’Isay，’hebegan，withathoughtfulbrow，’haven’tIseenyoubefore？’
’It’slikeyoumay，’saidHugh，inhiscarelessway。’Idon’tknow;shouldn’twonder。’
’No，butit’sveryeasilysettled，’returnedSim。’Lookatme。
DidyoueverseeMEbefore？Youwouldn’tbelikelytoforgetit，youknow，ifyoueverdid。Lookatme。Don’tbeafraid;Iwon’tdoyouanyharm。Takeagoodlook——steadynow。’
TheencouragingwayinwhichMrTappertitmadethisrequest，andcoupleditwithanassurancethatheneedn’tbefrightened，amusedHughmightily——somuchindeed，thatbesawnothingatallofthesmallmanbeforehim，throughclosinghiseyesinafitofheartylaughter，whichshookhisgreatbroadsidesuntiltheyachedagain。
’Come！’saidMrTappertit，growingalittleimpatientunderthisdisrespectfultreatment。’Doyouknowme，feller？’
’NotI，’criedHugh。’Hahaha！NotI！ButIshouldliketo。’
’AndyetI’dhavewageredaseven-shillingpiece。”saidMrTappertit，foldinghisarms，andconfrontinghimwithhislegswideapartandfirmlyplantedontheground，’thatyouoncewerehostlerattheMaypole。’
Hughopenedhiseyesonhearingthis，andlookedathimingreatsurprise。
’——Andsoyouwere，too，’saidMrTappertit，pushinghimawaywithacondescendingplayfulness。’WhendidMYeyeseverdeceive——
unlessitwasayoungwoman！Don’tyouknowmenow？’
’Whyitan’t——’Hughfaltered。
’An’tit？’saidMrTappertit。’Areyousureofthat？YourememberG。Varden，don’tyou？’
CertainlyHughdid，andherememberedD。Vardentoo;butthathedidn’ttellhim。
’Youremembercomingdownthere，beforeIwasoutofmytime，toaskafteravagabondthathadboltedoff，andlefthisdisconsolatefatherapreytothebitterestemotions，andalltherestofit——
don’tyou？’saidMrTappertit。
’OfcourseIdo！’criedHugh。’AndIsawyouthere。’
’Sawmethere！’saidMrTappertit。’Yes，Ishouldthinkyoudidseemethere。Theplacewouldbetroubledtogoonwithoutme。
Don’tyouremembermythinkingyoulikedthevagabond，andonthataccountgoingtoquarrelwithyou;andthenfindingyoudetestedhimworsethanpoison，goingtodrinkwithyou？Don’tyourememberthat？’
’Tobesure！’criedHugh。
’Well！andareyouinthesamemindnow？’saidMrTappertit。
’Yes！’roaredHugh。
’Youspeaklikeaman，’saidMrTappertit，’andI’llshakehandswithyou。’Withtheseconciliatoryexpressionshesuitedtheactiontotheword;andHughmeetinghisadvancesreadily，theyperformedtheceremonywithashowofgreatheartiness。
’Ifind，’saidMrTappertit，lookingroundontheassembledguests，’thatbrotherWhat’s-his-nameandIareoldacquaintance——Youneverheardanythingmoreofthatrascal，Isuppose，eh？’
’Notasyllable，’repliedHugh。’Ineverwantto。Idon’tbelieveIevershall。He’sdeadlongago，Ihope。’
’It’stobehoped，forthesakeofmankindingeneralandthehappinessofsociety，thatheis，’saidMrTappertit，rubbinghispalmuponhislegs，andlookingatitbetweenwhiles。’Isyourotherhandatallcleaner？Muchthesame。Well，I’lloweyouanothershake。We’llsupposeitdone，ifyou’venoobjection。’
Hughlaughedagain，andwithsuchthoroughabandonmenttohismadhumour，thathislimbsseemeddislocated，andhiswholeframeindangeroftumblingtopieces;butMrTappertit，sofarfromreceivingthisextrememerrimentwithanyirritation，waspleasedtoregarditwiththeutmostfavour，andeventojoininit，sofarasoneofhisgravityandstationcould，withanyregardtothatdecencyanddecorumwhichmeninhighplacesareexpectedtomaintain。
MrTappertitdidnotstophere，asmanypubliccharactersmighthavedone，butcallinguphisbraceoflieutenants，introducedHughtothemwithhighcommendation;declaringhimtobeamanwho，atsuchtimesasthoseinwhichtheylived，couldnotbetoomuchcherished。Further，hedidhimthehonourtoremark，thathewouldbeanacquisitionofwhicheventheUnitedBulldogsmightbeproud;
andfinding，uponsoundinghim，thathewasquitereadyandwillingtoenterthesocietyforhewasnotatallparticular，andwouldhaveleaguedhimselfthatnightwithanything，oranybody，foranypurposewhatsoever，causedthenecessarypreliminariestobegoneintouponthespot。ThistributetohisgreatmeritdelightednomanmorethanMrDennis，ashehimselfproclaimedwithseveralrareandsurprisingoaths;andindeeditgaveunmingledsatisfactiontothewholeassembly。
’Makeanythingyoulikeofme！’criedHugh，flourishingthecanhehademptiedmorethanonce。’Putmeonanydutyyouplease。I’myourman。I’lldoit。Here’smycaptain——here’smyleader。Hahaha！Lethimgivemethewordofcommand，andI’llfightthewholeParliamentHousesingle-handed，orsetalightedtorchtotheKing’sThroneitself！’Withthat，hesmoteMrTappertitontheback，withsuchviolencethathislittlebodyseemedtoshrinkintoamerenothing;androaredagainuntiltheveryfoundlingsnearathandwerestartledintheirbeds。
Infact，asenseofsomethingwhimsicalintheircompanionshipseemedtohavetakenentirepossessionofhisrudebrain。Thebarefactofbeingpatronisedbyagreatmanwhomhecouldhavecrushedwithonehand，appearedinhiseyessoeccentricandhumorous，thatakindofferociousmerrimentgainedthemasteryoverhim，andquitesubduedhisbrutalnature。Heroaredandroaredagain;
toastedMrTappertitahundredtimes;declaredhimselfaBulldogtothecore;andvowedtobefaithfultohimtothelastdropofbloodinhisveins。
AllthesecomplimentsMrTappertitreceivedasmattersofcourse——
flatteringenoughintheirway，butentirelyattributabletohisvastsuperiority。Hisdignifiedself-possessiononlydelightedHughthemore;andinaword，thisgiantanddwarfstruckupafriendshipwhichbadefairtobeoflongcontinuance，astheoneheldittobehisrighttocommand，andtheotherconsidereditanexquisitepleasantrytoobey。NorwasHughbyanymeansapassivefollower，whoscrupledtoactwithoutpreciseanddefiniteorders;
forwhenMrTappertitmountedonanemptycaskwhichstoodbywayofrostrumintheroom，andvolunteeredaspeechuponthealarmingcrisisthenathand，heplacedhimselfbesidetheorator，andthoughhegrinnedfromeartoearateverywordhesaid，threwoutsuchexpressivehintstoscoffersinthemanagementofhiscudgel，thatthosewhowereatfirstthemostdisposedtointerrupt，becameremarkablyattentive，andweretheloudestintheirapprobation。
Itwasnotallnoiseandjest，however，atTheBoot，norwerethewholepartylistenerstothespeech。Thereweresomemenattheotherendoftheroomwhichwasalong，low-roofedchamberinearnestconversationallthetime;andwhenanyofthisgroupwentout，freshpeopleweresuretocomeinsoonafterwardsandsitdownintheirplaces，asthoughtheothershadrelievedthemonsomewatchorduty;whichitwasprettycleartheydid，forthesechangestookplacebytheclock，atintervalsofhalfanhour。
Thesepersonswhisperedverymuchamongthemselves，andkeptaloof，andoftenlookedround，asjealousoftheirspeechbeingoverheard;
