NicholasNicklebyVol.III

ByCharlesDickens

NicholasNickleby

CHAPTER45

ContainingMatterofasurprisingKind

'Aswegangawa' fra'Lunnun tomorrowneeght,andas Idinnotknowthat Iwas e'er so happy in a' my days,Misther Nickleby, Ding! but IWILL tak'anootherglasstoournextmerrymeeting!'

SosaidJohnBrowdie, rubbinghishandswithgreat joyousness,and lookingroundhimwitharuddyshiningface,quiteinkeepingwiththedeclaration.

ThetimeatwhichJohnfoundhimselfinthisenviableconditionwasthesameevening towhich the last chapter bore reference; the placewas the cottage;andtheassembledcompanywereNicholas,MrsNickleby,MrsBrowdie,KateNickleby,andSmike.

A very merry party they had been. Mrs Nickleby, knowing of her son'sobligations to the honest Yorkshireman, had, after some demur, yielded herconsenttoMrandMrsBrowdiebeinginvitedouttotea;inthewayofwhicharrangement,therewereatfirstsundrydifficultiesandobstacles,arisingoutof

her not having had an opportunity of 'calling' uponMrs Browdie first; foralthoughMrsNicklebyveryoftenobservedwithmuchcomplacency(asmostpunctiliouspeopledo), that shehadnot anatomofprideor formality abouther, still shewas a great stickler for dignity and ceremonies; and as it wasmanifestthat,untilacallhadbeenmade,shecouldnotbe(politelyspeaking,and according to the laws of society) even cognisant of the fact of MrsBrowdie'sexistence,shefelthersituation tobeoneofpeculiardelicacyanddifficulty.

'The call MUST originate with me, my dear,' said Mrs Nickleby, 'that'sindispensable.Thefactis,mydear,thatit'snecessarythereshouldbeasortofcondescensiononmypart,andthatIshouldshowthisyoungpersonthatIamwilling to take notice of her. There's a very respectablelooking youngman,'addedMrsNickleby,afterashortconsideration, 'who isconductor tooneoftheomnibuses thatgobyhere, andwhowearsaglazedhatyour sister and Ihave noticed him very oftenhe has a wart upon his nose, Kate, you know,exactlylikeagentleman'sservant.'

'Have all gentlemen's servants warts upon their noses, mother?' askedNicholas.

'Nicholas,mydear,howveryabsurdyouare,'returnedhismother;'ofcourseImean that his glazed hat looks like a gentleman's servant, and not thewartuponhisnose;thougheventhatisnotsoridiculousasitmayseemtoyou,forwehadafootboyonce,whohadnotonlyawart,butawenalso,andaverylarge wen too, and he demanded to have his wages raised in consequence,because he found it came very expensive. Letme see,whatwas Ioh yes, Iknow. The best way that I can think of would be to send a card, and mycompliments,(I'venodoubthe'd take 'emforapotofporter,)bythisyoungman,totheSaracenwithTwoNecks.Ifthewaitertookhimforagentleman'sservant,somuchthebetter.ThenallMrsBrowdiewouldhavetodowouldbeto send her card back by the carrier (he could easily come with a doubleknock),andthere'sanendofit.'

'Mydearmother,'saidNicholas, 'Idon'tsupposesuchunsophisticatedpeopleastheseeverhadacardoftheirown,oreverwillhave.'

'Oh that, indeed, Nicholas, my dear,' returnedMrs Nickleby, 'that's anotherthing.Ifyouput ituponthatground,why,ofcourse,Ihavenomore tosay,thanthatIhavenodoubttheyareverygoodsortofpersons,andthatIhavenokind of objection to their coming here to tea if they like, and shallmake apointofbeingveryciviltothemiftheydo.'

Thepointbeingthuseffectuallysetatrest,andMrsNicklebydulyplacedin

thepatronisingandmildlycondescendingpositionwhichbecameherrankandmatrimonialyears,MrandMrsBrowdiewereinvitedandcame;andastheywere very deferential to Mrs Nickleby, and seemed to have a becomingappreciation of her greatness, andwere verymuch pleasedwith everything,thegoodladyhadmorethanoncegivenKatetounderstand,inawhisper,thatshe thought theywere the very bestmeaning people she had ever seen, andperfectlywellbehaved.

And thus it came to pass, that John Browdie declared, in the parlour aftersupper, to wit, and twenty minutes before eleven o'clock p.m., that he hadneverbeensohappyinallhisdays.

NorwasMrsBrowdiemuchbehindherhusbandinthisrespect,forthatyoungmatron, whose rustic beauty contrasted very prettily with themore delicatelovelinessofKate,andwithoutsufferingbythecontrasteither,foreachservedas itwere tosetoffanddecorate theother,couldnotsufficientlyadmire thegentleandwinningmannersof theyoung lady,or theengagingaffabilityofthe elder one.ThenKate had the art of turning the conversation to subjectsuponwhich the country girl, bashful at first in strange company, could feelherselfathome;andifMrsNicklebywasnotquitesofelicitousattimesintheselectionoftopicsofdiscourse,orifshedidseem,asMrsBrowdieexpressedit, 'ratherhighinhernotions,'stillnothingcouldbekinder,andthatshetookconsiderable interest in the young couple was manifest from the very longlectures onhousewiferywithwhich shewas soobliging as to entertainMrsBrowdie's private ear, which were illustrated by various references to thedomestic economy of the cottage, inwhich (those duties falling exclusivelyuponKate)thegoodladyhadaboutasmuchshare,eitherintheoryorpractice,asanyoneofthestatuesoftheTwelveApostleswhichembellishtheexteriorofStPaul'sCathedral.

'MrBrowdie,'saidKate,addressinghisyoungwife,'isthebesthumoured,thekindestandheartiestcreatureIeversaw.IfIwereoppressedwithIdon'tknowhowmanycares,itwouldmakemehappyonlytolookathim.'

'Hedoes seem indeed,uponmyword, amost excellent creature,Kate,' saidMrsNickleby;'mostexcellent.AndIamsurethatatalltimesitwillgivemepleasurereallypleasurenowtohaveyou,MrsBrowdie,toseemeinthisplainand homely manner. We make no display,' said Mrs Nickleby, with an airwhich seemed to insinuate that they couldmake a vast deal if theywere sodisposed;'nofuss,nopreparation;Iwouldn'tallowit.Isaid,"Kate,mydear,youwill onlymakeMrsBrowdie feel uncomfortable, and howvery foolishandinconsideratethatwouldbe!"'

'I am verymuch obliged to you, I am sure,ma'am,' returnedMrsBrowdie,

gratefully.'It'snearlyeleveno'clock,John.Iamafraidwearekeepingyouupverylate,ma'am.'

'Late!'criedMrsNickleby,withasharpthinlaugh,andonelittlecoughattheend,likeanoteofadmirationexpressed.'Thisisquiteearlyforus.Weusedtokeep such hours! Twelve, one, two, three o'clock was nothing to us. Balls,dinners, cardparties! Never were such rakes as the people about where weusedtolive.Ioftenthinknow,Iamsure,thathowweevercouldgothroughwith it is quite astonishing, and that is just the evil of having a largeconnectionandbeingagreatdealsoughtafter,whichIwouldrecommendallyoungmarried people steadily to resist; though of course, and it's perfectlyclear,andaveryhappythingtoo,Ithink,thatveryfewyoungmarriedpeoplecanbeexposed tosuch temptations.Therewasonefamily inparticular, thatusedtoliveaboutamilefromusnotstraightdowntheroad,butturningsharpofftotheleftbytheturnpikewherethePlymouthmailranoverthedonkeythatwerequiteextraordinarypeopleforgivingthemostextravagantparties,withartificial flowers and champagne, andvariegated lamps, and, in short, everydelicacyofeatinganddrinkingthat themostsingularepicurecouldpossiblyrequire. Idon't think that there everwere suchpeople as thosePeltiroguses.YourememberthePeltiroguses,Kate?'

Katesawthatfortheeaseandcomfortofthevisitorsitwashightimetostaythisfloodofrecollection,soansweredthatsheentertainedofthePeltirogusesamost vivid and distinct remembrance; and then said thatMrBrowdie hadhalfpromised,earlyintheevening,thathewouldsingaYorkshiresong,andthat shewasmost impatient thatheshould redeemhispromise,becauseshewassureitwouldaffordhermamamoreamusementandpleasurethanitwaspossibletoexpress.

MrsNickleby confirming her daughterwith the best possible gracefor therewaspatronageinthattoo,andakindofimplicationthatshehadadiscerningtasteinsuchmatters,andwassomethingofacriticJohnBrowdieproceededtoconsider the words of some northcountry ditty, and to take his wife'srecollection respecting the same. This done, he made divers ungainlymovementsinhischair,andsinglingoutoneparticularflyontheceilingfromtheotherfliesthereasleep,fixedhiseyesuponhim,andbegantoroarameeksentiment(supposedtobeutteredbyagentleswainfastpiningawaywithloveanddespair)inavoiceofthunder.

Attheendofthefirstverse,asthoughsomepersonwithouthadwaiteduntilthen tomakehimself audible,washeard a loud andviolent knocking at thestreetdoor; so loud and so violent, indeed, that the ladies started as by oneaccord,andJohnBrowdiestopped.

'Itmust be somemistake,' saidNicholas, carelessly. 'We know nobodywhowouldcomehereatthishour.'

MrsNickleby surmised, however, that perhaps the countinghousewas burntdown, or perhaps 'the Mr Cheerybles' had sent to take Nicholas intopartnership(whichcertainlyappearedhighlyprobableatthattimeofnight),orperhapsMrLinkinwaterhadrunawaywiththeproperty,orperhapsMissLaCreevywastakenin,orperhaps

But a hasty exclamation fromKate stopped her abruptly in her conjectures,andRalphNicklebywalkedintotheroom.

'Stay,' saidRalph,asNicholas rose,andKate,makingherway towardshim,threwherselfuponhisarm.'Beforethatboysaysaword,hearme.'

Nicholasbithislipandshookhisheadinathreateningmanner,butappearedfor themomentunable toarticulatea syllable.Kateclungcloser tohisarm,Smikeretreatedbehindthem,andJohnBrowdie,whohadheardofRalph,andappearedtohavenogreatdifficulty inrecognisinghim,steppedbetweentheoldmanandhisyoungfriend,asifwiththeintentionofpreventingeitherofthemfromadvancingastepfurther.

'Hearme,Isay,'saidRalph,'andnothim.'

'Say what thou'st gotten to say then, sir,' retorted John; 'and tak' care thoudinnotputupangrybluidwhichthou'dstbetthertrytoquiet.'

'I should know YOU,' said Ralph, 'by your tongue; and HIM' (pointing toSmike)'byhislooks.'

'Don'tspeaktohim,'saidNicholas,recoveringhisvoice. 'Iwillnothaveit.Iwill not hear him. I do not know thatman. I cannot breathe the air that hecorrupts.Hispresenceisaninsult tomysister.It isshametoseehim.Iwillnotbearit.'

'Stand!'criedJohn,layinghisheavyhanduponhischest.

'Thenlethiminstantlyretire,'saidNicholas,struggling.'Iamnotgoingtolayhandsuponhim,butheshallwithdraw.Iwillnothavehimhere.John,JohnBrowdie, is thismyhouse, am I a child? Ifhe stands there,' criedNicholas,burning with fury, 'looking so calmly upon those who know his black anddastardlyheart,he'lldrivememad.'

ToalltheseexclamationsJohnBrowdieanswerednotaword,butheretainedhisholduponNicholas;andwhenhewassilentagain,spoke.

'There'smoretosayandhear thanthouthink'st for,'saidJohn. 'I tell'eeIha'gotten scent o' thot already.Wa'at be that shadow ootside door there?Noo,schoolmeasther, show thyself, mun; dinnot be sheamefeaced. Noo, auldgen'l'man,let'shaveschoolmeasther,coom.'

Hearing this adjuration,MrSqueers,who had been lingering in the passageuntilsuchtimeasitshouldbeexpedientforhimtoenterandhecouldappearwith effect, was fain to present himself in a somewhat undignified andsneakingway; atwhich JohnBrowdie laughedwith suchkeen andheartfeltdelight,thatevenKate,inallthepain,anxiety,andsurpriseofthescene,andthoughthetearswereinhereyes,feltadispositiontojoinhim.

'Haveyoudoneenjoyingyourself,sir?'saidRalph,atlength.

'Prattynighfortheprasanttime,sir,'repliedJohn.

'Icanwait,'saidRalph.'Takeyourowntime,pray.'

Ralph waited until there was a perfect silence, and then turning to MrsNickleby,butdirectinganeagerglanceatKate,as ifmoreanxious towatchhiseffectuponher,said:

'Now,ma'am,listentome.Idon'timaginethatyouwereapartytoaveryfinetiradeofwordssentmebythatboyofyours,becauseIdon'tbelievethatunderhiscontrol,youhavetheslightestwillofyourown,orthatyouradvice,youropinion,yourwants,yourwishes,anythingwhichinnatureandreason(orofwhatuseisyourgreatexperience?)oughttoweighwithhim,hastheslightestinfluenceorweightwhatever,oristakenforamomentintoaccount.'

MrsNicklebyshookherheadandsighed,asiftherewereagooddealinthat,certainly.

'For this reason,' resumed Ralph, 'I address myself to you, ma'am. For thisreason,partly,andpartlybecauseIdonotwishtobedisgracedbytheactsofaviciousstriplingwhomIwasobliged todisown,andwho,afterwards, inhisboyishmajesty,feignstoha!ha!todisownME,Ipresentmyselfheretonight.Ihave another motive in coming: a motive of humanity. I come here,' saidRalph, looking round with a biting and triumphant smile, and gloating anddwelling upon thewords as if hewere loath to lose the pleasure of sayingthem, 'to restore a parent his child. Ay, sir,' he continued, bending eagerlyforward, and addressing Nicholas, as he marked the change of hiscountenance,'torestoreaparenthischild;hisson,sir;trepanned,waylaid,andguardedateveryturnbyyou,withthebasedesignofrobbinghimsomedayofanylittlewretchedpittanceofwhichhemightbecomepossessed.'

'Inthat,youknowyoulie,'saidNicholas,proudly.

'Inthis,IknowIspeakthetruth.Ihavehisfatherhere,'retortedRalph.

'Here!' sneeredSqueers, stepping forward. 'Doyouhear that?Here!Didn't Itellyoutobecarefulthathisfatherdidn'tturnupandsendhimbacktome?Why,hisfather'smyfriend;he'stocomebacktomedirectly,heis.Now,whatdo you sayeh!nowcomewhat do you say to thatan't you sorry you took somuchtroublefornothing?an'tyou?an'tyou?'

'Youbearuponyourbodycertainmarks I gaveyou,' saidNicholas, lookingquietly away, 'and may talk in acknowledgment of them as much as youplease.You'lltalkalongtimebeforeyourubthemout,MrSqueers.'

The estimable gentleman last named cast a hasty look at the table, as if hewerepromptedbythisretorttothrowajugorbottleattheheadofNicholas,buthewas interrupted in thisdesign(ifsuchdesignhehad)byRalph,who,touchinghimontheelbow,badehimtellthefatherthathemightnowappearandclaimhisson.

Thisbeingpurelyalabouroflove,MrSqueersreadilycomplied,andleavingthe room for the purpose, almost immediately returned, supporting a sleekpersonagewithanoilyface,who,burstingfromhim,andgivingtoviewtheform and face ofMr Snawley,made straight up to Smike, and tucking thatpoor fellow's head under his arm in amost uncouth and awkward embrace,elevatedhisbroadbrimmedhatatarm'slengthintheairasatokenofdevoutthanksgiving,exclaiming,meanwhile,'HowlittledidIthinkofthisherejoyfulmeeting,whenIsawhimlast!Oh,howlittledidIthinkit!'

'Becomposed,sir,'saidRalph,withagruffexpressionofsympathy,'youhavegothimnow.'

'Gothim!Oh,haven'tIgothim!HaveIgothim,though?'criedMrSnawley,scarcelyabletobelieveit.'Yes,hereheis,fleshandblood,fleshandblood.'

'Varylittleflesh,'saidJohnBrowdie.

Mr Snawley was too much occupied by his parental feelings to notice thisremark;and,toassurehimselfmorecompletelyoftherestorationofhischild,tuckedhisheadunderhisarmagain,andkeptitthere.

'Whatwasit,'saidSnawley,'thatmademetakesuchastronginterestinhim,whenthatworthyinstructorofyouthbroughthimtomyhouse?Whatwasitthatmademeburn all overwith awish to chastisehim severely for cuttingawayfromhisbestfriends,hispastorsandmasters?'

'Itwasparentalinstinct,sir,'observedSqueers.

'That'swhatitwas,sir,'rejoinedSnawley;'theelevatedfeeling,thefeelingoftheancientRomansandGrecians,andof thebeastsof thefieldandbirdsofthe air,with the exception of rabbits and tomcats,which sometimes devourtheiroffspring.Myheartyearnedtowardshim.IcouldhaveIdon'tknowwhatIcouldn'thavedonetohimintheangerofafather.'

'ItonlyshowswhatNaturis,sir,'saidMrSqueers.'She'srum'un,isNatur.'

'Sheisaholything,sir,'remarkedSnawley.

'Ibelieveyou,' addedMrSqueers,withamoral sigh. 'I should like toknowhowweshouldevergetonwithouther.Natur,'saidMrSqueers,solemnly,'ismoreeasierconceivedthandescribed.Ohwhatablessedthing,sir,tobeinastateofnatur!'

Pendingthisphilosophicaldiscourse,thebystandershadbeenquitestupefiedwithamazement,whileNicholashadlookedkeenlyfromSnawleytoSqueers,andfromSqueerstoRalph,dividedbetweenhisfeelingsofdisgust,doubt,andsurprise.Atthisjuncture,SmikeescapingfromhisfatherfledtoNicholas,andimploredhim,inmostmovingterms,nevertogivehimup,buttolethimliveanddiebesidehim.

'Ifyouarethisboy'sfather,'saidNicholas,'lookatthewreckheis,andtellmethatyoupurposetosendhimbacktothatloathsomedenfromwhichIbroughthim.'

'Scandalagain!'criedSqueers.'Recollect,youan'tworthpowderandshot,butI'llbeevenwithyouonewayoranother.'

'Stop,'interposedRalph,asSnawleywasabouttospeak.'Letuscutthismattershort,andnotbandywordsherewithharebrainedprofligates.Thisisyourson,asyoucanprove.Andyou,MrSqueers,youknowthisboytobethesamethatwaswithyouforsomanyyearsunderthenameofSmike.Doyou?'

'DoI!'returnedSqueers.'Don'tI?'

'Good,'saidRalph;'averyfewwordswillbesufficienthere.Youhadasonbyyourfirstwife,MrSnawley?'

'Ihad,'repliedthatperson,'andtherehestands.'

'We'llshowthatpresently,'saidRalph.'Youandyourwifewereseparated,andshe had the boy to live with her, when he was a year old. You received acommunicationfromher,whenyouhadlivedapartayearortwo,thattheboy

wasdead;andyoubelievedit?'

'OfcourseIdid!'returnedSnawley.'Ohthejoyof'

'Be rational, sir, pray,' saidRalph. 'This is business, and transports interferewithit.Thiswifediedayearandahalfago,or thereaboutsnotmoreinsomeobscureplace,whereshewashousekeeperinafamily.Isthatthecase?'

'That'sthecase,'repliedSnawley.

'Havingwrittenonherdeathbedaletterorconfessiontoyou,aboutthisveryboy,which,asitwasnotdirectedotherwisethaninyourname,onlyreachedyou,andthatbyacircuitouscourse,afewdayssince?'

'Justso,'saidSnawley.'Correctineveryparticular,sir.'

'And this confession,' resumedRalph, 'is to the effect that his deathwas aninventionofherstowoundyouwasapartofasystemofannoyance,inshort,whichyouseemtohaveadoptedtowardseachotherthattheboylived,butwasofweakand imperfect intellectthatshesenthimbya trustyhand toacheapschool in Yorkshirethat she had paid for his education for some years, andthen,beingpoor,andgoingalongwayoff,graduallydesertedhim,forwhichsheprayedforgiveness?'

Snawley nodded his head, and wiped his eyes; the first slightly, the lastviolently.

'TheschoolwasMrSqueers's,'continuedRalph;'theboywasleftthereinthenameofSmike;everydescriptionwasfullygiven,datestallyexactlywithMrSqueers'sbooks,MrSqueers is lodgingwithyouat this time;youhave twootherboysathis school:youcommunicated thewholediscovery tohim,hebroughtyoutomeasthepersonwhohadrecommendedtohimthekidnapperofhischild;andIbroughtyouhere.Isthatso?'

'You talk likeagoodbook, sir, that'sgotnothing in its insidebutwhat's thetruth,'repliedSnawley.

'This is your pocketbook,' said Ralph, producing one from his coat; 'thecertificatesofyour firstmarriageandof theboy'sbirth,andyourwife's twoletters,andeveryotherpaperthatcansupportthesestatementsdirectlyorbyimplication,arehere,arethey?'

'Everyoneof'em,sir.'

'Andyoudon'tobjecttotheirbeinglookedathere,sothatthesepeoplemaybeconvincedofyourpowertosubstantiateyourclaimatonceinlawandreason,

andyoumayresumeyourcontroloveryourownsonwithoutmoredelay.DoIunderstandyou?'

'Icouldn'thaveunderstoodmyselfbetter,sir.'

'There,then,'saidRalph,tossingthepocketbookuponthetable.'Letthemseethem if they like; and as those are the original papers, I should recommendyoutostandnearwhiletheyarebeingexamined,oryoumaychancetolosesome.'

WiththesewordsRalphsatdownunbidden,andcompressinghislips,whichwerefor themomentslightlypartedbyasmile, foldedhisarms,and lookedforthefirsttimeathisnephew.

Nicholas,stungbytheconcludingtaunt,dartedanindignantglanceathim;butcommandinghimselfaswellashecould,entereduponacloseexaminationofthedocuments,atwhichJohnBrowdieassisted.Therewasnothingaboutthemwhich could be called in question.The certificateswere regularly signed asextracts from the parish books, the first letter had a genuine appearance ofhaving been written and preserved for some years, the handwriting of thesecond talliedwith it exactly, (making proper allowance for its having beenwrittenbyapersoninextremity,)andtherewereseveralothercorroboratoryscrapsofentriesandmemorandawhichitwasequallydifficulttoquestion.

'Dear Nicholas,' whispered Kate, who had been looking anxiously over hisshoulder,'canthisbereallythecase?Isthisstatementtrue?'

'Ifearitis,'answeredNicholas.'Whatsayyou,John?'

Johnscratchedhisheadandshookit,butsaidnothingatall.

'Youwill observe,ma'am,' said Ralph, addressing himself toMrsNickleby,'thatthisboybeingaminorandnotofstrongmind,wemighthavecomeheretonight, armed with the powers of the law, and backed by a troop of itsmyrmidons.Ishouldhavedoneso,ma'am,unquestionably,butformyregardforthefeelingsofyourself,andyourdaughter.'

'YouhaveshownyourregardforHERfeelingswell,'saidNicholas,drawinghissistertowardshim.

'Thankyou,'repliedRalph.'Yourpraise,sir,iscommendation,indeed.'

'Well,'saidSqueers,'what'stobedone?Themhackneycoachhorseswillcatchcoldifwedon'tthinkofmoving;there'soneof'emasneezingnow,sothatheblows the street door right open. What's the order of the day? Is MasterSnawleytocomealongwithus?'

'No,no,no,'repliedSmike,drawingback,andclingingtoNicholas.

'No.Pray,no.Iwillnotgofromyouwithhim.No,no.'

'This is a cruel thing,' said Snawley, looking to his friends for support. 'Doparentsbringchildrenintotheworldforthis?'

'Do parents bring children into the world for THOT?' said John Browdiebluntly,pointing,ashespoke,toSqueers.

'Neveryoumind,'retortedthatgentleman,tappinghisnosederisively.

'Never I mind!' said John, 'no, nor never nobody mind, say'st thou,schoolmeasther.It'snobody'smindingthatkeepssikemenasthouafloat.Noothen,where be'est thou coomin' to?Dang it, dinnot coom treadin' owerme,mun.'

Suiting the action to theword, JohnBrowdie just jerked his elbow into thechestofMrSqueerswhowasadvancinguponSmike;withsomuchdexteritythat the schoolmaster reeled and staggered back upon Ralph Nickleby, andbeingunabletorecoverhisbalance,knockedthatgentlemanoffhischair,andstumbledheavilyuponhim.

This accidental circumstance was the signal for some very decisiveproceedings. In the midst of a great noise, occasioned by the prayers andentreaties of Smike, the cries and exclamations of the women, and thevehemenceofthemen,demonstrationsweremadeofcarryingoffthelostsonbyviolence.Squeershadactuallybeguntohaulhimout,whenNicholas(who,until then,hadbeenevidentlyundecidedhowtoact) tookhimby thecollar,andshakinghimso that such teethashehad,chattered inhishead,politelyescortedhimtotheroomdoor,andthrustinghimintothepassage,shutituponhim.

'Now,' said Nicholas to the other two, 'have the goodness to follow yourfriend.'

'Iwantmyson,'saidSnawley.

'Yourson,'repliedNicholas,'choosesforhimself.Hechoosestoremainhere,andheshall.'

'Youwon'tgivehimup?'saidSnawley.

'Iwouldnotgivehimupagainsthiswill,tobethevictimofsuchbrutalityasthattowhichyouwouldconsignhim,'repliedNicholas,'ifhewereadogorarat.'

'KnockthatNicklebydownwithacandlestick,'criedMrSqueers,throughthekeyhole, 'andbringoutmyhat,somebody,willyou,unlesshewantstostealit.'

'I am very sorry, indeed,' saidMrs Nickleby, who, withMrs Browdie, hadstood crying and biting her fingers in a corner, while Kate (very pale, butperfectly quiet) had kept as near her brother as she could. 'I amvery sorry,indeed,forallthis.Ireallydon'tknowwhatwouldbebesttodo,andthat'sthetruth.Nicholasought tobe thebest judge,andIhopehe is.Ofcourse, it'sahardthingtohavetokeepotherpeople'schildren,thoughyoungMrSnawleyiscertainlyasusefulandwillingas it'spossible foranybody tobe;but, if itcouldbesettledinanyfriendlymannerifoldMrSnawley,forinstance,wouldsettle to pay something certain for his board and lodging, and some fairarrangementwascometo,sothatweundertooktohavefishtwiceaweek,anda pudding twice, or a dumpling, or something of that sortI do think that itmightbeverysatisfactoryandpleasantforallparties.'

Thiscompromise,whichwasproposedwithabundanceoftearsandsighs,notexactlymeetingthepointatissue,nobodytookanynoticeofit;andpoorMrsNickleby accordingly proceeded to enlighten Mrs Browdie upon theadvantages of such a scheme, and the unhappy results flowing, on alloccasions,fromhernotbeingattendedtowhensheprofferedheradvice.

'You, sir,' said Snawley, addressing the terrified Smike, 'are an unnatural,ungrateful,unlovableboy.Youwon't letme loveyouwhenIwant to.Won'tyoucomehome,won'tyou?'

'No,no,no,'criedSmike,shrinkingback.

'He never loved nobody,' bawled Squeers, through the keyhole. 'He neverlovedme;heneverlovedWackford,whoisnextdoorbutonetoacherubim.Howcanyouexpect thathe'll lovehisfather?He'llnever lovehisfather,hewon't.Hedon'tknowwhatitistohaveafather.Hedon'tunderstandit.Itan'tinhim.'

MrSnawleylookedsteadfastlyathissonforafullminute,andthencoveringhis eyes with his hand, and once more raising his hat in the air, appeareddeeply occupied in deploring his black ingratitude. Then drawing his armacrosshiseyes,hepickedupMrSqueers'shat,and taking itunderonearm,andhisownundertheother,walkedslowlyandsadlyout.

'Yourromance,sir,'saidRalph,lingeringforamoment,'isdestroyed,Itakeit.Nounknown;nopersecuteddescendantofamanofhighdegree;buttheweak,imbecile son of a poor, petty tradesman.We shall see how your sympathymeltsbeforeplainmatteroffact.'

'Youshall,'saidNicholas,motioningtowardsthedoor.

'Andtrustme,sir,'addedRalph,'thatIneversupposedyouwouldgivehimuptonight.Pride,obstinacy,reputationforfinefeeling,wereallagainstit.Thesemust be brought down, sir, lowered, crushed, as they shall be soon. Theprotractedandwearinganxietyandexpenseofthelawinitsmostoppressiveform, its torturefromhour tohour, itswearydaysandsleeplessnights,withtheseI'llproveyou,andbreakyourhaughtyspirit,strongasyoudeemitnow.And when you make this house a hell, and visit these trials upon yonderwretched object (as youwill; I knowyou), and thosewho think you now ayoungfledgedhero,we'll go intooldaccountsbetweenus two, and seewhostandsthedebtor,andcomesoutbestatlast,evenbeforetheworld.'

RalphNicklebywithdrew.ButMrSqueers,whohadheard a portionof thisclosing address, and was by this time wound up to a pitch of impotentmalignity almost unprecedented, could not refrain from returning to theparlourdoor,andactuallycuttingsomedozencaperswithvariouswry facesandhideousgrimaces,expressiveofhistriumphantconfidenceinthedownfallanddefeatofNicholas.

Havingconcluded thiswardance, inwhichhisshort trousersand largebootshadborneaveryconspicuousfigure,MrSqueersfollowedhisfriends,andthefamilywerelefttomeditateuponrecentoccurrences.

CHAPTER46

ThrowssomeLightuponNicholas'sLove;butwhether forGoodorEvil theReadermustdetermine

After an anxious consideration of the painful and embarrassing position inwhichhewasplaced,Nicholasdecidedthatheoughttolosenotimeinfranklystatingittothekindbrothers.Availinghimselfofthefirstopportunityofbeingalone with Mr Charles Cheeryble at the close of next day, he accordinglyrelatedSmike'slittlehistory,andmodestlybutfirmlyexpressedhishopethatthegoodoldgentlemanwould,undersuchcircumstancesashedescribed,holdhimjustifiedinadoptingtheextremecourseofinterferingbetweenparentandchild,andupholdingthelatterinhisdisobedience;eventhoughhishorroranddreadofhisfathermightseem,andwoulddoubtlessberepresentedas,athingsorepulsiveandunnatural,astorenderthosewhocountenancedhiminit,fitobjectsofgeneraldetestationandabhorrence.

'Sodeeplyrooteddoesthishorrorofthemanappeartobe,'saidNicholas,'thatI can hardly believe he really is his son. Nature does not seem to haveimplanted inhisbreastone lingeringfeelingofaffectionforhim,andsurelyshecannevererr.'

'Mydearsir,'repliedbrotherCharles,'youfallintotheverycommonmistakeof charging upon Nature, matters with which she has not the smallestconnection,andforwhichsheisinnowayresponsible.MentalkofNatureasanabstractthing,andlosesightofwhatisnaturalwhiletheydoso.Hereisapoorladwhohasneverfeltaparent'scare,whohasscarcelyknownanythingallhislifebutsufferingandsorrow,presentedtoamanwhoheistoldishisfather,andwhose firstact is tosignifyhis intentionofputtinganend tohisshorttermofhappiness,ofconsigninghimtohisoldfate,andtakinghimfromtheonlyfriendhehaseverhadwhichisyourself.IfNature,insuchacase,putinto that lad's breast but one secret promptingwhich urged him towards hisfatherandawayfromyou,shewouldbealiarandanidiot.'

Nicholaswasdelightedtofindthattheoldgentlemanspokesowarmly,andinthe hope that he might say somethingmore to the same purpose, made noreply.

'Thesamemistakepresentsitselftome,inoneshapeorother,ateveryturn,'saidbrotherCharles.'Parentswhonevershowedtheirlove,complainofwantof natural affection in their children; childrenwhonever showed their duty,complainofwantofnaturalfeelingintheirparents;lawmakerswhofindbothso miserable that their affections have never had enough of life's sun todevelopthem,areloudintheirmoralisingsoverparentsandchildrentoo,andcrythattheverytiesofnaturearedisregarded.Naturalaffectionsandinstincts,my dear sir, are the most beautiful of the Almighty's works, but like otherbeautifulworksofHis,theymustberearedandfostered,oritisasnaturalthatthey should be wholly obscured, and that new feelings should usurp theirplace,asitisthatthesweetestproductionsoftheearth,leftuntended,shouldbechokedwithweedsandbriers.Iwishwecouldbebroughttoconsiderthis,andrememberingnaturalobligationsalittlemoreattherighttime,talkaboutthemalittlelessatthewrongone.'

Afterthis,brotherCharles,whohadtalkedhimselfintoagreatheat,stoppedtocoolalittle,andthencontinued:

'Idaresayyouaresurprised,mydearsir, that Ihave listened toyour recitalwithsolittleastonishment.Thatiseasilyexplained.Yourunclehasbeenherethismorning.'

Nicholascoloured,anddrewbackasteportwo.

'Yes,' said the old gentleman, tapping his desk emphatically, 'here, in thisroom.Hewouldlistenneithertoreason,feeling,norjustice.ButbrotherNedwasharduponhim;brotherNed,sir,mighthavemeltedapavingstone.'

'Hecameto'saidNicholas.

'To complain of you,' returned brother Charles, 'to poison our ears withcalumniesandfalsehoods;buthecameona fruitlesserrand,andwentawaywith some wholesome truths in his ear besides. Brother Ned, my dearMyNicklebybrotherNed,sir,isaperfectlion.SoisTimLinkinwater;Timisquitealion.WehadTimintofacehimatfirst,andTimwasathim,sir,beforeyoucouldsay"JackRobinson."'

'HowcanIever thankyouforall thedeepobligationsyou imposeuponmeeveryday?'saidNicholas.

'Bykeeping silenceupon the subject,mydear sir,' returnedbrotherCharles.'Youshallberighted.Atleastyoushallnotbewronged.Nobodybelongingtoyou shall bewronged.They shall not hurt a hair of your head, or the boy'shead,oryourmother'shead,oryoursister'shead.Ihavesaidit,brotherNedhassaidit,TimLinkinwaterhassaidit.Wehaveallsaidit,andwe'llalldoit.Ihave seen the fatherif he is the fatherand I suppose he must be. He is abarbarianandahypocrite,MrNickleby.Itoldhim,"Youareabarbarian,sir."Idid.Isaid,"You'reabarbarian,sir."AndI'mgladof it, IamVERYgladItoldhimhewasabarbarian,verygladindeed!'

BythistimebrotherCharleswasinsuchaverywarmstateofindignation,thatNicholas thought he might venture to put in a word, but the moment heessayedtodoso,MrCheeryblelaidhishandsoftlyuponhisarm,andpointedtoachair.

'Thesubject is at anend for thepresent,' said theoldgentleman,wipinghisface. 'Don't revive it by a single word. I am going to speak upon anothersubject,aconfidentialsubject,MrNickleby.Wemustbecoolagain,wemustbecool.'

Aftertwoorthreeturnsacrosstheroomheresumedhisseat,anddrawinghischairnearertothatonwhichNicholaswasseated,said:

'Iamabouttoemployyou,mydearsir,onaconfidentialanddelicatemission.'

'Youmight employmany amore ablemessenger, sir,' said Nicholas, 'but amoretrustworthyorzealousone,Imaybeboldtosay,youcouldnotfind.'

'Of that Iamwellassured,' returnedbrotherCharles, 'wellassured.Youwillgivemecreditforthinkingso,whenItellyouthattheobjectofthismissionis

ayounglady.'

'Ayoung lady, sir!' criedNicholas, quite trembling for themomentwithhiseagernesstohearmore.

'Averybeautifulyounglady,'saidMrCheeryble,gravely.

'Praygoon,sir,'returnedNicholas.

'Iamthinkinghowtodoso,' saidbrotherCharles;sadly,as it seemed tohisyoung friend, andwith anexpressionallied topain. 'Youaccidentally sawayoung lady in this roomonemorning,mydear sir, in a fainting fit.Doyouremember?Perhapsyouhaveforgotten.'

'Ohno,'repliedNicholas,hurriedly.'IIrememberitverywellindeed.'

'SHE is the lady I speak of,' said brother Charles. Like the famous parrot,Nicholasthoughtagreatdeal,butwasunabletoutteraword.

'She is the daughter,' said Mr Cheeryble, 'of a lady who, when she was abeautifulgirlherself,andIwasverymanyyearsyounger,IitseemsastrangewordformetoutternowIlovedverydearly.Youwillsmile,perhaps,tohearagreyheadedman talk about such things.Youwill notoffendme, forwhen Iwasasyoungasyou,IdaresayIshouldhavedonethesame.'

'Ihavenosuchinclination,indeed,'saidNicholas.

'My dear brother Ned,' continued Mr Cheeryble, 'was to have married hersister, but shedied.She isdead toonow, andhasbeen formanyyears.Shemarriedherchoice;andIwishIcouldaddthatherafterlifewasashappyasGodknowsIeverprayeditmightbe!'

Ashortsilenceintervened,whichNicholasmadenoefforttobreak.

'Iftrialandcalamityhadfallenaslightlyonhishead,asinthedeepesttruthofmyownheartIeverhoped(forhersake) itwould,his lifewouldhavebeenoneofpeaceandhappiness,'saidtheoldgentlemancalmly.'Itwillbeenoughto say that thiswasnot the case; that shewasnot happy; that they fell intocomplicated distresses and difficulties; that she came, twelvemonths beforeher death, to appeal to my old friendship; sadly changed, sadly altered,brokenspirited from suffering and illusage, and almost brokenhearted. Hereadilyavailedhimselfofthemoneywhich,togiveherbutonehour'speaceofmind,Iwouldhavepouredoutasfreelyaswaternay,heoftensentherbackformoreand yet evenwhile he squandered it, hemade the very success ofthese, her applications to me, the groundwork of cruel taunts and jeers,protestingthatheknewshethoughtwithbitterremorseofthechoiceshehad

made,thatshehadmarriedhimfrommotivesofinterestandvanity(hewasagay young man with great friends about him when she chose him for herhusband),andventing inshortuponher,byeveryunjustandunkindmeans,thebitternessof that ruinanddisappointmentwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutby his profligacy alone. In those times this young ladywas amere child. Inever saw her again until that morning when you saw her also, but mynephew,Frank'

Nicholasstarted,andindistinctlyapologisingfor the interruption,beggedhispatrontoproceed.

'My nephew, Frank, I say,' resumed Mr Cheeryble, 'encountered her byaccident,andlostsightofheralmostinaminuteafterwards,withintwodaysafterhereturnedtoEngland.Herfatherlayinsomesecretplacetoavoidhiscreditors, reduced, between sickness and poverty, to the verge of death, andshe, a child,we might almost think, if we did not know the wisdom of allHeaven'sdecreeswhoshouldhaveblessedabetterman,wassteadilybravingprivation, degradation, and everything most terrible to such a young anddelicatecreature'sheart,forthepurposeofsupportinghim.Shewasattended,sir,'saidbrotherCharles, 'inthesereverses,byonefaithfulcreature,whohadbeen, in old times, a poor kitchenwench in the family,whowas then theirsolitary servant, but whomight have been, for the truth and fidelity of herheartwhomighthavebeenah!thewifeofTimLinkinwaterhimself,sir!'

Pursuingthisencomiumuponthepoorfollowerwithsuchenergyandrelishasnowordscandescribe,brotherCharles leantbackinhischair,anddeliveredtheremainderofhisrelationwithgreatercomposure.

Itwasinsubstancethis:Thatproudlyresistingalloffersofpermanentaidandsupport from her latemother's friends, because theyweremade conditionaluponherquitting thewretchedman,her father,whohadnofriends left,andshrinkingwithinstinctivedelicacyfromappealingintheirbehalf to that trueand noble heart which he hated, and had, through its greatest and purestgoodness, deeplywronged bymisconstruction and ill report, this younggirlhadstruggledaloneandunassistedtomaintainhimbythelabourofherhands.Thatthroughtheutmostdepthsofpovertyandafflictionshehadtoiled,neverturningasideforaninstantfromhertask,neverweariedbythepetulantgloomofasickmansustainedbynoconsolingrecollectionsofthepastorhopesofthefuture;neverrepiningforthecomfortsshehadrejected,orbewailingthehardlotshehadvoluntarilyincurred.Thateverylittleaccomplishmentshehadacquired in happier days had been put into requisition for this purpose, anddirectedtothisoneend.Thatfortwolongyears,toilingbydayandoftentoobynight,workingattheneedle,thepencil,andthepen,andsubmitting,asadaily governess, to such caprices and indignities aswomen (with daughters

too) too often love to inflict upon their own sex when they serve in suchcapacities, as though in jealousy of the superior intelligencewhich they arenecessitated to employ,indignities, inninetynine casesout of everyhundred,heaped upon persons immeasurably and incalculably their betters, butoutweighing in comparison any that the most heartless blackleg would putupon his groomthat for two long years, by dint of labouring in all thesecapacities andwearying innone, shehadnot succeeded in the sole aimandobject of her life, but that, overwhelmed by accumulated difficulties anddisappointments,shehadbeencompelledtoseekouthermother'soldfriend,and,withaburstingheart,toconfideinhimatlast.

'If Ihadbeenpoor,' saidbrotherCharles,with sparklingeyes; 'if Ihadbeenpoor, Mr Nickleby, my dear sir, which thank God I am not, I would havedenied myself (of course anybody would under such circumstances) thecommonestnecessariesoflife,tohelpher.Asitis,thetaskisadifficultone.Ifher fatherweredead,nothingcouldbeeasier, for then she should shareandcheerthehappiesthomethatbrotherNedandIcouldhave,asifshewereourchildorsister.Butheisstillalive.Nobodycanhelphim;thathasbeentriedathousandtimes;hewasnotabandonedbyallwithoutgoodcause,Iknow.'

'Cannotshebepersuadedto'Nicholashesitatedwhenhehadgotthusfar.

'Toleavehim?'saidbrotherCharles. 'Whocouldentreatachildtodesertherparent? Such entreaties, limited to her seeing him occasionally, have beenurgeduponhernotbymebutalwayswiththesameresult.'

'Ishekindtoher?'saidNicholas.'Doesherequiteheraffection?'

'Truekindness,considerateselfdenyingkindness,isnotinhisnature,'returnedMrCheeryble.'Suchkindnessasheknows,heregardsherwith,Ibelieve.Themotherwasagentle,loving,confidingcreature,andalthoughhewoundedherfromtheirmarriagetillherdeathascruellyandwantonlyasevermandid,sheneverceasedtolovehim.Shecommendedhimonherdeathbedtoherchild'scare.Herchildhasneverforgottenit,andneverwill.'

'Haveyounoinfluenceoverhim?'askedNicholas.

'I,mydearsir!Thelastmanintheworld.Sucharehisjealousyandhatredofme,thatifheknewhisdaughterhadopenedherhearttome,hewouldrenderher lifemiserablewith his reproaches; althoughthis is the inconsistency andselfishnessofhischaracteralthoughifheknewthateverypennyshehadcamefromme,hewouldnot relinquishonepersonaldesire that themost recklessexpenditureofherscantystockcouldgratify.'

'Anunnaturalscoundrel!'saidNicholas,indignantly.

'We will use no harsh terms,' said brother Charles, in a gentle voice; 'butaccommodate ourselves to the circumstances in which this young lady isplaced. Such assistance as I have prevailed upon her to accept, I have beenobliged,atherownearnestrequest,todoleoutinthesmallestportions,lesthe,findinghoweasilymoneywasprocured,shouldsquanderitevenmorelightlythanheisaccustomedtodo.Shehascometoandfro,toandfro,secretlyandbynight,totakeeventhis;andIcannotbearthatthingsshouldgooninthisway,MrNickleby,Ireallycannotbearit.'

Thenitcameoutbylittleandlittle,howthatthetwinshadbeenrevolvingintheirgoodoldheadsmanifoldplansandschemesforhelpingthisyoungladyin themost delicate and considerate way, and so that her father should notsuspectthesourcewhencetheaidwasderived;andhowtheyhadatlastcometotheconclusion,thatthebestcoursewouldbetomakeafeintofpurchasingher little drawings and ornamental work at a high price, and keeping up aconstantdemandforthesame.Forthefurtheranceofwhichendandobjectitwasnecessarythatsomebodyshouldrepresentthedealerinsuchcommodities,and after great deliberation they had pitched upon Nicholas to support thischaracter.

'Heknowsme,'saidbrotherCharles, 'andheknowsmybrotherNed.Neitherofuswoulddo.Frankisaverygoodfellowaveryfinefellowbutweareafraidthathemightbealittleflightyandthoughtlessinsuchadelicatematter,andthathemight,perhapsthathemight, inshort,be toosusceptible(forsheisabeautifulcreature,sir;justwhatherpoormotherwas),andfallinginlovewithher before he knew well his own mind, carry pain and sorrow into thatinnocent breast, which we would be the humble instruments of graduallymakinghappy.Hetookanextraordinaryinterestinherfortuneswhenhefirsthappenedtoencounterher;andwegatherfromtheinquirieswehavemadeofhim, that itwasshe inwhosebehalfhemade that turmoilwhich led toyourfirstacquaintance.'

Nicholasstammeredoutthathehadbeforesuspectedthepossibilityofsuchathing;and inexplanationof itshavingoccurred tohim,describedwhenandwherehehadseentheyoungladyhimself.

'Well; then you see,' continued brother Charles, 'that HE wouldn't do. TimLinkinwater isoutof thequestion;forTim,sir, issucha tremendousfellow,that he could never contain himself, but would go to loggerheads with thefatherbeforehehadbeenintheplacefiveminutes.Youdon'tknowwhatTimis, sir, when he is aroused by anything that appeals to his feelings verystrongly;thenheisterrific,sir,isTimLinkinwater,absolutelyterrific.Now,inyouwecan repose the strictest confidence; inyouwehave seenorat least Ihaveseen,andthat'sthesamething,forthere'snodifferencebetweenmeand

mybrotherNed,exceptthatheisthefinestcreaturethateverlived,andthatthere is not, and neverwill be, anybody like him in all theworldin youwehave seen domestic virtues and affections, and delicacy of feeling, whichexactlyqualifyyouforsuchanoffice.Andyouaretheman,sir.'

'Theyoung lady, sir,' saidNicholas,who felt so embarrassed thathehadnosmalldifficultyinsayinganythingatall'Doesisissheapartytothisinnocentdeceit?'

'Yes,yes,'returnedMrCheeryble; 'atleastsheknowsyoucomefromus;shedoesNOTknow,however,butthatweshalldisposeoftheselittleproductionsthat you'll purchase from time to time; and, perhaps, if youdid it verywell(that is, VERY well indeed), perhaps she might be brought to believe thatwethatwemadeaprofitofthem.Eh?Eh?'

Inthisguilelessandmostkindsimplicity,brotherCharleswassohappy,andinthispossibilityoftheyoungladybeingledtothinkthatshewasundernoobligationtohim,heevidentlyfeltsosanguineandhadsomuchdelight,thatNicholaswouldnotbreatheadoubtuponthesubject.

Allthistime,however,therehovereduponthetipofhistongueaconfessionthat the very same objections which Mr Cheeryble had stated to theemployment of his nephew in this commission applied with at least equalforceandvaliditytohimself,andahundredtimeshadhebeenuponthepointofavowingtherealstateofhisfeelings,andentreatingtobereleasedfromit.But as often, treading upon the heels of this impulse, came another whichurgedhimtorefrain,andtokeephissecrettohisownbreast.'WhyshouldI,'thought Nicholas, 'why should I throw difficulties in the way of thisbenevolentandhighmindeddesign?WhatifIdoloveandreverencethisgoodandlovelycreature.ShouldInotappearamostarrogantandshallowcoxcombifIgravelyrepresentedthat therewasanydangerofherfallingin lovewithme?Besides,haveInoconfidenceinmyself?AmInotnowboundinhonourto repress these thoughts?Hasnot thisexcellentmana right tomybestandheartiest services, and should any considerations of self deter me fromrenderingthem?'

Asking himself such questions as these, Nicholas mentally answered withgreatemphasis'No!'andpersuadinghimselfthathewasamostconscientiousandgloriousmartyr,noblyresolved todowhat, ifhehadexaminedhisownheartalittlemorecarefully,hewouldhavefoundhecouldnotresist.Suchisthesleightofhandbywhichwe jugglewithourselves,andchangeourveryweaknessesintostanchandmostmagnanimousvirtues!

MrCheeryble,beingofcoursewhollyunsuspiciousthatsuchreflectionswere

presentingthemselvestohisyoungfriend,proceededtogivehimtheneedfulcredentials and directions for his first visit, which was to be made nextmorning; and all preliminaries being arranged, and the strictest secrecyenjoined,Nicholaswalkedhomeforthenightverythoughtfullyindeed.

TheplacetowhichMrCheeryblehaddirectedhimwasarowofmeanandnotovercleanlyhouses,situatedwithin'theRules'oftheKing'sBenchPrison,andnotmanyhundredpaces distant from theobelisk inStGeorge'sFields.TheRules are a certain liberty adjoining theprison, and comprising somedozenstreets inwhichdebtorswhocan raisemoney topay large fees, fromwhichtheircreditorsdoNOTderiveanybenefit,arepermittedtoresidebythewiseprovisionsofthesameenlightenedlawswhichleavethedebtorwhocanraisenomoney to starve in jail, without the food, clothing, lodging, or warmth,whichareprovidedforfelonsconvictedofthemostatrociouscrimesthatcandisgrace humanity. There are many pleasant fictions of the law in constantoperation, but there is not one so pleasant or practically humorous as thatwhichsupposeseveryman tobeofequalvalue in its impartial eye,and thebenefitsofall laws tobeequallyattainablebyallmen,without the smallestreferencetothefurnitureoftheirpockets.

To the row of houses indicated to him byMr Charles Cheeryble, Nicholasdirectedhissteps,withoutmuchtroublinghisheadwithsuchmattersasthese;and at this row of housesafter traversing a very dirty and dusty suburb, ofwhichminor theatricals,shellfish,gingerbeer,springvans,greengrocery,andbrokers'shops,appearedtocomposethemainandmostprominentfeaturesheat length arrivedwith a palpitatingheart.Therewere small gardens in frontwhich,beingwhollyneglectedinallotherrespects,servedaslittlepensforthedusttocollectin,untilthewindcameroundthecornerandblewitdowntheroad.Opening the rickety gatewhich, dangling on its broken hinges beforeoneofthese,halfadmittedandhalfrepulsedthevisitor,Nicholasknockedatthestreetdoorwithafalteringhand.

Itwas in truth a shabby house outside,with very dimparlourwindows andverysmallshowofblinds,andverydirtymuslincurtainsdanglingacrossthelower panes on very loose and limp strings. Neither, when the door wasopened,didtheinsideappeartobelietheoutwardpromise,astherewasfadedcarpetingonthestairsandfadedoilclothinthepassage;inadditiontowhichdiscomfortsagentlemanRulerwassmokinghardinthefrontparlour(thoughit was not yet noon), while the lady of the house was busily engaged inturpentiningthedisjointedfragmentsofatentbedsteadatthedoorofthebackparlour, as if in preparation for the reception of some new lodgerwho hadbeenfortunateenoughtoengageit.

Nicholashadampletimetomaketheseobservationswhilethelittleboy,who

went on errands for the lodgers, clattered down the kitchen stairs and washeard to scream, as in some remote cellar, for Miss Bray's servant, who,presently appearing and requesting him to followher, caused him to evincegreatersymptomsofnervousnessanddisorderthansonaturalaconsequenceofhishavinginquiredforthatyoungladywouldseemcalculatedtooccasion.

Upstairs hewent, however, and into a front roomhewas shown, and there,seatedata little tablebythewindow,onwhichweredrawingmaterialswithwhich she was occupied, sat the beautiful girl who had so engrossed histhoughts, and who, surrounded by all the new and strong interest whichNicholasattachedtoherstory,seemednow,inhiseyes,athousandtimesmorebeautifulthanhehadeveryetsupposedher.

But how the graces and elegancies which she had dispersed about thepoorlyfurnishedroomwenttotheheartofNicholas!Flowers,plants,birds,theharp, the old piano whose notes had sounded so much sweeter in bygonetimes;howmanystruggleshaditcosthertokeepthesetwolastlinksofthatbrokenchainwhichboundheryettohome!Witheveryslenderornament,theoccupationofherleisurehours,repletewiththatgracefulcharmwhichlingersin every little tastefulworkofwoman'shands,howmuchpatient enduranceandhowmanygentleaffectionswereentwined!HefeltasthoughthesmileofHeaven were on the little chamber; as though the beautiful devotion of soyoungandweakacreaturehadshedarayofitsownontheinanimatethingsaround,andmadethembeautifulasitself;asthoughthehalowithwhicholdpainters surround the bright angels of a sinlessworld played about a beingakininspirittothem,anditslightwerevisiblybeforehim.

AndyetNicholaswasintheRulesoftheKing'sBenchPrison!IfhehadbeeninItalyindeed,andthetimehadbeensunset,andthesceneastatelyterrace!But, there is one broad sky over all the world, and whether it be blue orcloudy, the same heaven beyond it; so, perhaps, he had no need ofcompunctionforthinkingashedid.

Itisnottobesupposedthathetookineverythingatoneglance,forhehadasyetbeenunconsciousofthepresenceofasickmanproppedupwithpillowsinaneasychair,who,movingrestlesslyandimpatientlyinhisseat,attractedhisattention.

Hewas scarce fifty,perhaps,but soemaciatedas toappearmucholder.Hisfeaturespresentedtheremainsofahandsomecountenance,butoneinwhichtheembersofstrongandimpetuouspassionswereeasiertobetracedthananyexpression which would have rendered a far plainer face much moreprepossessing.Hislookswereveryhaggard,andhislimbsandbodyliterallyworntothebone,buttherewassomethingoftheoldfireinthelargesunken

eyenotwithstanding,anditseemedtokindleafreshashestruckathickstick,withwhichheseemedtohavesupportedhimselfinhisseat,impatientlyonthefloortwiceorthrice,andcalledhisdaughterbyhername.

'Madeline,who is this?Whatdoesanybodywanthere?Who tolda strangerwecouldbeseen?Whatisit?'

'Ibelieve'theyoungladybegan,assheinclinedherheadwithanairofsomeconfusion,inreplytothesalutationofNicholas.

'Youalwaysbelieve,'returnedherfather,petulantly.'Whatisit?'

BythistimeNicholashadrecoveredsufficientpresenceofmindtospeakforhimself, sohe said (as it hadbeen agreedhe should say) that hehad calledaboutapairofhandscreens,andsomepaintedvelvetforanottoman,bothofwhichwererequiredtobeofthemostelegantdesignpossible,neithertimenorexpensebeingof the smallest consideration.Hehad also topay for the twodrawings,withmanythanks,and,advancingtothelittletable,helaiduponitabanknote,foldedinanenvelopeandsealed.

'See that themoney is right,Madeline,' said the father. 'Open thepaper,mydear.'

'It'squiteright,papa,I'msure.'

'Here!'saidMrBray,puttingouthishand,andopeningandshuttinghisbonyfingers with irritable impatience. 'Let me see. What are you talking about,Madeline? You're sure? How can you be sure of any such thing? Fivepoundswell,isTHATright?'

'Quite,' said Madeline, bending over him. She was so busily employed inarrangingthepillowsthatNicholascouldnotseeherface,butasshestoopedhethoughthesawatearfall.

'Ring the bell, ring the bell,' said the sick man, with the same nervouseagerness,andmotioningtowardsitwithsuchaquiveringhandthatthebanknoterustledintheair.'Tellhertogetitchanged,togetmeanewspaper,tobuymesomegrapes,anotherbottleofthewinethatIhadlastweekandandIforgethalf Iwant justnow,but shecangooutagain.Letherget those first, thosefirst.Now,Madeline,mylove,quick,quick!GoodGod,howslowyouare!'

'HeremembersnothingthatSHEwants!'thoughtNicholas.Perhapssomethingofwhathethoughtwasexpressedinhiscountenance,forthesickman,turningtowardshimwithgreatasperity,demandedtoknowifhewaitedforareceipt.

'Itisnomatteratall,'saidNicholas.

'Nomatter!whatdoyoumean,sir?'wasthetartrejoinder.'Nomatter!Doyouthinkyoubringyourpaltrymoneyhereasafavouroragift;orasamatterofbusiness, and in return for value received? Dn you, sir, because you can'tappreciatethetimeandtastewhicharebestoweduponthegoodsyoudealin,doyouthinkyougiveyourmoneyaway?Doyouknowthatyouaretalkingtoagentleman,sir,whoatonetimecouldhaveboughtupfiftysuchmenasyouandallyouhave?Whatdoyoumean?'

'Imerelymean that as I shallhavemanydealingswith this lady, if shewillkindlyallowme,Iwillnottroubleherwithsuchforms,'saidNicholas.

'ThenImean,ifyouplease,thatwe'llhaveasmanyformsaswecan,returnedthefather. 'Mydaughter,sir, requiresnokindnessfromyouoranybodyelse.Havethegoodnesstoconfineyourdealingsstrictlytotradeandbusiness,andnot to travelbeyondit.Everypetty tradesmanis tobegin topityhernow, ishe?Uponmy soul!Verypretty.Madeline,mydear, give hima receipt; andmindyoualwaysdoso.'

While she was feigning to write it, and Nicholas was ruminating upon theextraordinary but by no means uncommon character thus presented to hisobservation, the invalid, who appeared at times to suffer great bodily pain,sank back in his chair andmoaned out a feeble complaint that the girl hadbeengoneanhour,andthateverybodyconspiredtogoadhim.

'When,'saidNicholas,ashetookthepieceofpaper,'whenshallIcallagain?'

Thiswasaddressedtothedaughter,butthefatheransweredimmediately.

'Whenyou'rerequestedtocall,sir,andnotbefore.Don'tworryandpersecute.Madeline,mydear,whenisthispersontocallagain?'

'Oh,notforalongtime,notforthreeorfourweeks;itisnotnecessary,indeed;Icandowithout,'saidtheyounglady,withgreateagerness.

'Why, how arewe to dowithout?' urged her father, not speaking above hisbreath.'Threeorfourweeks,Madeline!Threeorfourweeks!'

'Thensooner,sooner,ifyouplease,'saidtheyounglady,turningtoNicholas.

'Threeorfourweeks!'mutteredthefather.'Madeline,whatonearthdonothingforthreeorfourweeks!'

'Itisalongtime,ma'am,'saidNicholas.

'YOUthinkso,doyou?'retortedthefather,angrily.'IfIchosetobeg,sir,andstooptoaskassistancefrompeopleIdespise,threeorfourmonthswouldnot

bealongtime;threeorfouryearswouldnotbealongtime.Understand,sir,thatisifIchosetobedependent;butasIdon't,youmaycallinaweek.'

Nicholasbowedlowtotheyoungladyandretired,ponderinguponMrBray'sideas of independence, and devoutly hoping that there might be few suchindependentspiritsasheminglingwiththebaserclayofhumanity.

Hehearda light footstepabovehimashedescended the stairs, and lookinground saw that the young lady was standing there, and glancing timidlytowardshim,seemedtohesitatewhethersheshouldcallhimbackorno.Thebestwayofsettlingthequestionwastoturnbackatonce,whichNicholasdid.

'Idon'tknowwhetherIdoright inaskingyou,sir,'saidMadeline,hurriedly,'but pray, pray, do not mention to my poor mother's dear friends what haspassed here today.He has sufferedmuch, and isworse thismorning. I begyou,sir,asaboon,afavourtomyself.'

'Youhavebuttohintawish,'returnedNicholasfervently,'andIwouldhazardmylifetogratifyit.'

'Youspeakhastily,sir.'

'Truly and sincerely,' rejoinedNicholas, his lips trembling as he formed thewords,'ifevermanspoketrulyyet.Iamnotskilledindisguisingmyfeelings,and if Iwere, I couldnot hidemyheart fromyou.Dearmadam, as I knowyourhistory,andfeelasmenandangelsmustwhohearandseesuchthings,IdoentreatyoutobelievethatIwoulddietoserveyou.'

Theyoungladyturnedawayherhead,andwasplainlyweeping.

'Forgiveme,'saidNicholas,withrespectfulearnestness, 'if Iseemtosay toomuch,ortopresumeupontheconfidencewhichhasbeenintrustedtome.ButI could not leave you as if my interest and sympathy expired with thecommission of the day. I am your faithful servant, humbly devoted to youfromthishour,devotedinstricttruthandhonourtohimwhosentmehere,andinpureintegrityofheart,anddistantrespectforyou.IfImeantmoreorlessthan this, I should be unworthy his regard, and false to the very nature thatpromptsthehonestwordsIutter.'

She waved her hand, entreating him to be gone, but answered not a word.Nicholascouldsaynomore,andsilentlywithdrew.And thusendedhis firstinterviewwithMadelineBray.

CHAPTER47

MrRalphNicklebyhassomeconfidentialIntercoursewithanotheroldFriend.TheyconcertbetweenthemaProject,whichpromiseswellforboth

'There go the threequarters past!' mutteredNewmanNoggs, listening to thechimesofsomeneighbouringchurch'andmydinnertime'stwo.Hedoesitonpurpose.Hemakesapointofit.It'sjustlikehim.'

ItwasinhisownlittledenofanofficeandonthetopofhisofficialstoolthatNewman thus soliloquised; and the soliloquy referred, as Newman'sgrumblingsoliloquiesusuallydid,toRalphNickleby.

'I don't believe he ever had an appetite,' said Newman, 'except for pounds,shillings,andpence,andwiththemhe'sasgreedyasawolf.IshouldliketohavehimcompelledtoswallowoneofeveryEnglishcoin.Thepennywouldbeanawkwardmorselbutthecrownha!ha!'

His goodhumour being in some degree restored by the vision of RalphNicklebyswallowing,perforce,afiveshillingpiece,Newmanslowlybroughtforth from his desk one of those portable bottles, currently known aspocketpistols,andshakingthesameclosetohisearsoastoproducearipplingsoundvery cool and pleasant to listen to, suffered his features to relax, andtookagurglingdrink,whichrelaxed themstillmore.Replacing thecork,hesmackedhislipstwiceorthricewithanairofgreatrelish,and,thetasteoftheliquorhavingbythistimeevaporated,recurredtohisgrievanceagain.

'Fiveminutestothree,'growledNewman;'itcan'twantmorebythistime;andI had my breakfast at eight o'clock, and SUCH a breakfast! and my rightdinnertimetwo!AndImighthaveanicelittlebitofhotroastmeatspoilingathomeallthistimehowdoesHEknowIhaven't?"Don'tgotillIcomeback,""Don'tgotillIcomeback,"dayafterday.Whatdoyoualwaysgooutatmydinnertimefortheneh?Don'tyouknowit'snothingbutaggravationeh?'

Thesewords,thoughutteredinaveryloudkey,wereaddressedtonothingbutempty air.The recital of hiswrongs, however, seemed to have the effect ofmakingNewmanNoggsdesperate;forheflattenedhisoldhatuponhishead,and drawing on the everlasting gloves, declaredwith great vehemence, thatcomewhatmight,hewouldgotodinnerthatveryminute.

Carrying this resolution into instant effect, he had advanced as far as thepassage,whenthesoundofthelatchkeyinthestreetdoorcausedhimtomakeaprecipitateretreatintohisownofficeagain.

'Hereheis,'growledNewman,'andsomebodywithhim.Nowit'llbe"Stoptillthisgentleman'sgone."ButIwon't.That'sflat.'

So saying,Newman slipped into a tall empty closetwhichopenedwith twohalfdoors,andshuthimselfup;intendingtoslipoutdirectlyRalphwassafeinsidehisownroom.

'Noggs!'criedRalph,'whereisthatfellow,Noggs?'

ButnotawordsaidNewman.

'The dog has gone to his dinner, though I told him not,' muttered Ralph,looking into the office, and pulling out hiswatch. 'Humph!'You had bettercomeinhere,Gride.Myman'sout,andthesunishotuponmyroom.Thisiscoolandintheshade,ifyoudon'tmindroughingit.'

'Notatall,MrNickleby,ohnotatall!Allplacesarealiketome,sir.Ah!veryniceindeed.Oh!verynice!'

The parson who made this reply was a little old man, of about seventy orseventyfiveyearsofage,ofaveryleanfigure,muchbentandslightlytwisted.Heworeagreycoatwithaverynarrowcollar,anoldfashionedwaistcoatofribbed black silk, and such scanty trousers as displayed his shrunkenspindleshanksintheirfullugliness.Theonlyarticlesofdisplayorornamentinhis dress were a steel watchchain to which were attached some large goldseals; and a black ribbon into which, in compliance with an old fashionscarcelyeverobserved in thesedays,hisgreyhairwasgatheredbehind.Hisnoseandchinweresharpandprominent,hisjawshadfalleninwardsfromlossof teeth, his face was shrivelled and yellow, save where the cheeks werestreakedwiththecolourofadrywinterapple;andwherehisbeardhadbeen,therelingeredyetafewgreytuftswhichseemed,liketheraggedeyebrows,todenote the badness of the soil fromwhich they sprung. The whole air andattitude of the form was one of stealthy catlike obsequiousness; the wholeexpression of the facewas concentrated in awrinkled leer, compounded ofcunning,lecherousness,slyness,andavarice.

SuchwasoldArthurGride,inwhosefacetherewasnotawrinkle,inwhosedress therewasnotone spare foldorplait, but expressed themost covetousand griping penury, and sufficiently indicated his belonging to that class ofwhichRalphNicklebywasamember.SuchwasoldArthurGride,ashesatina lowchair lookingup into thefaceofRalphNickleby,who, lounginguponthe tall office stool,with his arms upon his knees, looked down into his; amatchforhimonwhatevererrandhehadcome.

'Andhowhaveyoubeen?'saidGride,feigninggreatinterestinRalph'sstateof

health.'Ihaven'tseenyouforoh!notfor'

'Notforalongtime,'saidRalph,withapeculiarsmile,importingthatheverywellknewitwasnotonamerevisitofcomplimentthathisfriendhadcome.'Itwasanarrowchancethatyousawmenow,forIhadonlyjustcomeuptothedoorasyouturnedthecorner.'

'Iamverylucky,'observedGride.

'Somensay,'repliedRalph,drily.

Theoldermoneylenderwaggedhischinandsmiled,butheoriginatednonewremark,andtheysatforsomelittletimewithoutspeaking.Eachwaslookingouttotaketheotheratadisadvantage.

'Come,Gride,'saidRalph,atlength;'what'sinthewindtoday?'

'Aha!you'reaboldman,MrNickleby,'criedtheother,apparentlyverymuchrelievedbyRalph's leading theway tobusiness. 'Ohdear,dear,what aboldmanyouare!'

'Why,youhaveasleekandslinkingwaywithyouthatmakesmeseemsobycontrast,'returnedRalph.'Idon'tknowbutthatyoursmayanswerbetter,butIwantthepatienceforit.'

'Youwere born a genius,MrNickleby,' said oldArthur. 'Deep, deep, deep.Ah!'

'Deepenough,'retortedRalph,'toknowthatIshallneedallthedepthIhave,whenmenlikeyoubegintocompliment.YouknowIhavestoodbywhenyoufawned and flattered other people, and I remember pretty well what THATalwaysledto.'

'Ha, ha, ha!' rejoinedArthur, rubbing his hands. 'So you do, so you do, nodoubt.Notamanknowsitbetter.Well,it'sapleasantthingnowtothinkthatyourememberoldtimes.Ohdear!'

'Nowthen,'saidRalph,composedly;'what'sinthewind,Iaskagain?Whatisit?'

'Seethatnow!'criedtheother.'Hecan'tevenkeepfrombusinesswhilewe'rechattingoverbygones.Ohdear,dear,whatamanitis!'

'WHICHofthebygonesdoyouwanttorevive?'saidRalph. 'Oneof them,Iknow,oryouwouldn'ttalkaboutthem.'

'Hesuspectsevenme!'criedoldArthur,holdinguphishands. 'Evenme!Oh

dear,evenme.Whatamanit is!Ha,ha,ha!Whatamanit is!MrNicklebyagainstalltheworld.There'snobodylikehim.Agiantamongpigmies,agiant,agiant!'

Ralphlookedattheolddogwithaquietsmileashechuckledoninthisstrain,andNewmanNoggsintheclosetfelthisheartsinkwithinhimastheprospectofdinnergrewfainterandfainter.

'Imusthumourhimthough,'criedoldArthur; 'hemusthavehiswayawilfulman, as theScotch saywell,well, they're awisepeople, theScotch.Hewilltalkaboutbusiness,andwon'tgiveawayhistimefornothing.He'sveryright.Timeismoney,timeismoney.'

