Rigaudchinkedthemoney，weigheditinhishand，threwitupalittlewayandcaughtit，chinkeditagain。
　　’Thesoundofit，totheboldRigaudBlandois，islikethetasteoffreshmeattothetiger。Say，then，madame。Howmuch？’
　　Heturneduponhersuddenlywithamenacinggestureoftheweightedhandthatclenchedthemoney，asifheweregoingtostrikeherwithit。
　　’Itellyouagain，asItoldyoubefore，thatwearenotrichhere，asyousupposeustobe，andthatyourdemandisexcessive。Ihavenotthepresentmeansofcomplyingwithsuchademand，ifIhadeversogreataninclination。’
　　’If!’criedRigaud。’HearthisladywithherIf!Willyousaythatyouhavenottheinclination？’
　　’Iwillsaywhatpresentsitselftome，andnotwhatpresentsitselftoyou。’
　　’Sayitthen。Astotheinclination。Quick!Cometotheinclination，andIknowwhattodo。’
　　Shewasnoquicker，andnoslower，inherreply。’Itwouldseemthatyouhaveobtainedpossessionofapaper——orofpapers——whichIassuredlyhavetheinclinationtorecover。’
　　Rigaud，withaloudlaugh，drummedhisheelsagainstthetable，andchinkedhismoney。’Ithinkso!Ibelieveyouthere!’
　　’Thepapermightbeworth，tome，asumofmoney。Icannotsayhowmuch，orhowlittle。’
　　’WhattheDevil!’heaskedsavagely。’Notafteraweek’sgracetoconsider？’
　　’No!Iwillnotoutofmyscantymeans——forItellyouagain，wearepoorhere，andnotrich——IwillnotofferanypriceforapowerthatIdonotknowtheworstandthefullestextentof。Thisisthethirdtimeofyourhintingandthreatening。Youmustspeakexplicitly，oryoumaygowhereyouwill，anddowhatyouwill。Itisbettertobetorntopiecesataspring，thantobeamouseatthecapriceofsuchacat。’
　　Helookedathersohardwiththoseeyestooneartogetherthatthesinistersightofeach，crossingthatoftheother，seemedtomakethebridgeofhishookednosecrooked。Afteralongsurvey，hesaid，withthefurthersettingoffofhisinternalsmile：
　　’Youareaboldwoman!’
　　’Iamaresolvedwoman。’
　　’Youalwayswere。What？Shealwayswas；isitnotso，mylittleFlintwinch？’
　　’Flintwinch，saynothingtohim。Itisforhimtosay，hereandnow，allhecan；ortogohence，anddoallhecan。Youknowthistobeourdetermination。Leavehimtohisactiononit。’
　　Shedidnotshrinkunderhisevilleer，oravoidit。Heturnedituponheragain，butsheremainedsteadyatthepointtowhichshehadfixedherself。Hegotoffthetable，placedachairnearthesofa，satdowninit，andleanedanarmuponthesofaclosetoherown，whichhetouchedwithhishand。Herfacewaseverfrowning，attentive，andsettled。
　　’Itisyourpleasurethen，madame，thatIshallrelateamorseloffamilyhistoryinthislittlefamilysociety，’saidRigaud，withawarningplayofhislithefingersonherarm。’Iamsomethingofadoctor。Letmetouchyourpulse。’
　　Shesufferedhimtotakeherwristinhishand。Holdingit，heproceededtosay：
　　’Ahistoryofastrangemarriage，andastrangemother，andarevenge，andasuppression——Aye，aye，aye？thispulseisbeatingcuriously!ItappearstomethatitdoubleswhileItouchit。Arethesetheusualchangesofyourmalady，madame？’
　　Therewasastruggleinhermaimedarmasshetwisteditaway，buttherewasnoneinherface。Onhisfacetherewashisownsmile。
　　’Ihavelivedanadventurouslife。Iamanadventurouscharacter。
　　Ihaveknownmanyadventurers；interestingspirits——amiablesociety!TooneofthemIowemyknowledgeandmyproofs——Irepeatit，estimablelady——proofs——oftheravishinglittlefamilyhistoryIgotocommence。Youwillbecharmedwithit。But，bah!I
　　forget。Oneshouldnameahistory。ShallInameitthehistoryofahouse？But，bah，again。Therearesomanyhouses。ShallInameitthehistoryofthishouse？’
