'Againtherearetwosidestothequestion，MrsLammle。Whatdoyoupretendtobelieve?'
　　'Soyoufirstdeceivemeandtheninsultme！'criesthelady，withaheavingbosom。
　　'Notatall。Ihaveoriginatednothing。Thedouble-edgedquestionwasyours。'
　　'Wasmine！'thebriderepeats，andherparasolbreaksinherangryhand。
　　Hiscolourhasturnedtoalividwhite，andominousmarkshavecometolightabouthisnose，asifthefingeroftheverydevilhimselfhad，withinthelastfewmoments，touchedithereandthere。Buthehasrepressivepower，andshehasnone。
　　'Throwitaway，'hecoollyrecommendsastotheparasol；'youhavemadeituseless；youlookridiculouswithit。'
　　Whereuponshecallshiminherrage，'Adeliberatevillain，'andsocaststhebrokenthingfromherasthatitstrikeshiminfalling。
　　Thefinger-marksaresomethingwhiterfortheinstant，buthewalksonatherside。
　　Sheburstsintotears，declaringherselfthewretchedest，themostdeceived，theworst-used，ofwomen。Thenshesaysthatifshehadthecouragetokillherself，shewoulddoit。Thenshecallshimvileimpostor。Thensheaskshim，why，inthedisappointmentofhisbasespeculation，hedoesnottakeherlifewithhisownhand，underthepresentfavourablecircumstances。Thenshecriesagain。
　　Thensheisenragedagain，andmakessomementionofswindlers。
　　Finally，shesitsdowncryingonablockofstone，andisinalltheknownandunknownhumoursofhersexatonce。Pendingherchanges，thoseaforesaidmarksinhisfacehavecomeandgone，nowherenowthere，likewhitestepsofapipeonwhichthediabolicalperformerhasplayedatune。Alsohislividlipsarepartedatlast，asifhewerebreathlesswithrunning。Yetheisnot。
　　'Now，getup，MrsLammle，andletusspeakreasonably。'
　　Shesitsuponherstone，andtakesnoheedofhim。
　　'Getup，Itellyou。'
　　Raisingherhead，shelookscontemptuouslyinhisface，andrepeats，'Youtellme！Tellme，forsooth！'
　　Sheaffectsnottoknowthathiseyesarefastenedonherasshedroopsherheadagain；butherwholefigurerevealsthatsheknowsituneasily。
　　'Enoughofthis。Come！Doyouhear?Getup。'
　　Yieldingtohishand，sherises，andtheywalkagain；butthistimewiththeirfacesturnedtowardstheirplaceofresidence。
　　'MrsLammle，wehavebothbeendeceiving，andwehavebothbeendeceived。Wehavebothbeenbiting，andwehavebothbeenbitten。Inanut-shell，there'sthestateofthecase。'
　　'Yousoughtmeout——'
　　'Tut！Letushavedonewiththat。WEknowverywellhowitwas。
　　WhyshouldyouandItalkaboutit，whenyouandIcan'tdisguiseit?Toproceed。Iamdisappointedandcutapoorfigure。'
　　'AmInoone?'
　　'Someone——andIwascomingtoyou，ifyouhadwaitedamoment。
　　You，too，aredisappointedandcutapoorfigure。'
　　'Aninjuredfigure！'
　　'Youarenowcoolenough，Sophronia，toseethatyoucan'tbeinjuredwithoutmybeingequallyinjured；andthatthereforethemerewordisnottothepurpose。WhenIlookback，IwonderhowIcanhavebeensuchafoolastotakeyoutosogreatanextentupontrust。'
　　'AndwhenIlookback——'thebridecries，interrupting。
　　'Andwhenyoulookback，youwonderhowyoucanhavebeen——
　　you'llexcusetheword?'
　　'Mostcertainly，withsomuchreason。
　　'——SuchafoolastotakeMEtosogreatanextentupontrust。Butthefollyiscommittedonbothsides。Icannotgetridofyou；youcannotgetridofme。Whatfollows?'
　　'Shameandmisery，'thebridebitterlyreplies。
　　'Idon'tknow。Amutualunderstandingfollows，andIthinkitmaycarryusthrough。HereIsplitmydiscoursegivemeyourarm，Sophronia，intothreeheads，tomakeitshorterandplainer。
　　Firstly，it'senoughtohavebeendone，withoutthemortificationofbeingknowntohavebeendone。Soweagreetokeepthefacttoourselves。Youagree?'
　　'Ifitispossible，Ido。'
　　'Possible！Wehavepretendedwellenoughtooneanother。Can'twe，united，pretendtotheworld?Agreed。Secondly，weowetheVeneeringsagrudge，andweoweallotherpeoplethegrudgeofwishingthemtobetakenin，asweourselveshavebeentakenin。
　　Agreed?'
　　'Yes。Agreed。'
　　'Wecomesmoothlytothirdly。Youhavecalledmeanadventurer，Sophronia。SoIam。InplainuncomplimentaryEnglish，soIam。
　　Soareyou，mydear。Soaremanypeople。Weagreetokeepourownsecret，andtoworktogetherinfurtheranceofourownschemes。'
　　'Whatschemes?'
　　'Anyschemethatwillbringusmoney。Byourownschemes，I
　　meanourjointinterest。Agreed?'
　　Sheanswers，afteralittlehesitation，'Isupposeso。Agreed。'
　　'Carriedatonce，yousee！Now，Sophronia，onlyhalfadozenwordsmore。Weknowoneanotherperfectly。Don'tbetemptedintotwittingmewiththepastknowledgethatyouhaveofme，becauseitisidenticalwiththepastknowledgethatIhaveofyou，andintwittingme，youtwityourself，andIdon'twanttohearyoudoit。Withthisgoodunderstandingestablishedbetweenus，itisbetterneverdone。Towindupall:——Youhaveshowntempertoday，Sophronia。Don'tbebetrayedintodoingsoagain，becauseIhaveaDevilofatempermyself。'
　　So，thehappypair，withthishopefulmarriagecontractthussigned，sealed，anddelivered，repairhomeward。If，whenthoseinfernalfinger-markswereonthewhiteandbreathlesscountenanceofAlfredLammle，Esquire，theydenotedthatheconceivedthepurposeofsubduinghisdearwifeMrsAlfredLammle，byatoncedivestingherofanylingeringrealityorpretenceofself-respect，thepurposewouldseemtohavebeenpresentlyexecuted。Thematureyoungladyhasmightylittleneedofpowder，now，forherdowncastface，asheescortsherinthelightofthesettingsuntotheirabodeofbliss。
　　Chapter11
　　PODSNAPPERY
　　MrPodsnapwaswelltodo，andstoodveryhighinMrPodsnap'sopinion。Beginningwithagoodinheritance，hehadmarriedagoodinheritance，andhadthrivenexceedinglyintheMarineInsuranceway，andwasquitesatisfied。Henevercouldmakeoutwhyeverybodywasnotquitesatisfied，andhefeltconsciousthathesetabrilliantsocialexampleinbeingparticularlywellsatisfiedwithmostthings，and，aboveallotherthings，withhimself。
　　Thushappilyacquaintedwithhisownmeritandimportance，MrPodsnapsettledthatwhateverheputbehindhimheputoutofexistence。Therewasadignifiedconclusiveness——nottoaddagrandconvenience——inthiswayofgettingridofdisagreeableswhichhaddonemuchtowardsestablishingMrPodsnapinhisloftyplaceinMrPodsnap'ssatisfaction。'Idon'twanttoknowaboutit；Idon'tchoosetodiscussit；Idon'tadmitit！'MrPodsnaphadevenacquiredapeculiarflourishofhisrightarminoftenclearingtheworldofitsmostdifficultproblems，bysweepingthembehindhimandconsequentlysheerawaywiththosewordsandaflushedface。Fortheyaffrontedhim。
　　MrPodsnap'sworldwasnotaverylargeworld，morally；no，norevengeographically:seeingthatalthoughhisbusinesswassustaineduponcommercewithothercountries，heconsideredothercountries，withthatimportantreservation，amistake，andoftheirmannersandcustomswouldconclusivelyobserve，'NotEnglish！'
　　when，PRESTO！withaflourishofthearm，andaflushoftheface，theyweresweptaway。Elsewhere，theworldgotupateight，shavedcloseataquarter-past，breakfastedatnine，wenttotheCityatten，camehomeathalf-pastfive，anddinedatseven。MrPodsnap'snotionsoftheArtsintheirintegritymighthavebeenstatedthus。Literature；largeprint，respectfullydescriptiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。PaintingandSculpture；modelsandportraitsrepresentingProfessorsofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。Music；arespectableperformancewithoutvariationsonstringedandwindinstruments，sedatelyexpressiveofgettingupateight，shavingcloseataquarterpast，breakfastingatnine，goingtotheCityatten，cominghomeathalf-pastfive，anddiningatseven。NothingelsetobepermittedtothosesamevagrantstheArts，onpainofexcommunication。NothingelseToBe——anywhere！
　　Asasoeminentlyrespectableman，MrPodsnapwassensibleofitsbeingrequiredofhimtotakeProvidenceunderhisprotection。
　　ConsequentlyhealwaysknewexactlywhatProvidencemeant。
