Eugenelookedathim，butsaidnothing。
　　'Allthispastsummer，youhavebeenwithholdingsomethingfromme。Beforeweenteredonourboatingvacation，youwereasbentuponitasIhaveseenyouuponanythingsincewefirstrowedtogether。Butyoucaredverylittleforitwhenitcame，oftenfounditatieandadraguponyou，andwereconstantlyaway。
　　Nowitwaswellenoughhalf-a-dozentimes，adozentimes，twentytimes，tosaytomeinyourownoddmanner，whichIknowsowellandlikesomuch，thatyourdisappearanceswereprecautionsagainstourboringoneanother；butofcourseafterashortwhileI
　　begantoknowthattheycoveredsomething。Idon'taskwhatitis，asyouhavenottoldme；butthefactisso。Say，isitnot?'
　　'Igiveyoumywordofhonour，Mortimer，'returnedEugene，afteraseriouspauseofafewmoments，'thatIdon'tknow。'
　　'Don'tknow，Eugene?'
　　'Uponmysoul，don'tknow。Iknowlessaboutmyselfthanaboutmostpeopleintheworld，andIdon'tknow。'
　　'Youhavesomedesigninyourmind?'
　　'HaveI?Idon'tthinkIhave。'
　　'Atanyrate，youhavesomesubjectofinteresttherewhichusednottobethere?'
　　'Ireallycan'tsay，'repliedEugene，shakinghisheadblankly，afterpausingagaintoreconsider。'AttimesIhavethoughtyes；atothertimesIhavethoughtno。Now，Ihavebeeninclinedtopursuesuchasubject；nowIhavefeltthatitwasabsurd，andthatittiredandembarrassedme。Absolutely，Ican'tsay。Franklyandfaithfully，IwouldifIcould。'
　　Soreplying，heclappedahand，inhisturn，onhisfriend'sshoulder，asherosefromhisseatuponthebed，andsaid:
　　'Youmusttakeyourfriendasheis。YouknowwhatIam，mydearMortimer。YouknowhowdreadfullysusceptibleIamtoboredom。YouknowthatwhenIbecameenoughofamantofindmyselfanembodiedconundrum，IboredmyselftothelastdegreebytryingtofindoutwhatImeant。YouknowthatatlengthIgaveitup，anddeclinedtoguessanymore。ThenhowcanIpossiblygiveyoutheanswerthatIhavenotdiscovered?Theoldnurseryformruns，“Riddle-me-riddle-me-ree，p'rapsyoucan'ttellmewhatthismaybe?“Myreplyruns，“No。Uponmylife，Ican't。”'
　　SomuchofwhatwasfantasticallytruetohisownknowledgeofthisutterlycarelessEugene，mingledwiththeanswer，thatMortimercouldnotreceiveitasamereevasion。Besides，itwasgivenwithanengagingairofopenness，andofspecialexemptionoftheonefriendhevalued，fromhisrecklessindifference。
　　'Come，dearboy！'saidEugene。'Letustrytheeffectofsmoking。
　　Ifitenlightensmeatallonthisquestion，Iwillimpartunreservedly。'
　　Theyreturnedtotheroomtheyhadcomefrom，and，findingitheated，openedawindow。Havinglightedtheircigars，theyleanedoutofthiswindow，smoking，andlookingdownatthemoonlight，asitshoneintothecourtbelow。
　　'Noenlightenment，'resumedEugene，aftercertainminutesofsilence。'Ifeelsincerelyapologetic，mydearMortimer，butnothingcomes。'
　　'Ifnothingcomes，'returnedMortimer，'nothingcancomefromit。
　　SoIshallhopethatthismayholdgoodthroughout，andthattheremaybenothingonfoot。Nothinginjurioustoyou，Eugene，or——'
　　Eugenestayedhimforamomentwithhishandonhisarm，whilehetookapieceofearthfromanoldflowerpotonthewindow-sillanddexterouslyshotitatalittlepointoflightopposite；havingdonewhichtohissatisfaction，hesaid，'Or?'
　　'Orinjurioustoanyoneelse。'
　　'How，'saidEugene，takinganotherlittlepieceofearth，andshootingitwithgreatprecisionattheformermark，'howinjurioustoanyoneelse?'
　　'Idon'tknow。'
　　'And，'saidEugene，taking，ashesaidtheword，anothershot，'towhomelse?'
　　'Idon'tknow。'
　　Checkinghimselfwithanotherpieceofearthinhishand，Eugenelookedathisfriendinquiringlyandalittlesuspiciously。Therewasnoconcealedorhalf-expressedmeaninginhisface。
　　'Twobelatedwanderersinthemazesofthelaw，'saidEugene，attractedbythesoundoffootsteps，andglancingdownashespoke，'strayintothecourt。Theyexaminethedoor-postsofnumberone，seekingthenametheywant。Notfindingitatnumberone，theycometonumbertwo。Onthehatofwanderernumbertwo，theshorterone，Idropthispellet。Hittinghimonthehat，Ismokeserenely，andbecomeabsorbedincontemplationofthesky。'
　　Boththewandererslookeduptowardsthewindow；but，afterinterchangingamutterortwo，soonappliedthemselvestothedoor-postsbelow。Theretheyseemedtodiscoverwhattheywanted，fortheydisappearedfromviewbyenteringatthedoorway。'Whentheyemerge，'saidEugene，'youshallseemebringthembothdown'；andsopreparedtwopelletsforthepurpose。
　　Hehadnotreckonedontheirseekinghisname，orLightwood's。
　　Buteithertheoneortheotherwouldseemtobeinquestion，fornowtherecameaknockatthedoor。'Iamondutyto-night，'saidMortimer，'stayyouwhereyouare，Eugene。'Requiringnopersuasion，hestayedthere，smokingquietly，andnotatallcurioustoknowwhoknocked，untilMortimerspoketohimfromwithintheroom，andtouchedhim。Then，drawinginhishead，hefoundthevisitorstobeyoungCharleyHexamandtheschoolmaster；
　　bothstandingfacinghim，andbothrecognizedataglance。
　　'Yourecollectthisyoungfellow，Eugene?'saidMortimer。
　　'Letmelookathim，'returnedWrayburn，coolly。'Oh，yes，yes。I
　　recollecthim！'
　　Hehadnotbeenabouttorepeatthatformeractionoftakinghimbythechin，buttheboyhadsuspectedhimofit，andhadthrownuphisarmwithanangrystart。Laughingly，WrayburnlookedtoLightwoodforanexplanationofthisoddvisit。
　　'Hesayshehassomethingtosay。'
　　'Surelyitmustbetoyou，Mortimer。'
　　'SoIthought，buthesaysno。Hesaysitistoyou。'
　　'Yes，Idosayso，'interposedtheboy。'AndImeantosaywhatI
　　wanttosay，too，MrEugeneWrayburn！'
　　Passinghimwithhiseyesasiftherewerenothingwherehestood，EugenelookedontoBradleyHeadstone。Withconsummateindolence，heturnedtoMortimer，inquiring:'Andwhomaythisotherpersonbe?'
　　'IamCharlesHexam'sfriend，'saidBradley；'IamCharlesHexam'sschoolmaster。'
　　'Mygoodsir，youshouldteachyourpupilsbettermanners，'
　　returnedEugene。
　　Composedlysmoking，heleanedanelbowonthechimneypiece，atthesideofthefire，andlookedattheschoolmaster。Itwasacruellook，initscolddisdainofhim，asacreatureofnoworth。Theschoolmasterlookedathim，andthat，too，wasacruellook，thoughofthedifferentkind，thatithadaragingjealousyandfierywrathinit。
　　Veryremarkably，neitherEugeneWrayburnnorBradleyHeadstonelookedatallattheboy。Throughtheensuingdialogue，thosetwo，nomatterwhospoke，orwhomwasaddressed，lookedateachother。Therewassomesecret，sureperceptionbetweenthem，whichsetthemagainstoneanotherinallways。
　　'Insomehighrespects，MrEugeneWrayburn，'saidBradley，answeringhimwithpaleandquiveringlips，'thenaturalfeelingsofmypupilsarestrongerthanmyteaching。'
　　'Inmostrespects，Idaresay，'repliedEugene，enjoyinghiscigar，'thoughwhetherhighorlowisofnoimportance。Youhavemynameverycorrectly。Praywhatisyours?'
　　'Itcannotconcernyoumuchtoknow，but——'
　　'True，'interposedEugene，strikingsharplyandcuttinghimshortathismistake，'itdoesnotconcernmeatalltoknow。IcansaySchoolmaster，whichisamostrespectabletitle。Youareright，Schoolmaster。'
　　ItwasnotthedullestpartofthisgoadinitsgallingofBradleyHeadstone，thathehadmadeithimselfinamomentofincautiousanger。Hetriedtosethislipssoastopreventtheirquivering，buttheyquiveredfast。
　　'MrEugeneWrayburn，'saidtheboy，'Iwantawordwithyou。I
　　havewanteditsomuch，thatwehavelookedoutyouraddressinthebook，andwehavebeentoyouroffice，andwehavecomefromyourofficehere。'
　　'Youhavegivenyourselfmuchtrouble，Schoolmaster，'observedEugene，blowingthefeatheryashfromhiscigar。'Ihopeitmayproveremunerative。'
　　'AndIamgladtospeak，'pursuedtheboy，'inpresenceofMrLightwood，becauseitwasthroughMrLightwoodthatyoueversawmysister。'
　　Forameremoment，WrayburnturnedhiseyesasidefromtheschoolmastertonotetheeffectofthelastwordonMortimer，who，standingontheoppositesideofthefire，assoonasthewordwasspoken，turnedhisfacetowardsthefireandlookeddownintoit。
　　'Similarly，itwasthroughMrLightwoodthatyoueversawheragain，foryouwerewithhimonthenightwhenmyfatherwasfound，andsoIfoundyouwithheronthenextday。Sincethen，youhaveseenmysisteroften。Youhaveseenmysisteroftenerandoftener。AndIwanttoknowwhy?'
