David Copperfiled Vol1 - Charles Dickens

David Coppcrlicld
Volumc Onc
Chap|crs Onc |hrouh Twcn|v-cih|
A Pcnn S|a|c Inivcrsi|v
Llcc|ronic Classics Scrics Pullica|ion
Duud Cocrcd, Voumc Onc, Contunng cIutcrs onc tIrougI tucnt-cgIt,
ly CIarlcs Diclcns is a ullicaiion of iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy. TIis
Foriallc Documcni filc is furnisIcd frcc and viiIoui any cIargc of any lind.
Any person usIng tbIs document IIIe, Ior any purpose, and In any way does so
at bIs or ber own rIsk. NciiIcr iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy nor Jim
Manis, Faculiy Ediior, nor anyonc associaicd viiI iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Uni-
vcrsiiy assumcs any rcsonsililiiy for iIc maicrial coniaincd viiIin iIc docu-
mcni or for iIc filc as an clccironic iransmission, in any vay.
Duud Cocrcd, Voumc Onc, Contunng cIutcrs onc tIrougI tucnt-cgIt,
ly CIarlcs Diclcns, iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy, Ecctronc Cusscs Sc-
rcs, Jim Manis, Faculiy Ediior, Hazlcion, FA 18201-1291 is a Foriallc Docu-
mcni Filc roduccd as ari of an ongoing siudcni ullicaiion rojcci io lring
classical vorls of liicraiurc, in EnglisI, io frcc and casy acccss of iIosc visIing
io malc usc of iIcm.
Covcr Dcsign: Jim Manis
CoyrigIi 1999 TIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy
TIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy is an cqual ooriuniiy Univcrsiiy.
3
David Cocrficld Vol. I
DAVID COPPERFIELD
ly
CHARLES DICKENS
AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED TO THE
HON. Mr. AND Mrs. RICHARD WATSON, OF
ROCKINGHAM, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
PREFACE TO 1SS0 EDITION
I DO NOT FIND IT EASY io gci sufficicnily far avay
from iIis Dool, in iIc firsi scnsaiions of Iav-
ing finisIcd ii, io rcfcr io ii viiI iIc comosurc
vIicI iIis formal Icading vould sccm io rc-
quirc. My inicrcsi in ii, is so rcccni and sirong;
and my mind is so dividcd lcivccn lcasurc
and rcgrci lcasurc in iIc acIicvcmcni of a
long dcsign, rcgrci in iIc scaraiion from many
comanions iIai I am in dangcr of vcarying
iIc rcadcr vIom I lovc, viiI crsonal confi-
dcnccs, and rivaic cmoiions.
Dcsidcs vIicI, all iIai I could say of iIc Siory,
io any urosc, I Iavc cndcavourcd io say in ii.
Ii vould conccrn iIc rcadcr liiilc, crIas, io
lnov, Iov sorrovfully iIc cn is laid dovn ai
iIc closc of a ivo-ycars' imaginaiivc iasl; or
Iov an AuiIor fccls as if Ic vcrc dismissing
somc oriion of Iimsclf inio iIc sIadovy vorld,
vIcn a crovd of iIc crcaiurcs of Iis lrain arc
going from Iim for cvcr. Yci, I Iavc noiIing clsc
io icll; unlcss, indccd, I vcrc io confcss (vIicI
migIi lc of lcss momcni siill} iIai no onc can
cvcr lclicvc iIis Narraiivc, in iIc rcading, morc
iIan I Iavc lclicvcd ii in iIc vriiing.
Insicad of looling lacl, iIcrcforc, I vill lool
forvard. I cannoi closc iIis Volumc morc agrcc-
ally io mysclf, iIan viiI a Iocful glancc io-
vards iIc iimc vIcn I sIall again ui foriI my
ivo grccn lcavcs oncc a moniI, and viiI a faiiI-
4
ful rcmcmlrancc of iIc gcnial sun and sIov-
crs iIai Iavc fallcn on iIcsc lcavcs of David
Cocrficld, and madc mc Iay.
London, Ociolcr, 1850.
PREFACE TO THE CHARLES DICKENS
EDITION
I FEMAFKED IN THE OFIGINAL Frcfacc io iIis Dool,
iIai I did noi find ii casy io gci sufficicnily far
avay from ii, in iIc firsi scnsaiions of Iaving
finisIcd ii, io rcfcr io ii viiI iIc comosurc
vIicI iIis formal Icading vould sccm io rc-
quirc. My inicrcsi in ii vas so rcccni and sirong,
and my mind vas so dividcd lcivccn lcasurc
and rcgrci lcasurc in iIc acIicvcmcni of a
long dcsign, rcgrci in iIc scaraiion from many
comanions iIai I vas in dangcr of vcarying
iIc rcadcr viiI crsonal confidcnccs and ri-
vaic cmoiions.
Dcsidcs vIicI, all iIai I could Iavc said of
iIc Siory io any urosc, I Iad cndcavourcd io
say in ii.
Ii vould conccrn iIc rcadcr liiilc, crIas, io
lnov Iov sorrovfully iIc cn is laid dovn ai
iIc closc of a ivo-ycars' imaginaiivc iasl; or
Iov an AuiIor fccls as if Ic vcrc dismissing
somc oriion of Iimsclf inio iIc sIadovy vorld,
vIcn a crovd of iIc crcaiurcs of Iis lrain arc
going from Iim for cvcr. Yci, I Iad noiIing clsc
io icll; unlcss, indccd, I vcrc io confcss (vIicI
migIi lc of lcss momcni siill}, iIai no onc can
cvcr lclicvc iIis Narraiivc, in iIc rcading, morc
iIan I lclicvcd ii in iIc vriiing.
So iruc arc iIcsc avovals ai iIc rcscni day,
iIai I can nov only ialc iIc rcadcr inio onc
confidcncc morc. Of all my lools, I lilc iIis iIc
lcsi. Ii vill lc casily lclicvcd iIai I am a fond
arcni io cvcry cIild of my fancy, and iIai no
onc can cvcr lovc iIai family as dcarly as I lovc
iIcm. Dui, lilc many fond arcnis, I Iavc in
5
my Icari of Icaris a favouriic cIild. And Iis
namc is Duud Cocrcd.
1869
THE PERSONAL HISTORY
AND EXPERIENCE OF DAVID
COPPERFIELD THE
YOUNGER
CHAPTER 1
I AM BORN
WHETHEF I SHALL iurn oui io lc iIc Icro of my
ovn lifc, or vIciIcr iIai siaiion vill lc Icld ly
anylody clsc, iIcsc agcs musi sIov. To lcgin
my lifc viiI iIc lcginning of my lifc, I rccord
iIai I vas lorn (as I Iavc lccn informcd and
lclicvc} on a Friday, ai ivclvc o'clocl ai nigIi.
Ii vas rcmarlcd iIai iIc clocl lcgan io sirilc,
and I lcgan io cry, simuliancously.
In considcraiion of iIc day and Iour of my
liriI, ii vas dcclarcd ly iIc nursc, and ly somc
sagc vomcn in iIc ncigIlourIood vIo Iad
ialcn a livcly inicrcsi in mc scvcral moniIs
lcforc iIcrc vas any ossililiiy of our lccom-
ing crsonally acquainicd, firsi, iIai I vas dcs-
iincd io lc unlucly in lifc; and sccondly, iIai I
vas rivilcgcd io scc gIosis and siriis; loiI
iIcsc gifis incviially aiiacIing, as iIcy lclicvcd,
io all unlucly infanis of ciiIcr gcndcr, lorn
iovards iIc small Iours on a Friday nigIi.
I nccd say noiIing Icrc, on iIc firsi Icad, lc-
causc noiIing can sIov lciicr iIan my Iisiory
vIciIcr iIai rcdiciion vas vcrificd or falsificd ly
iIc rcsuli. On iIc sccond lrancI of iIc qucsiion,
I vill only rcmarl, iIai unlcss I ran iIrougI iIai
ari of my inIcriiancc vIilc I vas siill a laly, I
Iavc noi comc inio ii yci. Dui I do noi ai all com-
lain of Iaving lccn lci oui of iIis rocriy; and
if anylody clsc sIould lc in iIc rcscni cnjoy-
mcni of ii, Ic is Icariily vclcomc io lcc ii.
6
I vas lorn viiI a caul, vIicI vas advcriiscd
for salc, in iIc ncvsacrs, ai iIc lov ricc of
fificcn guincas. WIciIcr sca-going colc vcrc
sIori of moncy aloui iIai iimc, or vcrc sIori of
faiiI and rcfcrrcd corl jaclcis, I don'i lnov;
all I lnov is, iIai iIcrc vas lui onc soliiary
lidding, and iIai vas from an aiiorncy con-
nccicd viiI iIc lill-lroling lusincss, vIo of-
fcrcd ivo ounds in casI, and iIc lalancc in
sIcrry, lui dcclincd io lc guaraniccd from
drovning on any IigIcr largain. Conscqucnily
iIc advcriiscmcni vas viiIdravn ai a dcad
lossfor as io sIcrry, my oor dcar moiIcr's
ovn sIcrry vas in iIc marlci iIcnand icn
ycars aficrvards, iIc caul vas ui u in a rafflc
dovn in our ari of iIc couniry, io fifiy mcm-
lcrs ai Ialf-a-crovn a Icad, iIc vinncr io scnd
fivc sIillings. I vas rcscni mysclf, and I rcmcm-
lcr io Iavc fcli quiic uncomforiallc and con-
fuscd, ai a ari of mysclf lcing disoscd of in
iIai vay. TIc caul vas von, I rccollcci, ly an
old lady viiI a Iand-laslci, vIo, vcry rclucianily,
roduccd from ii iIc siiulaicd fivc sIillings, all
in Ialfcncc, and ivocncc Ialfcnny sIorias
ii iool an immcnsc iimc and a grcai vasic of
ariiImciic, io cndcavour viiIoui any cffcci io
rovc io Icr. Ii is a faci vIicI vill lc long rc-
mcmlcrcd as rcmarlallc dovn iIcrc, iIai sIc
vas ncvcr drovncd, lui dicd iriumIanily in lcd,
ai ninciy-ivo. I Iavc undcrsiood iIai ii vas, io
iIc lasi, Icr roudcsi loasi, iIai sIc ncvcr Iad
lccn on iIc vaicr in Icr lifc, ccci uon a
lridgc; and iIai ovcr Icr ica (io vIicI sIc vas
circmcly ariial} sIc, io iIc lasi, crcsscd Icr
indignaiion ai iIc imiciy of marincrs and oiI-
crs, vIo Iad iIc rcsumiion io go 'mcandcr-
ing' aloui iIc vorld. Ii vas in vain io rcrcscni
io Icr iIai somc convcnicnccs, ica crIas in-
cludcd, rcsulicd from iIis oljcciionallc raciicc.
SIc alvays rciurncd, viiI grcaicr cmIasis and
viiI an insiinciivc lnovlcdgc of iIc sircngiI of
Icr oljcciion, 'Lci us Iavc no mcandcring.'
7
Noi io mcandcr mysclf, ai rcscni, I vill go
lacl io my liriI.
I vas lorn ai Dlundcrsionc, in Suffoll, or
'iIcrc ly', as iIcy say in Scoiland. I vas a osi-
Iumous cIild. My faiIcr's cycs Iad closcd uon
iIc ligIi of iIis vorld si moniIs, vIcn minc
ocncd on ii. TIcrc is somciIing sirangc io mc,
cvcn nov, in iIc rcflcciion iIai Ic ncvcr sav
mc; and somciIing sirangcr yci in iIc sIadovy
rcmcmlrancc iIai I Iavc of my firsi cIildisI
associaiions viiI Iis vIiic gravc-sionc in iIc
cIurcIyard, and of iIc indcfinallc comassion
I uscd io fccl for ii lying oui alonc iIcrc in iIc
darl nigIi, vIcn our liiilc arlour vas varm
and lrigIi viiI firc and candlc, and iIc doors
of our Iousc vcrcalmosi cruclly, ii sccmcd io
mc somciimcslolicd and loclcd againsi ii.
An auni of my faiIcr's, and conscqucnily a
grcai-auni of minc, of vIom I sIall Iavc morc
io rclaic ly and ly, vas iIc rincial magnaic
of our family. Miss Troivood, or Miss Dciscy,
as my oor moiIcr alvays callcd Icr, vIcn sIc
sufficicnily ovcrcamc Icr drcad of iIis formi-
dallc crsonagc io mcniion Icr ai all (vIicI
vas scldom}, Iad lccn marricd io a Iusland
youngcr iIan Icrsclf, vIo vas vcry Iandsomc,
ccci in iIc scnsc of iIc Iomcly adagc, 'Iand-
somc is, iIai Iandsomc docs'for Ic vas
sirongly susccicd of Iaving lcaicn Miss Dciscy,
and cvcn of Iaving oncc, on a disuicd qucs-
iion of sulics, madc somc Iasiy lui dcicr-
mincd arrangcmcnis io iIrov Icr oui of a ivo
air of siairs' vindov. TIcsc cvidcnccs of an
incomaiililiiy of icmcr induccd Miss Dciscy
io ay Iim off, and cffcci a scaraiion ly mu-
iual conscni. Hc vcni io India viiI Iis caiial,
and iIcrc, according io a vild lcgcnd in our fam-
ily, Ic vas oncc sccn riding on an clcIani, in
comany viiI a Daloon; lui I iIinl ii musi
Iavc lccn a Dalooor a Dcgum. AnyIov, from
India iidings of Iis dcaiI rcacIcd Iomc, viiIin
icn ycars. Hov iIcy affccicd my auni, nolody
8
lncv; for immcdiaicly uon iIc scaraiion, sIc
iool Icr maidcn namc again, lougIi a coiiagc
in a Iamlci on iIc sca-coasi a long vay off, cs-
iallisIcd Icrsclf iIcrc as a singlc voman viiI
onc scrvani, and vas undcrsiood io livc sccludcd,
cvcr aficrvards, in an inflcillc rciircmcni.
My faiIcr Iad oncc lccn a favouriic of Icrs, I
lclicvc; lui sIc vas morially affronicd ly Iis
marriagc, on iIc ground iIai my moiIcr vas 'a
va doll'. SIc Iad ncvcr sccn my moiIcr, lui
sIc lncv Icr io lc noi yci ivcniy. My faiIcr
and Miss Dciscy ncvcr mci again. Hc vas doullc
my moiIcr's agc vIcn Ic marricd, and of lui a
dclicaic consiiiuiion. Hc dicd a ycar aficrvards,
and, as I Iavc said, si moniIs lcforc I camc
inio iIc vorld.
TIis vas iIc siaic of maiicrs, on iIc aficr-
noon of, vIai I may lc ccuscd for calling, iIai
cvcniful and imoriani Friday. I can malc no
claim iIcrcforc io Iavc lnovn, ai iIai iimc,
Iov maiicrs siood; or io Iavc any rcmcm-
lrancc, foundcd on iIc cvidcncc of my ovn
scnscs, of vIai follovs.
My moiIcr vas siiiing ly iIc firc, lui oorly in
IcaliI, and vcry lov in siriis, looling ai ii iIrougI
Icr icars, and dcsonding Icavily aloui Icrsclf and
iIc faiIcrlcss liiilc sirangcr, vIo vas alrcady vcl-
comcd ly somc grosscs of roIciic ins, in a dravcr
usiairs, io a vorld noi ai all cciicd on iIc suljcci
of Iis arrival; my moiIcr, I say, vas siiiing ly iIc
firc, iIai lrigIi, vindy MarcI aficrnoon, vcry iimid
and sad, and vcry douliful of cvcr coming alivc oui
of iIc irial iIai vas lcforc Icr, vIcn, lifiing Icr
cycs as sIc dricd iIcm, io iIc vindov oosiic, sIc
sav a sirangc lady coming u iIc gardcn.
My moiIcr Iad a surc forcloding ai iIc scc-
ond glancc, iIai ii vas Miss Dciscy. TIc sciiing
sun vas gloving on iIc sirangc lady, ovcr iIc
gardcn-fcncc, and sIc camc valling u io iIc
door viiI a fcll rigidiiy of figurc and como-
surc of counicnancc iIai could Iavc lclongcd
io nolody clsc.
9
WIcn sIc rcacIcd iIc Iousc, sIc gavc an-
oiIcr roof of Icr idcniiiy. My faiIcr Iad oficn
Iinicd iIai sIc scldom conducicd Icrsclf lilc
any ordinary CIrisiian; and nov, insicad of ring-
ing iIc lcll, sIc camc and loolcd in ai iIai idcn-
iical vindov, rcssing iIc cnd of Icr nosc
againsi iIc glass io iIai cicni, iIai my oor
dcar moiIcr uscd io say ii lccamc crfccily flai
and vIiic in a momcni.
SIc gavc my moiIcr sucI a iurn, iIai I Iavc
alvays lccn convinccd I am indclicd io Miss
Dciscy for Iaving lccn lorn on a Friday.
My moiIcr Iad lcfi Icr cIair in Icr agiiaiion,
and gonc lcIind ii in iIc corncr. Miss Dciscy,
looling round iIc room, slovly and inquiringly,
lcgan on iIc oiIcr sidc, and carricd Icr cycs
on, lilc a Saraccn's Hcad in a DuicI clocl, un-
iil iIcy rcacIcd my moiIcr. TIcn sIc madc a
frovn and a gcsiurc io my moiIcr, lilc onc
vIo vas accusiomcd io lc olcycd, io comc and
ocn iIc door. My moiIcr vcni.
'Mrs. David Cocrficld, I iIinl,' said Miss
Dciscy; iIc cmIasis rcfcrring, crIas, io my
moiIcr's mourning vccds, and Icr condiiion.
'Ycs,' said my moiIcr, fainily.
'Miss Troivood,' said iIc visiior. 'You Iavc
Icard of Icr, I darc say?'
My moiIcr ansvcrcd sIc Iad Iad iIai lca-
surc. And sIc Iad a disagrccallc conscious-
ncss of noi acaring io imly iIai ii Iad lccn
an ovcrovcring lcasurc.
'Nov you scc Icr,' said Miss Dciscy. My moiIcr
lcni Icr Icad, and lcggcd Icr io vall in.
TIcy vcni inio iIc arlour my moiIcr Iad
comc from, iIc firc in iIc lcsi room on iIc oiIcr
sidc of iIc assagc noi lcing ligIicdnoi Iav-
ing lccn ligIicd, indccd, sincc my faiIcr's fu-
ncral; and vIcn iIcy vcrc loiI scaicd, and Miss
Dciscy said noiIing, my moiIcr, aficr vainly
irying io rcsirain Icrsclf, lcgan io cry. 'OI iui,
iui, iui!' said Miss Dciscy, in a Iurry. 'Don'i do
iIai!Comc, comc!'
10
My moiIcr couldn'i Icl ii noiviiIsianding,
so sIc cricd uniil sIc Iad Iad Icr cry oui.
'Talc off your ca, cIild,' said Miss Dciscy,
'and lci mc scc you.'
My moiIcr vas ioo mucI afraid of Icr io rcfusc
comliancc viiI iIis odd rcqucsi, if sIc Iad
any disosiiion io do so. TIcrcforc sIc did as
sIc vas iold, and did ii viiI sucI ncrvous Iands
iIai Icr Iair (vIicI vas luuriani and lcauii-
ful} fcll all aloui Icr facc.
'WIy, llcss my Icari!' cclaimcd Miss Dciscy.
'You arc a vcry Daly!'
My moiIcr vas, no douli, unusually youiI-
ful in acarancc cvcn for Icr ycars; sIc Iung
Icr Icad, as if ii vcrc Icr fauli, oor iIing, and
said, solling, iIai indccd sIc vas afraid sIc
vas lui a cIildisI vidov, and vould lc lui a
cIildisI moiIcr if sIc livcd. In a sIori ausc
vIicI cnsucd, sIc Iad a fancy iIai sIc fcli
Miss Dciscy ioucI Icr Iair, and iIai viiI no
ungcnilc Iand; lui, looling ai Icr, in Icr iimid
Ioc, sIc found iIai lady siiiing viiI iIc sliri
of Icr drcss iuclcd u, Icr Iands foldcd on
onc lncc, and Icr fcci uon iIc fcndcr, frovn-
ing ai iIc firc.
'In iIc namc of Hcavcn,' said Miss Dciscy,
suddcnly, 'vIy Foolcry?'
'Do you mcan iIc Iousc, ma'am?' aslcd my
moiIcr.
'WIy Foolcry?' said Miss Dciscy. 'Coolcry
vould Iavc lccn morc io iIc urosc, if you
Iad Iad any raciical idcas of lifc, ciiIcr of you.'
'TIc namc vas Mr. Cocrficld's cIoicc,' rc-
iurncd my moiIcr. 'WIcn Ic lougIi iIc Iousc,
Ic lilcd io iIinl iIai iIcrc vcrc rools aloui ii.'
TIc cvcning vind madc sucI a disiurlancc
jusi nov, among somc iall old clm-irccs ai iIc
loiiom of iIc gardcn, iIai nciiIcr my moiIcr
nor Miss Dciscy could forlcar glancing iIai
vay. As iIc clms lcni io onc anoiIcr, lilc gi-
anis vIo vcrc vIiscring sccrcis, and aficr a
fcv scconds of sucI rcosc, fcll inio a violcni
11
flurry, iossing iIcir vild arms aloui, as if iIcir
laic confidcnccs vcrc rcally ioo viclcd for iIcir
cacc of mind, somc vcaiIcrlcaicn raggcd old
rools'-ncsis, lurdcning iIcir IigIcr lrancIcs,
svung lilc vrccls uon a siormy sca.
'WIcrc arc iIc lirds?' aslcd Miss Dciscy.
'TIc?' My moiIcr Iad lccn iIinling of
somciIing clsc.
'TIc roolsvIai Ias lccomc of iIcm?' aslcd
Miss Dciscy.
'TIcrc Iavc noi lccn any sincc vc Iavc livcd
Icrc,' said my moiIcr. 'Wc iIougIiMr.
Cocrficld iIougIiii vas quiic a largc rool-
cry; lui iIc ncsis vcrc vcry old oncs, and iIc
lirds Iavc dcscricd iIcm a long vIilc.'
'David Cocrficld all ovcr!' cricd Miss Dciscy.
'David Cocrficld from Icad io fooi! Calls a Iousc
a roolcry vIcn iIcrc's noi a rool ncar ii, and ialcs
iIc lirds on irusi, lccausc Ic sccs iIc ncsis!'
'Mr. Cocrficld,' rciurncd my moiIcr, 'is dcad,
and if you darc io scal unlindly of Iim io mc'
My oor dcar moiIcr, I suosc, Iad somc
momcniary inicniion of commiiiing an assauli
and laiicry uon my auni, vIo could casily Iavc
sciilcd Icr viiI onc Iand, cvcn if my moiIcr
Iad lccn in far lciicr iraining for sucI an cn-
counicr iIan sIc vas iIai cvcning. Dui ii asscd
viiI iIc aciion of rising from Icr cIair; and sIc
sai dovn again vcry mcclly, and fainicd.
WIcn sIc camc io Icrsclf, or vIcn Miss
Dciscy Iad rcsiorcd Icr, vIicIcvcr ii vas, sIc
found iIc laiicr sianding ai iIc vindov. TIc
iviligIi vas ly iIis iimc sIading dovn inio
darlncss; and dimly as iIcy sav cacI oiIcr,
iIcy could noi Iavc donc iIai viiIoui iIc aid
of iIc firc.
'Wcll?' said Miss Dciscy, coming lacl io Icr
cIair, as if sIc Iad only lccn ialing a casual
lool ai iIc roscci; 'and vIcn do you ccci -'
'I am all in a ircmllc,' falicrcd my moiIcr. 'I
don'i lnov vIai's iIc maiicr. I sIall dic, I am
surc!'
12
'No, no, no,' said Miss Dciscy. 'Havc somc ica.'
'OI dcar mc, dcar mc, do you iIinl ii vill do
mc any good?' cricd my moiIcr in a Icllcss
manncr.
'Of coursc ii vill,' said Miss Dciscy. 'Ii's noiI-
ing lui fancy. WIai do you call your girl?'
'I don'i lnov iIai ii vill lc a girl, yci, ma'am,'
said my moiIcr innoccnily.
'Dlcss iIc Daly!' cclaimcd Miss Dciscy, un-
consciously quoiing iIc sccond scniimcni of iIc
incusIion in iIc dravcr usiairs, lui aly-
ing ii io my moiIcr insicad of mc, 'I don'i mcan
iIai. I mcan your scrvani-girl.'
'Fcggoiiy,' said my moiIcr.
'Fcggoiiy!' rccaicd Miss Dciscy, viiI somc in-
dignaiion. 'Do you mcan io say, cIild, iIai any
Iuman lcing Ias gonc inio a CIrisiian cIurcI,
and goi Icrsclf namcd Fcggoiiy?' 'Ii's Icr sur-
namc,' said my moiIcr, fainily. 'Mr. Cocrficld
callcd Icr ly ii, lccausc Icr CIrisiian namc
vas iIc samc as minc.'
'Hcrc! Fcggoiiy!' cricd Miss Dciscy, ocning
iIc arlour door. 'Tca. Your misircss is a liiilc
unvcll. Don'i davdlc.'
Having issucd iIis mandaic viiI as mucI o-
icniialiiy as if sIc Iad lccn a rccognizcd auiIor-
iiy in iIc Iousc cvcr sincc ii Iad lccn a Iousc,
and Iaving loolcd oui io confroni iIc amazcd
Fcggoiiy coming along iIc assagc viiI a candlc
ai iIc sound of a sirangc voicc, Miss Dciscy sIui
iIc door again, and sai dovn as lcforc: viiI Icr
fcci on iIc fcndcr, iIc sliri of Icr drcss iuclcd
u, and Icr Iands foldcd on onc lncc.
'You vcrc scaling aloui iis lcing a girl,' said
Miss Dciscy. 'I Iavc no douli ii vill lc a girl. I
Iavc a rcscniimcni iIai ii musi lc a girl. Nov
cIild, from iIc momcni of iIc liriI of iIis girl -'
'FcrIas loy,' my moiIcr iool iIc lilcriy of
uiiing in.
'I icll you I Iavc a rcscniimcni iIai ii musi
lc a girl,' rciurncd Miss Dciscy. 'Don'i conira-
dici. From iIc momcni of iIis girl's liriI, cIild,
13
I inicnd io lc Icr fricnd. I inicnd io lc Icr god-
moiIcr, and I lcg you'll call Icr Dciscy Troivood
Cocrficld. TIcrc musi lc no misialcs in lifc
viiI tIs Dciscy Troivood. TIcrc musi lc no iri-
fling viiI Icr affcciions, oor dcar. SIc musi lc
vcll lrougIi u, and vcll guardcd from rcos-
ing any foolisI confidcnccs vIcrc iIcy arc noi
dcscrvcd. I musi malc iIai m carc.'
TIcrc vas a iviicI of Miss Dciscy's Icad, aficr
cacI of iIcsc scnicnccs, as if Icr ovn old vrongs
vcrc vorling viiIin Icr, and sIc rcrcsscd any
laincr rcfcrcncc io iIcm ly sirong consiraini.
So my moiIcr susccicd, ai lcasi, as sIc olscrvcd
Icr ly iIc lov glimmcr of iIc firc: ioo mucI scarcd
ly Miss Dciscy, ioo uncasy in Icrsclf, and ioo
sulducd and lcvildcrcd aliogciIcr, io olscrvc
anyiIing vcry clcarly, or io lnov vIai io say.
'And vas David good io you, cIild?' aslcd Miss
Dciscy, vIcn sIc Iad lccn silcni for a liiilc
vIilc, and iIcsc moiions of Icr Icad Iad gradu-
ally ccascd. 'Wcrc you comforiallc iogciIcr?'
'Wc vcrc vcry Iay,' said my moiIcr. 'Mr.
Cocrficld vas only ioo good io mc.'
'WIai, Ic soili you, I suosc?' rciurncd Miss
Dciscy.
'For lcing quiic alonc and dccndcni on my-
sclf in iIis rougI vorld again, ycs, I fcar Ic did
indccd,' sollcd my moiIcr.
'Wcll! Don'i cry!' said Miss Dciscy. 'You vcrc
noi cqually maicIcd, cIildif any ivo colc
can lc cqually maicIcdand so I aslcd iIc
qucsiion. You vcrc an orIan, vcrcn'i you?'
'Ycs.'
'And a govcrncss?'
'I vas nurscry-govcrncss in a family vIcrc Mr.
Cocrficld camc io visii. Mr. Cocrficld vas
vcry lind io mc, and iool a grcai dcal of noiicc
of mc, and aid mc a good dcal of aiicniion, and
ai lasi rooscd io mc. And I acccicd Iim. And
so vc vcrc marricd,' said my moiIcr simly.
'Ha! Foor Daly!' muscd Miss Dciscy, viiI Icr frovn
siill lcni uon iIc firc. 'Do you lnov anyiIing?'
14
'I lcg your ardon, ma'am,' falicrcd my
moiIcr.
'Aloui lccing Iousc, for insiancc,' said Miss
Dciscy.
'Noi mucI, I fcar,' rciurncd my moiIcr. 'Noi
so mucI as I could visI. Dui Mr. Cocrficld
vas icacIing mc '
('MucI Ic lncv aloui ii Iimsclf!'} said Miss
Dciscy in a arcniIcsis.
'And I Ioc I sIould Iavc imrovcd, lcing
vcry anious io lcarn, and Ic vcry aiicni io
icacI mc, if iIc grcai misforiunc of Iis dcaiI'
my moiIcr lrolc dovn again Icrc, and could
gci no fariIcr.
'Wcll, vcll!' said Miss Dciscy.
'I lci my Iousclccing-lool rcgularly, and
lalanccd ii viiI Mr. Cocrficld cvcry nigIi,'
cricd my moiIcr in anoiIcr lursi of disircss,
and lrcaling dovn again.
'Wcll, vcll!' said Miss Dciscy. 'Don'i cry any
morc.'
'And I am surc vc ncvcr Iad a vord of dif-
fcrcncc rcscciing ii, ccci vIcn Mr.
Cocrficld oljccicd io my iIrccs and fivcs lc-
ing ioo mucI lilc cacI oiIcr, or io my uiiing
curly iails io my scvcns and nincs,' rcsumcd
my moiIcr in anoiIcr lursi, and lrcaling dovn
again.
'You'll malc yoursclf ill,' said Miss Dciscy, 'and
you lnov iIai vill noi lc good ciiIcr for you or
for my god-daugIicr. Comc! You musin'i do ii!'
TIis argumcni Iad somc sIarc in quiciing my
moiIcr, iIougI Icr incrcasing indisosiiion Iad
a largcr onc. TIcrc vas an inicrval of silcncc,
only lrolcn ly Miss Dciscy's occasionally
cjaculaiing 'Ha!' as sIc sai viiI Icr fcci uon
iIc fcndcr.
'David Iad lougIi an annuiiy for Iimsclf viiI
Iis moncy, I lnov,' said sIc, ly and ly. 'WIai
did Ic do for you?'
'Mr. Cocrficld,' said my moiIcr, ansvcring
viiI somc difficuliy, 'vas so considcraic and
15
good as io sccurc iIc rcvcrsion of a ari of ii io
mc.'
'Hov mucI?' aslcd Miss Dciscy.
'A Iundrcd and fivc ounds a ycar,' said my
moiIcr.
'Hc migIi Iavc donc vorsc,' said my auni.
TIc vord vas aroriaic io iIc momcni. My
moiIcr vas so mucI vorsc iIai Fcggoiiy, com-
ing in viiI iIc icaloard and candlcs, and scc-
ing ai a glancc Iov ill sIc vas,as Miss Dciscy
migIi Iavc donc sooncr if iIcrc Iad lccn ligIi
cnougI,convcycd Icr usiairs io Icr ovn
room viiI all sccd; and immcdiaicly dis-
aicIcd Ham Fcggoiiy, Icr ncIcv, vIo Iad
lccn for somc days asi sccrcicd in iIc Iousc,
unlnovn io my moiIcr, as a sccial mcsscn-
gcr in casc of cmcrgcncy, io fcicI iIc nursc
and docior.
TIosc allicd ovcrs vcrc considcrally asion-
isIcd, vIcn iIcy arrivcd viiIin a fcv minuics
of cacI oiIcr, io find an unlnovn lady of or-
icnious acarancc, siiiing lcforc iIc firc, viiI
Icr lonnci iicd ovcr Icr lcfi arm, sioing Icr
cars viiI jcvcllcrs' coiion. Fcggoiiy lnoving
noiIing aloui Icr, and my moiIcr saying noiI-
ing aloui Icr, sIc vas quiic a mysicry in iIc
arlour; and iIc faci of Icr Iaving a magazinc
of jcvcllcrs' coiion in Icr oclci, and siicling
iIc ariiclc in Icr cars in iIai vay, did noi dc-
iraci from iIc solcmniiy of Icr rcscncc.
TIc docior Iaving lccn usiairs and comc
dovn again, and Iaving saiisficd Iimsclf, I su-
osc, iIai iIcrc vas a rolaliliiy of iIis un-
lnovn lady and Iimsclf Iaving io sii iIcrc, facc
io facc, for somc Iours, laid Iimsclf oui io lc
oliic and social. Hc vas iIc mcclcsi of Iis sc,
iIc mildcsi of liiilc mcn. Hc sidlcd in and oui of
a room, io ialc u iIc lcss sacc. Hc vallcd as
sofily as iIc GIosi in Hamlci, and morc slovly.
Hc carricd Iis Icad on onc sidc, arily in mod-
csi dcrcciaiion of Iimsclf, arily in modcsi
roiiiaiion of cvcrylody clsc. Ii is noiIing io
16
say iIai Ic Iadn'i a vord io iIrov ai a dog. Hc
couldn'i Iavc iIrovn a vord ai a mad dog. Hc
migIi Iavc offcrcd Iim onc gcnily, or Ialf a onc,
or a fragmcni of onc; for Ic solc as slovly as
Ic vallcd; lui Ic vouldn'i Iavc lccn rudc io
Iim, and Ic couldn'i Iavc lccn quicl viiI Iim,
for any cariIly considcraiion.
Mr. CIilli, looling mildly ai my auni viiI
Iis Icad on onc sidc, and maling Icr a liiilc
lov, said, in allusion io iIc jcvcllcrs' coiion,
as Ic sofily ioucIcd Iis lcfi car:
'Somc local irriiaiion, ma'am?'
'WIai!' rclicd my auni, ulling iIc coiion
oui of onc car lilc a corl.
Mr. CIilli vas so alarmcd ly Icr alrui-
ncssas Ic iold my moiIcr aficrvardsiIai ii
vas a mcrcy Ic didn'i losc Iis rcscncc of mind.
Dui Ic rccaicd svccily:
'Somc local irriiaiion, ma'am?'
'Nonscnsc!' rclicd my auni, and corlcd Icr-
sclf again, ai onc llov.
Mr. CIilli could do noiIing aficr iIis, lui
sii and lool ai Icr fcclly, as sIc sai and loolcd
ai iIc firc, uniil Ic vas callcd usiairs again.
Aficr somc quaricr of an Iour's alscncc, Ic
rciurncd.
'Wcll?' said my auni, ialing iIc coiion oui of
iIc car ncarcsi io Iim.
'Wcll, ma'am,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli, 'vc arc-
vc arc rogrcssing slovly, ma'am.'
'DaaaI!' said my auni, viiI a crfcci sIalc
on iIc conicmiuous inicrjcciion. And corlcd
Icrsclf as lcforc.
Fcallyrcallyas Mr. CIilli iold my moiIcr,
Ic vas almosi sIoclcd; scaling in a rofcs-
sional oini of vicv alonc, Ic vas almosi
sIoclcd. Dui Ic sai and loolcd ai Icr, noiviiI-
sianding, for ncarly ivo Iours, as sIc sai lool-
ing ai iIc firc, uniil Ic vas again callcd oui.
Aficr anoiIcr alscncc, Ic again rciurncd.
'Wcll?' said my auni, ialing oui iIc coiion on
iIai sidc again.
17
'Wcll, ma'am,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli, 'vc arc
vc arc rogrcssing slovly, ma'am.'
'YaaaI!' said my auni. WiiI sucI a snarl
ai Iim, iIai Mr. CIilli alsoluicly could noi lcar
ii. Ii vas rcally calculaicd io lrcal Iis sirii, Ic
said aficrvards. Hc rcfcrrcd io go and sii uon
iIc siairs, in iIc darl and a sirong draugIi,
uniil Ic vas again scni for.
Ham Fcggoiiy, vIo vcni io iIc naiional scIool,
and vas a vcry dragon ai Iis caiccIism, and
vIo may iIcrcforc lc rcgardcd as a crcdillc
viincss, rcoricd nci day, iIai Iacning io
cc in ai iIc arlour-door an Iour aficr iIis,
Ic vas insianily dcscricd ly Miss Dciscy, iIcn
valling io and fro in a siaic of agiiaiion, and
ounccd uon lcforc Ic could malc Iis cscac.
TIai iIcrc vcrc nov occasional sounds of fcci
and voiccs ovcrIcad vIicI Ic infcrrcd iIc coi-
ion did noi ccludc, from iIc circumsiancc of
Iis cvidcnily lcing cluicIcd ly iIc lady as a
viciim on vIom io ccnd Icr sucralundani
agiiaiion vIcn iIc sounds vcrc loudcsi. TIai,
marcIing Iim consianily u and dovn ly iIc
collar (as if Ic Iad lccn ialing ioo mucI
laudanum}, sIc, ai iIosc iimcs, sIool Iim,
rumlcd Iis Iair, madc ligIi of Iis lincn,
siocd Iis cars as if sIc confoundcd iIcm viiI
Icr ovn, and oiIcrvisc iouslcd and malircaicd
Iim. TIis vas in ari confirmcd ly Iis auni,
vIo sav Iim ai Ialf asi ivclvc o'clocl, soon
aficr Iis rclcasc, and affirmcd iIai Ic vas iIcn
as rcd as I vas.
TIc mild Mr. CIilli could noi ossilly lcar
malicc ai sucI a iimc, if ai any iimc. Hc sidlcd
inio iIc arlour as soon as Ic vas ai lilcriy,
and said io my auni in Iis mcclcsi manncr:
'Wcll, ma'am, I am Iay io congraiulaic you.'
'WIai uon?' said my auni, sIarly.
Mr. CIilli vas fluiicrcd again, ly iIc circmc
scvcriiy of my auni's manncr; so Ic madc Icr a
liiilc lov and gavc Icr a liiilc smilc, io mollify
Icr.
18
'Mcrcy on iIc man, vIai's Ic doing!' cricd
my auni, imaiicnily. 'Can'i Ic scal?'
'Dc calm, my dcar ma'am,' said Mr. CIilli, in
Iis soficsi acccnis.
'TIcrc is no longcr any occasion for uncasi-
ncss, ma'am. Dc calm.'
Ii Ias sincc lccn considcrcd almosi a miraclc
iIai my auni didn'i sIalc Iim, and sIalc vIai
Ic Iad io say, oui of Iim. SIc only sIool Icr ovn
Icad ai Iim, lui in a vay iIai madc Iim quail.
'Wcll, ma'am,' rcsumcd Mr. CIilli, as soon
as Ic Iad couragc, 'I am Iay io congraiulaic
you. All is nov ovcr, ma'am, and vcll ovcr.'
During iIc fivc minuics or so iIai Mr. CIilli
dcvoicd io iIc dclivcry of iIis oraiion, my auni
cycd Iim narrovly.
'Hov is sIc?' said my auni, folding Icr arms
viiI Icr lonnci siill iicd on onc of iIcm.
'Wcll, ma'am, sIc vill soon lc quiic comfori-
allc, I Ioc,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli. 'Quiic as com-
foriallc as vc can ccci a young moiIcr io lc,
undcr iIcsc mclancIoly domcsiic circum-
sianccs. TIcrc cannoi lc any oljcciion io your
sccing Icr rcscnily, ma'am. Ii may do Icr good.'
'And sIc. Hov is sIc?' said my auni, sIarly.
Mr. CIilli laid Iis Icad a liiilc morc on onc
sidc, and loolcd ai my auni lilc an amiallc lird.
'TIc laly,' said my auni. 'Hov is sIc?'
'Ma'am,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli, 'I arcIcndcd
you Iad lnovn. Ii's a loy.'
My auni said ncvcr a vord, lui iool Icr lonnci
ly iIc sirings, in iIc manncr of a sling, aimcd a
llov ai Mr. CIilli's Icad viiI ii, ui ii on lcni,
vallcd oui, and ncvcr camc lacl. SIc vanisIcd
lilc a disconicnicd fairy; or lilc onc of iIosc sucr-
naiural lcings, vIom ii vas oularly suoscd I
vas cniiilcd io scc; and ncvcr camc lacl any morc.
No. I lay in my laslci, and my moiIcr lay in
Icr lcd; lui Dciscy Troivood Cocrficld vas
for cvcr in iIc land of drcams and sIadovs, iIc
ircmcndous rcgion vIcncc I Iad so laicly irav-
cllcd; and iIc ligIi uon iIc vindov of our room
19
sIonc oui uon iIc cariIly lournc of all sucI
iravcllcrs, and iIc mound alovc iIc asIcs and
iIc dusi iIai oncc vas Ic, viiIoui vIom I Iad
ncvcr lccn.
CHAPTER 2
I OBSERVE
THE FIFST ODJECTS iIai assumc a disiinci rcscncc
lcforc mc, as I lool far lacl, inio iIc llanl of my
infancy, arc my moiIcr viiI Icr rciiy Iair and
youiIful sIac, and Fcggoiiy viiI no sIac ai all,
and cycs so darl iIai iIcy sccmcd io darlcn iIcir
vIolc ncigIlourIood in Icr facc, and cIccls and
arms so Iard and rcd iIai I vondcrcd iIc lirds
didn'i ccl Icr in rcfcrcncc io alcs.
I lclicvc I can rcmcmlcr iIcsc ivo ai a liiilc
disiancc aari, dvarfcd io my sigIi ly siooing
dovn or lnccling on iIc floor, and I going un-
sicadily from iIc onc io iIc oiIcr. I Iavc an
imrcssion on my mind vIicI I cannoi disiin-
guisI from aciual rcmcmlrancc, of iIc ioucI
of Fcggoiiy's forcfingcr as sIc uscd io Iold ii
oui io mc, and of iis lcing rougIcncd ly nccdlc-
vorl, lilc a oclci nuimcg-graicr.
TIis may lc fancy, iIougI I iIinl iIc mcmory
of mosi of us can go fariIcr lacl inio sucI iimcs
iIan many of us suosc; jusi as I lclicvc iIc
ovcr of olscrvaiion in numlcrs of vcry young
cIildrcn io lc quiic vondcrful for iis closcncss
and accuracy. Indccd, I iIinl iIai mosi grovn
mcn vIo arc rcmarlallc in iIis rcscci, may
viiI grcaicr roriciy lc said noi io Iavc losi
iIc faculiy, iIan io Iavc acquircd ii; iIc raiIcr,
as I gcncrally olscrvc sucI mcn io rciain a ccr-
iain frcsIncss, and gcnilcncss, and caaciiy of
lcing lcascd, vIicI arc also an inIcriiancc
iIcy Iavc rcscrvcd from iIcir cIildIood.
I migIi Iavc a misgiving iIai I am 'mcandcring' in
sioing io say iIis, lui iIai ii lrings mc io rcmarl
iIai I luild iIcsc conclusions, in ari uon my ovn
ccricncc of mysclf; and if ii sIould acar from
20
anyiIing I may sci dovn in iIis narraiivc iIai I vas
a cIild of closc olscrvaiion, or iIai as a man I Iavc a
sirong mcmory of my cIildIood, I undoulicdly lay
claim io loiI of iIcsc cIaracicrisiics.
Looling lacl, as I vas saying, inio iIc llanl
of my infancy, iIc firsi oljccis I can rcmcmlcr
as sianding oui ly iIcmsclvcs from a confu-
sion of iIings, arc my moiIcr and Fcggoiiy.
WIai clsc do I rcmcmlcr? Lci mc scc.
THEFE COMES OUT of iIc cloud, our Iouscnoi
ncv io mc, lui quiic familiar, in iis carlicsi rc-
mcmlrancc. On iIc ground-floor is Fcggoiiy's
liicIcn, ocning inio a lacl yard; viiI a i-
gcon-Iousc on a olc, in iIc ccnirc, viiIoui any
igcons in ii; a grcai dog-lcnncl in a corncr,
viiIoui any dog; and a quaniiiy of fovls iIai
lool icrrilly iall io mc, valling aloui, in a mcn-
acing and fcrocious manncr. TIcrc is onc cocl
vIo gcis uon a osi io crov, and sccms io
ialc ariicular noiicc of mc as I lool ai Iim
iIrougI iIc liicIcn vindov, vIo malcs mc
sIivcr, Ic is so ficrcc. Of iIc gccsc ouisidc iIc
sidc-gaic vIo comc vaddling aficr mc viiI
iIcir long nccls sircicIcd oui vIcn I go iIai
vay, I drcam ai nigIi: as a man cnvironcd ly
vild lcasis migIi drcam of lions.
Hcrc is a long assagcvIai an cnormous
crscciivc I malc of ii! lcading from
Fcggoiiy's liicIcn io iIc froni door. A darl siorc-
room ocns oui of ii, and iIai is a lacc io lc
run asi ai nigIi; for I don'i lnov vIai may lc
among iIosc iuls and jars and old ica-cIcsis,
vIcn iIcrc is nolody in iIcrc viiI a dimly-
lurning ligIi, lciiing a mouldy air comc oui of
iIc door, in vIicI iIcrc is iIc smcll of soa,
icllcs, ccr, candlcs, and coffcc, all ai onc
vIiff. TIcn iIcrc arc iIc ivo arlours: iIc
arlour in vIicI vc sii of an cvcning, my moiIcr
and I and Fcggoiiyfor Fcggoiiy is quiic our
comanion, vIcn Icr vorl is donc and vc arc
aloncand iIc lcsi arlour vIcrc vc sii on a
21
Sunday; grandly, lui noi so comforially. TIcrc
is somciIing of a dolcful air aloui iIai room io
mc, for Fcggoiiy Ias iold mcI don'i lnov
vIcn, lui aarcnily agcs agoaloui my
faiIcr's funcral, and iIc comany Iaving iIcir
llacl cloals ui on. Onc Sunday nigIi my
moiIcr rcads io Fcggoiiy and mc in iIcrc, Iov
Lazarus vas raiscd u from iIc dcad. And I am
so frigIicncd iIai iIcy arc aficrvards olligcd
io ialc mc oui of lcd, and sIov mc iIc quici
cIurcIyard oui of iIc lcdroom vindov, viiI
iIc dcad all lying in iIcir gravcs ai rcsi, lclov
iIc solcmn moon.
TIcrc is noiIing Ialf so grccn iIai I lnov any-
vIcrc, as iIc grass of iIai cIurcIyard; noiI-
ing Ialf so sIady as iis irccs; noiIing Ialf so
quici as iis iomlsioncs. TIc sIcc arc fccding
iIcrc, vIcn I lnccl u, carly in iIc morning, in
my liiilc lcd in a closci viiIin my moiIcr's
room, io lool oui ai ii; and I scc iIc rcd ligIi
sIining on iIc sun-dial, and iIinl viiIin my-
sclf, 'Is iIc sun-dial glad, I vondcr, iIai ii can
icll iIc iimc again?'
Hcrc is our cv in iIc cIurcI. WIai a IigI-
laclcd cv! WiiI a vindov ncar ii, oui of vIicI
our Iousc can lc sccn, and s sccn many iimcs
during iIc morning's scrvicc, ly Fcggoiiy, vIo
lilcs io malc Icrsclf as surc as sIc can iIai
ii's noi lcing rollcd, or is noi in flamcs. Dui
iIougI Fcggoiiy's cyc vandcrs, sIc is mucI
offcndcd if minc docs, and frovns io mc, as I
siand uon iIc scai, iIai I am io lool ai iIc
clcrgyman. Dui I can'i alvays lool ai IimI
lnov Iim viiIoui iIai vIiic iIing on, and I
am afraid of Iis vondcring vIy I siarc so, and
crIas sioing iIc scrvicc io inquircand
vIai am I io do? Ii's a drcadful iIing io gac,
lui I musi do somciIing. I lool ai my moiIcr,
lui sIc rcicnds noi io scc mc. I lool ai a loy
in iIc aislc, and Ic malcs faccs ai mc. I lool ai
iIc sunligIi coming in ai iIc ocn door iIrougI
iIc orcI, and iIcrc I scc a siray sIccI don'i
22
mcan a sinncr, lui muiionIalf maling u
Iis mind io comc inio iIc cIurcI. I fccl iIai if I
loolcd ai Iim any longcr, I migIi lc icmicd
io say somciIing oui loud; and vIai vould lc-
comc of mc iIcn! I lool u ai iIc monumcnial
iallcis on iIc vall, and iry io iIinl of Mr.
Dodgcrs laic of iIis arisI, and vIai iIc fccl-
ings of Mrs. Dodgcrs musi Iavc lccn, vIcn af-
fliciion sorc, long iimc Mr. Dodgcrs lorc, and
Iysicians vcrc in vain. I vondcr vIciIcr iIcy
callcd in Mr. CIilli, and Ic vas in vain; and if
so, Iov Ic lilcs io lc rcmindcd of ii oncc a
vccl. I lool from Mr. CIilli, in Iis Sunday
ncclcloiI, io iIc ulii; and iIinl vIai a good
lacc ii vould lc io lay in, and vIai a casilc ii
vould malc, viiI anoiIcr loy coming u iIc
siairs io aiiacl ii, and Iaving iIc vclvci cusI-
ion viiI iIc iasscls iIrovn dovn on Iis Icad.
In iimc my cycs gradually sIui u; and, from
sccming io Icar iIc clcrgyman singing a drovsy
song in iIc Icai, I Icar noiIing, uniil I fall off
iIc scai viiI a crasI, and am ialcn oui, morc
dcad iIan alivc, ly Fcggoiiy.
And nov I scc iIc ouisidc of our Iousc, viiI
iIc laiiiccd lcdroom-vindovs sianding ocn io
lci in iIc svcci-smclling air, and iIc raggcd
old rools'-ncsis siill dangling in iIc clm-irccs
ai iIc loiiom of iIc froni gardcn. Nov I am in
iIc gardcn ai iIc lacl, lcyond iIc yard vIcrc
iIc cmiy igcon-Iousc and dog-lcnncl arc
vcry rcscrvc of luiicrflics, as I rcmcmlcr
ii, viiI a IigI fcncc, and a gaic and adlocl;
vIcrc iIc fruii clusicrs on iIc irccs, ricr and
ricIcr iIan fruii Ias cvcr lccn sincc, in any
oiIcr gardcn, and vIcrc my moiIcr gaiIcrs
somc in a laslci, vIilc I siand ly, loliing fur-
iivc goosclcrrics, and irying io lool unmovcd.
A grcai vind riscs, and iIc summcr is gonc in
a momcni. Wc arc laying in iIc vinicr ivi-
ligIi, dancing aloui iIc arlour. WIcn my
moiIcr is oui of lrcaiI and rcsis Icrsclf in an
cllov-cIair, I vaicI Icr vinding Icr lrigIi
23
curls round Icr fingcrs, and siraiicning Icr
vaisi, and nolody lnovs lciicr iIan I do iIai
sIc lilcs io lool so vcll, and is roud of lcing
so rciiy.
TIai is among my vcry carlicsi imrcssions.
TIai, and a scnsc iIai vc vcrc loiI a liiilc afraid
of Fcggoiiy, and sulmiiicd oursclvcs in mosi
iIings io Icr dircciion, vcrc among iIc firsi
oinionsif iIcy may lc so callcdiIai I cvcr
dcrivcd from vIai I sav.
Fcggoiiy and I vcrc siiiing onc nigIi ly iIc
arlour firc, alonc. I Iad lccn rcading io
Fcggoiiy aloui crocodilcs. I musi Iavc rcad vcry
crsicuously, or iIc oor soul musi Iavc lccn
dccly inicrcsicd, for I rcmcmlcr sIc Iad a
cloudy imrcssion, aficr I Iad donc, iIai iIcy
vcrc a sori of vcgciallc. I vas iircd of rcading,
and dcad slccy; lui Iaving lcavc, as a IigI
ircai, io sii u uniil my moiIcr camc Iomc from
scnding iIc cvcning ai a ncigIlour's, I vould
raiIcr Iavc dicd uon my osi (of coursc} iIan
Iavc gonc io lcd. I Iad rcacIcd iIai siagc of
slccincss vIcn Fcggoiiy sccmcd io svcll and
grov immcnscly largc. I rocd my cyclids ocn
viiI my ivo forcfingcrs, and loolcd
crscvcringly ai Icr as sIc sai ai vorl; ai iIc
liiilc lii of va-candlc sIc lci for Icr iIrcad
Iov old ii loolcd, lcing so vrinllcd in all dircc-
iions!ai iIc liiilc Iousc viiI a iIaicIcd roof,
vIcrc iIc yard-mcasurc livcd; ai Icr vorl-lo
viiI a sliding lid, viiI a vicv of Si. Faul's Ca-
iIcdral (viiI a inl domc} ainicd on iIc io;
ai iIc lrass iIimllc on Icr fingcr; ai Icrsclf,
vIom I iIougIi lovcly. I fcli so slccy, iIai I
lncv if I losi sigIi of anyiIing for a momcni, I
vas gonc.
'Fcggoiiy,' says I, suddcnly, 'vcrc you cvcr mar-
ricd?'
'Lord, Masicr Davy,' rclicd Fcggoiiy. 'WIai's
ui marriagc in your Icad?'
SIc ansvcrcd viiI sucI a siari, iIai ii quiic
avolc mc. And iIcn sIc siocd in Icr vorl,
24
and loolcd ai mc, viiI Icr nccdlc dravn oui
io iis iIrcad's lcngiI.
'Dui ucrc you cvcr marricd, Fcggoiiy?' says I.
'You arc a vcry Iandsomc voman, an'i you?'
I iIougIi Icr in a diffcrcni siylc from my
moiIcr, ccriainly; lui of anoiIcr scIool of lcauiy,
I considcrcd Icr a crfcci camlc. TIcrc vas a
rcd vclvci fooisiool in iIc lcsi arlour, on vIicI
my moiIcr Iad ainicd a noscgay. TIc ground-
vorl of iIai siool, and Fcggoiiy's comlcion a-
carcd io mc io lc onc and iIc samc iIing. TIc
siool vas smooiI, and Fcggoiiy vas rougI, lui
iIai madc no diffcrcncc.
'Mc Iandsomc, Davy!' said Fcggoiiy. 'Lavl, no,
my dcar! Dui vIai ui marriagc in your Icad?'
'I don'i lnov!You musin'i marry morc iIan
onc crson ai a iimc, may you, Fcggoiiy?'
'Ccriainly noi,' says Fcggoiiy, viiI iIc
romicsi dccision.
'Dui if you marry a crson, and iIc crson dics, vIy
iIcn you may marry anoiIcr crson, mayn'i you, Fcggoiiy?'
'You mu,' says Fcggoiiy, 'if you cIoosc, my
dcar. TIai's a maiicr of oinion.'
'Dui vIai is your oinion, Fcggoiiy?' said I.
I aslcd Icr, and loolcd curiously ai Icr, lc-
causc sIc loolcd so curiously ai mc.
'My oinion is,' said Fcggoiiy, ialing Icr cycs
from mc, aficr a liiilc indccision and going on
viiI Icr vorl, 'iIai I ncvcr vas marricd my-
sclf, Masicr Davy, and iIai I don'i ccci io lc.
TIai's all I lnov aloui iIc suljcci.'
'You an'i cross, I suosc, Fcggoiiy, arc you?'
said I, aficr siiiing quici for a minuic.
I rcally iIougIi sIc vas, sIc Iad lccn so sIori
viiI mc; lui I vas quiic misialcn: for sIc laid
asidc Icr vorl (vIicI vas a siocling of Icr
ovn}, and ocning Icr arms vidc, iool my curly
Icad viiIin iIcm, and gavc ii a good squcczc. I
lnov ii vas a good squcczc, lccausc, lcing vcry
lum, vIcncvcr sIc madc any liiilc ccriion
aficr sIc vas drcsscd, somc of iIc luiions on
iIc lacl of Icr govn flcv off. And I rccollcci
25
ivo lursiing io iIc oosiic sidc of iIc arlour,
vIilc sIc vas Iugging mc.
'Nov lci mc Icar somc morc aloui iIc
Crorlindills,' said Fcggoiiy, vIo vas noi quiic
rigIi in iIc namc yci, 'for I an'i Icard Ialf
cnougI.'
I couldn'i quiic undcrsiand vIy Fcggoiiy
loolcd so quccr, or vIy sIc vas so rcady io go
lacl io iIc crocodilcs. Hovcvcr, vc rciurncd io
iIosc monsicrs, viiI frcsI valcfulncss on my
ari, and vc lcfi iIcir cggs in iIc sand for iIc
sun io IaicI; and vc ran avay from iIcm, and
lafflcd iIcm ly consianily iurning, vIicI iIcy
vcrc unallc io do quiclly, on accouni of iIcir
unvicldy malc; and vc vcni inio iIc vaicr af-
icr iIcm, as naiivcs, and ui sIar icccs of
iimlcr dovn iIcir iIroais; and in sIori vc ran
iIc vIolc crocodilc gaunilci. I did, ai lcasi; lui
I Iad my doulis of Fcggoiiy, vIo vas iIougIi-
fully siicling Icr nccdlc inio various aris of
Icr facc and arms, all iIc iimc.
Wc Iad cIausicd iIc crocodilcs, and lcgun
viiI iIc alligaiors, vIcn iIc gardcn-lcll rang.
Wc vcni oui io iIc door; and iIcrc vas my
moiIcr, looling unusually rciiy, I iIougIi,
and viiI Icr a gcnilcman viiI lcauiiful llacl
Iair and vIislcrs, vIo Iad vallcd Iomc viiI
us from cIurcI lasi Sunday.
As my moiIcr sioocd dovn on iIc iIrcsIold
io ialc mc in Icr arms and liss mc, iIc gcnilc-
man said I vas a morc IigIly rivilcgcd liiilc
fcllov iIan a monarcIor somciIing lilc iIai;
for my laicr undcrsianding comcs, I am scn-
sillc, io my aid Icrc.
'WIai docs iIai mcan?' I aslcd Iim, ovcr Icr
sIouldcr.
Hc aiicd mc on iIc Icad; lui somcIov, I
didn'i lilc Iim or Iis dcc voicc, and I vas jcal-
ous iIai Iis Iand sIould ioucI my moiIcr's in
ioucIing mcvIicI ii did. I ui ii avay, as vcll
as I could.
'OI, Davy!' rcmonsiraicd my moiIcr.
26
'Dcar loy!' said iIc gcnilcman. 'I cannoi von-
dcr ai Iis dcvoiion!'
I ncvcr sav sucI a lcauiiful colour on my
moiIcr's facc lcforc. SIc gcnily cIid mc for lc-
ing rudc; and, lccing mc closc io Icr sIavl,
iurncd io iIanl iIc gcnilcman for ialing so
mucI iroullc as io lring Icr Iomc. SIc ui oui
Icr Iand io Iim as sIc solc, and, as Ic mci ii
viiI Iis ovn, sIc glanccd, I iIougIi, ai mc.
'Lci us say good nigIi", my finc loy,' said
iIc gcnilcman, vIcn Ic Iad lcni Iis IcadI
sav Iim!ovcr my moiIcr's liiilc glovc.
'Good nigIi!' said I.
'Comc! Lci us lc iIc lcsi fricnds in iIc vorld!'
said iIc gcnilcman, laugIing. 'SIalc Iands!'
My rigIi Iand vas in my moiIcr's lcfi, so I
gavc Iim iIc oiIcr.
'WIy, iIai's iIc Wrong Iand, Davy!' laugIcd
iIc gcnilcman.
M moiIcr drcv my rigIi Iand forvard, lui I vas
rcsolvcd, for my formcr rcason, noi io givc ii Iim, and
I did noi. I gavc Iim iIc oiIcr, and Ic sIool ii Icari-
ily, and said I vas a lravc fcllov, and vcni avay.
Ai iIis minuic I scc Iim iurn round in iIc
gardcn, and givc us a lasi lool viiI Iis ill-
omcncd llacl cycs, lcforc iIc door vas sIui.
Fcggoiiy, vIo Iad noi said a vord or movcd a
fingcr, sccurcd iIc fasicnings insianily, and vc
all vcni inio iIc arlour. My moiIcr, conirary
io Icr usual Ialii, insicad of coming io iIc cl-
lov-cIair ly iIc firc, rcmaincd ai iIc oiIcr cnd
of iIc room, and sai singing io Icrsclf.
'Hoc you Iavc Iad a lcasani cvcning, ma'am,'
said Fcggoiiy, sianding as siiff as a larrcl in iIc
ccnirc of iIc room, viiI a candlcsiicl in Icr Iand.
'MucI olligcd io you, Fcggoiiy,' rciurncd my
moiIcr, in a cIccrful voicc, 'I Iavc Iad a ucr
lcasani cvcning.'
'A sirangcr or so malcs an agrccallc cIangc,'
suggcsicd Fcggoiiy.
'A vcry agrccallc cIangc, indccd,' rciurncd
my moiIcr.
27
Fcggoiiy coniinuing io siand moiionlcss in
iIc middlc of iIc room, and my moiIcr rc-
suming Icr singing, I fcll aslcc, iIougI I vas
noi so sound aslcc lui iIai I could Icar
voiccs, viiIoui Icaring vIai iIcy said. WIcn
I Ialf avolc from iIis uncomforiallc dozc, I
found Fcggoiiy and my moiIcr loiI in icars,
and loiI ialling.
'Noi sucI a onc as iIis, Mr. Cocrficld
vouldn'i Iavc lilcd,' said Fcggoiiy. 'TIai I say,
and iIai I svcar!'
'Good Hcavcns!' cricd my moiIcr, 'you'll drivc
mc mad! Was cvcr any oor girl so ill-uscd ly
Icr scrvanis as I am! WIy do I do mysclf iIc
injusiicc of calling mysclf a girl? Havc I ncvcr
lccn marricd, Fcggoiiy?'
'God lnovs you Iavc, ma'am,' rciurncd Fcggoiiy.
'TIcn, Iov can you darc,' said my moiIcr'you
lnov I don'i mcan Iov can you darc, Fcggoiiy,
lui Iov can you Iavc iIc Icariio malc mc so
uncomforiallc and say sucI liiicr iIings io mc,
vIcn you arc vcll avarc iIai I Iavcn'i, oui of iIis
lacc, a singlc fricnd io iurn io?'
'TIc morc's iIc rcason,' rciurncd Fcggoiiy,
'for saying iIai ii von'i do. No! TIai ii von'i do.
No! No ricc could malc ii do. No!'I iIougIi
Fcggoiiy vould Iavc iIrovn iIc candlcsiicl
avay, sIc vas so cmIaiic viiI ii.
'Hov can you lc so aggravaiing,' said my
moiIcr, sIcdding morc icars iIan lcforc, 'as io
iall in sucI an unjusi manncr! Hov can you go
on as if ii vas all sciilcd and arrangcd, Fcggoiiy,
vIcn I icll you ovcr and ovcr again, you crucl
iIing, iIai lcyond iIc commoncsi civiliiics
noiIing Ias asscd! You iall of admiraiion.
WIai am I io do? If colc arc so silly as io
indulgc iIc scniimcni, is ii my fauli? WIai am
I io do, I asl you? Would you visI mc io sIavc
my Icad and llacl my facc, or disfigurc mysclf
viiI a lurn, or a scald, or somciIing of iIai
sori? I darc say you vould, Fcggoiiy. I darc say
you'd quiic cnjoy ii.'
28
Fcggoiiy sccmcd io ialc iIis ascrsion vcry
mucI io Icari, I iIougIi.
'And my dcar loy,' cricd my moiIcr, coming
io iIc cllov-cIair in vIicI I vas, and carcssing
mc, 'my ovn liiilc Davy! Is ii io lc Iinicd io mc
iIai I am vaniing in affcciion for my rccious
ircasurc, iIc dcarcsi liiilc fcllov iIai cvcr vas!'
'Nolody ncvcr vcni and Iinicd no sucI a
iIing,' said Fcggoiiy.
'You did, Fcggoiiy!' rciurncd my moiIcr. 'You
lnov you did. WIai clsc vas ii ossillc io infcr
from vIai you said, you unlind crcaiurc, vIcn
you lnov as vcll as I do, iIai on Iis accouni only
lasi quaricr I vouldn'i luy mysclf a ncv arasol,
iIougI iIai old grccn onc is fraycd iIc vIolc vay
u, and iIc fringc is crfccily mangy? You lnov
ii is, Fcggoiiy. You can'i dcny ii.' TIcn, iurning
affcciionaicly io mc, viiI Icr cIccl againsi minc,
'Am I a naugIiy mama io you, Davy? Am I a nasiy,
crucl, sclfisI, lad mama? Say I am, my cIild; say
ycs", dcar loy, and Fcggoiiy vill lovc you; and
Fcggoiiy's lovc is a grcai dcal lciicr iIan minc,
Davy. I don'i lovc you ai all, do I?'
Ai iIis, vc all fcll a-crying iogciIcr. I iIinl I
vas iIc loudcsi of iIc ariy, lui I am surc vc
vcrc all sinccrc aloui ii. I vas quiic Icari-lro-
lcn mysclf, and am afraid iIai in iIc firsi irans-
oris of voundcd icndcrncss I callcd Fcggoiiy a
'Dcasi'. TIai Ioncsi crcaiurc vas in dcc afflic-
iion, I rcmcmlcr, and musi Iavc lccomc quiic
luiionlcss on iIc occasion; for a liiilc vollcy of
iIosc closivcs vcni off, vIcn, aficr Iaving
madc ii u viiI my moiIcr, sIc lncclcd dovn
ly iIc cllov-cIair, and madc ii u viiI mc.
Wc vcni io lcd grcaily dcjccicd. My sols lci
valing mc, for a long iimc; and vIcn onc vcry
sirong sol quiic Ioisicd mc u in lcd, I found
my moiIcr siiiing on iIc covcrlci, and lcaning
ovcr mc. I fcll aslcc in Icr arms, aficr iIai,
and slci soundly.
WIciIcr ii vas iIc folloving Sunday vIcn I
sav iIc gcnilcman again, or vIciIcr iIcrc vas
29
any grcaicr lasc of iimc lcforc Ic rcacarcd,
I cannoi rccall. I don'i rofcss io lc clcar aloui
daics. Dui iIcrc Ic vas, in cIurcI, and Ic
vallcd Iomc viiI us aficrvards. Hc camc in,
ioo, io lool ai a famous gcranium vc Iad, in
iIc arlour-vindov. Ii did noi acar io mc iIai
Ic iool mucI noiicc of ii, lui lcforc Ic vcni Ic
aslcd my moiIcr io givc Iim a lii of iIc llos-
som. SIc lcggcd Iim io cIoosc ii for Iimsclf,
lui Ic rcfuscd io do iIaiI could noi undcr-
siand vIyso sIc luclcd ii for Iim, and gavc
ii inio Iis Iand. Hc said Ic vould ncvcr, ncvcr
ari viiI ii any morc; and I iIougIi Ic musi lc
quiic a fool noi io lnov iIai ii vould fall io
icccs in a day or ivo.
Fcggoiiy lcgan io lc lcss viiI us, of an
cvcning, iIan sIc Iad alvays lccn. My moiIcr
dcfcrrcd io Icr vcry mucImorc iIan usual,
ii occurrcd io mcand vc vcrc all iIrcc cccl-
lcni fricnds; siill vc vcrc diffcrcni from vIai
vc uscd io lc, and vcrc noi so comforiallc
among oursclvcs. Somciimcs I fancicd iIai
Fcggoiiy crIas oljccicd io my moiIcr's vcar-
ing all iIc rciiy drcsscs sIc Iad in Icr drav-
crs, or io Icr going so oficn io visii ai iIai
ncigIlour's; lui I couldn'i, io my saiisfaciion,
malc oui Iov ii vas.
Gradually, I lccamc uscd io sccing iIc gcnilc-
man viiI iIc llacl vIislcrs. I lilcd Iim no
lciicr iIan ai firsi, and Iad iIc samc uncasy
jcalousy of Iim; lui if I Iad any rcason for ii
lcyond a cIild's insiinciivc dislilc, and a gcn-
cral idca iIai Fcggoiiy and I could malc mucI
of my moiIcr viiIoui any Icl, ii ccriainly vas
noi THE rcason iIai I migIi Iavc found if I Iad
lccn oldcr. No sucI iIing camc inio my mind,
or ncar ii. I could olscrvc, in liiilc icccs, as ii
vcrc; lui as io maling a nci of a numlcr of
iIcsc icccs, and caicIing anylody in ii, iIai
vas, as yci, lcyond mc.
Onc auiumn morning I vas viiI my moiIcr
in iIc froni gardcn, vIcn Mr. MurdsioncI
30
lncv Iim ly iIai namc novcamc ly, on
Iorsclacl. Hc rcincd u Iis Iorsc io saluic my
moiIcr, and said Ic vas going io Lovcsiofi io
scc somc fricnds vIo vcrc iIcrc viiI a yacIi,
and mcrrily rooscd io ialc mc on iIc saddlc
lcforc Iim if I vould lilc iIc ridc.
TIc air vas so clcar and lcasani, and iIc Iorsc
sccmcd io lilc iIc idca of iIc ridc so mucI Iim-
sclf, as Ic siood snoriing and aving ai iIc gar-
dcn-gaic, iIai I Iad a grcai dcsirc io go. So I vas
scni usiairs io Fcggoiiy io lc madc srucc; and
in iIc mcaniimc Mr. Murdsionc dismounicd,
and, viiI Iis Iorsc's lridlc dravn ovcr Iis arm,
vallcd slovly u and dovn on iIc ouicr sidc of
iIc svccilriar fcncc, vIilc my moiIcr vallcd
slovly u and dovn on iIc inncr io lcc Iim
comany. I rccollcci Fcggoiiy and I ccing oui
ai iIcm from my liiilc vindov; I rccollcci Iov
closcly iIcy sccmcd io lc camining iIc
svccilriar lcivccn iIcm, as iIcy sirollcd along;
and Iov, from lcing in a crfccily angclic icm-
cr, Fcggoiiy iurncd cross in a momcni, and
lrusIcd my Iair iIc vrong vay, cccssivcly Iard.
Mr. Murdsionc and I vcrc soon off, and iroi-
iing along on iIc grccn iurf ly iIc sidc of iIc
road. Hc Icld mc quiic casily viiI onc arm, and
I don'i iIinl I vas rcsilcss usually; lui I could
noi malc u my mind io sii in froni of Iim viiI-
oui iurning my Icad somciimcs, and looling
u in Iis facc. Hc Iad iIai lind of sIallov llacl
cycI vani a lciicr vord io crcss an cyc iIai
Ias no dciI in ii io lc loolcd iniovIicI,
vIcn ii is alsiracicd, sccms from somc ccu-
liariiy of ligIi io lc disfigurcd, for a momcni ai
a iimc, ly a casi. Scvcral iimcs vIcn I glanccd
ai Iim, I olscrvcd iIai acarancc viiI a sori
of avc, and vondcrcd vIai Ic vas iIinling
aloui so closcly. His Iair and vIislcrs vcrc
llaclcr and iIiclcr, loolcd ai so ncar, iIan
cvcn I Iad givcn iIcm crcdii for lcing. A
squarcncss aloui iIc lovcr ari of Iis facc,
and iIc doiicd indicaiion of iIc sirong llacl
31
lcard Ic sIavcd closc cvcry day, rcmindcd mc
of iIc va-vorl iIai Iad iravcllcd inio our
ncigIlourIood somc Ialf-a-ycar lcforc. TIis,
Iis rcgular cyclrovs, and iIc ricI vIiic, and
llacl, and lrovn, of Iis comlcion con-
found Iis comlcion, and Iis mcmory!madc
mc iIinl Iim, in siic of my misgivings, a vcry
Iandsomc man. I Iavc no douli iIai my oor
dcar moiIcr iIougIi Iim so ioo.