'Hewasoneofuswhomadethatsaying,Ishouldthink,'saidRalph.'Timeismoney,andverygoodmoneytoo,tothosewhoreckoninterestbyit.TimeISmoney!Yes, and time costsmoney; it's rather an expensive article to somepeoplewecouldname,orIforgetmytrade.'

In rejoinder to this sally, oldArthur again raised his hands, again chuckled,andagainejaculated'Whatamanitis!'whichdone,hedraggedthelowchairalittlenearertoRalph'shighstool,andlookingupwardsintohisimmovableface,said,

'Whatwouldyousaytome,ifIwastotellyouthatIwasthatIwasgoingtobemarried?'

'Ishouldtellyou,'repliedRalph,lookingcoldlydownuponhim,'thatforsomepurpose of your own you told a lie, and that it wasn't the first time andwouldn'tbethelast;thatIwasn'tsurprisedandwasn'ttobetakenin.'

'ThenItellyouseriouslythatIam,'saidoldArthur.

'And I tellyou seriously,' rejoinedRalph, 'what I toldyou thisminute.Stay.Letmelookatyou.There'saliquorishdevilryinyourface.Whatisthis?'

'Iwouldn'tdeceiveYOU,youknow,'whinedArthurGride;'Icouldn'tdoit,Ishouldbemadtotry.I,I,todeceiveMrNickleby!Thepigmytoimposeuponthegiant.Iaskagainhe,he,he!whatshouldyousaytomeifIwastotellyouthatIwasgoingtobemarried?'

'Tosomeoldhag?'saidRalph.

'No,No,'criedArthur, interruptinghim,andrubbinghishandsinanecstasy.'Wrong,wrongagain.MrNicklebyforonceatfault;out,quiteout!Toayoungandbeautifulgirl;fresh,lovely,bewitching,andnotnineteen.Darkeyes,longeyelashes, ripe and ruddy lips that to look at is to long to kiss, beautiful

clusteringhairthatone'sfingersitchtoplaywith,suchawaistasmightmakeaman clasp the air involuntarily, thinking of twining his arm about it, littlefeetthattreadsolightlytheyhardlyseemtowalkuponthegroundtomarryallthis,sir,thishey,hey!'

'This is somethingmore than commondrivelling,' saidRalph, after listeningwithacurledliptotheoldsinner'sraptures.'Thegirl'sname?'

'Ohdeep,deep!Seenowhowdeepthatis!'exclaimedoldArthur.'HeknowsIwanthishelp,heknowshecangive itme,heknows itmust all turn tohisadvantage,heseesthethingalready.Hernameistherenobodywithinhearing?'

'Why,whothedevilshouldtherebe?'retortedRalph,testily.

'I didn't knowbut that perhaps somebodymight be passing up or down thestairs,'saidArthurGride,afterlookingoutatthedoorandcarefullyreclosingit;'orbutthatyourmanmighthavecomebackandmighthavebeenlisteningoutside.Clerksandservantshaveatrickoflistening,andIshouldhavebeenveryuncomfortableifMrNoggs'

'CurseMrNoggs,'saidRalph,sharply,'andgoonwithwhatyouhavetosay.'

'CurseMrNoggs,byallmeans,'rejoinedoldArthur;'IamsureIhavenottheleastobjectiontothat.Hernameis'

'Well,'saidRalph,renderedveryirritablebyoldArthur'spausingagain'whatisit?'

'MadelineBray.'

Whatever reasons theremight have beenandArthurGride appeared to haveanticipatedsomeforthementionofthisnameproducinganeffectuponRalph,or whatever effect it really did produce upon him, he permitted none tomanifest itself, but calmly repeated the name several times, as if reflectingwhenandwherehehadhearditbefore.

'Bray,'saidRalph.'BraytherewasyoungBrayofno,heneverhadadaughter.'

'YourememberBray?'rejoinedArthurGride.

'No,'saidRalph,lookingvacantlyathim.

'NotWalterBray!Thedashingman,whousedhishandsomewifesoill?'

'Ifyouseektorecallanyparticulardashingmantomyrecollectionbysuchatraitas that,' saidRalph,shrugginghisshoulders, 'I shallconfoundhimwithninetenthsofthedashingmenIhaveeverknown.'

'Tut, tut.ThatBraywho isnow in theRulesof theBench,' saidoldArthur.'You can't have forgotten Bray. Both of us did business with him.Why, heowesyoumoney!'

'OhHIM!' rejoinedRalph. 'Ay,ay.Nowyouspeak.Oh!It'sHISdaughter, isit?'

Naturallyasthiswassaid,itwasnotsaidsonaturallybutthatakindredspiritlikeoldArthurGridemighthavediscernedadesignuponthepartofRalphtoleadhimontomuchmoreexplicitstatementsandexplanationsthanhewouldhavevolunteered,or thatRalphcould inall likelihoodhaveobtainedbyanyothermeans.OldArthur,however,wassointentuponhisowndesigns,thathesuffered himself to be overreached, and had no suspicion but that his goodfriendwasinearnest.

'I knewyoucouldn't forget him,whenyoucame to think for amoment,' hesaid.

'Youwere right,' answeredRalph. 'ButoldArthurGrideandmatrimony isamost anomalous conjunction ofwords; oldArthurGride and dark eyes andeyelashes,andlipsthattolookatistolongtokiss,andclusteringhairthathewantstoplaywith,andwaiststhathewantstospan,andlittlefeetthatdon'ttread upon anythingold Arthur Gride and such things as these is moremonstrous still; but old Arthur Gride marrying the daughter of a ruined"dashingman"intheRulesoftheBench,isthemostmonstrousandincredibleof all. Plainly, friend Arthur Gride, if you want any help from me in thisbusiness(whichofcourseyoudo,oryouwouldnotbehere),speakout,andtothepurpose.And,aboveall,don't talk tomeof its turning tomyadvantage,for I know itmust turn toyours also, and to agood round tune too, oryouwouldhavenofingerinsuchapieasthis.'

There was enough acerbity and sarcasm not only in the matter of Ralph'sspeech, but in the tone of voice in which he uttered it, and the looks withwhichheeked it out, tohave firedeven the ancientusurer's coldbloodandflushed even his withered cheek. But he gave vent to no demonstration ofanger, contentinghimselfwith exclaimingasbefore, 'What aman it is!' androlling his head from side to side, as if in unrestrained enjoyment of hisfreedom and drollery. Clearly observing, however, from the expression inRalph'sfeatures,thathehadbestcometothepointasspeedilyasmightbe,hecomposed himself formore serious business, and entered upon the pith andmarrowofhisnegotiation.

First,hedweltupon the fact thatMadelineBraywasdevoted to the supportandmaintenance,andwasaslavetoeverywish,ofheronlyparent,whohad

nootherfriendonearth;towhichRalphrejoinedthathehadheardsomethingof thekindbefore,and that ifshehadknowna littlemoreof theworld,shewouldn'thavebeensuchafool.

Secondly, he enlarged upon the character of her father, arguing, that eventaking it forgranted thathe lovedher in returnwith theutmost affectionofwhichhewascapable,yethe lovedhimselfagreatdealbetter;whichRalphsaid it was quite unnecessary to say anythingmore about, as thatwas verynatural,andprobableenough.

And, thirdly, old Arthur premised that the girl was a delicate and beautifulcreature,and thathehadreallyahankering tohaveher forhiswife.To thisRalph deigned no other rejoinder than a harsh smile, and a glance at theshrivelled old creature before him, which were, however, sufficientlyexpressive.

'Now,' saidGride, 'for the little plan I have inmymind to bring this about;because,Ihaven'tofferedmyselfeventothefatheryet,Ishouldhavetoldyou.Butthatyouhavegatheredalready?Ah!ohdear,ohdear,whatanedgedtoolyouare!'

'Don'tplaywithmethen,'saidRalphimpatiently.'Youknowtheproverb.'

'A replyalwayson the tipofhis tongue!'criedoldArthur, raisinghishandsandeyes in admiration. 'He is alwaysprepared!Ohdear,what ablessing tohavesuchareadywit,andsomuchreadymoneytobackit!'Then,suddenlychanginghistone,hewenton:'IhavebeenbackwardsandforwardstoBray'slodgingsseveraltimeswithinthelastsixmonths.ItisjusthalfayearsinceIfirst saw thisdelicatemorsel, and,ohdear,whatadelicatemorsel it is!Butthatisneitherherenorthere.Iamhisdetainingcreditorforseventeenhundredpounds!'

'Youtalkasifyouweretheonlydetainingcreditor,'saidRalph,pullingouthispocketbook. 'Iamanotherforninehundredandseventyfivepoundsfourandthreepence.'

'The only other, Mr Nickleby,' said old Arthur, eagerly. 'The only other.Nobodyelsewenttotheexpenseoflodgingadetainer,trustingtoourholdinghimfastenough,Iwarrantyou.Webothfellintothesamesnare;ohdear,whatapitfallitwas;italmostruinedme!Andlenthimourmoneyuponbills,withonlyonenamebesideshisown,whichtobesureeverybodysupposedtobeagoodone, andwas asnegotiable asmoney, butwhich turnedout youknowhow.Justasweshouldhavecomeuponhim,hedied insolvent.Ah! itwentverynightoruinme,thatlossdid!'

'Goonwithyourscheme,'saidRalph.'It'sofnouseraisingthecryofourtradejustnow;there'snobodytohearus!'

'It's always as well to talk that way,' returned old Arthur, with a chuckle,'whetherthere'sanybodytohearusornot.Practicemakesperfect,youknow.Now,ifIoffermyselftoBrayashissoninlaw,upononesimpleconditionthatthe moment I am fast married he shall be quietly released, and have anallowancetolivejustt'othersidethewaterlikeagentleman(hecan'tlivelong,for Ihaveaskedhisdoctor, andhedeclares thathis complaint isoneof theHeart and it is impossible), and if all the advantages of this condition areproperlystatedanddweltupontohim,doyouthinkhecouldresistme?AndifhecouldnotresistME,doyouthinkhisdaughtercouldresistHIM?Shouldn'tI have her Mrs Arthur Gridepretty Mrs Arthur Gridea titbita daintychickshouldn'tIhaveherMrsArthurGrideinaweek,amonth,adayanytimeIchosetoname?'

'Go on,' said Ralph, nodding his head deliberately, and speaking in a tonewhosestudiedcoldnesspresentedastrangecontrasttotherapturoussqueaktowhichhisfriendhadgraduallymounted.'Goon.Youdidn'tcomeheretoaskmethat.'

'Ohdear,howyoutalk!'criedoldArthur,edginghimselfcloserstilltoRalph.'OfcourseIdidn't, Idon'tpretendIdid!Icametoaskwhatyouwould takefromme,ifIprosperedwiththefather,forthisdebtofyours.Fiveshillingsinthe pound, six andeightpence, ten shillings? IWOULD go as far as ten forsuchafriendasyou,wehavealwaysbeenonsuchgoodterms,butyouwon'tbesoharduponmeasthat,Iknow.Now,willyou?'

'There's somethingmore to be told,' saidRalph, as stony and immovable asever.

'Yes,yes,thereis,butyouwon'tgivemetime,'returnedArthurGride.'Iwantabackerinthismatter;onewhocantalk,andurge,andpressapoint,whichyou can do as noman can. I can't do that, for I am a poor, timid, nervouscreature.Now,ifyougetagoodcompositionforthisdebt,whichyoulongagogaveupforlost,you'llstandmyfriend,andhelpme.Won'tyou?'

'There'ssomethingmore,'saidRalph.

'No,no,indeed,'criedArthurGride.

'Yes,yes,indeed.Itellyouyes,'saidRalph.

'Oh!' returned old Arthur feigning to be suddenly enlightened. 'You meansomethingmore,asconcernsmyselfandmyintention.Ay,surely,surely.Shall

Imentionthat?'

'Ithinkyouhadbetter,'rejoinedRalph,drily.

'Ididn'tliketotroubleyouwiththat,becauseIsupposedyourinterestwouldceasewithyourownconcernintheaffair,'saidArthurGride. 'That'skindofyoutoask.Ohdear,howverykindofyou!Why,supposingIhadaknowledgeof somepropertysome littlepropertyvery littletowhich thisprettychickwasentitled; which nobody does or can know of at this time, but which herhusbandcouldsweepintohispouch,ifheknewasmuchasIdo,wouldthataccountfor'

'For thewhole proceeding,' rejoined Ralph, abruptly. 'Now, letme turn thismatterover,andconsiderwhatIoughttohaveifIshouldhelpyoutosuccess.'

'But don't be hard,' cried old Arthur, raising his hands with an imploringgesture,andspeaking,inatremulousvoice.'Don'tbetooharduponme.It'savery small property, it is indeed. Say the ten shillings, and we'll close thebargain.It'smorethanIoughttogive,butyou'resokindshallwesaytheten?Donow,do.'

Ralphtooknonoticeofthesesupplications,butsatforthreeorfourminutesinabrownstudy,lookingthoughtfullyatthepersonfromwhomtheyproceeded.After sufficient cogitation he broke silence, and it certainly could not beobjectedthatheusedanyneedlesscircumlocution,orfailedtospeakdirectlytothepurpose.

'Ifyoumarriedthisgirlwithoutme,'saidRalph,'youmustpaymydebtinfull,becauseyoucouldn'tsetherfatherfreeotherwise.It'splain,then,thatImusthavethewholeamount,clearofalldeductionorincumbrance,orIshouldlosefrombeinghonouredwithyourconfidence,insteadofgainingbyit.That'sthefirstarticleofthetreaty.Forthesecond,Ishallstipulatethatformytroubleinnegotiation and persuasion, and helping you to this fortune, I have fivehundred pounds. That's very little, because you have the ripe lips, and theclusteringhair, andwhat not, all to yourself. For the third and last article, Irequire that you execute a bond to me, this day, binding yourself in thepayment of these two sums, before noon of the day of yourmarriage withMadelineBray.YouhavetoldmeIcanurgeandpressapoint.Ipressthisone,andwill takenothing less than these terms.Accept them if you like. If not,marryherwithoutmeifyoucan.Ishallstillgetmydebt.'

To all entreaties, protestations, and offers of compromise between his ownproposalsandthosewhichArthurGridehadfirstsuggested,Ralphwasdeafasanadder.Hewouldenterintonofurtherdiscussionofthesubject,andwhileold Arthur dilated upon the enormity of his demands and proposed

modificationsofthem,approachingbydegreesnearerandnearertothetermsheresisted,satperfectlymute,lookingwithanairofquietabstractionovertheentriesandpapersinhispocketbook.Findingthatitwasimpossibletomakeany impression upon his staunch friend, Arthur Gride, who had preparedhimselfforsomesuchresultbeforehecame,consentedwithaheavyhearttotheproposedtreaty,anduponthespotfilledupthebondrequired(Ralphkeptsuchinstrumentshandy),afterexactingtheconditionthatMrNicklebyshouldaccompanyhimtoBray'slodgingsthatveryhour,andopenthenegotiationatonce,shouldcircumstancesappearauspiciousandfavourabletotheirdesigns.

In pursuance of this last understanding the worthy gentlemen went outtogethershortlyafterwards,andNewmanNoggsemerged,bottleinhand,fromthe cupboard, out of the upper door of which, at the imminent risk ofdetection,hehadmore thanonce thrusthis rednosewhensuchpartsof thesubjectwereunderdiscussionasinterestedhimmost.

'Ihavenoappetitenow,'saidNewman,puttingtheflaskinhispocket.'I'vehadMYdinner.'

Having delivered this observation in a very grievous and doleful tone,Newmanreachedthedoorinonelonglimp,andcamebackagaininanother.

'Idon'tknowwhoshemaybe,orwhatshemaybe,'hesaid:'butIpityherwithallmyheartandsoul;andIcan'thelpher,norcanIanyofthepeopleagainstwhomahundredtricks,butnonesovileasthis,areplottedeveryday!Well,thataddstomypain,butnottotheirs.ThethingisnoworsebecauseIknowit,and it tortures me as well as them. Gride and Nickleby! Good pair for acurricle.Ohroguery!roguery!roguery!'

Withthesereflections,andaveryhardknockonthecrownofhisunfortunatehat at each repetition of the lastword,NewmanNoggs,whose brainwas alittlemuddled by somuch of the contents of the pocketpistol as had foundtheir way there during his recent concealment, went forth to seek suchconsolation asmight be derivable from the beef and greens of some cheapeatinghouse.

MeanwhilethetwoplottershadbetakenthemselvestothesamehousewhitherNicholashadrepairedforthefirsttimebutafewmorningsbefore,andhavingobtainedaccesstoMrBray,andfoundhisdaughterfromhome,hadbyatrainof the most masterly approaches that Ralph's utmost skill could frame, atlengthlaidopentherealobjectoftheirvisit.

'Therehesits,MrBray,'saidRalph,astheinvalid,notyetrecoveredfromhissurprise, reclined in his chair, looking alternately at him and Arthur Gride.'What if he has had the illfortune to be one cause of your detention in this

place? I have been another;menmust live; you are toomuch aman of theworldnottoseethatinitstruelight.Weofferthebestreparationinourpower.Reparation!Hereisanofferofmarriage,thatmanyatitledfatherwouldleapat,forhischild.MrArthurGride,withthefortuneofaprince.Thinkwhatahaulitis!'

'Mydaughter,sir,' returnedBray,haughtily, 'asIhavebroughtherup,wouldbe a rich recompense for the largest fortune that a man could bestow inexchangeforherhand.'

'Precisely what I told you,' said the artful Ralph, turning to his friend, oldArthur. 'Preciselywhatmademeconsiderthethingsofairandeasy.Thereisnoobligationoneitherside.Youhavemoney,andMissMadelinehasbeautyandworth.Shehasyouth,youhavemoney.Shehasnotmoney,youhavenotyouth.Titfortat,quits,amatchofHeaven'sownmaking!'

'MatchesaremadeinHeaven,theysay,'addedArthurGride,leeringhideouslyatthefatherinlawhewanted.'Ifwearemarried,itwillbedestiny,accordingtothat.'

'Then think, Mr Bray,' said Ralph, hastily substituting for this argumentconsiderationsmorenearlyallied to earth, 'thinkwhat a stake is involved intheacceptanceorrejectionoftheseproposalsofmyfriend.'

'How can I accept or reject,' interrupted Mr Bray, with an irritableconsciousnessthatitreallyrestedwithhimtodecide.'Itisformydaughtertoacceptorreject;itisformydaughter.Youknowthat.'

'True,' said Ralph, emphatically; 'but you have still the power to advise; tostatethereasonsforandagainst;tohintawish.'

'Tohintawish,sir!'returnedthedebtor,proudandmeanbyturns,andselfishatalltimes.'Iamherfather,amInot?WhyshouldIhint,andbeataboutthebush?Doyousuppose,likehermother'sfriendsandmyenemiesacurseuponthemall!that there isanythinginwhatshehasdoneformebutduty,sir,butduty?Ordoyouthinkthatmyhavingbeenunfortunateisasufficientreasonwhyour relativepositionsshouldbechanged,and thatsheshouldcommandandIshouldobey?Hintawish,too!Perhapsyouthink,becauseyouseemeinthis place and scarcely able to leave this chairwithout assistance, that I amsomebrokenspiriteddependentcreature,without thecourageorpower todowhatImaythinkbestformyownchild.Stillthepowertohintawish!Ihopeso!'

'Pardonme,'returnedRalph,whothoroughlyknewhisman,andhadtakenhisground accordingly; 'you do not hearme out. I was about to say that your

hinting a wish, even hinting a wish, would surely be equivalent tocommanding.'

'Why, of course itwould,' retortedMrBray, in an exasperated tone. 'If youdon't happen tohaveheardof the time, sir, I tell you that therewas a time,when I carried every point in triumph against her mother's whole family,althoughtheyhadpowerandwealthontheirside,bymywillalone.'

'Still,'rejoinedRalph,asmildlyashisnaturewouldallowhim,'youhavenotheardmeout.Youareamanyetqualifiedtoshineinsociety,withmanyyearsoflifebeforeyou;thatis,ifyoulivedinfreerair,andunderbrighterskies,andchose your own companions. Gaiety is your element, you have shone in itbefore. Fashion and freedom for you. France, and an annuity that wouldsupportyouthereinluxury,wouldgiveyouanewleaseoflife,wouldtransferyou to anewexistence.The town rangwithyour expensivepleasuresonce,and you could blaze up on a new scene again, profiting by experience, andliving a little at others' cost, instead of letting others live at yours.What isthereonthereversesideofthepicture?Whatisthere?Idon'tknowwhichisthe nearest churchyard, but a gravestone there, wherever it is, and a date,perhapstwoyearshence,perhapstwenty.That'sall.'

MrBrayrestedhiselbowonthearmofhischair,andshadedhisfacewithhishand.

'Ispeakplainly,'saidRalph,sittingdownbesidehim,'becauseIfeelstrongly.It's my interest that you should marry your daughter to my friend Gride,becausethenheseesmepaidinpart,thatis.Idon'tdisguiseit.Iacknowledgeit openly. Butwhat interest have you in recommending her to such a step?Keepthatinview.Shemightobject,remonstrate,shedtears,talkofhisbeingtoo old, and plead that her lifewould be renderedmiserable.Butwhat is itnow?'

Severalslightgesturesonthepartoftheinvalidshowedthattheseargumentswerenomorelostuponhim,thanthesmallestiotaofhisdemeanourwasuponRalph.

'What is it now, I say,' pursued thewily usurer, 'orwhat has it a chance ofbeing? If youdied, indeed, thepeopleyouhatewouldmakeherhappy.Butcanyoubearthethoughtofthat?'

'No!'returnedBray,urgedbyavindictiveimpulsehecouldnotrepress.

'Ishouldimaginenot,indeed!'saidRalph,quietly.'Ifsheprofitsbyanybody'sdeath,' thiswassaidinalowertone, 'let itbebyherhusband's.Don't letherhave to look back to yours, as the event fromwhich to date a happier life.

Whereistheobjection?Letmehearitstated.Whatisit?Thathersuitorisanoldman?Why, how often domen of family and fortune,who haven't yourexcuse,buthaveallthemeansandsuperfluitiesoflifewithintheirreach,howoftendotheymarrytheirdaughterstooldmen,or(worsestill)toyoungmenwithout heads or hearts, to tickle some idle vanity, strengthen some familyinterest, or secure some seat inParliament! Judge for her, sir, judge for her.Youmustknowbest,andshewilllivetothankyou.'

'Hush!hush!'criedMrBray,suddenlystartingup,andcoveringRalph'smouthwithhistremblinghand.'Ihearheratthedoor!'

Therewasagleamofconscienceintheshameandterrorofthishastyaction,which,inoneshortmoment,torethethincoveringofsophistryfromthecrueldesign,andlaiditbareinallitsmeannessandheartlessdeformity.Thefatherfellintohischairpaleandtrembling;ArthurGridepluckedandfumbledathishat,anddurstnot raisehiseyesfromthefloor;evenRalphcrouchedfor themoment like abeatenhound, cowedby thepresenceofoneyoung innocentgirl!

The effect was almost as brief as sudden. Ralph was the first to recoverhimself,andobservingMadeline'slooksofalarm,entreatedthepoorgirltobecomposed,assuringherthattherewasnocauseforfear.

'Asuddenspasm,'saidRalph,glancingatMrBray.'Heisquitewellnow.'

It might have moved a very hard and worldly heart to see the young andbeautifulcreature,whosecertainmiserytheyhadbeencontrivingbutaminutebefore,throwherarmsaboutherfather'sneck,andpourforthwordsoftendersympathyandlove,thesweetestafather'searcanknow,orchild'slipsform.But Ralph looked coldly on; andArthurGride,whose bleared eyes gloatedonly over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reignedwithin,evincedafantastickindofwarmthcertainly,butnotexactlythatkindofwarmthoffeelingwhichthecontemplationofvirtueusuallyinspires.

'Madeline,'saidherfather,gentlydisengaginghimself,'itwasnothing.'

'Butyouhad that spasmyesterday,and it is terrible toseeyou insuchpain.CanIdonothingforyou?'

'Nothingjustnow.Herearetwogentlemen,Madeline,oneofwhomyouhaveseenbefore.Sheused to say,' addedMrBray,addressingArthurGride, 'thatthesightofyoualwaysmademeworse.Thatwasnatural,knowingwhatshedid, and only what she did, of our connection and its results. Well, well.Perhaps shemay change hermind on that point; girls have leave to changetheirminds,youknow.Youareverytired,mydear.'

'Iamnot,indeed.'

'Indeedyouare.Youdotoomuch.'

'IwishIcoulddomore.'

'Iknowyoudo,butyouovertaskyourstrength.Thiswretchedlife,mylove,ofdaily labour and fatigue, is more than you can bear, I am sure it is. PoorMadeline!'

Withtheseandmanymorekindwords,MrBraydrewhisdaughtertohimandkissedhercheekaffectionately.Ralph,watchinghimsharplyandcloselyinthemeantime,madehiswaytowardsthedoor,andsignedtoGridetofollowhim.

'Youwillcommunicatewithusagain?'saidRalph.

'Yes,yes,' returnedMrBray,hastily thrustinghisdaughteraside. 'Inaweek.Givemeaweek.'

'Oneweek,'saidRalph,turningtohiscompanion,'fromtoday.Goodmorning.MissMadeline,Ikissyourhand.'

'We will shake hands, Gride,' said Mr Bray, extending his, as old Arthurbowed. 'Youmeanwell, nodoubt. I anbound to say sonow. If Iowedyoumoney,thatwasnotyourfault.Madeline,mylove,yourhandhere.'

'Ohdear! If theyoung ladywouldcondescent!Only the tipsofher fingers,'saidArthur,hesitatingandhalfretreating.

Madelineshrunkinvoluntarilyfromthegoblinfigure,butsheplacedthetipsof her fingers in his hand and instantlywithdrew them.After an ineffectualclutch,intendedtodetainandcarrythemtohislips,oldArthurgavehisownfingersamumblingkiss,andwithmanyamorousdistortionsofvisagewentinpursuitofhisfriend,whowasbythistimeinthestreet.

'Whatdoeshesay,whatdoeshesay?Whatdoesthegiantsaytothepigmy?'inquiredArthurGride,hobblinguptoRalph.

'Whatdoesthepigmysaytothegiant?'rejoinedRalph,elevatinghiseyebrowsandlookingdownuponhisquestioner.

'Hedoesn'tknowwhattosay,'repliedArthurGride.'Hehopesandfears.Butisshenotadaintymorsel?'

'Ihavenogreattasteforbeauty,'growledRalph.

'ButIhave,'rejoinedArthur,rubbinghishands.'Ohdear!Howhandsomeher

eyeslookedwhenshewasstoopingoverhim!Suchlonglashes,suchdelicatefringe!Sheshelookedatmesosoft.'

'Notoverlovingly,Ithink,'saidRalph.'Didshe?'

'No,youthinknot?'repliedoldArthur.'Butdon'tyouthinkitcanbebroughtabout?Don'tyouthinkitcan?'

Ralphlookedathimwithacontemptuousfrown,andrepliedwithasneer,andbetweenhisteeth:

'Didyoumarkhistellinghershewastiredanddidtoomuch,andovertaskedherstrength?'

'Ay,ay.Whatofit?'

'Whendoyouthinkheevertoldherthatbefore?Thelifeismorethanshecanbear.Yes,yes.He'llchangeitforher.'

'D'ye think it'sdone?' inquiredoldArthur,peering intohiscompanion's facewithhalfclosedeyes.

'Iamsureit'sdone,'saidRalph.'Heistryingtodeceivehimself,evenbeforeoureyes,already.Heismakingbelievethathethinksofhergoodandnothisown.Heisactingavirtuouspart,andsoconsiderateandaffectionate,sir,thatthedaughterscarcelyknewhim.Isawatearofsurpriseinhereye.There'llbeafewmoretearsofsurprisetherebeforelong,thoughofadifferentkind.Oh!wemaywaitwithconfidenceforthisdayweek.'

CHAPTER48

Being for the Benefit of Mr Vincent Crummles, and positively his lastAppearanceonthisStage

Itwaswithaverysadandheavyheart,oppressedbymanypainfulideas,thatNicholasretracedhisstepseastwardandbetookhimselftothecountinghouseof Cheeryble Brothers.Whatever the idle hopes he had suffered himself toentertain,whateverthepleasantvisionswhichhadsprungupinhismindandgrouped themselves round the fair image ofMadelineBray, theywere nowdispelled,andnotavestigeoftheirgaietyandbrightnessremained.

ItwouldbeapoorcomplimenttoNicholas'sbetternature,andonewhichhe

wasveryfarfromdeserving,toinsinuatethatthesolution,andsuchasolution,of themysterywhichhad seemed to surroundMadelineBray,whenhewasignorantevenofhername,haddampedhisardourorcooledthefervourofhisadmiration.Ifhehadregardedherbefore,withsuchapassionasyoungmenattractedbymerebeautyandelegancemayentertain,hewasnowconsciousofmuchdeeperandstrongerfeelings.But,reverenceforthetruthandpurityofherheart,respectforthehelplessnessandlonelinessofhersituation,sympathywiththetrialsofonesoyoungandfairandadmirationofhergreatandnoblespirit, all seemed to raise her far above his reach, and,while they impartednewdepthanddignitytohislove,towhisperthatitwashopeless.

'I will keepmyword, as I have pledged it to her,' saidNicholas,manfully.'This is no common trust that I have to discharge, and I will perform thedoubledutythatisimposeduponmemostscrupulouslyandstrictly.Mysecretfeelingsdeservenoconsideration in suchacaseas this, and they shallhavenone.'

Still, therewere the secret feelings in existence just the same, and in secretNicholasratherencouragedthemthanotherwise;reasoning(ifhereasonedatall) that there theycoulddonoharm toanybodybuthimself, and that ifhekept them to himself from a sense of duty, he had an additional right toentertainhimselfwiththemasarewardforhisheroism.

All these thoughts, coupled with what he had seen that morning and theanticipation of his next visit, rendered him a very dull and abstractedcompanion;somuchso,indeed,thatTimLinkinwatersuspectedhemusthavemadethemistakeofafiguresomewhere,whichwaspreyinguponhismind,andseriouslyconjuredhim,ifsuchwerethecase,tomakeacleanbreastandscratch it out, rather than have his whole life embittered by the tortures ofremorse.

But inreply to theseconsideraterepresentations,andmanyothersbothfromTimandMrFrank,Nicholascouldonlybebroughttostatethathewasnevermerrierinhislife;andsowentonallday,andsowenttowardshomeatnight,still turning over and over again the same subjects, thinking over and overagain the same things, and arriving over and over again at the sameconclusions.

In this pensive,wayward, and uncertain state, people are apt to lounge andloiterwithoutknowingwhy,toreadplacardsonthewallswithgreatattentionandwithoutthesmallestideaofonewordoftheircontents,andtostaremostearnestlythroughshopwindowsatthingswhichtheydon'tsee.ItwasthusthatNicholas foundhimself poringwith the utmost interest over a large playbillhangingoutsideaMinorTheatrewhichhehadtopassonhiswayhome,and

reading a list of the actors and actresseswhohadpromised todohonour tosomeapproachingbenefit,withasmuchgravityasifithadbeenacatalogueofthenamesofthoseladiesandgentlemenwhostoodhighestupontheBookofFate,andhehadbeenlookinganxiouslyforhisown.Heglancedatthetopofthebill,withasmileathisowndulness,ashepreparedtoresumehiswalk,andtheresawannounced, inlargeletterswithalargespacebetweeneachofthem, 'Positively the last appearance ofMrVincentCrummles ofProvincialCelebrity!!!'

'Nonsense!'saidNicholas,turningbackagain.'Itcan'tbe.'

Butthereitwas.Inonelinebyitselfwasanannouncementofthefirstnightofanewmelodrama;inanotherlinebyitselfwasanannouncementofthelastsixnights of an old one; a third line was devoted to the reengagement of theunrivalled African Knifeswallower, who had kindly suffered himself to beprevailed upon to forego his country engagements for one week longer; afourthlineannouncedthatMrSnittleTimberry,havingrecoveredfromhislatesevereindisposition,wouldhavethehonourofappearingthatevening;afifthline said that therewere 'Cheers, Tears, andLaughter!' every night; a sixth,that that was positively the last appearance of Mr Vincent Crummles ofProvincialCelebrity.

'Surely it must be the same man,' thought Nicholas. 'There can't be twoVincentCrummleses.'

Thebettertosettlethisquestionhereferredtothebillagain,andfindingthattherewasaBaroninthefirstpiece,andthatRoberto(hisson)wasenactedbyone Master Crummles, and Spaletro (his nephew) by one Master PercyCrummlesTHEIR last appearancesand that, incidental to the piece, was acharacteristic dance by the characters, and a castanet pas seul by the InfantPhenomenonHER last appearancehe no longer entertained any doubt; andpresentinghimselfatthestagedoor,andsendinginascrapofpaperwith 'MrJohnson'writtenthereoninpencil,waspresentlyconductedbyaRobber,withaverylargebeltandbuckleroundhiswaist,andverylargeleathergauntletsonhishands,intothepresenceofhisformermanager.

MrCrummleswasunfeignedlygladtoseehim,andstartingupfrombeforeasmalldressingglass,withoneverybushyeyebrowstuckoncrookedoverhisleft eye,and the felloweyebrowand thecalfofoneofhis legs inhishand,embraced him cordially; at the same time observing, that it would doMrsCrummles'sheartgoodtobidhimgoodbyebeforetheywent.

'Youwerealwaysafavouriteofhers,Johnson,'saidCrummles, 'alwayswerefromthefirst.Iwasquiteeasyinmymindaboutyoufromthatfirstdayyou

dinedwithus.OnethatMrsCrummles tookafancyto,wassure to turnoutright.Ah!Johnson,whatawomanthatis!'

'Iamsincerelyobliged toherforherkindness in thisandallotherrespects,'saidNicholas.'Butwhereareyougoing,thatyoutalkaboutbiddinggoodbye?'

'Haven'tyouseenitinthepapers?'saidCrummles,withsomedignity.

'No,'repliedNicholas.

'I wonder at that,' said the manager. 'It was among the varieties. I had theparagraphheresomewherebutIdon'tknowoh,yes,hereitis.'

Sosaying,MrCrummles,afterpretendingthathethoughthemusthavelostit,produced a square inch of newspaper from the pocket of the pantaloons hewore in private life (which, togetherwith the plain clothes of several othergentlemen,layscatteredaboutonakindofdresserintheroom),andgaveittoNicholastoread:

'ThetalentedVincentCrummles,longfavourablyknowntofameasacountrymanagerandactorofnoordinarypretensions,isabouttocrosstheAtlanticonahistrionicexpedition.Crummlesistobeaccompanied,wehear,byhisladyandgiftedfamily.WeknownomansuperiortoCrummlesinhisparticularlineofcharacter,oronewho,whetherasapublicorprivateindividual,couldcarrywithhimthebestwishesofalargercircleoffriends.Crummlesiscertaintosucceed.'

'Here's another bit,' said Mr Crummles, handing over a still smaller scrap.'Thisisfromthenoticestocorrespondents,thisone.'

Nicholas read it aloud. '"PhiloDramaticus. Crummles, the country managerandactor,cannotbemorethanfortythree,orfortyfouryearsofage.Crummlesis NOT a Prussian, having been born at Chelsea." Humph!' said Nicholas,'that'sanoddparagraph.'

'Very,' returned Crummles, scratching the side of his nose, and looking atNicholaswithanassumptionofgreatunconcern.'Ican'tthinkwhoputsthesethingsin.Ididn't.'

StillkeepinghiseyeonNicholas,MrCrummlesshookhisheadtwiceorthricewith profound gravity, and remarking, that he could not for the life of himimagine how the newspapers found out the things they did, folded up theextractsandputtheminhispocketagain.

'Iamastonishedtohearthisnews,'saidNicholas.'GoingtoAmerica!YouhadnosuchthingincontemplationwhenIwaswithyou.'

'No,' replied Crummles, 'I hadn't then. The fact is that Mrs Crummlesmostextraordinarywoman,Johnson.'Herehebrokeoffandwhisperedsomethinginhisear.

'Oh!'saidNicholas,smiling.'Theprospectofanadditiontoyourfamily?'

'Theseventhaddition,Johnson,' returnedMrCrummles,solemnly. 'I thoughtsuchachildasthePhenomenonmusthavebeenacloser;butitseemswearetohaveanother.Sheisaveryremarkablewoman.'

'Icongratulateyou,'saidNicholas, 'andIhopethismayproveaphenomenontoo.'

'Why, it's pretty sure to be something uncommon, I suppose,' rejoined MrCrummles. 'Thetalentof theother threeisprincipally incombatandseriouspantomime. I should like this one to have a turn for juvenile tragedy; IunderstandtheywantsomethingofthatsortinAmericaverymuch.However,wemusttakeitasitcomes.Perhapsitmayhaveageniusforthetightrope.Itmayhaveanysortofgenius,inshort,ifittakesafteritsmother,Johnson,forshe is an universal genius; but, whatever its genius is, that genius shall bedeveloped.'

Expressinghimselfaftertheseterms,MrCrummlesputonhisothereyebrow,andthecalvesofhislegs,andthenputonhislegs,whichwereofayellowishfleshcolour,andrathersoiledabouttheknees,fromfrequentgoingdownuponthosejoints,incurses,prayers,laststruggles,andotherstrongpassages.

While the exmanager completed his toilet, he informedNicholas that as heshould have a fair start in America from the proceeds of a tolerably goodengagementwhichhehadbeenfortunateenoughtoobtain,andasheandMrsCrummlescouldscarcelyhopetoactforever(notbeingimmortal,exceptinthebreathofFameandinafigurativesense)hehadmadeuphismindtosettletherepermanently,inthehopeofacquiringsomelandofhisownwhichwouldsupport them in their old age, andwhich they could afterwards bequeath totheir children. Nicholas, having highly commended the resolution, MrCrummleswentontoimpartsuchfurtherintelligencerelativetotheirmutualfriends as he thought might prove interesting; informing Nicholas, amongother things, thatMissSnevellicciwashappilymarried toanaffluentyoungwaxchandlerwhohadsuppliedthetheatrewithcandles,andthatMrLillyvickdidn'tdaretosayhissoulwashisown,suchwasthetyrannicalswayofMrsLillyvick,whoreignedparamountandsupreme.

Nicholas responded to this confidence on the part of Mr Crummles, byconfidingtohimhisownname,situation,andprospects,andinforminghim,in as fewgeneralwords as he could, of the circumstanceswhichhad led to

theirfirstacquaintance.Aftercongratulatinghimwithgreatheartinessontheimprovedstateofhisfortunes,MrCrummlesgavehimtounderstandthatnextmorningheandhisweretostartforLiverpool,wherethevessellaywhichwastocarrythemfromtheshoresofEngland,andthatifNicholaswishedtotakealastadieuofMrsCrummles,hemustrepairwithhimthatnighttoafarewellsupper,given inhonourof thefamilyataneighbouring tavern;atwhichMrSnittleTimberrywouldpreside,while thehonoursof thevicechairwouldbesustainedbytheAfricanSwallower.

The room being by this time very warm and somewhat crowded, inconsequenceoftheinfluxoffourgentlemen,whohadjustkilledeachotherinthepieceunderrepresentation,Nicholasacceptedtheinvitation,andpromisedto return at the conclusion of the performances; preferring the cool air andtwilight out of doors to the mingled perfume of gas, orangepeel, andgunpowder,whichpervadedthehotandglaringtheatre.

Heavailedhimselfof this interval tobuyasilversnuffboxthebesthis fundswould affordas a token of remembrance for Mr Crummles, and havingpurchased besides a pair of earrings forMrs Crummles, a necklace for thePhenomenon, and a flaming shirtpin for each of the young gentlemen, herefreshedhimselfwithawalk,andreturningalittleafter theappointedtime,foundthelightsout,thetheatreempty,thecurtainraisedforthenight,andMrCrummleswalkingupanddownthestageexpectinghisarrival.

'Timberry won't be long,' said Mr Crummles. 'He played the audience outtonight. He does a faithful black in the last piece, and it takes him a littlelongertowashhimself.'

'Averyunpleasantlineofcharacter,Ishouldthink?'saidNicholas.

'No, I don't know,' repliedMr Crummles; 'it comes off easily enough, andthere's only the face and neck.We had a firsttragedyman in our companyonce,who,whenheplayedOthello,usedtoblackhimselfallover.Butthat'sfeelingapartandgoingintoitasifyoumeantit;itisn'tusual;more'sthepity.'

Mr Snittle Timberry now appeared, arminarm with the African Swallower,and,beingintroducedtoNicholas,raisedhishathalfafoot,andsaidhewasproud to know him. The Swallower said the same, and looked and spokeremarkablylikeanIrishman.

'Iseebythebillsthatyouhavebeenill,sir,'saidNicholastoMrTimberry.'Ihopeyouarenonetheworseforyourexertionstonight?'

Mr Timberry, in reply, shook his head with a gloomy air, tapped his chestseveral times with great significancy, and drawing his cloak more closely

abouthim,said,'Butnomatter,nomatter.Come!'

Itisobservablethatwhenpeopleuponthestageareinanystraitinvolvingtheverylastextremityofweaknessandexhaustion,theyinvariablyperformfeatsof strength requiring great ingenuity andmuscular power. Thus, awoundedprinceorbanditchief,whoisbleedingtodeathandtoofainttomove,excepttothesoftestmusic(andthenonlyuponhishandsandknees),shallbeseentoapproachacottagedoorforaidinsuchaseriesofwrithingsandtwistings,andwithsuchcurlingsupof the legs,andsuch rollingsoverandover,andsuchgettingsupandtumblingsdownagain,ascouldneverbeachievedsavebyavery strong man skilled in posturemaking. And so natural did this sort ofperformancecometoMrSnittleTimberry,thatontheirwayoutofthetheatreand towards the tavernwhere the supper was to be holden, he testified theseverity of his recent indisposition and itswasting effects upon the nervoussystem,byaseriesofgymnasticperformanceswhichweretheadmirationofallwitnesses.

'Why this is indeed a joy I had not looked for!' saidMrs Crummles, whenNicholaswaspresented.

'NorI,'repliedNicholas.'ItisbyamerechancethatIhavethisopportunityofseeing you, although I would have made a great exertion to have availedmyselfofit.'

'Here is one whom you know,' said Mrs Crummles, thrusting forward thePhenomenoninabluegauzefrock,extensivelyflounced,andtrousersof thesame;'andhereanotherandanother,'presentingtheMasterCrummleses.'Andhowisyourfriend,thefaithfulDigby?'

'Digby!' said Nicholas, forgetting at the instant that this had been Smike'stheatricalname.'Ohyes.He'squitewhatamIsaying?heisveryfarfromwell.'

'How!'exclaimedMrsCrummles,withatragicrecoil.

'Ifear,'saidNicholas,shakinghishead,andmakinganattempttosmile,'thatyourbetterhalfwouldbemorestruckwithhimnowthanever.'

'What mean you?' rejoined Mrs Crummles, in her most popular manner.'Whencecomesthisalteredtone?'

'Imeanthatadastardlyenemyofminehasstruckatmethroughhim,andthatwhile he thinks to tortureme, he inflicts on him such agonies of terror andsuspenseasYouwillexcuseme,Iamsure,'saidNicholas,checkinghimself.'Ishouldneverspeakofthis,andneverdo,excepttothosewhoknowthefacts,butforamomentIforgotmyself.'

With this hasty apology Nicholas stooped down to salute the Phenomenon,and changed the subject; inwardly cursing his precipitation, and verymuchwonderingwhatMrsCrummlesmustthinkofsosuddenanexplosion.

Thatladyseemedtothinkverylittleaboutit,forthesupperbeingbythistimeontable,shegaveherhandtoNicholasandrepairedwithastatelysteptothelefthandofMrSnittleTimberry.Nicholashadthehonourtosupporther,andMrCrummleswasplaceduponthechairman'sright;thePhenomenonandtheMasterCrummlesessustainedthevice.

The company amounted in number to some twentyfive or thirty, beingcomposed of such members of the theatrical profession, then engaged ordisengagedinLondon,aswerenumberedamongthemostintimatefriendsofMr and Mrs Crummles. The ladies and gentlemen were pretty equallybalanced;theexpensesoftheentertainmentbeingdefrayedbythelatter,eachofwhomhadtheprivilegeofinvitingoneoftheformerashisguest.

It was upon the whole a very distinguished party, for independently of thelesser theatrical lights who clustered on this occasion round Mr SnittleTimberry, therewas a literary gentleman presentwho had dramatised in histimetwohundredandfortysevennovelsasfastastheyhadcomeoutsomeofthem faster than they had come outand who WAS a literary gentleman inconsequence.

ThisgentlemansatonthelefthandofNicholas,towhomhewasintroducedbyhisfriendtheAfricanSwallower,fromthebottomofthetable,withahigheulogiumuponhisfameandreputation.

'I am happy to know a gentleman of such great distinction,' said Nicholas,politely.

'Sir,'repliedthewit,'you'reverywelcome,I'msure.Thehonourisreciprocal,sir,asIusuallysaywhenIdramatiseabook.Didyoueverhearadefinitionoffame,sir?'

'Ihaveheardseveral,'repliedNicholas,withasmile.'Whatisyours?'

'WhenIdramatiseabook,sir,'saidtheliterarygentleman,'THAT'Sfame.Foritsauthor.'

'Oh,indeed!'rejoinedNicholas.

'That'sfame,sir,'saidtheliterarygentleman.

'So Richard Turpin, Tom King, and Jerry Abershaw have handed down tofame the names of those on whom they committed their most impudent

robberies?'saidNicholas.

'Idon'tknowanythingaboutthat,sir,'answeredtheliterarygentleman.

'Shakespearedramatisedstorieswhichhadpreviouslyappeared inprint, it istrue,'observedNicholas.

'MeaningBill,sir?'saidtheliterarygentleman.'Sohedid.Billwasanadapter,certainly,sohewasandverywellheadaptedtooconsidering.'

'Iwasabouttosay,'rejoinedNicholas, 'thatShakespearederivedsomeofhisplotsfromoldtalesandlegendsingeneralcirculation;butitseemstome,thatsome of the gentlemen of your craft, at the present day, have shot very farbeyondhim'

'You'requiteright,sir,'interruptedtheliterarygentleman,leaningbackinhischairandexercisinghistoothpick. 'Humanintellect,sir,hasprogressedsincehistime,isprogressing,willprogress.'

'Shot beyond him, Imean,' resumedNicholas, 'in quite another respect, for,whereashebroughtwithinthemagiccircleofhisgenius,traditionspeculiarlyadapted forhispurpose,and turned familiar things intoconstellationswhichshouldenlightentheworldforages,youdragwithinthemagiccircleofyourdulness,subjectsnotatalladaptedtothepurposesofthestage,anddebaseashe exalted. For instance, you take the uncompleted books of living authors,fresh from theirhands,wet from thepress, cut,hack, andcarve them to thepowersandcapacitiesofyouractors,andthecapabilityofyourtheatres,finishunfinishedworks, hastily and crudelyvampup ideas not yetworkedout bytheir original projector, butwhich have doubtless cost himmany thoughtfuldaysandsleeplessnights;byacomparisonofincidentsanddialogue,downtotheverylastwordhemayhavewrittenafortnightbefore,doyourutmosttoanticipatehisplotallthiswithouthispermission,andagainsthiswill;andthen,to crown the whole proceeding, publish in some mean pamphlet, anunmeaningfarragoofgarbledextractsfromhiswork,towhichyournameasauthor, with the honourable distinction annexed, of having perpetrated ahundredotheroutragesofthesamedescription.Now,showmethedistinctionbetweensuchpilferingasthis,andpickingaman'spocketinthestreet:unless,indeed, it be, that the legislature has a regard for pockethandkerchiefs, andleavesmen's brains, exceptwhen they are knocked out by violence, to takecareofthemselves.'

'Menmustlive,sir,'saidtheliterarygentleman,shrugginghisshoulders.

'Thatwouldbeanequallyfairpleainbothcases,'repliedNicholas;'butifyouputituponthatground,Ihavenothingmoretosay,than,thatifIwereawriter

ofbooks,andyouathirstydramatist,Iwouldratherpayyourtavernscoreforsixmonths,largeasitmightbe,thanhaveanicheintheTempleofFamewithyouforthehumblestcornerofmypedestal,throughsixhundredgenerations.'

The conversation threatened to take a somewhat angry tone when it hadarrived thus far, but Mrs Crummles opportunely interposed to prevent itsleading to any violent outbreak, by making some inquiries of the literarygentlemanrelativetotheplotsofthesixnewpieceswhichhehadwrittenbycontract to introduce the African Knifeswallower in his various unrivalledperformances. This speedily engaged him in an animated conversationwiththatlady,intheinterestofwhich,allrecollectionofhisrecentdiscussionwithNicholasveryquicklyevaporated.

Theboardbeingnowclearofthemoresubstantialarticlesoffood,andpunch,wine,andspiritsbeingplaceduponitandhandedabout,theguests,whohadbeenpreviouslyconversinginlittlegroupsofthreeorfour,graduallyfelloffintoadeadsilence,whilethemajorityofthosepresentglancedfromtimetotime atMr Snittle Timberry, and the bolder spirits did not even hesitate tostrikethetablewiththeirknuckles,andplainlyintimatetheirexpectations,byuttering such encouragements as 'Now, Tim,' 'Wake up,Mr Chairman,' 'Allcharged,sir,andwaitingforatoast,'andsoforth.

TotheseremonstrancesMrTimberrydeignednootherrejoinderthanstrikinghischestandgaspingforbreath,andgivingmanyother indicationsofbeingstill the victim of indispositionfor a manmust not make himself too cheapeither on the stage or offwhile Mr Crummles, who knew full well that hewouldbethesubjectoftheforthcomingtoast,satgracefullyinhischairwithhisarmthrowncarelesslyovertheback,andnowandthenliftedhisglasstohis mouth and drank a little punch, with the same air with which he wasaccustomedtotakelongdraughtsofnothing,outofthepasteboardgobletsinbanquetscenes.

At lengthMr Snittle Timberry rose in themost approved attitude,with onehandinthebreastofhiswaistcoatandtheotheronthenearestsnuffbox,andhaving been received with great enthusiasm, proposed, with abundance ofquotations,his friendMrVincentCrummles:endingapretty longspeechbyextendinghis righthandonone sideandhis lefton theother, and severallycallinguponMrandMrsCrummlestograspthesame.Thisdone,MrVincentCrummles returned thanks, and that done, the African Swallower proposedMrsVincentCrummles,inaffectingterms.ThenwereheardloudmoansandsobsfromMrsCrummlesandtheladies,despiteofwhichthatheroicwomaninsisted upon returning thanks herself,which she did, in amanner and in aspeechwhichhasneverbeensurpassedandseldomequalled.It thenbecamethedutyofMrSnittleTimberrytogivetheyoungCrummleses,whichhedid;

afterwhichMrVincentCrummles,astheirfather,addressedthecompanyinasupplementary speech, enlarging on their virtues, amiabilities, andexcellences,andwishing that theywere thesonsanddaughterofevery ladyandgentlemanpresent.Thesesolemnitieshavingbeensucceededbyadecentinterval, enlivened by musical and other entertainments, Mr Crummlesproposedthatornamentoftheprofession,theAfricanSwallower,hisverydearfriend, if hewould allow him to call him so;which liberty (there being noparticular reason why he should not allow it) the African Swallowergraciouslypermitted.Theliterarygentlemanwasthenabouttobedrunk,butitbeingdiscoveredthathehadbeendrunkforsometimeinanotheracceptationof the term,andwas thenasleepon the stairs, the intentionwasabandoned,andthehonourtransferredtotheladies.Finally,afteraverylongsitting,MrSnittle Timberry vacated the chair, and the companywithmany adieux andembracesdispersed.

Nicholas waited to the last to give his little presents. When he had saidgoodbye all round and came to Mr Crummles, he could not but mark thedifference between their present separation and their parting at Portsmouth.Not a jotofhis theatricalmanner remained;heputouthishandwithanairwhich, ifhecouldhavesummoneditatwill,wouldhavemadehimthebestactorofhisdayinhomelyparts,andwhenNicholasshookitwiththewarmthhehonestlyfelt,appearedthoroughlymelted.

'Wewereaveryhappylittlecompany,Johnson,'saidpoorCrummles.'YouandIneverhadaword.IshallbeverygladtomorrowmorningtothinkthatIsawyouagain,butnowIalmostwishyouhadn'tcome.'

Nicholas was about to return a cheerful reply, when he was greatlydisconcerted by the sudden apparition ofMrs Grudden, who it seemed haddeclined to attend the supper in order that she might rise earlier in themorning, andwho now burst out of an adjoining bedroom, habited in veryextraordinarywhiterobes;andthrowingherarmsabouthisneck,huggedhimwithgreataffection.

'What!Areyougoingtoo?'saidNicholas,submittingwithasgoodagraceasifshehadbeenthefinestyoungcreatureintheworld.

'Going?'returnedMrsGrudden.'Lordha'mercy,whatdoyouthinkthey'ddowithoutme?'

Nicholassubmittedtoanotherhugwithevenabettergracethanbefore,ifthatwerepossible,andwavinghishatascheerfullyashecould,tookfarewelloftheVincentCrummleses.

CHAPTER49

ChroniclesthefurtherProceedingsoftheNicklebyFamily,andtheSequeloftheAdventureoftheGentlemanintheSmallclothes

WhileNicholas,absorbedintheoneengrossingsubjectofinterestwhichhadrecently opened upon him, occupied his leisure hours with thoughts ofMadeline Bray, and in execution of the commissions which the anxiety ofbrotherCharlesinherbehalfimposeduponhim,sawheragainandagain,andeach timewith greater danger to his peace ofmind and amoreweakeningeffect upon the lofty resolutions he had formed, Mrs Nickleby and Katecontinued to live in peace and quiet, agitated by no other cares than thosewhich were connected with certain harassing proceedings taken by MrSnawley for the recovery of his son, and their anxiety for Smike himself,whose health, long upon the wane, began to be so much affected byapprehension and uncertainty as sometimes to occasion both them andNicholasconsiderableuneasiness,andevenalarm.

Itwasnocomplaintormurmuronthepartofthepoorfellowhimselfthatthusdisturbedthem.Evereagertobeemployedinsuchslightservicesashecouldrender,andalwaysanxioustorepayhisbenefactorswithcheerfulandhappylooks,lessfriendlyeyesmighthaveseeninhimnocauseforanymisgiving.Butthereweretimes,andoftentoo,whenthesunkeneyewastoobright,thehollow cheek too flushed, the breath too thick and heavy in its course, theframetoofeebleandexhausted,toescapetheirregardandnotice.

There is a dread diseasewhich so prepares its victim, as itwere, for death;which so refines it of its grosser aspect, and throws around familiar looksunearthly indications of the coming change; a dread disease, in which thestrugglebetweensoulandbodyissogradual,quiet,andsolemn,andtheresultsosure,thatdaybyday,andgrainbygrain,themortalpartwastesandwithersaway,sothatthespiritgrowslightandsanguinewithitslighteningload,and,feelingimmortalityathand,deemsitbutanewtermofmortallife;adiseaseinwhichdeathandlifearesostrangelyblended,thatdeathtakestheglowandhue of life, and life the gaunt and grisly form of death; a disease whichmedicine never cured, wealth never warded off, or poverty could boastexemptionfrom;whichsometimesmovesingiantstrides,andsometimesatatardysluggishpace,but,sloworquick,iseversureandcertain.

Itwaswithsomefaint reference inhisownmind to thisdisorder, thoughhewouldbynomeansadmitit,eventohimself,thatNicholashadalreadycarried

hisfaithfulcompaniontoaphysicianofgreatrepute.Therewasnocauseforimmediate alarm, he said.Therewere nopresent symptomswhich couldbedeemed conclusive. The constitution had been greatly tried and injured inchildhood,butstillitMIGHTnotbeandthatwasall.

Butheseemedtogrownoworse,and,asitwasnotdifficulttofindareasonfor these symptoms of illness in the shock and agitation he had recentlyundergone, Nicholas comforted himself with the hope that his poor friendwouldsoonrecover.Thishopehismotherandsistersharedwithhim;andasthe object of their joint solicitude seemed to have no uneasiness ordespondencyforhimself,buteachdayansweredwithaquietsmilethathefeltbetter than he had upon the day before, their fears abated, and the generalhappinesswasbydegreesrestored.

ManyandmanyatimeinafteryearsdidNicholaslookbacktothisperiodofhislife,andtreadagainthehumblequiethomelyscenesthatroseupasofoldbeforehim.Manyandmanya time, in the twilightofasummerevening,orbeside the flickeringwinter's firebut not so often or so sadly thenwould histhoughts wander back to these old days, and dwell with a pleasant sorrowuponeveryslightremembrancewhichtheybroughtcrowdinghome.Thelittleroominwhichtheyhadsooftensatlongafteritwasdark,figuringsuchhappyfutures;Kate'scheerfulvoiceandmerrylaugh;how,ifshewerefromhome,theyusedtositandwatchforherreturnscarcelybreakingsilencebuttosayhowdull itseemedwithouther; thegleewithwhichpoorSmikewouldstartfromthedarkenedcornerwhereheusedtosit,andhurrytoadmither,andthetearstheyoftensawuponhisface,halfwonderingtoseethemtoo,andhesopleased andhappy; every little incident, and even slightwords and looksofthoseolddays littleheeded then,butwell rememberedwhenbusycaresandtrialswerequiteforgotten,camefreshandthickbeforehimmanyandmanyatime,and,rustlingabovethedustygrowthofyears,camebackgreenboughsofyesterday.

But there were other persons associatedwith these recollections, andmanychanges came about before they had being. A necessary reflection for thepurposes of these adventures, which at once subside into their accustomedtrain, and shunning all flighty anticipations orwaywardwanderings, pursuetheirsteadyanddecorouscourse.

If the brothers Cheeryble, as they found Nicholas worthy of trust andconfidence,bestoweduponhimeverydaysomenewandsubstantialmarkofkindness,theywerenotlessmindfulofthosewhodependedonhim.VariouslittlepresentstoMrsNickleby,alwaysoftheverythingstheymostrequired,tended in no slight degree to the improvement and embellishment of thecottage.Kate'slittlestoreoftrinketsbecamequitedazzling;andforcompany!

IfbrotherCharlesandbrotherNedfailedtolookinforatleastafewminutesevery Sunday, or one evening in the week, there wasMr Tim Linkinwater(whohadnevermadehalfadozenotheracquaintancesinallhislife,andwhotook such delight in his new friends as no words can express) constantlycomingandgoinginhiseveningwalks,andstoppingtorest;whileMrFrankCheeryble happened, by some strange conjunction of circumstances, to bepassingthedooronsomebusinessorotheratleastthreenightsintheweek.

'He is themostattentiveyoungmanIeversaw,Kate,' saidMrsNickleby toherdaughteroneevening,whenthislastnamedgentlemanhadbeenthesubjectoftheworthylady'seulogiumforsometime,andKatehadsatperfectlysilent.

'Attentive,mama!'rejoinedKate.

'Blessmyheart,Kate!'criedMrsNickleby,withherwontedsuddenness,'whatacolouryouhavegot;why,you'requiteflushed!'

'Oh,mama!whatstrangethingsyoufancy!'

'It wasn't fancy, Kate, my dear, I'm certain of that,' returned her mother.'However,it'sgonenowatanyrate,soitdon'tmuchmatterwhetheritwasornot.What was it we were talking about? Oh!Mr Frank. I never saw suchattentioninMYlife,never.'

'Surely you are not serious,' returned Kate, colouring again; and this timebeyondalldispute.

'Not serious!' returnedMrsNickleby; 'whyshouldn't Ibe serious? I'msure Ineverwasmoreserious.Iwillsaythathispolitenessandattentiontomeisoneofthemostbecoming,gratifying,pleasantthingsIhaveseenforaverylongtime.Youdon'toftenmeetwithsuchbehaviour inyoungmen,and itstrikesonemorewhenonedoesmeetwithit.'

'Oh!attentiontoYOU,mama,'rejoinedKatequickly'ohyes.'

'Dearme,Kate,' retortedMrsNickleby, 'what an extraordinary girl you are!WasitlikelyIshouldbetalkingofhisattentiontoanybodyelse?IdeclareI'mquitesorrytothinkheshouldbeinlovewithaGermanlady,thatIam.'

'Hesaidverypositivelythatitwasnosuchthing,mama,'returnedKate.'Don'tyourememberhissayingsothatveryfirstnighthecamehere?Besides,'sheadded,inamoregentletone,'whyshouldWEbesorryifitisthecase?Whatisittous,mama?'

'Nothing to US, Kate, perhaps,' said Mrs Nickleby, emphatically; 'butsomething to ME, I confess. I like English people to be thorough Englishpeople, and not half English and half I don't know what. I shall tell himpointblank next time he comes, that Iwish hewouldmarry one of his owncountrywomen;andseewhathesaystothat.'

'Pray don't think of such a thing,mama,' returnedKate, hastily; 'not for theworld.Consider.Howvery'

'Well,mydear,howverywhat?'saidMrsNickleby,openinghereyesingreatastonishment.

BeforeKatehadreturnedanyreply,aqueerlittledoubleknockannouncedthatMissLaCreevyhadcalledtoseethem;andwhenMissLaCreevypresentedherself,MrsNickleby, though strongly disposed to be argumentative on thepreviousquestion,forgotallaboutitinagushofsupposesaboutthecoachshehad come by; supposing that themanwho drovemust have been either themanintheshirtsleevesorthemanwiththeblackeye;thatwhoeverhewas,hehadn't found that parasol she left inside last week; that no doubt they hadstopped a longwhile at the HalfwayHouse, coming down; or that perhapsbeingfull,theyhadcomestraighton;and,lastly,thatthey,surely,musthavepassedNicholasontheroad.

'Isawnothingofhim,'answeredMissLaCreevy;'butIsawthatdearoldsoulMrLinkinwater.'

'Takinghiseveningwalk,andcomingontoresthere,beforeheturnsbacktothecity,I'llbebound!'saidMrsNickleby.

'I should think he was,' returnedMiss La Creevy; 'especially as youngMrCheeryblewaswithhim.'

'Surely that is no reasonwhyMr Linkinwater should be coming here,' saidKate.

'WhyIthinkitis,mydear,'saidMissLaCreevy.'Forayoungman,MrFrankis not a very great walker; and I observe that he generally falls tired, andrequiresagoodlongrest,whenhehascomeasfaras this.Butwhere ismyfriend?' said the little woman, looking about, after having glanced slyly atKate.'Hehasnotbeenrunawaywithagain,hashe?'

'Ah!whereisMrSmike?'saidMrsNickleby;'hewasherethisinstant.'

Upon further inquiry, it turned out, to the good lady's unboundedastonishment,thatSmikehad,thatmoment,goneupstairstobed.

'Wellnow,'saidMrsNickleby,'heisthestrangestcreature!LastTuesdaywasitTuesday?Yes, to be sure itwas; you recollect,Kate,my dear, the very lasttimeyoungMrCheeryblewasherelastTuesdaynighthewentoff injust thesamestrangeway,attheverymomenttheknockcametothedoor.Itcannotbethathedon'tlikecompany,becauseheisalwaysfondofpeoplewhoarefondofNicholas,andIamsureyoungMrCheerybleis.Andthestrangestthingis,thathedoesnotgotobed;thereforeitcannotbebecauseheistired.Iknowhedoesn'tgotobed,becausemyroomisthenextone,andwhenIwentupstairslastTuesday,hoursafterhim,Ifoundthathehadnoteventakenhisshoesoff;andhe hadno candle, so hemust have satmoping in the dark all the time.Now,uponmyword,' saidMrsNickleby, 'when I come to thinkof it, that'sveryextraordinary!'

As the hearers did not echo this sentiment, but remained profoundly silent,either as not knowing what to say, or as being unwilling to interrupt, MrsNicklebypursuedthethreadofherdiscourseafterherownfashion.

'I hope,' said that lady, 'that this unaccountable conduct may not be thebeginningofhistakingtohisbedandlivingthereallhislife,liketheThirstyWoman of Tutbury, or the Cocklane Ghost, or some of those extraordinarycreatures.Oneofthemhadsomeconnectionwithourfamily.Iforget,withoutlooking back to some old letters I have upstairs, whether it was mygreatgrandfatherwhowenttoschoolwiththeCocklaneGhost,ortheThirstyWomanofTutburywhowenttoschoolwithmygrandmother.MissLaCreevy,youknow,ofcourse.Whichwasitthatdidn'tmindwhattheclergymansaid?TheCocklaneGhostortheThirstyWomanofTutbury?'

'TheCocklaneGhost,Ibelieve.'

'Then I have no doubt,' said Mrs Nickleby, 'that it was with him mygreatgrandfatherwent to school; for I know themaster of his schoolwas adissenter,andthatwould,inagreatmeasure,accountfortheCocklaneGhost'sbehavinginsuchanimpropermannertotheclergymanwhenhegrewup.Ah!TrainupaGhostchild,Imean'

Any further reflectionson this fruitful themewere abruptly cut short by thearrivalofTimLinkinwaterandMrFrankCheeryble;inthehurryofreceivingwhom,MrsNicklebyspeedilylostsightofeverythingelse.

'IamsosorryNicholasisnotathome,'saidMrsNickleby.'Kate,mydear,youmustbebothNicholasandyourself.'

'Miss Nickleby need be but herself,' said Frank. 'Iif I may venture to saysoopposeallchangeinher.'

'Then at all events she shall press you to stay,' returnedMrs Nickleby. 'MrLinkinwatersaystenminutes,butIcannotletyougososoon;Nicholaswouldbeverymuchvexed,Iamsure.Kate,mydear!'

In obedience to a great number of nods, and winks, and frowns of extrasignificance,Kate addedher entreaties that thevisitorswould remain;but itwasobservablethatsheaddressedthemexclusivelytoTimLinkinwater;andtherewas,besides,acertainembarrassmentinhermanner,which,althoughitwasasfarfromimpairingitsgracefulcharacterasthetingeitcommunicatedtohercheekwasfromdiminishingherbeauty,wasobviousataglanceeventoMrsNickleby.Notbeingofaveryspeculativecharacter,however,saveundercircumstances when her speculations could be put into words and utteredaloud, thatdiscreetmatronattributed theemotion to thecircumstanceofherdaughter's nothappening tohaveherbest frockon: 'though Inever sawherlook better, certainly,' she reflected at the same time. Having settled thequestioninthisway,andbeingmostcomplacentlysatisfiedthatinthis,andinall other instances, her conjecture could not fail to be the right one, MrsNicklebydismissed it fromher thoughts, and inwardly congratulatedherselfonbeingsoshrewdandknowing.

Nicholas did not come home nor did Smike reappear; but neithercircumstance, tosaythetruth,hadanygreateffectuponthelittleparty,whowereallinthebesthumourpossible.Indeed,theresprungupquiteaflirtationbetweenMissLaCreevy andTimLinkinwater,who said a thousand jocoseandfacetiousthings,andbecame,bydegrees,quitegallant,nottosaytender.LittleMiss La Creevy, on her part, was in high spirits, and rallied Tim onhaving remained a bachelor all his lifewith somuch success, thatTimwasactuallyinducedtodeclare,thatifhecouldgetanybodytohavehim,hedidn'tknow but what he might change his condition even yet. Miss La Creevyearnestly recommended a lady she knew, who would exactly suit MrLinkinwater,andhadaverycomfortablepropertyofherown;but this latterqualification had very little effect upon Tim, who manfully protested thatfortunewouldbenoobjectwithhim,butthattrueworthandcheerfulnessofdispositionwerewhatamanshouldlookforinawife,andthatifhehadthese,hecouldfindmoneyenoughforthemoderatewantsofboth.Thisavowalwasconsidered so honourable to Tim, that neither Mrs Nickleby nor Miss LaCreevy could sufficiently extol it; and stimulated by their praises, Timlaunched out into several other declarations also manifesting thedisinterestednessofhisheart,andagreatdevotiontothefairsex:whichwerereceived with no less approbation. This was done and said with a comicalmixtureofjestandearnest,and, leadingtoagreatamountoflaughter,madethemverymerryindeed.