　　'Wasthisworthwhile，Schoolmaster?'murmuredEugene，withtheairofadisinterestedadviser。'Somuchtroublefornothing?Youshouldknowbest，butIthinknot。'
　　'Idon'tknow，MrWrayburn，'answeredBradley，withhispassionrising，'whyyouaddressme——'
　　'Don'tyou?saidEugene。'ThenIwon't。'
　　Hesaiditsotauntinglyinhisperfectplacidity，thattherespectableright-handclutchingtherespectablehair-guardoftherespectablewatchcouldhavewounditroundhisthroatandstrangledhimwithit。NotanotherworddidEugenedeemitworthwhiletoutter，butstoodleaninghisheaduponhishand，smoking，andlookingimperturbablyatthechafingBradleyHeadstonewithhisclutchingright-hand，untilBradleywaswellnighmad。
　　'MrWrayburn，'proceededtheboy，'wenotonlyknowthisthatI
　　havechargeduponyou，butweknowmore。Ithasnotyetcometomysister'sknowledgethatwehavefounditout，butwehave。
　　Wehadaplan，MrHeadstoneandI，formysister'seducation，andforitsbeingadvisedandoverlookedbyMrHeadstone，whoisamuchmorecompetentauthority，whateveryoumaypretendtothink，asyousmoke，thanyoucouldproduce，ifyoutried。Then，whatdowefind?Whatdowefind，MrLightwood?Why，wefindthatmysisterisalreadybeingtaught，withoutourknowingit。
　　Wefindthatwhilemysistergivesanunwillingandcoldeartoourschemesforheradvantage——I，herbrother，andMrHeadstone，themostcompetentauthority，ashiscertificateswouldeasilyprove，thatcouldbeproduced——sheiswilfullyandwillinglyprofitingbyotherschemes。Ay，andtakingpains，too，forIknowwhatsuchpainsare。AndsodoesMrHeadstone！Well！Somebodypaysforthis，isathoughtthatnaturallyoccurstous；whopays?Weapplyourselvestofindout，MrLightwood，andwefindthatyourfriend，thisMrEugeneWrayburn，here，pays。ThenIaskhimwhatrighthashetodoit，andwhatdoeshemeanbyit，andhowcomeshetobetakingsuchalibertywithoutmyconsent，whenIamraisingmyselfinthescaleofsocietybymyownexertionsandMrHeadstone'said，andhavenorighttohaveanydarknesscastuponmyprospects，oranyimputationuponmyrespectability，throughmysister?'
　　Theboyishweaknessofthisspeech，combinedwithitsgreatselfishness，madeitapooroneindeed。AndyetBradleyHeadstone，usedtothelittleaudienceofaschool，andunusedtothelargerwaysofmen，showedakindofexultationinit。
　　'NowItellMrEugeneWrayburn，'pursuedtheboy，forcedintotheuseofthethirdpersonbythehopelessnessofaddressinghiminthefirst，'thatIobjecttohishavinganyacquaintanceatallwithmysister，andthatIrequesthimtodropitaltogether。HeisnottotakeitintohisheadthatIamafraidofmysister'scaringforHIM——'
　　Astheboysneered，theMastersneered，andEugeneblewoffthefeatheryashagain。——
　　'ButIobjecttoit，andthat'senough。Iammoreimportanttotomysisterthanhethinks。AsIraisemyself，Iintendtoraiseher；
　　sheknowsthat，andshehastolooktomeforherprospects。NowIunderstandallthisverywell，andsodoesMrHeadstone。Mysisterisanexcellentgirl，butshehassomeromanticnotions；notaboutsuchthingsasyourMrEugeneWrayburns，butaboutthedeathofmyfatherandothermattersofthatsort。MrWrayburnencouragesthosenotionstomakehimselfofimportance，andsoshethinkssheoughttobegratefultohim，andperhapsevenlikestobe。NowIdon'tchoosehertobegratefultohim，ortobegratefultoanybodybutme，exceptMrHeadstone。AndItellMrWrayburnthatifhedon'ttakeheedofwhatIsay，itwillbeworseforher。Lethimturnthatoverinhismemory，andmakesureofit。
　　Worseforher！'
　　Apauseensued，inwhichtheschoolmasterlookedveryawkward。
　　'MayIsuggest，Schoolmaster，'saidEugene，removinghisfast-
　　waningcigarfromhislipstoglanceatit，'thatyoucannowtakeyourpupilaway。'
　　'AndMrLightwood，'addedtheboy，withaburningface，undertheflamingaggravationofgettingnosortofanswerorattention，'I
　　hopeyou'lltakenoticeofwhatIhavesaidtoyourfriend，andofwhatyourfriendhasheardmesay，wordbyword，whateverhepretendstothecontrary。Youareboundtotakenoticeofit，MrLightwood，for，asIhavealreadymentioned，youfirstbroughtyourfriendintomysister'scompany，andbutforyouwenevershouldhaveseenhim。Lordknowsnoneofuseverwantedhim，anymorethananyofuswillevermisshim。NowMrHeadstone，asMrEugeneWrayburnhasbeenobligedtohearwhatIhadtosay，andcouldn'thelphimself，andasIhavesaiditouttothelastword，wehavedoneallwewantedtodo，andmaygo。'
　　'Godown-stairs，andleavemeamoment，Hexam，'hereturned。
　　Theboycomplyingwithanindignantlookandasmuchnoiseashecouldmake，swungoutoftheroom；andLightwoodwenttothewindow，andleanedthere，lookingout。
　　'Youthinkmeofnomorevaluethanthedirtunderyourfeet，'saidBradleytoEugene，speakinginacarefullyweighedandmeasuredtone，orhecouldnothavespokenatall。
　　'Iassureyou，Schoolmaster，'repliedEugene，'Idon'tthinkaboutyou。'
　　'That'snottrue，'returnedtheother；'youknowbetter。'
　　'That'scoarse，'Eugeneretorted；'butyouDON'Tknowbetter。'
　　'MrWrayburn，atleastIknowverywellthatitwouldbeidletosetmyselfagainstyouininsolentwordsoroverbearingmanners。
　　Thatladwhohasjustgoneoutcouldputyoutoshameinhalf-a-
　　dozenbranchesofknowledgeinhalfanhour，butyoucanthrowhimasidelikeaninferior。Youcandoasmuchbyme，Ihavenodoubt，beforehand。'
　　'Possibly，'remarkedEugene。
　　'ButIammorethanalad，'saidBradley，withhisclutchinghand，'andIWILLbeheard，sir。'
　　'Asaschoolmaster，'saidEugene，'youarealwaysbeingheard。
　　Thatoughttocontentyou。'
　　'Butitdoesnotcontentme，'repliedtheother，whitewithpassion。
　　'Doyousupposethataman，informinghimselfforthedutiesI
　　discharge，andinwatchingandrepressinghimselfdailytodischargethemwell，dismissesaman'snature?'
　　'Isupposeyou，'saidEugene，'judgingfromwhatIseeasIlookatyou，toberathertoopassionateforagoodschoolmaster。'Ashespoke，hetossedawaytheendofhiscigar。
　　'Passionatewithyou，sir，IadmitIam。Passionatewithyou，sir，I
　　respectmyselfforbeing。ButIhavenotDevilsformypupils。'
　　'ForyourTeachers，Ishouldrathersay，'repliedEugene。
　　'MrWrayburn。'
　　'Schoolmaster。'
　　'Sir，mynameisBradleyHeadstone。'
　　'Asyoujustlysaid，mygoodsir，yournamecannotconcernme。
　　Now，whatmore?'
　　'Thismore。Oh，whatamisfortuneismine，'criedBradley，breakingofftowipethestartingperspirationfromhisfaceasheshookfromheadtofoot，'thatIcannotsocontrolmyselfastoappearastrongercreaturethanthis，whenamanwhohasnotfeltinallhislifewhatIhavefeltinadaycansocommandhimself！'
　　Hesaiditinaveryagony，andevenfolloweditwithanerrantmotionofhishandsasifhecouldhavetornhimself。
　　EugeneWrayburnlookedonathim，asifhefoundhimbeginningtoberatheranentertainingstudy。
　　'MrWrayburn，Idesiretosaysomethingtoyouonmyownpart。'
　　'Come，come，Schoolmaster，'returnedEugene，withalanguidapproachtoimpatienceastheotheragainstruggledwithhimself；
　　'saywhatyouhavetosay。Andletmeremindyouthatthedoorisstandingopen，andyouryoungfriendwaitingforyouonthestairs。'
　　'WhenIaccompaniedthatyouthhere，sir，Ididsowiththepurposeofadding，asamanwhomyoushouldnotbepermittedtoputaside，incaseyouputhimasideasaboy，thathisinstinctiscorrectandright。'ThusBradleyHeadstone，withgreateffortanddifficulty。
　　'Isthatall?'askedEugene。
　　'No，sir，'saidtheother，flushedandfierce。'Istronglysupporthiminhisdisapprovalofyourvisitstohissister，andinhisobjectiontoyourofficiousness——andworse——inwhatyouhavetakenuponyourselftodoforher。'
　　'IsTHATall?'askedEugene。
　　'No，sir。Ideterminedtotellyouthatyouarenotjustifiedintheseproceedings，andthattheyareinjurioustohissister。'
　　'Areyouherschoolmasteraswellasherbrother's?——Orperhapsyouwouldliketobe?'saidEugene。
　　Itwasastabthatthebloodfollowed，initsrushtoBradleyHeadstone'sface，asswiftlyasifithadbeendealtwithadagger。
　　'Whatdoyoumeanbythat?'wasasmuchashecouldutter。
　　'Anaturalambitionenough，'saidEugene，coolly。Farbeitfrommetosayotherwise。Thesisterwhoissomethingtoomuchuponyourlips，perhaps——issoverydifferentfromalltheassociationstowhichshehadbeenused，andfromallthelowobscurepeopleabouther，thatitisaverynaturalambition。'
　　'Doyouthrowmyobscurityinmyteeth，MrWrayburn?'