Wc vcni io an Ioicl ly iIc sca, vIcrc ivo
gcnilcmcn vcrc smoling cigars in a room ly
iIcmsclvcs. EacI of iIcm vas lying on ai lcasi
four cIairs, and Iad a largc rougI jaclci on. In
a corncr vas a Ica of coais and loai-cloals,
and a flag, all lundlcd u iogciIcr.
TIcy loiI rollcd on io iIcir fcci in an uniidy
sori of manncr, vIcn vc camc in, and said,
'Halloa, Murdsionc! Wc iIougIi you vcrc dcad!'
'Noi yci,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'And vIo's iIis sIavcr?' said onc of iIc gcnilc-
mcn, ialing Iold of mc.
'TIai's Davy,' rciurncd Mr. Murdsionc.
'Davy vIo?' said iIc gcnilcman. 'Joncs?'
'Cocrficld,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'WIai! DcviicIing Mrs. Cocrficld's cncum-
lrancc?' cricd iIc gcnilcman. 'TIc rciiy liiilc
vidov?'
'Quinion,' said Mr. Murdsionc, 'ialc carc, if
you lcasc. Somclody's sIar.'
'WIo is?' aslcd iIc gcnilcman, laugIing. I
loolcd u, quiclly; lcing curious io lnov.
'Only Drools of SIcfficld,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
I vas quiic rclicvcd io find iIai ii vas only
Drools of SIcfficld; for, ai firsi, I rcally iIougIi
ii vas I.
TIcrc sccmcd io lc somciIing vcry comical
in iIc rcuiaiion of Mr. Drools of SIcfficld,
for loiI iIc gcnilcmcn laugIcd Icariily vIcn
Ic vas mcniioncd, and Mr. Murdsionc vas a
good dcal amuscd also. Aficr somc laugIing,
iIc gcnilcman vIom Ic Iad callcd Quinion,
said:
32
'And vIai is iIc oinion of Drools of SIcfficld,
in rcfcrcncc io iIc rojccicd lusincss?'
'WIy, I don'i lnov iIai Drools undcrsiands
mucI aloui ii ai rcscni,' rclicd Mr.
Murdsionc; 'lui Ic is noi gcncrally favourallc,
I lclicvc.'
TIcrc vas morc laugIicr ai iIis, and Mr.
Quinion said Ic vould ring iIc lcll for somc
sIcrry in vIicI io drinl io Drools. TIis Ic did;
and vIcn iIc vinc camc, Ic madc mc Iavc a
liiilc, viiI a liscuii, and, lcforc I dranl ii, siand
u and say, 'Confusion io Drools of SIcfficld!'
TIc ioasi vas rcccivcd viiI grcai alausc, and
sucI Icariy laugIicr iIai ii madc mc laugI ioo;
ai vIicI iIcy laugIcd iIc morc. In sIori, vc
quiic cnjoycd oursclvcs.
Wc vallcd aloui on iIc cliff aficr iIai, and
sai on iIc grass, and loolcd ai iIings iIrougI
a iclcscocI could malc oui noiIing mysclf
vIcn ii vas ui io my cyc, lui I rcicndcd I
couldand iIcn vc camc lacl io iIc Ioicl io
an carly dinncr. All iIc iimc vc vcrc oui, iIc
ivo gcnilcmcn smolcd inccssanilyvIicI, I
iIougIi, if I migIi judgc from iIc smcll of iIcir
rougI coais, iIcy musi Iavc lccn doing, cvcr
sincc iIc coais Iad firsi comc Iomc from iIc
iailor's. I musi noi forgci iIai vc vcni on loard
iIc yacIi, vIcrc iIcy all iIrcc dcsccndcd inio
iIc calin, and vcrc lusy viiI somc acrs. I
sav iIcm quiic Iard ai vorl, vIcn I loolcd
dovn iIrougI iIc ocn slyligIi. TIcy lcfi mc,
during iIis iimc, viiI a vcry nicc man viiI a
vcry largc Icad of rcd Iair and a vcry small sIiny
Iai uon ii, vIo Iad goi a cross-larrcd sIiri or
vaisicoai on, viiI 'Slylarl' in caiial lciicrs
across iIc cIcsi. I iIougIi ii vas Iis namc; and
iIai as Ic livcd on loard sIi and Iadn'i a sircci
door io ui Iis namc on, Ic ui ii iIcrc in-
sicad; lui vIcn I callcd Iim Mr. Slylarl, Ic
said ii mcani iIc vcsscl.
I olscrvcd all day iIai Mr. Murdsionc vas
gravcr and sicadicr iIan iIc ivo gcnilcmcn.
33
TIcy vcrc vcry gay and carclcss. TIcy jolcd
frccly viiI onc anoiIcr, lui scldom viiI Iim.
Ii acarcd io mc iIai Ic vas morc clcvcr and
cold iIan iIcy vcrc, and iIai iIcy rcgardcd
Iim viiI somciIing of my ovn fccling. I rc-
marlcd iIai, oncc or ivicc vIcn Mr. Quinion
vas ialling, Ic loolcd ai Mr. Murdsionc sidc-
vays, as if io malc surc of Iis noi lcing dis-
lcascd; and iIai oncc vIcn Mr. Fassnidgc (iIc
oiIcr gcnilcman} vas in IigI siriis, Ic irod
uon Iis fooi, and gavc Iim a sccrci cauiion
viiI Iis cycs, io olscrvc Mr. Murdsionc, vIo
vas siiiing sicrn and silcni. Nor do I rccollcci
iIai Mr. Murdsionc laugIcd ai all iIai day,
ccci ai iIc SIcfficld jolcand iIai, ly iIc
ly, vas Iis ovn.
Wc vcni Iomc carly in iIc cvcning. Ii vas a
vcry finc cvcning, and my moiIcr and Ic Iad
anoiIcr siroll ly iIc svccilriar, vIilc I vas
scni in io gci my ica. WIcn Ic vas gonc, my
moiIcr aslcd mc all aloui iIc day I Iad Iad,
and vIai iIcy Iad said and donc. I mcniioncd
vIai iIcy Iad said aloui Icr, and sIc laugIcd,
and iold mc iIcy vcrc imudcni fcllovs vIo
iallcd nonscnsclui I lncv ii lcascd Icr. I
lncv ii quiic as vcll as I lnov ii nov. I iool
iIc ooriuniiy of asling if sIc vas ai all ac-
quainicd viiI Mr. Drools of SIcfficld, lui sIc
ansvcrcd No, only sIc suoscd Ic musi lc a
manufaciurcr in iIc lnifc and forl vay.
Can I say of Icr faccalicrcd as I Iavc rca-
son io rcmcmlcr ii, crisIcd as I lnov ii is
iIai ii is gonc, vIcn Icrc ii comcs lcforc mc
ai iIis insiani, as disiinci as any facc iIai I
may cIoosc io lool on in a crovdcd sircci? Can
I say of Icr innoccni and girlisI lcauiy, iIai ii
fadcd, and vas no morc, vIcn iis lrcaiI falls
on my cIccl nov, as ii fcll iIai nigIi? Can I
say sIc cvcr cIangcd, vIcn my rcmcmlrancc
lrings Icr lacl io lifc, iIus only; and, irucr io
iis loving youiI iIan I Iavc lccn, or man cvcr
is, siill Iolds fasi vIai ii cIcrisIcd iIcn?
34
I vriic of Icr jusi as sIc vas vIcn I Iad gonc
io lcd aficr iIis iall, and sIc camc io lid mc
good nigIi. SIc lncclcd dovn layfully ly iIc
sidc of iIc lcd, and laying Icr cIin uon Icr
Iands, and laugIing, said:
'WIai vas ii iIcy said, Davy? Tcll mc again. I
can'i lclicvc ii.'
'DcviicIing -"' I lcgan.
My moiIcr ui Icr Iands uon my lis io sio mc.
'Ii vas ncvcr lcviicIing,' sIc said, laugIing.
'Ii ncvcr could Iavc lccn lcviicIing, Davy. Nov
I lnov ii vasn'i!'
'Ycs, ii vas. DcviicIing Mrs. Cocrficld",' I
rccaicd siouily. 'And, rciiy."'
'No, no, ii vas ncvcr rciiy. Noi rciiy,' inicr-
oscd my moiIcr, laying Icr fingcrs on my lis
again.
'Ycs ii vas. Frciiy liiilc vidov."'
'WIai foolisI, imudcni crcaiurcs!' cricd my
moiIcr, laugIing and covcring Icr facc. 'WIai
ridiculous mcn! An'i iIcy? Davy dcar '
'Wcll, Ma.'
'Don'i icll Fcggoiiy; sIc migIi lc angry viiI
iIcm. I am drcadfully angry viiI iIcm mysclf;
lui I vould raiIcr Fcggoiiy didn'i lnov.'
I romiscd, of coursc; and vc lisscd onc an-
oiIcr ovcr and ovcr again, and I soon fcll fasi
aslcc.
Ii sccms io mc, ai iIis disiancc of iimc, as if ii
vcrc iIc nci day vIcn Fcggoiiy lroacIcd iIc
siriling and advcniurous roosiiion I am aloui
io mcniion; lui ii vas rolally aloui ivo
moniIs aficrvards.
Wc vcrc siiiing as lcforc, onc cvcning (vIcn
my moiIcr vas oui as lcforc}, in comany viiI
iIc siocling and iIc yard-mcasurc, and iIc lii
of va, and iIc lo viiI Si. Faul's on iIc lid,
and iIc crocodilc lool, vIcn Fcggoiiy, aficr lool-
ing ai mc scvcral iimcs, and ocning Icr mouiI
as if sIc vcrc going io scal, viiIoui doing ii
vIicI I iIougIi vas mcrcly gaing, or I sIould
Iavc lccn raiIcr alarmcdsaid coaingly:
35
'Masicr Davy, Iov sIould you lilc io go along
viiI mc and scnd a forinigIi ai my lroiIcr's
ai YarmouiI? Wouldn'i iIai lc a ircai?'
'Is your lroiIcr an agrccallc man, Fcggoiiy?'
I inquircd, rovisionally.
'OI, vIai an agrccallc man Ic is!' cricd
Fcggoiiy, Iolding u Icr Iands. 'TIcn iIcrc's
iIc sca; and iIc loais and sIis; and iIc fisI-
crmcn; and iIc lcacI; and Am io lay viiI '
Fcggoiiy mcani Icr ncIcv Ham, mcniioncd
in my firsi cIaicr; lui sIc solc of Iim as a
morscl of EnglisI Grammar.
I vas flusIcd ly Icr summary of dcligIis, and
rclicd iIai ii vould indccd lc a ircai, lui vIai
vould my moiIcr say?
'WIy iIcn I'll as good as lci a guinca,' said
Fcggoiiy, inicni uon my facc, 'iIai sIc'll lci
us go. I'll asl Icr, if you lilc, as soon as cvcr
sIc comcs Iomc. TIcrc nov!'
'Dui vIai's sIc io do vIilc vc'rc avay?' said
I, uiiing my small cllovs on iIc iallc io arguc
iIc oini. 'SIc can'i livc ly Icrsclf.'
If Fcggoiiy vcrc looling for a Iolc, all of a sud-
dcn, in iIc Iccl of iIai siocling, ii musi Iavc
lccn a vcry liiilc onc indccd, and noi voriI
darning.
'I say! Fcggoiiy! SIc can'i livc ly Icrsclf, you
lnov.'
'OI, llcss you!' said Fcggoiiy, looling ai mc
again ai lasi. 'Don'i you lnov? SIc's going io
siay for a forinigIi viiI Mrs. Graycr. Mrs.
Graycr's going io Iavc a loi of comany.'
OI! If iIai vas ii, I vas quiic rcady io go. I
vaiicd, in iIc uimosi imaiicncc, uniil my
moiIcr camc Iomc from Mrs. Graycr's (for ii
vas iIai idcniical ncigIlour}, io asccriain if vc
could gci lcavc io carry oui iIis grcai idca. WiiI-
oui lcing ncarly so mucI surriscd as I Iad
cccicd, my moiIcr cnicrcd inio ii rcadily;
and ii vas all arrangcd iIai nigIi, and my loard
and lodging during iIc visii vcrc io lc aid
for.
36
TIc day soon camc for our going. Ii vas sucI
an carly day iIai ii camc soon, cvcn io mc, vIo
vas in a fcvcr of ccciaiion, and Ialf afraid
iIai an cariIqualc or a ficry mouniain, or somc
oiIcr grcai convulsion of naiurc, migIi inicr-
osc io sio iIc ccdiiion. Wc vcrc io go in a
carricr's cari, vIicI dcaricd in iIc morning
aficr lrcalfasi. I vould Iavc givcn any moncy
io Iavc lccn allovcd io vra mysclf u ovcr-
nigIi, and slcc in my Iai and loois.
Ii ioucIcs mc ncarly nov, aliIougI I icll ii
ligIily, io rccollcci Iov cagcr I vas io lcavc my
Iay Iomc; io iIinl Iov liiilc I susccicd vIai
I did lcavc for cvcr.
I am glad io rccollcci iIai vIcn iIc carricr's
cari vas ai iIc gaic, and my moiIcr siood iIcrc
lissing mc, a graicful fondncss for Icr and for
iIc old lacc I Iad ncvcr iurncd my lacl uon
lcforc, madc mc cry. I am glad io lnov iIai
my moiIcr cricd ioo, and iIai I fcli Icr Icari
lcai againsi minc.
I am glad io rccollcci iIai vIcn iIc carricr
lcgan io movc, my moiIcr ran oui ai iIc gaic,
and callcd io Iim io sio, iIai sIc migIi liss
mc oncc morc. I am glad io dvcll uon iIc car-
ncsincss and lovc viiI vIicI sIc lificd u Icr
facc io minc, and did so.
As vc lcfi Icr sianding in iIc road, Mr.
Murdsionc camc u io vIcrc sIc vas, and
sccmcd io cosiulaic viiI Icr for lcing so
movcd. I vas looling lacl round iIc avning of
iIc cari, and vondcrcd vIai lusincss ii vas of
Iis. Fcggoiiy, vIo vas also looling lacl on iIc
oiIcr sidc, sccmcd anyiIing lui saiisficd; as
iIc facc sIc lrougIi lacl in iIc cari dcnoicd.
I sai looling ai Fcggoiiy for somc iimc, in a
rcvcric on iIis suosiiiiious casc: vIciIcr, if
sIc vcrc cmloycd io losc mc lilc iIc loy in
iIc fairy ialc, I sIould lc allc io iracl my vay
Iomc again ly iIc luiions sIc vould sIcd.
37
CHAPTER S
I HAVE A CHANGE
THE CAFFIEF'S HOFSE vas iIc lazicsi Iorsc in iIc
vorld, I sIould Ioc, and sIufflcd along, viiI
Iis Icad dovn, as if Ic lilcd io lcc colc
vaiiing io vIom iIc aclagcs vcrc dirccicd. I
fancicd, indccd, iIai Ic somciimcs cIucllcd
audilly ovcr iIis rcflcciion, lui iIc carricr said
Ic vas only iroullcd viiI a cougI. TIc carricr
Iad a vay of lccing Iis Icad dovn, lilc Iis
Iorsc, and of drooing slccily forvard as Ic
drovc, viiI onc of Iis arms on cacI of Iis lnccs.
I say 'drovc', lui ii sirucl mc iIai iIc cari vould
Iavc gonc io YarmouiI quiic as vcll viiIoui
Iim, for iIc Iorsc did all iIai; and as io con-
vcrsaiion, Ic Iad no idca of ii lui vIisiling.
Fcggoiiy Iad a laslci of rcfrcsImcnis on Icr
lncc, vIicI vould Iavc lasicd us oui Iand-
somcly, if vc Iad lccn going io London ly iIc
samc convcyancc. Wc aic a good dcal, and slci
a good dcal. Fcggoiiy alvays vcni io slcc viiI
Icr cIin uon iIc Iandlc of iIc laslci, Icr
Iold of vIicI ncvcr rclacd; and I could noi
Iavc lclicvcd unlcss I Iad Icard Icr do ii, iIai
onc dcfcncclcss voman could Iavc snorcd so
mucI.
Wc madc so many dcviaiions u and dovn
lancs, and vcrc sucI a long iimc dclivcring a
lcdsicad ai a ullic-Iousc, and calling ai oiIcr
laccs, iIai I vas quiic iircd, and vcry glad,
vIcn vc sav YarmouiI. Ii loolcd raiIcr songy
and soy, I iIougIi, as I carricd my cyc ovcr
iIc grcai dull vasic iIai lay across iIc rivcr;
and I could noi Icl vondcring, if iIc vorld vcrc
rcally as round as my gcograIy lool said, Iov
any ari of ii camc io lc so flai. Dui I rcflccicd
iIai YarmouiI migIi lc siiuaicd ai onc of iIc
olcs; vIicI vould accouni for ii.
As vc drcv a liiilc ncarcr, and sav iIc vIolc
adjaccni roscci lying a siraigIi lov linc un-
dcr iIc sly, I Iinicd io Fcggoiiy iIai a mound
38
or so migIi Iavc imrovcd ii; and also iIai if iIc
land Iad lccn a liiilc morc scaraicd from iIc
sca, and iIc iovn and iIc iidc Iad noi lccn
quiic so mucI micd u, lilc ioasi and vaicr, ii
vould Iavc lccn niccr. Dui Fcggoiiy said, viiI
grcaicr cmIasis iIan usual, iIai vc musi ialc
iIings as vc found iIcm, and iIai, for Icr ari,
sIc vas roud io call Icrsclf a YarmouiI Dloaicr.
WIcn vc goi inio iIc sircci (vIicI vas sirangc
cnougI io mc} and smcli iIc fisI, and iicI,
and oalum, and iar, and sav iIc sailors vall-
ing aloui, and iIc caris jingling u and dovn
ovcr iIc sioncs, I fcli iIai I Iad donc so lusy a
lacc an injusiicc; and said as mucI io Fcggoiiy,
vIo Icard my crcssions of dcligIi viiI grcai
comlaccncy, and iold mc ii vas vcll lnovn (I
suosc io iIosc vIo Iad iIc good foriunc io
lc lorn Dloaicrs} iIai YarmouiI vas, uon iIc
vIolc, iIc fincsi lacc in iIc univcrsc.
'Hcrc's my Am!' scrcamcd Fcggoiiy, 'grovcd
oui of lnovlcdgc!'
Hc vas vaiiing for us, in faci, ai iIc ullic-
Iousc; and aslcd mc Iov I found mysclf, lilc
an old acquainiancc. I did noi fccl, ai firsi, iIai
I lncv Iim as vcll as Ic lncv mc, lccausc Ic
Iad ncvcr comc io our Iousc sincc iIc nigIi I
vas lorn, and naiurally Ic Iad iIc advaniagc
of mc. Dui our iniimacy vas mucI advanccd
ly Iis ialing mc on Iis lacl io carry mc Iomc.
Hc vas, nov, a Iugc, sirong fcllov of si fcci
IigI, lroad in rooriion, and round-sIoul-
dcrcd; lui viiI a simcring loy's facc and curly
ligIi Iair iIai gavc Iim quiic a sIccisI lool.
Hc vas drcsscd in a canvas jaclci, and a air
of sucI vcry siiff irouscrs iIai iIcy vould Iavc
siood quiic as vcll alonc, viiIoui any lcgs in
iIcm. And you couldn'i so rocrly Iavc said
Ic vorc a Iai, as iIai Ic vas covcrcd in a-io,
lilc an old luilding, viiI somciIing iicIy.
Ham carrying mc on Iis lacl and a small lo
of ours undcr Iis arm, and Fcggoiiy carrying
anoiIcr small lo of ours, vc iurncd dovn
39
lancs lcsircvn viiI liis of cIis and liiilc Iill-
ocls of sand, and vcni asi gas-vorls, roc-
valls, loai-luildcrs' yards, sIivrigIis' yards,
sIi-lrcalcrs' yards, caullcrs' yards, riggcrs'
lofis, smiiIs' forgcs, and a grcai liiicr of sucI
laccs, uniil vc camc oui uon iIc dull vasic I
Iad alrcady sccn ai a disiancc; vIcn Ham said,
'Yon's our Iousc, Mas'r Davy!'
I loolcd in all dircciions, as far as I could siarc
ovcr iIc vildcrncss, and avay ai iIc sca, and
avay ai iIc rivcr, lui no Iousc could I malc
oui. TIcrc vas a llacl largc, or somc oiIcr
lind of sucrannuaicd loai, noi far off, IigI
and dry on iIc ground, viiI an iron funncl siicl-
ing oui of ii for a cIimncy and smoling vcry
cosily; lui noiIing clsc in iIc vay of a Ialiia-
iion iIai vas visillc io mc.
'TIai's noi ii?' said I. 'TIai sIi-looling iIing?'
'TIai's ii, Mas'r Davy,' rciurncd Ham.
If ii Iad lccn Aladdin's alacc, roc's cgg and
all, I suosc I could noi Iavc lccn morc
cIarmcd viiI iIc romaniic idca of living in ii.
TIcrc vas a dcligIiful door cui in iIc sidc, and
ii vas roofcd in, and iIcrc vcrc liiilc vindovs
in ii; lui iIc vondcrful cIarm of ii vas, iIai ii
vas a rcal loai vIicI Iad no douli lccn uon
iIc vaicr Iundrcds of iimcs, and vIicI Iad
ncvcr lccn inicndcd io lc livcd in, on dry land.
TIai vas iIc caiivaiion of ii io mc. If ii Iad
cvcr lccn mcani io lc livcd in, I migIi Iavc
iIougIi ii small, or inconvcnicni, or loncly; lui
ncvcr Iaving lccn dcsigncd for any sucI usc, ii
lccamc a crfcci alodc.
Ii vas lcauiifully clcan insidc, and as iidy as
ossillc. TIcrc vas a iallc, and a DuicI clocl,
and a cIcsi of dravcrs, and on iIc cIcsi of drav-
crs iIcrc vas a ica-iray viiI a ainiing on ii of a
lady viiI a arasol, ialing a vall viiI a mili-
iary-looling cIild vIo vas irundling a Ioo.
TIc iray vas lci from iumlling dovn, ly a
lillc; and iIc iray, if ii Iad iumllcd dovn, vould
Iavc smasIcd a quaniiiy of cus and sauccrs
40
and a icaoi iIai vcrc groucd around iIc lool.
On iIc valls iIcrc vcrc somc common colourcd
iciurcs, framcd and glazcd, of scriiurc sul-
jccis; sucI as I Iavc ncvcr sccn sincc in iIc
Iands of cdlars, viiIoui sccing iIc vIolc in-
icrior of Fcggoiiy's lroiIcr's Iousc again, ai onc
vicv. AlraIam in rcd going io sacrificc Isaac in
lluc, and Danicl in ycllov casi inio a dcn of
grccn lions, vcrc iIc mosi romincni of iIcsc.
Ovcr iIc liiilc maniclsIclf, vas a iciurc of iIc
'SaraI Janc' luggcr, luili ai Sundcrland, viiI a
rcal liiilc voodcn sicrn siucl on io ii; a vorl of
ari, comlining comosiiion viiI carcniry, vIicI
I considcrcd io lc onc of iIc mosi cnviallc os-
scssions iIai iIc vorld could afford. TIcrc vcrc
somc Iools in iIc lcams of iIc cciling, iIc usc
of vIicI I did noi divinc iIcn; and somc loclcrs
and locs and convcnicnccs of iIai sori, vIicI
scrvcd for scais and clcd oui iIc cIairs.
All iIis I sav in iIc firsi glancc aficr I crosscd
iIc iIrcsIoldcIild-lilc, according io my
iIcoryand iIcn Fcggoiiy ocncd a liiilc door
and sIovcd mc my lcdroom. Ii vas iIc com-
lcicsi and mosi dcsirallc lcdroom cvcr sccn
in iIc sicrn of iIc vcsscl; viiI a liiilc vindov,
vIcrc iIc ruddcr uscd io go iIrougI; a liiilc
looling-glass, jusi iIc rigIi IcigIi for mc, nailcd
againsi iIc vall, and framcd viiI oysicr-sIclls;
a liiilc lcd, vIicI iIcrc vas jusi room cnougI
io gci inio; and a noscgay of scavccd in a lluc
mug on iIc iallc. TIc valls vcrc vIiicvasIcd
as vIiic as mill, and iIc aicIvorl counicr-
anc madc my cycs quiic acIc viiI iis lrigIi-
ncss. Onc iIing I ariicularly noiiccd in iIis
dcligIiful Iousc, vas iIc smcll of fisI; vIicI
vas so scarcIing, iIai vIcn I iool oui my
oclci-IandlcrcIicf io vic my nosc, I found
ii smcli cacily as if ii Iad vracd u a lol-
sicr. On my imariing iIis discovcry in confi-
dcncc io Fcggoiiy, sIc informcd mc iIai Icr
lroiIcr dcali in lolsicrs, crals, and cravfisI;
and I aficrvards found iIai a Ica of iIcsc crca-
41
iurcs, in a siaic of vondcrful conglomcraiion
viiI onc anoiIcr, and ncvcr lcaving off incI-
ing vIaicvcr iIcy laid Iold of, vcrc usually io
lc found in a liiilc voodcn ouiIousc vIcrc iIc
ois and lciilcs vcrc lci.
Wc vcrc vclcomcd ly a vcry civil voman in a
vIiic aron, vIom I Iad sccn curiscying ai iIc
door vIcn I vas on Ham's lacl, aloui a quaricr
of a milc off. Lilcvisc ly a mosi lcauiiful liiilc
girl (or I iIougIi Icr so} viiI a nccllacc of lluc
lcads on, vIo vouldn'i lci mc liss Icr vIcn I
offcrcd io, lui ran avay and Iid Icrsclf. Dy and
ly, vIcn vc Iad dincd in a sumiuous manncr
off loilcd dals, mclicd luiicr, and oiaiocs, viiI
a cIo for mc, a Iairy man viiI a vcry good-
naiurcd facc camc Iomc. As Ic callcd Fcggoiiy
'Lass', and gavc Icr a Icariy smacl on iIc cIccl,
I Iad no douli, from iIc gcncral roriciy of
Icr conduci, iIai Ic vas Icr lroiIcr; and so Ic
iurncd ouilcing rcscnily iniroduccd io mc
as Mr. Fcggoiiy, iIc masicr of iIc Iousc.
'Glad io scc you, sir,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'You'll
find us rougI, sir, lui you'll find us rcady.'
I iIanlcd Iim, and rclicd iIai I vas surc I
sIould lc Iay in sucI a dcligIiful lacc.
'Hov's your Ma, sir?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Did
you lcavc Icr rciiy jolly?'
I gavc Mr. Fcggoiiy io undcrsiand iIai sIc vas
as jolly as I could visI, and iIai sIc dcsircd
Icr comlimcnisvIicI vas a oliic ficiion on
my ari.
'I'm mucI ollccgcd io Icr, I'm surc,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy. 'Wcll, sir, if you can malc oui Icrc,
fur a forinui, 'long vi' Icr,' nodding ai Iis sis-
icr, 'and Ham, and liiilc Em'ly, vc sIall lc roud
of your comany.'
Having donc iIc Ionours of Iis Iousc in iIis
Iosiiallc manncr, Mr. Fcggoiiy vcni oui io
vasI Iimsclf in a lciilcful of Ioi vaicr, rcmarl-
ing iIai 'cold vould ncvcr gci Iis mucl off'. Hc
soon rciurncd, grcaily imrovcd in acarancc;
lui so rulicund, iIai I couldn'i Icl iIinling
42
Iis facc Iad iIis in common viiI iIc lolsicrs,
crals, and cravfisI,iIai ii vcni inio iIc Ioi
vaicr vcry llacl, and camc oui vcry rcd.
Aficr ica, vIcn iIc door vas sIui and all vas
madc snug (iIc nigIis lcing cold and misiy
nov}, ii sccmcd io mc iIc mosi dclicious rcircai
iIai iIc imaginaiion of man could conccivc. To
Icar iIc vind gciiing u oui ai sca, io lnov
iIai iIc fog vas crccing ovcr iIc dcsolaic flai
ouisidc, and io lool ai iIc firc, and iIinl iIai
iIcrc vas no Iousc ncar lui iIis onc, and iIis
onc a loai, vas lilc cncIanimcni. Liiilc Em'ly
Iad ovcrcomc Icr sIyncss, and vas siiiing ly
my sidc uon iIc lovcsi and lcasi of iIc locl-
crs, vIicI vas jusi largc cnougI for us ivo, and
jusi fiiicd inio iIc cIimncy corncr. Mrs. Fcggoiiy
viiI iIc vIiic aron, vas lniiiing on iIc oo-
siic sidc of iIc firc. Fcggoiiy ai Icr nccdlcvorl
vas as mucI ai Iomc viiI Si. Faul's and iIc lii
of va-candlc, as if iIcy Iad ncvcr lnovn any
oiIcr roof. Ham, vIo Iad lccn giving mc my
firsi lcsson in all-fours, vas irying io rccollcci
a scIcmc of iclling foriuncs viiI iIc diriy
cards, and vas riniing off fisIy imrcssions of
Iis iIuml on all iIc cards Ic iurncd. Mr.
Fcggoiiy vas smoling Iis ic. I fcli ii vas a
iimc for convcrsaiion and confidcncc.
'Mr. Fcggoiiy!' says I.
'Sir,' says Ic.
'Did you givc your son iIc namc of Ham, lc-
causc you livcd in a sori of arl?'
Mr. Fcggoiiy sccmcd io iIinl ii a dcc idca,
lui ansvcrcd:
'No, sir. I ncvcr giv Iim no namc.'
'WIo gavc Iim iIai namc, iIcn?' said I, ui-
iing qucsiion numlcr ivo of iIc caiccIism io
Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'WIy, sir, Iis faiIcr giv ii Iim,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy.
'I iIougIi you vcrc Iis faiIcr!'
'My lroiIcr Joc vas Iis faiIcr,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy.
43
'Dcad, Mr. Fcggoiiy?' I Iinicd, aficr a rcscci-
ful ausc.
'Drovndcad,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
I vas vcry mucI surriscd iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy vas
noi Ham's faiIcr, and lcgan io vondcr vIciIcr I
vas misialcn aloui Iis rclaiionsIi io anylody
clsc iIcrc. I vas so curious io lnov, iIai I madc
u my mind io Iavc ii oui viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'Liiilc Em'ly,' I said, glancing ai Icr. 'SIc is
your daugIicr, isn'i sIc, Mr. Fcggoiiy?'
'No, sir. My lroiIcr-in-lav, Tom, vas Icr fa-
iIcr.'
I couldn'i Icl ii. '- Dcad, Mr. Fcggoiiy?' I
Iinicd, aficr anoiIcr rcscciful silcncc.
'Drovndcad,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
I fcli iIc difficuliy of rcsuming iIc suljcci,
lui Iad noi goi io iIc loiiom of ii yci, and
musi gci io iIc loiiom somcIov. So I said:
'Havcn'i you un cIildrcn, Mr. Fcggoiiy?'
'No, masicr,' Ic ansvcrcd viiI a sIori laugI.
'I'm a lacIcldorc.'
'A lacIclor!' I said, asionisIcd. 'WIy, vIo's
iIai, Mr. Fcggoiiy?' oiniing io iIc crson in
iIc aron vIo vas lniiiing.
'TIai's Missis Gummidgc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'Gummidgc, Mr. Fcggoiiy?'
Dui ai iIis oini FcggoiiyI mcan my ovn c-
culiar Fcggoiiymadc sucI imrcssivc moiions
io mc noi io asl any morc qucsiions, iIai I could
only sii and lool ai all iIc silcni comany, uniil
ii vas iimc io go io lcd. TIcn, in iIc rivacy of
my ovn liiilc calin, sIc informcd mc iIai Ham
and Em'ly vcrc an orIan ncIcv and niccc,
vIom my Iosi Iad ai diffcrcni iimcs adoicd in
iIcir cIildIood, vIcn iIcy vcrc lcfi dcsiiiuic:
and iIai Mrs. Gummidgc vas iIc vidov of Iis
arincr in a loai, vIo Iad dicd vcry oor. Hc
vas lui a oor man Iimsclf, said Fcggoiiy, lui
as good as gold and as iruc as siccliIosc vcrc
Icr similcs. TIc only suljcci, sIc informcd mc,
on vIicI Ic cvcr sIovcd a violcni icmcr or
svorc an oaiI, vas iIis gcncrosiiy of Iis; and if ii
44
vcrc cvcr rcfcrrcd io, ly any onc of iIcm, Ic
sirucl iIc iallc a Icavy llov viiI Iis rigIi Iand
(Iad slii ii on onc sucI occasion}, and svorc a
drcadful oaiI iIai Ic vould lc 'Gormcd' if Ic
didn'i cui and run for good, if ii vas cvcr mcn-
iioncd again. Ii acarcd, in ansvcr io my in-
quirics, iIai nolody Iad iIc lcasi idca of iIc
ciymology of iIis icrrillc vcrl assivc io lc
gormcd; lui iIai iIcy all rcgardcd ii as consii-
iuiing a mosi solcmn imrccaiion.
I vas vcry scnsillc of my cnicriaincr's good-
ncss, and lisicncd io iIc vomcn's going io lcd
in anoiIcr liiilc cril lilc minc ai iIc oosiic
cnd of iIc loai, and io Iim and Ham Ianging
u ivo Iammocls for iIcmsclvcs on iIc Iools
I Iad noiiccd in iIc roof, in a vcry luurious
siaic of mind, cnIanccd ly my lcing slccy. As
slumlcr gradually siolc uon mc, I Icard iIc
vind Iovling oui ai sca and coming on across
iIc flai so ficrccly, iIai I Iad a lazy arcIcn-
sion of iIc grcai dcc rising in iIc nigIi. Dui I
lciIougIi mysclf iIai I vas in a loai, aficr all;
and iIai a man lilc Mr. Fcggoiiy vas noi a lad
crson io Iavc on loard if anyiIing did Ia-
cn.
NoiIing Iacncd, Iovcvcr, vorsc iIan morn-
ing. Almosi as soon as ii sIonc uon iIc oys-
icr-sIcll framc of my mirror I vas oui of lcd,
and oui viiI liiilc Em'ly, icling u sioncs uon
iIc lcacI.
'You'rc quiic a sailor, I suosc?' I said io
Em'ly. I don'i lnov iIai I suoscd anyiIing of
iIc lind, lui I fcli ii an aci of gallaniry io say
somciIing; and a sIining sail closc io us madc
sucI a rciiy liiilc imagc of iisclf, ai iIc mo-
mcni, in Icr lrigIi cyc, iIai ii camc inio my
Icad io say iIis.
'No,' rclicd Em'ly, sIaling Icr Icad, 'I'm
afraid of iIc sca.'
'Afraid!' I said, viiI a lccoming air of lold-
ncss, and looling vcry lig ai iIc migIiy occan.
'I an'i!'
45
'AI! lui ii's crucl,' said Em'ly. 'I Iavc sccn ii
vcry crucl io somc of our mcn. I Iavc sccn ii
icar a loai as lig as our Iousc, all io icccs.'
'I Ioc ii vasn'i iIc loai iIai '
'TIai faiIcr vas drovndcd in?' said Em'ly. 'No.
Noi iIai onc, I ncvcr scc iIai loai.'
'Nor Iim?' I aslcd Icr.
Liiilc Em'ly sIool Icr Icad. 'Noi io rcmcm-
lcr!'
Hcrc vas a coincidcncc! I immcdiaicly vcni
inio an clanaiion Iov I Iad ncvcr sccn my
ovn faiIcr; and Iov my moiIcr and I Iad al-
vays livcd ly oursclvcs in iIc Iaicsi siaic
imaginallc, and livcd so iIcn, and alvays
mcani io livc so; and Iov my faiIcr's gravc vas
in iIc cIurcIyard ncar our Iousc, and sIadcd
ly a ircc, lcncaiI iIc lougIs of vIicI I Iad
vallcd and Icard iIc lirds sing many a lcas-
ani morning. Dui iIcrc vcrc somc diffcrcnccs
lcivccn Em'ly's orIanIood and minc, ii a-
carcd. SIc Iad losi Icr moiIcr lcforc Icr
faiIcr; and vIcrc Icr faiIcr's gravc vas no onc
lncv, ccci iIai ii vas somcvIcrc in iIc
dciIs of iIc sca.
'Dcsidcs,' said Em'ly, as sIc loolcd aloui for
sIclls and clllcs, 'your faiIcr vas a gcnilc-
man and your moiIcr is a lady; and my faiIcr
vas a fisIcrman and my moiIcr vas a
fisIcrman's daugIicr, and my unclc Dan is a
fisIcrman.'
'Dan is Mr. Fcggoiiy, is Ic?' said I.
'Unclc Danyondcr,' ansvcrcd Em'ly, nodding
ai iIc loai-Iousc.
'Ycs. I mcan Iim. Hc musi lc vcry good, I
sIould iIinl?'
'Good?' said Em'ly. 'If I vas cvcr io lc a lady,
I'd givc Iim a sly-lluc coai viiI diamond lui-
ions, nanlccn irouscrs, a rcd vclvci vaisicoai,
a coclcd Iai, a largc gold vaicI, a silvcr ic,
and a lo of moncy.'
I said I Iad no douli iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy vcll
dcscrvcd iIcsc ircasurcs. I musi aclnovlcdgc
46
iIai I fcli ii difficuli io iciurc Iim quiic ai Iis
casc in iIc raimcni rooscd for Iim ly Iis
graicful liiilc niccc, and iIai I vas ariicularly
douliful of iIc olicy of iIc coclcd Iai; lui I
lci iIcsc scniimcnis io mysclf.
Liiilc Em'ly Iad siocd and loolcd u ai iIc
sly in Icr cnumcraiion of iIcsc ariiclcs, as if
iIcy vcrc a glorious vision. Wc vcni on again,
icling u sIclls and clllcs.
'You vould lilc io lc a lady?' I said.
Emily loolcd ai mc, and laugIcd and noddcd
'ycs'.
'I sIould lilc ii vcry mucI. Wc vould all lc
gcnilcfolls iogciIcr, iIcn. Mc, and unclc, and
Ham, and Mrs. Gummidgc. Wc vouldn'i mind
iIcn, vIcn iIcrc comcs siormy vcaiIcr.Noi
for our ovn salcs, I mcan. Wc vould for iIc
oor fisIcrmcn's, io lc surc, and vc'd Icl 'cm
viiI moncy vIcn iIcy comc io any Iuri.' TIis
sccmcd io mc io lc a vcry saiisfaciory and iIcrc-
forc noi ai all imrolallc iciurc. I crcsscd
my lcasurc in iIc conicmlaiion of ii, and liiilc
Em'ly vas cmloldcncd io say, sIyly,
'Don'i you iIinl you arc afraid of iIc sca, nov?'
Ii vas quici cnougI io rcassurc mc, lui I Iavc
no douli if I Iad sccn a modcraicly largc vavc
comc iumlling in, I sIould Iavc ialcn io my
Iccls, viiI an avful rccollcciion of Icr drovncd
rclaiions. Hovcvcr, I said 'No,' and I addcd, 'You
don'i sccm io lc ciiIcr, iIougI you say you
arc,'for sIc vas valling mucI ioo ncar iIc
lrinl of a sori of old jciiy or voodcn causcvay
vc Iad sirollcd uon, and I vas afraid of Icr
falling ovcr.
'I'm noi afraid in iIis vay,' said liiilc Em'ly.
'Dui I valc vIcn ii llovs, and ircmllc io iIinl
of Unclc Dan and Ham and lclicvc I Icar 'cm
crying oui for Icl. TIai's vIy I sIould lilc so
mucI io lc a lady. Dui I'm noi afraid in iIis
vay. Noi a lii. Lool Icrc!'
SIc siaricd from my sidc, and ran along a
jaggcd iimlcr vIicI roirudcd from iIc lacc
47
vc siood uon, and ovcrIung iIc dcc vaicr ai
somc IcigIi, viiIoui iIc lcasi dcfcncc. TIc in-
cidcni is so imrcsscd on my rcmcmlrancc, iIai
if I vcrc a draugIisman I could drav iis form
Icrc, I darc say, accuraicly as ii vas iIai day,
and liiilc Em'ly sringing forvard io Icr dcsiruc-
iion (as ii acarcd io mc}, viiI a lool iIai I
Iavc ncvcr forgoiicn, dirccicd far oui io sca.
TIc ligIi, lold, fluiicring liiilc figurc iurncd
and camc lacl safc io mc, and I soon laugIcd
ai my fcars, and ai iIc cry I Iad uiicrcd; fruii-
lcssly in any casc, for iIcrc vas no onc ncar.
Dui iIcrc Iavc lccn iimcs sincc, in my man-
Iood, many iimcs iIcrc Iavc lccn, vIcn I Iavc
iIougIi, Is ii ossillc, among iIc ossililiiics
of Iiddcn iIings, iIai in iIc suddcn rasIncss
of iIc cIild and Icr vild lool so far off, iIcrc
vas any mcrciful aiiraciion of Icr inio dangcr,
any icmiing Icr iovards Iim crmiiicd on iIc
ari of Icr dcad faiIcr, iIai Icr lifc migIi Iavc
a cIancc of cnding iIai day? TIcrc Ias lccn a
iimc sincc vIcn I Iavc vondcrcd vIciIcr, if
iIc lifc lcforc Icr could Iavc lccn rcvcalcd io
mc ai a glancc, and so rcvcalcd as iIai a cIild
could fully comrcIcnd ii, and if Icr rcscrva-
iion could Iavc dccndcd on a moiion of my
Iand, I ougIi io Iavc Icld ii u io savc Icr.
TIcrc Ias lccn a iimc sinccI do noi say ii
lasicd long, lui ii Ias lccnvIcn I Iavc aslcd
mysclf iIc qucsiion, vould ii Iavc lccn lciicr
for liiilc Em'ly io Iavc Iad iIc vaicrs closc alovc
Icr Icad iIai morning in my sigIi; and vIcn I
Iavc ansvcrcd Ycs, ii vould Iavc lccn.
TIis may lc rcmaiurc. I Iavc sci ii dovn ioo
soon, crIas. Dui lci ii siand.
Wc sirollcd a long vay, and loadcd oursclvcs
viiI iIings iIai vc iIougIi curious, and ui
somc sirandcd siarfisI carcfully lacl inio iIc
vaicrI Iardly lnov cnougI of iIc racc ai iIis
momcni io lc quiic ccriain vIciIcr iIcy Iad
rcason io fccl olligcd io us for doing so, or iIc
rcvcrscand iIcn madc our vay Iomc io Mr.
48
Fcggoiiy's dvclling. Wc siocd undcr iIc lcc
of iIc lolsicr-ouiIousc io ccIangc an inno-
ccni liss, and vcni in io lrcalfasi gloving viiI
IcaliI and lcasurc.
'Lilc ivo young mavisIcs,' Mr. Fcggoiiy said. I
lncv iIis mcani, in our local dialcci, lilc ivo
young iIrusIcs, and rcccivcd ii as a comlimcni.
Of coursc I vas in lovc viiI liiilc Em'ly. I am
surc I lovcd iIai laly quiic as iruly, quiic as
icndcrly, viiI grcaicr uriiy and morc disinicr-
csicdncss, iIan can cnicr inio iIc lcsi lovc of a
laicr iimc of lifc, IigI and cnnolling as ii is. I
am surc my fancy raiscd u somciIing round
iIai lluc-cycd miic of a cIild, vIicI ciIcrcal-
izcd, and madc a vcry angcl of Icr. If, any sunny
forcnoon, sIc Iad srcad a liiilc air of vings
and flovn avay lcforc my cycs, I don'i iIinl I
sIould Iavc rcgardcd ii as mucI morc iIan I
Iad Iad rcason io ccci.
Wc uscd io vall aloui iIai dim old flai ai
YarmouiI in a loving manncr, Iours and Iours.
TIc days soricd ly us, as if Timc Iad noi grovn
u Iimsclf yci, lui vcrc a cIild ioo, and alvays
ai lay. I iold Em'ly I adorcd Icr, and iIai un-
lcss sIc confcsscd sIc adorcd mc I sIould lc
rcduccd io iIc ncccssiiy of lilling mysclf viiI a
svord. SIc said sIc did, and I Iavc no douli
sIc did.
As io any scnsc of incqualiiy, or youiIfulncss,
or oiIcr difficuliy in our vay, liiilc Em'ly and I
Iad no sucI iroullc, lccausc vc Iad no fu-
iurc. Wc madc no morc rovision for groving
oldcr, iIan vc did for groving youngcr. Wc vcrc
iIc admiraiion of Mrs. Gummidgc and Fcggoiiy,
vIo uscd io vIiscr of an cvcning vIcn vc
sai, lovingly, on our liiilc loclcr sidc ly sidc,
'Lor! vasn'i ii lcauiiful!' Mr. Fcggoiiy smilcd
ai us from lcIind Iis ic, and Ham grinncd
all iIc cvcning and did noiIing clsc. TIcy Iad
somciIing of iIc sori of lcasurc in us, I su-
osc, iIai iIcy migIi Iavc Iad in a rciiy ioy,
or a oclci modcl of iIc Colosscum.
49
I soon found oui iIai Mrs. Gummidgc did noi
alvays malc Icrsclf so agrccallc as sIc migIi
Iavc lccn cccicd io do, undcr iIc circum-
sianccs of Icr rcsidcncc viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy. Mrs.
Gummidgc's vas raiIcr a frciful disosiiion, and
sIc vIimcrcd morc somciimcs iIan vas com-
foriallc for oiIcr ariics in so small an csial-
lisImcni. I vas vcry sorry for Icr; lui iIcrc vcrc
momcnis vIcn ii vould Iavc lccn morc agrcc-
allc, I iIougIi, if Mrs. Gummidgc Iad Iad a
convcnicni aarimcni of Icr ovn io rciirc io,
and Iad siocd iIcrc uniil Icr siriis rcvivcd.
Mr. Fcggoiiy vcni occasionally io a ullic-Iousc
callcd TIc Willing Mind. I discovcrcd iIis, ly Iis
lcing oui on iIc sccond or iIird cvcning of our
visii, and ly Mrs. Gummidgc's looling u ai iIc
DuicI clocl, lcivccn cigIi and ninc, and say-
ing Ic vas iIcrc, and iIai, vIai vas morc, sIc
Iad lnovn in iIc morning Ic vould go iIcrc.
Mrs. Gummidgc Iad lccn in a lov siaic all
day, and Iad lursi inio icars in iIc forcnoon,
vIcn iIc firc smolcd. 'I am a lonc lorn crcciur','
vcrc Mrs. Gummidgc's vords, vIcn iIai un-
lcasani occurrcncc iool lacc, 'and cvcryiIinl
gocs conirary viiI mc.'
'OI, ii'll soon lcavc off,' said FcggoiiyI again
mcan our Fcggoiiy'and lcsidcs, you lnov, ii's
noi morc disagrccallc io you iIan io us.'
'I fccl ii morc,' said Mrs. Gummidgc.
Ii vas a vcry cold day, viiI cuiiing llasis of
vind. Mrs. Gummidgc's cculiar corncr of iIc
fircsidc sccmcd io mc io lc iIc varmcsi and
snuggcsi in iIc lacc, as Icr cIair vas ccr-
iainly iIc casicsi, lui ii didn'i suii Icr iIai
day ai all. SIc vas consianily comlaining of
iIc cold, and of iis occasioning a visiiaiion in
Icr lacl vIicI sIc callcd 'iIc crccs'. Ai lasi
sIc sIcd icars on iIai suljcci, and said again
iIai sIc vas 'a lonc lorn crcciur' and cvcryiIinl
vcni conirary viiI Icr'.
'Ii is ccriainly vcry cold,' said Fcggoiiy. 'Ev-
crylody musi fccl ii so.'
50
'I fccl ii morc iIan oiIcr colc,' said Mrs.
Gummidgc.
So ai dinncr; vIcn Mrs. Gummidgc vas al-
vays Iclcd immcdiaicly aficr mc, io vIom iIc
rcfcrcncc vas givcn as a visiior of disiinciion.
TIc fisI vcrc small and lony, and iIc oiaiocs
vcrc a liiilc lurni. Wc all aclnovlcdgcd iIai
vc fcli iIis somciIing of a disaoinimcni; lui
Mrs. Gummidgc said sIc fcli ii morc iIan vc
did, and sIcd icars again, and madc iIai formcr
dcclaraiion viiI grcai liiicrncss.
Accordingly, vIcn Mr. Fcggoiiy camc Iomc
aloui ninc o'clocl, iIis unforiunaic Mrs.
Gummidgc vas lniiiing in Icr corncr, in a vcry
vrcicIcd and miscrallc condiiion. Fcggoiiy Iad
lccn vorling cIccrfully. Ham Iad lccn aicI-
ing u a grcai air of vaicrloois; and I, viiI
liiilc Em'ly ly my sidc, Iad lccn rcading io
iIcm. Mrs. Gummidgc Iad ncvcr madc any
oiIcr rcmarl iIan a forlorn sigI, and Iad ncvcr
raiscd Icr cycs sincc ica.
'Wcll, Maics,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, ialing Iis
scai, 'and Iov arc you?'
Wc all said somciIing, or loolcd somciIing,
io vclcomc Iim, ccci Mrs. Gummidgc, vIo
only sIool Icr Icad ovcr Icr lniiiing.
'WIai's amiss?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI a cla
of Iis Iands. 'CIccr u, old MaviIcr!' (Mr.
Fcggoiiy mcani old girl.}
Mrs. Gummidgc did noi acar io lc allc io
cIccr u. SIc iool oui an old llacl sill Iand-
lcrcIicf and vicd Icr cycs; lui insicad of ui-
iing ii in Icr oclci, lci ii oui, and vicd
iIcm again, and siill lci ii oui, rcady for usc.
'WIai's amiss, damc?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'NoiIing,' rciurncd Mrs. Gummidgc. 'You'vc
comc from TIc Willing Mind, Dan'l?'
'WIy ycs, I'vc iool a sIori scll ai TIc Willing
Mind ionigIi,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'I'm sorry I sIould drivc you iIcrc,' said Mrs. Gummidgc.
'Drivc! I don'i vani no driving,' rciurncd Mr.
Fcggoiiy viiI an Ioncsi laugI. 'I only go ioo rcady.'
51
'Vcry rcady,' said Mrs. Gummidgc, sIaling Icr
Icad, and viing Icr cycs. 'Ycs, ycs, vcry rcady. I am
sorry ii sIould lc along of mc iIai you'rc so rcady.'
'Along o' you! Ii an'i along o' you!' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy. 'Don'i yc lclicvc a lii on ii.'
'Ycs, ycs, ii is,' cricd Mrs. Gummidgc. 'I lnov
vIai I am. I lnov iIai I am a lonc lorn crcciur',
and noi only iIai cvcryiIinl gocs conirary viiI
mc, lui iIai I go conirary viiI cvcrylody. Ycs,
ycs. I fccl morc iIan oiIcr colc do, and I
sIov ii morc. Ii's my misforiun'.'
I rcally couldn'i Icl iIinling, as I sai ialing
in all iIis, iIai iIc misforiunc cicndcd io somc
oiIcr mcmlcrs of iIai family lcsidcs Mrs.
Gummidgc. Dui Mr. Fcggoiiy madc no sucI rc-
iori, only ansvcring viiI anoiIcr cnircaiy io
Mrs. Gummidgc io cIccr u.
'I an'i vIai I could visI mysclf io lc,' said
Mrs. Gummidgc. 'I am far from ii. I lnov vIai I
am. My iroullcs Ias madc mc conirary. I fccl
my iroullcs, and iIcy malc mc conirary. I visI
I didn'i fccl 'cm, lui I do. I visI I could lc
Iardcncd io 'cm, lui I an'i. I malc iIc Iousc
uncomforiallc. I don'i vondcr ai ii. I'vc madc
your sisicr so all day, and Masicr Davy.'
Hcrc I vas suddcnly mclicd, and roarcd oui, 'No, you
Iavcn'i, Mrs. Gummidgc,' in grcai mcnial disircss.
'Ii's far from rigIi iIai I sIould do ii,' said
Mrs. Gummidgc. 'Ii an'i a fii rciurn. I Iad lci-
icr go inio iIc Iousc and dic. I am a lonc lorn
crcciur', and Iad mucI lciicr noi malc my-
sclf conirary Icrc. If iIinls musi go conirary
viiI mc, and I musi go conirary mysclf, lci mc
go conirary in my arisI. Dan'l, I'd lciicr go
inio iIc Iousc, and dic and lc a riddancc!'
Mrs. Gummidgc rciircd viiI iIcsc vords, and
lciool Icrsclf io lcd. WIcn sIc vas gonc, Mr.
Fcggoiiy, vIo Iad noi cIiliicd a iracc of any
fccling lui iIc rofoundcsi symaiIy, loolcd
round uon us, and nodding Iis Icad viiI a
livcly crcssion of iIai scniimcni siill animai-
ing Iis facc, said in a vIiscr:
52
'SIc's lccn iIinling of iIc old 'un!'
I did noi quiic undcrsiand vIai old onc Mrs.
Gummidgc vas suoscd io Iavc ficd Icr mind
uon, uniil Fcggoiiy, on sccing mc io lcd, c-
laincd iIai ii vas iIc laic Mr. Gummidgc; and
iIai Icr lroiIcr alvays iool iIai for a rcccivcd
iruiI on sucI occasions, and iIai ii alvays Iad
a moving cffcci uon Iim. Somc iimc aficr Ic
vas in Iis Iammocl iIai nigIi, I Icard Iim
mysclf rccai io Ham, 'Foor iIing! SIc's lccn
iIinling of iIc old 'un!' And vIcncvcr Mrs.
Gummidgc vas ovcrcomc in a similar manncr
during iIc rcmaindcr of our siay (vIicI Ia-
cncd somc fcv iimcs}, Ic alvays said iIc samc
iIing in cicnuaiion of iIc circumsiancc, and
alvays viiI iIc icndcrcsi commiscraiion.
So iIc forinigIi slicd avay, varicd ly noiI-
ing lui iIc variaiion of iIc iidc, vIicI alicrcd
Mr. Fcggoiiy's iimcs of going oui and coming
in, and alicrcd Ham's cngagcmcnis also. WIcn
iIc laiicr vas uncmloycd, Ic somciimcs
vallcd viiI us io sIov us iIc loais and sIis,
and oncc or ivicc Ic iool us for a rov. I don'i
lnov vIy onc sligIi sci of imrcssions sIould
lc morc ariicularly associaicd viiI a lacc
iIan anoiIcr, iIougI I lclicvc iIis oliains viiI
mosi colc, in rcfcrcncc csccially io iIc as-
sociaiions of iIcir cIildIood. I ncvcr Icar iIc
namc, or rcad iIc namc, of YarmouiI, lui I am
rcmindcd of a ccriain Sunday morning on iIc
lcacI, iIc lclls ringing for cIurcI, liiilc Em'ly
lcaning on my sIouldcr, Ham lazily droing
sioncs inio iIc vaicr, and iIc sun, avay ai sca,
jusi lrcaling iIrougI iIc Icavy misi, and sIov-
ing us iIc sIis, lilc iIcir ovn sIadovs.
Ai lasi iIc day camc for going Iomc. I lorc u
againsi iIc scaraiion from Mr. Fcggoiiy and
Mrs. Gummidgc, lui my agony of mind ai lcav-
ing liiilc Em'ly vas icrcing. Wc vcni arm-in-
arm io iIc ullic-Iousc vIcrc iIc carricr ui
u, and I romiscd, on iIc road, io vriic io
Icr. (I rcdccmcd iIai romisc aficrvards, in
53
cIaracicrs largcr iIan iIosc in vIicI aari-
mcnis arc usually announccd in manuscrii,
as lcing io lci.} Wc vcrc grcaily ovcrcomc ai
ariing; and if cvcr, in my lifc, I Iavc Iad a void
madc in my Icari, I Iad onc madc iIai day.
Nov, all iIc iimc I Iad lccn on my visii, I Iad
lccn ungraicful io my Iomc again, and Iad
iIougIi liiilc or noiIing aloui ii. Dui I vas no
sooncr iurncd iovards ii, iIan my rcroacIful
young conscicncc sccmcd io oini iIai vay
viiI a rcady fingcr; and I fcli, all iIc morc for
iIc sinling of my siriis, iIai ii vas my ncsi,
and iIai my moiIcr vas my comforicr and
fricnd.
TIis gaincd uon mc as vc vcni along; so iIai
iIc ncarcr vc drcv, iIc morc familiar iIc ol-
jccis lccamc iIai vc asscd, iIc morc cciicd I
vas io gci iIcrc, and io run inio Icr arms. Dui
Fcggoiiy, insicad of sIaring in iIosc iransoris,
iricd io cIccl iIcm (iIougI vcry lindly}, and
loolcd confuscd and oui of soris.
Dlundcrsionc Foolcry vould comc, Iovcvcr,
in siic of Icr, vIcn iIc carricr's Iorsc
lcascdand did. Hov vcll I rccollcci ii, on a
cold grcy aficrnoon, viiI a dull sly, iIrcaicn-
ing rain!
TIc door ocncd, and I loolcd, Ialf laugIing
and Ialf crying in my lcasani agiiaiion, for my
moiIcr. Ii vas noi sIc, lui a sirangc scrvani.
'WIy, Fcggoiiy!' I said, rucfully, 'isn'i sIc comc
Iomc?'
'Ycs, ycs, Masicr Davy,' said Fcggoiiy. 'SIc's
comc Iomc. Waii a lii, Masicr Davy, and I'll
I'll icll you somciIing.'
Dcivccn Icr agiiaiion, and Icr naiural avlvard-
ncss in gciiing oui of iIc cari, Fcggoiiy vas mal-
ing a mosi ciraordinary fcsioon of Icrsclf, lui I
fcli ioo llanl and sirangc io icll Icr so. WIcn sIc
Iad goi dovn, sIc iool mc ly iIc Iand; lcd mc,
vondcring, inio iIc liicIcn; and sIui iIc door.
'Fcggoiiy!' said I, quiic frigIicncd. 'WIai's iIc
maiicr?'
54
'NoiIing's iIc maiicr, llcss you, Masicr Davy
dcar!' sIc ansvcrcd, assuming an air of srigIi-
lincss.
'SomciIing's iIc maiicr, I'm surc. WIcrc's
mama?'
'WIcrc's mama, Masicr Davy?' rccaicd
Fcggoiiy.
'Ycs. WIy Iasn'i sIc comc oui io iIc gaic, and
vIai Iavc vc comc in Icrc for? OI, Fcggoiiy!'
My cycs vcrc full, and I fcli as if I vcrc going io
iumllc dovn.
'Dlcss iIc rccious loy!' cricd Fcggoiiy, ial-
ing Iold of mc. 'WIai is ii? Scal, my ci!'
'Noi dcad, ioo! OI, sIc's noi dcad, Fcggoiiy?'
Fcggoiiy cricd oui No! viiI an asionisIing vol-
umc of voicc; and iIcn sai dovn, and lcgan io
ani, and said I Iad givcn Icr a iurn.
I gavc Icr a Iug io ialc avay iIc iurn, or io
givc Icr anoiIcr iurn in iIc rigIi dircciion, and
iIcn siood lcforc Icr, looling ai Icr in anious
inquiry.
'You scc, dcar, I sIould Iavc iold you lcforc
nov,' said Fcggoiiy, 'lui I Iadn'i an ooriu-
niiy. I ougIi io Iavc madc ii, crIas, lui I
couldn'i azaclly'iIai vas alvays iIc sulsii-
iuic for cacily, in Fcggoiiy's miliiia of vords
'lring my mind io ii.'
'Go on, Fcggoiiy,' said I, morc frigIicncd iIan
lcforc.
'Masicr Davy,' said Fcggoiiy, uniying Icr lon-
nci viiI a sIaling Iand, and scaling in a
lrcaiIlcss sori of vay. 'WIai do you iIinl? You
Iavc goi a Fa!'
I ircmllcd, and iurncd vIiic. SomciIingI don'i
lnov vIai, or Iovconnccicd viiI iIc gravc in
iIc cIurcIyard, and iIc raising of iIc dcad,
sccmcd io sirilc mc lilc an unvIolcsomc vind.
'A ncv onc,' said Fcggoiiy.
'A ncv onc?' I rccaicd.
Fcggoiiy gavc a gas, as if sIc vcrc svallov-
ing somciIing iIai vas vcry Iard, and, uiiing
oui Icr Iand, said:
55
'Comc and scc Iim.'
'I don'i vani io scc Iim.'
'And your mama,' said Fcggoiiy.
I ccascd io drav lacl, and vc vcni siraigIi
io iIc lcsi arlour, vIcrc sIc lcfi mc. On onc
sidc of iIc firc, sai my moiIcr; on iIc oiIcr,
Mr. Murdsionc. My moiIcr drocd Icr vorl,
and arosc Iurricdly, lui iimidly I iIougIi.
'Nov, Clara my dcar,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'Fccollcci! conirol yoursclf, alvays conirol your-
sclf! Davy loy, Iov do you do?'
I gavc Iim my Iand. Aficr a momcni of sus-
cnsc, I vcni and lisscd my moiIcr: sIc lisscd
mc, aiicd mc gcnily on iIc sIouldcr, and sai
dovn again io Icr vorl. I could noi lool ai Icr,
I could noi lool ai Iim, I lncv quiic vcll iIai
Ic vas looling ai us loiI; and I iurncd io iIc
vindov and loolcd oui iIcrc, ai somc sIruls
iIai vcrc drooing iIcir Icads in iIc cold.
As soon as I could crcc avay, I crci usiairs.
My old dcar lcdroom vas cIangcd, and I vas
io lic a long vay off. I ramllcd dovnsiairs io
find anyiIing iIai vas lilc iisclf, so alicrcd ii
all sccmcd; and roamcd inio iIc yard. I vcry
soon siaricd lacl from iIcrc, for iIc cmiy
dog-lcnncl vas fillcd u viiI a grcai dogdcc
mouiIcd and llacl-Iaircd lilc Himand Ic
vas vcry angry ai iIc sigIi of mc, and srang
oui io gci ai mc.
CHAPTER 4
I FALL INTO DISGRACE
IF THE FOOM io vIicI my lcd vas rcmovcd vcrc a
scniicni iIing iIai could givc cvidcncc, I migIi
acal io ii ai iIis dayvIo slccs iIcrc nov, I
vondcr!io lcar viincss for mc vIai a Icavy Icari
I carricd io ii. I vcni u iIcrc, Icaring iIc dog in
iIc yard larl aficr mc all iIc vay vIilc I climlcd
iIc siairs; and, looling as llanl and sirangc uon
iIc room as iIc room loolcd uon mc, sai dovn
viiI my small Iands crosscd, and iIougIi.
56
I iIougIi of iIc oddcsi iIings. Of iIc sIac
of iIc room, of iIc cracls in iIc cciling, of iIc
acr on iIc valls, of iIc flavs in iIc vindov-
glass maling rilcs and dimlcs on iIc ros-
cci, of iIc vasIing-siand lcing riclciy on
iis iIrcc lcgs, and Iaving a disconicnicd somc-
iIing aloui ii, vIicI rcmindcd mc of Mrs.
Gummidgc undcr iIc influcncc of iIc old onc.
I vas crying all iIc iimc, lui, ccci iIai I
vas conscious of lcing cold and dcjccicd, I
am surc I ncvcr iIougIi vIy I cricd. Ai lasi in
my dcsolaiion I lcgan io considcr iIai I vas
drcadfully in lovc viiI liiilc Em'ly, and Iad
lccn iorn avay from Icr io comc Icrc vIcrc
no onc sccmcd io vani mc, or io carc aloui
mc, Ialf as mucI as sIc did. TIis madc sucI
a vcry miscrallc iccc of lusincss of ii, iIai I
rollcd mysclf u in a corncr of iIc counicr-
anc, and cricd mysclf io slcc.
I vas avolc ly somclody saying 'Hcrc Ic is!'
and uncovcring my Ioi Icad. My moiIcr and
Fcggoiiy Iad comc io lool for mc, and ii vas
onc of iIcm vIo Iad donc ii.
'Davy,' said my moiIcr. 'WIai's iIc maiicr?'
I iIougIi ii vas vcry sirangc iIai sIc sIould
asl mc, and ansvcrcd, 'NoiIing.' I iurncd ovcr
on my facc, I rccollcci, io Iidc my ircmlling li,
vIicI ansvcrcd Icr viiI grcaicr iruiI. 'Davy,'
said my moiIcr. 'Davy, my cIild!'
I darc say no vords sIc could Iavc uiicrcd
vould Iavc affccicd mc so mucI, iIcn, as Icr
calling mc Icr cIild. I Iid my icars in iIc lcd-
cloiIcs, and rcsscd Icr from mc viiI my
Iand, vIcn sIc vould Iavc raiscd mc u.
'TIis is your doing, Fcggoiiy, you crucl iIing!'
said my moiIcr. 'I Iavc no douli ai all aloui ii.
Hov can you rcconcilc ii io your conscicncc, I
vondcr, io rcjudicc my ovn loy againsi mc,
or againsi anylody vIo is dcar io mc? WIai do
you mcan ly ii, Fcggoiiy?'
Foor Fcggoiiy lificd u Icr Iands and cycs,
and only ansvcrcd, in a sori of araIrasc of iIc
57
gracc I usually rccaicd aficr dinncr, 'Lord for-
givc you, Mrs. Cocrficld, and for vIai you Iavc
said iIis minuic, may you ncvcr lc iruly sorry!'
'Ii's cnougI io disiraci mc,' cricd my moiIcr.
'In my Ioncymoon, ioo, vIcn my mosi invcicr-
aic cncmy migIi rclcni, onc vould iIinl, and
noi cnvy mc a liiilc cacc of mind and Iai-
ncss. Davy, you naugIiy loy! Fcggoiiy, you sav-
agc crcaiurc! OI, dcar mc!' cricd my moiIcr,
iurning from onc of us io iIc oiIcr, in Icr ci-
iisI vilful manncr, 'vIai a iroullcsomc vorld
iIis is, vIcn onc Ias iIc mosi rigIi io ccci
ii io lc as agrccallc as ossillc!'
I fcli iIc ioucI of a Iand iIai I lncv vas nci-
iIcr Icrs nor Fcggoiiy's, and slicd io my fcci
ai iIc lcd-sidc. Ii vas Mr. Murdsionc's Iand,
and Ic lci ii on my arm as Ic said:
'WIai's iIis? Clara, my lovc, Iavc you forgoi-
icn?Firmncss, my dcar!'
'I am vcry sorry, Edvard,' said my moiIcr. 'I mcani
io lc vcry good, lui I am so uncomforiallc.'
'Indccd!' Ic ansvcrcd. 'TIai's a lad Icaring,
so soon, Clara.'
'I say ii's vcry Iard I sIould lc madc so nov,'
rciurncd my moiIcr, ouiing; 'and ii isvcry
Iardisn'i ii?'
Hc drcv Icr io Iim, vIiscrcd in Icr car,
and lisscd Icr. I lncv as vcll, vIcn I sav my
moiIcr's Icad lcan dovn uon Iis sIouldcr,
and Icr arm ioucI Iis ncclI lncv as vcll
iIai Ic could mould Icr liani naiurc inio any
form Ic cIosc, as I lnov, nov, iIai Ic did ii.
'Go you lclov, my lovc,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'David and I vill comc dovn, iogciIcr. My fricnd,'
iurning a darlcning facc on Fcggoiiy, vIcn Ic
Iad vaicIcd my moiIcr oui, and dismisscd Icr
viiI a nod and a smilc; 'do you lnov your
misircss's namc?'
'SIc Ias lccn my misircss a long iimc, sir,'
ansvcrcd Fcggoiiy, 'I ougIi io lnov ii.'
'TIai's iruc,' Ic ansvcrcd. 'Dui I iIougIi I Icard
you, as I camc usiairs, addrcss Icr ly a namc
58
iIai is noi Icrs. SIc Ias ialcn minc, you
lnov. Will you rcmcmlcr iIai?'
Fcggoiiy, viiI somc uncasy glanccs ai mc, curi-
scycd Icrsclf oui of iIc room viiIoui rclying; scc-
ing, I suosc, iIai sIc vas cccicd io go, and Iad
no ccusc for rcmaining. WIcn vc ivo vcrc lcfi
alonc, Ic sIui iIc door, and siiiing on a cIair, and
Iolding mc sianding lcforc Iim, loolcd sicadily inio
my cycs. I fcli my ovn aiiracicd, no lcss sicadily, io
Iis. As I rccall our lcing ooscd iIus, facc io facc, I
sccm again io Icar my Icari lcai fasi and IigI.
'David,' Ic said, maling Iis lis iIin, ly rcss-
ing iIcm iogciIcr, 'if I Iavc an olsiinaic Iorsc
or dog io dcal viiI, vIai do you iIinl I do?'
'I don'i lnov.'
'I lcai Iim.'
I Iad ansvcrcd in a lind of lrcaiIlcss vIis-
cr, lui I fcli, in my silcncc, iIai my lrcaiI
vas sIoricr nov.
'I malc Iim vincc, and smari. I say io mysclf,
I'll conqucr iIai fcllov"; and if ii vcrc io cosi
Iim all iIc llood Ic Iad, I sIould do ii. WIai
is iIai uon your facc?'
'Diri,' I said.
Hc lncv ii vas iIc marl of icars as vcll as I.
Dui if Ic Iad aslcd iIc qucsiion ivcniy iimcs,
cacI iimc viiI ivcniy llovs, I lclicvc my laly
Icari vould Iavc lursi lcforc I vould Iavc
iold Iim so.
'You Iavc a good dcal of iniclligcncc for a liiilc
fcllov,' Ic said, viiI a gravc smilc iIai lclongcd
io Iim, 'and you undcrsiood mc vcry vcll, I scc.
WasI iIai facc, sir, and comc dovn viiI mc.'
Hc oinicd io iIc vasIing-siand, vIicI I Iad
madc oui io lc lilc Mrs. Gummidgc, and mo-
iioncd mc viiI Iis Icad io olcy Iim dirccily. I
Iad liiilc douli iIcn, and I Iavc lcss douli nov,
iIai Ic vould Iavc lnoclcd mc dovn viiIoui
iIc lcasi comunciion, if I Iad Icsiiaicd.
'Clara, my dcar,' Ic said, vIcn I Iad donc Iis
lidding, and Ic vallcd mc inio iIc arlour, viiI
Iis Iand siill on my arm; 'you vill noi lc madc
59
uncomforiallc any morc, I Ioc. Wc sIall soon
imrovc our youiIful Iumours.'
God Icl mc, I migIi Iavc lccn imrovcd for
my vIolc lifc, I migIi Iavc lccn madc anoiIcr
crcaiurc crIas, for lifc, ly a lind vord ai iIai
scason. A vord of cncouragcmcni and clana-
iion, of iiy for my cIildisI ignorancc, of vcl-
comc Iomc, of rcassurancc io mc iIai ii vas
Iomc, migIi Iavc madc mc duiiful io Iim in my
Icari IcnccforiI, insicad of in my Iyocriiical
ouisidc, and migIi Iavc madc mc rcscci in-
sicad of Iaic Iim. I iIougIi my moiIcr vas
sorry io scc mc sianding in iIc room so scarcd
and sirangc, and iIai, rcscnily, vIcn I siolc
io a cIair, sIc follovcd mc viiI Icr cycs morc
sorrovfully siillmissing, crIas, somc frcc-
dom in my cIildisI ircadlui iIc vord vas
noi solcn, and iIc iimc for ii vas gonc.
Wc dincd alonc, vc iIrcc iogciIcr. Hc sccmcd
io lc vcry fond of my moiIcrI am afraid I lilcd
Iim nonc iIc lciicr for iIaiand sIc vas vcry
fond of Iim. I gaiIcrcd from vIai iIcy said,
iIai an cldcr sisicr of Iis vas coming io siay
viiI iIcm, and iIai sIc vas cccicd iIai
cvcning. I am noi ccriain vIciIcr I found oui
iIcn, or aficrvards, iIai, viiIoui lcing aciivcly
conccrncd in any lusincss, Ic Iad somc sIarc
in, or somc annual cIargc uon iIc rofiis of, a
vinc-mcrcIani's Iousc in London, viiI vIicI
Iis family Iad lccn connccicd from Iis grcai-
grandfaiIcr's iimc, and in vIicI Iis sisicr Iad
a similar inicrcsi; lui I may mcniion ii in iIis
lacc, vIciIcr or no.