　　Leaningoverthesofa，poisedontwolegsofhischairandhisleftelbow；thathandoftentappingherarmtobeathiswordshome；hislegscrossed；hisrighthandsometimesarranginghishair，sometimessmoothinghismoustache，sometimesstrikinghisnose，alwaysthreateningherwhateveritdid；coarse，insolent，rapacious，cruel，andpowerful，hepursuedhisnarrativeathisease。
　　’Infine，then，Inameitthehistoryofthishouse。Icommenceit。Therelivehere，letussuppose，anuncleandnephew。Theuncle，arigidoldgentlemanofstrongforceofcharacter；thenephew，habituallytimid，repressed，andunderconstraint。’
　　MistressAffery，fixedlyattentiveinthewindow-seat，bitingtherolledupendofherapron，andtremblingfromheadtofoot，herecriedout，’Jeremiah，keepofffromme!I’veheerd，inmydreams，ofArthur’sfatherandhisuncle。He’satalkingofthem。Itwasbeforemytimehere；butI’veheerdinmydreamsthatArthur’sfatherwasapoor，irresolute，frightenedchap，whohadhadeverythingbuthisorphanlifescaredoutofhimwhenhewasyoung，andthathehadnovoiceinthechoiceofhiswifeeven，buthisunclechoseher。Thereshesits!Iheerditinmydreams，andyousaidittoherownself。’
　　AsMrFlintwinchshookhisfistather，andasMrsClennamgazeduponher，Rigaudkissedhishandtoher。
　　’Perfectlyright，dearMadameFlintwinch。Youhaveageniusfordreaming。’
　　’Idon’twantnoneofyourpraises，’returnedAffery。’Idon’twanttohavenothingatalltosaytoyou。ButJeremiahsaidtheywasdreams，andI’lltell’emassuch!’Heresheputheraproninhermouthagain，asifshewerestoppingsomebodyelse’smouth——
　　perhapsjeremiah’s，whichwaschatteringwiththreatsasifheweregrimlycold。
　　’OurbelovedMadameFlintwinch，’saidRigaud，’developingallofasuddenafinesusceptibilityandspirituality，isrighttoamarvel。Yes。Sorunsthehistory。Monsieur，theuncle，commandsthenephewtomarry。Monsieursaystohimineffect，“Mynephew，Iintroducetoyoualadyofstrongforceofcharacter，likemyself——aresolvedlady，asternlady，aladywhohasawillthatcanbreaktheweaktopowder：aladywithoutpity，withoutlove，implacable，revengeful，coldasthestone，butragingasthefire。“
　　Ah!whatfortitude!Ah，whatsuperiorityofintellectualstrength!Truly，aproudandnoblecharacterthatIdescribeinthesupposedwordsofMonsieur，theuncle。Ha，ha，ha!Deathofmysoul，Ilovethesweetlady!’
　　MrsClennam’sfacehadchanged。Therewasaremarkabledarknessofcolouronit，andthebrowwasmorecontracted。’Madame，madame，’
　　saidRigaud，tappingheronthearm，asifhiscruelhandweresoundingamusicalinstrument，’IperceiveIinterestyou。I
　　perceiveIawakenyoursympathy。Letusgoon。’
　　Thedroopingnoseandtheascendingmoustachehad，however，tobehiddenforamomentwiththewhitehand，beforehecouldgoon；heenjoyedtheeffecthemadesomuch。
　　’Thenephew，being，asthelucidMadameFlintwinchhasremarked，apoordevilwhohashadeverythingbuthisorphanlifefrightenedandfamishedoutofhim——thenephewabaseshishead，andmakesresponse：“Myuncle，itistoyoutocommand。Doasyouwill!“
　　Monsieur，theuncle，doesashewill。Itiswhathealwaysdoes。
　　Theauspiciousnuptialstakeplace；thenewlymarriedcomehometothischarmingmansion；theladyisreceived，letussuppose，byFlintwinch。Hey，oldintriguer？’
　　Jeremiah，withhiseyesuponhismistress，madenoreply。Rigaudlookedfromonetotheother，struckhisuglynose，andmadeacluckingwithhistongue。
　　’Soontheladymakesasingularandexcitingdiscovery。Thereupon，fullofanger，fullofjealousy，fullofvengeance，sheforms——seeyou，madame!——aschemeofretribution，theweightofwhichsheingeniouslyforceshercrushedhusbandtobearhimself，aswellasexecuteuponherenemy。Whatsuperiorintelligence!’