　　'Thatcanhardlybe，forIknownothingconcerningit，Schoolmaster，andseektoknownothing。'
　　'Youreproachmewithmyorigin，'saidBradleyHeadstone；'youcastinsinuationsatmybringing-up。ButItellyou，sir，Ihaveworkedmywayonward，outofbothandinspiteofboth，andhavearighttobeconsideredabettermanthanyou，withbetterreasonsforbeingproud。'
　　'HowIcanreproachyouwithwhatisnotwithinmyknowledge，orhowIcancaststonesthatwereneverinmyhand，isaproblemfortheingenuityofaschoolmastertoprove，'returnedEugene。'IsTHATall?'
　　'No，sir。Ifyousupposethatboy——'
　　'Whoreallywillbetiredofwaiting，'saidEugene，politely。
　　'Ifyousupposethatboytobefriendless，MrWrayburn，youdeceiveyourself。Iamhisfriend，andyoushallfindmeso。'
　　'AndyouwillfindHIMonthestairs，'remarkedEugene。
　　'Youmayhavepromisedyourself，sir，thatyoucoulddowhatyouchosehere，becauseyouhadtodealwithamereboy，inexperienced，friendless，andunassisted。ButIgiveyouwarningthatthismeancalculationiswrong。Youhavetodowithamanalso。Youhavetodowithme。Iwillsupporthim，and，ifneedbe，requirereparationforhim。Myhandandheartareinthiscause，andareopentohim。'
　　'And——quiteacoincidence——thedoorisopen，'remarkedEugene。
　　'Iscornyourshiftyevasions，andIscornyou，'saidtheschoolmaster。'Inthemeannessofyournatureyourevilemewiththemeannessofmybirth。Iholdyouincontemptforit。Butifyoudon'tprofitbythisvisit，andactaccordingly，youwillfindmeasbitterlyinearnestagainstyouasIcouldbeifIdeemedyouworthasecondthoughtonmyownaccount。'
　　Withaconsciouslybadgraceandstiffmanner，asWrayburnlookedsoeasilyandcalmlyon，hewentoutwiththesewords，andtheheavydoorclosedlikeafurnace-dooruponhisredandwhiteheatsofrage。
　　'Acuriousmonomaniac，'saidEugene。'Themanseemstobelievethateverybodywasacquaintedwithhismother！'
　　MortimerLightwoodbeingstillatthewindow，towhichhehadindelicacywithdrawn，Eugenecalledtohim，andhefelltoslowlypacingtheroom。
　　'Mydearfellow，'saidEugene，ashelightedanothercigar，'Ifearmyunexpectedvisitorshavebeentroublesome。Ifasaset-offexcusethelegalphrasefromabarrister-at-lawyouwouldliketoaskTippinstotea，Ipledgemyselftomakelovetoher。'
　　'Eugene，Eugene，Eugene，'repliedMortimer，stillpacingtheroom，'Iamsorryforthis。AndtothinkthatIhavebeensoblind！'
　　'Howblind，dearboy?'inquiredhisunmovedfriend。
　　'Whatwereyourwordsthatnightattheriver-sidepublic-house?'
　　saidLightwood，stopping。'Whatwasitthatyouaskedme?DidI
　　feellikeadarkcombinationoftraitorandpickpocketwhenI
　　thoughtofthatgirl?'
　　'Iseemtoremembertheexpression，'saidEugene。
　　'HowdoYOUfeelwhenyouthinkofherjustnow?'
　　Hisfriendmadenodirectreply，butobserved，afterafewwhiffsofhiscigar，'Don'tmistakethesituation。ThereisnobettergirlinallthisLondonthanLizzieHexam。Thereisnobetteramongmypeopleathome；nobetteramongyourpeople。'
　　'Granted。Whatfollows?'
　　'There，'saidEugene，lookingafterhimdubiouslyashepacedawaytotheotherendoftheroom，'youputmeagainuponguessingtheriddlethatIhavegivenup。'
　　'Eugene，doyoudesigntocaptureanddesertthisgirl?'
　　'Mydearfellow，no。'
　　'Doyoudesigntomarryher?'
　　'Mydearfellow，no。'
　　'Doyoudesigntopursueher?'
　　'Mydearfellow，Idon'tdesignanything。Ihavenodesignwhatever。Iamincapableofdesigns。IfIconceivedadesign，I
　　shouldspeedilyabandonit，exhaustedbytheoperation。'
　　'OhEugene，Eugene！'
　　'MydearMortimer，notthattoneofmelancholyreproach，I
　　entreat。WhatcanIdomorethantellyouallIknow，andacknowledgemyignoranceofallIdon'tknow！Howdoesthatlittleoldsonggo，which，underpretenceofbeingcheerful，isbyfarthemostlugubriousIeverheardinmylife?
　　“Awaywithmelancholy，NordolefulchangesringOnlifeandhumanfolly，ButmerrilymerrilysingFalla！“
　　Don'tletussingFalla，mydearMortimerwhichiscomparativelyunmeaning，butletussingthatwegiveupguessingtheriddlealtogether。'
　　'Areyouincommunicationwiththisgirl，Eugene，andiswhatthesepeoplesaytrue?'
　　'Iconcedebothadmissionstomyhonourableandlearnedfriend。'
　　'Thenwhatistocomeofit?Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?'
　　'MydearMortimer，onewouldthinktheschoolmasterhadleftbehindhimacatechizinginfection。Youareruffledbythewantofanothercigar。Takeoneofthese，Ientreat。Lightitatmine，whichisinperfectorder。So！NowdomethejusticetoobservethatIamdoingallIcantowardsself-improvement，andthatyouhavealightthrownonthosehouseholdimplementswhich，whenyouonlysawthemasinaglassdarkly，youwerehastily——Imustsayhastily——inclinedtodepreciate。Sensibleofmydeficiencies，I
　　havesurroundedmyselfwithmoralinfluencesexpresslymeanttopromotetheformationofthedomesticvirtues。Tothoseinfluences，andtotheimprovingsocietyofmyfriendfromboyhood，commendmewithyourbestwishes。'
　　'Ah，Eugene！'saidLightwood，affectionately，nowstandingnearhim，sothattheybothstoodinonelittlecloudofsmoke；'Iwouldthatyouansweredmythreequestions！Whatistocomeofit?
　　Whatareyoudoing?Whereareyougoing?'
　　'AndmydearMortimer，'returnedEugene，lightlyfanningawaythesmokewithhishandforthebetterexpositionofhisfranknessoffaceandmanner，'believeme，IwouldanswertheminstantlyifIcould。Buttoenablemetodoso，Imustfirsthavefoundoutthetroublesomeconundrumlongabandoned。Hereitis。EugeneWrayburn。'Tappinghisforeheadandbreast。'Riddle-me，riddle-
　　me-ree，perhapsyoucan'ttellmewhatthismaybe?——No，uponmylifeIcan't。Igiveitup！'
　　Chapter7
　　INWHICHAFRIENDLYMOVEISORIGINATED
　　ThearrangementbetweenMrBoffinandhisliteraryman，MrSilasWegg，sofaralteredwiththealteredhabitsofMrBoffin'slife，asthattheRomanEmpireusuallydeclinedinthemorningandintheeminentlyaristocraticfamilymansion，ratherthanintheevening，asofyore，andinBoffin'sBower。Therewereoccasions，however，whenMrBoffin，seekingabriefrefugefromtheblandishmentsoffashion，wouldpresenthimselfattheBowerafterdark，toanticipatethenextsallyingforthofWegg，andwouldthere，ontheoldsettle，pursuethedownwardfortunesofthoseenervatedandcorruptedmastersoftheworldwhowerebythistimeontheirlastlegs。IfWegghadbeenworsepaidforhisoffice，orbetterqualifiedtodischargeit，hewouldhaveconsideredthesevisitscomplimentaryandagreeable；but，holdingthepositionofahandsomely-remuneratedhumbug，heresentedthem。Thiswasquiteaccordingtorule，fortheincompetentservant，bywhomsoeveremployed，isalwaysagainsthisemployer。Eventhoseborngovernors，nobleandrighthonourablecreatures，whohavebeenthemostimbecileinhighplaces，haveuniformlyshownthemselvesthemostopposedsometimesinbelyingdistrust，sometimesinvapidinsolencetoTHEIR
　　employer。Whatisinsuchwisetrueofthepublicmasterandservant，isequallytrueoftheprivatemasterandservantalltheworldover。
　　WhenMrSilasWeggdidatlastobtainfreeaccessto'OurHouse'，ashehadbeenwonttocallthemansionoutsidewhichhehadsatshelterlesssolong，andwhenhedidatlastfinditinallparticularsasdifferentfromhismentalplansofitasaccordingtothenatureofthingsitwellcouldbe，thatfar-seeingandfar-reachingcharacter，bywayofassertinghimselfandmakingoutacaseforcompensation，affectedtofallintoamelancholystrainofmusingoverthemournfulpast；asifthehouseandhehadhadafallinlifetogether。
　　'Andthis，sir，'Silaswouldsaytohispatron，sadlynoddinghisheadandmusing，'wasonceOurHouse！This，sir，isthebuildingfromwhichIhavesooftenseenthosegreatcreatures，MissElizabeth，MasterGeorge，AuntJane，andUncleParker'——whoseverynameswereofhisowninventing——'passandrepass！Andhasitcometothis，indeed！Ahdearme，dearme！'
　　Sotenderwerehislamentations，thatthekindlyMrBoffinwasquitesorryforhim，andalmostfeltmistrustfulthatinbuyingthehousehehaddonehimanirreparableinjury。
　　Twoorthreediplomaticinterviews，theresultofgreatsubtletyonMrWegg'spart，butassumingthemaskofcarelessyieldingtoafortuitouscombinationofcircumstancesimpellinghimtowardsClerkenwell，hadenabledhimtocompletehisbargainwithMrVenus。
　　'BringmeroundtotheBower，'saidSilas，whenthebargainwasclosed，'nextSaturdayevening，andifasociableglassofoldJamaikeywarmshouldmeetyourviews，Iamnotthemantobegrudgeit。'
　　'Youareawareofmybeingpoorcompany，sir，'repliedMrVenus，'butbeitso。'
　　Itbeingso，hereisSaturdayeveningcome，andhereisMrVenuscome，andringingattheBower-gate。
　　MrWeggopensthegate，descriesasortofbrownpapertruncheonunderMrVenus'sarm，andremarks，inadrytone:'Oh！Ithoughtperhapsyoumighthavecomeinacab。'
　　'No，MrWegg，'repliesVenus。'Iamnotaboveaparcel。'
　　'Aboveaparcel！No！'saysWegg，withsomedissatisfaction。Butdoesnotopenlygrowl，'acertainsortofparcelmightbeaboveyou。'
　　'Hereisyourpurchase，MrWegg，'saysVenus，politelyhandingitover，'andIamgladtorestoreittothesourcefromwhenceit——
　　flowed。'
　　'Thankee，'saysWegg。'Nowthisaffairisconcluded，ImaymentiontoyouinafriendlywaythatI'vemydoubtswhether，ifI
　　hadconsultedalawyer，youcouldhavekeptthisarticlebackfromme。Ionlythrowitoutasalegalpoint。'
　　'Doyouthinkso，MrWegg?Iboughtyouinopencontract。'
　　'Youcan'tbuyhumanfleshandbloodinthiscountry，sir；notalive，youcan't，'saysWegg，shakinghishead。'Thenquery，bone?'