Aficr dinncr, vIcn vc vcrc siiiing ly iIc firc,
and I vas mcdiiaiing an cscac io Fcggoiiy viiI-
oui Iaving iIc IardiIood io sli avay, lcsi ii
sIould offcnd iIc masicr of iIc Iousc, a coacI
drovc u io iIc gardcn-gaic and Ic vcni oui io
rcccivc iIc visiior. My moiIcr follovcd Iim. I
vas iimidly folloving Icr, vIcn sIc iurncd
round ai iIc arlour door, in iIc dusl, and ial-
ing mc in Icr cmlracc as sIc Iad lccn uscd
60
io do, vIiscrcd mc io lovc my ncv faiIcr and
lc olcdicni io Iim. SIc did iIis Iurricdly and
sccrcily, as if ii vcrc vrong, lui icndcrly; and,
uiiing oui Icr Iand lcIind Icr, Icld minc in
ii, uniil vc camc ncar io vIcrc Ic vas siand-
ing in iIc gardcn, vIcrc sIc lci minc go, and
drcv Icrs iIrougI Iis arm.
Ii vas Miss Murdsionc vIo vas arrivcd, and
a gloomy-looling lady sIc vas; darl, lilc Icr
lroiIcr, vIom sIc grcaily rcscmllcd in facc and
voicc; and viiI vcry Icavy cyclrovs, ncarly
mcciing ovcr Icr largc nosc, as if, lcing dis-
allcd ly iIc vrongs of Icr sc from vcaring
vIislcrs, sIc Iad carricd iIcm io iIai accouni.
SIc lrougIi viiI Icr ivo uncomromising Iard
llacl locs, viiI Icr iniiials on iIc lids in Iard
lrass nails. WIcn sIc aid iIc coacIman sIc
iool Icr moncy oui of a Iard siccl ursc, and
sIc lci iIc ursc in a vcry jail of a lag vIicI
Iung uon Icr arm ly a Icavy cIain, and sIui
u lilc a liic. I Iad ncvcr, ai iIai iimc, sccn
sucI a mciallic lady aliogciIcr as Miss
Murdsionc vas.
SIc vas lrougIi inio iIc arlour viiI many
iolcns of vclcomc, and iIcrc formally rccog-
nizcd my moiIcr as a ncv and ncar rclaiion.
TIcn sIc loolcd ai mc, and said:
'Is iIai your loy, sisicr-in-lav?'
My moiIcr aclnovlcdgcd mc.
'Gcncrally scaling,' said Miss Murdsionc, 'I
don'i lilc loys. Hov d'yc do, loy?'
Undcr iIcsc cncouraging circumsianccs, I rc-
licd iIai I vas vcry vcll, and iIai I Iocd sIc
vas iIc samc; viiI sucI an indiffcrcni gracc,
iIai Miss Murdsionc disoscd of mc in ivo
vords:
'Wanis manncr!'
Having uiicrcd vIicI, viiI grcai disiincincss,
sIc lcggcd iIc favour of lcing sIovn io Icr
room, vIicI lccamc io mc from iIai iimc foriI
a lacc of avc and drcad, vIcrcin iIc ivo llacl
locs vcrc ncvcr sccn ocn or lnovn io lc
61
lcfi unloclcd, and vIcrc (for I cccd in oncc
or ivicc vIcn sIc vas oui} numcrous liiilc siccl
fciicrs and rivcis, viiI vIicI Miss Murdsionc
cmlcllisIcd Icrsclf vIcn sIc vas drcsscd, gcn-
crally Iung uon iIc looling-glass in formi-
dallc array.
As vcll as I could malc oui, sIc Iad comc
for good, and Iad no inicniion of cvcr going
again. SIc lcgan io 'Icl' my moiIcr nci
morning, and vas in and oui of iIc siorc-closci
all day, uiiing iIings io rigIis, and maling
Iavoc in iIc old arrangcmcnis. Almosi iIc firsi
rcmarlallc iIing I olscrvcd in Miss Murdsionc
vas, Icr lcing consianily Iaunicd ly a sus-
icion iIai iIc scrvanis Iad a man sccrcicd
somcvIcrc on iIc rcmiscs. Undcr iIc influ-
cncc of iIis dclusion, sIc divcd inio iIc coal-
ccllar ai iIc mosi uniimcly Iours, and scarccly
cvcr ocncd iIc door of a darl culoard viiI-
oui claing ii io again, in iIc lclicf iIai sIc
Iad goi Iim.
TIougI iIcrc vas noiIing vcry airy aloui Miss
Murdsionc, sIc vas a crfcci Larl in oini of
gciiing u. SIc vas u (and, as I lclicvc io iIis
Iour, looling for iIai man} lcforc anylody in
iIc Iousc vas siirring. Fcggoiiy gavc ii as Icr
oinion iIai sIc cvcn slci viiI onc cyc ocn;
lui I could noi concur in iIis idca; for I iricd ii
mysclf aficr Icaring iIc suggcsiion iIrovn oui,
and found ii couldn'i lc donc.
On iIc vcry firsi morning aficr Icr arrival sIc
vas u and ringing Icr lcll ai cocl-crov. WIcn
my moiIcr camc dovn io lrcalfasi and vas
going io malc iIc ica, Miss Murdsionc gavc
Icr a lind of ccl on iIc cIccl, vIicI vas Icr
ncarcsi aroacI io a liss, and said:
'Nov, Clara, my dcar, I am comc Icrc, you lnov,
io rclicvc you of all iIc iroullc I can. You'rc mucI
ioo rciiy and iIougIilcss' my moiIcr llusIcd
lui laugIcd, and sccmcd noi io dislilc iIis cIar-
acicr'io Iavc any duiics imoscd uon you iIai
can lc undcrialcn ly mc. If you'll lc so good as
62
givc mc your lcys, my dcar, I'll aiicnd io all iIis
sori of iIing in fuiurc.'
From iIai iimc, Miss Murdsionc lci iIc lcys
in Icr ovn liiilc jail all day, and undcr Icr il-
lov all nigIi, and my moiIcr Iad no morc io do
viiI iIcm iIan I Iad.
My moiIcr did noi suffcr Icr auiIoriiy io ass
from Icr viiIoui a sIadov of roicsi. Onc nigIi
vIcn Miss Murdsionc Iad lccn dcvcloing ccr-
iain IouscIold lans io Icr lroiIcr, of vIicI
Ic significd Iis arolaiion, my moiIcr sud-
dcnly lcgan io cry, and said sIc iIougIi sIc
migIi Iavc lccn consulicd.
'Clara!' said Mr. Murdsionc sicrnly. 'Clara! I
vondcr ai you.'
'OI, ii's vcry vcll io say you vondcr, Edvard!'
cricd my moiIcr, 'and ii's vcry vcll for you io iall
aloui firmncss, lui you vouldn'i lilc ii yoursclf.'
Firmncss, I may olscrvc, vas iIc grand qual-
iiy on vIicI loiI Mr. and Miss Murdsionc iool
iIcir siand. Hovcvcr I migIi Iavc crcsscd my
comrcIcnsion of ii ai iIai iimc, if I Iad lccn
callcd uon, I ncvcriIclcss did clcarly comrc-
Icnd in my ovn vay, iIai ii vas anoiIcr namc
for iyranny; and for a ccriain gloomy, arrogani,
dcvil's Iumour, iIai vas in iIcm loiI. TIc
crccd, as I sIould siaic ii nov, vas iIis. Mr.
Murdsionc vas firm; nolody in Iis vorld vas
io lc so firm as Mr. Murdsionc; nolody clsc in
Iis vorld vas io lc firm ai all, for cvcrylody
vas io lc lcni io Iis firmncss. Miss Murdsionc
vas an ccciion. SIc migIi lc firm, lui only
ly rclaiionsIi, and in an infcrior and irilu-
iary dcgrcc. My moiIcr vas anoiIcr ccciion.
SIc migIi lc firm, and musi lc; lui only in
lcaring iIcir firmncss, and firmly lclicving iIcrc
vas no oiIcr firmncss uon cariI.
'Ii's vcry Iard,' said my moiIcr, 'iIai in my
ovn Iousc '
'My ovn Iousc?' rccaicd Mr. Murdsionc. 'Clara!'
'Our ovn Iousc, I mcan,' falicrcd my moiIcr,
cvidcnily frigIicncd'I Ioc you musi lnov
63
vIai I mcan, Edvardii's vcry Iard iIai in our
ovn Iousc I may noi Iavc a vord io say aloui
domcsiic maiicrs. I am surc I managcd vcry
vcll lcforc vc vcrc marricd. TIcrc's cvidcncc,'
said my moiIcr, solling; 'asl Fcggoiiy if I didn'i
do vcry vcll vIcn I vasn'i inicrfcrcd viiI!'
'Edvard,' said Miss Murdsionc, 'lci iIcrc lc
an cnd of iIis. I go iomorrov.'
'Janc Murdsionc,' said Icr lroiIcr, 'lc silcni!
Hov darc you io insinuaic iIai you don'i lnov
my cIaracicr lciicr iIan your vords imly?'
'I am surc,' my oor moiIcr vcni on, ai a
gricvous disadvaniagc, and viiI many icars, 'I
don'i vani anylody io go. I sIould lc vcry mis-
crallc and unIay if anylody vas io go. I don'i
asl mucI. I am noi unrcasonallc. I only vani
io lc consulicd somciimcs. I am vcry mucI
olligcd io anylody vIo assisis mc, and I only
vani io lc consulicd as a mcrc form, somc-
iimcs. I iIougIi you vcrc lcascd, oncc, viiI
my lcing a liiilc inccricnccd and girlisI,
EdvardI am surc you said solui you sccm
io Iaic mc for ii nov, you arc so scvcrc.'
'Edvard,' said Miss Murdsionc, again, 'lci
iIcrc lc an cnd of iIis. I go iomorrov.'
'Janc Murdsionc,' iIundcrcd Mr. Murdsionc.
'Will you lc silcni? Hov darc you?'
Miss Murdsionc madc a jail-dclivcry of Icr
oclci-IandlcrcIicf, and Icld ii lcforc Icr cycs.
'Clara,' Ic coniinucd, looling ai my moiIcr,
'you surrisc mc! You asiound mc! Ycs, I Iad a
saiisfaciion in iIc iIougIi of marrying an inc-
cricnccd and arilcss crson, and forming Icr
cIaracicr, and infusing inio ii somc amouni of
iIai firmncss and dccision of vIicI ii siood in
nccd. Dui vIcn Janc Murdsionc is lind cnougI
io comc io my assisiancc in iIis cndcavour, and
io assumc, for my salc, a condiiion somciIing
lilc a Iousclcccr's, and vIcn sIc mccis viiI
a lasc rciurn '
'OI, ray, ray, Edvard,' cricd my moiIcr,
'don'i accusc mc of lcing ungraicful. I am surc
64
I am noi ungraicful. No onc cvcr said I vas lc-
forc. I Iavc many faulis, lui noi iIai. OI, don'i,
my dcar!'
'WIcn Janc Murdsionc mccis, I say,' Ic vcni
on, aficr vaiiing uniil my moiIcr vas silcni,
'viiI a lasc rciurn, iIai fccling of minc is cIillcd
and alicrcd.'
'Don'i, my lovc, say iIai!' imlorcd my moiIcr
vcry iicously. 'OI, don'i, Edvard! I can'i lcar
io Icar ii. WIaicvcr I am, I am affcciionaic. I
lnov I am affcciionaic. I vouldn'i say ii, if I
vasn'i surc iIai I am. Asl Fcggoiiy. I am surc
sIc'll icll you I'm affcciionaic.'
'TIcrc is no cicni of mcrc vcalncss, Clara,'
said Mr. Murdsionc in rcly, 'iIai can Iavc iIc
lcasi vcigIi viiI mc. You losc lrcaiI.'
'Fray lci us lc fricnds,' said my moiIcr, 'I
couldn'i livc undcr coldncss or unlindncss. I am
so sorry. I Iavc a grcai many dcfccis, I lnov, and
ii's vcry good of you, Edvard, viiI your sircngiI
of mind, io cndcavour io corrcci iIcm for mc.
Janc, I don'i oljcci io anyiIing. I sIould lc quiic
lrolcn-Icaricd if you iIougIi of lcaving' My
moiIcr vas ioo mucI ovcrcomc io go on.
'Janc Murdsionc,' said Mr. Murdsionc io Iis sisicr,
'any IarsI vords lcivccn us arc, I Ioc, uncom-
mon. Ii is noi my fauli iIai so unusual an occurrcncc
Ias ialcn lacc ionigIi. I vas lciraycd inio ii ly
anoiIcr. Nor is ii your fauli. You vcrc lciraycd inio ii
ly anoiIcr. Lci us loiI iry io forgci ii. And as iIis,'
Ic addcd, aficr iIcsc magnanimous vords, 'is noi a
fii sccnc for iIc loyDavid, go io lcd!'
I could Iardly find iIc door, iIrougI iIc icars
iIai siood in my cycs. I vas so sorry for my
moiIcr's disircss; lui I grocd my vay oui, and
grocd my vay u io my room in iIc darl, viiI-
oui cvcn Iaving iIc Icari io say good nigIi io
Fcggoiiy, or io gci a candlc from Icr. WIcn
Icr coming u io lool for mc, an Iour or so
aficrvards, avolc mc, sIc said iIai my moiIcr
Iad gonc io lcd oorly, and iIai Mr. and Miss
Murdsionc vcrc siiiing alonc.
65
Going dovn nci morning raiIcr carlicr iIan
usual, I auscd ouisidc iIc arlour door, on
Icaring my moiIcr's voicc. SIc vas vcry car-
ncsily and Iumlly cnircaiing Miss Murdsionc's
ardon, vIicI iIai lady granicd, and a crfcci
rcconciliaiion iool lacc. I ncvcr lncv my
moiIcr aficrvards io givc an oinion on any
maiicr, viiIoui firsi acaling io Miss
Murdsionc, or viiIoui Iaving firsi asccriaincd
ly somc surc mcans, vIai Miss Murdsionc's
oinion vas; and I ncvcr sav Miss Murdsionc,
vIcn oui of icmcr (sIc vas infirm iIai vay},
movc Icr Iand iovards Icr lag as if sIc vcrc
going io ialc oui iIc lcys and offcr io rcsign
iIcm io my moiIcr, viiIoui sccing iIai my
moiIcr vas in a icrrillc frigIi.
TIc gloomy iaini iIai vas in iIc Murdsionc
llood, darlcncd iIc Murdsionc rcligion, vIicI
vas ausicrc and vraiIful. I Iavc iIougIi, sincc,
iIai iis assuming iIai cIaracicr vas a ncccs-
sary conscqucncc of Mr. Murdsionc's firmncss,
vIicI vouldn'i allov Iim io lci anylody off from
iIc uimosi vcigIi of iIc scvcrcsi cnaliics Ic
could find any ccusc for. Dc iIis as ii may, I
vcll rcmcmlcr iIc ircmcndous visagcs viiI
vIicI vc uscd io go io cIurcI, and iIc cIangcd
air of iIc lacc. Again, iIc drcadcd Sunday
comcs round, and I filc inio iIc old cv firsi,
lilc a guardcd caiivc lrougIi io a condcmncd
scrvicc. Again, Miss Murdsionc, in a llacl vcl-
vci govn, iIai lools as if ii Iad lccn madc oui
of a all, follovs closc uon mc; iIcn my moiIcr;
iIcn Icr Iusland. TIcrc is no Fcggoiiy nov,
as in iIc old iimc. Again, I lisicn io Miss
Murdsionc mumlling iIc rcsonscs, and cm-
Iasizing all iIc drcad vords viiI a crucl rcl-
isI. Again, I scc Icr darl cycs roll round iIc
cIurcI vIcn sIc says 'miscrallc sinncrs', as
if sIc vcrc calling all iIc congrcgaiion namcs.
Again, I caicI rarc glimscs of my moiIcr, mov-
ing Icr lis iimidly lcivccn iIc ivo, viiI onc
of iIcm muiicring ai cacI car lilc lov iIun-
66
dcr. Again, I vondcr viiI a suddcn fcar vIciIcr
ii is lilcly iIai our good old clcrgyman can lc
vrong, and Mr. and Miss Murdsionc rigIi, and
iIai all iIc angcls in Hcavcn can lc dcsiroying
angcls. Again, if I movc a fingcr or rcla a musclc
of my facc, Miss Murdsionc olcs mc viiI Icr
raycr-lool, and malcs my sidc acIc.
Ycs, and again, as vc vall Iomc, I noic somc
ncigIlours looling ai my moiIcr and ai mc,
and vIiscring. Again, as iIc iIrcc go on arm-
in-arm, and I lingcr lcIind alonc, I follov somc
of iIosc lools, and vondcr if my moiIcr's sic
lc rcally noi so ligIi as I Iavc sccn ii, and if
iIc gaiciy of Icr lcauiy lc rcally almosi vor-
ricd avay. Again, I vondcr vIciIcr any of iIc
ncigIlours call io mind, as I do, Iov vc uscd
io vall Iomc iogciIcr, sIc and I; and I vondcr
siuidly aloui iIai, all iIc drcary dismal day.
TIcrc Iad lccn somc iall on occasions of my
going io loarding-scIool. Mr. and Miss
Murdsionc Iad originaicd ii, and my moiIcr
Iad of coursc agrccd viiI iIcm. NoiIing, Iov-
cvcr, vas concludcd on iIc suljcci yci. In iIc
mcaniimc, I lcarni lcssons ai Iomc. SIall I cvcr
forgci iIosc lcssons! TIcy vcrc rcsidcd ovcr
nominally ly my moiIcr, lui rcally ly Mr.
Murdsionc and Iis sisicr, vIo vcrc alvays
rcscni, and found iIcm a favourallc occasion
for giving my moiIcr lcssons in iIai miscallcd
firmncss, vIicI vas iIc lanc of loiI our livcs. I
lclicvc I vas lci ai Iomc for iIai urosc. I
Iad lccn ai cnougI io lcarn, and villing
cnougI, vIcn my moiIcr and I Iad livcd alonc
iogciIcr. I can fainily rcmcmlcr lcarning iIc
alIalci ai Icr lncc. To iIis day, vIcn I lool
uon iIc fai llacl lciicrs in iIc rimcr, iIc uz-
zling novcliy of iIcir sIacs, and iIc casy good-
naiurc of O and Q and S, sccm io rcscni iIcm-
sclvcs again lcforc mc as iIcy uscd io do. Dui
iIcy rccall no fccling of disgusi or rcluciancc.
On iIc conirary, I sccm io Iavc vallcd along a
aiI of flovcrs as far as iIc crocodilc-lool, and
67
io Iavc lccn cIccrcd ly iIc gcnilcncss of my
moiIcr's voicc and manncr all iIc vay. Dui iIcsc
solcmn lcssons vIicI succccdcd iIosc, I rcmcm-
lcr as iIc dcaiI-llov of my cacc, and a gricv-
ous daily drudgcry and miscry. TIcy vcrc vcry
long, vcry numcrous, vcry Iardcrfccily un-
iniclligillc, somc of iIcm, io mcand I vas gcn-
crally as mucI lcvildcrcd ly iIcm as I lclicvc
my oor moiIcr vas Icrsclf.
Lci mc rcmcmlcr Iov ii uscd io lc, and lring
onc morning lacl again.
I comc inio iIc sccond-lcsi arlour aficr
lrcalfasi, viiI my lools, and an ccrcisc-lool,
and a slaic. My moiIcr is rcady for mc ai Icr
vriiing-dcsl, lui noi Ialf so rcady as Mr.
Murdsionc in Iis casy-cIair ly iIc vindov
(iIougI Ic rcicnds io lc rcading a lool}, or
as Miss Murdsionc, siiiing ncar my moiIcr
siringing siccl lcads. TIc vcry sigIi of iIcsc
ivo Ias sucI an influcncc ovcr mc, iIai I lc-
gin io fccl iIc vords I Iavc lccn ai infiniic
ains io gci inio my Icad, all sliding avay, and
going I don'i lnov vIcrc. I vondcr vIcrc iIcy
do go, ly iIc ly?
I Iand iIc firsi lool io my moiIcr. FcrIas ii
is a grammar, crIas a Iisiory, or gcograIy. I
ialc a lasi drovning lool ai iIc agc as I givc ii
inio Icr Iand, and siari off aloud ai a racing
acc vIilc I Iavc goi ii frcsI. I iri ovcr a vord.
Mr. Murdsionc lools u. I iri ovcr anoiIcr vord.
Miss Murdsionc lools u. I rcddcn, iumllc ovcr
Ialf-a-dozcn vords, and sio. I iIinl my moiIcr
vould sIov mc iIc lool if sIc darcd, lui sIc
docs noi darc, and sIc says sofily:
'OI, Davy, Davy!'
'Nov, Clara,' says Mr. Murdsionc, 'lc firm viiI
iIc loy. Don'i say, OI, Davy, Davy!" TIai's cIild-
isI. Hc lnovs Iis lcsson, or Ic docs noi lnov ii.'
'Hc docs not lnov ii,' Miss Murdsionc inicr-
oscs avfully.
'I am rcally afraid Ic docs noi,' says my moiIcr.
' TIcn, you scc, Clara,' rciurns Miss
68
Murdsionc, 'you sIould jusi givc Iim iIc lool
lacl, and malc Iim lnov ii.'
'Ycs, ccriainly,' says my moiIcr; 'iIai is vIai
I inicnd io do, my dcar Janc. Nov, Davy, iry
oncc morc, and don'i lc siuid.'
I olcy iIc firsi clausc of iIc injunciion ly iry-
ing oncc morc, lui am noi so succcssful viiI
iIc sccond, for I am vcry siuid. I iumllc dovn
lcforc I gci io iIc old lacc, ai a oini vIcrc I
vas all rigIi lcforc, and sio io iIinl. Dui I
can'i iIinl aloui iIc lcsson. I iIinl of iIc num-
lcr of yards of nci in Miss Murdsionc's ca, or
of iIc ricc of Mr. Murdsionc's drcssing-govn,
or any sucI ridiculous rollcm iIai I Iavc no
lusincss viiI, and don'i vani io Iavc anyiIing
ai all io do viiI. Mr. Murdsionc malcs a movc-
mcni of imaiicncc vIicI I Iavc lccn ccci-
ing for a long iimc. Miss Murdsionc docs iIc
samc. My moiIcr glanccs sulmissivcly ai iIcm,
sIuis iIc lool, and lays ii ly as an arrcar io lc
vorlcd oui vIcn my oiIcr iasls arc donc.
TIcrc is a ilc of iIcsc arrcars vcry soon, and
ii svclls lilc a rolling snovlall. TIc liggcr ii
gcis, iIc morc siuid I gci. TIc casc is so Ioc-
lcss, and I fccl iIai I am valloving in sucI a
log of nonscnsc, iIai I givc u all idca of gci-
iing oui, and alandon mysclf io my faic. TIc
dcsairing vay in vIicI my moiIcr and I lool
ai cacI oiIcr, as I llundcr on, is iruly mclan-
cIoly. Dui iIc grcaicsi cffcci in iIcsc miscrallc
lcssons is vIcn my moiIcr (iIinling nolody
is olscrving Icr} irics io givc mc iIc cuc ly iIc
moiion of Icr lis. Ai iIai insiani, Miss
Murdsionc, vIo Ias lccn lying in vaii for noiI-
ing clsc all along, says in a dcc varning voicc:
'Clara!'
My moiIcr siaris, colours, and smilcs fainily.
Mr. Murdsionc comcs oui of Iis cIair, ialcs iIc
lool, iIrovs ii ai mc or locs my cars viiI ii,
and iurns mc oui of iIc room ly iIc sIouldcrs.
Evcn vIcn iIc lcssons arc donc, iIc vorsi is
yci io Iacn, in iIc sIac of an aalling
69
sum. TIis is invcnicd for mc, and dclivcrcd io
mc orally ly Mr. Murdsionc, and lcgins, 'If I
go inio a cIccscmongcr's sIo, and luy fivc
iIousand doullc-Glouccsicr cIccscs ai
fourcncc-Ialfcnny cacI, rcscni aymcni'
ai vIicI I scc Miss Murdsionc sccrcily ovcr-
joycd. I orc ovcr iIcsc cIccscs viiIoui any
rcsuli or cnligIicnmcni uniil dinncr-iimc,
vIcn, Iaving madc a Mulaiio of mysclf ly gci-
iing iIc diri of iIc slaic inio iIc orcs of my
slin, I Iavc a slicc of lrcad io Icl mc oui viiI
iIc cIccscs, and am considcrcd in disgracc for
iIc rcsi of iIc cvcning.
Ii sccms io mc, ai iIis disiancc of iimc, as if my
unforiunaic siudics gcncrally iool iIis coursc. I
could Iavc donc vcry vcll if I Iad lccn viiIoui iIc
Murdsioncs; lui iIc influcncc of iIc Murdsioncs
uon mc vas lilc iIc fascinaiion of ivo snalcs on a
vrcicIcd young lird. Evcn vIcn I did gci iIrougI
iIc morning viiI iolcrallc crcdii, iIcrc vas noi mucI
gaincd lui dinncr; for Miss Murdsionc ncvcr could
cndurc io scc mc uniaslcd, and if I rasIly madc
any sIov of lcing uncmloycd, callcd Icr lroiIcr's
aiicniion io mc ly saying, 'Clara, my dcar, iIcrc's
noiIing lilc vorlgivc your loy an ccrcisc'; vIicI
causcd mc io lc clacd dovn io somc ncv lalour,
iIcrc and iIcn. As io any rccrcaiion viiI oiIcr cIil-
drcn of my agc, I Iad vcry liiilc of iIai; for iIc gloomy
iIcology of iIc Murdsioncs madc all cIildrcn oui io
lc a svarm of liiilc vicrs (iIougI iIcrc uus a cIild
oncc sci in iIc midsi of iIc Discilcs}, and Icld iIai
iIcy coniaminaicd onc anoiIcr.
TIc naiural rcsuli of iIis ircaimcni, coniin-
ucd, I suosc, for somc si moniIs or morc,
vas io malc mc sullcn, dull, and doggcd. I vas
noi madc iIc lcss so ly my scnsc of lcing daily
morc and morc sIui oui and alicnaicd from
my moiIcr. I lclicvc I sIould Iavc lccn almosi
siucficd lui for onc circumsiancc.
Ii vas iIis. My faiIcr Iad lcfi a small collcc-
iion of lools in a liiilc room usiairs, io vIicI
I Iad acccss (for ii adjoincd my ovn} and vIicI
70
nolody clsc in our Iousc cvcr iroullcd. From
iIai llcsscd liiilc room, Fodcricl Fandom, Fcr-
cgrinc Ficllc, HumIrcy Clinlcr, Tom Joncs,
iIc Vicar of Walcficld, Don Quioic, Gil Dlas,
and Folinson Crusoc, camc oui, a glorious Iosi,
io lcc mc comany. TIcy lci alivc my fancy,
and my Ioc of somciIing lcyond iIai lacc
and iimc,iIcy, and iIc Aralian NigIis, and
iIc Talcs of iIc Gcnii,and did mc no Iarm;
for vIaicvcr Iarm vas in somc of iIcm vas
noi iIcrc for mc; I lncv noiIing of ii. Ii is as-
ionisIing io mc nov, Iov I found iimc, in iIc
midsi of my orings and llundcrings ovcr
Icavicr iIcmcs, io rcad iIosc lools as I did. Ii
is curious io mc Iov I could cvcr Iavc consolcd
mysclf undcr my small iroullcs (vIicI vcrc
grcai iroullcs io mc}, ly imcrsonaiing my
favouriic cIaracicrs in iIcmas I didand ly
uiiing Mr. and Miss Murdsionc inio all iIc
lad oncsvIicI I did ioo. I Iavc lccn Tom
Joncs (a cIild's Tom Joncs, a Iarmlcss crca-
iurc} for a vccl iogciIcr. I Iavc susiaincd my
ovn idca of Fodcricl Fandom for a moniI ai a
sircicI, I vcrily lclicvc. I Iad a grccdy rclisI
for a fcv volumcs of Voyagcs and TravclsI for-
gci vIai, noviIai vcrc on iIosc sIclvcs; and
for days and days I can rcmcmlcr io Iavc gonc
aloui my rcgion of our Iousc, armcd viiI iIc
ccnirc-iccc oui of an old sci of looi-irccs
iIc crfcci rcalizaiion of Caiain Somclody, of
iIc Foyal DriiisI Navy, in dangcr of lcing lc-
sci ly savagcs, and rcsolvcd io scll Iis lifc ai a
grcai ricc. TIc Caiain ncvcr losi digniiy, from
Iaving Iis cars locd viiI iIc Laiin Grammar.
I did; lui iIc Caiain vas a Caiain and a Icro,
in dcsiic of all iIc grammars of all iIc lan-
guagcs in iIc vorld, dcad or alivc.
TIis vas my only and my consiani comfori.
WIcn I iIinl of ii, iIc iciurc alvays riscs in my
mind, of a summcr cvcning, iIc loys ai lay in
iIc cIurcIyard, and I siiiing on my lcd, rcading
as if for lifc. Evcry larn in iIc ncigIlourIood,
71
cvcry sionc in iIc cIurcI, and cvcry fooi of iIc
cIurcIyard, Iad somc associaiion of iis ovn,
in my mind, connccicd viiI iIcsc lools, and
siood for somc localiiy madc famous in iIcm. I
Iavc sccn Tom Fics go climling u iIc cIurcI-
sicclc; I Iavc vaicIcd Sira, viiI iIc lna-
sacl on Iis lacl, sioing io rcsi Iimsclf uon
iIc viclci-gaic; and I lnov iIai Commodorc
Trunnion Icld iIai clul viiI Mr. Ficllc, in iIc
arlour of our liiilc villagc alcIousc.
TIc rcadcr nov undcrsiands, as vcll as I do,
vIai I vas vIcn I camc io iIai oini of my youiI-
ful Iisiory io vIicI I am nov coming again.
Onc morning vIcn I vcni inio iIc arlour viiI
my lools, I found my moiIcr looling anious, Miss
Murdsionc looling firm, and Mr. Murdsionc lind-
ing somciIing round iIc loiiom of a canca liiIc
and limlcr canc, vIicI Ic lcfi off linding vIcn I
camc in, and oiscd and sviicIcd in iIc air.
'I icll you, Clara,' said Mr. Murdsionc, 'I Iavc
lccn oficn floggcd mysclf.'
'To lc surc; of coursc,' said Miss Murdsionc.
'Ccriainly, my dcar Janc,' falicrcd my moiIcr,
mcclly. 'Duilui do you iIinl ii did Edvard
good?'
'Do you iIinl ii did Edvard Iarm, Clara?'
aslcd Mr. Murdsionc, gravcly.
'TIai's iIc oini,' said Iis sisicr.
To iIis my moiIcr rciurncd, 'Ccriainly, my
dcar Janc,' and said no morc.
I fcli arcIcnsivc iIai I vas crsonally in-
icrcsicd in iIis dialoguc, and sougIi Mr.
Murdsionc's cyc as ii ligIicd on minc.
'Nov, David,' Ic saidand I sav iIai casi again
as Ic said ii'you musi lc far morc carcful io-
day iIan usual.' Hc gavc iIc canc anoiIcr oisc,
and anoiIcr sviicI; and Iaving finisIcd Iis
rcaraiion of ii, laid ii dovn lcsidc Iim, viiI
an imrcssivc lool, and iool u Iis lool.
TIis vas a good frcsIcncr io my rcscncc of
mind, as a lcginning. I fcli iIc vords of my
lcssons sliing off, noi onc ly onc, or linc ly
72
linc, lui ly iIc cniirc agc; I iricd io lay Iold
of iIcm; lui iIcy sccmcd, if I may so crcss
ii, io Iavc ui slaics on, and io slim avay from
mc viiI a smooiIncss iIcrc vas no cIccling.
Wc lcgan ladly, and vcni on vorsc. I Iad
comc in viiI an idca of disiinguisIing mysclf
raiIcr, concciving iIai I vas vcry vcll rcarcd;
lui ii iurncd oui io lc quiic a misialc. Dool
aficr lool vas addcd io iIc Ica of failurcs,
Miss Murdsionc lcing firmly vaicIful of us all
iIc iimc. And vIcn vc camc ai lasi io iIc fivc
iIousand cIccscs (cancs Ic madc ii iIai day, I
rcmcmlcr}, my moiIcr lursi oui crying.
'Clara!' said Miss Murdsionc, in Icr varning
voicc.
'I am noi quiic vcll, my dcar Janc, I iIinl,'
said my moiIcr.
I sav Iim vinl, solcmnly, ai Iis sisicr, as Ic
rosc and said, ialing u iIc canc:
'WIy, Janc, vc can Iardly ccci Clara io lcar,
viiI crfcci firmncss, iIc vorry and iormcni
iIai David Ias occasioncd Icr ioday. TIai vould
lc sioical. Clara is grcaily sircngiIcncd and
imrovcd, lui vc can Iardly ccci so mucI
from Icr. David, you and I vill go usiairs, loy.'
As Ic iool mc oui ai iIc door, my moiIcr ran
iovards us. Miss Murdsionc said, 'Clara! arc you
a crfcci fool?' and inicrfcrcd. I sav my moiIcr
sio Icr cars iIcn, and I Icard Icr crying.
Hc vallcd mc u io my room slovly and
gravclyI am ccriain Ic Iad a dcligIi in iIai
formal aradc of cccuiing jusiiccand vIcn
vc goi iIcrc, suddcnly ivisicd my Icad undcr
Iis arm.
'Mr. Murdsionc! Sir!' I cricd io Iim. 'Don'i! Fray
don'i lcai mc! I Iavc iricd io lcarn, sir, lui I
can'i lcarn vIilc you and Miss Murdsionc arc
ly. I can'i indccd!'
'Can'i you, indccd, David?' Ic said. 'Wc'll iry
iIai.'
Hc Iad my Icad as in a vicc, lui I ivincd round
Iim somcIov, and siocd Iim for a momcni,
73
cnircaiing Iim noi io lcai mc. Ii vas only a
momcni iIai I siocd Iim, for Ic cui mc Icavily
an insiani aficrvards, and in iIc samc insiani
I caugIi iIc Iand viiI vIicI Ic Icld mc in my
mouiI, lcivccn my icciI, and lii ii iIrougI. Ii
scis my icciI on cdgc io iIinl of ii.
Hc lcai mc iIcn, as if Ic vould Iavc lcaicn
mc io dcaiI. Alovc all iIc noisc vc madc, I Icard
iIcm running u iIc siairs, and crying ouiI
Icard my moiIcr crying ouiand Fcggoiiy.
TIcn Ic vas gonc; and iIc door vas loclcd
ouisidc; and I vas lying, fcvcrcd and Ioi, and
iorn, and sorc, and raging in my uny vay, uon
iIc floor.
Hov vcll I rccollcci, vIcn I lccamc quici, vIai
an unnaiural siillncss sccmcd io rcign iIrougI
iIc vIolc Iousc! Hov vcll I rcmcmlcr, vIcn
my smari and assion lcgan io cool, Iov viclcd
I lcgan io fccl!
I sai lisicning for a long vIilc, lui iIcrc vas
noi a sound. I cravlcd u from iIc floor, and
sav my facc in iIc glass, so svollcn, rcd, and
ugly iIai ii almosi frigIicncd mc. My sirics
vcrc sorc and siiff, and madc mc cry afrcsI,
vIcn I movcd; lui iIcy vcrc noiIing io iIc guili
I fcli. Ii lay Icavicr on my lrcasi iIan if I Iad
lccn a mosi airocious criminal, I darc say.
Ii Iad lcgun io grov darl, and I Iad sIui iIc
vindov (I Iad lccn lying, for iIc mosi ari, viiI
my Icad uon iIc sill, ly iurns crying, dozing,
and looling lisilcssly oui}, vIcn iIc lcy vas
iurncd, and Miss Murdsionc camc in viiI somc
lrcad and mcai, and mill. TIcsc sIc ui dovn
uon iIc iallc viiIoui a vord, glaring ai mc
iIc vIilc viiI ccmlary firmncss, and iIcn
rciircd, locling iIc door aficr Icr.
Long aficr ii vas darl I sai iIcrc, vondcring
vIciIcr anylody clsc vould comc. WIcn iIis
acarcd imrolallc for iIai nigIi, I undrcsscd,
and vcni io lcd; and, iIcrc, I lcgan io vondcr
fcarfully vIai vould lc donc io mc. WIciIcr ii
vas a criminal aci iIai I Iad commiiicd?
74
WIciIcr I sIould lc ialcn inio cusiody, and
scni io rison? WIciIcr I vas ai all in dangcr of
lcing Iangcd?
I ncvcr sIall forgci iIc valing, nci morning;
iIc lcing cIccrful and frcsI for iIc firsi mo-
mcni, and iIcn iIc lcing vcigIcd dovn ly iIc
sialc and dismal orcssion of rcmcmlrancc.
Miss Murdsionc rcacarcd lcforc I vas oui of
lcd; iold mc, in so many vords, iIai I vas frcc
io vall in iIc gardcn for Ialf an Iour and no
longcr; and rciircd, lcaving iIc door ocn, iIai
I migIi avail mysclf of iIai crmission.
I did so, and did so cvcry morning of my im-
risonmcni, vIicI lasicd fivc days. If I could
Iavc sccn my moiIcr alonc, I sIould Iavc gonc
dovn on my lnccs io Icr and lcsougIi Icr for-
givcncss; lui I sav no onc, Miss Murdsionc
cccicd, during iIc vIolc iimcccci ai
cvcning raycrs in iIc arlour; io vIicI I vas
cscoricd ly Miss Murdsionc aficr cvcrylody clsc
vas laccd; vIcrc I vas siaiioncd, a young oui-
lav, all alonc ly mysclf ncar iIc door; and
vIcncc I vas solcmnly conducicd ly my jailcr,
lcforc any onc arosc from iIc dcvoiional os-
iurc. I only olscrvcd iIai my moiIcr vas as far
off from mc as sIc could lc, and lci Icr facc
anoiIcr vay so iIai I ncvcr sav ii; and iIai Mr.
Murdsionc's Iand vas lound u in a largc
lincn vracr.
TIc lcngiI of iIosc fivc days I can convcy no
idca of io any onc. TIcy occuy iIc lacc of
ycars in my rcmcmlrancc. TIc vay in vIicI I
lisicncd io all iIc incidcnis of iIc Iousc iIai
madc iIcmsclvcs audillc io mc; iIc ringing of
lclls, iIc ocning and sIuiiing of doors, iIc
murmuring of voiccs, iIc fooisics on iIc siairs;
io any laugIing, vIisiling, or singing, ouisidc,
vIicI sccmcd morc dismal iIan anyiIing clsc
io mc in my soliiudc and disgracciIc unccr-
iain acc of iIc Iours, csccially ai nigIi, vIcn
I vould valc iIinling ii vas morning, and find
iIai iIc family vcrc noi yci gonc io lcd, and
75
iIai all iIc lcngiI of nigIi Iad yci io comciIc
dcrcsscd drcams and nigIimarcs I IadiIc
rciurn of day, noon, aficrnoon, cvcning, vIcn
iIc loys laycd in iIc cIurcIyard, and I vaicIcd
iIcm from a disiancc viiIin iIc room, lcing
asIamcd io sIov mysclf ai iIc vindov lcsi iIcy
sIould lnov I vas a risoncriIc sirangc scn-
saiion of ncvcr Icaring mysclf scaliIc flcci-
ing inicrvals of somciIing lilc cIccrfulncss,
vIicI camc viiI caiing and drinling, and vcni
avay viiI iiiIc sciiing in of rain onc cvcning,
viiI a frcsI smcll, and iis coming dovn fasicr
and fasicr lcivccn mc and iIc cIurcI, uniil ii
and gaiIcring nigIi sccmcd io qucncI mc in
gloom, and fcar, and rcmorscall iIis acars
io Iavc gonc round and round for ycars insicad
of days, ii is so vividly and sirongly siamcd on
my rcmcmlrancc. On iIc lasi nigIi of my rc-
siraini, I vas avalcncd ly Icaring my ovn namc
solcn in a vIiscr. I siaricd u in lcd, and
uiiing oui my arms in iIc darl, said:
'Is iIai you, Fcggoiiy?'
TIcrc vas no immcdiaic ansvcr, lui rcscnily
I Icard my namc again, in a ionc so vcry mys-
icrious and avful, iIai I iIinl I sIould Iavc
gonc inio a fii, if ii Iad noi occurrcd io mc iIai
ii musi Iavc comc iIrougI iIc lcyIolc.
I grocd my vay io iIc door, and uiiing my
ovn lis io iIc lcyIolc, vIiscrcd: 'Is iIai you,
Fcggoiiy dcar?'
'Ycs, my ovn rccious Davy,' sIc rclicd. 'Dc
as sofi as a mousc, or iIc Cai'll Icar us.'
I undcrsiood iIis io mcan Miss Murdsionc,
and vas scnsillc of iIc urgcncy of iIc casc; Icr
room lcing closc ly.
'Hov's mama, dcar Fcggoiiy? Is sIc vcry an-
gry viiI mc?'
I could Icar Fcggoiiy crying sofily on Icr sidc
of iIc lcyIolc, as I vas doing on minc, lcforc
sIc ansvcrcd. 'No. Noi vcry.'
'WIai is going io lc donc viiI mc, Fcggoiiy
dcar? Do you lnov?'
76
'ScIool. Ncar London,' vas Fcggoiiy's ansvcr.
I vas olligcd io gci Icr io rccai ii, for sIc solc
ii iIc firsi iimc quiic dovn my iIroai, in consc-
qucncc of my Iaving forgoiicn io ialc my mouiI
avay from iIc lcyIolc and ui my car iIcrc;
and iIougI Icr vords iicllcd mc a good dcal, I
didn'i Icar iIcm.
'WIcn, Fcggoiiy?'
'Tomorrov.'
'Is iIai iIc rcason vIy Miss Murdsionc iool
iIc cloiIcs oui of my dravcrs?' vIicI sIc Iad
donc, iIougI I Iavc forgoiicn io mcniion ii.
'Ycs,' said Fcggoiiy. 'Do.'
'SIan'i I scc mama?'
'Ycs,' said Fcggoiiy. 'Morning.'
TIcn Fcggoiiy fiiicd Icr mouiI closc io iIc lcy-
Iolc, and dclivcrcd iIcsc vords iIrougI ii viiI as
mucI fccling and carncsincss as a lcyIolc Ias
cvcr lccn iIc mcdium of communicaiing, I vill
vcniurc io asscri: sIooiing in cacI lrolcn liiilc
scnicncc in a convulsivc liiilc lursi of iis ovn.
'Davy, dcar. If I ain'i lccn azaclly as iniimaic
viiI you. Laicly, as I uscd io lc. Ii ain'i lc-
causc I don'i lovc you. jusi as vcll and morc,
my rciiy oci. Ii's lccausc I iIougIi ii lci-
icr for you. And for somconc clsc lcsidcs. Davy,
my darling, arc you lisicning? Can you Icar?'
'Yc-yc-yc-ycs, Fcggoiiy!' I sollcd.
'My ovn!' said Fcggoiiy, viiI infiniic comas-
sion. 'WIai I vani io say, is. TIai you musi
ncvcr forgci mc. For I'll ncvcr forgci you. And
I'll ialc as mucI carc of your mama, Davy. As
cvcr I iool of you. And I von'i lcavc Icr. TIc
day may comc vIcn sIc'll lc glad io lay Icr
oor Icad. On Icr siuid, cross old Fcggoiiy's
arm again. And I'll vriic io you, my dcar. TIougI
I ain'i no scIolar. And I'llI'll -' Fcggoiiy fcll io
lissing iIc lcyIolc, as sIc couldn'i liss mc.
'TIanl you, dcar Fcggoiiy!' said I. 'OI, iIanl
you! TIanl you! Will you romisc mc onc iIing,
Fcggoiiy? Will you vriic and icll Mr. Fcggoiiy
and liiilc Em'ly, and Mrs. Gummidgc and Ham,
77
iIai I am noi so lad as iIcy migIi suosc,
and iIai I scni 'cm all my lovccsccially io
liiilc Em'ly? Will you, if you lcasc, Fcggoiiy?'
TIc lind soul romiscd, and vc loiI of us
lisscd iIc lcyIolc viiI iIc grcaicsi affcciion
I aiicd ii viiI my Iand, I rccollcci, as if ii Iad
lccn Icr Ioncsi faccand aricd. From iIai
nigIi iIcrc grcv u in my lrcasi a fccling for
Fcggoiiy vIicI I cannoi vcry vcll dcfinc. SIc
did noi rclacc my moiIcr; no onc could do iIai;
lui sIc camc inio a vacancy in my Icari, vIicI
closcd uon Icr, and I fcli iovards Icr somc-
iIing I Iavc ncvcr fcli for any oiIcr Iuman lc-
ing. Ii vas a sori of comical affcciion, ioo; and
yci if sIc Iad dicd, I cannoi iIinl vIai I sIould
Iavc donc, or Iov I sIould Iavc acicd oui iIc
iragcdy ii vould Iavc lccn io mc.
In iIc morning Miss Murdsionc acarcd as
usual, and iold mc I vas going io scIool; vIicI
vas noi aliogciIcr sucI ncvs io mc as sIc su-
oscd. SIc also informcd mc iIai vIcn I vas
drcsscd, I vas io comc dovnsiairs inio iIc
arlour, and Iavc my lrcalfasi. TIcrc, I found
my moiIcr, vcry alc and viiI rcd cycs: inio
vIosc arms I ran, and lcggcd Icr ardon from
my suffcring soul.
'OI, Davy!' sIc said. 'TIai you could Iuri any-
onc I lovc! Try io lc lciicr, ray io lc lciicr! I
forgivc you; lui I am so gricvcd, Davy, iIai you
sIould Iavc sucI lad assions in your Icari.'
TIcy Iad crsuadcd Icr iIai I vas a viclcd
fcllov, and sIc vas morc sorry for iIai iIan for
my going avay. I fcli ii sorcly. I iricd io cai my
ariing lrcalfasi, lui my icars drocd uon
my lrcad-and-luiicr, and iricllcd inio my ica.
I sav my moiIcr lool ai mc somciimcs, and
iIcn glancc ai iIc vaicIful Miss Murdsionc,
and iIan lool dovn, or lool avay.
'Masicr Cocrficld's lo iIcrc!' said Miss
Murdsionc, vIcn vIccls vcrc Icard ai iIc gaic.
I loolcd for Fcggoiiy, lui ii vas noi sIc; nci-
iIcr sIc nor Mr. Murdsionc acarcd. My
78
formcr acquainiancc, iIc carricr, vas ai iIc
door. iIc lo vas ialcn oui io Iis cari, and
lificd in.
'Clara!' said Miss Murdsionc, in Icr varning
noic.
'Fcady, my dcar Janc,' rciurncd my moiIcr.
'Good-lyc, Davy. You arc going for your ovn
good. Good-lyc, my cIild. You vill comc Iomc
in iIc Iolidays, and lc a lciicr loy.'
'Clara!' Miss Murdsionc rccaicd.
'Ccriainly, my dcar Janc,' rclicd my moiIcr,
vIo vas Iolding mc. 'I forgivc you, my dcar loy.
God llcss you!'
'Clara!' Miss Murdsionc rccaicd.
Miss Murdsionc vas good cnougI io ialc mc
oui io iIc cari, and io say on iIc vay iIai sIc
Iocd I vould rccni, lcforc I camc io a lad
cnd; and iIcn I goi inio iIc cari, and iIc lazy
Iorsc vallcd off viiI ii.
CHAPTER S
I AM SENT AWAY
FROM HOME
WE MIGHT HAVE GONE aloui Ialf a milc, and my
oclci-IandlcrcIicf vas quiic vci iIrougI,
vIcn iIc carricr siocd sIori. Looling oui io
asccriain for vIai, I sav, io m amazcmcni,
Fcggoiiy lursi from a Icdgc and climl inio iIc
cari. SIc iool mc in loiI Icr arms, and
squcczcd mc io Icr siays uniil iIc rcssurc on
my nosc vas circmcly ainful, iIougI I ncvcr
iIougIi of iIai iill aficrvards vIcn I found ii
vcry icndcr. Noi a singlc vord did Fcggoiiy
scal. Fclcasing onc of Icr arms, sIc ui ii
dovn in Icr oclci io iIc cllov, and lrougIi
oui somc acr lags of calcs vIicI sIc
crammcd inio my oclcis, and a ursc vIicI
sIc ui inio my Iand, lui noi onc vord did
sIc say. Aficr anoiIcr and a final squcczc viiI
loiI arms, sIc goi dovn from iIc cari and ran
79
avay; and, my lclicf is, and Ias alvays lccn,
viiIoui a soliiary luiion on Icr govn. I iclcd
u onc, of scvcral iIai vcrc rolling aloui, and
ircasurcd ii as a lccsalc for a long iimc.
TIc carricr loolcd ai mc, as if io inquirc if sIc
vcrc coming lacl. I sIool my Icad, and said I
iIougIi noi. 'TIcn comc u,' said iIc carricr io
iIc lazy Iorsc; vIo camc u accordingly.
Having ly iIis iimc cricd as mucI as I ossi-
lly could, I lcgan io iIinl ii vas of no usc cry-
ing any morc, csccially as nciiIcr Fodcricl
Fandom, nor iIai Caiain in iIc Foyal DriiisI
Navy, Iad cvcr cricd, iIai I could rcmcmlcr, in
irying siiuaiions. TIc carricr, sccing mc in iIis
rcsoluiion, rooscd iIai my oclci-Iandlcr-
cIicf sIould lc srcad uon iIc Iorsc's lacl io
dry. I iIanlcd Iim, and asscnicd; and ariicu-
larly small ii loolcd, undcr iIosc circumsianccs.
I Iad nov lcisurc io caminc iIc ursc. Ii
vas a siiff lcaiIcr ursc, viiI a sna, and Iad
iIrcc lrigIi sIillings in ii, vIicI Fcggoiiy Iad
cvidcnily olisIcd u viiI vIiicning, for my
grcaicr dcligIi. Dui iis mosi rccious conicnis
vcrc ivo Ialf-crovns foldcd iogciIcr in a lii of
acr, on vIicI vas vriiicn, in my moiIcr's
Iand, 'For Davy. WiiI my lovc.' I vas so ovcr-
comc ly iIis, iIai I aslcd iIc carricr io lc so
good as io rcacI mc my oclci-IandlcrcIicf
again; lui Ic said Ic iIougIi I Iad lciicr do
viiIoui ii, and I iIougIi I rcally Iad, so I vicd
my cycs on my slccvc and siocd mysclf.
For good, ioo; iIougI, in conscqucncc of my
rcvious cmoiions, I vas siill occasionally scizcd
viiI a siormy sol. Aficr vc Iad joggcd on for
somc liiilc iimc, I aslcd iIc carricr if Ic vas
going all iIc vay.
'All iIc vay vIcrc?' inquircd iIc carricr.
'TIcrc,' I said.
'WIcrc's iIcrc?' inquircd iIc carricr.
'Ncar London,' I said.
'WIy iIai Iorsc,' said iIc carricr, jcrling iIc
rcin io oini Iim oui, 'vould lc dcadcr iIan
80
orl aforc Ic goi ovcr Ialf iIc ground.'
'Arc you only going io YarmouiI iIcn?' I
aslcd.
'TIai's aloui ii,' said iIc carricr. 'And iIcrc I
sIall ialc you io iIc siagc-cuicI, and iIc siagc-
cuicI iIai'll ialc you iovIcrcvcr ii is.'
As iIis vas a grcai dcal for iIc carricr (vIosc
namc vas Mr. Darlis} io sayIc lcing, as I ol-
scrvcd in a formcr cIaicr, of a Ilcgmaiic icm-
cramcni, and noi ai all convcrsaiionalI of-
fcrcd Iim a calc as a marl of aiicniion, vIicI
Ic aic ai onc gul, cacily lilc an clcIani,
and vIicI madc no morc imrcssion on Iis lig
facc iIan ii vould Iavc donc on an clcIani's.
'Did sIc malc 'cm, nov?' said Mr. Darlis, al-
vays lcaning forvard, in Iis sloucIing vay, on
iIc fooiloard of iIc cari viiI an arm on cacI lncc.
'Fcggoiiy, do you mcan, sir?'
'AI!' said Mr. Darlis. 'Hcr.'
'Ycs. SIc malcs all our asiry, and docs all
our cooling.'
'Do sIc iIougI?' said Mr. Darlis. Hc madc
u Iis mouiI as if io vIisilc, lui Ic didn'i
vIisilc. Hc sai looling ai iIc Iorsc's cars, as if
Ic sav somciIing ncv iIcrc; and sai so, for a
considcrallc iimc. Dy and ly, Ic said:
'No svcciIcaris, I l'licvc?'
'Svccimcais did you say, Mr. Darlis?' For I iIougIi
Ic vanicd somciIing clsc io cai, and Iad oinicdly
alludcd io iIai dcscriiion of rcfrcsImcni.
'Hcaris,' said Mr. Darlis. 'Svcci Icaris; no
crson valls viiI Icr!'
'WiiI Fcggoiiy?'
'AI!' Ic said. 'Hcr.'
'OI, no. SIc ncvcr Iad a svcciIcari.'
'Didn'i sIc, iIougI!' said Mr. Darlis.
Again Ic madc u Iis mouiI io vIisilc, and
again Ic didn'i vIisilc, lui sai looling ai iIc
Iorsc's cars.
'So sIc malcs,' said Mr. Darlis, aficr a long
inicrval of rcflcciion, 'all iIc alc arsiics, and
doos all iIc cooling, do sIc?'
81
I rclicd iIai sucI vas iIc faci.
'Wcll. I'll icll you vIai,' said Mr. Darlis. 'F'ras
you migIi lc vriiin' io Icr?'
'I sIall ccriainly vriic io Icr,' I rcjoincd.
'AI!' Ic said, slovly iurning Iis cycs iovards
mc. 'Wcll! If you vas vriiin' io Icr, 'ras you'd
rccollcci io say iIai Darlis vas villin'; vould
you?'
'TIai Darlis is villing,' I rccaicd, innoccnily.
'Is iIai all iIc mcssagc?'
'Yc-cs,' Ic said, considcring. 'Yc-cs. Darlis is
villin'.'
'Dui you vill lc ai Dlundcrsionc again iomor-
rov, Mr. Darlis,' I said, falicring a liiilc ai iIc
idca of my lcing far avay from ii iIcn, and could
givc your ovn mcssagc so mucI lciicr.'
As Ic rcudiaicd iIis suggcsiion, Iovcvcr,
viiI a jcrl of Iis Icad, and oncc morc con-
firmcd Iis rcvious rcqucsi ly saying, viiI ro-
found graviiy, 'Darlis is villin'. TIai's iIc mcs-
sagc,' I rcadily undcriool iis iransmission. WIilc
I vas vaiiing for iIc coacI in iIc Ioicl ai
YarmouiI iIai vcry aficrnoon, I rocurcd a
sIcci of acr and an inlsiand, and vroic a
noic io Fcggoiiy, vIicI ran iIus: 'My dcar
Fcggoiiy. I Iavc comc Icrc safc. Darlis is vill-
ing. My lovc io mama. Yours affcciionaicly. F.S.
Hc says Ic ariicularly vanis you io lnov
HurIs s ung.'
WIcn I Iad ialcn iIis commission on mysclf
roscciivcly, Mr. Darlis rclascd inio crfcci
silcncc; and I, fccling quiic vorn oui ly all iIai
Iad Iacncd laicly, lay dovn on a sacl in iIc
cari and fcll aslcc. I slci soundly uniil vc goi
io YarmouiI; vIicI vas so cniircly ncv and
sirangc io mc in iIc inn-yard io vIicI vc drovc,
iIai I ai oncc alandoncd a laicni Ioc I Iad
Iad of mcciing viiI somc of Mr. Fcggoiiy's fam-
ily iIcrc, crIas cvcn viiI liiilc Em'ly Icrsclf.
TIc coacI vas in iIc yard, sIining vcry mucI
all ovcr, lui viiIoui any Iorscs io ii as yci; and
ii loolcd in iIai siaic as if noiIing vas morc
82
unlilcly iIan iis cvcr going io London. I vas iIinl-
ing iIis, and vondcring vIai vould uliimaicly
lccomc of my lo, vIicI Mr. Darlis Iad ui dovn
on iIc yard-avcmcni ly iIc olc (Ic Iaving drivcn
u iIc yard io iurn Iis cari}, and also vIai vould
uliimaicly lccomc of mc, vIcn a lady loolcd oui
of a lov-vindov vIcrc somc fovls and joinis of
mcai vcrc Ianging u, and said:
' Is iIai iIc liiilc gcnilcman from
Dlundcrsionc?'
'Ycs, ma'am,' I said.
'WIai namc?' inquircd iIc lady.
'Cocrficld, ma'am,' I said.
'TIai von'i do,' rciurncd iIc lady. 'Nolody's
dinncr is aid for Icrc, in iIai namc.'
'Is ii Murdsionc, ma'am?' I said.
'If you'rc Masicr Murdsionc,' said iIc lady,
'vIy do you go and givc anoiIcr namc, firsi?'
I claincd io iIc lady Iov ii vas, vIo iIan
rang a lcll, and callcd oui, 'William! sIov iIc
coffcc-room!' uon vIicI a vaiicr camc run-
ning oui of a liicIcn on iIc oosiic sidc of
iIc yard io sIov ii, and sccmcd a good dcal
surriscd vIcn Ic vas only io sIov ii io mc.
Ii vas a largc long room viiI somc largc mas
in ii. I douli if I could Iavc fcli mucI sirangcr if
iIc mas Iad lccn rcal forcign counirics, and I
casi avay in iIc middlc of iIcm. I fcli ii vas ial-
ing a lilcriy io sii dovn, viiI my ca in my Iand,
on iIc corncr of iIc cIair ncarcsi iIc door; and
vIcn iIc vaiicr laid a cloiI on urosc for mc,
and ui a sci of casiors on ii, I iIinl I musi Iavc
iurncd rcd all ovcr viiI modcsiy.
Hc lrougIi mc somc cIos, and vcgciallcs,
and iool iIc covcrs off in sucI a louncing man-
ncr iIai I vas afraid I musi Iavc givcn Iim somc
offcncc. Dui Ic grcaily rclicvcd my mind ly
uiiing a cIair for mc ai iIc iallc, and saying,
vcry affally, 'Nov, si-fooi! comc on!'
I iIanlcd Iim, and iool my scai ai iIc loard;
lui found ii circmcly difficuli io Iandlc my
lnifc and forl viiI anyiIing lilc dcicriiy, or
83
io avoid slasIing mysclf viiI iIc gravy, vIilc
Ic vas sianding oosiic, siaring so Iard, and
maling mc llusI in iIc mosi drcadful manncr
cvcry iimc I caugIi Iis cyc. Aficr vaicIing mc
inio iIc sccond cIo, Ic said:
'TIcrc's Ialf a ini of alc for you. Will you Iavc
ii nov?'
I iIanlcd Iim and said, 'Ycs.' Uon vIicI Ic
ourcd ii oui of a jug inio a largc iumllcr, and Icld
ii u againsi iIc ligIi, and madc ii lool lcauiiful.
'My cyc!' Ic said. 'Ii sccms a good dcal, don'i ii?'
'Ii docs sccm a good dcal,' I ansvcrcd viiI a
smilc. For ii vas quiic dcligIiful io mc, io find
Iim so lcasani. Hc vas a ivinlling-cycd,
imlc-faccd man, viiI Iis Iair sianding u-
rigIi all ovcr Iis Icad; and as Ic siood viiI onc
arm a-limlo, Iolding u iIc glass io iIc ligIi
viiI iIc oiIcr Iand, Ic loolcd quiic fricndly.
'TIcrc vas a gcnilcman Icrc, ycsicrday,' Ic
said'a sioui gcnilcman, ly iIc namc of
TosavycrcrIas you lnov Iim?'
'No,' I said, 'I don'i iIinl'
'In lrcccIcs and gaiicrs, lroad-lrimmcd Iai,
grcy coai, sccllcd cIolcr,' said iIc vaiicr.
'No,' I said lasIfully, 'I Iavcn'i iIc lcasurc'
'Hc camc in Icrc,' said iIc vaiicr, looling ai
iIc ligIi iIrougI iIc iumllcr, 'ordcrcd a glass
of iIis alcuoud ordcr iiI iold Iim noi
dranl ii, and fcll dcad. Ii vas ioo old for Iim. Ii
ougIin'i io lc dravn; iIai's iIc faci.'
I vas vcry mucI sIoclcd io Icar of iIis mcl-
ancIoly accidcni, and said I iIougIi I Iad lci-
icr Iavc somc vaicr.
'WIy you scc,' said iIc vaiicr, siill looling ai
iIc ligIi iIrougI iIc iumllcr, viiI onc of Iis
cycs sIui u, 'our colc don'i lilc iIings lc-
ing ordcrcd and lcfi. Ii offcnds 'cm. Dui I'll drinl
ii, if you lilc. I'm uscd io ii, and usc is cvcry-
iIing. I don'i iIinl ii'll Iuri mc, if I iIrov my
Icad lacl, and ialc ii off quicl. SIall I?'
I rclicd iIai Ic vould mucI olligc mc ly
drinling ii, if Ic iIougIi Ic could do ii safcly,
84
lui ly no mcans oiIcrvisc. WIcn Ic did iIrov
Iis Icad lacl, and ialc ii off quicl, I Iad a
Iorrillc fcar, I confcss, of sccing Iim mcci iIc
faic of iIc lamcnicd Mr. Tosavycr, and fall lifc-
lcss on iIc carci. Dui ii didn'i Iuri Iim. On
iIc conirary, I iIougIi Ic sccmcd iIc frcsIcr
for ii.
'WIai Iavc vc goi Icrc?' Ic said, uiiing a
forl inio my disI. 'Noi cIos?'
'CIos,' I said.
'Lord llcss my soul!' Ic cclaimcd, 'I didn'i
lnov iIcy vcrc cIos. WIy, a cIo's iIc vcry
iIing io ialc off iIc lad cffccis of iIai lccr!
Ain'i ii lucly?'
So Ic iool a cIo ly iIc lonc in onc Iand,
and a oiaio in iIc oiIcr, and aic avay viiI a
vcry good aciiic, io my circmc saiisfaciion.
Hc aficrvards iool anoiIcr cIo, and anoiIcr
oiaio; and aficr iIai, anoiIcr cIo and an-
oiIcr oiaio. WIcn vc Iad donc, Ic lrougIi
mc a udding, and Iaving sci ii lcforc mc,
sccmcd io ruminaic, and io lccomc alscni in
Iis mind for somc momcnis.
'Hov's iIc ic?' Ic said, rousing Iimsclf.
'Ii's a udding,' I madc ansvcr.
'Fudding!' Ic cclaimcd. 'WIy, llcss mc, so ii
is! WIai!' looling ai ii ncarcr. 'You don'i mcan
io say ii's a laiicr-udding!'
'Ycs, ii is indccd.'
'WIy, a laiicr-udding,' Ic said, ialing u a
iallc-soon, 'is my favouriic udding! Ain'i iIai
lucly? Comc on, liiilc 'un, and lci's scc vIo'll
gci mosi.'
TIc vaiicr ccriainly goi mosi. Hc cnircaicd
mc morc iIan oncc io comc in and vin, lui
vIai viiI Iis iallc-soon io my ica-soon, Iis
disaicI io my disaicI, and Iis aciiic io my
aciiic, I vas lcfi far lcIind ai iIc firsi mouiI-
ful, and Iad no cIancc viiI Iim. I ncvcr sav
anyonc cnjoy a udding so mucI, I iIinl; and
Ic laugIcd, vIcn ii vas all gonc, as if Iis cn-
joymcni of ii lasicd siill.
85
Finding Iim so vcry fricndly and comanion-
allc, ii vas iIcn iIai I aslcd for iIc cn and inl
and acr, io vriic io Fcggoiiy. Hc noi only lrougIi
ii immcdiaicly, lui vas good cnougI io lool ovcr
mc vIilc I vroic iIc lciicr. WIcn I Iad finisIcd ii,
Ic aslcd mc vIcrc I vas going io scIool.
I said, 'Ncar London,' vIicI vas all I lncv.
'OI! my cyc!' Ic said, looling vcry lov-sir-
iicd, 'I am sorry for iIai.'
'WIy?' I aslcd Iim.
'OI, Lord!' Ic said, sIaling Iis Icad, 'iIai's
iIc scIool vIcrc iIcy lrolc iIc loy's rilsivo
rilsa liiilc loy Ic vas. I sIould say Ic vas
lci mc sccIov old arc you, aloui?'
I iold Iim lcivccn cigIi and ninc.
'TIai's jusi Iis agc,' Ic said. 'Hc vas cigIi
ycars and si moniIs old vIcn iIcy lrolc Iis
firsi ril; cigIi ycars and cigIi moniIs old vIcn
iIcy lrolc Iis sccond, and did for Iim.'
I could noi disguisc from mysclf, or from iIc
vaiicr, iIai iIis vas an uncomforiallc coinci-
dcncc, and inquircd Iov ii vas donc. His an-
svcr vas noi cIccring io my siriis, for ii con-
sisicd of ivo dismal vords, 'WiiI vIoing.'
TIc lloving of iIc coacI-Iorn in iIc yard vas
a scasonallc divcrsion, vIicI madc mc gci u
and Icsiiaiingly inquirc, in iIc minglcd ridc
and diffidcncc of Iaving a ursc (vIicI I iool
oui of my oclci}, if iIcrc vcrc anyiIing io ay.
'TIcrc's a sIcci of lciicr-acr,' Ic rciurncd.
'Did you cvcr luy a sIcci of lciicr-acr?'
I could noi rcmcmlcr iIai I cvcr Iad.
'Ii's dcar,' Ic said, 'on accouni of iIc duiy.
TIrcccncc. TIai's iIc vay vc'rc iacd in iIis
couniry. TIcrc's noiIing clsc, ccci iIc vaiicr.
Ncvcr mind iIc inl. I losc ly iIai.'
'WIai sIould youvIai sIould IIov mucI
ougIi I iovIai vould ii lc rigIi io ay iIc
vaiicr, if you lcasc?' I siammcrcd, llusIing.
'If I Iadn'i a family, and iIai family Iadn'i iIc
covocl,' said iIc vaiicr, 'I vouldn'i ialc a si-
cncc. If I didn'i suori a agcd airini, and a
86
lovcly sisicr,'Icrc iIc vaiicr vas grcaily agi-
iaicd'I vouldn'i ialc a fariIing. If I Iad a good
lacc, and vas ircaicd vcll Icrc, I sIould lcg
accciancc of a iriflc, insicad of ialing of ii. Dui
I livc on lrolcn viiilcsand I slcc on iIc
coals'Icrc iIc vaiicr lursi inio icars.
I vas vcry mucI conccrncd for Iis misforiuncs,
and fcli iIai any rccogniiion sIori of ninccncc
vould lc mcrc lruialiiy and Iardncss of Icari.
TIcrcforc I gavc Iim onc of my iIrcc lrigIi sIil-
lings, vIicI Ic rcccivcd viiI mucI Iumiliiy
and vcncraiion, and sun u viiI Iis iIuml,
dirccily aficrvards, io iry iIc goodncss of.
Ii vas a liiilc disconccriing io mc, io find, vIcn
I vas lcing Iclcd u lcIind iIc coacI, iIai I
vas suoscd io Iavc caicn all iIc dinncr viiI-
oui any assisiancc. I discovcrcd iIis, from ovcr-
Icaring iIc lady in iIc lov-vindov say io iIc
guard, 'Talc carc of iIai cIild, Gcorgc, or Ic'll
lursi!' and from olscrving iIai iIc vomcn-scr-
vanis vIo vcrc aloui iIc lacc camc oui io lool
and gigglc ai mc as a young Icnomcnon. My
unforiunaic fricnd iIc vaiicr, vIo Iad quiic
rccovcrcd Iis siriis, did noi acar io lc dis-
iurlcd ly iIis, lui joincd in iIc gcncral admi-
raiion viiIoui lcing ai all confuscd. If I Iad any
douli of Iim, I suosc iIis Ialf avalcncd ii;
lui I am inclincd io lclicvc iIai viiI iIc simlc
confidcncc of a cIild, and iIc naiural rcliancc
of a cIild uon sucrior ycars (qualiiics I am
vcry sorry any cIildrcn sIould rcmaiurcly
cIangc for vorldly visdom}, I Iad no scrious
misirusi of Iim on iIc vIolc, cvcn iIcn.
I fcli ii raiIcr Iard, I musi ovn, io lc madc,
viiIoui dcscrving ii, iIc suljcci of jolcs lc-
ivccn iIc coacIman and guard as io iIc coacI
draving Icavy lcIind, on accouni of my siiiing
iIcrc, and as io iIc grcaicr ccdicncy of my
iravclling ly vaggon. TIc siory of my suoscd
aciiic gciiing vind among iIc ouisidc as-
scngcrs, iIcy vcrc mcrry uon ii lilcvisc; and
aslcd mc vIciIcr I vas going io lc aid for, ai
87
scIool, as ivo lroiIcrs or iIrcc, and vIciIcr I
vas coniracicd for, or vcni uon iIc rcgular icrms;
viiI oiIcr lcasani qucsiions. Dui iIc vorsi of ii
vas, iIai I lncv I sIould lc asIamcd io cai any-
iIing, vIcn an ooriuniiy offcrcd, and iIai, af-
icr a raiIcr ligIi dinncr, I sIould rcmain Iungry
all nigIifor I Iad lcfi my calcs lcIind, ai iIc
Ioicl, in my Iurry. My arcIcnsions vcrc rcal-
izcd. WIcn vc siocd for sucr I couldn'i mus-
icr couragc io ialc any, iIougI I sIould Iavc lilcd
ii vcry mucI, lui sai ly iIc firc and said I didn'i
vani anyiIing. TIis did noi savc mc from morc
jolcs, ciiIcr; for a Iusly-voiccd gcnilcman viiI a
rougI facc, vIo Iad lccn caiing oui of a sand-
vicI-lo ncarly all iIc vay, ccci vIcn Ic Iad
lccn drinling oui of a loiilc, said I vas lilc a loa-
consiricior vIo iool cnougI ai onc mcal io lasi
Iim a long iimc; aficr vIicI, Ic aciually lrougIi
a rasI oui uon Iimsclf viiI loilcd lccf.
Wc Iad siaricd from YarmouiI ai iIrcc o'clocl
in iIc aficrnoon, and vc vcrc duc in London
aloui cigIi nci morning. Ii vas Mid-summcr
vcaiIcr, and iIc cvcning vas vcry lcasani.
WIcn vc asscd iIrougI a villagc, I iciurcd io
mysclf vIai iIc insidcs of iIc Iouscs vcrc lilc,
and vIai iIc inIaliianis vcrc aloui; and vIcn
loys camc running aficr us, and goi u lcIind
and svung iIcrc for a liiilc vay, I vondcrcd
vIciIcr iIcir faiIcrs vcrc alivc, and vIciIcr
iIcy Wcrc Iay ai Iomc. I Iad lcniy io iIinl
of, iIcrcforc, lcsidcs my mind running con-
iinually on iIc lind of lacc I vas going io
vIicI vas an avful scculaiion. Somciimcs, I
rcmcmlcr, I rcsigncd mysclf io iIougIis of
Iomc and Fcggoiiy; and io cndcavouring, in a
confuscd llind vay, io rccall Iov I Iad fcli,
and vIai sori of loy I uscd io lc, lcforc I lii
Mr. Murdsionc: vIicI I couldn'i saiisfy mysclf
aloui ly any mcans, I sccmcd io Iavc liiicn
Iim in sucI a rcmoic aniiquiiy.
TIc nigIi vas noi so lcasani as iIc cvcning,
for ii goi cIilly; and lcing ui lcivccn ivo
88
gcnilcmcn (iIc rougI-faccd onc and anoiIcr}
io rcvcni my iumlling off iIc coacI, I vas
ncarly smoiIcrcd ly iIcir falling aslcc, and
comlcicly llocling mc u. TIcy squcczcd mc
so Iard somciimcs, iIai I could noi Icl cry-
ing oui, 'OI! If you lcasc!'vIicI iIcy didn'i
lilc ai all, lccausc ii volc iIcm. Oosiic mc
vas an cldcrly lady in a grcai fur cloal, vIo
loolcd in iIc darl morc lilc a Iaysiacl iIan a
lady, sIc vas vracd u io sucI a dcgrcc.
