desecratedceremonyofmarriagetherehadsecretlybeenbetweenthem，andtheterrorsofwantandshamethathadoverwhelmedthembothwhenIwasfirstappointedtobetheinstrumentoftheirpunishment，andtheloveforshesaidthewordtome，downatmyfeetinwhichshehadabandonedhimandlefthimtome，wasitmyenemythatbecamemyfootstool，weretheythewordsofmywraththatmadehershrinkandquiver!Notuntomethestrengthbeascribed；notuntomethewringingoftheexpiation!’
　　Manyyearshadcomeandgonesinceshehadhadthefreeuseevenofherfingers；butitwasnoticeablethatshehadalreadymorethanoncestruckherclenchedhandvigorouslyuponthetable，andthatwhenshesaidthesewordssheraisedherwholearmintheair，asthoughithadbeenacommonactionwithher。
　　’Andwhatwastherepentancethatwasextortedfromthehardnessofherheartandtheblacknessofherdepravity？I，vindictiveandimplacable？Itmaybeso，tosuchasyouwhoknownorighteousness，andnoappointmentexceptSatan’s。Laugh；butI
　　willbeknownasIknowmyself，andasFlintwinchknowsme，thoughitisonlytoyouandthishalf-wittedwoman。’
　　’Add，toyourself，madame，’saidRigaud。’Ihavemylittlesuspicionsthatmadameisrathersolicitoustobejustifiedtoherself。’
　　’Itisfalse。Itisnotso。Ihavenoneedtobe，’shesaid，withgreatenergyandanger。
　　’Truly？’retortedRigaud。’Hah!’
　　’Iask，whatwasthepenitence，inworks，thatwasdemandedofher？
　　“Youhaveachild；Ihavenone。Youlovethatchild。Givehimtome。Heshallbelievehimselftobemyson，andheshallbebelievedbyeveryonetobemyson。Tosaveyoufromexposure，hisfathershallswearnevertoseeorcommunicatewithyoumore；
　　equallytosavehimfrombeingstrippedbyhisuncle，andtosaveyourchildfrombeingabeggar，youshallswearnevertoseeorcommunicatewitheitherofthemmore。Thatdone，andyourpresentmeans，derivedfrommyhusband，renounced，Ichargemyselfwithyoursupport。Youmay，withyourplaceofretreatunknown，thenleave，ifyouplease，uncontradictedbyme，theliethatwhenyoupassedoutofallknowledgebutmine，youmeritedagoodname。“
　　Thatwasall。Shehadtosacrificehersinfulandshamefulaffections；nomore。Shewasthenfreetobearherloadofguiltinsecret，andtobreakherheartinsecret；andthroughsuchpresentmiserylightenoughforher，Ithink!topurchaseherredemptionfromendlessmisery，ifshecould。If，inthis，I
　　punishedherhere，didInotopentoherawayhereafter？Ifsheknewherselftobesurroundedbyinsatiablevengeanceandunquenchablefires，weretheymine？IfIthreatenedher，thenandafterwards，withtheterrorsthatencompassedher，didIholdtheminmyrighthand？’
　　Sheturnedthewatchuponthetable，andopenedit，and，withanunsofteningface，lookedattheworkedletterswithin。
　　’Theydidnotforget。Itisappointedagainstsuchoffencesthattheoffendersshallnotbeabletoforget。IfthepresenceofArthurwasadailyreproachtohisfather，andiftheabsenceofArthurwasadailyagonytohismother，thatwasthejustdispensationofJehovah。Aswellmightitbechargeduponme，thatthestingsofanawakenedconsciencedrovehermad，andthatitwasthewilloftheDisposerofallthingsthatsheshouldliveso，manyyears。Idevotedmyselftoreclaimtheotherwisepredestinedandlostboy；togivehimthereputationofanhonestorigin；tobringhimupinfearandtrembling，andinalifeofpracticalcontritionforthesinsthatwereheavyonhisheadbeforehisentranceintothiscondemnedworld。Wasthatacruelty？WasI，too，notvisitedwithconsequencesoftheoriginaloffenceinwhichIhadnocomplicity？Arthur’sfatherandIlivednofurtherapart，withhalftheglobebetweenus，thanwhenweweretogetherinthishouse。Hedied，andsentthiswatchbacktome，withitsDonotforget。IdoNOTforget，thoughIdonotreaditashedid。I
　　readinit，thatIwasappointedtodothesethings。IhavesoreadthesethreeletterssinceIhavehadthemlyingonthistable，andIdidsoreadthem，withequaldistinctness，whentheywerethousandsofmilesaway。’
　　Asshetookthewatch-caseinherhand，withthatnewfreedomintheuseofherhandofwhichsheshowednoconsciousnesswhatever，bendinghereyesuponitasifsheweredefyingittomoveher，Rigaudcriedwithaloudandcontemptuoussnappingofhisfingers。
　　’Come，madame!Timerunsout。Come，ladyofpiety，itmustbe!