Katewascommonlythelifeandsouloftheconversationathome;butshewasmoresilentthanusualuponthisoccasion(perhapsbecauseTimandMissLaCreevyengrossedsomuchofit),and,keepingalooffromthetalkers,satatthewindowwatchingtheshadowsastheeveningclosedin,andenjoyingthequietbeautyof thenight,whichseemedtohavescarcely lessattractions toFrank,whofirst lingerednear,and thensatdownbeside,her.Nodoubt, thereareagreatmanythingstobesaidappropriate toasummerevening,andnodoubtthey are best said in a low voice, as being most suitable to the peace andserenityofthehour;longpauses,too,attimes,andthenanearnestwordorso,and then another interval of silence which, somehow, does not seem likesilenceeither,andperhapsnowandthenahastyturningawayofthehead,ordroopingoftheeyestowardstheground,alltheseminorcircumstances,withadisinclinationtohavecandlesintroducedandatendencytoconfusehourswithminutes, are doubtlessmere influences of the time, asmany lovely lips canclearlytestify.Neitheris theretheslightestreasonwhyMrsNicklebyshouldhaveexpressedsurprisewhen,candlesbeingatlengthbroughtin,Kate'sbrighteyeswere unable to bear the lightwhich obliged her to avert her face, andeventoleavetheroomforsomeshorttime;because,whenonehassatinthedarksolong,candlesAREdazzling,andnothingcanbemorestrictlynaturalthan that such results shouldbeproduced,asallwellinformedyoungpeopleknow.For thatmatter,oldpeopleknowit too,ordidknowitonce,but theyforgetthesethingssometimes,andmore'sthepity.

Thegoodlady'ssurprise,however,didnotendhere.Itwasgreatlyincreasedwhen it was discovered that Kate had not the least appetite for supper: adiscoverysoalarmingthatthereisnoknowinginwhatunaccountableeffortsof oratory Mrs Nickleby's apprehensions might have been vented, if thegeneralattentionhadnotbeenattracted,atthemoment,byaverystrangeanduncommonnoise,proceeding,asthepaleandtremblingservantgirlaffirmed,and as everybody's sense of hearing seemed to affirm also, 'right down' thechimneyoftheadjoiningroom.

It being quite plain to the comprehension of all present that, howeverextraordinary and improbable it might appear, the noise did neverthelessproceed from the chimney in question; and the noise (which was a strangecompoundofvarious shuffling, sliding, rumbling, and struggling sounds, allmuffledbythechimney)stillcontinuing,FrankCheeryblecaughtupacandle,andTimLinkinwaterthetongs,andtheywouldhaveveryquicklyascertainedthecauseof thisdisturbance ifMrsNicklebyhadnotbeen takenvery faint,and declined being left behind, on any account. This produced a shortremonstrance, which terminated in their all proceeding to the troubledchamber inabody,exceptingonlyMissLaCreevy,who,as the servantgirlvolunteered a confession of having been subject to fits in her infancy,

remained with her to give the alarm and apply restoratives, in case ofextremity.

Advancing to the door of the mysterious apartment, they were not a littlesurprisedtohearahumanvoice,chantingwithahighlyelaboratedexpressionofmelancholy,and in tonesofsuffocationwhichahumanvoicemighthaveproduced from under five or six featherbeds of the best quality, the oncepopular air of 'Has she then failed in her truth, the beautifulmaid I adore?'Nor, on bursting into the room without demanding a parley, was theirastonishment lessened by the discovery that these romantic sounds certainlyproceededfromthethroatofsomemanupthechimney,ofwhomnothingwasvisible but a pair of legs, which were dangling above the grate; apparentlyfeeling,withextremeanxiety,forthetopbarwhereontoeffectalanding.

A sight so unusual and unbusinesslike as this, completely paralysed TimLinkinwater, who, after one or two gentle pinches at the stranger's ankles,whichwereproductiveofnoeffect,stoodclappingthetongstogether,asifheweresharpeningthemforanotherassault,anddidnothingelse.

'Thismustbesomedrunkenfellow,'saidFrank.'Nothiefwouldannouncehispresencethus.'

Ashesaidthis,withgreatindignation,heraisedthecandletoobtainabetterviewof the legs,andwasdartingforwardtopull themdownwithverylittleceremony, when Mrs Nickleby, clasping her hands, uttered a sharp sound,something between a scream and an exclamation, and demanded to knowwhetherthemysteriouslimbswerenotcladinsmallclothesandgreyworstedstockings,orwhetherhereyeshaddeceivedher.

'Yes,'criedFrank,lookingalittlecloser.'Smallclothescertainly,andandroughgreystockings,too.Doyouknowhim,ma'am?'

'Kate,mydear,'saidMrsNickleby,deliberatelysittingherselfdowninachairwiththatsortofdesperateresignationwhichseemedtoimplythatnowmattershadcometoacrisis,andalldisguisewasuseless,'youwillhavethegoodness,my love, to explain precisely how this matter stands. I have given him noencouragementnonewhatevernot the least in the world. You know that, mydear,perfectlywell.Hewasveryrespectful,exceedinglyrespectful,whenhedeclared, as you were a witness to; still at the same time, if I am to bepersecuted in this way, if vegetable what'shisnames and all kinds ofgardenstuff are to strewmy path out of doors, and gentlemen are to comechokingupourchimneysathome,Ireallydon'tknowuponmywordIdoNOTknowwhatistobecomeofme.It'saveryhardcaseharderthananythingIwasever exposed to, before Imarried your poor dear papa, though I suffered a

gooddealofannoyancethenbutthat,ofcourse,Iexpected,andmadeupmymindfor.WhenIwasnotnearlysooldasyou,mydear, therewasayounggentlemanwhosatnextusatchurch,whoused,almosteverySunday, tocutmynameinlargeletters inthefrontofhispewwhilethesermonwasgoingon. It was gratifying, of course, naturally so, but still it was an annoyance,because thepewwas inaveryconspicuousplace, andhewas several timespubliclytakenoutbythebeadlefordoingit.Butthatwasnothingtothis.Thisis a great deal worse, and a great deal more embarrassing. I would rather,Kate,my dear,' saidMrsNickleby,with great solemnity, and an effusion oftears:'Iwouldrather,Ideclare,havebeenapigfacedlady,thanbeexposedtosuchalifeasthis!'

FrankCheeryble andTimLinkinwater looked, in irrepressible astonishment,first at each other and then at Kate, who felt that some explanation wasnecessary,butwho,betweenher terrorat theapparitionof the legs,her fearlest their owner should be smothered, and her anxiety to give the leastridiculous solution of themystery that it was capable of bearing,was quiteunabletoutterasingleword.

'Hegivesmegreatpain,'continuedMrsNickleby,dryinghereyes,'greatpain;butdon'thurtahairofhishead,Ibeg.Onnoaccounthurtahairofhishead.'

Itwouldnot,underexistingcircumstances,havebeenquitesoeasytohurtahairofthegentleman'sheadasMrsNicklebyseemedtoimagine,inasmuchasthatpartofhispersonwassomefeetupthechimney,whichwasbynomeansa wide one. But, as all this time he had never left off singing about thebankruptcyofthebeautifulmaidinrespectoftruth,andnowbegannotonlytocroakvery feebly,but tokickwithgreatviolenceas if respirationbecameatask of difficulty, Frank Cheeryble, without further hesitation, pulled at theshortsandworstedswithsuchheartinessastobringhimflounderingintotheroomwithgreaterprecipitationthanhehadquitecalculatedupon.

'Oh! yes, yes,' said Kate, directly the whole figure of this singular visitorappeared in this abruptmanner. 'I knowwho it is. Praydon't be roughwithhim.Ishehurt?Ihopenot.Oh,prayseeifheishurt.'

'Heisnot,Iassureyou,'repliedFrank,handlingtheobjectofhissurprise,afterthisappeal,withsuddentendernessandrespect.'Heisnothurtintheleast.'

'Don'tlethimcomeanynearer,'saidKate,retiringasfarasshecould.

'Oh,no,heshallnot,'rejoinedFrank.'YouseeIhavehimsecurehere.ButmayIaskyouwhatthismeans,andwhetheryouexpectedthisoldgentleman?'

'Oh,no,'saidKate,'ofcoursenot;buthemamadoesnotthinkso,Ibelievebut

heisamadgentlemanwhohasescapedfromthenexthouse,andmusthavefoundanopportunityofsecretinghimselfhere.'

'Kate,'interposedMrsNicklebywithseveredignity,'Iamsurprisedatyou.'

'Dearmama,'Kategentlyremonstrated.

'I am surprised at you,' repeatedMrsNickleby; 'uponmyword,Kate, I amquite astonished that you should join the persecutors of this unfortunategentleman,whenyouknowverywellthattheyhavethebasestdesignsuponhisproperty,andthatthatisthewholesecretofit.Itwouldbemuchkinderofyou,Kate, toaskMrLinkinwaterorMrCheeryble to interfere inhisbehalf,andseehimrighted.Yououghtnottoallowyourfeelingstoinfluenceyou;it'snot right, very far from it.What shouldmy feelingsbe, doyou suppose? Ifanybodyoughttobeindignant,whoisit?I,ofcourse,andveryproperlyso.Still,atthesametime,Iwouldn'tcommitsuchaninjusticefortheworld.No,'continuedMrsNickleby,drawingherselfup,andlookinganotherwaywithakindofbashfulstateliness;'thisgentlemanwillunderstandmewhenItellhimthatIrepeattheanswerIgavehimtheotherday;thatIalwayswillrepeatit,thoughIdobelievehimtobesincerewhenIfindhimplacinghimselfinsuchdreadfulsituationsonmyaccount;andthatIrequesthimtohavethegoodnessto go away directly, or it will be impossible to keep his behaviour a secretfrommysonNicholas.Iamobligedtohim,verymuchobligedtohim,butIcannotlistentohisaddressesforamoment.It'squiteimpossible.'

Whilethisaddresswasincourseofdelivery,theoldgentleman,withhisnoseandcheeksembellishedwith largepatchesofsoot,satuponthegroundwithhis arms folded, eyeing the spectators in profound silence, andwith a verymajesticdemeanour.HedidnotappeartotakethesmallestnoticeofwhatMrsNickleby said, but when she ceased to speak he honoured her with a longstare,andinquiredifshehadquitefinished.

'I have nothingmore to say,' replied that ladymodestly. 'I really cannot sayanythingmore.'

'Verygood,'saidtheoldgentleman,raisinghisvoice,'thenbringinthebottledlightning,acleantumbler,andacorkscrew.'

Nobodyexecutingthisorder,theoldgentleman,afterashortpause,raisedhisvoice again and demanded a thunder sandwich. This article not beingforthcomingeither,herequestedtobeservedwithafricasseeofboottopsandgoldfish sauce, and then laughing heartily, gratified his hearers with a verylong,veryloud,andmostmelodiousbellow.

ButstillMrsNickleby,inreplytothesignificantlooksofallabouther,shook

herheadas though toassure themthat shesawnothingwhatever inall this,unless, indeed, it were a slight degree of eccentricity. She might haveremainedimpressedwiththeseopinionsdowntothelatestmomentofherlife,butforaslighttrainofcircumstances,which,trivialastheywere,alteredthewholecomplexionofthecase.

It happened thatMissLaCreevy, finding her patient in no very threateningcondition, and being strongly impelled by curiosity to see what was goingforward,bustledintotheroomwhiletheoldgentlemanwasintheveryactofbellowing. It happened, too, that the instant the old gentleman saw her, hestopped short, skipped suddenly on his feet, and fell to kissing his handviolently: a change of demeanour which almost terrified the little portraitpainter out of her senses, and caused her to retreat behindTimLinkinwaterwiththeutmostexpedition.

'Aha!' cried the old gentleman, folding his hands, and squeezing themwithgreatforceagainsteachother.'Iseehernow;Iseehernow!Mylove,mylife,my bride, my peerless beauty. She is come at lastat lastand all is gas andgaiters!'

Mrs Nickleby looked rather disconcerted for a moment, but immediatelyrecovering,noddedtoMissLaCreevyandtheotherspectatorsseveraltimes,and frowned, and smiled gravely, giving them to understand that she sawwherethemistakewas,andwouldsetitalltorightsinaminuteortwo.

'She is come!' said the old gentleman, laying his hand upon his heart.'CormoranandBlunderbore!Sheiscome!AllthewealthIhaveishersifshewill takemeforherslave.Wherearegrace,beauty,andblandishments, likethose?IntheEmpressofMadagascar?No.IntheQueenofDiamonds?No.InMrsRowland,whoeverymorningbathesinKalydorfornothing?No.Meltallthese down into one, with the three Graces, the nine Muses, and fourteenbiscuitbakers'daughtersfromOxfordStreet,andmakeawomanhalfaslovely.Pho!Idefyyou.'

Afterutteringthisrhapsody,theoldgentlemansnappedhisfingerstwentyorthirty times, and then subsided into an ecstatic contemplation of Miss LaCreevy's charms. This affording Mrs Nickleby a favourable opportunity ofexplanation,shewentaboutitstraight.

'Iamsure,'saidtheworthylady,withaprefatorycough,'thatit'sagreatrelief,undersuch tryingcircumstancesas these, tohaveanybodyelsemistakenformea very great relief; and it's a circumstance that never occurred before,althoughIhaveseveraltimesbeenmistakenformydaughterKate.Ihavenodoubtthepeoplewereveryfoolish,andperhapsoughttohaveknownbetter,

butstilltheydidtakemeforher,andofcoursethatwasnofaultofmine,anditwouldbeveryhardindeedifIwastobemaderesponsibleforit.However,inthisinstance,ofcourse,ImustfeelthatIshoulddoexceedinglywrongifIsufferedanybodyespeciallyanybodythatIamundergreatobligationstotobemadeuncomfortableonmyaccount.And therefore I think itmyduty to tellthatgentlemanthatheismistaken,thatIamtheladywhohewastoldbysomeimpertinentpersonwasniecetotheCouncilofPavingstones,andthatIdobegand entreat of him to go quietly away, if it's only for,' here Mrs Nicklebysimperedandhesitated,'forMYsake.'

It might have been expected that the old gentleman would have beenpenetratedtotheheartbythedelicacyandcondescensionofthisappeal,andthathewouldatleasthavereturnedacourteousandsuitablereply.What,then,wastheshockwhichMrsNicklebyreceived,when,accostingHERinthemostunmistakablemanner,herepliedinaloudandsonourousvoice:'Avaunt!Cat!'

'Sir!'criedMrsNickleby,inafainttone.

'Cat!' repeated theoldgentleman. 'Puss,Kit,Tit,Grimalkin,Tabby,Brindle!Whoosh!' with which last sound, uttered in a hissing manner between histeeth,theoldgentlemanswunghisarmsviolentlyroundandround,andatthesame time alternately advancedonMrsNickleby, and retreated fromher, inthatspeciesofsavagedancewithwhichboysonmarketdaysmaybeseentofrighten pigs, sheep, and other animals, when they give out obstinateindicationsofturningdownawrongstreet.

Mrs Nickleby wasted no words, but uttered an exclamation of horror andsurprise,andimmediatelyfaintedaway.

'I'll attend tomama,' saidKate, hastily; 'I amnot at all frightened.But praytakehimaway:praytakehimaway!'

Frankwas not at all confident of his power of complyingwith this request,untilhebethoughthimselfof thestratagemofsendingMissLaCreevyonafewpacesinadvance,andurgingtheoldgentlemantofollowher.Itsucceededtoamiracle;andhewentawayinaraptureofadmiration,stronglyguardedbyTimLinkinwaterononeside,andFrankhimselfontheother.

'Kate,' murmured Mrs Nickleby, reviving when the coast was clear, 'is hegone?'

Shewasassuredthathewas.

'Ishallneverforgivemyself,Kate,'saidMrsNickleby.'Never!Thatgentlemanhaslosthissenses,andIamtheunhappycause.'

'YOUthecause!'saidKate,greatlyastonished.

'I,mylove,'repliedMrsNickleby,withadesperatecalmness. 'Yousawwhathewastheotherday;youseewhatheisnow.Itoldyourbrother,weeksandweeks ago,Kate, that I hoped a disappointmentmight not be toomuch forhim. You see what a wreck he is. Making allowance for his being a littleflighty, you know how rationally, and sensibly, and honourably he talked,whenwesawhiminthegarden.Youhaveheardthedreadfulnonsensehehasbeenguiltyof thisnight, and themanner inwhichhehasgoneonwith thatpoor unfortunate little old maid. Can anybody doubt how all this has beenbroughtabout?'

'Ishouldscarcelythinktheycould,'saidKatemildly.

'I should scarcely think so, either,' rejoined her mother. 'Well! if I am theunfortunatecauseof this, IhavethesatisfactionofknowingthatIamnot toblame.I toldNicholas,Isaidtohim,"Nicholas,mydear,weshouldbeverycarefulhowweproceed."Hewouldscarcelyhearme.Ifthematterhadonlybeenproperlytakenupatfirst,asIwishedittobe!Butyouarebothofyousolike your poor papa. However, I haveMY consolation, and that should beenoughforme!'

Washingherhands,thus,ofallresponsibilityunderthishead,past,present,ortocome,MrsNicklebykindlyaddedthatshehopedherchildrenmightneverhavegreatercausetoreproachthemselvesthanshehad,andpreparedherselfto receive the escort, who soon returned with the intelligence that the oldgentleman was safely housed, and that they found his custodians, who hadbeenmakingmerrywithsomefriends,whollyignorantofhisabsence.

Quietbeingagainrestored,adelicioushalfhoursoFrankcalledit,inthecourseof subsequent conversation with Tim Linkinwater as they were walkinghomewasspentinconversation,andTim'swatchatlengthapprisinghimthatitwashightimetodepart, theladieswereleftalone,thoughnotwithoutmanyofferson thepart ofFrank to remainuntilNicholas arrived,nomatterwhathour of the night it might be, if, after the late neighbourly irruption, theyentertainedtheleastfearofbeinglefttothemselves.Astheirfreedomfromallfurther apprehension, however, left no pretext for his insisting onmountingguard,hewasobligedtoabandonthecitadel,andtoretirewiththetrustyTim.

Nearly three hours of silence passed away. Kate blushed to find, whenNicholasreturned,howlongshehadbeensittingalone,occupiedwithherownthoughts.

'Ireallythoughtithadnotbeenhalfanhour,'shesaid.

'They must have been pleasant thoughts, Kate,' rejoined Nicholas gaily, 'tomaketimepassawaylikethat.Whatweretheynow?'

Katewas confused; she toyedwith some trifle on the table, looked up andsmiled,lookeddownanddroppedatear.

'Why,Kate,'saidNicholas,drawinghissistertowardshimandkissingher,'letmeseeyourface.No?Ah!thatwasbutaglimpse;that'sscarcelyfair.Alongerlookthanthat,Kate.ComeandI'llreadyourthoughtsforyou.'

There was something in this proposition, albeit it was said without theslightest consciousness or application, which so alarmed his sister, thatNicholas laughingly changed the subject to domestic matters, and thusgathered, by degrees, as they left the room andwent upstairs together, howlonely Smike had been all nightand by very slow degrees, too; for on thissubjectalso,Kateseemedtospeakwithsomereluctance.

'Poorfellow,'saidNicholas,tappinggentlyathisdoor,'whatcanbethecauseofallthis?'

Katewashangingonherbrother'sarm.Thedoorbeingquicklyopened, shehadnot time todisengageherself,beforeSmike,verypaleandhaggard,andcompletelydressed,confrontedthem.

'Andhaveyounotbeentobed?'saidNicholas.

'Nnno,'wasthereply.

Nicholas gently detainedhis sister,whomade an effort to retire; and asked,'Whynot?'

'Icouldnotsleep,'saidSmike,graspingthehandwhichhisfriendextendedtohim.

'Youarenotwell?'rejoinedNicholas.

'Iambetter,indeed.Agreatdealbetter,'saidSmikequickly.

'Thenwhydoyougivewaytothesefitsofmelancholy?'inquiredNicholas,inhis kindest manner; 'or why not tell us the cause? You grow a differentcreature,Smike.'

'Ido;IknowIdo,'hereplied.'Iwilltellyouthereasononeday,butnotnow.Ihatemyself for this;youareall sogoodandkind.But I cannothelp it.Myheartisveryfull;youdonotknowhowfullitis.'

HewrungNicholas'shandbeforehereleasedit;andglancing,foramoment,

atthebrotherandsisterastheystoodtogether,asifthereweresomethingintheir strong affection which touched him very deeply, withdrew into hischamber,andwassoontheonlywatcherunderthatquietroof.

CHAPTER50

InvolvesaseriousCatastrophe

ThelittleracecourseatHamptonwasinthefulltideandheightofitsgaiety;the day as dazzling as day could be; the sun high in the cloudless sky, andshining in its fullest splendour. Every gaudy colour that fluttered in the airfrom carriage seat and garish tent top, shone out in its gaudiest hues. Olddingy flags grew new again, faded gilding was reburnished, stained rottencanvas lookedasnowywhite, theverybeggars' ragswerefreshenedup,andsentiment quite forgot its charity in its fervent admiration of poverty sopicturesque.

Itwasoneof thosescenesof lifeandanimation,caught in itsverybrightestandfreshestmoments,whichcanscarcelyfailtoplease;foriftheeyebetiredofshowandglare,ortheearbewearywithaceaselessroundofnoise,theonemay repose, turnalmostwhere itwill,oneager,happy,andexpectant faces,and theotherdeadenallconsciousnessofmoreannoyingsounds in thoseofmirthandexhilaration.Eventhesunburntfacesofgypsychildren,halfnakedthoughtheybe,suggestadropofcomfort.Itisapleasantthingtoseethatthesunhasbeen there; toknow that theairand lightareon themeveryday; tofeel that theyAREchildren,andleadchildren's lives; that if theirpillowsbedamp,itiswiththedewsofHeaven,andnotwithtears;thatthelimbsoftheirgirls are free, and that they are not crippled by distortions, imposing anunnaturalandhorriblepenanceupontheirsex;thattheirlivesarespent,fromdaytoday,at leastamongthewavingtrees,andnotinthemidstofdreadfulengineswhichmakeyoungchildrenoldbeforetheyknowwhatchildhoodis,and give them the exhaustion and infirmity of age, without, like age, theprivilege to die.God send that old nursery taleswere true, and that gypsiesstolesuchchildrenbythescore!

Thegreatraceofthedayhadjustbeenrun;andthecloselinesofpeople,oneithersideofthecourse,suddenlybreakingupandpouringintoit,impartedanewlivelinesstothescene,whichwasagainallbusymovement.Somehurriedeagerly to catch a glimpse of the winning horse; others darted to and fro,searching, no less eagerly, for the carriages they had left in quest of better

stations.Here,alittleknotgatheredroundapeaandthimbletabletowatchthepluckingof someunhappygreenhorn; and there, another proprietorwithhisconfederates in various disguisesone man in spectacles; another, with aneyeglassandastylishhat;athird,dressedasafarmerwelltodointheworld,with his topcoat over his arm and his flash notes in a large leathernpocketbook; and all with heavyhandled whips to represent most innocentcountryfellowswhohadtrottedthereonhorsebacksought,byloudandnoisytalkandpretendedplay,toentrapsomeunwarycustomer,whilethegentlemenconfederates(ofmorevillainousaspectstill,incleanlinenandgoodclothes),betrayedtheircloseinterestintheconcernbytheanxiousfurtiveglancetheycast on all new comers.Thesewould be hangingon the outskirts of awidecircleofpeopleassembledroundsomeitinerantjuggler,opposed,inhisturn,by a noisy band of music, or the classic game of 'Ring the Bull,' whileventriloquistsholdingdialogueswithwoodendolls,andfortunetellingwomensmothering the cries of real babies, dividedwith them, andmanymore, thegeneral attention of the company. Drinkingtents were full, glasses began toclinkincarriages,hamperstobeunpacked,temptingprovisionstobesetforth,knivesandforkstorattle,champagnecorkstofly,eyestobrightenthatwerenotdullbefore,andpickpocketstocounttheirgainsduringthelastheat.Theattention so recently strained on one object of interest, was now dividedamongahundred;andlookwhereyouwould,therewasamotleyassemblageoffeasting,laughing,talking,begging,gambling,andmummery.

Of the gamblingbooths there was a plentiful show, flourishing in all thesplendour of carpeted ground, striped hangings, crimson cloth, pinnacledroofs,geraniumpots,andliveryservants.ThereweretheStranger'sclubhouse,theAthenaeumclubhouse,theHamptonclubhouse,theStJames'sclubhouse,andhalf amile of clubhouses to play IN; and therewereROUGEETNOIR,Frenchhazard,andothergamestoplayAT.Itisintooneoftheseboothsthatourstorytakesitsway.

Fittedupwiththreetablesforthepurposesofplay,andcrowdedwithplayersandlookerson,itwas,althoughthelargestplaceofthekinduponthecourse,intensely hot, notwithstanding that a portion of the canvas roof was rolledbacktoadmitmoreair,andthereweretwodoorsforafreepassageinandout.Excepting one or two men who, each with a long roll of halfcrowns,chequeredwithafewstraysovereigns,inhislefthand,stakedtheirmoneyatevery rollof theballwithabusinesslike sedatenesswhich showed that theywereused to it,andhadbeenplayingallday,andmostprobablyall thedaybefore, therewas no very distinctive character about the players,whowerechieflyyoungmen,apparentlyattractedbycuriosity,orstakingsmallsumsaspart of the amusement of the day,with no very great interest inwinning orlosing. There were two persons present, however, who, as peculiarly good

specimensofaclass,deserveapassingnotice.

Ofthese,onewasamanofsixoreightandfifty,whosatonachairnearoneoftheentrancesofthebooth,withhishandsfoldedonthetopofhisstick,andhischinappearingabove them.Hewasa tall, fat, longbodiedman,buttonedup to the throat ina lightgreencoat,whichmadehisbody look still longerthanitwas.Hewore,besides,drabbreechesandgaiters,awhiteneckerchief,andabroadbrimmedwhitehat.Amidallthebuzzingnoiseofthegames,andtheperpetualpassinginandoutofthepeople,heseemedperfectlycalmandabstracted,withoutthesmallestparticleofexcitementinhiscomposition.Heexhibited no indication of weariness, nor, to a casual observer, of interesteither.Therehe sat, quite still and collected.Sometimes, butvery rarely, henoddedtosomepassingface,orbeckonedtoawaitertoobeyacallfromoneof the tables.Thenext instanthe subsided intohisold state.Hemighthavebeensomeprofoundlydeafoldgentleman,whohadcomeintotakearest,orhe might have been patiently waiting for a friend, without the leastconsciousness of anybody's presence, or fixed in a trance, or under theinfluence of opium. People turned round and looked at him; he made nogesture,caughtnobody'seye,letthempassaway,andotherscomeonandbesucceeded by others, and took no notice. When he did move, it seemedwonderfulhowhecouldhaveseenanythingtooccasionit.Andso,intruth,itwas.But therewasnotafacethatpassedinorout,whichthismanfailedtosee;notagestureatanyoneofthethreetablesthatwaslostuponhim;notaword, spoken by the bankers, but reached his ear; not awinner or loser hecouldnothavemarked.Andhewastheproprietoroftheplace.

The other presided over theROUGEETNOIR table.Hewas probably sometenyearsyounger,andwasaplump,paunchy,sturdylookingfellow,withhisunderlipalittlepursed,fromahabitofcountingmoneyinwardlyashepaidit,butwithnodecidedlybadexpressioninhisface,whichwasratheranhonestand jolly one than otherwise. Hewore no coat, the weather being hot, andstoodbehind the tablewithahugemoundof crownsandhalfcrownsbeforehim, and a cashbox for notes. This game was constantly playing. Perhapstwentypeoplewouldbestakingatthesametime.Thismanhadtorolltheball,to watch the stakes as they were laid down, to gather them off the colourwhichlost,topaythosewhowon,todoitallwiththeutmostdispatch,torollthe ball again, and to keep this game perpetually alive.He did it allwith arapidity absolutely marvellous; never hesitating, never making a mistake,neverstopping,andneverceasing to repeatsuchunconnectedphrasesas thefollowing,which,partlyfromhabit,andpartlytohavesomethingappropriateandbusinesslike tosay,heconstantlypouredoutwith thesamemonotonousemphasis,andinnearlythesameorder,alldaylong:

'Roogeanore from Paris! Gentlemen, make your game and back your ownopinionsany timewhile theball rollsroogeanore fromParis,gentlemen, it'saFrench game, gentlemen, I brought it overmyself, I did indeed!Roogeanorefrom Parisblack winsblackstop a minute, sir, and I'll pay you, directlytwothere, half a pound there, three thereand one theregentlemen, the ball's arollingany time,sir,while theball rolls!Thebeautyof thisgame is, thatyoucandoubleyourstakesorputdownyourmoney,gentlemen,any timewhiletheballrollsblackagainblackwinsIneversawsuchathingIneverdid, inallmy life, uponmyword I never did; if any gentleman had been backing theblack in the last fiveminutes hemust havewon fiveandforty pound in fourrolls of the ball, hemust indeed.Gentlemen,we've port, sherry, cigars, andmostexcellentchampagne.Here,waiter,bringabottleofchampagne,andlet'shave a dozen or fifteen cigars hereand let's be comfortable, gentlemenandbringsomecleanglassesany timewhile theball rolls!I lostonehundredandthirtyseven pound yesterday, gentlemen, at one roll of the ball, I didindeed!how do you do, sir?' (recognising some knowing gentlemanwithoutany halt or change of voice, and giving a wink so slight that it seems anaccident),'willyoutakeaglassofsherry,sir?here,waiter!bringacleanglass,andhandthesherrytothisgentlemanandhanditround,willyou,waiter?thisis the roogeanore from Paris, gentlemenany time while the ballrolls!gentlemen, make your game, and back your own opinionsit's theroogeanore from Parisquite a new game, I brought it over myself, I didindeedgentlemen,theball'sarolling!'

Thisofficerwasbusilyplyinghisvocationwhenhalfadozenpersonssaunteredthroughthebooth,towhom,butwithoutstoppingeitherinhisspeechorwork,hebowedrespectfully;atthesametimedirecting,byalook,theattentionofamanbesidehimtothetallestfigureinthegroup,inrecognitionofwhomtheproprietorpulledoffhishat.ThiswasSirMulberryHawk,withwhomwerehis friend and pupil, and a small train of gentlemanlydressed men, ofcharactersmoredoubtfulthanobscure.

Theproprietor, ina lowvoice,badeSirMulberrygoodday.SirMulberry, inthesametone,badetheproprietorgotothedevil,andturnedtospeakwithhisfriends.

Therewasevidentlyanirritableconsciousnessabouthimthathewasanobjectof curiosity, on this first occasion of showing himself in public after theaccidentthathadbefallenhim;anditwaseasytoperceivethatheappearedontheracecourse,thatday,moreinthehopeofmeetingwithagreatmanypeoplewhoknewhim,andsogettingoverasmuchaspossibleof theannoyanceatonce,thanwithanypurposeofenjoyingthesport.Thereyetremainedaslightscaruponhisface,andwheneverhewasrecognised,ashewasalmostevery

minutebypeoplesaunteringinandout,hemadearestlessefforttoconcealitwithhisglove;showinghowkeenlyhefeltthedisgracehehadundergone.

'Ah!Hawk,'saidoneverysprucelydressedpersonageinaNewmarketcoat,achoiceneckerchief,andallotheraccessoriesofthemostunexceptionablekind.'Howd'yedo,oldfellow?'

Thiswasarivaltrainerofyoungnoblemenandgentlemen,andthepersonofall otherswhomSirMulberrymost hated anddreaded tomeet.They shookhandswithexcessivecordiality.

'Andhowareyounow,oldfellow,hey?'

'Quitewell,quitewell,'saidSirMulberry.

'That'sright,'saidtheother.'Howd'yedo,Verisopht?He'salittlepulleddown,ourfriendhere.Ratheroutofconditionstill,hey?'

Itshouldbeobservedthatthegentlemanhadverywhiteteeth,andthatwhenthere was no excuse for laughing, he generally finished with the samemonosyllable,whichheutteredsoastodisplaythem.

'He's in very good condition; there's nothing the matter with him,' said theyoungmancarelessly.

'UponmysoulI'mgladtohearit,'rejoinedtheother.'HaveyoujustreturnedfromBrussels?'

'We only reached town late last night,' said Lord Frederick. Sir Mulberryturnedawaytospeaktooneofhisownparty,andfeignednottohear.

'Now, uponmy life,' said the friend, affecting to speak in awhisper, 'it's anuncommonlyboldandgamethinginHawktoshowhimselfsosoon.Isayitadvisedly; there's avastdealof courage in it.Youseehehas just rusticatedlongenoughtoexcitecuriosity,andnotlongenoughformentohaveforgottenthat deuced unpleasantbythebyeyouknow the rights of the affair, of course?Whydidyounevergive thoseconfoundedpapers the lie? I seldomread thepapers,butIlookedinthepapersforthat,andmayIbe'

'Look in the papers,' interrupted Sir Mulberry, turning suddenly round,'tomorrowno,nextday,willyou?'

'Uponmy life,my dear fellow, I seldom or never read the papers,' said theother,shrugginghisshoulders,'butIwill,atyourrecommendation.WhatshallIlookfor?'

'Goodday,' saidSirMulberry, turning abruptlyonhisheel, anddrawinghis

pupilwithhim.Falling,again, into the loitering,carelesspaceatwhich theyhadentered,theyloungedout,arminarm.

'Iwon't give him a case ofmurder to read,'muttered SirMulberrywith anoath; 'but it shall be something very near it ifwhipcord cuts and bludgeonsbruise.'

His companion said nothing, but therewas something in hismannerwhichgalledSirMulberry toadd,withnearlyasmuchferocityas ifhis friendhadbeenNicholashimself:

'I sent Jenkins to old Nickleby before eight o'clock this morning. He's astaunchone;hewasbackwithmebeforethemessenger.Ihaditallfromhiminthefirstfiveminutes.Iknowwherethishoundistobemetwith;timeandplaceboth.Butthere'snoneedtotalk;tomorrowwillsoonbehere.'

'Andwhaat'stobedonetomorrow?'inquiredLordFrederick.

SirMulberryHawkhonouredhimwithanangryglance,butcondescendedtoreturn no verbal answer to this inquiry.Bothwalked sullenly on, as thoughtheirthoughtswerebusilyoccupied,untiltheywerequiteclearofthecrowd,andalmostalone,whenSirMulberrywheeledroundtoreturn.

'Stop,'saidhiscompanion,'Iwanttospeaktoyouinearnest.Don'tturnback.Letuswalkhere,afewminutes.'

'Whathaveyoutosaytome,thatyoucouldnotsayyonderaswellashere?'returnedhisMentor,disengaginghisarm.

'Hawk,'rejoinedtheother,'tellme;Imustknow.'

'MUSTknow,' interruptedtheotherdisdainfully. 'Whew!Goon.Ifyoumustknow,ofcoursethere'snoescapeforme.Mustknow!'

'Mustaskthen,'returnedLordFrederick, 'andmustpressyouforaplainandstraightforwardanswer. Iswhatyouhave just saidonlyamerewhimof themoment,occasionedbyyourbeingoutofhumourand irritated,or is ityourseriousintention,andonethatyouhaveactuallycontemplated?'

'Why,don'tyourememberwhatpassedonthesubjectonenight,whenIwaslaidupwithabrokenlimb?'saidSirMulberry,withasneer.

'Perfectlywell.'

'Thentakethatforananswer,inthedevil'sname,'repliedSirMulberry, 'andaskmefornoother.'

Suchwastheascendancyhehadacquiredoverhisdupe,andsuchthelatter'sgeneralhabitofsubmission,that,forthemoment,theyoungmanseemedhalfafraidtopursuethesubject.Hesoonovercamethisfeeling,however,ifithadrestrainedhimatall,andretortedangrily:

'If I remember what passed at the time you speak of, I expressed a strongopinion on this subject, and said that, with my knowledge or consent, younevershoulddowhatyouthreatennow.'

'Willyoupreventme?'askedSirMulberry,withalaugh.

'Yees,ifIcan,'returnedtheother,promptly.

'Averypropersavingclause,thatlast,'saidSirMulberry;'andoneyoustandinneedof.Oh!looktoyourownbusiness,andleavemetolooktomine.'

'ThisISmine,' retortedLordFrederick. 'Imakeitmine;Iwillmakeitmine.It'sminealready.IammorecompromisedthanIshouldbe,asitis.'

'Do as you please, and what you please, for yourself,' said Sir Mulberry,affectinganeasygoodhumour. 'Surelythatmustcontentyou!Donothingforme;that'sall.IadvisenomantointerfereinproceedingsthatIchoosetotake.Iamsureyouknowmebetter than todoso.Thefact is, Isee,youmean tooffermeadvice.Itiswellmeant,Ihavenodoubt,butIrejectit.Now,ifyouplease,wewill return to thecarriage. I findnoentertainmenthere,butquitethereverse.Ifweprolongthisconversation,wemightquarrel,whichwouldbenoproofofwisdomineitheryouorme.'

Withthisrejoinder,andwaitingfornofurtherdiscussion,SirMulberryHawkyawned,andveryleisurelyturnedback.

Therewasnotalittletactandknowledgeoftheyounglord'sdispositioninthismodeof treatinghim.SirMulberryclearlysaw that ifhisdominionwere tolast,itmustbeestablishednow.Heknewthatthemomenthebecameviolent,theyoungmanwouldbecomeviolenttoo.Hehad,manytimes,beenenabledtostrengthenhisinfluence,whenanycircumstancehadoccurredtoweakenit,by adopting this cool and laconic style; and he trusted to it now,with verylittledoubtofitsentiresuccess.

Butwhilehedidthis,andworethemostcarelessandindifferentdeportmentthathispractisedartsenabledhimtoassume,heinwardlyresolved,notonlytovisit all the mortification of being compelled to suppress his feelings, withadditionalseverityuponNicholas,butalsotomaketheyounglordpaydearlyfor it, one day, in some shape or other. So long as he had been a passiveinstrumentinhishands,SirMulberryhadregardedhimwithnootherfeeling

thancontempt;but,nowthathepresumedtoavowopinionsinoppositiontohis,andeventoturnuponhimwithaloftytoneandanairofsuperiority,hebegan tohatehim.Conscious that, in thevilestandmostworthless senseoftheterm,hewasdependentupontheweakyounglord,SirMulberrycouldtheless brook humiliation at his hands; and when he began to dislike him hemeasured his dislikeas men often doby the extent of the injuries he hadinflicteduponitsobject.WhenitisrememberedthatSirMulberryHawkhadplundered,duped,deceived,andfooledhispupilineverypossibleway,itwillnot be wondered at, that, beginning to hate him, he began to hate himcordially.

On theotherhand, theyoung lordhaving thoughtwhichhevery seldomdidabout anythingand seriously too, upon the affair with Nicholas, and thecircumstanceswhichledto it,hadarrivedatamanlyandhonestconclusion.SirMulberry'scoarseandinsultingbehaviourontheoccasioninquestionhadproducedadeepimpressiononhismind;astrongsuspicionofhishavingledhim on to pursueMissNickleby for purposes of his own, had been lurkingthereforsometime;hewasreallyashamedofhisshareinthetransaction,anddeeply mortified by the misgiving that he had been gulled. He had hadsufficientleisuretoreflectuponthesethings,duringtheirlateretirement;and,at times, when his careless and indolent nature would permit, had availedhimselfoftheopportunity.Slightcircumstances,too,hadoccurredtoincreasehis suspicion. It wanted but a very slight circumstance to kindle his wrathagainst Sir Mulberry. This his disdainful and insolent tone in their recentconversation(theonlyonetheyhadhelduponthesubjectsincetheperiodtowhichSirMulberryreferred),effected.

Thustheyrejoinedtheirfriends:eachwithcausesofdislikeagainsttheotherranklinginhisbreast:andtheyoungmanhaunted,besides,withthoughtsofthe vindictive retaliation which was threatened against Nicholas, and thedeterminationtopreventitbysomestrongstep,ifpossible.Butthiswasnotall. SirMulberry, conceiving that he had silencedhimeffectually, could notsuppresshis triumph,or forbear fromfollowingupwhatheconceived tobehis advantage. Mr Pyke was there, and Mr Pluck was there, and ColonelChowser,andothergentlemenofthesamecaste,anditwasagreatpointforSirMulberry to show them that he had not lost his influence. At first, theyounglordcontentedhimselfwithasilentdeterminationtotakemeasuresforwithdrawinghimself from the connection immediately.Bydegrees, he grewmoreangry,andwasexasperatedbyjestsandfamiliaritieswhich,afewhoursbefore,would have been a source of amusement to him.This did not servehim;for,atsuchbanteringorretortassuitedthecompany,hewasnomatchforSirMulberry.Still,noviolentrupture tookplace.Theyreturned to town;MessrsPykeandPluckandothergentlemenfrequentlyprotesting,ontheway

thither,thatSirMulberryhadneverbeeninsuchtiptopspiritsinallhislife.

They dined together, sumptuously. Thewine flowed freely, as indeed it haddone all day. Sir Mulberry drank to recompense himself for his recentabstinence;theyounglord,todrownhisindignation;andtheremainderoftheparty, because thewinewasof thebest and theyhadnothing topay. Itwasnearlymidnightwhen they rushedout,wild, burningwithwine, their bloodboiling,andtheirbrainsonfire,tothegamingtable.

Here,theyencounteredanotherparty,madlikethemselves.Theexcitementofplay,hotrooms,andglaringlightswasnotcalculatedtoallaythefeverofthetime.Inthatgiddywhirlofnoiseandconfusion,themenweredelirious.Whothought of money, ruin, or the morrow, in the savage intoxication of themoment? More wine was called for, glass after glass was drained, theirparchedandscaldingmouthswerecrackedwiththirst.Downpouredthewinelikeoilonblazingfire.Andstill theriotwenton.Thedebaucherygaineditsheight;glassesweredasheduponthefloorbyhandsthatcouldnotcarrythemtolips;oathswereshoutedoutbylipswhichcouldscarcelyformthewordstoventthemin;drunkenloserscursedandroared;somemountedonthetables,waving bottles above their heads and bidding defiance to the rest; somedanced,somesang,sometorethecardsandraved.Tumultandfrenzyreignedsupreme;when a noise arose that drowned all others, and twomen, seizingeachotherbythethroat,struggledintothemiddleoftheroom.

Adozenvoices,untilnowunheard,calledaloudtopartthem.Thosewhohadkept themselves cool, to win, and who earned their living in such scenes,threw themselves upon the combatants, and, forcing them asunder, draggedthemsomespaceapart.

'Letmego!'criedSirMulberry,inathickhoarsevoice;'hestruckme!Doyouhear?Isay,hestruckme.HaveIafriendhere?Whois this?Westwood.Doyouhearmesayhestruckme?'

'Ihear,Ihear,'repliedoneofthosewhoheldhim.'Comeawayfortonight!'

'Iwillnot,byG,'hereplied.'Adozenmenaboutussawtheblow.'

'Tomorrowwillbeampletime,'saidthefriend.

'Itwill not be ample time!' cried SirMulberry. 'Tonight, at once, here!'Hispassionwassogreat,thathecouldnotarticulate,butstoodclenchinghisfist,tearinghishair,andstampingupontheground.

'What is this,my lord?' saidoneof thosewhosurroundedhim. 'Haveblowspassed?'

'ONEblowhas,'wasthepantingreply.'Istruckhim.Iproclaimittoallhere!Istruck him, and he knowswhy. I say,with him, let this quarrel be adjustednow.CaptainAdams,' said theyoung lord, lookinghurriedlyabouthim,andaddressingoneofthosewhohadinterposed,'letmespeakwithyou,Ibeg.'

Thepersonaddressedsteppedforward,andtakingtheyoungman'sarm,theyretiredtogether,followedshortlyafterwardsbySirMulberryandhisfriend.

Itwasaprofligatehauntoftheworstrepute,andnotaplaceinwhichsuchanaffairwaslikelytoawakenanysympathyforeitherparty,ortocallforthanyfurther remonstrance or interposition. Elsewhere, its further progress wouldhavebeeninstantlyprevented,andtimeallowedforsoberandcoolreflection;butnotthere.Disturbedintheirorgies,thepartybrokeup;somereeledawaywith looksof tipsygravity;otherswithdrewnoisilydiscussingwhathad justoccurred;thegentlemenofhonourwholivedupontheirwinningsremarkedtoeachother,astheywentout,thatHawkwasagoodshot;andthosewhohadbeenmostnoisy,fellfastasleepuponthesofas,andthoughtnomoreaboutit.

Meanwhile, the two seconds, as they may be called now, after a longconference,eachwithhisprincipal,mettogetherinanotherroom.Bothutterlyheartless, bothmen upon town, both thoroughly initiated in itsworst vices,both deeply in debt, both fallen from some higher estate, both addicted toeverydepravity forwhich society can find somegenteel nameandplead itsmostdepravingconventionalitiesasanexcuse,theywerenaturallygentlemenofmost unblemished honour themselves, and of great nicety concerning thehonourofotherpeople.

These two gentlemen were unusually cheerful just now; for the affair waspretty certain tomake some noise, and could scarcely fail to enhance theirreputations.

'Thisisanawkwardaffair,Adams,'saidMrWestwood,drawinghimselfup.

'Very,' returned the captain; 'a blow has been struck, and there is but onecourse,OFcourse.'

'Noapology,Isuppose?'saidMrWestwood.

'Not a syllable, sir, from my man, if we talk till doomsday,' returned thecaptain.'Theoriginalcauseofdispute,Iunderstand,wassomegirlorother,towhomyourprincipalappliedcertain terms,whichLordFrederick,defendingthegirl,repelled.Butthisledtoalongrecriminationuponagreatmanysoresubjects, charges, and countercharges. Sir Mulberry was sarcastic; LordFrederickwasexcited, and struckhim in theheatofprovocation, andundercircumstancesofgreataggravation.Thatblow,unlessthereisafullretraction

onthepartofSirMulberry,LordFrederickisreadytojustify.'

'Thereisnomoretobesaid,'returnedtheother,'buttosettlethehourandtheplaceofmeeting. It'sa responsibility;but there isastrongfeeling tohave itover.Doyouobjecttosayatsunrise?'

'Sharp work,' replied the captain, referring to his watch; 'however, as thisseems tohavebeena long timebreeding,andnegotiation isonlyawasteofwords,no.'

'Somethingmaypossiblybesaid,outofdoors,afterwhatpassedintheotherroom,whichrendersitdesirablethatweshouldbeoffwithoutdelay,andquiteclearof town,'saidMrWestwood. 'Whatdoyousay tooneof themeadowsoppositeTwickenham,bytheriverside?'

Thecaptainsawnoobjection.

'ShallwejoincompanyintheavenueoftreeswhichleadsfromPetershamtoHam House, and settle the exact spot when we arrive there?' said MrWestwood.

Tothisthecaptainalsoassented.Afterafewotherpreliminaries,equallybrief,and having settled the road each party should take to avoid suspicion, theyseparated.

'Weshalljusthavecomfortabletime,mylord,'saidthecaptain,whenhehadcommunicatedthearrangements,'tocallatmyroomsforacaseofpistols,andthenjogcoollydown.Ifyouwillallowmetodismissyourservant,we'lltakemycab;foryours,perhaps,mightberecognised.'

Whatacontrast,whentheyreachedthestreet,tothescenetheyhadjustleft!Itwasalreadydaybreak.Fortheflaringyellowlightwithin,wassubstitutedtheclear, bright, gloriousmorning; for a hot, close atmosphere, taintedwith thesmellofexpiring lamps,andreekingwith thesteamsof riotanddissipation,thefree,fresh,wholesomeair.Buttothefeveredheadonwhichthatcoolairblew, itseemedtocomeladenwithremorsefor timemisspentandcountlessopportunitiesneglected.Withthrobbingveinsandburningskin,eyeswildandheavy, thoughts hurried and disordered, he felt as though the light were areproach,andshrunkinvoluntarilyfromthedayasifheweresomefoulandhideousthing.

'Shivering?'saidthecaptain.'Youarecold.'

'Rather.'

'Itdoesstrikecool,comingoutofthosehotrooms.Wrapthatcloakaboutyou.

So,so;nowwe'reoff.'

Theyrattledthroughthequietstreets,madetheircallatthecaptain'slodgings,cleared the town, and emerged upon the open road, without hindrance ormolestation.

Fields, trees, gardens, hedges, everything looked very beautiful; the youngmanscarcelyseemedtohavenoticedthembefore, thoughhehadpassedthesameobjectsathousandtimes.Therewasapeaceandserenityuponthemall,strangely at variance with the bewilderment and confusion of his ownhalfsoberedthoughts,andyet impressiveandwelcome.Hehadnofearuponhismind;but,ashe lookedabouthim,hehadlessanger;andthoughallolddelusions,relativetohisworthlesslatecompanion,werenowclearedaway,heratherwishedhehadneverknownhimthanthoughtofitshavingcometothis.

The past night, the day before, andmany other days and nights beside, allmingledthemselvesupinoneunintelligibleandsenselesswhirl;hecouldnotseparatethetransactionsofonetimefromthoseofanother.Now,thenoiseofthewheels resolved itself into somewild tune inwhich he could recognisescrapsofairsheknew;now,therewasnothinginhisearsbutastunningandbewilderingsound,likerushingwater.Buthiscompanionralliedhimonbeingsosilent,andtheytalkedandlaughedboisterously.Whentheystopped,hewasa little surprised to findhimself in theactof smoking;but,on reflection,herememberedwhenandwherehehadtakenthecigar.

Theystoppedattheavenuegateandalighted,leavingthecarriagetothecareoftheservant,whowasasmartfellow,andnearlyaswellaccustomedtosuchproceedingsashismaster.SirMulberryandhisfriendwerealreadythere.Allfour walked in profound silence up the aisle of stately elm trees, which,meeting far above their heads, formed a long green perspective of Gothicarches,terminating,likesomeoldruin,intheopensky.

After a pause, and a brief conference between the seconds, they, at length,turned to the right, and taking a track across a little meadow, passed HamHouseandcameintosomefieldsbeyond.Inoneofthese,theystopped.Theground was measured, some usual forms gone through, the two principalswereplacedfronttofrontatthedistanceagreedupon,andSirMulberryturnedhisfacetowardshisyoungadversaryforthefirsttime.Hewasverypale,hiseyeswere bloodshot, his dress disordered, and his hair dishevelled. For theface, it expressed nothing but violent and evil passions.He shaded his eyeswith his hand; grazed at his opponent, steadfastly, for a fewmoments; and,then taking theweaponwhichwas tendered tohim,benthiseyesupon that,andlookedupnomoreuntilthewordwasgiven,whenheinstantlyfired.

The two shotswere fired, as nearly as possible, at the same instant. In thatinstant,theyounglordturnedhisheadsharplyround,fixeduponhisadversaryaghastlystare,andwithoutagroanorstagger,felldowndead.

'He's gone!' criedWestwood,who,with the other second, had run up to thebody,andfallenononekneebesideit.

'Hisbloodonhisownhead,'saidSirMulberry.'Hebroughtthisuponhimself,andforcedituponme.'

'CaptainAdams,'criedWestwood,hastily, 'Icallyoutowitnessthatthiswasfairlydone.Hawk,wehavenotamoment to lose.Wemust leave thisplaceimmediately,pushforBrighton,andcross toFrancewithallspeed.Thishasbeenabadbusiness,andmaybeworse,ifwedelayamoment.Adams,consultyourownsafety,anddon'tremainhere;thelivingbeforethedead;goodbye!'

Withthesewords,heseizedSirMulberrybythearm,andhurriedhimaway.CaptainAdamsonlypausing toconvincehimself,beyondallquestion,of thefatalresultspedoffinthesamedirection,toconcertmeasureswithhisservantforremovingthebody,andsecuringhisownsafetylikewise.

SodiedLordFrederickVerisopht,bythehandwhichhehadloadedwithgifts,andclaspedathousandtimes;bytheactofhim,butforwhom,andotherslikehim,hemighthave livedahappyman,anddiedwithchildren's faces roundhisbed.

The sun cameproudly up in all hismajesty, the noble river ran itswindingcourse, the leaves quivered and rustled in the air, the birds poured theircheerful songs from every tree, the shortlived butterfly fluttered its littlewings; all the light and lifeofdaycameon; and, amidst it all, andpressingdown thegrasswhoseeverybladebore twenty tiny lives, lay thedeadman,withhisstarkandrigidfaceturnedupwardstothesky.

CHAPTER51

The Project ofMrRalphNickleby and his Friend approaching a successfulIssue,becomesunexpectedlyknowntoanotherParty,notadmitted into theirConfidence

Inanoldhouse,dismaldarkanddusty,whichseemedtohavewithered,likehimself, and to havegrownyellowand shrivelled in hoardinghim from the

lightofday,ashehadinhoardinghismoney,livedArthurGride.Meagreoldchairsandtables,ofspareandbonymake,andhardandcoldasmisers'hearts,were ranged, in grim array, against the gloomy walls; attenuated presses,grown lank and lanternjawed in guarding the treasures they enclosed, andtottering,asthoughfromconstantfearanddreadofthieves,shrunkupindarkcorners,whencetheycastnoshadowsontheground,andseemedtohideandcower from observation. A tall grim clock upon the stairs, with long leanhandsandfamishedface,tickedincautiouswhispers;andwhenitstruckthetime,inthinandpipingsounds,likeanoldman'svoice,rattled,asifitwerepinchedwithhunger.

Nofiresidecouchwasthere,toinvitereposeandcomfort.Elbowchairstherewere,but they lookeduneasy in theirminds, cocked their arms suspiciouslyand timidly, and kept upon their guard. Others, were fantastically grim andgaunt,ashavingdrawnthemselvesuptotheirutmostheight,andputontheirfiercest looks tostareallcomersoutofcountenance.Others,again,knockedup against their neighbours, or leant for support against the wallsomewhatostentatiously, as if to call allmen towitness that theywere not worth thetaking.Thedarksquarelumberingbedsteadsseemedbuiltforrestlessdreams;the musty hangings seemed to creep in scanty folds together, whisperingamong themselves,when rustled by thewind, their trembling knowledge ofthetemptingwaresthatlurkedwithinthedarkandtightlockedclosets.

Fromoutthemostspareandhungryroominallthisspareandhungryhousetherecame,onemorning,thetremuloustonesofoldGride'svoice,asitfeeblychirrupedforththefagendofsomeforgottensong,ofwhichtheburdenran:

Tarantantoo,

Throwtheoldshoe,

Andmaytheweddingbelucky!

whichherepeated,inthesameshrillquaveringnotes,againandagain,untilaviolent fit of coughing obliged him to desist, and to pursue in silence, theoccupationuponwhichhewasengaged.

Thisoccupationwas,totakedownfromtheshelvesofawormeatenwardrobea quantity of frouzy garments, one by one; to subject each to a careful andminute inspectionbyholdingitupagainst the light,andafterfoldingitwithgreat exactness, to lay it ononeor other of two little heaps beside him.Henever took two articles of clothing out together, but always brought themforth, singly, and never failed to shut the wardrobe door, and turn the key,betweeneachvisittoitsshelves.

'Thesnuffcolouredsuit,'saidArthurGride,surveyingathreadbarecoat.'DidIlookwellinsnuffcolour?Letmethink.'

The result of his cogitations appeared to be unfavourable, for he folded thegarmentoncemore,laiditaside,andmountedonachairtogetdownanother,chirpingwhilehedidso:

Young,loving,andfair,

Ohwhathappinessthere!

Theweddingissuretobelucky!

'Theyalwaysputin"young,"'saidoldArthur, 'butsongsareonlywrittenforthe sake of rhyme, and this is a silly one that the poor countrypeople sang,when I was a little boy. Though stopyoung is quite right tooit means thebrideyes. He, he, he! It means the bride. Oh dear, that's good. That's verygood.Andtruebesides,quitetrue!'

In the satisfaction of this discovery, he went over the verse again, withincreasedexpression,andashakeortwohereandthere.Hethenresumedhisemployment.

'Thebottlegreen,'saidoldArthur;'thebottlegreenwasafamoussuittowear,and I bought it very cheap at a pawnbroker's, and there washe, he, he!atarnished shilling in the waistcoat pocket. To think that the pawnbrokershouldn'thaveknowntherewasashillinginit!Iknewit!IfeltitwhenIwasexamining thequality.Oh,whatadulldogofapawnbroker! Itwasa luckysuittoo,thisbottlegreen.TheverydayIputitonfirst,oldLordMallowfordwasburnttodeathinhisbed,andallthepostobitsfellin.I'llbemarriedinthebottlegreen.Peg.PegSliderskewI'llwearthebottlegreen!'

This call, loudly repeated twice or thrice at the roomdoor, brought into theapartment a short, thin, weasen, bleareyed old woman, palsystricken andhideouslyugly,who,wipinghershrivelledfaceuponherdirtyapron,inquired,inthatsubduedtoneinwhichdeafpeoplecommonlyspeak:

'Wasthatyouacalling,oronlytheclockastriking?Myhearinggetssobad,Ineverknowwhichiswhich;butwhenIhearanoise,Iknowitmustbeoneofyou,becausenothingelseneverstirsinthehouse.'

'Me,Peg,me,'saidArthurGride, tappinghimselfonthebreast torender thereplymoreintelligible.

'You,eh?'returnedPeg.'AndwhatdoYOUwant?'

'I'llbemarriedinthebottlegreen,'criedArthurGride.

'It's a deal too good to be married in, master,' rejoined Peg, after a shortinspectionofthesuit.'Haven'tyougotanythingworsethanthis?'

'Nothingthat'lldo,'repliedoldArthur.

'Whynotdo?'retortedPeg.'Whydon'tyouwearyoureverydayclothes,likeamaneh?'

'Theyan'tbecomingenough,Peg,'returnedhermaster.

'Notwhatenough?'saidPeg.

'Becoming.'

'Becomingwhat?'saidPeg,sharply.'Notbecomingtoooldtowear?'

Arthur Gridemuttered an imprecation on his housekeeper's deafness, as heroaredinherear:

'Notsmartenough!IwanttolookaswellasIcan.'

'Look?'criedPeg.'Ifshe'sashandsomeasyousaysheis,shewon'tlookmuchat you, master, take your oath of that; and as to how you lookyourselfpepperandsalt, bottlegreen, skyblue, or tartanplaid will make nodifferenceinyou.'

With which consolatory assurance, Peg Sliderskew gathered up the chosensuit, and folding her skinny arms upon the bundle, stood, mouthing, andgrinning, and blinking her watery eyes, like an uncouth figure in somemonstrouspieceofcarving.

'You're in a funny humour, an't you, Peg?' said Arthur, with not the bestpossiblegrace.

'Why, isn't it enough to make me?' rejoined the old woman. 'I shall, soonenough,beputout,though,ifanybodytriestodomineeritoverme:andsoIgiveyounotice,master.NobodyshallbeputoverPegSliderskew'shead,aftersomany years; you know that, and so I needn't tell you!Thatwon't do formeno,no,norforyou.Trythatonce,andcometoruinruinruin!'

'Ohdear,dear,Ishallnevertryit,'saidArthurGride,appalledbythementionoftheword,'notfortheworld.Itwouldbeveryeasytoruinme;wemustbeverycareful;moresavingthanever,withanothermouthtofeed.Onlywewemustn'tletherlosehergoodlooks,Peg,becauseIliketosee'em.'

'Takecareyoudon't findgoodlookscomeexpensive,' returnedPeg,shakingherforefinger.

'But she can earnmoney herself, Peg,' said Arthur Gride, eagerly watchingwhateffecthiscommunicationproducedupontheoldwoman'scountenance:'shecandraw,paint,workallmannerofprettythingsforornamentingstoolsandchairs:slippers,Peg,watchguards,hairchains,andathousandlittledaintytriflesthatIcouldn'tgiveyouhalfthenamesof.Thenshecanplaythepiano,(and, what's more, she's got one), and sing like a little bird. She'll be verycheaptodressandkeep,Peg;don'tyouthinkshewill?'

'Ifyoudon'tlethermakeafoolofyou,shemay,'returnedPeg.

'AfoolofME!'exclaimedArthur. 'Trustyouroldmasternot tobefooledbypretty faces, Peg; no, no, nonor by ugly ones neither, Mrs Sliderskew,' hesoftlyaddedbywayofsoliloquy.

'You'reasayingsomethingyoudon'twantmetohear,'saidPeg;'Iknowyouare.'

'Ohdear!thedevil'sinthiswoman,'mutteredArthur;addingwithanuglyleer,'IsaidItrustedeverythingtoyou,Peg.Thatwasall.'

'Youdothat,master,andallyourcaresareover,'saidPegapprovingly.

'WHENIdothat,PegSliderskew,'thoughtArthurGride,'theywillbe.'

Althoughhethoughtthisverydistinctly,hedurstnotmovehislipslesttheoldwoman should detect him.He even seemed half afraid that shemight havereadhisthoughts;forheleeredcoaxinglyuponher,ashesaidaloud:

'Takeupall loosestitches in thebottlegreenwith thebestblacksilk.Haveaskeinof thebest,andsomenewbuttonsfor thecoat,andthis isagoodidea,Peg, andoneyou'll like, I knowas I havenevergivenher anythingyet, andgirls likesuchattentions,youshallpolishupasparkingnecklacethatIhavegotupstairs,and I'llgive itherupon theweddingmorningclasp it roundhercharming little neckmyselfand take it away again next day.He, he, he! I'lllockitupforher,Peg,andloseit.Who'llbemadethefoolofthere,Iwonder,tobeginwitheh,Peg?'

Mrs Sliderskew appeared to approve highly of this ingenious scheme, andexpressedhersatisfactionbyvariousrackingsandtwitchingsofherheadandbody,whichbynomeansenhancedhercharms.Thesesheprolongeduntilshehadhobbledtothedoor,whensheexchangedthemforasourmalignantlook,andtwistingherunderjawfromsidetoside,mutteredheartycursesuponthefutureMrsGride,asshecreptslowlydownthestairs,andpausedforbreathat

nearlyeveryone.

'She'shalfawitch, I think,' saidArthurGride,whenhe foundhimselfagainalone. 'Butshe'sveryfrugal,andshe'sverydeaf.Herlivingcostsmenexttonothing; and it's no use her listening at keyholes; for she can't hear. She's acharmingwomanforthepurpose;amostdiscreetoldhousekeeper,andworthherweightincopper.'

Having extolled the merits of his domestic in these high terms, old Arthurwent back to the burden of his song. The suit destined to grace hisapproachingnuptialsbeingnowselected,hereplacedtheotherswithno lesscarethanhehaddisplayedindrawingthemfromthemustynookswheretheyhadsilentlyreposedformanyyears.

Startledbyaringatthedoor,hehastilyconcludedthisoperation,andlockedthepress;but therewasnoneedforanyparticularhurry,as thediscreetPegseldom knew the bell was rung unless she happened to cast her dim eyesupwards,andtoseeitshakingagainstthekitchenceiling.Afterashortdelay,however,Pegtotteredin,followedbyNewmanNoggs.

'Ah!MrNoggs!'criedArthurGride,rubbinghishands. 'Mygoodfriend,MrNoggs,whatnewsdoyoubringforme?'

Newman,withasteadfastandimmovableaspect,andhisfixedeyeveryfixedindeed, replied, suiting the action to theword, 'A letter. FromMrNickleby.Bearerwaits.'

'Won'tyoutakeaa'

Newmanlookedup,andsmackedhislips.

'Achair?'saidArthurGride.

'No,'repliedNewman.'Thankee.'

Arthuropenedtheletterwithtremblinghands,anddevoureditscontentswiththe utmost greediness; chuckling rapturously over it, and reading it severaltimes, before he could take it from before his eyes. Somany times did heperuseandreperuseit,thatNewmanconsidereditexpedienttoremindhimofhispresence.

'Answer,'saidNewman.'Bearerwaits.'

'True,'repliedoldArthur.'Yesyes;Ialmostforgot,Idodeclare.'

'Ithoughtyouwereforgetting,'saidNewman.

'Quiterighttoremindme,MrNoggs.Oh,veryrightindeed,'saidArthur.'Yes.I'llwritealine.I'mI'mratherflurried,MrNoggs.Thenewsis'

'Bad?'interruptedNewman.

'No,MrNoggs,thankyou;good,good.Theverybestofnews.Sitdown.I'llgetthepenandink,andwritealineinanswer.I'llnotdetainyoulong.Iknowyou'reatreasuretoyourmaster,MrNoggs.Hespeaksofyouinsuchterms,sometimes, that, oh dear! you'd be astonished. Imay say that I do too, andalwaysdid.Ialwayssaythesameofyou.'

'That's "Curse Mr Noggs with all my heart!" then, if you do,' thoughtNewman,asGridehurriedout.

The letter had fallen on the ground. Looking carefully about him for aninstant,Newman,impelledbycuriositytoknowtheresultofthedesignhehadoverheardfromhisofficecloset,caughtitupandrapidlyreadasfollows:

'GRIDE.

'IsawBrayagainthismorning,andproposedthedayaftertomorrow(asyousuggested)forthemarriage.Thereisnoobjectiononhispart,andalldaysarealiketohisdaughter.Wewillgotogether,andyoumustbewithmebyseveninthemorning.Ineednottellyoutobepunctual.

'Makeno further visits to thegirl in themeantime.Youhavebeen there, oflate, much oftener than you should. She does not languish for you, and itmight have beendangerous.Restrain your youthful ardour for eightandfortyhours,andleavehertothefather.Youonlyundowhathedoes,anddoeswell.

'Yours,

'RALPHNICKLEBY.'

A footstepwasheardwithout.Newmandropped the letter on the same spotagain,presseditwithhisfoottopreventitsflutteringaway,regainedhisseatinasinglestride,andlookedasvacantandunconsciousasevermortallooked.Arthur Gride, after peering nervously about him, spied it on the ground,pickeditup,andsittingdowntowrite,glancedatNewmanNoggs,whowasstaring at the wall with an intensity so remarkable, that Arthur was quitealarmed.

'Doyouseeanythingparticular,MrNoggs?'saidArthur,tryingtofollowthedirection ofNewman's eyeswhichwas an impossibility, and a thing nomanhadeverdone.

'Onlyacobweb,'repliedNewman.

'Oh!isthatall?'

'No,'saidNewman.'There'saflyinit.'

'Thereareagoodmanycobwebshere,'observedArthurGride.

'Sothereareinourplace,'returnedNewman;'andfliestoo.'

Newmanappearedtoderivegreatentertainmentfromthisrepartee,andtothegreatdiscomposureofArthurGride'snerves,producedaseriesofsharpcracksfrom his fingerjoints, resembling the noise of a distant discharge of smallartillery.ArthursucceededinfinishinghisreplytoRalph'snote,nevertheless,andatlengthhandeditovertotheeccentricmessengerfordelivery.

'That'sit,MrNoggs,'saidGride.

Newmangaveanod,put it inhishat, andwas shufflingaway,whenGride,whosedotingdelightknewnobounds,beckonedhimbackagain,andsaid,inashrillwhisper,andwithagrinwhichpuckereduphiswholeface,andalmostobscuredhiseyes:

'Willyouwillyoutakealittledropofsomethingjustataste?'

Ingood fellowship (ifArthurGridehadbeen capableof it)Newmanwouldnothavedrunkwithhimonebubbleoftherichestwinethatwasevermade;but to seewhathewouldbe at, and topunishhimasmuchashe could,heacceptedtheofferimmediately.

ArthurGride, therefore, againappliedhimself to thepress, and froma shelfladenwith tallFlemishdrinkingglasses,andquaintbottles: somewithneckslike somany storks, and otherswith squareDutchbuilt bodies and short fatapoplectic throats: tookdownonedustybottleofpromisingappearance,andtwoglassesofcuriouslysmallsize.

'You never tasted this,' saidArthur. 'It's EAUD'ORgoldenwater. I like it onaccountofitsname.It'sadeliciousname.Waterofgold,goldenwater!Odearme,itseemsquiteasintodrinkit!'

Ashiscourageappearedtobefastfailinghim,andhetrifledwiththestopperin a manner which threatened the dismissal of the bottle to its old place,Newman took up one of the little glasses, and clinked it, twice or thrice,againstthebottle,asagentlereminderthathehadnotbeenhelpedyet.Withadeepsigh,ArthurGrideslowly filled itthoughnot to thebrimand then filledhisown.

'Stop,stop;don'tdrink ityet,'hesaid, layinghishandonNewman's; 'itwasgiven tome, twenty years ago, andwhen I take a little taste,which is veryseldom,Iliketothinkofitbeforehand,andteasemyself.We'lldrinkatoast.Shallwedrinkatoast,MrNoggs?'

'Ah!' said Newman, eyeing his little glass impatiently. 'Look sharp. Bearerwaits.'

'Why,then,I'lltellyouwhat,'titteredArthur,'we'lldrinkhe,he,he!we'lldrinkalady.'

'THEladies?'saidNewman.