　　Inferiorandlessrespectablemenmightfallshortofthatmark，butMrPodsnapwasalwaysuptoit。AnditwasveryremarkableandmusthavebeenverycomfortablethatwhatProvidencemeant，wasinvariablywhatMrPodsnapmeant。
　　Thesemaybesaidtohavebeenthearticlesofafaithandschoolwhichthepresentchaptertakesthelibertyofcalling，afteritsrepresentativeman，Podsnappery。Theywereconfinedwithinclosebounds，asMrPodsnap'sownheadwasconfinedbyhisshirt-
　　collar；andtheywereenunciatedwithasoundingpompthatsmackedofthecreakingofMrPodsnap'sownboots。
　　TherewasaMissPodsnap。Andthisyoungrocking-horsewasbeingtrainedinhermother'sartofprancinginastatelymannerwithoutevergettingon。Butthehighparentalactionwasnotyetimpartedtoher，andintruthshewasbutanundersizeddamsel，withhighshoulders，lowspirits，chilledelbows，andaraspedsurfaceofnose，whoseemedtotakeoccasionalfrostypeepsoutofchildhoodintowomanhood，andtoshrinkbackagain，overcomebyhermother'shead-dressandherfatherfromheadtofoot——crushedbythemeredead-weightofPodsnappery。
　　AcertaininstitutioninMrPodsnap'smindwhichhecalled'theyoungperson'maybeconsideredtohavebeenembodiedinMissPodsnap，hisdaughter。Itwasaninconvenientandexactinginstitution，asrequiringeverythingintheuniversetobefileddownandfittedtoit。Thequestionabouteverythingwas，woulditbringablushintothecheekoftheyoungperson?Andtheinconvenienceoftheyoungpersonwas，that，accordingtoMrPodsnap，sheseemedalwaysliabletoburstintoblusheswhentherewasnoneedatall。Thereappearedtobenolineofdemarcationbetweentheyoungperson'sexcessiveinnocence，andanotherperson'sguiltiestknowledge。TakeMrPodsnap'swordforit，andthesoberesttintsofdrab，white，lilac，andgrey，wereallflamingredtothistroublesomeBullofayoungperson。
　　ThePodsnapslivedinashadyangleadjoiningPortmanSquare。
　　Theywereakindofpeoplecertaintodwellintheshade，wherevertheydwelt。MissPodsnap'slifehadbeen，fromherfirstappearanceonthisplanet，altogetherofashadyorder；for，MrPodsnap'syoungpersonwaslikelytogetlittlegoodoutofassociationwithotheryoungpersons，andhadthereforebeenrestrictedtocompanionshipwithnotverycongenialolderpersons，andwithmassivefurniture。MissPodsnap'searlyviewsoflifebeingprincipallyderivedfromthereflectionsofitinherfather'sboots，andinthewalnutandrosewoodtablesofthedimdrawing-
　　rooms，andintheirswarthygiantsoflooking-glasses，wereofasombrecast；anditwasnotwonderfulthatnow，whenshewasonmostdayssolemnlytooledthroughtheParkbythesideofhermotherinagreattallcustard-colouredphaeton，sheshowedabovetheapronofthatvehiclelikeadejectedyoungpersonsittingupinbedtotakeastartledlookatthingsingeneral，andverystronglydesiringtogetherheadunderthecounterpaneagain。
　　SaidMrPodsnaptoMrsPodsnap，'Georgianaisalmosteighteen。'
　　SaidMrsPodsnaptoMrPodsnap，assenting，'Almosteighteen。'
　　SaidMrPodsnapthentoMrsPodsnap，'ReallyIthinkweshouldhavesomepeopleonGeorgiana'sbirthday。'
　　SaidMrsPodsnapthentoMrPodsnap，'Whichwillenableustoclearoffallthosepeoplewhoaredue。'
　　SoitcametopassthatMrandMrsPodsnaprequestedthehonourofthecompanyofseventeenfriendsoftheirsoulsatdinner；andthattheysubstitutedotherfriendsoftheirsoulsforsuchoftheseventeenoriginalfriendsoftheirsoulsasdeeplyregrettedthatapriorengagementpreventedtheirhavingthehonourofdiningwithMrandMrsPodsnap，inpursuanceoftheirkindinvitation；andthatMrsPodsnapsaidofalltheseinconsolablepersonages，asshecheckedthemoffwithapencilinherlist，'Asked，atanyrate，andgotridof；'andthattheysuccessfullydisposedofagoodmanyfriendsoftheirsoulsinthisway，andfelttheirconsciencesmuchlightened。
　　Therewerestillotherfriendsoftheirsoulswhowerenotentitledtobeaskedtodinner，buthadaclaimtobeinvitedtocomeandtakeahaunchofmuttonvapour-bathathalf-pastnine。Fortheclearingoffoftheseworthies，MrsPodsnapaddedasmallandearlyeveningtothedinner，andlookedinatthemusic-shoptobespeakawell-conductedautomatontocomeandplayquadrillesforacarpetdance。
　　MrandMrsVeneering，andMrandMrsVeneering'sbran-newbrideandbridegroom，wereofthedinnercompany；butthePodsnapestablishmenthadnothingelseincommonwiththeVeneerings。MrPodsnapcouldtoleratetasteinamushroommanwhostoodinneedofthatsortofthing，butwasfaraboveithimself。HideoussoliditywasthecharacteristicofthePodsnapplate。Everythingwasmadetolookasheavyasitcould，andtotakeupasmuchroomaspossible。Everythingsaidboastfully，'HereyouhaveasmuchofmeinmyuglinessasifIwereonlylead；butIamsomanyouncesofpreciousmetalworthsomuchanounce；——wouldn'tyouliketomeltmedown?'Acorpulentstraddlingepergne，blotchedalloverasifithadbrokenoutinaneruptionratherthanbeenornamented，deliveredthisaddressfromanunsightlysilverplatforminthecentreofthetable。Foursilverwine-coolers，eachfurnishedwithfourstaringheads，eachheadobtrusivelycarryingabigsilverringineachofitsears，conveyedthesentimentupanddownthetable，andhandeditontothepot-
　　belliedsilversalt-cellars。Allthebigsilverspoonsandforkswidenedthemouthsofthecompanyexpresslyforthepurposeofthrustingthesentimentdowntheirthroatswitheverymorseltheyate。
　　Themajorityoftheguestswereliketheplate，andincludedseveralheavyarticlesweighingeversomuch。Buttherewasaforeigngentlemanamongthem:whomMrPodsnaphadinvitedaftermuchdebatewithhimself——believingthewholeEuropeancontinenttobeinmortalallianceagainsttheyoungperson——andtherewasadrolldisposition，notonlyonthepartofMrPodsnapbutofeverybodyelse，totreathimasifhewereachildwhowashardofhearing。
　　Asadelicateconcessiontothisunfortunately-bornforeigner，MrPodsnap，inreceivinghim，hadpresentedhiswifeas'MadamePodsnap；'alsohisdaughteras'MademoisellePodsnap，'withsomeinclinationtoadd'mafille，'inwhichboldventure，however，hecheckedhimself。TheVeneeringsbeingatthattimetheonlyotherarrivals，hehadaddedinacondescendinglyexplanatorymanner，'MonsieurVey-nair-reeng，'andhadthensubsidedintoEnglish。
　　'HowDoYouLikeLondon?'MrPodsnapnowinquiredfromhisstationofhost，asifhewereadministeringsomethinginthenatureofapowderorpotiontothedeafchild；'London，Londres，London?'
　　Theforeigngentlemanadmiredit。
　　'YoufinditVeryLarge?'saidMrPodsnap，spaciously。
　　Theforeigngentlemanfounditverylarge。
　　'AndVeryRich?'
　　Theforeigngentlemanfoundit，withoutdoubt，enormementriche。
　　'EnormouslyRich，Wesay，'returnedMrPodsnap，inacondescendingmanner。'OurEnglishadverbsdoNotterminateinMong，andWePronouncethe“ch“asiftherewerea“t“beforeit。
　　WesayRitch。'
　　'Reetch，'remarkedtheforeigngentleman。
　　'AndDoYouFind，Sir，'pursuedMrPodsnap，withdignity，'ManyEvidencesthatStrikeYou，ofourBritishConstitutionintheStreetsOfTheWorld'sMetropolis，London，Londres，London?'
　　Theforeigngentlemanbeggedtobepardoned，butdidnotaltogetherunderstand。
　　'TheConstitutionBritannique，'MrPodsnapexplained，asifhewereteachinginaninfantschool。'WeSayBritish，ButYouSayBritannique，YouKnow'forgivingly，asifthatwerenothisfault。
　　'TheConstitution，Sir。'
　　Theforeigngentlemansaid，'Mais，yees；Iknoweem。'
　　Ayoungishsallowishgentlemaninspectacles，withalumpyforehead，seatedinasupplementarychairatacornerofthetable，herecausedaprofoundsensationbysaying，inaraisedvoice，'ESKER，'andthenstoppingdead。
　　'Maisoui，'saidtheforeigngentleman，turningtowardshim。'Est-ceque?Quoidonc?'
　　Butthegentlemanwiththelumpyforeheadhavingforthetimedeliveredhimselfofallthathefoundbehindhislumps，spakeforthetimenomore。
　　'IWasInquiring，'saidMrPodsnap，resumingthethreadofhisdiscourse，'WhetherYouHaveObservedinourStreetsasWeshouldsay，UponourPavvyasYouwouldsay，anyTokens——'
　　Theforeigngentleman，withpatientcourtesyentreatedpardon；
　　'Butwhatwastokenz?'