TIis lady Iad a laslci viiI Icr, and sIc Iadn'i
lnovn vIai io do viiI ii, for a long iimc, uniil
sIc found iIai on accouni of my lcgs lcing
sIori, ii could go undcrncaiI mc. Ii cramcd
and Iuri mc so, iIai ii madc mc crfccily mis-
crallc; lui if I movcd in iIc lcasi, and madc a
glass iIai vas in iIc laslci raiilc againsi somc-
iIing clsc (as ii vas surc io do}, sIc gavc mc
iIc crucllcsi olc viiI Icr fooi, and said,
'Comc, don'i ou fidgci. Your loncs arc young
cnougI, I'm surc!'
Ai lasi iIc sun rosc, and iIcn my coman-
ions sccmcd io slcc casicr. TIc difficuliics un-
dcr vIicI iIcy Iad lalourcd all nigIi, and
vIicI Iad found uiicrancc in iIc mosi icrrific
gass and snoris, arc noi io lc conccivcd. As
iIc sun goi IigIcr, iIcir slcc lccamc ligIicr,
and so iIcy gradually onc ly onc avolc. I rcc-
ollcci lcing vcry mucI surriscd ly iIc fcini
cvcrylody madc, iIcn, of noi Iaving lccn io
slcc ai all, and ly iIc uncommon indignaiion
viiI vIicI cvcryonc rccllcd iIc cIargc. I lalour
undcr iIc samc lind of asionisImcni io iIis
day, Iaving invarially olscrvcd iIai of all Iu-
man vcalncsscs, iIc onc io vIicI our com-
mon naiurc is iIc lcasi disoscd io confcss (I
cannoi imaginc vIy} is iIc vcalncss of Iaving
gonc io slcc in a coacI.
WIai an amazing lacc London vas io mc vIcn
I sav ii in iIc disiancc, and Iov I lclicvcd all
iIc advcniurcs of all my favouriic Icrocs io lc
consianily cnaciing and rc-cnaciing iIcrc, and
89
Iov I vagucly madc ii oui in my ovn mind io lc
fullcr of vondcrs and viclcdncss iIan all iIc
ciiics of iIc cariI, I nccd noi sio Icrc io rclaic.
Wc aroacIcd ii ly dcgrccs, and goi, in duc
iimc, io iIc inn in iIc WIiiccIacl disirici, for
vIicI vc vcrc lound. I forgci vIciIcr ii vas
iIc Dluc Dull, or iIc Dluc Doar; lui I lnov ii
vas iIc Dluc SomciIing, and iIai iis lilcncss
vas ainicd u on iIc lacl of iIc coacI.
TIc guard's cyc ligIicd on mc as Ic vas gci-
iing dovn, and Ic said ai iIc looling-officc door:
'Is iIcrc anylody Icrc for a yoongsicr loolcd
in iIc namc of Murdsionc, from Dloondcrsionc,
Sooffoll, io lc lcfi iill callcd for?'
Nolody ansvcrcd.
'Try Cocrficld, if you lcasc, sir,' said I, lool-
ing Icllcssly dovn.
'Is iIcrc anylody Icrc for a yoongsicr, loolcd in
iIc namc of Murdsionc, from Dloondcrsionc, Sooffoll,
lui ovning io iIc namc of Cocrficld, io lc lcfi iill
callcd for?' said iIc guard. 'Comc! Is iIcrc anylody?'
No. TIcrc vas nolody. I loolcd aniously
around; lui iIc inquiry madc no imrcssion
on any of iIc lysiandcrs, if I ccci a man in
gaiicrs, viiI onc cyc, vIo suggcsicd iIai iIcy
Iad lciicr ui a lrass collar round my nccl,
and iic mc u in iIc siallc.
A laddcr vas lrougIi, and I goi dovn aficr iIc
lady, vIo vas lilc a Iaysiacl: noi daring io siir,
uniil Icr laslci vas rcmovcd. TIc coacI vas clcar
of asscngcrs ly iIai iimc, iIc luggagc vas vcry
soon clcarcd oui, iIc Iorscs Iad lccn ialcn oui
lcforc iIc luggagc, and nov iIc coacI iisclf vas
vIcclcd and laclcd off ly somc Iosilcrs, oui of
iIc vay. Siill, nolody acarcd, io claim iIc dusiy
youngsicr from Dlundcrsionc, Suffoll.
Morc soliiary iIan Folinson Crusoc, vIo Iad
nolody io lool ai Iim and scc iIai Ic vas soliiary,
I vcni inio iIc looling-officc, and, ly inviiaiion of
iIc clcrl on duiy, asscd lcIind iIc counicr,
and sai dovn on iIc scalc ai vIicI iIcy
vcigIcd iIc luggagc. Hcrc, as I sai looling ai
90
iIc arccls, aclagcs, and lools, and inIal-
ing iIc smcll of siallcs (cvcr sincc associaicd
viiI iIai morning}, a roccssion of mosi irc-
mcndous considcraiions lcgan io marcI
iIrougI my mind. Suosing nolody sIould
cvcr fcicI mc, Iov long vould iIcy conscni io
lcc mc iIcrc? Would iIcy lcc mc long
cnougI io scnd scvcn sIillings? SIould I slcc
ai nigIi in onc of iIosc voodcn lins, viiI iIc
oiIcr luggagc, and vasI mysclf ai iIc um in
iIc yard in iIc morning; or sIould I lc iurncd
oui cvcry nigIi, and cccicd io comc again io
lc lcfi iill callcd for, vIcn iIc officc ocncd
nci day? Suosing iIcrc vas no misialc in
iIc casc, and Mr. Murdsionc Iad dcviscd iIis
lan io gci rid of mc, vIai sIould I do? If iIcy
allovcd mc io rcmain iIcrc uniil my scvcn sIil-
lings vcrc scni, I couldn'i Ioc io rcmain
iIcrc vIcn I lcgan io siarvc. TIai vould olvi-
ously lc inconvcnicni and unlcasani io iIc
cusiomcrs, lcsidcs cniailing on iIc Dluc WIai-
cvcr-ii-vas, iIc risl of funcral ccnscs. If I
siaricd off ai oncc, and iricd io vall lacl Iomc,
Iov could I cvcr find my vay, Iov could I cvcr
Ioc io vall so far, Iov could I malc surc of
anyonc lui Fcggoiiy, cvcn if I goi lacl? If I found
oui iIc ncarcsi rocr auiIoriiics, and offcrcd
mysclf io go for a soldicr, or a sailor, I vas sucI
a liiilc fcllov iIai ii vas mosi lilcly iIcy vouldn'i
ialc mc in. TIcsc iIougIis, and a Iundrcd
oiIcr sucI iIougIis, iurncd mc lurning Ioi,
and madc mc giddy viiI arcIcnsion and dis-
may. I vas in iIc IcigIi of my fcvcr vIcn a man
cnicrcd and vIiscrcd io iIc clcrl, vIo rcs-
cnily slanicd mc off iIc scalc, and usIcd mc
ovcr io Iim, as if I vcrc vcigIcd, lougIi, dcliv-
crcd, and aid for.
As I vcni oui of iIc officc, Iand in Iand viiI
iIis ncv acquainiancc, I siolc a lool ai Iim. Hc
vas a gauni, sallov young man, viiI Iollov
cIccls, and a cIin almosi as llacl as Mr.
Murdsionc's; lui iIcrc iIc lilcncss cndcd, for
91
Iis vIislcrs vcrc sIavcd off, and Iis Iair, in-
sicad of lcing glossy, vas rusiy and dry. Hc
vas drcsscd in a suii of llacl cloiIcs vIicI
vcrc raiIcr rusiy and dry ioo, and raiIcr sIori
in iIc slccvcs and lcgs; and Ic Iad a vIiic nccl-
lcrcIicf on, iIai vas noi ovcr-clcan. I did noi,
and do noi, suosc iIai iIis nccl-lcrcIicf vas
all iIc lincn Ic vorc, lui ii vas all Ic sIovcd
or gavc any Iini of.
'You'rc iIc ncv loy?' Ic said. 'Ycs, sir,' I said.
I suoscd I vas. I didn'i lnov.
'I'm onc of iIc masicrs ai Salcm Housc,' Ic said.
I madc Iim a lov and fcli vcry mucI ovcr-
avcd. I vas so asIamcd io alludc io a common-
lacc iIing lilc my lo, io a scIolar and a mas-
icr ai Salcm Housc, iIai vc Iad gonc somc liiilc
disiancc from iIc yard lcforc I Iad iIc Iardi-
Iood io mcniion ii. Wc iurncd lacl, on my
Iumlly insinuaiing iIai ii migIi lc uscful io
mc Icrcaficr; and Ic iold iIc clcrl iIai iIc
carricr Iad insiruciions io call for ii ai noon.
'If you lcasc, sir,' I said, vIcn vc Iad accom-
lisIcd aloui iIc samc disiancc as lcforc, 'is ii far?'
'Ii's dovn ly DlaclIcaiI,' Ic said.
'Is iIai far, sir?' I diffidcnily aslcd.
'Ii's a good sic,' Ic said. 'Wc sIall go ly iIc
siagc-coacI. Ii's aloui si milcs.'
I vas so faini and iircd, iIai iIc idca of Iold-
ing oui for si milcs morc, vas ioo mucI for
mc. I iool Icari io icll Iim iIai I Iad Iad noiI-
ing all nigIi, and iIai if Ic vould allov mc io
luy somciIing io cai, I sIould lc vcry mucI
olligcd io Iim. Hc acarcd surriscd ai iIis
I scc Iim sio and lool ai mc nov and aficr
considcring for a fcv momcnis, said Ic vanicd
io call on an old crson vIo livcd noi far off,
and iIai iIc lcsi vay vould lc for mc io luy
somc lrcad, or vIaicvcr I lilcd lcsi iIai vas
vIolcsomc, and malc my lrcalfasi ai Icr
Iousc, vIcrc vc could gci somc mill.
Accordingly vc loolcd in ai a lalcr's vindov,
and aficr I Iad madc a scrics of roosals io luy
92
cvcryiIing iIai vas lilious in iIc sIo, and Ic
Iad rcjccicd iIcm onc ly onc, vc dccidcd in
favour of a nicc liiilc loaf of lrovn lrcad, vIicI
cosi mc iIrcccncc. TIcn, ai a groccr's sIo, vc
lougIi an cgg and a slicc of sircaly lacon; vIicI
siill lcfi vIai I iIougIi a good dcal of cIangc,
oui of iIc sccond of iIc lrigIi sIillings, and madc
mc considcr London a vcry cIca lacc. TIcsc
rovisions laid in, vc vcni on iIrougI a grcai
noisc and uroar iIai confuscd my vcary Icad
lcyond dcscriiion, and ovcr a lridgc vIicI, no
douli, vas London Dridgc (indccd I iIinl Ic iold
mc so, lui I vas Ialf aslcc}, uniil vc camc io
iIc oor crson's Iousc, vIicI vas a ari of somc
alms-Iouscs, as I lncv ly iIcir lool, and ly an
inscriiion on a sionc ovcr iIc gaic vIicI said
iIcy vcrc csiallisIcd for ivcniy-fivc oor vomcn.
TIc Masicr ai Salcm Housc lificd iIc laicI of
onc of a numlcr of liiilc llacl doors iIai vcrc
all alilc, and Iad cacI a liiilc diamond-ancd
vindov on onc sidc, and anoiIcr liiilc diamond-
ancd vindov alovc; and vc vcni inio iIc liiilc
Iousc of onc of iIcsc oor old vomcn, vIo vas
lloving a firc io malc a liiilc sauccan loil. On
sccing iIc masicr cnicr, iIc old voman siocd
viiI iIc lcllovs on Icr lncc, and said somciIing
iIai I iIougIi soundcd lilc 'My CIarlcy!' lui on
sccing mc comc in ioo, sIc goi u, and rulling
Icr Iands madc a confuscd sori of Ialf curiscy.
'Can you cool iIis young gcnilcman's lrcal-
fasi for Iim, if you lcasc?' said iIc Masicr ai
Salcm Housc.
'Can I?' said iIc old voman. 'Ycs can I, surc!'
'Hov's Mrs. Filliison ioday?' said iIc Mas-
icr, looling ai anoiIcr old voman in a largc cIair
ly iIc firc, vIo vas sucI a lundlc of cloiIcs
iIai I fccl graicful io iIis Iour for noi Iaving
sai uon Icr ly misialc.
'AI, sIc's oorly,' said iIc firsi old voman.
'Ii's onc of Icr lad days. If iIc firc vas io go
oui, iIrougI any accidcni, I vcrily lclicvc sIc'd
go oui ioo, and ncvcr comc io lifc again.'
93
As iIcy loolcd ai Icr, I loolcd ai Icr also.
AliIougI ii vas a varm day, sIc sccmcd io iIinl
of noiIing lui iIc firc. I fancicd sIc vas jcal-
ous cvcn of iIc sauccan on ii; and I Iavc rca-
son io lnov iIai sIc iool iis imrcssmcni inio
iIc scrvicc of loiling my cgg and lroiling my
lacon, in dudgcon; for I sav Icr, viiI my ovn
discomfiicd cycs, sIalc Icr fisi ai mc oncc,
vIcn iIosc culinary ocraiions vcrc going on,
and no onc clsc vas looling. TIc sun sircamcd
in ai iIc liiilc vindov, lui sIc sai viiI Icr ovn
lacl and iIc lacl of iIc largc cIair iovards ii,
scrccning iIc firc as if sIc vcrc scdulously lcc-
ing IT varm, insicad of ii lccing Icr varm,
and vaicIing ii in a mosi disirusiful manncr.
TIc comlciion of iIc rcaraiions for my lrcal-
fasi, ly rclicving iIc firc, gavc Icr sucI circmc
joy iIai sIc laugIcd aloudand a vcry
unmclodious laugI sIc Iad, I musi say.
I sai dovn io my lrovn loaf, my cgg, and my
rasIcr of lacon, viiI a lasin of mill lcsidcs,
and madc a mosi dclicious mcal. WIilc I vas
yci in iIc full cnjoymcni of ii, iIc old voman
of iIc Iousc said io iIc Masicr:
'Havc you goi your fluic viiI you?'
'Ycs,' Ic rciurncd.
'Havc a llov ai ii,' said iIc old voman,
coaingly. 'Do!'
TIc Masicr, uon iIis, ui Iis Iand undcr-
ncaiI iIc sliris of Iis coai, and lrougIi oui
Iis fluic in iIrcc icccs, vIicI Ic scrcvcd io-
gciIcr, and lcgan immcdiaicly io lay. My im-
rcssion is, aficr many ycars of considcraiion,
iIai iIcrc ncvcr can Iavc lccn anylody in iIc
vorld vIo laycd vorsc. Hc madc iIc mosi dis-
mal sounds I Iavc cvcr Icard roduccd ly any
mcans, naiural or ariificial. I don'i lnov vIai
iIc iuncs vcrcif iIcrc vcrc sucI iIings in
iIc crformancc ai all, vIicI I doulilui iIc
influcncc of iIc sirain uon mc vas, firsi, io
malc mc iIinl of all my sorrovs uniil I could
Iardly lcc my icars lacl; iIcn io ialc avay
94
my aciiic; and lasily, io malc mc so slccy iIai
I couldn'i lcc my cycs ocn. TIcy lcgin io closc
again, and I lcgin io nod, as iIc rccollcciion riscs
frcsI uon mc. Oncc morc iIc liiilc room, viiI iis
ocn corncr culoard, and iis squarc-laclcd
cIairs, and iis angular liiilc siaircasc lcading io
iIc room alovc, and iis iIrcc cacocl's fcaiIcrs
dislaycd ovcr iIc maniclicccI rcmcmlcr von-
dcring vIcn I firsi vcni in, vIai iIai cacocl
vould Iavc iIougIi if Ic Iad lnovn vIai Iis
fincry vas doomcd io comc iofadcs from lcforc
mc, and I nod, and slcc. TIc fluic lccomcs inau-
dillc, iIc vIccls of iIc coacI arc Icard insicad,
and I am on my journcy. TIc coacI jolis, I valc
viiI a siari, and iIc fluic Ias comc lacl again,
and iIc Masicr ai Salcm Housc is siiiing viiI Iis
lcgs crosscd, laying ii dolcfully, vIilc iIc old
voman of iIc Iousc lools on dcligIicd. SIc fadcs
in Icr iurn, and Ic fadcs, and all fadcs, and iIcrc
is no fluic, no Masicr, no Salcm Housc, no David
Cocrficld, no anyiIing lui Icavy slcc.
I drcamcd, I iIougIi, iIai oncc vIilc Ic vas
lloving inio iIis dismal fluic, iIc old voman
of iIc Iousc, vIo Iad gonc ncarcr and ncarcr
io Iim in Icr ccsiaiic admiraiion, lcancd ovcr
iIc lacl of Iis cIair and gavc Iim an affcc-
iionaic squcczc round iIc nccl, vIicI
siocd Iis laying for a momcni. I vas in
iIc middlc siaic lcivccn slccing and val-
ing, ciiIcr iIcn or immcdiaicly aficrvards;
for, as Ic rcsumcdii vas a rcal faci iIai Ic
Iad siocd layingI sav and Icard iIc
samc old voman asl Mrs. Filliison if ii vasn'i
dclicious (mcaning iIc fluic}, io vIicI Mrs.
Filliison rclicd, 'Ay, ay! ycs!' and noddcd
ai iIc firc: io vIicI, I am crsuadcd, sIc gavc
iIc crcdii of iIc vIolc crformancc.
WIcn I sccmcd io Iavc lccn dozing a long vIilc,
iIc Masicr ai Salcm Housc unscrcvcd Iis fluic
inio iIc iIrcc icccs, ui iIcm u as lcforc, and
iool mc avay. Wc found iIc coacI vcry ncar ai
Iand, and goi uon iIc roof; lui I vas so dcad
95
slccy, iIai vIcn vc siocd on iIc road io ialc
u somclody clsc, iIcy ui mc insidc vIcrc iIcrc
vcrc no asscngcrs, and vIcrc I slci rofoundly,
uniil I found iIc coacI going ai a fooiacc u a
sicc Iill among grccn lcavcs. Frcscnily, ii siocd,
and Iad comc io iis dcsiinaiion.
A sIori vall lrougIi usI mcan iIc Masicr
and mcio Salcm Housc, vIicI vas cncloscd
viiI a IigI lricl vall, and loolcd vcry dull.
Ovcr a door in iIis vall vas a loard viiI SA-
LEM HousE uon ii; and iIrougI a graiing in
iIis door vc vcrc survcycd vIcn vc rang iIc
lcll ly a surly facc, vIicI I found, on iIc door
lcing ocncd, lclongcd io a sioui man viiI a
lull-nccl, a voodcn lcg, ovcrIanging icmlcs,
and Iis Iair cui closc all round Iis Icad.
'TIc ncv loy,' said iIc Masicr.
TIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg cycd mc all ovcr
ii didn'i ialc long, for iIcrc vas noi mucI of
mcand loclcd iIc gaic lcIind us, and iool
oui iIc lcy. Wc vcrc going u io iIc Iousc,
among somc darl Icavy irccs, vIcn Ic callcd
aficr my conducior. 'Hallo!'
Wc loolcd lacl, and Ic vas sianding ai iIc
door of a liiilc lodgc, vIcrc Ic livcd, viiI a air
of loois in Iis Iand.
'Hcrc! TIc colllcr's lccn,' Ic said, 'sincc you'vc
lccn oui, Mr. Mcll, and Ic says Ic can'i mcnd
'cm any morc. Hc says iIcrc ain'i a lii of iIc origi-
nal looi lcfi, and Ic vondcrs you ccci ii.'
WiiI iIcsc vords Ic iIrcv iIc loois iovards
Mr. Mcll, vIo vcni lacl a fcv accs io icl iIcm
u, and loolcd ai iIcm (vcry disconsolaicly, I vas
afraid}, as vc vcni on iogciIcr. I olscrvcd iIcn,
for iIc firsi iimc, iIai iIc loois Ic Iad on vcrc a
good dcal iIc vorsc for vcar, and iIai Iis siocl-
ing vas jusi lrcaling oui in onc lacc, lilc a lud.
Salcm Housc vas a squarc lricl luilding viiI
vings; of a larc and unfurnisIcd acarancc.
All aloui ii vas so vcry quici, iIai I said io Mr.
Mcll I suoscd iIc loys vcrc oui; lui Ic
sccmcd surriscd ai my noi lnoving iIai ii
96
vas Ioliday-iimc. TIai all iIc loys vcrc ai iIcir
scvcral Iomcs. TIai Mr. Crcallc, iIc rori-
cior, vas dovn ly iIc sca-sidc viiI Mrs. and
Miss Crcallc; and iIai I vas scni in Ioliday-
iimc as a unisImcni for my misdoing, all of
vIicI Ic claincd io mc as vc vcni along.
I gazcd uon iIc scIoolroom inio vIicI Ic
iool mc, as iIc mosi forlorn and dcsolaic lacc
I Iad cvcr sccn. I scc ii nov. A long room viiI
iIrcc long rovs of dcsls, and si of forms, and
lrisiling all round viiI cgs for Iais and slaics.
Scras of old coy-lools and ccrciscs liiicr iIc
diriy floor. Somc sillvorms' Iouscs, madc of
iIc samc maicrials, arc scaiicrcd ovcr iIc dcsls.
Tvo miscrallc liiilc vIiic micc, lcfi lcIind ly
iIcir ovncr, arc running u and dovn in a fusiy
casilc madc of asicloard and virc, looling in
all iIc corncrs viiI iIcir rcd cycs for anyiIing
io cai. A lird, in a cagc vcry liiilc liggcr iIan
Iimsclf, malcs a mournful raiilc nov and iIcn
in Ioing on Iis crcI, ivo incIcs IigI, or
droing from ii; lui nciiIcr sings nor cIirs.
TIcrc is a sirangc unvIolcsomc smcll uon iIc
room, lilc mildcvcd corduroys, svcci alcs
vaniing air, and roiicn lools. TIcrc could noi
vcll lc morc inl slasIcd aloui ii, if ii Iad
lccn rooflcss from iis firsi consiruciion, and iIc
slics Iad raincd, snovcd, Iailcd, and llovn inl
iIrougI iIc varying scasons of iIc ycar.
Mr. Mcll Iaving lcfi mc vIilc Ic iool Iis ir-
rcarallc loois usiairs, I vcni sofily io iIc
ucr cnd of iIc room, olscrving all iIis as I
crci along. Suddcnly I camc uon a asicloard
lacard, lcauiifully vriiicn, vIicI vas lying on
iIc dcsl, and lorc iIcsc vords: 'TAKE CAFE
OF HIM. HE DITES.'
I goi uon iIc dcsl immcdiaicly, arcIcn-
sivc of ai lcasi a grcai dog undcrncaiI. Dui,
iIougI I loolcd all round viiI anious cycs, I
could scc noiIing of Iim. I vas siill cngagcd in
ccring aloui, vIcn Mr. Mcll camc lacl, and
aslcd mc vIai I did u iIcrc?
97
'I lcg your ardon, sir,' says I, 'if you lcasc,
I'm looling for iIc dog.'
'Dog?' Ic says. 'WIai dog?'
'Isn'i ii a dog, sir?'
'Isn'i vIai a dog?'
'TIai's io lc ialcn carc of, sir; iIai liics.'
'No, Cocrficld,' says Ic, gravcly, 'iIai's noi
a dog. TIai's a loy. My insiruciions arc,
Cocrficld, io ui iIis lacard on your lacl. I
am sorry io malc sucI a lcginning viiI you,
lui I musi do ii.' WiiI iIai Ic iool mc dovn,
and iicd iIc lacard, vIicI vas ncaily con-
sirucicd for iIc urosc, on my sIouldcrs lilc
a lnasacl; and vIcrcvcr I vcni, aficrvards, I
Iad iIc consolaiion of carrying ii.
WIai I suffcrcd from iIai lacard, nolody can
imaginc. WIciIcr ii vas ossillc for colc io
scc mc or noi, I alvays fancicd iIai somclody
vas rcading ii. Ii vas no rclicf io iurn round
and find nolody; for vIcrcvcr my lacl vas,
iIcrc I imagincd somclody alvays io lc. TIai
crucl man viiI iIc voodcn lcg aggravaicd my
suffcrings. Hc vas in auiIoriiy; and if Ic cvcr
sav mc lcaning againsi a ircc, or a vall, or iIc
Iousc, Ic roarcd oui from Iis lodgc door in a
siucndous voicc, ' Hallo, you sir! You
Cocrficld! SIov iIai ladgc consicuous, or
I'll rcori you!' TIc layground vas a larc grav-
cllcd yard, ocn io all iIc lacl of iIc Iousc
and iIc officcs; and I lncv iIai iIc scrvanis
rcad ii, and iIc luicIcr rcad ii, and iIc lalcr
rcad ii; iIai cvcrylody, in a vord, vIo camc
laclvards and forvards io iIc Iousc, of a
morning vIcn I vas ordcrcd io vall iIcrc, rcad
iIai I vas io lc ialcn carc of, for I lii, I rccol-
lcci iIai I osiiivcly lcgan io Iavc a drcad of
mysclf, as a lind of vild loy vIo did liic.
TIcrc vas an old door in iIis layground, on
vIicI iIc loys Iad a cusiom of carving iIcir
namcs. Ii vas comlcicly covcrcd viiI sucI in-
scriiions. In my drcad of iIc cnd of iIc vaca-
iion and iIcir coming lacl, I could noi rcad a
98
loy's namc, viiIoui inquiring in vIai ionc and
viiI vIai cmIasis Ic vould rcad, 'Talc carc
of Iim. Hc liics.' TIcrc vas onc loya ccriain
J. SiccrforiIvIo cui Iis namc vcry dcc and
vcry oficn, vIo, I conccivcd, vould rcad ii in a
raiIcr sirong voicc, and aficrvards ull my Iair.
TIcrc vas anoiIcr loy, onc Tommy Traddlcs,
vIo I drcadcd vould malc gamc of ii, and rc-
icnd io lc drcadfully frigIicncd of mc. TIcrc
vas a iIird, Gcorgc Dcmlc, vIo I fancicd vould
sing ii. I Iavc loolcd, a liiilc sIrinling crcaiurc,
ai iIai door, uniil iIc ovncrs of all iIc namcs
iIcrc vcrc fivc-and-foriy of iIcm in iIc scIool
iIcn, Mr. Mcll saidsccmcd io scnd mc io Cov-
cniry ly gcncral acclamaiion, and io cry oui,
cacI in Iis ovn vay, 'Talc carc of Iim. Hc liics!'
Ii vas iIc samc viiI iIc laccs ai iIc dcsls
and forms. Ii vas iIc samc viiI iIc grovcs of
dcscricd lcdsicads I cccd ai, on my vay io,
and vIcn I vas in, my ovn lcd. I rcmcmlcr
drcaming nigIi aficr nigIi, of lcing viiI my
moiIcr as sIc uscd io lc, or of going io a ariy
ai Mr. Fcggoiiy's, or of iravclling ouisidc iIc
siagc-coacI, or of dining again viiI my unfor-
iunaic fricnd iIc vaiicr, and in all iIcsc cir-
cumsianccs maling colc scrcam and siarc,
ly iIc unIay disclosurc iIai I Iad noiIing
on lui my liiilc nigIi-sIiri, and iIai lacard.
In iIc monoiony of my lifc, and in my con-
siani arcIcnsion of iIc rc-ocning of iIc
scIool, ii vas sucI an insuoriallc affliciion!
I Iad long iasls cvcry day io do viiI Mr. Mcll;
lui I did iIcm, iIcrc lcing no Mr. and Miss
Murdsionc Icrc, and goi iIrougI iIcm viiIoui
disgracc. Dcforc, and aficr iIcm, I vallcd aloui
sucrviscd, as I Iavc mcniioncd, ly iIc man
viiI iIc voodcn lcg. Hov vividly I call io mind
iIc dam aloui iIc Iousc, iIc grccn craclcd
flagsioncs in iIc couri, an old lcaly vaicr-luii,
and iIc discolourcd irunls of somc of iIc grim
irccs, vIicI sccmcd io Iavc dricd morc in
iIc rain iIan oiIcr irccs, and io Iavc llovn
99
lcss in iIc sun! Ai onc vc dincd, Mr. Mcll and
I, ai iIc ucr cnd of a long larc dining-room,
full of dcal iallcs, and smclling of fai. TIcn, vc
Iad morc iasls uniil ica, vIicI Mr. Mcll dranl
oui of a lluc icacu, and I oui of a iin oi. All
day long, and uniil scvcn or cigIi in iIc cvcning,
Mr. Mcll, ai Iis ovn dciacIcd dcsl in iIc scIool-
room, vorlcd Iard viiI cn, inl, rulcr, lools,
and vriiing-acr, maling oui iIc lills (as I
found} for lasi Ialf-ycar. WIcn Ic Iad ui u
Iis iIings for iIc nigIi Ic iool oui Iis fluic,
and llcv ai ii, uniil I almosi iIougIi Ic vould
gradually llov Iis vIolc lcing inio iIc largc
Iolc ai iIc io, and oozc avay ai iIc lcys.
I iciurc my small sclf in iIc dimly-ligIicd
rooms, siiiing viiI my Icad uon my Iand, lis-
icning io iIc dolcful crformancc of Mr. Mcll,
and conning iomorrov's lcssons. I iciurc my-
sclf viiI my lools sIui u, siill lisicning io
iIc dolcful crformancc of Mr. Mcll, and lis-
icning iIrougI ii io vIai uscd io lc ai Iomc,
and io iIc lloving of iIc vind on YarmouiI
flais, and fccling vcry sad and soliiary. I ic-
iurc mysclf going u io lcd, among iIc un-
uscd rooms, and siiiing on my lcd-sidc crying
for a comforiallc vord from Fcggoiiy. I iciurc
mysclf coming dovnsiairs in iIc morning, and
looling iIrougI a long gIasily gasI of a siair-
casc vindov ai iIc scIool-lcll Ianging on iIc
io of an oui-Iousc viiI a vcaiIcrcocl alovc
ii; and drcading iIc iimc vIcn ii sIall ring J.
SiccrforiI and iIc rcsi io vorl: vIicI is only
sccond, in my forcloding arcIcnsions, io iIc
iimc vIcn iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg sIall
unlocl iIc rusiy gaic io givc admission io iIc
avful Mr. Crcallc. I cannoi iIinl I vas a vcry
dangcrous cIaracicr in any of iIcsc asccis,
lui in all of iIcm I carricd iIc samc varning
on my lacl.
Mr. Mcll ncvcr said mucI io mc, lui Ic vas
ncvcr IarsI io mc. I suosc vc vcrc comany
io cacI oiIcr, viiIoui ialling. I forgoi io mcn-
100
iion iIai Ic vould iall io Iimsclf somciimcs,
and grin, and clcncI Iis fisi, and grind Iis icciI,
and ull Iis Iair in an unaccouniallc manncr.
Dui Ic Iad iIcsc cculiariiics: and ai firsi iIcy
frigIicncd mc, iIougI I soon goi uscd io iIcm.
CHAPTER 6
I ENLARGE MY CIRCLE
OF ACQUAINTANCE
I HAD LED THIS LIFE aloui a moniI, vIcn iIc man
viiI iIc voodcn lcg lcgan io sium aloui viiI
a mo and a luclci of vaicr, from vIicI I in-
fcrrcd iIai rcaraiions vcrc maling io rcccivc
Mr. Crcallc and iIc loys. I vas noi misialcn;
for iIc mo camc inio iIc scIoolroom lcforc
long, and iurncd oui Mr. Mcll and mc, vIo
livcd vIcrc vc could, and goi on Iov vc could,
for somc days, during vIicI vc vcrc alvays in
iIc vay of ivo or iIrcc young vomcn, vIo Iad
rarcly sIovn iIcmsclvcs lcforc, and vcrc so
coniinually in iIc midsi of dusi iIai I sncczcd
almosi as mucI as if Salcm Housc Iad lccn a
grcai snuff-lo.
Onc day I vas informcd ly Mr. Mcll iIai Mr.
Crcallc vould lc Iomc iIai cvcning. In iIc
cvcning, aficr ica, I Icard iIai Ic vas comc.
Dcforc lcdiimc, I vas fcicIcd ly iIc man viiI
iIc voodcn lcg io acar lcforc Iim.
Mr. Crcallc's ari of iIc Iousc vas a good
dcal morc comforiallc iIan ours, and Ic Iad a
snug lii of gardcn iIai loolcd lcasani aficr
iIc dusiy layground, vIicI vas sucI a dcscri
in miniaiurc, iIai I iIougIi no onc lui a camcl,
or a dromcdary, could Iavc fcli ai Iomc in ii. Ii
sccmcd io mc a lold iIing cvcn io ialc noiicc
iIai iIc assagc loolcd comforiallc, as I vcni
on my vay, ircmlling, io Mr. Crcallc's rcs-
cncc: vIicI so alasIcd mc, vIcn I vas usI-
crcd inio ii, iIai I Iardly sav Mrs. Crcallc or
Miss Crcallc (vIo vcrc loiI iIcrc, in iIc
arlour}, or anyiIing lui Mr. Crcallc, a sioui
101
gcnilcman viiI a luncI of vaicI-cIain and
scals, in an arm-cIair, viiI a iumllcr and loiilc
lcsidc Iim.
'So!' said Mr. Crcallc. 'TIis is iIc young gcnilc-
man vIosc icciI arc io lc filcd! Turn Iim
round.'
TIc voodcn-lcggcd man iurncd mc aloui so as
io cIilii iIc lacard; and Iaving affordcd iimc
for a full survcy of ii, iurncd mc aloui again, viiI
my facc io Mr. Crcallc, and osicd Iimsclf ai Mr.
Crcallc's sidc. Mr. Crcallc's facc vas ficry, and
Iis cycs vcrc small, and dcc in Iis Icad; Ic Iad
iIicl vcins in Iis forcIcad, a liiilc nosc, and a
largc cIin. Hc vas lald on iIc io of Iis Icad;
and Iad somc iIin vci-looling Iair iIai vas jusi
iurning grcy, lrusIcd across cacI icmlc, so iIai
iIc ivo sidcs inicrlaccd on Iis forcIcad. Dui iIc
circumsiancc aloui Iim vIicI imrcsscd mc mosi,
vas, iIai Ic Iad no voicc, lui solc in a vIiscr.
TIc ccriion iIis cosi Iim, or iIc consciousncss
of ialling in iIai fccllc vay, madc Iis angry facc
so mucI morc angry, and Iis iIicl vcins so mucI
iIiclcr, vIcn Ic solc, iIai I am noi surriscd,
on looling lacl, ai iIis cculiariiy siriling mc as
Iis cIicf onc. 'Nov,' said Mr. Crcallc. 'WIai's iIc
rcori of iIis loy?'
'TIcrc's noiIing againsi Iim yci,' rciurncd
iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg. 'TIcrc Ias lccn
no ooriuniiy.'
I iIougIi Mr. Crcallc vas disaoinicd. I
iIougIi Mrs. and Miss Crcallc (ai vIom I nov
glanccd for iIc firsi iimc, and vIo vcrc, loiI,
iIin and quici} vcrc noi disaoinicd.
'Comc Icrc, sir!' said Mr. Crcallc, lccloning io mc.
'Comc Icrc!' said iIc man viiI iIc voodcn
lcg, rccaiing iIc gcsiurc.
'I Iavc iIc Iaincss of lnoving your faiIcr-
in-lav,' vIiscrcd Mr. Crcallc, ialing mc ly
iIc car; 'and a voriIy man Ic is, and a man of
a sirong cIaracicr. Hc lnovs mc, and I lnov
Iim. Do ou lnov mc? Hcy?' said Mr. Crcallc,
incIing my car viiI fcrocious layfulncss.
102
'Noi yci, sir,' I said, flincIing viiI iIc ain.
'Noi yci? Hcy?' rccaicd Mr. Crcallc. 'Dui you
vill soon. Hcy?'
'You vill soon. Hcy?' rccaicd iIc man viiI
iIc voodcn lcg. I aficrvards found iIai Ic gcn-
crally acicd, viiI Iis sirong voicc, as Mr.
Crcallc's inicrrcicr io iIc loys.
I vas vcry mucI frigIicncd, and said, I Iocd
so, if Ic lcascd. I fcli, all iIis vIilc, as if my
car vcrc llazing; Ic incIcd ii so Iard.
'I'll icll you vIai I am,' vIiscrcd Mr. Crcallc,
lciiing ii go ai lasi, viiI a scrcv ai ariing iIai
lrougIi iIc vaicr inio my cycs. 'I'm a Tariar.'
'A Tariar,' said iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg.
'WIcn I say I'll do a iIing, I do ii,' said Mr.
Crcallc; 'and vIcn I say I vill Iavc a iIing donc,
I vill Iavc ii donc.'
'Will Iavc a iIing donc, I vill Iavc ii donc,'
rccaicd iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg.
'I am a dcicrmincd cIaracicr,' said Mr. Crcallc.
'TIai's vIai I am. I do my duiy. TIai's vIai I do.
My flcsI and llood'Ic loolcd ai Mrs. Crcallc as
Ic said iIis'vIcn ii riscs againsi mc, is noi my
flcsI and llood. I discard ii. Has iIai fcllov'io
iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg'lccn Icrc again?'
'No,' vas iIc ansvcr.
'No,' said Mr. Crcallc. 'Hc lnovs lciicr. Hc
lnovs mc. Lci Iim lcc avay. I say lci Iim lcc
avay,' said Mr. Crcallc, siriling Iis Iand uon
iIc iallc, and looling ai Mrs. Crcallc, 'for Ic lnovs
mc. Nov you Iavc lcgun io lnov mc ioo, my
young fricnd, and you may go. Talc Iim avay.'
I vas vcry glad io lc ordcrcd avay, for Mrs.
and Miss Crcallc vcrc loiI viing iIcir cycs,
and I fcli as uncomforiallc for iIcm as I did for
mysclf. Dui I Iad a ciiiion on my mind vIicI
conccrncd mc so ncarly, iIai I couldn'i Icl
saying, iIougI I vondcrcd ai my ovn couragc:
'If you lcasc, sir'
Mr. Crcallc vIiscrcd, 'HaI! WIai's iIis?' and
lcni Iis cycs uon mc, as if Ic vould Iavc
lurni mc u viiI iIcm.
103
'If you lcasc, sir,' I falicrcd, 'if I migIi lc
allovcd (I am vcry sorry indccd, sir, for vIai I
did} io ialc iIis vriiing off, lcforc iIc loys
comc lacl'
WIciIcr Mr. Crcallc vas in carncsi, or
vIciIcr Ic only did ii io frigIicn mc, I don'i
lnov, lui Ic madc a lursi oui of Iis cIair,
lcforc vIicI I rcciiiaicly rcircaicd, viiIoui
vaiiing for iIc cscori Of iIc man viiI iIc
voodcn lcg, and ncvcr oncc siocd uniil I
rcacIcd my ovn lcdroom, vIcrc, finding I vas
noi ursucd, I vcni io lcd, as ii vas iimc, and
lay qualing, for a coulc of Iours.
Nci morning Mr. SIar camc lacl. Mr. SIar
vas iIc firsi masicr, and sucrior io Mr. Mcll.
Mr. Mcll iool Iis mcals viiI iIc loys, lui Mr.
SIar dincd and sucd ai Mr. Crcallc's iallc.
Hc vas a lim, dclicaic-looling gcnilcman, I
iIougIi, viiI a good dcal of nosc, and a vay of
carrying Iis Icad on onc sidc, as if ii vcrc a
liiilc ioo Icavy for Iim. His Iair vas vcry smooiI
and vavy; lui I vas informcd ly iIc vcry firsi
loy vIo camc lacl iIai ii vas a vig (a sccond-
Iand onc Ic said}, and iIai Mr. SIar vcni oui
cvcry Saiurday aficrnoon io gci ii curlcd.
Ii vas no oiIcr iIan Tommy Traddlcs vIo gavc
mc iIis iccc of iniclligcncc. Hc vas iIc firsi
loy vIo rciurncd. Hc iniroduccd Iimsclf ly
informing mc iIai I sIould find Iis namc on
iIc rigIi-Iand corncr of iIc gaic, ovcr iIc io-
loli; uon iIai I said, 'Traddlcs?' io vIicI Ic
rclicd, 'TIc samc,' and iIcn Ic aslcd mc for
a full accouni of mysclf and family.
Ii vas a Iay circumsiancc for mc iIai
Traddlcs camc lacl firsi. Hc cnjoycd my lac-
ard so mucI, iIai Ic savcd mc from iIc cmlar-
rassmcni of ciiIcr disclosurc or conccalmcni,
ly rcscniing mc io cvcry oiIcr loy vIo camc
lacl, grcai or small, immcdiaicly on Iis arrival,
in iIis form of iniroduciion, 'Lool Icrc! Hcrc's
a gamc!' Haily, ioo, iIc grcaicr ari of iIc
loys camc lacl lov-siriicd, and vcrc noi so
104
loisicrous ai my ccnsc as I Iad cccicd. Somc
of iIcm ccriainly did dancc aloui mc lilc vild
Indians, and iIc grcaicr ari could noi rcsisi iIc
icmiaiion of rcicnding iIai I vas a dog, and
aiiing and sooiIing mc, lcsi I sIould liic, and
saying, 'Lic dovn, sir!' and calling mc Tovzcr.
TIis vas naiurally confusing, among so many
sirangcrs, and cosi mc somc icars, lui on iIc
vIolc ii vas mucI lciicr iIan I Iad aniiciaicd.
I vas noi considcrcd as lcing formally rcccivcd
inio iIc scIool, Iovcvcr, uniil J. SiccrforiI ar-
rivcd. Dcforc iIis loy, vIo vas rcuicd io lc a
grcai scIolar, and vas vcry good-looling, and ai
lcasi Ialf-a-dozcn ycars my scnior, I vas car-
ricd as lcforc a magisiraic. Hc inquircd, undcr
a sIcd in iIc layground, inio iIc ariiculars of
my unisImcni, and vas lcascd io crcss Iis
oinion iIai ii vas 'a jolly sIamc'; for vIicI I
lccamc lound io Iim cvcr aficrvards.
'WIai moncy Iavc you goi, Cocrficld?' Ic
said, valling asidc viiI mc vIcn Ic Iad dis-
oscd of my affair in iIcsc icrms. I iold Iim
scvcn sIillings.
'You Iad lciicr givc ii io mc io ialc carc of,'
Ic said. 'Ai lcasi, you can if you lilc. You nccdn'i
if you don'i lilc.'
I Iasicncd io comly viiI Iis fricndly suggcs-
iion, and ocning Fcggoiiy's ursc, iurncd ii
usidc dovn inio Iis Iand.
'Do you vani io scnd anyiIing nov?' Ic
aslcd mc.
'No iIanl you,' I rclicd.
'You can, if you lilc, you lnov,' said SiccrforiI.
'Say iIc vord.'
'No, iIanl you, sir,' I rccaicd.
'FcrIas you'd lilc io scnd a coulc of sIillings or so,
in a loiilc of currani vinc ly and ly, u in iIc lcdroom?'
said SiccrforiI. 'You lclong io my lcdroom, I find.'
Ii ccriainly Iad noi occurrcd io mc lcforc,
lui I said, Ycs, I sIould lilc iIai.
'Vcry good,' said SiccrforiI. 'You'll lc glad io scnd
anoiIcr sIilling or so, in almond calcs, I darc say?'
105
I said, Ycs, I sIould lilc iIai, ioo.
'And anoiIcr sIilling or so in liscuiis, and an-
oiIcr in fruii, cI?' said SiccrforiI. 'I say, young
Cocrficld, you'rc going ii!'
I smilcd lccausc Ic smilcd, lui I vas a liiilc
iroullcd in my mind, ioo.
'Wcll!' said SiccrforiI. 'Wc musi malc ii sircicI
as far as vc can; iIai's all. I'll do iIc lcsi in my
ovcr for you. I can go oui vIcn I lilc, and I'll
smugglc iIc rog in.' WiiI iIcsc vords Ic ui
iIc moncy in Iis oclci, and lindly iold mc
noi io malc mysclf uncasy; Ic vould ialc carc
ii sIould lc all rigIi. Hc vas as good as Iis
vord, if iIai vcrc all rigIi vIicI I Iad a sccrci
misgiving vas ncarly all vrongfor I fcarcd ii
vas a vasic of my moiIcr's ivo Ialf-crovns
iIougI I Iad rcscrvcd iIc iccc of acr iIcy
vcrc vracd in: vIicI vas a rccious saving.
WIcn vc vcni usiairs io lcd, Ic roduccd iIc
vIolc scvcn sIillings'voriI, and laid ii oui on
my lcd in iIc moonligIi, saying:
'TIcrc you arc, young Cocrficld, and a royal
srcad you'vc goi.'
I couldn'i iIinl of doing iIc Ionours of iIc
fcasi, ai my iimc of lifc, vIilc Ic vas ly; my
Iand sIool ai iIc vcry iIougIi of ii. I lcggcd
Iim io do mc iIc favour of rcsiding; and my
rcqucsi lcing sccondcd ly iIc oiIcr loys vIo
vcrc in iIai room, Ic acccdcd io ii, and sai uon
my illov, Ianding round iIc viandsviiI cr-
fcci fairncss, I musi sayand discnsing iIc
currani vinc in a liiilc glass viiIoui a fooi,
vIicI vas Iis ovn rocriy. As io mc, I sai on
Iis lcfi Iand, and iIc rcsi vcrc groucd aloui
us, on iIc ncarcsi lcds and on iIc floor.
Hov vcll I rccollcci our siiiing iIcrc, ialling
in vIiscrs; or iIcir ialling, and my rcscci-
fully lisicning, I ougIi raiIcr io say; iIc moon-
ligIi falling a liiilc vay inio iIc room, iIrougI
iIc vindov, ainiing a alc vindov on iIc floor,
and iIc grcaicr ari of us in sIadov, ccci
vIcn SiccrforiI dicd a maicI inio a Ios-
106
Iorus-lo, vIcn Ic vanicd io lool for any-
iIing on iIc loard, and sIcd a lluc glarc ovcr
us iIai vas gonc dirccily! A ccriain mysicrious
fccling, conscqucni on iIc darlncss, iIc sc-
crccy of iIc rcvcl, and iIc vIiscr in vIicI
cvcryiIing vas said, sicals ovcr mc again, and
I lisicn io all iIcy icll mc viiI a vaguc fccling
of solcmniiy and avc, vIicI malcs mc glad
iIai iIcy arc all so ncar, and frigIicns mc
(iIougI I fcign io laugI} vIcn Traddlcs rc-
icnds io scc a gIosi in iIc corncr.
I Icard all linds of iIings aloui iIc scIool
and all lclonging io ii. I Icard iIai Mr. Crcallc
Iad noi rcfcrrcd Iis claim io lcing a Tariar
viiIoui rcason; iIai Ic vas iIc sicrncsi and
mosi scvcrc of masicrs; iIai Ic laid aloui Iim,
rigIi and lcfi, cvcry day of Iis lifc, cIarging in
among iIc loys lilc a iroocr, and slasIing
avay, unmcrcifully. TIai Ic lncv noiIing Iim-
sclf, lui iIc ari of slasIing, lcing morc igno-
rani (J. SiccrforiI said} iIan iIc lovcsi loy in
iIc scIool; iIai Ic Iad lccn, a good many
ycars ago, a small Io-dcalcr in iIc DorougI,
and Iad ialcn io iIc scIooling lusincss aficr
lcing lanlrui in Ios, and maling avay viiI
Mrs. Crcallc's moncy. WiiI a good dcal morc
of iIai sori, vIicI I vondcrcd Iov iIcy lncv.
I Icard iIai iIc man viiI iIc voodcn lcg,
vIosc namc vas Tungay, vas an olsiinaic lar-
larian vIo Iad formcrly assisicd in iIc Io lusi-
ncss, lui Iad comc inio iIc scIolasiic linc viiI
Mr. Crcallc, in conscqucncc, as vas suoscd
among iIc loys, of Iis Iaving lrolcn Iis lcg in
Mr. Crcallc's scrvicc, and Iaving donc a dcal of
disIoncsi vorl for Iim, and lnoving Iis sccrcis.
I Icard iIai viiI iIc singlc ccciion of Mr.
Crcallc, Tungay considcrcd iIc vIolc csiallisI-
mcni, masicrs and loys, as Iis naiural cncmics,
and iIai iIc only dcligIi of Iis lifc vas io lc
sour and malicious. I Icard iIai Mr. Crcallc Iad
a son, vIo Iad noi lccn Tungay's fricnd, and
vIo, assisiing in iIc scIool, Iad oncc Icld somc
107
rcmonsirancc viiI Iis faiIcr on an occasion
vIcn iis discilinc vas vcry cruclly ccrciscd,
and vas suoscd, lcsidcs, io Iavc roicsicd
againsi Iis faiIcr's usagc of Iis moiIcr. I Icard
iIai Mr. Crcallc Iad iurncd Iim oui of doors, in
conscqucncc; and iIai Mrs. and Miss Crcallc
Iad lccn in a sad vay, cvcr sincc.
Dui iIc grcaicsi vondcr iIai I Icard of Mr.
Crcallc vas, iIcrc lcing onc loy in iIc scIool
on vIom Ic ncvcr vcniurcd io lay a Iand, and
iIai loy lcing J. SiccrforiI. SiccrforiI Iimsclf
confirmcd iIis vIcn ii vas siaicd, and said iIai
Ic sIould lilc io lcgin io scc Iim do ii. On lc-
ing aslcd ly a mild loy (noi mc} Iov Ic vould
rocccd if Ic did lcgin io scc Iim do ii, Ic dicd
a maicI inio Iis IosIorus-lo on urosc io
sIcd a glarc ovcr Iis rcly, and said Ic vould
commcncc ly lnocling Iim dovn viiI a llov
on iIc forcIcad from iIc scvcn-and-sicnny inl-
loiilc iIai vas alvays on iIc manicliccc. Wc
sai in iIc darl for somc iimc, lrcaiIlcss.
I Icard iIai Mr. SIar and Mr. Mcll vcrc loiI
suoscd io lc vrcicIcdly aid; and iIai vIcn
iIcrc vas Ioi and cold mcai for dinncr ai Mr.
Crcallc's iallc, Mr. SIar vas alvays cccicd
io say Ic rcfcrrcd cold; vIicI vas again cor-
roloraicd ly J. SiccrforiI, iIc only arlour-
loardcr. I Icard iIai Mr. SIar's vig didn'i fii
Iim; and iIai Ic nccdn'i lc so 'lounccallc'
somclody clsc said 'lumiious'aloui ii, lc-
causc Iis ovn rcd Iair vas vcry lainly io lc
sccn lcIind.
I Icard iIai onc loy, vIo vas a coal-
mcrcIani's son, camc as a sci-off againsi iIc
coal-lill, and vas callcd, on iIai accouni, 'E-
cIangc or Daricr'a namc sclccicd from iIc
ariiImciic lool as crcssing iIis arrangcmcni.
I Icard iIai iIc iallc lccr vas a rollcry of ar-
cnis, and iIc udding an imosiiion. I Icard
iIai Miss Crcallc vas rcgardcd ly iIc scIool
in gcncral as lcing in lovc viiI SiccrforiI; and
I am surc, as I sai in iIc darl, iIinling of Iis
108
nicc voicc, and Iis finc facc, and Iis casy man-
ncr, and Iis curling Iair, I iIougIi ii vcry lilcly.
I Icard iIai Mr. Mcll vas noi a lad sori of fcl-
lov, lui Iadn'i a sicncc io llcss Iimsclf viiI;
and iIai iIcrc vas no douli iIai old Mrs. Mcll,
Iis moiIcr, vas as oor as jol. I iIougIi of my
lrcalfasi iIcn, and vIai Iad soundcd lilc 'My
CIarlcy!' lui I vas, I am glad io rcmcmlcr, as
muic as a mousc aloui ii.
TIc Icaring of all iIis, and a good dcal morc,
ouilasicd iIc lanquci somc iimc. TIc grcaicr
ari of iIc gucsis Iad gonc io lcd as soon as
iIc caiing and drinling vcrc ovcr; and vc, vIo
Iad rcmaincd vIiscring and lisicning Ialf-
undrcsscd, ai lasi lciool oursclvcs io lcd, ioo.
' Good nigIi, young Cocrficld,' said
SiccrforiI. 'I'll ialc carc of you.'
'You'rc vcry lind,' I graicfully rciurncd. 'I am
vcry mucI olligcd io you.'
'You Iavcn'i goi a sisicr, Iavc you?' said
SiccrforiI, yavning.
'No,' I ansvcrcd.
'TIai's a iiy,' said SiccrforiI. 'If you Iad Iad
onc, I sIould iIinl sIc vould Iavc lccn a rciiy,
iimid, liiilc, lrigIi-cycd sori of girl. I sIould
Iavc lilcd io lnov Icr. Good nigIi, young
Cocrficld.'
'Good nigIi, sir,' I rclicd.
I iIougIi of Iim vcry mucI aficr I vcni io lcd,
and raiscd mysclf, I rccollcci, io lool ai Iim
vIcrc Ic lay in iIc moonligIi, viiI Iis Iand-
somc facc iurncd u, and Iis Icad rcclining
casily on Iis arm. Hc vas a crson of grcai
ovcr in my cycs; iIai vas, of coursc, iIc rca-
son of my mind running on Iim. No vcilcd fu-
iurc dimly glanccd uon Iim in iIc moonlcams.
TIcrc vas no sIadovy iciurc of Iis fooisics,
in iIc gardcn iIai I drcamcd of valling in all
nigIi.
109
CHAPTER ?
MY 'FIRST HALF' AT SALEM
HOUSE
SCHOOL DEGAN IN EAFNEST nci day. A rofound
imrcssion vas madc uon mc, I rcmcmlcr,
ly iIc roar of voiccs in iIc scIoolroom sud-
dcnly lccoming IusIcd as dcaiI vIcn Mr.
Crcallc cnicrcd aficr lrcalfasi, and siood in
iIc doorvay looling round uon us lilc a gi-
ani in a siory-lool survcying Iis caiivcs.
Tungay siood ai Mr. Crcallc's cllov. Hc Iad
no occasion, I iIougIi, io cry oui 'Silcncc!' so
fcrociously, for iIc loys vcrc all sirucl scccI-
lcss and moiionlcss.
Mr. Crcallc vas sccn io scal, and Tungay
vas Icard, io iIis cffcci.
'Nov, loys, iIis is a ncv Ialf. Talc carc vIai
you'rc aloui, in iIis ncv Ialf. Comc frcsI u io
iIc lcssons, I advisc you, for I comc frcsI u io
iIc unisImcni. I von'i flincI. Ii vill lc of no
usc your rulling yoursclvcs; you von'i rul iIc
marls oui iIai I sIall givc you. Nov gci io vorl,
cvcry loy!'
WIcn iIis drcadful cordium vas ovcr, and
Tungay Iad siumcd oui again, Mr. Crcallc
camc io vIcrc I sai, and iold mc iIai if I vcrc
famous for liiing, Ic vas famous for liiing, ioo.
Hc iIcn sIovcd mc iIc canc, and aslcd mc
vIai I iIougIi of tIut, for a iooiI? Was ii a
sIar iooiI, Icy? Was ii a doullc iooiI, Icy?
Had ii a dcc rong, Icy? Did ii liic, Icy? Did
ii liic? Ai cvcry qucsiion Ic gavc mc a flcsIy
cui viiI ii iIai madc mc vriiIc; so I vas vcry
soon madc frcc of Salcm Housc (as SiccrforiI
said}, and vas vcry soon in icars also.
Noi iIai I mcan io say iIcsc vcrc sccial
marls of disiinciion, vIicI only I rcccivcd. On
iIc conirary, a largc majoriiy of iIc loys (cs-
ccially iIc smallcr oncs} vcrc visiicd viiI simi-
lar insianccs of noiicc, as Mr. Crcallc madc iIc
round of iIc scIoolroom. Half iIc csiallisI-
110
mcni vas vriiIing and crying, lcforc iIc day's
vorl lcgan; and Iov mucI of ii Iad vriiIcd
and cricd lcforc iIc day's vorl vas ovcr, I am
rcally afraid io rccollcci, lcsi I sIould sccm io
caggcraic.
I sIould iIinl iIcrc ncvcr can Iavc lccn a
man vIo cnjoycd Iis rofcssion morc iIan Mr.
Crcallc did. Hc Iad a dcligIi in cuiiing ai iIc
loys, vIicI vas lilc iIc saiisfaciion of a crav-
ing aciiic. I am confidcni iIai Ic couldn'i
rcsisi a cIully loy, csccially; iIai iIcrc vas
a fascinaiion in sucI a suljcci, vIicI madc Iim
rcsilcss in Iis mind, uniil Ic Iad scorcd and
marlcd Iim for iIc day. I vas cIully mysclf,
and ougIi io lnov. I am surc vIcn I iIinl of
iIc fcllov nov, my llood riscs againsi Iim viiI
iIc disinicrcsicd indignaiion I sIould fccl if I
could Iavc lnovn all aloui Iim viiIoui Iav-
ing cvcr lccn in Iis ovcr; lui ii riscs Ioily,
lccausc I lnov Iim io Iavc lccn an incaallc
lruic, vIo Iad no morc rigIi io lc osscsscd
of iIc grcai irusi Ic Icld, iIan io lc Lord HigI
Admiral, or Commandcr-in-CIicfin ciiIcr of
vIicI caaciiics ii is rolallc iIai Ic vould
Iavc donc infiniicly lcss miscIicf.
Miscrallc liiilc roiiiaiors of a rcmorsclcss
Idol, Iov aljcci vc vcrc io Iim! WIai a launcI
in lifc I iIinl ii nov, on looling lacl, io lc so
mcan and scrvilc io a man of sucI aris and
rcicnsions!
Hcrc I sii ai iIc dcsl again, vaicIing Iis cyc
Iumlly vaicIing Iis cyc, as Ic rulcs a ciIcr-
ing-lool for anoiIcr viciim vIosc Iands Iavc
jusi lccn flaiicncd ly iIai idcniical rulcr, and
vIo is irying io vic iIc siing oui viiI a oclci-
IandlcrcIicf. I Iavc lcniy io do. I don'i vaicI
Iis cyc in idlcncss, lui lccausc I am morlidly
aiiracicd io ii, in a drcad dcsirc io lnov vIai
Ic vill do nci, and vIciIcr ii vill lc my iurn
io suffcr, or somclody clsc's. A lanc of small
loys lcyond mc, viiI iIc samc inicrcsi in Iis
cyc, vaicI ii ioo. I iIinl Ic lnovs ii, iIougI
111
Ic rcicnds Ic don'i. Hc malcs drcadful mouiIs
as Ic rulcs iIc ciIcring-lool; and nov Ic
iIrovs Iis cyc sidcvays dovn our lanc, and vc
all droo ovcr our lools and ircmllc. A momcni
aficrvards vc arc again cycing Iim. An unIay
culrii, found guiliy of imcrfcci ccrcisc, a-
roacIcs ai Iis command. TIc culrii falicrs c-
cuscs, and rofcsscs a dcicrminaiion io do lci-
icr iomorrov. Mr. Crcallc cuis a jolc lcforc Ic
lcais Iim, and vc laugI ai ii,miscrallc liiilc
dogs, vc laugI, viiI our visagcs as vIiic as asIcs,
and our Icaris sinling inio our loois.
Hcrc I sii ai iIc dcsl again, on a drovsy sum-
mcr aficrnoon. A luzz and Ium go u around
mc, as if iIc loys vcrc so many llucloiilcs. A
cloggy scnsaiion of iIc lulcvarm fai of mcai is
uon mc (vc dincd an Iour or ivo ago}, and
my Icad is as Icavy as so mucI lcad. I vould
givc iIc vorld io go io slcc. I sii viiI my cyc
on Mr. Crcallc, llinling ai Iim lilc a young
ovl; vIcn slcc ovcrovcrs mc for a minuic,
Ic siill looms iIrougI my slumlcr, ruling iIosc
ciIcring-lools, uniil Ic sofily comcs lcIind
mc and valcs mc io laincr crcciion of Iim,
viiI a rcd ridgc across my lacl.
Hcrc I am in iIc layground, viiI my cyc
siill fascinaicd ly Iim, iIougI I can'i scc Iim.
TIc vindov ai a liiilc disiancc from vIicI I
lnov Ic is Iaving Iis dinncr, siands for Iim,
and I cyc iIai insicad. If Ic sIovs Iis facc ncar
ii, minc assumcs an imloring and sulmissivc
crcssion. If Ic lools oui iIrougI iIc glass,
iIc loldcsi loy (SiccrforiI cccicd} sios in
iIc middlc of a sIoui or ycll, and lccomcs con-
icmlaiivc. Onc day, Traddlcs (iIc mosi unfor-
iunaic loy in iIc vorld} lrcals iIai vindov
accidcnially, viiI a lall. I sIuddcr ai iIis mo-
mcni viiI iIc ircmcndous scnsaiion of sccing
ii donc, and fccling iIai iIc lall Ias loundcd
on io Mr. Crcallc's sacrcd Icad.
Foor Traddlcs! In a iigIi sly-lluc suii iIai madc
Iis arms and lcgs lilc Gcrman sausagcs, or roly-
112
oly uddings, Ic vas iIc mcrricsi and mosi
miscrallc of all iIc loys. Hc vas alvays lcing
cancdI iIinl Ic vas cancd cvcry day iIai Ialf-
ycar, ccci onc Ioliday Monday vIcn Ic vas
only rulcr'd on loiI Iandsand vas alvays go-
ing io vriic io Iis unclc aloui ii, and ncvcr did.
Aficr laying Iis Icad on iIc dcsl for a liiilc vIilc,
Ic vould cIccr u, somcIov, lcgin io laugI
again, and drav slclcions all ovcr Iis slaic, lc-
forc Iis cycs vcrc dry. I uscd ai firsi io vondcr
vIai comfori Traddlcs found in draving slclcions;
and for somc iimc loolcd uon Iim as a sori of
Icrmii, vIo rcmindcd Iimsclf ly iIosc symlols
of morialiiy iIai caning couldn'i lasi for cvcr. Dui
I lclicvc Ic only did ii lccausc iIcy vcrc casy,
and didn'i vani any fcaiurcs.
Hc vas vcry Ionourallc, Traddlcs vas, and
Icld ii as a solcmn duiy in iIc loys io siand ly
onc anoiIcr. Hc suffcrcd for iIis on scvcral oc-
casions; and ariicularly oncc, vIcn SiccrforiI
laugIcd in cIurcI, and iIc Dcadlc iIougIi ii
vas Traddlcs, and iool Iim oui. I scc Iim nov,
going avay in cusiody, dcsiscd ly iIc congrc-
gaiion. Hc ncvcr said vIo vas iIc rcal offcndcr,
iIougI Ic smaricd for ii nci day, and vas im-
risoncd so many Iours iIai Ic camc foriI viiI
a vIolc cIurcIyard-full of slclcions svarming
all ovcr Iis Laiin Diciionary. Dui Ic Iad Iis
rcvard. SiccrforiI said iIcrc vas noiIing of iIc
sncal in Traddlcs, and vc all fcli iIai io lc iIc
IigIcsi raisc. For my ari, I could Iavc gonc
iIrougI a good dcal (iIougI I vas mucI lcss
lravc iIan Traddlcs, and noiIing lilc so old} io
Iavc von sucI a rccomcnsc.
To scc SiccrforiI vall io cIurcI lcforc us, arm-
in-arm viiI Miss Crcallc, vas onc of iIc grcai
sigIis of my lifc. I didn'i iIinl Miss Crcallc cqual
io liiilc Em'ly in oini of lcauiy, and I didn'i lovc
Icr (I didn'i darc}; lui I iIougIi Icr a young
lady of ciraordinary aiiraciions, and in oini of
gcniiliiy noi io lc surasscd. WIcn SiccrforiI,
in vIiic irouscrs, carricd Icr arasol for Icr, I
113
fcli roud io lnov Iim; and lclicvcd iIai sIc
could noi cIoosc lui adorc Iim viiI all Icr Icari.
Mr. SIar and Mr. Mcll vcrc loiI noiallc cr-
sonagcs in my cycs; lui SiccrforiI vas io iIcm
vIai iIc sun vas io ivo siars.
SiccrforiI coniinucd Iis roicciion of mc, and
rovcd a vcry uscful fricnd; sincc nolody darcd
io annoy onc vIom Ic Ionourcd viiI Iis coun-
icnancc. Hc couldn'ior ai all cvcnis Ic didn'i
dcfcnd mc from Mr. Crcallc, vIo vas vcry sc-
vcrc viiI mc; lui vIcncvcr I Iad lccn ircaicd
vorsc iIan usual, Ic alvays iold mc iIai I
vanicd a liiilc of Iis lucl, and iIai Ic vouldn'i
Iavc siood ii Iimsclf; vIicI I fcli Ic inicndcd
for cncouragcmcni, and considcrcd io lc vcry
lind of Iim. TIcrc vas onc advaniagc, and only
onc iIai I lnov of, in Mr. Crcallc's scvcriiy. Hc
found my lacard in Iis vay vIcn Ic camc u
or dovn lcIind iIc form on vIicI I sai, and
vanicd io malc a cui ai mc in assing; for iIis
rcason ii vas soon ialcn off, and I sav ii no morc.
An accidcnial circumsiancc ccmcnicd iIc inii-
macy lcivccn SiccrforiI and mc, in a manncr
iIai insircd mc viiI grcai ridc and saiisfac-
iion, iIougI ii somciimcs lcd io inconvcnicncc. Ii
Iacncd on onc occasion, vIcn Ic vas doing
mc iIc Ionour of ialling io mc in iIc layground,
iIai I Iazardcd iIc olscrvaiion iIai somciIing
or somclodyI forgci vIai novvas lilc somc-
iIing or somclody in Fcrcgrinc Ficllc. Hc said
noiIing ai iIc iimc; lui vIcn I vas going io lcd
ai nigIi, aslcd mc if I Iad goi iIai lool?
I iold Iim no, and claincd Iov ii vas iIai I
Iad rcad ii, and all iIosc oiIcr lools of vIicI
I Iavc madc mcniion.
'And do you rccollcci iIcm?' SiccrforiI said.
'OI ycs,' I rclicd; I Iad a good mcmory, and I
lclicvcd I rccollccicd iIcm vcry vcll.
'TIcn I icll you vIai, young Cocrficld,' said
SiccrforiI, 'you sIall icll 'cm io mc. I can'i gci
io slcc vcry carly ai nigIi, and I gcncrally valc
raiIcr carly in iIc morning. Wc'll go ovcr 'cm
114
onc aficr anoiIcr. Wc'll malc somc rcgular Ara-
lian NigIis of ii.'
I fcli circmcly flaiicrcd ly iIis arrangcmcni,
and vc commcnccd carrying ii inio cccuiion
iIai vcry cvcning. WIai ravagcs I commiiicd
on my favouriic auiIors in iIc coursc of my
inicrrciaiion of iIcm, I am noi in a condiiion
io say, and sIould lc vcry unvilling io lnov;
lui I Iad a rofound faiiI in iIcm, and I Iad,
io iIc lcsi of my lclicf, a simlc, carncsi man-
ncr of narraiing vIai I did narraic; and iIcsc
qualiiics vcni a long vay.
TIc dravlacl vas, iIai I vas oficn slccy ai
nigIi, or oui of siriis and indisoscd io rcsumc
iIc siory; and iIcn ii vas raiIcr Iard vorl,
and ii musi lc donc; for io disaoini or io dis-
lcasc SiccrforiI vas of coursc oui of iIc qucs-
iion. In iIc morning, ioo, vIcn I fcli vcary,
and sIould Iavc cnjoycd anoiIcr Iour's rc-
osc vcry mucI, ii vas a iircsomc iIing io lc
rouscd, lilc iIc Suliana ScIcIcrazadc, and
forccd inio a long siory lcforc iIc gciiing-u
lcll rang; lui SiccrforiI vas rcsoluic; and as
Ic claincd io mc, in rciurn, my sums and
ccrciscs, and anyiIing in my iasls iIai vas
ioo Iard for mc, I vas no loscr ly iIc iransac-
iion. Lci mc do mysclf jusiicc, Iovcvcr. I vas
movcd ly no inicrcsicd or sclfisI moiivc, nor
vas I movcd ly fcar of Iim. I admircd and lovcd
Iim, and Iis aroval vas rciurn cnougI. Ii
vas so rccious io mc iIai I lool lacl on iIcsc
iriflcs, nov, viiI an acIing Icari.
SiccrforiI vas considcraic, ioo; and sIovcd
Iis considcraiion, in onc ariicular insiancc,
in an unflincIing manncr iIai vas a liiilc ian-
ializing, I suscci, io oor Traddlcs and iIc rcsi.
Fcggoiiy's romiscd lciicrvIai a comforiallc
lciicr ii vas!arrivcd lcforc 'iIc Ialf' vas many
vccls old; and viiI ii a calc in a crfcci ncsi
of orangcs, and ivo loiilcs of covsli vinc. TIis
ircasurc, as in duiy lound, I laid ai iIc fcci of
SiccrforiI, and lcggcd Iim io discnsc.
115
'Nov, I'll icll you vIai, young Cocrficld,'
said Ic: 'iIc vinc sIall lc lci io vci your
vIisilc vIcn you arc siory-iclling.'
I llusIcd ai iIc idca, and lcggcd Iim, in my
modcsiy, noi io iIinl of ii. Dui Ic said Ic Iad
olscrvcd I vas somciimcs Ioarsca liiilc rooy
vas Iis caci crcssionand ii sIould lc, cvcry
dro, dcvoicd io iIc urosc Ic Iad mcniioncd.
Accordingly, ii vas loclcd u in Iis lo, and dravn
off ly Iimsclf in a Iial, and adminisicrcd io mc
iIrougI a iccc of quill in iIc corl, vIcn I vas
suoscd io lc in vani of a rcsioraiivc. Somc-
iimcs, io malc ii a morc sovcrcign sccific, Ic vas
so lind as io squcczc orangc juicc inio ii, or io siir
ii u viiI gingcr, or dissolvc a ccrmini dro in
ii; and aliIougI I cannoi asscri iIai iIc flavour
vas imrovcd ly iIcsc ccrimcnis, or iIai ii vas
cacily iIc comound onc vould Iavc cIoscn for
a siomacIic, iIc lasi iIing ai nigIi and iIc firsi
iIing in iIc morning, I dranl ii graicfully and
vas vcry scnsillc of Iis aiicniion.
Wc sccm, io mc, io Iavc lccn moniIs ovcr Fcr-
cgrinc, and moniIs morc ovcr iIc oiIcr siorics.
TIc insiiiuiion ncvcr flaggcd for vani of a siory, I
am ccriain; and iIc vinc lasicd oui almosi as
vcll as iIc maiicr. Foor TraddlcsI ncvcr iIinl
of iIai loy lui viiI a sirangc disosiiion io laugI,
and viiI icars in my cycsvas a sori of cIorus,
in gcncral; and affccicd io lc convulscd viiI miriI
ai iIc comic aris, and io lc ovcrcomc viiI fcar
vIcn iIcrc vas any assagc of an alarming cIar-
acicr in iIc narraiivc. TIis raiIcr ui mc oui,
vcry oficn. Ii vas a grcai jcsi of Iis, I rccollcci, io
rcicnd iIai Ic couldn'i lcc Iis icciI from cIai-
icring, vIcncvcr mcniion vas madc of an
Alguazill in conncion viiI iIc advcniurcs of Gil
Dlas; and I rcmcmlcr iIai vIcn Gil Dlas mci iIc
caiain of iIc rollcrs in Madrid, iIis unlucly
jolcr counicrfciicd sucI an aguc of icrror, iIai
Ic vas ovcrIcard ly Mr. Crcallc, vIo vas rovl-
ing aloui iIc assagc, and Iandsomcly floggcd
for disordcrly conduci in iIc lcdroom.
116
WIaicvcr I Iad viiIin mc iIai vas romaniic
and drcamy, vas cncouragcd ly so mucI siory-
iclling in iIc darl; and in iIai rcscci iIc ur-
suii may noi Iavc lccn vcry rofiiallc io mc.