sometwoorthreeamongthementeredinbookswhatseemedtobereportsfromtheothers;whentheywerenotthusemployedoneofthemwouldturntothenewspaperswhichwerestrewnuponthetable，andfromtheStJames’sChronicle，theHerald，Chronicle，orPublicAdvertiser，wouldreadtotherestinalowvoicesomepassagehavingreferencetothetopicinwhichtheywereallsodeeplyinterested。ButthegreatattractionwasapamphletcalledTheThunderer，whichespousedtheirownopinions，andwassupposedatthattimetoemanatedirectlyfromtheAssociation。Thiswasalwaysinrequest;andwhetherreadaloud，toaneagerknotoflisteners，orbysomesolitaryman，wascertaintobefollowedbystormytalkingandexcitedlooks。
Inthemidstofallhismerriment，andadmirationofhiscaptain，Hughwasmadesensiblebytheseandothertokens，ofthepresenceofanairofmystery，akintothatwhichhadsomuchimpressedhimoutofdoors。Itwasimpossibletodiscardasensethatsomethingseriouswasgoingon，andthatunderthenoisyrevelofthepublic-
house，therelurkedunseenanddangerousmatter。Littleaffectedbythis，however，hewasperfectlysatisfiedwithhisquartersandwouldhaveremainedtheretillmorning，butthathisconductorrosesoonaftermidnight，togohome;MrTappertitfollowinghisexample，lefthimnoexcusetostay。Sotheyallthreeleftthehousetogether:roaringaNo-Poperysonguntilthefieldsresoundedwiththedismalnoise。
Cheerup，captain！’criedHugh，whentheyhadroaredthemselvesoutofbreath。’Anotherstave！’
MrTappertit，nothingloath，beganagain;andsothethreewentstaggeringon，arm-in-arm，shoutinglikemadmen，anddefyingthewatchwithgreatvalour。Indeedthisdidnotrequireanyunusualbraveryorboldness，asthewatchmenofthattime，beingselectedfortheofficeonaccountofexcessiveageandextraordinaryinfirmity，hadacustomofshuttingthemselvesuptightintheirboxesonthefirstsymptomsofdisturbance，andremainingthereuntiltheydisappeared。Intheseproceedings，MrDennis，whohadagruffvoiceandlungsofconsiderablepower，distinguishedhimselfverymuch，andacquiredgreatcreditwithhistwocompanions。
’Whataqueerfellowyouare！’saidMrTappertit。’You’resopreciousslyandclose。Whydon’tyouevertellwhattradeyou’reof？’
’Answerthecaptaininstantly，’criedHugh，beatinghishatdownonhishead;’whydon’tyouevertellwhattradeyou’reof？’
’I’mofasgen-teelacalling，brother，asanymaninEngland——aslightabusinessasanygentlemancoulddesire。’
’Wasyou’prenticedtoit？’askedMrTappertit。
’No。Naturalgenius，’saidMrDennis。’No’prenticing。Itcomebynatur’。MusterGashfordknowsmycalling。Lookatthathandofmine——manyandmanyajobthathandhasdone，withaneatnessanddex-terity，neverknownafore。WhenIlookatthathand，’saidMrDennis，shakingitintheair，’andrememberthehelegantbitsofworkithasturnedoff，Ifeelquitemolloncholytothinkitshouldevergrowoldandfeeble。Butsichislife！’
Heheavedadeepsighasheindulgedinthesereflections，andputtinghisfingerswithanabsentaironHugh’sthroat，andparticularlyunderhisleftear，asifhewerestudyingtheanatomicaldevelopmentofthatpartofhisframe，shookhisheadinadespondentmannerandactuallyshedtears。
’You’reakindofartist，Isuppose——eh！’saidMrTappertit。
’Yes，’rejoinedDennis;’yes——Imaycallmyselfaartist——afancyworkman——artimprovesnatur’——that’smymotto。’
’Andwhatdoyoucallthis？’saidMrTappertittakinghisstickoutofhishand。
’That’smyportraitatop，’Dennisreplied;’d’yethinkit’slike？’
’Why——it’salittletoohandsome，’saidMrTappertit。’Whodidit？
You？’
’I！’repeatedDennis，gazingfondlyonhisimage。’IwishIhadthetalent。Thatwascarvedbyafriendofmine，asisnownomore。Theverydayaforehedied，hecutthatwithhispocket-
knifefrommemory！“I’lldiegame。”saysmyfriend，“andmylastmomentsshallbedewotedtomakingDennis’spicter。”That’sit。’
’Thatwasaqueerfancy，wasn’tit？’saidMrTappertit。
’ItWASaqueerfancy，’rejoinedtheother，breathingonhisfictitiousnose，andpolishingitwiththecuffofhiscoat，’buthewasaqueersubjectaltogether——akindofgipsy——oneofthefinest，stand-upmen，youeversee。Ah！Hetoldmesomethingsthatwouldstartleyouabit，didthatfriendofmine，onthemorningwhenhedied。’
’Youwerewithhimatthetime，wereyou？’saidMrTappertit。
’Yes，’heansweredwithacuriouslook，’Iwasthere。Oh！yescertainly，Iwasthere。Hewouldn’thavegoneoffhalfascomfortablewithoutme。Ihadbeenwiththreeorfourofhisfamilyunderthesamecircumstances。Theywereallfinefellows。’
’Theymusthavebeenfondofyou，’remarkedMrTappertit，lookingathimsideways。
’Idon’tknowthattheywasexactlyfondofme，’saidDennis，withalittlehesitation，’buttheyallhadmenear’emwhentheydeparted。Icomeinfortheirwardrobestoo。Thisveryhandkecherthatyouseeroundmyneck，belongedtohimthatI’vebeenspeakingof——himasdidthatlikeness。’
MrTappertitglancedatthearticlereferredto，andappearedtothinkthatthedeceased’sideasofdresswereofapeculiarandbynomeansanexpensivekind。Hemadenoremarkuponthepoint，however，andsufferedhismysteriouscompaniontoproceedwithoutinterruption。
’Thesesmalls，’saidDennis，rubbinghislegs;’theseverysmalls——
theybelongedtoafriendofminethat’sleftoffsichincumbrancesforever:thiscoattoo——I’veoftenwalkedbehindthiscoat，inthestreet，andwonderedwhetheritwouldevercometome:thispairofshoeshavedancedahornpipeforanotherman，aforemyeyes，fullhalf-a-dozentimesatleast:andastomyhat，’hesaid，takingitoff，andwhirlingitrounduponhisfist——’Lord！I’veseenthishatgoupHolbornontheboxofahackney-coach——ah，manyandmanyaday！’
’Youdon’tmeantosaytheiroldwearersareALLdead，Ihope？’
saidMrTappertit，fallingalittledistancefromhimashespoke。
’Everyoneof’em，’repliedDennis。’EverymanJack！’
Therewassomethingsoveryghastlyinthiscircumstance，anditappearedtoaccount，insuchaverystrangeanddismalmanner，forhisfadeddress——which，inthisnewaspect，seemeddiscolouredbytheearthfromgraves——thatMrTappertitabruptlyfoundhewasgoinganotherway，and，stoppingshort，badehimgoodnightwiththeutmostheartiness。AstheyhappenedtobeneartheOldBailey，andMrDennisknewtherewereturnkeysinthelodgewithwhomhecouldpassthenight，anddiscussprofessionalsubjectsofcommoninterestamongthembeforearousingfire，andoverasocialglass，heseparatedfromhiscompanionswithoutanygreatregret，andwarmlyshakinghandswithHugh，andmakinganearlyappointmentfortheirmeetingatTheBoot，leftthemtopursuetheirroad。
’That’sastrangesortofman，’saidMrTappertit，watchingthehackney-coachman’shatasitwentbobbingdownthestreet。’I
don’tknowwhattomakeofhim。Whycan’thehavehissmallsmadetoorder，orwearliveclothesatanyrate？’
’He’saluckyman，captain，’criedHugh。’Ishouldliketohavesuchfriendsashis。’
’Ihopehedon’tget’emtomaketheirwills，andthenknock’emonthehead，’saidMrTappertit，musing。’Butcome。TheUnitedB。’sexpectme。On！——What’sthematter？’
’Iquiteforgot，’saidHugh，whohadstartedatthestrikingofaneighbouringclock。’Ihavesomebodytoseeto-night——Imustturnbackdirectly。Thedrinkingandsingingputitoutofmyhead。
It’swellIrememberedit！’