　　'Marks，'saidMrPodsnap；'Signs，youknow，Appearances——
　　Traces。'
　　'Ah！OfaOrse?'inquiredtheforeigngentleman。
　　'WecallitHorse，'saidMrPodsnap，withforbearance。'InEngland，Angleterre，England，WeAspiratethe“H，“andWeSay“Horse。”OnlyourLowerClassesSay“Orse！“'
　　'Pardon，'saidtheforeigngentleman；'Iamalwizwrong！'
　　'OurLanguage，'saidMrPodsnap，withagraciousconsciousnessofbeingalwaysright，'isDifficult。OursisaCopiousLanguage，andTryingtoStrangers。IwillnotPursuemyQuestion。'
　　Butthelumpygentleman，unwillingtogiveitup，againmadlysaid，'ESKER，'andagainspakenomore。
　　'Itmerelyreferred，'MrPodsnapexplained，withasenseofmeritoriousproprietorship，'toOurConstitution，Sir。WeEnglishmenareVeryProudofourConstitution，Sir。ItWasBestowedUponUsByProvidence。NoOtherCountryissoFavouredasThisCountry。'
　　'Andozercountries?——'theforeigngentlemanwasbeginning，whenMrPodsnapputhimrightagain。
　　'WedonotsayOzer；wesayOther:thelettersare“T“and“H；“
　　YousayTayandAish，YouKnow；stillwithclemency。Thesoundis“th“——“th！“'
　　'AndOTHERcountries，'saidtheforeigngentleman。'Theydohow?'
　　'Theydo，Sir，'returnedMrPodsnap，gravelyshakinghishead；
　　'theydo——Iamsorrytobeobligedtosayit——AStheydo。'
　　'ItwasalittleparticularofProvidence，'saidtheforeigngentleman，laughing；'forthefrontierisnotlarge。'
　　'Undoubtedly，'assentedMrPodsnap；'ButSoitis。ItwastheCharteroftheLand。ThisIslandwasBlest，Sir，totheDirectExclusionofsuchOtherCountriesas——astheremayhappentobe。
　　AndifwewereallEnglishmenpresent，Iwouldsay，'addedMrPodsnap，lookingrounduponhiscompatriots，andsoundingsolemnlywithhistheme，'thatthereisintheEnglishmanacombinationofqualities，amodesty，anindependence，aresponsibility，arepose，combinedwithanabsenceofeverythingcalculatedtocallablushintothecheekofayoungperson，whichonewouldseekinvainamongtheNationsoftheEarth。'
　　Havingdeliveredthislittlesummary，MrPodsnap'sfaceflushed，ashethoughtoftheremotepossibilityofitsbeingatallqualifiedbyanyprejudicedcitizenofanyothercountry；and，withhisfavouriteright-armflourish，heputtherestofEuropeandthewholeofAsia，Africa，andAmericanowhere。
　　Theaudienceweremuchedifiedbythispassageofwords；andMrPodsnap，feelingthathewasinratherremarkableforceto-day，becamesmilingandconversational。
　　'Hasanythingmorebeenheard，Veneering，'heinquired，'oftheluckylegatee?'
　　'Nothingmore，'returnedVeneering，'thanthathehascomeintopossessionoftheproperty。IamtoldpeoplenowcallhimTheGoldenDustman。Imentionedtoyousometimeago，Ithink，thattheyoungladywhoseintendedhusbandwasmurderedisdaughtertoaclerkofmine?'
　　'Yes，youtoldmethat，'saidPodsnap；'andby-the-bye，Iwishyouwouldtellitagainhere，forit'sacuriouscoincidence——curiousthatthefirstnewsofthediscoveryshouldhavebeenbroughtstraighttoyourtablewhenIwasthere，andcuriousthatoneofyourpeopleshouldhavebeensonearlyinterestedinit。Justrelatethat，willyou?'
　　Veneeringwasmorethanreadytodoit，forhehadprosperedexceedinglyupontheHarmonMurder，andhadturnedthesocialdistinctionitconferreduponhimtotheaccountofmakingseveraldozenofbran-newbosom-friends。Indeed，suchanotherluckyhitwouldalmosthavesethimupinthatwaytohissatisfaction。So，addressinghimselftothemostdesirableofhisneighbours，whileMrsVeneeringsecuredthenextmostdesirable，heplungedintothecase，andemergedfromittwentyminutesafterwardswithaBankDirectorinhisarms。Inthemeantime，MrsVeneeringhaddivedintothesamewatersforawealthyShip-Broker，andhadbroughthimup，safeandsound，bythehair。ThenMrsVeneeringhadtorelate，toalargercircle，howshehadbeentoseethegirl，andhowshewasreallypretty，andconsideringherstation
　　presentable。Andthisshedidwithsuchasuccessfuldisplayofhereightaquilinefingersandtheirencirclingjewels，thatshehappilylaidholdofadriftingGeneralOfficer，hiswifeanddaughter，andnotonlyrestoredtheiranimationwhichhadbecomesuspended，butmadethemlivelyfriendswithinanhour。
　　AlthoughMrPodsnapwouldinageneralwayhavehighlydisapprovedofBodiesinriversasineligibletopicswithreferencetothecheekoftheyoungperson，hehad，asonemaysay，ashareinthisaffairwhichmadehimapartproprietor。Asitsreturnswereimmediate，too，inthewayofrestrainingthecompanyfromspeechlesscontemplationofthewine-coolers，itpaid，andhewassatisfied。
　　Andnowthehaunchofmuttonvapour-bathhavingreceivedagameyinfusion，andafewlasttouchesofsweetsandcoffee，wasquiteready，andthebatherscame；butnotbeforethediscreetautomatonhadgotbehindthebarsofthepianomusic-desk，andtherepresentedtheappearanceofacaptivelanguishinginarose-
　　woodjail。AndwhonowsopleasantorsowellassortedasMrandMrsAlfredLammle，heallsparkle，sheallgraciouscontentment，bothatoccasionalintervalsexchanginglookslikepartnersatcardswhoplayedagameagainstAllEngland。
　　Therewasnotmuchyouthamongthebathers，buttherewasnoyouththeyoungpersonalwaysexceptedinthearticlesofPodsnappery。BaldbathersfoldedtheirarmsandtalkedtoMrPodsnaponthehearthrug；sleek-whiskeredbathers，withhatsintheirhands，lungedatMrsPodsnapandretreated；prowlingbathers，wentaboutlookingintoornamentalboxesandbowlsasiftheyhadsuspicionsoflarcenyonthepartofthePodsnaps，andexpectedtofindsomethingtheyhadlostatthebottom；bathersofthegentlersexsatsilentlycomparingivoryshoulders。Allthistimeandalways，poorlittleMissPodsnap，whosetinyeffortsifshehadmadeanywereswallowedupinthemagnificenceofhermother'srocking，keptherselfasmuchoutofsightandmindasshecould，andappearedtobecountingonmanydismalreturnsoftheday。Itwassomehowunderstood，asasecretarticleinthestateproprietiesofPodsnapperythatnothingmustbesaidabouttheday。
　　Consequentlythisyoungdamsel'snativitywashushedupandlookedover，asifitwereagreedonallhandsthatitwouldhavebeenbetterthatshehadneverbeenborn。
　　TheLammlesweresofondofthedearVeneeringsthattheycouldnotforsometimedetachthemselvesfromthoseexcellentfriends；
　　butatlength，eitheraveryopensmileonMrLammle'spart，oraverysecretelevationofoneofhisgingerouseyebrows——certainlytheoneortheother——seemedtosaytoMrsLammle，'Whydon'tyouplay?'Andso，lookingabouther，shesawMissPodsnap，andseemingtosayresponsively，'Thatcard?'andtobeanswered，'Yes，'
　　wentandsatbesideMissPodsnap。
　　MrsLammlewasoverjoyedtoescapeintoacornerforalittlequiettalk。
　　Itpromisedtobeaveryquiettalk，forMissPodsnaprepliedinaflutter，'Oh！Indeed，it'sverykindofyou，butIamafraidIDON'T
　　talk。'
　　'Letusmakeabeginning，'saidtheinsinuatingMrsLammle，withherbestsmile。
　　'Oh！Iamafraidyou'llfindmeverydull。ButMatalks！'
　　Thatwasplainlytobeseen，forMawastalkingthenatherusualcanter，witharchedheadandmane，openedeyesandnostrils。
　　'Fondofreadingperhaps?'
　　'Yes。AtleastI——don'tmindthatsomuch，'returnedMissPodsnap。
　　'M-m-m-m-music。SoinsinuatingwasMrsLammlethatshegothalfadozenmsintothewordbeforeshegotitout。
　　'Ihaven'tnervetoplayevenifIcould。Maplays。'
　　Atexactlythesamecanter，andwithacertainflourishingappearanceofdoingsomething，Madid，infact，occasionallytakearockupontheinstrument。
　　'Ofcourseyoulikedancing?'
　　'Ohno，Idon't，'saidMissPodsnap。
　　'No?Withyouryouthandattractions?Truly，mydear，yousurpriseme！'
　　'Ican'tsay，'observedMissPodsnap，afterhesitatingconsiderably，andstealingseveraltimidlooksatMrsLammle'scarefullyarrangedface，'howImighthavelikeditifIhadbeena——youwon'tmentionit，WILLyou?'
　　'Mydear！Never！'
　　'No，Iamsureyouwon't。Ican'tsaythenhowIshouldhavelikedit，ifIhadbeenachimney-sweeponMay-day。'
　　'Gracious！'wastheexclamationwhichamazementelicitedfromMrsLammle。
　　'There！Iknewyou'dwonder。Butyouwon'tmentionit，willyou?'
　　'Uponmyword，mylove，'saidMrsLammle，'youmakemetentimesmoredesirous，nowItalktoyou，toknowyouwellthanI
　　waswhenIsatoveryonderlookingatyou。HowIwishwecouldberealfriends！Trymeasarealfriend。Come！Don'tfancymeafrumpyoldmarriedwoman，mydear；Iwasmarriedbuttheotherday，youknow；Iamdressedasabridenow，yousee。Aboutthechimney-sweeps?'