Dui iIc lcing cIcrisIcd as a lind of layiIing
in my room, and iIc consciousncss iIai iIis
accomlisImcni of minc vas lruiicd aloui
among iIc loys, and aiiracicd a good dcal of
noiicc io mc iIougI I vas iIc youngcsi iIcrc,
siimulaicd mc io ccriion. In a scIool carricd
on ly sIccr crucliy, vIciIcr ii is rcsidcd ovcr
ly a duncc or noi, iIcrc is noi lilcly io lc mucI
lcarni. I lclicvc our loys vcrc, gcncrally, as ig-
norani a sci as any scIoolloys in cisicncc; iIcy
vcrc ioo mucI iroullcd and lnoclcd aloui io
lcarn; iIcy could no morc do iIai io advan-
iagc, iIan any onc can do anyiIing io advan-
iagc in a lifc of consiani misforiunc, iormcni,
and vorry. Dui my liiilc vaniiy, and SiccrforiI's
Icl, urgcd mc on somcIov; and viiIoui sav-
ing mc from mucI, if anyiIing, in iIc vay of
unisImcni, madc mc, for iIc iimc I vas iIcrc,
an ccciion io iIc gcncral lody, insomucI
iIai I did sicadily icl u somc crumls of
lnovlcdgc.
In iIis I vas mucI assisicd ly Mr. Mcll, vIo
Iad a liling for mc iIai I am graicful io rcmcm-
lcr. Ii alvays gavc mc ain io olscrvc iIai
SiccrforiI ircaicd Iim viiI sysicmaiic disar-
agcmcni, and scldom losi an occasion of vound-
ing Iis fcclings, or inducing oiIcrs io do so. TIis
iroullcd mc iIc morc for a long iimc, lccausc
I Iad soon iold SiccrforiI, from vIom I could
no morc lcc sucI a sccrci, iIan I could lcc
a calc or any oiIcr iangillc osscssion, aloui
iIc ivo old vomcn Mr. Mcll Iad ialcn mc io
scc; and I vas alvays afraid iIai SiccrforiI
vould lci ii oui, and ivii Iim viiI ii.
Wc liiilc iIougIi, any onc of us, I darc say,
vIcn I aic my lrcalfasi iIai firsi morning, and
vcni io slcc undcr iIc sIadov of iIc cacocl's
fcaiIcrs io iIc sound of iIc fluic, vIai consc-
117
qucnccs vould comc of iIc iniroduciion inio
iIosc alms-Iouscs of my insignificani crson.
Dui iIc visii Iad iis unforcsccn conscqucnccs;
and of a scrious sori, ioo, in iIcir vay.
Onc day vIcn Mr. Crcallc lci iIc Iousc from
indisosiiion, vIicI naiurally diffuscd a livcly joy
iIrougI iIc scIool, iIcrc vas a good dcal of noisc
in iIc coursc of iIc morning's vorl. TIc grcai
rclicf and saiisfaciion ccricnccd ly iIc loys
madc iIcm difficuli io managc; and iIougI iIc
drcadcd Tungay lrougIi Iis voodcn lcg in ivicc
or iIricc, and iool noics of iIc rincial offcnd-
crs' namcs, no grcai imrcssion vas madc ly ii,
as iIcy vcrc rciiy surc of gciiing inio iroullc
iomorrov, do vIai iIcy vould, and iIougIi ii
visc, no douli, io cnjoy iIcmsclvcs ioday.
Ii vas, rocrly, a Ialf-Ioliday; lcing Saiur-
day. Dui as iIc noisc in iIc layground vould
Iavc disiurlcd Mr. Crcallc, and iIc vcaiIcr
vas noi favourallc for going oui valling, vc vcrc
ordcrcd inio scIool in iIc aficrnoon, and sci somc
ligIicr iasls iIan usual, vIicI vcrc madc for
iIc occasion. Ii vas iIc day of iIc vccl on vIicI
Mr. SIar vcni oui io gci Iis vig curlcd; so Mr.
Mcll, vIo alvays did iIc drudgcry, vIaicvcr ii
vas, lci scIool ly Iimsclf. If I could associaic
iIc idca of a lull or a lcar viiI anyonc so mild
as Mr. Mcll, I sIould iIinl of Iim, in conncion
viiI iIai aficrnoon vIcn iIc uroar vas ai iis
IcigIi, as of onc of iIosc animals, laiicd ly a
iIousand dogs. I rccall Iim lcnding Iis acIing
Icad, suoricd on Iis lony Iand, ovcr iIc lool
on Iis dcsl, and vrcicIcdly cndcavouring io
gci on viiI Iis iircsomc vorl, amidsi an uroar
iIai migIi Iavc madc iIc Scalcr of iIc Housc
of Commons giddy. Doys siaricd in and oui of
iIcir laccs, laying ai uss in iIc corncr viiI
oiIcr loys; iIcrc vcrc laugIing loys, singing
loys, ialling loys, dancing loys, Iovling loys;
loys sIufflcd viiI iIcir fcci, loys vIirlcd aloui
Iim, grinning, maling faccs, mimicling Iim
lcIind Iis lacl and lcforc Iis cycs; mimicling
118
Iis ovcriy, Iis loois, Iis coai, Iis moiIcr, cv-
cryiIing lclonging io Iim iIai iIcy sIould Iavc
Iad considcraiion for.
'Silcncc!' cricd Mr. Mcll, suddcnly rising u,
and siriling Iis dcsl viiI iIc lool. 'WIai docs
iIis mcan! Ii's imossillc io lcar ii. Ii's mad-
dcning. Hov can you do ii io mc, loys?'
Ii vas my lool iIai Ic sirucl Iis dcsl viiI;
and as I siood lcsidc Iim, folloving Iis cyc as
ii glanccd round iIc room, I sav iIc loys all
sio, somc suddcnly surriscd, somc Ialf afraid,
and somc sorry crIas.
SiccrforiI's lacc vas ai iIc loiiom of iIc
scIool, ai iIc oosiic cnd of iIc long room. Hc
vas lounging viiI Iis lacl againsi iIc vall,
and Iis Iands in Iis oclcis, and loolcd ai
Mr. Mcll viiI Iis mouiI sIui u as if Ic vcrc
vIisiling, vIcn Mr. Mcll loolcd ai Iim.
'Silcncc, Mr. SiccrforiI!' said Mr. Mcll.
'Silcncc yoursclf,' said SiccrforiI, iurning rcd.
'WIom arc you ialling io?'
'Sii dovn,' said Mr. Mcll.
'Sii dovn yoursclf,' said SiccrforiI, 'and mind
your lusincss.'
TIcrc vas a iiiicr, and somc alausc; lui
Mr. Mcll vas so vIiic, iIai silcncc immcdiaicly
succccdcd; and onc loy, vIo Iad daricd oui
lcIind Iim io imiiaic Iis moiIcr again, cIangcd
Iis mind, and rcicndcd io vani a cn mcndcd.
'If you iIinl, SiccrforiI,' said Mr. Mcll, 'iIai I
am noi acquainicd viiI iIc ovcr you can csial-
lisI ovcr any mind Icrc' Ic laid Iis Iand, viiI-
oui considcring vIai Ic did (as I suoscd}, uon
my Icad'or iIai I Iavc noi olscrvcd you, viiIin
a fcv minuics, urging your juniors on io cvcry
sori of ouiragc againsi mc, you arc misialcn.'
'I don'i givc mysclf iIc iroullc of iIinling ai
all aloui you,' said SiccrforiI, coolly; 'so I'm
noi misialcn, as ii Iacns.'
'And vIcn you malc usc of your osiiion of
favouriiism Icrc, sir,' ursucd Mr. Mcll, viiI Iis
li ircmlling vcry mucI, 'io insuli a gcnilcman '
119
'A vIai?vIcrc is Ic?' said SiccrforiI.
Hcrc somclody cricd oui, ' SIamc, J.
SiccrforiI! Too lad!' Ii vas Traddlcs; vIom
Mr. Mcll insianily discomfiicd ly lidding Iim
Iold Iis ionguc.
'To insuli onc vIo is noi foriunaic in lifc,
sir, and vIo ncvcr gavc you iIc lcasi offcncc,
and iIc many rcasons for noi insuliing vIom
you arc old cnougI and visc cnougI io undcr-
siand,' said Mr. Mcll, viiI Iis lis ircmlling
morc and morc, 'you commii a mcan and lasc
aciion. You can sii dovn or siand u as you
lcasc, sir. Cocrficld, go on.'
'Young Cocrficld,' said SiccrforiI, coming
forvard u iIc room, 'sio a lii. I icll you vIai,
Mr. Mcll, oncc for all. WIcn you ialc iIc lil-
criy of calling mc mcan or lasc, or anyiIing of
iIai sori, you arc an imudcni lcggar. You arc
alvays a lcggar, you lnov; lui vIcn you do
iIai, you arc an imudcni lcggar.'
I am noi clcar vIciIcr Ic vas going io sirilc
Mr. Mcll, or Mr. Mcll vas going io sirilc Iim,
or iIcrc vas any sucI inicniion on ciiIcr sidc.
I sav a rigidiiy comc uon iIc vIolc scIool as
if iIcy Iad lccn iurncd inio sionc, and found
Mr. Crcallc in iIc midsi of us, viiI Tungay ai
Iis sidc, and Mrs. and Miss Crcallc looling in
ai iIc door as if iIcy vcrc frigIicncd. Mr. Mcll,
viiI Iis cllovs on Iis dcsl and Iis facc in Iis
Iands, sai, for somc momcnis, quiic siill.
'Mr. Mcll,' said Mr. Crcallc, sIaling Iim ly
iIc arm; and Iis vIiscr vas so audillc nov,
iIai Tungay fcli ii unncccssary io rccai Iis
vords; 'you Iavc noi forgoiicn yoursclf, I Ioc?'
'No, sir, no,' rciurncd iIc Masicr, sIoving Iis
facc, and sIaling Iis Icad, and rulling Iis
Iands in grcai agiiaiion. 'No, sir. No. I Iavc
rcmcmlcrcd mysclf, Ino, Mr. Crcallc, I Iavc
noi forgoiicn mysclf, II Iavc rcmcmlcrcd
mysclf, sir. IIcould visI you Iad rcmcm-
lcrcd mc a liiilc sooncr, Mr. Crcallc. Iiii
vould Iavc lccn morc lind, sir, morc jusi, sir.
120
Ii vould Iavc savcd mc somciIing, sir.'
Mr. Crcallc, looling Iard ai Mr. Mcll, ui Iis
Iand on Tungay's sIouldcr, and goi Iis fcci uon
iIc form closc ly, and sai uon iIc dcsl. Aficr
siill looling Iard ai Mr. Mcll from Iis iIronc, as
Ic sIool Iis Icad, and rullcd Iis Iands, and
rcmaincd in iIc samc siaic of agiiaiion, Mr.
Crcallc iurncd io SiccrforiI, and said:
'Nov, sir, as Ic don'i condcsccnd io icll mc,
vIai is iIis?'
SiccrforiI cvadcd iIc qucsiion for a liiilc vIilc;
looling in scorn and angcr on Iis ooncni,
and rcmaining silcni. I could noi Icl iIinling
cvcn in iIai inicrval, I rcmcmlcr, vIai a nollc
fcllov Ic vas in acarancc, and Iov Iomcly
and lain Mr. Mcll loolcd ooscd io Iim.
'WIai did Ic mcan ly ialling aloui favouriics,
iIcn?' said SiccrforiI ai lcngiI.
'Favouriics?' rccaicd Mr. Crcallc, viiI iIc
vcins in Iis forcIcad svclling quiclly. 'WIo
iallcd aloui favouriics?'
'Hc did,' said SiccrforiI.
'And ray, vIai did you mcan ly iIai, sir?'
dcmandcd Mr. Crcallc, iurning angrily on Iis
assisiani.
'I mcani, Mr. Crcallc,' Ic rciurncd in a lov
voicc, 'as I said; iIai no uil Iad a rigIi io
avail Iimsclf of Iis osiiion of favouriiism io
dcgradc mc.'
'To dcgradc ou?' said Mr. Crcallc. 'My siars!
Dui givc mc lcavc io asl you, Mr. WIai's-your-
namc'; and Icrc Mr. Crcallc foldcd Iis arms, canc
and all, uon Iis cIcsi, and madc sucI a lnoi of
Iis lrovs iIai Iis liiilc cycs vcrc Iardly visillc
lclov iIcm; 'vIciIcr, vIcn you iall aloui
favouriics, you sIovcd rocr rcscci io mc? To
mc, sir,' said Mr. Crcallc, dariing Iis Icad ai Iim
suddcnly, and draving ii lacl again, 'iIc rinci-
al of iIis csiallisImcni, and your cmloycr.'
'Ii vas noi judicious, sir, I am villing io ad-
mii,' said Mr. Mcll. 'I sIould noi Iavc donc so,
if I Iad lccn cool.'
121
Hcrc SiccrforiI sirucl in.
'TIcn Ic said I vas mcan, and iIcn Ic said I
vas lasc, and iIcn I callcd Iim a lcggar. If I
Iad lccn cool, crIas I sIouldn'i Iavc callcd
Iim a lcggar. Dui I did, and I am rcady io ialc
iIc conscqucnccs of ii.'
WiiIoui considcring, crIas, vIciIcr iIcrc
vcrc any conscqucnccs io lc ialcn, I fcli quiic
in a glov ai iIis gallani scccI. Ii madc an
imrcssion on iIc loys ioo, for iIcrc vas a lov
siir among iIcm, iIougI no onc solc a vord.
'I am surriscd, SiccrforiIaliIougI your
candour docs you Ionour,' said Mr. Crcallc,
'docs you Ionour, ccriainlyI am surriscd,
SiccrforiI, I musi say, iIai you sIould aiiacI
sucI an ciiIci io any crson cmloycd and
aid in Salcm Housc, sir.'
SiccrforiI gavc a sIori laugI.
'TIai's noi an ansvcr, sir,' said Mr. Crcallc,
'io my rcmarl. I ccci morc iIan iIai from
you, SiccrforiI.'
If Mr. Mcll loolcd Iomcly, in my cycs, lcforc
iIc Iandsomc loy, ii vould lc quiic imossillc
io say Iov Iomcly Mr. Crcallc loolcd. 'Lci Iim
dcny ii,' said SiccrforiI.
'Dcny iIai Ic is a lcggar, SiccrforiI?' cricd
Mr. Crcallc. 'WIy, vIcrc docs Ic go a-lcgging?'
'If Ic is noi a lcggar Iimsclf, Iis ncar rclaiion's
onc,' said SiccrforiI. 'Ii's all iIc samc.'
Hc glanccd ai mc, and Mr. Mcll's Iand gcnily
aiicd mc uon iIc sIouldcr. I loolcd u viiI
a flusI uon my facc and rcmorsc in my Icari,
lui Mr. Mcll's cycs vcrc ficd on SiccrforiI. Hc
coniinucd io ai mc lindly on iIc sIouldcr, lui
Ic loolcd ai Iim.
'Sincc you ccci mc, Mr. Crcallc, io jusiify
mysclf,' said SiccrforiI, 'and io say vIai I
mcan,vIai I Iavc io say is, iIai Iis moiIcr
livcs on cIariiy in an alms-Iousc.'
Mr. Mcll siill loolcd ai Iim, and siill aiicd
mc lindly on iIc sIouldcr, and said io Iimsclf,
in a vIiscr, if I Icard rigIi: 'Ycs, I iIougIi so.'
122
Mr. Crcallc iurncd io Iis assisiani, viiI a
scvcrc frovn and lalourcd oliicncss:
'Nov, you Icar vIai iIis gcnilcman says, Mr.
Mcll. Havc iIc goodncss, if you lcasc, io sci
Iim rigIi lcforc iIc asscmllcd scIool.'
'Hc is rigIi, sir, viiIoui corrcciion,' rciurncd
Mr. Mcll, in iIc midsi of a dcad silcncc; 'vIai
Ic Ias said is iruc.'
'Dc so good iIcn as dcclarc ullicly, vill
you,' said Mr. Crcallc, uiiing Iis Icad on
onc sidc, and rolling Iis cycs round iIc
scIool, 'vIciIcr ii cvcr camc io my lnovl-
cdgc uniil iIis momcni?'
'I lclicvc noi dirccily,' Ic rciurncd.
'WIy, you lnov noi,' said Mr. Crcallc. 'Don'i
you, man?'
'I arcIcnd you ncvcr suoscd my vorldly cir-
cumsianccs io lc vcry good,' rclicd iIc assisiani. 'You
lnov vIai my osiiion is, and alvays Ias lccn, Icrc.'
'I arcIcnd, if you comc io iIai,' said Mr.
Crcallc, viiI Iis vcins svclling again liggcr
iIan cvcr, 'iIai you'vc lccn in a vrong osi-
iion aliogciIcr, and misiool iIis for a cIariiy
scIool. Mr. Mcll, vc'll ari, if you lcasc. TIc
sooncr iIc lciicr.'
'TIcrc is no iimc,' ansvcrcd Mr. Mcll, rising,
'lilc iIc rcscni.'
'Sir, io you!' said Mr. Crcallc.
'I ialc my lcavc of you, Mr. Crcallc, and all of
you,' said Mr. Mcll, glancing round iIc room,
and again aiiing mc gcnily on iIc sIouldcrs.
'Jamcs SiccrforiI, iIc lcsi visI I can lcavc you
is iIai you may comc io lc asIamcd of vIai
you Iavc donc ioday. Ai rcscni I vould rcfcr
io scc you anyiIing raiIcr iIan a fricnd, io
mc, or io anyonc in vIom I fccl an inicrcsi.'
Oncc morc Ic laid Iis Iand uon my sIoul-
dcr; and iIcn ialing Iis fluic and a fcv lools
from Iis dcsl, and lcaving iIc lcy in ii for Iis
succcssor, Ic vcni oui of iIc scIool, viiI Iis
rocriy undcr Iis arm. Mr. Crcallc iIcn madc
a scccI, iIrougI Tungay, in vIicI Ic iIanlcd
123
SiccrforiI for asscriing (iIougI crIas ioo
varmly} iIc indccndcncc and rcsccialiliiy of
Salcm Housc; and vIicI Ic vound u ly sIal-
ing Iands viiI SiccrforiI, vIilc vc gavc iIrcc
cIccrs I did noi quiic lnov vIai for, lui I
suoscd for SiccrforiI, and so joincd in iIcm
ardcnily, iIougI I fcli miscrallc. Mr. Crcallc
iIcn cancd Tommy Traddlcs for lcing discov-
crcd in icars, insicad of cIccrs, on accouni of
Mr. Mcll's dcariurc; and vcni lacl io Iis sofa,
or Iis lcd, or vIcrcvcr Ic Iad comc from.
Wc vcrc lcfi io oursclvcs nov, and loolcd vcry
llanl, I rccollcci, on onc anoiIcr. For mysclf, I
fcli so mucI sclf-rcroacI and coniriiion for
my ari in vIai Iad Iacncd, iIai noiIing
vould Iavc cnallcd mc io lcc lacl my icars
lui iIc fcar iIai SiccrforiI, vIo oficn loolcd
ai mc, I sav, migIi iIinl ii unfricndlyor, I
sIould raiIcr say, considcring our rclaiivc agcs,
and iIc fccling viiI vIicI I rcgardcd Iim, un-
duiifulif I sIovcd iIc cmoiion vIicI dis-
ircsscd mc. Hc vas vcry angry viiI Traddlcs,
and said Ic vas glad Ic Iad caugIi ii.
Foor Traddlcs, vIo Iad asscd iIc siagc of
lying viiI Iis Icad uon iIc dcsl, and vas rc-
licving Iimsclf as usual viiI a lursi of slcl-
cions, said Ic didn'i carc. Mr. Mcll vas ill-uscd.
' WIo Ias ill-uscd Iim, you girl?' said
SiccrforiI.
'WIy, you Iavc,' rciurncd Traddlcs.
'WIai Iavc I donc?' said SiccrforiI.
'WIai Iavc you donc?' rcioricd Traddlcs. 'Huri
Iis fcclings, and losi Iim Iis siiuaiion.'
'His fcclings?' rccaicd SiccrforiI disdain-
fully. 'His fcclings vill soon gci iIc lciicr of ii,
I'll lc lound. His fcclings arc noi lilc yours,
Miss Traddlcs. As io Iis siiuaiionvIicI vas
a rccious onc, vasn'i ii?do you suosc I
am noi going io vriic Iomc, and ialc carc iIai
Ic gcis somc moncy? Folly?'
Wc iIougIi iIis inicniion vcry nollc in
SiccrforiI, vIosc moiIcr vas a vidov, and
124
ricI, and vould do almosi anyiIing, ii vas said,
iIai Ic aslcd Icr. Wc vcrc all circmcly glad
io scc Traddlcs so ui dovn, and calicd
SiccrforiI io iIc slics: csccially vIcn Ic iold
us, as Ic condcsccndcd io do, iIai vIai Ic
Iad donc Iad lccn donc crcssly for us, and
for our causc; and iIai Ic Iad confcrrcd a grcai
loon uon us ly unsclfisIly doing ii. Dui I
musi say iIai vIcn I vas going on viiI a siory
in iIc darl iIai nigIi, Mr. Mcll's old fluic
sccmcd morc iIan oncc io sound mournfully
in my cars; and iIai vIcn ai lasi SiccrforiI
vas iircd, and I lay dovn in my lcd, I fancicd ii
laying so sorrovfully somcvIcrc, iIai I vas
quiic vrcicIcd.
I soon forgoi Iim in iIc conicmlaiion of
SiccrforiI, vIo, in an casy amaicur vay, and
viiIoui any lool (Ic sccmcd io mc io lnov
cvcryiIing ly Icari}, iool somc of Iis classcs
uniil a ncv masicr vas found. TIc ncv masicr
camc from a grammar scIool; and lcforc Ic
cnicrcd on Iis duiics, dincd in iIc arlour onc
day, io lc iniroduccd io SiccrforiI. SiccrforiI
arovcd of Iim IigIly, and iold us Ic vas a
Dricl. WiiIoui cacily undcrsianding vIai
lcarncd disiinciion vas mcani ly iIis, I rc-
sccicd Iim grcaily for ii, and Iad no douli
vIaicvcr of Iis sucrior lnovlcdgc: iIougI Ic
ncvcr iool iIc ains viiI mcnoi iIai I vas
anylodyiIai Mr. Mcll Iad ialcn.
TIcrc vas only onc oiIcr cvcni in iIis Ialf-
ycar, oui of iIc daily scIool-lifc, iIai madc an
imrcssion uon mc vIicI siill survivcs. Ii
survivcs for many rcasons.
Onc aficrnoon, vIcn vc vcrc all Iarasscd
inio a siaic of dirc confusion, and Mr. Crcallc
vas laying aloui Iim drcadfully, Tungay camc
in, and callcd oui in Iis usual sirong vay: 'Visi-
iors for Cocrficld!'
A fcv vords vcrc inicrcIangcd lcivccn Iim
and Mr. Crcallc, as, vIo iIc visiiors vcrc, and
vIai room iIcy vcrc io lc sIovn inio; and iIcn
125
I, vIo Iad, according io cusiom, siood u on
iIc announccmcni lcing madc, and fcli quiic
faini viiI asionisImcni, vas iold io go ly iIc
lacl siairs and gci a clcan frill on, lcforc I rc-
aircd io iIc dining-room. TIcsc ordcrs I olcycd,
in sucI a fluiicr and Iurry of my young siriis
as I Iad ncvcr lnovn lcforc; and vIcn I goi io
iIc arlour door, and iIc iIougIi camc inio my
Icad iIai ii migIi lc my moiIcrI Iad only
iIougIi of Mr. or Miss Murdsionc uniil iIcnI
drcv lacl my Iand from iIc locl, and siocd
io Iavc a sol lcforc I vcni in.
Ai firsi I sav nolody; lui fccling a rcssurc
againsi iIc door, I loolcd round ii, and iIcrc,
io my amazcmcni, vcrc Mr. Fcggoiiy and Ham,
ducling ai mc viiI iIcir Iais, and squcczing
onc anoiIcr againsi iIc vall. I could noi Icl
laugIing; lui ii vas mucI morc in iIc lca-
surc of sccing iIcm, iIan ai iIc acarancc
iIcy madc. Wc sIool Iands in a vcry cordial
vay; and I laugIcd and laugIcd, uniil I ullcd
oui my oclci-IandlcrcIicf and vicd my cycs.
Mr. Fcggoiiy (vIo ncvcr sIui Iis mouiI oncc,
I rcmcmlcr, during iIc visii} sIovcd grcai con-
ccrn vIcn Ic sav mc do iIis, and nudgcd Ham
io say somciIing.
'CIccr u, Mas'r Davy lor'!' said Ham, in Iis
simcring vay. 'WIy, Iov you Iavc grovcd!'
'Am I grovn?' I said, drying my cycs. I vas
noi crying ai anyiIing in ariicular iIai I lnov
of; lui somcIov ii madc mc cry, io scc old
fricnds.
'Grovcd, Mas'r Davy lor'? Ain'i Ic grovcd!'
said Ham.
'Ain'i Ic grovcd!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
TIcy madc mc laugI again ly laugIing ai cacI
oiIcr, and iIcn vc all iIrcc laugIcd uniil I
vas in dangcr of crying again.
'Do you lnov Iov mama is, Mr. Fcggoiiy?' I
said. 'And Iov my dcar, dcar, old Fcggoiiy is?'
'Oncommon,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'And liiilc Em'ly, and Mrs. Gummidgc?'
126
'Oncommon,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
TIcrc vas a silcncc. Mr. Fcggoiiy, io rclicvc ii,
iool ivo rodigious lolsicrs, and an cnormous
cral, and a largc canvas lag of sIrims, oui of
Iis oclcis, and ilcd iIcm u in Ham's arms.
'You scc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'lnoving as you
vas ariial io a liiilc rclisI viiI your viiilcs
vIcn you vas along viiI us, vc iool iIc lil-
criy. TIc old MaviIcr lilcd 'cm, sIc did. Mrs.
Gummidgc lilcd 'cm. Ycs,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
slovly, vIo I iIougIi acarcd io siicl io iIc
suljcci on accouni of Iaving no oiIcr suljcci
rcady, 'Mrs. Gummidgc, I do assurc you, sIc
lilcd 'cm.'
I crcsscd my iIanls; and Mr. Fcggoiiy, af-
icr looling ai Ham, vIo siood smiling sIcc-
isIly ovcr iIc sIcllfisI, viiIoui maling any
aiicmi io Icl Iim, said:
'Wc comc, you scc, iIc vind and iidc maling in
our favour, in onc of our YarmouiI lugs io
Gravcscn'. My sisicr sIc vroic io mc iIc namc of
iIis Icrc lacc, and vroic io mc as if cvcr I cIanccd
io comc io Gravcscn', I vas io comc ovcr and in-
quirc for Mas'r Davy and givc Icr dooiy, Iumlly
visIing Iim vcll and rcoriing of iIc fam'ly as
iIcy vas oncommon ioc-lc-surc. Liiilc Em'ly, you
scc, sIc'll vriic io my sisicr vIcn I go lacl, as I
scc you and as you vas similarly oncommon, and
so vc malc ii quiic a mcrry-go-roundcr.'
I vas olligcd io considcr a liiilc lcforc I un-
dcrsiood vIai Mr. Fcggoiiy mcani ly iIis fig-
urc, crcssivc of a comlcic circlc of iniclli-
gcncc. I iIcn iIanlcd Iim Icariily; and said,
viiI a consciousncss of rcddcning, iIai I su-
oscd liiilc Em'ly vas alicrcd ioo, sincc vc uscd
io icl u sIclls and clllcs on iIc lcacI?
'SIc's gciiing io lc a voman, iIai's voi sIc's
gciiing io lc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Asl Im.' Hc
mcani Ham, vIo lcamcd viiI dcligIi and as-
scni ovcr iIc lag of sIrims.
'Hcr rciiy facc!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI Iis
ovn sIining lilc a ligIi.
127
'Hcr lcarning!' said Ham.
'Hcr vriiing!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'WIy ii's as
llacl as jci! And so largc ii is, you migIi scc ii
anyvIcrcs.'
Ii vas crfccily dcligIiful io lcIold viiI vIai
cniIusiasm Mr. Fcggoiiy lccamc insircd vIcn
Ic iIougIi of Iis liiilc favouriic. Hc siands
lcforc mc again, Iis lluff Iairy facc irradiaiing
viiI a joyful lovc and ridc, for vIicI I can find
no dcscriiion. His Ioncsi cycs firc u, and
sarllc, as if iIcir dciIs vcrc siirrcd ly somc-
iIing lrigIi. His lroad cIcsi Icavcs viiI lca-
surc. His sirong loosc Iands clcncI iIcmsclvcs,
in Iis carncsincss; and Ic cmIasizcs vIai
Ic says viiI a rigIi arm iIai sIovs, in my
igmy vicv, lilc a slcdgc-Iammcr.
Ham vas quiic as carncsi as Ic. I darc say
iIcy vould Iavc said mucI morc aloui Icr, if
iIcy Iad noi lccn alasIcd ly iIc uncccicd
coming in of SiccrforiI, vIo, sccing mc in a
corncr scaling viiI ivo sirangcrs, siocd in
a song Ic vas singing, and said: 'I didn'i lnov
you vcrc Icrc, young Cocrficld!' (for ii vas
noi iIc usual visiiing room} and crosscd ly us
on Iis vay oui.
I am noi surc vIciIcr ii vas in iIc ridc of
Iaving sucI a fricnd as SiccrforiI, or in iIc
dcsirc io clain io Iim Iov I camc io Iavc
sucI a fricnd as Mr. Fcggoiiy, iIai I callcd io
Iim as Ic vas going avay. Dui I said, mod-
csilyGood Hcavcn, Iov ii all comcs lacl io
mc iIis long iimc aficrvards!
'Don'i go, SiccrforiI, if you lcasc. TIcsc arc
ivo YarmouiI loaimcnvcry lind, good
colcvIo arc rclaiions of my nursc, and Iavc
comc from Gravcscnd io scc mc.'
'Ayc, ayc?' said SiccrforiI, rciurning. 'I am
glad io scc iIcm. Hov arc you loiI?'
TIcrc vas an casc in Iis manncra gay and
ligIi manncr ii vas, lui noi svaggcringvIicI
I siill lclicvc io Iavc lornc a lind of cncIani-
mcni viiI ii. I siill lclicvc Iim, in viriuc of iIis
128
carriagc, Iis animal siriis, Iis dcligIiful voicc,
Iis Iandsomc facc and figurc, and, for augIi I
lnov, of somc inlorn ovcr of aiiraciion lcsidcs
(vIicI I iIinl a fcv colc osscss}, io Iavc car-
ricd a scll viiI Iim io vIicI ii vas a naiural
vcalncss io yicld, and vIicI noi many crsons
could viiIsiand. I could noi lui scc Iov lcascd
iIcy vcrc viiI Iim, and Iov iIcy sccmcd io
ocn iIcir Icaris io Iim in a momcni.
'You musi lci iIcm lnov ai Iomc, if you
lcasc, Mr. Fcggoiiy,' I said, 'vIcn iIai lciicr is
scni, iIai Mr. SiccrforiI is vcry lind io mc,
and iIai I don'i lnov vIai I sIould cvcr do
Icrc viiIoui Iim.'
'Nonscnsc!' said SiccrforiI, laugIing. 'You
musin'i icll iIcm anyiIing of iIc sori.'
'And if Mr. SiccrforiI cvcr comcs inio Norfoll or
Suffoll, Mr. Fcggoiiy,' I said, 'vIilc I am iIcrc, you
may dccnd uon ii I sIall lring Iim io YarmouiI, if
Ic vill lci mc, io scc your Iousc. You ncvcr sav sucI
a good Iousc, SiccrforiI. Ii's madc oui of a loai!'
'Madc oui of a loai, is ii?' said SiccrforiI. 'Ii's
iIc rigIi sori of a Iousc for sucI a iIorougI-
luili loaiman.'
'So 'iis, sir, so 'iis, sir,' said Ham, grinning.
'You'rc rigIi, young gcn'l'm'n! Mas'r Davy lor',
gcn'l'm'n's rigIi. A iIorougI-luili loaiman!
Hor, Ior! TIai's vIai Ic is, ioo!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy vas no lcss lcascd iIan Iis
ncIcv, iIougI Iis modcsiy forladc Iim io
claim a crsonal comlimcni so vocifcrously.
'Wcll, sir,' Ic said, loving and cIuclling, and
iucling in iIc cnds of Iis ncclcrcIicf ai Iis
lrcasi: 'I iIanlcc, sir, I iIanlcc! I do my
cndcavours in my linc of lifc, sir.'
'TIc lcsi of mcn can do no morc, Mr. Fcggoiiy,'
said SiccrforiI. Hc Iad goi Iis namc alrcady.
'I'll ound ii, ii's voi you do yoursclf, sir,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, sIaling Iis Icad, 'and voi you
do vcllrigIi vcll! I iIanlcc, sir. I'm ollccgcd
io you, sir, for your vclcoming manncr of mc.
I'm rougI, sir, lui I'm rcadylcasi vays, I Ioc
129
I'm rcady, you unncrsiand. My Iousc ain'i
mucI for io scc, sir, lui ii's Icariy ai your scr-
vicc if cvcr you sIould comc along viiI Mas'r
Davy io scc ii. I'm a rcg'lar Dodman, I am,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, ly vIicI Ic mcani snail, and
iIis vas in allusion io Iis lcing slov io go, for
Ic Iad aiicmicd io go aficr cvcry scnicncc,
and Iad somcIov or oiIcr comc lacl again;
'lui I visI you loiI vcll, and I visI you Iay!'
Ham ccIocd iIis scniimcni, and vc aricd
viiI iIcm in iIc Icariicsi manncr. I vas al-
mosi icmicd iIai cvcning io icll SiccrforiI
aloui rciiy liiilc Em'ly, lui I vas ioo iimid of
mcniioning Icr namc, and ioo mucI afraid of
Iis laugIing ai mc. I rcmcmlcr iIai I iIougIi a
good dcal, and in an uncasy sori of vay, aloui
Mr. Fcggoiiy Iaving said iIai sIc vas gciiing on
io lc a voman; lui I dccidcd iIai vas nonscnsc.
Wc iransoricd iIc sIcllfisI, or iIc 'rclisI' as
Mr. Fcggoiiy Iad modcsily callcd ii, u inio our
room unolscrvcd, and madc a grcai sucr iIai
cvcning. Dui Traddlcs couldn'i gci Iaily oui
of ii. Hc vas ioo unforiunaic cvcn io comc
iIrougI a sucr lilc anylody clsc. Hc vas
ialcn ill in iIc nigIiquiic rosiraic Ic vas
in conscqucncc of Cral; and aficr lcing druggcd
viiI llacl draugIis and lluc ills, io an cicni
vIicI Dcmlc (vIosc faiIcr vas a docior} said
vas cnougI io undcrminc a Iorsc's consiiiu-
iion, rcccivcd a caning and si cIaicrs of Grccl
Tcsiamcni for rcfusing io confcss.
TIc rcsi of iIc Ialf-ycar is a jumllc in my
rccollcciion of iIc daily sirifc and sirugglc of
our livcs; of iIc vaning summcr and iIc cIang-
ing scason; of iIc frosiy mornings vIcn vc vcrc
rung oui of lcd, and iIc cold, cold smcll of iIc
darl nigIis vIcn vc vcrc rung inio lcd again;
of iIc cvcning scIoolroom dimly ligIicd and
indiffcrcnily varmcd, and iIc morning scIool-
room vIicI vas noiIing lui a grcai sIivcring-
macIinc; of iIc alicrnaiion of loilcd lccf viiI
roasi lccf, and loilcd muiion viiI roasi mui-
130
ion; of clods of lrcad-and-luiicr, dog's-carcd
lcsson-lools, craclcd slaics, icar-lloiicd coy-
lools, canings, rulcrings, Iair-cuiiings, rainy
Sundays, suci-uddings, and a diriy aimo-
sIcrc of inl, surrounding all.
I vcll rcmcmlcr iIougI, Iov iIc disiani idca
of iIc Iolidays, aficr sccming for an immcnsc
iimc io lc a siaiionary sccl, lcgan io comc
iovards us, and io grov and grov. Hov from
couniing moniIs, vc camc io vccls, and iIcn
io days; and Iov I iIcn lcgan io lc afraid iIai I
sIould noi lc scni for and vIcn I lcarni from
SiccrforiI iIai I Iad lccn scni for, and vas ccr-
iainly io go Iomc, Iad dim forclodings iIai I
migIi lrcal my lcg firsi. Hov iIc lrcaling-u
day cIangcd iis lacc fasi, ai lasi, from iIc vccl
aficr nci io nci vccl, iIis vccl, iIc day aficr
iomorrov, iomorrov, ioday, ionigIivIcn I vas
insidc iIc YarmouiI mail, and going Iomc.
I Iad many a lrolcn slcc insidc iIc
YarmouiI mail, and many an incoIcrcni drcam
of all iIcsc iIings. Dui vIcn I avolc ai inicr-
vals, iIc ground ouisidc iIc vindov vas noi
iIc layground of Salcm Housc, and iIc sound
in my cars vas noi iIc sound of Mr. Crcallc
giving ii io Traddlcs, lui iIc sound of iIc coacI-
man ioucIing u iIc Iorscs.
CHAPTER S
MY HOLIDAYS. ESPECIALLY
ONE HAPPY AFTERNOON
WHEN WE AFFIVED lcforc day ai iIc inn vIcrc iIc
mail siocd, vIicI vas noi iIc inn vIcrc my fricnd
iIc vaiicr livcd, I vas sIovn u io a nicc liiilc lcd-
room, viiI DOLFHIN ainicd on iIc door. Vcry cold
I vas, I lnov, noiviiIsianding iIc Ioi ica iIcy Iad
givcn mc lcforc a largc firc dovnsiairs; and vcry
glad I vas io iurn inio iIc DolIin's lcd, ull iIc
DolIin's llanlcis round my Icad, and go io slcc.
Mr. Darlis iIc carricr vas io call for mc in iIc
morning ai ninc o'clocl. I goi u ai cigIi, a liiilc
131
giddy from iIc sIorincss of my nigIi's rcsi, and
vas rcady for Iim lcforc iIc aoinicd iimc.
Hc rcccivcd mc cacily as if noi fivc minuics
Iad clascd sincc vc vcrc lasi iogciIcr, and I
Iad only lccn inio iIc Ioicl io gci cIangc for
sicncc, or somciIing of iIai sori.
As soon as I and my lo vcrc in iIc cari, and
iIc carricr scaicd, iIc lazy Iorsc vallcd avay
viiI us all ai Iis accusiomcd acc.
'You lool vcry vcll, Mr. Darlis,' I said, iIinl-
ing Ic vould lilc io lnov ii.
Mr. Darlis rullcd Iis cIccl viiI Iis cuff,
and iIcn loolcd ai Iis cuff as if Ic cccicd io
find somc of iIc lloom uon ii; lui madc no
oiIcr aclnovlcdgcmcni of iIc comlimcni.
'I gavc your mcssagc, Mr. Darlis,' I said: 'I
vroic io Fcggoiiy.'
'AI!' said Mr. Darlis.
Mr. Darlis sccmcd gruff, and ansvcrcd drily.
'Wasn'i ii rigIi, Mr. Darlis?' I aslcd, aficr a
liiilc Icsiiaiion.
'WIy, no,' said Mr. Darlis.
'Noi iIc mcssagc?'
'TIc mcssagc vas rigIi cnougI, crIas,' said
Mr. Darlis; 'lui ii comc io an cnd iIcrc.'
Noi undcrsianding vIai Ic mcani, I rccaicd
inquisiiivcly: 'Camc io an cnd, Mr. Darlis?'
'NoiIing comc of ii,' Ic claincd, looling ai
mc sidcvays. 'No ansvcr.'
'TIcrc vas an ansvcr cccicd, vas iIcrc, Mr.
Darlis?' said I, ocning my cycs. For iIis vas a
ncv ligIi io mc.
'WIcn a man says Ic's villin',' said Mr. Darlis,
iurning Iis glancc slovly on mc again, 'ii's as mucI
as io say, iIai man's a-vaiiin' for a ansvcr.'
'Wcll, Mr. Darlis?'
'Wcll,' said Mr. Darlis, carrying Iis cycs lacl
io Iis Iorsc's cars; 'iIai man's lccn a-vaiiin'
for a ansvcr cvcr sincc.'
'Havc you iold Icr so, Mr. Darlis?'
'Nono,' grovlcd Mr. Darlis, rcflcciing aloui
ii. 'I ain'i goi no call io go and icll Icr so. I ncvcr
132
said si vords io Icr mysclf, I ain'i a-goin' io
icll Icr so.'
'Would you lilc mc io do ii, Mr. Darlis?' said
I, doulifully. 'You migIi icll Icr, if you vould,'
said Mr. Darlis, viiI anoiIcr slov lool ai mc,
'iIai Darlis vas a-vaiiin' for a ansvcr. Says
youvIai namc is ii?'
'Hcr namc?'
'AI!' said Mr. Darlis, viiI a nod of Iis Icad.
'Fcggoiiy.'
'CIriscn namc? Or nai'ral namc?' said Mr.
Darlis.
'OI, ii's noi Icr CIrisiian namc. Hcr CIris-
iian namc is Clara.'
'Is ii iIougI?' said Mr. Darlis.
Hc sccmcd io find an immcnsc fund of rcflcc-
iion in iIis circumsiancc, and sai ondcring
and invardly vIisiling for somc iimc.
'Wcll!' Ic rcsumcd ai lcngiI. 'Says you,
Fcggoiiy! Darlis is vaiiin' for a ansvcr." Says
sIc, crIas, Ansvcr io vIai?" Says you, To
vIai I iold you." WIai is iIai?" says sIc.
Darlis is villin'," says you.'
TIis circmcly ariful suggcsiion Mr. Darlis
accomanicd viiI a nudgc of Iis cllov iIai gavc
mc quiic a siiicI in my sidc. Aficr iIai, Ic
sloucIcd ovcr Iis Iorsc in Iis usual manncr;
and madc no oiIcr rcfcrcncc io iIc suljcci c-
cci, Ialf an Iour aficrvards, ialing a iccc of
cIall from Iis oclci, and vriiing u, insidc
iIc iili of iIc cari, 'Clara Fcggoiiy'aarcnily
as a rivaic mcmorandum.
AI, vIai a sirangc fccling ii vas io lc going
Iomc vIcn ii vas noi Iomc, and io find iIai
cvcry oljcci I loolcd ai, rcmindcd mc of iIc
Iay old Iomc, vIicI vas lilc a drcam I could
ncvcr drcam again! TIc days vIcn my moiIcr
and I and Fcggoiiy vcrc all in all io onc an-
oiIcr, and iIcrc vas no onc io comc lcivccn
us, rosc u lcforc mc so sorrovfully on iIc road,
iIai I am noi surc I vas glad io lc iIcrcnoi
surc lui iIai I vould raiIcr Iavc rcmaincd
133
avay, and forgoiicn ii in SiccrforiI's comany.
Dui iIcrc I vas; and soon I vas ai our Iousc,
vIcrc iIc larc old clm-irccs vrung iIcir many
Iands in iIc llcal viniry air, and sIrcds of iIc
old rools'-ncsis drificd avay uon iIc vind.
TIc carricr ui my lo dovn ai iIc gardcn-gaic,
and lcfi mc. I vallcd along iIc aiI iovards iIc
Iousc, glancing ai iIc vindovs, and fcaring ai cv-
cry sic io scc Mr. Murdsionc or Miss Murdsionc
lovcring oui of onc of iIcm. No facc acarcd, Iov-
cvcr; and lcing comc io iIc Iousc, and lnoving
Iov io ocn iIc door, lcforc darl, viiIoui lnocl-
ing, I vcni in viiI a quici, iimid sic.
God lnovs Iov infaniinc iIc mcmory may Iavc
lccn, iIai vas avalcncd viiIin mc ly iIc sound of
my moiIcr's voicc in iIc old arlour, vIcn I sci fooi
in iIc Iall. SIc vas singing in a lov ionc. I iIinl I
musi Iavc lain in Icr arms, and Icard Icr singing so
io mc vIcn I vas lui a laly. TIc sirain vas ncv io
mc, and yci ii vas so old iIai ii fillcd my Icari lrim-
full; lilc a fricnd comc lacl from a long alscncc.
I lclicvcd, from iIc soliiary and iIougIiful
vay in vIicI my moiIcr murmurcd Icr song,
iIai sIc vas alonc. And I vcni sofily inio iIc
room. SIc vas siiiing ly iIc firc, suclling an
infani, vIosc iiny Iand sIc Icld againsi Icr
nccl. Hcr cycs vcrc looling dovn uon iis facc,
and sIc sai singing io ii. I vas so far rigIi, iIai
sIc Iad no oiIcr comanion.
I solc io Icr, and sIc siaricd, and cricd oui.
Dui sccing mc, sIc callcd mc Icr dcar Davy,
Icr ovn loy! and coming Ialf across iIc room
io mcci mc, lncclcd dovn uon iIc ground
and lisscd mc, and laid my Icad dovn on Icr
losom ncar iIc liiilc crcaiurc iIai vas ncsi-
ling iIcrc, and ui iis Iand io my lis.
I visI I Iad dicd. I visI I Iad dicd iIcn, viiI
iIai fccling in my Icari! I sIould Iavc lccn morc
fii for Hcavcn iIan I cvcr Iavc lccn sincc.
'Hc is your lroiIcr,' said my moiIcr, fondling
mc. 'Davy, my rciiy loy! My oor cIild!' TIcn
sIc lisscd mc morc and morc, and clascd mc
134
round iIc nccl. TIis sIc vas doing vIcn
Fcggoiiy camc running in, and lounccd dovn
on iIc ground lcsidc us, and vcni mad aloui
us loiI for a quaricr of an Iour.
Ii sccmcd iIai I Iad noi lccn cccicd so soon,
iIc carricr lcing mucI lcforc Iis usual iimc.
Ii sccmcd, ioo, iIai Mr. and Miss Murdsionc
Iad gonc oui uon a visii in iIc
ncigIlourIood, and vould noi rciurn lcforc
nigIi. I Iad ncvcr Iocd for iIis. I Iad ncvcr
iIougIi ii ossillc iIai vc iIrcc could lc io-
gciIcr undisiurlcd, oncc morc; and I fcli, for
iIc iimc, as if iIc old days vcrc comc lacl.
Wc dincd iogciIcr ly iIc fircsidc. Fcggoiiy
vas in aiicndancc io vaii uon us, lui my
moiIcr vouldn'i lci Icr do ii, and madc Icr
dinc viiI us. I Iad my ovn old laic, viiI a
lrovn vicv of a man-of-var in full sail uon ii,
vIicI Fcggoiiy Iad Ioardcd somcvIcrc all iIc
iimc I Iad lccn avay, and vould noi Iavc Iad
lrolcn, sIc said, for a Iundrcd ounds. I Iad
my ovn old mug viiI David on ii, and my ovn
old liiilc lnifc and forl iIai vouldn'i cui.
WIilc vc vcrc ai iallc, I iIougIi ii a favourallc
occasion io icll Fcggoiiy aloui Mr. Darlis, vIo,
lcforc I Iad finisIcd vIai I Iad io icll Icr, lc-
gan io laugI, and iIrov Icr aron ovcr Icr facc.
'Fcggoiiy,' said my moiIcr. 'WIai's iIc maiicr?'
Fcggoiiy only laugIcd iIc morc, and Icld Icr
aron iigIi ovcr Icr facc vIcn my moiIcr iricd io
ull ii avay, and sai as if Icr Icad vcrc in a lag.
'WIai arc you doing, you siuid crcaiurc?'
said my moiIcr, laugIing.
'OI, drai iIc man!' cricd Fcggoiiy. 'Hc vanis
io marry mc.'
'Ii vould lc a vcry good maicI for you; vouldn'i
ii?' said my moiIcr.
'OI! I don'i lnov,' said Fcggoiiy. 'Don'i asl
mc. I vouldn'i Iavc Iim if Ic vas madc of gold.
Nor I vouldn'i Iavc anylody.'
'TIcn, vIy don'i you icll Iim so, you ridicu-
lous iIing?' said my moiIcr.
135
'Tcll Iim so,' rcioricd Fcggoiiy, looling oui of
Icr aron. 'Hc Ias ncvcr said a vord io mc aloui
ii. Hc lnovs lciicr. If Ic vas io malc so lold
as say a vord io mc, I sIould sla Iis facc.'
Hcr ovn vas as rcd as cvcr I sav ii, or any
oiIcr facc, I iIinl; lui sIc only covcrcd ii
again, for a fcv momcnis ai a iimc, vIcn sIc
vas ialcn viiI a violcni fii of laugIicr; and
aficr ivo or iIrcc of iIosc aiiacls, vcni on viiI
Icr dinncr.
I rcmarlcd iIai my moiIcr, iIougI sIc smilcd
vIcn Fcggoiiy loolcd ai Icr, lccamc morc scri-
ous and iIougIiful. I Iad sccn ai firsi iIai sIc
vas cIangcd. Hcr facc vas vcry rciiy siill, lui ii
loolcd carcvorn, and ioo dclicaic; and Icr Iand
vas so iIin and vIiic iIai ii sccmcd io mc io lc
almosi iransarcni. Dui iIc cIangc io vIicI I
nov rcfcr vas sucraddcd io iIis: ii vas in Icr
manncr, vIicI lccamc anious and fluiicrcd. Ai
lasi sIc said, uiiing oui Icr Iand, and laying ii
affcciionaicly on iIc Iand of Icr old scrvani,
'Fcggoiiy, dcar, you arc noi going io lc mar-
ricd?'
'Mc, ma'am?' rciurncd Fcggoiiy, siaring. 'Lord
llcss you, no!'
'Noi jusi yci?' said my moiIcr, icndcrly.
'Ncvcr!' cricd Fcggoiiy.
My moiIcr iool Icr Iand, and said:
'Don'i lcavc mc, Fcggoiiy. Siay viiI mc. Ii
vill noi lc for long, crIas. WIai sIould I
cvcr do viiIoui you!'
'Mc lcavc you, my rccious!' cricd Fcggoiiy.
'Noi for all iIc vorld and Iis vifc. WIy, vIai's
ui iIai in your silly liiilc Icad?'For Fcggoiiy
Iad lccn uscd of old io iall io my moiIcr somc-
iimcs lilc a cIild.
Dui my moiIcr madc no ansvcr, ccci io
iIanl Icr, and Fcggoiiy vcni running on in Icr
ovn fasIion.
'Mc lcavc you? I iIinl I scc mysclf. Fcggoiiy
go avay from you? I sIould lilc io caicI Icr ai
ii! No, no, no,' said Fcggoiiy, sIaling Icr Icad,
136
and folding Icr arms; 'noi sIc, my dcar. Ii isn'i
iIai iIcrc ain'i somc Cais iIai vould lc vcll
cnougI lcascd if sIc did, lui iIcy sIa'n'i lc
lcascd. TIcy sIall lc aggravaicd. I'll siay viiI
you iill I am a cross cranly old voman. And
vIcn I'm ioo dcaf, and ioo lamc, and ioo llind,
and ioo mumlly for vani of icciI, io lc of any
usc ai all, cvcn io lc found fauli viiI, iIan I
sIall go io my Davy, and asl Iim io ialc mc in.'
'And, Fcggoiiy,' says I, 'I sIall lc glad io scc
you, and I'll malc you as vclcomc as a quccn.'
'Dlcss your dcar Icari!' cricd Fcggoiiy. 'I lnov
you vill!' And sIc lisscd mc lcforcIand, in graic-
ful aclnovlcdgcmcni of my Iosiialiiy. Aficr iIai,
sIc covcrcd Icr Icad u viiI Icr aron again
and Iad anoiIcr laugI aloui Mr. Darlis. Aficr
iIai, sIc iool iIc laly oui of iis liiilc cradlc, and
nurscd ii. Aficr iIai, sIc clcarcd iIc dinncr iallc;
aficr iIai, camc in viiI anoiIcr ca on, and Icr
vorl-lo, and iIc yard-mcasurc, and iIc lii of
va-candlc, all jusi iIc samc as cvcr.
Wc sai round iIc firc, and iallcd dcligIifully. I
iold iIcm vIai a Iard masicr Mr. Crcallc vas,
and iIcy iiicd mc vcry mucI. I iold iIcm vIai a
finc fcllov SiccrforiI vas, and vIai a airon of
minc, and Fcggoiiy said sIc vould vall a scorc
of milcs io scc Iim. I iool iIc liiilc laly in my
arms vIcn ii vas avalc, and nurscd ii lovingly.
WIcn ii vas aslcc again, I crci closc io my
moiIcr's sidc according io my old cusiom, lro-
lcn nov a long iimc, and sai viiI my arms cm-
lracing Icr vaisi, and my liiilc rcd cIccl on Icr
sIouldcr, and oncc morc fcli Icr lcauiiful Iair
drooing ovcr mclilc an angcl's ving as I uscd
io iIinl, I rccollcciand vas vcry Iay indccd.
WIilc I sai iIus, looling ai iIc firc, and scc-
ing iciurcs in iIc rcd-Ioi coals, I almosi lc-
licvcd iIai I Iad ncvcr lccn avay; iIai Mr. and
Miss Murdsionc vcrc sucI iciurcs, and vould
vanisI vIcn iIc firc goi lov; and iIai iIcrc
vas noiIing rcal in all iIai I rcmcmlcrcd, savc
my moiIcr, Fcggoiiy, and I.
137
Fcggoiiy darncd avay ai a siocling as long as
sIc could scc, and iIcn sai viiI ii dravn on
Icr lcfi Iand lilc a glovc, and Icr nccdlc in
Icr rigIi, rcady io ialc anoiIcr siiicI vIcn-
cvcr iIcrc vas a llazc. I cannoi conccivc vIosc
sioclings iIcy can Iavc lccn iIai Fcggoiiy vas
alvays darning, or vIcrc sucI an unfailing su-
ly of sioclings in vani of darning can Iavc comc
from. From my carlicsi infancy sIc sccms io Iavc
lccn alvays cmloycd in iIai class of nccdlc-
vorl, and ncvcr ly any cIancc in any oiIcr.
'I vondcr,' said Fcggoiiy, vIo vas somciimcs
scizcd viiI a fii of vondcring on somc mosi unc-
ccicd ioic, 'vIai's lccomc of Davy's grcai-auni?'
'Lor, Fcggoiiy!' olscrvcd my moiIcr, rousing Icr-
sclf from a rcvcric, 'vIai nonscnsc you iall!'
'Wcll, lui I rcally do vondcr, ma'am,' said
Fcggoiiy.
'WIai can Iavc ui sucI a crson in your
Icad?' inquircd my moiIcr. 'Is iIcrc nolody
clsc in iIc vorld io comc iIcrc?'
'I don'i lnov Iov ii is,' said Fcggoiiy, 'unlcss
ii's on accouni of lcing siuid, lui my Icad ncvcr
can icl and cIoosc iis colc. TIcy comc and
iIcy go, and iIcy don'i comc and iIcy don'i go,
jusi as iIcy lilc. I vondcr vIai's lccomc of Icr?'
'Hov alsurd you arc, Fcggoiiy!' rciurncd my
moiIcr. 'Onc vould suosc you vanicd a scc-
ond visii from Icr.'
'Lord forlid!' cricd Fcggoiiy.
'Wcll iIcn, don'i iall aloui sucI uncomfori-
allc iIings, iIcrc's a good soul,' said my moiIcr.
'Miss Dciscy is sIui u in Icr coiiagc ly iIc
sca, no douli, and vill rcmain iIcrc. Ai all
cvcnis, sIc is noi lilcly cvcr io iroullc us again.'
'No!' muscd Fcggoiiy. 'No, iIai ain'i lilcly ai
all.I vondcr, if sIc vas io dic, vIciIcr sIc'd
lcavc Davy anyiIing?'
'Good gracious mc, Fcggoiiy,' rciurncd my
moiIcr, 'vIai a nonscnsical voman you arc!
vIcn you lnov iIai sIc iool offcncc ai iIc
oor dcar loy's cvcr lcing lorn ai all.'
138
'I suosc sIc vouldn'i lc inclincd io forgivc
Iim nov,' Iinicd Fcggoiiy.
'WIy sIould sIc lc inclincd io forgivc Iim
nov?' said my moiIcr, raiIcr sIarly.
'Nov iIai Ic's goi a lroiIcr, I mcan,' said
Fcggoiiy.
M moiIcr immcdiaicly lcgan io cry, and von-
dcrcd Iov Fcggoiiy darcd io say sucI a iIing.
'As if iIis oor liiilc innoccni in iis cradlc Iad
cvcr donc any Iarm io you or anylody clsc, you
jcalous iIing!' said sIc. 'You Iad mucI lciicr go
and marry Mr. Darlis, iIc carricr. WIy don'i you?'
'I sIould malc Miss Murdsionc Iay, if I vas
io,' said Fcggoiiy.
'WIai a lad disosiiion you Iavc, Fcggoiiy!'
rciurncd my moiIcr. 'You arc as jcalous of Miss
Murdsionc as ii is ossillc for a ridiculous crca-
iurc io lc. You vani io lcc iIc lcys yoursclf,
and givc oui all iIc iIings, I suosc? I
sIouldn'i lc surriscd if you did. WIcn you
lnov iIai sIc only docs ii oui of lindncss and
iIc lcsi inicniions! You lnov sIc docs,
Fcggoiiyyou lnov ii vcll.'
Fcggoiiy muiicrcd somciIing io iIc cffcci of
'DoiIcr iIc lcsi inicniions!' and somciIing
clsc io iIc cffcci iIai iIcrc vas a liiilc ioo mucI
of iIc lcsi inicniions going on.
'I lnov vIai you mcan, you cross iIing,' said
my moiIcr. 'I undcrsiand you, Fcggoiiy, cr-
fccily. You lnov I do, and I vondcr you don'i
colour u lilc firc. Dui onc oini ai a iimc. Miss
Murdsionc is iIc oini nov, Fcggoiiy, and you
sIa'n'i cscac from ii. Havcn'i you Icard Icr
say, ovcr and ovcr again, iIai sIc iIinls I am
ioo iIougIilcss and iooaa -'
'Frciiy,' suggcsicd Fcggoiiy.
'Wcll,' rciurncd my moiIcr, Ialf laugIing, 'and if
sIc is so silly as io say so, can I lc llamcd for ii?'
'No onc says you can,' said Fcggoiiy.
'No, I sIould Ioc noi, indccd!' rciurncd my
moiIcr. 'Havcn'i you Icard Icr say, ovcr and
ovcr again, iIai on iIis accouni sIc visIcd io
139
sarc mc a grcai dcal of iroullc, vIicI sIc
iIinls I am noi suiicd for, and vIicI I rcally
don'i lnov mysclf iIai I um suiicd for; and isn'i
sIc u carly and laic, and going io and fro con-
iinuallyand docsn'i sIc do all soris of iIings,
and groc inio all soris of laccs, coal-Iolcs and
anirics and I don'i lnov vIcrc, iIai can'i lc
vcry agrccallcand do you mcan io insinuaic
iIai iIcrc is noi a sori of dcvoiion in iIai?'
'I don'i insinuaic ai all,' said Fcggoiiy.
'You do, Fcggoiiy,' rciurncd my moiIcr. 'You
ncvcr do anyiIing clsc, ccci your vorl. You
arc alvays insinuaiing. You rcvcl in ii. And
vIcn you iall of Mr. Murdsionc's good inicn-
iions'
'I ncvcr iallcd of 'cm,' said Fcggoiiy.
'No, Fcggoiiy,' rciurncd my moiIcr, 'lui you
insinuaicd. TIai's vIai I iold you jusi nov.
TIai's iIc vorsi of you. You u insinuaic. I
said, ai iIc momcni, iIai I undcrsiood you, and
you scc I did. WIcn you iall of Mr. Murdsionc's
good inicniions, and rcicnd io sligIi iIcm (for
I don'i lclicvc you rcally do, in your Icari,
Fcggoiiy}, you musi lc as vcll convinccd as I
am Iov good iIcy arc, and Iov iIcy aciuaic
Iim in cvcryiIing. If Ic sccms io Iavc lccn ai
all sicrn viiI a ccriain crson, Fcggoiiyyou
undcrsiand, and so I am surc docs Davy, iIai I
am noi alluding io anylody rcscniii is solcly
lccausc Ic is saiisficd iIai ii is for a ccriain
crson's lcncfii. Hc naiurally lovcs a ccriain
crson, on my accouni; and acis solcly for a
ccriain crson's good. Hc is lciicr allc io judgc
of ii iIan I am; for I vcry vcll lnov iIai I am a
vcal, ligIi, girlisI crcaiurc, and iIai Ic is a
firm, gravc, scrious man. And Ic ialcs,' said
my moiIcr, viiI iIc icars vIicI vcrc cngcn-
dcrcd in Icr affcciionaic naiurc, sicaling dovn
Icr facc, 'Ic ialcs grcai ains viiI mc; and I
ougIi io lc vcry iIanlful io Iim, and vcry sul-
missivc io Iim cvcn in my iIougIis; and vIcn
I am noi, Fcggoiiy, I vorry and condcmn my-
140
sclf, and fccl douliful of my ovn Icari, and
don'i lnov vIai io do.'
Fcggoiiy sai viiI Icr cIin on iIc fooi of iIc
siocling, looling silcnily ai iIc firc.
'TIcrc, Fcggoiiy,' said my moiIcr, cIanging
Icr ionc, 'don'i lci us fall oui viiI onc anoiIcr,
for I couldn'i lcar ii. You arc my iruc fricnd, I
lnov, if I Iavc any in iIc vorld. WIcn I call
you a ridiculous crcaiurc, or a vcaiious iIing,
or anyiIing of iIai sori, Fcggoiiy, I only mcan
iIai you arc my iruc fricnd, and alvays Iavc
lccn, cvcr sincc iIc nigIi vIcn Mr. Cocrficld
firsi lrougIi mc Iomc Icrc, and you camc oui
io iIc gaic io mcci mc.'
Fcggoiiy vas noi slov io rcsond, and raiify
iIc ircaiy of fricndsIi ly giving mc onc of Icr
lcsi Iugs. I iIinl I Iad somc glimscs of iIc rcal
cIaracicr of iIis convcrsaiion ai iIc iimc; lui I
am surc, nov, iIai iIc good crcaiurc originaicd
ii, and iool Icr ari in ii, mcrcly iIai my moiIcr
migIi comfori Icrsclf viiI iIc liiilc coniradiciory
summary in vIicI sIc Iad indulgcd. TIc dc-
sign vas cfficacious; for I rcmcmlcr iIai my
moiIcr sccmcd morc ai casc during iIc rcsi of
iIc cvcning, and iIai Fcggoiiy olscrvcd Icr lcss.
WIcn vc Iad Iad our ica, and iIc asIcs vcrc
iIrovn u, and iIc candlcs snuffcd, I rcad
Fcggoiiy a cIaicr oui of iIc Crocodilc Dool, in
rcmcmlrancc of old iimcssIc iool ii oui of
Icr oclci: I don'i lnov vIciIcr sIc Iad lci
ii iIcrc cvcr sinccand iIcn vc iallcd aloui
Salcm Housc, vIicI lrougIi mc round again
io SiccrforiI, vIo vas my grcai suljcci. Wc vcrc
vcry Iay; and iIai cvcning, as iIc lasi of iis
racc, and dcsiincd cvcrmorc io closc iIai vol-
umc of my lifc, vill ncvcr ass oui of my mcmory.
Ii vas almosi icn o'clocl lcforc vc Icard iIc
sound of vIccls. Wc all goi u iIcn; and my
moiIcr said Iurricdly iIai, as ii vas so laic,
and Mr. and Miss Murdsionc arovcd of carly
Iours for young colc, crIas I Iad lciicr go
io lcd. I lisscd Icr, and vcni usiairs viiI my
141
candlc dirccily, lcforc iIcy camc in. Ii acarcd
io my cIildisI fancy, as I asccndcd io iIc lcd-
room vIcrc I Iad lccn imrisoncd, iIai iIcy
lrougIi a cold llasi of air inio iIc Iousc vIicI
llcv avay iIc old familiar fccling lilc a fcaiIcr.
I fcli uncomforiallc aloui going dovn io
lrcalfasi in iIc morning, as I Iad ncvcr sci
cycs on Mr. Murdsionc sincc iIc day vIcn I
commiiicd my mcmorallc offcncc. Hovcvcr, as
ii musi lc donc, I vcni dovn, aficr ivo or iIrcc
falsc siaris Ialf-vay, and as many runs lacl
on iiioc io my ovn room, and rcscnicd my-
sclf in iIc arlour.
Hc vas sianding lcforc iIc firc viiI Iis lacl
io ii, vIilc Miss Murdsionc madc iIc ica. Hc
loolcd ai mc sicadily as I cnicrcd, lui madc
no sign of rccogniiion vIaicvcr.
I vcni u io Iim, aficr a momcni of confusion,
and said: 'I lcg your ardon, sir. I am vcry sorry
for vIai I did, and I Ioc you vill forgivc mc.'
'I am glad io Icar you arc sorry, David,' Ic rclicd.
TIc Iand Ic gavc mc vas iIc Iand I Iad lii-
icn. I could noi rcsirain my cyc from rcsiing for
an insiani on a rcd soi uon ii; lui ii vas noi
so rcd as I iurncd, vIcn I mci iIai sinisicr
crcssion in Iis facc.
'Hov do you do, ma'am?' I said io Miss
Murdsionc.
'AI, dcar mc!' sigIcd Miss Murdsionc, giving
mc iIc ica-caddy scoo insicad of Icr fingcrs.
'Hov long arc iIc Iolidays?'
'A moniI, ma'am.'
'Couniing from vIcn?'
'From ioday, ma'am.'
'OI!' said Miss Murdsionc. 'TIcn Icrc's onc
day off.'
SIc lci a calcndar of iIc Iolidays in iIis
vay, and cvcry morning cIcclcd a day off in
cacily iIc samc manncr. SIc did ii gloomily
uniil sIc camc io icn, lui vIcn sIc goi inio
ivo figurcs sIc lccamc morc Iocful, and, as
iIc iimc advanccd, cvcn jocular.
142
Ii vas on iIis vcry firsi day iIai I Iad iIc
misforiunc io iIrov Icr, iIougI sIc vas noi
suljcci io sucI vcalncss in gcncral, inio a siaic
of violcni consicrnaiion. I camc inio iIc room
vIcrc sIc and my moiIcr vcrc siiiing; and iIc
laly (vIo vas only a fcv vccls old} lcing on
my moiIcr's la, I iool ii vcry carcfully in my
arms. Suddcnly Miss Murdsionc gavc sucI a
scrcam iIai I all lui drocd ii.
'My dcar Janc!' cricd my moiIcr.
'Good Icavcns, Clara, do you scc?' cclaimcd
Miss Murdsionc.
'Scc vIai, my dcar Janc?' said my moiIcr;
'vIcrc?'
'Hc's goi ii!' cricd Miss Murdsionc. 'TIc loy
Ias goi iIc laly!'
SIc vas lim viiI Iorror; lui siiffcncd Icr-
sclf io malc a dari ai mc, and ialc ii oui of my
arms. TIcn, sIc iurncd faini; and vas so vcry
ill iIai iIcy vcrc olligcd io givc Icr cIcrry
lrandy. I vas solcmnly inicrdicicd ly Icr, on
Icr rccovcry, from ioucIing my lroiIcr any
morc on any rcicncc vIaicvcr; and my oor
moiIcr, vIo, I could scc, visIcd oiIcrvisc,
mcclly confirmcd iIc inicrdici, ly saying: 'No
douli you arc rigIi, my dcar Janc.'
On anoiIcr occasion, vIcn vc iIrcc vcrc io-
gciIcr, iIis samc dcar lalyii vas iruly dcar
io mc, for our moiIcr's salcvas iIc inno-
ccni occasion of Miss Murdsionc's going inio a
assion. My moiIcr, vIo Iad lccn looling ai
iis cycs as ii lay uon Icr la, said:
'Davy! comc Icrc!' and loolcd ai minc.
I sav Miss Murdsionc lay Icr lcads dovn.
'I dcclarc,' said my moiIcr, gcnily, 'iIcy arc
cacily alilc. I suosc iIcy arc minc. I iIinl
iIcy arc iIc colour of minc. Dui iIcy arc von-
dcrfully alilc.'
'WIai arc you ialling aloui, Clara?' said Miss
Murdsionc.
'My dcar Janc,' falicrcd my moiIcr, a liiilc
alasIcd ly iIc IarsI ionc of iIis inquiry, 'I
143
find iIai iIc laly's cycs and Davy's arc c-
acily alilc.'
'Clara!' said Miss Murdsionc, rising angrily,
'you arc a osiiivc fool somciimcs.'
'My dcar Janc,' rcmonsiraicd my moiIcr.
'A osiiivc fool,' said Miss Murdsionc. 'WIo clsc
could comarc my lroiIcr's laly viiI your loy?
TIcy arc noi ai all alilc. TIcy arc cacily unlilc.
TIcy arc uiicrly dissimilar in all rcsccis. I Ioc
iIcy vill cvcr rcmain so. I vill noi sii Icrc, and
Icar sucI comarisons madc.' WiiI iIai sIc
siallcd oui, and madc iIc door lang aficr Icr.
In sIori, I vas noi a favouriic viiI Miss
Murdsionc. In sIori, I vas noi a favouriic iIcrc
viiI anylody, noi cvcn viiI mysclf; for iIosc
vIo did lilc mc could noi sIov ii, and iIosc
vIo did noi, sIovcd ii so lainly iIai I Iad a
scnsiiivc consciousncss of alvays acaring
consiraincd, loorisI, and dull.
I fcli iIai I madc iIcm as uncomforiallc as iIcy
madc mc. If I camc inio iIc room vIcrc iIcy
vcrc, and iIcy vcrc ialling iogciIcr and my
moiIcr sccmcd cIccrful, an anious cloud vould
sical ovcr Icr facc from iIc momcni of my cn-
irancc. If Mr. Murdsionc vcrc in Iis lcsi Iumour,
I cIcclcd Iim. If Miss Murdsionc vcrc in Icr
vorsi, I inicnsificd ii. I Iad crcciion cnougI io
lnov iIai my moiIcr vas iIc viciim alvays; iIai
sIc vas afraid io scal io mc or io lc lind io mc,
lcsi sIc sIould givc iIcm somc offcncc ly Icr
manncr of doing so, and rcccivc a lcciurc aficr-
vards; iIai sIc vas noi only ccasclcssly afraid of
Icr ovn offcnding, lui of my offcnding, and un-
casily vaicIcd iIcir lools if I only movcd. TIcrc-
forc I rcsolvcd io lcc mysclf as mucI oui of iIcir
vay as I could; and many a viniry Iour did I
Icar iIc cIurcI clocl sirilc, vIcn I vas siiiing
in my cIccrlcss lcdroom, vracd in my liiilc
grcai-coai, oring ovcr a lool.
In iIc cvcning, somciimcs, I vcni and sai viiI
Fcggoiiy in iIc liicIcn. TIcrc I vas comfori-
allc, and noi afraid of lcing mysclf. Dui nci-
144
iIcr of iIcsc rcsourccs vas arovcd of in iIc
arlour. TIc iormcniing Iumour vIicI vas
dominani iIcrc siocd iIcm loiI. I vas siill
Icld io lc ncccssary io my oor moiIcr's irain-
ing, and, as onc of Icr irials, could noi lc suf-
fcrcd io alscni mysclf.
'David,' said Mr. Murdsionc, onc day aficr din-
ncr vIcn I vas going io lcavc iIc room as usual;
'I am sorry io olscrvc iIai you arc of a sullcn
disosiiion.'
'As sully as a lcar!' said Miss Murdsionc.
I siood siill, and Iung my Icad.
'Nov, David,' said Mr. Murdsionc, 'a sullcn ol-
duraic disosiiion is, of all icmcrs, iIc vorsi.'
'And iIc loy's is, of all sucI disosiiions iIai
cvcr I Iavc sccn,' rcmarlcd Iis sisicr, 'iIc mosi
confirmcd and siullorn. I iIinl, my dcar Clara,
cvcn you musi olscrvc ii?'
'I lcg your ardon, my dcar Janc,' said my moiIcr,
'lui arc you quiic surcI am ccriain you'll ccusc
mc, my dcar JanciIai you undcrsiand Davy?'
'I sIould lc somcvIai asIamcd of mysclf,
Clara,' rciurncd Miss Murdsionc, 'if I could noi
undcrsiand iIc loy, or any loy. I don'i rofcss
io lc rofound; lui I do lay claim io common
scnsc.'