MrTappertitlookedathimasthoughhewereabouttogiveutterancetosomeverymajesticsentimentsinreferencetothisactofdesertion，butasitwasclear，fromHugh’shastymanner，thattheengagementwasoneofapressingnature，hegraciouslyforbore，andgavehimhispermissiontodepartimmediately，whichHughacknowledgedwitharoaroflaughter。
’Goodnight，captain！’hecried。’Iamyourstothedeath，remember！’
’Farewell！’saidMrTappertit，wavinghishand。’Beboldandvigilant！’
’NoPopery，captain！’roaredHugh。
’Englandinbloodfirst！’criedhisdesperateleader。WhereatHughcheeredandlaughed，andranofflikeagreyhound。
’Thatmanwillproveacredittomycorps，’saidSimon，turningthoughtfullyuponhisheel。’Andletmesee。Inanalteredstateofsociety——whichmustensueifwebreakoutandarevictorious——
whenthelocksmith’schildismine，Miggsmustbegotridofsomehow，orshe’llpoisonthetea-kettleoneeveningwhenI’mout。
HemightmarryMiggs，ifhewasdrunkenough。Itshallbedone。
I’llmakeanoteofit。’
Chapter40
Littlethinkingoftheplanforhishappysettlementinlifewhichhadsuggesteditselftotheteemingbrainofhisprovidentcommander，HughmadenopauseuntilSaintDunstan’sgiantsstruckthehourabovehim，whenheworkedthehandleofapumpwhichstoodhardby，withgreatvigour，andthrustinghisheadunderthespout，letthewatergushuponhimuntilalittlestreamrandownfromeveryuncombedhair，andhewaswettothewaist。Considerablyrefreshedbythisablution，bothinmindandbody，andalmostsoberedforthetime，hedriedhimselfashebestcould;thencrossedtheroad，andpliedtheknockeroftheMiddleTemplegate。
Thenight-porterlookedthroughasmallgratingintheportalwithasurlyeye，andcried’Halloa！’whichgreetingHughreturnedinkind，andbadehimopenquickly。
’Wedon’tsellbeerhere，’criedtheman;’whatelsedoyouwant？’
’Tocomein，’Hughreplied，withakickatthedoor。
’Wheretogo？’
’PaperBuildings。’
’Whosechambers？’
’SirJohnChester’s。’Eachofwhichanswers，heemphasisedwithanotherkick。
Afteralittlegrowlingontheotherside，thegatewasopened，andhepassedin:undergoingacloseinspectionfromtheporterashedidso。
’YOUwantingSirJohn，atthistimeofnight！’saidtheman。
’Ay！’saidHugh。’I！Whatofthat？’
’Why，Imustgowithyouandseethatyoudo，forIdon’tbelieveit。’
’Comealongthen。’
Eyeinghimwithsuspiciouslooks，theman，withkeyandlantern，walkedonathisside，andattendedhimtoSirJohnChester’sdoor，atwhichHughgaveoneknock，thatechoedthroughthedarkstaircaselikeaghostlysummons，andmadethedulllighttrembleinthedrowsylamp。
’Doyouthinkhewantsmenow？’saidHugh。
Beforethemanhadtimetoanswer，afootstepwasheardwithin，alightappeared，andSirJohn，inhisdressing-gownandslippers，openedthedoor。
’Iaskyourpardon，SirJohn，’saidtheporter，pullingoffhishat。’Here’sayoungmansayshewantstospeaktoyou。It’slateforstrangers。Ithoughtitbesttoseethatallwasright。’
’Aha！’criedSirJohn，raisinghiseyebrows。’It’syou，messenger，isit？Goin。Quiteright，friend。Icommendyourprudencehighly。Thankyou。Godblessyou。Goodnight。’
Tobecommended，thanked，God-blessed，andbadegoodnightbyonewhocarried’Sir’beforehisname，andwrotehimselfM。P。toboot，wassomethingforaporter。Hewithdrewwithmuchhumilityandreverence。SirJohnfollowedhislatevisitorintothedressing-
room，andsittinginhiseasy-chairbeforethefire，andmovingitsothathecouldseehimashestood，hatinhand，besidethedoor，lookedathimfromheadtofoot。
Theoldface，calmandpleasantasever;thecomplexion，quitejuvenileinitsbloomandclearness;thesamesmile;thewontedprecisionandeleganceofdress;thewhite，well-orderedteeth;thedelicatehands;thecomposedandquietmanner;everythingasitusedtobe:nomarkofageorpassion，envy，hate，ordiscontent:
allunruffledandserene，andquitedelightfultobehold。
HewrotehimselfM。P——buthow？Why，thus。Itwasaproudfamily——
moreproud，indeed，thanwealthy。Hehadstoodindangerofarrest;ofbailiffs，andajail——avulgarjail，towhichthecommonpeoplewithsmallincomeswent。Gentlemenofancienthouseshavenoprivilegeofexemptionfromsuchcruellaws——unlesstheyareofonegreathouse，andthentheyhave。Aproudmanofhisstockandkindredhadthemeansofsendinghimthere。Heoffered——notindeedtopayhisdebts，buttolethimsitforacloseboroughuntilhisownsoncameofage，which，ifhelived，wouldcometopassintwentyyears。ItwasquiteasgoodasanInsolventAct，andinfinitelymoregenteel。SoSirJohnChesterwasamemberofParliament。
ButhowSirJohn？Nothingsosimple，orsoeasy。Onetouchwithaswordofstate，andthetransformationwaseffected。JohnChester，Esquire，M。P。，attendedcourt——wentupwithanaddress——headedadeputation。Sucheleganceofmanner，somanygracesofdeportment，suchpowersofconversation，couldneverpassunnoticed。Mrwastoocommonforsuchmerit。Amansogentlemanlyshouldhavebeen——
butFortuneiscapricious——bornaDuke:justassomedukesshouldhavebeenbornlabourers。Hecaughtthefancyoftheking，kneltdownagrub，androseabutterfly。JohnChester，Esquire，wasknightedandbecameSirJohn。
’Ithoughtwhenyouleftmethisevening，myesteemedacquaintance，’saidSirJohnafteraprettylongsilence，’thatyouintendedtoreturnwithalldespatch？’
’SoIdid，master。’
’Andsoyouhave？’heretorted，glancingathiswatch。’Isthatwhatyouwouldsay？’
Insteadofreplying，Hughchangedthelegonwhichheleant，shuffledhiscapfromonehandtotheother，lookedattheground，thewall，theceiling，andfinallyatSirJohnhimself;beforewhosepleasantfaceheloweredhiseyesagain，andfixedthemonthefloor。
’Andhowhaveyoubeenemployingyourselfinthemeanwhile？’quothSirJohn，lazilycrossinghislegs。’Wherehaveyoubeen？whatharmhaveyoubeendoing？’
’Noharmatall，master，’growledHugh，withhumility。’Ihaveonlydoneasyouordered。’
’AsIWHAT？’returnedSirJohn。
’Wellthen，’saidHughuneasily，’asyouadvised，orsaidIought，orsaidImight，orsaidthatyouwoulddo，ifyouwasme。Don’tbesoharduponme，master。’
Somethinglikeanexpressionoftriumphintheperfectcontrolhehadestablishedoverthisroughinstrumentappearedintheknight’sfaceforaninstant;butitvanisheddirectly，ashesaid——paringhisnailswhilespeaking:
’WhenyousayIorderedyou，mygoodfellow，youimplythatI
directedyoutodosomethingforme——somethingIwanteddone——
somethingformyownendsandpurposes——yousee？NowIamsureI
needn’tenlargeupontheextremeabsurdityofsuchanidea，howeverunintentional;soplease——’andhereheturnedhiseyesuponhim——
’tobemoreguarded。Willyou？’
’Imeanttogiveyounooffence，’saidHugh。’Idon’tknowwhattosay。Youcatchmeupsoveryshort。’
’Youwillbecaughtupmuchshorter，mygoodfriend——infinitelyshorter——oneofthesedays，dependuponit，’repliedhispatroncalmly。’By-the-bye，insteadofwonderingwhyyouhavebeensolong，mywondershouldbewhyyoucameatall。Whydidyou？’
’Youknow，master，’saidHugh，’thatIcouldn’treadthebillI
found，andthatsupposingittobesomethingparticularfromthewayitwaswrappedup，Ibroughtithere。’
’Andcouldyouasknooneelsetoreadit，Bruin？’saidSirJohn。