　　'Asalegalpoint?'asksVenus。
　　'Asalegalpoint。'
　　'Iamnotcompetenttospeakuponthat，MrWegg，'saysVenus，reddeningandgrowingsomethinglouder；'butuponapointoffactIthinkmyselfcompetenttospeak；andasapointoffactIwouldhaveseenyou——willyouallowmetosay，further?'
　　'Iwouldn'tsaymorethanfurther，ifIwasyou，'MrWeggsuggests，pacifically——
　　'BeforeI'dhavegiventhatpacketintoyourhandwithoutbeingpaidmypriceforit。Idon'tpretendtoknowhowthepointoflawmaystand，butI'mthoroughlyconfidentuponthepointoffact。'
　　AsMrVenusisirritablenodoubtowingtohisdisappointmentinlove，andasitisnotthecueofMrWeggtohavehimoutoftemper，thelattergentlemansoothinglyremarks，'Ionlyputitasalittlecase；Ionlyputitha'porthetically。'
　　'ThenI'drather，MrWegg，youputitanothertime，penn'orth-
　　etically，'isMrVenus'sretort，'forItellyoucandidlyIdon'tlikeyourlittlecases。'
　　ArrivedbythistimeinMrWegg'ssitting-room，madebrightonthechillyeveningbygaslightandfire，MrVenussoftensandcomplimentshimonhisabode；profitingbytheoccasiontoremindWeggthatheVenustoldhimhehadgotintoagoodthing。
　　'Tolerable，'Weggrejoins。'Butbearinmind，MrVenus，thatthere'snogoldwithoutitsalloy。Mixforyourselfandtakeaseatinthechimbley-corner。Willyouperformuponapipe，sir?'
　　'Iambutanindifferentperformer，sir，'returnstheother；'butI'llaccompanyyouwithawhiffortwoatintervals。'
　　So，MrVenusmixes，andWeggmixes；andMrVenuslightsandpuffs，andWegglightsandpuffs。
　　'Andthere'salloyeveninthismetalofyours，MrWegg，youwasremarking?'
　　'Mystery，'returnsWegg。'Idon'tlikeit，MrVenus。Idon'tliketohavethelifeknockedoutofformerinhabitantsofthishouse，inthegloomydark，andnotknowwhodidit。'
　　'Mightyouhaveanysuspicions，MrWegg?'
　　'No，'returnsthatgentleman。'Iknowwhoprofitsbyit。ButI'venosuspicions。'
　　Havingsaidwhich，MrWeggsmokesandlooksatthefirewithamostdeterminedexpressionofCharity；asifhehadcaughtthatcardinalvirtuebytheskirtsasshefeltitherpainfuldutytodepartfromhim，andheldherbymainforce。
　　'Similarly，'resumesWegg，'IhaveobservationsasIcanofferuponcertainpointsandparties；butImakenoobjections，MrVenus。
　　Hereisanimmensefortunedropsfromthecloudsuponapersonthatshallbenameless。Hereisaweeklyallowance，withacertainweightofcoals，dropsfromthecloudsuponme。Whichofusisthebetterman?Notthepersonthatshallbenameless。That'sanobservationofmine，butIdon'tmakeitanobjection。Itakemyallowanceandmycertainweightofcoals。Hetakeshisfortune。
　　That'sthewayitworks。'
　　'Itwouldbeagoodthingforme，ifIcouldseethingsinthecalmlightyoudo，MrWegg。'
　　'Againlookhere，'pursuesSilas，withanoratoricalflourishofhispipeandhiswoodenleg:thelatterhavinganundignifiedtendencytotilthimbackinhischair；'here'sanotherobservation，MrVenus，unaccompaniedwithanobjection。Himthatshallbenamelessisliabletobetalkedover。Hegetstalkedover。Himthatshallbenameless，havingmeathisrighthand，naturallylookingtobepromotedhigher，andyoumayperhapssaymeritingtobepromotedhigher——'
　　MrVenusmurmursthathedoessayso。
　　'——Himthatshallbenameless，undersuchcircumstancespassesmeby，andputsatalking-overstrangerabovemyhead。Whichofustwoisthebetterman?Whichofustwocanrepeatmostpoetry?
　　Whichofustwohas，intheserviceofhimthatshallbenameless，tackledtheRomans，bothcivilandmilitary，tillhehasgotashuskyasifhe'dbeenweanedandeversincebroughtuponsawdust?Notthetalking-overstranger。Yetthehouseisasfreetohimasifitwashis，andhehashisroom，andisputuponafooting，anddrawsaboutathousandayear。IambanishedtotheBower，tobefoundinitlikeapieceoffurniturewheneverwanted。Merit，therefore，don'twin。That'sthewayitworks。I
　　observeit，becauseIcan'thelpobservingit，beingaccustomedtotakeapowerfulsightofnotice；butIdon'tobject。Everherebefore，MrVenus?'
　　'Notinsidethegate，MrWegg。'
　　'You'vebeenasfarasthegatethen，MrVenus?'
　　'Yes，MrWegg，andpeepedinfromcuriosity。'
　　'Didyouseeanything?'
　　'Nothingbutthedust-yard。'
　　MrWeggrollshiseyesallroundtheroom，inthateverunsatisfiedquestofhis，andthenrollshiseyesallroundMrVenus；asifsuspiciousofhishavingsomethingabouthimtobefoundout。
　　'Andyet，sir，'hepursues，'beingacquaintedwitholdMrHarmon，onewouldhavethoughtitmighthavebeenpoliteinyou，too，togivehimacall。Andyou'renaturallyofapolitedisposition，youare。'ThislastclauseasasofteningcomplimenttoMrVenus。
　　'Itistrue，sir，'repliesVenus，winkinghisweakeyes，andrunninghisfingersthroughhisdustyshockofhair，'thatIwasso，beforeacertainobservationsouredme。YouunderstandtowhatIallude，MrWegg?Toacertainwrittenstatementrespectingnotwishingtoberegardedinacertainlight。Sincethat，allisfled，savegall。'
　　'Notall，'saysMrWegg，inatoneofsentimentalcondolence。
　　'Yes，sir，'returnsVenus，'all！Theworldmaydeemitharsh，butI'dquiteassoonpitchintomybestfriendasnot。Indeed，I'dsooner！'
　　InvoluntarilymakingapasswithhiswoodenlegtoguardhimselfasMrVenusspringsupintheemphasisofthisunsociabledeclaration，MrWeggtiltsoveronhisback，chairandall，andisrescuedbythatharmlessmisanthrope，inadisjointedstateandruefullyrubbinghishead。
　　'Why，youlostyourbalance，MrWegg，'saysVenus，handinghimhispipe。
　　'Andabouttimetodoit，'grumblesSilas，'whenaman'svisitors，withoutawordofnotice，conductthemselveswiththesuddenwiciousnessofJacks-in-boxes！Don'tcomeflyingoutofyourchairlikethat，MrVenus！'
　　'Iaskyourpardon，MrWegg。Iamsosoured。'
　　'Yes，buthangit，'saysWeggargumentatively，'awell-governedmindcanbesouredsitting！Andastobeingregardedinlights，there'sbumpeylightsaswellasbony。INwhich，'againrubbinghishead，'Iobjecttoregardmyself。'
　　'I'llbearitinmemory，sir。'
　　'Ifyou'llbesogood。'MrWeggslowlysubdueshisironicaltoneandhislingeringirritation，andresumeshispipe。'WeweretalkingofoldMrHarmonbeingafriendofyours。'
　　'Notafriend，MrWegg。Onlyknowntospeakto，andtohavealittledealwithnowandthen。Averyinquisitivecharacter，MrWegg，regardingwhatwasfoundinthedust。Asinquisitiveassecret。'
　　'Ah！Youfoundhimsecret?'returnsWegg，withagreedyrelish。
　　'Hehadalwaysthelookofit，andthemannerofit。'
　　'Ah！'withanotherrollofhiseyes。'Astowhatwasfoundinthedustnow。Didyoueverhearhimmentionhowhefoundit，mydearfriend?Livingonthemysteriouspremises，onewouldliketoknow。Forinstance，wherehefoundthings?Or，forinstance，howhesetaboutit?Whetherhebeganatthetopotthemounds，orwhetherhebeganatthebottom。Whetherheprodded'；MrWegg'spantomimeisskilfulandexpressivehere；'orwhetherhescooped?Shouldyousayscooped，mydearMrVenus；orshouldyouasaman——sayprodded?'