　　'Hush！Ma'llhear。'
　　'Shecan'thearfromwhereshesits。'
　　'Don'tyoubetoosureofthat，'saidMissPodsnap，inalowervoice。
　　'Well，whatImeanis，thattheyseemtoenjoyit。'
　　'Andthatperhapsyouwouldhaveenjoyedit，ifyouhadbeenoneofthem?'
　　MissPodsnapnoddedsignificantly。
　　'Thenyoudon'tenjoyitnow?'
　　'Howisitpossible?'saidMissPodsnap。'Ohitissuchadreadfulthing！IfIwaswickedenough——andstrongenough——tokillanybody，itshouldbemypartner。'
　　ThiswassuchanentirelynewviewoftheTerpsichoreanartassociallypractised，thatMrsLammlelookedatheryoungfriendinsomeastonishment。Heryoungfriendsatnervouslytwiddlingherfingersinapinionedattitude，asifsheweretryingtohideherelbows。ButthislatterUtopianobjectinshortsleevesalwaysappearedtobethegreatinoffensiveaimofherexistence。
　　'Itsoundshorrid，don'tit?'saidMissPodsnap，withapenitentialface。
　　MrsLammle，notverywellknowingwhattoanswer，resolvedherselfintoalookofsmilingencouragement。
　　'Butitis，anditalwayshasbeen，'pursuedMissPodsnap，'suchatrialtome！Isodreadbeingawful。Anditissoawful！NooneknowswhatIsufferedatMadameSauteuse's，whereIlearnttodanceandmakepresentation-curtseys，andotherdreadfulthings——
　　oratleastwheretheytriedtoteachme。Macandoit。'
　　'Atanyrate，mylove，'saidMrsLammle，soothingly，'that'sover。'
　　'Yes，it'sover，'returnedMissPodsnap，'butthere'snothinggainedbythat。It'sworsehere，thanatMadameSauteuse's。Mawasthere，andMa'shere；butPawasn'tthere，andcompanywasn'tthere，andtherewerenotrealpartnersthere。Ohthere'sMaspeakingtothemanatthepiano！Ohthere'sMagoinguptosomebody！OhIknowshe'sgoingtobringhimtome！Ohpleasedon't，pleasedon't，pleasedon't！Ohkeepaway，keepaway，keepaway！'ThesepiousejaculationsMissPodsnaputteredwithhereyesclosed，andherheadleaningbackagainstthewall。
　　ButtheOgreadvancedunderthepilotageofMa，andMasaid，'Georgiana，MrGrompus，'andtheOgreclutchedhisvictimandboreherofftohiscastleinthetopcouple。Thenthediscreetautomatonwhohadsurveyedhisground，playedablossomlesstuneless'set，'andsixteendisciplesofPodsnapperywentthroughthefiguresof-1，Gettingupateightandshavingcloseataquarterpast-2，Breakfastingatnine-3，GoingtotheCityatten-4，Cominghomeathalf-pastfive-5，Diningatseven，andthegrandchain。
　　Whilethesesolemnitieswereinprogress，MrAlfredLammlemostlovingofhusbandsapproachedthechairofMrsAlfredLammlemostlovingofwives，andbendingoverthebackofit，trifledforsomefewsecondswithMrsLammle'sbracelet。Slightlyincontrastwiththisbriefairytoying，onemighthavenoticedacertaindarkattentioninMrsLammle'sfaceasshesaidsomewordswithhereyesonMrLammle'swaistcoat，andseemedinreturntoreceivesomelesson。Butitwasalldoneasabreathpassesfromamirror。
　　Andnow，thegrandchainrivetedtothelastlink，thediscreetautomatonceased，andthesixteen，twoandtwo，tookawalkamongthefurniture。AndhereintheunconsciousnessoftheOgreGrompuswaspleasantlyconspicuous；for，thatcomplacentmonster，believingthathewasgivingMissPodsnapatreat，prolongedtotheutmoststretchofpossibilityaperipateticaccountofanarcherymeeting；whilehisvictim，headingtheprocessionofsixteenasitslowlycircledabout，likearevolvingfuneral，neverraisedhereyesexceptoncetostealaglanceatMrsLammle，expressiveofintensedespair。
　　Atlengththeprocessionwasdissolvedbytheviolentarrivalofanutmeg，beforewhichthedrawing-roomdoorbouncedopenasifitwereacannon-ball；andwhilethatfragrantarticle，dispersedthroughseveralglassesofcolouredwarmwater，wasgoingtheroundofsociety，MissPodsnapreturnedtoherseatbyhernewfriend。
　　'Ohmygoodness，'saidMissPodsnap。'THAT'Sover！Ihopeyoudidn'tlookatme。'
　　'Mydear，whynot?'
　　'OhIknowallaboutmyself，'saidMissPodsnap。
　　'I'lltellyousomethingIknowaboutyou，mydear，'returnedMrsLammleinherwinningway，'andthatis，youaremostunnecessarilyshy。'
　　'Maain't，'saidMissPodsnap。'——Idetestyou！Goalong！'ThisshotwaslevelledunderherbreathatthegallantGrompusforbestowinganinsinuatingsmileuponherinpassing。
　　'PardonmeifIscarcelysee，mydearMissPodsnap，'MrsLammlewasbeginningwhentheyoungladyinterposed。
　　'IfwearegoingtoberealfriendsandIsupposeweare，foryouaretheonlypersonwhoeverproposeditdon'tletusbeawful。It'sawfulenoughtoBEMissPodsnap，withoutbeingcalledso。CallmeGeorgiana。'
　　'DearestGeorgiana，'MrsLammlebeganagain。
　　'Thankyou，'saidMissPodsnap。
　　'DearestGeorgiana，pardonmeifIscarcelysee，mylove，whyyourmamma'snotbeingshy，isareasonwhyyoushouldbe。'
　　'Don'tyoureallyseethat?'askedMissPodsnap，pluckingatherfingersinatroubledmanner，andfurtivelycastinghereyesnowonMrsLammle，nowontheground。'Thenperhapsitisn't?'
　　'MydearestGeorgiana，youdefermuchtooreadilytomypooropinion。Indeeditisnotevenanopinion，darling，foritisonlyaconfessionofmydullness。'
　　'OhYOUarenotdull，'returnedMissPodsnap。'Iamdull，butyoucouldn'thavemademetalkifyouwere。'
　　Somelittletouchofconscienceansweringthisperceptionofherhavinggainedapurpose，calledbloomenoughintoMrsLammle'sfacetomakeitlookbrighterasshesatsmilingherbestsmileonherdearGeorgiana，andshakingherheadwithanaffectionateplayfulness。Notthatitmeantanything，butthatGeorgianaseemedtolikeit。
　　'WhatImeanis，'pursuedGeorgiana，'thatMabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andPabeingsoendowedwithawfulness，andtherebeingsomuchawfulnesseverywhere——Imean，atleast，everywherewhereIam——perhapsitmakesmewhoamsodeficientinawfulness，andfrightenedatit——Isayitverybadly——Idon'tknowwhetheryoucanunderstandwhatImean?'
　　'Perfectly，dearestGeorgiana！'MrsLammlewasproceedingwitheveryreassuringwile，whentheheadofthatyoungladysuddenlywentbackagainstthewallagainandhereyesclosed。
　　'Ohthere'sMabeingawfulwithsomebodywithaglassinhiseye！
　　OhIknowshe'sgoingtobringhimhere！Ohdon'tbringhim，don'tbringhim！Ohhe'llbemypartnerwithhisglassinhiseye！
　　OhwhatshallIdo！'ThistimeGeorgianaaccompaniedherejaculationswithtapsofherfeetuponthefloor，andwasaltogetherinquiteadesperatecondition。But，therewasnoescapefromthemajesticMrsPodsnap'sproductionofanamblingstranger，withoneeyescrewedupintoextinctionandtheotherframedandglazed，who，havinglookeddownoutofthatorgan，asifhedescriedMissPodsnapatthebottomofsomeperpendicularshaft，broughthertothesurface，andambledoffwithher。Andthenthecaptiveatthepianoplayedanother'set，'expressiveofhismournfulaspirationsafterfreedom，andothersixteenwentthroughtheformermelancholymotions，andtheamblertookMissPodsnapforafurniturewalk，asifhehadstruckoutanentirelyoriginalconception。
　　Inthemeantimeastraypersonageofameekdemeanour，whohadwanderedtothehearthrugandgotamongtheheadsoftribesassembledthereinconferencewithMrPodsnap，eliminatedMrPodsnap'sflushandflourishbyahighlyunpoliteremark；nolessthanareferencetothecircumstancethatsomehalf-dozenpeoplehadlatelydiedinthestreets，ofstarvation。Itwasclearlyill-timedafterdinner。Itwasnotadaptedtothecheekoftheyoungperson。
　　Itwasnotingoodtaste。
　　'Idon'tbelieveit，'saidMrPodsnap，puttingitbehindhim。
　　Themeekmanwasafraidwemusttakeitasproved，becausethereweretheInquestsandtheRegistrar'sreturns。
　　'Thenitwastheirownfault，'saidMrPodsnap。
　　Veneeringandothereldersoftribescommendedthiswayoutofit。
　　Atonceashortcutandabroadroad。
　　Themanofmeekdemeanourintimatedthattrulyitwouldseemfromthefacts，asifstarvationhadbeenforcedupontheculpritsinquestion——asif，intheirwretchedmanner，theyhadmadetheirweakprotestsagainstit——asiftheywouldhavetakenthelibertyofstavingitoffiftheycould——asiftheywouldrathernothavebeenstarveduponthewhole，ifperfectlyagreeabletoallparties。
　　'Thereisnot，'saidMrPodsnap，flushingangrily，'thereisnotacountryintheworld，sir，wheresonobleaprovisionismadeforthepoorasinthiscountry。'
　　Themeekmanwasquitewillingtoconcedethat，butperhapsitrenderedthematterevenworse，asshowingthattheremustbesomethingappallinglywrongsomewhere。
　　'Where?'saidMrPodsnap。
　　ThemeekmanhintedWouldn'titbewelltotry，veryseriously，tofindoutwhere?