’NoonethatIcouldtrustwithsecrets，master。SinceBarnabyRudgewaslostsightofforgoodandall——andthat’sfiveyearsago——Ihaven’ttalkedwithanyonebutyou。’
’Youhavedonemehonour，Iamsure。’
’Ihavecometoandfro，master，allthroughthattime，whentherewasanythingtotell，becauseIknewthatyou’dbeangrywithmeifIstayedaway，’saidHugh，blurtingthewordsout，afteranembarrassedsilence;’andbecauseIwishedtopleaseyouifI
could，andnottohaveyougoagainstme。There。That’sthetruereasonwhyIcameto-night。Youknowthat，master，Iamsure。’
’Youareaspeciousfellow，’returnedSirJohn，fixinghiseyesuponhim，’andcarrytwofacesunderyourhood，aswellasthebest。Didn’tyougivemeinthisroom，thisevening，anyotherreason;nodislikeofanybodywhohasslightedyoulately，onalloccasions，abusedyou，treatedyouwithrudeness;actedtowardsyou，moreasifyouwereamongreldogthanamanlikehimself？’
’TobesureIdid！’criedHugh，hispassionrising，astheothermeantitshould;’andIsayitallovernow，again。I’ddoanythingtohavesomerevengeonhim——anything。AndwhenyoutoldmethatheandalltheCatholicswouldsufferfromthosewhojoinedtogetherunderthathandbill，IsaidI’dmakeoneof’em，iftheirmasterwasthedevilhimself。IAMoneof’em。SeewhetherIamasgoodasmywordandturnouttobeamongtheforemost，orno。I
mayn’thavemuchhead，master，butI’veheadenoughtorememberthosethatusemeill。Youshallsee，andsoshallhe，andsoshallhundredsmore，howmyspiritbacksmewhenthetimecomes。
Mybarkisnothingtomybite。SomethatIknowhadbetterhaveawildlionamong’emthanme，whenIamfairlyloose——theyhad！’
Theknightlookedathimwithasmileoffardeepermeaningthanordinary;andpointingtotheoldcupboard，followedhimwithhiseyeswhilehefilledanddrankaglassofliquor;andsmiledwhenhisbackwasturned，withdeepermeaningyet。
’Youareinablusteringmood，myfriend，’hesaid，whenHughconfrontedhimagain。
’NotI，master！’criedHugh。’Idon’tsayhalfImean。Ican’t。
Ihaven’tgotthegift。Therearetalkersenoughamongus;I’llbeoneofthedoers。’
’Oh！youhavejoinedthosefellowsthen？’saidSirJohn，withanairofmostprofoundindifference。
’Yes。Iwentuptothehouseyoutoldmeof;andgotputdownuponthemuster。Therewasanothermanthere，namedDennis——’
’Dennis，eh！’criedSirJohn，laughing。’Ay，ay！apleasantfellow，Ibelieve？’
’Aroaringdog，master——oneaftermyownheart——hotuponthemattertoo——redhot。’
’SoIhaveheard，’repliedSirJohn，carelessly。’Youdon’thappentoknowhistrade，doyou？’
’Hewouldn’tsay，’criedHugh。’Hekeepsitsecret。’
’Haha！’laughedSirJohn。’Astrangefancy——aweaknesswithsomepersons——you’llknowitoneday，Idareswear。’
’We’reintimatealready，’saidHugh。
’Quitenatural！Andhavebeendrinkingtogether，eh？’pursuedSirJohn。’Didyousaywhatplaceyouwenttoincompany，whenyouleftLordGeorge’s？’
Hughhadnotsaidorthoughtofsaying，buthetoldhim;andthisinquirybeingfollowedbyalongtrainofquestions，herelatedallthathadpassedbothinandoutofdoors，thekindofpeoplehehadseen，theirnumbers，stateoffeeling，modeofconversation，apparentexpectationsandintentions。Hisquestioningwassoartfullycontrived，thatheseemedeveninhisowneyestovolunteerallthisinformationratherthantohaveitwrestedfromhim;andhewasbroughttothisstateoffeelingsonaturally，thatwhenMrChesteryawnedatlengthanddeclaredhimselfquiteweariedout，hemadearoughkindofexcuseforhavingtalkedsomuch。
’There——getyougone，’saidSirJohn，holdingthedooropeninhishand。’Youhavemadeaprettyevening’swork。Itoldyounottodothis。Youmaygetintotrouble。You’llhaveanopportunityofrevengingyourselfonyourproudfriendHaredale，though，andforthat，you’dhazardanything，Isuppose？’
’Iwould，’retortedHugh，stoppinginhispassageoutandlookingback;’butwhatdoIrisk！WhatdoIstandachanceoflosing，master？Friends，home？Afigfor’emall;Ihavenone;theyarenothingtome。Givemeagoodscuffle;letmepayoffoldscoresinaboldriotwheretherearementostandbyme;andthenusemeasyoulike——itdon’tmattermuchtomewhattheendis！’
’Whathaveyoudonewiththatpaper？’saidSirJohn。
’Ihaveithere，master。’
’Dropitagainasyougoalong;it’saswellnottokeepsuchthingsaboutyou。’
Hughnodded，andtouchinghiscapwithanairofasmuchrespectashecouldsummonup，departed。
SirJohn，fasteningthedoorsbehindhim，wentbacktohisdressing-room，andsatdownonceagainbeforethefire，atwhichhegazedforalongtime，inearnestmeditation。
’Thishappensfortunately，’hesaid，breakingintoasmile，’andpromiseswell。Letmesee。MyrelativeandI，whoarethemostProtestantfellowsintheworld，giveourworstwishestotheRomanCatholiccause;andtoSaville，whointroducestheirbill，Ihaveapersonalobjectionbesides;butaseachofushashimselfforthefirstarticleinhiscreed，wecannotcommitourselvesbyjoiningwithaveryextravagantmadman，suchasthisGordonmostundoubtedlyis。Nowreally，tofomenthisdisturbancesinsecret，throughthemediumofsuchaveryaptinstrumentasmysavagefriendhere，mayfurtherourrealends;andtoexpressatallbecomingseasons，inmoderateandpoliteterms，adisapprobationofhisproceedings，thoughweagreewithhiminprinciple，willcertainlybetogainacharacterforhonestyanduprightnessofpurpose，whichcannotfailtodousinfiniteservice，andtoraiseusintosomeimportance。Good！Somuchforpublicgrounds。Astoprivateconsiderations，IconfessthatifthesevagabondsWOULD
makesomeriotousdemonstrationwhichdoesnotappearimpossible，andWOULDinflictsomelittlechastisementonHaredaleasanotinactivemanamonghissect，itwouldbeextremelyagreeabletomyfeelings，andwouldamusemebeyondmeasure。Goodagain！Perhapsbetter！’
Whenhecametothispoint，hetookapinchofsnuff;thenbeginningslowlytoundress，heresumedhismeditations，bysayingwithasmile:
’Ifear，IDOfearexceedingly，thatmyfriendisfollowingfastinthefootstepsofhismother。HisintimacywithMrDennisisveryominous。ButIhavenodoubthemusthavecometothatendanyway。IfIlendhimahelpinghand，theonlydifferenceis，thathemay，uponthewhole，possiblydrinkafewgallons，orpuncheons，orhogsheads，lessinthislifethanheotherwisewould。It’snobusinessofmine。It’samatterofverysmallimportance！’
Sohetookanotherpinchofsnuff，andwenttobed。
Chapter41
FromtheworkshopoftheGoldenKey，thereissuedforthatinklingsound，somerryandgood-humoured，thatitsuggestedtheideaofsomeoneworkingblithely，andmadequitepleasantmusic。Nomanwhohammeredonatadullmonotonousduty，couldhavebroughtsuchcheerfulnotesfromsteelandiron;nonebutachirping，healthy，honest-heartedfellow，whomadethebestofeverything，andfeltkindlytowardseverybody，couldhavedoneitforaninstant。Hemighthavebeenacoppersmith，andstillbeenmusical。Ifhehadsatinajoltingwaggon，fullofrodsofiron，itseemedasifhewouldhavebroughtsomeharmonyoutofit。
