，sodesirableahabitationashisoldquarters:beingameanandbadly-furnishedapartment，ofverylimitedsize；
　　lightedonlybyonesmallwindowintheshelvingroof，andabuttingonacloseanddirtylane。Norweretherewantingotherindicationsofthegoodgentleman'shavinggonedownintheworldoflate:foragreatscarcityoffurniture，andtotalabsenceofcomfort，togetherwiththedisappearanceofallsuchsmallmoveablesasspareclothesandlinen，bespokeastateofextremepoverty；whilethemeagreandattenuatedconditionofMr。Sikeshimselfwouldhavefullyconfirmedthesesymptoms，iftheyhadstoodinanyneedofcorroboration。
　　Thehousebreakerwaslyingonthebed，wrappedinhiswhitegreat-coat，bywayofdressing-gown，anddisplayingasetoffeaturesinnodegreeimprovedbythecadaveroushueofillness，andtheadditionofasoilednightcap，andastiff，blackbeardofaweek'sgrowth。Thedogsatatthebedside:noweyeinghismasterwithawistfullook，andnowprickinghisears，andutteringalowgrowlassomenoiseinthestreet，orinthelowerpartofthehouse，attractedhisattention。Seatedbythewindow，busilyengagedinpatchinganoldwaistcoatwhichformedaportionoftherobber'sordinarydress，wasafemale:sopaleandreducedwithwatchingandprivation，thattherewouldhavebeenconsiderabledifficultyinrecognisingherasthesameNancywhohasalreadyfiguredinthistale，butforthevoiceinwhichsherepliedtoMr。Sikes'squestion。
　　'Notlonggoneseven，'saidthegirl。'Howdoyoufeelto-night，Bill?'
　　'Asweakaswater，'repliedMr。Sikes，withanimprecationonhiseyesandlimbs。'Here；lendusahand，andletmegetoffthisthunderingbedanyhow。'
　　IllnesshadnotimprovedMr。Sikes'stemper；for，asthegirlraisedhimupandledhimtoachair，hemutteredvariouscursesonherawkwardnewss，andstruckher。
　　'Whiningareyou?'saidSikes。'Come！Don'tstandsnivellingthere。Ifyoucan'tdoanythingbetterthanthat，cutoffaltogether。D'yehearme?'
　　'Ihearyou，'repliedthegirl，turningherfaceaside，andforcingalaugh。'Whatfancyhaveyougotinyourheadnow?'
　　'Oh！you'vethoughtbetterofit，haveyou?'growledSikes，markingthetearwhichtrembledinhereye。'Allthebetterforyou，youhave。'
　　'Why，youdon'tmeantosay，you'dbeharduponmeto-night，Bill，'saidthegirl，layingherhanduponhisshoulder。
　　'No！'criedMr。Sikes。'Whynot?'
　　'Suchanumberofnights，'saidthegirl，withatouchofwoman'stenderness，whichcommunicatedsomethinglikesweetnessoftone，eventohervoice:'suchanumberofnightsasI'vebeenpatientwithyou，nursingandcaringforyou，asifyouhadbeenachild:
　　andthisthefirstthatI'veseenyoulikeyourself；youwouldn'thaveservedmeasyoudidjustnow，ifyou'dthoughtofthat，wouldyou?Come，come；sayyouwouldn't。'
　　'Well，then，'rejoinedMr。Sikes，'Iwouldn't。Why，damme，now，thegirls'swhiningagain！'
　　'It'snothing，'saidthegirl，throwingherselfintoachair。
　　'Don'tyouseemtomindme。It'llsoonbeover。'
　　'What'llbeover?'demandedMr。Sikesinasavagevoice。'Whatfooleryareyouupto，now，again?Getupandbustleabout，anddon'tcomeovermewithyourwoman'snonsense。'