'No,no,MrNoggs,'repliedGride,arrestinghishand,'Alady.Youwondertohearme sayA lady. I knowyou do, I knowyou do.Here's littleMadeline.That'sthetoast.MrNoggs.LittleMadeline!'

'Madeline!'saidNewman;inwardlyadding,'andGodhelpher!'

TherapidityandunconcernwithwhichNewmandismissedhisportionofthegoldenwater,hadagreateffectupontheoldman,whosatuprightinhischair,and gazed at him, openmouthed, as if the sight had taken away his breath.Quite unmoved, however,Newman left him to sip his own at leisure, or topour it back again into the bottle, if he chose, and departed; after greatlyoutragingthedignityofPegSliderskewbybrushingpasther,inthepassage,withoutawordofapologyorrecognition.

Mr Gride and his housekeeper, immediately on being left alone, resolvedthemselves into a committee of ways and means, and discussed thearrangementswhichshouldbemadeforthereceptionoftheyoungbride.Astheywere, like someother committees, extremelydull andprolix indebate,thishistorymaypursue the footstepsofNewmanNoggs; therebycombiningadvantagewithnecessity;foritwouldhavebeennecessarytodosounderanycircumstances,andnecessityhasnolaw,asalltheworldknows.

'You'vebeenalongtime,'saidRalph,whenNewmanreturned.

'HEwasalongtime,'repliedNewman.

'Bah!' cried Ralph impatiently. 'Give me his note, if he gave you one: hismessage,ifhedidn't.Anddon'tgoaway.Iwantawordwithyou,sir.'

Newmanhandedinthenote,andlookedveryvirtuousandinnocentwhilehisemployerbroketheseal,andglancedhiseyeoverit.

'He'llbesuretocome,'mutteredRalph,ashetoreittopieces;'whyofcourse,

Iknowhe'llbesure tocome.Whatneed tosay that?Noggs!Pray,sir,whatmanwasthat,withwhomIsawyouinthestreetlastnight?'

'Idon'tknow,'repliedNewman.

'Youhadbetterrefreshyourmemory,sir,'saidRalph,withathreateninglook.

'I tellyou,'returnedNewmanboldly, 'thatIdon'tknow.Hecameheretwice,and asked for you. You were out. He came again. You packed him off,yourself.HegavethenameofBrooker.'

'Iknowhedid,'saidRalph;'whatthen?'

'What then? Why, then he lurked about and dogged me in the street. Hefollowsme,nightafternight,andurgesmetobringhimfacetofacewithyou;ashesayshehasbeenonce,andnotlongagoeither.Hewantstoseeyoufacetoface,hesays,andyou'llsoonhearhimout,hewarrants.'

'Andwhatsayyoutothat?'inquiredRalph,lookingkeenlyathisdrudge.

'Thatit'snobusinessofmine,andIwon't.Itoldhimhemightcatchyouinthestreet,ifthatwasallhewanted,butno!thatwouldn'tdo.Youwouldn'thearawordthere,hesaid.Hemusthaveyoualoneinaroomwiththedoorlocked,wherehecouldspeakwithoutfear,andyou'dsoonchangeyourtone,andhearhimpatiently.'

'Anaudaciousdog!'Ralphmuttered.

'That'sallIknow,'saidNewman.'Isayagain,Idon'tknowwhatmanheis.Idon'tbelieveheknowshimself.Youhaveseenhim;perhapsYOUdo.'

'IthinkIdo,'repliedRalph.

'Well,' retoredNewman,sulkily, 'don'texpectmetoknowhimtoo; that'sall.You'llaskme,next,whyInevertoldyouthisbefore.Whatwouldyousay,ifIwas to tell you all that people say of you? What do you call me when Isometimesdo?"Brute,ass!"andsnapatmelikeadragon.'

Thiswastrueenough;thoughthequestionwhichNewmananticipated,was,infact,uponRalph'slipsatthemoment.

'Heisanidleruffian,'saidRalph;'avagabondfrombeyondtheseawherehetravelled for his crimes; a felon let loose to run his neck into the halter; aswindler,whohastheaudacitytotryhisschemesonmewhoknowhimwell.Thenexttimehetamperswithyou,handhimovertothepolice,forattemptingtoextortmoneybyliesandthreats,d'yehear?andleavetheresttome.Heshallcoolhisheelsinjailalittletime,andI'llbeboundhelooksforotherfolksto

fleece,whenhecomesout.YoumindwhatIsay,doyou?'

'Ihear,'saidNewman.

'Doitthen,'returnedRalph,'andI'llrewardyou.Now,youmaygo.'

Newmanreadilyavailedhimselfofthepermission,and,shuttinghimselfupinhis little office, remained there, invery serious cogitation, all day.Whenhewas releasedatnight,heproceeded,withall theexpeditionhecoulduse, tothecity,andtookuphisoldpositionbehindthepump,towatchforNicholas.ForNewmanNoggswasproudinhisway,andcouldnotbeartoappearashisfriend, before the brothers Cheeryble, in the shabby and degraded state towhichhewasreduced.

Hehadnotoccupiedthispositionmanyminutes,whenhewasrejoicedtoseeNicholas approaching, and darted out from his ambuscade to meet him.Nicholas, onhispart,wasno lesspleased to encounterhis friend,whomhehadnotseenforsometime;so,theirgreetingwasawarmone.

'Iwasthinkingofyou,atthatmoment,'saidNicholas.

'That's right,' rejoined Newman, 'and I of you. I couldn't help coming up,tonight.Isay,IthinkIamgoingtofindoutsomething.'

'And what may that be?' returned Nicholas, smiling at this oddcommunication.

'Idon'tknowwhatitmaybe,Idon'tknowwhatitmaynotbe,'saidNewman;'it'ssomesecretinwhichyouruncleisconcerned,butwhat,I'venotyetbeenabletodiscover,althoughIhavemystrongsuspicions.I'llnothint'emnow,incaseyoushouldbedisappointed.'

'Idisappointed!'criedNicholas;'amIinterested?'

'Ithinkyouare,'repliedNewman.'Ihaveacrotchetinmyheadthatitmustbeso. Ihavefoundoutaman,whoplainlyknowsmore thanhecares to tellatonce. And he has already dropped such hints to me as puzzle meI say, aspuzzle me,' said Newman, scratching his red nose into a state of violentinflammation,andstaringatNicholaswithallhismightandmainmeanwhile.

Admiringwhat could havewound his friend up to such a pitch ofmystery,Nicholasendeavoured,byaseriesofquestions,toelucidatethecause;butinvain. Newman could not be drawn into anymore explicit statement than arepetition of the perplexities he had already thrown out, and a confusedoration, showing,How itwas necessary to use the utmost caution; how thelynxeyed Ralph had already seen him in company with his unknown

correspondent;andhowhehadbaffledthesaidRalphbyextremeguardednessof manner and ingenuity of speech; having prepared himself for such acontingencyfromthefirst.

Remembering his companion's propensity,of which his nose, indeed,perpetuallywarnedallbeholderslikeabeacon,Nicholashaddrawnhimintoasequesteredtavern.Here,theyfelltoreviewingtheoriginandprogressoftheiracquaintance,asmensometimesdo,andtracingoutthelittleeventsbywhichitwasmoststronglymarked,cameatlasttoMissCeciliaBobster.

'Andthatremindsme,'saidNewman,'thatyounevertoldmetheyounglady'srealname.'

'Madeline!'saidNicholas.

'Madeline!' criedNewman. 'WhatMadeline?Her other name. Say her othername.'

'Bray,'saidNicholas,ingreatastonishment.

'It'sthesame!'criedNewman. 'Sadstory!Canyoustandidlyby,andletthatunnaturalmarriagetakeplacewithoutoneattempttosaveher?'

'What do you mean?' exclaimed Nicholas, starting up; 'marriage! are youmad?'

'Areyou?Isshe?Areyoublind,deaf,senseless,dead?'saidNewman.'Doyouknowthatwithinoneday,bymeansofyouruncleRalph,shewillbemarriedtoamanasbadashe,andworse,ifworsethereis?Doyouknowthat,withinone day, shewill be sacrificed, as sure as you stand there alive, to a hoarywretchadevilbornandbred,andgreyindevils'ways?'

'Be carefulwhatyou say,' repliedNicholas. 'ForHeaven's sakebe careful! Iamleftherealone,andthosewhocouldstretchoutahandtorescueherarefaraway.Whatisitthatyoumean?'

'Ineverheardhername,'saidNewman,chokingwithhisenergy.'Whydidn'tyoutellme?HowwasItoknow?Wemight,atleast,havehadsometimetothink!'

'Whatisitthatyoumean?'criedNicholas.

Itwasnotaneasytasktoarriveatthisinformation;but,afteragreatquantityofextraordinarypantomime,whichinnowayassistedit,Nicholas,whowasalmostaswildasNewmanNoggshimself,forcedthelatterdownuponhisseatandheldhimdownuntilhebeganhistale.

Rage,astonishment,indignation,andastormofpassions,rushedthroughthelistener'sheart,astheplotwaslaidbare.Henosoonerunderstooditall,thanwithafaceofashypaleness,andtremblingineverylimb,hedartedfromthehouse.

'Stop him!' criedNewman, bolting out in pursuit. 'He'll be doing somethingdesperate; he'll murder somebody. Hallo! there, stop him. Stop thief! stopthief!'

CHAPTER52

NicholasdespairsofrescuingMadelineBray,butplucksuphisSpiritsagain,and determines to attempt it. Domestic Intelligence of the Kenwigses andLillyvicks

FindingthatNewmanwasdeterminedtoarresthisprogressatanyhazard,andapprehensivethatsomewellintentionedpassenger,attractedbythecryof'Stopthief,'mightlayviolenthandsuponhisperson,andplacehiminadisagreeablepredicamentfromwhichhemighthavesomedifficultyinextricatinghimself,Nicholas soon slackenedhis pace, and sufferedNewmanNoggs to comeupwithhim:whichhedid,insobreathlessacondition,thatitseemedimpossiblehecouldhaveheldoutforaminutelonger.

'Iwillgo straight toBray's,' saidNicholas. 'Iwill see thisman. If there is afeeling of humanity lingering in his breast, a spark of consideration for hisownchild,motherlessandfriendlessassheis,Iwillawakenit.'

'Youwillnot,'repliedNewman.'Youwillnot,indeed.'

'Then,'saidNicholas,pressingonward, 'Iwillactuponmyfirstimpulse,andgostraighttoRalphNickleby.'

'Bythetimeyoureachhishousehewillbeinbed,'saidNewman.

'I'lldraghimfromit,'criedNicholas.

'Tut,tut,'saidNoggs.'Beyourself.'

'Youarethebestoffriendstome,Newman,'rejoinedNicholasafterapause,andtakinghishandashespoke.'Ihavemadeheadagainstmanytrials;butthemiseryofanother, andsuchmisery, is involved in thisone, that Ideclare toyouIamrendereddesperate,andknownothowtoact.'

Intruth,itdidseemahopelesscase.Itwasimpossibletomakeanyuseofsuchintelligence as Newman Noggs had gleaned, when he lay concealed in thecloset. Themere circumstance of the compact betweenRalphNickleby andGridewouldnotinvalidatethemarriage,orrenderBrayaversetoit,who,ifhedidnotactuallyknowoftheexistenceofsomesuchunderstanding,doubtlesssuspectedit.WhathadbeenhintedwithreferencetosomefraudonMadeline,had been put, with sufficient obscurity by Arthur Gride, but coming fromNewmanNoggs,andobscuredstillfurtherbythesmokeofhispocketpistol,itbecamewhollyunintelligible,andinvolvedinutterdarkness.

'Thereseemsnorayofhope,'saidNicholas.

'Thegreaternecessityforcoolness,forreason,forconsideration,forthought,'said Newman, pausing at every alternate word, to look anxiously in hisfriend'sface.'Wherearethebrothers?'

'Bothabsentonurgentbusiness,astheywillbeforaweektocome.'

'Istherenowayofcommunicatingwiththem?Nowayofgettingoneofthemherebytomorrownight?'

'Impossible!'saidNicholas, 'thesea isbetweenusandthem.With thefairestwindsthateverblew,togoandreturnwouldtakethreedaysandnights.'

'Theirnephew,'saidNewman,'theiroldclerk.'

'What could either do, that I cannot?' rejoined Nicholas. 'With reference tothem, especially, I am enjoined to the strictest silence on this subject.Whatright have I to betray the confidence reposed in me, when nothing but amiraclecanpreventthissacrifice?'

'Think,'urgedNewman.'Istherenoway.'

'There is none,' saidNicholas, inutterdejection. 'Notone.The fatherurges,thedaughterconsents.Thesedemonshaveherintheirtoils;legalright,might,power,money,andeveryinfluenceareontheirside.HowcanIhopetosaveher?'

'Hope to the last!' said Newman, clapping him on the back. 'Always hope;that's adearboy.Never leaveoffhoping; itdon't answer.Doyoumindme,Nick?Itdon'tanswer.Don'tleaveastoneunturned.It'salwayssomething,toknowyou'vedonethemostyoucould.But,don'tleaveoffhoping,orit'sofnousedoinganything.Hope,hope,tothelast!'

Nicholas needed encouragement.The suddennesswithwhich intelligenceofthetwousurers'planshadcomeuponhim,thelittletimewhichremainedfor

exertion,theprobability,almostamountingtocertaintyitself,thatafewhourswould place Madeline Bray for ever beyond his reach, consign her tounspeakablemisery,andperhaps toanuntimelydeath;all thisquitestunnedand overwhelmed him. Every hope connectedwith her that he had sufferedhimself to form,orhadentertainedunconsciously, seemed to fallathis feet,witheredanddead.Everycharmwithwhichhismemoryor imaginationhadsurroundedher,presenteditselfbeforehim,onlytoheightenhisanguishandaddnewbitterness to his despair.Every feelingof sympathy for her forlorncondition, and of admiration for her heroism and fortitude, aggravated theindignationwhich shookhim in every limb, and swelledhisheart almost tobursting.

But, ifNicholas'sownheart embarrassedhim,Newman's came tohis relief.Therewas somuch earnestness in his remonstrance, and such sincerity andfervourinhismanner,oddandludicrousasitalwayswas,thatitimpartedtoNicholas new firmness, and enabled him to say, after he hadwalked on forsomelittlewayinsilence:

'Youreadmeagoodlesson,Newman,andIwillprofitbyit.Onestep,atleast,ImaytakeamboundtotakeindeedandtothatIwillapplymyselftomorrow.'

'What is that?'askedNoggswistfully. 'Not to threatenRalph?Not tosee thefather?'

'Toseethedaughter,Newman,'repliedNicholas.'Todowhat,afterall,istheutmost that the brothers could do, if they were here, as Heaven send theywere!Toreasonwithheruponthishideousunion, topointout toherall thehorrorstowhichsheishastening;rashly,itmaybe,andwithoutduereflection.Toentreather,atleast,topause.Shecanhavehadnocounsellorforhergood.PerhapsevenImaymovehersofaryet,thoughitistheeleventhhour,andsheupontheverybrinkofruin.'

'Bravelyspoken!'saidNewman.'Welldone,welldone!Yes.Verygood.'

'AndIdodeclare,'criedNicholas,withhonestenthusiasm,'thatinthiseffortIaminfluencedbynoselfishorpersonalconsiderations,butbypityforher,anddetestationandabhorrenceofthisscheme;andthatIwoulddothesame,weretheretwentyrivalsinthefield,andIthelastandleastfavouredofthemall.'

'Youwould,Ibelieve,'saidNewman.'Butwhereareyouhurryingnow?'

'Homewards,' answered Nicholas. 'Do you come with me, or I shall saygoodnight?'

'I'llcomealittleway,ifyouwillbutwalk:notrun,'saidNoggs.

'I cannotwalk tonight,Newman,' returnedNicholas,hurriedly. 'Imustmoverapidly, or I couldnot drawmybreath. I'll tell youwhat I've said anddonetomorrow.'

Withoutwaitingforareply,hedartedoffatarapidpace,and,plungingintothecrowdswhichthrongedthestreet,wasquicklylosttoview.

'He'saviolentyouthattimes,'saidNewman,lookingafterhim; 'andyetlikehimforit.There'scauseenoughnow,orthedeuceisinit.Hope!ISAIDhope,Ithink!RalphNicklebyandGridewiththeirheadstogether!Andhopefortheoppositeparty!Ho!ho!'

It was with a very melancholy laugh that Newman Noggs concluded thissoliloquy; and itwaswith a verymelancholy shakeof thehead, and a veryruefulcountenance,thatheturnedabout,andwentploddingonhisway.

This,underordinarycircumstances,wouldhavebeentosomesmalltavernordramshop;thatbeinghisway,inmoresensesthanone.But,Newmanwastoomuchinterested,andtooanxious,tobetakehimselfeventothisresource,andso,withmanydespondinganddismalreflections,wentstraighthome.

Ithadcometopass,thatafternoon,thatMissMorleenaKenwigshadreceivedaninvitationtorepairnextday,persteamerfromWestminsterBridge,untotheEelpie Island at Twickenham: there to make merry upon a cold collation,bottledbeer,shrub,andshrimps,andtodanceintheopenairtothemusicofalocomotiveband,conveyedthitherforthepurpose:thesteamerbeingspeciallyengagedbyadancingmasterofextensiveconnection for theaccommodationof his numerous pupils, and the pupils displaying their appreciation of thedancingmaster'sservices,bypurchasingthemselves,andinducingtheirfriendstodothelike,diverslightbluetickets,entitlingthemtojointheexpedition.Ofthese lightblue tickets,onehadbeenpresentedbyanambitiousneighbour toMissMorleena Kenwigs, with an invitation to join her daughters; andMrsKenwigs,rightlydeemingthatthehonourofthefamilywasinvolvedinMissMorleena'smakingthemostsplendidappearancepossibleonsoshortanotice,and testifying to the dancingmaster that there were other dancingmastersbesideshim,andtoallfathersandmotherspresentthatotherpeople'schildrencould learn to be genteel besides theirs, had fainted away twice under themagnitudeofherpreparations,but, upheldbyadetermination to sustain thefamily nameor perish in the attempt,was still hard atworkwhenNewmanNoggscamehome.

Now, between the italianironing of frills, the flouncing of trousers, thetrimming of frocks, the faintings and the comingsto again, incidental to theoccasion, Mrs Kenwigs had been so entirely occupied, that she had not

observed, until within half an hour before, that the flaxen tails of MissMorleena'shairwere,inamanner,runtoseed;andthat,unlessshewereputunder the hands of a skilful hairdresser, she never could achieve that signaltriumphoverthedaughtersofallotherpeople,anythinglessthanwhichwouldbetantamounttodefeat.ThisdiscoverydroveMrsKenwigstodespair;forthehairdresser lived three streets and eight dangerous crossings off; Morleenacouldnotbetrustedtogotherealone,evenifsuchaproceedingwerestrictlyproper:ofwhichMrsKenwigshadherdoubts;MrKenwigshadnotreturnedfrom business; and there was nobody to take her. So, Mrs Kenwigs firstslappedMissKenwigsforbeingthecauseofhervexation,andthenshedtears.

'Youungrateful child!' saidMrsKenwigs, 'after I have gone throughwhat Ihave,thisnight,foryourgood.'

'Ican'thelpit,ma,'repliedMorleena,alsointears;'myhairWILLgrow.'

'Don'ttalktome,younaughtything!'saidMrsKenwigs,'don't!EvenifIwastotrustyoubyyourselfandyouweretoescapebeingrunover,Iknowyou'drunintoLauraChopkins,'whowasthedaughteroftheambitiousneighbour,'andtellherwhatyou'regoingtoweartomorrow,Iknowyouwould.You'veno proper pride in yourself, and are not to be trusted out of sight for aninstant.'

Deploring the evilmindedness of her eldest daughter in these terms, MrsKenwigsdistilledfreshdropsofvexationfromhereyes,anddeclaredthatshedidbelievethereneverwasanybodysotriedasshewas.Thereupon,MorleenaKenwigsweptafresh,andtheybemoanedthemselvestogether.

Matterswereatthispoint,asNewmanNoggswasheardtolimppastthedooronhiswayupstairs;whenMrsKenwigs,gainingnewhopefromthesoundofhisfootsteps,hastilyremovedfromhercountenanceasmanytracesofherlateemotionaswereeffaceableonsoshortanotice:andpresentingherselfbeforehim,andrepresentingtheirdilemma,entreatedthathewouldescortMorleenatothehairdresser'sshop.

'Iwouldn't askyou,MrNoggs,' saidMrsKenwigs, 'if I didn't knowwhat agood, kindhearted creature you are; no, not for worlds. I am a weakconstitution, Mr Noggs, but my spirit would no more let me ask a favourwhereIthoughttherewasachanceofitsbeingrefused,thanitwouldletmesubmit to see my children trampled down and trod upon, by envy andlowness!'

Newman was too goodnatured not to have consented, even without thisavowal of confidence on the part ofMrsKenwigs.Accordingly, a very fewminutes had elapsed,when he andMissMorleenawere on theirway to the

hairdresser's.

Itwasnotexactlyahairdresser's;thatistosay,peopleofacoarseandvulgarturnofmindmighthavecalleditabarber's;fortheynotonlycutandcurledladies elegantly, and children carefully, but shavedgentlemen easily.Still, itwas a highly genteel establishmentquite firstrate in factand there weredisplayedinthewindow,besidesotherelegancies,waxenbustsofalightladyandadarkgentlemanwhichweretheadmirationofthewholeneighbourhood.Indeed,someladieshadgonesofarastoassert,thatthedarkgentlemanwasactually a portrait of the spirted young proprietor; and the great similaritybetween their headdressesboth wore very glossy hair, with a narrow walkstraight down the middle, and a profusion of flat circular curls on bothsidesencouragedtheidea.Thebetterinformedamongthesex,however,madelight of this assertion, for however willing they were (and they were verywilling) todo full justice to thehandsome face and figureof theproprietor,they held the countenance of the dark gentleman in the window to be anexquisiteandabstractideaofmasculinebeauty,realisedsometimes,perhaps,amongangelsandmilitarymen,butveryrarelyembodiedtogladdentheeyesofmortals.

ItwastothisestablishmentthatNewmanNoggsledMissKenwigsinsafety.Theproprietor,knowing thatMissKenwigshad three sisters, eachwith twoflaxentails,andallgoodforsixpenceapiece,onceamonthatleast,promptlydesertedanoldgentlemanwhomhehadjustlatheredforshaving,andhandinghimovertothejourneyman,(whowasnotverypopularamongtheladies,byreasonofhisobesityandmiddleage,)waitedontheyoungladyhimself.

Just as thischangehadbeeneffected, therepresentedhimself for shaving, abig,burly,goodhumouredcoalheaverwithapipeinhismouth,who,drawinghis hand across his chin, requested to know when a shaver would bedisengaged.

The journeyman, to whom this question was put, looked doubtfully at theyoung proprietor, and the young proprietor looked scornfully at thecoalheaver:observingatthesametime:

'Youwon'tgetshavedhere,myman.'

'Whynot?'saidthecoalheaver.

'Wedon'tshavegentlemeninyourline,'remarkedtheyoungproprietor.

'Why,Iseeyouashavingofabaker,whenIwasalookingthroughthewinder,lastweek,'saidthecoalheaver.

'It's necessary to draw the line somewheres, my fine feller,' replied theprincipal.'Wedrawthelinethere.Wecan'tgobeyondbakers.Ifwewastogetanylowerthanbakers,ourcustomerswoulddesertus,andwemightshutupshop.Youmusttrysomeotherestablishment,sir.Wecouldn'tdoithere.'

The applicant stared; grinned at Newman Noggs, who appeared highlyentertained; looked slightly round the shop, as if in depreciation of thepomatumpotsandotherarticlesofstock;tookhispipeoutofhismouthandgaveaveryloudwhistle;andthenputitinagain,andwalkedout.

The old gentleman who had just been lathered, and who was sitting in amelancholy manner with his face turned towards the wall, appeared quiteunconsciousofthisincident,andtobeinsensibletoeverythingaroundhiminthe depth of a reveriea very mournful one, to judge from the sighs heoccasionallyventedinwhichhewasabsorbed.Affectedby thisexample, theproprietor began to clip Miss Kenwigs, the journeyman to scrape the oldgentleman, and Newman Noggs to read last Sunday's paper, all three insilence: when Miss Kenwigs uttered a shrill little scream, and Newman,raisinghiseyes, saw that ithadbeenelicitedby thecircumstanceof theoldgentleman turning his head, and disclosing the features ofMr Lillyvick thecollector.

The featuresofMrLillyvick theywere,but strangelyaltered. If everanoldgentlemanhadmadeapointofappearing inpublic, shavedcloseandclean,thatoldgentlemanwasMrLillyvick.Ifeveracollectorhadbornehimselflikeacollector,andassumed,beforeallmen,asolemnandportentousdignityasifhe had the world on his books and it was all two quarters in arrear, thatcollectorwasMrLillyvick.Andnow,therehesat,withtheremainsofabeardat least a week old encumbering his chin; a soiled and crumpled shirtfrillcrouching, as it were, upon his breast, instead of standing boldly out; ademeanour so abashedanddrooping, sodespondent, andexpressiveof suchhumiliation, grief, and shame; that if the souls of forty unsubstantialhousekeepers,allofwhomhadhadtheirwatercutofffornonpaymentoftherate, could have been concentrated in one body, that one body could hardlyhave expressed suchmortification and defeat aswere now expressed in thepersonofMrLillyvickthecollector.

NewmanNoggsutteredhisname,andMrLillyvickgroaned:thencoughedtohideit.Butthegroanwasafullsizedgroan,andthecoughwasbutawheeze.

'Isanythingthematter?'saidNewmanNoggs.

'Matter,sir!'criedMrLillyvick.'Theplugoflifeisdry,sir,andbutthemudisleft.'

This speechthe style of which Newman attributed to Mr Lillyvick's recentassociation with theatrical charactersnot being quite explanatory, Newmanlooked as if he were about to ask another question, when Mr Lillyvickpreventedhimbyshakinghishandmournfully,andthenwavinghisown.

'Letmebeshaved!'saidMrLillyvick.'ItshallbedonebeforeMorleena;itISMorleena,isn'tit?'

'Yes,'saidNewman.

'Kenwigseshavegotaboy,haven'tthey?'inquiredthecollector.

AgainNewmansaid'Yes.'

'Isitaniceboy?'demandedthecollector.

'It ain't a very nasty one,' returned Newman, rather embarrassed by thequestion.

'Susan Kenwigs used to say,' observed the collector, 'that if ever she hadanotherboy,shehopeditmightbelikeme.Isthisonelikeme,MrNoggs?'

This was a puzzling inquiry; but Newman evaded it, by replying to MrLillyvick,thathethoughtthebabymightpossiblycomelikehimintime.

'I should be glad to have somebody like me, somehow,' saidMr Lillyvick,'beforeIdie.'

'Youdon'tmeantodothat,yetawhile?'saidNewman.

UntowhichMrLillyvickreplied inasolemnvoice, 'Letmebeshaved!'andagainconsigninghimselftothehandsofthejourneyman,saidnomore.

Thiswasremarkablebehaviour.SoremarkablediditseemtoMissMorleena,thatthatyounglady,attheimminenthazardofhavingherearslicedoff,hadnot been able to forbear looking round, some score of times, during theforegoing colloquy. Of her, however, Mr Lillyvick took no notice: ratherstriving(so,at least, itseemedtoNewmanNoggs)toevadeherobservation,and to shrink into himself whenever he attracted her regards. Newmanwonderedverymuchwhatcouldhaveoccasionedthisalteredbehaviouronthepartofthecollector;but,philosophicallyreflectingthathewouldmostlikelyknow,soonerorlater,andthathecouldperfectlyaffordtowait,hewasverylittledisturbedbythesingularityoftheoldgentleman'sdeportment.

Thecuttingandcurlingbeingat lastconcluded, theoldgentleman,whohadbeensome timewaiting, rose togo,and,walkingoutwithNewmanandhischarge,tookNewman'sarm,andproceededforsometimewithoutmakingany

observation. Newman, who in power of taciturnity was excelled by fewpeople,madenoattempttobreaksilence;andsotheywenton,untiltheyhadverynearlyreachedMissMorleena'shome,whenMrLillyvicksaid:

'WeretheKenwigsesverymuchoverpowered,MrNoggs,bythatnews?'

'Whatnews?'returnedNewman.

'Thataboutmybeing'

'Married?'suggestedNewman.

'Ah!'repliedMrLillyvick,withanothergroan;thistimenotevendisguisedbyawheeze.

'Itmademacrywhensheknewit,'interposedMissMorleena,'butwekeptitfromherfora long time;andpawasvery lowinhisspirits,buthe isbetternow;andIwasveryill,butIambettertoo.'

'Would you give your greatuncle Lillyvick a kiss if he was to ask you,Morleena?'saidthecollector,withsomehesitation.

'Yes; uncle Lillyvick, I would,' returnedMissMorleena, with the energy ofbothherparentscombined;'butnotauntLillyvick.She'snotanauntofmine,andI'llnevercallherone.'

Immediately upon the utterance of these words, Mr Lillyvick caught MissMorleenaupinhisarms,andkissedher;and,beingbythistimeatthedoorofthehousewhereMrKenwigs lodged (which, ashasbeenbeforementioned,usually stood wide open), he walked straight up into Mr Kenwigs'ssittingroom,andputMissMorleenadowninthemidst.MrandMrsKenwigswereat supper.At sightof theirperjured relative,MrsKenwigs turned faintandpale,andMrKenwigsrosemajestically.

'Kenwigs,'saidthecollector,'shakehands.'

'Sir,'saidMrKenwigs, 'the timehasbeen,whenIwasproudtoshakehandswithsuchamanasthatmanasnowsurweysme.Thetimehasbeen,sir,'saidMrKenwigs, 'whenawisitfromthatmanhasexcitedinmeandmyfamily'sboozums sensations both nateral and awakening.But, now, I lookupon thatmanwithemotionstotallysurpassingeverythink,andIaskmyselfwhereishisHonour,whereishisstraightfor'ardness,andwhereishishumannatur?'

'SusanKenwigs,'saidMrLillyvick,turninghumblytohisniece,'don'tyousayanythingtome?'

'She isnotequal to it, sir,' saidMrKenwigs, striking the tableemphatically.

'Whatwiththenursingofahealthybabby,andthereflectionsuponyourcruelconduct,fourpintsofmaltliquoradayishardlyabletosustainher.'

'Iamglad,'saidthepoorcollectormeekly,'thatthebabyisahealthyone.Iamverygladofthat.'

This was touching the Kenwigses on their tenderest point. Mrs Kenwigsinstantlyburstintotears,andMrKenwigsevincedgreatemotion.

'My pleasantest feeling, all the time that child was expected,' said MrKenwigs,mournfully,'wasathinking,"Ifit'saboy,asIhopeitmaybe;forIhavehearditsuncleLillyvicksayagainandagainhewouldpreferourhavingaboynext, if it'saboy,whatwillhisuncleLillyvicksay?Whatwillhelikehimtobecalled?WillhebePeter,orAlexander,orPompey,orDiorgeenes,orwhat will he be?" And now when I look at him; a precious, unconscious,helplessinfant,withnouseinhislittlearmsbuttotearhislittlecap,andnouse in his little legs but to kick his little selfwhen I see him a lying on hismother's lap,cooingandcooing,and, inhis innocentstate,almostachokinghisselfwithhislittlefistwhenIseehimsuchainfantasheis,andthinkthatthatuncleLillyvick,aswasonceagoingtobesofondofhim,haswithdrawedhimselfaway,suchafeelingofwengeancecomesovermeasnolanguagecandepicter,andIfeelasifeventhatholybabewasatellingmetohatehim.'

This affecting picture moved Mrs Kenwigs deeply. After several imperfectwords,whichvainly attempted to struggle to the surface, butwere drownedandwashedawaybythestrongtideofhertears,shespake.

'Uncle,' saidMrsKenwigs, 'to think that you should have turned your backuponmeandmydearchildren,anduponKenwigswhichistheauthoroftheirbeingyouwhowas once so kind and affectionate, andwho, if anybody hadtoldussuchathingof,weshouldhavewitheredwithscornlikelightningyouthatlittleLillyvick,ourfirstandearliestboy,wasnamedafterattheveryaltar!Ohgracious!'

'Wasitmoneythatwecaredfor?'saidMrKenwigs. 'Wasitpropertythatweeverthoughtof?'

'No,'criedMrsKenwigs,'Iscornit.'

'SodoI,'saidMrKenwigs,'andalwaysdid.'

'Myfeelingshavebeenlancerated,'saidMrsKenwigs,'myhearthasbeentornasunder with anguish, I have been thrown back in my confinement, myunoffending infanthasbeenrendereduncomfortableandfractious,Morleenahaspinedherselfawaytonothing;allthisIforgetandforgive,andwithyou,

uncle, I never can quarrel. But never ask me to receive HER, never do it,uncle.ForIwillnot,Iwillnot,Iwon't,Iwon't,Iwon't!'

'Susan,mydear,'saidMrKenwigs,'consideryourchild.'

'Yes,' shriekedMrs Kenwigs, 'I will consider my child! I will consider mychild! My own child, that no uncles can deprive me of; my own hated,despised,deserted,cutofflittlechild.'And,here,theemotionsofMrsKenwigsbecame so violent, that Mr Kenwigs was fain to administer hartshorninternally, and vinegar externally, and to destroy a staylace, four petticoatstrings,andseveralsmallbuttons.

Newmanhadbeenasilentspectatorofthisscene;forMrLillyvickhadsignedtohimnottowithdraw,andMrKenwigshadfurthersolicitedhispresencebyanodof invitation.WhenMrsKenwigshadbeen, in somedegree, restored,and Newman, as a person possessed of some influence with her, hadremonstrated and begged her to compose herself, Mr Lillyvick said in afalteringvoice:

'InevershallaskanybodyheretoreceivemyIneedn'tmentiontheword;youknowwhatImean.KenwigsandSusan,yesterdaywasaweeksheelopedwithahalfpaycaptain!'

MrandMrsKenwigsstartedtogether.

'Eloped with a halfpay captain,' repeated Mr Lillyvick, 'basely and falselyelopedwithahalfpaycaptain.Withabottlenosedcaptainthatanymanmighthave considered himself safe from. It was in this room,' saidMr Lillyvick,lookingsternlyround,'thatIfirstseeHenriettaPetowker.ItisinthisroomthatIturnheroff,forever.'

This declaration completely changed the whole posture of affairs. MrsKenwigs threw herself upon the old gentleman's neck, bitterly reproachingherselfforherlateharshness,andexclaiming,ifshehadsuffered,whatmusthis sufferings have been!MrKenwigs grasped his hand, and vowed eternalfriendship and remorse. Mrs Kenwigs was horrorstricken to think that sheshouldeverhavenourishedinherbosomsuchasnake,adder,viper,serpent,andbasecrocodileasHenriettaPetowker.MrKenwigsargued thatshemusthavebeenbadindeednottohaveimprovedbysolongacontemplationofMrsKenwigs'svirtue.MrsKenwigsrememberedthatMrKenwigshadoftensaidthathewasnotquitesatisfiedoftheproprietyofMissPetowker'sconduct,andwonderedhowitwasthatshecouldhavebeenblindedbysuchawretch.MrKenwigsrememberedthathehadhadhissuspicions,butdidnotwonderwhyMrsKenwigshadnothadhers,asshewasallchastity,purity,andtruth,andHenriettaallbaseness,falsehood,anddeceit.AndMrandMrsKenwigsboth

said,withstrongfeelingsandtearsofsympathy,thateverythinghappenedforthebest;andconjuredthegoodcollectornottogivewaytounavailinggrief,but to seek consolation in the society of those affectionate relations whosearmsandheartswereeveropentohim.

'Outofaffectionandregardforyou,SusanandKenwigs,'saidMrLillyvick,'and not out of revenge and spite against her, for she is below it, I shall,tomorrow morning, settle upon your children, and make payable to thesurvivors of themwhen they come of age ofmarry, thatmoney that I oncemeanttoleave'eminmywill.Thedeedshallbeexecutedtomorrow,andMrNoggsshallbeoneof thewitnesses.Hehearsmepromise this,andheshallseeitdone.'

Overpowered by this noble and generous offer,MrKenwigs,MrsKenwigs,andMissMorleenaKenwigs,allbegantosobtogether;andthenoiseoftheirsobbing,communicatingitselftothenextroom,wherethechildrenlayabed,andcausingthemtocrytoo,MrKenwigsrushedwildlyin,andbringingthemout inhis arms,by twoand two, tumbled themdown in theirnightcapsandgowns at the feet ofMrLillyvick, and called upon them to thank andblesshim.

'Andnow,'saidMrLillyvick,whenaheartrendingscenehadensuedandthechildren were cleared away again, 'give me some supper. This took placetwenty mile from town. I came up this morning, and have being lingeringaboutallday,withoutbeingabletomakeupmymindtocomeandseeyou.Ihumouredherineverything,shehadherownway,shedidjustasshepleased,andnowshehasdonethis.TherewastwelveteaspoonsandtwentyfourpoundinsovereignsImissedthemfirstit'satrialIfeelIshallneverbeabletoknockadouble knock again,when I gomy roundsdon't say anythingmore about it,pleasethespoonswereworthnevermindnevermind!'

Withsuchmutteredoutpouringsasthese,theoldgentlemanshedafewtears;but,theygothimintotheelbowchair,andprevaileduponhim,withoutmuchpressing, tomake a hearty supper, and by the time he had finished his firstpipe, and disposed of halfadozen glasses out of a crown bowl of punch,ordered by Mr Kenwigs, in celebration of his return to the bosom of hisfamily, he seemed, though still very humble, quite resigned to his fate, andratherrelievedthanotherwisebytheflightofhiswife.

'WhenIseethatman,'saidMrKenwigs,withonehandroundMrsKenwigs'swaist: his other hand supportinghis pipe (whichmadehimwink and coughverymuch,forhewasnosmoker):andhiseyesonMorleena,whosatuponheruncle'sknee, 'when I see thatmanasmingling,onceagain, in the spearwhichheadorns,andseehisaffectionsdeweloping themselves in legitimate

sitiwations,Ifeelthathisnatureisaselewatedandexpanded,ashisstandingafore society as a public character is unimpeached, and the woices of myinfantchildrenpurvidedforinlife,seemtowhispertomesoftly,"ThisisanewentatwhichEvinsitselflooksdown!"'

CHAPTER53

Containing the furtherProgressof thePlot contrivedbyMrRalphNicklebyandMrArthurGride

With that settled resolution, and steadiness of purpose to which extremecircumstances so often give birth, acting upon far less excitable and moresluggish temperaments than that which was the lot of Madeline Bray'sadmirer,Nicholas started, at dawnof day, from the restless couchwhichnosleephadvisitedonthepreviousnight,andpreparedtomakethatlastappeal,by whose slight and fragile thread her only remaining hope of escapedepended.

Although,torestlessandardentminds,morningmaybethefittingseasonforexertionandactivity,itisnotalwaysatthattimethathopeisstrongestorthespirit most sanguine and buoyant. In trying and doubtful positions, youth,custom, a steady contemplation of the difficultieswhich surround us, and afamiliarity with them, imperceptibly diminish our apprehensions and begetcomparative indifference, if not a vague and reckless confidence in somerelief, the means or nature of which we care not to foresee. But when wecome, fresh, upon such things in themorning,with that dark and silent gapbetweenusandyesterday;witheverylinkinthebrittlechainofhope,torivetafresh; our hot enthusiasm subdued, and cool calm reason substituted in itsstead;doubt andmisgiving revive.As the traveller sees farthestbyday, andbecomes awareof ruggedmountains and trackless plainswhich the friendlydarknesshadshroudedfromhissightandmind together, so, thewayfarer inthe toilsome path of human life sees, with each returning sun, some newobstacle to surmount, some newheight to be attained.Distances stretch outbeforehimwhich, lastnight,werescarcely taken intoaccount,and the lightwhich gilds all naturewith its cheerful beams, seems but to shine upon thewearyobstaclesthatyetliestrewnbetweenhimandthegrave.

SothoughtNicholas,when,withtheimpatiencenaturaltoasituationlikehis,hesoftlyleft thehouse,and,feelingasthoughtoremaininbedweretolosemostprecioustime,andtobeupandstirringwereinsomewaytopromotethe

end he had in view,wandered intoLondon; perfectlywell knowing that forhourstocomehecouldnotobtainspeechwithMadeline,andcoulddonothingbutwishtheinterveningtimeaway.

And, even now, as he paced the streets, and listlessly looked round on thegraduallyincreasingbustleandpreparationfortheday,everythingappearedtoyieldhimsomenewoccasion fordespondency.Lastnight, thesacrificeofayoung, affectionate, and beautiful creature, to such a wretch, and in such acause,hadseemedathingtoomonstroustosucceed;andthewarmerhegrew,the more confident he felt that some interposition must save her from hisclutches.Butnow,whenhethoughthowregularlythingswenton,fromdaytoday, in the same unvarying round; how youth and beauty died, and uglygripingagelivedtotteringon;howcraftyavaricegrewrich,andmanlyhonestheartswerepoorandsad;howfewtheywerewhotenantedthestatelyhouses,andhowmanyof thosewho lay innoisomepens,or roseeachdayand laidthemdowneachnight,andlivedanddied,fatherandson,motherandchild,race upon race, and generation upon generation, without a home to shelterthemortheenergiesofonesinglemandirectedtotheiraid;how,inseeking,notaluxuriousandsplendidlife,butthebaremeansofamostwretchedandinadequate subsistence, there were women and children in that one town,dividedintoclasses,numberedandestimatedasregularlyasthenoblefamiliesandfolksofgreatdegree,andrearedfrominfancytodrivemostcriminalanddreadfultrades;howignorancewaspunishedandnevertaught;howjaildoorsgaped, and gallows loomed, for thousands urged towards them bycircumstances darkly curtaining their very cradles' heads, and but forwhichtheymighthaveearnedtheirhonestbreadandlivedinpeace;howmanydiedinsoul,andhadnochanceoflife;howmanywhocouldscarcelygoastray,bethey vicious as theywould, turned haughtily from the crushed and strickenwretchwho could scarce do otherwise, andwhowould have been a greaterwonderhadheorshedonewell,thaneventheyhadtheydoneill;howmuchinjustice,misery,andwrong,therewas,andyethowtheworldrolledon,fromyeartoyear,alikecarelessandindifferent,andnomanseekingtoremedyorredress it; when he thought of all this, and selected from themass the oneslight case onwhich his thoughtswere bent, he felt, indeed, that therewaslittlegroundforhope,andlittlereasonwhyitshouldnotformanatominthehugeaggregateofdistressandsorrow,andaddonesmallandunimportantunittoswellthegreatamount.

Butyouthisnotpronetocontemplatethedarkestsideofapictureitcanshiftatwill.Bydintof reflectingonwhathehad todo,andreviving the trainofthought which night had interrupted, Nicholas gradually summoned up hisutmost energy, and when the morning was sufficiently advanced for hispurpose, had no thought but that of using it to the best advantage. A hasty

breakfast taken, and such affairs of business as required prompt attentiondisposedof,hedirectedhisstepstotheresidenceofMadelineBray:whitherhelostnotimeinarriving.

It had occurred to him that, very possibly, the young ladymight be denied,althoughtohimsheneverhadbeen;andhewasstillponderinguponthesurestmethodofobtainingaccesstoherinthatcase,when,comingtothedoorofthehouse,hefoundithadbeenleftajarprobablybythelastpersonwhohadgoneout.The occasionwas not one uponwhich to observe the nicest ceremony;therefore,availinghimselfofthisadvantage,Nicholaswalkedgentlyupstairsandknockedatthedooroftheroomintowhichhehadbeenaccustomedtobeshown.Receivingpermissiontoenter,fromsomepersonontheotherside,heopenedthedoorandwalkedin.

Brayandhisdaughterweresittingtherealone.Itwasnearlythreeweekssincehe had seen her last, but there was a change in the lovely girl before himwhichtoldNicholas,instartlingterms,howmuchmentalsufferinghadbeencompressed into that short time. There are no words which can express,nothingwithwhichcanbecompared,theperfectpallor,thecleartransparentwhiteness, of thebeautiful facewhich turned towardshimwhenhe entered.Her hairwas a rich deep brown, but shading that face, and straying upon aneckthatrivalleditinwhiteness,itseemedbythestrongcontrastravenblack.Something ofwildness and restlessness therewas in the dark eye, but therewasthesamepatientlook,thesameexpressionofgentlemournfulnesswhichhe well remembered, and no trace of a single tear. Most beautifulmorebeautiful, perhaps, than everthere was something in her face which quiteunmanned him, and appeared far more touching than the wildest agony ofgrief.Itwasnotmerelycalmandcomposed,butfixedandrigid,asthoughtheviolenteffortwhichhadsummoned thatcomposurebeneathher father'seye,while it mastered all other thoughts, had prevented even the momentaryexpression they had communicated to the features from subsiding, and hadfasteneditthere,asanevidenceofitstriumph.

Thefathersatoppositetoher;notlookingdirectlyinherface,butglancingather,ashetalkedwithagayairwhichilldisguisedtheanxietyofhisthoughts.Thedrawingmaterialswerenotontheiraccustomedtable,norwereanyoftheother tokens of her usual occupations to be seen. The little vases whichNicholas had always seen filledwith fresh flowerswere empty, or suppliedonlywithafewwitheredstalksandleaves.Thebirdwassilent.Thecloththatcoveredhiscageatnightwasnotremoved.Hismistresshadforgottenhim.

Therearetimeswhen,themindbeingpainfullyalivetoreceiveimpressions,agreat deal may be noted at a glance. This was one, for Nicholas had butglancedroundhimwhenhewasrecognisedbyMrBray,whosaidimpatiently:

'Now,sir,whatdoyouwant?Nameyourerrandhere,quickly, ifyouplease,for my daughter and I are busily engaged with other and more importantmatters than those you come about. Come, sir, address yourself to yourbusinessatonce.'

Nicholas could very well discern that the irritability and impatience of thisspeech were assumed, and that Bray, in his heart, was rejoiced at anyinterruptionwhichpromisedtoengage theattentionofhisdaughter.Hebenthiseyesinvoluntarilyuponthefatherashespoke,andmarkedhisuneasiness;forhecolouredandturnedhisheadaway.

The device, however, so far as it was a device for causing Madeline tointerfere,was successful. She rose, and advancing towardsNicholas pausedhalfway,andstretchedoutherhandasexpectingaletter.

'Madeline,'saidherfatherimpatiently,'mylove,whatareyoudoing?'

'Miss Bray expects an inclosure perhaps,' said Nicholas, speaking verydistinctly, and with an emphasis she could scarcely misunderstand. 'MyemployerisabsentfromEngland,orIshouldhavebroughtaletterwithme.Ihopeshewillgivemetimealittletime.Iaskaverylittletime.'

'Ifthatisallyoucomeabout,sir,'saidMrBray,'youmaymakeyourselfeasyonthathead.Madeline,mydear,Ididn'tknowthispersonwasinyourdebt?'

'Aatrifle,Ibelieve,'returnedMadeline,faintly.

'Isupposeyouthinknow,'saidBray,wheelinghischairroundandconfrontingNicholas, 'that, but for such pitiful sums as you bring here, because mydaughterhaschosentoemployhertimeasshehas,weshouldstarve?'

'Ihavenotthoughtaboutit,'returnedNicholas.

'You have not thought about it!' sneered the invalid. 'You know youHAVEthought about it, and have thought that, and think so every time you comehere.Do you suppose, youngman, that I don't knowwhat little purseproudtradesmen are, when, through some fortunate circumstances, they get theupperhandforabriefdayorthinktheygettheupperhandofagentleman?'

'Mybusiness,'saidNicholasrespectfully,'iswithalady.'

'Withagentleman'sdaughter,sir,'returnedthesickman,'andthepettifoggingspirit is thesame.ButperhapsyoubringORDERS,eh?HaveyouanyfreshORDERSformydaughter,sir?'

Nicholasunderstoodthetoneoftriumphinwhichthisinterrogatorywasput;

butrememberingthenecessityofsupportinghisassumedcharacter,produceda scrap of paper purporting to contain a list of some subjects for drawingswhichhisemployerdesiredtohaveexecuted;andwithwhichhehadpreparedhimselfincaseofanysuchcontingency.

'Oh!'saidMrBray.'Thesearetheorders,arethey?'

'Sinceyouinsistupontheterm,sir,yes,'repliedNicholas.

'Thenyoumaytellyourmaster,'saidBray,tossingthepaperbackagain,withan exulting smile, 'that my daughter, Miss Madeline Bray, condescends toemployherselfnolongerinsuchlaboursasthese;thatsheisnotathisbeckandcall, ashe supposesher tobe; thatwedon't liveuponhismoney,asheflatters himself we do; that he may give whatever he owes us, to the firstbeggarthatpasseshisshop,oraddittohisownprofitsnexttimehecalculatesthem;andthathemaygotothedevilforme.That'smyacknowledgmentofhisorders,sir!'

'Andthisistheindependenceofamanwhosellshisdaughterashehassoldthatweepinggirl!'thoughtNicholas.

Thefatherwastoomuchabsorbedwithhisownexultationtomarkthelookofscornwhich,foraninstant,Nicholascouldnothavesuppressedhadhebeenupon the rack. 'There,' he continued, after a short silence, 'you have yourmessageandcanretireunlessyouhaveanyfurtherha!anyfurtherorders.'

'Ihavenone,'saidNicholas;'nor,intheconsiderationofthestationyouonceheld, have I used that or any otherwordwhich, however harmless in itself,couldbe supposed to imply authorityonmypart ordependenceonyours. Ihavenoorders,butIhavefearsfearsthatIwillexpress,chafeasyoumayfearsthat you may be consigning that young lady to something worse thansupportingyoubythelabourofherhands,hadsheworkedherselfdead.Theseare my fears, and these fears I found upon your own demeanour. Yourconsciencewilltellyou,sir,whetherIconstrueitwellornot.'

'For Heaven's sake!' cried Madeline, interposing in alarm between them.'Remember,sir,heisill.'

'Ill!'cried the invalid,gaspingandcatchingforbreath. 'Ill! Ill! Iambeardedandbulliedbyashopboy,andshebeseecheshimtopitymeandrememberIamill!'

He fell into a paroxysm of his disorder, so violent that for a fewmomentsNicholas was alarmed for his life; but finding that he began to recover, hewithdrew, after signifying by a gesture to the young lady that he had

something important to communicate, and would wait for her outside theroom.Hecouldhearthatthesickmancamegradually,butslowly,tohimself,andthatwithoutanyreferencetowhathadjustoccurred,asthoughhehadnodistinctrecollectionofitasyet,herequestedtobeleftalone.

'Oh!' thoughtNicholas, 'that thisslenderchancemightnotbe lost,and that Imightprevail,ifitwerebutforoneweek'stimeandreconsideration!'

'Youarechargedwithsomecommissiontome,sir,'saidMadeline,presentingherself ingreatagitation. 'Donotpress itnow, Ibegandprayyou.Thedayaftertomorrow;comeherethen.'

'ItwillbetoolatetoolateforwhatIhavetosay,'rejoinedNicholas, 'andyouwillnotbehere.Oh,madam,ifyouhavebutonethoughtofhimwhosentmehere,butonelastlingeringcareforyourownpeaceofmindandheart,IdoforGod'ssakeurgeyoutogivemeahearing.'

Sheattemptedtopasshim,butNicholasgentlydetainedher.

'Ahearing,'saidNicholas.'Iaskyoubuttohearme:notmealone,buthimforwhomIspeak,whoisfarawayanddoesnotknowyourdanger.InthenameofHeavenhearme!'

Thepoorattendant,withhereyesswollenandredwithweeping,stoodby;andtoherNicholasappealedinsuchpassionatetermsthatsheopenedasidedoor,and, supporting her mistress into an adjoining room, beckoned Nicholas tofollowthem.

'Leaveme,sir,pray,'saidtheyounglady.

'I cannot, will not leave you thus,' returned Nicholas. 'I have a duty todischarge;and,eitherhere,orintheroomfromwhichwehavejustnowcome,at whatever risk or hazard toMr Bray, I must beseech you to contemplateagainthefearfulcoursetowhichyouhavebeenimpelled.'

'Whatcourseisthisyouspeakof,andimpelledbywhom,sir?'demandedtheyounglady,withanefforttospeakproudly.

'I speak of this marriage,' returned Nicholas, 'of this marriage, fixed fortomorrow,byonewhoneverfalteredinabadpurpose,orlenthisaidtoanygooddesign;ofthismarriage,thehistoryofwhichisknowntome,better,farbetter, than it is toyou. Iknowwhatweb iswoundaboutyou. Iknowwhatmentheyarefromwhomtheseschemeshavecome.Youarebetrayedandsoldformoney;forgold,whoseeverycoinisrustedwithtears,ifnotredwiththebloodofruinedmen,whohavefallendesperatelybytheirownmadhands.'

'You say you have a duty to discharge,' saidMadeline, 'and so have I.AndwiththehelpofHeavenIwillperformit.'

'Say ratherwith the help of devils,' repliedNicholas, 'with the help ofmen,oneofthemyourdestinedhusband,whoare'

'I must not hear this,' cried the young lady, striving to repress a shudder,occasioned, as it seemed, even by this slight allusion toArthurGride. 'Thisevil,ifevilitbe,hasbeenofmyownseeking.Iamimpelledtothiscoursebyno one, but follow it ofmyown freewill.You see I amnot constrained orforced. Report this,' saidMadeline, 'to my dear friend and benefactor, and,takingwithyoumyprayersandthanksforhimandforyourself,leavemeforever!'

'NotuntilIhavebesoughtyou,withalltheearnestnessandfervourbywhichIamanimated,' criedNicholas, 'topostpone thismarriage foroneshortweek.NotuntilIhavebesoughtyoutothinkmoredeeplythanyoucanhavedone,influenced as you are, upon the step you are about to take. Although youcannotbefullyconsciousofthevillainyofthismantowhomyouareabouttogiveyourhand,someofhisdeedsyouknow.Youhaveheardhimspeak,andhavelookeduponhisface.Reflect,reflect,beforeitistoolate,onthemockeryofplightingtohimatthealtar,faithinwhichyourheartcanhavenoshareofuttering solemn words, against which nature and reason must rebelof thedegradationofyourself inyourownesteem,whichmustensue,andmustbeaggravated every day, as his detested character opens upon you more andmore.Shrinkfromtheloathsomecompanionshipofthiswretchasyouwouldfromcorruptionanddisease.Suffertoilandlabourifyouwill,butshunhim,shun him, and be happy. For, believeme, I speak the truth; themost abjectpoverty, themostwretchedconditionofhuman life,withapureanduprightmind,wouldbehappinesstothatwhichyoumustundergoasthewifeofsuchamanasthis!'

LongbeforeNicholasceasedtospeak, theyoungladyburiedherfaceinherhands,andgavehertearsfreeway.Inavoiceatfirstinarticulatewithemotion,butgraduallyrecoveringstrengthassheproceeded,sheansweredhim:

'Iwillnotdisguisefromyou,sirthoughperhapsIoughtthatIhaveundergonegreatpainofmind,andhavebeennearlybrokenheartedsinceIsawyoulast.Ido NOT love this gentleman. The difference between our ages, tastes, andhabits, forbids it. This he knows, and knowing, still offersme his hand.Byacceptingit,andbythatstepalone,Icanreleasemyfatherwhoisdyinginthisplace;prolonghislife,perhaps,formanyyears;restorehimtocomfortImayalmost call it affluence; and relieve a generous man from the burden ofassistingone,bywhom,Igrievetosay,hisnobleheartislittleunderstood.Do

notthinksopoorlyofmeastobelievethatIfeignaloveIdonotfeel.Donotreport so ill ofme, for THAT I could not bear. If I cannot, in reason or innature,lovethemanwhopaysthispriceformypoorhand,Icandischargethedutiesofawife:Icanbeallheseeksinme,andwill.HeiscontenttotakemeasIam.Ihavepassedmyword,andshouldrejoice,notweep,thatitisso.Ido. The interest you take in one so friendless and forlorn as I, the delicacywithwhichyouhavedischargedyourtrust, thefaithyouhavekeptwithme,havemywarmestthanks:and,whileImakethislastfeebleacknowledgment,moveme to tears, as you see.But I do not repent, nor am I unhappy. I amhappyintheprospectofallIcanachievesoeasily.IshallbemoresowhenIlookbackuponit,andallisdone,Iknow.'

'Your tears fall fasterasyou talkofhappiness,' saidNicholas, 'andyoushunthe contemplation of that dark future which must be laden with so muchmiserytoyou.Deferthismarriageforaweek.Forbutoneweek!'

'He was talking, when you came upon us just now, with such smiles as Iremembertohaveseenofold,andhavenotseenformanyandmanyaday,ofthe freedom that was to come tomorrow,' said Madeline, with momentaryfirmness,'ofthewelcomechange,thefreshair:allthenewscenesandobjectsthatwouldbringfreshlifetohisexhaustedframe.Hiseyegrewbright,andhisfacelightenedatthethought.Iwillnotdeferitforanhour.'

'Thesearebuttricksandwilestourgeyouon,'criedNicholas.

'I'llhearnomore,'saidMadeline,hurriedly;'IhaveheardtoomuchmorethanIshouldalready.WhatIhavesaidtoyou,sir,Ihavesaidastothatdearfriendtowhom I trust in you honourably to repeat it. Some time hence, when I ammore composed and reconciled tomy newmode of life, if I should live solong, Iwillwrite tohim.Meantime,allholyangels showerblessingsonhishead,andprosperandpreservehim.'

She was hurrying past Nicholas, when he threw himself before her, andimplored her to think, but once again, upon the fate to which she wasprecipitatelyhastening.

'There is no retreat,' said Nicholas, in an agony of supplication; 'nowithdrawing! All regret will be unavailing, and deep and bitter it must be.WhatcanIsay,thatwillinduceyoutopauseatthislastmoment?WhatcanIdotosaveyou?'

'Nothing,'sheincoherentlyreplied. 'ThisisthehardesttrialIhavehad.Havemercyonme,sir,Ibeseech,anddonotpiercemyheartwithsuchappealsasthese.IIhearhimcalling.IImustnot,willnot,remainhereforanotherinstant.'

'If thiswereaplot,'saidNicholas,withthesameviolentrapiditywithwhichshe spoke, 'a plot, not yet laid bare by me, but which, with time, I mightunravel;ifyouwere(notknowingit)entitledtofortuneofyourown,which,being recovered,woulddoall that thismarriagecanaccomplish,wouldyounotretract?'

'No,no,no!Itisimpossible;itisachild'stale.Timewouldbringhisdeath.Heiscallingagain!'

'Itmaybethelasttimeweshallevermeetonearth,'saidNicholas,'itmaybebetterformethatweshouldnevermeetmore.'

'For both, for both,' repliedMadeline, not heedingwhat she said. 'The timewill comewhen to recall thememory of this one interviewmight drivememad.Besuretotellthem,thatyouleftmecalmandhappy.AndGodbewithyou,sir,andmygratefulheartandblessing!'

She was gone. Nicholas, staggering from the house, thought of the hurriedscenewhichhadjustcloseduponhim,asifitwerethephantomofsomewild,unquiet dream. The day wore on; at night, having been enabled in somemeasuretocollecthisthoughts,heissuedforthagain.

Thatnight,beingthelastofArthurGride'sbachelorship,foundhimintiptopspirits and great glee. The bottlegreen suit had been brushed, ready for themorrow.PegSliderskewhadrenderedtheaccountsofherpasthousekeeping;theeighteenpencehadbeenrigidlyaccountedfor(shewasnevertrustedwithalarger sum at once, and the accounts were not usually balanced more thantwice a day); every preparation had beenmade for the coming festival; andArthurmighthavesatdownandcontemplatedhisapproachinghappiness,butthat he preferred sitting down and contemplating the entries in a dirty oldvellumbookwithrustyclasps.

'Welladay!'hechuckled,assinkingonhiskneesbeforeastrongchestscreweddownto thefloor,he thrust inhisarmnearlyup to theshoulder,andslowlydrew forth this greasyvolume. 'Welladaynow, this is allmy library, but it'sone of the most entertaining books that were ever written! It's a delightfulbook,andalltrueandrealthat'sthebestofittrueastheBankofEngland,andrealasitsgoldandsilver.WrittenbyArthurGride.He,he,he!Noneofyourstorybookwriterswill evermake as good a book as this, Iwarrantme. It'scomposedforprivatecirculation,formyownparticularreading,andnobodyelse's.He,he,he!'

Mutteringthissoliloquy,Arthurcarriedhispreciousvolumetothetable,and,adjustingituponadustydesk,putonhisspectacles,andbegantoporeamongtheleaves.

'It'salargesumtoMrNickleby,'hesaid,inadolorousvoice.'Debttobepaidinfull,ninehundredandseventyfive,four,three.Additionalsumasperbond,fivehundredpound.Onethousand,fourhundredandseventyfivepounds,fourshillings, and threepence, tomorrow at twelve o'clock. On the other side,though,there'sthePERCONTRA,bymeansofthisprettychick.But,again,there's the question whether I mightn't have brought all this about, myself."Faintheartneverwon fair lady."Whywasmyheart so faint?Whydidn't Iboldly open it to Bray myself, and save one thousand four hundred andseventyfive,four,three?'

Thesereflectionsdepressedtheoldusurersomuch,astowringafeeblegroanortwofromhisbreast,andcausehimtodeclare,withupliftedhands,thathewoulddieinaworkhouse.Rememberingonfurthercogitation,however,thatunderanycircumstanceshemusthavepaid,orhandsomelycompoundedfor,Ralph'sdebt,andbeingbynomeansconfidentthathewouldhavesucceededhad he undertaken his enterprise alone, he regained his equanimity, andchatteredandmowedovermoresatisfactory items,until theentranceofPegSliderskewinterruptedhim.

'Aha,Peg!'saidArthur,'whatisit?Whatisitnow,Peg?'

'It's the fowl,' repliedPeg,holdingupaplatecontaininga little,avery littleone.Quiteaphenomenonofafowl.Soverysmallandskinny.

'A beautiful bird!' said Arthur, after inquiring the price, and finding itproportionatetothesize. 'Witharasherofham,andaneggmadeintosauce,andpotatoes,andgreens,andanapplepudding,Peg,andalittlebitofcheese,weshallhaveadinner foranemperor.There'llonlybe sheandmeandyou,Peg,whenwe'vedone.'

'Don'tyoucomplainoftheexpenseafterwards,'saidMrsSliderskew,sulkily.

'Iamafraidwemustliveexpensivelyforthefirstweek,'returnedArthur,withagroan, 'andthenwemustmakeupfor it. Iwon'teatmore thanIcanhelp,and I knowyou love your oldmaster toomuch to eatmore thanYOU canhelp,don'tyou,Peg?'

'Don'tIwhat?'saidPeg.

'Loveyouroldmastertoomuch'

'No,notabittoomuch,'saidPeg.

'Oh,dear,Iwishthedevilhadthiswoman!'criedArthur:'lovehimtoomuchtoeatmorethanyoucanhelpathisexpense.'

'Athiswhat?'saidPeg.

'Oh dear! she can never hear the most important word, and hears all theothers!'whinedGride.'Athisexpenseyoucatamaran!'

ThelastmentionedtributetothecharmsofMrsSliderskewbeingutteredinawhisper,thatladyassentedtothegeneralpropositionbyaharshgrowl,whichwasaccompaniedbyaringatthestreetdoor.

'There'sthebell,'saidArthur.

'Ay,ay;Iknowthat,'rejoinedPeg.

'Thenwhydon'tyougo?'bawledArthur.

'Gowhere?'retortedPeg.'Iain'tdoinganyharmhere,amI?'

ArthurGrideinreplyrepeatedtheword'bell'asloudashecouldroar;and,hismeaningbeingrenderedfurther intelligible toMrsSliderskew'sdullsenseofhearingbypantomimeexpressiveofringingatastreetdoor,Peghobbledout,aftersharplydemandingwhyhehadn'tsaidtherewasaringbefore,insteadoftalkingaboutallmannerofthingsthathadnothingtodowithit,andkeepingherhalfpintofbeerwaitingonthesteps.

'There'sachangecomeoveryou,MrsPeg,'saidArthur,followingheroutwithhis eyes. 'What itmeans I don't quite know; but, if it lasts,we shan't agreetogether longIsee.Youare turningcrazy, I think. Ifyouare,youmust takeyourselfoff,MrsPegorbetakenoff.All'sonetome.'Turningovertheleavesof his book as he muttered this, he soon lighted upon something whichattractedhis attention, and forgotPegSliderskewand everything else in theengrossinginterestofitspages.

The room had no other light than that which it derived from a dim anddirtclogged lamp, whose lazy wick, being still further obscured by a darkshade,castitsfeebleraysoveraverylittlespace,andleftallbeyondinheavyshadow.Thislampthemoneylenderhaddrawnsoclosetohim,thattherewasonlyroombetweenitandhimselfforthebookoverwhichhebent;andashesat, with his elbows on the desk, and his sharp cheekbones resting on hishands, it only served tobringout his ugly features in strong relief, togetherwiththelittletableatwhichhesat,andtoshroudalltherestofthechamberinadeepsullengloom.Raisinghiseyes,andlookingvacantlyintothisgloomashemadesomementalcalculation,ArthurGridesuddenlymetthefixedgazeofaman.

'Thieves!thieves!'shriekedtheusurer,startingupandfoldinghisbooktohisbreast.'Robbers!Murder!'

'Whatisthematter?'saidtheform,advancing.

'Keepoff!'criedthetremblingwretch.'Isitamanoraa'

'Forwhatdoyoutakeme,ifnotforaman?'wastheinquiry.

'Yes,yes,'criedArthurGride,shadinghiseyeswithhishand,'itisaman,andnotaspirit.Itisaman.Robbers!robbers!'

'Forwhatarethesecriesraised?Unlessindeedyouknowme,andhavesomepurpose in your brain?' said the stranger, coming close up to him. 'I am nothief.'

'What then, and how comeyou here?' criedGride, somewhat reassured, butstillretreatingfromhisvisitor:'whatisyourname,andwhatdoyouwant?'

'My name you need not know,' was the reply. 'I came here, because I wasshownthewaybyyourservant.Ihaveaddressedyoutwiceorthrice,butyouwere too profoundly engaged with your book to hear me, and I have beensilentlywaitinguntilyoushouldbelessabstracted.WhatIwantIwilltellyou,whenyoucansummonupcourageenoughtohearandunderstandme.'

ArthurGride,venturingtoregardhisvisitormoreattentively,andperceivingthathewasayoungmanofgoodmienandbearing,returnedtohisseat,andmuttering that there were bad characters about, and that this, with formerattempts upon his house, hadmade himnervous, requested his visitor to sitdown.This,however,hedeclined.

'GoodGod!Idon'tstanduptohaveyouatanadvantage,'saidNicholas(forNicholas it was), as he observed a gesture of alarm on the part of Gride.'Listentome.Youaretobemarriedtomorrowmorning.'

'Nnno,'rejoinedGride.'WhosaidIwas?Howdoyouknowthat?'

'Nomatterhow,'repliedNicholas, 'Iknowit.Theyoungladywhois togiveyouherhandhatesanddespisesyou.Herblood runscoldat thementionofyourname;thevultureandthelamb,theratandthedove,couldnotbeworsematchedthanyouandshe.YouseeIknowher.'

Gride looked at him as if he were petrified with astonishment, but did notspeak;perhapslackingthepower.

'You and another man, Ralph Nickleby by name, have hatched this plotbetweenyou,'pursuedNicholas.'YoupayhimforhisshareinbringingaboutthissaleofMadelineBray.Youdo.Alieistremblingonyourlips,Isee.'

Hepaused;but,Arthurmakingnoreply,resumedagain.

'Youpayyourselfbydefraudingher.HoworbywhatmeansforIscorntosullyhercausebyfalsehoodordeceitIdonotknow;atpresentIdonotknow,butIam not alone or singlehanded in this business. If the energy of man cancompass the discovery of your fraud and treachery before your death; ifwealth, revenge, and just hatred, can hunt and track you through yourwindings;youwillyetbecalledtoadearaccountforthis.Weareonthescentalready; judge you, who know what we do not, when we shall have youdown!'

Hepausedagain,andstillArthurGrideglareduponhiminsilence.