　　'Ishouldsayneither，MrWegg。'
　　'Asafellow-man，MrVenus——mixagain——whyneither?'
　　'BecauseIsuppose，sir，thatwhatwasfound，wasfoundinthesortingandsifting。Allthemoundsaresortedandsifted?'
　　'Youshallsee'emandpassyouropinion。Mixagain。'
　　Oneachoccasionofhissaying'mixagain'，MrWegg，withahoponhiswoodenleg，hitcheshischairalittlenearer；moreasifhewereproposingthathimselfandMrVenusshouldmixagain，thanthattheyshouldreplenishtheirglasses。
　　'LivingasIsaidbeforeonthemysteriouspremises，'saysWeggwhentheotherhasactedonhishospitableentreaty，'onelikestoknow。Wouldyoubeinclinedtosaynow——asabrother——thatheeverhidthingsinthedust，aswellasfound'em?'
　　'MrWegg，onthewholeIshouldsayhemight。'
　　MrWeggclapsonhisspectacles，andadmiringlysurveysMrVenusfromheadtofoot。
　　'Asamortalequallywithmyself，whosehandItakeinmineforthefirsttimethisday，havingunaccountablyoverlookedthatactsofullofboundlessconfidencebindingafellow-creeturTOafellowcreetur，'saysWegg，holdingMrVenus'spalmout，flatandreadyforsmiting，andnowsmitingit；'assuch——andnoother——forI
　　scornalllowliertiesbetwixtmyselfandthemanwalkingwithhisfaceerectthataloneIcallmyTwin——regardedandregardinginthistrustfulbond——whatdoyouthinkhemighthavehid?'
　　'Itisbutasupposition，MrWegg。'
　　'AsaBeingwithhishanduponhisheart，'criesWegg；andtheapostropheisnotthelessimpressivefortheBeing'shandbeingactuallyuponhisrumandwater；'putyoursuppositionintolanguage，andbringitout，MrVenus！'
　　'Hewasthespeciesofoldgentleman，sir，'slowlyreturnsthatpracticalanatomist，afterdrinking，'thatIshouldjudgelikelytotakesuchopportunitiesasthisplaceoffered，ofstowingawaymoney，valuables，maybepapers。'
　　'Asonethatwaseveranornamenttohumanlife，'saysMrWegg，againholdingoutMrVenus'spalmasifheweregoingtotellhisfortunebychiromancy，andholdinghisownupreadyforsmitingitwhenthetimeshouldcome；'asonethatthepoetmighthavehadhiseyeon，inwritingthenationalnavalwords:
　　Helma-weather，nowlayherclose，Yardarmandyardarmshelies；
　　Again，criedI，MrVenus，givehert'otherdose，Manshroudsandgrapple，sir，orsheflies！——
　　thatistosay，regardedinthelightoftrueBritishOak，forsuchyouareexplain，MrVenus，theexpression“papers“！'
　　'Seeingthattheoldgentlemanwasgenerallycuttingoffsomenearrelation，orblockingoutsomenaturalaffection，'MrVenusrejoins，'hemostlikelymadeagoodmanywillsandcodicils。'
　　ThepalmofSilasWeggdescendswithasoundingsmackuponthepalmofVenus，andWegglavishlyexclaims，'Twininopinionequallywithfeeling！Mixalittlemore！'
　　HavingnowhitchedhiswoodenlegandhischaircloseinfrontofMrVenus，MrWeggrapidlymixesforboth，giveshisvisitorhisglass，touchesitsrimwiththerimofhisown，putshisowntohislips，putsitdown，andspreadinghishandsonhisvisitor'skneesthusaddresseshim:
　　'MrVenus。Itain'tthatIobjecttobeingpassedoverforastranger，thoughIregardthestrangerasamorethandoubtfulcustomer。Itain'tforthesakeofmakingmoney，thoughmoneyiseverwelcome。Itain'tformyself，thoughIamnotsohaughtyastobeabovedoingmyselfagoodturn。It'sforthecauseoftheright。'
　　MrVenus，passivelywinkinghisweakeyesbothatonce，demands:'Whatis，MrWegg?'
　　'Thefriendlymove，sir，thatInowpropose。Youseethemove，sir?'
　　'Tillyouhavepointeditout，MrWegg，Ican'tsaywhetherIdoornot。'
　　'IfthereISanythingtobefoundonthesepremises，letusfindittogether。Letusmakethefriendlymoveofagreeingtolookforittogether。Letusmakethefriendlymoveofagreeingtosharetheprofitsofitequallybetwixtus。Inthecauseoftheright。'ThusSilasassuminganobleair。
　　'Then，'saysMrVenus，lookingup，aftermeditatingwithhishairheldinhishands，asifhecouldonlyfixhisattentionbyfixinghishead；'ifanythingwastobeunburiedfromunderthedust，itwouldbekeptasecretbyyouandme?Wouldthatbeit，MrWegg?'
　　'Thatwoulddependuponwhatitwas，MrVenus。Sayitwasmoney，orplate，orjewellery，itwouldbeasmuchoursasanybodyelse's。'
　　MrVenusrubsaneyebrow，interrogatively。
　　'Inthecauseoftherightitwould。Becauseitwouldbeunknowinglysoldwiththemoundselse，andthebuyerwouldgetwhathewasnevermeanttohave，andneverbought。Andwhatwouldthatbe，MrVenus，butthecauseofthewrong?'
　　'Sayitwaspapers，'MrVenuspropounds。
　　'Accordingtowhattheycontainedweshouldoffertodisposeof'emtothepartiesmostinterested，'repliesWegg，promptly。
　　'Inthecauseoftheright，MrWegg?'
　　'Alwaysso，MrVenus。Ifthepartiesshouldusetheminthecauseofthewrong，thatwouldbetheiractanddeed。MrVenus。Ihaveanopinionofyou，sir，towhichitisnoteasytogivemouth。SinceIcalleduponyouthateveningwhenyouwere，asImaysay，floatingyourpowerfulmindintea，Ihavefeltthatyourequiredtoberousedwithanobject。Inthisfriendlymove，sir，youwillhaveagloriousobjecttorouseyou。'
　　MrWeggthengoesontoenlargeuponwhatthroughouthasbeenuppermostinhiscraftymind:——thequalificationsofMrVenusforsuchasearch。HeexpatiatesonMrVenus'spatienthabitsanddelicatemanipulation；onhisskillinpiecinglittlethingstogether；
　　onhisknowledgeofvarioustissuesandtextures；onthelikelihoodofsmallindicationsleadinghimontothediscoveryofgreatconcealments。'Whileastomyself，'saysWegg，'Iamnotgoodatit。WhetherIgavemyselfuptoprodding，orwhetherIgavemyselfuptoscooping，Icouldn'tdoitwiththatdelicatetouchsoasnottoshowthatIwasdisturbingthemounds。QuitedifferentwithYOU，goingtoworkasYOUwouldinthelightofafellow-
　　man，holilypledgedinafriendlymovetohisbrotherman。'MrWeggnextmodestlyremarksonthewantofadaptationinawoodenlegtoladdersandsuchlikeairyperches，andalsohintsataninherenttendencyinthattimberfiction，whencalledintoactionforthepurposesofapromenadeonanasheyslope，tostickitselfintotheyieldingfoothold，andpegitsownertoonespot。
　　Then，leavingthispartofthesubject，heremarksonthespecialphenomenonthatbeforehisinstallationintheBower，itwasfromMrVenusthathefirstheardofthelegendofhiddenwealthintheMounds:'which'，heobserveswithavaguelypiousair，'wassurelynevermeantfornothing。'Lastly，hereturnstothecauseoftheright，gloomilyforeshadowingthepossibilityofsomethingbeingunearthedtocriminateMrBoffinofwhomheoncemorecandidlyadmitsitcannotbedeniedthatheprofitsbyamurder，andanticipatinghisdenunciationbythefriendlymoverstoavengingjustice。Andthis，MrWeggexpresslypointsout，notatallforthesakeofthereward——thoughitwouldbeawantofprinciplenottotakeit。
　　Toallthis，MrVenus，withhisshockofdustyhaircockedafterthemannerofaterrier'sears，attendsprofoundly。WhenMrWegg，havingfinished，openshisarmswide，asiftoshowMrVenushowbarehisbreastis，andthenfoldsthempendingareply，MrVenuswinksathimwithbotheyessomelittletimebeforespeaking。
　　'Iseeyouhavetrieditbyyourself，MrWegg，'hesayswhenhedoesspeak。'Youhavefoundoutthedifficultiesbyexperience。'
　　'No，itcanhardlybesaidthatIhavetriedit，'repliesWegg，alittledashedbythehint。'Ihavejustskimmedit。Skimmedit。'
　　'Andfoundnothingbesidesthedifficulties?'