　　Atanyothertime，thisremonstrance，andthetoneinwhichitwasdelivered，wouldhavehadthedesiredeffect；butthegirlbeingreallyweakandexhausted，droppedherheadoverthebackofthechair，andfainted，beforeMr。Sikescouldgetoutafewoftheappropriateoathswithwhich，onsimilaroccasions，hewasaccustomedtogarnishhisthreats。Notknowing，verywell，whattodo，inthisuncommonemergency；forMissNancy'shystericswereusuallyofthatviolentkindwhichthepatientfightsandstrugglesoutof，withoutmuchassistance；Mr。Sikestriedalittleblasphemy:andfindingthatmodeoftreatmentwhollyineffectual，calledforassistance。
　　'What'sthematterhere，mydear?'saidFagin，lookingin。
　　'Lendahandtothegirl，can'tyou?'repliedSikesimpatiently。
　　'Don'tstandchatteringandgrinningatme！'
　　Withanexclamationofsurprise，Faginhastenedtothegirl'sassistance，whileMr。JohnDawkinsotherwisetheArtfulDodger，whohadfollowedhisvenerablefriendintotheroom，hastilydepositedonthefloorabundlewithwhichhewasladen；andsnatchingabottlefromthegraspofMasterCharlesBateswhocamecloseathisheels，uncorkeditinatwinklingwithhisteeth，andpouredaportionofitscontentsdownthepatient'sthroat:previouslytakingataste，himself，topreventmistakes。
　　'Giveherawhiffoffreshairwiththebellows，Charley，'saidMr。Dawkins；'andyouslapherhands，Fagin，whileBillundoesthepetticuts。'
　　Theseunitedrestoratives，administeredwithgreatenergy:
　　especiallythatdepartmentconsignedtoMasterBates，whoappearedtoconsiderhisshareintheproceedings，apieceofunexampledpleasantry:werenotlonginproducingthedesiredeffect。Thegirlgraduallyrecoveredhersenses；and，staggeringtoachairbythebedside，hidherfaceuponthepillow:leavingMr。Sikestoconfrontthenewcomers，insomeastonishmentattheirunlooked-forappearance。
　　'Why，whatevilwindhasblowedyouhere?'heaskedFagin。
　　'Noevilwindatall，mydear，forevilwindsblownobodyanygood；andI'vebroughtsomethinggoodwithme，thatyou'llbegladtosee。Dodger，mydear，openthebundle；andgiveBillthelittletriflesthatwespentallourmoneyon，thismorning。'
　　IncompliancewithMr。Fagin'srequest，theArtfuluntiedthisbundle，whichwasoflargesize，andformedofanoldtable-cloth；andhandedthearticlesitcontained，onebyone，toCharleyBates:whoplacedthemonthetable，withvariousencomiumsontheirrarityandexcellence。
　　'Sitcharabbitpie，Bill，'exclaimedthatyounggentleman，disclosingtoviewahugepasty；'sitchdelicatecreeturs，withsitchtenderlimbs，Bill，thatthewerybonesmeltinyourmouth，andthere'snooccasiontopick'em；halfapoundofsevenandsix-pennygreen，sopreciousstrongthatifyoumixitwithbilingwater，it'llgonightoblowthelidofthetea-potoff；apoundandahalfofmoistsugarthattheniggersdidn'tworkatallat，aforetheygotituptositchapitchofgoodness，——ohno！Twohalf-quarternbrans；poundofbestfresh；pieceofdoubleGlo'ster；and，towindupall，someoftherichestsortyoueverlushed！'
　　Utteringthislastpanegyrie，MasterBatesproduced，fromoneofhisextensivepockets，afull-sizedwine-bottle，carefullycorked；whileMr。Dawkins，atthesameinstant，pouredoutawine-glassfulofrawspiritsfromthebottlehecarried:whichtheinvalidtosseddownhisthroatwithoutamoment'shesitation。
　　'Ah！'saidFagin，rubbinghishandswithgreatsatisfaction。
　　'You'lldo，Bill；you'lldonow。'
　　'Do！'exclaimedMr。Sikes；'Imighthavebeendonefor，twentytimesover，aforeyou'dhavedoneanythingtohelpme。Whatdoyoumeanbyleavingamaninthisstate，threeweeksandmore，youfalse-heartedwagabond?'