'If youwere aman towhom I could appealwith any hope of touching hiscompassionorhumanity,'saidNicholas,'Iwouldurgeuponyoutorememberthehelplessness,theinnocence,theyouth,ofthislady;herworthandbeauty,her filial excellence, and last, and more than all, as concerning you morenearly,theappealshehasmadetoyourmercyandyourmanlyfeeling.But,Itaketheonlygroundthatcanbetakenwithmenlikeyou,andaskwhatmoneywillbuyyouoff.Rememberthedangertowhichyouareexposed.YouseeIknowenough toknowmuchmorewithvery littlehelp.Bate someexpectedgainfortheriskyousave,andsaywhatisyourprice.'

OldArthurGridemovedhislips,buttheyonlyformedanuglysmileandweremotionlessagain.

'You think,' saidNicholas, 'that the pricewould not be paid.MissBray haswealthyfriendswhowouldcointheirveryheartstosaveherinsuchastraitasthis.Nameyourprice,deferthesenuptialsforbutafewdays,andseewhetherthoseIspeakof,shrinkfromthepayment.Doyouhearme?'

When Nicholas began, Arthur Gride's impression was, that Ralph Nicklebyhadbetrayedhim;but,asheproceeded,hefeltconvincedthathoweverhehadcomebytheknowledgehepossessed,thepartheactedwasagenuineone,andthatwithRalphhehadnoconcern.Allheseemedtoknow,forcertain,was,that he, Gride, paid Ralph's debt; but that, to anybody who knew thecircumstances of Bray's detentioneven to Bray himself, on Ralph's ownstatementmustbeperfectlynotorious.AstothefraudonMadelineherself,hisvisitorknewsolittleaboutitsnatureorextent,thatitmightbealuckyguess,or a haphazard accusation. Whether or no, he had clearly no key to themystery,andcouldnothurthimwhokeptitclosewithinhisownbreast.Theallusion to friends, and the offer of money, Gride held to be mere emptyvapouring,forpurposesofdelay.'Andevenifmoneyweretobehad,'thoughtArthur Gride, as he glanced at Nicholas, and trembled with passion at hisboldnessandaudacity,'I'dhavethatdaintychickformywife,andcheatYOUofher,youngsmoothface!'

Longhabitofweighingandnotingwellwhatclientssaid,andnicelybalancingchances in his mind and calculating odds to their faces, without the leastappearance of being so engaged, had rendered Gride quick in formingconclusions, and arriving, from puzzling, intricate, and often contradictorypremises,atverycunningdeductions.Henceitwasthat,asNicholaswenton,hefollowedhimcloselywithhisownconstructions,and,whenheceased tospeak,wasaswellpreparedasifhehaddeliberatedforafortnight.

'Ihearyou,'hecried,startingfromhisseat,castingbackthefasteningsofthewindowshutters,andthrowingupthesash.'Helphere!Help!Help!'

'Whatareyoudoing?'saidNicholas,seizinghimbythearm.

'I'llcryrobbers,thieves,murder,alarmtheneighbourhood,strugglewithyou,let loose some blood, and swear you came to robme, if you don't quitmyhouse,'repliedGride,drawinginhisheadwithafrightfulgrin,'Iwill!'

'Wretch!'criedNicholas.

'YOU'LL bring your threats here, will you?' said Gride, whom jealousy ofNicholasandasenseofhisown triumphhadconverted intoaperfect fiend.'You, thedisappointed lover?Ohdear!He!he!he!Butyou shan'thaveher,nor she you. She'smywife,my doting littlewife.Do you think she'llmissyou?Doyouthinkshe'llweep?Ishall liketoseeherweep,Ishan'tmindit.Shelooksprettierintears.'

'Villain!'saidNicholas,chokingwithhisrage.

'One minute more,' cried Arthur Gride, 'and I'll rouse the street with suchscreams,as,iftheywereraisedbyanybodyelse,shouldwakemeeveninthearmsofprettyMadeline.'

'Youhound!'saidNicholas.'Ifyouwerebutayoungerman'

'Ohyes!'sneeredArthurGride,'IfIwasbutayoungermanitwouldn'tbesobad;butforme,sooldandugly!TobejiltedbylittleMadelineforme!'

'Hear me,' said Nicholas, 'and be thankful I have enough command overmyselfnottoflingyouintothestreet,whichnoaidcouldpreventmydoingifIoncegrappledwithyou.Ihavebeennoloverof this lady's.Nocontractorengagement,nowordoflove,haseverpassedbetweenus.Shedoesnotevenknowmyname.'

'I'llaskitforallthat.I'llbegitofherwithkisses,'saidArthurGride.'Yes,andshe'lltellme,andpaythemback,andwe'lllaughtogether,andhugourselves,andbeverymerry,whenwethinkofthepooryouththatwantedtohaveher,

butcouldn'tbecauseshewasbespokebyme!'

This tauntbrought suchanexpression into the faceofNicholas, thatArthurGrideplainlyapprehended it tobe the forerunnerofhisputtinghis threatofthrowinghimintothestreetinimmediateexecution;forhethrusthisheadoutof the window, and holding tight on with both hands, raised a pretty briskalarm.Notthinkingitnecessarytoabidetheissueofthenoise,Nicholasgaveventtoanindignantdefiance,andstalkedfromtheroomandfromthehouse.ArthurGridewatched him across the street, and then, drawing in his head,fastenedthewindowasbefore,andsatdowntotakebreath.

'Ifsheeverturnspettishorillhumoured,I'lltauntherwiththatspark,'hesaid,whenhehadrecovered.'She'lllittlethinkIknowabouthim;and,ifImanageitwell,Icanbreakherspiritbythismeansandhaveherundermythumb.I'mgladnobodycame.Ididn'tcalltooloud.Theaudacitytoentermyhouse,andopenuponme!But I shallhaveaverygood triumph tomorrow,andhe'llbegnawinghis fingersoff:perhapsdrownhimselforcuthis throat! I shouldn'twonder!Thatwouldmakeitquitecomplete,thatwould:quite.'

When he had become restored to his usual condition by these and othercommentsonhisapproachingtriumph,ArthurGrideputawayhisbook,and,havinglockedthechestwithgreatcaution,descendedintothekitchentowarnPeg Sliderskew to bed, and scold her for having afforded such readyadmissiontoastranger.

TheunconsciousPeg,however,notbeingable tocomprehendtheoffenceofwhichshehadbeenguilty,hesummonedhertoholdthelight,whilehemadeatourofthefastenings,andsecuredthestreetdoorwithhisownhands.

'Top bolt,' muttered Arthur, fastening as he spoke, 'bottom bolt, chain, bar,double lock, and key out to put undermy pillow! So, if anymore rejectedadmirerscome,theymaycomethroughthekeyhole.AndnowI'llgotosleeptillhalfpastfive,whenImustgetuptobemarried,Peg!'

With that,he jocularly tappedMrsSliderskewunder thechin,andappeared,for the moment, inclined to celebrate the close of his bachelor days byimprintingakissonhershrivelledlips.Thinkingbetterofit,however,hegaveherchinanothertap,inlieuofthatwarmerfamiliarity,andstoleawaytobed.

CHAPTER54

TheCrisisoftheProjectanditsResult

There arenotmanymenwho lie abed too late, or oversleep themselves, ontheirweddingmorning.Alegendthereisofsomebodyremarkableforabsenceofmind,whoopenedhiseyesupon thedaywhichwas togivehimayoungwife,andforgettingallaboutthematter,ratedhisservantsforprovidinghimwith such fine clothes as had beenprepared for the festival.There is also alegendofayounggentleman,who,nothavingbeforehiseyesthefearofthecanonsofthechurchforsuchcasesmadeandprovided,conceivedapassionforhisgrandmother.Bothcasesareofasingularandspecialkindanditisverydoubtful whether either can be considered as a precedent likely to beextensivelyfollowedbysucceedinggenerations.

ArthurGridehadenrobedhimself inhismarriagegarmentsofbottlegreen,afull hour before Mrs Sliderskew, shaking off her more heavy slumbers,knockedathischamberdoor;andhehadhobbleddownstairsinfullarrayandsmackedhislipsoverascantytasteofhisfavouritecordial,erethatdelicatepieceofantiquityenlightenedthekitchenwithherpresence.

'Faugh!'saidPeg,grubbing,inthedischargeofherdomesticfunctions,amonga scanty heap of ashes in the rusty grate. 'Wedding indeed! A preciouswedding!HewantssomebodybetterthanhisoldPegtotakecareofhim,doeshe?Andwhathashesaidtome,manyandmanyatime,tokeepmecontentwithshortfood,smallwages,andlittlefire?"Mywill,Peg!mywill!"sayshe:"I'mabachelornofriendsnorelations,Peg."Lies!Andnowhe'stobringhomeanewmistress,ababyfacedchitofagirl!Ifhewantedawife,thefool,whycouldn'thehaveonesuitable tohisage,and thatknewhisways?Shewon'tcomeinMYway,hesays.No,thatshewon't,butyoulittlethinkwhy,Arthurboy!'

While Mrs Sliderskew, influenced possibly by some lingering feelings ofdisappointmentandpersonalslight,occasionedbyheroldmaster'spreferenceforanother,wasgiving loose to thesegrumblingsbelowstairs,ArthurGridewascogitatingintheparlouruponwhathadtakenplacelastnight.

'Ican'tthinkhowhecanhavepickedupwhatheknows,'saidArthur,'unlessIhave committed myselflet something drop at Bray's, for instancewhich hasbeen overheard. Perhaps I may. I shouldn't be surprised if that was it. MrNicklebywasoftenangryatmytalkingtohimbeforewegotoutsidethedoor.Imustn't tell him that part of the business, or he'll putmeout of sorts, andmakemenervousfortheday.'

Ralphwas universally looked up to, and recognised amonghis fellows as a

superior genius, but upon Arthur Gride his stern unyielding character andconsummatearthadmadesodeepanimpression,thathewasactuallyafraidofhim.Cringingandcowardly to thecorebynature,ArthurGridehumbledhimself in thedustbeforeRalphNickleby,and,evenwhentheyhadnot thisstakeincommon,wouldhavelickedhisshoesandcrawleduponthegroundbeforehimratherthanventuretoreturnhimwordforword,orretortuponhiminanyotherspiritthanoneofthemostslavishandabjectsycophancy.

To Ralph Nickleby's, Arthur Gride now betook himself according toappointment; and toRalphNicklebyhe related how, last night, someyoungblusteringblade,whomhehadneverseen,forcedhiswayintohishouse,andtriedtofrightenhimfromtheproposednuptials.Told,inshort,whatNicholashadsaidanddone,withtheslightreservationuponwhichhehaddetermined.

'Well,andwhatthen?'saidRalph.

'Oh!nothingmore,'rejoinedGride.

'Hetriedtofrightenyou,'saidRalph,'andyouWEREfrightenedIsuppose;isthatit?'

'IfrightenedHIMbycryingthievesandmurder,'repliedGride.'OnceIwasinearnest, I tell you that, for I hadmore thanhalf amind to swear he utteredthreats,anddemandedmylifeormymoney.'

'Oho!'saidRalph,eyeinghimaskew.'Jealoustoo!'

'Dearnow,seethat!'criedArthur,rubbinghishandsandaffectingtolaugh.

'Why do youmake those grimaces,man?' saidRalph; 'youARE jealousandwithgoodcauseIthink.'

'No,no,no;notwithgoodcause,hey?Youdon't thinkwithgoodcause,doyou?'criedArthur,faltering.'Doyouthough,hey?'

'Why,howstands the fact?' returnedRalph. 'Here isanoldmanabout tobeforced inmarriageuponagirl;and to thisoldmantherecomesahandsomeyoungfellowyousaidhewashandsome,didn'tyou?'

'No!'snarledArthurGride.

'Oh!'rejoinedRalph,'Ithoughtyoudid.Well!Handsomeornothandsome,tothis old man there comes a young fellow who casts all manner of fiercedefiancesinhisteethgumsIshouldrathersayandtellshiminplaintermsthathismistresshateshim.Whatdoeshedothatfor?Philanthropy'ssake?'

'Not for loveof the lady,' repliedGride, 'forhe said thatnowordof lovehis

verywordshadeverpassedbetween'em.'

'Hesaid!' repeatedRalph,contemptuously. 'ButI likehimforone thing,andthatis,hisgivingyouthisfairwarningtokeepyourwhatisit?Tittitordaintychickwhich?under lockandkey.Becareful,Gride,becareful. It'sa triumph,too, to tear her away from a gallant young rival: a great triumph for an oldman!Itonlyremainstokeephersafewhenyouhaveherthat'sall.'

'Whatamanitis!'criedArthurGride,affecting,intheextremityofhistorture,to be highly amused.And then he added, anxiously, 'Yes; to keep her safe,that'sall.Andthatisn'tmuch,isit?'

'Much!'saidRalph,withasneer.'Why,everybodyknowswhateasythingstounderstandandtocontrol,womenare.Butcome,it'sverynearlytimeforyouto be made happy. You'll pay the bond now, I suppose, to save us troubleafterwards.'

'Ohwhatamanyouare!'croakedArthur.

'Whynot?'saidRalph.'Nobodywillpayyouinterestforthemoney,Isuppose,betweenthisandtwelveo'clock;willthey?'

'Butnobodywouldpayyouinterestforiteither,youknow,'returnedArthur,leeringatRalphwithallthecunningandslynesshecouldthrowintohisface.

'Besideswhich,'saidRalph,sufferinghisliptocurlintoasmile,'youhaven'tthemoneyaboutyou,andyouweren'tpreparedforthis,oryou'dhavebroughtitwithyou;andthere'snobodyyou'dsomuchliketoaccommodateasme.Isee.Wetrusteachotherinaboutanequaldegree.Areyouready?'

Gride,whohaddonenothingbutgrin, andnod, andchatter,during this lastspeechofRalph's,answeredintheaffirmative;and,producingfromhishatacoupleoflargewhitefavours,pinnedoneonhisbreast,andwithconsiderabledifficulty induced his friend to do the like. Thus accoutred, they got into ahiredcoachwhichRalphhadinwaiting,anddrovetotheresidenceofthefairandmostwretchedbride.

Gride,whosespiritsandcouragehadgraduallyfailedhimmoreandmoreasthey approached nearer and nearer to the house, was utterly dismayed andcowedbythemournfulsilencewhichpervadedit.Thefaceofthepoorservantgirl, the only person they saw,was disfiguredwith tears andwant of sleep.Therewasnobodytoreceiveorwelcomethem;andtheystoleupstairsintotheusualsittingroom,moreliketwoburglarsthanthebridegroomandhisfriend.

'One would think,' said Ralph, speaking, in spite of himself, in a low andsubduedvoice,'thattherewasafuneralgoingonhere,andnotawedding.'

'He,he!'titteredhisfriend,'youaresosoveryfunny!'

'Ineedbe,'remarkedRalph,drily, 'forthisisratherdullandchilling.Lookalittlebrisker,man,andnotsohangdoglike!'

'Yes,yes,Iwill,'saidGride. 'Butbutyoudon't thinkshe'scomingjustyet,doyou?'

'Why,Isupposeshe'llnotcometillsheisobliged,'returnedRalph,lookingathiswatch,'andshehasagoodhalfhourtospareyet.Curbyourimpatience.'

'IIam not impatient,' stammeredArthur. 'Iwouldn't be hardwith her for theworld.Ohdear,dear,notonanyaccount.Lethertakehertimeherowntime.Hertimeshallbeoursbyallmeans.'

WhileRalphbentuponhistremblingfriendakeenlook,whichshowedthatheperfectly understood the reason of this great consideration and regard, afootstepwasheardupon thestairs,andBrayhimselfcame into the roomontiptoe,andholdinguphishandwithacautiousgesture,asifthereweresomesickpersonnear,whomustnotbedisturbed.

'Hush!'hesaid,inalowvoice.'Shewasveryilllastnight.Ithoughtshewouldhavebrokenherheart.Sheisdressed,andcryingbitterlyinherownroom;butshe'sbetter,andquitequiet.That'severything!'

'Sheisready,isshe?'saidRalph.

'Quiteready,'returnedthefather.

'Andnotlikelytodelayusbyanyyoungladyweaknessesfainting,orsoforth?'saidRalph.

'Shemaybesafelytrustednow,'returnedBray.'Ihavebeentalkingtoherthismorning.Here!Comealittlethisway.'

HedrewRalphNicklebytothefurtherendoftheroom,andpointedtowardsGride, who sat huddled together in a corner, fumbling nervously with thebuttonsofhiscoat, andexhibitinga face,ofwhichevery skulkingandbaseexpression was sharpened and aggravated to the utmost by his anxiety andtrepidation.

'Look at thatman,'whisperedBray, emphatically. 'This seems a cruel thing,afterall.'

'Whatseemsacruelthing?'inquiredRalph,withasmuchstolidityofface,asifhereallywereinutterignoranceoftheother'smeaning.

'Thismarriage,'answeredBray.'Don'taskmewhat.YouknowaswellasIdo.'

Ralphshruggedhisshoulders,insilentdeprecationofBray'simpatience,andelevatedhiseyebrows,andpursedhislips,asmendowhentheyarepreparedwith a sufficient answer to some remark, but wait for a more favourableopportunityof advancing it, or think it scarcelyworthwhile to answer theiradversaryatall.

'Lookathim.Doesitnotseemcruel?'saidBray.

'No!'repliedRalph,boldly.

'Isayitdoes,'retortedBray,withashowofmuchirritation.'Itisacruelthing,byallthat'sbadandtreacherous!'

When men are about to commit, or to sanction the commission of someinjustice,itisnotuncommonforthemtoexpresspityfortheobjecteitherofthat or some parallel proceeding, and to feel themselves, at the time, quitevirtuousandmoral, and immenselysuperior to thosewhoexpressnopityatall.Thisisakindofupholdingoffaithaboveworks,andisverycomfortable.TodoRalphNicklebyjustice,heseldompractisedthissortofdissimulation;butheunderstoodthosewhodid,andthereforesufferedBraytosay,againandagain,withgreatvehemence, that theywerejointlydoingaverycruelthing,beforeheagainofferedtointerposeaword.

'Youseewhatadry,shrivelled,witheredoldchipitis,'returnedRalph,whentheotherwasatlengthsilent. 'Ifhewereyounger,itmightbecruel,butasitisharkee,Mr Bray, he'll die soon, and leave her a rich youngwidow!MissMadelineconsultsyourtastesthistime;letherconsultherownnext.'

'True,true,'saidBray,bitinghisnails,andplainlyveryillatease.'Icouldn'tdoanything better for her than advise her to accept these proposals, could I?Now,Iaskyou,Nickleby,asamanoftheworld;couldI?'

'Surelynot,'answeredRalph.'Itellyouwhat,sir;thereareahundredfathers,withinacircuitoffivemilesfromthisplace;welloff;good,rich,substantialmen;whowouldgladlygivetheirdaughters,andtheirownearswiththem,tothatverymanyonder,apeandmummyashelooks.'

'So thereare!' exclaimedBray,eagerlycatchingatanythingwhichseemedajustificationofhimself.'AndsoItoldher,bothlastnightandtoday.'

'Youtoldhertruth,'saidRalph,'anddidwelltodoso;thoughImustsay,atthesame time, that if Ihadadaughter,andmyfreedom,pleasure,nay,myveryhealth and life, depended on her taking a husband whom I pointed out, Ishould hope it would not be necessary to advance any other arguments to

inducehertoconsenttomywishes.'

Bray looked at Ralph as if to see whether he spoke in earnest, and havingnoddedtwiceorthriceinunqualifiedassenttowhathadfallenfromhim,said:

'Imustgoupstairsforafewminutes,tofinishdressing.WhenIcomedown,I'll bringMadelinewithme.Do you know, I had a very strange dream lastnight,whichIhavenotrememberedtill thisinstant.Idreamtthatitwasthismorning,andyouandIhadbeentalkingaswehavebeenthisminute;thatIwentupstairs, for theverypurpose forwhich Iamgoingnow;and thatas Istretchedoutmyhandto takeMadeline's,and leadherdown, thefloorsunkwithme,andafterfallingfromsuchan indescribableandtremendousheightastheimaginationscarcelyconceives,exceptindreams,Ialightedinagrave.'

'Andyouawoke,andfoundyouwerelyingonyourback,orwithyourheadhanging over the bedside, or suffering some pain from indigestion?' saidRalph.'Pshaw,MrBray!DoasIdo(youwillhavetheopportunity,nowthataconstant roundof pleasure and enjoyment opens uponyou), and, occupyingyourself a littlemore by day, have no time to think ofwhat you dream bynight.'

Ralph followed him, with a steady look, to the door; and, turning to thebridegroom,whentheywereagainalone,said,

'Markmywords,Gride, youwon't have to payHIS annuity very long.Youhavethedevil'sluckinbargains,always.Ifheisnotbookedtomakethelongvoyagebeforemanymonthsarepastandgone,Iwearanorangeforahead!'

To thisprophecy, soagreeable tohisears,Arthur returnednoanswer thanacackle of great delight. Ralph, throwing himself into a chair, they both satwaitinginprofoundsilence.Ralphwasthinking,withasneeruponhislips,onthealteredmannerofBray thatday,andhowsoon their fellowship inabaddesignhadloweredhisprideandestablishedafamiliaritybetweenthem,whenhisattentiveearcaughttherustlingofafemaledressuponthestairs,andthefootstepofaman.

'Wake up,' he said, stamping his foot impatiently upon the ground, 'and besomethinglikelife,man,willyou?Theyarehere.Urgethosedryoldbonesofyoursthisway.Quick,man,quick!'

Grideshambledforward,andstood,leeringandbowing,closebyRalph'sside,whenthedooropenedandthereenteredinhastenotBrayandhisdaughter,butNicholasandhissisterKate.

If some tremendous apparition from the world of shadows had suddenly

presented itself before him, Ralph Nickleby could not have been morethunderstrickenthanhewasbythissurprise.Hishandsfellpowerlessbyhisside,hereeledback;andwithopenmouth,andafaceofashypaleness,stoodgazing at them in speechless rage: his eyes so prominent, and his face soconvulsedandchangedbythepassionswhichragedwithinhim,thatitwouldhavebeendifficulttorecogniseinhimthesamestern,composed,hardfeaturedmanhehadbeennotaminuteago.

'Themanthatcametomelastnight,'whisperedGride,pluckingathiselbow.'Themanthatcametomelastnight!'

'Isee,'mutteredRalph,'Iknow!Imighthaveguessedasmuchbefore.Acrossmyeverypath,ateveryturn,gowhereIwill,dowhatImay,hecomes!'

Theabsenceofallcolourfromtheface;thedilatednostril;thequiveringofthelipswhich, though set firmly against each other,would not be still; showedwhat emotions were struggling for the mastery with Nicholas. But he keptthem down, and gently pressingKate's arm to reassure her, stood erect andundaunted,fronttofrontwithhisunworthyrelative.

As the brother and sister stood side by side, with a gallant bearing whichbecamethemwell,acloselikenessbetweenthemwasapparent,whichmany,hadtheyonlyseenthemapart,mighthavefailedtoremark.Theair,carriage,andverylookandexpressionofthebrotherwereallreflectedinthesister,butsoftened and refined to the nicest limit of feminine delicacy and attraction.Morestrikingstillwassomeindefinableresemblance,inthefaceofRalph,toboth.Whiletheyhadneverlookedmorehandsome,norhemoreugly;whiletheyhadneverheldthemselvesmoreproudly,norheshrunkhalfsolow;thereneverhadbeenatimewhenthisresemblancewassoperceptible,orwhenalltheworstcharacteristicsofafacerenderedcoarseandharshbyevilthoughtswerehalfsomanifestasnow.

'Away!' was the first word he could utter as he literally gnashed his teeth.'Away!Whatbringsyouhere?Liar,scoundrel,dastard,thief!'

'Icomehere,'saidNicholasinalowdeepvoice,'tosaveyourvictimifIcan.Liarandscoundrelyouare,ineveryactionofyourlife;theftisyourtrade;anddoubledastardyoumustbe,oryouwerenotheretoday.Hardwordswillnotmoveme,norwouldhardblows.HereIstand,andwill, till Ihavedonemyerrand.'

'Girl!'saidRalph,'retire!Wecanuseforcetohim,butIwouldnothurtyouifIcouldhelpit.Retire,youweakandsillywench,andleavethisdogtobedealtwithashedeserves.'

'Iwillnotretire,'criedKate,withflashingeyesandtheredbloodmantlinginhercheeks.'Youwilldohimnohurtthathewillnotrepay.Youmayuseforcewithme;I thinkyouwill,forIAMagirl,andthatwouldwellbecomeyou.ButifIhaveagirl'sweakness,Ihaveawoman'sheart,anditisnotyouwhoinacauselikethiscanturnthatfromitspurpose.'

'Andwhatmayyourpurposebe,mostloftylady?'saidRalph.

'Tooffertotheunhappysubjectofyourtreachery,atthislastmoment,'repliedNicholas,'arefugeandahome.Ifthenearprospectofsuchahusbandasyouhave provided will not prevail upon her, I hope shemay bemoved by theprayersandentreatiesofoneofherownsex.Atalleventstheyshallbetried.Imyself, avowing to her father from whom I come and by whom I amcommissioned,willrenderitanactofgreaterbaseness,meanness,andcrueltyinhimifhestilldarestoforcethismarriageon.HereIwaittoseehimandhisdaughter.ForthisIcameandbroughtmysisterevenintoyourpresence.Ourpurposeisnottoseeorspeakwithyou;thereforetoyouwestooptosaynomore.'

'Indeed!'saidRalph.'Youpersistinremaininghere,ma'am,doyou?'

His niece's bosom heavedwith the indignant excitement intowhich he hadlashedher,butshegavehimnoreply.

'Now,Gride, see here,' said Ralph. 'This fellowI grieve to saymy brother'sson:areprobateandprofligate,stainedwitheverymeanandselfishcrimethisfellow,comingheretodaytodisturbasolemnceremony,andknowingthattheconsequenceofhispresentinghimselfinanotherman'shouseatsuchatime,andpersistinginremainingthere,mustbehisbeingkickedintothestreetsanddragged through them like the vagabond he isthis fellow,mark you, bringswithhimhissisterasaprotection,thinkingwewouldnotexposeasillygirltothe degradation and indignitywhich is no novelty to him; and, even after Ihavewarnedherofwhatmustensue,hestillkeepsherbyhim,asyousee,andclings to her apronstrings like a cowardly boy to hismother's. Is not this aprettyfellowtotalkasbigasyouhaveheardhimnow?'

'Andas Iheardhim lastnight,' saidArthurGride; 'as Iheardhim lastnightwhenhesneakedintomyhouse,andhe!he!he!verysoonsneakedoutagain,when I nearly frightened him to death. And HE wanting to marry MissMadelinetoo!Ohdear!Isthereanythingelsehe'dlike?Anythingelsewecandoforhim,besidesgivingherup?Wouldhelikehisdebtspaidandhishousefurnished,andafewbanknotesforshavingpaperifheshavesatall?He!he!he!'

'Youwill remain,girl,willyou?'saidRalph, turninguponKateagain, 'tobe

hauleddownstairslikeadrunkendrab,asIswearyoushallifyoustophere?Noanswer!Thankyourbrother forwhat follows.Gride, calldownBrayandnothisdaughter.Letthemkeepherabove.'

'Ifyouvalueyourhead,'saidNicholas, takingupapositionbefore thedoor,andspeakinginthesamelowvoiceinwhichhehadspokenbefore,andwithnomoreoutwardpassionthanhehadbeforedisplayed;'staywhereyouare!'

'Mindme,andnothim,andcalldownBray,'saidRalph.

'Mindyourselfratherthaneitherofus,andstaywhereyouare!'saidNicholas.

'WillyoucalldownBray?'criedRalph.

'Rememberthatyoucomenearmeatyourperil,'saidNicholas.

Gridehesitated.Ralphbeing,bythistime,asfuriousasabaffledtiger,madefor thedoor,and,attempting topassKate,claspedherarmroughlywithhishand.Nicholas,with his eyes darting fire, seized him by the collar.At thatmoment,aheavybodyfellwithgreatviolenceonthefloorabove,and,inaninstantafterwards,washeardamostappallingandterrificscream.

Theyallstoodstill,andgazeduponeachother.Screamsucceededscream;aheavypatteringoffeetsucceeded;andmanyshrillvoicesclamouringtogetherwereheardtocry,'Heisdead!'

'Standoff!' criedNicholas, letting looseall thepassionhehad restrained tillnow; 'if this iswhat Iscarcelydare tohope it is,youarecaught,villains, inyourowntoils.'

Heburstfromtheroom,and,dartingupstairstothequarterfromwhencethenoiseproceeded,forcedhiswaythroughacrowdofpersonswhoquitefilledasmallbedchamber,andfoundBraylyingonthefloorquitedead;hisdaughterclingingtothebody.

'Howdidthishappen?'hecried,lookingwildlyabouthim.

Several voices answered together, that he had been observed, through thehalfopeneddoor,reclininginastrangeanduneasypositionuponachair;thathehadbeenspokentoseveraltimes,andnotanswering,wassupposedtobeasleep,untilsomepersongoinginandshakinghimbythearm,hefellheavilytothegroundandwasdiscoveredtobedead.

'Whoistheownerofthishouse?'saidNicholas,hastily.

An elderlywomanwas pointed out to him; and to her he said, as he kneltdown and gently unwound Madeline's arms from the lifeless mass round

which they were entwined: 'I represent this lady's nearest friends, as herservanthereknows,andmustremoveherfromthisdreadfulscene.Thisismysister towhosechargeyouconfideher.Mynameandaddress areupon thatcard, and you shall receive from me all necessary directions for thearrangementsthatmustbemade.Standaside,everyoneofyou,andgivemeroomandairforGod'ssake!'

Thepeoplefellback,scarcewonderingmoreatwhathadjustoccurred,thanatthe excitement and impetuosity of him who spoke. Nicholas, taking theinsensiblegirlinhisarms,boreherfromthechamberanddownstairsintotheroomhehadjustquitted,followedbyhissisterandthefaithfulservant,whomhe charged to procure a coach directly, while he and Kate bent over theirbeautifulchargeandendeavoured,butinvain,torestorehertoanimation.Thegirlperformedherofficewithsuchexpedition,thatinaveryfewminutesthecoachwasready.

RalphNicklebyandGride, stunnedandparalysedby the awful eventwhichhad so suddenlyoverthrown their schemes (itwouldnototherwise,perhaps,havemademuchimpressiononthem),andcarriedawaybytheextraordinaryenergyandprecipitationofNicholas,whichboredownallbeforehim,lookedonattheseproceedingslikemeninadreamortrance.Itwasnotuntileverypreparation was made for Madeline's immediate removal that Ralph brokesilencebydeclaringsheshouldnotbetakenaway.

'Whosaysso?'criedNicholas,risingfromhiskneeandconfrontingthem,butstillretainingMadeline'slifelesshandinhis.

'I!'answeredRalph,hoarsely.

'Hush,hush!' cried the terrifiedGride, catchinghimby thearmagain. 'Hearwhathesays.'

'Ay!' saidNicholas, extending his disengaged hand in the air, 'hearwhat hesays.Thatbothyourdebtsarepaid in theonegreatdebtofnature.That thebond,duetodayattwelve,isnowwastepaper.Thatyourcontemplatedfraudshallbediscoveredyet.Thatyourschemesareknowntoman,andoverthrownbyHeaven.Wretches,thathedefiesyoubothtodoyourworst.'

'Thisman,' said Ralph, in a voice scarcely intelligible, 'thisman claims hiswife,andheshallhaveher.'

'Thatmanclaimswhatisnothis,andheshouldnothaveherifhewerefiftymen,withfiftymoretobackhim,'saidNicholas.

'Whoshallpreventhim?'

'Iwill.'

'BywhatrightIshouldliketoknow,'saidRalph.'BywhatrightIask?'

'Bythis right.That,knowingwhatIdo,youdarenot temptmefurther,' saidNicholas, 'and by this better right; that those I serve, and with whom youwouldhavedonemebasewrongand injury, arehernearest andherdearestfriends.IntheirnameIbearherhence.Giveway!'

'Oneword!'criedRalph,foamingatthemouth.

'Notone,'repliedNicholas, 'Iwillnothearofonesavethis.Looktoyourself,andheed thiswarning that Igiveyou!Yourday ispast,andnight iscomin'on.'

'Mycurse,mybitter,deadlycurse,uponyou,boy!'

'Whence will curses come at your command? Or what avails a curse orblessing from aman like you? I tell you, thatmisfortune and discovery arethickening about your head; that the structures you have raised, through allyour illspent life,arecrumbling intodust; thatyourpath isbesetwithspies;thatthisveryday,tenthousandpoundsofyourhoardedwealthhavegoneinonegreatcrash!'

''Tisfalse!'criedRalph,shrinkingback.

''Tistrue,andyoushallfinditso.Ihavenomorewordstowaste.Standfromthedoor.Kate,doyougofirst.Laynotahandonher,oronthatwoman,oronme,orsomuchabrushtheirgarmentsastheypassyouby!Youletthempass,andheblocksthedooragain!'

ArthurGridehappenedtobeinthedoorway,butwhetherintentionallyorfromconfusion was not quite apparent. Nicholas swung him away, with suchviolenceastocausehimtospinroundtheroomuntilhewascaughtbyasharpangle of the wall, and there knocked down; and then taking his beautifulburden in his arms rushed out. No one cared to stop him, if any were sodisposed.Making his way through amob of people, whom a report of thecircumstances had attracted round the house, and carryingMadeline, in hisexcitement,aseasilyasifshewereaninfant,hereachedthecoachinwhichKate and the girl were already waiting, and, confiding his charge to them,jumpedupbesidethecoachmanandbadehimdriveaway.

CHAPTER55

OfFamilyMatters,Cares,Hopes,Disappointments,andSorrows

AlthoughMrsNicklebyhadbeenmade acquaintedbyher son anddaughterwith every circumstance of Madeline Bray's history which was known tothem; although the responsible situation in which Nicholas stood had beencarefully explained toher, and shehadbeenprepared, even for thepossiblecontingencyofhavingtoreceivetheyoungladyinherownhouse,improbableassucharesulthadappearedonlyafewminutesbefore itcameabout,still,MrsNickleby,fromthemomentwhenthisconfidencewasfirstreposedinher,late on the previous evening, had remained in an unsatisfactory andprofoundlymystified state, fromwhich no explanations or arguments couldrelieve her, andwhich every fresh soliloquy and reflection only aggravatedmoreandmore.

'Blessmyheart,Kate!' so thegood ladyargued; 'if theMrCheeryblesdon'twantthisyoungladytobemarried,whydon'ttheyfileabillagainsttheLordChancellor,makeheraChanceryward,andshutherupintheFleetprisonforsafety?I have read of such things in the newspapers a hundred times.Or, iftheyaresoveryfondofherasNicholassaystheyare,whydon'ttheymarryherthemselvesoneofthemImean?Andevensupposingtheydon'twanthertobe married, and don't want to marry her themselves, why in the name ofwondershouldNicholasgoabouttheworld,forbiddingpeople'sbanns?'

'Idon'tthinkyouquiteunderstand,'saidKate,gently.

'Well I am sure,Kate,mydear, you're very polite!' repliedMrsNickleby. 'IhavebeenmarriedmyselfIhope,andIhaveseenotherpeoplemarried.Notunderstand,indeed!'

'I knowyouhavehadgreat experience, dearmama,' saidKate; 'Imean thatperhapsyoudon'tquiteunderstandall thecircumstancesinthisinstance.Wehavestatedthemawkwardly,Idaresay.'

'ThatIdaresayyouhave,'retortedhermother,briskly.'That'sverylikely.Iamnot to be held accountable for that; though, at the same time, as thecircumstancesspeakforthemselves,Ishalltaketheliberty,mylove,ofsayingthatIdounderstandthem,andperfectlywelltoo;whateveryouandNicholasmaychoose to think to thecontrary.Whyissuchagreat fussmadebecausethisMissMagdalen is going tomarry somebodywho is older than herself?Your poor papa was older than I was, four years and a half older. JaneDibabstheDibabseslivedinthebeautifullittlethatchedwhitehouseonestoryhigh, covered all overwith ivy and creeping plants, with an exquisite little

porchwithtwininghonysucklesandallsortsofthings:wheretheearwigsusedto fall intoone's teaonasummerevening,andalways fellupon theirbacksand kicked dreadfully, and where the frogs used to get into the rushlightshadeswhenonestoppedallnight,andsitupandlookthroughthelittleholeslikeChristiansJaneDibabs, SHEmarried amanwhowas a great deal olderthanherself,andWOULDmarryhim,notwithstandingallthatcouldbesaidtothe contrary, and shewas so fond of him that nothingwas ever equal to it.There was no fuss made about Jane Dibabs, and her husband was a mosthonourableandexcellentman,andeverybodyspokewellofhim.ThenwhyshouldtherebyanyfussaboutthisMagdalen?'

'Herhusbandismucholder;heisnotherownchoice;hischaracteristheveryreverse of that which you have just described. Don't you see a broaddestinctionbetweenthetwocases?'saidKate.

To this,Mrs Nickleby only replied that she durst say she was very stupid,indeedshehadnodoubtshewas,forherownchildrenalmostasmuchastoldher so,everydayofher life; tobesure shewasa littleolder than they,andperhapssomefoolishpeoplemight thinksheoughtreasonablytoknowbest.However, nodoubt shewaswrong; of course shewas; she alwayswas, shecouldn'tberight,shecouldn'tbeexpectedtobe;soshehadbetternotexposeherselfanymore;and toallKate'sconciliationsandconcessionsforanhourensuing,thegoodladygavenootherrepliesthanOh,certainly,whydidtheyaskHER?,HERopinionwas of no consequence, it didn'tmatterwhat SHEsaid,withmanyotherrejoindersofthesameclass.

In this frame of mind (expressed, when she had become too resigned forspeech, by nods of the head, upliftings of the eyes, and little beginnings ofgroans,converted,astheyattractedattention,intoshortcoughs),MrsNicklebyremaineduntilNicholasandKatereturnedwiththeobjectoftheirsolicitude;when,havingbythistimeassertedherownimportance,andbecomingbesidesinterested in the trialsofonesoyoungandbeautiful, shenotonlydisplayedthe utmost zeal and solicitude, but took great credit to herself forrecommendingthecourseofprocedurewhichhersonhadadopted:frequentlydeclaring,withanexpressivelook,thatitwasveryfortunatethingswereAStheywere:andhinting, thatbut forgreatencouragementandwisdomonherownpart,theynevercouldhavebeenbroughttothatpass.

NottostrainthequestionwhetherMrsNicklebyhadorhadnotanygreathandinbringingmattersabout,itisunquestionablethatshehadstronggroundforexultation. The brothers, on their return, bestowed such commendations onNicholasfortheparthehadtaken,andevincedsomuchjoyatthealteredstateof events and the recovery of their young friend from trials so great anddangerssothreatening,that,asshemorethanonceinformedherdaughter,she

now considered the fortunes of the family 'as good as' made. Mr CharlesCheeryble, indeed, Mrs Nickleby positively asserted, had, in the firsttransportsofhis surprise anddelight, 'asgoodas' said so.Withoutpreciselyexplaining what this qualification meant, she subsided, whenever shementioned the subject, into such amysterious and important state, and hadsuch visions of wealth and dignity in perspective, that (vague and cloudedthoughtheywere)shewas,atsuchtimes,almostashappyasifshehadreallybeenpermanentlyprovidedfor,onascaleofgreatsplendour.

The sudden and terrible shock she had received, combined with the greatafflictionandanxietyofmindwhichshehad,foralongtime,endured,provedtoomuch forMadeline's strength.Recovering from the state of stupefactioninto which the sudden death of her father happily plunged her, she onlyexchanged that condition for one of dangerous and active illness.When thedelicate physical powers which have been sustained by an unnatural strainuponthementalenergiesandaresolutedeterminationnottoyield,atlastgiveway,theirdegreeofprostrationisusuallyproportionatetothestrengthoftheeffortwhichhaspreviouslyupheldthem.ThusitwasthattheillnesswhichfellonMadelinewasofnoslightortemporarynature,butonewhich,foratime,threatenedherreason,andscarcelyworseherlifeitself.

Who, slowly recovering from a disorder so severe and dangerous, could beinsensible to the unremitting attentions of such a nurse as gentle, tender,earnestKate?Onwhomcouldthesweetsoftvoice,thelightstep,thedelicatehand,thequiet,cheerful,noiselessdischargeofthosethousandlittleofficesofkindness and reliefwhichwe feel so deeplywhenwe are ill, and forget solightlywhenwearewellonwhomcouldtheymakesodeepanimpressionasonayoungheartstoredwitheverypureandtrueaffectionthatwomencherish;almosta stranger to theendearmentsanddevotionof itsownsex, saveas itlearnt them from itself; and rendered, by calamity and suffering, keenlysusceptible of the sympathy so long unknown and so long sought in vain?What wonder that days became as years in knitting them together! Whatwonder,ifwitheveryhourofreturninghealth,therecamesomestrongerandsweeter recognition of the praises which Kate, when they recalled oldscenestheyseemedoldnow,andtohavebeenactedyearsagowouldlavishonher brother!Wherewould have been thewonder, even, if those praises hadfound a quick response in thebreast ofMadeline, and if,with the imageofNicholas so constantly recurring in the features of his sister that she couldscarcely separate the two, she had sometimes found it equally difficult toassign to each the feelings they had first inspired, and had imperceptiblymingledwithhergratitudetoNicholas,someofthatwarmerfeelingwhichshehadassignedtoKate?

'Mydear,'MrsNicklebywould say, coming into the roomwithanelaboratecaution,calculatedtodiscomposethenervesofaninvalidrathermorethantheentryofahorsesoldieratfullgallop;'howdoyoufindyourselftonight?Ihopeyouarebetter.'

'Almost well, mama,' Kate would reply, laying down her work, and takingMadeline'shandinhers.

'Kate!'MrsNicklebywould say, reprovingly, 'don't talk so loud' (theworthylady herself talking in a whisper that would have made the blood of thestoutestmanruncoldinhisveins).

Katewould take this reproof very quietly, andMrsNickleby,making everyboardcreakandeverythreadrustleasshemovedstealthilyabout,wouldadd:

'MysonNicholashasjustcomehome,andIhavecome,accordingtocustom,mydear,toknow,fromyourownlips,exactlyhowyouare;forhewon'ttakemyaccount,andneverwill.'

'Heislaterthanusualtonight,'perhapsMadelinewouldreply.'Nearlyhalfanhour.'

'Well,Ineversawsuchpeopleinallmylifeasyouare,fortime,uphere!'MrsNicklebywouldexclaimingreatastonishment;'IdeclareIneverdid!IhadnottheleastideathatNicholaswasafterhistime,notthesmallest.MrNicklebyused to sayyourpoorpapa, I amspeakingof,Katemydearused to say, thatappetitewas thebest clock in theworld, butyouhaveno appetite,mydearMissBray,Iwishyouhad,anduponmywordIreallythinkyououghttotakesomethingthatwouldgiveyouone.IamsureIdon'tknow,butIhaveheardthattwoorthreedozennativelobstersgiveanappetite,thoughthatcomestothesame thingafterall, for I supposeyoumusthaveanappetitebeforeyoucantake'em.IfIsaidlobsters,Imeantoysters,butofcourseit'sallthesame,thoughreallyhowyoucametoknowaboutNicholas'

'Wehappenedtobejusttalkingabouthim,mama;thatwasit.'

'Youneverseemtometobetalkingaboutanythingelse,Kate,anduponmyword I am quite surprised at your being so very thoughtless. You can findsubjectsenoughtotalkaboutsometimes,andwhenyouknowhowimportantit is to keepupMissBray's spirits, and interest her, and all that, it really isquiteextraordinarytomewhatcaninduceyoutokeeponprose,prose,prose,din,din,din,everlastingly,uponthesametheme.Youareaverykindnurse,Kate, and a very good one, and I knowyoumean verywell; but Iwill saythisthat if itwasn't forme, I reallydon't knowwhatwouldbecomeofMissBray's spirits, and so I tell thedoctor everyday.He sayshewondershow I

sustainmyown,andIamsureIveryoftenwondermyselfhowIcancontrivetokeepupasIdo.Ofcourseit'sanexertion,butstill,whenIknowhowmuchdepends upon me in this house, I am obliged to make it. There's nothingpraiseworthyinthat,butit'snecessary,andIdoit.'

Withthat,MrsNicklebywoulddrawupachair,andforsomethreequartersofanhourrunthroughagreatvarietyofdistractingtopicsinthemostdistractingmannerpossible;tearingherselfaway,atlength,onthepleathatshemustnowgoandamuseNicholaswhilehetookhissupper.Afterapreliminaryraisingofhis spirits with the information that she considered the patient decidedlyworse, she would further cheer him up by relating how dull, listless, andlowspiritedMissBraywas,becauseKate foolishly talkedaboutnothingelsebut him and family matters. When she had made Nicholas thoroughlycomfortablewith theseandother inspiritingremarks,shewoulddiscourseatlengthonthearduousdutiesshehadperformedthatday;and,sometimes,bemoved to tears inwonderinghow, ifanythingwere tohappen toherself, thefamilywouldevergetonwithouther.

Atothertimes,whenNicholascamehomeatnight,hewouldbeaccompaniedbyMr Frank Cheeryble, whowas commissioned by the brothers to inquirehowMadelinewas that evening.On such occasions (and theywere of veryfrequent occurrence),Mrs Nickleby deemed it of particular importance thatsheshouldhaveherwitsabouther;for,fromcertainsignsandtokenswhichhadattractedherattention,sheshrewdlysuspectedthatMrFrank,interestedashisuncleswereinMadeline,camequiteasmuchtoseeKateastoinquireafterher;themoreespeciallyasthebrotherswereinconstantcommunicationwiththemedicalman,camebackwardsand forwardsvery frequently themselves,and received a full report fromNicholas everymorning. Thesewere proudtimesforMrsNickleby;neverwasanybodyhalfsodiscreetandsageasshe,orhalfsomysteriouswithal;andneverweretheresuchcunninggeneralship,andsuchunfathomabledesigns,asshebrought tobearuponMrFrank,withtheviewofascertainingwhetherhersuspicionswerewellfounded:andifso,of tantalising him into taking her into his confidence and throwing himselfuponhermercifulconsideration.Extensivewastheartillery,heavyandlight,which Mrs Nickleby brought into play for the furtherance of these greatschemes;variousandoppositethemeanswhichsheemployedtobringaboutthe end she had in view. At one time, she was all cordiality and ease; atanother, all stiffness and frigidity.Now, shewould seem to open herwholeheart toherunhappyvictim; thenext time theymet, shewould receivehimwith themost distant and studious reserve, as if a new light had broken inuponher,and,guessinghisintentions,shehadresolvedtochecktheminthebud;asifshefeltitherboundendutytoactwithSpartanfirmness,andatonceand for ever to discourage hopes which never could be realised. At other

times,whenNicholaswasnottheretooverhear,andKatewasupstairsbusilytending her sick friend, the worthy lady would throw out dark hints of anintentiontosendherdaughtertoFranceforthreeorfouryears,ortoScotlandfortheimprovementofherhealthimpairedbyherlatefatigues,ortoAmericaonavisit,oranywherethatthreatenedalongandtediousseparation.Nay,sheevenwent so far as to hint, obscurely, at an attachment entertained for herdaughterby the sonof anoldneighbourof theirs,oneHoratioPeltirogus (ayoung gentleman who might have been, at that time, four years old, orthereabouts),andtorepresentit,indeed,asalmostasettledthingbetweenthefamiliesonly waiting for her daughter's final decision, to come off with thesanction of the church, and to the unspeakable happiness and content of allparties.

Itwasinthefullprideandgloryofhavingsprungthislastmineonenightwithextraordinary success, thatMrs Nickleby took the opportunity of being leftalonewithhersonbeforeretiringtorest,tosoundhimonthesubjectwhichsooccupied her thoughts: not doubting that they could have but one opinionrespecting it.To thisend, sheapproached thequestionwithdivers laudatoryand appropriate remarks touching the general amiability of Mr FrankCheeryble.

'Youarequiteright,mother,'saidNicholas,'quiteright.Heisafinefellow.'

'Goodlooking,too,'saidMrsNickleby.

'Decidedlygoodlooking,'answeredNicholas.

'Whatmayyoucallhisnose,now,mydear?'pursuedMrsNickleby,wishingtointerestNicholasinthesubjecttotheutmost.

'Callit?'repeatedNicholas.

'Ah!' returnedhismother, 'what styleofnose?Whatorderofarchitecture, ifonemaysayso.Iamnotverylearnedinnoses.DoyoucallitaRomanoraGrecian?'

'Uponmyword,mother,' saidNicholas, laughing, 'aswell as I remember, IshouldcallitakindofComposite,ormixednose.ButIhavenoverystrongrecollectiononthesubject.Ifitwillaffordyouanygratification,I'llobserveitmoreclosely,andletyouknow.'

'Iwishyouwould,mydear,'saidMrsNickleby,withanearnestlook.

'Verywell,'returnedNicholas.'Iwill.'

Nicholas returned to theperusal of thebookhehadbeen reading,when the

dialogue had gone thus far. Mrs Nickleby, after stopping a little forconsideration,resumed.

'Heisverymuchattachedtoyou,Nicholas,mydear.'

Nicholas laughingly said, asheclosedhisbook, thathewasglad tohear it,and observed that his mother seemed deep in their new friend's confidencealready.

'Hem!'saidMrsNickleby. 'Idon'tknowabout that,mydear,butI thinkit isverynecessarythatsomebodyshouldbeinhisconfidence;highlynecessary.'

Elated by a look of curiosity from her son, and the consciousness ofpossessing a great secret, all to herself, Mrs Nickleby went on with greatanimation:

'Iamsure,mydearNicholas,howyoucanhavefailedtonoticeit,is,tome,quite extraordinary; though I don't know why I should say that, either,because,of course, as far as it goes, and to a certain extent, there is agreatdealinthissortofthing,especiallyinthisearlystage,which,howeverclearitmaybetofemales,canscarcelybeexpectedtobesoevidenttomen.Idon'tsay that Ihaveanyparticularpenetration insuchmatters. Imayhave; thoseaboutmeshouldknowbestaboutthat,andperhapsdoknow.UponthatpointIshallexpressnoopinion,itwouldn'tbecomemetodoso,it'squiteoutofthequestion,quite.'

Nicholassnuffedthecandles,puthishandsinhispockets,and,leaningbackinhischair,assumedalookofpatientsufferingandmelancholyresignation.

'Ithinkitmyduty,Nicholas,mydear,'resumedhismother,'totellyouwhatIknow: not only because you have a right to know it too, and to knoweverythingthathappensinthisfamily,butbecauseyouhaveitinyourpowerto promote and assist the thing very much; and there is no doubt that thesoonerone cancome to a clearunderstandingon such subjects, it is alwaysbetter,everyway.Thereareagreatmanythingsyoumightdo;suchastakingawalk in the garden sometimes, or sitting upstairs in your own room for alittlewhile, ormakingbelieve to fall asleepoccasionally, or pretending thatyourecollectedsomebusiness,andgoingoutforanhourorso,andtakingMrSmikewith you. These seem very slight things, and I dare say youwill beamusedatmymakingthemofsomuchimportance;atthesametime,mydear,Icanassureyou(andyou'llfindthisout,Nicholas,foryourselfoneofthesedays, if you ever fall in love with anybody; as I trust and hope you will,provided she is respectable and well conducted, and of course you'd neverdreamoffalling in lovewithanybodywhowasnot), Isay, Icanassureyouthatagreatdealmoredependsupontheselittlethingsthanyouwouldsuppose

possible.Ifyourpoorpapawasalive,hewouldtellyouhowmuchdependedonthepartiesbeingleftalone.Ofcourse,youarenottogooutoftheroomasifyoumeantitanddiditonpurpose,butasifitwasquiteanaccident,andtocomebackagaininthesameway.Ifyoucoughinthepassagebeforeyouopenthedoor,orwhistlecarelessly,orhumatune,orsomethingofthatsort,toletthemknowyou're coming, it's always better; because, of course, though it'snotonlynaturalbutperfectlycorrectandproperunderthecircumstances,stillitisveryconfusingifyouinterruptyoungpeoplewhentheyarewhentheyaresitting on the sofa, andand all that sort of thing:which is very nonsensical,perhaps,butstilltheywilldoit.'

Theprofoundastonishmentwithwhichhersonregardedherduringthislongaddress, gradually increasing as it approached its climax in no waydiscomposed Mrs Nickleby, but rather exalted her opinion of her owncleverness;therefore,merelystoppingtoremark,withmuchcomplacency,thatshehadfullyexpectedhimtobesurprised,sheenteredonavastquantityofcircumstantial evidenceofaparticularly incoherentandperplexingkind; theupshot of whichwas, to establish, beyond the possibility of doubt, thatMrFrankCheeryblehadfallendesperatelyinlovewithKate.

'Withwhom?'criedNicholas.

MrsNicklebyrepeated,withKate.

'What!OURKate!Mysister!'

'Lord,Nicholas!'returnedMrsNickleby,'whoseKateshoulditbe,ifnotours;orwhatshouldIcareaboutit,ortakeanyinterestinitfor,ifitwasanybodybutyoursister?'

'Dearmother,'saidNicholas,'surelyitcan'tbe!'

'Verygood,mydear,' repliedMrsNickleby,withgreatconfidence. 'Waitandsee.'

Nicholashadnever,until thatmoment,bestoweda thoughtupon the remotepossibility of such an occurrence as that which was now communicated tohim; for, besides that he had been much from home of late and closelyoccupiedwithothermatters,hisownjealousfearshadpromptedthesuspicionthat some secret interest in Madeline, akin to that which he felt himself,occasioned those visits of Frank Cheeryble which had recently become sofrequent. Even now, although he knew that the observation of an anxiousmotherwasmuchmorelikelytobecorrectinsuchacasethanhisown,andalthoughsheremindedhimofmanylittlecircumstanceswhich,takentogether,werecertainlysusceptibleoftheconstructionshetriumphantlyputuponthem,

he was not quite convinced but that they arose from mere goodnaturedthoughtless gallantry, whichwould have dictated the same conduct towardsanyothergirlwhowasyoungandpleasing.Atall events,hehoped so, andthereforetriedtobelieveit.

'I amverymuchdisturbedbywhat you tellme,' saidNicholas, after a littlereflection,'thoughIyethopeyoumaybemistaken.'

'Idon'tunderstandwhyyoushouldhopeso,'saidMrsNickleby,'Iconfess;butyoumaydependuponitIamnot.'

'WhatofKate?'inquiredNicholas.

'Whythat,mydear,'returnedMrsNickleby,'isjustthepointuponwhichIamnotyet satisfied.During this sickness, shehasbeenconstantlyatMadeline'sbedsideneverweretwopeoplesofondofeachotherastheyhavegrownandtotellyouthetruth,Nicholas,Ihaveratherkeptherawaynowandthen,becauseIthinkit'sagoodplan,andurgesayoungmanon.Hedoesn'tgettoosure,youknow.'

Shesaidthiswithsuchaminglingofhighdelightandselfcongratulation,thatit was inexpressibly painful to Nicholas to dash her hopes; but he felt thattherewasonlyonehonourablecoursebeforehim,and thathewasbound totakeit.

'Dear mother,' he said kindly, 'don't you see that if there were really anyserious inclination on the part ofMr Frank towards Kate, and we sufferedourselves for a moment to encourage it, we should be acting a mostdishonourableandungratefulpart?Iaskyouifyoudon'tseeit,butIneednotsay that I know you don't, or you would have been more strictly on yourguard.Letmeexplainmymeaningtoyou.Rememberhowpoorweare.'

MrsNicklebyshookherhead,andsaid,throughhertears,thatpovertywasnotacrime.

'No,' said Nicholas, 'and for that reason poverty should engender an honestpride,thatitmaynotleadandtemptustounworthyactions,andthatwemaypreserve the selfrespect which a hewer of wood and drawer of water maymaintain, and does better in maintaining than a monarch in preserving his.Thinkwhatweowetothesetwobrothers:rememberwhattheyhavedone,andwhat theydo everyday foruswith agenerosity anddelicacy forwhich thedevotionofourwholeliveswouldbeamostimperfectandinadequatereturn.What kind of return would that be which would be comprised in ourpermitting theirnephew, theironly relative,whomthey regardasa son,andfor whom it would be mere childishness to suppose they have not formed

plans suitably adapted to the education he has had, and the fortune hewillinheritinourpermittinghimtomarryaportionlessgirl:socloselyconnectedwithus,thattheirresistibleinferencemustbe,thathewasentrappedbyaplot;thatitwasadeliberatescheme,andaspeculationamongstusthree?Bringthematterclearlybeforeyourself,mother.Now,howwouldyoufeel,iftheyweremarried, and the brothers, coming here on one of those kind errandswhichbringthemheresooften,youhadtobreakouttothemthetruth?Wouldyoubeatease,andfeelthatyouhadplayedanopenpart?'

PoorMrsNickleby,cryingmoreandmore,murmuredthatofcourseMrFrankwouldasktheconsentofhisunclesfirst.

'Why, tobesure, thatwouldplaceHIMinabettersituationwith them,'saidNicholas, 'but we should still be open to the same suspicions; the distancebetweenuswouldstillbeasgreat;theadvantagestobegainedwouldstillbeas manifest as now.Wemay be reckoning without our host in all this,' headded more cheerfully, 'and I trust, and almost believe we are. If it beotherwise,IhavethatconfidenceinKatethatIknowshewillfeelasIdoandinyou,dearmother,tobeassuredthatafteralittleconsiderationyouwilldothesame.'

Aftermanymorerepresentationsandentreaties,NicholasobtainedapromisefromMrsNicklebythatshewouldtryallshecouldtothinkashedid;andthatifMrFrankpersevered in his attentions shewould endeavour to discouragethem, or, at the least, would render him no countenance or assistance. Hedetermined to forbear mentioning the subject to Kate until he was quiteconvincedthatthereexistedarealnecessityforhisdoingso;andresolvedtoassurehimself,aswellashecouldbyclosepersonalobservation,oftheexactpositionofaffairs.Thiswasaverywiseresolution,buthewaspreventedfromputtingitinpracticebyanewsourceofanxietyanduneasiness.

Smikebecamealarminglyill;soreducedandexhaustedthathecouldscarcelymovefromroomtoroomwithoutassistance;andsowornandemaciated,thatitwaspainful to lookuponhim.Nicholaswaswarned,by thesamemedicalauthoritytowhomhehadatfirstappealed,thatthelastchanceandhopeofhislife depended on his being instantly removed from London. That part ofDevonshireinwhichNicholashadbeenhimselfbredwasnamedasthemostfavourablespot;butthisadvicewascautiouslycoupledwiththeinformation,that whoever accompanied him thither must be prepared for the worst; forevery token of rapid consumption had appeared, and hemight never returnalive.

Thekindbrothers,whowereacquaintedwith thepoorcreature'ssadhistory,dispatched old Tim to be present at this consultation. That same morning,

Nicholaswas summonedbybrotherCharles into his private room, and thusaddressed:

'Mydearsir,notimemustbelost.Thisladshallnotdie,ifsuchhumanmeansaswe can use can save his life; neither shall he die alone, and in a strangeplace.Removehimtomorrowmorning,seethathehaseverycomfortthathissituationrequires,anddon'tleavehim;don'tleavehim,mydearsir,untilyouknowthatthereisnolongeranyimmediatedanger.Itwouldbehard,indeed,topartyounow.No,no,no!Timshallwaituponyoutonight,sir;Timshallwait upon you tonight with a parting word or two. Brother Ned, my dearfellow, Mr Nickleby waits to shake hands and say goodbye; Mr Nicklebywon'tbelonggone;thispoorchapwillsoongetbetter,verysoongetbetter;andthenhe'llfindoutsomenicehomelycountrypeopletoleavehimwith,andwillgobackwardsandforwardssometimesbackwardsandforwardsyouknow,Ned.And there'sno cause tobedownhearted, forhe'll very soongetbetter,verysoon.Won'the,won'the,Ned?'

WhatTimLinkinwatersaid,orwhathebroughtwithhimthatnight,needsnotto be told. Next morning Nicholas and his feeble companion began theirjourney.

Andwhobutoneandthatonehewho,butforthosewhocrowdedroundhimthen,hadnevermetalookofkindness,orknownawordofpitycouldtellwhatagonyofmind,whatblightedthoughts,whatunavailingsorrow,wereinvolvedinthatsadparting?

'See,'criedNicholaseagerly,ashelookedfromthecoachwindow,'theyareatthecornerofthelanestill!Andnowthere'sKate,poorKate,whomyousaidyou couldn't bear to say goodbye to, waving her handkerchief. Don't gowithoutonegestureoffarewelltoKate!'

'Icannotmakeit!'criedhistremblingcompanion,fallingbackinhisseatandcoveringhiseyes.'Doyouseehernow?Isshetherestill?'

'Yes,yes!'saidNicholasearnestly. 'There!Shewavesherhandagain!Ihaveanswereditforyouandnowtheyareoutofsight.Donotgivewaysobitterly,dearfriend,don't.Youwillmeetthemallagain.'

He whom he thus encouraged, raised his withered hands and clasped themferventlytogether.

'Inheaven.IhumblypraytoGodinheaven.'

Itsoundedliketheprayerofabrokenheart.

CHAPTER56

RalphNickleby,baffledbyhisNephewinhislateDesign,hatchesaSchemeofRetaliationwhichAccidentsuggeststohim,andtakesintohisCounselsatriedAuxiliary

Thecoursewhichtheseadventuresshapeoutforthemselves,andimperativelycalluponthehistoriantoobserve,nowdemandsthattheyshouldreverttothepointtheyattainedpreviouslytothecommencementofthelastchapter,whenRalphNicklebyandArthurGridewerelefttogetherinthehousewheredeathhadsosuddenlyrearedhisdarkandheavybanner.

With clenched hands, and teeth ground together so firm and tight that nolockingof the jawscouldhave fixedand riveted themmore securely,Ralphstood, for someminutes, in the attitude in which he had last addressed hisnephew:breathingheavily,butasrigidandmotionlessinotherrespectsasifhehadbeenabrazenstatue.Afteratime,hebegan,byslowdegrees,asamanrousing himself from heavy slumber, to relax. For a moment he shook hisclasped fist towards the door bywhichNicholas had disappeared; and thenthrustingitintohisbreast,asiftorepressbyforceeventhisshowofpassion,turnedroundandconfrontedthelesshardyusurer,whohadnotyetrisenfromtheground.

Thecoweringwretch,whostillshookineverylimb,andwhosefewgreyhairstrembledandquiveredonhisheadwithabjectdismay,totteredtohisfeetashemetRalph'seye,and,shieldinghisfacewithbothhands,protested,whilehecrepttowardsthedoor,thatitwasnofaultofhis.

'Who said itwas,man?' returnedRalph, in a suppressedvoice. 'Who said itwas?'

'YoulookedasifyouthoughtIwastoblame,'saidGride,timidly.

'Pshaw!'Ralphmuttered,forcingalaugh. 'Iblamehimfornotlivinganhourlonger.Onehourlongerwouldhavebeenlongenough.Iblamenooneelse.'

'Nnnooneelse?'saidGride.

'Notforthismischance,'repliedRalph.'Ihaveanoldscoretoclearwiththatyoung fellowwho has carried off yourmistress; but that has nothing to dowithhisblusteringjustnow,forweshouldsoonhavebeenquitofhim,butforthiscursedaccident.'

TherewassomethingsounnaturalinthecalmnesswithwhichRalphNicklebyspoke,when coupledwith his face, the expression of the features, towhichevery nerve and muscle, as it twitched and throbbed with a spasm whoseworkingsnoeffortcouldconceal,gave,everyinstant,somenewandfrightfulaspecttherewas something so unnatural and ghastly in the contrast betweenhis harsh, slow, steadyvoice (only alteredby a certain haltingof the breathwhichmadehimpausebetweenalmosteveryword likeadrunkenmanbentupon speaking plainly), and these evidences of themost intense and violentpassion,and thestrugglehemade tokeep themunder; that if thedeadbodywhichlayabovehadstood,insteadofhim,beforethecoweringGride,itcouldscarcelyhavepresentedaspectaclewhichwouldhaveterrifiedhimmore.

'Thecoach,'saidRalphafteratime,duringwhichhehadstruggledlikesomestrongmanagainstafit.'Wecameinacoach.Isitwaiting?'

Gride gladly availed himself of the pretext for going to thewindow to see.Ralph,keepinghisfacesteadilytheotherway,toreathisshirtwiththehandwhichhehadthrustintohisbreast,andmutteredinahoarsewhisper:

'Ten thousand pounds! He said ten thousand! The precise sum paid in butyesterday for the twomortgages, andwhichwould have gone out again, atheavyinterest,tomorrow.Ifthathousehasfailed,andhethefirsttobringthenews!Isthecoachthere?'

'Yes,yes,'saidGride,startledbythefiercetoneoftheinquiry.'It'shere.Dear,dear,whatafierymanyouare!'

'Comehere,'saidRalph,beckoningtohim.'Wemustn'tmakeashowofbeingdisturbed.We'llgodownarminarm.'

'Butyoupinchmeblackandblue,'urgedGride.

Ralphlethimgoimpatiently,anddescendingthestairswithhisusualfirmandheavy tread, got into the coach. Arthur Gride followed. After lookingdoubtfullyatRalphwhen themanaskedwherehewas todrive,andfindingthat he remained silent, and expressed no wish upon the subject, Arthurmentionedhisownhouse,andthithertheyproceeded.

Ontheirway,Ralphsatinthefurthestcornerwithfoldedarms,andutterednota word. With his chin sunk upon his breast, and his downcast eyes quitehiddenbythecontractionofhisknottedbrows,hemighthavebeenasleepforanysignofconsciousnesshegaveuntilthecoachstopped,whenheraisedhishead,andglancingthroughthewindow,inquiredwhatplacethatwas.

'My house,' answered the disconsolate Gride, affected perhaps by its

loneliness.'Ohdear!myhouse.'

'True,'saidRalph'Ihavenotobservedthewaywecame.Ishouldlikeaglassofwater.Youhavethatinthehouse,Isuppose?'

'Youshallhaveaglassofofanythingyoulike,'answeredGride,withagroan.'It'snouseknocking,coachman.Ringthebell!'

The man rang, and rang, and rang again; then, knocked until the streetreechoedwith the sounds; then, listenedat thekeyholeof thedoor.Nobodycame.Thehousewassilentasthegrave.

'How'sthis?'saidRalphimpatiently.

'Peg is soverydeaf,' answeredGridewith a lookof anxiety and alarm. 'Ohdear!Ringagain,coachman.SheSEESthebell.'

Again themanrangandknocked,andknockedandrangagain.Someof theneighboursthrewuptheirwindows,andcalledacrossthestreettoeachotherthatoldGride'shousekeepermusthavedroppeddowndead.Otherscollectedround the coach, andgavevent tovarious surmises; someheld that shehadfallenasleep;some,thatshehadburntherselftodeath;some,thatshehadgotdrunk; and one very fatman that she had seen something to eatwhich hadfrightenedhersomuch(notbeingusedtoit)thatshehadfallenintoafit.Thislast suggestion particularly delighted the bystanders, who cheered it ratheruproariously,andwere,withsomedifficulty,deterredfromdroppingdowntheareaandbreakingopenthekitchendoortoascertainthefact.Norwasthisall.RumourshavinggoneabroadthatArthurwastobemarriedthatmorning,veryparticularinquiriesweremadeafterthebride,whowasheldbythemajoritytobe disguised in the person ofMrRalphNickleby,which gave rise tomuchjocoseindignationatthepublicappearanceofabrideinbootsandpantaloons,and called forth a great many hoots and groans. At length, the twomoneylendersobtainedshelterinahousenextdoor,and,beingaccommodatedwitha ladder,clamberedover thewallof thebackyardwhichwasnotahighoneanddescendedinsafetyontheotherside.

'Iamalmostafraidtogoin,Ideclare,'saidArthur,turningtoRalphwhentheywerealone.'Supposesheshouldbemurdered.Lyingwithherbrainsknockedoutbyapoker,eh?'

'Suppose she were,' said Ralph. 'I tell you, I wish such things were morecommonthantheyare,andmoreeasilydone.Youmaystareandshiver.Ido!'

Heappliedhimselftoapumpintheyard;and,havingtakenadeepdraughtofwater and flung a quantity on his head and face, regained his accustomed

mannerandledthewayintothehouse:Gridefollowingcloseathisheels.

Itwas the same dark place as ever: every room dismal and silent as itwaswonttobe,andeveryghostlyarticleoffurnitureinitscustomaryplace.Theironheartofthegrimoldclock,undisturbedbyallthenoisewithout,stillbeatheavily within its dusty case; the tottering presses slunk from the sight, asusual, in theirmelancholycorners; theechoesoffootstepsreturnedthesamedrearysound;thelongleggedspiderpausedinhisnimblerun,and,scaredbythe sight of men in that his dull domain, hung motionless on the wall,counterfeitingdeathuntiltheyshouldhavepassedhimby.