　　’Keepoff，Jeremiah!’criedthepalpitatingAffery，takingherapronfromhermouthagain。’Butitwasoneofmydreams，thatyoutoldher，whenyouquarrelledwithheronewintereveningatdusk——
　　thereshesitsandyoulookingather——thatsheoughtn’ttohaveletArthurwhenhecomehome，suspecthisfatheronly；thatshehadalwayshadthestrengthandthepower；andthatsheoughttohavestoodupmoretoArthur，forhisfather。Itwasinthesamedreamwhereyousaidtoherthatshewasnot——notsomething，butIdon’tknowwhat，forsheburstouttremendousandstoppedyou。YouknowthedreamaswellasIdo。Whenyoucomedown-stairsintothekitchenwiththecandleinyourhand，andhitchedmyapronoffmyhead。WhenyoutoldmeIhadbeendreaming。Whenyouwouldn’tbelievethenoises。’AfterthisexplosionAfferyputherapronintohermouthagain；alwayskeepingherhandonthewindow-sillandherkneeonthewindow-seat，readytocryoutorjumpoutifherlordandmasterapproached。
　　Rigaudhadnotlostawordofthis。
　　’Haha!’hecried，liftinghiseyebrows，foldinghisarms，andleaningbackinhischair。’Assuredly，MadameFlintwinchisanoracle!Howshallweinterprettheoracle，youandIandtheoldintriguer？Hesaidthatyouwerenot——？Andyouburstoutandstoppedhim!Whatwasityouwerenot？Whatisityouarenot？
　　Saythen，madame!’
　　Underthisferociousbanter，shesatbreathingharder，andhermouthwasdisturbed。Herlipsquiveredandopened，inspiteofherutmosteffortstokeepthemstill。
　　’Comethen，madame!Speak，then!Ouroldintriguersaidthatyouwerenot——andyoustoppedhim。Hewasgoingtosaythatyouwerenot——what？Iknowalready，butIwantalittleconfidencefromyou。How，then？Youarenotwhat？’
　　Shetriedagaintorepressherself，butbrokeoutvehemently，’NotArthur’smother!’
　　’Good，’saidRigaud。’Youareamenable。’
　　Withthesetexpressionofherfacealltornawaybytheexplosionofherpassion，andwithabursting，fromeveryrentfeature，ofthesmoulderingfiresolongpentup，shecriedout：’Iwilltellitmyself!Iwillnothearitfromyourlips，andwiththetaintofyourwickednessuponit。Sinceitmustbeseen，IwillhaveitseenbythelightIstoodin。Notanotherword。Hearme!’