　　Weggshakeshishead。
　　'Iscarcelyknowwhattosaytothis，MrWegg，'observesVenus，afterruminatingforawhile。
　　'Sayyes，'Weggnaturallyurges。
　　'IfIwasn'tsoured，myanswerwouldbeno。Butbeingsoured，MrWegg，anddriventorecklessmadnessanddesperation，Isupposeit'sYes。'
　　Weggjoyfullyreproducesthetwoglasses，repeatstheceremonyofclinkingtheirrims，andinwardlydrinkswithgreatheartinesstothehealthandsuccessinlifeoftheyoungladywhohasreducedMrVenustohispresentconvenientstateofmind。
　　Thearticlesofthefriendlymovearethenseverallyrecitedandagreedupon。Theyarebutsecrecy，fidelity，andperseverance。
　　TheBowertobealwaysfreeofaccesstoMrVenusforhisresearches，andeveryprecautiontobetakenagainsttheirattractingobservationintheneighbourhood。
　　'There'safootstep！'exclaimsVenus。
　　'Where?'criesWegg，starting。
　　'Outside。St！'
　　Theyareintheactofratifyingthetreatyoffriendlymove，byshakinghandsuponit。Theysoftlybreakoff，lighttheirpipeswhichhavegoneout，andleanbackintheirchairs。Nodoubt，afootstep。Itapproachesthewindow，andahandtapsattheglass。
　　'Comein！'callsWegg；meaningcomeroundbythedoor。Buttheheavyold-fashionedsashisslowlyraised，andaheadslowlylooksinoutofthedarkbackgroundofnight。
　　'PrayisMrSilasWegghere?Oh！Iseehim！'
　　Thefriendlymoversmightnothavebeenquiteattheirease，eventhoughthevisitorhadenteredintheusualmanner。But，leaningonthebreast-highwindow，andstaringinoutofthedarkness，theyfindthevisitorextremelyembarrassing。ExpeciallyMrVenus:
　　whoremoveshispipe，drawsbackhishead，andstaresatthestarer，asifitwerehisownHindoobabycometofetchhimhome。
　　'Goodevening，MrWegg。Theyardgate-lockshouldbelookedto，ifyouplease；itdon'tcatch。'
　　'IsitMrRokesmith?'faltersWegg。
　　'ItisMrRokesmith。Don'tletmedisturbyou。Iamnotcomingin。
　　Ihaveonlyamessageforyou，whichIundertooktodeliveronmywayhometomylodgings。Iwasintwomindsaboutcomingbeyondthegatewithoutringing:notknowingbutyoumighthaveadogabout。'
　　'IwishIhad，'muttersWegg，withhisbackturnedasherosefromhischair。St！Hush！Thetalking-overstranger，MrVenus。'
　　'IsthatanyoneIknow?'inquiresthestaringSecretary。
　　'No，MrRokesmith。Friendofmine。Passingtheeveningwithme。'
　　'Oh！Ibeghispardon。MrBoffinwishesyoutoknowthathedoesnotexpectyoutostayathomeanyevening，onthechanceofhiscoming。Ithasoccurredtohimthathemay，withoutintendingit，havebeenatieuponyou。Infuture，ifheshouldcomewithoutnotice，hewilltakehischanceoffindingyou，anditwillbeallthesametohimifhedoesnot。Iundertooktotellyouonmyway。
　　That'sall。'
　　Withthat，and'Goodnight，'theSecretarylowersthewindow，anddisappears。Theylisten，andhearhisfootstepsgobacktothegate，andhearthegatecloseafterhim。
　　'Andforthatindividual，MrVenus，'remarksWegg，whenheisfullygone，'Ihavebeenpassedover！Letmeaskyouwhatyouthinkofhim?'
　　Apparently，MrVenusdoesnotknowwhattothinkofhim，forhemakessundryeffortstoreply，withoutdeliveringhimselfofanyotherarticulateutterancethanthathehas'asingularlook'。
　　'Adoublelook，youmean，sir，'rejoinsWegg，playingbitterlyupontheword。'That'sHISlook。Anyamountofsingularlookforme，butnotadoublelook！That'sanunder-handedmind，sir。'
　　'Doyousaythere'ssomethingagainsthim?'Venusasks。
　　'Somethingagainsthim?'repeatsWegg。'Something?Whatwouldthereliefbetomyfeelings——asafellow-man——ifIwasn'ttheslaveoftruth，anddidn'tfeelmyselfcompelledtoanswer，Everything！'
　　Seeintowhatwonderfulmaudlinrefuges，featherlessostrichesplungetheirheads！ItissuchunspeakablemoralcompensationtoWegg，tobeovercomebytheconsiderationthatMrRokesmithhasanunderhandedmind！
　　'Onthisstarlightnight，MrVenus，'heremarks，whenheisshowingthatfriendlymoveroutacrosstheyard，andbotharesomethingtheworseformixingagainandagain:'onthisstarlightnighttothinkthattalking-overstrangers，andunderhandedminds，cangowalkinghomeunderthesky，asiftheywasallsquare！'
　　'Thespectacleofthoseorbs，'saysMrVenus，gazingupwardwithhishattumblingoff；'bringsheavyonmehercrushingwordsthatshedidnotwishtoregardherselfnoryettoberegardedinthat——'
　　'Iknow！Iknow！Youneedn'trepeat'em，'saysWegg，pressinghishand。'Butthinkhowthosestarssteadymeinthecauseoftherightagainstsomethatshallbenameless。Itisn'tthatIbearmalice。Butseehowtheyglistenwitholdremembrances！Oldremembrancesofwhat，sir?'
　　MrVenusbeginsdrearilyreplying，'Ofherwords，inherownhandwriting，thatshedoesnotwishtoregardherself，noryet——'
　　whenSilascutshimshortwithdignity。
　　'No，sir！RemembrancesofOurHouse，ofMasterGeorge，ofAuntJane，ofUncleParker，alllaidwaste！Allofferedupsacrificestotheminionoffortuneandthewormofthehour！'
　　Chapter8
　　INWHICHANINNOCENTELOPEMENTOCCURS
　　Theminionoffortuneandthewormofthehour，orinlesscuttinglanguage，NicodemusBoffin，Esquire，theGoldenDustman，hadbecomeasmuchathomeinhiseminentlyaristocraticfamilymansionashewaslikelyevertobe。Hecouldnotbutfeelthat，likeaneminentlyaristocraticfamilycheese，itwasmuchtoolargeforhiswants，andbredaninfiniteamountofparasites；buthewascontenttoregardthisdrawbackonhispropertyasasortofperpetualLegacyDuty。Hefeltthemoreresignedtoit，forasmuchasMrsBoffinenjoyedherselfcompletely，andMissBellawasdelighted。
　　Thatyoungladywas，nodoubt，andacquisitiontotheBoffins。
　　Shewasfartooprettytobeunattractiveanywhere，andfartooquickofperceptiontobebelowthetoneofhernewcareer。
　　Whetheritimprovedherheartmightbeamatteroftastethatwasopentoquestion；butastouchinganothermatteroftaste，itsimprovementofherappearanceandmanner，therecouldbenoquestionwhatever。
　　AndthusitsooncameaboutthatMissBellabegantosetMrsBoffinright；andevenfurther，thatMissBellabegantofeelillatease，andasitwereresponsible，whenshesawMrsBoffingoingwrong。NotthatsosweetadispositionandsosoundanaturecouldevergoverywrongevenamongthegreatvisitingauthoritieswhoagreedthattheBoffinswere'charminglyvulgar'whichforcertainwasnottheirowncaseinsayingso，butthatwhenshemadeasliponthesocialiceonwhichallthechildrenofPodsnappery，withgenteelsoulstobesaved，arerequiredtoskateincircles，ortoslideinlongrows，sheinevitablytrippedMissBellaupsothatyoungladyfelt，andcausedhertoexperiencegreatconfusionundertheglancesofthemoreskilfulperformersengagedinthoseice-exercises。
　　AtMissBella'stimeoflifeitwasnottobeexpectedthatsheshouldexamineherselfverycloselyonthecongruityorstabilityofherpositioninMrBoffin'shouse。Andasshehadneverbeensparingofcomplaintsofheroldhomewhenshehadnoothertocompareitwith，sotherewasnonoveltyofingratitudeordisdaininherverymuchpreferringhernewone。
　　'AninvaluablemanisRokesmith，'saidMrBoffin，aftersometwoorthreemonths。'ButIcan'tquitemakehimout。'
　　NeithercouldBella，soshefoundthesubjectratherinteresting。
　　'Hetakesmorecareofmyaffairs，morning，noon，andnight，'saidMrBoffin，'thanfiftyothermenputtogethereithercouldorwould；andyethehaswaysofhisownthatareliketyingascaffolding-polerightacrosstheroad，andbringingmeupshortwhenIamalmosta-walkingarminarmwithhim。'
　　'MayIaskhowso，sir?'inquiredBella。
　　'Well，mydear，'saidMrBoffin，'hewon'tmeetanycompanyhere，butyou。Whenwehavevisitors，Ishouldwishhimtohavehisregularplaceatthetablelikeourselves；butno，hewon'ttakeit。'
　　'Ifheconsidershimselfaboveit，'saidMissBella，withanairytossofherhead，'Ishouldleavehimalone。'
　　'Itain'tthat，mydear，'repliedMrBoffin，thinkingitover。'Hedon'tconsiderhimselfaboveit。'
　　'Perhapsheconsidershimselfbeneathit，'suggestedBella。'Ifso，heoughttoknowbest。'
　　'No，mydear；noritain'tthat，neither。No，'repeatedMrBoffin，withashakeofhishead，afteragainthinkingitover；'Rokesmith'samodestman，buthedon'tconsiderhimselfbeneathit。'
　　'Thenwhatdoesheconsider，sir?'askedBella。
　　'DashedifIknow！'saidMrBoffin。'ItseemedthatfirstasifitwasonlyLightwoodthatheobjectedtomeet。Andnowitseemstobeeverybody，exceptyou。'
　　Oho！thoughtMissBella。'In——deed！That'sit，isit！'ForMrMortimerLightwoodhaddinedtheretwoorthreetimes，andshehadmethimelsewhere，andhehadshownhersomeattention。
　　'RathercoolinaSecretary——andPa'slodger——tomakemethesubjectofhisjealousy！'
　　ThatPa'sdaughtershouldbesocontemptuousofPa'slodgerwasodd；buttherewereodderanomaliesthanthatinthemindofthespoiltgirl:spoiltfirstbypoverty，andthenbywealth。Beitthishistory'spart，however，toleavethemtounravelthemselves。
　　'Alittletoomuch，Ithink，'MissBellareflectedscornfully，'tohavePa'slodgerlayingclaimtome，andkeepingeligiblepeopleoff！A
　　littletoomuch，indeed，tohavetheopportunitiesopenedtomebyMrandMrsBoffin，appropriatedbyamereSecretaryandPa'slodger！'
　　YetitwasnotsoverylongagothatBellahadbeenflutteredbythediscoverythatthissameSecretaryandlodgerseemtolikeher。
　　Ah！buttheeminentlyaristocraticmansionandMrsBoffin'sdressmakerhadnotcomeintoplaythen。
　　Inspiteofhisseeminglyretiringmannersaveryintrusiveperson，thisSecretaryandlodger，inMissBella'sopinion。Alwaysalightinhisoffice-roomwhenwecamehomefromtheplayorOpera，andhealwaysatthecarriage-doortohandusout。AlwaysaprovokingradiancetooonMrsBoffin'sface，andanabominablycheerfulreceptionofhim，asifitwerepossibleseriouslytoapprovewhatthemanhadinhismind！
　　'Youneverchargeme，MissWilfer，'saidtheSecretary，encounteringherbychancealoneinthegreatdrawing-room，'withcommissionsforhome。Ishallalwaysbehappytoexecuteanycommandsyoumayhaveinthatdirection。'
　　'Praywhatmayyoumean，MrRokesmith?'inquiredMissBella，withlanguidlydroopingeyelids。
　　'Byhome?Imeanyourfather'shouseatHolloway。'
　　Shecolouredundertheretort——soskilfullythrust，thatthewordsseemedtobemerelyaplainanswer，giveninplaingoodfaith——andsaid，rathermoreemphaticallyandsharply:
　　'Whatcommissionsandcommandsareyouspeakingof?'