　　'Ah！'saidMrPodsnap。'Easytosaysomewhere；notsoeasytosaywhere！ButIseewhatyouaredrivingat。Iknewitfromthefirst。
　　Centralization。No。Neverwithmyconsent。NotEnglish。'
　　Anapprovingmurmurarosefromtheheadsoftribes；assaying，'Thereyouhavehim！Holdhim！'
　　Hewasnotawarethemeekmansubmittedofhimselfthathewasdrivingatanyization。Hehadnofavouriteizationthatheknewof。Buthecertainlywasmorestaggeredbytheseterribleoccurrencesthanhewasbynames，ofhowsoeversomanysyllables。Mightheask，wasdyingofdestitutionandneglectnecessarilyEnglish?
　　'YouknowwhatthepopulationofLondonis，Isuppose，'saidMrPodsnap。
　　Themeekmansupposedhedid，butsupposedthathadabsolutelynothingtodowithit，ifitslawswerewelladministered。
　　'Andyouknow；atleastIhopeyouknow；'saidMrPodsnap，withseverity，'thatProvidencehasdeclaredthatyoushallhavethepooralwayswithyou?'
　　Themeekmanalsohopedheknewthat。
　　'Iamgladtohearit，'saidMrPodsnapwithaportentousair。'Iamgladtohearit。ItwillrenderyoucautioushowyouflyinthefaceofProvidence。'
　　Inreferencetothatabsurdandirreverentconventionalphrase，themeekmansaid，forwhichMrPodsnapwasnotresponsible，hethemeekmanhadnofearofdoinganythingsoimpossible；but——
　　ButMrPodsnapfeltthatthetimehadcomeforflushingandflourishingthismeekmandownforgood。Sohesaid:
　　'Imustdeclinetopursuethispainfuldiscussion。Itisnotpleasanttomyfeelings；itisrepugnanttomyfeelings。IhavesaidthatIdonotadmitthesethings。IhavealsosaidthatiftheydooccurnotthatIadmitit，thefaultlieswiththesufferersthemselves。ItisnotforME'——MrPodsnappointed'me'forcibly，asaddingbyimplicationthoughitmaybeallverywellforYOU——'itisnotformetoimpugntheworkingsofProvidence。Iknowbetterthanthat，Itrust，andIhavementionedwhattheintentionsofProvidenceare。
　　Besides，'saidMrPodsnap，flushinghighupamonghishair-
　　brushes，withastrongconsciousnessofpersonalaffront，'thesubjectisaverydisagreeableone。Iwillgosofarastosayitisanodiousone。Itisnotonetobeintroducedamongourwivesandyoungpersons，andI——'Hefinishedwiththatflourishofhisarmwhichaddedmoreexpressivelythananywords，AndIremoveitfromthefaceoftheearth。
　　Simultaneouslywiththisquenchingofthemeekman'sineffectualfire；Georgianahavinglefttheamblerupalaneofsofa，inaNoThoroughfareofbackdrawing-room，tofindhisownwayout，camebacktoMrsLammle。AndwhoshouldbewithMrsLammle，butMrLammle。Sofondofher！
　　'Alfred，mylove，hereismyfriend。Georgiana，dearestgirl，youmustlikemyhusbandnexttome。
　　MrLammlewasproudtobesosoondistinguishedbythisspecialcommendationtoMissPodsnap'sfavour。ButifMrLammlewerepronetobejealousofhisdearSophronia'sfriendships，hewouldbejealousofherfeelingtowardsMissPodsnap。
　　'SayGeorgiana，darling，'interposedhiswife。
　　'Towards——shallI?——Georgiana。'MrLammleutteredthename，withadelicatecurveofhisrighthand，fromhislipsoutward。'ForneverhaveIknownSophroniawhoisnotapttotakesuddenlikingssoattractedandsocaptivatedassheisby——shallIoncemore?——Georgiana。'
　　Theobjectofthishomagesatuneasilyenoughinreceiptofit，andthensaid，turningtoMrsLammle，muchembarrassed:
　　'Iwonderwhatyoulikemefor！IamsureIcan'tthink。'
　　'DearestGeorgiana，foryourself。Foryourdifferencefromallaroundyou。'
　　'Well！Thatmaybe。ForIthinkIlikeyouforyourdifferencefromallaroundme，'saidGeorgianawithasmileofrelief。
　　'Wemustbegoingwiththerest，'observedMrsLammle，risingwithashowofunwillingness，amidstageneraldispersal。'Wearerealfriends，Georgianadear?'
　　'Real。'
　　'Goodnight，deargirl！'
　　Shehadestablishedanattractionovertheshrinkingnatureuponwhichhersmilingeyeswerefixed，forGeorgianaheldherhandwhilesheansweredinasecretandhalf-frightenedtone:
　　'Don'tforgetmewhenyouaregoneaway。Andcomeagainsoon。
　　Goodnight！'
　　CharmingtoseeMrandMrsLammletakingleavesogracefully，andgoingdownthestairssolovinglyandsweetly。Notquitesocharmingtoseetheirsmilingfacesfallandbroodastheydroppedmoodilyintoseparatecornersoftheirlittlecarriage。Buttohesurethatwasasightbehindthescenes，whichnobodysaw，andwhichnobodywasmeanttosee。
　　Certainbig，heavyvehicles，builtonthemodelofthePodsnapplate，tookawaytheheavyarticlesofguestsweighingeversomuch；andthelessvaluablearticlesgotawayaftertheirvariousmanners；andthePodsnapplatewasputtobed。AsMrPodsnapstoodwithhisbacktothedrawing-roomfire，pullinguphisshirtcollar，likeaveritablecockofthewalkliterallypluminghimselfinthemidstofhispossessions，nothingwouldhaveastonishedhimmorethananintimationthatMissPodsnap，oranyotheryoungpersonproperlybornandbred，couldnotbeexactlyputawayliketheplate，broughtoutliketheplate，polishedliketheplate，counted，weighed，andvaluedliketheplate。Thatsuchayoungpersoncouldpossiblyhaveamorbidvacancyintheheartforanythingyoungerthantheplate，orlessmonotonousthantheplate；
　　orthatsuchayoungperson'sthoughtscouldtrytoscaletheregionboundedonthenorth，south，east，andwest，bytheplate；wasamonstrousimaginationwhichhewouldonthespothaveflourishedintospace。ThisperhapsinsomesortarosefromMrPodsnap'sblushingyoungpersonbeing，sotospeak，allcheek；whereasthereisapossibilitythattheremaybeyoungpersonsofarathermorecomplexorganization。
　　IfMrPodsnap，pullinguphisshirt-collar，couldonlyhavebeardhimselfcalled'thatfellow'inacertainshortdialogue，whichpassedbetweenMrandMrsLammleintheiroppositecornersoftheirlittlecarriage，rollinghome！
　　'Sophronia，areyouawake?'
　　'AmIlikelytobeasleep，sir?'
　　'Verylikely，Ishouldthink，afterthatfellow'scompany。AttendtowhatIamgoingtosay。'
　　'Ihaveattendedtowhatyouhavealreadysaid，haveInot?WhatelsehaveIbeendoingallto-night。'
　　'Attend，Itellyou，'inaraisedvoice'towhatIamgoingtosay。
　　Keepclosetothatidiotgirl。Keepherunderyourthumb。Youhaveherfast，andyouarenottolethergo。Doyouhear?'