　　YoucantellnothingIdon’tknow。Cometothemoneystolen，orI
　　will!Deathofmysoul，Ihavehadenoughofyourotherjargon。
　　Comestraighttothestolenmoney!’
　　’Wretchthatyouare，’sheanswered，andnowherhandsclaspedherhead：’throughwhatfatalerrorofFlintwinch’s，throughwhatincompletenessonhispart，whowastheonlyotherpersonhelpinginthesethingsandtrustedwiththem，throughwhoseandwhatbringingtogetheroftheashesofaburntpaper，youhavebecomepossessedofthatcodicil，Iknownomorethanhowyouacquiredtherestofyourpowerhere——’
　　’Andyet，’interruptedRigaud，’itismyoddfortunetohavebyme，inaconvenientplacethatIknowof，thatsameshortlittleadditiontothewillofMonsieurGilbertClennam，writtenbyaladyandwitnessedbythesameladyandouroldintriguer!Ah，bah，oldintriguer，crookedlittlepuppet!Madame，letusgoon。Timepresses。YouorItofinish？’
　　’I!’sheanswered，withincreaseddetermination，ifitwerepossible。’I，becauseIwillnotenduretobeshownmyself，andhavemyselfshowntoanyone，withyourhorribledistortionuponme。You，withyourpracticesofinfamousforeignprisonsandgalleyswouldmakeitthemoneythatimpelledme。Itwasnotthemoney。’
　　’Bah，bah，bah!Irepudiate，forthemoment，mypoliteness，andsay，Lies，lies，lies。Youknowyousuppressedthedeedandkeptthemoney。’
　　’Notforthemoney’ssake，wretch!’Shemadeastruggleasifshewerestartingup；evenasif，inhervehemence，shehadalmostrisenonherdisabledfeet。’IfGilbertClennam，reducedtoimbecility，atthepointofdeath，andlabouringunderthedelusionofsomeimaginaryrelentingtowardsagirlofwhomhehadheardthathisnephewhadoncehadafancyforherwhichhehadcrushedoutofhim，andthatsheafterwardsdroopedawayintomelancholyandwithdrawalfromallwhoknewher——if，inthatstateofweakness，hedictatedtome，whoselifeshehaddarkenedwithhersin，andwhohadbeenappointedtoknowherwickednessfromherownhandandherownlips，abequestmeantasarecompensetoherforsupposedunmeritedsuffering；wastherenodifferencebetweenmyspurningthatinjustice，andcovetingmeremoney——athingwhichyou，andyourcomradesintheprisons，maystealfromanyone？’
　　’Timepresses，madame。Takecare!’