　　'Onlyhearhim，boys！'saidFagin，shrugginghisshoulders。'Anduscometobringhimallthesebeau-ti-fulthings。'
　　'Thethingsiswellenoughintheirway，'observedMr。Sikes:alittlesoothedasheglancedoverthetable；'butwhathaveyougottosayforyourself，whyyoushouldleavemehere，downinthemouth，health，blunt，andeverythingelse；andtakenomorenoticeofme，allthismortaltime，thanifIwasthat'eredog——Drivehimdown，Charley！'
　　'Ineverseesuchajollydogasthat，'criedMasterBates，doingashewasdesired。'Smellingthegrublikeaoldladyagoingtomarket！He'dmakehisfortun'onthestagethatdogwould，andrewivethedraymabesides。'
　　'Holdyourdin，'criedSikes，asthedogretreatedunderthebed:
　　stillgrowlingangrily。'Whathaveyougottosayforyourself，youwitheredoldfence，eh?'
　　'IwasawayfromLondon，aweekandmore，mydear，onaplant，'
　　repliedtheJew。
　　'Andwhatabouttheotherfortnight?'demandedSikes。'Whatabouttheotherfortnightthatyou'veleftmelyinghere，likeasickratinhishole?'
　　'Icouldn'thelpit，Bill。Ican'tgointoalongexplanationbeforecompany；butIcouldn'thelpit，uponmyhonour。'
　　'Uponyourwhat?'growledSikes，withexcessivedisgust。'Here！
　　Cutmeoffapieceofthatpie，oneofyouboys，totakethetasteofthatoutofmymouth，orit'llchokemedead。'
　　'Don'tbeoutoftemper，mydear，'urgedFagin，submissively。'I
　　haveneverforgotyou，Bill；neveronce。'
　　'No！I'llpounditthatyouhan't，'repliedSikes，withabittergrin。'You'vebeenschemingandplottingaway，everyhourthatI
　　havelaidshiveringandburninghere；andBillwastodothis；
　　andBillwastodothat；andBillwastodoitall，dirtcheap，assoonashegotwell:andwasquitepoorenoughforyourwork。
　　Ifithadn'tbeenforthegirl，Imighthavedied。'
　　'Therenow，Bill，'remonstratedFagin，eagerlycatchingattheword。'Ifithadn'tbeenforthegirl！WhobutpoorouldFaginwasthemeansofyourhavingsuchahandygirlaboutyou?'
　　'Hesaystrueenoughthere！'saidNancy，cominghastilyforward。
　　'Lethimbe；lethimbe。'
　　Nancy'sappearancegaveanewturntotheconversation；fortheboys，receivingaslywinkfromthewaryoldJew，begantoplyherwithliquor:ofwhich，however，shetookverysparingly；
　　whileFagin，assuminganunusualflowofspirits，graduallybroughtMr。Sikesintoabettertemper，byaffectingtoregardhisthreatsasalittlepleasantbanter；and，moreover，bylaughingveryheartilyatoneortworoughjokes，which，afterrepeatedapplicationstothespirit-bottle，hecondescendedtomake。
　　'It'sallverywell，'saidMr。Sikes；'butImusthavesomebluntfromyouto-night。'
　　'Ihaven'tapieceofcoinaboutme，'repliedtheJew。
　　'Thenyou'vegotlotsathome，'retortedSikes；'andImusthavesomefromthere。'
　　'Lots！'criedFagin，holdingupishands。'Ihaven'tsomuchaswould——'
　　'Idon'tknowhowmuchyou'vegot，andIdaresayyouhardlyknowyourself，asitwouldtakeaprettylongtimetocountit，'saidSikes；'butImusthavesometo-night；andthat'sflat。'
　　'Well，well，'saidFagin，withasigh，'I'llsendtheArtfulroundpresently。'