　　'Ihearyou。'
　　'Iforeseethereismoneytobemadeoutofthis，besidestakingthatfellowdownapeg。Weoweeachothermoney，youknow。'
　　MrsLammlewincedalittleatthereminder，butonlyenoughtoshakeherscentsandessencesanewintotheatmosphereofthelittlecarriage，asshesettledherselfafreshinherowndarkcorner。
　　Chapter12
　　THESWEATOFANHONESTMAN'SBROW
　　MrMortimerLightwoodandMrEugeneWrayburntookacoffee-
　　housedinnertogetherinMrLightwood'soffice。Theyhadnewlyagreedtosetupajointestablishmenttogether。TheyhadtakenabachelorcottagenearHampton，onthebrinkoftheThames，withalawn，andaboat-house；andallthingsfitting，andweretofloatwiththestreamthroughthesummerandtheLongVacation。
　　Itwasnotsummeryet，butspring；anditwasnotgentlespringethereallymild，asinThomson'sSeasons，butnippingspringwithaneasterlywind，asinJohnson's，Jackson's，Dickson's，Smith's，andJones'sSeasons。Thegratingwindsawedratherthanblew；
　　andasitsawed，thesawdustwhirledaboutthesawpit。Everystreetwasasawpit，andtherewerenotop-sawyers；everypassengerwasanunder-sawyer，withthesawdustblindinghimandchokinghim。
　　ThatmysteriouspapercurrencywhichcirculatesinLondonwhenthewindblows，gyratedhereandthereandeverywhere。Whencecanitcome，whithercanitgo?Ithangsoneverybush，fluttersineverytree，iscaughtflyingbytheelectricwires，hauntseveryenclosure，drinksateverypump，cowersateverygrating，shuddersuponeveryplotofgrass，seeksrestinvainbehindthelegionsofironrails。InParis，wherenothingiswasted，costlyandluxuriouscitythoughitbe，butwherewonderfulhumanantscreepoutofholesandpickupeveryscrap，thereisnosuchthing。There，itblowsnothingbutdust。There，sharpeyesandsharpstomachsreapeventheeastwind，andgetsomethingoutofit。
　　Thewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。Theshrubswrungtheirmanyhands，bemoaningthattheyhadbeenover-persuadedbythesuntobud；theyoungleavespined；thesparrowsrepentedoftheirearlymarriages，likemenandwomen；thecoloursoftherainbowwerediscernible，notinfloralspring，butinthefacesofthepeoplewhomitnibbledandpinched。Andeverthewindsawed，andthesawdustwhirled。
　　Whenthespringeveningsaretoolongandlighttoshutout，andsuchweatherisrife，thecitywhichMrPodsnapsoexplanatorilycalledLondon，Londres，London，isatitsworst。Suchablackshrillcity，combiningthequalitiesofasmokyhouseandascoldingwife；suchagrittycity；suchahopelesscity，withnorentintheleadencanopyofitssky；suchabeleagueredcity，investedbythegreatMarshForcesofEssexandKent。Sothetwooldschoolfellowsfeltittobe，as，theirdinnerdone，theyturnedtowardsthefiretosmoke。YoungBlightwasgone，thecoffee-
　　housewaiterwasgone，theplatesanddishesweregone，thewinewasgoing——butnotinthesamedirection。
　　'Thewindsoundsuphere，'quothEugene，stirringthefire，'asifwewerekeepingalighthouse。Iwishwewere。'
　　'Don'tyouthinkitwouldboreus?'Lightwoodasked。
　　'Notmorethananyotherplace。AndtherewouldbenoCircuittogo。Butthat'saselfishconsideration，personaltome。'
　　'Andnoclientstocome，'addedLightwood。'Notthatthat'saselfishconsiderationatallpersonaltoME。'
　　'Ifwewereonanisolatedrockinastormysea，'saidEugene，smokingwithhiseyesonthefire，'LadyTippinscouldn'tputofftovisitus，or，betterstill，mightputoffandgetswamped。Peoplecouldn'taskonetoweddingbreakfasts。TherewouldbenoPrecedentstohammerat，excepttheplain-sailingPrecedentofkeepingthelightup。Itwouldbeexcitingtolookoutforwrecks。'
　　'Butotherwise，'suggestedLightwood，'theremightbeadegreeofsamenessinthelife。'
　　'Ihavethoughtofthatalso，'saidEugene，asifhereallyhadbeenconsideringthesubjectinitsvariousbearingswithaneyetothebusiness；'butitwouldbeadefinedandlimitedmonotony。Itwouldnotextendbeyondtwopeople。Now，it'saquestionwithme，Mortimer，whetheramonotonydefinedwiththatprecisionandlimitedtothatextent，mightnotbemoreendurablethantheunlimitedmonotonyofone'sfellow-creatures。'
　　AsLightwoodlaughedandpassedthewine，heremarked，'Weshallhaveanopportunity，inourboatingsummer，oftryingthequestion。'
　　'Animperfectone，'Eugeneacquiesced，withasigh，'butsoweshall。Ihopewemaynotprovetoomuchforoneanother。'
　　'Now，regardingyourrespectedfather，'saidLightwood，bringinghimtoasubjecttheyhadexpresslyappointedtodiscuss:alwaysthemostslipperyeelofeelsofsubjectstolayholdof。
　　'Yes，regardingmyrespectedfather，'assentedEugene，settlinghimselfinhisarm-chair。'Iwouldratherhaveapproachedmyrespectedfatherbycandlelight，asathemerequiringalittleartificialbrilliancy；butwewilltakehimbytwilight，enlivenedwithaglowofWallsend。'
　　Hestirredthefireagainashespoke，andhavingmadeitblaze，resumed。
　　'Myrespectedfatherhasfound，downintheparentalneighbourhood，awifeforhisnot-generally-respectedson。'
　　'Withsomemoney，ofcourse?'
　　'Withsomemoney，ofcourse，orhewouldnothavefoundher。Myrespectedfather——letmeshortenthedutifultautologybysubstitutinginfutureM。R。F。，whichsoundsmilitary，andratherliketheDukeofWellington。'
　　'Whatanabsurdfellowyouare，Eugene！'
　　'Notatall，Iassureyou。M。R。F。havingalwaysintheclearestmannerprovidedashecallsitforhischildrenbypre-arrangingfromthehourofthebirthofeach，andsometimesfromanearlierperiod，whatthedevotedlittlevictim'scallingandcourseinlifeshouldbe，M。R。F。pre-arrangedformyselfthatIwastobethebarristerIamwiththeslightadditionofanenormouspractice，whichhasnotaccrued，andalsothemarriedmanIamnot。'
　　'Thefirstyouhaveoftentoldme。'
　　'ThefirstIhaveoftentoldyou。Consideringmyselfsufficientlyincongruousonmylegaleminence，Ihaveuntilnowsuppressedmydomesticdestiny。YouknowM。R。F。，butnotaswellasIdo。
　　IfyouknewhimaswellasIdo，hewouldamuseyou。'
　　'Filiallyspoken，Eugene！'
　　'Perfectlyso，believeme；andwitheverysentimentofaffectionatedeferencetowardsM。R。F。Butifheamusesme，Ican'thelpit。
　　Whenmyeldestbrotherwasborn，ofcoursetherestofusknewI
　　meantherestofuswouldhaveknown，ifwehadbeeninexistencethathewasheirtotheFamilyEmbarrassments——wecallitbeforethecompanytheFamilyEstate。Butwhenmysecondbrotherwasgoingtobebornby-and-by，“this，“saysM。R。F。，“isalittlepillarofthechurch。”WASborn，andbecameapillarofthechurch；averyshakyone。Mythirdbrotherappeared，considerablyinadvanceofhisengagementtomymother；butM。R。F。，notatallputoutbysurprise，instantlydeclaredhimaCircumnavigator。
　　Waspitch-forkedintotheNavy，buthasnotcircumnavigated。I
　　announcedmyselfandwasdisposedofwiththehighlysatisfactoryresultsembodiedbeforeyou。Whenmyyoungerbrotherwashalfanhourold，itwassettledbyM。R。F。thatheshouldhaveamechanicalgenius。Andsoon。ThereforeIsaythatM。R。F。
　　amusesme。'
　　'Touchingthelady，Eugene。'
　　'ThereM。R。F。ceasestobeamusing，becausemyintentionsareopposedtotouchingthelady。'
　　'Doyouknowher?'
　　'Notintheleast。'
　　'Hadn'tyoubetterseeher?'
　　'MydearMortimer，youhavestudiedmycharacter。CouldI
　　possiblygodownthere，labelled“ELIGIBLE。ONVIEW，“andmeetthelady，similarlylabelled?AnythingtocarryoutM。R。F。'sarrangements，Iamsure，withthegreatestpleasure——exceptmatrimony。CouldIpossiblysupportit?I，sosoonbored，soconstantly，sofatally?'
　　'Butyouarenotaconsistentfellow，Eugene。'
　　'Insusceptibilitytoboredom，'returnedthatworthy，'IassureyouI
　　amthemostconsistentofmankind。'
　　'Why，itwasbutnowthatyouweredwellingintheadvantagesofamonotonyoftwo。'
　　'Inalighthouse。Domethejusticetorememberthecondition。Inalighthouse。'
　　Mortimerlaughedagain，andEugene，havinglaughedtooforthefirsttime，asifhefoundhimselfonreflectionratherentertaining，relapsedintohisusualgloom，anddrowsilysaid，asheenjoyedhiscigar，'No，thereisnohelpforit；oneofthepropheticdeliveriesofM。R。F。mustforeverremainunfulfilled。Witheverydispositiontoobligehim，hemustsubmittoafailure。'
　　Ithadgrowndarkerastheytalked，andthewindwassawingandthesawdustwaswhirlingoutsidepalerwindows。Theunderlyingchurchyardwasalreadysettlingintodeepdimshade，andtheshadewascreepinguptothehousetopsamongwhichtheysat。'Asif，'saidEugene，'asifthechurchyardghostswererising。'
　　Hehadwalkedtothewindowwithhiscigarinhismouth，toexaltitsflavourbycomparingthefiresidewiththeoutside，whenhestoppedmidwayonhisreturntohisarm-chair，andsaid:
　　'Apparentlyoneoftheghostshaslostitsway，anddroppedintobedirected。Lookatthisphantom！'
　　Lightwood，whosebackwastowardsthedoor，turnedhishead，andthere，inthedarknessoftheentry，stoodasomethinginthelikenessofaman:towhomheaddressedthenotirrelevantinquiry，'Whothedevilareyou?'
　　'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，'repliedtheghost，inahoarsedouble-barrelledwhisper，'butmighteitheronyoubeLawyerLightwood?'
　　'Whatdoyoumeanbynotknockingatthedoor?'demandedMortimer。
　　'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，'repliedtheghost，asbefore，'butprobableyouwasnotawareyourdoorstoodopen。'
　　'Whatdoyouwant?'
　　Hereuntotheghostagainhoarselyreplied，initsdouble-barrelledmanner，'Iaskyourpardons，Governors，butmightoneonyoubeLawyerLightwood?'