　　’UnlessyouareamoreobstinateandmorepersistingwomanthanevenIknowyoutobe，’MrFlintwinchinterposed，’youhadbetterleaveMrRigaud，MrBlandois，MrBeelzebub，totellitinhisownway。Whatdoesitsignifywhenheknowsallaboutit？’
　　’Hedoesnotknowallaboutit。’
　　’Heknowsallhecaresaboutit，’MrFlintwinchtestilyurged。
　　’Hedoesnotknowme。’
　　’Whatdoyousupposehecaresforyou，youconceitedwoman？’saidMrFlintwinch。
　　’Itellyou，Flintwinch，Iwillspeak。Itellyouwhenithascometothis，Iwilltellitwithmyownlips，andwillexpressmyselfthroughoutit。What!HaveIsufferednothinginthisroom，nodeprivation，noimprisonment，thatIshouldcondescendatlasttocontemplatemyselfinsuchaglassasthat。Canyouseehim？Canyouhearhim？Ifyourwifewereahundredtimestheingratethatsheis，andifIwereathousandtimesmorehopelessthanIamofinducinghertobesilentifthismanissilenced，Iwouldtellitmyself，beforeIwouldbearthetormentofthehearingitfromhim。’
　　Rigaudpushedhischairalittleback；pushedhislegsoutstraightbeforehim；andsatwithhisarmsfoldedoveragainsther。
　　’Youdonotknowwhatitis，’shewentonaddressinghim，’tobebroughtupstrictlyandstraitly。Iwassobroughtup。Minewasnolightyouthofsinfulgaietyandpleasure。Mineweredaysofwholesomerepression，punishment，andfear。Thecorruptionofourhearts，theevilofourways，thecursethatisuponus，theterrorsthatsurroundus——thesewerethethemesofmychildhood。
　　Theyformedmycharacter，andfilledmewithanabhorrenceofevil-
　　doers。WhenoldMrGilbertClennamproposedhisorphannephewtomyfatherformyhusband，myfatherimpresseduponmethathisbringing-uphadbeen，likemine，oneofsevererestraint。Hetoldme，thatbesidesthedisciplinehisspirithadundergone，hehadlivedinastarvedhouse，whereriotingandgaietywereunknown，andwhereeverydaywasadayoftoilandtriallikethelast。Hetoldmethathehadbeenamaninyearslongbeforehisunclehadacknowledgedhimasone；andthatfromhisschool-daystothathour，hisuncle’sroofhasbeenasanctuarytohimfromthecontagionoftheirreligiousanddissolute。When，withinatwelvemonthofourmarriage，Ifoundmyhusband，atthattimewhenmyfatherspokeofhim，tohavesinnedagainsttheLordandoutragedmebyholdingaguiltycreatureinmyplace，wasItodoubtthatithadbeenappointedtometomakethediscovery，andthatitwasappointedtometolaythehandofpunishmentuponthatcreatureofperdition？WasItodismissinamoment——notmyownwrongs——whatwasI!butalltherejectionofsin，andallthewaragainstit，inwhichIhadbeenbred？’Shelaidherwrathfulhanduponthewatchonthetable。
　　’No!“Donotforget。“Theinitialsofthosewordsarewithinherenow，andwerewithinherethen。Iwasappointedtofindtheoldletterthatreferredtothem，andthattoldmewhattheymeant，andwhoseworktheywere，andwhytheywereworked，lyingwiththiswatchinhissecretdrawer。Butforthatappointmenttherewouldhavebeennodiscovery。“Donotforget。“Itspoketomelikeavoicefromanangrycloud。Donotforgetthedeadlysin，donotforgettheappointeddiscovery，donotforgettheappointedsuffering。Ididnotforget。WasitmyownwrongIremembered？
　　Mine!Iwasbutaservantandaminister。WhatpowercouldIhaveoverthem，butthattheywereboundinthebondsoftheirsin，anddeliveredtome!’
　　Morethanfortyyearshadpassedoverthegreyheadofthisdeterminedwoman，sincethetimesherecalled。Morethanfortyyearsofstrifeandstrugglewiththewhisperthat，bywhatevernameshecalledhervindictiveprideandrage，nothingthroughalleternitycouldchangetheirnature。Yet，gonethosemorethanfortyyears，andcomethisNemesisnowlookingherintheface，shestillabidedbyheroldimpiety——stillreversedtheorderofCreation，andbreathedherownbreathintoaclayimageofherCreator。Verily，verily，travellershaveseenmanymonstrousidolsinmanycountries；butnohumaneyeshaveeverseenmoredaring，gross，andshockingimagesoftheDivinenaturethanwecreaturesofthedustmakeinourownlikenesses，ofourownbadpassions。
　　’WhenIforcedhimtogiveheruptome，byhernameandplaceofabode，’shewentoninhertorrentofindignationanddefence；
　　’whenIaccusedher，andshefellhidingherfaceatmyfeet，wasitmyinjurythatIasserted，weretheymyreproachesthatIpoureduponher？Thosewhowereappointedofoldtogotowickedkingsandaccusethem——weretheynotministersandservants？AndhadnotI，unworthyandfar-removedfromthem，sintodenounce？Whenshepleadedtomeheryouth，andhiswretchedandhardlifethatwasherphraseforthevirtuoustraininghehadbelied，andthe