　　'OnlylittlewordsofremembranceasIassumeyousentsomehoworother，'repliedtheSecretarywithhisformerair。'Itwouldbeapleasuretomeifyouwouldmakemethebearerofthem。Asyouknow，Icomeandgobetweenthetwohouseseveryday。'
　　'Youneedn'tremindmeofthat，sir。'
　　Shewastooquickinthispetulantsallyagainst'Pa'slodger'；andshefeltthatshehadbeensowhenshemethisquietlook。
　　'Theydon'tsendmany——whatwasyourexpression?——wordsofremembrancetome，'saidBella，makinghastetotakerefugeinill-
　　usage。
　　'Theyfrequentlyaskmeaboutyou，andIgivethemsuchslightintelligenceasIcan。'
　　'Ihopeit'strulygiven，'exclaimedBella。
　　'Ihopeyoucannotdoubtit，foritwouldbeverymuchagainstyou，ifyoucould。'
　　'No，Idonotdoubtit。Ideservethereproach，whichisveryjustindeed。Ibegyourpardon，MrRokesmith。'
　　'Ishouldbegyounottodoso，butthatitshowsyoutosuchadmirableadvantage，'herepliedwithearnestness。'Forgiveme；I
　　couldnothelpsayingthat。ToreturntowhatIhavedigressedfrom，letmeaddthatperhapstheythinkIreportthemtoyou，deliverlittlemessages，andthelike。ButIforbeartotroubleyou，asyouneveraskme。'
　　'Iamgoing，sir，'saidBella，lookingathimasifhehadreprovedher，'toseethemtomorrow。'
　　'Isthat，'heasked，hesitating，'saidtome，ortothem?'
　　'Towhichyouplease。'
　　'Toboth?ShallImakeitamessage?'
　　'Youcanifyoulike，MrRokesmith。Messageornomessage，Iamgoingtoseethemtomorrow。'
　　'ThenIwilltellthemso。'
　　Helingeredamoment，asthoughtogivehertheopportunityofprolongingtheconversationifshewished。Assheremainedsilent，helefther。TwoincidentsofthelittleinterviewwerefeltbyMissBellaherself，whenaloneagain，tobeverycurious。Thefirstwas，thatheunquestionablyleftherwithapenitentairuponher，andapenitentfeelinginherheart。Thesecondwas，thatshehadnotanintentionorathoughtofgoinghome，untilshehadannouncedittohimasasettleddesign。
　　'WhatcanImeanbyit，orwhatcanhemeanbyit?'washermentalinquiry:'Hehasnorighttoanypoweroverme，andhowdoIcometomindhimwhenIdon'tcareforhim?'
　　MrsBoffin，insistingthatBellashouldmaketomorrow'sexpeditioninthechariot，shewenthomeingreatgrandeur。MrsWilferandMissLaviniahadspeculatedmuchontheprobabilitiesandimprobabilitiesofhercominginthisgorgeousstate，and，onbeholdingthechariotfromthewindowatwhichtheyweresecretedtolookoutforit，agreedthatitmustbedetainedatthedooraslongaspossible，forthemortificationandconfusionoftheneighbours。Thentheyrepairedtotheusualfamilyroom，toreceiveMissBellawithabecomingshowofindifference。
　　Thefamilyroomlookedverysmallandverymean，andthedownwardstaircasebywhichitwasattainedlookedverynarrowandverycrooked。Thelittlehouseandallitsarrangementswereapoorcontrasttotheeminentlyaristocraticdwelling。'Icanhardlybelieve，thoughtBella，thatIeverdidendurelifeinthisplace！'
　　GloomymajestyonthepartofMrsWilfer，andnativepertnessonthepartofLavvy，didnotmendthematter。Bellareallystoodinnaturalneedofalittlehelp，andshegotnone。
　　'This，'saidMrsWilfer，presentingacheektobekissed，assympatheticandresponsiveasthebackofthebowlofaspoon，'isquiteanhonour！YouwillprobablyfindyoursisterLavvygrown，Bella。'
　　'Ma，'MissLaviniainterposed，'therecanbenoobjectiontoyourbeingaggravating，becauseBellarichlydeservesit；butIreallymustrequestthatyouwillnotdraginsuchridiculousnonsenseasmyhavinggrownwhenIampastthegrowingage。'
　　'Igrew，myself，'MrsWilfersternlyproclaimed，'afterIwasmarried。'
　　'Verywell，Ma，'returnedLavvy，'thenIthinkyouhadmuchbetterhaveleftitalone。'
　　Theloftyglarewithwhichthemajesticwomanreceivedthisanswer，mighthaveembarrassedalesspertopponent，butithadnoeffectuponLavinia:who，leavingherparenttotheenjoymentofanyamountofglaringatshemightdeemdesirableunderthecircumstances，accostedhersister，undismayed。
　　'Isupposeyouwon'tconsideryourselfquitedisgraced，Bella，ifI
　　giveyouakiss?Well！Andhowdoyoudo，Bella?AndhowareyourBoffins?'
　　'Peace！'exclaimedMrsWilfer。'Hold！Iwillnotsufferthistoneoflevity。'
　　'Mygoodnessme！HowareyourSpoffins，then?'saidLavvy，'sinceMasoverymuchobjectstoyourBoffins。'
　　'Impertinentgirl！Minx！'saidMrswilfer，withdreadseverity。
　　'Idon'tcarewhetherIamaMinx，oraSphinx，'returnedLavinia，coolly，tossingherhead；'it'sexactlythesamethingtome，andI'deverybitassoonbeoneastheother；butIknowthis——I'llnotgrowafterI'mmarried！'
　　'Youwillnot?YOUwillnot?'repeatedMrsWilfer，solemnly。
　　'No，Ma，Iwillnot。Nothingshallinduceme。'
　　MrsWilfer，havingwavedhergloves，becameloftilypathetic。
　　'Butitwastobeexpected；'thusshespake。'Achildofminedesertsmefortheproudandprosperous，andanotherchildofminedespisesme。Itisquitefitting。'
　　'Ma，'Bellastruckin，'MrandMrsBoffinareprosperous，nodoubt；butyouhavenorighttosaytheyareproud。Youmustknowverywellthattheyarenot。'
　　'Inshort，Ma，'saidLavvy，bouncingovertotheenemywithoutawordofnotice，youmustknowverywell——orifyoudon't，moreshameforyou！——thatMrandMrsBoffinarejustabsoluteperfection。'
　　'Truly，'returnedMrsWilfer，courteouslyreceivingthedeserter，itwouldseemthatwearerequiredtothinkso。Andthis，Lavinia，ismyreasonforobjectingtoatoneoflevity。MrsBoffinofwhosephysiognomyIcanneverspeakwiththecomposureIwoulddesiretopreserve，andyourmother，arenotontermsofintimacy。
　　ItisnotforamomenttobesupposedthatsheandherhusbanddaretopresumetospeakofthisfamilyastheWilfers。IcannotthereforecondescendtospeakofthemastheBoffins。No；forsuchatone——callitfamiliarity，levity，equality，orwhatyouwill——
　　wouldimplythosesocialinterchangeswhichdonotexist。DoI
　　rendermyselfintelligible?'
　　Withouttakingtheleastnoticeofthisinquiry，albeitdeliveredinanimposingandforensicmanner，Laviniaremindedhersister，'Afterall，youknow，Bella，youhaven'ttoldushowyourWhatshisnamesare。'
　　'Idon'twanttospeakofthemhere，'repliedBella，suppressingindignation，andtappingherfootonthefloor。'Theyaremuchtookindandtoogoodtobedrawnintothesediscussions。'
　　'Whyputitso?'demandedMrsWilfer，withbitingsarcasm。'Whyadoptacircuitousformofspeech?Itispoliteanditisobliging；
　　butwhydoit?WhynotopenlysaythattheyaremuchtookindandtoogoodforUS?Weunderstandtheallusion。Whydisguisethephrase?'