Tink，tink，tink——clearasasilverbell，andaudibleateverypauseofthestreets’harshernoises，asthoughitsaid，’Idon’tcare;nothingputsmeout;Iamresolvedtohehappy。’Womenscolded，childrensqualled，heavycartswentrumblingby，horriblecriesproceededfromthelungsofhawkers;stillitstruckinagain，nohigher，nolower，nolouder，nosofter;notthrustingitselfonpeople’snoticeabitthemoreforhavingbeenoutdonebyloudersounds——tink，tink，tink，tink，tink。
Itwasaperfectembodimentofthestillsmallvoice，freefromallcold，hoarseness，huskiness，orunhealthinessofanykind;foot-
passengersslackenedtheirpace，andweredisposedtolingernearit;neighbourswhohadgotupspleneticthatmorning，feltgood-
humourstealingonthemastheyheardit，andbydegreesbecamequitesprightly;mothersdancedtheirbabiestoitsringing;stillthesamemagicaltink，tink，tink，camegailyfromtheworkshopoftheGoldenKey。
Whobutthelocksmithcouldhavemadesuchmusic！Agleamofsunshiningthroughtheunsashedwindow，andchequeringthedarkworkshopwithabroadpatchoflight，fellfulluponhim，asthoughattractedbyhissunnyheart。Therehestoodworkingathisanvil，hisfaceallradiantwithexerciseandgladness，hissleevesturnedup，hiswigpushedoffhisshiningforehead——theeasiest，freest，happiestmaninalltheworld。Besidehimsatasleekcat，purringandwinkinginthelight，andfallingeverynowandthenintoanidledoze，asfromexcessofcomfort。Tobylookedonfromatallbenchhardby;onebeamingsmile，fromhisbroadnut-brownfacedowntotheslack-bakedbucklesinhisshoes。Theverylocksthathungaroundhadsomethingjovialintheirrust，andseemedlikegoutygentlemenofheartynatures，disposedtojokeontheirinfirmities。Therewasnothingsurlyorsevereinthewholescene。
Itseemedimpossiblethatanyoneoftheinnumerablekeyscouldfitachurlishstrong-boxoraprison-door。Cellarsofbeerandwine，roomswheretherewerefires，books，gossip，andcheeringlaughter——
theseweretheirpropersphereofaction。Placesofdistrustandcruelty，andrestraint，theywouldhaveleftquadruple-lockedforever。
Tink，tink，tink。Thelocksmithpausedatlast，andwipedhisbrow。Thesilencerousedthecat，who，jumpingsoftlydown，crepttothedoor，andwatchedwithtigereyesabird-cageinanoppositewindow。GabrielliftedTobytohismouth，andtookaheartydraught。
Then，ashestoodupright，withhisheadflungback，andhisportlychestthrownout，youwouldhaveseenthatGabriel’slowermanwasclothedinmilitarygear。Glancingatthewallbeyond，theremighthavebeenespied，hangingontheirseveralpegs，acapandfeather，broadsword，sash，andcoatofscarlet;whichanymanlearnedinsuchmatterswouldhaveknownfromtheirmakeandpatterntobetheuniformofaserjeantintheRoyalEastLondonVolunteers。
Asthelocksmithputhismugdown，empty，onthebenchwhenceithadsmiledonhimbefore，heglancedatthesearticleswithalaughingeye，andlookingatthemwithhisheadalittleononeside，asthoughhewouldgetthemallintoafocus，said，leaningonhishammer:
’Timewas，now，Iremember，whenIwasliketorunmadwiththedesiretowearacoatofthatcolour。Ifanyoneexceptmyfatherhadcalledmeafoolformypains，howIshouldhavefiredandfumed！ButwhatafoolImusthavebeen，sure-ly！’
’Ah！’sighedMrsVarden，whohadenteredunobserved。’Afoolindeed。Amanatyourtimeoflife，Varden，shouldknowbetternow。’
’Why，whataridiculouswomanyouare，Martha，’saidthelocksmith，turningroundwithasmile。
’Certainly，’repliedMrsV。withgreatdemureness。’OfcourseI
am。Iknowthat，Varden。Thankyou。’
’Imean——’beganthelocksmith。
’Yes，’saidhiswife，’Iknowwhatyoumean。Youspeakquiteplainenoughtobeunderstood，Varden。It’sverykindofyoutoadaptyourselftomycapacity，Iamsure。’
’Tut，tut，Martha，’rejoinedthelocksmith;’don’ttakeoffenceatnothing。Imean，howstrangeitisofyoutorundownvolunteering，whenit’sdonetodefendyouandalltheotherwomen，andourownfiresideandeverybodyelse’s，incaseofneed。’
’It’sunchristian，’criedMrsVarden，shakingherhead。
’Unchristian！’saidthelocksmith。’Why，whatthedevil——’
MrsVardenlookedattheceiling，asinexpectationthattheconsequenceofthisprofanitywouldbetheimmediatedescentofthefour-postbedsteadonthesecondfloor，togetherwiththebestsitting-roomonthefirst;butnovisiblejudgmentoccurring，sheheavedadeepsigh，andbeggedherhusband，inatoneofresignation，togoon，andbyallmeanstoblasphemeasmuchaspossible，becauseheknewshelikedit。
Thelocksmithdidforamomentseemdisposedtogratifyher，buthegaveagreatgulp，andmildlyrejoined:
’Iwasgoingtosay，whatonearthdoyoucallitunchristianfor？
Whichwouldbemostunchristian，Martha——tositquietlydownandletourhousesbesackedbyaforeignarmy，ortoturnoutlikemenanddrive’emoff？Shouldn’tIbeanicesortofaChristian，ifI
creptintoacornerofmyownchimneyandlookedonwhileaparcelofwhiskeredsavagesboreoffDolly——oryou？’
Whenhesaid’oryou，’MrsVarden，despiteherself，relaxedintoasmile。Therewassomethingcomplimentaryintheidea。’Insuchastateofthingsasthat，indeed——’shesimpered。
’Asthat！’repeatedthelocksmith。’Well，thatwouldbethestateofthingsdirectly。EvenMiggswouldgo。Someblacktambourine-
player，withagreatturbanon，wouldbebearingHERoff，and，unlessthetambourine-playerwasproofagainstkickingandscratching，it’smybeliefhe’dhavetheworstofit。Hahaha！
I’dforgivethetambourine-player。Iwouldn’thavehiminterferedwithonanyaccount，poorfellow。’Andherethelocksmithlaughedagainsoheartily，thattearscameintohiseyes——muchtoMrsVarden’sindignation，whothoughtthecaptureofsosoundaProtestantandestimableaprivatecharacterasMiggsbyapagannegro，acircumstancetooshockingandawfulforcontemplation。
ThepictureGabrielhaddrawn，indeed，threatenedseriousconsequences，andwouldindubitablyhaveledtothem，butluckilyatthatmomentalightfootstepcrossedthethreshold，andDolly，runningin，threwherarmsroundheroldfather’sneckandhuggedhimtight。
’Heresheisatlast！’criedGabriel。’Andhowwellyoulook，Doll，andhowlateyouare，mydarling！’
Howwellshelooked？Well？Why，ifhehadexhaustedeverylaudatoryadjectiveinthedictionary，itwouldn’thavebeenpraiseenough。Whenandwherewasthereeversuchaplump，roguish，comely，bright-eyed，enticing，bewitching，captivating，maddeninglittlepussinallthisworld，asDolly！WhatwastheDollyoffiveyearsago，totheDollyofthatday！Howmanycoachmakers，saddlers，cabinet-makers，andprofessorsofotherusefularts，haddesertedtheirfathers，mothers，sisters，brothers，and，mostofall，theircousins，fortheloveofher！Howmanyunknowngentlemen——supposedtobeofmightyfortunes，ifnottitles——hadwaitedroundthecornerafterdark，andtemptedMiggstheincorruptible，withgoldenguineas，todeliveroffersofmarriagefoldedupinlove-letters！Howmanydisconsolatefathersandsubstantialtradesmenhadwaitedonthelocksmithforthesamepurpose，withdismaltalesofhowtheirsonshadlosttheirappetites，andtakentoshutthemselvesupindarkbedrooms，andwanderingindesolatesuburbswithpalefaces，andallbecauseofDollyVarden’slovelinessandcruelty！Howmanyyoungmen，inallprevioustimesofunprecedentedsteadiness，hadturnedsuddenlywildandwickedforthesamereason，and，inanecstasyofunrequitedlove，takentowrenchoffdoor-knockers，andinverttheboxesofrheumaticwatchmen！Howhadsherecruitedtheking’sservice，bothbyseaandland，throughrenderingdesperatehislovingsubjectsbetweentheagesofeighteenandtwenty-five！Howmanyyoungladieshadpubliclyprofessed，withtearsintheireyes，thatfortheirtastesshewasmuchtooshort，tootall，toobold，toocold，toostout，toothin，toofair，toodark——tooeverythingbuthandsome！Howmanyoldladies，takingcounseltogether，hadthankedHeaventheirdaughterswerenotlikeher，andhadhopedshemightcometonoharm，andhadthoughtshewouldcometonogood，andhadwonderedwhatpeoplesawinher，andhadarrivedattheconclusionthatshewas’goingoff’inherlooks，orhadnevercomeoninthem，andthatshewasathoroughimpositionandapopularmistake！