　　'Youwon'tdonothingofthekind，'rejoinedMr。Sikes。'TheArtful'sadealtooartful，andwouldforgettocome，orlosehisway，orgetdodgedbytrapsandsobeperwented，oranythingforanexcuse，ifyouputhimuptoit。Nancyshallgotothekenandfetchit，tomakeallsure；andI'llliedownandhaveasnoozewhileshe'sgone。'
　　Afteragreatdealofhagglingandsquabbling，Faginbeatdowntheamountoftherequiredadvancefromfivepoundstothreepoundsfourandsixpence:protestingwithmanysolemnasseverationsthatthatwouldonlyleavehimeighteen-pencetokeephousewith；Mr。Sikessullenlyremarkingthatifhecouldn'tgetanymorehemustaccompanyhimhome；withtheDodgerandMasterBatesputtheeatablesinthecupboard。TheJewthen，takingleaveofhisaffectionatefriend，returnedhomeward，attendedbyNancyandtheboys:Mr。Sikes，meanwhile，flinginghimselfonthebed，andcomposinghimselftosleepawaythetimeuntiltheyounglady'sreturn。
　　Induecourse，theyarrivedatFagin'sabode，wheretheyfoundTobyCrackitandMr。Chitlingintentupontheirfifteenthgameatcribbage，whichitisscarcelynecessarytosaythelattergentlemanlost，andwithit，hisfifteenthandlastsixpence:
　　muchtotheamusementofhisyoungfriends。Mr。Crackit，apparentlysomewhatashamedatbeingfoundrelaxinghimselfwithagentlemansomuchhisinferiorinstationandmentalendowments，yawned，andinquiringafterSikes，tookuphishattogo。
　　'Hasnobodybeen，Toby?'askedFagin。
　　'Notalivingleg，'answeredMr。Crackit，pullinguphiscollar；
　　'it'sbeenasdullasswipes。Yououghttostandsomethinghandsome，Fagin，torecompensemeforkeepinghousesolong。
　　Damme，I'masflatasajuryman；andshouldhavegonetosleep，asfastasNewgate，ifIhadn'thadthegoodnatur'toamusethisyoungster。Horriddull，I'mblessedifIan't！'
　　Withtheseandotherejaculationsofthesamekind，Mr。TobyCrackitsweptuphiswinnings，andcrammedthemintohiswaistcoatpocketwithahaughtyair，asthoughsuchsmallpiecesofsilverwerewhollybeneaththeconsiderationofamanofhisfigure；thisdone，heswaggeredoutoftheroom，withsomucheleganceandgentility，thatMr。Chitling，bestowingnumerousadmiringglancesonhislegsandbootstilltheywereoutofsight，assuredthecompanythatheconsideredhisacquaintancecheapatfifteensixpencesaninterview，andthathedidn'tvaluehislossesthesnapofhislittlefinger。
　　'Wotarumchapyouare，Tom！'saidMasterBates，highlyamusedbythisdeclaration。
　　'Notabitofit，'repliedMr。Chitling。'AmI，Fagin?'
　　'Averycleverfellow，mydear，'saidFagin，pattinghimontheshoulder，andwinkingtohisotherpupils。
　　'AndMr。Crackitisaheavyswell；an'the，Fagin?'askedTom。
　　'Nodoubtatallofthat，mydear。'
　　'Anditisacreditablethingtohavehisacquaintance；an'tit，Fagin?'pursuedTom。
　　'Verymuchso，indeed，mydear。They'reonlyjealous，Tom，becausehewon'tgiveittothem。'
　　'Ah！'criedTom，triumphantly，'that'swhereitis！Hehascleanedmeout。ButIcangoandearnsomemore，whenIlike；
　　can'tI，Fagin?'