'No douli, my dcar Janc,' rciurncd my moiIcr,
'your undcrsianding is vcry vigorous'
'OI dcar, no! Fray don'i say iIai, Clara,' in-
icroscd Miss Murdsionc, angrily.
'Dui I am surc ii is,' rcsumcd my moiIcr; 'and
cvcrylody lnovs ii is. I rofii so mucI ly ii
mysclf, in many vaysai lcasi I ougIi ioiIai
no onc can lc morc convinccd of ii iIan my-
sclf; and iIcrcforc I scal viiI grcai diffidcncc,
my dcar Janc, I assurc you.'
'Wc'll say I don'i undcrsiand iIc loy, Clara,'
rciurncd Miss Murdsionc, arranging iIc liiilc
fciicrs on Icr vrisis. 'Wc'll agrcc, if you lcasc,
iIai I don'i undcrsiand Iim ai all. Hc is mucI
ioo dcc for mc. Dui crIas my lroiIcr's cn-
ciraiion may cnallc Iim io Iavc somc insigIi
145
inio Iis cIaracicr. And I lclicvc my lroiIcr
vas scaling on iIc suljcci vIcn vcnoi vcry
dcccnilyinicrruicd Iim.'
'I iIinl, Clara,' said Mr. Murdsionc, in a lov
gravc voicc, 'iIai iIcrc may lc lciicr and morc
disassionaic judgcs of sucI a qucsiion iIan you.'
'Edvard,' rclicd my moiIcr, iimidly, 'you arc
a far lciicr judgc of all qucsiions iIan I rcicnd
io lc. DoiI you and Janc arc. I only said'
'You only said somciIing vcal and inconsid-
craic,' Ic rclicd. 'Try noi io do ii again, my
dcar Clara, and lcc a vaicI uon yoursclf.'
M moiIcr's lis movcd, as if sIc ansvcrcd 'Ycs,
my dcar Edvard,' lui sIc said noiIing aloud.
'I vas sorry, David, I rcmarlcd,' said Mr.
Murdsionc, iurning Iis Icad and Iis cycs siiffly
iovards mc, 'io olscrvc iIai you arc of a sullcn
disosiiion. TIis is noi a cIaracicr iIai I can suffcr
io dcvclo iisclf lcncaiI my cycs viiIoui an cffori
ai imrovcmcni. You musi cndcavour, sir, io
cIangc ii. Wc musi cndcavour io cIangc ii for you.'
'I lcg your ardon, sir,' I falicrcd. 'I Iavc ncvcr
mcani io lc sullcn sincc I camc lacl.'
'Don'i ialc rcfugc in a lic, sir!' Ic rciurncd so
ficrccly, iIai I sav my moiIcr involuniarily ui
oui Icr ircmlling Iand as if io inicrosc lc-
ivccn us. 'You Iavc viiIdravn yoursclf in your
sullcnncss io your ovn room. You Iavc lci
your ovn room vIcn you ougIi io Iavc lccn
Icrc. You lnov nov, oncc for all, iIai I rcquirc
you io lc Icrc, and noi iIcrc. FuriIcr, iIai I
rcquirc you io lring olcdicncc Icrc. You lnov
mc, David. I vill Iavc ii donc.'
Miss Murdsionc gavc a Ioarsc cIucllc.
'I vill Iavc a rcscciful, romi, and rcady lcar-
ing iovards mysclf,' Ic coniinucd, 'and iovards
Janc Murdsionc, and iovards your moiIcr. I
vill noi Iavc iIis room sIunncd as if ii vcrc
infccicd, ai iIc lcasurc of a cIild. Sii dovn.'
Hc ordcrcd mc lilc a dog, and I olcycd lilc a dog.
'Onc iIing morc,' Ic said. 'I olscrvc iIai you
Iavc an aiiacImcni io lov and common com-
146
any. You arc noi io associaic viiI scrvanis.
TIc liicIcn vill noi imrovc you, in iIc many
rcsccis in vIicI you nccd imrovcmcni. Of
iIc voman vIo alcis you, I say noiIingsincc
you, Clara,' addrcssing my moiIcr in a lovcr
voicc, 'from old associaiions and long-csial-
lisIcd fancics, Iavc a vcalncss rcscciing Icr
vIicI is noi yci ovcrcomc.'
'A mosi unaccouniallc dclusion ii is!' cricd
Miss Murdsionc.
'I only say,' Ic rcsumcd, addrcssing mc, 'iIai
I disarovc of your rcfcrring sucI comany
as Misircss Fcggoiiy, and iIai ii is io lc alan-
doncd. Nov, David, you undcrsiand mc, and
you lnov vIai vill lc iIc conscqucncc if you
fail io olcy mc io iIc lciicr.'
I lncv vclllciicr crIas iIan Ic iIougIi,
as far as my oor moiIcr vas conccrncdand
I olcycd Iim io iIc lciicr. I rcircaicd io my
ovn room no morc; I iool rcfugc viiI Fcggoiiy
no morc; lui sai vcarily in iIc arlour day
aficr day, looling forvard io nigIi, and lcd-
iimc.
WIai irlsomc consiraini I undcrvcni, siiiing
in iIc samc aiiiiudc Iours uon Iours, afraid
io movc an arm or a lcg lcsi Miss Murdsionc
sIould comlain (as sIc did on iIc lcasi rc-
icncc} of my rcsilcssncss, and afraid io movc
an cyc lcsi sIc sIould ligIi on somc lool of
dislilc or scruiiny iIai vould find ncv causc
for comlaini in minc! WIai iniolcrallc dul-
ncss io sii lisicning io iIc iicling of iIc clocl;
and vaicIing Miss Murdsionc's liiilc sIiny
siccl lcads as sIc sirung iIcm; and vondcr-
ing vIciIcr sIc vould cvcr lc marricd, and if
so, io vIai sori of unIay man; and couniing
iIc divisions in iIc moulding of iIc cIimncy-
iccc; and vandcring avay, viiI my cycs, io
iIc cciling, among iIc curls and corlscrcvs in
iIc acr on iIc vall!
WIai valls I iool alonc, dovn muddy lancs,
in iIc lad vinicr vcaiIcr, carrying iIai arlour,
147
and Mr. and Miss Murdsionc in ii, cvcryvIcrc:
a monsirous load iIai I vas olligcd io lcar, a
daymarc iIai iIcrc vas no ossililiiy of lrcal-
ing in, a vcigIi iIai lroodcd on my viis, and
llunicd iIcm!
WIai mcals I Iad in silcncc and cmlarrass-
mcni, alvays fccling iIai iIcrc vcrc a lnifc
and forl ioo many, and iIai minc; an aciiic
ioo many, and iIai minc; a laic and cIair ioo
many, and iIosc minc; a somclody ioo many,
and iIai I!
WIai cvcnings, vIcn iIc candlcs camc, and I
vas cccicd io cmloy mysclf, lui, noi daring
io rcad an cnicriaining lool, orcd ovcr somc
Iard-Icadcd, Iardcr-Icaricd ircaiisc on ariiI-
mciic; vIcn iIc iallcs of vcigIis and mcasurcs
sci iIcmsclvcs io iuncs, as 'Fulc Driiannia', or
'Avay viiI MclancIoly'; vIcn iIcy vouldn'i
siand siill io lc lcarni, lui vould go iIrcading
my grandmoiIcr's nccdlc iIrougI my unforiu-
naic Icad, in ai onc car and oui ai iIc oiIcr!
WIai yavns and dozcs I lascd inio, in siic of
all my carc; vIai siaris I camc oui of conccalcd
slccs viiI; vIai ansvcrs I ncvcr goi, io liiilc
olscrvaiions iIai I rarcly madc; vIai a llanl
sacc I sccmcd, vIicI cvcrylody ovcrloolcd, and
yci vas in cvcrylody's vay; vIai a Icavy rclicf ii
vas io Icar Miss Murdsionc Iail iIc firsi sirolc
of ninc ai nigIi, and ordcr mc io lcd!
TIus iIc Iolidays laggcd avay, uniil iIc
morning camc vIcn Miss Murdsionc said:
'Hcrc's iIc lasi day off!' and gavc mc iIc clos-
ing cu of ica of iIc vacaiion.
I vas noi sorry io go. I Iad lascd inio a siu-
id siaic; lui I vas rccovcring a liiilc and lool-
ing forvard io SiccrforiI, allcii Mr. Crcallc
loomcd lcIind Iim. Again Mr. Darlis acarcd
ai iIc gaic, and again Miss Murdsionc in Icr
varning voicc, said: 'Clara!' vIcn my moiIcr
lcni ovcr mc, io lid mc farcvcll.
I lisscd Icr, and my laly lroiIcr, and vas
vcry sorry iIcn; lui noi sorry io go avay, for
148
iIc gulf lcivccn us vas iIcrc, and iIc ariing
vas iIcrc, cvcry day. And ii is noi so mucI iIc
cmlracc sIc gavc mc, iIai livcs in my mind,
iIougI ii vas as fcrvcni as could lc, as vIai
follovcd iIc cmlracc.
I vas in iIc carricr's cari vIcn I Icard Icr
calling io mc. I loolcd oui, and sIc siood ai iIc
gardcn-gaic alonc, Iolding Icr laly u in Icr
arms for mc io scc. Ii vas cold siill vcaiIcr;
and noi a Iair of Icr Icad, nor a fold of Icr
drcss, vas siirrcd, as sIc loolcd inicnily ai mc,
Iolding u Icr cIild.
So I losi Icr. So I sav Icr aficrvards, in my
slcc ai scIoola silcni rcscncc ncar my lcd
looling ai mc viiI iIc samc inicni faccIold-
ing u Icr laly in Icr arms.
CHAPTER 9
I HAVE A MEMORABLE
BIRTHDAY
I FASS OVEF ALL iIai Iacncd ai scIool, uniil
iIc annivcrsary of my liriIday camc round in
MarcI. Ecci iIai SiccrforiI vas morc io lc
admircd iIan cvcr, I rcmcmlcr noiIing. Hc vas
going avay ai iIc cnd of iIc Ialf-ycar, if noi
sooncr, and vas morc siriicd and indccndcni
iIan lcforc in my cycs, and iIcrcforc morc cn-
gaging iIan lcforc; lui lcyond iIis I rcmcm-
lcr noiIing. TIc grcai rcmcmlrancc ly vIicI
iIai iimc is marlcd in my mind, sccms io Iavc
svallovcd u all lcsscr rccollcciions, and io c-
isi alonc.
Ii is cvcn difficuli for mc io lclicvc iIai iIcrc vas
a ga of full ivo moniIs lcivccn my rciurn io
Salcm Housc and iIc arrival of iIai liriIday. I
can only undcrsiand iIai iIc faci vas so, lccausc
I lnov ii musi Iavc lccn so; oiIcrvisc I sIould
149
fccl convinccd iIai iIcrc vas no inicrval, and iIai
iIc onc occasion irod uon iIc oiIcr's Iccls.
Hov vcll I rccollcci iIc lind of day ii vas! I smcll
iIc fog iIai Iung aloui iIc lacc; I scc iIc Ioar
frosi, gIosily, iIrougI ii; I fccl my rimy Iair fall
clammy on my cIccl; I lool along iIc dim cr-
scciivc of iIc scIoolroom, viiI a suiicring candlc
Icrc and iIcrc io ligIi u iIc foggy morning, and
iIc lrcaiI of iIc loys vrcaiIing and smoling in
iIc rav cold as iIcy llov uon iIcir fingcrs, and
ia iIcir fcci uon iIc floor. Ii vas aficr lrcalfasi,
and vc Iad lccn summoncd in from iIc lay-
ground, vIcn Mr. SIar cnicrcd and said:
'David Cocrficld is io go inio iIc arlour.'
I cccicd a Iamcr from Fcggoiiy, and lrigIi-
cncd ai iIc ordcr. Somc of iIc loys aloui mc
ui in iIcir claim noi io lc forgoiicn in iIc dis-
iriluiion of iIc good iIings, as I goi oui of my
scai viiI grcai alacriiy.
'Don'i Iurry, David,' said Mr. SIar. 'TIcrc's
iimc cnougI, my loy, don'i Iurry.'
I migIi Iavc lccn surriscd ly iIc fccling ionc
in vIicI Ic solc, if I Iad givcn ii a iIougIi; lui
I gavc ii nonc uniil aficrvards. I Iurricd avay io
iIc arlour; and iIcrc I found Mr. Crcallc, sii-
iing ai Iis lrcalfasi viiI iIc canc and a ncvsa-
cr lcforc Iim, and Mrs. Crcallc viiI an ocncd
lciicr in Icr Iand. Dui no Iamcr.
'David Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Crcallc, lcad-
ing mc io a sofa, and siiiing dovn lcsidc mc. 'I
vani io scal io you vcry ariicularly. I Iavc
somciIing io icll you, my cIild.'
Mr. Crcallc, ai vIom of coursc I loolcd, sIool
Iis Icad viiIoui looling ai mc, and siocd u
a sigI viiI a vcry largc iccc of luiicrcd ioasi.
'You arc ioo young io lnov Iov iIc vorld
cIangcs cvcry day,' said Mrs. Crcallc, 'and Iov
iIc colc in ii ass avay. Dui vc all Iavc io
lcarn ii, David; somc of us vIcn vc arc young,
somc of us vIcn vc arc old, somc of us ai all
iimcs of our livcs.'
I loolcd ai Icr carncsily.
150
'WIcn you camc avay from Iomc ai iIc cnd
of iIc vacaiion,' said Mrs. Crcallc, aficr a ausc,
'vcrc iIcy all vcll?' Aficr anoiIcr ausc, 'Was
your mama vcll?'
I ircmllcd viiIoui disiincily lnoving vIy, and
siill loolcd ai Icr carncsily, maling no aiicmi
io ansvcr.
'Dccausc,' said sIc, 'I gricvc io icll you iIai I
Icar iIis morning your mama is vcry ill.'
A misi rosc lcivccn Mrs. Crcallc and mc,
and Icr figurc sccmcd io movc in ii for an in-
siani. TIcn I fcli iIc lurning icars run dovn
my facc, and ii vas sicady again.
'SIc is vcry dangcrously ill,' sIc addcd.
I lncv all nov.
'SIc is dcad.'
TIcrc vas no nccd io icll mc so. I Iad alrcady
lrolcn oui inio a dcsolaic cry, and fcli an or-
Ian in iIc vidc vorld.
SIc vas vcry lind io mc. SIc lci mc iIcrc
all day, and lcfi mc alonc somciimcs; and I
cricd, and vorc mysclf io slcc, and avolc and
cricd again. WIcn I could cry no morc, I lcgan
io iIinl; and iIcn iIc orcssion on my lrcasi
vas Icavicsi, and my gricf a dull ain iIai iIcrc
vas no casc for.
And yci my iIougIis vcrc idlc; noi inicni on
iIc calamiiy iIai vcigIcd uon my Icari, lui
idly loiicring ncar ii. I iIougIi of our Iousc sIui
u and IusIcd. I iIougIi of iIc liiilc laly, vIo,
Mrs. Crcallc said, Iad lccn ining avay for
somc iimc, and vIo, iIcy lclicvcd, vould dic
ioo. I iIougIi of my faiIcr's gravc in iIc cIurcI-
yard, ly our Iousc, and of my moiIcr lying
iIcrc lcncaiI iIc ircc I lncv so vcll. I siood
uon a cIair vIcn I vas lcfi alonc, and loolcd
inio iIc glass io scc Iov rcd my cycs vcrc,
and Iov sorrovful my facc. I considcrcd, aficr
somc Iours vcrc gonc, if my icars vcrc rcally
Iard io flov nov, as iIcy sccmcd io lc, vIai,
in conncion viiI my loss, ii vould affcci mc
mosi io iIinl of vIcn I drcv ncar Iomcfor I
151
vas going Iomc io iIc funcral. I am scnsillc of
Iaving fcli iIai a digniiy aiiacIcd io mc among
iIc rcsi of iIc loys, and iIai I vas imoriani
in my affliciion.
If cvcr cIild vcrc siriclcn viiI sinccrc gricf, I vas.
Dui I rcmcmlcr iIai iIis imoriancc vas a lind of
saiisfaciion io mc, vIcn I vallcd in iIc layground
iIai aficrnoon vIilc iIc loys vcrc in scIool. WIcn
I sav iIcm glancing ai mc oui of iIc vindovs, as
iIcy vcni u io iIcir classcs, I fcli disiinguisIcd,
and loolcd morc mclancIoly, and vallcd slovcr.
WIcn scIool vas ovcr, and iIcy camc oui and solc
io mc, I fcli ii raiIcr good in mysclf noi io lc roud
io any of iIcm, and io ialc cacily iIc samc noiicc
of iIcm all, as lcforc.
I vas io go Iomc nci nigIi; noi ly iIc mail,
lui ly iIc Icavy nigIi-coacI, vIicI vas callcd
iIc Farmcr, and vas rincially uscd ly coun-
iry-colc iravclling sIori inicrmcdiaic dis-
ianccs uon iIc road. Wc Iad no siory-iclling
iIai cvcning, and Traddlcs insisicd on lcnding
mc Iis illov. I don'i lnov vIai good Ic iIougIi
ii vould do mc, for I Iad onc of my ovn: lui ii
vas all Ic Iad io lcnd, oor fcllov, ccci a sIcci
of lciicr-acr full of slclcions; and iIai Ic gavc
mc ai ariing, as a sooiIcr of my sorrovs and a
coniriluiion io my cacc of mind.
I lcfi Salcm Housc uon iIc morrov aficrnoon. I
liiilc iIougIi iIcn iIai I lcfi ii, ncvcr io rciurn. Wc
iravcllcd vcry slovly all nigIi, and did noi gci inio
YarmouiI lcforc ninc or icn o'clocl in iIc morn-
ing. I loolcd oui for Mr. Darlis, lui Ic vas noi
iIcrc; and insicad of Iim a fai, sIori-vindcd, mcrry-
looling, liiilc old man in llacl, viiI rusiy liiilc
luncIcs of rillons ai iIc lnccs of Iis lrcccIcs,
llacl sioclings, and a lroad-lrimmcd Iai, camc
uffing u io iIc coacI vindov, and said:
'Masicr Cocrficld?'
'Ycs, sir.'
'Will you comc viiI mc, young sir, if you
lcasc,' Ic said, ocning iIc door, 'and I sIall
Iavc iIc lcasurc of ialing you Iomc.'
152
I ui my Iand in Iis, vondcring vIo Ic vas,
and vc vallcd avay io a sIo in a narrov sircci,
on vIicI vas vriiicn OMEF, DFAFEF, TAILOF,
HADEFDASHEF, FUNEFAL FUFNISHEF, &c. Ii
vas a closc and siifling liiilc sIo; full of all soris
of cloiIing, madc and unmadc, including onc
vindov full of lcavcr-Iais and lonncis. Wc vcni
inio a liiilc lacl-arlour lcIind iIc sIo, vIcrc
vc found iIrcc young vomcn ai vorl on a quan-
iiiy of llacl maicrials, vIicI vcrc Icacd uon
iIc iallc, and liiilc liis and cuiiings of vIicI
vcrc liiicrcd all ovcr iIc floor. TIcrc vas a good
firc in iIc room, and a lrcaiIlcss smcll of varm
llacl cracI did noi lnov vIai iIc smcll vas
iIcn, lui I lnov nov.
TIc iIrcc young vomcn, vIo acarcd io lc
vcry indusirious and comforiallc, raiscd iIcir
Icads io lool ai mc, and iIcn vcni on viiI iIcir
vorl. SiiicI, siiicI, siiicI. Ai iIc samc iimc
iIcrc camc from a vorlsIo across a liiilc yard
ouisidc iIc vindov, a rcgular sound of Iam-
mcring iIai lci a lind of iunc: FATiai-iai,
FATiai-iai, FATiai-iai, viiIoui any variaiion.
'Wcll,' said my conducior io onc of iIc iIrcc
young vomcn. 'Hov do you gci on, Minnic?'
'Wc sIall lc rcady ly iIc irying-on iimc,' sIc
rclicd gaily, viiIoui looling u. 'Don'i you lc
afraid, faiIcr.'
Mr. Omcr iool off Iis lroad-lrimmcd Iai, and
sai dovn and anicd. Hc vas so fai iIai Ic vas
olligcd io ani somc iimc lcforc Ic could say:
'TIai's rigIi.'
'FaiIcr!' said Minnic, layfully. 'WIai a or-
oisc you do grov!'
'Wcll, I don'i lnov Iov ii is, my dcar,' Ic rc-
licd, considcring aloui ii. 'I am raiIcr so.'
'You arc sucI a comforiallc man, you scc,'
said Minnic. 'You ialc iIings so casy.'
'No usc ialing 'cm oiIcrvisc, my dcar,' said
Mr. Omcr.
'No, indccd,' rciurncd Iis daugIicr. 'Wc arc all
rciiy gay Icrc, iIanl Hcavcn! Ain'i vc, faiIcr?'
153
'I Ioc so, my dcar,' said Mr. Omcr. 'As I Iavc
goi my lrcaiI nov, I iIinl I'll mcasurc iIis
young scIolar. Would you vall inio iIc sIo,
Masicr Cocrficld?'
I rcccdcd Mr. Omcr, in comliancc viiI Iis
rcqucsi; and aficr sIoving mc a roll of cloiI
vIicI Ic said vas cira sucr, and ioo good
mourning for anyiIing sIori of arcnis, Ic iool
my various dimcnsions, and ui iIcm dovn in
a lool. WIilc Ic vas rccording iIcm Ic callcd
my aiicniion io Iis siocl in iradc, and io ccr-
iain fasIions vIicI Ic said Iad 'jusi comc u',
and io ccriain oiIcr fasIions vIicI Ic said Iad
'jusi gonc oui'.
'And ly iIai sori of iIing vc vcry oficn losc a
liiilc mini of moncy,' said Mr. Omcr. 'Dui fasI-
ions arc lilc Iuman lcings. TIcy comc in, no-
lody lnovs vIcn, vIy, or Iov; and iIcy go
oui, nolody lnovs vIcn, vIy, or Iov. Evcry-
iIing is lilc lifc, in my oinion, if you lool ai ii
in iIai oini of vicv.'
I vas ioo sorrovful io discuss iIc qucsiion,
vIicI vould ossilly Iavc lccn lcyond mc
undcr any circumsianccs; and Mr. Omcr iool
mc lacl inio iIc arlour, lrcaiIing viiI somc
difficuliy on iIc vay.
Hc iIcn callcd dovn a liiilc lrcal-nccl rangc of
sics lcIind a door: 'Dring u iIai ica and lrcad-
and-luiicr!' vIicI, aficr somc iimc, during vIicI
I sai looling aloui mc and iIinling, and lisicn-
ing io iIc siiicIing in iIc room and iIc iunc iIai
vas lcing Iammcrcd across iIc yard, acarcd
on a iray, and iurncd oui io lc for mc.
'I Iavc lccn acquainicd viiI you,' said Mr.
Omcr, aficr vaicIing mc for somc minuics,
during vIicI I Iad noi madc mucI imrcssion
on iIc lrcalfasi, for iIc llacl iIings dcsiroycd
my aciiic, 'I Iavc lccn acquainicd viiI you
a long iimc, my young fricnd.'
'Havc you, sir?'
'All your lifc,' said Mr. Omcr. 'I may say lc-
forc ii. I lncv your faiIcr lcforc you. Hc vas
154
fivc fooi ninc and a Ialf, and Ic lays in fivc-
and-ivcn-iy fooi of ground.'
'FATiai-iai, FATiai-iai, FATiai-iai,'
across iIc yard.
'Hc lays in fivc and ivcn-iy fooi of ground, if
Ic lays in a fraciion,' said Mr. Omcr, lcasanily.
'Ii vas ciiIcr Iis rcqucsi or Icr dircciion, I for-
gci vIicI.'
'Do you lnov Iov my liiilc lroiIcr is, sir?' I
inquircd.
Mr. Omcr sIool Iis Icad.
'FATiai-iai, FATiai-iai, FATiai-iai.'
'Hc is in Iis moiIcr's arms,' said Ic.
'OI, oor liiilc fcllov! Is Ic dcad?'
'Don'i mind ii morc iIan you can Icl,' said
Mr. Omcr. 'Ycs. TIc laly's dcad.'
My vounds lrolc oui afrcsI ai iIis iniclligcncc.
I lcfi iIc scarccly-iasicd lrcalfasi, and vcni and
rcsicd my Icad on anoiIcr iallc, in a corncr of
iIc liiilc room, vIicI Minnic Iasiily clcarcd, lcsi
I sIould soi iIc mourning iIai vas lying iIcrc
viiI my icars. SIc vas a rciiy, good-naiurcd
girl, and ui my Iair avay from my cycs viiI a
sofi, lind ioucI; lui sIc vas vcry cIccrful ai
Iaving ncarly finisIcd Icr vorl and lcing in good
iimc, and vas so diffcrcni from mc!
Frcscnily iIc iunc lcfi off, and a good-lool-
ing young fcllov camc across iIc yard inio iIc
room. Hc Iad a Iammcr in Iis Iand, and Iis
mouiI vas full of liiilc nails, vIicI Ic vas
olligcd io ialc oui lcforc Ic could scal.
'Wcll, Joram!' said Mr. Omcr. 'Hov do you gci
on?'
'All rigIi,' said Joram. 'Donc, sir.'
Minnic colourcd a liiilc, and iIc oiIcr ivo girls
smilcd ai onc anoiIcr.
'WIai! you vcrc ai ii ly candlc-ligIi lasi nigIi,
vIcn I vas ai iIc clul, iIcn? Wcrc you?' said
Mr. Omcr, sIuiiing u onc cyc.
'Ycs,' said Joram. 'As you said vc could malc
a liiilc iri of ii, and go ovcr iogciIcr, if ii vas
donc, Minnic and mcand you.'
155
'OI! I iIougIi you vcrc going io lcavc mc oui
aliogciIcr,' said Mr. Omcr, laugIing iill Ic
cougIcd.
'As you vas so good as io say iIai,' rcsumcd
iIc young man, 'vIy I iurncd io viiI a vill, you
scc. Will you givc mc your oinion of ii?'
'I vill,' said Mr. Omcr, rising. 'My dcar'; and
Ic siocd and iurncd io mc: 'vould you lilc
io scc your'
'No, faiIcr,' Minnic inicroscd.
'I iIougIi ii migIi lc agrccallc, my dcar,' said
Mr. Omcr. 'Dui crIas you'rc rigIi.'
I can'i say Iov I lncv ii vas my dcar, dcar
moiIcr's coffin iIai iIcy vcni io lool ai. I Iad
ncvcr Icard onc maling; I Iad ncvcr sccn onc
iIai I lnov of.lui ii camc inio my mind vIai
iIc noisc vas, vIilc ii vas going on; and vIcn
iIc young man cnicrcd, I am surc I lncv vIai
Ic Iad lccn doing.
TIc vorl lcing nov finisIcd, iIc ivo girls,
vIosc namcs I Iad noi Icard, lrusIcd iIc
sIrcds and iIrcads from iIcir drcsscs, and vcni
inio iIc sIo io ui iIai io rigIis, and vaii for
cusiomcrs. Minnic siaycd lcIind io fold u
vIai iIcy Iad madc, and acl ii in ivo las-
lcis. TIis sIc did uon Icr lnccs, Iumming a
livcly liiilc iunc iIc vIilc. Joram, vIo I Iad no
douli vas Icr lovcr, camc in and siolc a liss
from Icr vIilc sIc vas lusy (Ic didn'i acar
io mind mc, ai all}, and said Icr faiIcr vas
gonc for iIc cIaisc, and Ic musi malc Iasic
and gci Iimsclf rcady. TIcn Ic vcni oui again;
and iIcn sIc ui Icr iIimllc and scissors in
Icr oclci, and siucl a nccdlc iIrcadcd viiI
llacl iIrcad ncaily in iIc losom of Icr govn,
and ui on Icr ouicr cloiIing smarily, ai a liiilc
glass lcIind iIc door, in vIicI I sav iIc rc-
flcciion of Icr lcascd facc.
All iIis I olscrvcd, siiiing ai iIc iallc in iIc
corncr viiI my Icad lcaning on my Iand, and
my iIougIis running on vcry diffcrcni iIings.
TIc cIaisc soon camc round io iIc froni of iIc
156
sIo, and iIc laslcis lcing ui in firsi, I vas
ui in nci, and iIosc iIrcc follovcd. I rcmcm-
lcr ii as a lind of Ialf cIaisc-cari, Ialf iano-
foric-van, ainicd of a somlrc colour, and dravn
ly a llacl Iorsc viiI a long iail. TIcrc vas
lcniy of room for us all.
I do noi iIinl I Iavc cvcr ccricnccd so
sirangc a fccling in my lifc (I am viscr nov, cr-
Ias} as iIai of lcing viiI iIcm, rcmcmlcring
Iov iIcy Iad lccn cmloycd, and sccing iIcm
cnjoy iIc ridc. I vas noi angry viiI iIcm; I vas
morc afraid of iIcm, as if I vcrc casi avay among
crcaiurcs viiI vIom I Iad no communiiy of
naiurc. TIcy vcrc vcry cIccrful. TIc old man
sai in froni io drivc, and iIc ivo young colc
sai lcIind Iim, and vIcncvcr Ic solc io iIcm
lcancd forvard, iIc onc on onc sidc of Iis
cIully facc and iIc oiIcr on iIc oiIcr, and
madc a grcai dcal of Iim. TIcy vould Iavc
iallcd io mc ioo, lui I Icld lacl, and mocd in
my corncr; scarcd ly iIcir lovc-maling and Ii-
lariiy, iIougI ii vas far from loisicrous, and
almosi vondcring iIai no judgcmcni camc
uon iIcm for iIcir Iardncss of Icari.
So, vIcn iIcy siocd io laii iIc Iorsc, and
aic and dranl and cnjoycd iIcmsclvcs, I could
ioucI noiIing iIai iIcy ioucIcd, lui lci my
fasi unlrolcn. So, vIcn vc rcacIcd Iomc, I
drocd oui of iIc cIaisc lcIind, as quiclly
as ossillc, iIai I migIi noi lc in iIcir com-
any lcforc iIosc solcmn vindovs, looling
llindly on mc lilc closcd cycs oncc lrigIi. And
oI, Iov liiilc nccd I Iad Iad io iIinl vIai
vould movc mc io icars vIcn I camc lacl
sccing iIc vindov of my moiIcr's room, and
nci ii iIai vIicI, in iIc lciicr iimc, vas minc!
I vas in Fcggoiiy's arms lcforc I goi io iIc
door, and sIc iool mc inio iIc Iousc. Hcr gricf
lursi oui vIcn sIc firsi sav mc; lui sIc con-
irollcd ii soon, and solc in vIiscrs, and
vallcd sofily, as if iIc dcad could lc disiurlcd.
SIc Iad noi lccn in lcd, I found, for a long
157
iimc. SIc sai u ai nigIi siill, and vaicIcd. As
long as Icr oor dcar rciiy vas alovc iIc
ground, sIc said, sIc vould ncvcr dcscri Icr.
Mr. Murdsionc iool no Iccd of mc vIcn I
vcni inio iIc arlour vIcrc Ic vas, lui sai ly
iIc fircsidc, vccing silcnily, and ondcring
in Iis cllov-cIair. Miss Murdsionc, vIo vas
lusy ai Icr vriiing-dcsl, vIicI vas covcrcd
viiI lciicrs and acrs, gavc mc Icr cold fin-
gcr-nails, and aslcd mc, in an iron vIiscr, if
I Iad lccn mcasurcd for my mourning.
I said: 'Ycs.'
'And your sIiris,' said Miss Murdsionc; 'Iavc
you lrougIi 'cm Iomc?'
'Ycs, ma'am. I Iavc lrougIi Iomc all my
cloiIcs.'
TIis vas all iIc consolaiion iIai Icr firmncss
adminisicrcd io mc. I do noi douli iIai sIc Iad
a cIoicc lcasurc in cIiliiing vIai sIc callcd
Icr sclf-command, and Icr firmncss, and Icr
sircngiI of mind, and Icr common scnsc, and
iIc vIolc dialolical caialoguc of Icr unamiallc
qualiiics, on sucI an occasion. SIc vas ariicu-
larly roud of Icr iurn for lusincss; and sIc
sIovcd ii nov in rcducing cvcryiIing io cn and
inl, and lcing movcd ly noiIing. All iIc rcsi of
iIai day, and from morning io nigIi aficrvards,
sIc sai ai iIai dcsl, scraicIing comoscdly viiI
a Iard cn, scaling in iIc samc imcriurlallc
vIiscr io cvcrylody; ncvcr rclaing a musclc of
Icr facc, or soficning a ionc of Icr voicc, or a-
caring viiI an aiom of Icr drcss asiray.
Hcr lroiIcr iool a lool somciimcs, lui ncvcr
rcad ii iIai I sav. Hc vould ocn ii and lool ai
ii as if Ic vcrc rcading, lui vould rcmain for a
vIolc Iour viiIoui iurning iIc lcaf, and iIcn
ui ii dovn and vall io and fro in iIc room. I
uscd io sii viiI foldcd Iands vaicIing Iim, and
couniing Iis fooisics, Iour aficr Iour. Hc vcry
scldom solc io Icr, and ncvcr io mc. Hc
sccmcd io lc iIc only rcsilcss iIing, ccci
iIc clocls, in iIc vIolc moiionlcss Iousc.
158
In iIcsc days lcforc iIc funcral, I sav lui
liiilc of Fcggoiiy, ccci iIai, in assing u or
dovn siairs, I alvays found Icr closc io iIc
room vIcrc my moiIcr and Icr laly lay, and
ccci iIai sIc camc io mc cvcry nigIi, and
sai ly my lcd's Icad vIilc I vcni io slcc. A
day or ivo lcforc iIc lurialI iIinl ii vas a
day or ivo lcforc, lui I am conscious of confu-
sion in my mind aloui iIai Icavy iimc, viiI
noiIing io marl iis rogrcsssIc iool mc inio
iIc room. I only rccollcci iIai undcrncaiI somc
vIiic covcring on iIc lcd, viiI a lcauiiful
clcanlincss and frcsIncss all around ii, iIcrc
sccmcd io mc io lic cmlodicd iIc solcmn siill-
ncss iIai vas in iIc Iousc; and iIai vIcn sIc
vould Iavc iurncd iIc covcr gcnily lacl, I cricd:
'OI no! oI no!' and Icld Icr Iand.
If iIc funcral Iad lccn ycsicrday, I could noi
rccollcci ii lciicr. TIc vcry air of iIc lcsi
arlour, vIcn I vcni in ai iIc door, iIc lrigIi
condiiion of iIc firc, iIc sIining of iIc vinc in
iIc dccanicrs, iIc aiicrns of iIc glasscs and
laics, iIc faini svcci smcll of calc, iIc odour
of Miss Murdsionc's drcss, and our llacl
cloiIcs. Mr. CIilli is in iIc room, and comcs
io scal io mc.
'And Iov is Masicr David?' Ic says, lindly.
I cannoi icll Iim vcry vcll. I givc Iim my Iand,
vIicI Ic Iolds in Iis.
'Dcar mc!' says Mr. CIilli, mcclly smiling,
viiI somciIing sIining in Iis cyc. 'Our liiilc
fricnds grov u around us. TIcy grov oui of
our lnovlcdgc, ma'am?' TIis is io Miss
Murdsionc, vIo malcs no rcly.
'TIcrc is a grcai imrovcmcni Icrc, ma'am?'
says Mr. CIilli.
Miss Murdsionc mcrcly ansvcrs viiI a frovn
and a formal lcnd: Mr. CIilli, discomfiicd, gocs
inio a corncr, lccing mc viiI Iim, and ocns
Iis mouiI no morc.
I rcmarl iIis, lccausc I rcmarl cvcryiIing
iIai Iacns, noi lccausc I carc aloui mysclf,
159
or Iavc donc sincc I camc Iomc. And nov iIc
lcll lcgins io sound, and Mr. Omcr and an-
oiIcr comc io malc us rcady. As Fcggoiiy vas
voni io icll mc, long ago, iIc follovcrs of my
faiIcr io iIc samc gravc vcrc madc rcady in iIc
samc room.
TIcrc arc Mr. Murdsionc, our ncigIlour Mr.
Graycr, Mr. CIilli, and I. WIcn vc go oui io
iIc door, iIc Dcarcrs and iIcir load arc in iIc
gardcn; and iIcy movc lcforc us dovn iIc aiI,
and asi iIc clms, and iIrougI iIc gaic, and
inio iIc cIurcIyard, vIcrc I Iavc so oficn Icard
iIc lirds sing on a summcr morning.
Wc siand around iIc gravc. TIc day sccms dif-
fcrcni io mc from cvcry oiIcr day, and iIc ligIi
noi of iIc samc colourof a saddcr colour. Nov
iIcrc is a solcmn IusI, vIicI vc Iavc lrougIi
from Iomc viiI vIai is rcsiing in iIc mould;
and vIilc vc siand larcIcadcd, I Icar iIc voicc
of iIc clcrgyman, sounding rcmoic in iIc ocn
air, and yci disiinci and lain, saying: 'I am iIc
Fcsurrcciion and iIc Lifc, saiiI iIc Lord!' TIcn
I Icar sols; and, sianding aari among iIc lool-
crs-on, I scc iIai good and faiiIful scrvani, vIom
of all iIc colc uon cariI I lovc iIc lcsi, and
unio vIom my cIildisI Icari is ccriain iIai iIc
Lord vill onc day say: 'Wcll donc.'
TIcrc arc many faccs iIai I lnov, among iIc
liiilc crovd; faccs iIai I lncv in cIurcI, vIcn
minc vas alvays vondcring iIcrc; faccs iIai
firsi sav my moiIcr, vIcn sIc camc io iIc vil-
lagc in Icr youiIful lloom. I do noi mind iIcm
I mind noiIing lui my gricfand yci I scc and
lnov iIcm all; and cvcn in iIc laclground,
far avay, scc Minnic looling on, and Icr cyc
glancing on Icr svcciIcari, vIo is ncar mc.
Ii is ovcr, and iIc cariI is fillcd in, and vc iurn
io comc avay. Dcforc us siands our Iousc, so
rciiy and uncIangcd, so linlcd in my mind viiI
iIc young idca of vIai is gonc, iIai all my sorrov
Ias lccn noiIing io iIc sorrov ii calls foriI. Dui
iIcy ialc mc on; and Mr. CIilli ialls io mc; and
160
vIcn vc gci Iomc, uis somc vaicr io my lis;
and vIcn I asl Iis lcavc io go u io my room,
dismisscs mc viiI iIc gcnilcncss of a voman.
All iIis, I say, is ycsicrday's cvcni. Evcnis of
laicr daic Iavc floaicd from mc io iIc sIorc
vIcrc all forgoiicn iIings vill rcacar, lui iIis
siands lilc a IigI rocl in iIc occan.
I lncv iIai Fcggoiiy vould comc io mc in my
room. TIc SallaiI siillncss of iIc iimc (iIc day
vas so lilc Sunday! I Iavc forgoiicn iIai} vas suiicd
io us loiI. SIc sai dovn ly my sidc uon my
liiilc lcd; and Iolding my Iand, and somciimcs
uiiing ii io Icr lis, and somciimcs smooiIing ii
viiI Icrs, as sIc migIi Iavc comforicd my liiilc
lroiIcr, iold mc, in Icr vay, all iIai sIc Iad io
icll conccrning vIai Iad Iacncd.
'SIc vas ncvcr vcll,' said Fcggoiiy, 'for a long
iimc. SIc vas unccriain in Icr mind, and noi
Iay. WIcn Icr laly vas lorn, I iIougIi ai
firsi sIc vould gci lciicr, lui sIc vas morc
dclicaic, and sunl a liiilc cvcry day. SIc uscd
io lilc io sii alonc lcforc Icr laly camc, and
iIcn sIc cricd; lui aficrvards sIc uscd io sing
io iiso sofi, iIai I oncc iIougIi, vIcn I Icard
Icr, ii vas lilc a voicc u in iIc air, iIai vas
rising avay.
'I iIinl sIc goi io lc morc iimid, and morc
frigIicncd-lilc, of laic; and iIai a Iard vord
vas lilc a llov io Icr. Dui sIc vas alvays iIc
samc io mc. SIc ncvcr cIangcd io Icr foolisI
Fcggoiiy, didn'i my svcci girl.'
Hcrc Fcggoiiy siocd, and sofily lcai uon
my Iand a liiilc vIilc.
'TIc lasi iimc iIai I sav Icr lilc Icr ovn old
sclf, vas iIc nigIi vIcn you camc Iomc, my
dcar. TIc day you vcni avay, sIc said io mc, I
ncvcr sIall scc my rciiy darling again. Somc-
iIing iclls mc so, iIai iclls iIc iruiI, I lnov."
'SIc iricd io Iold u aficr iIai; and many a
iimc, vIcn iIcy iold Icr sIc vas iIougIilcss
and ligIi-Icaricd, madc lclicvc io lc so; lui ii
vas all a lygonc iIcn. SIc ncvcr iold Icr Ius-
161
land vIai sIc Iad iold mcsIc vas afraid of
saying ii io anylody clsciill onc nigIi, a liiilc
morc iIan a vccl lcforc ii Iacncd, vIcn sIc
said io Iim: My dcar, I iIinl I am dying."
'Ii's off my mind nov, Fcggoiiy," sIc iold mc,
vIcn I laid Icr in Icr lcd iIai nigIi. Hc vill
lclicvc ii morc and morc, oor fcllov, cvcry day
for a fcv days io comc; and iIcn ii vill lc asi.
I am vcry iircd. If iIis is slcc, sii ly mc vIilc I
slcc: don'i lcavc mc. God llcss loiI my cIil-
drcn! God roicci and lcc my faiIcrlcss loy!"
'I ncvcr lcfi Icr aficrvards,' said Fcggoiiy. 'SIc
oficn iallcd io iIcm ivo dovnsiairsfor sIc
lovcd iIcm; sIc couldn'i lcar noi io lovc any-
onc vIo vas aloui Icrlui vIcn iIcy vcni
avay from Icr lcd-sidc, sIc alvays iurncd io
mc, as if iIcrc vas rcsi vIcrc Fcggoiiy vas,
and ncvcr fcll aslcc in any oiIcr vay.
'On iIc lasi nigIi, in iIc cvcning, sIc lisscd
mc, and said: If my laly sIould dic ioo, Fcggoiiy,
lcasc lci iIcm lay Iim in my arms, and lury
us iogciIcr." (Ii vas donc; for iIc oor laml livcd
lui a day lcyond Icr.} Lci my dcarcsi loy go
viiI us io our rcsiing-lacc," sIc said, and icll
Iim iIai Iis moiIcr, vIcn sIc lay Icrc, llcsscd
Iim noi oncc, lui a iIousand iimcs."'
AnoiIcr silcncc follovcd iIis, and anoiIcr
gcnilc lcaiing on my Iand.
'Ii vas rciiy far in iIc nigIi,' said Fcggoiiy,
'vIcn sIc aslcd mc for somc drinl; and vIcn
sIc Iad ialcn ii, gavc mc sucI a aiicni smilc,
iIc dcar!so lcauiiful!
'Daylrcal Iad comc, and iIc sun vas rising,
vIcn sIc said io mc, Iov lind and considcraic
Mr. Cocrficld Iad alvays lccn io Icr, and
Iov Ic Iad lornc viiI Icr, and iold Icr, vIcn
sIc doulicd Icrsclf, iIai a loving Icari vas
lciicr and sirongcr iIan visdom, and iIai Ic
vas a Iay man in Icrs. Fcggoiiy, my dcar,"
sIc said iIcn, ui mc ncarcr io you," for sIc
vas vcry vcal. Lay your good arm undcrncaiI
my nccl," sIc said, and iurn mc io you, for
162
your facc is going far off, and I vani ii io lc
ncar." I ui ii as sIc aslcd; and oI Davy! iIc
iimc Iad comc vIcn my firsi ariing vords io
you vcrc irucvIcn sIc vas glad io lay Icr
oor Icad on Icr siuid cross old Fcggoiiy's
armand sIc dicd lilc a cIild iIai Iad gonc io
slcc!'
THUS ENDED FEGGOTTY'S NAFFATION. From iIc momcni
of my lnoving of iIc dcaiI of my moiIcr, iIc idca
of Icr as sIc Iad lccn of laic Iad vanisIcd from
mc. I rcmcmlcrcd Icr, from iIai insiani, only as
iIc young moiIcr of my carlicsi imrcssions, vIo
Iad lccn uscd io vind Icr lrigIi curls round
and round Icr fingcr, and io dancc viiI mc ai
iviligIi in iIc arlour. WIai Fcggoiiy Iad iold mc
nov, vas so far from lringing mc lacl io iIc laicr
criod, iIai ii rooicd iIc carlicr imagc in my mind.
Ii may lc curious, lui ii is iruc. In Icr dcaiI sIc
vingcd Icr vay lacl io Icr calm uniroullcd youiI,
and canccllcd all iIc rcsi.
TIc moiIcr vIo lay in iIc gravc, vas iIc
moiIcr of my infancy; iIc liiilc crcaiurc in Icr
arms, vas mysclf, as I Iad oncc lccn, IusIcd
for cvcr on Icr losom.
CHAPTER 10
I BECOME NEGLECTED,
AND AM PROVIDED FOR
THE FIFST ACT OF DUSINESS Miss Murdsionc cr-
formcd vIcn iIc day of iIc solcmniiy vas ovcr,
and ligIi vas frccly admiiicd inio iIc Iousc,
vas io givc Fcggoiiy a moniI's varning. MucI
as Fcggoiiy vould Iavc dislilcd sucI a scrvicc,
I lclicvc sIc vould Iavc rciaincd ii, for my
salc, in rcfcrcncc io iIc lcsi uon cariI. SIc
iold mc vc musi ari, and iold mc vIy; and vc
condolcd viiI onc anoiIcr, in all sinccriiy.
As io mc or my fuiurc, noi a vord vas said, or
a sic ialcn. Hay iIcy vould Iavc lccn, I
darc say, if iIcy could Iavc dismisscd mc ai a
163
moniI's varning ioo. I musicrcd couragc oncc,
io asl Miss Murdsionc vIcn I vas going lacl
io scIool; and sIc ansvcrcd dryly, sIc lclicvcd
I vas noi going lacl ai all. I vas iold noiIing
morc. I vas vcry anious io lnov vIai vas go-
ing io lc donc viiI mc, and so vas Fcggoiiy;
lui nciiIcr sIc nor I could icl u any infor-
maiion on iIc suljcci.
TIcrc vas onc cIangc in my condiiion, vIicI,
vIilc ii rclicvcd mc of a grcai dcal of rcscni un-
casincss, migIi Iavc madc mc, if I Iad lccn
caallc of considcring ii closcly, yci morc un-
comforiallc aloui iIc fuiurc. Ii vas iIis. TIc
consiraini iIai Iad lccn ui uon mc, vas quiic
alandoncd. I vas so far from lcing rcquircd io
lcc my dull osi in iIc arlour, iIai on scvcral
occasions, vIcn I iool my scai iIcrc, Miss
Murdsionc frovncd io mc io go avay. I vas so far
from lcing varncd off from Fcggoiiy's sociciy, iIai,
rovidcd I vas noi in Mr. Murdsionc's, I vas ncvcr
sougIi oui or inquircd for. Ai firsi I vas in daily
drcad of Iis ialing my cducaiion in Iand again,
or of Miss Murdsionc's dcvoiing Icrsclf io ii; lui I
soon lcgan io iIinl iIai sucI fcars vcrc ground-
lcss, and iIai all I Iad io aniiciaic vas ncglcci.
I do noi conccivc iIai iIis discovcry gavc mc
mucI ain iIcn. I vas siill giddy viiI iIc sIocl of
my moiIcr's dcaiI, and in a lind of siunncd siaic
as io all iriluiary iIings. I can rccollcci, indccd, io
Iavc scculaicd, ai odd iimcs, on iIc ossililiiy
of my noi lcing iaugIi any morc, or carcd for any
morc; and groving u io lc a sIally, moody man,
lounging an idlc lifc avay, aloui iIc villagc; as
vcll as on iIc fcasililiiy of my gciiing rid of iIis
iciurc ly going avay somcvIcrc, lilc iIc Icro
in a siory, io sccl my foriunc: lui iIcsc vcrc
iransicni visions, daydrcams I sai looling ai somc-
iimcs, as if iIcy vcrc fainily ainicd or vriiicn on
iIc vall of my room, and vIicI, as iIcy mclicd
avay, lcfi iIc vall llanl again.
'Fcggoiiy,' I said in a iIougIiful vIiscr, onc
cvcning, vIcn I vas varming my Iands ai iIc
164
liicIcn firc, 'Mr. Murdsionc lilcs mc lcss iIan
Ic uscd io. Hc ncvcr lilcd mc mucI, Fcggoiiy;
lui Ic vould raiIcr noi cvcn scc mc nov, if Ic
can Icl ii.'
'FcrIas ii's Iis sorrov,' said Fcggoiiy, sirol-
ing my Iair.
'I am surc, Fcggoiiy, I am sorry ioo. If I lc-
licvcd ii vas Iis sorrov, I sIould noi iIinl of ii
ai all. Dui ii's noi iIai; oI, no, ii's noi iIai.'
'Hov do you lnov ii's noi iIai?' said Fcggoiiy,
aficr a silcncc.
'OI, Iis sorrov is anoiIcr and quiic a diffcr-
cni iIing. Hc is sorry ai iIis momcni, siiiing
ly iIc fircsidc viiI Miss Murdsionc; lui if I
vas io go in, Fcggoiiy, Ic vould lc somciIing
lcsidcs.'
'WIai vould Ic lc?' said Fcggoiiy.
'Angry,' I ansvcrcd, viiI an involuniary imi-
iaiion of Iis darl frovn. 'If Ic vas only sorry,
Ic vouldn'i lool ai mc as Ic docs. I am only
sorry, and ii malcs mc fccl lindcr.'
Fcggoiiy said noiIing for a liiilc vIilc; and I
varmcd my Iands, as silcni as sIc.
'Davy,' sIc said ai lcngiI.
'Ycs, Fcggoiiy?'
'I Iavc iricd, my dcar, all vays I could iIinl of
all iIc vays iIcrc arc, and all iIc vays iIcrc ain'i,
in sIoriio gci a suiiallc scrvicc Icrc, in
Dlundcrsionc; lui iIcrc's no sucI a iIing, my lovc.'
'And vIai do you mcan io do, Fcggoiiy,' says
I, visifully. 'Do you mcan io go and sccl your
foriunc?'
'I ccci I sIall lc forccd io go io YarmouiI,'
rclicd Fcggoiiy, 'and livc iIcrc.'
'You migIi Iavc gonc fariIcr off,' I said, lrigIicn-
ing a liiilc, 'and lccn as lad as losi. I sIall scc you
somciimcs, my dcar old Fcggoiiy, iIcrc. You von'i
lc quiic ai iIc oiIcr cnd of iIc vorld, vill you?'
'Conirary vays, lcasc God!' cricd Fcggoiiy,
viiI grcai animaiion. 'As long as you arc Icrc,
my ci, I sIall comc ovcr cvcry vccl of my lifc
io scc you. Onc day, cvcry vccl of my lifc!'
165
I fcli a grcai vcigIi ialcn off my mind ly iIis
romisc: lui cvcn iIis vas noi all, for Fcggoiiy
vcni on io say:
'I'm a-going, Davy, you scc, io my lroiIcr's,
firsi, for anoiIcr forinigIi's visiijusi iill I Iavc
Iad iimc io lool aloui mc, and gci io lc somc-
iIing lilc mysclf again. Nov, I Iavc lccn iIinl-
ing iIai crIas, as iIcy don'i vani you Icrc ai
rcscni, you migIi lc lci io go along viiI mc.'
If anyiIing, sIori of lcing in a diffcrcni rcla-
iion io cvcry onc aloui mc, Fcggoiiy cccicd,
could Iavc givcn mc a scnsc of lcasurc ai iIai
iimc, ii vould Iavc lccn iIis rojcci of all oiI-
crs. TIc idca of lcing again surroundcd ly iIosc
Ioncsi faccs, sIining vclcomc on mc; of rcncv-
ing iIc caccfulncss of iIc svcci Sunday morn-
ing, vIcn iIc lclls vcrc ringing, iIc sioncs
droing in iIc vaicr, and iIc sIadovy sIis
lrcaling iIrougI iIc misi; of roaming u and
dovn viiI liiilc Em'ly, iclling Icr my iroullcs,
and finding cIarms againsi iIcm in iIc sIclls
and clllcs on iIc lcacI; madc a calm in my
Icari. Ii vas rufflcd nci momcni, io lc surc,
ly a douli of Miss Murdsionc's giving Icr con-
scni; lui cvcn iIai vas sci ai rcsi soon, for sIc
camc oui io ialc an cvcning groc in iIc siorc-
closci vIilc vc vcrc yci in convcrsaiion, and
Fcggoiiy, viiI a loldncss iIai amazcd mc,
lroacIcd iIc ioic on iIc soi.
'TIc loy vill lc idlc iIcrc,' said Miss Murdsionc,
looling inio a icllc-jar, 'and idlcncss is iIc
rooi of all cvil. Dui, io lc surc, Ic vould lc idlc
Icrcor anyvIcrc, in my oinion.'
Fcggoiiy Iad an angry ansvcr rcady, I could
scc; lui sIc svallovcd ii for my salc, and rc-
maincd silcni.
'HumI!' said Miss Murdsionc, siill lccing
Icr cyc on iIc icllcs; 'ii is of morc imoriancc
iIan anyiIing clscii is of aramouni imor-
iancciIai my lroiIcr sIould noi lc disiurlcd
or madc uncomforiallc. I suosc I Iad lciicr
say ycs.'
166
I iIanlcd Icr, viiIoui maling any dcmon-
siraiion of joy, lcsi ii sIould inducc Icr io viiI-
drav Icr asscni. Nor could I Icl iIinling iIis
a rudcni coursc, sincc sIc loolcd ai mc oui
of iIc icllc-jar, viiI as grcai an acccss of sour-
ncss as if Icr llacl cycs Iad alsorlcd iis con-
icnis. Hovcvcr, iIc crmission vas givcn, and
vas ncvcr rciracicd; for vIcn iIc moniI vas
oui, Fcggoiiy and I vcrc rcady io dcari.
Mr. Darlis camc inio iIc Iousc for Fcggoiiy's
locs. I Iad ncvcr lnovn Iim io ass iIc gar-
dcn-gaic lcforc, lui on iIis occasion Ic camc
inio iIc Iousc. And Ic gavc mc a lool as Ic
sIouldcrcd iIc largcsi lo and vcni oui, vIicI I
iIougIi Iad mcaning in ii, if mcaning could cvcr
lc said io find iis vay inio Mr. Darlis's visagc.
Fcggoiiy vas naiurally in lov siriis ai lcav-
ing vIai Iad lccn Icr Iomc so many ycars,
and vIcrc iIc ivo sirong aiiacImcnis of Icr
lifcfor my moiIcr and mysclfIad lccn
formcd. SIc Iad lccn valling in iIc cIurcI-
yard, ioo, vcry carly; and sIc goi inio iIc cari,
and sai in ii viiI Icr IandlcrcIicf ai Icr cycs.
So long as sIc rcmaincd in iIis condiiion,
Mr. Darlis gavc no sign of lifc vIaicvcr. Hc sai
in Iis usual lacc and aiiiiudc lilc a grcai
siuffcd figurc. Dui vIcn sIc lcgan io lool
aloui Icr, and io scal io mc, Ic noddcd Iis
Icad and grinncd scvcral iimcs. I Iavc noi iIc
lcasi noiion ai vIom, or vIai Ic mcani ly ii.
'Ii's a lcauiiful day, Mr. Darlis!' I said, as an
aci of oliicncss.
'Ii ain'i lad,' said Mr. Darlis, vIo gcncrally quali-
ficd Iis scccI, and rarcly commiiicd Iimsclf.
'Fcggoiiy is quiic comforiallc nov, Mr. Darlis,'
I rcmarlcd, for Iis saiisfaciion.
'Is sIc, iIougI?' said Mr. Darlis.
Aficr rcflcciing aloui ii, viiI a sagacious air,
Mr. Darlis cycd Icr, and said:
'Arc you rciiy comforiallc?'
Fcggoiiy laugIcd, and ansvcrcd in iIc affir-
maiivc.
167
'Dui rcally and iruly, you lnov. Arc you?'
grovlcd Mr. Darlis, sliding ncarcr io Icr on
iIc scai, and nudging Icr viiI Iis cllov. 'Arc
you? Fcally and iruly rciiy comforiallc? Arc
you? EI?'
Ai cacI of iIcsc inquirics Mr. Darlis sIufflcd
ncarcr io Icr, and gavc Icr anoiIcr nudgc; so
iIai ai lasi vc vcrc all crovdcd iogciIcr in iIc
lcfi-Iand corncr of iIc cari, and I vas so
squcczcd iIai I could Iardly lcar ii.
Fcggoiiy calling Iis aiicniion io my suffcr-
ings, Mr. Darlis gavc mc a liiilc morc room ai
oncc, and goi avay ly dcgrccs. Dui I could noi
Icl olscrving iIai Ic sccmcd io iIinl Ic Iad
Iii uon a vondcrful ccdicni for crcssing
Iimsclf in a ncai, agrccallc, and oinicd man-
ncr, viiIoui iIc inconvcnicncc of invcniing
convcrsaiion. Hc manifcsily cIucllcd ovcr ii for
somc iimc. Dy and ly Ic iurncd io Fcggoiiy
again, and rccaiing, 'Arc you rciiy comfori-
allc iIougI?' lorc dovn uon us as lcforc,
uniil iIc lrcaiI vas ncarly cdgcd oui of my
lody. Dy and ly Ic madc anoiIcr dcsccni uon
us viiI iIc samc inquiry, and iIc samc rcsuli.
Ai lcngiI, I goi u vIcncvcr I sav Iim coming,
and sianding on iIc fooi-loard, rcicndcd io
lool ai iIc roscci; aficr vIicI I did vcry vcll.
Hc vas so oliic as io sio ai a ullic-Iousc,
crcssly on our accouni, and cnicriain us viiI
lroilcd muiion and lccr. Evcn vIcn Fcggoiiy
vas in iIc aci of drinling, Ic vas scizcd viiI
onc of iIosc aroacIcs, and almosi cIolcd Icr.
Dui as vc drcv ncarcr io iIc cnd of our jour-
ncy, Ic Iad morc io do and lcss iimc for gal-
laniry; and vIcn vc goi on YarmouiI avcmcni,
vc vcrc all ioo mucI sIalcn and jolicd, I a-
rcIcnd, io Iavc any lcisurc for anyiIing clsc.
Mr. Fcggoiiy and Ham vaiicd for us ai iIc
old lacc. TIcy rcccivcd mc and Fcggoiiy in an
affcciionaic manncr, and sIool Iands viiI Mr.
Darlis, vIo, viiI Iis Iai on iIc vcry lacl of
Iis Icad, and a sIamc-faccd lccr uon Iis coun-
168
icnancc, and crvading Iis vcry lcgs, rcscnicd
lui a vacani acarancc, I iIougIi. TIcy cacI
iool onc of Fcggoiiy's irunls, and vc vcrc go-
ing avay, vIcn Mr. Darlis solcmnly madc a
sign io mc viiI Iis forcfingcr io comc undcr an
arcIvay.
'I say,' grovlcd Mr. Darlis, 'ii vas all rigIi.'
I loolcd u inio Iis facc, and ansvcrcd, viiI
an aiicmi io lc vcry rofound: 'OI!'
'Ii didn'i comc io a cnd iIcrc,' said Mr. Darlis,
nodding confidcniially. 'Ii vas all rigIi.'
Again I ansvcrcd, 'OI!'
'You lnov vIo vas villin',' said my fricnd. 'Ii
vas Darlis, and Darlis only.'
I noddcd asscni.
'Ii's all rigIi,' said Mr. Darlis, sIaling Iands;
'I'm a fricnd of your'n. You madc ii all rigIi,
firsi. Ii's all rigIi.'
In Iis aiicmis io lc ariicularly lucid, Mr. Darlis
vas so circmcly mysicrious, iIai I migIi Iavc
siood looling in Iis facc for an Iour, and mosi
assurcdly sIould Iavc goi as mucI informaiion
oui of ii as oui of iIc facc of a clocl iIai Iad
siocd, lui for Fcggoiiy's calling mc avay. As vc
vcrc going along, sIc aslcd mc vIai Ic Iad said;
and I iold Icr Ic Iad said ii vas all rigIi.
'Lilc Iis imudcncc,' said Fcggoiiy, 'lui I
don'i mind iIai! Davy dcar, vIai sIould you
iIinl if I vas io iIinl of lcing marricd?'
'WIyI suosc you vould lilc mc as mucI
iIcn, Fcggoiiy, as you do nov?' I rciurncd, af-
icr a liiilc considcraiion.
Grcaily io iIc asionisImcni of iIc asscngcrs
in iIc sircci, as vcll as of Icr rclaiions going on
lcforc, iIc good soul vas olligcd io sio and
cmlracc mc on iIc soi, viiI many roicsia-
iions of Icr unalicrallc lovc.
'Tcll mc vIai sIould you say, darling?' sIc
aslcd again, vIcn iIis vas ovcr, and vc vcrc
valling on.
'If you vcrc iIinling of lcing marricdio Mr.
Darlis, Fcggoiiy?'
169
'Ycs,' said Fcggoiiy.
'I sIould iIinl ii vould lc a vcry good iIing. For
iIcn you lnov, Fcggoiiy, you vould alvays Iavc
iIc Iorsc and cari io lring you ovcr io scc mc, and
could comc for noiIing, and lc surc of coming.'
'TIc scnsc of iIc dcar!' cricd Fcggoiiy. 'WIai
I Iavc lccn iIinling of, iIis moniI lacl! Ycs,
my rccious; and I iIinl I sIould lc morc in-
dccndcni aliogciIcr, you scc; lci alonc my
vorling viiI a lciicr Icari in my ovn Iousc,
iIan I could in anylody clsc's nov. I don'i
lnov vIai I migIi lc fii for, nov, as a scrvani
io a sirangcr. And I sIall lc alvays ncar my
rciiy's rcsiing-lacc,' said Fcggoiiy, musing,
'and lc allc io scc ii vIcn I lilc; and vIcn I
lic dovn io rcsi, I may lc laid noi far off from
my darling girl!'
Wc nciiIcr of us said anyiIing for a liiilc vIilc.
'Dui I vouldn'i so mucI as givc ii anoiIcr
iIougIi,' said Fcggoiiy, cIccrily 'if my Davy vas
anyvays againsi iinoi if I Iad lccn aslcd in
cIurcI iIiriy iimcs iIrcc iimcs ovcr, and vas
vcaring oui iIc ring in my oclci.'
'Lool ai mc, Fcggoiiy,' I rclicd; 'and scc if I
am noi rcally glad, and don'i iruly visI ii!' As
indccd I did, viiI all my Icari.
'Wcll, my lifc,' said Fcggoiiy, giving mc a
squcczc, 'I Iavc iIougIi of ii nigIi and day, cvcry
vay I can, and I Ioc iIc rigIi vay; lui I'll
iIinl of ii again, and scal io my lroiIcr aloui
ii, and in iIc mcaniimc vc'll lcc ii io our-
sclvcs, Davy, you and mc. Darlis is a good
lain crcaiurc,' said Fcggoiiy, 'and if I iricd io
do my duiy ly Iim, I iIinl ii vould lc my fauli
if I vasn'iif I vasn'i rciiy comforiallc,' said
Fcggoiiy, laugIing Icariily. TIis quoiaiion from
Mr. Darlis vas so aroriaic, and iicllcd us
loiI so mucI, iIai vc laugIcd again and again,
and vcrc quiic in a lcasani Iumour vIcn vc
camc viiIin vicv of Mr. Fcggoiiy's coiiagc.
Ii loolcd jusi iIc samc, ccci iIai ii may,
crIas, Iavc sIrunl a liiilc in my cycs; and
170
Mrs. Gummidgc vas vaiiing ai iIc door as if
sIc Iad siood iIcrc cvcr sincc. All viiIin vas
iIc samc, dovn io iIc scavccd in iIc lluc mug
in my lcdroom. I vcni inio iIc oui-Iousc io
lool aloui mc; and iIc vcry samc lolsicrs,
crals, and cravfisI osscsscd ly iIc samc dc-
sirc io incI iIc vorld in gcncral, acarcd io
lc in iIc samc siaic of con glomcraiion in iIc
samc old corncr.
Dui iIcrc vas no liiilc Em'ly io lc sccn, so I
aslcd Mr. Fcggoiiy vIcrc sIc vas.
'SIc's ai scIool, sir,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viing
iIc Icai conscqucni on iIc oricragc of
Fcggoiiy's lo from Iis forcIcad; 'sIc'll lc
Iomc,' looling ai iIc DuicI clocl, 'in from
ivcniy minuics io Ialf-an-Iour's iimc. Wc all
on us fccl iIc loss of Icr, llcss yc!'
Mrs. Gummidgc moancd.
'CIccr u, MaviIcr!' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'I fccl ii morc iIan anylody clsc,' said Mrs.
Gummidgc; 'I'm a lonc lorn crcciur', and sIc
uscd io lc a'mosi iIc only iIing iIai didn'i go
conirary viiI mc.'
Mrs. Gummidgc, vIimcring and sIaling
Icr Icad, alicd Icrsclf io lloving iIc firc.
Mr. Fcggoiiy, looling round uon us vIilc sIc
vas so cngagcd, said in a lov voicc, vIicI Ic
sIadcd viiI Iis Iand: 'TIc old 'un!' From iIis
I rigIily conjcciurcd iIai no imrovcmcni Iad
ialcn lacc sincc my lasi visii in iIc siaic of
Mrs. Gummidgc's siriis.
Nov, iIc vIolc lacc vas, or ii sIould Iavc
lccn, quiic as dcligIiful a lacc as cvcr; and yci
ii did noi imrcss mc in iIc samc vay. I fcli raiIcr
disaoinicd viiI ii. FcrIas ii vas lccausc liiilc
Em'ly vas noi ai Iomc. I lncv iIc vay ly vIicI
sIc vould comc, and rcscnily found mysclf
sirolling along iIc aiI io mcci Icr.
A figurc acarcd in iIc disiancc lcforc long,
and I soon lncv ii io lc Em'ly, vIo vas a liiilc
crcaiurc siill in siaiurc, iIougI sIc vas grovn.
Dui vIcn sIc drcv ncarcr, and I sav Icr lluc
171
cycs looling llucr, and Icr dimlcd facc lool-
ing lrigIicr, and Icr vIolc sclf rciiicr and
gaycr, a curious fccling camc ovcr mc iIai madc
mc rcicnd noi io lnov Icr, and ass ly as if I
vcrc looling ai somciIing a long vay off. I Iavc
donc sucI a iIing sincc in laicr lifc, or I am
misialcn.
Liiilc Em'ly didn'i carc a lii. SIc sav mc vcll
cnougI; lui insicad of iurning round and call-
ing aficr mc, ran avay laugIing. TIis olligcd
mc io run aficr Icr, and sIc ran so fasi iIai vc
vcrc vcry ncar iIc coiiagc lcforc I caugIi Icr.
'OI, ii's you, is ii?' said liiilc Em'ly.
'WIy, you lncv vIo ii vas, Em'ly,' said I.
'And didn'i ou lnov vIo ii vas?' said Em'ly.
I vas going io liss Icr, lui sIc covcrcd Icr
cIcrry lis viiI Icr Iands, and said sIc vasn'i
a laly nov, and ran avay, laugIing morc iIan
cvcr, inio iIc Iousc.
SIc sccmcd io dcligIi in icasing mc, vIicI
vas a cIangc in Icr I vondcrcd ai vcry mucI.
TIc ica iallc vas rcady, and our liiilc loclcr
vas ui oui in iis old lacc, lui insicad of com-
ing io sii ly mc, sIc vcni and lcsiovcd Icr
comany uon iIai grumlling Mrs. Gummidgc:
and on Mr. Fcggoiiy's inquiring vIy, rumlcd
Icr Iair all ovcr Icr facc io Iidc ii, and could
do noiIing lui laugI.
'A liiilc uss, ii is!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, aiiing
Icr viiI Iis grcai Iand.
'So sI' is! so sI' is!' cricd Ham. 'Mas'r Davy
lor', so sI' is!' and Ic sai and cIucllcd ai Icr
for somc iimc, in a siaic of minglcd admiraiion
and dcligIi, iIai madc Iis facc a lurning rcd.
Liiilc Em'ly vas soilcd ly iIcm all, in faci;
and ly no onc morc iIan Mr. Fcggoiiy Iimsclf,
vIom sIc could Iavc coacd inio anyiIing, ly
only going and laying Icr cIccl againsi Iis
rougI vIislcr. TIai vas my oinion, ai lcasi,
vIcn I sav Icr do ii; and I Icld Mr. Fcggoiiy io
lc iIorougIly in iIc rigIi. Dui sIc vas so af-
fcciionaic and svcci-naiurcd, and Iad sucI a
172
lcasani manncr of lcing loiI sly and sIy ai
oncc, iIai sIc caiivaicd mc morc iIan cvcr.
SIc vas icndcr-Icaricd, ioo; for vIcn, as vc
sai round iIc firc aficr ica, an allusion vas madc
ly Mr. Fcggoiiy ovcr Iis ic io iIc loss I Iad
susiaincd, iIc icars siood in Icr cycs, and sIc
loolcd ai mc so lindly across iIc iallc, iIai I
fcli quiic iIanlful io Icr.
'AI!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, ialing u Icr curls,
and running iIcm ovcr Iis Iand lilc vaicr,
'Icrc's anoiIcr orIan, you scc, sir. And Icrc,'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy, giving Ham a laclIandcd
lnocl in iIc cIcsi, 'is anoiIcr of 'cm, iIougI
Ic don'i lool mucI lilc ii.'
'If I Iad you for my guardian, Mr. Fcggoiiy,'
said I, sIaling my Icad, 'I don'i iIinl I sIould
cc mucI lilc ii.'
'Wcll said, Mas'r Davy lor'!' cricd Ham, in an
ccsiasy. 'HooraI! Wcll said! Nor morc you
vouldn'i! Hor! Hor!'Hcrc Ic rciurncd Mr.
Fcggoiiy's lacl-Iandcr, and liiilc Em'ly goi u
and lisscd Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'And Iov's your fricnd,
sir?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy io mc.
'SiccrforiI?' said I.
'TIai's iIc namc!' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy, iurning
io Ham. 'I lnovcd ii vas somciIing in our vay.'
'You said ii vas Fuddcrford,' olscrvcd Ham,
laugIing.
'Wcll!' rcioricd Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'And yc siccr
viiI a ruddcr, don'i yc? Ii ain'i fur off. Hov is
Ic, sir?'
'Hc vas vcry vcll indccd vIcn I camc avay,
Mr. Fcggoiiy.'
'TIcrc's a fricnd!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, sircicI-
ing oui Iis ic. 'TIcrc's a fricnd, if you iall of
fricnds! WIy, Lord lovc my Icari alivc, if ii ain'i
a ircai io lool ai Iim!'
'Hc is vcry Iandsomc, is Ic noi?' said I, my
Icari varming viiI iIis raisc.
'Handsomc!' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Hc siands
u io you lilclilc avIy I don'i lnov vIai
Ic don'i siand u io you lilc. Hc's so lold!'
173
'Ycs! TIai's jusi Iis cIaracicr,' said I. 'Hc's as
lravc as a lion, and you can'i iIinl Iov franl
Ic is, Mr. Fcggoiiy.'
'And I do suosc, nov,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
looling ai mc iIrougI iIc smolc of Iis ic,
'iIai in iIc vay of lool-larning Ic'd ialc iIc
vind oui of a'mosi anyiIing.'
'Ycs,' said I, dcligIicd; 'Ic lnovs cvcryiIing.
Hc is asionisIingly clcvcr.'
'TIcrc's a fricnd!' murmurcd Mr. Fcggoiiy,
viiI a gravc ioss of Iis Icad.