AndyetherewasthissameDollyVarden，sowhimsicalandhardtopleasethatshewasDollyVardenstill，allsmilesanddimplesandpleasantlooks，andcaringnomoreforthefiftyorsixtyyoungfellowswhoatthatverymomentwerebreakingtheirheartstomarryher，thanifsomanyoystershadbeencrossedinloveandopenedafterwards。
Dollyhuggedherfatherashasbeenalreadystated，andhavinghuggedhermotheralso，accompaniedbothintothelittleparlourwheretheclothwasalreadylaidfordinner，andwhereMissMiggs——
atriflemorerigidandbonythanofyore——receivedherwithasortofhystericalgasp，intendedforasmile。Intothehandsofthatyoungvirgin，shedeliveredherbonnetandwalkingdressallofadreadful，artful，anddesigningkind，andthensaidwithalaugh，whichrivalledthelocksmith’smusic，’HowgladIalwaysamtobeathomeagain！’
’Andhowgladwealwaysare，Doll，’saidherfather，puttingbackthedarkhairfromhersparklingeyes，’tohaveyouathome。Givemeakiss。’
Iftherehadbeenanybodyofthemalekindtheretoseeherdoit——
buttherewasnot——itwasamercy。
’Idon’tlikeyourbeingattheWarren，’saidthelocksmith，’I
can’tbeartohaveyououtofmysight。Andwhatisthenewsoveryonder，Doll？’
’Whatnewsthereis，Ithinkyouknowalready，’repliedhisdaughter。’Iamsureyoudothough。’
’Ay？’criedthelocksmith。’What’sthat？’
’Come，come，’saidDolly，’youknowverywell。IwantyoutotellmewhyMrHaredale——oh，howgruffheisagain，tobesure！——hasbeenawayfromhomeforsomedayspast，andwhyheistravellingaboutweknowheIStravelling，becauseofhisletterswithouttellinghisownniecewhyorwherefore。’
’MissEmmadoesn’twanttoknow，I’llswear，’returnedthelocksmith。
’Idon’tknowthat，’saidDolly;’butIdo，atanyrate。Dotellme。Whyishesosecret，andwhatisthisghoststory，whichnobodyistotellMissEmma，andwhichseemstobemixedupwithhisgoingaway？NowIseeyouknowbyyourcolouringso。’
’Whatthestorymeans，oris，orhastodowithit，Iknownomorethanyou，mydear，’returnedthelocksmith，’exceptthatit’ssomefoolishfearoflittleSolomon’s——whichhas，indeed，nomeaninginit，Isuppose。AstoMrHaredale’sjourney，hegoes，asIbelieve——’
’Yes，’saidDolly。
’AsIbelieve，’resumedthelocksmith，pinchinghercheek，’onbusiness，Doll。Whatitmaybe，isquiteanothermatter。ReadBlueBeard，anddon’tbetoocurious，pet;it’snobusinessofyoursormine，dependuponthat;andhere’sdinner，whichismuchmoretothepurpose。’
Dollymighthaveremonstratedagainstthissummarydismissalofthesubject，notwithstandingtheappearanceofdinner，butatthementionofBlueBeardMrsVardeninterposed，protestingshecouldnotfinditinherconsciencetosittamelyby，andhearherchildrecommendedtoperusetheadventuresofaTurkandMussulman——farlessofafabulousTurk，whichsheconsideredthatpotentatetobe。
Sheheldthat，insuchstirringandtremendoustimesasthoseinwhichtheylived，itwouldbemuchmoretothepurposeifDollybecamearegularsubscribertotheThunderer，whereshewouldhaveanopportunityofreadingLordGeorgeGordon’sspeecheswordforword，whichwouldbeagreatercomfortandsolacetoher，thanahundredandfiftyBlueBeardsevercouldimpart。SheappealedinsupportofthispropositiontoMissMiggs，theninwaiting，whosaidthatindeedthepeaceofmindshehadderivedfromtheperusalofthatpapergenerally，butespeciallyofonearticleoftheverylastweekaseverwas，entitled’GreatBritaindrenchedingore，’
exceededallbelief;thesamecomposition，sheadded，hadalsowroughtsuchacomfortingeffectonthemindofamarriedsisterofhers，thenresidentatGoldenLionCourt，numbertwenty-sivin，secondbell-handleontheright-handdoor-post，that，beinginadelicatestateofhealth，andinfactexpectinganadditiontoherfamily，shehadbeenseizedwithfitsdirectlyafteritsperusal，andhadravedoftheInquisitioneversince;tothegreatimprovementofherhusbandandfriends。MissMiggswentontosaythatshewouldrecommendallthosewhoseheartswerehardenedtohearLordGeorgethemselves，whomshecommendedfirst，inrespectofhissteadyProtestantism，thenofhisoratory，thenofhiseyes，thenofhisnose，thenofhislegs，andlastlyofhisfiguregenerally，whichshelookeduponasfitforanystatue，prince，orangel，towhichsentimentMrsVardenfullysubscribed。
MrsVardenhavingcutin，lookedataboxuponthemantelshelf，paintedinimitationofaveryred-brickdwelling-house，withayellowroof;havingattoparealchimney，downwhichvoluntarysubscribersdroppedtheirsilver，gold，orpence，intotheparlour;
andonthedoorthecounterfeitpresentmentofabrassplate，whereonwaslegiblyinscribed’ProtestantAssociation:’——andlookingatit，said，thatitwastoherasourceofpoignantmiserytothinkthatVardenneverhad，ofallhissubstance，droppedanythingintothattemple，saveonceinsecret——assheafterwardsdiscovered——twofragmentsoftobacco-pipe，whichshehopedwouldnotbeputdowntohislastaccount。ThatDolly，shewasgrievedtosay，wasnolessbackwardinhercontributions，betterloving，asitseemed，topurchaseribbonsandsuchgauds，thantoencouragethegreatcause，theninsuchheavytribulation;andthatshedidentreatherherfathershemuchfearedcouldnotbemovednottodespise，butimitate，thebrightexampleofMissMiggs，whoflungherwages，asitwere，intotheverycountenanceofthePope，andbruisedhisfeatureswithherquarter’smoney。
’Oh，mim，’saidMiggs，’don’treludetothat。Ihadnointentions，mim，thatnobodyshouldknow。SuchsacrificesasIcanmake，arequiteawidder’smite。It’sallIhave，’criedMiggswithagreatburstoftears——forwithhertheynevercameonbydegrees——’butit’smadeuptomeinotherways;it’swellmadeup。’
Thiswasquitetrue，thoughnotperhapsinthesensethatMiggsintended。Assheneverfailedtokeepherself-denialfullinMrsVarden’sview，itdrewforthsomanygiftsofcapsandgownsandotherarticlesofdress，thatuponthewholethered-brickhousewasperhapsthebestinvestmentforhersmallcapitalshecouldpossiblyhavehitupon;returningherinterest，attherateofsevenoreightpercentinmoney，andfiftyatleastinpersonalreputeandcredit。