Fromcellar togarretwent the twousurers,openingeverycreakingdoorandlookingintoeverydesertedroom.ButnoPegwasthere.Atlast,theysatthemdownintheapartmentwhichArthurGrideusuallyinhabited,torestaftertheirsearch.

'Thehagisout,onsomepreparationforyourweddingfestivities,Isuppose,'saidRalph,preparingtodepart. 'Seehere!Idestroythebond;weshallneverneeditnow.'

Gride,whohadbeenpeeringnarrowlyabout the room, fell,at thatmoment,uponhiskneesbeforealargechest,andutteredaterribleyell.

'Hownow?'saidRalph,lookingsternlyround.

'Robbed!robbed!'screamedArthurGride.

'Robbed!ofmoney?'

'No,no,no.Worse!farworse!'

'Ofwhatthen?'demandedRalph.

'Worsethanmoney,worsethanmoney!'criedtheoldman,castingthepapersout of the chest, like some beast tearing up the earth. 'She had better havestolenmoneyallmymoneyI haven'tmuch! She had better havemademe abeggarthanhavedonethis!'

'Donewhat?'saidRalph.'Donewhat,youdevil'sdotard?'

Still Gride made no answer, but tore and scratched among the papers, andyelledandscreechedlikeafiendintorment.

'There is somethingmissing, you say,' saidRalph, shakinghim furiously bythecollar.'Whatisit?'

'Papers,deeds.Iamaruinedman.Lost, lost!Iamrobbed,Iamruined!She

sawmereadingitreadingitoflateIdidveryoftenShewatchedme,sawmeputitintheboxthatfittedintothis,theboxisgone,shehasstolenit.Damnationseizeher,shehasrobbedme!'

'OfWHAT?'criedRalph,onwhomasuddenlightappearedtobreak,forhiseyesflashedandhisframetrembledwithagitationasheclutchedGridebyhisbonyarm.'Ofwhat?'

'She don't knowwhat it is; she can't read!' shriekedGride, not heeding theinquiry. 'There'sonlyonewayinwhichmoneycanbemadeofit,andthatisbytakingittoher.Somebodywillreaditforher,andtellherwhattodo.Sheandheraccomplicewillgetmoneyforitandbeletoffbesides;they'llmakeamerit of itsay they found itknew itand be evidence against me. The onlypersonitwillfalluponisme,me,me!'

'Patience!' said Ralph, clutching him still tighter and eyeing him with asidelong look, so fixedandeager as sufficiently todenote thathehad somehiddenpurposeinwhathewasabouttosay.'Hearreason.Shecan'thavebeengone long. I'll call the police.Doyoubut give information ofwhat she hasstolen,andthey'lllayhandsuponher,trustme.Here!Help!'

'No,no,no!'screamedtheoldman,puttinghishandonRalph'smouth.'Ican't,Idaren't.'

'Help!help!'criedRalph.

'No,no,no!'shriekedtheother,stampingonthegroundwiththeenergyofamadman.'Itellyouno.Idaren't,Idaren't!'

'Daren'tmakethisrobberypublic?'saidRalph.

'No!'rejoinedGride,wringinghishands.'Hush!Hush!Notawordofthis;notawordmustbesaid.Iamundone.WhicheverwayIturn,Iamundone.Iambetrayed.Ishallbegivenup.IshalldieinNewgate!'

Withfranticexclamationssuchasthese,andwithmanyothersinwhichfear,grief, and rage, were strangely blended, the panicstricken wretch graduallysubduedhisfirstloudoutcry,untilithadsofteneddownintoalowdespairingmoan,chequerednowandthenbyahowl,as,goingoversuchpapersaswereleft in the chest, he discovered some new loss.With very little excuse fordepartingsoabruptly,Ralphlefthim,and,greatlydisappointing the loiterersoutside the house by telling them therewas nothing thematter, got into thecoach,andwasdriventohisownhome.

Aletterlayonhistable.Heletitliethereforsometime,asifhehadnotthecouragetoopenit,butatlengthdidsoandturneddeadlypale.

'Theworsthashappened,'hesaid;'thehousehasfailed.Isee.Therumourwasabroad in the city last night, and reached the ears of thosemerchants.Well,well!'

Hestrodeviolentlyupanddowntheroomandstoppedagain.

'Tenthousandpounds!Andonlylyingthereforadayforoneday!Howmanyanxiousyears,howmanypinchingdaysandsleeplessnights,beforeIscrapedtogether that ten thousand pounds!Ten thousand pounds! How many proudpainted dames would have fawned and smiled, and how many spendthriftblockheadsdonemelipservicetomyfaceandcursedmeintheirhearts,whileI turned that ten thousandpounds into twenty!WhileIground,andpinched,and used these needy borrowers for my pleasure and profit, whatsmoothtongued speeches, and courteous looks, and civil letters, they wouldhavegivenme!Thecantofthelyingworldis,thatmenlikemecompassourriches by dissimulation and treachery: by fawning, cringing, and stooping.Why,howmanylies,whatmeanandabjectevasions,whathumbledbehaviourfromupstartswho,butformymoney,wouldspurnmeasideastheydotheirbetterseveryday,wouldthattenthousandpoundshavebroughtmein!GrantthatIhaddoubleditmadecent.percent.foreverysovereigntoldanothertherewouldnotbeonepieceofmoneyinalltheheapwhichwouldn'trepresenttenthousandmeanandpaltrylies,told,notbythemoneylender,ohno!butbythemoneyborrowers, your liberal, thoughtless, generous, dashing folks, whowouldn'tbesomeanassaveasixpencefortheworld!'

Striving,as itwouldseem, to losepartof thebitternessofhis regrets in thebitterness of these other thoughts,Ralph continued to pace the room.Therewaslessandlessofresolutioninhismannerashismindgraduallyrevertedtohis loss; at length, dropping into his elbowchair and grasping its sides sofirmlythattheycreakedagain,hesaid:

'The timehasbeenwhennothingcouldhavemovedme like the lossof thisgreatsum.Nothing.Forbirths,deaths,marriages,andalltheeventswhichareofinterest tomostmen,have(unlesstheyareconnectedwithgainorlossofmoney) no interest for me. But now, I swear, I mix up with the loss, histriumph in telling it. If he had brought it about,I almost feel as if he had,Icouldn'thatehimmore.Letmebut retaliateuponhim,bydegrees,howeverslowletmebutbegintogetthebetterofhim,letmebutturnthescaleandIcanbearit.'

His meditations were long and deep. They terminated in his dispatching aletter by Newman, addressed to Mr Squeers at the Saracen's Head, withinstructions to inquirewhetherhehadarrived in town,and, if so, towaitananswer.NewmanbroughtbacktheinformationthatMrSqueershadcomeby

mailthatmorning,andhadreceivedtheletterinbed;butthathesenthisduty,andwordthathewouldgetupandwaituponMrNicklebydirectly.

The interval between the delivery of this message, and the arrival of MrSqueers,wasveryshort;but,beforehecame,Ralphhadsuppressedeverysignofemotion,andoncemore regained thehard, immovable, inflexiblemannerwhichwas habitual to him, and towhich, perhaps,was ascribable no smallpartof the influencewhich,overmanymenofnoverystrongprejudicesonthescoreofmorality,hecouldexert,almostatwill.

'Well,MrSqueers,'hesaid,welcomingthatworthywithhisaccustomedsmile,ofwhichasharp lookanda thoughtful frownwerepartandparcel: 'howdoYOUdo?'

'Why,sir,'saidMrSqueers,'I'mprettywell.So'sthefamily,andso'stheboys,exceptforasortofrashasisarunningthroughtheschool,andratherputs'emoff their feed.But it's a illwind as blows no good to nobody; that'swhat Ialways say when them lads has a wisitation. A wisitation, sir, is the lot ofmortality. Mortality itself, sir, is a wisitation. The world is chock full ofwisitations;andifaboyrepinesatawisitationandmakesyouuncomfortablewithhisnoise,hemusthavehisheadpunched.That'sgoingaccordingtotheScripter,thatis.'

'MrSqueers,'saidRalph,drily.

'Sir.'

'We'll avoid these precious morsels of morality if you please, and talk ofbusiness.'

'Withallmyheart,sir,'rejoinedSqueers,'andfirstletmesay'

'FirstletMEsay,ifyouplease.Noggs!'

Newman presented himself when the summons had been twice or thricerepeated,andaskedifhismastercalled.

'Idid.Gotoyourdinner.Andgoatonce.Doyouhear?'

'Itan'ttime,'saidNewman,doggedly.

'Mytimeisyours,andIsayitis,'returnedRalph.

'Youalteriteveryday,'saidNewman.'Itisn'tfair.'

'Youdon'tkeepmanycooks,andcaneasilyapologisetothemforthetrouble,'retortedRalph.'Begone,sir!'

Ralphnot only issued this order in hismost peremptorymanner, but, underpretence of fetching some papers from the little office, saw it obeyed, and,whenNewmanhadleftthehouse,chainedthedoor,topreventthepossibilityofhisreturningsecretly,bymeansofhislatchkey.

'Ihavereasontosuspectthatfellow,'saidRalph,whenhereturnedtohisownoffice. 'Therefore, until I have thought of the shortest and least troublesomewayofruininghim,Iholditbesttokeephimatadistance.'

'Itwouldn'ttakemuchtoruinhim,Ishouldthink,'saidSqueers,withagrin.

'Perhapsnot,'answeredRalph.'NortoruinagreatmanypeoplewhomIknow.Youweregoingtosay?'

Ralph's summary and matterofcourse way of holding up this example, andthrowingoutthehintthatfollowedit,hadevidentlyaneffect(asdoubtlessitwasdesignedtohave)uponMrSqueers,whosaid,afteralittlehesitationandinamuchmoresubduedtone:

'Why,whatIwasagoingtosay,sir,is,thatthisherebusinessregardingofthatungratefulandhardheartedchap,Snawleysenior,putsmeoutofmyway,andoccasionsa inconveniencyquiteunparalleled,besides,asImaysay,making,forwholeweekstogether,MrsSqueersaperfectwidder.It'sapleasuretometoactwithyou,ofcourse.'

'Ofcourse,'saidRalph,drily.

'Yes,Isayofcourse,'resumedMrSqueers,rubbinghisknees,'butatthesametime,whenonecomes,asIdonow,betterthantwohundredandfiftymiletotakeaafferdavid,itdoesputamanoutagooddeal,lettingalonetherisk.'

'Andwheremaytheriskbe,MrSqueers?'saidRalph.

'Isaid,lettingalonetherisk,'repliedSqueers,evasively.

'AndIsaid,wherewastherisk?'

'Iwasn't complaining, you know,MrNickleby,' pleaded Squeers. 'UponmywordIneverseesucha'

'Iaskyouwhereistherisk?'repeatedRalph,emphatically.

'Wheretherisk?'returnedSqueers,rubbinghiskneesstillharder.'Why,itan'tnecessary tomention.Certain subjects is best awoided.Oh, youknowwhatriskImean.'

'HowoftenhaveItoldyou,'saidRalph, 'andhowoftenamItotellyou,that

yourunnorisk?Whathaveyousworn,orwhatareyouasked toswear,butthatatsuchandsuchatimeaboywasleftwithyouinthenameofSmike;thathewasatyourschool foragivennumberofyears,was lostundersuchandsuchcircumstances,isnowfound,andhasbeenidentifiedbyyouinsuchandsuchkeeping?Thisisalltrue;isitnot?'

'Yes,'repliedSqueers,'that'salltrue.'

'Well, then,' said Ralph, 'what risk do you run? Who swears to a lie butSnawley;amanwhomIhavepaidmuchlessthanIhaveyou?'

'Hecertainlydiditcheap,didSnawley,'observedSqueers.

'Hediditcheap!'retortedRalph,testily;'yes,andhediditwell,andcarriesitoffwithahypocriticalfaceandasanctifiedair,butyou!Risk!Whatdoyoumeanbyrisk?Thecertificatesareallgenuine,SnawleyHADanotherson,heHASbeenmarriedtwice,hisfirstwifeISdead,nonebutherghostcouldtellthatshedidn'twrite that letter,nonebutSnawleyhimselfcantell that this isnothisson,andthathissonisfoodforworms!TheonlyperjuryisSnawley's,andIfancyheisprettywellusedtoit.Where'syourrisk?'

'Why,youknow,' saidSqueers, fidgeting inhis chair, 'ifyoucome to that, Imightsaywhere'syours?'

'Youmightsaywhere'smine!' returnedRalph; 'youmaysaywhere'smine. Idon'tappearinthebusiness,neitherdoyou.AllSnawley'sinterestistostickwelltothestoryhehastold;andallhisriskis,todepartfromitintheleast.TalkofYOURriskintheconspiracy!'

'Isay,'remonstratedSqueers,lookinguneasilyround:'don'tcallitthat!Justasafavour,don't.'

'Call itwhat you like,' saidRalph, irritably, 'but attend tome.This talewasoriginallyfabricatedasameansofannoyanceagainstonewhohurtyourtradeandhalfcudgelledyoutodeath,andtoenableyoutoobtainrepossessionofahalfdead drudge, whom you wished to regain, because, while you wreakedyour vengeance on him for his share in the business, you knew that theknowledgethathewasagaininyourpowerwouldbethebestpunishmentyoucouldinflictuponyourenemy.Isthatso,MrSqueers?'

'Why,sir,' returnedSqueers,almostoverpoweredbythedeterminationwhichRalph displayed to make everything tell against him, and by his sternunyieldingmanner,'inameasureitwas.'

'Whatdoesthatmean?'saidRalph.

'Why,inameasuremeans,'returnedSqueers,'asitmaybe,thatitwasn'tallonmyaccount,becauseyouhadsomeoldgrudgetosatisfy,too.'

'IfIhadnothad,'saidRalph,innowayabashedbythereminder,'doyouthinkIshouldhavehelpedyou?'

'Whyno,Idon'tsupposeyouwould,'Squeersreplied.'Ionlywantedthatpointtobeallsquareandstraightbetweenus.'

'How can it ever be otherwise?' retorted Ralph. 'Except that the account isagainstme, for I spendmoney to gratifymy hatred, and you pocket it, andgratify yours at the same time. You are, at least, as avaricious as you arerevengeful.SoamI.Whichisbestoff?You,whowinmoneyandrevenge,atthe same time and by the same process, andwho are, at all events, sure ofmoney, ifnotof revenge;or I,whoamonlysureofspendingmoney inanycase,andcanbutwinbarerevengeatlast?'

AsMrSqueerscouldonlyanswerthispropositionbyshrugsandsmiles,Ralphbadehimbesilent,andthankfulthathewassowelloff;andthen,fixinghiseyessteadilyuponhim,proceededtosay:

First,thatNicholashadthwartedhiminaplanhehadformedforthedisposalinmarriageofacertainyounglady,andhad,intheconfusionattendantonherfather'ssuddendeath,securedthatladyhimself,andborneheroffintriumph.

Secondly, that by some will or settlementcertainly by some instrument inwriting,whichmustcontain theyoung lady'sname,andcouldbe, therefore,easilyselectedfromothers,ifaccesstotheplacewhereitwasdepositedwereoncesecuredshewasentitled topropertywhich, if theexistenceof thisdeedeverbecameknowntoher,wouldmakeherhusband(andRalphrepresentedthatNicholaswascertaintomarryher)arichandprosperousman,andmostformidableenemy.

Thirdly,thatthisdeedhadbeen,withothers,stolenfromonewhohadhimselfobtainedorconcealeditfraudulently,andwhofearedtotakeanystepsforitsrecovery;andthathe(Ralph)knewthethief.

ToallthisMrSqueerslistened,withgreedyearsthatdevouredeverysyllable,andwithhisone eye andhismouthwideopen:marvelling forwhat specialreasonhewashonouredwithsomuchofRalph'sconfidence,andtowhatitalltended.

'Now,' said Ralph, leaning forward, and placing his hand on Squeers's arm,'hearthedesignwhichIhaveconceived,andwhichImustIsay,must,ifIcanripen ithave carried into execution. No advantage can be reaped from this

deed, whatever it is, save by the girl herself, or her husband; and thepossession of this deed by one or other of them is indispensable to anyadvantage being gained. THAT I have discovered beyond the possibility ofdoubt. Iwant thatdeedbroughthere, that Imaygive themanwhobrings itfiftypoundsingold,andburnittoashesbeforehisface.'

MrSqueers, after followingwithhiseye theactionofRalph'shand towardsthefireplaceas ifhewereat thatmomentconsumingthepaper,drewa longbreath,andsaid:

'Yes;butwho'stobringit?'

'Nobody,perhaps,formuchistobedonebeforeitcanbegotat,'saidRalph.'Butifanybodyyou!'

MrSqueers's first tokensofconsternation,andhis flat relinquishmentof thetask,wouldhavestaggeredmostmen,iftheyhadnotimmediatelyoccasionedan utter abandonment of the proposition. On Ralph they produced not theslightesteffect.Resuming,whentheschoolmasterhadquitetalkedhimselfoutofbreath, as coolly as if hehadneverbeen interrupted,Ralphproceeded toexpatiateonsuchfeaturesofthecaseashedeemeditmostadvisabletolaythegreateststresson.

Thesewere,theage,decrepitude,andweaknessofMrsSliderskew;thegreatimprobabilityofherhavinganyaccompliceorevenacquaintance:takingintoaccounthersecludedhabits,andherlongresidenceinsuchahouseasGride's;thestrongreasontherewastosupposethattherobberywasnottheresultofaconcertedplan:otherwiseshewouldhavewatchedanopportunityofcarryingoffasumofmoney;thedifficultyshewouldbeplacedinwhenshebegantothinkonwhatshehaddone,andfoundherselfencumberedwithdocumentsofwhosenatureshewasutterly ignorant;and thecomparativeeasewithwhichsomebody,withafullknowledgeofherposition,obtainingaccesstoher,andworking on her fears, if necessary,mightwormhimself into her confidenceand obtain, under one pretence or another, free possession of the deed. TothesewereaddedsuchconsiderationsastheconstantresidenceofMrSqueersat a long distance from London, which rendered his association with MrsSliderskew a mere masquerading frolic, in which nobody was likely torecognise him, either at the time or afterwards; the impossibility of Ralph'sundertaking the task himself, he being already known to her by sight; andvarious comments on the uncommon tact and experience of Mr Squeers:whichwouldmakehisoverreachingoneoldwomanamerematterofchild'splay and amusement. In addition to these influences and persuasions,Ralphdrew, with his utmost skill and power, a vivid picture of the defeat whichNicholaswouldsustain, should theysucceed, in linkinghimself toabeggar,

whereheexpectedtowedanheiressglancedattheimmeasurableimportanceitmustbetoamansituatedasSqueers,topreservesuchafriendashimselfdweltona long trainofbenefits, conferred since their first acquaintance,whenhehadreportedfavourablyofhistreatmentofasicklyboywhohaddiedunderhishands(andwhosedeathwasveryconvenienttoRalphandhisclients,butthis he did NOT say), and finally hinted that the fifty pounds might beincreased to seventyfive, or, in the event of very great success, even to ahundred.

Theseargumentsatlengthconcluded,MrSqueerscrossedhislegs,uncrossedthem, scratched his head, rubbed his eye, examined the palms of his hands,and bit his nails, and after exhibiting many other signs of restlessness andindecision, asked 'whether one hundred pound was the highest that MrNickleby could go.' Being answered in the affirmative, he became restlessagain, and, after some thought, and an unsuccessful inquiry 'whether hecouldn't go another fifty,' said he supposed hemust try and do themost hecouldforafriend:whichwasalwayshismaxim,andthereforeheundertookthejob.

'Buthowareyoutogetatthewoman?'hesaid;'that'swhatitisaspuzzlesme.'

'Imaynotgetatheratall,'repliedRalph,'butI'lltry.Ihavehuntedpeopleinthiscity,beforenow,whohavebeenbetterhidthanshe;andIknowquartersinwhichaguineaortwo,carefullyspent,willoftensolvedarkerriddlesthanthis.Ay, andkeep themclose too, if needbe! I hearmyman ringing at thedoor.Wemayaswellpart.Youhadbetternotcome toandfro,butwait tillyouhearfromme.'

'Good!' returned Squeers. 'I say! If you shouldn't find her out, you'll payexpensesattheSaracen,andsomethingforlossoftime?'

'Well,'saidRalph,testily;'yes!Youhavenothingmoretosay?'

Squeers shaking his head, Ralph accompanied him to the streetdoor, andaudiblywondering,fortheedificationofNewman,whyitwasfastenedasifitwerenight,lethiminandSqueersout,andreturnedtohisownroom.

'Now!' he muttered, 'come what come may, for the present I am firm andunshaken.Letmebutretrievethisonesmallportionofmylossanddisgrace;letmebutdefeathiminthisonehope,deartohisheartasIknowitmustbe;letmebutdo this; and it shallbe the first link in sucha chainwhich Iwillwindabouthim,asnevermanforgedyet.'

CHAPTER57

HowRalphNickleby'sAuxiliarywentabouthisWork,andhowheprosperedwithit

Itwasadark,wet,gloomynightinautumn,wheninanupperroomofameanhousesituatedinanobscurestreet,orrathercourt,nearLambeth,theresat,allalone,aoneeyedmangrotesquelyhabited,eitherforlackofbettergarmentsorforpurposesofdisguise,inaloosegreatcoat,witharmshalfaslongagainashisown,andacapacityofbreadthandlengthwhichwouldhaveadmittedofhiswindinghimselfinit,headandall,withtheutmostease,andwithoutanyriskofstrainingtheoldandgreasymaterialofwhichitwascomposed.

So attired, and in a place so far removed from his usual haunts andoccupations, and so very poor and wretched in its character, perhaps MrsSqueers herself would have had some difficulty in recognising her lord:quickened though her natural sagacity doubtless would have been by theaffectionateyearningsandimpulsesofatenderwife.ButMrsSqueers'slorditwas;andinatolerablydisconsolatemoodMrsSqueers'slordappearedtobe,as,helpinghimselffromablackbottlewhichstoodonthetablebesidehim,hecast round the chamber a look, in which very slight regard for the objectswithin view was plainly mingled with some regretful and impatientrecollectionofdistantscenesandpersons.

Therewere,certainly,noparticularattractions,eitherintheroomoverwhichtheglanceofMrSqueerssodiscontentedlywandered,orinthenarrowstreetinto which it might have penetrated, if he had thought fit to approach thewindow.Theatticchamberinwhichhesatwasbareandmean;thebedstead,andsuchfewotherarticlesofnecessaryfurnitureasitcontained,wereofthecommonest description, in a most crazy state, and of a most uninvitingappearance.Thestreetwasmuddy,dirty,anddeserted.Havingbutoneoutlet,itwastraversedbyfewbuttheinhabitantsatanytime;andthenightbeingoneofthoseonwhichmostpeoplearegladtobewithindoors,itnowpresentednoother signs of life than the dull glimmering of poor candles from the dirtywindows, and few soundsbut thepatteringof the rain, andoccasionally theheavyclosingofsomecreakingdoor.

MrSqueerscontinuedtolookdisconsolatelyabouthim,andtolistentothesenoisesinprofoundsilence,brokenonlybytherustlingofhislargecoat,ashenow and then moved his arm to raise his glass to his lips. Mr Squeerscontinuedtodothisforsometime,untiltheincreasinggloomwarnedhimtosnuffthecandle.Seemingtobeslightlyrousedbythisexertion,heraisedhiseye to the ceiling, and fixing it upon some uncouth and fantastic figures,

traced upon it by thewet and dampwhich had penetrated through the roof,brokeintothefollowingsoliloquy:

'Well, this is aprettygo, is thishere!Anuncommonprettygo!Herehave Ibeen,amatterofhowmanyweeksharduponsixafolleringupthishereblessedolddowagerpettylarcenerer,'MrSqueersdeliveredhimselfofthisepithetwithgreatdifficultyandeffort,'andDotheboysHallarunningitselfregularlytoseedthewhile!That'stheworstofeverbeinginwithaowdaciouschaplikethatoldNickleby.You never knowwhen he's donewith you, and if you're in for apenny,you'reinforapound.'

This remark, perhaps, reminded Mr Squeers that he was in for a hundredpound at any rate. His countenance relaxed, and he raised his glass to hismouth with an air of greater enjoyment of its contents than he had beforeevinced.

'I never see,' soliloquisedMrSqueers in continuation, 'I never seenor comeacrosssuchafileasthatoldNickleby.Never!He'soutofeverybody'sdepth,he is. He's what you may call a rasper, is Nickleby. To see how sly andcunninghegrubbedon,dayafterday,awormingandploddingandtracingandturningandtwiningofhisselfabout,tillhefoundoutwherethispreciousMrsPeg was hid, and cleared the ground for me to work upon. Creeping andcrawling and gliding, like a ugly, old, brighteyed, stagnationblooded adder!Ah!He'dhavemadeagood'uninourline,butitwouldhavebeentoolimitedfor him; his genius would have busted all bonds, and coming over everyobstacle, broke down all before it, till it erected itself into a monneymentofWell,I'llthinkoftherest,andsayitwhenconwenient.'

Makingahaltinhisreflectionsatthisplace,MrSqueersagainputhisglasstohislips,anddrawingadirtyletterfromhispocket,proceededtoconoveritscontentswiththeairofamanwhohadreaditveryoften,andnowrefreshedhismemory rather in the absenceof better amusement than for any specificinformation.

'Thepigsiswell,'saidMrSqueers,'thecowsiswell,andtheboysisbobbish.Young Sprouter has been awinking, has he? I'llwink himwhen I get back."Cobbeywouldpersist in sniffingwhile hewas aeatinghis dinner, and saidthat thebeefwassostrong itmadehim."Verygood,Cobbey,we'll see ifwecan't make you sniff a little without beef. "Pitcher was took with anotherfever,"ofcoursehewas"andbeingfetchedbyhisfriends,diedthedayafterhegot home,"of course he did, and out of aggravation; it's part of a deeplaidsystem.Therean'tanotherchapintheschoolbutthatboyaswouldhavediedexactlyattheendofthequarter:takingitoutofmetotheverylast,andthencarrying his spite to the utmost extremity. "The juniorest Palmer said he

wishedhewasinHeaven."Ireallydon'tknow,IdoNOTknowwhat'stobedonewiththatyoungfellow;he'salwaysawishingsomethinghorrid.Hesaidonce,hewishedhewasadonkey,becausethenhewouldn'thaveafatherasdidn'tlovehim!Prettywiciousthatforachildofsix!'

MrSqueerswassomuchmovedbythecontemplationofthishardenednatureinonesoyoung,thatheangrilyputuptheletter,andsought,inanewtrainofideas,asubjectofconsolation.

'It's a long time to have been alingering in London,' he said; 'and this is aprecioushole tocomeandlivein,evenif ithasbeenonlyforaweekorso.Still,onehundredpoundisfiveboys,andfiveboystakesawholeyeartopayonehundredpounds,andthere'stheirkeeptobesubstracted,besides.There'snothinglost,neither,byone'sbeinghere;becausetheboys'moneycomesinjust thesameasifIwasathome,andMrsSqueersshekeepstheminorder.There'll be some lost time to make up, of course. There'll be an arrear offloggingas'llhave tobegone through: still, a coupleofdaysmakes that allright,andonedon'tmindalittleextraworkforonehundredpound.It'sprettynigh the time towait upon theoldwoman.Fromwhat she said last night, IsuspectthatifI'mtosucceedatall,Ishallsucceedtonight;soI'llhavehalfaglassmore,towishmyselfsuccess,andputmyselfinspirits.MrsSqueers,mydear,yourhealth!'

Leeringwithhisoneeyeas if the lady towhomhedrankhadbeenactuallypresent,Mr Squeersin his enthusiasm, no doubtpoured out a full glass, andemptiedit;andastheliquorwasrawspirits,andhehadappliedhimselftothesamebottlemorethanoncealready,itisnotsurprisingthathefoundhimself,bythis time, inanextremelycheerfulstate,andquiteenoughexcitedforhispurpose.

Whatthispurposewassoonappeared;for,afterafewturnsabouttheroomtosteadyhimself,hetookthebottleunderhisarmandtheglassinhishand,andblowingoutthecandleasifhepurposedbeinggonesometime,stoleoutuponthestaircase,andcreepingsoftlytoadooroppositehisown,tappedgentlyatit.

'Butwhat'stheuseoftapping?'hesaid, 'She'llneverhear.Isupposesheisn'tdoinganythingveryparticular;andifsheis,itdon'tmuchmatter,thatIsee.'

Withthisbriefpreface,MrSqueersappliedhishandtothelatchofthedoor,andthrustinghisheadintoagarretfarmoredeplorablethanthathehadjustleft, and seeing that there was nobody there but an old woman, who wasbending over a wretched fire (for although theweather was still warm, theeveningwaschilly),walkedin,andtappedherontheshoulder.

'Well,mySlider,'saidMrSqueers,jocularly.

'Isthatyou?'inquiredPeg.

'Ah!it'sme,andme'sthefirstpersonsingular,nominativecase,agreeingwiththeverb "it's", andgovernedbySqueersunderstood, as a acorn, ahour; butwhen the h is sounded, the a only is to be used, as a and, a art, a ighway,'repliedMrSqueers,quotingatrandomfromthegrammar.'Atleast,ifitisn't,youdon'tknowanybetter,andifitis,I'vedoneitaccidentally.'

Delivering this reply in his accustomed tone of voice, inwhich of course itwasinaudibletoPeg,MrSqueersdrewastooltothefire,andplacinghimselfoveragainsther,andthebottleandglassonthefloorbetweenthem,roaredoutagain,veryloud,

'Well,mySlider!'

'Ihearyou,'saidPeg,receivinghimverygraciously.

'I'vecomeaccordingtopromise,'roaredSqueers.

'So theyused to say in thatpartof the country I come from,' observedPeg,complacently,'butIthinkoil'sbetter.'

'Betterthanwhat?'roaredSqueers,addingsomeratherstronglanguageinanundertone.

'No,'saidPeg,'ofcoursenot.'

'Ineversawsuchamonsterasyouare!'mutteredSqueers,lookingasamiableas he possibly could the while; for Peg's eye was upon him, and she waschucklingfearfully,asthoughindelightathavingmadeachoicerepartee,'Doyouseethis?Thisisabottle.'

'Iseeit,'answeredPeg.

'Well,anddoyouseeTHIS?'bawledSqueers. 'This isaglass.'Pegsawthattoo.

'See here, then,' said Squeers, accompanying his remarks with appropriateaction, 'I fill the glass from the bottle, and I say "Your health, Slider," andemptyit;thenIrinseitgenteellywithalittledrop,whichI'mforcedtothrowintothefirehallo!weshallhavethechimbleyalightnextfillitagain,andhanditovertoyou.'

'YOURhealth,'saidPeg.

'Sheunderstands that,anyways,'mutteredSqueers,watchingMrsSliderskewasshedispatchedherportion,andchokedandgaspedinamostawfulmanneraftersodoing.'Nowthen,let'shaveatalk.How'stherheumatics?'

MrsSliderskew,withmuchblinkingandchuckling,andwithlooksexpressiveof her strong admiration of Mr Squeers, his person, manners, andconversation,repliedthattherheumaticswerebetter.

'What's the reason,' said Mr Squeers, deriving fresh facetiousness from thebottle;'what'sthereasonofrheumatics?Whatdotheymean?Whatdopeoplehave'emforeh?'

MrsSliderskewdidn'tknow,butsuggested that itwaspossiblybecause theycouldn'thelpit.

'Measles, rheumatics, hoopingcough, fevers, agers, and lumbagers,' saidMrSqueers, 'is all philosophy together; that'swhat it is.Theheavenlybodies isphilosophy,andtheearthlybodiesisphilosophy.Ifthere'sascrewlooseinaheavenlybody,that'sphilosophy;andifthere'sscrewlooseinaearthlybody,that'sphilosophytoo;oritmaybethatsometimesthere'salittlemetaphysicsin it, but that's not often. Philosophy's the chap for me. If a parent asks aquestion in the classical, commercial, or mathematical line, says I, gravely,"Why,sir,inthefirstplace,areyouaphilosopher?""No,MrSqueers,"hesays,"Ian't.""Then,sir,"saysI,"Iamsorryforyou,forIshan'tbeabletoexplainit." Naturally, the parent goes away and wishes he was a philosopher, and,equallynaturally,thinksI'mone.'

Sayingthis,andagreatdealmore,withtipsyprofundityandaseriocomicair,andkeepinghiseyeall thetimeonMrsSliderskew,whowasunabletohearoneword,MrSqueersconcludedbyhelpinghimselfandpassingthebottle:towhichPegdidbecomingreverence.

'That's the timeofday!' saidMrSqueers. 'You look twentypound tenbetterthanyoudid.'

AgainMrsSliderskewchuckled,butmodesty forbadeherassentingverballytothecompliment.

'Twentypoundtenbetter,'repeatedMrSqueers,'thanyoudidthatdaywhenIfirstintroducedmyself.Don'tyouknow?'

'Ah!'saidPeg,shakingherhead,'butyoufrightenedmethatday.'

'DidI?'saidSqueers;'well,itwasratherastartlingthingforastrangertocomeandrecommendhimselfbysayingthatheknewallaboutyou,andwhatyournamewas,andwhyyouwere livingsoquiethere,andwhatyouhadboned,

andwhoyouboneditfrom,wasn'tit?'

Pegnoddedherheadinstrongassent.

'ButIknoweverythingthathappensinthatway,yousee,'continuedSqueers.'Nothing takes place, of that kind, that I an't up to entirely. I'm a sort of alawyer, Slider, of firstrate standing, and understanding too; I'm the intimatefriend and confidential adwiser of prettynigh everyman,woman, and childthat gets themselves into difficulties by being too nimblewith their fingers,I'm'

Mr Squeers's catalogue of his ownmerits and accomplishments,whichwaspartlytheresultofaconcertedplanbetweenhimselfandRalphNickleby,andflowed,inpart,fromtheblackbottle,washereinterruptedbyMrsSliderskew.

'Ha, ha, ha!' she cried, folding her arms and wagging her head; 'and so hewasn'tmarriedafterall,wasn'the.Notmarriedafterall?'

'No,'repliedSqueers,'thathewasn't!'

'Andayounglovercomeandcarriedoffthebride,eh?'saidPeg.

'Fromunderhisverynose,'repliedSqueers; 'andI'mtoldtheyoungchapcutup rough besides, and broke the winders, and forced him to swaller hisweddingfavourwhichnearlychokedhim.'

'Tell me all about it again,' cried Peg, with a malicious relish of her oldmaster'sdefeat,whichmadehernaturalhideousnesssomethingquitefearful;'let'shear itallagain,beginningat thebeginningnow,as ifyou'dnever toldme. Let's have it every wordnownowbeginning at the very first, you know,whenhewenttothehousethatmorning!'

Mr Squeers, plying Mrs Sliderskew freely with the liquor, and sustaininghimselfunder theexertionofspeakingso loudby frequentapplications to ithimself,compliedwith this requestbydescribing thediscomfitureofArthurGride,withsuchimprovementsonthetruthashappenedtooccurtohim,andthe ingenious inventionandapplicationofwhichhadbeenvery instrumentalinrecommendinghimtohernoticeinthebeginningoftheiracquaintance.MrsSliderskewwasinanecstasyofdelight,rollingherheadabout,drawingupherskinny shoulders, andwrinklingher cadaverous face into somanyand suchcomplicatedformsofugliness,asawakenedtheunboundedastonishmentanddisgustevenofMrSqueers.

'He's a treacherousoldgoat,' saidPeg, 'and cozenedmewith cunning tricksandlyingpromises,butnevermind.I'mevenwithhim.I'mevenwithhim.'

'Morethaneven,Slider,'returnedSqueers;'you'dhavebeenevenwithhimifhe'd got married; but with the disappointment besides, you're a long wayahead.Outofsight,Slider,quiteoutofsight.Andthatremindsme,'headded,handinghertheglass,'ifyouwantmetogiveyoumyopinionofthemdeeds,and tell youwhat you'd better keep andwhat you'd better burn,why, now'syourtime,Slider.'

'Therean'tnohurryforthat,'saidPeg,withseveralknowinglooksandwinks.

'Oh!verywell!'observedSqueers, 'itdon'tmatter tome;youaskedme,youknow.Ishouldn'tchargeyounothing,beingafriend.You'rethebestjudgeofcourse.Butyou'reaboldwoman,Slider.'

'Howdoyoumean,bold?'saidPeg.

'Why,Ionlymeanthatifitwasme,Iwouldn'tkeeppapersasmighthangme,littering aboutwhen theymight be turned intomoneythem aswasn't usefulmade away with, and them as was, laid by somewheres, safe; that's all,'returnedSqueers;'buteverybody'sthebestjudgeoftheirownaffairs.AllIsayis,Slider,Iwouldn'tdoit.'

'Come,'saidPeg,'thenyoushallsee'em.'

'Idon'twanttosee'em,'repliedSqueers,affectingtobeoutofhumour;'don'ttalkasifitwasatreat.Show'emtosomebodyelse,andtaketheiradvice.'

MrSqueerswould,verylikely,havecarriedonthefarceofbeingoffendedalittlelonger,ifMrsSliderskew,inheranxietytorestoreherselftoherformerhigh position in his good graces, had not become so extremely affectionatethat he stood at some risk of being smothered by her caresses. Repressing,with as good a grace as possible, these little familiaritiesforwhich, there isreason to believe, the black bottle was at least as much to blame as anyconstitutionalinfirmityonthepartofMrsSliderskewheprotestedthathehadonly been joking: and, in proof of his unimpaired goodhumour, that hewasready to examine the deeds at once, if, by so doing, he could afford anysatisfactionorreliefofmindtohisfairfriend.

'And nowyou're up,mySlider,' bawled Squeers, as she rose to fetch them,'boltthedoor.'

Pegtrottedtothedoor,andafterfumblingatthebolt,crepttotheotherendoftheroom,andfrombeneaththecoalswhichfilledthebottomofthecupboard,drewforthasmalldealbox.HavingplacedthisontheflooratSqueers'sfeet,she brought, fromunder the pillowof her bed, a small key,withwhich shesignedtothatgentlemantoopenit.MrSqueers,whohadeagerlyfollowedher

everymotion, lost no time in obeying this hint: and, throwing back the lid,gazedwithraptureonthedocumentswhichlaywithin.

'Nowyousee,'saidPeg,kneelingdownonthefloorbesidehim,andstayinghisimpatienthand; 'what'sofnousewe'llburn;whatwecangetanymoneyby,we'llkeep;andifthere'sanywecouldgethimintotroubleby,andfretandwaste awayhis heart to shreds, thosewe'll take particular care of; for that'swhatIwanttodo,andwhatIhopedtodowhenIlefthim.'

'Ithought,'saidSqueers,'thatyoudidn'tbearhimanyparticulargoodwill.But,Isay,whydidn'tyoutakesomemoneybesides?'

'Somewhat?'askedPeg.

'Somemoney,'roaredSqueers.'Idobelievethewomanhearsme,andwantstomakeme break awessel, so that shemay have the pleasure of nursingme.Somemoney,Slider,money!'

'Why,what amanyou are to ask!' criedPeg,with somecontempt. 'If I hadtakenmoney fromArthur Gride, he'd have scoured thewhole earth to findmeaye,andhe'dhavesmeltitout,andrakeditup,somehow,ifIhadburieditatthebottomofthedeepestwellinEngland.No,no!Iknewbetterthanthat.Itookwhat I thought his secretswere hid in: and them he couldn't afford tomakepublic,let'embewortheversomuchmoney.He'sanolddog;asly,old,cunning,thanklessdog!Hefirststarved,andthentrickedme;andifIcouldI'dkillhim.'

'All right, and very laudable,' said Squeers. 'But, first and foremost, Slider,burnthebox.Youshouldneverkeepthingsasmayleadtodiscovery.Alwaysmindthat.Sowhileyoupullittopieces(whichyoucaneasilydo,forit'sveryoldandrickety)andburnitinlittlebits,I'lllookoverthepapersandtellyouwhattheyare.'

Peg,expressingheracquiescenceinthisarrangement,MrSqueersturnedtheboxbottomupwards, and tumbling thecontentsupon the floor,handed it toher;thedestructionoftheboxbeinganextemporarydeviceforengagingherattention, in case it should prove desirable to distract it from his ownproceedings.

'There!' saidSqueers; 'youpoke thepiecesbetween thebars,andmakeupagood fire, and I'll read the while. Let me see, let me see.' And taking thecandledownbesidehim,MrSqueers,withgreateagernessandacunninggrinoverspreadinghisface,entereduponhistaskofexamination.

Iftheoldwomanhadnotbeenverydeaf,shemusthaveheard,whenshelast

wenttothedoor,thebreathingoftwopersonsclosebehindit:andifthosetwopersons had been unacquaintedwith her infirmity, theymust probably havechosenthatmomenteitherforpresentingthemselvesor takingtoflight.But,knowingwithwhomtheyhadtodeal,theyremainedquitestill,andnow,notonlyappearedunobservedatthedoorwhichwasnotbolted,forthebolthadnohaspbutwarily,andwithnoiselessfootsteps,advancedintotheroom.

Astheystolefartherandfartherinbyslightandscarcelyperceptibledegrees,andwith suchcaution that they scarcely seemed tobreathe, theoldhagandSqueerslittledreamingofanysuchinvasion,andutterlyunconsciousoftherebeinganysoulnearbutthemselves,werebusilyoccupiedwiththeirtasks.Theoldwoman,withherwrinkledfaceclosetothebarsofthestove,puffingatthedullemberswhichhadnotyetcaughtthewood;Squeersstoopingdowntothecandle,whichbroughtoutthefulluglinessofhisface,asthelightofthefiredid that of his companion; both intently engaged, and wearing faces ofexultationwhichcontrastedstronglywith theanxious looksof thosebehind,whotookadvantageoftheslightestsoundtocovertheiradvance,and,almostbefore theyhadmovedan inch,andallwassilent,stoppedagain.This,withthe large bare room, dampwalls, and flickering doubtful light, combined toformascenewhichthemostcarelessandindifferentspectator(couldanyhavebeen present) could scarcely have failed to derive some interest from, andwouldnotreadilyhaveforgotten.

Of the stealthy comers, Frank Cheeryble was one, andNewmanNoggs theother. Newman had caught up, by the rusty nozzle, an old pair of bellows,whichwerejustundergoingaflourishintheairpreparatorytoadescentupontheheadofMrSqueers,whenFrank,withanearnestgesture,stayedhisarm,and, taking another step in advance, came so close behind the schoolmasterthat, by leaning slightly forward, he could plainly distinguish the writingwhichhehelduptohiseye.

Mr Squeers, not being remarkably erudite, appeared to be considerablypuzzled by this first prize, which was in an engrossing hand, and not verylegibleexcepttoapractisedeye.Havingtrieditbyreadingfromlefttoright,and from right to left, and finding it equally clear both ways, he turned itupsidedownwithnobettersuccess.

'Ha,ha,ha!'chuckledPeg,who,onherkneesbefore the fire,was feeding itwith fragmentsof thebox, andgrinning inmost devilish exultation. 'What'sthatwritingabout,eh?'

'Nothing particular,' replied Squeers, tossing it towards her. 'It's only an oldlease,aswellasIcanmakeout.Throwitinthefire.'

MrsSliderskewcomplied,andinquiredwhatthenextonewas.

'This,'saidSqueers, 'isabundleofoverdueacceptancesandrenewedbillsofsixoreightyounggentlemen,butthey'reallMPs,soit'sofnousetoanybody.Throwitinthefire!'Pegdidasshewasbidden,andwaitedforthenext.

'This,'saidSqueers,'seemstobesomedeedofsaleoftherightofpresentationtotherectoryofPurechurch,inthevalleyofCashup.Takecareofthat,Slider,literallyforGod'ssake.It'llfetchitspriceattheAuctionMart.'

'What'sthenext?'inquiredPeg.

'Why, this,' said Squeers, 'seems, from the two letters that'swith it, to be abond fromacuratedown in thecountry, topayhalf ayear'swagesof fortypoundforborrowingtwenty.Takecareofthat,forifhedon'tpayit,hisbishopwillverysoonbedownuponhim.Weknowwhatthecamelandtheneedle'seyemeans;nomanascan'tliveuponhisincome,whateveritis,mustexpecttogotoheavenatanyprice.It'sveryodd;Idon'tseeanythinglikeityet.'

'What'sthematter?'saidPeg.

'Nothing,'repliedSqueers,'onlyI'mlookingfor'

Newmanraisedthebellowsagain.Oncemore,Frank,byarapidmotionofhisarm,unaccompaniedbyanynoise,checkedhiminhispurpose.

'Hereyouare,'saidSqueers,'bondstakecareofthem.Warrantofattorneytakecareofthat.Twocognovitstakecareofthem.Leaseandreleaseburnthat.Ah!"MadelineBraycomeofageormarrythesaidMadeline"here,burnTHAT!'

Eagerly throwing towards theoldwomanaparchment thathecaughtup forthepurpose,Squeers,assheturnedherhead,thrustintothebreastofhislargecoat,thedeedinwhichthesewordshadcaughthiseye,andburstintoashoutoftriumph.

'I'vegotit!'saidSqueers.'I'vegotit!Hurrah!Theplanwasagoodone,thoughthechancewasdesperate,andtheday'sourownatlast!'

Peg demandedwhat he laughed at, but no answer was returned. Newman'sarmcouldno longerberestrained; thebellows,descendingheavilyandwithunerringaimontheverycentreofMrSqueers'shead,felledhimtothefloor,andstretchedhimonitflatandsenseless.

CHAPTER58

InwhichoneSceneofthisHistoryisclosed

Dividing the distance into two days' journey, in order that his chargemightsustainthelessexhaustionandfatiguefromtravellingsofar,Nicholas,attheendof theseconddayfromtheir leavinghome, foundhimselfwithinaveryfewmilesofthespotwherethehappiestyearsofhislifehadbeenpassed,andwhich,while it filledhismindwithpleasant andpeaceful thoughts, broughtbackmanypainful andvivid recollections of the circumstances inwhichheandhishadwandered forth from theiroldhome, castupon the roughworldandthemercyofstrangers.

It needed no such reflections as those which the memory of old days, andwanderings among scenes where our childhood has been passed, usuallyawaken in the most insensible minds, to soften the heart of Nicholas, andrender himmore than usuallymindful of his drooping friend.By night andday, at all times and seasons: alwayswatchful, attentive, and solicitous, andnevervaryinginthedischargeofhisselfimposeddutytoonesofriendlessandhelplessashewhosesandsof lifewerenowfast runningoutanddwindlingrapidly away: hewas ever at his side.Henever left him.To encourage andanimatehim,administertohiswants,supportandcheerhimtotheutmostofhispower,wasnowhisconstantandunceasingoccupation.

They procured a humble lodging in a small farmhouse, surrounded bymeadows where Nicholas had often revelled when a child with a troop ofmerryschoolfellows;andheretheytookuptheirrest.

Atfirst,Smikewasstrongenoughtowalkabout,forshortdistancesatatime,withnoothersupportoraidthanthatwhichNicholascouldaffordhim.Atthistime,nothingappearedtointeresthimsomuchasvisitingthoseplaceswhichhadbeenmostfamiliartohisfriendinbygonedays.Yieldingtothisfancy,andpleased to find that its indulgence beguiled the sick boy of many tedioushours, and never failed to afford him matter for thought and conversationafterwards, Nicholas made such spots the scenes of their daily rambles:drivinghimfromplacetoplaceinalittleponychair,andsupportinghimonhisarm while they walked slowly among these old haunts, or lingered in thesunlight to take long parting looks of those which were most quiet andbeautiful.

It was on such occasions as these, that Nicholas, yielding almostunconsciously to the interest of old associations,would point out some treethathehadclimbed,ahundredtimes,topeepattheyoungbirdsintheirnest;

and thebranch fromwhichheused to shout to littleKate,whostoodbelowterrified at the height he had gained, and yet urging him higher still by theintensity of her admiration.Therewas the old house too,which theywouldpasseveryday,lookingupatthetinywindowthroughwhichthesunusedtostream in and wake him on the summer morningsthey were all summermornings thenand climbing up the gardenwall and looking over, Nicholascould see the very rosebushwhich had come, a present toKate, from somelittle lover, and she had planted with her own hands. There were thehedgerowswhere the brother and sister had so often gathered wild flowerstogether,andthegreenfieldsandshadypathswheretheyhadsooftenstrayed.Therewas not a lane, or brook, or copse, or cottage near,withwhich somechildisheventwasnotentwined,andbackitcameuponthemindaseventsofchildhood donothing in itself: perhaps a word, a laugh, a look, some slightdistress, a passing thought or fear: and yet more strongly and distinctlymarked,andbetterremembered,thanthehardesttrialsorseverestsorrowsofayearago.

One of these expeditions led them through the churchyard where was hisfather'sgrave. 'Evenhere,' saidNicholas softly, 'weused to loiterbeforeweknew what death was, and when we little thought whose ashes would restbeneath;and,wonderingatthesilence,sitdowntorestandspeakbelowourbreath.Once,Katewaslost,andafteranhouroffruitlesssearch,theyfoundher,fastasleep,underthattreewhichshadesmyfather'sgrave.Hewasveryfond of her, and said when he took her up in his arms, still sleeping, thatwheneverhediedhewouldwishtobeburiedwherehisdear littlechildhadlaidherhead.Youseehiswishwasnotforgotten.'

Nothingmorepassedatthetime,butthatnight,asNicholassatbesidehisbed,Smikestartedfromwhathadseemedtobeaslumber,andlayinghishandinhis,prayed,asthetearscourseddownhisface, thathewouldmakehimonesolemnpromise.

'Whatisthat?'saidNicholas,kindly.'IfIcanredeemit,orhopetodoso,youknowIwill.'

'I am sure youwill,' was the reply. 'Promiseme thatwhen I die, I shall beburiednearasnearastheycanmakemygravetothetreewesawtoday.'

Nicholas gave the promise; he had few words to give it in, but they weresolemnandearnest.Hispoor friendkepthishand inhis,and turnedas if tosleep.Buttherewerestifledsobs;andthehandwaspressedmorethanonce,ortwice,orthrice,beforehesanktorest,andslowlyloosedhishold.

Inafortnight'stime,hebecametooilltomoveabout.Onceortwice,Nicholas

drove him out, propped up with pillows; but the motion of the chaise waspainful tohim,andbroughtonfitsoffainting,which, inhisweakenedstate,weredangerous.Therewasanoldcouchinthehouse,whichwashisfavouriterestingplace by day; and when the sun shone, and the weather was warm,Nicholashad thiswheeled intoa littleorchardwhichwascloseathand,andhischargebeingwellwrappedupandcarriedouttoit, theyusedtosit theresometimesforhourstogether.

It was on one of these occasions that a circumstance took place, whichNicholas, at the time, thoroughly believed to be the mere delusion of animagination affected by disease; but which he had, afterwards, too goodreasontoknowwasofrealandactualoccurrence.

HehadbroughtSmikeoutinhisarmspoorfellow!achildmighthavecarriedhimthentoseethesunset,and,havingarrangedhiscouch,hadtakenhisseatbeside it. He had been watching the whole of the night before, and beinggreatlyfatiguedbothinmindandbody,graduallyfellasleep.

Hecouldnothaveclosedhiseyesfiveminutes,whenhewasawakenedbyascream,andstartingupinthatkindofterrorwhichaffectsapersonsuddenlyroused, saw, to his great astonishment, that his charge had struggled into asitting posture, and with eyes almost starting from their sockets, cold dewstandingonhisforehead,andinafitoftremblingwhichquiteconvulsedhisframe,wascallingtohimforhelp.

'GoodHeaven,whatisthis?'saidNicholas,bendingoverhim. 'Becalm;youhavebeendreaming.'

'No, no, no!' criedSmike, clinging to him. 'Holdme tight.Don't letme go.There,there.Behindthetree!'

Nicholasfollowedhiseyes,whichweredirectedtosomedistancebehindthechairfromwhichhehimselfhadjustrisen.But,therewasnothingthere.

'Thisisnothingbutyourfancy,'hesaid,ashestrovetocomposehim;'nothingelse,indeed.'

'I knowbetter. I sawas plain as I seenow,'was the answer. 'Oh! sayyou'llkeepmewithyou.Swearyouwon'tleavemeforaninstant!'

'Do I ever leaveyou?' returnedNicholas. 'Liedownagainthere!Yousee I'mhere.Now,tellme;whatwasit?'

'Doyouremember,'saidSmike,inalowvoice,andglancingfearfullyround,'doyouremembermytellingyouofthemanwhofirsttookmetotheschool?'

'Yes,surely.'

'Iraisedmyeyes,justnow,towardsthattreethatonewiththethicktrunkandthere,withhiseyesfixedonme,hestood!'

'Onlyreflectforonemoment,'saidNicholas;'granting,foraninstant,thatit'slikelyheisaliveandwanderingaboutalonelyplacelikethis,sofarremovedfrom the public road, do you think that at this distance of time you couldpossiblyknowthatmanagain?'

'Anywhereinanydress,'returnedSmike;'but,justnow,hestoodleaninguponhisstickandlookingatme,exactlyasItoldyouIrememberedhim.Hewasdusty with walking, and poorly dressedI think his clothes were raggedbutdirectlyIsawhim,thewetnight,hisfacewhenheleftme,theparlourIwasleftin,andthepeoplethatwerethere,allseemedtocomebacktogether.WhenheknewIsawhim,he lookedfrightened; forhestarted,andshrunkaway. Ihave thought of himby day, and dreamt of himby night.He looked inmysleep,whenIwasquitealittlechild,andhaslookedinmysleepeversince,ashedidjustnow.'

Nicholasendeavoured,byeverypersuasionandargumenthecouldthinkof,toconvincetheterrifiedcreaturethathisimaginationhaddeceivedhim,andthatthis close resemblance between the creation of his dreams and the man hesupposedhehad seenwasbut a proof of it; but all in vain.Whenhe couldpersuadehimtoremain,forafewmoments,inthecareofthepeopletowhomthe house belonged, he instituted a strict inquiry whether any stranger hadbeenseen,andsearchedhimselfbehindthetree,andthroughtheorchard,andupon the land immediately adjoining, and in every place near,where itwaspossibleforamantolieconcealed;butallinvain.Satisfiedthathewasrightinhisoriginal conjecture, he appliedhimself to calming the fearsofSmike,which, after some time, he partially succeeded in doing, though not inremovingtheimpressionuponhismind;forhestilldeclared,againandagain,inthemostsolemnandfervidmanner,thathehadpositivelyseenwhathehaddescribed,andthatnothingcouldeverremovehisconvictionofitsreality.

Andnow,Nicholasbegantoseethathopewasgone,andthat,uponthepartnerofhispoverty,andthesharerofhisbetterfortune,theworldwasclosingfast.Therewaslittlepain,littleuneasiness,buttherewasnorallying,noeffort,nostruggle for life.Hewasworn andwasted to the last degree; his voice hadsunk so low, thathe could scarcebeheard to speak.Naturewas thoroughlyexhausted,andhehadlainhimdowntodie.

Onafine,mildautumnday,whenallwastranquilandatpeace:whenthesoftsweetaircreptinattheopenwindowofthequietroom,andnotasoundwas

heardbutthegentlerustlingoftheleaves:Nicholassatinhisoldplacebythebedside, andknew that the timewasnearly come.Sovery still itwas, that,everynowand then,hebentdownhisear to listen for thebreathingofhimwholayasleep,asiftoassurehimselfthatlifewasstillthere,andthathehadnotfallenintothatdeepslumberfromwhichonearththereisnowaking.

While hewas thus employed, the closed eyes opened, and on the pale facetherecameaplacidsmile.

'That'swell!'saidNicholas.'Thesleephasdoneyougood.'

'I have had such pleasant dreams,' was the answer. 'Such pleasant, happydreams!'

'Ofwhat?'saidNicholas.

Thedyingboyturnedtowardshim,and,puttinghisarmabouthisneck,madeanswer,'Ishallsoonbethere!'

Afterashortsilence,hespokeagain.

'Iamnotafraidtodie,'hesaid. 'Iamquitecontented.IalmostthinkthatifIcouldrisefromthisbedquitewellIwouldnotwishtodoso,now.Youhavesooften toldmeweshallmeetagainsoveryoften lately,andnowI feel thetruthofthatsostronglythatIcanevenbeartopartfromyou.'

The trembling voice and tearful eye, and the closer grasp of the armwhichaccompanied these latterwords, showedhow they filled the speaker's heart;norweretherewantingindicationsofhowdeeplytheyhadtouchedtheheartofhimtowhomtheywereaddressed.

'Yousaywell,'returnedNicholasatlength, 'andcomfortmeverymuch,dearfellow.Letmehearyousayyouarehappy,ifyoucan.'

'I must tell you something, first. I should not have a secret from you. Youwouldnotblameme,atatimelikethis,Iknow.'

'Iblameyou!'exclaimedNicholas.

'Iamsureyouwouldnot.YouaskedmewhyIwassochanged,andandsatsomuchalone.ShallItellyouwhy?'

'Not if it pains you,' said Nicholas. 'I only asked that I might make youhappier,ifIcould.'

'I know. I felt that, at the time.'Hedrewhis friend closer to him. 'Youwillforgiveme; I could not help it, but though I would have died tomake her

happy,itbrokemyhearttoseeIknowhelovesherdearlyOh!whocouldfindthatoutsosoonasI?'

Thewordswhichfollowedwerefeeblyandfaintlyuttered,andbrokenbylongpauses;but,fromthem,Nicholaslearnt,forthefirsttime,thatthedyingboy,withalltheardourofanatureconcentratedononeabsorbing,hopeless,secretpassion,lovedhissisterKate.

Hehadprocuredalockofherhair,whichhungathisbreast,foldedinoneortwoslightribbonsshehadworn.Heprayedthat,whenhewasdead,Nicholaswouldtake itoff,so thatnoeyesbuthismightsee it,andthatwhenhewaslaidinhiscoffinandabouttobeplacedintheearth,hewouldhangitroundhisneckagain,thatitmightrestwithhiminthegrave.

Upon his kneesNicholas gave him this pledge, and promised again that heshould rest in the spot he hadpointedout.They embraced, andkissed eachotheronthecheek.

'Now,'hemurmured,'Iamhappy.'

He fell into a light slumber, and waking smiled as before; then, spoke ofbeautifulgardens,whichhesaidstretchedoutbeforehim,andwerefilledwithfigures ofmen,women, andmany children, all with light upon their faces;then,whisperedthatitwasEdenandsodied.

CHAPTER59

ThePlotsbegintofail,andDoubtsandDangerstodisturbthePlotter

Ralph sat alone, in the solitary roomwhere hewas accustomed to take hismeals,and tositofnightswhennoprofitableoccupationcalledhimabroad.Before him was an untasted breakfast, and near to where his fingers beatrestlesslyuponthetable,layhiswatch.Itwaslongpastthetimeatwhich,formany years, he had put it in his pocket and gone with measured stepsdownstairs to the business of the day, but he took as little heed of itsmonotonouswarning,asofthemeatanddrinkbeforehim,andremainedwithhisheadrestingononehand,andhiseyesfixedmoodilyontheground.

This departure from his regular and constant habit, in one so regular and

unvaryinginallthatappertainedtothedailypursuitofriches,wouldalmostofitself have told that the usurer was not well. That he laboured under somementalorbodilyindisposition,andthatitwasoneofnoslightkindsotoaffectaman like him,was sufficiently shown by his haggard face, jaded air, andhollow languid eyes:which he raised at lastwith a start and a hasty glancearoundhim,asonewhosuddenlyawakesfromsleep,andcannotimmediatelyrecognisetheplaceinwhichhefindshimself.

'What is this,' he said, 'that hangs overme, and I cannot shake off? I haveneverpamperedmyself,andshouldnotbeill.Ihavenevermoped,andpined,andyieldedtofancies;butwhatCANamandowithoutrest?'

Hepressedhishanduponhisforehead.

'Nightafternightcomesandgoes,andIhavenorest.IfIsleep,whatrest isthat which is disturbed by constant dreams of the same detested facescrowding round meof the same detested people, in every variety of action,minglingwithall I sayanddo,andalways tomydefeat?Waking,what resthaveI,constantlyhauntedbythisheavyshadowofIknownotwhatwhichisitsworstcharacter?Imusthaverest.Onenight'sunbrokenrest,andIshouldbeamanagain.'

Pushingthetablefromhimwhilehespoke,asthoughheloathedthesightoffood,heencounteredthewatch:thehandsofwhichwerealmostuponnoon.

'This is strange!' he said; 'noon, and Noggs not here!What drunken brawlkeepshimaway?Iwouldgivesomethingnowsomethinginmoneyevenafterthatdreadfullossifhehadstabbedamaninatavernscuffle,orbrokenintoahouse,orpickedapocket,ordoneanythingthatwouldsendhimabroadwithan iron ring upon his leg, and rid me of him. Better still, if I could throwtemptation inhisway,and lurehimontorobme.Heshouldbewelcometowhathetook,soIbroughtthelawuponhim;forheisatraitor,Iswear!How,orwhen,orwhere,Idon'tknow,thoughIsuspect.'

After waiting for another halfhour, he dispatched the woman who kept hishousetoNewman'slodging,toinquireifhewereill,andwhyhehadnotcomeorsent.Shebroughtbackanswerthathehadnotbeenhomeallnight,andthatnoonecouldtellheranythingabouthim.

'Butthereisagentleman,sir,'shesaid, 'below,whowasstandingatthedoorwhenIcamein,andhesays'

'Whatsayshe?'demandedRalph,turningangrilyuponher.'ItoldyouIwouldseenobody.'

'Hesays,'repliedthewoman,abashedbyhisharshness,'thathecomesonveryparticularbusinesswhichadmitsofnoexcuse;andIthoughtperhapsitmightbeabout'

'About what, in the devil's name?' said Ralph. 'You spy and speculate onpeople'sbusinesswithme,doyou?'

'Dear, no, sir! I saw you were anxious, and thought it might be about MrNoggs;that'sall.'

'SawIwasanxious!'mutteredRalph; 'theyallwatchme,now.Where is thisperson?YoudidnotsayIwasnotdownyet,Ihope?'

Thewomanreplied thathewas in the littleoffice,and thatshehadsaidhermasterwasengaged,butshewouldtakethemessage.

'Well,' saidRalph, 'I'll seehim.Goyou toyourkitchen, andkeep there.Doyoumindme?'

Gladtobereleased,thewomanquicklydisappeared.Collectinghimself,andassuming asmuchofhis accustomedmanner ashis utmost resolution couldsummon,Ralphdescendedthestairs.Afterpausingforafewmoments,withhis hand upon the lock, he entered Newman's room, and confronted MrCharlesCheeryble.

Ofallmenalive,thiswasoneofthelasthewouldhavewishedtomeetatanytime; but, now that he recognised in him only the patron and protector ofNicholas,hewouldratherhaveseenaspectre.Onebeneficialeffect,however,the encounter had upon him. It instantly roused all his dormant energies;rekindled in his breast the passions that, for many years, had found animprovinghomethere;calledupallhiswrath,hatred,andmalice;restoredthesneertohislip,andthescowltohisbrow;andmadehimagain,inalloutwardappearance, the same Ralph Nickleby whom so many had bitter cause toremember.

'Humph!'saidRalph,pausingatthedoor.'Thisisanunexpectedfavour,sir.'

'Andanunwelcomeone,'saidbrotherCharles;'anunwelcomeone,Iknow.'

'Mensayyouare truth itself, sir,' repliedRalph. 'Youspeak truthnow,atallevents,andI'llnotcontradictyou.Thefavouris,atleast,asunwelcomeasitisunexpected.Icanscarcelysaymore.'

'Plainly,sir'beganbrotherCharles.

'Plainly,sir,'interruptedRalph,'Iwishthisconferencetobeashortone,andto

endwhere itbegins. Iguess thesubjectuponwhichyouareabout tospeak,andI'llnothearyou.Youlikeplainness,Ibelieve;thereitis.Hereisthedoorasyousee.Ourwayliesinverydifferentdirections.Takeyours,Ibegofyou,andleavemetopursuemineinquiet.'

'In quiet!' repeatedbrotherCharlesmildly, and looking at himwithmoreofpitythanreproach.'TopursueHISwayinquiet!'

'Youwill scarcely remain inmyhouse, Ipresume, sir, againstmywill,' saidRalph; 'or you can scarcely hope to make an impression upon a man whocloseshisearstoallthatyoucansay,andisfirmlyandresolutelydeterminednottohearyou.'

'MrNickleby, sir,' returned brother Charles: no lessmildly than before, butfirmly too: 'I come here against my will, sorely and grievously against mywill.Ihaveneverbeeninthishousebefore;and,tospeakmymind,sir,Idon'tfeelathomeoreasyinit,andhavenowishevertobehereagain.Youdonotguess thesubjectonwhichIcometospeaktoyou;youdonot indeed.Iamsureofthat,oryourmannerwouldbeaverydifferentone.'

Ralphglancedkeenlyathim,but thecleareyeandopencountenanceof thehonest old merchant underwent no change of expression, and met his lookwithoutreserve.

'ShallIgoon?'saidMrCheeryble.

'Oh,byallmeans,ifyouplease,'returnedRalphdrily.'Herearewallstospeakto, sir, a desk, and two stools: most attentive auditors, and certain not tointerruptyou.Goon,Ibeg;makemyhouseyours,andperhapsbythetimeIreturn frommywalk,youwillhave finishedwhatyouhave tosay,andwillyieldmeuppossessionagain.'

Sosaying,hebuttonedhiscoat,and turning into thepassage, tookdownhishat.Theoldgentlemanfollowed,andwasabouttospeak,whenRalphwavedhimoffimpatiently,andsaid:

'Not aword. I tell you, sir, not aword.Virtuous as you are, you arenot anangelyet, toappear inmen'shouseswhether theywillorno,andpouryourspeechintounwillingears.PreachtothewallsItellyou;nottome!'

'I am no angel,Heaven knows,' returned brother Charles, shaking his head,'butanerringandimperfectman;nevertheless,thereisonequalitywhichallmenhave,incommonwiththeangels,blessedopportunitiesofexercising,iftheywill;mercy. It is an errand ofmercy that bringsme here. Pray letmedischargeit.'

'I show nomercy,' retortedRalphwith a triumphant smile, 'and I ask none.Seeknomercy fromme, sir, inbehalf of the fellowwhohas imposeduponyourchildishcredulity,butlethimexpecttheworstthatIcando.'

'HEaskmercyatyourhands!'exclaimedtheoldmerchantwarmly; 'askitathis, sir; ask it at his. If youwill not hearme now,when youmay, hearmewhenyoumust,oranticipatewhatIwouldsay,andtakemeasurestopreventourevermeetingagain.Yournephewisanoblelad,sir,anhonest,noblelad.Whatyouare,MrNickleby,Iwillnotsay;butwhatyouhavedone,Iknow.Now, sir,when you go about the business inwhich you have been recentlyengaged, and find it difficult of pursuing, come tome andmybrotherNed,andTimLinkinwater,sir,andwe'llexplainitforyouandcomesoon,oritmaybetoolate,andyoumayhaveitexplainedwithalittlemoreroughness,andalittlelessdelicacyandneverforget,sir,thatIcameherethismorning,inmercytoyou,andamstillreadytotalktoyouinthesamespirit.'

With thesewords, utteredwithgreat emphasis andemotion,brotherCharlesputonhisbroadbrimmedhat,and,passingRalphNicklebywithoutanyotherremark, trotted nimbly into the street. Ralph looked after him, but neithermoved nor spoke for some time: when he broke what almost seemed thesilenceofstupefaction,byascornfullaugh.

'This,'hesaid,'fromitswildness,shouldbeanotherofthosedreamsthathavesobrokenmyrestoflate.Inmercytome!Pho!Theoldsimpletonhasgonemad.'

Althoughhe expressedhimself in thisderisive andcontemptuousmanner, itwasplainthat,themoreRalphpondered,themoreillateasehebecame,andthemorehelabouredundersomevagueanxietyandalarm,whichincreasedasthe timepassedon andno tidingsofNewmanNoggs arrived.Afterwaitinguntillateintheafternoon,torturedbyvariousapprehensionsandmisgivings,and the recollection of thewarningwhich his nephew had given himwhenthey lastmet: the further confirmation ofwhich nowpresented itself in oneshape of probability, now in another, and haunted him perpetually: he lefthome, and, scarcely knowing why, save that he was in a suspicious andagitatedmood,betookhimselftoSnawley'shouse.Hiswifepresentedherself;and,ofher,Ralphinquiredwhetherherhusbandwasathome.