　　'Tobesureyoucan，andthesooneryougothebetter，Tom；somakeupyourlossatonce，anddon'tloseanymoretime。Dodger！
　　Charley！It'stimeyouwereonthelay。Come！It'snearten，andnothingdoneyet。'
　　Inobediencetothishint，theboys，noddingtoNancy，tookuptheirhats，andlefttheroom；theDodgerandhisvivaciousfriendindulging，astheywent，inmanywitticismsattheexpenseofMr。Chitling；inwhoseconduct，itisbutjusticetosay，therewasnothingveryconspicuousorpeculiar:inasmuchasthereareagreatnumberofspiritedyoungbloodsupontown，whopayamuchhigherpricethanMr。Chitlingforbeingseeningoodsociety:andagreatnumberoffinegentlemencomposingthegoodsocietyaforesaidwhoestablishedtheirreputationuponverymuchthesamefootingasflashTobyCrackit。
　　'Now，'saidFagin，whentheyhadlefttheroom，'I'llgoandgetyouthatcash，Nancy。ThisisonlythekeyofalittlecupboardwhereIkeepafewoddthingstheboysget，mydear。Ineverlockupmymoney，forI'vegotnonetolockup，mydear——ha！ha！
　　ha！——nonetolockup。It'sapoortrade，Nancy，andnothanks；
　　butI'mfondofseeingtheyoungpeopleaboutme；andIbearitall，Ibearitall。Hush！'hesaid，hastilyconcealingthekeyinhisbreast；'who'sthat?Listen！'
　　Thegirl，whowassittingatthetablewithherarmsfolded，appearedinnowayinterestedinthearrival:ortocarewhethertheperson，whoeverhewas，cameorwent:untilthemurmurofaman'svoicereachedherears。Theinstantshecaughtthesound，shetoreoffherbonnetandshawl，withtherapidityoflightning，andthrustthemunderthetable。TheJew，turningroundimmediatelyafterwards，shemutteredacomplaintoftheheat:inatoneoflanguorthatcontrasted，veryremarkably，withtheextremehasteandviolenceofthisaction:which，however，hadbeenunobservedbyFagin，whohadhisbacktowardsheratthetime。
　　'Bah！'hewhispered，asthoughnettledbytheinterruption；'it'sthemanIexpectedbefore；he'scomingdownstairs。Notawordaboutthemoneywhilehe'shere，Nance。Hewon'tstoplong。Nottenminutes，mydear。'
　　Layinghisskinnyforefingeruponhislip，theJewcarriedacandletothedoor，asaman'sstepwashearduponthestairswithout。Hereachedit，atthesamemomentasthevisitor，who，cominghastilyintotheroom，wascloseuponthegirlbeforeheobservedher。
　　ItwasMonks。
　　'Onlyoneofmyyoungpeople，'saidFagin，observingthatMonksdrewback，onbeholdingastranger。'Don'tmove，Nancy。'
　　Thegirldrewclosertothetable，andglancingatMonkswithanairofcarelesslevity，withdrewhereyes；butasheturnedtowardsFagin，shestoleanotherlook；sokeenandsearching，andfullofpurpose，thatiftherehadbeenanybystandertoobservethechange，hecouldhardlyhavebelievedthetwolookstohaveproceededfromthesameperson。
　　'Anynews?'inquiredFagin。
　　'Great。'
　　'And——and——good?'askedFagin，hesitatingasthoughhefearedtovextheothermanbybeingtoosanguine。
　　'Notbad，anyway，'repliedMonkswithasmile。'Ihavebeenpromptenoughthistime。Letmehaveawordwithyou。'
　　Thegirldrewclosertothetable，andmadenooffertoleavetheroom，althoughshecouldseethatMonkswaspointingtoher。TheJew:perhapsfearingshemightsaysomethingaloudaboutthemoney，ifheendeavouredtogetridofher:pointedupward，andtookMonksoutoftheroom。
　　'Notthatinfernalholewewereinbefore，'shecouldhearthemansayastheywentupstairs。Faginlaughed；andmakingsomereplywhichdidnotreachher，seemed，bythecreakingoftheboards，toleadhiscompaniontothesecondstory。
　　Beforethesoundoftheirfootstepshadceasedtoechothroughthehouse，thegirlhadslippedoffhershoes；anddrawinghergownlooselyoverherhead，andmufflingherarmsinit，stoodatthedoor，listeningwithbreathlessinterest。Themomentthenoiseceased，sheglidedfromtheroom；ascendedthestairswithincrediblesoftnessandsilence；andwaslostinthegloomabove。
　　Theroomremaineddesertedforaquarterofanhourormore；thegirlglidedbackwiththesameunearthlytread；and，immediatelyafterwards，thetwomenwerehearddescending。Monkswentatonceintothestreet；andtheJewcrawledupstairsagainforthemoney。Whenhereturned，thegirlwasadjustinghershawlandbonnet，asifpreparingtobegone。
　　'Why，Nance！，'exclaimedtheJew，startingbackasheputdownthecandle，'howpaleyouare！'
　　'Pale！'echoedthegirl，shadinghereyeswithherhands，asiftolooksteadilyathim。
　　'Quitehorrible。Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?'