’Youneedn’tcry，Miggs，’saidMrsVarden，herselfintears;’youneedn’tbeashamedofit，thoughyourpoormistressISonthesameside。’
Miggshowledatthisremark，inapeculiarlydismalway，andsaidsheknowedthatmasterhatedher。Thatitwasadreadfulthingtoliveinfamiliesandhavedislikes，andnotgivesatisfactions。
Thattomakedivisionswasathingshecouldnotabeartothinkof，neithercouldherfeelingsletherdoit。Thatifitwasmaster’swishesassheandhimshouldpart，itwasbesttheyshouldpart，andshehopedhemightbethehappierforit，andalwayswishedhimwell，andthathemightfindsomebodyaswouldmeethisdispositions。Itwouldbeahardtrial，shesaid，topartfromsuchamissis，butshecouldmeetanysufferingwhenherconsciencetoldhershewasintherights，andthereforeshewaswillingeventogothatlengths。Shedidnotthink，sheadded，thatshecouldlongsurvivetheseparations，but，asshewashatedandlookeduponunpleasant，perhapsherdyingassoonaspossiblewouldbethebestendingsforallparties。Withthisaffectingconclusion，MissMiggsshedmoretears，andsobbedabundantly。
’Canyoubearthis，Varden？’saidhiswifeinasolemnvoice，layingdownherknifeandfork。
’Why，notverywell，mydear，’rejoinedthelocksmith，’butItrytokeepmytemper。’
’Don’tlettherebewordsonmyaccount，mim，’sobbedMiggs。’It’smuchthebestthatweshouldpart。Iwouldn’tstay——oh，graciousme！——andmakedissensions，notforaannualgoldmine，andfoundinteaandsugar。’
LestthereadershouldbeatanylosstodiscoverthecauseofMissMiggs’sdeepemotion，itmaybewhisperedapartthat，happeningtobelistening，ashercustomsometimeswas，whenGabrielandhiswifeconversedtogether，shehadheardthelocksmith’sjokerelativetotheforeignblackwhoplayedthetambourine，andburstingwiththespitefulfeelingswhichthetauntawokeinherfairbreast，explodedinthemannerwehavewitnessed。Mattershavingnowarrivedatacrisis，thelocksmith，asusual，andforthesakeofpeaceandquietness，gavein。
’Whatareyoucryingfor，girl？’hesaid。’What’sthematterwithyou？Whatareyoutalkingabouthatredfor？Idon’thateyou;I
don’thateanybody。Dryyoureyesandmakeyourselfagreeable，inHeaven’sname，andletusallbehappywhilewecan。’
Thealliedpowersdeemingitgoodgeneralshiptoconsiderthisasufficientapologyonthepartoftheenemy，andconfessionofhavingbeeninthewrong，diddrytheireyesandtakeitingoodpart。MissMiggsobservedthatsheborenomalice，nonottohergreatestfoe，whomsheratherlovedthemoreindeed，thegreaterpersecutionshesustained。MrsVardenapprovedofthismeekandforgivingspiritinhighterms，andincidentallydeclaredasaclosingarticleofagreement，thatDollyshouldaccompanyhertotheClerkenwellbranchoftheassociation，thatverynight。Thiswasanextraordinaryinstanceofhergreatprudenceandpolicy;
havinghadthisendinviewfromthefirst，andentertainingasecretmisgivingthatthelocksmithwhowasboldwhenDollywasinquestionwouldobject，shehadbackedMissMiggsuptothispoint，inorderthatshemighthavehimatadisadvantage。ThemanoeuvresucceededsowellthatGabrielonlymadeawryface，andwiththewarninghehadjusthad，freshinhismind，didnotdaretosayoneword。
Thedifferenceended，therefore，inMiggsbeingpresentedwithagownbyMrsVardenandhalf-a-crownbyDolly，asifshehademinentlydistinguishedherselfinthepathsofmoralityandgoodness。MrsV。，accordingtocustom，expressedherhopethatVardenwouldtakealessonfromwhathadpassedandlearnmoregenerousconductforthetimetocome;andthedinnerbeingnowcoldandnobody’sappetiteverymuchimprovedbywhathadpassed，theywentonwithit，asMrsVardensaid，’likeChristians。’
AstherewastobeagrandparadeoftheRoyalEastLondonVolunteersthatafternoon，thelocksmithdidnomorework;butsatdowncomfortablywithhispipeinhismouth，andhisarmroundhisprettydaughter’swaist，lookinglovinglyonMrsV。，fromtimetotime，andexhibitingfromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot，onesmilingsurfaceofgoodhumour。Andtobesure，whenitwastimetodresshiminhisregimentals，andDolly，hangingabouthiminallkindsofgracefulwinningways，helpedtobuttonandbuckleandbrushhimupandgethimintooneofthetightestcoatsthateverwasmadebymortaltailor，hewastheproudestfatherinallEngland。
’Whatahandyjadeitis！’saidthelocksmithtoMrsVarden，whostoodbywithfoldedhands——ratherproudofherhusbandtoo——whileMiggsheldhiscapandswordatarm’slength，asifmistrustingthatthelattermightrunsomeonethroughthebodyofitsownaccord;’butnevermarryasoldier，Doll，mydear。’
Dollydidn’taskwhynot，orsayaword，indeed，butstoopedherheaddownverylowtotiehissash。
’Ineverwearthisdress，’saidhonestGabriel，’butIthinkofpoorJoeWillet。IlovedJoe;hewasalwaysafavouriteofmine。
PoorJoe！——Dearheart，mygirl，don’ttiemeinsotight。’
Dollylaughed——notlikeherselfatall——thestrangestlittlelaughthatcouldbe——andheldherheaddownlowerstill。
’PoorJoe！’resumedthelocksmith，mutteringtohimself;’Ialwayswishhehadcometome。Imighthavemadeitupbetweenthem，ifhehad。Ah！oldJohnmadeagreatmistakeinhiswayofactingbythatlad——agreatmistake——Haveyounearlytiedthatsash，mydear？’
Whatanill-madesashitwas！Thereitwas，looseagainandtrailingontheground。Dollywasobligedtokneeldown，andrecommenceatthebeginning。
’NevermindyoungWillet，Varden，’saidhiswifefrowning;’youmightfindsomeonemoredeservingtotalkabout，Ithink。’
MissMiggsgaveagreatsnifftothesameeffect。
’Nay，Martha，’criedthelocksmith，’don’tletusbeartooharduponhim。Iftheladisdeadindeed，we’lldealkindlybyhismemory。’
’Arunawayandavagabond！’saidMrsVarden。
MissMiggsexpressedherconcurrenceasbefore。
’Arunaway，mydear，butnotavagabond，’returnedthelocksmithinagentletone。’Hebehavedhimselfwell，didJoe——always——andwasahandsome，manlyfellow。Don’tcallhimavagabond，Martha。’
MrsVardencoughed——andsodidMiggs。
’Hetriedhardtogainyourgoodopinion，Martha，Icantellyou，’
saidthelocksmithsmiling，andstrokinghischin。’Ah！thathedid。ItseemsbutyesterdaythathefollowedmeouttotheMaypoledooronenight，andbeggedmenottosayhowlikeaboytheyusedhim——sayhere，athome，hemeant，thoughatthetime，Irecollect，Ididn’tunderstand。“Andhow’sMissDolly，sir？”saysJoe，’
pursuedthelocksmith，musingsorrowfully，’Ah！PoorJoe！’
’Well，Ideclare，’criedMiggs。’Oh！Goodnessgraciousme！’
’What’sthematternow？’saidGabriel，turningsharplytoher，’Why，ifherean’tMissDolly，’saidthehandmaid，stoopingdowntolookintoherface，’a-givingwaytofloodsoftears。Ohmim！ohsir。Ralyit’sgivemesuchaturn，’criedthesusceptibledamsel，pressingherhanduponhersidetoquellthepalpitationofherheart，’thatyoumightknockmedownwithafeather。’
Thelocksmith，afterglancingatMissMiggsasifhecouldhavewishedtohaveafeatherbroughtstraightway，lookedonwithabroadstarewhileDollyhurriedaway，followedbythatsympathisingyoungwoman:thenturningtohiswife，stammeredout，’IsDollyill？HaveIdoneanything？Isitmyfault？’