　　'Oneofusis，'saidtheownerofthatname。
　　'Allright，GovernorsBoth，'returnedtheghost，carefullyclosingtheroomdoor；''ticklerbusiness。'
　　Mortimerlightedthecandles。Theyshowedthevisitortobeanill-
　　lookingvisitorwithasquintingleer，who，ashespoke，fumbledatanoldsoddenfurcap，formlessandmangey，thatlookedlikeafurryanimal，dogorcat，puppyorkitten，drownedanddecaying。
　　'Now，'saidMortimer，'whatisit?'
　　'GovernorsBoth，'returnedtheman，inwhathemeanttobeawheedlingtone，'whichonyoumightbeLawyerLightwood?'
　　'Iam。'
　　'LawyerLightwood，'duckingathimwithaservileair，'Iamamanasgetsmyliving，andasseekstogetmyliving，bythesweatofmybrow。Nottoriskbeingdoneoutofthesweatofmybrow，byanychances，Ishouldwishaforegoingfurthertobesworein。'
　　'Iamnotaswearerinofpeople，man。'
　　Thevisitor，clearlyanythingbutreliantonthisassurance，doggedlymuttered'AlfredDavid。'
　　'Isthatyourname?'askedLightwood。
　　'Myname?'returnedtheman。'No；IwanttotakeaAlfredDavid。'
　　WhichEugene，smokingandcontemplatinghim，interpretedasmeaningAffidavit。
　　'Itellyou，mygoodfellow，'saidLightwood，withhisindolentlaugh，'thatIhavenothingtodowithswearing。'
　　'HecanswearATyou，'Eugeneexplained；'andsocanI。Butwecan'tdomoreforyou。'
　　Muchdiscomfitedbythisinformation，thevisitorturnedthedrowneddogorcat，puppyorkitten，aboutandabout，andlookedfromoneoftheGovernorsBothtotheotheroftheGovernorsBoth，whilehedeeplyconsideredwithinhimself。Atlengthhedecided:
　　'ThenImustbetookdown。'
　　'Where?'askedLightwood。
　　'Here，'saidtheman。'Inpenandink。'
　　'First，letusknowwhatyourbusinessisabout。'
　　'It'sabout，'saidtheman，takingastepforward，droppinghishoarsevoice，andshadingitwithhishand，'it'saboutfromfivetotenthousandpoundreward。That'swhatit'sabout。It'saboutMurder。That'swhatit'sabout。'
　　'Comenearerthetable。Sitdown。Willyouhaveaglassofwine?'
　　'Yes，Iwill，'saidtheman；'andIdon'tdeceiveyou，Governors。'
　　Itwasgivenhim。Makingastiffarmtotheelbow，hepouredthewineintohismouth，tilteditintohisrightcheek，assaying，'Whatdoyouthinkofit?'tilteditintohisleftcheek，assaying，'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?'jerkeditintohisstomach，assaying，'WhatdoYOUthinkofit?'Toconclude，smackedhislips，asifallthreereplied，'Wethinkwellofit。'
　　'Willyouhaveanother?'
　　'Yes，Iwill，'herepeated，'andIdon'tdeceiveyou，Governors。'Andalsorepeatedtheotherproceedings。
　　'Now，'beganLightwood，'what'syourname?'
　　'Why，thereyou'reratherfast，LawyerLightwood，'hereplied，inaremonstrantmanner。'Don'tyousee，LawyerLightwood?Thereyou'realittlebitfast。I'mgoingtoearnfromfivetotenthousandpoundbythesweatofmybrow；andasapoormandoingjusticetothesweatofmybrow，isitlikelyIcanaffordtopartwithsomuchasmynamewithoutitsbeingtookdown?'
　　Deferringtotheman'ssenseofthebindingpowersofpenandinkandpaper，LightwoodnoddedacceptanceofEugene'snoddedproposaltotakethosespellsinhand。Eugene，bringingthemtothetable，satdownasclerkornotary。
　　'Now，'saidLightwood，'what'syourname?'
　　Butfurtherprecautionwasstillduetothesweatofthishonestfellow'sbrow。
　　'Ishouldwish，LawyerLightwood，'hestipulated，'tohavethatT'otherGovernorasmywitnessthatwhatIsaidIsaid。
　　Consequent，willtheT'otherGovernorbesogoodaschuckmehisnameandwherehelives?'
　　Eugene，cigarinmouthandpeninhand，tossedhimhiscard。
　　Afterspellingitoutslowly，themanmadeitintoalittleroll，andtieditupinanendofhisneckerchiefstillmoreslowly。
　　'Now，'saidLightwood，forthethirdtime，'ifyouhavequitecompletedyourvariouspreparations，myfriend，andhavefullyascertainedthatyourspiritsarecoolandnotinanywayhurried，what'syourname?'
　　'RogerRiderhood。'
　　'Dwelling-place?'
　　'Lime'usHole。'
　　'Callingoroccupation?'
　　Notquitesoglibwiththisansweraswiththeprevioustwo，MrRiderhoodgaveinthedefinition，'Watersidecharacter。'
　　'Anythingagainstyou?'Eugenequietlyputin，ashewrote。
　　Ratherbaulked，MrRiderhoodevasivelyremarked，withaninnocentair，thathebelievedtheT'otherGovernorhadaskedhimsumma't。
　　'Everintrouble?'saidEugene。
　　'Once。'Mighthappentoanyman，MrRiderhoodaddedincidentally。
　　'Onsuspicionof——'
　　'Ofseaman'spocket，'saidMrRiderhood。'WherebyIwasinrealitytheman'sbestfriend，andtriedtotakecareofhim。'
　　'Withthesweatofyourbrow?'askedEugene。
　　'Tillitpoureddownlikerain，'saidRogerRiderhood。
　　Eugeneleanedbackinhischair，andsmokedwithhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer，andhispenreadytoreducehimtomorewriting。Lightwoodalsosmoked，withhiseyesnegligentlyturnedontheinformer。
　　'Nowletmebetookdownagain，'saidRiderhood，whenhehadturnedthedrownedcapoverandunder，andhadbrusheditthewrongwayifithadarightwaywithhissleeve。'IgiveinformationthatthemanthatdonetheHarmonMurderisGafferHexam，themanthatfoundthebody。ThehandofJesseHexam，commonlycalledGafferontheriverandalongshore，isthehandthatdonethatdeed。Hishandandnoother。'
　　Thetwofriendsglancedatoneanotherwithmoreseriousfacesthantheyhadshownyet。
　　'Tellusonwhatgroundsyoumakethisaccusation，'saidMortimerLightwood。
　　'Onthegrounds，'answeredRiderhood，wipinghisfacewithhissleeve，'thatIwasGaffer'spardner，andsuspectedofhimmanyalongdayandmanyadarknight。OnthegroundsthatIknowedhisways。OnthegroundsthatIbrokethepardnershipbecauseIseethedanger；whichIwarnyouhisdaughtermaytellyouanotherstoryaboutthat，foranythinkIcansay，butyouknowwhatit'llbeworth，forshe'dtellyoulies，theworldroundandtheheavensbroad，tosaveherfather。Onthegroundsthatit'swellunderstoodalongthecause'aysandthestairsthathedoneit。Onthegroundsthathe'sfellofffrom，becausehedoneit。OnthegroundsthatI
　　willswearhedoneit。Onthegroundsthatyoumaytakemewhereyouwill，andgetmesworntoit。Idon'twanttobackoutoftheconsequences。IhavemadeupMYmind。Takemeanywheres。'
　　'Allthisisnothing，'saidLightwood。
　　'Nothing?'repeatedRiderhood，indignantlyandamazedly。
　　'Merelynothing。Itgoestonomorethanthatyoususpectthismanofthecrime。Youmaydosowithsomereason，oryoumaydosowithnoreason，buthecannotbeconvictedonyoursuspicion。'
　　'Haven'tIsaid——IappealtotheT'otherGovernorasmywitness——
　　haven'tIsaidfromthefirstminutethatIopenedmymouthinthishereworld-without-end-everlastingchair'heevidentlyusedthatformofwordsasnextinforcetoanaffidavit，'thatIwaswillingtoswearthathedoneit?Haven'tIsaid，Takemeandgetmesworntoit?Don'tIsaysonow?Youwon'tdenyit，LawyerLightwood?'
　　'Surelynot；butyouonlyoffertosweartoyoursuspicion，andItellyouitisnotenoughtosweartoyoursuspicion。'
　　'Notenough，ain'tit，LawyerLightwood?'hecautiouslydemanded。
　　'Positivelynot。'
　　'AnddidIsayitWASenough?Now，IappealtotheT'otherGovernor。Now，fair！DidIsayso?'
　　'Hecertainlyhasnotsaidthathehadnomoretotell，'Eugeneobservedinalowvoicewithoutlookingathim，'whateverheseemedtoimply。'-
　　'Hah！'criedtheinformer，triumphantlyperceivingthattheremarkwasgenerallyinhisfavour，thoughapparentlynotcloselyunderstandingit。'Fort'nateformeIhadawitness！'
　　'Goon，then，'saidLightwood。'Sayoutwhatyouhavetosay。Noafter-thought。'
　　'Letmebetookdownthen！'criedtheinformer，eagerlyandanxiously。'Letmebetookdown，forbyGeorgeandtheDragginI'macomingtoitnow！Don'tdonothingtokeepbackfromahonestmanthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow！Igiveinformation，then，thathetoldmethathedoneit。IsTHATenough?'
　　'Takecarewhatyousay，myfriend，'returnedMortimer。
　　'LawyerLightwood，takecare，you，whatIsay；forIjudgeyou'llbeanswerableforfolleringitup！'Then，slowlyandemphaticallybeatingitalloutwithhisopenrighthandonthepalmofhisleft；
　　'I，RogerRiderhood，Lime'usHole，Watersidecharacter，tellyou，LawyerLightwood，thatthemanJesseHexam，commonlycalledupontheriverandalong-shoreGaffer，toldmethathedonethedeed。What'smore，hetoldmewithhisownlipsthathedonethedeed。What'smore，hesaidthathedonethedeed。AndI'llswearit！'
　　'Wheredidhetellyouso?'