　　'NothingthatIknowof，exceptsittinginthiscloseplaceforI
　　don'tknowhowlongandall，'repliedthegirlcarelessly。
　　'Come！Letmegetback；that'sadear。'
　　Withasighforeverypieceofmoney，Fagintoldtheamountintoherhand。Theypartedwithoutmoreconversation，merelyinterchanginga'good-night。'
　　Whenthegirlgotintotheopenstreet，shesatdownuponadoorstep；andseemed，forafewmoments，whollybewilderedandunabletopursueherway。Suddenlyshearose；andhurryingon，inadirectionquiteoppositetothatinwhichSikeswasawaitingherreturned，quickenedherpace，untilitgraduallyresolvedintoaviolentrun。Aftercompletelyexhaustingherself，shestoppedtotakebreath:and，asifsuddenlyrecollectingherself，anddeploringherinabilitytodosomethingshewasbentupon，wrungherhands，andburstintotears。
　　Itmightbethathertearsrelievedher，orthatshefeltthefullhopelessnessofhercondition；butsheturnedback；andhurryingwithnearlyasgreatrapidityinthecontrarydirection；
　　partlytorecoverlosttime，andpartlytokeeppacewiththeviolentcurrentofherownthoughts:soonreachedthedwellingwhereshehadleftthehousebreaker。
　　Ifshebetrayedanyagitation，whenshepresentedherselftoMr。
　　Sikes，hedidnotobserveit；formerelyinquiringifshehadbroughtthemoney，andreceivingareplyintheaffirmative，heutteredagrowlofsatisfaction，andreplacinghisheaduponthepillow，resumedtheslumberswhichherarrivalhadinterrupted。
　　Itwasfortunateforherthatthepossessionofmoneyoccasionedhimsomuchemploymentnextdayinthewayofeatinganddrinking；andwithalhadsobeneficialaneffectinsmoothingdowntheasperitiesofhistemper；thathehadneithertimenorinclinationtobeverycriticaluponherbehaviouranddeportment。Thatshehadalltheabstractedandnervousmannerofonewhoisontheeveofsomeboldandhazardousstep，whichithasrequirednocommonstruggletoresolveupon，wouldhavebeenobvioustothelynx-eyedFagin，whowouldmostprobablyhavetakenthealarmatonce；butMr。Sikeslackingthenicetiesofdiscrimination，andbeingtroubledwithnomoresubtlemisgivingsthanthosewhichresolvethemselvesintoadoggedroughnessofbehaviourtowardseverybody；andbeing，furthermore，inanunusuallyamiablecondition，ashasbeenalreadyobserved；sawnothingunusualinherdemeanor，andindeed，troubledhimselfsolittleabouther，that，hadheragitationbeenfarmoreperceptiblethanitwas，itwouldhavebeenveryunlikelytohaveawakenedhissuspicions。
　　Asthatdayclosedin，thegirl'sexcitementincreased；and，whennightcameon，andshesatby，watchinguntilthehousebreakershoulddrinkhimselfasleep，therewasanunusualpalenessinhercheek，andafireinhereye，thatevenSikesobservedwithastonishment。
　　Mr。Sikesbeingweakfromthefever，waslyinginbed，takinghotwaterwithhisgintorenderitlessinflammatory；andhadpushedhisglasstowardsNancytobereplenishedforthethirdorfourthtime，whenthesesymptomsfirststruckhim。
　　'Why，burnmybody！'saidtheman，raisinghimselfonhishandsashestaredthegirlintheface。'Youlooklikeacorpsecometolifeagain。What'sthematter?'
　　'Matter！'repliedthegirl。'Nothing。Whatdoyoulookatmesohardfor?'
　　'Whatfooleryisthis?'demandedSikes，graspingherbythearm，andshakingherroughly。'Whatisit?Whatdoyoumean?Whatareyouthinkingof?'
　　'Ofmanythings，Bill，'repliedthegirl，shivering，andasshedidso，pressingherhandsuponhereyes。'But，Lord！Whatoddsinthat?'