'No,'shesaidsharply,'heisnotindeed,andIdon'tthinkhewillbeathomeforaverylongtime;that'smore.'

'DoyouknowwhoIam?'askedRalph.

'Ohyes,Iknowyouverywell;toowell,perhaps,andperhapshedoestoo,andsorryamIthatIshouldhavetosayit.'

'TellhimthatIsawhimthroughthewindowblindabove,asIcrossedtheroadjust now, and that I would speak to him on business,' said Ralph. 'Do youhear?'

'Ihear,'rejoinedMrsSnawley,takingnofurthernoticeoftherequest.

'I knew this woman was a hypocrite, in the way of psalms and Scripturephrases,'saidRalph,passingquietlyby,'butIneverknewshedrankbefore.'

'Stop!Youdon'tcomeinhere,' saidMrSnawley'sbetterhalf, interposingherperson,whichwas a robust one, in the doorway. 'You have saidmore thanenoughtohimonbusiness,beforenow.Ialwaystoldhimwhatdealingwithyouandworkingoutyour schemeswouldcome to. Itwaseitheryouor theschoolmasteroneofyou,orthetwobetweenyouthatgottheforgedletterdone;rememberthat!Thatwasn'thisdoing,sodon'tlayitathisdoor.'

'Holdyourtongue,youJezebel,'saidRalph,lookingfearfullyround.

'Ah, I know when to hold my tongue, and when to speak, Mr Nickleby,'retortedthedame.'Takecarethatotherpeopleknowwhentoholdtheirs.'

'Youjade,'saidRalph,'ifyourhusbandhasbeenidiotenoughtotrustyouwithhissecrets,keepthem;keepthem,shedevilthatyouare!'

'Not so much his secrets as other people's secrets, perhaps,' retorted thewoman; 'not somuchhis secrets asyours.Noneofyourblack looksatme!You'llwant'emall,perhaps,foranothertime.Youhadbetterkeep'em.'

'Will you,' said Ralph, suppressing his passion as well as he could, andclutchingher tightlyby thewrist; 'willyougo toyourhusbandand tellhimthatIknowheisathome,andthatImustseehim?Andwillyoutellmewhatitisthatyouandhemeanbythisnewstyleofbehaviour?'

'No,'repliedthewoman,violentlydisengagingherself,'I'lldoneither.'

'Yousetmeatdefiance,doyou?'saidRalph.

'Yes,'wastheanswer.Ido.'

ForaninstantRalphhadhishandraised,asthoughhewereabouttostrikeher;but,checkinghimself,andnoddinghisheadandmutteringasthoughtoassureherhewouldnotforgetthis,walkedaway.

Thence,hewentstraighttotheinnwhichMrSqueersfrequented,andinquiredwhen he had been there last; in the vague hope that, successful orunsuccessful, hemight,by this time,have returned fromhismissionandbeabletoassurehimthatallwassafe.ButMrSqueershadnotbeenthereforten

days, and all that the people could tell about himwas, that he had left hisluggageandhisbill.

Disturbed by a thousand fears and surmises, and bent upon ascertainingwhetherSqueershadanysuspicionofSnawley,orwas,inanyway,apartytothis altered behaviour, Ralph determined to hazard the extreme step ofinquiringforhimat theLambeth lodging,andhavingan interviewwithhimeven there. Bent upon this purpose, and in that mood in which delay isinsupportable, he repaired at once to the place; and being, by description,perfectlyacquaintedwiththesituationofhisroom,creptupstairsandknockedgentlyatthedoor.

Notone,nortwo,northree,noryetadozenknocks,servedtoconvinceRalph,againsthiswish,thattherewasnobodyinside.Hereasonedthathemightbeasleep; and, listening, almost persuaded himself that he could hear himbreathe.Evenwhenhewassatisfiedthathecouldnotbethere,hesatpatientlyonabrokenstairandwaited;arguing,thathehadgoneoutuponsomeslighterrand,andmustsoonreturn.

Many feet came up the creaking stairs; and the step of some seemed to hislistening ear so like that of theman for whom he waited, that Ralph oftenstooduptobereadytoaddresshimwhenhereachedthetop;but,onebyone,each person turned off into some room short of the place where he wasstationed:andateverysuchdisappointmenthefeltquitechilledandlonely.

At length he felt it was hopeless to remain, and going downstairs again,inquired of one of the lodgers if he knew anything of Mr Squeers'smovementsmentioning that worthy by an assumed name which had beenagreeduponbetweenthem.Bythislodgerhewasreferredtoanother,andbyhimtosomeoneelse,fromwhomhelearnt,that,lateonthepreviousnight,hehadgoneouthastilywith twomen,whohadshortlyafterwards returned forthe old woman who lived on the same floor; and that, although thecircumstancehadattractedtheattentionoftheinformant,hehadnotspokentothematthetime,normadeanyinquiryafterwards.

This possessed him with the idea that, perhaps, Peg Sliderskew had beenapprehendedfortherobbery,andthatMrSqueers,beingwithheratthetime,hadbeenapprehendedalso,onsuspicionofbeingaconfederate.If thiswereso,thefactmustbeknowntoGride;andtoGride'shousehedirectedhissteps;now thoroughly alarmed, and fearful that there were indeed plots afoot,tendingtohisdiscomfitureandruin.

Arrived at the usurer's house, he found the windows close shut, the dingyblindsdrawndown;allwassilent,melancholy,anddeserted.Butthiswasits

usual aspect. He knockedgently at firstthen loud and vigorously. Nobodycame.Hewroteafewwordsinpencilonacard,andhavingthrustitunderthedoor was going away, when a noise above, as though a windowsash werestealthilyraised,caughthisear,andlookinguphecouldjustdiscernthefaceofGridehimself,cautiouslypeeringoverthehouseparapetfromthewindowof the garret. Seeing who was below, he drew it in again; not so quickly,however,butthatRalphlethimknowhewasobserved,andcalledtohimtocomedown.

Thecallbeingrepeated,Gridelookedoutagain,socautiouslythatnopartoftheoldman'sbodywasvisible.Thesharp featuresandwhitehairappearingalone,abovetheparapet,lookedlikeaseveredheadgarnishingthewall.

'Hush!'hecried.'Goaway,goaway!'

'Comedown,'saidRalph,beckoninghim.

'Goaway!'squeakedGride,shakinghisheadinasortofecstasyofimpatience.'Don'tspeaktome,don'tknock,don'tcallattentiontothehouse,butgoaway.'

'I'llknock,Iswear,tillIhaveyourneighboursupinarms,'saidRalph,'ifyoudon'ttellmewhatyoumeanbylurkingthere,youwhiningcur.'

'Ican'thearwhatyousaydon'ttalktomeitisn'tsafegoawaygoaway!'returnedGride.

'Comedown,Isay.Willyoucomedown?'saidRalphfiercely.

'Nooooo,'snarledGride.Hedrewinhishead;andRalph,leftstandinginthestreet, could hear the sash closed, as gently and carefully as it had beenopened.

'Howisthis,'saidhe,'thattheyallfallfromme,andshunmeliketheplague,thesemenwhohavelickedthedustfrommyfeet?ISmydaypast,andisthisindeedthecomingonofnight?I'llknowwhatitmeans!Iwill,atanycost.Iamfirmerandmoremyself,justnow,thanIhavebeenthesemanydays.'

Turning from the door, which, in the first transport of his rage, he hadmeditatedbatteringuponuntilGride'sveryfearsshouldimpelhimtoopenit,heturnedhisfacetowardsthecity,andworkinghiswaysteadilythroughthecrowdwhichwas pouring from it (itwas by this timebetween five and sixo'clockintheafternoon)wentstraighttothehouseofbusinessofthebrothersCheeryble, and putting his head into the glass case, foundTimLinkinwateralone.

'Myname'sNickleby,'saidRalph.

'Iknowit,'repliedTim,surveyinghimthroughhisspectacles.

'Whichofyourfirmwasitwhocalledonmethismorning?'demandedRalph.

'MrCharles.'

'Then,tellMrCharlesIwanttoseehim.'

'Youshallsee,'saidTim,gettingoffhisstoolwithgreatagility,'youshallsee,notonlyMrCharles,butMrNedlikewise.'

Timstopped,lookedsteadilyandseverelyatRalph,noddedhisheadonce,inacurtmannerwhichseemedtosaytherewasalittlemorebehind,andvanished.Afterashortinterval,hereturned,and,usheringRalphintothepresenceofthetwobrothers,remainedintheroomhimself.

'Iwanttospeaktoyou,whospoketomethismorning,'saidRalph,pointingoutwithhisfingerthemanwhomheaddressed.

'IhavenosecretsfrommybrotherNed,orfromTimLinkinwater,'observedbrotherCharlesquietly.

'Ihave,'saidRalph.

'Mr Nickleby, sir,' said brother Ned, 'the matter upon which my brotherCharlescalleduponyou thismorning isonewhich is alreadyperfectlywellknown to us three, and to others besides, andmust unhappily soon becomeknowntoagreatmanymore.Hewaiteduponyou,sir,thismorning,alone,asamatterofdelicacyandconsideration.Wefeel,now,thatfurtherdelicacyandconsiderationwouldbemisplaced;and,ifweconfertogether,itmustbeasweareornotatall.'

'Well,gentlemen,' saidRalphwithacurlof the lip, 'talking in riddleswouldseem to be the peculiar forte of you two, and I suppose your clerk, like aprudentman,hasstudiedtheartalsowithaviewtoyourgoodgraces.Talkincompany,gentlemen,inGod'sname.I'llhumouryou.'

'Humour!'criedTimLinkinwater,suddenlygrowingveryredintheface.'He'llhumourus!He'llhumourCheerybleBrothers!Doyouhearthat?Doyouhearhim?DOyouhearhimsayhe'llhumourCheerybleBrothers?'

'Tim,'saidCharlesandNedtogether,'pray,Tim,praynow,don't.'

Tim,takingthehint,stifledhisindignationaswellashecould,andsuffereditto escape through his spectacles, with the additional safetyvalve of a shorthystericallaughnowandthen,whichseemedtorelievehimmightily.

'Asnobodybidsmetoaseat,'saidRalph,lookinground,'I'lltakeone,forIamfatiguedwithwalking.And now, if you please, gentlemen, Iwish to knowIdemandtoknow;Ihavetherightwhatyouhavetosaytome,whichjustifiessuch a tone as you have assumed, and that underhand interference in myaffairswhich, Ihave reason to suppose,youhavebeenpractising. I tellyouplainly, gentlemen, that little as I care for the opinion of the world (as theslanggoes), Idon'tchoose tosubmitquietly toslanderandmalice.Whetheryou suffer yourselves to be imposed upon too easily, or wilfully makeyourselvespartiestoit, theresulttomeisthesame.Ineithercase,youcan'texpectfromaplainmanlikemyselfmuchconsiderationorforbearance.'

Socoollyanddeliberatelywasthissaid,thatninemenoutoften,ignorantofthe circumstances,would have supposedRalph to be really an injuredman.There he sat, with folded arms; paler than usual, certainly, and sufficientlyillfavoured,butquitecollectedfarmoresothanthebrothersortheexasperatedTimandreadytofaceouttheworst.

'Verywell,sir,'saidbrotherCharles.'Verywell.BrotherNed,willyouringthebell?'

'Charles,mydearfellow!stoponeinstant,'returnedtheother.'ItwillbebetterforMrNicklebyandforourobjectthatheshouldremainsilent,ifhecan,tillwehavesaidwhatwehavetosay.Iwishhimtounderstandthat.'

'Quiteright,quiteright,'saidbrotherCharles.

Ralphsmiled,butmadenoreply.Thebellwasrung;theroomdooropened;amancamein,withahaltingwalk;and,lookinground,Ralph'seyesmetthoseofNewmanNoggs.Fromthatmoment,hisheartbegantofailhim.

'Thisisagoodbeginning,'hesaidbitterly.'Oh!thisisagoodbeginning.Youarecandid,honest,openhearted,fairdealingmen!Ialwaysknewtherealworthofsuchcharactersasyours!Totamperwithafellowlikethis,whowouldsellhissoul(ifhehadone)fordrink,andwhoseeverywordisalie.Whatmenaresafeifthisisdone?Oh,it'sagoodbeginning!'

'IWILL speak,' criedNewman, standing on tiptoe to look over Tim's head,whohadinterposedtopreventhim. 'Hallo,yousiroldNickleby!whatdoyoumean when you talk of "a fellow like this"?Who made me "a fellow likethis"? If I would sell my soul for drink, why wasn't I a thief, swindler,housebreaker,areasneak,robberofpenceoutofthetraysofblindmen'sdogs,rather than your drudge and packhorse? If my every word was a lie, whywasn'tIapetandfavouriteofyours?Lie!WhendidIevercringeandfawntoyou.Tellmethat!Iservedyoufaithfully.Ididmorework,becauseIwaspoor,and tookmorehardwords fromyoubecause I despisedyouand them, than

anymanyoucouldhavegot from theparishworkhouse. Idid. I servedyoubecauseIwasproud;becauseIwasalonelymanwithyou,andtherewerenootherdrudges to seemydegradation; andbecausenobodyknew,better thanyou,thatIwasaruinedman:thatIhadn'talwaysbeenwhatIam:andthatImighthavebeenbetteroff,ifIhadn'tbeenafoolandfallenintothehandsofyouandotherswhowereknaves.Doyoudenythat?'

'Gently,'reasonedTim;'yousaidyouwouldn't.'

'IsaidIwouldn't!'criedNewman,thrustinghimaside,andmovinghishandasTim moved, so as to keep him at arm's length; 'don't tell me! Here, youNickleby!Don'tpretendnottomindme;itwon'tdo;Iknowbetter.Youweretalkingoftampering, justnow.WhotamperedwithYorkshireschoolmasters,and,whiletheysentthedrudgeout,thatheshouldn'toverhear,forgotthatsuchgreatcautionmightrenderhimsuspicious,andthathemightwatchhismasterout at nights, and might set other eyes to watch the schoolmaster? Whotamperedwith a selfish father, urginghim to sell hisdaughter tooldArthurGride,and tamperedwithGride too,anddidso in the littleoffice,WITHACLOSETINTHEROOM?'

Ralph had put a great command upon himself; but he could not havesuppressed a slight start, if he had been certain to be beheaded for it nextmoment.

'Aha!'criedNewman,'youmindmenow,doyou?Whatfirstsetthisfagtobejealousofhismaster'sactions,andtofeelthat,ifhehadn'tcrossedhimwhenhemight, he would have been as bad as he, or worse? That master's crueltreatmentofhisownfleshandblood,andviledesignsuponayounggirlwhointerested even his brokendown, drunken, miserable hack, and made himlinger inhisservice, in thehopeofdoinghersomegood(as, thankGod,hehad done others once or twice before), when he would, otherwise, haverelievedhisfeelingsbypummellinghismastersoundly,andthengoingtotheDevil. He wouldmark that; and mark thisthat I'm here now, because thesegentlemen thought it best.When I sought them out (as I did; therewas notamperingwithme), I told them Iwantedhelp to findyouout, to traceyoudown,togothroughwithwhatIhadbegun,tohelptheright;andthatwhenIhaddoneit,I'dburstintoyourroomandtellyouall,facetoface,mantoman,andlikeaman.NowI'vesaidmysay,andletanybodyelsesaytheirs,andfireaway!'

With this concluding sentiment,NewmanNoggs,who had been perpetuallysitting down and getting up again all through his speech, which he haddeliveredinaseriesofjerks;andwhowas,fromtheviolentexerciseandtheexcitement combined, in a state of most intense and fiery heat; became,

withoutpassingthroughanyintermediatestage,stiff,upright,andmotionless,andsoremained,staringatRalphNicklebywithallhismightandmain.

Ralph lookedathim for an instant, and for an instantonly; then,wavedhishand,andbeatingthegroundwithhisfoot,saidinachokingvoice:

'Goon,gentlemen,goon!I'mpatient,yousee.There'slawtobehad,there'slaw. I shall call you to an account for this. Take carewhat you say; I shallmakeyouproveit.'

'Theproof is ready,' returnedbrotherCharles, 'quite ready toourhands.ThemanSnawley,lastnight,madeaconfession.'

'Who may "the man Snawley" be,' returned Ralph, 'and what may his"confession"havetodowithmyaffairs?'

Tothis inquiry,putwithadoggedinflexibilityofmanner, theoldgentlemanreturnednoanswer,butwentontosay,thattoshowhimhowmuchtheywereinearnest, itwouldbenecessaryto tellhim,notonlywhataccusationsweremadeagainsthim,butwhatproofof themtheyhad,andhowthatproofhadbeenacquired.ThislayingopenofthewholequestionbroughtupbrotherNed,TimLinkinwater,andNewmanNoggs,allthreeatonce;who,afteravastdealof talking together, and a scene of great confusion, laid before Ralph, indistinctterms,thefollowingstatement.

That,Newman,havingbeensolemnlyassuredbyonenotthenproduciblethatSmikewas not the son of Snawley, and this person having offered tomakeoathtothateffect,ifnecessary,theyhadbythiscommunicationbeenfirstledtodoubttheclaimsetup,whichtheywouldotherwisehaveseennoreasontodispute, supported as it was by evidence which they had no power ofdisproving.That,oncesuspecting theexistenceofaconspiracy, theyhadnodifficulty in tracing back its origin to the malice of Ralph, and thevindictiveness and avarice of Squeers. That, suspicion and proof being twovery different things, they had been advised by a lawyer, eminent for hissagacityandacutenessinsuchpractice,toresisttheproceedingstakenontheothersidefortherecoveryoftheyouthasslowlyandartfullyaspossible,andmeanwhiletobesetSnawley(withwhomitwasclearthemainfalsehoodmustrest);toleadhim,ifpossible,intocontradictoryandconflictingstatements;toharasshimbyallavailablemeans;andsotopractiseonhisfears,andregardforhisownsafety,astoinducehimtodivulgethewholescheme,andtogiveuphis employer andwhomsoever elsehe could implicate.That, all this hadbeen skilfullydone; but thatSnawley,whowaswell practised in the arts oflowcunningandintrigue,hadsuccessfullybaffledalltheirattempts,untilanunexpectedcircumstancehadbroughthim,lastnight,uponhisknees.

Itthusarose.WhenNewmanNoggsreportedthatSqueerswasagainintown,andthataninterviewofsuchsecrecyhadtakenplacebetweenhimandRalphthathehadbeensentoutofthehouse,plainlylestheshouldoverhearaword,awatchwassetupontheschoolmaster, in thehope thatsomethingmightbediscoveredwhichwould throw some light upon the suspected plot. It beingfound,however, thatheheldno further communicationwithRalph,nor anywithSnawley,andlivedquitealone,theywerecompletelyatfault;thewatchwaswithdrawn,andtheywouldhaveobservedhismotionsnolonger,ifithadnot happened that, one night, Newman stumbled unobserved on him andRalph in the street together. Following them, he discovered, to his surprise,that they repaired tovarious low lodginghouses, and tavernskeptbybrokengamblers,tomorethanoneofwhomRalphwasknown,andthattheywereinpursuitso he found by inquirieswhen they had leftof an oldwoman,whosedescription exactly tallied with that of deaf Mrs Sliderskew. Affairs nowappearingtoassumeamoreseriouscomplexion,thewatchwasrenewedwithincreased vigilance; an officerwas procured, who took up his abode in thesame tavernwithSqueers:andbyhimandFrankCheeryble the footstepsoftheunconsciousschoolmasterweredogged,untilhewassafelyhousedinthelodgingatLambeth.MrSqueershavingshiftedhislodging,theofficershiftedhis,andlyingconcealedinthesamestreet,and,indeed,intheoppositehouse,soon found that Mr Squeers and Mrs Sliderskew were in constantcommunication.

In this state of things, Arthur Gride was appealed to. The robbery, partlyowingtotheinquisitivenessoftheneighbours,andpartlytohisowngriefandrage, had, long ago, become known; but he positively refused to give hissanctionor yield any assistance to theoldwoman's capture, andwas seizedwithsuchapanicattheideaofbeingcalledupontogiveevidenceagainsther,thatheshuthimselfupcloseinhishouse,andrefusedtoholdcommunicationwithanybody.Uponthis, thepursuers tookcounsel together,and,comingsonearthetruthastoarriveattheconclusionthatGrideandRalph,withSqueersfor their instrument,werenegotiating for the recoveryof someof the stolenpaperswhichwouldnot bear the light, andmight possibly explain thehintsrelative to Madeline which Newman had overheard, resolved that MrsSliderskewshouldbetakenintocustodybeforeshehadpartedwiththem:andSqueers too, ifanythingsuspiciouscouldbeattached tohim.Accordingly,asearchwarrant being procured, and all prepared, Mr Squeers's window waswatched,untilhis lightwasputout,and the timearrivedwhen,ashadbeenpreviously ascertained, he usually visitedMrs Sliderskew. This done, FrankCheerybleandNewmanstoleupstairstolistentotheirdiscourse,andtogivethe signal to the officer at themost favourable time.Atwhat an opportunemoment they arrived, how they listened, and what they heard, is alreadyknown to the reader.Mr Squeers, still half stunned, was hurried off with a

stolendeedinhispossession,andMrsSliderskewwasapprehendedlikewise.The information being promptly carried to Snawley that Squeers was incustodyhewasnot toldforwhatthatworthy, firstextortingapromise thatheshould be kept harmless, declared thewhole tale concerning Smike to be afictionandforgery,andimplicatedRalphNicklebytothefullestextent.AstoMrSqueers,hehad, thatmorning,undergoneaprivateexaminationbeforeamagistrate;and,beingunabletoaccountsatisfactorilyforhispossessionofthedeedorhiscompanionshipwithMrsSliderskew,hadbeen,withher,remandedforaweek.

All these discoveries were now related to Ralph, circumstantially, and indetail. Whatever impression they secretly produced, he suffered no sign ofemotion to escape him, but sat perfectly still, not raising his frowning eyesfrom theground,andcoveringhismouthwithhishand.When thenarrativewasconcluded;heraisedhisheadhastily,asifabouttospeak,butonbrotherCharlesresuming,fellintohisoldattitudeagain.

'I told you this morning,' said the old gentleman, laying his hand upon hisbrother's shoulder, 'that I came to you in mercy. How far you may beimplicatedinthislasttransaction,orhowfarthepersonwhoisnowincustodymaycriminateyou,youbestknow.But,justicemusttakeitscourseagainsttheparties implicatedin theplotagainst thispoor,unoffending, injuredlad.It isnot inmypower, or in the power ofmybrotherNed, to save you from theconsequences.Theutmostwecandois,towarnyouintime,andtogiveyouan opportunity of escaping them.We would not have an old man like youdisgracedandpunishedbyyournearrelation;norwouldwehavehimforget,likeyou,alltiesofbloodandnature.WeentreatyoubrotherNed,youjoinme,I know, in this entreaty, and so, Tim Linkinwater, do you, although youpretend tobeanobstinatedog,sir,andsit there frowningas ifyoudidn'tweentreatyoutoretirefromLondon,totakeshelterinsomeplacewhereyouwillbesafe fromtheconsequencesof thesewickeddesigns,andwhereyoumayhavetime,sir,toatoneforthem,andtobecomeabetterman.'

'Anddoyouthink,'returnedRalph,rising,'anddoyouthink,youwillsoeasilycrush ME? Do you think that a hundred wellarranged plans, or a hundredsubornedwitnesses,orahundredfalsecursatmyheels,orahundredcantingspeeches full of oilywords,willmoveme? I thank you for disclosing yourschemes,whichIamnowpreparedfor.Youhavenotthemantodealwiththatyou think; tryme! and remember that I spit uponyour fairwords and falsedealings, and dare youprovoke youtaunt youto do tome the veryworst youcan!'

Thustheyparted,forthattime;buttheworsthadnotcomeyet.

CHAPTER60

TheDangersthicken,andtheWorstistold

Insteadofgoinghome,Ralph threwhimself into the first street cabriolet hecouldfind,and,directingthedrivertowardsthepoliceofficeofthedistrictinwhich Mr Squeers's misfortunes had occurred, alighted at a short distancefrom it, and, discharging theman,went the rest of hisway thither on foot.Inquiringfortheobjectofhissolicitude,helearntthathehadtimedhisvisitwell;forMrSqueerswas,infact,atthatmomentwaitingforahackneycoachhehadordered,andinwhichhepurposedproceedingtohisweek'sretirement,likeagentleman.

Demanding speech with the prisoner, he was ushered into a kind ofwaitingroom in which, by reason of his scholastic profession and superiorrespectability,Mr Squeers had been permitted to pass the day.Here, by thelight of a guttering and blackened candle, he could barely discern theschoolmaster,fastasleeponabenchinaremotecorner.Anemptyglassstoodonatablebeforehim,which,withhissomnolentconditionandaverystrongsmellofbrandyandwater, forewarned thevisitor thatMrSqueershadbeenseeking, in creature comforts, a temporary forgetfulness of his unpleasantsituation.

Itwasnot averyeasymatter to rousehim: so lethargic andheavywerehisslumbers.Regaininghisfacultiesbyslowandfaintglimmerings,heatlengthsat upright; and, displaying a very yellow face, a very red nose, and a verybristlybeard:thejointeffectofwhichwasconsiderablyheightenedbyadirtywhitehandkerchief,spottedwithblood,drawnoverthecrownofhisheadandtiedunderhischin:staredruefullyatRalphinsilence,untilhisfeelingsfoundaventinthispithysentence:

'Isay,youngfellow,you'vebeenanddoneitnow;youhave!'

'What'sthematterwithyourhead?'askedRalph.

'Why, your man, your informing kidnapping man, has been and broke it,'rejoinedSqueerssulkily;'that'swhat'sthematterwithit.You'vecomeatlast,haveyou?'

'Why have you not sent tome?' saidRalph. 'How could I come till I knew

whathadbefallenyou?'

'Myfamily!'hiccupedMrSqueers,raisinghiseyetotheceiling:'mydaughter,asisatthatagewhenallthesensibilitiesisacomingoutstronginblowmysonasistheyoungNorvalofprivatelife,andtheprideandornamentofadotingwillagehere'sashockformyfamily!ThecoatofarmsoftheSqueersesistore,andtheirsunisgonedownintotheoceanwave!'

'Youhavebeendrinking,'saidRalph,'andhavenotyetsleptyourselfsober.'

'Ihaven'tbeendrinkingYOURhealth,mycodger,'repliedMrSqueers;'soyouhavenothingtodowiththat.'

Ralph suppressed the indignation which the schoolmaster's altered andinsolentmannerawakened,andaskedagainwhyhehadnotsenttohim.

'WhatshouldIgetbysendingtoyou?'returnedSqueers.'Tobeknowntobeinwith youwouldn't dome a deal of good, and theywon't take bail till theyknowsomethingmoreof thecase, sohereamIhardand fast:and thereareyou,looseandcomfortable.'

'Andsomustyoubeinafewdays,'retortedRalph,withaffectedgoodhumour.'Theycan'thurtyou,man.'

'Why,Isuppose theycan'tdomuchtome, if Iexplainhowitwas thatIgotinto the good company of that there cadaverous old Slider,' replied Squeersviciously,'whoIwishwasdeadandburied,andresurrectedanddissected,andhunguponwiresinaanatomicalmuseum,beforeeverI'dhadanythingtodowithher.This iswhathimwith thepowderedhead says thismorning, in somany words: "Prisoner! As you have been found in company with thiswoman; as youwere detected in possession of this document; as youwereengaged with her in fraudulently destroying others, and can give nosatisfactoryaccountofyourself;Ishallremandyouforaweek, inorderthatinquiriesmaybemade,andevidencegot.AndmeanwhileIcan'ttakeanybailfor your appearance." Well then, what I say now is, that I CAN give asatisfactoryaccountofmyself;Icanhandinthecardofmyestablishmentandsay,"IamtheWackfordSqueersasis thereinnamed,sir.Iamthemanasisguaranteed,byunimpeachable references, tobeaoutandouter inmorals anduprightness of principle. Whatever is wrong in this business is no fault ofmine.Ihadnoevildesigninit,sir.Iwasnotawarethatanythingwaswrong.Iwasmerelyemployedbya friend,myfriendMrRalphNickleby,ofGoldenSquare.Sendforhim,sir,andaskhimwhathehastosay;he's theman;notme!"'

'Whatdocumentwasitthatyouhad?'askedRalph,evading,forthemoment,

thepointjustraised.

'What document? Why, THE document,' replied Squeers. 'The MadelineWhat'shernameone.Itwasawill;that'swhatitwas.'

'Ofwhatnature,whosewill,whendated,howbenefitingher,towhatextent?'askedRalphhurriedly.

'Awillinherfavour;that'sallIknow,'rejoinedSqueers,'andthat'smorethanyou'dhaveknown,ifyou'dhadthembellowsonyourhead.It'sallowingtoyourpreciouscaution that theygotholdof it. Ifyouhad letmeburn it,andtakenmywordthatitwasgone,itwouldhavebeenaheapofashesbehindthefire,insteadofbeingwholeandsound,insideofmygreatcoat.'

'Beatenateverypoint!'mutteredRalph.

'Ah!'sighedSqueers,who,betweenthebrandyandwaterandhisbrokenhead,wanderedstrangely, 'atthedelightfulvillageofDotheboysnearGretaBridgein Yorkshire, youth are boarded, clothed, booked, washed, furnished withpocketmoney,providedwithallnecessaries,instructedinalllanguageslivinganddead,mathematics,orthography,geometry,astronomy,trigonometrythisisa altered state of trigonomics, this is! A double 1all, everythinga cobbler'sweapon.Upup,adjective,notdown.SqudoubleersSqueers,nounsubstantive,aeducatorofyouth.Total,allupwithSqueers!'

Hisrunningon,inthisway,hadaffordedRalphanopportunityofrecoveringhis presence of mind, which at once suggested to him the necessity ofremoving,asfaraspossible,theschoolmaster'smisgivings,andleadinghimtobelievethathissafetyandbestpolicylayinthepreservationofarigidsilence.

'Itellyou,onceagain,'hesaid, 'theycan'thurtyou.Youshallhaveanactionforfalseimprisonment,andmakeaprofitofthis,yet.Wewilldeviseastoryfor you that should carry you through twenty times such a trivial scrape asthis;andiftheywantsecurityinathousandpoundsforyourreappearanceincaseyou shouldbe calledupon,you shall have it.All youhave todo is, tokeepbackthetruth.You'realittlefuddledtonight,andmaynotbeabletoseethisasclearlyasyouwouldatanothertime;butthisiswhatyoumustdo,andyou'llneedallyoursensesaboutyou;foraslipmightbeawkward.'

'Oh!'saidSqueers,whohadlookedcunninglyathim,withhisheadstuckononeside, likeanold raven. 'That'swhat I'm todo, is it?Nowthen, justyouhearawordor twofromme. Ian'tagoing tohaveanystoriesmadeforme,andIan'tagoingtosticktoany.IfIfindmattersgoingagainme,Ishallexpectyou to take your share, and I'll take care you do. You never said anythingaboutdanger. I neverbargained forbeingbrought into suchaplight as this,

andIdon'tmeantotakeitasquietasyouthink.Iletyouleadmeon,fromonethingtoanother,becausewehadbeenmixeduptogetherinacertainsortofaway, and if you had liked to be illnatured youmight perhaps have hurt thebusiness,andifyoulikedtobegoodnaturedyoumightthrowagooddealinmyway.Well;ifallgoesrightnow,that'squitecorrect,andIdon'tmindit;butif anything goes wrong, then times are altered, and I shall just say and dowhateverIthinkmayservememost,andtakeadvicefromnobody.Mymoralinfluence with them lads,' added Mr Squeers, with deeper gravity, 'is atottering to its basis.The images ofMrsSqueers,mydaughter, andmy sonWackford, all short of vittles, is perpetually before me; every otherconsiderationmeltsawayandvanishes, infrontofthese; theonlynumberinallarithmeticthatIknowof,asahusbandandafather,isnumberone,underthisheremostfatalgo!'

HowlongMrSqueersmighthavedeclaimed,orhowstormyadiscussionhisdeclamationmighthaveledto,nobodyknows.Beinginterrupted,atthispoint,bythearrivalofthecoachandanattendantwhowastobearhimcompany,heperchedhishatwithgreatdignityonthetopofthehandkerchiefthatboundhishead; and, thrusting one hand in his pocket, and taking the attendant's armwiththeother,sufferedhimselftobeledforth.

'AsIsupposedfromhisnotsending!'thoughtRalph.'Thisfellow,Iplainlyseethroughallhistipsyfooling,hasmadeuphismindtoturnuponme.Iamsobesetandhemmedin,thattheyarenotonlyallstruckwithfear,but,likethebeastsinthefable,havetheirflingatmenow,thoughtimewas,andnolongeragothanyesterdaytoo,whentheywereallcivilityandcompliance.Buttheyshallnotmoveme.I'llnotgiveway.Iwillnotbudgeoneinch!'

Hewenthome,andwasgladtofindhishousekeepercomplainingof illness,thathemighthaveanexcuseforbeingaloneandsendingherawaytowhereshe lived: which was hard by. Then, he sat down by the light of a singlecandle,andbegantothink,forthefirst time,onall thathadtakenplacethatday.

Hehadneithereatennordrunksincelastnight,and,inadditiontotheanxietyof mind he had undergone, had been travelling about, from place to placealmostincessantly,formanyhours.Hefeltsickandexhausted,butcouldtastenothing save a glass of water, and continued to sit with his head upon hishand;not restingnor thinking,but laboriously trying todoboth,and feelingthat every sense but one of weariness and desolation, was for the timebenumbed.

Itwasnearly teno'clockwhenheheardaknockingat thedoor,andstill satquietasbefore,asifhecouldnotevenbringhisthoughtstobearuponthat.It

had been often repeated, and he had, several times, heard a voice outside,sayingtherewasalightinthewindow(meaning,asheknew,hisowncandle),beforehecouldrousehimselfandgodownstairs.

'MrNickleby, there is terrible news for you, and I am sent to beg youwillcomewithmedirectly,'saidavoiceheseemedtorecognise.Heheldhishandabovehiseyes,and,lookingout,sawTimLinkinwateronthesteps.

'Comewhere?'demandedRalph.

'Toourhouse,whereyoucamethismorning.Ihaveacoachhere.'

'WhyshouldIgothere?'saidRalph.

'Don'taskmewhy,butpraycomewithme.'

'Another editionof today!' returnedRalph,making as thoughhewould shutthedoor.

'No,no!'criedTim,catchinghimbythearmandspeakingmostearnestly;'itisonlythatyoumayhearsomethingthathasoccurred:somethingverydreadful,MrNickleby,whichconcernsyounearly.DoyouthinkIwouldtellyousoorcometoyoulikethis,ifitwerenotthecase?'

Ralphlookedathimmoreclosely.Seeingthathewasindeedgreatlyexcited,hefaltered,andcouldnottellwhattosayorthink.

'Youhadbetterhearthisnow,thanatanyothertime,'saidTim; 'itmayhavesomeinfluencewithyou.ForHeaven'ssakecome!'

Perhaps,at,anothertime,Ralph'sobstinacyanddislikewouldhavebeenproofagainstanyappealfromsuchaquarter,howeveremphaticallyurged;butnow,afteramoment'shesitation,hewentintothehallforhishat,andreturning,gotintothecoachwithoutspeakingaword.

Timwellrememberedafterwards,andoftensaid,thatasRalphNicklebywentintothehouseforthispurpose,hesawhim,bythelightofthecandlewhichhehad set down upon a chair, reel and stagger like a drunken man. He wellremembered, too, thatwhen he had placed his foot upon the coachsteps, heturnedroundandlookeduponhimwithafacesoashypaleandsoverywildand vacant that it made him shudder, and for the moment almost afraid tofollow.Peoplewerefondofsayingthathehadsomedarkpresentimentuponhim then, but his emotion might, perhaps, with greater show of reason, bereferredtowhathehadundergonethatday.

A profound silence was observed during the ride. Arrived at their place of

destination, Ralph followed his conductor into the house, and into a roomwhere the two brothers were. He was so astounded, not to say awed, bysomethingofamutecompassionforhimselfwhichwasvisibleintheirmannerandinthatoftheoldclerk,thathecouldscarcelyspeak.

Having taken a seat, however, he contrived to say, though in brokenwords,'Whatwhathaveyoutosaytomemorethanhasbeensaidalready?'

Theroomwasoldandlarge,veryimperfectlylighted,andterminatedinabaywindow, about which hung some heavy drapery. Casting his eyes in thisdirectionashespoke,hethoughthemadeouttheduskyfigureofaman.Hewasconfirmedinthisimpressionbyseeingthattheobjectmoved,asifuneasyunderhisscrutiny.

'Who'sthatyonder?'hesaid.

'Onewhohasconveyedtous,withinthesetwohours,theintelligencewhichcausedoursendingtoyou,'repliedbrotherCharles.'Lethimbe,sir,lethimbeforthepresent.'

'Moreriddles!'saidRalph,faintly.'Well,sir?'

In turning his face towards the brothers hewas obliged to avert it from thewindow;but,beforeeitherofthemcouldspeak,hehadlookedroundagain.Itwasevidentthathewasrenderedrestlessanduncomfortablebythepresenceoftheunseenperson;forherepeatedthisactionseveraltimes,andatlength,as if in a nervous state which rendered him positively unable to turn awayfromtheplace,satsoastohaveitoppositehim,mutteringasanexcusethathecouldnotbearthelight.

Thebrothersconferredapartforashorttime:theirmannershowingthattheywereagitated.Ralphglancedatthemtwiceorthrice,andultimatelysaid,withagreatefforttorecoverhisselfpossession,'Now,whatisthis?IfIambroughtfromhomeatthistimeofnight,letitbeforsomething.Whathaveyougottotellme?'Afterashortpause,headded,'Ismyniecedead?'

Hehadstruckuponakeywhichrenderedthetaskofcommencementaneasierone.BrotherCharlesturned,andsaidthatitwasadeathofwhichtheyhadtotellhim,butthathisniecewaswell.

'You don't mean to tell me,' said Ralph, as his eyes brightened, 'that herbrother's dead?No, that's too good. I'd not believe it, if you toldme so. Itwouldbetoowelcomenewstobetrue.'

'Shame on you, you hardened and unnatural man,' cried the other brother,warmly. 'Prepare yourself for intelligence which, if you have any human

feelinginyourbreast,willmakeevenyoushrinkandtremble.Whatifwetellyouthatapoorunfortunateboy:achildineverythingbutneverhavingknownoneofthosetenderendearments,oroneofthoselightsomehourswhichmakeour childhood a time to be remembered like a happy dream through all ourafterlife:awarmhearted,harmless,affectionatecreature,whoneveroffendedyou,ordidyouwrong,butonwhomyouhaveventedthemaliceandhatredyouhaveconceivedforyournephew,andwhomyouhavemadeaninstrumentforwreaking your bad passions upon him:what ifwe tell you that, sinkingunderyourpersecution,sir,andthemiseryandillusageofalifeshortinyearsbutlonginsuffering,thispoorcreaturehasgonetotellhissadtalewhere,foryourpartinit,youmustsurelyanswer?'

'Ifyoutellme,'saidRalph;'ifyoutellmethatheisdead,Iforgiveyouallelse.Ifyoutellmethatheisdead,Iaminyourdebtandboundtoyouforlife.Heis!Iseeitinyourfaces.Whotriumphsnow?Isthisyourdreadfulnews;thisyourterribleintelligence?Youseehowitmovesme.Youdidwell tosend.Iwouldhavetravelledahundredmilesafoot,throughmud,mire,anddarkness,tohearthisnewsjustatthistime.'

Eventhen,movedashewasbythissavagejoy,Ralphcouldseeinthefacesofthetwobrothers,minglingwiththeirlookofdisgustandhorror,somethingofthatindefinablecompassionforhimselfwhichhehadnoticedbefore.

'AndHEbroughtyou the intelligence,didhe?' saidRalph,pointingwithhisfinger towards the recessalreadymentioned; 'and sat there,nodoubt, to seemeprostratedandoverwhelmedbyit!Ha,ha,ha!ButItellhimthatI'llbeasharpthorninhissideformanyalongdaytocome;andItellyoutwo,again,thatyoudon'tknowhimyet;andthatyou'llruethedayyoutookcompassiononthevagabond.'

'Youtakemeforyournephew,'saidahollowvoice;'itwouldbebetterforyou,andformetoo,ifIwereheindeed.'

Thefigurethathehadseensodimly,rose,andcameslowlydown.Hestartedback, for he found that he confrontednotNicholas, as he had supposed, butBrooker.

Ralphhadnoreason,thatheknew,tofearthisman;hehadneverfearedhimbefore; but the pallor which had been observed in his facewhen he issuedforththatnight,cameuponhimagain.Hewasseentotremble,andhisvoicechangedashesaid,keepinghiseyesuponhim,

'Whatdoesthisfellowhere?Doyouknowheisaconvict,afelon,acommonthief?'

'Hearwhathehastotellyou.Oh,MrNickleby,hearwhathehastotellyou,behewhathemay!'cried thebrothers,withsuchemphaticearnestness, thatRalphturnedtotheminwonder.TheypointedtoBrooker.Ralphagaingazedathim:asitseemedmechanically.

'Thatboy,'saidtheman,'thatthesegentlemenhavebeentalkingof'

'Thatboy,'repeatedRalph,lookingvacantlyathim.

'Whom I saw, stretcheddead and colduponhis bed, andwho is now inhisgrave'

'Whoisnowinhisgrave,'echoedRalph,likeonewhotalksinhissleep.

Themanraisedhiseyes,andclaspedhishandssolemnlytogether:

'Wasyouronlyson,sohelpmeGodinheaven!'

In themidstofadeadsilence,Ralphsatdown,pressinghis twohandsuponhistemples.Heremovedthem,afteraminute,andneverwasthereseen,partof a livingman undisfigured by anywound, such a ghastly face as he thendisclosed. He looked at Brooker, who was by this time standing at a shortdistancefromhim;butdidnotsayoneword,ormake theslightestsoundorgesture.

'Gentlemen,'saidtheman,'Ioffernoexcusesformyself.Iamlongpastthat.If,intellingyouhowthishashappened,ItellyouthatIwasharshlyused,andperhapsdrivenoutofmy realnature, Ido itonlyasanecessarypartofmystory,andnottoshieldmyself.Iamaguiltyman.'

Hestopped,as if to recollect,and lookingawayfromRalph,andaddressinghimselftothebrothers,proceededinasubduedandhumbletone:

'Among those who once had dealings with this man, gentlementhat's fromtwenty to fiveandtwenty years agothere was one: a rough foxhunting,harddrinkinggentleman,whohadrunthroughhisownfortune,andwantedtosquanderaway thatofhissister: theywerebothorphans,andshe livedwithhimandmanagedhishouse.Idon'tknowwhetheritwas,originally, tobackhis influence and try to overpersuade the young woman or not, but he,'pointing, to Ralph, 'used to go down to the house in Leicestershire prettyoften,andstoptheremanydaysatatime.Theyhadhadagreatmanydealingstogether,andhemayhavegoneonsomeof those,or topatchuphisclient'saffairs, which were in a ruinous state; of course he went for profit. Thegentlewomanwas not a girl, but shewas, I have heard say, handsome, andentitledtoaprettylargeproperty.Incourseoftime,hemarriedher.Thesamelove of gain which led him to contract this marriage, led to its being kept

strictly private; for a clause in her father'swill declared that if shemarriedwithout her brother's consent, theproperty, inwhich shehadonly some lifeinterest while she remained single, should pass away altogether to anotherbranchofthefamily.Thebrotherwouldgivenoconsentthatthesisterdidn'tbuy,andpayforhandsomely;MrNicklebywouldconsenttonosuchsacrifice;and so theywent on, keeping theirmarriage secret, andwaiting for him tobreakhisneckordieofa fever.Hedidneither,andmeanwhile theresultofthisprivatemarriagewasason.Thechildwasputouttonurse,alongwayoff;his mother never saw him but once or twice, and then by stealth; and hisfathersoeagerlydidhe thirstafter themoneywhichseemed tocomealmostwithinhisgraspnow,forhisbrotherinlawwasveryill,andbreakingmoreandmore every daynever went near him, to avoid raising any suspicion. Thebrother lingered on;MrNickleby'swife constantly urged him to avow theirmarriage; he peremptorily refused. She remained alone in a dull countryhouse:seeinglittleornocompanybutriotous,drunkensportsmen.HelivedinLondon and clung to his business. Angry quarrels and recriminations tookplace,andwhentheyhadbeenmarriednearlysevenyears,andwerewithinafewweeksof the timewhenthebrother'sdeathwouldhaveadjustedall,sheelopedwithayoungerman,andlefthim.'

Here he paused, but Ralph did not stir, and the brothers signed to him toproceed.

'ItwasthenthatIbecameacquaintedwiththesecircumstancesfromhisownlips.Theywereno secrets then; for thebrother, andothers, knew them;buttheywerecommunicatedtome,notonthisaccount,butbecauseIwaswanted.Hefollowedthefugitives.Somesaidtomakemoneyofhiswife'sshame,but,Ibelieve,totakesomeviolentrevenge,forthatwasasmuchhischaracterasthe other; perhapsmore.He didn't find them, and she died not long after. Idon'tknowwhetherhebegantothinkhemight likethechild,orwhetherhewished to make sure that it should never fall into its mother's hands; but,beforehewent,heintrustedmewiththechargeofbringingithome.AndIdidso.'

Hewenton,fromthispoint,inastillmorehumbletone,andspokeinaverylowvoice;pointingtoRalphasheresumed.

'Hehadusedme illcruellyI remindedhim inwhat,not longagowhen ImethiminthestreetandIhatedhim.Ibroughtthechildhometohisownhouse,and lodgedhim in the frontgarret.Neglecthadmadehimverysickly,andIwasobligedtocallinadoctor,whosaidhemustberemovedforchangeofair,orhewoulddie.Ithinkthatfirstputitinmyhead.Ididitthen.Hewasgonesixweeks, andwhenhe cameback, I toldhimwith every circumstancewellplannedandproved;nobodycouldhavesuspectedmethatthechildwasdead

andburied.Hemighthavebeendisappointedinsomeintentionhehadformed,orhemighthavehadsomenatural affection,butheWASgrievedatTHAT,and I was confirmed in my design of opening up the secret one day, andmaking it ameansofgettingmoney fromhim. I hadheard, likemost othermen, of Yorkshire schools. I took the child to one kept by a man namedSqueers,andleftitthere.IgavehimthenameofSmike.Yearbyyear,Ipaidtwentypoundsayear forhimforsixyears;neverbreathing thesecretall thetime; for Ihad lefthis father's serviceaftermorehardusage,andquarrelledwithhimagain. Iwassentawayfromthiscountry. Ihavebeenawaynearlyeightyears.DirectlyIcamehomeagain,ItravelleddownintoYorkshire,and,skulkinginthevillageofaneveningtime,madeinquiriesabouttheboysattheschool,andfoundthatthisone,whomIhadplacedthere,hadrunawaywithayoung man bearing the name of his own father. I sought his father out inLondon,andhintingatwhatIcouldtellhim,triedforalittlemoneytosupportlife;butherepulsedmewiththreats.Ithenfoundouthisclerk,and,goingonfrom little to little, and showing him that there were good reasons forcommunicatingwithme,learntwhatwasgoingon;anditwasIwhotoldhimthattheboywasnosonofthemanwhoclaimedtobehisfather.AllthistimeIhadneverseentheboy.Atlength,Iheardfromthissamesourcethathewasveryill,andwherehewas.Itravelleddownthere,thatImightrecallmyself,ifpossible, to his recollection and confirm my story. I came upon himunexpectedly; but before I could speak he knew mehe had good cause torememberme,poorlad!andIwouldhavesworntohimifIhadmethimintheIndies.IknewthepiteousfaceIhadseeninthelittlechild.Afterafewdays'indecision, I applied to the young gentleman in whose care he was, and Ifoundthathewasdead.Heknowshowquicklyherecognisedmeagain,howoftenhehaddescribedmeandmyleavinghimattheschool,andhowhetoldhimofagarretherecollected:whichis theoneIhavespokenof,andinhisfather'shousetothisday.Thisismystory.Idemandtobebroughtfacetofacewith the schoolmaster, andput toanypossibleproofof anypartof it, and Iwillshowthatit'stootrue,andthatIhavethisguiltuponmysoul.'

'Unhappyman!'saidthebrothers.'Whatreparationcanyoumakeforthis?'

'None,gentlemen,none!Ihavenonetomake,andnothingtohopenow.Iamold in years, and older still in misery and care. This confession can bringnothinguponmebutnewsufferingandpunishment;but Imake it, andwillabidebyitwhatevercomes.Ihavebeenmadetheinstrumentofworkingoutthisdreadfulretributionupontheheadofamanwho,inthehotpursuitofhisbad ends, has persecuted and hunted down his own child to death. It mustdescenduponmetoo.Iknowitmustfall.Myreparationcomestoolate;and,neitherinthisworldnorinthenext,canIhavehopeagain!'

He had hardly spoken,when the lamp,which stood upon the table close towhereRalphwasseated,andwhichwastheonlyoneintheroom,wasthrowntotheground,andleftthemindarkness.Therewassometriflingconfusioninobtaining another light; the intervalwas amere nothing; butwhen the lightappeared,RalphNicklebywasgone.

ThegoodbrothersandTimLinkinwateroccupiedsometimeindiscussingtheprobabilityofhisreturn;and,whenitbecameapparentthathewouldnotcomeback,theyhesitatedwhetherornotosendafterhim.Atlength,rememberinghow strangely and silently he had sat in one immovable position during theinterview,andthinkinghemightpossiblybeill, theydetermined,althoughitwasnowverylate,tosendtohishouseonsomepretence.Findinganexcusein thepresenceofBrooker,whom theyknewnothow todisposeofwithoutconsultinghiswishes,theyconcludedtoactuponthisresolutionbeforegoingtobed.

CHAPTER61

WhereinNicholasandhisSister forfeit thegoodOpinionofallworldlyandprudentPeople

On the next morning after Brooker's disclosure had been made, Nicholasreturnedhome.Themeetingbetweenhimand thosewhomhehad left therewasnotwithoutstrongemotiononbothsides;fortheyhadbeeninformedbyhislettersofwhathadoccurred:and,besidesthathisgriefsweretheirs,theymournedwithhimthedeathofonewhoseforlornandhelplessstatehadfirstestablished a claim upon their compassion, and whose truth of heart andgratefulearnestnaturehad,everyday,endearedhimtothemmoreandmore.

'Iamsure,'saidMrsNickleby,wipinghereyes,andsobbingbitterly, 'Ihavelostthebest,themostzealous,andmostattentivecreaturethathaseverbeenacompaniontomeinmylifeputtingyou,mydearNicholas,andKate,andyourpoorpapa,and thatwellbehavednursewho ranawaywith the linenand thetwelve small forks, out of the question, of course. Of all the tractable,equaltempered,attached,andfaithfulbeingsthateverlived,Ibelievehewasthemostso.Tolookrounduponthegarden,now,thathetooksomuchpridein, or to go into his room and see it filled with so many of those littlecontrivancesforourcomfortthathewassofondofmaking,andmadesowell,andsolittle thoughthewouldleaveunfinishedIcan'tbear it, Icannotreally.Ah!Thisisagreattrialtome,agreattrial.Itwillbecomforttoyou,mydear

Nicholas,totheendofyourlife,torecollecthowkindandgoodyoualwaysweretohimsoitwillbetome,tothinkwhatexcellenttermswewerealwaysupon,andhowfondhealwayswasofme,poorfellow!Itwasverynaturalyoushouldhavebeen attached tohim,mydearveryandof courseyouwere, andareverymuchcutupbythis.Iamsureit'sonlynecessarytolookatyouandsee how changed you are, to see that; but nobody knowswhatmy feelingsarenobodycanit'squiteimpossible!'

WhileMrsNickleby,withtheutmostsincerity,gaveventtohersorrowsafterherownpeculiarfashionofconsideringherselfforemost,shewasnottheonlyone who indulged such feelings. Kate, although well accustomed to forgetherself when others were to be considered, could not repress her grief;Madeline was scarcely less moved than she; and poor, hearty, honest littleMiss LaCreevy,who had come upon one of her visitswhileNicholaswasaway,andhaddonenothing,sincethesadnewsarrived,butconsoleandcheerthem all, no sooner beheld him coming in at the door, than she sat herselfdownuponthestairs,andburstingintoafloodoftears,refusedforalongtimetobecomforted.

'Ithurtsmeso,'criedthepoorbody,'toseehimcomebackalone.Ican'thelpthinkingwhathemusthavesufferedhimself. Iwouldn'tmindsomuchifhegavewayalittlemore;buthebearsitsomanfully.'

'Why,soIshould,'saidNicholas,'shouldInot?'

'Yes,yes,'repliedthelittlewoman,'andblessyouforagoodcreature!butthisdoesseematfirst toasimplesoul likemeIknowit'swrongtosayso,andIshall be sorry for it presentlythis does seem such a poor reward for all youhavedone.'

'Nay,' said Nicholas gently, 'what better reward could I have, than theknowledgethathislastdayswerepeacefulandhappy,andtherecollectionthatIwashisconstantcompanion,andwasnotprevented,asImighthavebeenbyahundredcircumstances,frombeingbesidehim?'

'To be sure,' sobbedMiss La Creevy; 'it's very true, and I'm an ungrateful,impious,wickedlittlefool,Iknow.'

With that, the good soul fell to crying afresh, and, endeavouring to recoverherself,triedtolaugh.Thelaughandthecry,meetingeachotherthusabruptly,hadastruggleforthemastery;theresultwas,thatitwasadrawnbattle,andMissLaCreevywentintohysterics.

Waitinguntiltheywerealltolerablyquietandcomposedagain,Nicholas,whostoodinneedofsomerestafterhislongjourney,retiredtohisownroom,and

throwing himself, dressed as hewas, upon the bed, fell into a sound sleep.Whenheawoke,hefoundKatesittingbyhisbedside,who,seeingthathehadopenedhiseyes,stoopeddowntokisshim.

'IcametotellyouhowgladIamtoseeyouhomeagain.'

'ButIcan'ttellyouhowgladIamtoseeyou,Kate.'

'Wehavebeenwearyingso foryour return,' saidKate, 'mamaandI,andandMadeline.'

'You said in your last letter that she was quite well,' said Nicholas, ratherhastily,andcolouringashespoke. 'Hasnothingbeensaid,sinceIhavebeenaway,aboutanyfuturearrangements that thebrothershave incontemplationforher?'

'Oh, not a word,' replied Kate. 'I can't think of parting from her withoutsorrow;andsurely,Nicholas,YOUdon'twishit!'

Nicholascolouredagain,and,sittingdownbesidehissisterona littlecouchnearthewindow,said:

'No, Kate, no, I do not. I might strive to disguise my real feelings fromanybodybutyou;butIwilltellyouthatbrieflyandplainly,KatethatIloveher.'

Kate'seyesbrightened,andshewasgoingtomakesomereply,whenNicholaslaidhishanduponherarm,andwenton:

'Nobodymustknowthisbutyou.She,lastofall.'

'DearNicholas!'

'Lastofall;never, thoughnever isa longday.Sometimes,I try to thinkthatthe timemaycomewhen Imayhonestly tellher this;but it is so faroff; insuchdistantperspective,somanyyearsmustelapsebeforeitcomes,andwhenitdoescome(ifever) Ishallbesounlikewhat Iamnow,andshallhavesooutlived my days of youth and romancethough not, I am sure, of love forherthatevenIfeelhowvisionaryallsuchhopesmustbe,andtrytocrushthemrudelymyself,andhavethepainover,ratherthansuffertimetowitherthem,andkeep thedisappointment in store.No,Kate!Since Ihavebeenabsent, Ihavehad,inthatpoorfellowwhoisgone,perpetuallybeforemyeyes,anotherinstanceof themunificent liberalityof thesenoblebrothers.As faras inmelies, I will deserve it, and if I have wavered in my bounden duty to thembefore,Iamnowdeterminedtodischargeitrigidly,andtoputfurtherdelaysandtemptationsbeyondmyreach.'

'Before you say another word, dear Nicholas,' said Kate, turning pale, 'youmust hear what I have to tell you. I came on purpose, but I had not thecourage.Whatyousaynow,givesmenewheart.'Shefaltered,andburstintotears.

TherewasthatinhermannerwhichpreparedNicholasforwhatwascoming.Katetriedtospeak,buthertearspreventedher.

'Come,youfoolishgirl,'saidNicholas;'why,Kate,Kate,beawoman!IthinkIknowwhatyouwouldtellme.ItconcernsMrFrank,doesitnot?'

Katesunkherheaduponhisshoulder,andsobbedout'Yes.'

'And he has offered you his hand, perhaps, since I have been away,' saidNicholas; 'isthatit?Yes.Well,well;itisnotsodifficult,yousee,totellme,afterall.Heofferedyouhishand?'

'WhichIrefused,'saidKate.

'Yes;andwhy?'

'Itoldhim,'shesaid,inatremblingvoice,'allthatIhavesincefoundyoutoldmama;andwhileIcouldnotconcealfromhim,andcannotfromyou,thatthatitwasapangandagreattrial,Ididsofirmly,andbeggedhimnottoseemeanymore.'

'That'smyownbraveKate!'saidNicholas,pressinghertohisbreast.'Iknewyouwould.'

'Hetriedtoaltermyresolution,'saidKate,'anddeclaredthat,bemydecisionwhat itmight,hewouldnotonlyinformhisunclesof thestephehadtaken,butwouldcommunicateittoyoualso,directlyyoureturned.Iamafraid,'sheadded,hermomentarycomposureforsakingher, 'Iamafraid Imaynothavesaid, strongly enough, how deeply I felt such disinterested love, and howearnestlyIprayedforhisfuturehappiness. Ifyoudo talk together, IshouldIshouldlikehimtoknowthat.'

'Anddid you suppose,Kate,when you hadmade this sacrifice towhat youknewwasrightandhonourable,thatIshouldshrinkfrommine?'saidNicholastenderly.

'Ohno!notifyourpositionhadbeenthesame,but'

'Butitisthesame,'interruptedNicholas.'Madelineisnotthenearrelationofourbenefactors,but she is closelybound to themby tiesasdear; and Iwasfirst intrusted with her history, specially because they reposed unbounded

confidenceinme,andbelievedthatIwasastrueassteel.Howbasewoulditbeofmetotakeadvantageofthecircumstanceswhichplacedherhere,oroftheslightserviceIwashappilyabletorenderher,andtoseektoengageheraffectionswhentheresultmustbe,ifIsucceeded,thatthebrotherswouldbedisappointed in theirdarlingwishofestablishingheras theirownchild,andthat Imust seem to hope to buildmy fortunes on their compassion for theyoungcreaturewhomIhadsomeanlyandunworthilyentrapped:turninghervery gratitude and warmth of heart to my own purpose and account, andtradinginhermisfortunes!I,too,whoseduty,andpride,andpleasure,Kate,itistohaveotherclaimsuponmewhichIwillneverforget;andwhohavethemeans of a comfortable and happy life already, and have no right to lookbeyond it! I have determined to remove thisweight frommymind. I doubtwhetherIhavenotdonewrong,evennow;andtodayIwill,withoutreserveorequivocation,disclosemy real reasons toMrCherryble, and implorehim totakeimmediatemeasuresforremovingthisyoungladytotheshelterofsomeotherroof.'

'Today?soverysoon?'

'Ihavethoughtofthisforweeks,andwhyshouldIpostponeit?If thescenethroughwhichIhavejustpassedhastaughtmetoreflect,andhasawakenedme toamoreanxiousandcarefulsenseofduty,whyshould Iwaituntil theimpressionhascooled?Youwouldnotdissuademe,Kate;nowwouldyou?'

'Youmaygrowrich,youknow,'saidKate.

'Imaygrow rich!' repeatedNicholas,with amournful smile, 'ay, and Imaygrowold!Butrichorpoor,oroldoryoung,weshalleverbethesametoeachother,andinthatourcomfortlies.Whatifwehavebutonehome?Itcanneverbeasolitaryonetoyouandme.What ifwewere toremainso true to thesefirst impressions as to formnoothers? It is but onemore link to the strongchainthatbindsustogether.Itseemsbutyesterdaythatwewereplayfellows,Kate, and itwill seembut tomorrowwhenwe are staid old people, lookingbackto thesecaresaswelookback,now, to thoseofourchildishdays:andrecollectingwith amelancholy pleasure that the timewas,when they couldmove us. Perhaps then,whenwe are quaint old folks and talk of the timeswhenourstepwaslighterandourhairnotgrey,wemaybeeventhankfulforthe trials that so endeared us to each other, and turned our lives into thatcurrent, down which we shall have glided so peacefully and calmly. Andhavingcaughtsomeinklingofourstory,theyoungpeopleaboutusasyoungasyou and I are now, Katemay come to us for sympathy, and pour distresseswhich hope and inexperience could scarcely feel enough for, into thecompassionateearsoftheoldbachelorbrotherandhismaidensister.'

KatesmiledthroughhertearsasNicholasdrewthispicture;buttheywerenottearsofsorrow,althoughtheycontinuedtofallwhenhehadceasedtospeak.

'AmInotright,Kate?'hesaid,afterashortsilence.

'Quite,quite,dearbrother;andIcannot tellyouhowhappyIamthatIhaveactedasyouwouldhavehadme.'

'Youdon'tregret?'

'Nnno,'saidKatetimidly,tracingsomepatternuponthegroundwithherlittlefoot.'Idon'tregrethavingdonewhatwashonourableandright,ofcourse;butIdoregret that thisshouldhaveeverhappenedat leastsometimesI regret it,andsometimesIIdon'tknowwhatIsay;Iambutaweakgirl,Nicholas,andithasagitatedmeverymuch.'

It is novaunt to affirm that ifNicholashadhad ten thousandpounds at theminute, he would, in his generous affection for the owner of the blushingcheek and downcast eye, have bestowed its utmost farthing, in perfectforgetfulnessofhimself, tosecureherhappiness.Butallhecoulddowas tocomfortandconsoleherbykindwords;andwordstheywereofsuchloveandkindness, and cheerful encouragement, that poorKate threwher arms abouthisneck,anddeclaredshewouldweepnomore.

'Whatman,' thoughtNicholasproudly,whileonhisway,soonafterwards, tothe brothers' house, 'would not be sufficiently rewarded for any sacrifice offortune by the possession of such a heart as Kate's, which, but that heartsweighlight,andgoldandsilverheavy,isbeyondallpraise?Frankhasmoney,andwantsnomore.WherewoulditbuyhimsuchatreasureasKate?Andyet,in unequal marriages, the rich party is always supposed to make a greatsacrifice,andtheothertogetagoodbargain!ButIamthinkinglikealover,orlikeanass:whichIsupposeisprettynearlythesame.'

Checkingthoughtssolittleadaptedtothebusinessonwhichhewasbound,bysuchselfreproofsasthisandmanyothersnolesssturdy,heproceededonhiswayandpresentedhimselfbeforeTimLinkinwater.

'Ah!MrNickleby!'criedTim,'Godblessyou!howd'yedo?Well?Sayyou'requitewellandneverbetter.Donow.'

'Quite,'saidNicholas,shakinghimbybothhands.

'Ah!'saidTim,'youlooktiredthough,nowIcometolookatyou.Hark!therehe is, d'ye hear him? ThatwasDick, the blackbird.He hasn't been himselfsince you've been gone. He'd never get on without you, now; he takes asnaturallytoyouashedoestome.'

'DickisafarlesssagaciousfellowthanIsupposedhim,ifhethinksIamhalfsowellworthyofhisnoticeasyou,'repliedNicholas.

'Why, I'll tell youwhat, sir,' saidTim, standing in his favourite attitude andpointingtothecagewiththefeatherofhispen,'it'saveryextraordinarythingabout thatbird, that theonlypeopleheever takes thesmallestnoticeof,areMrCharles,andMrNed,andyou,andme.'

Here, Tim stopped and glanced anxiously at Nicholas; then unexpectedlycatchinghiseyerepeated,'Andyouandme,sir,andyouandme.'AndthenheglancedatNicholasagain, and, squeezinghishand, said, 'I amabadoneatputtingoffanythingIaminterestedin.Ididn'tmeantoaskyou,butIshouldliketohearafewparticularsaboutthatpoorboy.DidhementionCheerybleBrothersatall?'

'Yes,'saidNicholas,'manyandmanyatime.'

'Thatwasrightofhim,'returnedTim,wipinghiseyes;'thatwasveryrightofhim.'

'Andhementionedyournameascoreoftimes,'saidNicholas,'andoftenbademecarrybackhislovetoMrLinkinwater.'

'No,no,didhe though?' rejoinedTim,sobbingoutright. 'Poorfellow!Iwishwecouldhavehadhimburiedintown.Thereisn'tsuchaburyinggroundinallLondon as that little one on the other side of the squarethere arecountinghousesallroundit,andifyougointhere,onafineday,youcanseethebooksandsafes through theopenwindows.Andhesenthis love tome,didhe?Ididn'texpecthewouldhavethoughtofme.Poorfellow,poorfellow!Hislovetoo!'

Timwas so completely overcomeby this littlemark of recollection, that hewasquiteunequaltoanymoreconversationatthemoment.Nicholasthereforeslippedquietlyout,andwenttobrotherCharles'sroom.

If he had previously sustained his firmness and fortitude, it had been by aneffortwhich had cost him no little pain; but thewarmwelcome, the heartymanner, thehomelyunaffectedcommiseration,of thegoodoldman,went tohisheart,andnoinwardstrugglecouldpreventhisshowingit.

'Come,come,mydearsir,'saidthebenevolentmerchant;'wemustnotbecastdown;no,no.Wemustlearntobearmisfortune,andwemustrememberthattherearemanysourcesofconsolationevenindeath.Everydaythatthispoorlad had lived, hemust have been less and less qualified for theworld, andmoreandmoreunhappyinisowndeficiencies.Itisbetterasitis,mydearsir.

Yes,yes,yes,it'sbetterasitis.'

'Ihavethoughtofallthat,sir,'repliedNicholas,clearinghisthroat.'Ifeelit,Iassureyou.'

'Yes,that'swell,'repliedMrCheeryble,who,inthemidstofallhiscomforting,wasquiteasmuch takenabackashonestoldTim; 'that'swell.Where ismybrotherNed?TimLinkinwater,sir,whereismybrotherNed?'

'Gone out with Mr Trimmers, about getting that unfortunate man into thehospital,andsendinganursetohischildren,'saidTim.

'MybrotherNedisafinefellow,agreatfellow!'exclaimedbrotherCharlesasheshut thedoorandreturned toNicholas. 'Hewillbeoverjoyed toseeyou,mydearsir.Wehavebeenspeakingofyoueveryday.'

'To tell you the truth, sir, I am glad to find you alone,' saidNicholas, withsomenaturalhesitation; 'for Iamanxious tosaysomething toyou.Canyousparemeaveryfewminutes?'

'Surely, surely,' returned brother Charles, looking at him with an anxiouscountenance.'Sayon,mydearsir,sayon.'

'I scarcelyknowhow,orwhere, tobegin,' saidNicholas. 'If everonemortalhad reason to be penetratedwith love and reverence for another:with suchattachment as would make the hardest service in his behalf a pleasure anddelight: with such grateful recollections as must rouse the utmost zeal andfidelityofhisnature:thosearethefeelingswhichIshouldentertainforyou,anddo,frommyheartandsoul,believeme!'

'Idobelieveyou,' repliedtheoldgentleman, 'andIamhappyinthebelief.Ihaveneverdoubtedit;Inevershall.IamsureInevershall.'

'Your telling me that so kindly,' said Nicholas, 'emboldens me to proceed.When you first tookme into your confidence, and dispatchedme on thosemissionstoMissBray,IshouldhavetoldyouthatIhadseenherlongbefore;thatherbeautyhadmadeanimpressionuponmewhichIcouldnotefface;andthatIhadfruitlesslyendeavouredtotraceher,andbecomeacquaintedwithherhistory. I did not tell you so, because I vainly thought I could conquermyweaker feelings, and render every consideration subservient to my duty toyou.'

'Mr Nickleby,' said brother Charles, 'you did not violate the confidence Iplacedinyou,ortakeanunworthyadvantageofit.Iamsureyoudidnot.'

