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