　　Thetoneofforcedgaietyinwhichthelastwordswerespoken，seemdtoproduceadeeperimpressiononSikesthanthewildandrigidlookwhichhadprecededthem。
　　'Itellyouwotitis，'saidSikes；'ifyouhaven'tcaughtthefever，andgotitcomin'on，now，there'ssomethingmorethanusualinthewind，andsomethingdangeroustoo。You'renota-goingto。No，damme！youwouldn'tdothat！'
　　'Dowhat?'askedthegirl。
　　'Thereain't，'saidSikes，fixinghiseyesuponher，andmutteringthewordstohimself；'thereain'tastauncher-heartedgalgoing，orI'dhavecutherthroatthreemonthsago。She'sgotthefevercomingon；that'sit。'
　　Fortifyinghimselfwiththisassurance，Sikesdrainedtheglasstothebottom，andthen，withmanygrumblingoaths，calledforhisphysic。Thegirljumpedup，withgreatalacrity；poureditquicklyout，butwithherbacktowardshim；andheldthevesseltohislips，whilehedrankoffthecontents。
　　'Now，'saidtherobber，'comeandsitasideofme，andputonyourownface；orI'llalteritso，thatyouwon'tknowitaginwhenyoudowantit。'
　　Thegirlobeyed。Sikes，lockingherhandinhis，fellbackuponthepillow:turninghiseyesuponherface。Theyclosed；openedagain；closedoncemore；againopened。Heshiftedhispositionrestlessly；and，afterdozingagain，andagain，fortwoorthreeminutes，andasoftenspringingupwithalookofterror，andgazingvacantlyabouthim，wassuddenlystricken，asitwere，whileintheveryattitudeofrising，intoadeepandheavysleep。Thegraspofhishandrelaxed；theupraisedarmfelllanguidlybyhisside；andhelaylikeoneinaprofoundtrance。
　　'Thelaudanumhastakeneffectatlast，'murmuredthegirl，assherosefromthebedside。'Imaybetoolate，evennow。'
　　Shehastilydressedherselfinherbonnetandshawl:lookingfearfullyround，fromtimetotime，asif，despitethesleepingdraught，sheexpectedeverymomenttofeelthepressureofSikes'sheavyhanduponhershoulder；then，stoopingsoftlyoverthebed，shekissedtherobber'slips；andthenopeningandclosingtheroom-doorwithnoiselesstouch，hurriedfromthehouse。
　　Awatchmanwascryinghalf-pastnine，downadarkpassagethroughwhichshehadtopass，ingainingthemainthoroughfare。
　　'Hasitlonggonethehalf-hour?'askedthegirl。
　　'It'llstrikethehourinanotherquarter，'saidtheman:
　　raisinghislanterntoherface。
　　'AndIcannotgetthereinlessthananhourormore，'mutteredNancy:brushingswiftlypasthim，andglidingrapidlydownthestreet。
　　Manyoftheshopswerealreadyclosinginthebacklanesandavenuesthroughwhichshetrackedherway，inmakingfromSpitalfieldstowardstheWest-EndofLondon。Theclockstruckten，increasingherimpatience。Shetorealongthenarrowpavement:elbowingthepassengersfromsidetoside；anddartingalmostunderthehorses'heads，crossedcrowdedstreets，whereclustersofpersonswereeagerlywatchingtheiropportunitytodothelike。
　　'Thewomanismad！'saidthepeople，turningtolookafterherassherushedaway。
　　Whenshereachedthemorewealthyquarterofthetown，thestreetswerecomparativelydeserted；andhereherheadlongprogressexcitedastillgreatercuriosityinthestragglerswhomshehurriedpast。Somequickenedtheirpacebehind，asthoughtoseewhithershewashasteningatsuchanunusualrate；andafewmadeheaduponher，andlookedback，surprisedatherundiminishedspeed；buttheyfelloffonebyone；andwhenshenearedherplaceofdestination，shewasalone。
　　ItwasafamilyhotelinaquietbuthandsomestreetnearHydePark。Asthebrilliantlightofthelampwhichburntbeforeitsdoor，guidedhertothespot，theclockstruckeleven。Shehadloiteredforafewpacesasthoughirresolute，andmakinguphermindtoadvance；butthesounddeterminedher，andshesteppedintothehall。Theporter'sseatwasvacant。Shelookedroundwithanairofincertitude，andadvancedtowardsthestairs。