’Yourfault！’criedMrsV。reproachfully。’There——youhadbettermakehasteout。’
’WhathaveIdone？’saidpoorGabriel。’ItwasagreedthatMrEdward’snamewasnevertobementioned，andIhavenotspokenofhim，haveI？’
MrsVardenmerelyrepliedthatshehadnopatiencewithhim，andbouncedoffaftertheothertwo。Theunfortunatelocksmithwoundhissashabouthim，girdedonhissword，putonhiscap，andwalkedout。
’Iamnotmuchofadabatmyexercise，’hesaidunderhisbreath，’butIshallgetintofewerscrapesatthatworkthanatthis。
Everymancameintotheworldforsomething;mydepartmentseemstobetomakeeverywomancrywithoutmeaningit。It’sratherhard！’
Butheforgotitbeforehereachedtheendofthestreet，andwentonwithashiningface，noddingtotheneighbours，andshoweringabouthisfriendlygreetingslikemildspringrain。
Chapter42
TheRoyalEastLondonVolunteersmadeabrilliantsightthatday:
formedintolines，squares，circles，triangles，andwhatnot，tothebeatingofdrums，andthestreamingofflags;andperformedavastnumberofcomplexevolutions，inallofwhichSerjeantVardenboreaconspicuousshare。Havingdisplayedtheirmilitaryprowesstotheutmostinthesewarlikeshows，theymarchedinglitteringordertotheChelseaBunHouse，andregaledintheadjacenttavernsuntildark。Thenatsoundofdrumtheyfellinagain，andreturnedamidsttheshoutingofHisMajesty’sliegestotheplacefromwhencetheycame。
Thehomewardmarchbeingsomewhattardy，——owingtotheun-
soldierlikebehaviourofcertaincorporals，who，beinggentlemenofsedentarypursuitsinprivatelifeandexcitableoutofdoors，brokeseveralwindowswiththeirbayonets，andrendereditimperativeonthecommandingofficertodeliverthemovertoastrongguard，withwhomtheyfoughtatintervalsastheycamealong，——itwasnineo’clockwhenthelocksmithreachedhome。A
hackney-coachwaswaitingnearhisdoor;andashepassedit，MrHaredalelookedfromthewindowandcalledhimbyhisname。
’Thesightofyouisgoodforsoreeyes，sir，’saidthelocksmith，steppinguptohim。’Iwishyouhadwalkedinthough，ratherthanwaitedhere。’
’Thereisnobodyathome，Ifind，’MrHaredaleanswered;’besides，IdesiredtobeasprivateasIcould。’
’Humph！’mutteredthelocksmith，lookingroundathishouse。
’GonewithSimonTappertittothatpreciousBranch，nodoubt。’
MrHaredaleinvitedhimtocomeintothecoach，and，ifhewerenottiredoranxioustogohome，toridewithhimalittlewaythattheymighthavesometalktogether。Gabrielcheerfullycomplied，andthecoachmanmountinghisboxdroveoff。
’Varden，’saidMrHaredale，afteraminute’spause，’youwillbeamazedtohearwhaterrandIamon;itwillseemaverystrangeone。’
’Ihavenodoubtit’sareasonableone，sir，andhasameaninginit，’repliedthelocksmith;’oritwouldnotbeyoursatall。Haveyoujustcomebacktotown，sir？’
’Buthalfanhourago。’
’BringingnonewsofBarnaby，orhismother？’saidthelocksmithdubiously。’Ah！youneedn’tshakeyourhead，sir。Itwasawild-
goosechase。Ifearedthat，fromthefirst。Youexhaustedallreasonablemeansofdiscoverywhentheywentaway。Tobeginagainaftersolongatimehaspassedishopeless，sir——quitehopeless。’
’Why，wherearethey？’hereturnedimpatiently。’Wherecantheybe？Aboveground？’
’Godknows，’rejoinedthelocksmith，’manythatIknewaboveitfiveyearsago，havetheirbedsunderthegrassnow。Andtheworldisawideplace。It’sahopelessattempt，sir，believeme。Wemustleavethediscoveryofthismystery，likeallothers，totime，andaccident，andHeaven’spleasure。’
’Varden，mygoodfellow，’saidMrHaredale，’Ihaveadeepermeaninginmypresentanxietytofindthemout，thanyoucanfathom。Itisnotamerewhim;itisnotthecasualrevivalofmyoldwishesanddesires;butanearnest，solemnpurpose。Mythoughtsanddreamsalltendtoit，andfixitinmymind。Ihavenorestbydayornight;Ihavenopeaceorquiet;Iamhaunted。’
Hisvoicewassoalteredfromitsusualtones，andhismannerbespokesomuchemotion，thatGabriel，inhiswonder，couldonlysitandlooktowardshiminthedarkness，andfancytheexpressionofhisface。
’Donotaskme，’continuedMrHaredale，’toexplainmyself。IfI
weretodoso，youwouldthinkmethevictimofsomehideousfancy。
Itisenoughthatthisisso，andthatIcannot——no，Icannot——liequietlyinmybed，withoutdoingwhatwillseemtoyouincomprehensible。’
’Sincewhen，sir，’saidthelocksmithafterapause，’hasthisuneasyfeelingbeenuponyou？’
MrHaredalehesitatedforsomemoments，andthenreplied:’Sincethenightofthestorm。Inshort，sincethelastnineteenthofMarch。’
AsthoughhefearedthatVardenmightexpresssurprise，orreasonwithhim，hehastilywenton:
’Youwillthink，Iknow，Ilabourundersomedelusion。PerhapsI
do。Butitisnotamorbidone;itisawholesomeactionofthemind，reasoningonactualoccurrences。YouknowthefurnitureremainsinMrsRudge’shouse，andthatithasbeenshutup，bymyorders，sinceshewentaway，saveoncea-weekorso，whenanoldneighbourvisitsittoscareawaytherats。Iamonmywaytherenow。’
’Forwhatpurpose？’askedthelocksmith。
’Topassthenightthere，’hereplied;’andnotto-nightalone，butmanynights。ThisisasecretwhichItrusttoyouincaseofanyunexpectedemergency。Youwillnotcome，unlessincaseofstrongnecessity，tome;fromdusktobroaddayIshallbethere。Emma，yourdaughter，andtherest，supposemeoutofLondon，asIhavebeenuntilwithinthishour。Donotundeceivethem。ThisistheerrandIamboundupon。IknowImayconfideittoyou，andIrelyuponyourquestioningmenomoreatthistime。’
Withthat，asiftochangethetheme，heledtheastoundedlocksmithbacktothenightoftheMaypolehighwayman，totherobberyofEdwardChester，tothereappearanceofthemanatMrsRudge’shouse，andtoallthestrangecircumstanceswhichafterwardsoccurred。Heevenaskedhimcarelesslyabouttheman’sheight，hisface，hisfigure，whetherhewaslikeanyonehehadeverseen——likeHugh，forinstance，oranymanhehadknownatanytime——andputmanyquestionsofthatsort，whichthelocksmith，consideringthemasmeredevicestoengagehisattentionandpreventhisexpressingtheastonishmenthefelt，answeredprettymuchatrandom。
Atlength，theyarrivedatthecornerofthestreetinwhichthehousestood，whereMrHaredale，alighting，dismissedthecoach。
’Ifyoudesiretoseemesafelylodged，’hesaid，turningtothelocksmithwithagloomysmile，’youcan。’
Gabriel，towhomallformermarvelshadbeennothingincomparisonwiththis，followedhimalongthenarrowpavementinsilence。Whentheyreachedthedoor，MrHaredalesoftlyopeneditwithakeyhehadabouthim，andclosingitwhenVardenentered，theywereleftinthoroughdarkness。
Theygropedtheirwayintotheground-floorroom。HereMrHaredalestruckalight，andkindledapockettaperhehadbroughtwithhimforthepurpose。Itwasthen，whentheflamewasfulluponhim，thatthelocksmithsawforthefirsttimehowhaggard，pale，andchangedhelooked;howwornandthinhewas;howperfectlyhiswholeappearancecoincidedwithallthathehadsaidsostrangelyastheyrodealong。ItwasnotanunnaturalimpulseinGabriel，afterwhathehadheard，tonotecuriouslytheexpressionofhiseyes。Itwasperfectlycollectedandrational;