　　'Ma，'saidBella，withonebeatofherfoot，'youareenoughtodriveasaintmad，andsoisLavvy。'
　　'UnfortunateLavvy！'criedMrsWilfer，inatoneofcommiseration。
　　'Shealwayscomesforit。Mypoorchild！'ButLavvy，withthesuddennessofherformerdesertion，nowbouncedovertotheotherenemy:verysharplyremarking，'Don'tpatronizeME，Ma，becauseIcantakecareofmyself。'
　　'Ionlywonder，'resumedMrsWilfer，directingherobservationstoherelderdaughter，assaferonthewholethanherutterlyunmanageableyounger，'thatyoufoundtimeandinclinationtotearyourselffromMrandMrsBoffin，andcometoseeusatall。I
　　onlywonderthatourclaims，contendingagainstthesuperiorclaimsofMrandMrsBoffin，hadanyweight。IfeelIoughttobethankfulforgainingsomuch，incompetitionwithMrandMrsBoffin。'ThegoodladybitterlyemphasizedthefirstletterofthewordBoffin，asifitrepresentedherchiefobjectiontotheownersofthatname，andasifshecouldhavebornDoffin，Moffin，orPoffinmuchbetter。
　　'Ma，'saidBella，angrily，'youforcemetosaythatIamtrulysorryIdidcomehome，andthatIneverwillcomehomeagain，exceptwhenpoordearPaishere。For，Paistoomagnanimoustofeelenvyandspitetowardsmygenerousfriends，andPaisdelicateenoughandgentleenoughtorememberthesortoflittleclaimtheythoughtIhaduponthemandtheunusuallytryingpositioninwhich，throughnoactofmyown，Ihadbeenplaced。AndI
　　alwaysdidlovepoordearPabetterthanalltherestofyouputtogether，andIalwaysdoandIalwaysshall！'
　　HereBella，derivingnocomfortfromhercharmingbonnetandherelegantdress，burstintotears。
　　'Ithink，R。W。，'criedMrsWilfer，liftinguphereyesandapostrophisingtheair，'thatifyouwerepresent，itwouldbeatrialtoyourfeelingstohearyourwifeandthemotherofyourfamilydepreciatedinyourname。ButFatehassparedyouthis，R。W。，whateveritmayhavethoughtpropertoinflictuponher！'
　　HereMrsWilferburstintotears。
　　'IhatetheBoffins！'protestedMissLavinia。Idon'tcarewhoobjectstotheirbeingcalledtheBoffins。IWILLcall'emtheBoffins。TheBoffins，theBoffins，theBoffins！AndIsaytheyaremischief-makingBoffins，andIsaytheBoffinshavesetBellaagainstme，andItelltheBoffinstotheirfaces:'whichwasnotstrictlythefact，buttheyoungladywasexcited:'thattheyaredetestableBoffins，disreputableBoffins，odiousBoffins，beastlyBoffins。There！'
　　HereMissLaviniaburstintotears。
　　Thefrontgarden-gateclanked，andtheSecretarywasseencomingatabriskpaceupthesteps。'LeaveMetoopenthedoortohim，'
　　saidMrsWilfer，risingwithstatelyresignationassheshookherheadanddriedhereyes；'wehaveatpresentnostipendiarygirltodoso。Wehavenothingtoconceal。Ifheseesthesetracesofemotiononourcheeks，lethimconstruethemashemay。'
　　Withthosewordsshestalkedout。Inafewmomentsshestalkedinagain，proclaiminginherheraldicmanner，'MrRokesmithisthebearerofapacketforMissBellaWilfer。'
　　MrRokesmithfollowedcloseuponhisname，andofcoursesawwhatwasamiss。Buthediscreetlyaffectedtoseenothing，andaddressedMissBella。
　　'MrBoffinintendedtohaveplacedthisinthecarriageforyouthismorning。Hewishedyoutohaveit，asalittlekeepsakehehadprepared——itisonlyapurse，MissWilfer——butashewasdisappointedinhisfancy，Ivolunteeredtocomeafteryouwithit。'
　　Bellatookitinherhand，andthankedhim。
　　'Wehavebeenquarrellingherealittle，MrRokesmith，butnotmorethanweused；youknowouragreeablewaysamongourselves。Youfindmejustgoing。Good-bye，mamma。Good-
　　bye，Lavvy！'andwithakissforeachMissBellaturnedtothedoor。TheSecretarywouldhaveattendedher，butMrsWilferadvancingandsayingwithdignity，'Pardonme！Permitmetoassertmynaturalrighttoescortmychildtotheequipagewhichisinwaitingforher，'hebeggedpardonandgaveplace。Itwasaverymagnificentspectacleindeed，tooseeMrsWilferthrowopenthehouse-door，andloudlydemandwithextendedgloves，'ThemaledomesticofMrsBoffin！'Towhompresentinghimself，shedeliveredthebriefbutmajesticcharge，'MissWilfer。Comingout！'
　　andsodeliveredherover，likeafemaleLieutenantoftheTowerrelinquishingaStatePrisoner。Theeffectofthisceremonialwasforsomequarterofanhourafterwardsperfectlyparalyzingontheneighbours，andwasmuchenhancedbytheworthyladyairingherselfforthatterminakindofsplendidlyserenetranceonthetopstep。
　　WhenBellawasseatedinthecarriage，sheopenedthelittlepacketinherhand。Itcontainedaprettypurse，andthepursecontainedabanknoteforfiftypounds。'ThisshallbeajoyfulsurpriseforpoordearPa，'saidBella，'andI'lltakeitmyselfintotheCity！'
　　AsshewasuninformedrespectingtheexactlocalityoftheplaceofbusinessofChickseyVeneeringandStobbles，butknewittobenearMincingLane，shedirectedherselftobedriventothecornerofthatdarksomespot。Thenceshedespatched'themaledomesticofMrsBoffin，'insearchofthecounting-houseofChickseyVeneeringandStobbles，withamessageimportingthatifR。
　　Wilfercouldcomeout，therewasaladywaitingwhowouldbegladtospeakwithhim。Thedeliveryofthesemysteriouswordsfromthemouthofafootmancausedsogreatanexcitementinthecounting-house，thatayouthfulscoutwasinstantlyappointedtofollowRumty，observethelady，andcomeinwithhisreport。Norwastheagitationbyanymeansdiminished，whenthescoutrushedbackwiththeintelligencethattheladywas'aslap-upgalinabang-upchariot。'
　　Rumtyhimself，withhispenbehindhisearunderhisrustyhat，arrivedatthecarriage-doorinabreathlesscondition，andhadbeenfairlyluggedintothevehiclebyhiscravatandembracedalmostuntochoking，beforeherecognizedhisdaughter。'Mydearchild！'hethenpanted，incoherently。'Goodgraciousme！Whatalovelywomanyouare！Ithoughtyouhadbeenunkindandforgottenyourmotherandsister。'
　　'Ihavejustbeentoseethem，Padear。'
　　'Oh！andhow——howdidyoufindyourmother?'askedR。W。，dubiously。
　　'Verydisagreeable，Pa，andsowasLavvy。'
　　'Theyaresometimesalittleliabletoit，'observedthepatientcherub；'butIhopeyoumadeallowances，Bella，mydear?'
　　'No。Iwasdisagreeabletoo，Pa；wewereallofusdisagreeabletogether。ButIwantyoutocomeanddinewithmesomewhere，Pa。'
　　'Why，mydear，Ihavealreadypartakenofa——ifonemightmentionsuchanarticleinthissuperbchariot——ofa——Saveloy，'repliedR。
　　Wilfer，modestlydroppinghisvoiceontheword，asheeyedthecanary-colouredfittings。
　　'Oh！That'snothing，Pa！'
　　'Truly，itain'tasmuchasonecouldsometimeswishittobe，mydear，'headmitted，drawinghishandacrosshismouth。'Still，whencircumstancesoverwhichyouhavenocontrol，interposeobstaclesbetweenyourselfandSmallGermans，youcan'tdobetterthanbringacontentedmindtohearon'——againdroppinghisvoiceindeferencetothechariot——'Saveloys！'
　　'YoupoorgoodPa！Pa，do，Ibegandpray，getleavefortherestoftheday，andcomeandpassitwithme！'
　　'Well，mydear，I'llcutbackandaskforleave。'
　　'Butbeforeyoucutback，'saidBella，whohadalreadytakenhimbythechin，pulledhishatoff，andbeguntostickuphishairinheroldway，'dosaythatyouaresureIamgiddyandinconsiderate，buthaveneverreallyslightedyou，Pa。'
　　'Mydear，Isayitwithallmyheart。AndmightIlikewiseobserve，'
　　herfatherdelicatelyhinted，withaglanceoutatwindow，'thatperhapsitmighthecalculatedtoattractattention，havingone'shairpubliclydonebyalovelywomaninanelegantturn-outinFenchurchStreet?'
　　Bellalaughedandputonhishatagain。Butwhenhisboyishfigurebobbedaway，itsshabbinessandcheerfulpatiencesmotethetearsoutofhereyes。'IhatethatSecretaryforthinkingitofme，'shesaidtoherself，'andyetitseemshalftrue！'
　　Backcameherfather，morelikeaboythanever，inhisreleasefromschool。'Allright，mydear。Leavegivenatonce。Reallyveryhandsomelydone！'
　　'Nowwherecanwefindsomequietplace，Pa，inwhichIcanwaitforyouwhileyougoonanerrandforme，ifIsendthecarriageaway?'
　　Itdemandedcogitation。'Yousee，mydear，'heexplained，'youreallyhavebecomesuchaverylovelywoman，thatitoughttoheaveryquietplace。'Atlengthhesuggested，'NearthegardenupbytheTrinityHouseonTowerHill。'So，theyweredriventhere，andBelladismissedthechariot；sendingapencillednotebyittoMrsBoffin，thatshewaswithherfather。