　　’Ifthishousewasblazingfromtherooftotheground，’shereturned，’Iwouldstayinittojustifymyselfagainstmyrighteousmotivesbeingclassedwiththoseofstabbersandthieves。’
　　Rigaudsnappedhisfingerstauntinglyinherface。’Onethousandguineastothelittlebeautyyouslowlyhuntedtodeath。Onethousandguineastotheyoungestdaughterherpatronmighthaveatfifty，orifhehadnonebrother’syoungestdaughter，onhercomingofage，“astheremembrancehisdisinterestednessmaylikebest，ofhisprotectionofafriendlessyoungorphangirl。“Twothousandguineas。What!Youwillnevercometothemoney？’
　　’Thatpatron，’shewasvehementlyproceeding，whenhecheckedher。
　　’Names!CallhimMrFrederickDorrit。Nomoreevasions。’
　　’ThatFrederickDorritwasthebeginningofitall。Ifhehadnotbeenaplayerofmusic，andhadnotkept，inthosedaysofhisyouthandprosperity，anidlehousewheresingers，andplayers，andsuch-likechildrenofEvilturnedtheirbacksontheLightandtheirfacestotheDarkness，shemighthaveremainedinherlowlystation，andmightnothavebeenraisedoutofittobecastdown。
　　But，no。SatanenteredintothatFrederickDorrit，andcounselledhimthathewasamanofinnocentandlaudabletasteswhodidkindactions，andthatherewasapoorgirlwithavoiceforsingingmusicwith。Thenheistohavehertaught。ThenArthur’sfather，whohasallalongbeensecretlypininginthewaysofvirtuousruggednessforthoseaccursedsnareswhicharecalledtheArts，becomesacquaintedwithher。Andso，agracelessorphan，trainingtobeasinginggirl，carriesit，bythatFrederickDorrit’sagency，againstme，andIamhumbledanddeceived!——NotI，thatistosay，’sheaddedquickly，ascolourflushedintoherface；’agreaterthanI。WhatamI？’
　　JeremiahFlintwinch，whohadbeengraduallyscrewinghimselftowardsher，andwhowasnowverynearherelbowwithoutherknowingit，madeaspeciallywryfaceofobjectionwhenshesaidthesewords，andmoreovertwitchedhisgaiters，asifsuchpretensionswereequivalenttolittlebarbsinhislegs。
　　’Lastly，’shecontinued，’forIamattheendofthesethings，andIwillsaynomoreofthem，andyoushallsaynomoreofthem，andallthatremainswillbetodeterminewhethertheknowledgeofthemcanbekeptamonguswhoareherepresent；lastly，whenI
　　suppressedthatpaper，withtheknowledgeofArthur’sfather——’
　　’Butnotwithhisconsent，youknow，’saidMrFlintwinch。
　　’Whosaidwithhisconsent？’ShestartedtofindJeremiahsonearher，anddrewbackherhead，lookingathimwithsomerisingdistrust。’YouwereoftenenoughbetweenuswhenhewouldhavehadmeproduceitandIwouldnot，tohavecontradictedmeifIhadsaid，withhisconsent。Isay，whenIsuppressedthatpaper，I
　　madenoefforttodestroyit，butkeptitbyme，hereinthishouse，manyyears。TherestoftheGilbertpropertybeinglefttoArthur’sfather，Icouldatanytime，withoutunsettlingmorethanthetwosums，havemadeapretenceoffindingit。But，besidesthatImusthavesupportedsuchpretencebyadirectfalsehoodagreatresponsibility，Ihaveseennonewreason，inallthetimeIhavebeentriedhere，tobringittolight。Itwasarewardingofsin；thewrongresultofadelusion。IdidwhatIwasappointedtodo，andIhaveundergone，withinthesefourwalls，whatIwasappointedtoundergo。Whenthepaperwasatlastdestroyed——asI
　　thought——inmypresence，shehadlongbeendead，andherpatron，FrederickDorrit，hadlongbeendeservedlyruinedandimbecile。Hehadnodaughter。Ihadfoundtheniecebeforethen；andwhatIdidforher，wasbetterforherfarthanthemoneyofwhichshewouldhavehadnogood。’Sheadded，afteramoment，asthoughsheaddressedthewatch：’Sheherselfwasinnocent，andImightnothaveforgottentorelinquishittoheratmydeath：’andsatlookingatit。
　　’ShallIrecallsomethingtoyou，worthymadame？’saidRigaud。
　　’Thelittlepaperwasinthishouseonthenightwhenourfriendtheprisoner——jail-comradeofmysoul——camehomefromforeigncountries。ShallIrecallyetsomethingmoretoyou？Thelittlesinging-birdthatneverwasfledged，waslongkeptinacagebyaguardianofyourappointing，wellenoughknowntoouroldintriguerhere。Shallwecoaxouroldintriguertotelluswhenhesawhimlast？’
　　’I’lltellyou!’criedAffery，unstoppinghermouth。’Idreamedit，firstofallmydreams。Jeremiah，ifyoucomea-nighmenow，I’llscreamtobeheardatStPaul’s!Thepersonasthismanhasspokenof，wasjeremiah’sowntwinbrother；andhewashereinthedeadofthenight，onthenightwhenArthurcomehome，andJeremiahwithhisownhandsgivehimthispaper，alongwithIdon’tknowwhatmore，andhetookitawayinanironbox——Help!Murder!SavemefromJere-mi-ah!’