　　'Outside，'repliedRiderhood，alwaysbeatingitout，withhisheaddeterminedlysetaskew，andhiseyeswatchfullydividingtheirattentionbetweenhistwoauditors，'outsidethedooroftheSixJollyFellowships，towardsaquarteraftertwelveo'clockatmidnight——butIwillnotinmyconscienceundertaketosweartosofineamatterasfiveminutes——onthenightwhenhepickedupthebody。TheSixJollyFellowshipswon'trunaway。Ifitturnsoutthathewarn'tattheSixJollyFellowshipsthatnightatmidnight，I'maliar。'
　　'Whatdidhesay?'
　　'I'lltellyoutakemedown，T'otherGovernor，Iasknobetter。Hecomeoutfirst；Icomeoutlast。Imightbeaminutearterhim；I
　　mightbehalfaminute，Imightbeaquarterofaminute；Icannotsweartothat，andthereforeIwon't。That'sknowingtheobligationsofaAlfredDavid，ain'tit?'
　　'Goon。'
　　'Ifoundhimawaitingtospeaktome。Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood“——forthat'sthenameI'mmostlycalledby——notforanymeaninginit，formeaningithasnone，butbecauseofitsbeingsimilartoRoger。'
　　'Nevermindthat。'
　　''ScuseME，LawyerLightwood，it'sapartofthetruth，andassuchIdomindit，andImustminditandIwillmindit。“RogueRiderhood，“hesays，“wordspassedbetwixtusontherivertonight。”Whichtheyhad；askhisdaughter！“Ithreatenedyou，“
　　hesays，“tochopyouoverthefingerswithmyboat'sstretcher，ortakeaaimatyourbrainswithmyboathook。IdidsoonaccountsofyourlookingtoohardatwhatIhadintow，asifyouwassuspicious，andonaccountsofyourholdingontothegunwaleofmyboat。”Isaystohim，“Gaffer，Iknowit。”Hesaystome，“RogueRiderhood，youareamaninadozen“——Ithinkhesaidinascore，butofthatIamnotpositive，sotakethelowestfigure，forpreciousbetheobligationsofaAlfredDavid。“And，“hesays，“whenyourfellow-menisup，beittheirlivesorbeittheirwatches，sharpiseverthewordwithyou。Hadyoususpicions?“Isays，“Gaffer，Ihad；andwhat'smore，Ihave。”Hefallsashaking，andhesays，“Ofwhat?“Isays，“Offoulplay。”Hefallsashakingworse，andhesays，“ThereWASfoulplaythen。Idoneitforhismoney。Don'tbetrayme！“Thosewerethewordsaseverheused。'
　　Therewasasilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate。Anopportunitywhichtheinformerimprovedbysmearinghimselfallovertheheadandneckandfacewithhisdrownedcap，andnotatallimprovinghisownappearance。
　　'Whatmore?'askedLightwood。
　　'Ofhim，d'yemean，LawyerLightwood?'
　　'Ofanythingtothepurpose。'
　　'Now，I'mblestifIunderstandyou，GovernorsBoth，'saidtheinformer，inacreepingmanner:propitiatingboth，thoughonlyonehadspoken。'What?Ain'tTHATenough?'
　　'Didyouaskhimhowhedidit，wherehedidit，whenhedidit?'
　　'Farbeitfromme，LawyerLightwood！Iwassotroubledinmymind，thatIwouldn'thaveknowedmore，no，notforthesumasI
　　expecttoearnfromyoubythesweatofmybrow，twicetold！Ihadputanendtothepardnership。Ihadcuttheconnexion。Icouldn'tundowhatwasdone；andwhenhebegsandprays，“Oldpardner，onmyknees，don'tsplituponme！“Ionlymakesanswer“NeverspeakanotherwordtoRogerRiderhood，norlookhimintheface！“
　　andIshunsthatman。'
　　Havinggiventhesewordsaswingtomakethemmountthehigherandgothefurther，RogueRiderhoodpouredhimselfoutanotherglassofwineunbidden，andseemedtochewit，as，withthehalf-
　　emptiedglassinhishand，hestaredatthecandles。
　　MortimerglancedatEugene，butEugenesatgloweringathispaper，andwouldgivehimnoresponsiveglance。Mortimeragainturnedtotheinformer，towhomhesaid:
　　'Youhavebeentroubledinyourmindalongtime，man?'
　　Givinghiswineafinalchew，andswallowingit，theinformeransweredinasingleword:
　　'Hages！'
　　'Whenallthatstirwasmade，whentheGovernmentrewardwasoffered，whenthepolicewereonthealert，whenthewholecountryrangwiththecrime！'saidMottimer，impatiently。
　　'Hah！'MrRiderhoodveryslowlyandhoarselychimedin，withseveralretrospectivenodsofhishead。'Warn'tItroubledinmymindthen！'
　　'Whenconjectureranwild，whenthemostextravagantsuspicionswereafloat，whenhalfadozeninnocentpeoplemighthavebeenlaidbytheheelsanyhourintheday！'saidMortimer，almostwarming。
　　'Hah！'MrRiderhoodchimedin，asbefore。'Warn'tItroubledinmymindthroughitall！'
　　'Buthehadn't，'saidEugene，drawingalady'sheaduponhiswriting-paper，andtouchingitatintervals，'theopportunitythenofearningsomuchmoney，yousee。'
　　'TheT'otherGovernorhitsthenail，LawyerLightwood！Itwasthatasturnedme。Ihadmanytimesandagainstruggledtorelievemyselfofthetroubleonmymind，butIcouldn'tgetitoff。IhadonceverynighgotitofftoMissAbbeyPottersonwhichkeepstheSixJollyFellowships——thereisthe'ouse，itwon'trunaway，——therelivesthelady，sheain'tlikelytobestruckdeadaforeyougetthere——
　　askher！——butIcouldn'tdoit。Atlast，outcomesthenewbillwithyourownlawfulname，LawyerLightwood，printedtoit，andthenI
　　asksthequestionofmyownintellects，AmItohavethistroubleonmymindforever?AmInevertothrowitoff?AmIalwaystothinkmoreofGafferthanofmyownself?Ifhe'sgotadaughter，ain'tIgotadaughter?'
　　'Andechoanswered——?'Eugenesuggested。
　　'“Youhave，“'saidMrRiderhood，inafirmtone。
　　'Incidentallymentioning，atthesametime，herage?'inquiredEugene。
　　'Yes，governor。Two-and-twentylastOctober。AndthenIputittomyself，“Regardingthemoney。Itisapotofmoney。”ForitISapot，'saidMrRiderhood，withcandour，'andwhydenyit?'
　　'Hear！'fromEugeneashetouchedhisdrawing。
　　'“Itisapotofmoney；butisitasinforalabouringmanthatmoistenseverycrustofbreadheearns，withhistears——orifnotwiththem，withthecoldshecatchesinhishead——isitasinforthatmantoearnit?Saythereisanythingagainearningit。”ThisIputtomyselfstrong，asindutybound；“howcanitbesaidwithoutblamingLawyerLightwoodforofferingittobeearned?“AndwasitforMEtoblameLawyerLightwood?No。'
　　'No，'saidEugene。
　　'Certainlynot，Governor，'MrRiderhoodacquiesced。'SoImadeupmymindtogetmytroubleoffmymind，andtoearnbythesweatofmybrowwhatwasheldouttome。Andwhat'smore，headded，suddenlyturningbloodthirsty，'Imeantohaveit！AndnowItellyou，onceandaway，LawyerLightwood，thatJesseHexam，commonlycalledGaffer，hishandandnoother，donethedeed，onhisownconfessiontome。AndIgivehimuptoyou，andIwanthimtook。Thisnight！'
　　Afteranothersilence，brokenonlybythefalloftheashesinthegrate，whichattractedtheinformer'sattentionasifitwerethechinkingofmoney，MortimerLightwoodleanedoverhisfriend，andsaidinawhisper:
　　'IsupposeImustgowiththisfellowtoourimperturbablefriendatthepolice-station。'
　　'Isuppose，'saidEugene，'thereisnohelpforit。'
　　'Doyoubelievehim?'
　　'Ibelievehimtobeathoroughrascal。Buthemaytellthetruth，forhisownpurpose，andforthisoccasiononly。'
　　'Itdoesn'tlooklikeit。'
　　'HEdoesn't，'saidEugene。'Butneitherishislatepartner，whomhedenounces，aprepossessingperson。Thefirmarecut-throatShepherdsboth，inappearance。Ishouldliketoaskhimonething。'
　　Thesubjectofthisconferencesatleeringattheashes，tryingwithallhismighttooverhearwhatwassaid，butfeigningabstractionasthe'GovernorsBoth'glancedathim。
　　'Youmentionedtwice，IthinkadaughterofthisHexam's，'saidEugene，aloud。'Youdon'tmeantoimplythatshehadanyguiltyknowledgeofthecrime?'
　　Thehonestman，afterconsidering——perhapsconsideringhowhisanswermightaffectthefruitsofthesweatofhisbrow——replied，unreservedly，'No，Idon't。'
　　'Andyouimplicatenootherperson?'
　　'Itain'twhatIimplicate，it'swhatGafferimplicated，'wasthedoggedanddeterminedanswer。'Idon'tpretendtoknowmorethanthathiswordstomewas，“Idoneit。”Thosewashiswords。'