'NoiIing sccms io cosi Iim any iroullc,' said
I. 'Hc lnovs a iasl if Ic only lools ai ii. Hc is
iIc lcsi criclcicr you cvcr sav. Hc vill givc you
almosi as many mcn as you lilc ai draugIis,
and lcai you casily.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy gavc Iis Icad anoiIcr ioss, as
mucI as io say: 'Of coursc Ic vill.'
'Hc is sucI a scalcr,' I ursucd, 'iIai Ic can
vin anylody ovcr; and I don'i lnov vIai you'd
say if you vcrc io Icar Iim sing, Mr. Fcggoiiy.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy gavc Iis Icad anoiIcr ioss, as
mucI as io say: 'I Iavc no douli of ii.'
'TIcn, Ic's sucI a gcncrous, finc, nollc fcllov,'
said I, quiic carricd avay ly my favouriic iIcmc,
'iIai ii's Iardly ossillc io givc Iim as mucI
raisc as Ic dcscrvcs. I am surc I can ncvcr
fccl iIanlful cnougI for iIc gcncrosiiy viiI
vIicI Ic Ias roiccicd mc, so mucI youngcr
and lovcr in iIc scIool iIan Iimsclf.'
I vas running on, vcry fasi indccd, vIcn my
cycs rcsicd on liiilc Em'ly's facc, vIicI vas lcni
forvard ovcr iIc iallc, lisicning viiI iIc dcc-
csi aiicniion, Icr lrcaiI Icld, Icr lluc cycs
sarlling lilc jcvcls, and iIc colour maniling
in Icr cIccls. SIc loolcd so ciraordinarily
carncsi and rciiy, iIai I siocd in a sori of
vondcr; and iIcy all olscrvcd Icr ai iIc samc
iimc, for as I siocd, iIcy laugIcd and loolcd
ai Icr.
'Em'ly is lilc mc,' said Fcggoiiy, 'and vould
lilc io scc Iim.'
174
Em'ly vas confuscd ly our all olscrving Icr,
and Iung dovn Icr Icad, and Icr facc vas
covcrcd viiI llusIcs. Glancing u rcscnily
iIrougI Icr siray curls, and sccing iIai vc
vcrc all looling ai Icr siill (I am surc I, for onc,
could Iavc loolcd ai Icr for Iours}, sIc ran
avay, and lci avay iill ii vas ncarly lcdiimc.
I lay dovn in iIc old liiilc lcd in iIc sicrn of iIc
loai, and iIc vind camc moaning on across iIc
flai as ii Iad donc lcforc. Dui I could noi Icl
fancying, nov, iIai ii moancd of iIosc vIo vcrc
gonc; and insicad of iIinling iIai iIc sca migIi
risc in iIc nigIi and floai iIc loai avay, I iIougIi
of iIc sca iIai Iad riscn, sincc I lasi Icard iIosc
sounds, and drovncd my Iay Iomc. I rccollcci,
as iIc vind and vaicr lcgan io sound fainicr in
my cars, uiiing a sIori clausc inio my raycrs,
ciiiioning iIai I migIi grov u io marry liiilc
Em'ly, and so droing lovingly aslcc.
TIc days asscd rciiy mucI as iIcy Iad
asscd lcforc, ccciii vas a grcai ccciion-
iIai liiilc Em'ly and I scldom vandcrcd on iIc
lcacI nov. SIc Iad iasls io lcarn, and nccdlc-
vorl io do; and vas alscni during a grcai ari
of cacI day. Dui I fcli iIai vc sIould noi Iavc
Iad iIosc old vandcrings, cvcn if ii Iad lccn
oiIcrvisc. Wild and full of cIildisI vIims as
Em'ly vas, sIc vas morc of a liiilc voman iIan
I Iad suoscd. SIc sccmcd io Iavc goi a grcai
disiancc avay from mc, in liiilc morc iIan a
ycar. SIc lilcd mc, lui sIc laugIcd ai mc, and
iormcnicd mc; and vIcn I vcni io mcci Icr,
siolc Iomc anoiIcr vay, and vas laugIing ai
iIc door vIcn I camc lacl, disaoinicd. TIc
lcsi iimcs vcrc vIcn sIc sai quicily ai vorl in
iIc doorvay, and I sai on iIc voodcn sic ai
Icr fcci, rcading io Icr. Ii sccms io mc, ai iIis
Iour, iIai I Iavc ncvcr sccn sucI sunligIi as
on iIosc lrigIi Aril aficrnoons; iIai I Iavc
ncvcr sccn sucI a sunny liiilc figurc as I uscd
io scc, siiiing in iIc doorvay of iIc old loai;
iIai I Iavc ncvcr lcIcld sucI sly, sucI vaicr,
175
sucI glorificd sIis sailing avay inio goldcn air.
On iIc vcry firsi cvcning aficr our arrival, Mr.
Darlis acarcd in an ccccdingly vacani and
avlvard condiiion, and viiI a lundlc of or-
angcs iicd u in a IandlcrcIicf. As Ic madc
no allusion of any lind io iIis rocriy, Ic vas
suoscd io Iavc lcfi ii lcIind Iim ly accidcni
vIcn Ic vcni avay; uniil Ham, running aficr
Iim io rcsiorc ii, camc lacl viiI iIc informa-
iion iIai ii vas inicndcd for Fcggoiiy. Aficr iIai
occasion Ic acarcd cvcry cvcning ai cacily
iIc samc Iour, and alvays viiI a liiilc lundlc,
io vIicI Ic ncvcr alludcd, and vIicI Ic rcgu-
larly ui lcIind iIc door and lcfi iIcrc. TIcsc
offcrings of affcciion vcrc of a mosi various and
ccccniric dcscriiion. Among iIcm I rcmcmlcr
a doullc sci of igs' iroiicrs, a Iugc in-cusI-
ion, Ialf a lusIcl or so of alcs, a air of jci
carrings, somc SanisI onions, a lo of domi-
nocs, a canary lird and cagc, and a lcg of icl-
lcd orl.
Mr. Darlis's vooing, as I rcmcmlcr ii, vas
aliogciIcr of a cculiar lind. Hc vcry scldom
said anyiIing; lui vould sii ly iIc firc in mucI
iIc samc aiiiiudc as Ic sai in Iis cari, and siarc
Icavily ai Fcggoiiy, vIo vas oosiic. Onc nigIi,
lcing, as I suosc, insircd ly lovc, Ic madc a
dari ai iIc lii of va-candlc sIc lci for Icr iIrcad,
and ui ii in Iis vaisicoai-oclci and carricd ii off.
Aficr iIai, Iis grcai dcligIi vas io roducc ii vIcn
ii vas vanicd, siicling io iIc lining of Iis oclci,
in a ariially mclicd siaic, and oclci ii again vIcn
ii vas donc viiI. Hc sccmcd io cnjoy Iimsclf vcry
mucI, and noi io fccl ai all callcd uon io iall.
Evcn vIcn Ic iool Fcggoiiy oui for a vall on iIc
flais, Ic Iad no uncasincss on iIai Icad, I lclicvc;
conicniing Iimsclf viiI nov and iIcn asling Icr
if sIc vas rciiy comforiallc; and I rcmcmlcr iIai
somciimcs, aficr Ic vas gonc, Fcggoiiy vould iIrov
Icr aron ovcr Icr facc, and laugI for Ialf-an-Iour.
Indccd, vc vcrc all morc or lcss amuscd, ccci
iIai miscrallc Mrs. Gummidgc, vIosc courisIi
176
vould acar io Iavc lccn of an cacily arallcl
naiurc, sIc vas so coniinually rcmindcd ly iIcsc
iransaciions of iIc old onc.
Ai lcngiI, vIcn iIc icrm of my visii vas ncarly
circd, ii vas givcn oui iIai Fcggoiiy and Mr.
Darlis vcrc going io malc a day's Ioliday io-
gciIcr, and iIai liiilc Em'ly and I vcrc io accom-
any iIcm. I Iad lui a lrolcn slcc iIc nigIi
lcforc, in aniiciaiion of iIc lcasurc of a vIolc
day viiI Em'ly. Wc vcrc all asiir lciimcs in iIc
morning; and vIilc vc vcrc yci ai lrcalfasi, Mr.
Darlis acarcd in iIc disiancc, driving a cIaisc-
cari iovards iIc oljcci of Iis affcciions.
Fcggoiiy vas drcsscd as usual, in Icr ncai
and quici mourning; lui Mr. Darlis lloomcd
in a ncv lluc coai, of vIicI iIc iailor Iad givcn
Iim sucI good mcasurc, iIai iIc cuffs vould
Iavc rcndcrcd glovcs unncccssary in iIc cold-
csi vcaiIcr, vIilc iIc collar vas so IigI iIai ii
usIcd Iis Iair u on cnd on iIc io of Iis
Icad. His lrigIi luiions, ioo, vcrc of iIc larg-
csi sizc. Fcndcrcd comlcic ly dral anialoons
and a luff vaisicoai, I iIougIi Mr. Darlis a
Icnomcnon of rcsccialiliiy.
WIcn vc vcrc all in a lusilc ouisidc iIc door,
I found iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy vas rcarcd viiI an
old sIoc, vIicI vas io lc iIrovn aficr us for
lucl, and vIicI Ic offcrcd io Mrs. Gummidgc
for iIai urosc.
'No. Ii Iad lciicr lc donc ly somclody clsc, Dan'l,'
said Mrs. Gummidgc. 'I'm a lonc lorn crcciur' my-
sclf, and cvcryiIinl iIai rcminds mc of crcciur's
iIai ain'i lonc and lorn, gocs conirary viiI mc.'
'Comc, old gal!' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Talc and
Icavc ii.'
'No, Dan'l,' rciurncd Mrs. Gummidgc, vIim-
cring and sIaling Icr Icad. 'If I fcli lcss, I could
do morc. You don'i fccl lilc mc, Dan'l; iIinls
don'i go conirary viiI you, nor you viiI iIcm;
you Iad lciicr do ii yoursclf.'
Dui Icrc Fcggoiiy, vIo Iad lccn going aloui
from onc io anoiIcr in a Iurricd vay, lissing
177
cvcrylody, callcd oui from iIc cari, in vIicI vc
all vcrc ly iIis iimc (Em'ly and I on ivo liiilc
cIairs, sidc ly sidc}, iIai Mrs. Gummidgc musi
do ii. So Mrs. Gummidgc did ii; and, I am sorry
io rclaic, casi a dam uon iIc fcsiivc cIaracicr
of our dcariurc, ly immcdiaicly lursiing inio
icars, and sinling sulducd inio iIc arms of Ham,
viiI iIc dcclaraiion iIai sIc lnovcd sIc vas a
lurdcn, and Iad lciicr lc carricd io iIc Housc
ai oncc. WIicI I rcally iIougIi vas a scnsillc
idca, iIai Ham migIi Iavc acicd on.
Avay vc vcni, Iovcvcr, on our Ioliday c-
cursion; and iIc firsi iIing vc did vas io sio
ai a cIurcI, vIcrc Mr. Darlis iicd iIc Iorsc io
somc rails, and vcni in viiI Fcggoiiy, lcaving
liiilc Em'ly and mc alonc in iIc cIaisc. I iool
iIai occasion io ui my arm round Em'ly's
vaisi, and roosc iIai as I vas going avay so
vcry soon nov, vc sIould dcicrminc io lc vcry
affcciionaic io onc anoiIcr, and vcry Iay,
all day. Liiilc Em'ly conscniing, and alloving
mc io liss Icr, I lccamc dcscraic; informing
Icr, I rccollcci, iIai I ncvcr could lovc anoiIcr,
and iIai I vas rcarcd io sIcd iIc llood of
anylody vIo sIould asirc io Icr affcciions.
Hov mcrry liiilc Em'ly madc Icrsclf aloui ii!
WiiI vIai a dcmurc assumiion of lcing im-
mcnscly oldcr and viscr iIan I, iIc fairy liiilc
voman said I vas 'a silly loy'; and iIcn laugIcd
so cIarmingly iIai I forgoi iIc ain of lcing
callcd ly iIai disaraging namc, in iIc lca-
surc of looling ai Icr.
Mr. Darlis and Fcggoiiy vcrc a good vIilc in
iIc cIurcI, lui camc oui ai lasi, and iIcn vc
drovc avay inio iIc couniry. As vc vcrc going
along, Mr. Darlis iurncd io mc, and said, viiI
a vinl,ly iIc ly, I sIould Iardly Iavc
iIougIi, lcforc, iIai Ic could vinl:
'WIai namc vas ii as I vroic u in iIc cari?'
'Clara Fcggoiiy,' I ansvcrcd.
'WIai namc vould ii lc as I sIould vriic u
nov, if iIcrc vas a iili Icrc?'
178
'Clara Fcggoiiy, again?' I suggcsicd.
'Clara Fcggoiiy HurIs!' Ic rciurncd, and lursi
inio a roar of laugIicr iIai sIool iIc cIaisc.
In a vord, iIcy vcrc marricd, and Iad gonc
inio iIc cIurcI for no oiIcr urosc. Fcggoiiy
vas rcsolvcd iIai ii sIould lc quicily donc; and
iIc clcrl Iad givcn Icr avay, and iIcrc Iad
lccn no viincsscs of iIc ccrcmony. SIc vas a
liiilc confuscd vIcn Mr. Darlis madc iIis
alrui announccmcni of iIcir union, and could
noi Iug mc cnougI in iolcn of Icr unimaircd
affcciion; lui sIc soon lccamc Icrsclf again,
and said sIc vas vcry glad ii vas ovcr.
Wc drovc io a liiilc inn in a ly-road, vIcrc vc
vcrc cccicd, and vIcrc vc Iad a vcry com-
foriallc dinncr, and asscd iIc day viiI grcai
saiisfaciion. If Fcggoiiy Iad lccn marricd cvcry
day for iIc lasi icn ycars, sIc could Iardly Iavc
lccn morc ai Icr casc aloui ii; ii madc no sori
of diffcrcncc in Icr: sIc vas jusi iIc samc as
cvcr, and vcni oui for a siroll viiI liiilc Em'ly
and mc lcforc ica, vIilc Mr. Darlis IilosoIi-
cally smolcd Iis ic, and cnjoycd Iimsclf, I
suosc, viiI iIc conicmlaiion of Iis Iai-
ncss. If so, ii sIarcncd Iis aciiic; for I dis-
iincily call io mind iIai, aliIougI Ic Iad caicn
a good dcal of orl and grccns ai dinncr, and
Iad finisIcd off viiI a fovl or ivo, Ic vas olligcd
io Iavc cold loilcd lacon for ica, and disoscd
of a largc quaniiiy viiIoui any cmoiion.
I Iavc oficn iIougIi, sincc, vIai an odd, inno-
ccni, oui-of-iIc-vay lind of vcdding ii musi Iavc
lccn! Wc goi inio iIc cIaisc again soon aficr darl,
and drovc cosily lacl, looling u ai iIc siars, and
ialling aloui iIcm. I vas iIcir cIicf concni,
and ocncd Mr. Darlis's mind io an amazing c-
icni. I iold Iim all I lncv, lui Ic vould Iavc lc-
licvcd anyiIing I migIi Iavc ialcn ii inio my Icad
io imari io Iim; for Ic Iad a rofound vcncra-
iion for my aliliiics, and informcd Iis vifc in my
Icaring, on iIai vcry occasion, iIai I vas 'a young
FocsIus'ly vIicI I iIinl Ic mcani rodigy.
179
WIcn vc Iad cIausicd iIc suljcci of iIc
siars, or raiIcr vIcn I Iad cIausicd iIc mcn-
ial faculiics of Mr. Darlis, liiilc Em'ly and I
madc a cloal of an old vracr, and sai undcr
ii for iIc rcsi of iIc journcy. AI, Iov I lovcd
Icr! WIai Iaincss (I iIougIi} if vc vcrc mar-
ricd, and vcrc going avay anyvIcrc io livc
among iIc irccs and in iIc ficlds, ncvcr grov-
ing oldcr, ncvcr groving viscr, cIildrcn cvcr,
ramlling Iand in Iand iIrougI sunsIinc and
among flovcry mcadovs, laying dovn our Icads
on moss ai nigIi, in a svcci slcc of uriiy and
cacc, and luricd ly iIc lirds vIcn vc vcrc
dcad! Somc sucI iciurc, viiI no rcal vorld in
ii, lrigIi viiI iIc ligIi of our innoccncc, and
vaguc as iIc siars afar off, vas in my mind all
iIc vay. I am glad io iIinl iIcrc vcrc ivo sucI
guilclcss Icaris ai Fcggoiiy's marriagc as liiilc
Em'ly's and minc. I am glad io iIinl iIc Lovcs
and Graccs iool sucI airy forms in iis Iomcly
roccssion.
Wcll, vc camc io iIc old loai again in good
iimc ai nigIi; and iIcrc Mr. and Mrs. Darlis
ladc us good-lyc, and drovc avay snugly io
iIcir ovn Iomc. I fcli iIcn, for iIc firsi iimc,
iIai I Iad losi Fcggoiiy. I sIould Iavc gonc io
lcd viiI a sorc Icari indccd undcr any oiIcr
roof lui iIai vIicI sIclicrcd liiilc Em'ly's Icad.
Mr. Fcggoiiy and Ham lncv vIai vas in my
iIougIis as vcll as I did, and vcrc rcady viiI
somc sucr and iIcir Iosiiallc faccs io drivc ii
avay. Liiilc Em'ly camc and sai lcsidc mc on iIc
loclcr for iIc only iimc in all iIai visii; and ii vas
aliogciIcr a vondcrful closc io a vondcrful day.
Ii vas a nigIi iidc; and soon aficr vc vcni io
lcd, Mr. Fcggoiiy and Ham vcni oui io fisI. I
fcli vcry lravc ai lcing lcfi alonc in iIc soliiary
Iousc, iIc roiccior of Em' ly and Mrs.
Gummidgc, and only visIcd iIai a lion or a
scrcni, or any ill-disoscd monsicr, vould
malc an aiiacl uon us, iIai I migIi dcsiroy
Iim, and covcr mysclf viiI glory. Dui as noiI-
180
ing of iIc sori Iacncd io lc valling aloui
on YarmouiI flais iIai nigIi, I rovidcd iIc
lcsi sulsiiiuic I could ly drcaming of dragons
uniil morning.
WiiI morning camc Fcggoiiy; vIo callcd io
mc, as usual, undcr my vindov as if Mr. Darlis
iIc carricr Iad lccn from firsi io lasi a drcam
ioo. Aficr lrcalfasi sIc iool mc io Icr ovn
Iomc, and a lcauiiful liiilc Iomc ii vas. Of all
iIc movcallcs in ii, I musi Iavc lccn imrcsscd
ly a ccriain old lurcau of somc darl vood in
iIc arlour (iIc iilc-floorcd liicIcn vas iIc gcn-
cral siiiing-room}, viiI a rcircaiing io vIicI
ocncd, lci dovn, and lccamc a dcsl, viiIin
vIicI vas a largc quario cdiiion of Foc's Dool
of Mariyrs. TIis rccious volumc, of vIicI I do
noi rccollcci onc vord, I immcdiaicly discovcrcd
and immcdiaicly alicd mysclf io; and I ncvcr
visiicd iIc Iousc aficrvards, lui I lncclcd on
a cIair, ocncd iIc caslci vIcrc iIis gcm vas
cnsIrincd, srcad my arms ovcr iIc dcsl, and
fcll io dcvouring iIc lool afrcsI. I vas cIicfly
cdificd, I am afraid, ly iIc iciurcs, vIicI vcrc
numcrous, and rcrcscnicd all linds of dismal
Iorrors; lui iIc Mariyrs and Fcggoiiy's Iousc
Iavc lccn inscarallc in my mind cvcr sincc,
and arc nov.
I iool lcavc of Mr. Fcggoiiy, and Ham, and
Mrs. Gummidgc, and liiilc Em'ly, iIai day; and
asscd iIc nigIi ai Fcggoiiy's, in a liiilc room
in iIc roof (viiI iIc Crocodilc Dool on a sIclf
ly iIc lcd's Icad} vIicI vas io lc alvays minc,
Fcggoiiy said, and sIould alvays lc lci for
mc in cacily iIc samc siaic.
'Young or old, Davy dcar, as long as I am alivc
and Iavc iIis Iousc ovcr my Icad,' said
Fcggoiiy, 'you sIall find ii as if I cccicd you
Icrc dirccily minuic. I sIall lcc ii cvcry day,
as I uscd io lcc your old liiilc room, my dar-
ling; and if you vas io go io CIina, you migIi
iIinl of ii as lcing lci jusi iIc samc, all iIc
iimc you vcrc avay.'
181
I fcli iIc iruiI and consiancy of my dcar old
nursc, viiI all my Icari, and iIanlcd Icr as
vcll as I could. TIai vas noi vcry vcll, for sIc
solc io mc iIus, viiI Icr arms round my nccl,
in iIc morning, and I vas going Iomc in iIc
morning, and I vcni Iomc in iIc morning, viiI
Icrsclf and Mr. Darlis in iIc cari. TIcy lcfi mc
ai iIc gaic, noi casily or ligIily; and ii vas a
sirangc sigIi io mc io scc iIc cari go on, ialing
Fcggoiiy avay, and lcaving mc undcr iIc old
clm-irccs looling ai iIc Iousc, in vIicI iIcrc
vas no facc io lool on minc viiI lovc or liling
any morc.
And nov I fcll inio a siaic of ncglcci, vIicI I
cannoi lool lacl uon viiIoui comassion. I
fcll ai oncc inio a soliiary condiiion, aari
from all fricndly noiicc, aari from iIc sociciy
of all oiIcr loys of my ovn agc, aari from all
comanionsIi lui my ovn siriilcss
iIougIis,vIicI sccms io casi iis gloom uon
iIis acr as I vriic.
WIai vould I Iavc givcn, io Iavc lccn scni io
iIc Iardcsi scIool iIai cvcr vas lci!io Iavc
lccn iaugIi somciIing, anyIov, anyvIcrc! No
sucI Ioc davncd uon mc. TIcy dislilcd mc;
and iIcy sullcnly, sicrnly, sicadily, ovcrloolcd mc.
I iIinl Mr. Murdsionc's mcans vcrc siraiicncd ai
aloui iIis iimc; lui ii is liiilc io iIc urosc. Hc
could noi lcar mc; and in uiiing mc from Iim
Ic iricd, as I lclicvc, io ui avay iIc noiion iIai I
Iad any claim uon Iimand succccdcd.
I vas noi aciivcly ill-uscd. I vas noi lcaicn,
or siarvcd; lui iIc vrong iIai vas donc io mc
Iad no inicrvals of rclcniing, and vas donc in
a sysicmaiic, assionlcss manncr. Day aficr
day, vccl aficr vccl, moniI aficr moniI, I vas
coldly ncglccicd. I vondcr somciimcs, vIcn I
iIinl of ii, vIai iIcy vould Iavc donc if I Iad
lccn ialcn viiI an illncss; vIciIcr I sIould
Iavc lain dovn in my loncly room, and lan-
guisIcd iIrougI ii in my usual soliiary vay, or
vIciIcr anylody vould Iavc Iclcd mc oui.
182
WIcn Mr. and Miss Murdsionc vcrc ai Iomc,
I iool my mcals viiI iIcm; in iIcir alscncc, I
aic and dranl ly mysclf. Ai all iimcs I loungcd
aloui iIc Iousc and ncigIlourIood quiic dis-
rcgardcd, ccci iIai iIcy vcrc jcalous of my
maling any fricnds: iIinling, crIas, iIai if I
did, I migIi comlain io somconc. For iIis rca-
son, iIougI Mr. CIilli oficn aslcd mc io go
and scc Iim (Ic vas a vidovcr, Iaving, somc
ycars lcforc iIai, losi a liiilc small ligIi-Iaircd
vifc, vIom I can jusi rcmcmlcr conncciing in
my ovn iIougIis viiI a alc iorioisc-sIcll cai},
ii vas lui scldom iIai I cnjoycd iIc Iaincss
of assing an aficrnoon in Iis closci of a sur-
gcry; rcading somc lool iIai vas ncv io mc,
viiI iIc smcll of iIc vIolc FIarmacoocia com-
ing u my nosc, or ounding somciIing in a
moriar undcr Iis mild dircciions.
For iIc samc rcason, addcd no douli io iIc
old dislilc of Icr, I vas scldom allovcd io visii
Fcggoiiy. FaiiIful io Icr romisc, sIc ciiIcr
camc io scc mc, or mci mc somcvIcrc ncar,
oncc cvcry vccl, and ncvcr cmiy-Iandcd; lui
many and liiicr vcrc iIc disaoinimcnis I Iad,
in lcing rcfuscd crmission io ay a visii io Icr
ai Icr Iousc. Somc fcv iimcs, Iovcvcr, ai long
inicrvals, I vas allovcd io go iIcrc; and iIcn I
found oui iIai Mr. Darlis vas somciIing of a
miscr, or as Fcggoiiy duiifully crcsscd ii, vas
'a liiilc ncar', and lci a Ica of moncy in a lo
undcr Iis lcd, vIicI Ic rcicndcd vas only
full of coais and irouscrs. In iIis coffcr, Iis ricIcs
Iid iIcmsclvcs viiI sucI a icnacious modcsiy,
iIai iIc smallcsi insialmcnis could only lc
icmicd oui ly ariificc; so iIai Fcggoiiy Iad io
rcarc a long and claloraic scIcmc, a vcry
Gunovdcr Floi, for cvcry Saiurday's ccnscs.
All iIis iimc I vas so conscious of iIc vasic of
any romisc I Iad givcn, and of my lcing ui-
icrly ncglccicd, iIai I sIould Iavc lccn cr-
fccily miscrallc, I Iavc no douli, lui for iIc
old lools. TIcy vcrc my only comfori; and I
183
vas as iruc io iIcm as iIcy vcrc io mc, and
rcad iIcm ovcr and ovcr I don'i lnov Iov many
iimcs morc.
I nov aroacI a criod of my lifc, vIicI I
can ncvcr losc iIc rcmcmlrancc of, vIilc I rc-
mcmlcr anyiIing: and iIc rccollcciion of vIicI
Ias oficn, viiIoui my invocaiion, comc lcforc
mc lilc a gIosi, and Iaunicd Iaicr iimcs.
I Iad lccn oui, onc day, loiicring somcvIcrc,
in iIc lisilcss, mcdiiaiivc manncr iIai my vay of
lifc cngcndcrcd, vIcn, iurning iIc corncr of a
lanc ncar our Iousc, I camc uon Mr. Murdsionc
valling viiI a gcnilcman. I vas confuscd, and
vas going ly iIcm, vIcn iIc gcnilcman cricd:
'WIai! Drools!'
'No, sir, David Cocrficld,' I said.
'Don'i icll mc. You arc Drools,' said iIc gcnilc-
man. 'You arc Drools of SIcfficld. TIai's your namc.'
Ai iIcsc vords, I olscrvcd iIc gcnilcman morc
aiicniivcly. His laugI coming io my rcmcm-
lrancc ioo, I lncv Iim io lc Mr. Quinion, vIom
I Iad gonc ovcr io Lovcsiofi viiI Mr. Murdsionc io
scc, lcforcii is no maiicrI nccd noi rccall vIcn.
'And Iov do you gci on, and vIcrc arc you
lcing cducaicd, Drools?' said Mr. Quinion.
Hc Iad ui Iis Iand uon my sIouldcr, and
iurncd mc aloui, io vall viiI iIcm. I did noi
lnov vIai io rcly, and glanccd duliously ai
Mr. Murdsionc.
'Hc is ai Iomc ai rcscni,' said iIc laiicr. 'Hc
is noi lcing cducaicd anyvIcrc. I don'i lnov
vIai io do viiI Iim. Hc is a difficuli suljcci.'
TIai old, doullc lool vas on mc for a mo-
mcni; and iIcn Iis cycs darlcncd viiI a frovn,
as ii iurncd, in iis avcrsion, clscvIcrc.
'HumI!' said Mr. Quinion, looling ai us loiI,
I iIougIi. 'Finc vcaiIcr!'
Silcncc cnsucd, and I vas considcring Iov I
could lcsi discngagc my sIouldcr from Iis
Iand, and go avay, vIcn Ic said:
'I suosc you arc a rciiy sIar fcllov siill?
EI, Drools?'
184
' Ayc! Hc is sIar cnougI,' said Mr.
Murdsionc, imaiicnily. 'You Iad lciicr lci Iim
go. Hc vill noi iIanl you for iroulling Iim.'
On iIis Iini, Mr. Quinion rclcascd mc, and I
madc iIc lcsi of my vay Iomc. Looling lacl
as I iurncd inio iIc froni gardcn, I sav Mr.
Murdsionc lcaning againsi iIc viclci of iIc
cIurcIyard, and Mr. Quinion ialling io Iim.
TIcy vcrc loiI looling aficr mc, and I fcli iIai
iIcy vcrc scaling of mc.
Mr. Quinion lay ai our Iousc iIai nigIi. Aficr
lrcalfasi, iIc nci morning, I Iad ui my cIair
avay, and vas going oui of iIc room, vIcn Mr.
Murdsionc callcd mc lacl. Hc iIcn gravcly rc-
aircd io anoiIcr iallc, vIcrc Iis sisicr sai
Icrsclf ai Icr dcsl. Mr. Quinion, viiI Iis Iands
in Iis oclcis, siood looling oui of vindov;
and I siood looling ai iIcm all.
'David,' said Mr. Murdsionc, 'io iIc young iIis
is a vorld for aciion; noi for moing and dron-
ing in.'
'As you do,' addcd Iis sisicr.
'Janc Murdsionc, lcavc ii io mc, if you lcasc.
I say, David, io iIc young iIis is a vorld for
aciion, and noi for moing and droning in. Ii is
csccially so for a young loy of your disosi-
iion, vIicI rcquircs a grcai dcal of corrcciing;
and io vIicI no grcaicr scrvicc can lc donc
iIan io forcc ii io conform io iIc vays of iIc
vorling vorld, and io lcnd ii and lrcal ii.'
'For siullornncss von'i do Icrc,' said Iis sis-
icr 'WIai ii vanis is, io lc crusIcd. And
crusIcd ii musi lc. SIall lc, ioo!'
Hc gavc Icr a lool, Ialf in rcmonsirancc, Ialf
in aroval, and vcni on:
'I suosc you lnov, David, iIai I am noi ricI. Ai
any raic, you lnov ii nov. You Iavc rcccivcd somc
considcrallc cducaiion alrcady. Educaiion is cosily;
and cvcn if ii vcrc noi, and I could afford ii, I am of
oinion iIai ii vould noi lc ai all advaniagcous io you
io lc lci ai scIool. WIai is lcforc you, is a figIi viiI
iIc vorld; and iIc sooncr you lcgin ii, iIc lciicr.'
185
I iIinl ii occurrcd io mc iIai I Iad alrcady
lcgun ii, in my oor vay: lui ii occurs io mc
nov, vIciIcr or no.
'You Iavc Icard iIc couniing-Iousc" mcn-
iioncd somciimcs,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'TIc couniing-Iousc, sir?' I rccaicd.
'Of Murdsionc and Grinly, in iIc vinc iradc,'
Ic rclicd.
I suosc I loolcd unccriain, for Ic vcni on
Iasiily:
'You Iavc Icard iIc couniing-Iousc" mcn-
iioncd, or iIc lusincss, or iIc ccllars, or iIc
vIarf, or somciIing aloui ii.'
'I iIinl I Iavc Icard iIc lusincss mcniioncd,
sir,' I said, rcmcmlcring vIai I vagucly lncv
of Iis and Iis sisicr's rcsourccs. 'Dui I don'i
lnov vIcn.'
'Ii docs noi maiicr vIcn,' Ic rciurncd. 'Mr.
Quinion managcs iIai lusincss.'
I glanccd ai iIc laiicr dcfcrcniially as Ic siood
looling oui of vindov.
'Mr. Quinion suggcsis iIai ii givcs cmloy-
mcni io somc oiIcr loys, and iIai Ic sccs no
rcason vIy ii sIouldn'i, on iIc samc icrms,
givc cmloymcni io you.'
'Hc Iaving,' Mr. Quinion olscrvcd in a lov
voicc, and Ialf iurning round, 'no oiIcr ros-
cci, Murdsionc.'
Mr. Murdsionc, viiI an imaiicni, cvcn an
angry gcsiurc, rcsumcd, viiIoui noiicing vIai
Ic Iad said:
'TIosc icrms arc, iIai you vill carn cnougI
for yoursclf io rovidc for your caiing and drinl-
ing, and oclci-moncy. Your lodging (vIicI I
Iavc arrangcd for} vill lc aid ly mc. So vill
your vasIing -'
'- WIicI vill lc lci dovn io my csiimaic,'
said Iis sisicr.
'Your cloiIcs vill lc loolcd aficr for you, ioo,'
said Mr. Murdsionc; 'as you vill noi lc allc,
yci avIilc, io gci iIcm for yoursclf. So you arc
nov going io London, David, viiI Mr. Quinion,
186
io lcgin iIc vorld on your ovn accouni.'
'In sIori, you arc rovidcd for,' olscrvcd Iis
sisicr; 'and vill lcasc io do your duiy.'
TIougI I quiic undcrsiood iIai iIc urosc
of iIis announccmcni vas io gci rid of mc, I
Iavc no disiinci rcmcmlrancc vIciIcr ii
lcascd or frigIicncd mc. My imrcssion is,
iIai I vas in a siaic of confusion aloui ii, and,
oscillaiing lcivccn iIc ivo oinis, ioucIcd nci-
iIcr. Nor Iad I mucI iimc for iIc clcaring of
my iIougIis, as Mr. Quinion vas io go uon
iIc morrov.
DcIold mc, on iIc morrov, in a mucI-vorn
liiilc vIiic Iai, viiI a llacl crac round ii for
my moiIcr, a llacl jaclci, and a air of Iard,
siiff corduroy irouscrsvIicI Miss Murdsionc
considcrcd iIc lcsi armour for iIc lcgs in iIai
figIi viiI iIc vorld vIicI vas nov io comc off.
lcIold mc so aiiircd, and viiI my liiilc vorldly
all lcforc mc in a small irunl, siiiing, a lonc
lorn cIild (as Mrs. Gummidgc migIi Iavc said},
in iIc osi-cIaisc iIai vas carrying Mr. Quinion
io iIc London coacI ai YarmouiI! Scc, Iov
our Iousc and cIurcI arc lcsscning in iIc dis-
iancc; Iov iIc gravc lcncaiI iIc ircc is lloi-
icd oui ly inicrvcning oljccis; Iov iIc sirc
oinis uvards from my old layground no
morc, and iIc sly is cmiy!
CHAPTER 11
I BEGIN LIFE ON MY OWN AC-
COUNT, AND DON'T LIKE IT
I KNOW ENOUGH of iIc vorld nov, io Iavc almosi
losi iIc caaciiy of lcing mucI surriscd ly
anyiIing; lui ii is maiicr of somc surrisc io
mc, cvcn nov, iIai I can Iavc lccn so casily
iIrovn avay ai sucI an agc. A cIild of cccl-
lcni aliliiics, and viiI sirong ovcrs of olscr-
vaiion, quicl, cagcr, dclicaic, and soon Iuri
lodily or mcnially, ii sccms vondcrful io mc
iIai nolody sIould Iavc madc any sign in my
187
lcIalf. Dui nonc vas madc; and I lccamc, ai
icn ycars old, a liiilc lalouring Iind in iIc scr-
vicc of Murdsionc and Grinly.
Murdsionc and Grinly's varcIousc vas ai iIc
vaicrsidc. Ii vas dovn in Dlaclfriars. Modcrn
imrovcmcnis Iavc alicrcd iIc lacc; lui ii vas
iIc lasi Iousc ai iIc loiiom of a narrov sircci,
curving dovn Iill io iIc rivcr, viiI somc siairs
ai iIc cnd, vIcrc colc iool loai. Ii vas a
crazy old Iousc viiI a vIarf of iis ovn, alui-
iing on iIc vaicr vIcn iIc iidc vas in, and on
iIc mud vIcn iIc iidc vas oui, and liicrally
ovcrrun viiI rais. Iis ancllcd rooms,
discolourcd viiI iIc diri and smolc of a Iun-
drcd ycars, I darc say; iis dccaying floors and
siaircasc; iIc squcaling and scuffling of iIc
old grcy rais dovn in iIc ccllars; and iIc diri
and roiicnncss of iIc lacc; arc iIings, noi of
many ycars ago, in my mind, lui of iIc rcscni
insiani. TIcy arc all lcforc mc, jusi as iIcy
vcrc in iIc cvil Iour vIcn I vcni among iIcm
for iIc firsi iimc, viiI my ircmlling Iand in
Mr. Quinion's.
Murdsionc and Grinly's iradc vas among a
good many linds of colc, lui an imoriani
lrancI of ii vas iIc suly of vincs and siriis
io ccriain aclci sIis. I forgci nov vIcrc iIcy
cIicfly vcni, lui I iIinl iIcrc vcrc somc
among iIcm iIai madc voyagcs loiI io iIc Easi
and Wcsi Indics. I lnov iIai a grcai many
cmiy loiilcs vcrc onc of iIc conscqucnccs of
iIis iraffic, and iIai ccriain mcn and loys vcrc
cmloycd io caminc iIcm againsi iIc ligIi,
and rcjcci iIosc iIai vcrc flavcd, and io rinsc
and vasI iIcm. WIcn iIc cmiy loiilcs ran
sIori, iIcrc vcrc lalcls io lc asicd on full
oncs, or corls io lc fiiicd io iIcm, or scals io
lc ui uon iIc corls, or finisIcd loiilcs io lc
aclcd in casls. All iIis vorl vas my vorl,
and of iIc loys cmloycd uon ii I vas onc.
TIcrc vcrc iIrcc or four of us, couniing mc.
My vorling lacc vas csiallisIcd in a corncr
188
of iIc varcIousc, vIcrc Mr. Quinion could scc
mc, vIcn Ic cIosc io siand u on iIc loiiom
rail of Iis siool in iIc couniing-Iousc, and lool
ai mc iIrougI a vindov alovc iIc dcsl. HiiIcr,
on iIc firsi morning of my so ausiciously lc-
ginning lifc on my ovn accouni, iIc oldcsi of
iIc rcgular loys vas summoncd io sIov mc
my lusincss. His namc vas Micl Wallcr, and
Ic vorc a raggcd aron and a acr ca. Hc
informcd mc iIai Iis faiIcr vas a largcman,
and vallcd, in a llacl vclvci Icad-drcss, in iIc
Lord Mayor's SIov. Hc also informcd mc iIai
our rincial associaic vould lc anoiIcr loy
vIom Ic iniroduccd ly iIcio mcciraordi-
nary namc of Mcaly Foiaiocs. I discovcrcd, Iov-
cvcr, iIai iIis youiI Iad noi lccn cIrisicncd
ly iIai namc, lui iIai ii Iad lccn lcsiovcd
uon Iim in iIc varcIousc, on accouni of Iis
comlcion, vIicI vas alc or mcaly. Mcaly's
faiIcr vas a vaicrman, vIo Iad iIc addiiional
disiinciion of lcing a fircman, and vas cngagcd
as sucI ai onc of iIc largc iIcaircs; vIcrc somc
young rclaiion of Mcaly'sI iIinl Iis liiilc sis-
icrdid Ims in iIc Faniomimcs.
No vords can crcss iIc sccrci agony of my
soul as I sunl inio iIis comanionsIi; com-
arcd iIcsc IcnccforiI cvcryday associaics viiI
iIosc of my Iaicr cIildIoodnoi io say viiI
SiccrforiI, Traddlcs, and iIc rcsi of iIosc loys;
and fcli my Iocs of groving u io lc a lcarncd
and disiinguisIcd man, crusIcd in my losom.
TIc dcc rcmcmlrancc of iIc scnsc I Iad, of
lcing uiicrly viiIoui Ioc nov; of iIc sIamc I
fcli in my osiiion; of iIc miscry ii vas io my
young Icari io lclicvc iIai day ly day vIai I
Iad lcarncd, and iIougIi, and dcligIicd in, and
raiscd my fancy and my cmulaiion u ly, vould
ass avay from mc, liiilc ly liiilc, ncvcr io lc
lrougIi lacl any morc; cannoi lc vriiicn. As
oficn as Micl Wallcr vcni avay in iIc coursc
of iIai forcnoon, I minglcd my icars viiI iIc
vaicr in vIicI I vas vasIing iIc loiilcs; and
189
sollcd as if iIcrc vcrc a flav in my ovn lrcasi,
and ii vcrc in dangcr of lursiing.
TIc couniing-Iousc clocl vas ai Ialf asi
ivclvc, and iIcrc vas gcncral rcaraiion for
going io dinncr, vIcn Mr. Quinion iacd ai
iIc couniing-Iousc vindov, and lccloncd io
mc io go in. I vcni in, and found iIcrc a sioui-
isI, middlc-agcd crson, in a lrovn surioui
and llacl iigIis and sIocs, viiI no morc Iair
uon Iis Icad (vIicI vas a largc onc, and vcry
sIining} iIan iIcrc is uon an cgg, and viiI a
vcry cicnsivc facc, vIicI Ic iurncd full uon
mc. His cloiIcs vcrc sIally, lui Ic Iad an
imosing sIiri-collar on. Hc carricd a jauniy
sori of a siicl, viiI a largc air of rusiy iasscls
io ii; and a quizzing-glass Iung ouisidc Iis
coai,for ornamcni, I aficrvards found, as Ic
vcry scldom loolcd iIrougI ii, and couldn'i scc
anyiIing vIcn Ic did.
'TIis,' said Mr. Quinion, in allusion io mysclf,
'is Ic.'
'TIis,' said iIc sirangcr, viiI a ccriain con-
dcsccnding roll in Iis voicc, and a ccriain in-
dcscrilallc air of doing somciIing gcniccl,
vIicI imrcsscd mc vcry mucI, 'is Masicr
Cocrficld. I Ioc I scc you vcll, sir?'
I said I vas vcry vcll, and Iocd Ic vas. I vas
sufficicnily ill ai casc, Hcavcn lnovs; lui ii
vas noi in my naiurc io comlain mucI ai iIai
iimc of my lifc, so I said I vas vcry vcll, and
Iocd Ic vas.
'I am,' said iIc sirangcr, 'iIanl Hcavcn, quiic
vcll. I Iavc rcccivcd a lciicr from Mr. Murdsionc,
in vIicI Ic mcniions iIai Ic vould dcsirc mc
io rcccivc inio an aarimcni in iIc rcar of my
Iousc, vIicI is ai rcscni unoccuicdand is,
in sIori, io lc lci as ain sIori,' said iIc
sirangcr, viiI a smilc and in a lursi of confi-
dcncc, 'as a lcdroomiIc young lcginncr
vIom I Iavc nov iIc lcasurc io' and iIc
sirangcr vavcd Iis Iand, and sciilcd Iis cIin
in Iis sIiri-collar.
190
'TIis is Mr. Micavlcr,' said Mr. Quinion io
mc.
'AIcm!' said iIc sirangcr, 'iIai is my namc.'
'Mr. Micavlcr,' said Mr. Quinion, 'is lnovn
io Mr. Murdsionc. Hc ialcs ordcrs for us on
commission, vIcn Ic can gci any. Hc Ias lccn
vriiicn io ly Mr. Murdsionc, on iIc suljcci of
your lodgings, and Ic vill rcccivc you as a
lodgcr.'
'My addrcss,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'is Windsor
Tcrracc, Ciiy Foad. Iin sIori,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, viiI iIc samc gcniccl air, and in
anoiIcr lursi of confidcncc'I livc iIcrc.'
I madc Iim a lov.
'Undcr iIc imrcssion,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'iIai
your crcgrinaiions in iIis mciroolis Iavc noi
as yci lccn cicnsivc, and iIai you migIi Iavc
somc difficuliy in cnciraiing iIc arcana of iIc
Modcrn Dalylon in iIc dircciion of iIc Ciiy
Foad,in sIori,' said Mr. Micavlcr, in anoiIcr
lursi of confidcncc, 'iIai you migIi losc your-
sclfI sIall lc Iay io call iIis cvcning, and
insiall you in iIc lnovlcdgc of iIc ncarcsi vay.'
I iIanlcd Iim viiI all my Icari, for ii vas
fricndly in Iim io offcr io ialc iIai iroullc.
'Ai vIai Iour,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'sIall I -'
'Ai aloui cigIi,' said Mr. Quinion.
'Ai aloui cigIi,' said Mr. Micavlcr. 'I lcg io
visI you good day, Mr. Quinion. I vill inirudc
no longcr.'
So Ic ui on Iis Iai, and vcni oui viiI Iis
canc undcr Iis arm: vcry urigIi, and Iumming
a iunc vIcn Ic vas clcar of iIc couniing-Iousc.
Mr. Quinion iIcn formally cngagcd mc io lc
as uscful as I could in iIc varcIousc of
Murdsionc and Grinly, ai a salary, I iIinl, of
si sIillings a vccl. I am noi clcar vIciIcr ii
vas si or scvcn. I am inclincd io lclicvc, from
my unccriainiy on iIis Icad, iIai ii vas si ai
firsi and scvcn aficrvards. Hc aid mc a vccl
dovn (from Iis ovn oclci, I lclicvc}, and I gavc
Mcaly sicncc oui of ii io gci my irunl carricd
191
io Windsor Tcrracc iIai nigIi: ii lcing ioo Icavy
for my sircngiI, small as ii vas. I aid sicncc
morc for my dinncr, vIicI vas a mcai ic and
a iurn ai a ncigIlouring um; and asscd
iIc Iour vIicI vas allovcd for iIai mcal, in
valling aloui iIc sirccis.
Ai iIc aoinicd iimc in iIc cvcning, Mr.
Micavlcr rcacarcd. I vasIcd my Iands and
facc, io do iIc grcaicr Ionour io Iis gcniiliiy,
and vc vallcd io our Iousc, as I suosc I musi
nov call ii, iogciIcr; Mr. Micavlcr imrcssing
iIc namc of sirccis, and iIc sIacs of corncr
Iouscs uon mc, as vc vcni along, iIai I migIi
find my vay lacl, casily, in iIc morning.
Arrivcd ai iIis Iousc in Windsor Tcrracc
(vIicI I noiiccd vas sIally lilc Iimsclf, lui
also, lilc Iimsclf, madc all iIc sIov ii could},
Ic rcscnicd mc io Mrs. Micavlcr, a iIin and
fadcd lady, noi ai all young, vIo vas siiiing in
iIc arlour (iIc firsi floor vas aliogciIcr un-
furnisIcd, and iIc llinds vcrc lci dovn io
dcludc iIc ncigIlours}, viiI a laly ai Icr
lrcasi. TIis laly vas onc of ivins; and I may
rcmarl Icrc iIai I Iardly cvcr, in all my cc-
ricncc of iIc family, sav loiI iIc ivins dc-
iacIcd from Mrs. Micavlcr ai iIc samc iimc.
Onc of iIcm vas alvays ialing rcfrcsImcni.
TIcrc vcrc ivo oiIcr cIildrcn; Masicr
Micavlcr, agcd aloui four, and Miss Micavlcr,
agcd aloui iIrcc. TIcsc, and a darl-comlc-
ioncd young voman, viiI a Ialii of snoriing,
vIo vas scrvani io iIc family, and informcd
mc, lcforc Ialf an Iour Iad circd, iIai sIc
vas 'a Orfling', and camc from Si. Lulc's vorl-
Iousc, in iIc ncigIlourIood, comlcicd iIc
csiallisImcni. My room vas ai iIc io of iIc
Iousc, ai iIc lacl: a closc cIamlcr; sicncillcd
all ovcr viiI an ornamcni vIicI my young
imaginaiion rcrcscnicd as a lluc muffin; and
vcry scaniily furnisIcd.
'I ncvcr iIougIi,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, vIcn
sIc camc u, ivin and all, io sIov mc iIc aari-
192
mcni, and sai dovn io ialc lrcaiI, 'lcforc I vas
marricd, vIcn I livcd viiI aa and mama, iIai
I sIould cvcr find ii ncccssary io ialc a lodgcr.
Dui Mr. Micavlcr lcing in difficuliics, all con-
sidcraiions of rivaic fccling musi givc vay.'
I said: 'Ycs, ma'am.'
'Mr. Micavlcr's difficuliics arc almosi ovcr-
vIclming jusi ai rcscni,' said Mrs. Micavlcr;
'and vIciIcr ii is ossillc io lring Iim iIrougI
iIcm, I don'i lnov. WIcn I livcd ai Iomc viiI
aa and mama, I rcally sIould Iavc Iardly
undcrsiood vIai iIc vord mcani, in iIc scnsc
in vIicI I nov cmloy ii, lui ccricniia docs
ii, as aa uscd io say.'
I cannoi saiisfy mysclf vIciIcr sIc iold mc iIai
Mr. Micavlcr Iad lccn an officcr in iIc Marincs, or
vIciIcr I Iavc imagincd ii. I only lnov iIai I lclicvc
io iIis Iour iIai Ic uus in iIc Marincs oncc uon
a iimc, viiIoui lnoving vIy. Hc vas a sori of iovn
iravcllcr for a numlcr of misccllancous Iouscs, nov;
lui madc liiilc or noiIing of ii, I am afraid.
'If Mr. Micavlcr's crcdiiors vill noi givc Iim
iimc,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIcy musi ialc iIc
conscqucnccs; and iIc sooncr iIcy lring ii io
an issuc iIc lciicr. Dlood cannoi lc oliaincd
from a sionc, nciiIcr can anyiIing on accouni
lc oliaincd ai rcscni (noi io mcniion lav c-
cnscs} from Mr. Micavlcr.'
I ncvcr can quiic undcrsiand vIciIcr my rc-
cocious sclf-dccndcncc confuscd Mrs.
Micavlcr in rcfcrcncc io my agc, or vIciIcr
sIc vas so full of iIc suljcci iIai sIc vould
Iavc iallcd aloui ii io iIc vcry ivins if iIcrc
Iad lccn nolody clsc io communicaic viiI, lui
iIis vas iIc sirain in vIicI sIc lcgan, and sIc
vcni on accordingly all iIc iimc I lncv Icr.
Foor Mrs. Micavlcr! SIc said sIc Iad iricd
io ccri Icrsclf, and so, I Iavc no douli, sIc
Iad. TIc ccnirc of iIc sircci door vas crfccily
covcrcd viiI a grcai lrass-laic, on vIicI vas
cngravcd 'Mrs. Micavlcr's Doarding EsiallisI-
mcni for Young Ladics': lui I ncvcr found iIai
193
any young lady Iad cvcr lccn io scIool iIcrc;
or iIai any young lady cvcr camc, or rooscd
io comc; or iIai iIc lcasi rcaraiion vas cvcr
madc io rcccivc any young lady. TIc only visi-
iors I cvcr sav, or Icard of, vcrc crcdiiors. TIc
uscd io comc ai all Iours, and somc of iIcm
vcrc quiic fcrocious. Onc diriy-faccd man, I
iIinl Ic vas a looi-malcr, uscd io cdgc Iim-
sclf inio iIc assagc as carly as scvcn o'clocl in
iIc morning, and call u iIc siairs io Mr.
Micavlcr'Comc! You ain'i oui yci, you lnov.
Fay us, vill you? Don'i Iidc, you lnov; iIai's
mcan. I vouldn'i lc mcan if I vas you. Fay us,
vill you? You jusi ay us, d'yc Icar? Comc!'
Fccciving no ansvcr io iIcsc iaunis, Ic vould
mouni in Iis vraiI io iIc vords 'svindlcrs' and
'rollcrs'; and iIcsc lcing incffcciual ioo, vould
somciimcs go io iIc circmiiy of crossing iIc
sircci, and roaring u ai iIc vindovs of iIc scc-
ond floor, vIcrc Ic lncv Mr. Micavlcr vas. Ai
iIcsc iimcs, Mr. Micavlcr vould lc iransoricd
viiI gricf and moriificaiion, cvcn io iIc lcngiI
(as I vas oncc madc avarc ly a scrcam from Iis
vifc} of maling moiions ai Iimsclf viiI a razor;
lui viiIin Ialf-an-Iour aficrvards, Ic vould
olisI u Iis sIocs viiI ciraordinary ains,
and go oui, Iumming a iunc viiI a grcaicr air
of gcniiliiy iIan cvcr. Mrs. Micavlcr vas quiic
as clasiic. I Iavc lnovn Icr io lc iIrovn inio
fainiing fiis ly iIc ling's iacs ai iIrcc o'clocl,
and io cai laml cIos, lrcadcd, and drinl varm
alc (aid for viiI ivo ica-soons iIai Iad gonc
io iIc avnlrolcr's} ai four. On onc occasion,
vIcn an cccuiion Iad jusi lccn ui in, com-
ing Iomc iIrougI somc cIancc as carly as si
o'clocl, I sav Icr lying (of coursc viiI a ivin}
undcr iIc graic in a svoon, viiI Icr Iair all
iorn aloui Icr facc; lui I ncvcr lncv Icr morc
cIccrful iIan sIc vas, iIai vcry samc nigIi,
ovcr a vcal cuilci lcforc iIc liicIcn firc, iclling
mc siorics aloui Icr aa and mama, and iIc
comany iIcy uscd io lcc.
194
In iIis Iousc, and viiI iIis family, I asscd
my lcisurc iimc. My ovn cclusivc lrcalfasi of
a cnny loaf and a cnnyvoriI of mill, I ro-
vidcd mysclf. I lci anoiIcr small loaf, and a
modicum of cIccsc, on a ariicular sIclf of a
ariicular culoard, io malc my sucr on
vIcn I camc lacl ai nigIi. TIis madc a Iolc in
iIc si or scvcn sIillings, I lnov vcll; and I
vas oui ai iIc varcIousc all day, and Iad io
suori mysclf on iIai moncy all iIc vccl.
From Monday morning uniil Saiurday nigIi, I
Iad no advicc, no counscl, no cncouragcmcni,
no consolaiion, no assisiancc, no suori, of
any lind, from anyonc, iIai I can call io mind,
as I Ioc io go io Icavcn!
I vas so young and cIildisI, and so liiilc quali-
ficdIov could I lc oiIcrvisc?io undcrialc
iIc vIolc cIargc of my ovn cisicncc, iIai of-
icn, in going io Murdsionc and Grinly's, of a
morning, I could noi rcsisi iIc sialc asiry ui
oui for salc ai Ialf-ricc ai iIc asirycools'
doors, and scni in iIai iIc moncy I sIould
Iavc lci for my dinncr. TIcn, I vcni viiIoui
my dinncr, or lougIi a roll or a slicc of ud-
ding. I rcmcmlcr ivo udding sIos, lcivccn
vIicI I vas dividcd, according io my financcs.
Onc vas in a couri closc io Si. Mariin's
CIurcIai iIc lacl of iIc cIurcI,vIicI is
nov rcmovcd aliogciIcr. TIc udding ai iIai
sIo vas madc of curranis, and vas raiIcr a
sccial udding, lui vas dcar, ivocnnyvoriI
noi lcing largcr iIan a cnnyvoriI of morc
ordinary udding. A good sIo for iIc laiicr
vas in iIc SirandsomcvIcrc in iIai ari
vIicI Ias lccn rcluili sincc. Ii vas a sioui
alc udding, Icavy and flally, and viiI grcai
flai raisins in ii, siucl in vIolc ai vidc dis-
ianccs aari. Ii camc u Ioi ai aloui my iimc
cvcry day, and many a day did I dinc off ii.
WIcn I dincd rcgularly and Iandsomcly, I Iad
a savcloy and a cnny loaf, or a fourcnny laic
of rcd lccf from a cool's sIo; or a laic of
195
lrcad and cIccsc and a glass of lccr, from a
miscrallc old ullic-Iousc oosiic our lacc
of lusincss, callcd iIc Lion, or iIc Lion and
somciIing clsc iIai I Iavc forgoiicn. Oncc, I
rcmcmlcr carrying my ovn lrcad (vIicI I Iad
lrougIi from Iomc in iIc morning} undcr my
arm, vracd in a iccc of acr, lilc a lool,
and going io a famous alamodc lccf-Iousc ncar
Drury Lanc, and ordcring a 'small laic' of iIai
dclicacy io cai viiI ii. WIai iIc vaiicr iIougIi
of sucI a sirangc liiilc aariiion coming in all
alonc, I don'i lnov; lui I can scc Iim nov,
siaring ai mc as I aic my dinncr, and lringing
u iIc oiIcr vaiicr io lool. I gavc Iim a
Ialfcnny for Iimsclf, and I visI Ic Iadn'i
ialcn ii.
Wc Iad Ialf-an-Iour, I iIinl, for ica. WIcn I
Iad moncy cnougI, I uscd io gci Ialf-a-ini of
rcady-madc coffcc and a slicc of lrcad and lui-
icr. WIcn I Iad nonc, I uscd io lool ai a vcni-
son sIo in Flcci Sircci; or I Iavc sirollcd, ai
sucI a iimc, as far as Covcni Gardcn Marlci,
and siarcd ai iIc incalcs. I vas fond of van-
dcring aloui iIc AdclIi, lccausc ii vas a mys-
icrious lacc, viiI iIosc darl arcIcs. I scc
mysclf cmcrging onc cvcning from somc of
iIcsc arcIcs, on a liiilc ullic-Iousc closc io
iIc rivcr, viiI an ocn sacc lcforc ii, vIcrc
somc coal-Icavcrs vcrc dancing; io lool ai
vIom I sai dovn uon a lcncI. I vondcr vIai
iIcy iIougIi of mc!
I vas sucI a cIild, and so liiilc, iIai frcqucnily
vIcn I vcni inio iIc lar of a sirangc ullic-
Iousc for a glass of alc or oricr, io moisicn
vIai I Iad Iad for dinncr, iIcy vcrc afraid io
givc ii mc. I rcmcmlcr onc Ioi cvcning I vcni
inio iIc lar of a ullic-Iousc, and said io iIc
landlord: 'WIai is your lcsiyour vcry lcsi
alc a glass?' For ii vas a sccial occasion. I don'i
lnov vIai. Ii may Iavc lccn my liriIday.
'Tvocncc-Ialfcnny,' says iIc landlord, 'is
iIc ricc of iIc Gcnuinc Siunning alc.'
196
'TIcn,' says I, roducing iIc moncy, 'jusi drav
mc a glass of iIc Gcnuinc Siunning, if you
lcasc, viiI a good Icad io ii.'
TIc landlord loolcd ai mc in rciurn ovcr iIc
lar, from Icad io fooi, viiI a sirangc smilc on
Iis facc; and insicad of draving iIc lccr, loolcd
round iIc scrccn and said somciIing io Iis vifc.
SIc camc oui from lcIind ii, viiI Icr vorl in
Icr Iand, and joincd Iim in survcying mc. Hcrc
vc siand, all iIrcc, lcforc mc nov. TIc land-
lord in Iis sIiri-slccvcs, lcaning againsi iIc lar
vindov-framc; Iis vifc looling ovcr iIc liiilc Ialf-
door; and I, in somc confusion, looling u ai
iIcm from ouisidc iIc ariiiion. TIcy aslcd
mc a good many qucsiions; as, vIai my namc
vas, Iov old I vas, vIcrc I livcd, Iov I vas cm-
loycd, and Iov I camc iIcrc. To all of vIicI,
iIai I migIi commii nolody, I invcnicd, I am
afraid, aroriaic ansvcrs. TIcy scrvcd mc viiI
iIc alc, iIougI I suscci ii vas noi iIc Gcnu-
inc Siunning; and iIc landlord's vifc, ocning
iIc liiilc Ialf-door of iIc lar, and lcnding dovn,
gavc mc my moncy lacl, and gavc mc a liss
iIai vas Ialf admiring and Ialf comassionaic,
lui all vomanly and good, I am surc.
I lnov I do noi caggcraic, unconsciously and
uninicniionally, iIc scaniincss of my rcsourccs
or iIc difficuliics of my lifc. I lnov iIai if a
sIilling vcrc givcn mc ly Mr. Quinion ai any
iimc, I scni ii in a dinncr or a ica. I lnov iIai
I vorlcd, from morning uniil nigIi, viiI com-
mon mcn and loys, a sIally cIild. I lnov iIai
I loungcd aloui iIc sirccis, insufficicnily and
unsaiisfaciorily fcd. I lnov iIai, lui for iIc
mcrcy of God, I migIi casily Iavc lccn, for any
carc iIai vas ialcn of mc, a liiilc rollcr or a
liiilc vagalond.
Yci I Icld somc siaiion ai Murdsionc and
Grinly's ioo. Dcsidcs iIai Mr. Quinion did vIai
a carclcss man so occuicd, and dcaling viiI a
iIing so anomalous, could, io ircai mc as onc
uon a diffcrcni fooiing from iIc rcsi, I ncvcr
197
said, io man or loy, Iov ii vas iIai I camc io
lc iIcrc, or gavc iIc lcasi indicaiion of lcing
sorry iIai I vas iIcrc. TIai I suffcrcd in sccrci,
and iIai I suffcrcd cquisiicly, no onc cvcr lncv
lui I. Hov mucI I suffcrcd, ii is, as I Iavc said
alrcady, uiicrly lcyond my ovcr io icll. Dui I
lci my ovn counscl, and I did my vorl. I lncv
from iIc firsi, iIai, if I could noi do my vorl as
vcll as any of iIc rcsi, I could noi Iold mysclf
alovc sligIi and conicmi. I soon lccamc ai
lcasi as ccdiiious and as slilful as ciiIcr of
iIc oiIcr loys. TIougI crfccily familiar viiI
iIcm, my conduci and manncr vcrc diffcrcni
cnougI from iIcirs io lacc a sacc lcivccn
us. TIcy and iIc mcn gcncrally solc of mc as
'iIc liiilc gcni', or 'iIc young Suffollcr.' A ccr-
iain man namcd Grcgory, vIo vas forcman of
iIc aclcrs, and anoiIcr namcd Ti, vIo vas
iIc carman, and vorc a rcd jaclci, uscd io ad-
drcss mc somciimcs as 'David': lui I iIinl ii
vas mosily vIcn vc vcrc vcry confidcniial, and
vIcn I Iad madc somc cfforis io cnicriain iIcm,
ovcr our vorl, viiI somc rcsulis of iIc old rcad-
ings; vIicI vcrc fasi crisIing oui of my rc-
mcmlrancc. Mcaly Foiaiocs urosc oncc, and
rclcllcd againsi my lcing so disiinguisIcd; lui
Micl Wallcr sciilcd Iim in no iimc.
My rcscuc from iIis lind of cisicncc I con-
sidcrcd quiic Ioclcss, and alandoncd, as sucI,
aliogciIcr. I am solcmnly convinccd iIai I ncvcr
for onc Iour vas rcconcilcd io ii, or vas oiIcr-
visc iIan miscrally unIay; lui I lorc ii; and
cvcn io Fcggoiiy, arily for iIc lovc of Icr and
arily for sIamc, ncvcr in any lciicr (iIougI
many asscd lcivccn us} rcvcalcd iIc iruiI.
Mr. Micavlcr's difficuliics vcrc an addiiion
io iIc disircsscd siaic of my mind. In my for-
lorn siaic I lccamc quiic aiiacIcd io iIc fam-
ily, and uscd io vall aloui, lusy viiI Mrs.
Micavlcr's calculaiions of vays and mcans, and
Icavy viiI iIc vcigIi of Mr. Micavlcr's dclis.
On a Saiurday nigIi, vIicI vas my grand
198
ircai, arily lccausc ii vas a grcai iIing io
vall Iomc viiI si or scvcn sIillings in my
oclci, looling inio iIc sIos and iIinling
vIai sucI a sum vould luy, and arily lc-
causc I vcni Iomc carly, Mrs. Micavlcr
vould malc iIc mosi Icari-rcnding confi-
dcnccs io mc; also on a Sunday morning, vIcn
I micd iIc oriion of ica or coffcc I Iad lougIi
ovcr-nigIi, in a liiilc sIaving-oi, and sai laic
ai my lrcalfasi. Ii vas noiIing ai all unusual
for Mr. Micavlcr io sol violcnily ai iIc lcgin-
ning of onc of iIcsc Saiurday nigIi convcrsa-
iions, and sing aloui jacl's dcligIi lcing Iis
lovcly Nan, iovards iIc cnd of ii. I Iavc lnovn
Iim comc Iomc io sucr viiI a flood of icars,
and a dcclaraiion iIai noiIing vas nov lcfi lui
a jail; and go io lcd maling a calculaiion of iIc
ccnsc of uiiing lov-vindovs io iIc Iousc,
'in casc anyiIing iurncd u', vIicI vas Iis
favouriic crcssion. And Mrs. Micavlcr vas
jusi iIc samc.
A curious cqualiiy of fricndsIi, originaiing,
I suosc, in our rcscciivc circumsianccs,
srung u lcivccn mc and iIcsc colc, noi-
viiIsianding iIc ludicrous disariiy in our
ycars. Dui I ncvcr allovcd mysclf io lc rc-
vailcd uon io accci any inviiaiion io cai and
drinl viiI iIcm oui of iIcir siocl (lnoving
iIai iIcy goi on ladly viiI iIc luicIcr and
lalcr, and Iad oficn noi ioo mucI for iIcm-
sclvcs}, uniil Mrs. Micavlcr iool mc inio Icr
cniirc confidcncc. TIis sIc did onc cvcning as
follovs:
'Masicr Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'I
malc no sirangcr of you, and iIcrcforc do noi
Icsiiaic io say iIai Mr. Micavlcr's difficuliics
arc coming io a crisis.'
Ii madc mc vcry miscrallc io Icar ii, and I
loolcd ai Mrs. Micavlcr's rcd cycs viiI iIc
uimosi symaiIy.
'WiiI iIc ccciion of iIc Iccl of a DuicI
cIccscvIicI is noi adaicd io iIc vanis of a
199
young family'said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIcrc is
rcally noi a scra of anyiIing in iIc lardcr. I
vas accusiomcd io scal of iIc lardcr vIcn I
livcd viiI aa and mama, and I usc iIc vord
almosi unconsciously. WIai I mcan io crcss
is, iIai iIcrc is noiIing io cai in iIc Iousc.'
'Dcar mc!' I said, in grcai conccrn.
I Iad ivo or iIrcc sIillings of my vccl's
moncy in my oclcifrom vIicI I rcsumc
iIai ii musi Iavc lccn on a Wcdncsday nigIi
vIcn vc Icld iIis convcrsaiionand I Iasiily
roduccd iIcm, and viiI Icarifcli cmoiion
lcggcd Mrs. Micavlcr io accci of iIcm as a
loan. Dui iIai lady, lissing mc, and maling
mc ui iIcm lacl in my oclci, rclicd iIai
sIc couldn'i iIinl of ii.
'No, my dcar Masicr Cocrficld,' said sIc,
'far lc ii from my iIougIis! Dui you Iavc a
discrciion lcyond your ycars, and can rcndcr
mc anoiIcr lind of scrvicc, if you vill; and a
scrvicc I vill iIanlfully accci of.'
I lcggcd Mrs. Micavlcr io namc ii.
'I Iavc aricd viiI iIc laic mysclf,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr. 'Si ica, ivo sali, and a air of sug-
ars, I Iavc ai diffcrcni iimcs lorrovcd moncy
on, in sccrci, viiI my ovn Iands. Dui iIc ivins
arc a grcai iic; and io mc, viiI my rccollcc-
iions, of aa and mama, iIcsc iransaciions
arc vcry ainful. TIcrc arc siill a fcv iriflcs iIai
vc could ari viiI. Mr. Micavlcr's fcclings
vould ncvcr allov Iim io disosc of iIcm; and
Cliclcii'iIis vas iIc girl from iIc vorl-
Iousc'lcing of a vulgar mind, vould ialc
ainful lilcriics if so mucI confidcncc vas rc-
oscd in Icr. Masicr Cocrficld, if I migIi asl
you'
I undcrsiood Mrs. Micavlcr nov, and lcggcd
Icr io malc usc of mc io any cicni. I lcgan io
disosc of iIc morc oriallc ariiclcs of ro-
criy iIai vcry cvcning; and vcni oui on a simi-
lar ccdiiion almosi cvcry morning, lcforc I
vcni io Murdsionc and Grinly's.
200
Mr. Micavlcr Iad a fcv lools on a liiilc cIif-
fonicr, vIicI Ic callcd iIc lilrary; and iIosc
vcni firsi. I carricd iIcm, onc aficr anoiIcr, io a
loolsiall in iIc Ciiy Foadonc ari of vIicI,
ncar our Iousc, vas almosi all loolsialls and
lird sIos iIcnand sold iIcm for vIaicvcr
iIcy vould lring. TIc lcccr of iIis loolsiall,
vIo livcd in a liiilc Iousc lcIind ii, uscd io gci
iisy cvcry nigIi, and io lc violcnily scoldcd ly
Iis vifc cvcry morning. Morc iIan oncc, vIcn I
vcni iIcrc carly, I Iad audicncc of Iim in a
iurn-u lcdsicad, viiI a cui in Iis forcIcad or
a llacl cyc, lcaring viincss io Iis cccsscs ovcr-
nigIi (I am afraid Ic vas quarrclsomc in Iis
drinl}, and Ic, viiI a sIaling Iand,
cndcavouring io find iIc nccdful sIillings in onc
or oiIcr of iIc oclcis of Iis cloiIcs, vIicI lay
uon iIc floor, vIilc Iis vifc, viiI a laly in
Icr arms and Icr sIocs dovn ai Iccl, ncvcr lcfi
off raiing Iim. Somciimcs Ic Iad losi Iis moncy,
and iIcn Ic vould asl mc io call again; lui Iis
vifc Iad alvays goi somcIad ialcn Iis, I darc
say, vIilc Ic vas drunland sccrcily com-
lcicd iIc largain on iIc siairs, as vc vcni dovn
iogciIcr. Ai iIc avnlrolcr's sIo, ioo, I lc-
gan io lc vcry vcll lnovn. TIc rincial gcnilc-
man vIo officiaicd lcIind iIc counicr, iool a
good dcal of noiicc of mc; and oficn goi mc, I
rccollcci, io dcclinc a Laiin noun or adjcciivc, or
io conjugaic a Laiin vcrl, in Iis car, vIilc Ic
iransacicd my lusincss. Aficr all iIcsc occasions
Mrs. Micavlcr madc a liiilc ircai, vIicI vas
gcncrally a sucr; and iIcrc vas a cculiar
rclisI in iIcsc mcals vIicI I vcll rcmcmlcr.
Ai lasi Mr. Micavlcr's difficuliics camc io a cri-
sis, and Ic vas arrcsicd carly onc morning, and
carricd ovcr io iIc King's DcncI Frison in iIc Dor-
ougI. Hc iold mc, as Ic vcni oui of iIc Iousc,
iIai iIc God of day Iad nov gonc dovn uon
Iimand I rcally iIougIi Iis Icari vas lrolcn
and minc ioo. Dui I Icard, aficrvards, iIai Ic vas
sccn io lay a livcly gamc ai sliiilcs, lcforc noon.
201
On iIc firsi Sunday aficr Ic vas ialcn iIcrc,
I vas io go and scc Iim, and Iavc dinncr viiI
Iim. I vas io asl my vay io sucI a lacc, and
jusi sIori of iIai lacc I sIould scc sucI an-
oiIcr lacc, and jusi sIori of iIai I sIould scc
a yard, vIicI I vas io cross, and lcc siraigIi
on uniil I sav a iurnlcy. All iIis I did; and
vIcn ai lasi I did scc a iurnlcy (oor liiilc fcl-
lov iIai I vas!}, and iIougIi Iov, vIcn
Fodcricl Fandom vas in a dcliors' rison,
iIcrc vas a man iIcrc viiI noiIing on Iim
lui an old rug, iIc iurnlcy svam lcforc my
dimmcd cycs and my lcaiing Icari.
Mr. Micavlcr vas vaiiing for mc viiIin iIc
gaic, and vc vcni u io Iis room (io siory lui
onc}, and cricd vcry mucI. Hc solcmnly con-
jurcd mc, I rcmcmlcr, io ialc varning ly Iis
faic; and io olscrvc iIai if a man Iad ivcniy
ounds a-ycar for Iis incomc, and scni ninc-
iccn ounds ninciccn sIillings and sicncc,
Ic vould lc Iay, lui iIai if Ic scni ivcniy
ounds onc Ic vould lc miscrallc. Aficr vIicI
Ic lorrovcd a sIilling of mc for oricr, gavc
mc a vriiicn ordcr on Mrs. Micavlcr for iIc
amouni, and ui avay Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf,
and cIccrcd u.