　　MrFlintwinchhadmadearunather，butRigaudhadcaughthiminhisarmsmidway。Afteramoment’swrestlewithhim，Flintwinchgaveup，andputhishandsinhispockets。
　　’What!’criedRigaud，rallyinghimashepokedandjerkedhimbackwithhiselbows，’assaultaladywithsuchageniusfordreaming!
　　Ha，ha，ha!Why，she’llbeafortunetoyouasanexhibition。Allthatshedreamscomestrue。Ha，ha，ha!You’resolikehim，LittleFlintwinch。Solikehim，asIknewhimwhenIfirstspokeEnglishforhimtothehostintheCabaretoftheThreeBilliardTables，inthelittlestreetofthehighroofs，bythewharfatAntwerp!Ah，buthewasabraveboytodrink。Ah，buthewasabraveboytosmoke!Ah，buthelivedinasweetbachelor-
　　apartment——furnished，onthefifthfloor，abovethewoodandcharcoalmerchant’s，andthedress-maker’s，andthechair-maker’s，andthemakeroftubs——whereIknewhimtoo，andwherewithhiscognacandtobacco，hehadtwelvesleepsadayandonefit，untilhehadafittoomuch，andascendedtotheskies。Ha，ha，ha!
　　WhatdoesitmatterhowItookpossessionofthepapersinhisironbox？Perhapsheconfidedittomyhandsforyou，perhapsitwaslockedandmycuriositywaspiqued，perhapsIsuppressedit。Ha，ha，ha!Whatdoesitmatter，sothatIhaveitsafe？Wearenotparticularhere；hey，Flintwinch？Wearenotparticularhere；isitnotso，madame？’
　　Retiringbeforehimwithviciouscounter-jerksofhisownelbows，MrFlintwinchhadgotbackintohiscorner，wherehenowstoodwithhishandsinhispockets，takingbreath，andreturningMrsClennam’sstare。’Ha，ha，ha!Butwhat’sthis？’criedRigaud。
　　’Itappearsasifyoudon’tknow，onetheother。Permitme，MadameClennamwhosuppresses，topresentMonsieurFlintwinchwhointrigues。’
　　MrFlintwinch，unpocketingoneofhishandstoscrapehisjaw，advancedasteporsointhatattitude，stillreturningMrsClennam’slook，andthusaddressedher：
　　’Now，Iknowwhatyoumeanbyopeningyoureyessowideatme，butyouneedn’ttakethetrouble，becauseIdon’tcareforit。I’vebeentellingyouforhowmanyyearsthatyou’reoneofthemostopinionatedandobstinateofwomen。That’swhatYOUare。Youcallyourselfhumbleandsinful，butyouarethemostBumptiousofyoursex。That’swhatYOUare。Ihavetoldyou，overandoveragainwhenwehavehadatiff，thatyouwantedtomakeeverythinggodownbeforeyou，butIwouldn’tgodownbeforeyou——thatyouwantedtoswallowupeverybodyalive，butIwouldn’tbeswallowedupalive。
　　Whydidn’tyoudestroythepaperwhenyoufirstlaidhandsuponit？
　　Iadvisedyouto；butno，it’snotyourwaytotakeadvice。Youmustkeepitforsooth。Perhapsyoumaycarryitoutatsomeothertime，forsooth。AsifIdidn’tknowbetterthanthat!IthinkI
　　seeyourpridecarryingitout，withachanceofbeingsuspectedofhavingkeptitbyyou。Butthat’sthewayyoucheatyourself。
　　justasyoucheatyourselfintomakingoutthatyoudidn’tdoallthisbusinessbecauseyouwerearigorouswoman，allslight，andspite，andpower，andunforgiveness，butbecauseyouwereaservantandaminister，andwereappointedtodoit。Whoareyou，thatyoushouldbeappointedtodoit？Thatmaybeyourreligion，butit’smygammon。AndtotellyouallthetruthwhileIamaboutit，’
　　saidMrFlintwinch，crossinghisarms，andbecomingtheexpressimageofirascibledoggedness，’Ihavebeenrasped——raspedthesefortyyears——byyourtakingsuchhighgroundevenwithme，whoknowsbetter；theeffectofitbeingcoollytoputmeonlowground。Iadmireyouverymuch；youareawomanofstrongheadandgreattalent；butthestrongesthead，andthegreatesttalent，can’traspamanforfortyyearswithoutmakinghimsore。SoI