'I did not,' said Nicholas, firmly. 'Although I found that the necessity for

selfcommand and restraint became every day more imperious, and thedifficultygreater,Inever,foroneinstant,spokeorlookedbutasIwouldhavedonehadyoubeenby.Inever,foronemoment,desertedmytrust,norhaveItothisinstant.ButIfindthatconstantassociationandcompanionshipwiththissweet girl is fatal to my peace of mind, and may prove destructive to theresolutionsImadeinthebeginning,anduptothistimehavefaithfullykept.Inshort,sir,Icannottrustmyself,andIimploreandbeseechyoutoremovethisyoung lady fromunder the charge ofmymother and sisterwithout delay. Iknow that to anyone but myselfto you, who consider the immeasurabledistance between me and this young lady, who is now your ward, and theobject ofyourpeculiar caremy lovingher, even in thought,must appear theheightofrashnessandpresumption.Iknowitisso.ButwhocanseeherasIhaveseen,whocanknowwhatherlifehasbeen,andnotloveher?Ihavenoexcusebut that;andas Icannot fly fromthis temptation,andcannot repressthispassion,withitsobjectconstantlybeforeme,whatcanIdobutprayandbeseechyoutoremoveit,andtoleavemetoforgether?'

'MrNickleby,'saidtheoldman,afterashortsilence, 'youcandonomore.Iwaswrongtoexposeayoungmanlikeyoutothistrial.Imighthaveforeseenwhatwouldhappen.Thankyou,sir,thankyou.Madelineshallberemoved.'

'If youwouldgrantmeone favour, dear sir, and sufferher to remembermewithesteem,byneverrevealingtoherthisconfession'

'Iwilltakecare,'saidMrCheeryble.'Andnow,isthisallyouhavetotellme?'

'No!'returnedNicholas,meetinghiseye,'itisnot.'

'I know the rest,' saidMrCheeryble, apparently verymuch relieved by thispromptreply.'Whendiditcometoyourknowledge?'

'WhenIreachedhomethismorning.'

'Youfeltityourdutyimmediatelytocometome,andtellmewhatyoursisternodoubtacquaintedyouwith?'

'Idid,'saidNicholas,'thoughIcouldhavewishedtohavespokentoMrFrankfirst.'

'Frankwaswithmelastnight,'repliedtheoldgentleman.'Youhavedonewell,MrNicklebyverywell,sirandIthankyouagain.'

Upon this head, Nicholas requested permission to add a few words. Heventured tohope thatnothinghehadsaidwould lead to theestrangementofKate and Madeline, who had formed an attachment for each other, anyinterruption ofwhichwould, he knew, be attendedwith great pain to them,

and,mostofall,with remorseandpain tohim,as itsunhappycause.Whenthesethingswereallforgotten,hehopedthatFrankandhemightstillbewarmfriends,andthatnowordorthoughtofhishumblehome,orofherwhowaswellcontentedtoremainthereandsharehisquietfortunes,wouldeveragaindisturbtheharmonybetweenthem.Herecounted,asnearlyashecould,whathadpassedbetweenhimselfandKatethatmorning:speakingofherwithsuchwarmthofprideandaffection,anddwellingsocheerfullyupontheconfidencetheyhadofovercominganyselfishregretsandlivingcontentedandhappyineach other's love, that few could have heard him unmoved. More movedhimself than he had been yet, he expressed in a few hurried wordsasexpressive,perhaps,asthemosteloquentphraseshisdevotiontothebrothers,andhishopethathemightliveanddieintheirservice.

Toallthis,brotherCharleslistenedinprofoundsilence,andwithhischairsoturnedfromNicholasthathisfacecouldnotbeseen.Hehadnotspokeneither,inhisaccustomedmanner,butwithacertainstiffnessandembarrassmentveryforeign to it.Nicholas fearedhehadoffendedhim.Hesaid, 'No,no,hehaddonequiteright,'butthatwasall.

'Frank is a heedless, foolish fellow,' he said, after Nicholas had paused forsometime;'averyheedless,foolishfellow.Iwilltakecarethatthisisbroughtto a close without delay. Let us say no more upon the subject; it's a verypainfulone tome.Come tome inhalfanhour; Ihavestrange things to tellyou,mydearsir,andyourunclehasappointedthisafternoonforyourwaitinguponhimwithme.'

'Waitinguponhim!Withyou,sir!'criedNicholas.

'Ay,withme,'repliedtheoldgentleman.'Returntomeinhalfanhour,andI'lltellyoumore.'

Nicholaswaiteduponhimatthetimementioned,andthenlearntallthathadtakenplaceon thepreviousday, andall thatwasknownof theappointmentRalphhadmadewiththebrothers;whichwasforthatnight;andforthebetterunderstanding of which it will be requisite to return and follow his ownfootsteps from thehouseof the twinbrothers.Therefore,we leaveNicholassomewhatreassuredbytherestoredkindnessoftheirmannertowardshim,andyet sensible that itwas different fromwhat it had been (though he scarcelyknewinwhatrespect):sohewasfullofuneasiness,uncertainty,anddisquiet.

CHAPTER62

RalphmakesonelastAppointmentandkeepsit

Creepingfromthehouse,andslinkingofflikeathief;gropingwithhishands,whenfirsthegotintothestreet,asifhewereablindman;andlookingoftenover his shoulder while he hurried away, as though he were followed inimaginationor realityby someone anxious toquestionor detainhim;RalphNicklebyleftthecitybehindhim,andtooktheroadtohisownhome.

Thenightwasdark,andacoldwindblew,driving theclouds, furiouslyandfast,beforeit.Therewasoneblack,gloomymassthatseemedtofollowhim:nothurrying in thewildchasewith theothers,but lingeringsullenlybehind,andglidingdarklyandstealthilyon.Heoftenlookedbackat this,and,morethanonce, stopped to let it passover;but, somehow,whenhewent forwardagain, it was still behind him, coming mournfully and slowly up, like ashadowyfuneraltrain.

He had to pass a poor, mean burialgrounda dismal place, raised a few feetabovethe levelof thestreet,andpartedfromitbya lowparapetwallandanironrailing;arank,unwholesome,rottenspot,wheretheverygrassandweedsseemed, in their frouzy growth, to tell that they had sprung from paupers'bodies,andhadstrucktheirrootsinthegravesofmen,sodden,whilealive,insteamingcourtsanddrunkenhungrydens.Andhere,intruth,theylay,partedfrom the living by a little earth and a board or twolay thick andclosecorruptinginbodyastheyhadinmindadenseandsqualidcrowd.Heretheylay,cheekbyjowlwithlife:nodeeperdownthanthefeetofthethrongthat passed there everyday, andpiledhigh as their throats.Here they lay, agrisly family, all these dear departed brothers and sisters of the ruddyclergymanwhodidhistasksospeedilywhentheywerehiddenintheground!

Ashepassedhere,Ralphcalledtomindthathehadbeenoneofajury,longbefore,onthebodyofamanwhohadcuthisthroat;andthathewasburiedinthisplace.Hecouldnottellhowhecametorecollectitnow,whenhehadsooftenpassedandneverthoughtabouthim,orhowitwasthathefeltaninterestin the circumstance; but he did both; and stopping, and clasping the ironrailings with his hands, looked eagerly in, wondering which might be hisgrave.

Whilehewasthusengaged,therecametowardshim,withnoiseofshoutsandsinging, some fellows full of drink, followed by others, who wereremonstratingwiththemandurgingthemtogohomeinquiet.Theywereinhighgoodhumour;andoneofthem,alittle,weazen,humpbackedman,began

todance.Hewasagrotesque,fantasticfigure,andthefewbystanderslaughed.Ralphhimselfwasmoved tomirth, and echoed the laughof onewho stoodnearandwholookedroundinhisface.Whentheyhadpassedon,andhewasleftaloneagain,heresumedhisspeculationwithanewkindofinterest;forherecollected that the last personwhohad seen the suicide alive, had left himvery merry, and he remembered how strange he and the other jurors hadthoughtthatatthetime.

Hecouldnotfixuponthespotamongsuchaheapofgraves,butheconjuredupastrongandvividideaofthemanhimself,andhowhelooked,andwhathad ledhimtodo it;allofwhichherecalledwithease.Bydintofdwellinguponthistheme,hecarriedtheimpressionwithhimwhenhewentaway;asheremembered,when a child, to have had frequently before him the figure ofsomegoblinhehadonceseenchalkeduponadoor.Butashedrewnearerandnearerhomeheforgotitagain,andbegantothinkhowverydullandsolitarythehousewouldbeinside.

Thisfeelingbecamesostrongatlast,thatwhenhereachedhisowndoor,hecouldhardlymakeuphismindtoturnthekeyandopenit.Whenhehaddonethat,andgoneintothepassage,hefeltasthoughtoshutitagainwouldbetoshutouttheworld.Butheletitgo,anditclosedwithaloudnoise.Therewasnolight.Howverydreary,cold,andstillitwas!

Shiveringfromheadtofoot,hemadehiswayupstairsintotheroomwherehehadbeenlastdisturbed.Hehadmadeakindofcompactwithhimselfthathewould not think ofwhat had happened until he got home.Hewas at homenow,andsufferedhimselftoconsiderit.

Hisownchild,hisownchild!Heneverdoubted the tale;hefelt itwas true;knew itaswell,now,as ifhehadbeenprivy to itallalong.Hisownchild!Anddead too.DyingbesideNicholas, lovinghim,and lookinguponhimassomethinglikeanangel.Thatwastheworst!

Theyhad all turned fromhimanddesertedhim inhisvery first need.Evenmoney could not buy them now; everythingmust come out, and everybodymust know all. Here was the young lord dead, his companion abroad andbeyondhisreach,tenthousandpoundsgoneatoneblow,hisplotwithGrideoversetat theverymomentof triumph,hisafterschemesdiscovered,himselfindanger,theobjectofhispersecutionandNicholas'slove,hisownwretchedboy;everythingcrumbledand fallenuponhim,andhebeatendownbeneaththeruinsandgrovellinginthedust.

Ifhehadknownhischildtobealive;ifnodeceithadbeeneverpractised,andhehadgrownupbeneathhiseye;hemighthavebeenacareless, indifferent,

rough,harshfatherlikeenoughhefeltthat;butthethoughtwouldcomethathemighthavebeenotherwise,andthathissonmighthavebeenacomforttohim,andtheytwohappytogether.Hebegantothinknow,thathissupposeddeathandhiswife'sflighthadhadsomeshareinmakinghimthemorose,hardmanhewas.Heseemedtorememberatimewhenhewasnotquitesoroughandobdurate;andalmostthoughtthathehadfirsthatedNicholasbecausehewasyoungandgallant,andperhaps like thestriplingwhohadbroughtdishonourandlossoffortuneonhishead.

Butone tender thought,oroneofnatural regret, inhiswhirlwindofpassionand remorse, was as a drop of calm water in a stormy maddened sea. Hishatred of Nicholas had been fed upon his own defeat, nourished on hisinterference with his schemes, fattened upon his old defiance and success.Therewerereasonsforitsincrease;ithadgrownandstrengthenedgradually.Nowitattainedaheightwhichwassheerwildlunacy.Thathis,ofallothers,shouldhavebeenthehandstorescuehismiserablechild;thatheshouldhavebeenhisprotectorandfaithfulfriend;thatheshouldhaveshownhimthatloveand tendernesswhich, from thewretchedmomentofhisbirth,hehadneverknown;thatheshouldhavetaughthimtohatehisownparentandexecratehisvery name; that he should now know and feel all this, and triumph in therecollection;wasgallandmadness to theusurer'sheart.Thedeadboy's loveforNicholas,andtheattachmentofNicholastohim,wasinsupportableagony.Thepictureofhisdeathbed,withNicholasathisside,tendingandsupportinghim,andhebreathingouthisthanks,andexpiringinhisarms,whenhewouldhave had themmortal enemies and hating each other to the last, drove himfrantic.Hegnashedhisteethandsmotetheair,andlookingwildlyround,witheyeswhichgleamedthroughthedarkness,criedaloud:

'Iamtrampleddownandruined.Thewretchtoldmetrue.Thenighthascome!Is there noway to rob them of further triumph, and spurn theirmercy andcompassion?Istherenodeviltohelpme?'

Swiftly,thereglidedagainintohisbrainthefigurehehadraisedthatnight.Itseemedtoliebeforehim.Theheadwascoverednow.Soitwaswhenhefirstsawit.Therigid,upturned,marblefeettoo,herememberedwell.Thencamebeforehim thepaleand trembling relativeswhohad told their taleupon theinquestthe shrieks of womenthe silent dread of menthe consternation anddisquietthevictoryachievedby thatheapofclay,which,withonemotionofitshand,hadletoutthelifeandmadethisstiramongthem

Hespokenomore;but,afterapause,softlygropedhiswayoutoftheroom,and up the echoing stairsup to the topto the front garretwhere he closed thedoorbehindhim,andremained.

It was a mere lumberroom now, but it yet contained an old dismantledbedstead;theoneonwhichhissonhadslept;fornootherhadeverbeenthere.Heavoidedithastily,andsatdownasfarfromitashecould.

The weakened glare of the lights in the street below, shining through thewindowwhichhadnoblindorcurtaintointerceptit,wasenoughtoshowthecharacteroftheroom,thoughnotsufficientfullytorevealthevariousarticlesoflumber,oldcordedtrunksandbrokenfurniture,whichwerescatteredabout.Ithadashelvingroof;high inonepart,andatanotherdescendingalmost tothe floor. It was towards the highest part that Ralph directed his eyes; andupon it he kept them fixed steadily for some minutes, when he rose, anddraggingthitheranoldchestuponwhichhehadbeenseated,mountedonit,and felt along the wall above his head with both hands. At length, theytouchedalargeironhook,firmlydrivenintooneofthebeams.

At thatmoment, hewas interrupted by a loud knocking at the door below.Afteralittlehesitationheopenedthewindow,anddemandedwhoitwas.

'IwantMrNickleby,'repliedavoice.

'Whatwithhim?'

'That'snotMrNickleby'svoice,surely?'wastherejoinder.

Itwasnotlikeit;butitwasRalphwhospoke,andsohesaid.

The voicemade answer that the twin brotherswished to knowwhether themanwhomhehadseenthatnightwastobedetained;andthatalthoughitwasnowmidnighttheyhadsent,intheiranxietytodoright.

'Yes,'criedRalph,'detainhimtilltomorrow;thenletthembringhimherehimand my nephewand come themselves, and be sure that I will be ready toreceivethem.'

'Atwhathour?'askedthevoice.

'Atanyhour,'repliedRalphfiercely.'Intheafternoon,tellthem.Atanyhour,atanyminute.Alltimeswillbealiketome.'

He listened to theman's retreating footstepsuntil the soundhadpassed, andthen,gazingupintothesky,saw,orthoughthesaw,thesameblackcloudthathad seemed to followhimhome, andwhichnowappeared tohoverdirectlyabovethehouse.

'Iknowitsmeaningnow,'hemuttered,'andtherestlessnights,thedreams,andwhyIhavequailedoflate.Allpointedtothis.Oh!ifmenbysellingtheirown

soulscouldriderampantforaterm,forhowshortatermwouldIbarterminetonight!'

Thesoundofadeepbellcamealongthewind.One.

'Lieon!'criedtheusurer, 'withyourirontongue!Ringmerrilyforbirthsthatmakeexpectantswrithe,andmarriagesthataremadeinhell,andtollruefullyforthedeadwhoseshoesarewornalready!Callmentoprayerswhoaregodlybecausenot foundout,andringchimes for thecoming inofeveryyear thatbringsthiscursedworldnearertoitsend.Nobellorbookforme!Throwmeonadunghill,andletmerotthere,toinfecttheair!'

Withawild lookaround, inwhich frenzy,hatred, anddespairwerehorriblymingled, he shook his clenched hand at the sky above him,whichwas stilldarkandthreatening,andclosedthewindow.

Therainandhailpatteredagainsttheglass;thechimneysquakedandrocked;thecrazycasementrattledwiththewind,asthoughanimpatienthandinsidewerestrivingtoburstitopen.Butnohandwasthere,anditopenednomore.

'How'sthis?'criedone.'Thegentlemansaytheycan'tmakeanybodyhear,andhavebeentryingthesetwohours.'

'Andyethecamehomelastnight,'saidanother;'forhespoketosomebodyoutofthatwindowupstairs.'

Theywerea littleknotofmen,and, thewindowbeingmentioned,wentoutinto theroad to lookupat it.Thisoccasioned theirobserving that thehousewasstillcloseshut,asthehousekeeperhadsaidshehadleftitonthepreviousnight,andledtoagreatmanysuggestions:whichterminatedintwoorthreeoftheboldestgettingroundtotheback,andsoenteringbyawindow,whiletheothersremainedoutside,inimpatientexpectation.

They looked intoall the roomsbelow:opening the shutters as theywent, toadmitthefadinglight:andstillfindingnobody,andeverythingquietandinitsplace,doubtedwhethertheyshouldgofarther.Oneman,however,remarkingthattheyhadnotyetbeenintothegarret,andthatitwastherehehadbeenlastseen, theyagreed to look there too, andwentup softly; for themysteryandsilencemadethemtimid.

Aftertheyhadstoodforaninstant,onthelanding,eyeingeachother,hewhohadproposed their carrying the search so far, turned thehandleof thedoor,and,pushingitopen,lookedthroughthechink,andfellbackdirectly.

'It'sveryodd,'hewhispered,'he'shidingbehindthedoor!Look!'

Theypressed forward to see;butoneamong them thrusting theothersasidewithaloudexclamation,drewaclaspknifefromhispocket,anddashingintotheroom,cutdownthebody.

Hehad torna rope fromoneof theold trunks,andhunghimselfonan ironhookimmediatelybelowthetrapdoorintheceilingintheveryplacetowhichtheeyesofhisson,alonely,desolate,littlecreature,hadsooftenbeendirectedinchildishterror,fourteenyearsbefore.

CHAPTER63

TheBrothersCheeryblemakevariousDeclarationsforthemselvesandothers.TimLinkinwatermakesaDeclarationforhimself

Some weeks had passed, and the first shock of these events had subsided.Madelinehadbeenremoved;Frankhadbeenabsent;andNicholasandKatehadbeguntotryingoodearnesttostifletheirownregrets,andtoliveforeachotherandfortheirmotherwho,poorlady,couldinnowisebereconciledtothisdullandalteredstateofaffairswhentherecameoneevening,perfavourofMrLinkinwater,aninvitationfromthebrotherstodinneronthenextdaybutone:comprehending,notonlyMrsNickleby,Kate,andNicholas,butlittleMissLaCreevy,whowasmostparticularlymentioned.

'Now,mydears,'saidMrsNickleby,whentheyhadrenderedbecominghonourtothebidding,andTimhadtakenhisdeparture,'whatdoesTHISmean?'

'WhatdoYOUmean,mother?'askedNicholas,smiling.

'Isay,mydear,'rejoinedthatlady,withafaceofunfathomablemystery,'whatdoesthisinvitationtodinnermean?Whatisitsintentionandobject?'

'Iconcludeitmeans,thatonsuchadaywearetoeatanddrinkintheirhouse,andthatitsintentandobjectistoconferpleasureuponus,'saidNicholas.

'Andthat'sallyouconcludeitis,mydear?'

'Ihavenotyetarrivedatanythingdeeper,mother.'

'ThenI'lljusttellyouonething,'saidMrsNickleby,you'llfindyourselfalittlesurprised; that's all. You may depend upon it that this means somethingbesidesdinner.'

'Teaandsupper,perhaps,'suggestedNicholas.

'Iwouldn'tbeabsurd,mydear,ifIwereyou,'repliedMrsNickleby,inaloftymanner, 'becauseit'snotbyanymeansbecoming,anddoesn'tsuityouatall.WhatImeantosayis,thattheMrCheeryblesdon'taskustodinnerwithallthis ceremony for nothing. Never mind; wait and see. You won't believeanything I say, of course. It's much better to wait; a great deal better; it'ssatisfactorytoallparties,andtherecanbenodisputing.AllIsayis,rememberwhatIsaynow,andwhenIsayIsaidso,don'tsayIdidn't.'

Withthisstipulation,MrsNickleby,whowastroubled,nightandday,withavisionofahotmessengertearinguptothedoortoannouncethatNicholashadbeen taken into partnership, quitted that branch of the subject, and entereduponanewone.

'It'saveryextraordinarything,'shesaid,'amostextraordinarything,thattheyshouldhaveinvitedMissLaCreevy.Itquiteastonishesme,uponmyworditdoes.Ofcourseit'sverypleasantthatsheshouldbeinvited,verypleasant,andIhavenodoubtthatshe'llconductherselfextremelywell;shealwaysdoes.It'sverygratifyingtothinkthatweshouldhavebeenthemeansofintroducingherintosuchsociety,andI'mquitegladof itquiterejoicedforshecertainly isanexceedingly wellbehaved and goodnatured little person. I could wish thatsomefriendwouldmention toherhowverybadlyshehashercap trimmed,andwhat very preposterous bows those are, but of course that's impossible,andifshelikestomakeafrightofherself,nodoubtshehasaperfectrighttodoso.Weneverseeourselvesneverdo,andneverdidandIsupposewenevershall.'

Thismoralreflectionremindingherofthenecessityofbeingpeculiarlysmarton the occasion, so as to counterbalanceMissLaCreevy, and be herself aneffectualsetoffandatonement,ledMrsNicklebyintoaconsultationwithherdaughter relative to certain ribbons, gloves, and trimmings: which, being acomplicated question, and one of paramount importance, soon routed thepreviousone,andputittoflight.

Thegreatdayarriving,thegoodladyputherselfunderKate'shandsanhourorso after breakfast, and, dressing by easy stages, completed her toilette insufficienttimetoallowofherdaughter'smakinghers,whichwasverysimple,and not very long, though so satisfactory that she had never appearedmorecharming or looked more lovely. Miss La Creevy, too, arrived with twobandboxes(whereofthebottomsfelloutastheywerehandedfromthecoach)and something in a newspaper, which a gentleman had sat upon, comingdown,andwhichwasobligedtobeironedagain,beforeitwasfitforservice.At last, everybodywasdressed, includingNicholas,whohadcomehome to

fetch them, and they went away in a coach sent by the brothers for thepurpose: Mrs Nickleby wondering very much what they would have fordinner,andcrossexaminingNicholasastotheextentofhisdiscoveriesinthemorning;whetherhehadsmeltanythingcookingatallliketurtle,andifnot,what he had smelt; and diversifying the conversationwith reminiscences ofdinnerstowhichshehadgonesometwentyyearsago,concerningwhichsheparticularisednotonlythedishesbuttheguests,inwhomherhearersdidnotfeel a very absorbing interest, as not one of themhad ever chanced to heartheirnamesbefore.

The old butler received them with profound respect and many smiles, andusheredthemintothedrawingroom,wheretheywerereceivedbythebrotherswithsomuchcordialityandkindnessthatMrsNicklebywasquiteinaflutter,andhadscarcelypresenceofmindenough,eventopatroniseMissLaCreevy.Katewasstillmoreaffectedby the reception: for,knowing that thebrotherswereacquaintedwithall thathadpassedbetweenherandFrank,shefeltherposition a most delicate and trying one, and was trembling on the arm ofNicholas,whenMrCharlestookherinhis,andledhertoanotherpartoftheroom.

'HaveyouseenMadeline,mydear,'hesaid,'sincesheleftyourhouse?'

'No,sir!'repliedKate.'Notonce.'

'Andnotheardfromher,eh?Notheardfromher?'

'I have only had one letter,' rejoinedKate, gently. 'I thought shewould nothaveforgottenmequitesosoon.'

'Ah,'saidtheoldman,pattingheronthehead,andspeakingasaffectionatelyas if shehadbeenhis favouritechild. 'Poordear!whatdoyou thinkof this,brotherNed?Madelinehasonlywrittentoheronce,onlyonce,Ned,andshedidn'tthinkshewouldhaveforgottenherquitesosoon,Ned.'

'Oh!sad,sad;verysad!'saidNed.

The brothers interchanged a glance, and looking at Kate for a little timewithout speaking, shook hands, and nodded as if they were congratulatingeachotheronsomethingverydelightful.

'Well, well,' said brother Charles, 'go into that room, my dearthat dooryonderandseeifthere'snotaletterforyoufromher.Ithinkthere'soneuponthetable.Youneedn'thurryback,mylove, if there is, forwedon'tdine justyet,andthere'splentyoftime.Plentyoftime.'

Kate retired as she was directed. Brother Charles, having followed her

gracefulfigurewithhiseyes,turnedtoMrsNickleby,andsaid:

'We took the liberty of naming one hour before the real dinnertime,ma'am,because we had a little business to speak about, which would occupy theinterval. Ned,my dear fellow,will youmentionwhatwe agreed upon?MrNickleby,sir,havethegoodnesstofollowme.'

Withoutanyfurtherexplanation,MrsNickleby,MissLaCreevy,andbrotherNed,wereleftalonetogether,andNicholasfollowedbrotherCharlesintohisprivateroom;where,tohisgreatastonishment,heencounteredFrank,whomhesupposedtobeabroad.

'Youngmen,'saidMrCheeryble,'shakehands!'

'Ineednobiddingtodothat,'saidNicholas,extendinghis.

'NorI,'rejoinedFrank,asheclaspeditheartily.

Theoldgentlemanthought that twohandsomerorfineryoungfellowscouldscarcely stand side by side than those on whom he looked with so muchpleasure.Sufferinghiseyestorestuponthem,forashorttimeinsilence,hesaid,whileheseatedhimselfathisdesk:

'IwishtoseeyoufriendscloseandfirmfriendsandifIthoughtyouotherwise,I shouldhesitate inwhat I amabout to say.Frank, lookhere!MrNickleby,willyoucomeontheotherside?'

TheyoungmensteppeduponeitherhandofbrotherCharles,whoproducedapaperfromhisdesk,andunfoldedit.

'This,' he said, 'is a copy of the will of Madeline's maternal grandfather,bequeathingherthesumoftwelvethousandpounds,payableeitheruponhercomingof ageormarrying. Itwould appear that thisgentleman, angrywithher(hisonlyrelation)becauseshewouldnotputherselfunderhisprotection,and detach herself from the society of her father, in compliance with hisrepeated overtures, made a will leaving this property (which was all hepossessed) to a charitable institution. He would seem to have repented thisdetermination,however,forthreeweeksafterwards,andinthesamemonth,heexecutedthis.Bysomefraud,itwasabstractedimmediatelyafterhisdecease,and the otherthe only will foundwas proved and administered. Friendlynegotiations, which have only just now terminated, have been proceedingsince this instrument came into our hands, and, as there is no doubt of itsauthenticity,andthewitnesseshavebeendiscovered(aftersometrouble),themoneyhasbeenrefunded.Madelinehasthereforeobtainedherright,andis,orwillbe,wheneitherofthecontingencieswhichIhavementionedhasarisen,

mistressofthisfortune.Youunderstandme?'

Frank replied in the affirmative. Nicholas, who could not trust himself tospeaklesthisvoiceshouldbeheardtofalter,bowedhishead.

'Now, Frank,' said the old gentleman, 'you were the immediate means ofrecovering thisdeed.The fortune isbut a small one;butwe loveMadeline;andsuchasitis,wewouldratherseeyoualliedtoherwiththat,thantoanyothergirlweknowwhohasthreetimesthemoney.Willyoubecomeasuitortoherforherhand?'

'No,sir. I interestedmyself in the recoveryof that instrument,believing thather handwas already pledged to one who has a thousand times the claimsuponhergratitude, and, if Imistakenot, uponherheart, that I or anyothermancaneverurge.InthisitseemsIjudgedhastily.'

'Asyoualwaysdo, sir,' criedbrotherCharles, utterly forgettinghis assumeddignity, 'as you alwaysdo.Howdare you think,Frank, thatwewould haveyou marry for money, when youth, beauty, and every amiable virtue andexcellenceweretobehadforlove?Howdaredyou,Frank,goandmakeloveto Mr Nickleby's sister without telling us first what you meant to do, andlettingusspeakforyou?'

'Ihardlydaredtohope'

'Youhardlydared tohope!Then, somuch thegreater reason forhavingourassistance!Mr Nickleby, sir, Frank, although he judged hastily, judged, foronce, correctly.Madeline's heart IS occupied. Giveme your hand, sir; it isoccupied by you, andworthily and naturally. This fortune is destined to beyours,butyouhaveagreaterfortuneinher,sir,thanyouwouldhaveinmoneywereitfortytimestold.Shechoosesyou,MrNickleby.Shechoosesaswe,herdearestfriends,wouldhaveherchoose.FrankchoosesaswewouldhaveHIMchoose. He should have your sister's little hand, sir, if she had refused it ascoreoftimes;ay,heshould,andheshall!Youactednobly,notknowingoursentiments,butnowyouknowthem,sir,youmustdoasyouarebid.What!Youarethechildrenofaworthygentleman!Thetimewas,sir,whenmydearbrother Ned and I were two poor simplehearted boys, wandering, almostbarefoot, to seek our fortunes: are we changed in anything but years andworldlycircumstancessince that time?No,Godforbid!Oh,Ned,Ned,Ned,whatahappydaythisisforyouandme!Ifourpoormotherhadonlylivedtoseeusnow,Ned,howprouditwouldhavemadeherdearheartatlast!'

Thus apostrophised, brother Ned, who had entered withMrs Nickleby, andwhohadbeenbeforeunobservedbytheyoungmen,dartedforward,andfairlyhuggedbrotherCharlesinhisarms.

'BringinmylittleKate,'saidthelatter,afterashortsilence.'Bringherin,Ned.LetmeseeKate,letmekissher.Ihavearighttodosonow;Iwasverynearitwhen she first came; I have often been very near it. Ah! Did you find theletter,mybird?DidyoufindMadelineherself,waitingforyouandexpectingyou?Didyou find that shehadnotquite forgottenher friendandnurseandsweetcompanion?Why,thisisalmostthebestofall!'

'Come,come,'saidNed,'Frankwillbejealous,andweshallhavesomecuttingofthroatsbeforedinner.'

'Thenlethimtakeheraway,Ned,lethimtakeheraway.Madeline'sinthenextroom. Let all the lovers get out of the way, and talk among themselves, ifthey'veanythingtosay.Turn'emout,Ned,everyone!'

BrotherCharlesbegantheclearancebyleadingtheblushinggirl tothedoor,and dismissing her with a kiss. Frank was not very slow to follow, andNicholas had disappeared first of all. So there only remainedMrsNicklebyandMissLaCreevy,whowereboth sobbingheartily; the twobrothers; andTimLinkinwater,whonowcameintoshakehandswitheverybody:hisroundfaceallradiantandbeamingwithsmiles.

'Well,TimLinkinwater,sir,'saidbrotherCharles,whowasalwaysspokesman,'nowtheyoungfolksarehappy,sir.'

'You didn't keep 'em in suspense as long as you said you would, though,'returnedTim,archly. 'Why,MrNicklebyandMrFrankweretohavebeeninyourroomforIdon'tknowhowlong;andIdon'tknowwhatyouweren't tohavetoldthembeforeyoucameoutwiththetruth.'

'Now,didyoueverknowsuchavillainasthis,Ned?'saidtheoldgentleman;'did you ever know such a villain as Tim Linkinwater? He accusingme ofbeing impatient, and he the very man who has been wearying us morning,noon,andnight,andtorturingusforleavetogoandtell'emwhatwasinstore,before our plans were half complete, or we had arranged a single thing. Atreacherousdog!'

'Soheis,brotherCharles,'returnedNed;'Timisatreacherousdog.Timisnottobetrusted.Timisawildyoungfellow.Hewantsgravityandsteadiness;hemust sowhiswildoats,and thenperhapshe'llbecome in timea respectablememberofsociety.'

ThisbeingoneofthestandingjokesbetweentheoldfellowsandTim,theyallthreelaughedveryheartily,andmighthavelaughedmuchlonger,butthatthebrothers,seeingthatMrsNicklebywaslabouringtoexpressherfeelings,and

wasreallyoverwhelmedbythehappinessofthetime,tookherbetweenthem,and ledher from the roomunderpretenceofhaving toconsultheron somemostimportantarrangements.

Now,TimandMissLaCreevyhadmetveryoften,andhadalwaysbeenverychattyandpleasanttogetherhadalwaysbeengreatfriendsandconsequentlyitwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatTim,findingthatshestillsobbed,should endeavour to console her. As Miss La Creevy sat on a largeoldfashionedwindowseat,where therewas ample room for two, itwas alsonaturalthatTimshouldsitdownbesideher;andastoTim'sbeingunusuallyspruce and particular in his attire that day,why itwas a high festival and agreatoccasion,andthatwasthemostnaturalthingofall.

TimsatdownbesideMissLaCreevy,and,crossingonelegovertheothersothathisfoothehadverycomelyfeetandhappenedtobewearing theneatestshoesandblacksilkstockingspossibleshouldcomeeasilywithintherangeofhereye,saidinasoothingway:

'Don'tcry!'

'Imust,'rejoinedMissLaCreevy.

'No,don't,'saidTim.'Pleasedon't;praydon't.'

'Iamsohappy!'sobbedthelittlewoman.

'Thenlaugh,'saidTim.'Dolaugh.'

WhatintheworldTimwasdoingwithhisarm,itisimpossibletoconjecture,butheknockedhiselbowagainstthatpartofthewindowwhichwasquiteontheothersideofMissLaCreevy;anditisclearthatitcouldhavenobusinessthere.

'Dolaugh,'saidTim,'orI'llcry.'

'Whyshouldyoucry?'askedMissLaCreevy,smiling.

'BecauseI'mhappytoo,'saidTim.'Wearebothhappy,andIshouldliketodoasyoudo.'

Surely,thereneverwasamanwhofidgetedasTimmusthavedonethen;forhe knocked thewindow againalmost in the same placeandMiss La Creevysaidshewassurehe'dbreakit.

'Iknew,'saidTim,'thatyouwouldbepleasedwiththisscene.'

'Itwasvery thoughtfulandkind to rememberme,' returnedMissLaCreevy.

'Nothingcouldhavedelightedmehalfsomuch.'

WhyonearthshouldMissLaCreevyandTimLinkinwaterhavesaidallthisinawhisper?Itwasnosecret.AndwhyshouldTimLinkinwaterhavelookedsohardatMissLaCreevy,andwhyshouldMissLaCreevyhave lookedsohardattheground?

'It'sapleasantthing,'saidTim,'topeoplelikeus,whohavepassedallourlivesin theworldalone, to seeyoung folks thatweare fondof,brought togetherwithsomanyyearsofhappinessbeforethem.'

'Ah!'criedthelittlewomanwithallherheart,'thatitis!'

'Although,' pursued Tim 'although it makes one feel quite solitary and castaway.Nowdon'tit?'

Miss La Creevy said she didn't know. And why should she say she didn'tknow?Becauseshemusthaveknownwhetheritdidornot.

'It'salmostenoughtomakeusgetmarriedafterall,isn'tit?'saidTim.

'Oh,nonsense!'repliedMissLaCreevy,laughing.'Wearetooold.'

'Notabit,'saidTim; 'weare tooold tobesingle.Whyshouldn'twebothbemarried, instead of sitting through the longwinter evenings by our solitaryfiresides?Whyshouldn'twemakeonefiresideofit,andmarryeachother?'

'Oh,MrLinkinwater,you'rejoking!'

'No,no,I'mnot.I'mnotindeed,'saidTim.'Iwill,ifyouwill.Do,mydear!'

'Itwouldmakepeoplelaughso.'

'Let 'em laugh,' criedTim stoutly; 'wehavegood tempers I know, andwe'lllaugh too. Why, what hearty laughs we have had since we've known eachother!'

'Sowehave,'criedMissLaCreevygivingwayalittle,asTimthought.

'It has been the happiest time in all my life; at least, away from thecountinghouseandCheerybleBrothers,'saidTim.'Do,mydear!Nowsayyouwill.'

'No, no, wemustn't think of it,' returnedMiss La Creevy. 'Whatwould thebrotherssay?'

'Why,Godblessyoursoul!'criedTim,innocently,'youdon'tsupposeIshouldthink of such a thing without their knowing it! Why they left us here on

purpose.'

'Icanneverlook'eminthefaceagain!'exclaimedMissLaCreevy,faintly.

'Come,'saidTim,'let'sbeacomfortablecouple.Weshallliveintheoldhousehere,whereIhavebeenforfourandfortyyear;weshallgototheoldchurch,whereI'vebeen,everySundaymorning,all throughthat time;weshallhaveallmyoldfriendsaboutusDick, thearchway, thepump, theflowerpots,andMr Frank's children, and Mr Nickleby's children, that we shall seem likegrandfatherandgrandmotherto.Let'sbeacomfortablecouple,andtakecareofeachother!Andifweshouldgetdeaf,orlame,orblind,orbedridden,howgladweshallbethatwehavesomebodywearefondof,alwaystotalktoandsitwith!Let'sbeacomfortablecouple.Now,do,mydear!'

Five minutes after this honest and straightforward speech, little Miss LaCreevyandTimweretalkingaspleasantlyas if theyhadbeenmarriedforascoreofyears, andhadneveroncequarrelled all the time; and fiveminutesafter that,whenMissLaCreevyhadbustledout to see ifhereyeswere redand put her hair to rights, Tim moved with a stately step towards thedrawingroom, exclaimingashewent, 'There an't suchanotherwoman in allLondon!IKNOWtherean't!'

By this time, the apoplectic butlerwas nearly in fits, in consequence of theunheardof postponement of dinner. Nicholas, who had been engaged in amanner in which every reader may imagine for himself or herself, washurryingdownstairsinobediencetohisangrysummons,whenheencounteredanewsurprise.

Onhisway down, he overtook, in one of the passages, a stranger genteellydressed in black,whowas alsomoving towards the diningroom.As hewasratherlame,andwalkedslowly,Nicholaslingeredbehind,andwasfollowinghimstepbystep,wonderingwhohewas,whenhesuddenlyturnedroundandcaughthimbybothhands.

'NewmanNoggs!'criedNicholasjoyfully

'Ah!Newman,yourownNewman,yourownoldfaithfulNewman!Mydearboy,mydearNick,Igiveyoujoyhealth,happiness,everyblessing!Ican'tbearitit'stoomuch,mydearboyitmakesachildofme!'

'Wherehaveyoubeen?'saidNicholas.'Whathaveyoubeendoing?HowoftenhaveIinquiredforyou,andbeentoldthatIshouldhearbeforelong!'

'Iknow,Iknow!' returnedNewman. 'Theywantedall thehappiness tocometogether.I'vebeenhelping'em.IIlookatme,Nick,lookatme!'

'YouwouldneverletMEdothat,'saidNicholasinatoneofgentlereproach.

'I didn't mind what I was, then. I shouldn't have had the heart to put ongentleman'sclothes.Theywouldhaveremindedmeofoldtimesandmadememiserable.Iamanothermannow,Nick.Mydearboy,Ican'tspeak.Don'tsayanythingtome.Don't thinktheworseofmefor these tears.Youdon'tknowwhatIfeeltoday;youcan't,andneverwill!'

Theywalkedintodinnerarminarm,andsatdownsidebyside.

Never was such a dinner as that, since the world began. There was thesuperannuatedbankclerk,TimLinkinwater'sfriend;andtherewasthechubbyoldlady,TimLinkinwater'ssister;andtherewassomuchattentionfromTimLinkinwater'ssistertoMissLaCreevy,andthereweresomanyjokesfromthesuperannuated bank clerk, and Tim Linkinwater himself was in such tiptopspirits, and little Miss La Creevy was in such a comical state, that ofthemselves they would have composed the pleasantest party conceivable.Then,therewasMrsNickleby,sograndandcomplacent;MadelineandKate,soblushingandbeautiful;NicholasandFrank,sodevotedandproud;andallfoursosilentlyandtremblinglyhappy;therewasNewmansosubduedyetsooverjoyed, and there were the twin brothers so delighted and interchangingsuchlooks,thattheoldservantstoodtransfixedbehindhismaster'schair,andfelthiseyesgrowdimastheywanderedroundthetable.

When the firstnoveltyof themeetinghadwornoff,and theybegan truly tofeel how happy they were, the conversation became more general, and theharmony and pleasure if possible increased. The brothers were in a perfectecstasy;andtheirinsistingonsalutingtheladiesallround,beforetheywouldpermitthemtoretire,gaveoccasiontothesuperannuatedbankclerktosaysomanygoodthings,thathequiteoutshonehimself,andwaslookeduponasaprodigyofhumour.

'Kate,mydear,'saidMrsNickleby,takingherdaughteraside,assoonastheygotupstairs, 'youdon't reallymean to tellme that this is actually trueaboutMissLaCreevyandMrLinkinwater?'

'Indeeditis,mama.'

'Why,Ineverheardsuchathinginmylife!'exclaimedMrsNickleby.

'MrLinkinwaterisamostexcellentcreature,'reasonedKate,'and,forhisage,quiteyoungstill.'

'ForHIS age,my dear!' returnedMrsNickleby, 'yes; nobody says anythingagainsthim,exceptthatIthinkheistheweakestandmostfoolishmanIever

knew.It'sHERageIspeakof.Thatheshouldhavegoneandofferedhimselftoawomanwhomustbeah,halfasoldagainasIamandthatsheshouldhavedaredtoaccepthim!Itdon'tsignify,Kate;I'mdisgustedwithher!'

Shakingherheadveryemphaticallyindeed,MrsNicklebysweptaway;andalltheevening,inthemidstofthemerrimentandenjoymentthatensued,andinwhichwith that exception she freelyparticipated, conductedherself towardsMissLaCreevyinastatelyanddistantmanner,designedtomarkhersenseofthe impropriety of her conduct, and to signify her extreme and cuttingdisapprobationofthemisdemeanourshehadsoflagrantlycommitted.

CHAPTER64

An old Acquaintance is recognised under melancholy Circumstances, andDotheboysHallbreaksupforever

Nicholaswasoneofthosewhosejoyisincompleteunlessitissharedbythefriendsofadverseandlessfortunatedays.Surroundedbyeveryfascinationoflove and hope, his warm heart yearned towards plain John Browdie. Herememberedtheirfirstmeetingwithasmile,andtheirsecondwithatear;sawpoorSmikeonceagainwiththebundleonhisshouldertrudgingpatientlybyhisside;andheardthehonestYorkshireman'sroughwordsofencouragementasheleftthemontheirroadtoLondon.

Madelineandhesatdown,verymanytimes,jointlytoproducealetterwhichshouldacquaintJohnatfulllengthwithhisalteredfortunes,andassurehimofhis friendship and gratitude. It so happened, however, that the letter couldnever be written. Although they applied themselves to it with the bestintentions in the world, it chanced that they always fell to talking aboutsomethingelse,andwhenNicholastrieditbyhimself,hefounditimpossibletowriteonehalfofwhathewishedtosay,ortopenanything,indeed,whichonreperusaldidnotappearcoldandunsatisfactorycomparedwithwhathehadinhismind.Atlast,aftergoingonthusfromdaytoday,andreproachinghimselfmoreandmore,heresolved(themorereadilyasMadelinestronglyurgedhim)tomake ahasty trip intoYorkshire, andpresent himself beforeMr andMrsBrowdiewithoutawordofnotice.

Thus itwas that between seven and eight o'clock one evening, he andKatefound themselves in the Saracen's Head bookingoffice, securing a place toGreta Bridge by the next morning's coach. They had to go westward, to

procuresomelittlenecessariesforhisjourney,and,asitwasafinenight,theyagreedtowalkthere,andridehome.

Theplacetheyhadjustbeenincalledupsomanyrecollections,andKatehadsomany anecdotes ofMadeline, andNicholas somany anecdotes of Frank,andeachwassointerestedinwhattheothersaid,andbothweresohappyandconfiding, and had so much to talk about, that it was not until they hadplunged for a full halfhour into that labyrinth of streetswhich lies betweenSeven Dials and Soho, without emerging into any large thoroughfare, thatNicholasbegantothinkitjustpossibletheymighthavelosttheirway.

Thepossibilitywassoonconvertedintoacertainty;for,onlookingabout,andwalkingfirst tooneendof thestreetand then to theother,hecould findnolandmarkhecouldrecognise,andwasfaintoturnbackagaininquestofsomeplaceatwhichhecouldseekadirection.

Itwasabystreet,andtherewasnobodyabout,or in thefewwretchedshopstheypassed.Makingtowardsafaintgleamoflightwhichstreamedacrossthepavementfromacellar,Nicholaswasabouttodescendtwoorthreestepssoasto renderhimselfvisible to thosebelowandmakehis inquiry,whenhewasarrestedbyaloudnoiseofscoldinginawoman'svoice.

'Ohcomeaway!'saidKate,'theyarequarrelling.You'llbehurt.'

'Waitoneinstant,Kate.Letushearifthere'sanythingthematter,'returnedherbrother.'Hush!'

'Younasty,idle,vicious,goodfornothingbrute,'criedthewoman,stampingontheground,'whydon'tyouturnthemangle?'

'SoIam,mylifeandsoul!'repliedtheman'svoice.'Iamalwaysturning.Iamperpetuallyturning,likeademdoldhorseinademnitionmill.Mylifeisonedemdhorridgrind!'

'Thenwhy don't you go and list for a soldier?' retorted the woman; 'you'rewelcometo.'

'Forasoldier!'cried theman. 'Forasoldier!Wouldhis joyandgladnessseehiminacoarseredcoatwithalittletail?Wouldshehearofhisbeingslappedandbeatbydrummersdemnebly?Wouldshehavehimfireoffrealguns,andhavehishaircut,andhiswhiskersshaved,andhiseyesturnedrightandleft,andhistrouserspipeclayed?'

'Dear Nicholas,' whispered Kate, 'you don't know who that is. It's MrMantaliniIamconfident.'

'Domakesure!PeepathimwhileIasktheway,'saidNicholas.'Comedownasteportwo.Come!'

Drawingherafterhim,Nicholascreptdownthestepsandlookedintoasmallboarded cellar. There, amidst clothesbaskets and clothes, stripped up to hisshirtsleeves,butwearingstillanoldpatchedpairofpantaloonsofsuperlativemake,aoncebrilliantwaistcoat,andmoustacheandwhiskersasofyore,butlackingtheirlustrousdyethere,endeavouringtomollifythewrathofabuxomfemalenot the lawful Madame Mantalini, but the proprietress of theconcernand grinding meanwhile as if for very life at the mangle, whosecreaking noise, mingled with her shrill tones, appeared almost to deafenhimtherewasthegraceful,elegant,fascinating,andoncedashingMantalini.

'Oh you false traitor!' cried the lady, threatening personal violence on MrMantalini'sface.

'False!Ohdem!Nowmysoul,mygentle,captivating,bewitching,andmostdemneblyenslavingchickabiddy,becalm,'saidMrMantalini,humbly.

'Iwon't!'screamedthewoman.'I'lltearyoureyesout!'

'Oh!Whatademdsavagelamb!'criedMrMantalini.

'You're never to be trusted,' screamed the woman; 'you were out all dayyesterday, and gallivanting somewhere I know.Youknowyouwere! Isn't itenoughthatIpaidtwopoundfourteenforyou,andtookyououtofprisonandletyouliveherelikeagentleman,butmustyougoonlikethis:breakingmyheartbesides?'

'Iwillneverbreakitsheart,Iwillbeagoodboy,andneverdosoanymore;Iwill never be naughty again; I beg its little pardon,' said Mr Mantalini,droppingthehandleofthemangle,andfoldinghispalmstogether;'itisallupwithitshandsomefriend!Hehasgonetothedemnitionbowwows.Itwillhavepity?Itwillnotscratchandclaw,butpetandcomfort?Oh,demmit!'

Very little affected, to judge fromher action,by this tender appeal, the ladywas on the point of returning some angry reply,whenNicholas, raising hisvoice,askedhiswaytoPiccadilly.

MrMantalini turnedround,caughtsightofKate,and,withoutanotherword,leapt at one bound into a bed which stood behind the door, and drew thecounterpaneoverhisface:kickingmeanwhileconvulsively.

'Demmit,'hecried, inasuffocatingvoice, 'it's littleNickleby!Shut thedoor,putoutthecandle,turnmeupinthebedstead!Oh,dem,dem,dem!'

Thewomanlooked,firstatNicholas,andthenatMrMantalini,asifuncertainonwhomtovisitthisextraordinarybehaviour;butMrMantalinihappeningbyilllucktothrusthisnosefromunderthebedclothes,inhisanxietytoascertainwhetherthevisitorsweregone,shesuddenly,andwithadexteritywhichcouldonlyhavebeenacquiredbylongpractice,flungaprettyheavyclothesbasketathim,withsogoodanaim thathekickedmoreviolently thanbefore, thoughwithoutventuringtomakeanyeffort todisengagehishead,whichwasquiteextinguished.Thinkingthisafavourableopportunityfordepartingbeforeanyofthetorrentofherwrathdischargeditselfuponhim,NicholashurriedKateoff,andlefttheunfortunatesubjectofthisunexpectedrecognitiontoexplainhisconductashebestcould.

The next morning he began his journey. It was now cold, winter weather:forciblyrecallingtohismindunderwhatcircumstanceshehadfirsttravelledthatroad,andhowmanyvicissitudesandchangeshehadsinceundergone.Hewas alone inside the greater part of the way, and sometimes, when he hadfallen into a doze, and, rousing himself, looked out of the window, andrecognisedsomeplacewhichhewellrememberedashavingpassed,eitheronhisjourneydown,orinthelongwalkbackwithpoorSmike,hecouldhardlybelievebutthatallwhichhadsincehappenedhadbeenadream,andthattheywerestillploddingwearilyontowardsLondon,withtheworldbeforethem.

Torendertheserecollectionsthemorevivid,itcameontosnowasnightsetin; and, passing through Stamford andGrantham, and by the little alehousewhere he had heard the story of the bold Baron of Grogzwig, everythinglooked as if he had seen it but yesterday, and not even a flake of thewhitecrust on the roofs had melted away. Encouraging the train of ideas whichflockeduponhim,hecouldalmostpersuadehimselfthathesatagainoutsidethecoach,withSqueersandtheboys;thatheheardtheirvoicesintheair;andthathefeltagain,butwithamingledsensationofpainandpleasurenow,thatold sinkingof theheart, and longingafterhome.Whilehewasyetyieldinghimselfup to thesefancieshefellasleep,and,dreamingofMadeline, forgotthem.

HesleptattheinnatGretaBridgeonthenightofhisarrival,and,risingatavery early hour nextmorning,walked to themarket town, and inquired forJohnBrowdie'shouse.Johnlivedintheoutskirts,nowhewasafamilyman;andaseverbodyknewhim,Nicholashadnodifficulty in findingaboywhoundertooktoguidehimtohisresidence.

Dismissinghisguideat thegate,and inhis impatiencenotevenstopping toadmirethethrivinglookofcottageorgardeneither,Nicholasmadehiswaytothekitchendoor,andknockedlustilywithhisstick.

'Halloa!' cried a voice inside. 'Wa'et be thematther noo?Be the toon afire?Ding,butthoumak'stnoiseeneaf!'

With these words, John Browdie opened the door himself, and opening hiseyes too to their utmostwidth, cried, as he clapped his hands together, andburstintoaheartyroar:

'Ecod, it be the godfeyther, it be the godfeyther! Tilly, here be MistherNickleby. Gi' us thee hond, mun. Coom awa', coom awa'. In wi 'un, doonbesidethefire;tak'asoopo'thot.Dinnotsayawordtillthou'stdroonkita'!Oopwi'it,mun.Ding!butI'mreeghtglodtoseethee.'

Adaptinghisactiontohistext,JohndraggedNicholasintothekitchen,forcedhim down upon a huge settle beside a blazing fire, poured out from anenormous bottle about a quarter of a pint of spirits, thrust it into his hand,opened his mouth and threw back his head as a sign to him to drink itinstantly,andstoodwithabroadgrinofwelcomeoverspreadinghisgreatredfacelikeajollygiant.

'Imightha'knowa'd,'saidJohn,'thatnobodybutthouwouldha'coomwi'sikeaknockasyou.Thotwasthewa'thouknockedatschoolmeasther'sdoor,eh?Ha,ha,ha!ButIsay;wa'atbea'thisabootschoolmeasther?'

'Youknowitthen?'saidNicholas.

'Theyweretalkingabootit,doontoon,lastneeght,'repliedJohn,'butneaneon'emseemedquitetoun'erstan'it,loike.'

'Aftervariousshiftingsanddelays,'saidNicholas,'hehasbeensentencedtobetransported for sevenyears, forbeing in theunlawfulpossessionof a stolenwill;and,afterthat,hehastosuffertheconsequenceofaconspiracy.'

'Whew!' cried John, 'a conspiracy! Soom'at in the pooderplot wa'? Eh?Soom'atintheGuyFauxline?'

'No,no,no,aconspiracyconnectedwithhisschool;I'llexplainitpresently.'

'Thot's reeght!' said John, 'explain it arter breakfast, not noo, for thoube'esthoongry,andsoamI;andTillyshemun'beatthebottomo'a'explanations,forshesaysthot'sthemutualconfidence.Ha,ha,ha!Ecod,it'saroomstart,isthemutualconfidence!'

TheentranceofMrsBrowdie,withasmartcapon,andverymanyapologiesfortheirhavingbeendetectedintheactofbreakfastinginthekitchen,stoppedJohninhisdiscussionofthisgravesubject,andhastenedthebreakfast:which,beingcomposedofvastmoundsoftoast,newlaideggs,boiledham,Yorkshire

pie, and other cold substantials (of which heavy relays were constantlyappearingfromanotherkitchenunderthedirectionofaveryplumpservant),was admirably adapted to the cold bleakmorning, and received the utmostjusticefromallparties.Atlast,itcametoaclose;andthefirewhichhadbeenlightedinthebestparlourhavingbythistimeburntup,theyadjournedthither,tohearwhatNicholashadtotell.

Nicholastoldthemall,andneverwasthereastorywhichawakenedsomanyemotions in the breasts of two eager listeners. At one time, honest Johngroanedinsympathy,andatanotherroaredwithjoy;atonetimehevowedtogouptoLondononpurposetogetasightofthebrothersCheeryble;and,atanother,sworethatTimLinkinwatershouldreceivesuchahambycoach,andcarriage free, as mortal knife had never carved. When Nicholas began todescribeMadeline, he satwith hismouthwide open, nudgingMrsBrowdiefromtimetotime,andexclaimingunderhisbreaththatshemustbe'raa'theratidy sart,' and when he heard at last that his young friend had come downpurposely to communicate his good fortune, and to convey to him all thoseassurances of friendshipwhich he could not statewith sufficientwarmth inwritingthat the only object of his journey was to share his happiness withthem, and to tell them thatwhenhewasmarried theymust comeup to seehim, and thatMadeline insisted on it as well as heJohn could hold out nolonger,butafterlookingindignantlyathiswife,anddemandingtoknowwhatshe was whimpering for, drew his coat sleeve over his eyes and blubberedoutright.

'Tell'eewa'atthough,'saidJohnseriously,whenagreatdealhadbeensaidonboth sides, 'to return to schoolmeasther. If this news aboot 'un has reachedschool today, the old 'ooman wean't have a whole boan in her boddy, norFannyneither.'

'Oh,John!'criedMrsBrowdie.

'Ah!andOh,Johnagean,'repliedtheYorkshireman.'Idinnotknowwhattheyladsmightn'tdo.When it firstgotaboot that schoolmeastherwas in trouble,somefeythersandmootherssentandtooktheiryoungchapsawa'.Ifthemasis left, should know waat's coom tiv'un, there'll be sike a revolution andrebel!Ding!ButIthinkthey'lla'gangdaft,andspillbluidlikewather!'

In fact, JohnBrowdie's apprehensionswere so strong that he determined torideovertotheschoolwithoutdelay,andinvitedNicholastoaccompanyhim,which, however, he declined, pleading that his presence might perhapsaggravatethebitternessoftheiradversity.

'Thot'strue!'saidJohn;'Ishouldne'erha'thoughto'thot.'

'Imust return tomorrow,' saidNicholas, 'but Imean to dinewith you today,andifMrsBrowdiecangivemeabed'

'Bed!'criedJohn,'Iwishthoucouldstsleepinfowerbedsatonce.Ecod,thoushouldst have 'em a'.Bide till I coomback; on'y bide till I coomback, andecodwe'llmakeadayofit.'

Givinghiswifeaheartykiss,andNicholasanolessheartyshakeofthehand,Johnmountedhishorseandrodeoff:leavingMrsBrowdietoapplyherselftohospitable preparations, and his young friend to stroll about theneighbourhood, and revisit spots which were rendered familiar to him bymanyamiserableassociation.

Johncanteredaway,andarrivingatDotheboysHall, tiedhishorse toagateand made his way to the schoolroom door, which he found locked on theinside.Atremendousnoiseandriotarosefromwithin,and,applyinghiseyetoa convenient crevice in thewall, he did not remain long in ignorance of itsmeaning.

The news ofMr Squeers's downfall had reachedDotheboys; thatwas quiteclear. To all appearance, it had very recently become known to the younggentlemen;fortherebellionhadjustbrokenout.

Itwasoneofthebrimstoneandtreaclemornings,andMrsSqueershadenteredschoolaccordingtocustomwiththelargebowlandspoon,followedbyMissSqueers and the amiable Wackford: who, during his father's absence, hadtaken upon him suchminor branches of the executive as kicking the pupilswithhisnailedboots,pulling thehairofsomeof thesmallerboys,pinchingthe others in aggravating places, and rendering himself, in various similarways,agreatcomfortandhappinesstohismother.Theirentrance,whetherbypremeditationorasimultaneousimpulse,wasthesignalofrevolt.Whileonedetachment rushed to the door and locked it, and another mounted on thedesks and forms, the stoutest (and consequently the newest) boy seized thecane,andconfrontingMrsSqueerswithasterncountenance,snatchedoffhercap and beaver bonnet, put them on his own head, armed himself with thewoodenspoon,andbadeher,onpainofdeath,godownuponherkneesandtakeadosedirectly.Beforethatestimableladycouldrecoverherself,oroffertheslightestretaliation,shewasforcedintoakneelingposturebyacrowdofshouting tormentors, and compelled to swallow a spoonful of the odiousmixture,renderedmorethanusuallysavourybytheimmersioninthebowlofMasterWackford's head,whoseduckingwas intrusted to another rebel.Thesuccessofthisfirstachievementpromptedthemaliciouscrowd,whosefaceswere clustered together in every variety of lank and halfstarved ugliness, tofurtheractsofoutrage.The leaderwas insistinguponMrsSqueersrepeating

her dose,Master Squeers was undergoing another dip in the treacle, and aviolent assault had been commencedonMissSqueers,when JohnBrowdie,burstingopenthedoorwithavigorouskick,rushedtotherescue.Theshouts,screams, groans, hoots, and clappingof hands, suddenly ceased, and a deadsilenceensued.

'Yebenoicechaps,'saidJohn,lookingsteadilyround.'What'stodohere,thouyoongdogs?'

'Squeers is in prison, andwe are going to run away!' cried a score of shrillvoices.'Wewon'tstop,wewon'tstop!'

'Weel then, dinnot stop,' replied John; 'whowaants thee to stop?Roon awa'loikemen,butdinnothurtthewomen.'

'Hurrah!'criedtheshrillvoices,moreshrillystill.

'Hurrah?' repeated John. 'Weel, hurrah loike men too. Noo then, look out.Hiphip,hiphurrah!'

'Hurrah!'criedthevoices.

'Hurrah!Agean;'saidJohn.'Looderstill.'

Theboysobeyed.

'Anoother!'saidJohn.'Dinnotbeafearedonit.Let'shaveagood'un!'

'Hurrah!'

'Noo then,' said John, 'let's have yanmore to endwi', and then coot off asquick as you loike. Tak'a good breath nooSqueers be in jailthe school'sbrokkenoopit's a' owerpast andganethinko' thot, and let it be ahearty 'un!Hurrah!'

Suchacheeraroseas thewallsofDotheboysHallhadneverechoedbefore,andweredestinednevertorespondtoagain.Whenthesoundhaddiedaway,theschoolwasempty;andofthebusynoisycrowdwhichhadpeopleditbutfiveminutesbefore,notoneremained.

'Verywell,MrBrowdie!'saidMissSqueers,hotandflushedfromtherecentencounter,butvixenish to the last; 'you'vebeenandexcitedourboys to runaway.Nowsee ifwedon'tpayyououtfor that,sir! IfmypaISunfortunateand trod down by henemies, we're not going to be basely crowed andconqueredoverbyyouand'Tilda.'

'Noa!'repliedJohnbluntly,'thoubean't.Tak'thyoatho'thot.Thinkbetthero'

us,Fanny. I tell 'eeboth, that I'mglod the auldmanhasbeen caughtout atlastdom'dglodbutye'llsooffereneafwi'outanycrowin'fra'me,andIbenotthemuntocrow,norbeTillythelass,soItell'eeflat.Morethanthot,Itell'eenoo,thatifthouneed'stfriendstohelptheeawa'fromthisplacedinnotturnupthynose,Fanny, thoumay'stthou'lt foindTillyand Iwi' a thouto'old timesabootus, ready to lend thee ahond.Andwhen I say thot, dinnot think Ibeasheamed of waa't I've deane, for I say again, Hurrah! and dom theschoolmeasther.There!'

Hispartingwordsconcluded,JohnBrowdiestrodeheavilyout,remountedhisnag,puthimoncemoreintoasmartcanter,and,carollinglustilyforthsomefragments of an old song, to which the horse's hoofs rang a merryaccompaniment,spedbacktohisprettywifeandtoNicholas.

For somedaysafterwards, theneighbouringcountrywasoverrunwithboys,who,thereportwent,hadbeensecretlyfurnishedbyMrandMrsBrowdie,notonly with a hearty meal of bread and meat, but with sundry shillings andsixpences tohelp themon theirway.To this rumourJohnalways returnedastout denial, which he accompanied, however, with a lurking grin, thatrenderedthesuspiciousdoubtful,andfullyconfirmedallpreviousbelievers.

Therewereafewtimidyoungchildren,who,miserableastheyhadbeen,andmany aswere the tears they had shed in thewretched school, still knewnoother home, and had formed for it a sort of attachment, which made themweepwhenthebolderspiritsfled,andclingtoitasarefuge.Ofthese,somewerefoundcryingunderhedgesandinsuchplaces,frightenedatthesolitude.Onehadadeadbirdinalittlecage;hehadwanderednearlytwentymiles,andwhenhispoorfavouritedied,lostcourage,andlaydownbesidehim.Anotherwasdiscoveredinayardhardbytheschool,sleepingwithadog,whobitatthosewhocametoremovehim,andlickedthesleepingchild'spaleface.

They were taken back, and some other stragglers were recovered, but bydegrees theywere claimed,or lost again; and, in courseof time,DotheboysHallanditslastbreakingupbegantobeforgottenbytheneighbours,ortobeonlyspokenofasamongthethingsthathadbeen.

CHAPTER65

Conclusion

Whenhertermofmourninghadexpired,Madelinegaveherhandandfortune

toNicholas; and, on the same day and at the same time,Kate becameMrsFrankCheeryble. Itwasexpected thatTimLinkinwaterandMissLaCreevywouldhavemadeathirdcoupleontheoccasion,buttheydeclined,andtwoorthreeweeksafterwardswentouttogetheronemorningbeforebreakfast,and,comingbackwithmerryfaces,werefoundtohavebeenquietlymarriedthatday.

ThemoneywhichNicholas acquired in right of hiswife he invested in thefirm of Cheeryble Brothers, in which Frank had become a partner. Beforemany years elapsed, the business began to be carried on in the names of'CheerybleandNickleby,'sothatMrsNickleby'spropheticanticipationswererealisedatlast.

Thetwinbrothersretired.WhoneedstobetoldthatTHEYwerehappy?Theyweresurroundedbyhappinessoftheirowncreation,andlivedbuttoincreaseit.

Tim Linkinwater condescended, after much entreaty and browbeating, toacceptashareinthehouse;buthecouldneverbeprevailedupontosufferthepublicationofhisnameasapartner,andalwayspersistedinthepunctualandregulardischargeofhisclerklyduties.

Heandhiswifelivedintheoldhouse,andoccupiedtheverybedchamberinwhichhehadsleptforfourandfortyyears.Ashiswifegrewolder,shebecameeven amore cheerful and lighthearted little creature; and it was a commonsaying among their friends, that it was impossible to say which looked thehappier,Timashesatcalmlysmilinginhiselbowchairononesideofthefire,orhisbrisklittlewifechattingandlaughing,andconstantlybustlinginandoutofhers,ontheother.

Dick,theblackbird,wasremovedfromthecountinghouseandpromotedtoawarm corner in the common sittingroom. Beneath his cage hung twominiatures,ofMrsLinkinwater'sexecution;onerepresentingherself,andtheother Tim; and both smiling very hard at all beholders. Tim's head beingpowdered like a twelfth cake, and his spectacles copied with great nicety,strangers detected a close resemblance to him at the first glance, and thisleadingthemtosuspectthattheothermustbehiswife,andemboldeningthemto say so without scruple, Mrs Linkinwater grew very proud of theseachievements in time, and considered them among the most successfullikenesses she had ever painted. Tim had the profoundest faith in them,likewise;foronthis,asonallothersubjects,theyheldbutoneopinion;andifever there were a 'comfortable couple' in the world, it was Mr and MrsLinkinwater.

Ralph,havingdiedintestate,andhavingnorelationsbutthosewithwhomhehad lived in suchenmity, theywouldhavebecome in legalcoursehisheirs.But they could not bear the thought of growing richonmoney so acquired,and felt as though they could never hope to prosperwith it. Theymade noclaim tohiswealth; and the riches forwhichhehad toiledallhisdays, andburdenedhissoulwithsomanyevildeeds,weresweptatlastintothecoffersofthestate,andnomanwasthebetterorthehappierforthem.

ArthurGridewastriedfortheunlawfulpossessionofthewill,whichhehadeitherprocuredtobestolen,orhaddishonestlyacquiredandretainedbyothermeansasbad.Bydintofaningeniouscounsel,andalegalflaw,heescaped;butonlytoundergoaworsepunishment;for,someyearsafterwards,hishousewasbrokenopeninthenightbyrobbers,temptedbytherumoursofhisgreatwealth,andhewasfoundmurderedinhisbed.

MrsSliderskewwentbeyondtheseasatnearlythesametimeasMrSqueers,andinthecourseofnatureneverreturned.Brookerdiedpenitent.SirMulberryHawklivedabroadforsomeyears,courtedandcaressed,andinhighreputeasafinedashingfellow.Ultimately,returningtothiscountry,hewasthrownintojailfordebt,andthereperishedmiserably,assuchhighspiritsgenerallydo.

The first act ofNicholas,when he became a rich and prosperousmerchant,wastobuyhisfather'soldhouse.Astimecrepton,andtherecamegraduallyabouthimagroupoflovelychildren,itwasalteredandenlarged;butnoneoftheoldroomswereeverpulleddown,nooldtreewaseverrootedup,nothingwithwhich therewasanyassociationofbygone timeswasever removedorchanged.

Within a stone's throwwas another retreat, enlivened by children's pleasantvoices too; and here was Kate, with many new cares and occupations, andmanynewfacescourtinghersweetsmile(andonesolikeherown,thattohermothersheseemedachildagain),thesametruegentlecreature,thesamefondsister,thesameintheloveofallabouther,asinhergirlishdays.

Mrs Nickleby lived, sometimes with her daughter, and sometimes with herson,accompanyingoneorotherofthemtoLondonatthoseperiodswhenthecaresofbusinessobligedbothfamiliestoresidethere,andalwayspreservingagreatappearanceofdignity,andrelatingherexperiences(especiallyonpointsconnected with the management and bringingup of children) with muchsolemnityandimportance.Itwasaverylongtimebeforeshecouldbeinducedto receiveMrsLinkinwater into favour, and it is even doubtfulwhether sheeverthoroughlyforgaveher.

There was one greyhaired, quiet, harmless gentleman, who, winter and

summer,livedinalittlecottagehardbyNicholas'shouse,and,whenhewasnot there, assumed the superintendence of affairs. His chief pleasure anddelightwasinthechildren,withwhomhewasachildhimself,andmasteroftherevels.ThelittlepeoplecoulddonothingwithoutdearNewmanNoggs.

Thegrasswasgreenabovethedeadboy'sgrave,andtroddenbyfeetsosmallandlight,thatnotadaisydroopeditsheadbeneaththeirpressure.Throughallthe spring and summertime, garlands of fresh flowers, wreathed by infanthands, restedon thestone;and,when thechildrencame tochange themlestthey should wither and be pleasant to him no longer, their eyes filled withtears,andtheyspokelowandsoftlyoftheirpoordeadcousin.

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