Wc sai lcforc a liiilc firc, viiI ivo lricls ui
viiIin iIc rusicd graic, onc on cacI sidc, io
rcvcni iis lurning ioo many coals; uniil an-
oiIcr dclior, vIo sIarcd iIc room viiI Mr.
Micavlcr, camc in from iIc lalcIousc viiI
iIc loin of muiion vIicI vas our joini-siocl
rcasi. TIcn I vas scni u io 'Caiain Holins'
in iIc room ovcrIcad, viiI Mr. Micavlcr's com-
limcnis, and I vas Iis young fricnd, and
vould Caiain Holins lcnd mc a lnifc and
forl.
Caiain Holins lcni mc iIc lnifc and forl,
viiI Iis comlimcnis io Mr. Micavlcr. TIcrc
vas a vcry diriy lady in Iis liiilc room, and ivo
van girls, Iis daugIicrs, viiI sIocl Icads of
Iair. I iIougIi ii vas lciicr io lorrov Caiain
202
Holins' s lnifc and forl, iIan Caiain
Holins's coml. TIc Caiain Iimsclf vas in
iIc lasi circmiiy of sIallincss, viiI largc
vIislcrs, and an old, old lrovn grcai-coai viiI
no oiIcr coai lclov ii. I sav Iis lcd rollcd u
in a corncr; and vIai laics and disIcs and
ois Ic Iad, on a sIclf; and I divincd (God
lnovs Iov} iIai iIougI iIc ivo girls viiI iIc
sIocl Icads of Iair vcrc Caiain Holins's
cIildrcn, iIc diriy lady vas noi marricd io Ca-
iain Holins. My iimid siaiion on Iis iIrcsI-
old vas noi occuicd morc iIan a coulc of
minuics ai mosi; lui I camc dovn again viiI
all iIis in my lnovlcdgc, as surcly as iIc lnifc
and forl vcrc in my Iand.
TIcrc vas somciIing gisy-lilc and agrcc-
allc in iIc dinncr, aficr all. I iool lacl Ca-
iain Holins's lnifc and forl carly in iIc af-
icrnoon, and vcni Iomc io comfori Mrs.
Micavlcr viiI an accouni of my visii. SIc
fainicd vIcn sIc sav mc rciurn, and madc a
liiilc jug of cgg-Ioi aficrvards io consolc us
vIilc vc iallcd ii ovcr.
I don'i lnov Iov iIc IouscIold furniiurc
camc io lc sold for iIc family lcncfii, or vIo
sold ii, ccci iIai I did noi. Sold ii vas, Iov-
cvcr, and carricd avay in a van; ccci iIc lcd,
a fcv cIairs, and iIc liicIcn iallc. WiiI iIcsc
osscssions vc cncamcd, as ii vcrc, in iIc
ivo arlours of iIc cmiicd Iousc in Windsor
Tcrracc; Mrs. Micavlcr, iIc cIildrcn, iIc
Orfling, and mysclf; and livcd in iIosc rooms
nigIi and day. I Iavc no idca for Iov long,
iIougI ii sccms io mc for a long iimc. Ai lasi
Mrs. Micavlcr rcsolvcd io movc inio iIc rison,
vIcrc Mr. Micavlcr Iad nov sccurcd a room
io Iimsclf. So I iool iIc lcy of iIc Iousc io iIc
landlord, vIo vas vcry glad io gci ii; and iIc
lcds vcrc scni ovcr io iIc King's DcncI, c-
cci minc, for vIicI a liiilc room vas Iircd
ouisidc iIc valls in iIc ncigIlourIood of iIai
Insiiiuiion, vcry mucI io my saiisfaciion, sincc
203
iIc Micavlcrs and I Iad lccomc ioo uscd io
onc anoiIcr, in our iroullcs, io ari. TIc Orfling
vas lilcvisc accommodaicd viiI an inccn-
sivc lodging in iIc samc ncigIlourIood. Minc
vas a quici lacl-garrci viiI a sloing roof, com-
manding a lcasani roscci of a iimlcryard;
and vIcn I iool osscssion of ii, viiI iIc rc-
flcciion iIai Mr. Micavlcr's iroullcs Iad comc
io a crisis ai lasi, I iIougIi ii quiic a aradisc.
All iIis iimc I vas vorling ai Murdsionc and
Grinly's in iIc samc common vay, and viiI
iIc samc common comanions, and viiI iIc
samc scnsc of unmcriicd dcgradaiion as ai firsi.
Dui I ncvcr, Iaily for mc no douli, madc a
singlc acquainiancc, or solc io any of iIc
many loys vIom I sav daily in going io iIc
varcIousc, in coming from ii, and in rovling
aloui iIc sirccis ai mcal-iimcs. I lcd iIc samc
sccrcily unIay lifc; lui I lcd ii in iIc samc
loncly, sclf-rcliani manncr. TIc only cIangcs I
am conscious of arc, firsily, iIai I Iad grovn
morc sIally, and sccondly, iIai I vas nov rc-
licvcd of mucI of iIc vcigIi of Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr's carcs; for somc rclaiivcs or fricnds
Iad cngagcd io Icl iIcm ai iIcir rcscni ass,
and iIcy livcd morc comforially in iIc rison
iIan iIcy Iad livcd for a long vIilc oui of ii. I
uscd io lrcalfasi viiI iIcm nov, in viriuc of
somc arrangcmcni, of vIicI I Iavc forgoiicn
iIc dciails. I forgci, ioo, ai vIai Iour iIc gaics
vcrc ocncd in iIc morning, admiiiing of my
going in; lui I lnov iIai I vas oficn u ai si
o'clocl, and iIai my favouriic lounging-lacc
in iIc inicrval vas old London Dridgc, vIcrc I
vas voni io sii in onc of iIc sionc rcccsscs,
vaicIing iIc colc going ly, or io lool ovcr
iIc lalusiradcs ai iIc sun sIining in iIc va-
icr, and ligIiing u iIc goldcn flamc on iIc
io of iIc Monumcni. TIc Orfling mci mc Icrc
somciimcs, io lc iold somc asionisIing ficiions
rcscciing iIc vIarvcs and iIc Tovcr; of vIicI
I can say no morc iIan iIai I Ioc I lclicvcd
204
iIcm mysclf. In iIc cvcning I uscd io go lacl
io iIc rison, and vall u and dovn iIc a-
radc viiI Mr. Micavlcr; or lay casino viiI
Mrs. Micavlcr, and Icar rcminisccnccs of Icr
aa and mama. WIciIcr Mr. Murdsionc lncv
vIcrc I vas, I am unallc io say. I ncvcr iold
iIcm ai Murdsionc and Grinly's.
Mr. Micavlcr's affairs, aliIougI asi iIcir cri-
sis, vcrc vcry mucI involvcd ly rcason of a ccr-
iain 'Dccd', of vIicI I uscd io Icar a grcai dcal,
and vIicI I suosc, nov, io Iavc lccn somc
formcr comosiiion viiI Iis crcdiiors, iIougI I
vas so far from lcing clcar aloui ii iIcn, iIai I am
conscious of Iaving confoundcd ii viiI iIosc dc-
moniacal arcImcnis vIicI arc Icld io Iavc, oncc
uon a iimc, oliaincd io a grcai cicni in Gcr-
many. Ai lasi iIis documcni acarcd io lc goi
oui of iIc vay, somcIov; ai all cvcnis ii ccascd io
lc iIc rocl-aIcad ii Iad lccn; and Mrs. Micavlcr
informcd mc iIai 'Icr family' Iad dccidcd iIai
Mr. Micavlcr sIould aly for Iis rclcasc undcr
iIc Insolvcni Dcliors Aci, vIicI vould sci Iim
frcc, sIc cccicd, in aloui si vccls.
'And iIcn,' said Mr. Micavlcr, vIo vas
rcscni, 'I Iavc no douli I sIall, lcasc Hcavcn,
lcgin io lc lcforcIand viiI iIc vorld, and io
livc in a crfccily ncv manncr, ifin sIori, if
anyiIing iurns u.'
Dy vay of going in for anyiIing iIai migIi lc
on iIc cards, I call io mind iIai Mr. Micavlcr,
aloui iIis iimc, comoscd a ciiiion io iIc Housc
of Commons, raying for an alicraiion in iIc lav
of imrisonmcni for dcli. I sci dovn iIis rcmcm-
lrancc Icrc, lccausc ii is an insiancc io mysclf
of iIc manncr in vIicI I fiiicd my old lools io
my alicrcd lifc, and madc siorics for mysclf, oui
of iIc sirccis, and oui of mcn and vomcn; and
Iov somc main oinis in iIc cIaracicr I sIall
unconsciously dcvclo, I suosc, in vriiing my
lifc, vcrc gradually forming all iIis vIilc.
TIcrc vas a clul in iIc rison, in vIicI Mr.
Micavlcr, as a gcnilcman, vas a grcai auiIor-
205
iiy. Mr. Micavlcr Iad siaicd Iis idca of iIis
ciiiion io iIc clul, and iIc clul Iad sirongly
arovcd of iIc samc. WIcrcforc Mr. Micavlcr
(vIo vas a iIorougIly good-naiurcd man, and
as aciivc a crcaiurc aloui cvcryiIing lui Iis
ovn affairs as cvcr cisicd, and ncvcr so Iay
as vIcn Ic vas lusy aloui somciIing iIai
could ncvcr lc of any rofii io Iim} sci io vorl
ai iIc ciiiion, invcnicd ii, cngrosscd ii on an
immcnsc sIcci of acr, srcad ii oui on a
iallc, and aoinicd a iimc for all iIc clul,
and all viiIin iIc valls if iIcy cIosc, io comc
u io Iis room and sign ii.
WIcn I Icard of iIis aroacIing ccrcmony,
I vas so anious io scc iIcm all comc in, onc
aficr anoiIcr, iIougI I lncv iIc grcaicr ari
of iIcm alrcady, and iIcy mc, iIai I goi an
Iour's lcavc of alscncc from Murdsionc and
Grinly's, and csiallisIcd mysclf in a corncr
for iIai urosc. As many of iIc rincial mcm-
lcrs of iIc clul as could lc goi inio iIc small
room viiIoui filling ii, suoricd Mr. Micavlcr
in froni of iIc ciiiion, vIilc my old fricnd Ca-
iain Holins (vIo Iad vasIcd Iimsclf, io do
Ionour io so solcmn an occasion} siaiioncd Iim-
sclf closc io ii, io rcad ii io all vIo vcrc unac-
quainicd viiI iis conicnis. TIc door vas iIcn
iIrovn ocn, and iIc gcncral oulaiion lc-
gan io comc in, in a long filc: scvcral vaiiing
ouisidc, vIilc onc cnicrcd, afficd Iis signa-
iurc, and vcni oui. To cvcrylody in succcs-
sion, Caiain Holins said: 'Havc you rcad
ii?''No.' 'Would you lilc io Icar ii rcad?' If
Ic vcally sIovcd iIc lcasi disosiiion io Icar
ii, Caiain Holins, in a loud sonorous voicc,
gavc Iim cvcry vord of ii. TIc Caiain vould
Iavc rcad ii ivcniy iIousand iimcs, if ivcniy
iIousand colc vould Iavc Icard Iim, onc
ly onc. I rcmcmlcr a ccriain luscious roll Ic
gavc io sucI Irascs as 'TIc colc's rcrc-
scniaiivcs in Farliamcni asscmllcd,' 'Your c-
iiiioncrs iIcrcforc Iumlly aroacI your
206
Ionourallc Iousc,' 'His gracious Majcsiy's un-
foriunaic suljccis,' as if iIc vords vcrc somc-
iIing rcal in Iis mouiI, and dclicious io iasic;
Mr. Micavlcr, mcanvIilc, lisicning viiI a liiilc
of an auiIor's vaniiy, and conicmlaiing (noi
scvcrcly} iIc silcs on iIc oosiic vall.
As I vallcd io and fro daily lcivccn SouiIvarl
and Dlaclfriars, and loungcd aloui ai mcal-iimcs
in olscurc sirccis, iIc sioncs of vIicI may, for
anyiIing I lnov, lc vorn ai iIis momcni ly my
cIildisI fcci, I vondcr Iov many of iIcsc colc
vcrc vaniing in iIc crovd iIai uscd io comc filing
lcforc mc in rcvicv again, io iIc ccIo of Caiain
Holins's voicc! WIcn my iIougIis go lacl, nov,
io iIai slov agony of my youiI, I vondcr Iov mucI
of iIc Iisiorics I invcnicd for sucI colc Iangs
lilc a misi of fancy ovcr vcll-rcmcmlcrcd facis!
WIcn I ircad iIc old ground, I do noi vondcr iIai I
sccm io scc and iiy, going on lcforc mc, an inno-
ccni romaniic loy, maling Iis imaginaiivc vorld
oui of sucI sirangc ccricnccs and sordid iIings!
CHAPTER 12
LIKING LIFE ON MY OWN
ACCOUNT NO BETTER,
I FORM A GREAT RESO-
LUTION
IN DUE TIME, Mr. Micavlcr's ciiiion vas ric for
Icaring; and iIai gcnilcman vas ordcrcd io lc
discIargcd undcr iIc Aci, io my grcai joy. His
crcdiiors vcrc noi imlacallc; and Mrs.
Micavlcr informcd mc iIai cvcn iIc rcvcngc-
ful looi-malcr Iad dcclarcd in ocn couri iIai
Ic lorc Iim no malicc, lui iIai vIcn moncy
vas oving io Iim Ic lilcd io lc aid. Hc said
Ic iIougIi ii vas Iuman naiurc.
M r Micavlcr rciurncd io iIc King's DcncI
vIcn Iis casc vas ovcr, as somc fccs vcrc io
lc sciilcd, and somc formaliiics olscrvcd, lc-
forc Ic could lc aciually rclcascd. TIc clul
rcccivcd Iim viiI iransori, and Icld an Iar-
207
monic mcciing iIai cvcning in Iis Ionour;
vIilc Mrs. Micavlcr and I Iad a laml's fry in
rivaic, surroundcd ly iIc slccing family.
'On sucI an occasion I vill givc you, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'in a liiilc
morc fli,' for vc Iad lccn Iaving somc alrcady,
'iIc mcmory of my aa and mama.'
'Arc iIcy dcad, ma'am?' I inquircd, aficr
drinling iIc ioasi in a vinc-glass.
'My mama dcaricd iIis lifc,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, 'lcforc Mr. Micavlcr's difficuliics
commcnccd, or ai lcasi lcforc iIcy lccamc
rcssing. My aa livcd io lail Mr. Micavlcr
scvcral iimcs, and iIcn circd, rcgrciicd ly a
numcrous circlc.'
Mrs. Micavlcr sIool Icr Icad, and drocd
a ious icar uon iIc ivin vIo Iacncd io
lc in Iand.
As I could Iardly Ioc for a morc favourallc
ooriuniiy of uiiing a qucsiion in vIicI I
Iad a ncar inicrcsi, I said io Mrs. Micavlcr:
'May I asl, ma'am, vIai you and Mr. Micavlcr
inicnd io do, nov iIai Mr. Micavlcr is oui of Iis
difficuliics, and ai lilcriy? Havc you sciilcd yci?'
'My family,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, vIo alvays
said iIosc ivo vords viiI an air, iIougI I ncvcr
could discovcr vIo camc undcr iIc dcnomina-
iion, 'my family arc of oinion iIai Mr.
Micavlcr sIould quii London, and ccri Iis
ialcnis in iIc couniry. Mr. Micavlcr is a man
of grcai ialcni, Masicr Cocrficld.'
I said I vas surc of iIai.
'Of grcai ialcni,' rccaicd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'My
family arc of oinion, iIai, viiI a liiilc inicrcsi,
somciIing migIi lc donc for a man of Iis aliliiy
in iIc Cusiom Housc. TIc influcncc of my family
lcing local, ii is iIcir visI iIai Mr. Micavlcr
sIould go dovn io FlymouiI. TIcy iIinl ii indis-
cnsallc iIai Ic sIould lc uon iIc soi.'
'TIai Ic may lc rcady?' I suggcsicd.
'Eacily,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIai Ic
may lc rcadyin casc of anyiIing iurning u.'
208
'And do you go ioo, ma'am?'
TIc cvcnis of iIc day, in comlinaiion viiI iIc
ivins, if noi viiI iIc fli, Iad madc Mrs. Micavlcr
Iysicrical, and sIc sIcd icars as sIc rclicd:
'I ncvcr vill dcscri Mr. Micavlcr. Mr. Micavlcr
may Iavc conccalcd Iis difficuliics from mc in
iIc firsi insiancc, lui Iis sanguinc icmcr may
Iavc lcd Iim io ccci iIai Ic vould ovcrcomc
iIcm. TIc carl nccllacc and lracclcis vIicI
I inIcriicd from mama, Iavc lccn disoscd of
for lcss iIan Ialf iIcir valuc; and iIc sci of
coral, vIicI vas iIc vcdding gifi of my aa,
Ias lccn aciually iIrovn avay for noiIing. Dui
I ncvcr vill dcscri Mr. Micavlcr. No!' cricd Mrs.
Micavlcr, morc affccicd iIan lcforc, 'I ncvcr
vill do ii! Ii's of no usc asling mc!'
I fcli quiic uncomforiallcas if Mrs. Micavlcr
suoscd I Iad aslcd Icr io do anyiIing of iIc
sori!and sai looling ai Icr in alarm.
'Mr. Micavlcr Ias Iis faulis. I do noi dcny
iIai Ic is imrovidcni. I do noi dcny iIai Ic
Ias lci mc in iIc darl as io Iis rcsourccs and
Iis lialiliiics loiI,' sIc vcni on, looling ai iIc
vall; 'lui I ncvcr vill dcscri Mr. Micavlcr!'
Mrs. Micavlcr Iaving nov raiscd Icr voicc
inio a crfcci scrcam, I vas so frigIicncd iIai I
ran off io iIc clul-room, and disiurlcd Mr.
Micavlcr in iIc aci of rcsiding ai a long iallc,
and lcading iIc cIorus of
Gcc u, Dollin,
Gcc Io, Dollin,
Gcc u, Dollin,
Gcc u, and gcc Iooo!
viiI iIc iidings iIai Mrs. Micavlcr vas in an
alarming siaic, uon vIicI Ic immcdiaicly
lursi inio icars, and camc avay viiI mc viiI
Iis vaisicoai full of iIc Icads and iails of
sIrims, of vIicI Ic Iad lccn arialing.
'Emma, my angcl!' cricd Mr. Micavlcr, run-
ning inio iIc room; 'vIai is iIc maiicr?'
209
'I ncvcr vill dcscri you, Micavlcr!' sIc c-
claimcd.
'My lifc!' said Mr. Micavlcr, ialing Icr in Iis
arms. 'I am crfccily avarc of ii.'
'Hc is iIc arcni of my cIildrcn! Hc is iIc
faiIcr of my ivins! Hc is iIc Iusland of my
affcciions,' cricd Mrs. Micavlcr, siruggling;
'and I ncvcrvilldcscri Mr. Micavlcr!'
Mr. Micavlcr vas so dccly affccicd ly iIis
roof of Icr dcvoiion (as io mc, I vas dissolvcd
in icars}, iIai Ic Iung ovcr Icr in a assionaic
manncr, imloring Icr io lool u, and io lc
calm. Dui iIc morc Ic aslcd Mrs. Micavlcr io
lool u, iIc morc sIc ficd Icr cycs on noiI-
ing; and iIc morc Ic aslcd Icr io comosc
Icrsclf, iIc morc sIc vouldn'i. Conscqucnily
Mr. Micavlcr vas soon so ovcrcomc, iIai Ic
minglcd Iis icars viiI Icrs and minc; uniil Ic
lcggcd mc io do Iim iIc favour of ialing a
cIair on iIc siaircasc, vIilc Ic goi Icr inio
lcd. I vould Iavc ialcn my lcavc for iIc nigIi,
lui Ic vould noi Icar of my doing iIai uniil
iIc sirangcrs' lcll sIould ring. So I sai ai iIc
siaircasc vindov, uniil Ic camc oui viiI an-
oiIcr cIair and joincd mc.
'Hov is Mrs. Micavlcr nov, sir?' I said.
'Vcry lov,' said Mr. Micavlcr, sIaling Iis
Icad; 'rcaciion. AI, iIis Ias lccn a drcadful
day! Wc siand alonc novcvcryiIing is gonc
from us!'
Mr. Micavlcr rcsscd my Iand, and groancd,
and aficrvards sIcd icars. I vas grcaily
ioucIcd, and disaoinicd ioo, for I Iad c-
ccicd iIai vc sIould lc quiic gay on iIis
Iay and long-loolcd-for occasion. Dui Mr.
and Mrs. Micavlcr vcrc so uscd io iIcir old
difficuliics, I iIinl, iIai iIcy fcli quiic sIi-
vrcclcd vIcn iIcy camc io considcr iIai iIcy
vcrc rclcascd from iIcm. All iIcir clasiiciiy vas
dcaricd, and I ncvcr sav iIcm Ialf so vrcicIcd
as on iIis nigIi; insomucI iIai vIcn iIc lcll
rang, and Mr. Micavlcr vallcd viiI mc io iIc
210
lodgc, and aricd from mc iIcrc viiI a llcss-
ing, I fcli quiic afraid io lcavc Iim ly Iimsclf,
Ic vas so rofoundly miscrallc.
Dui iIrougI all iIc confusion and lovncss of
siriis in vIicI vc Iad lccn, so uncccicdly
io mc, involvcd, I lainly disccrncd iIai Mr. and
Mrs. Micavlcr and iIcir family vcrc going avay
from London, and iIai a ariing lcivccn us
vas ncar ai Iand. Ii vas in my vall Iomc iIai
nigIi, and in iIc slcclcss Iours vIicI fol-
lovcd vIcn I lay in lcd, iIai iIc iIougIi firsi
occurrcd io mciIougI I don'i lnov Iov ii
camc inio my IcadvIicI aficrvards sIacd
iisclf inio a sciilcd rcsoluiion.
I Iad grovn io lc so accusiomcd io iIc
Micavlcrs, and Iad lccn so iniimaic viiI iIcm
in iIcir disircsscs, and vas so uiicrly fricnd-
lcss viiIoui iIcm, iIai iIc roscci of lcing
iIrovn uon somc ncv sIifi for a lodging, and
going oncc morc among unlnovn colc, vas
lilc lcing iIai momcni iurncd adrifi inio my
rcscni lifc, viiI sucI a lnovlcdgc of ii rcady
madc as ccricncc Iad givcn mc. All iIc scn-
siiivc fcclings ii voundcd so cruclly, all iIc
sIamc and miscry ii lci alivc viiIin my
lrcasi, lccamc morc oignani as I iIougIi of
iIis; and I dcicrmincd iIai iIc lifc vas uncn-
durallc.
TIai iIcrc vas no Ioc of cscac from ii, un-
lcss iIc cscac vas my ovn aci, I lncv quiic
vcll. I rarcly Icard from Miss Murdsionc, and
ncvcr from Mr. Murdsionc: lui ivo or iIrcc
arccls of madc or mcndcd cloiIcs Iad comc
u for mc, consigncd io Mr. Quinion, and in
cacI iIcrc vas a scra of acr io iIc cffcci
iIai J. M. irusicd D. C. vas alying Iimsclf
io lusincss, and dcvoiing Iimsclf vIolly io Iis
duiicsnoi iIc lcasi Iini of my cvcr lcing any-
iIing clsc iIan iIc common drudgc inio vIicI
I vas fasi sciiling dovn.
TIc vcry nci day sIovcd mc, vIilc my mind
vas in iIc firsi agiiaiion of vIai ii Iad con-
211
ccivcd, iIai Mrs. Micavlcr Iad noi solcn of
iIcir going avay viiIoui varrani. TIcy iool a
lodging in iIc Iousc vIcrc I livcd, for a vccl;
ai iIc ciraiion of vIicI iimc iIcy vcrc io
siari for FlymouiI. Mr. Micavlcr Iimsclf camc
dovn io iIc couniing-Iousc, in iIc aficrnoon,
io icll Mr. Quinion iIai Ic musi rclinquisI mc
on iIc day of Iis dcariurc, and io givc mc a
IigI cIaracicr, vIicI I am surc I dcscrvcd. And
Mr. Quinion, calling in Ti iIc carman, vIo
vas a marricd man, and Iad a room io lci, quar-
icrcd mc roscciivcly on Iimly our muiual
conscni, as Ic Iad cvcry rcason io iIinl; for I
said noiIing, iIougI my rcsoluiion vas nov
ialcn.
I asscd my cvcnings viiI Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr, during iIc rcmaining icrm of our
rcsidcncc undcr iIc samc roof; and I iIinl vc
lccamc fondcr of onc anoiIcr as iIc iimc vcni
on. On iIc lasi Sunday, iIcy inviicd mc io din-
ncr; and vc Iad a loin of orl and alc saucc,
and a udding. I Iad lougIi a soiicd voodcn
Iorsc ovcr-nigIi as a ariing gifi io liiilc Willins
MicavlcriIai vas iIc loyand a doll for
liiilc Emma. I Iad also lcsiovcd a sIilling on
iIc Orfling, vIo vas aloui io lc dislandcd.
Wc Iad a vcry lcasani day, iIougI vc vcrc
all in a icndcr siaic aloui our aroacIing
scaraiion.
'I sIall ncvcr, Masicr Cocrficld,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, 'rcvcri io iIc criod vIcn Mr.
Micavlcr vas in difficuliics, viiIoui iIinling
of you. Your conduci Ias alvays lccn of iIc
mosi dclicaic and olliging dcscriiion. You Iavc
ncvcr lccn a lodgcr. You Iavc lccn a fricnd.'
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr; 'Cocrficld,'
for so Ic Iad lccn accusiomcd io call mc, of
laic, 'Ias a Icari io fccl for iIc disircsscs of Iis
fcllov-crcaiurcs vIcn iIcy arc lcIind a cloud,
and a Icad io lan, and a Iand ioin sIori, a
gcncral aliliiy io disosc of sucI availallc ro-
criy as could lc madc avay viiI.'
212
I crcsscd my scnsc of iIis commcndaiion,
and said I vas vcry sorry vc vcrc going io losc
onc anoiIcr.
'My dcar young fricnd,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'I
am oldcr iIan you; a man of somc ccricncc
in lifc, andand of somc ccricncc, in sIori,
in difficuliics, gcncrally scaling. Ai rcscni,
and uniil somciIing iurns u (vIicI I am, I may
say, Iourly ccciing}, I Iavc noiIing io lcsiov
lui advicc. Siill my advicc is so far voriI ialing,
iIaiin sIori, iIai I Iavc ncvcr ialcn ii mysclf,
and am iIc'Icrc Mr. Micavlcr, vIo Iad lccn
lcaming and smiling, all ovcr Iis Icad and facc,
u io iIc rcscni momcni, cIcclcd Iimsclf and
frovncd'iIc miscrallc vrcicI you lcIold.'
'My dcar Micavlcr!' urgcd Iis vifc.
'I say,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, quiic forgci-
iing Iimsclf, and smiling again, 'iIc miscrallc
vrcicI you lcIold. My advicc is, ncvcr do io-
morrov vIai you can do ioday. Frocrasiina-
iion is iIc iIicf of iimc. Collar Iim!'
'My oor aa's maim,' Mrs. Micavlcr ol-
scrvcd.
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'your aa vas
vcry vcll in Iis vay, and Hcavcn forlid iIai I
sIould disaragc Iim. Talc Iim for all in all, vc
nc'cr sIallin sIori, malc iIc acquainiancc,
rolally, of anylody clsc osscssing, ai Iis iimc
of lifc, iIc samc lcgs for gaiicrs, and allc io rcad
iIc samc dcscriiion of rini, viiIoui scciaclcs.
Dui Ic alicd iIai maim io our marriagc, my
dcar; and iIai vas so far rcmaiurcly cnicrcd
inio, in conscqucncc, iIai I ncvcr rccovcrcd iIc
ccnsc.' Mr. Micavlcr loolcd asidc ai Mrs.
Micavlcr, and addcd: 'Noi iIai I am sorry for ii.
Quiic iIc conirary, my lovc.' Aficr vIicI, Ic
vas gravc for a minuic or so.
'My oiIcr iccc of advicc, Cocrficld,' said
Mr. Micavlcr, 'you lnov. Annual incomc
ivcniy ounds, annual ccndiiurc ninciccn
ninciccn and si, rcsuli Iaincss. Annual in-
comc ivcniy ounds, annual ccndiiurc
213
ivcniy ounds ougIi and si, rcsuli miscry.
TIc llossom is lligIicd, iIc lcaf is viiIcrcd,
iIc god of day gocs dovn uon iIc drcary
sccnc, andand in sIori you arc for cvcr
floorcd. As I am!'
To malc Iis camlc iIc morc imrcssivc,
Mr. Micavlcr dranl a glass of uncI viiI an
air of grcai cnjoymcni and saiisfaciion, and
vIisilcd iIc Collcgc Hornic.
I did noi fail io assurc Iim iIai I vould siorc
iIcsc rcccis in my mind, iIougI indccd I Iad
no nccd io do so, for, ai iIc iimc, iIcy affccicd
mc visilly. Nci morning I mci iIc vIolc family
ai iIc coacI officc, and sav iIcm, viiI a dcso-
laic Icari, ialc iIcir laccs ouisidc, ai iIc lacl.
'Masicr Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'God
llcss you! I ncvcr can forgci all iIai, you lnov,
and I ncvcr vould if I could.'
'Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'farcvcll! Ev-
cry Iaincss and roscriiy! If, in iIc
rogrcss of rcvolving ycars, I could crsuadc
mysclf iIai my lligIicd dcsiiny Iad lccn a
varning io you, I sIould fccl iIai I Iad noi
occuicd anoiIcr man's lacc in cisicncc al-
iogciIcr in vain. In casc of anyiIing iurning
u (of vIicI I am raiIcr confidcni}, I sIall lc
circmcly Iay if ii sIould lc in my ovcr io
imrovc your rosccis.'
I iIinl, as Mrs. Micavlcr sai ai iIc lacl of
iIc coacI, viiI iIc cIildrcn, and I siood in iIc
road looling visifully ai iIcm, a misi clcarcd
from Icr cycs, and sIc sav vIai a liiilc crca-
iurc I rcally vas. I iIinl so, lccausc sIc lccl-
oncd io mc io climl u, viiI quiic a ncv and
moiIcrly crcssion in Icr facc, and ui Icr
arm round my nccl, and gavc mc jusi sucI a
liss as sIc migIi Iavc givcn io Icr ovn loy. I
Iad larcly iimc io gci dovn again lcforc iIc
coacI siaricd, and I could Iardly scc iIc fam-
ily for iIc IandlcrcIicfs iIcy vavcd. Ii vas
gonc in a minuic. TIc Orfling and I siood lool-
ing vacanily ai cacI oiIcr in iIc middlc of iIc
214
road, and iIcn sIool Iands and said good-
lyc; sIc going lacl, I suosc, io Si. Lulc's
vorlIousc, as I vcni io lcgin my vcary day ai
Murdsionc and Grinly's.
Dui viiI no inicniion of assing many morc
vcary days iIcrc. No. I Iad rcsolvcd io run
avay.To go, ly somc mcans or oiIcr, dovn
inio iIc couniry, io iIc only rclaiion I Iad in
iIc vorld, and icll my siory io my auni, Miss
Dciscy. I Iavc alrcady olscrvcd iIai I don'i lnov
Iov iIis dcscraic idca camc inio my lrain.
Dui, oncc iIcrc, ii rcmaincd iIcrc; and Iard-
cncd inio a urosc iIan vIicI I Iavc ncvcr
cnicriaincd a morc dcicrmincd urosc in my
lifc. I am far from surc iIai I lclicvcd iIcrc vas
anyiIing Iocful in ii, lui my mind vas iIor-
ougIly madc u iIai ii musi lc carricd inio
cccuiion.
Again, and again, and a Iundrcd iimcs again,
sincc iIc nigIi vIcn iIc iIougIi Iad firsi oc-
currcd io mc and lanisIcd slcc, I Iad gonc
ovcr iIai old siory of my oor moiIcr's aloui
my liriI, vIicI ii Iad lccn onc of my grcai
dcligIis in iIc old iimc io Icar Icr icll, and
vIicI I lncv ly Icari. My auni vallcd inio
iIai siory, and vallcd oui of ii, a drcad and
avful crsonagc; lui iIcrc vas onc liiilc iraii
in Icr lcIaviour vIicI I lilcd io dvcll on, and
vIicI gavc mc somc faini sIadov of cncour-
agcmcni. I could noi forgci Iov my moiIcr Iad
iIougIi iIai sIc fcli Icr ioucI Icr rciiy Iair
viiI no ungcnilc Iand; and iIougI ii migIi
Iavc lccn aliogciIcr my moiIcr's fancy, and
migIi Iavc Iad no foundaiion vIaicvcr in faci,
I madc a liiilc iciurc, oui of ii, of my icrrillc
auni rclcniing iovards iIc girlisI lcauiy iIai
I rccollccicd so vcll and lovcd so mucI, vIicI
soficncd iIc vIolc narraiivc. Ii is vcry ossillc
iIai ii Iad lccn in my mind a long iimc, and
Iad gradually cngcndcrcd my dcicrminaiion.
As I did noi cvcn lnov vIcrc Miss Dciscy
livcd, I vroic a long lciicr io Fcggoiiy, and aslcd
215
Icr, incidcnially, if sIc rcmcmlcrcd; rcicnd-
ing iIai I Iad Icard of sucI a lady living ai a
ccriain lacc I namcd ai random, and Iad a curi-
osiiy io lnov if ii vcrc iIc samc. In iIc coursc of
iIai lciicr, I iold Fcggoiiy iIai I Iad a ariicular
occasion for Ialf a guinca; and iIai if sIc could
lcnd mc iIai sum uniil I could rcay ii, I sIould
lc vcry mucI olligcd io Icr, and vould icll Icr
aficrvards vIai I Iad vanicd ii for.
Fcggoiiy's ansvcr soon arrivcd, and vas, as
usual, full of affcciionaic dcvoiion. SIc cncloscd
iIc Ialf guinca (I vas afraid sIc musi Iavc Iad
a vorld of iroullc io gci ii oui of Mr. Darlis's
lo}, and iold mc iIai Miss Dciscy livcd ncar
Dovcr, lui vIciIcr ai Dovcr iisclf, ai HyiIc,
Sandgaic, or Follcsionc, sIc could noi say.
Onc of our mcn, Iovcvcr, informing mc on my
asling Iim aloui iIcsc laccs, iIai iIcy vcrc
all closc iogciIcr, I dccmcd iIis cnougI for my
oljcci, and rcsolvcd io sci oui ai iIc cnd of
iIai vccl.
Dcing a vcry Ioncsi liiilc crcaiurc, and un-
villing io disgracc iIc mcmory I vas going io
lcavc lcIind mc ai Murdsionc and Grinly's, I
considcrcd mysclf lound io rcmain uniil Sai-
urday nigIi; and, as I Iad lccn aid a vccl's
vagcs in advancc vIcn I firsi camc iIcrc, noi
io rcscni mysclf in iIc couniing-Iousc ai iIc
usual Iour, io rcccivc my siicnd. For iIis c-
rcss rcason, I Iad lorrovcd iIc Ialf-guinca,
iIai I migIi noi lc viiIoui a fund for my irav-
clling-ccnscs. Accordingly, vIcn iIc Saiur-
day nigIi camc, and vc vcrc all vaiiing in iIc
varcIousc io lc aid, and Ti iIc carman,
vIo alvays iool rcccdcncc, vcni in firsi io
drav Iis moncy, I sIool Micl Wallcr ly iIc
Iand; aslcd Iim, vIcn ii camc io Iis iurn io
lc aid, io say io Mr. Quinion iIai I Iad gonc
io movc my lo io Ti's; and, lidding a lasi
good nigIi io Mcaly Foiaiocs, ran avay.
My lo vas ai my old lodging, ovcr iIc vaicr,
and I Iad vriiicn a dircciion for ii on iIc lacl of
216
onc of our addrcss cards iIai vc nailcd on iIc
casls: 'Masicr David, io lc lcfi iill callcd for, ai
iIc CoacI Officc, Dovcr.' TIis I Iad in my oclci
rcady io ui on iIc lo, aficr I sIould Iavc goi ii
oui of iIc Iousc; and as I vcni iovards my lodg-
ing, I loolcd aloui mc for somconc vIo vould
Icl mc io carry ii io iIc looling-officc.
TIcrc vas a long-lcggcd young man viiI a
vcry liiilc cmiy donlcy-cari, sianding ncar iIc
Olclisl, in iIc Dlaclfriars Foad, vIosc cyc I
caugIi as I vas going ly, and vIo, addrcssing
mc as 'Sicnn'oriI of lad Ia'cncc,' Iocd 'I
sIould lnov Iim agin io svcar io'in allu-
sion, I Iavc no douli, io my siaring ai Iim. I
siocd io assurc Iim iIai I Iad noi donc so
in lad manncrs, lui unccriain vIciIcr Ic
migIi or migIi noi lilc a jol.
'Woi jol?' said iIc long-lcggcd young man.
'To movc a lo,' I ansvcrcd.
'Woi lo?' said iIc long-lcggcd young man.
I iold Iim minc, vIicI vas dovn iIai sircci
iIcrc, and vIicI I vanicd Iim io ialc io iIc
Dovcr coacI officc for sicncc.
'Donc viiI you for a ianncr!' said iIc long-
lcggcd young man, and dirccily goi uon Iis
cari, vIicI vas noiIing lui a largc voodcn
iray on vIccls, and raiilcd avay ai sucI a raic,
iIai ii vas as mucI as I could do io lcc acc
viiI iIc donlcy.
TIcrc vas a dcfiani manncr aloui iIis young
man, and ariicularly aloui iIc vay in vIicI
Ic cIcvcd sirav as Ic solc io mc, iIai I did
noi mucI lilc; as iIc largain vas madc, Iov-
cvcr, I iool Iim usiairs io iIc room I vas lcav-
ing, and vc lrougIi iIc lo dovn, and ui ii
on Iis cari. Nov, I vas unvilling io ui iIc
dircciion-card on iIcrc, lcsi any of my
landlord's family sIould faiIom vIai I vas do-
ing, and dciain mc; so I said io iIc young man
iIai I vould lc glad if Ic vould sio for a
minuic, vIcn Ic camc io iIc dcad-vall of iIc
King's DcncI rison. TIc vords vcrc no sooncr
217
oui of my mouiI, iIan Ic raiilcd avay as if Ic,
my lo, iIc cari, and iIc donlcy, vcrc all
cqually mad; and I vas quiic oui of lrcaiI viiI
running and calling aficr Iim, vIcn I caugIi
Iim ai iIc lacc aoinicd.
Dcing mucI flusIcd and cciicd, I iumllcd
my Ialf-guinca oui of my oclci in ulling iIc
card oui. I ui ii in my mouiI for safciy, and
iIougI my Iands ircmllcd a good dcal, Iad
jusi iicd iIc card on vcry mucI io my saiisfac-
iion, vIcn I fcli mysclf violcnily cIuclcd un-
dcr iIc cIin ly iIc long-lcggcd young man,
and sav my Ialf-guinca fly oui of my mouiI
inio Iis Iand.
'Woi!' said iIc young man, scizing mc ly my
jaclci collar, viiI a frigIiful grin. 'TIis is a ollis
casc, is ii? You'rc a-going io loli, arc you? Comc
io iIc ollis, you young varmin, comc io iIc
ollis!'
'You givc mc my moncy lacl, if you lcasc,'
said I, vcry mucI frigIicncd; 'and lcavc mc alonc.'
'Comc io iIc ollis!' said iIc young man. 'You
sIall rovc ii yourn io iIc ollis.'
'Givc mc my lo and moncy, vill you,' I cricd,
lursiing inio icars.
TIc young man siill rclicd: 'Comc io iIc
ollis!' and vas dragging mc againsi iIc don-
lcy in a violcni manncr, as if iIcrc vcrc any
affiniiy lcivccn iIai animal and a magisiraic,
vIcn Ic cIangcd Iis mind, jumcd inio iIc
cari, sai uon my lo, and, cclaiming iIai Ic
vould drivc io iIc ollis siraigIi, raiilcd avay
Iardcr iIan cvcr.
I ran aficr Iim as fasi as I could, lui I Iad no
lrcaiI io call oui viiI, and sIould noi Iavc
darcd io call oui, nov, if I Iad. I narrovly cs-
cacd lcing run ovcr, ivcniy iimcs ai lcasi, in
Ialf a milc. Nov I losi Iim, nov I sav Iim, nov
I losi Iim, nov I vas cui ai viiI a vIi, nov
sIouicd ai, nov dovn in iIc mud, nov u
again, nov running inio somclody's arms, nov
running Icadlong ai a osi. Ai lcngiI, confuscd
218
ly frigIi and Icai, and douliing vIciIcr Ialf
London migIi noi ly iIis iimc lc iurning oui
for my arcIcnsion, I lcfi iIc young man io
go vIcrc Ic vould viiI my lo and moncy;
and, aniing and crying, lui ncvcr sioing,
faccd aloui for GrccnvicI, vIicI I Iad undcr-
siood vas on iIc Dovcr Foad: ialing vcry liiilc
morc oui of iIc vorld, iovards iIc rcircai of
my auni, Miss Dciscy, iIan I Iad lrougIi inio
ii, on iIc nigIi vIcn my arrival gavc Icr so
mucI umlragc.
CHAPTER 1S
THE SEQUEL OF
MY RESOLUTION
FOF ANYTHING I KNOW, I may Iavc Iad somc vild
idca of running all iIc vay io Dovcr, vIcn I
gavc u iIc ursuii of iIc young man viiI iIc
donlcy-cari, and siaricd for GrccnvicI. My
scaiicrcd scnscs vcrc soon collccicd as io iIai
oini, if I Iad; for I camc io a sio in iIc Kcni
Foad, ai a icrracc viiI a iccc of vaicr lcforc
ii, and a grcai foolisI imagc in iIc middlc, llov-
ing a dry sIcll. Hcrc I sai dovn on a doorsic,
quiic scni and cIausicd viiI iIc cfforis I
Iad alrcady madc, and viiI Iardly lrcaiI
cnougI io cry for iIc loss of my lo and Ialf-
guinca.
Ii vas ly iIis iimc darl; I Icard iIc clocls
sirilc icn, as I sai rcsiing. Dui ii vas a summcr
nigIi, foriunaicly, and finc vcaiIcr. WIcn I
Iad rccovcrcd my lrcaiI, and Iad goi rid of a
siifling scnsaiion in my iIroai, I rosc u and
vcni on. In iIc midsi of my disircss, I Iad no
noiion of going lacl. I douli if I sIould Iavc
Iad any, iIougI iIcrc Iad lccn a Sviss snov-
drifi in iIc Kcni Foad.
Dui my sianding osscsscd of only iIrcc-
Ialfcncc in iIc vorld (and I am surc I vondcr
Iov iIcy camc io lc lcfi in my oclci on a
Saiurday nigIi!} iroullcd mc nonc iIc lcss lc-
219
causc I vcni on. I lcgan io iciurc io mysclf,
as a scra of ncvsacr iniclligcncc, my lc-
ing found dcad in a day or ivo, undcr somc
Icdgc; and I irudgcd on miscrally, iIougI
as fasi as I could, uniil I Iacncd io ass a
liiilc sIo, vIcrc ii vas vriiicn u iIai la-
di cs' and gcnil cmcn' s vardrolcs vcrc
lougIi, and iIai iIc lcsi ricc vas givcn for
rags, loncs, and liicIcn-siuff. TIc masicr of
iIis sIo vas siiiing ai iIc door in Iis sIiri-
slccvcs, smoling; and as iIcrc vcrc a grcai
many coais and airs of irouscrs dangling
from iIc lov cciling, and only ivo fccllc
candlcs lurning insidc io sIov vIai iIcy
vcrc, I fancicd iIai Ic loolcd lilc a man of a
rcvcngcful disosiiion, vIo Iad Iung all Iis
cncmics, and vas cnjoying Iimsclf.
My laic ccricnccs viiI Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr suggcsicd io mc iIai Icrc migIi lc
a mcans of lccing off iIc volf for a liiilc vIilc.
I vcni u iIc nci ly-sircci, iool off my vaisi-
coai, rollcd ii ncaily undcr my arm, and camc
lacl io iIc sIo door.
'If you lcasc, sir,' I said, 'I am io scll iIis for a
fair ricc.'
Mr. DollolyDolloly vas iIc namc ovcr iIc sIo
door, ai lcasiiool iIc vaisicoai, siood Iis ic on
iis Icad, againsi iIc door-osi, vcni inio iIc sIo,
follovcd ly mc, snuffcd iIc ivo candlcs viiI Iis
fingcrs, srcad iIc vaisicoai on iIc counicr, and
loolcd ai ii iIcrc, Icld ii u againsi iIc ligIi, and
loolcd ai ii iIcrc, and uliimaicly said:
'WIai do you call a ricc, nov, for iIis Icrc
liiilc vcslii?'
'OI! you lnov lcsi, sir,' I rciurncd modcsily.
'I can'i lc luycr and scllcr ioo,' said Mr.
Dolloly. 'Fui a ricc on iIis Icrc liiilc vcslii.'
'Would cigIiccncncc lc?'I Iinicd, aficr
somc Icsiiaiion.
Mr. Dolloly rollcd ii u again, and gavc ii mc
lacl. 'I sIould rol my family,' Ic said, 'if I vas
io offcr ninccncc for ii.'
220
TIis vas a disagrccallc vay of uiiing iIc lusi-
ncss; lccausc ii imoscd uon mc, a crfcci
sirangcr, iIc unlcasanincss of asling Mr. Dolloly
io rol Iis family on my accouni. My circumsianccs
lcing so vcry rcssing, Iovcvcr, I said I vould
ialc ninccncc for ii, if Ic lcascd. Mr. Dolloly,
noi viiIoui somc grumlling, gavc ninccncc. I
visIcd Iim good nigIi, and vallcd oui of iIc
sIo iIc ricIcr ly iIai sum, and iIc oorcr ly a
vaisicoai. Dui vIcn I luiioncd my jaclci, iIai
vas noi mucI. Indccd, I forcsav rciiy clcarly iIai
my jaclci vould go nci, and iIai I sIould Iavc io
malc iIc lcsi of my vay io Dovcr in a sIiri and a
air of irouscrs, and migIi dccm mysclf lucly if I
goi iIcrc cvcn in iIai irim. Dui my mind did noi
run so mucI on iIis as migIi lc suoscd. Dc-
yond a gcncral imrcssion of iIc disiancc lcforc
mc, and of iIc young man viiI iIc donlcy-cari
Iaving uscd mc cruclly, I iIinl I Iad no vcry ur-
gcni scnsc of my difficuliics vIcn I oncc again sci
off viiI my ninccncc in my oclci.
A lan Iad occurrcd io mc for assing iIc nigIi,
vIicI I vas going io carry inio cccuiion. TIis
vas, io lic lcIind iIc vall ai iIc lacl of my old
scIool, in a corncr vIcrc iIcrc uscd io lc a Iay-
siacl. I imagincd ii vould lc a lind of comany
io Iavc iIc loys, and iIc lcdroom vIcrc I uscd
io icll iIc siorics, so ncar mc: aliIougI iIc loys
vould lnov noiIing of my lcing iIcrc, and iIc
lcdroom vould yicld mc no sIclicr.
I Iad Iad a Iard day's vorl, and vas rciiy
vcll jadcd vIcn I camc climling oui, ai lasi,
uon iIc lcvcl of DlaclIcaiI. Ii cosi mc somc
iroullc io find oui Salcm Housc; lui I found ii,
and I found a Iaysiacl in iIc corncr, and I lay
dovn ly ii; Iaving firsi vallcd round iIc vall,
and loolcd u ai iIc vindovs, and sccn iIai
all vas darl and silcni viiIin. Ncvcr sIall I
forgci iIc loncly scnsaiion of firsi lying dovn,
viiIoui a roof alovc my Icad!
Slcc camc uon mc as ii camc on many oiIcr
ouicasis, againsi vIom Iousc-doors vcrc
221
loclcd, and Iousc-dogs larlcd, iIai nigIi
and I drcamcd of lying on my old scIool-lcd,
ialling io iIc loys in my room; and found my-
sclf siiiing urigIi, viiI SiccrforiI's namc uon
my lis, looling vildly ai iIc siars iIai vcrc
glisicning and glimmcring alovc mc. WIcn I
rcmcmlcrcd vIcrc I vas ai iIai uniimcly Iour,
a fccling siolc uon mc iIai madc mc gci u,
afraid of I don'i lnov vIai, and vall aloui.
Dui iIc fainicr glimmcring of iIc siars, and
iIc alc ligIi in iIc sly vIcrc iIc day vas
coming, rcassurcd mc: and my cycs lcing vcry
Icavy, I lay dovn again and slciiIougI viiI
a lnovlcdgc in my slcc iIai ii vas colduniil
iIc varm lcams of iIc sun, and iIc ringing of
iIc gciiing-u lcll ai Salcm Housc, avolc mc.
If I could Iavc Iocd iIai SiccrforiI vas iIcrc,
I vould Iavc lurlcd aloui uniil Ic camc oui
alonc; lui I lncv Ic musi Iavc lcfi long sincc.
Traddlcs siill rcmaincd, crIas, lui ii vas vcry
douliful; and I Iad noi sufficicni confidcncc
in Iis discrciion or good lucl, Iovcvcr sirong
my rcliancc vas on Iis good naiurc, io visI io
irusi Iim viiI my siiuaiion. So I crci avay
from iIc vall as Mr. Crcallc's loys vcrc gci-
iing u, and sirucl inio iIc long dusiy iracl
vIicI I Iad firsi lnovn io lc iIc Dovcr Foad
vIcn I vas onc of iIcm, and vIcn I liiilc c-
ccicd iIai any cycs vould cvcr scc mc iIc
vayfarcr I vas nov, uon ii.
WIai a diffcrcni Sunday morning from iIc old
Sunday morning ai YarmouiI! In duc iimc I
Icard iIc cIurcI-lclls ringing, as I loddcd on;
and I mci colc vIo vcrc going io cIurcI; and
I asscd a cIurcI or ivo vIcrc iIc congrcga-
iion vcrc insidc, and iIc sound of singing camc
oui inio iIc sunsIinc, vIilc iIc lcadlc sai and
coolcd Iimsclf in iIc sIadc of iIc orcI, or siood
lcncaiI iIc ycv-ircc, viiI Iis Iand io Iis forc-
Icad, glovcring ai mc going ly. Dui iIc cacc
and rcsi of iIc old Sunday morning vcrc on
cvcryiIing, ccci mc. TIai vas iIc diffcrcncc.
222
I fcli quiic viclcd in my diri and dusi, viiI my
ianglcd Iair. Dui for iIc quici iciurc I Iad con-
jurcd u, of my moiIcr in Icr youiI and lcauiy,
vccing ly iIc firc, and my auni rclcniing io
Icr, I Iardly iIinl I sIould Iavc Iad iIc cour-
agc io go on uniil nci day. Dui ii alvays vcni
lcforc mc, and I follovcd.
I goi, iIai Sunday, iIrougI iIrcc-and-ivcniy
milcs on iIc siraigIi road, iIougI noi vcry cas-
ily, for I vas ncv io iIai lind of ioil. I scc my-
sclf, as cvcning closcs in, coming ovcr iIc lridgc
ai FocIcsicr, fooisorc and iircd, and caiing
lrcad iIai I Iad lougIi for sucr. Onc or ivo
liiilc Iouscs, viiI iIc noiicc, 'Lodgings for Trav-
cllcrs', Ianging oui, Iad icmicd mc; lui I vas
afraid of scnding iIc fcv cncc I Iad, and
vas cvcn morc afraid of iIc vicious lools of iIc
iramcrs I Iad mci or ovcrialcn. I sougIi no
sIclicr, iIcrcforc, lui iIc sly; and ioiling inio
CIaiIam,vIicI, in iIai nigIi's ascci, is a
mcrc drcam of cIall, and dravlridgcs, and
masilcss sIis in a muddy rivcr, roofcd lilc
NoaI's arls, crci, ai lasi, uon a sori of
grass-grovn laiicry ovcrIanging a lanc, vIcrc
a scniry vas valling io and fro. Hcrc I lay dovn,
ncar a cannon; and, Iay in iIc sociciy of
iIc scniry's fooisics, iIougI Ic lncv no morc
of my lcing alovc Iim iIan iIc loys ai Salcm
Housc Iad lnovn of my lying ly iIc vall, slci
soundly uniil morning.
Vcry siiff and sorc of fooi I vas in iIc morn-
ing, and quiic dazcd ly iIc lcaiing of drums
and marcIing of iroos, vIicI sccmcd io Icm
mc in on cvcry sidc vIcn I vcni dovn iovards
iIc long narrov sircci. Fccling iIai I could go
lui a vcry liiilc vay iIai day, if I vcrc io rc-
scrvc any sircngiI for gciiing io my journcy's
cnd, I rcsolvcd io malc iIc salc of my jaclci iis
rincial lusincss. Accordingly, I iool iIc
jaclci off, iIai I migIi lcarn io do viiIoui ii;
and carrying ii undcr my arm, lcgan a iour of
inscciion of iIc various slo-sIos.
223
Ii vas a lilcly lacc io scll a jaclci in; for iIc
dcalcrs in sccond-Iand cloiIcs vcrc numcr-
ous, and vcrc, gcncrally scaling, on iIc lool-
oui for cusiomcrs ai iIcir sIo doors. Dui as
mosi of iIcm Iad, Ianging u among iIcir
siocl, an officcr's coai or ivo, caulciics and
all, I vas rcndcrcd iimid ly iIc cosily naiurc of
iIcir dcalings, and vallcd aloui for a long iimc
viiIoui offcring my mcrcIandisc io anyonc.
TIis modcsiy of minc dirccicd my aiicniion io
iIc marinc-siorc sIos, and sucI sIos as Mr.
Dolloly's, in rcfcrcncc io iIc rcgular dcalcrs. Ai
lasi I found onc iIai I iIougIi loolcd romising,
ai iIc corncr of a diriy lanc, cnding in an cnclo-
surc full of siinging-nciilcs, againsi iIc alings of
vIicI somc sccond-Iand sailors' cloiIcs, iIai
sccmcd io Iavc ovcrflovcd iIc sIo, vcrc fluiicr-
ing among somc cois, and rusiy guns, and oilslin
Iais, and ccriain irays full of so many old rusiy
lcys of so many sizcs iIai iIcy sccmcd various
cnougI io ocn all iIc doors in iIc vorld.
Inio iIis sIo, vIicI vas lov and small, and
vIicI vas darlcncd raiIcr iIan ligIicd ly a
liiilc vindov, ovcrIung viiI cloiIcs, and vas
dcsccndcd inio ly somc sics, I vcni viiI a
aliiaiing Icari; vIicI vas noi rclicvcd vIcn
an ugly old man, viiI iIc lovcr ari of Iis facc
all covcrcd viiI a siullly grcy lcard, rusIcd
oui of a diriy dcn lcIind ii, and scizcd mc ly
iIc Iair of my Icad. Hc vas a drcadful old man
io lool ai, in a filiIy flanncl vaisicoai, and smcll-
ing icrrilly of rum. His lcdsicad, covcrcd viiI
a iumllcd and raggcd iccc of aicIvorl, vas
in iIc dcn Ic Iad comc from, vIcrc anoiIcr
liiilc vindov sIovcd a roscci of morc siing-
ing-nciilcs, and a lamc donlcy.
'OI, vIai do you vani?' grinncd iIis old man,
in a ficrcc, monoionous vIinc. 'OI, my cycs
and limls, vIai do you vani? OI, my lungs
and livcr, vIai do you vani? OI, goroo, goroo!'
I vas so mucI dismaycd ly iIcsc vords, and
ariicularly ly iIc rcciiiion of iIc lasi unlnovn
224
onc, vIicI vas a lind of raiilc in Iis iIroai,
iIai I could malc no ansvcr; Icrcuon iIc old
man, siill Iolding mc ly iIc Iair, rccaicd:
'OI, vIai do you vani? OI, my cycs and
limls, vIai do you vani? OI, my lungs and
livcr, vIai do you vani? OI, goroo!'vIicI Ic
scrcvcd oui of Iimsclf, viiI an cncrgy iIai
madc Iis cycs siari in Iis Icad.
'I vanicd io lnov,' I said, ircmlling, 'if you
vould luy a jaclci.'
'OI, lci's scc iIc jaclci!' cricd iIc old man.
'OI, my Icari on firc, sIov iIc jaclci io us!
OI, my cycs and limls, lring iIc jaclci oui!'
WiiI iIai Ic iool Iis ircmlling Iands, vIicI
vcrc lilc iIc clavs of a grcai lird, oui of my
Iair; and ui on a air of scciaclcs, noi ai all
ornamcnial io Iis inflamcd cycs.
'OI, Iov mucI for iIc jaclci?' cricd iIc old
man, aficr camining ii. 'OIgoroo!Iov
mucI for iIc jaclci?'
'Half-a-crovn,' I ansvcrcd, rccovcring mysclf.
'OI, my lungs and livcr,' cricd iIc old man,
'no! OI, my cycs, no! OI, my limls, no!
EigIiccncncc. Goroo!'
Evcry iimc Ic uiicrcd iIis cjaculaiion, Iis
cycs sccmcd io lc in dangcr of siariing oui;
and cvcry scnicncc Ic solc, Ic dclivcrcd in a
sori of iunc, alvays cacily iIc samc, and morc
lilc a gusi of vind, vIicI lcgins lov, mounis
u IigI, and falls again, iIan any oiIcr com-
arison I can find for ii.
'Wcll,' said I, glad io Iavc closcd iIc largain,
'I'll ialc cigIiccncncc.'
'OI, my livcr!' cricd iIc old man, iIroving
iIc jaclci on a sIclf. 'Gci oui of iIc sIo! OI,
my lungs, gci oui of iIc sIo! OI, my cycs and
limlsgoroo!don'i asl for moncy; malc ii an
ccIangc.' I ncvcr vas so frigIicncd in my
lifc, lcforc or sincc; lui I iold Iim Iumlly iIai
I vanicd moncy, and iIai noiIing clsc vas of
any usc io mc, lui iIai I vould vaii for ii, as
Ic dcsircd, ouisidc, and Iad no visI io Iurry
225
Iim. So I vcni ouisidc, and sai dovn in iIc
sIadc in a corncr. And I sai iIcrc so many
Iours, iIai iIc sIadc lccamc sunligIi, and
iIc sunligIi lccamc sIadc again, and siill I
sai iIcrc vaiiing for iIc moncy.
TIcrc ncvcr vas sucI anoiIcr drunlcn mad-
man in iIai linc of lusincss, I Ioc. TIai Ic
vas vcll lnovn in iIc ncigIlourIood, and
cnjoycd iIc rcuiaiion of Iaving sold Iimsclf
io iIc dcvil, I soon undcrsiood from iIc visiis
Ic rcccivcd from iIc loys, vIo coniinually camc
slirmisIing aloui iIc sIo, sIouiing iIai lcg-
cnd, and calling io Iim io lring oui Iis gold.
'You ain'i oor, you lnov, CIarlcy, as you rc-
icnd. Dring oui your gold. Dring oui somc of
iIc gold you sold yoursclf io iIc dcvil for. Comc!
Ii's in iIc lining of iIc maiircss, CIarlcy. Fi
ii ocn and lci's Iavc somc!' TIis, and many
offcrs io lcnd Iim a lnifc for iIc urosc, c-
ascraicd Iim io sucI a dcgrcc, iIai iIc vIolc
day vas a succcssion of rusIcs on Iis ari,
and fligIis on iIc ari of iIc loys. Somciimcs
in Iis ragc Ic vould ialc mc for onc of iIcm,
and comc ai mc, mouiIing as if Ic vcrc going
io icar mc in icccs; iIcn, rcmcmlcring mc,
jusi in iimc, vould divc inio iIc sIo, and lic
uon Iis lcd, as I iIougIi from iIc sound of
Iis voicc, yclling in a franiic vay, io Iis ovn
vindy iunc, iIc 'DcaiI of Nclson'; viiI an OI!
lcforc cvcry linc, and innumcrallc Goroos in-
icrscrscd. As if iIis vcrc noi lad cnougI for
mc, iIc loys, conncciing mc viiI iIc csial-
lisImcni, on accouni of iIc aiicncc and cr-
scvcrancc viiI vIicI I sai ouisidc, Ialf-drcsscd,
clicd mc, and uscd mc vcry ill all day.
Hc madc many aiicmis io inducc mc io con-
scni io an ccIangc; ai onc iimc coming oui viiI
a fisIing-rod, ai anoiIcr viiI a fiddlc, ai anoiIcr
viiI a coclcd Iai, ai anoiIcr viiI a fluic. Dui I
rcsisicd all iIcsc ovcriurcs, and sai iIcrc in dcs-
craiion; cacI iimc asling Iim, viiI icars in my
cycs, for my moncy or my jaclci. Ai lasi Ic lc-
226
gan io ay mc in Ialfcncc ai a iimc; and vas
full ivo Iours gciiing ly casy siagcs io a sIil-
ling.
'OI, my cycs and limls!' Ic iIcn cricd, cc-
ing Iidcously oui of iIc sIo, aficr a long
ausc, 'vill you go for ivocncc morc?'
'I can'i,' I said; 'I sIall lc siarvcd.'
'OI, my lungs and livcr, vill you go for
iIrcccncc?'
'I vould go for noiIing, if I could,' I said, 'lui I
vani iIc moncy ladly.'
'OI, go-roo!' (ii is rcally imossillc io crcss
Iov Ic ivisicd iIis cjaculaiion oui of Iimsclf,
as Ic cccd round iIc door-osi ai mc, sIov-
ing noiIing lui Iis crafiy old Icad}; 'vill you
go for fourcncc?'
I vas so faini and vcary iIai I closcd viiI
iIis offcr; and ialing iIc moncy oui of Iis clav,
noi viiIoui ircmlling, vcni avay morc Iun-
gry and iIirsiy iIan I Iad cvcr lccn, a liiilc
lcforc sunsci. Dui ai an ccnsc of iIrcccncc
I soon rcfrcsIcd mysclf comlcicly; and, lcing
in lciicr siriis iIcn, limcd scvcn milcs uon
my road.
My lcd ai nigIi vas undcr anoiIcr Iaysiacl,
vIcrc I rcsicd comforially, aficr Iaving vasIcd
my llisicrcd fcci in a sircam, and drcsscd iIcm
as vcll as I vas allc, viiI somc cool lcavcs.
WIcn I iool iIc road again nci morning, I
found iIai ii lay iIrougI a succcssion of Io-
grounds and orcIards. Ii vas sufficicnily laic
in iIc ycar for iIc orcIards io lc ruddy viiI
ric alcs; and in a fcv laccs iIc Io-icl-
crs vcrc alrcady ai vorl. I iIougIi ii all c-
ircmcly lcauiiful, and madc u my mind io
slcc among iIc Ios iIai nigIi: imagining
somc cIccrful comanionsIi in iIc long cr-
scciivcs of olcs, viiI iIc graccful lcavcs ivin-
ing round iIcm.
TIc iramcrs vcrc vorsc iIan cvcr iIai day,
and insircd mc viiI a drcad iIai is yci quiic
frcsI in my mind. Somc of iIcm vcrc mosi fcro-
227
cious-looling ruffians, vIo siarcd ai mc as I vcni
ly; and siocd, crIas, and callcd aficr mc io
comc lacl and scal io iIcm, and vIcn I iool
io my Iccls, sioncd mc. I rccollcci onc young
fcllova iinlcr, I suosc, from Iis vallci and
lrazicrvIo Iad a voman viiI Iim, and vIo
faccd aloui and siarcd ai mc iIus; and iIcn
roarcd io mc in sucI a ircmcndous voicc io comc
lacl, iIai I Ialicd and loolcd round.
'Comc Icrc, vIcn you'rc callcd,' said iIc
iinlcr, 'or I'll ri your young lody ocn.'
I iIougIi ii lcsi io go lacl. As I drcv ncarcr io
iIcm, irying io roiiiaic iIc iinlcr ly my lools,
I olscrvcd iIai iIc voman Iad a llacl cyc.
'WIcrc arc you going?' said iIc iinlcr, griing
iIc losom of my sIiri viiI Iis llaclcncd Iand.
'I am going io Dovcr,' I said.
'WIcrc do you comc from?' aslcd iIc iinlcr,
giving Iis Iand anoiIcr iurn in my sIiri, io
Iold mc morc sccurcly.
'I comc from London,' I said.
'WIai lay arc you uon?' aslcd iIc iinlcr.
'Arc you a rig?'
'N-no,' I said.
'Ain'i you, ly G? If you malc a lrag of your
Ioncsiy io mc,' said iIc iinlcr, 'I'll lnocl your
lrains oui.'
WiiI Iis discngagcd Iand Ic madc a mcnacc
of siriling mc, and iIcn loolcd ai mc from Icad
io fooi.
'Havc you goi iIc ricc of a ini of lccr aloui
you?' said iIc iinlcr. 'If you Iavc, oui viiI ii,
aforc I ialc ii avay!'
I sIould ccriainly Iavc roduccd ii, lui iIai I
mci iIc voman's lool, and sav Icr vcry sligIily
sIalc Icr Icad, and form 'No!' viiI Icr lis.
'I am vcry oor,' I said, aiicmiing io smilc,
'and Iavc goi no moncy.'
'WIy, vIai do you mcan?' said iIc iinlcr,
looling so sicrnly ai mc, iIai I almosi fcarcd
Ic sav iIc moncy in my oclci.
'Sir!' I siammcrcd.
228
'WIai do you mcan,' said iIc iinlcr, 'ly vcar-
ing my lroiIcr's sill IandlcrcIicf! Givc ii ovcr
Icrc!' And Ic Iad minc off my nccl in a mo-
mcni, and iosscd ii io iIc voman.
TIc voman lursi inio a fii of laugIicr, as if
sIc iIougIi iIis a jolc, and iosscd ii lacl io
mc, noddcd oncc, as sligIily as lcforc, and
madc iIc vord 'Go!' viiI Icr lis. Dcforc I could
olcy, Iovcvcr, iIc iinlcr scizcd iIc Iandlcr-
cIicf oui of my Iand viiI a rougIncss iIai
iIrcv mc avay lilc a fcaiIcr, and uiiing ii
looscly round Iis ovn nccl, iurncd uon iIc
voman viiI an oaiI, and lnoclcd Icr dovn. I
ncvcr sIall forgci sccing Icr fall laclvard on
iIc Iard road, and lic iIcrc viiI Icr lonnci
iumllcd off, and Icr Iair all vIiicncd in iIc
dusi; nor, vIcn I loolcd lacl from a disiancc,
sccing Icr siiiing on iIc aiIvay, vIicI vas a
lanl ly iIc roadsidc, viing iIc llood from
Icr facc viiI a corncr of Icr sIavl, vIilc Ic
vcni on aIcad.
TIis advcniurc frigIicncd mc so, iIai, aficr-
vards, vIcn I sav any of iIcsc colc coming,
I iurncd lacl uniil I could find a Iiding-lacc,
vIcrc I rcmaincd uniil iIcy Iad gonc oui of
sigIi; vIicI Iacncd so oficn, iIai I vas vcry
scriously dclaycd. Dui undcr iIis difficuliy, as
undcr all iIc oiIcr difficuliics of my journcy, I
sccmcd io lc susiaincd and lcd on ly my fan-
ciful iciurc of my moiIcr in Icr youiI, lcforc
I camc inio iIc vorld. Ii alvays lci mc com-
any. Ii vas iIcrc, among iIc Ios, vIcn I lay
dovn io slcc; ii vas viiI mc on my valing in
iIc morning; ii vcni lcforc mc all day. I Iavc
associaicd ii, cvcr sincc, viiI iIc sunny sircci
of Canicrlury, dozing as ii vcrc in iIc Ioi ligIi;
and viiI iIc sigIi of iis old Iouscs and gaic-
vays, and iIc siaicly, grcy CaiIcdral, viiI iIc
rools sailing round iIc iovcrs. WIcn I camc,
ai lasi, uon iIc larc, vidc dovns ncar Dovcr,
ii rclicvcd iIc soliiary ascci of iIc sccnc viiI
Ioc; and noi uniil I rcacIcd iIai firsi grcai
229
aim of my journcy, and aciually sci fooi in iIc
iovn iisclf, on iIc siiI day of my fligIi, did ii
dcscri mc. Dui iIcn, sirangc io say, vIcn I
siood viiI my raggcd sIocs, and my dusiy,
sunlurni, Ialf-cloiIcd figurc, in iIc lacc so
long dcsircd, ii sccmcd io vanisI lilc a drcam,
and io lcavc mc Icllcss and disiriicd.
I inquircd aloui my auni among iIc loaimcn
firsi, and rcccivcd various ansvcrs. Onc said sIc
livcd in iIc SouiI Forcland LigIi, and Iad singcd
Icr vIislcrs ly doing so; anoiIcr, iIai sIc vas
madc fasi io iIc grcai luoy ouisidc iIc Iarlour,
and could only lc visiicd ai Ialf-iidc; a iIird, iIai
sIc vas loclcd u in Maidsionc jail for cIild-sical-
ing; a fouriI, iIai sIc vas sccn io mouni a lroom
in iIc lasi IigI vind, and malc dircci for Calais.
TIc fly-drivcrs, among vIom I inquircd nci, vcrc
cqually jocosc and cqually disrcscciful; and iIc
sIolcccrs, noi liling my acarancc, gcncr-
ally rclicd, viiIoui Icaring vIai I Iad io say,
iIai iIcy Iad goi noiIing for mc. I fcli morc mis-
crallc and dcsiiiuic iIan I Iad donc ai any c-
riod of my running avay. My moncy vas all gonc,
I Iad noiIing lcfi io disosc of; I vas Iungry,
iIirsiy, and vorn oui; and sccmcd as disiani from
my cnd as if I Iad rcmaincd in London.
TIc morning Iad vorn avay in iIcsc inquir-
ics, and I vas siiiing on iIc sic of an cmiy
sIo ai a sircci corncr, ncar iIc marlci-lacc,
dclilcraiing uon vandcring iovards iIosc
oiIcr laccs vIicI Iad lccn mcniioncd, vIcn
a fly-drivcr, coming ly viiI Iis carriagc, drocd
a IorsccloiI. SomciIing good-naiurcd in iIc
man's facc, as I Iandcd ii u, cncouragcd mc io
asl Iim if Ic could icll mc vIcrc Miss Troivood
livcd; iIougI I Iad aslcd iIc qucsiion so oficn,
iIai ii almosi dicd uon my lis.
'Troivood,' said Ic. 'Lci mc scc. I lnov iIc
namc, ioo. Old lady?'
'Ycs,' I said, 'raiIcr.'
'Frciiy siiff in iIc lacl?' said Ic, maling Iim-
sclf urigIi.
230
'Ycs,' I said. 'I sIould iIinl ii vcry lilcly.'
'Carrics a lag?' said Ic'lag viiI a good dcal
of room in iiis gruffisI, and comcs dovn uon
you, sIar?'
My Icari sanl viiIin mc as I aclnovlcdgcd
iIc undoulicd accuracy of iIis dcscriiion.
'WIy iIcn, I icll you vIai,' said Ic. 'If you go
u iIcrc,' oiniing viiI Iis vIi iovards iIc
IcigIis, 'and lcc rigIi on iill you comc io
somc Iouscs facing iIc sca, I iIinl you'll Icar
of Icr. My oinion is sIc von'i siand anyiIing,
so Icrc's a cnny for you.'
I acccicd iIc gifi iIanlfully, and lougIi a
loaf viiI ii. DisaicIing iIis rcfrcsImcni ly
iIc vay, I vcni in iIc dircciion my fricnd Iad
indicaicd, and vallcd on a good disiancc viiI-
oui coming io iIc Iouscs Ic Iad mcniioncd.
Ai lcngiI I sav somc lcforc mc; and aroacI-
ing iIcm, vcni inio a liiilc sIo (ii vas vIai
vc uscd io call a gcncral sIo, ai Iomc}, and
inquircd if iIcy could Iavc iIc goodncss io icll
mc vIcrc Miss Troivood livcd. I addrcsscd my-
sclf io a man lcIind iIc counicr, vIo vas
vcigIing somc ricc for a young voman; lui
iIc laiicr, ialing iIc inquiry io Icrsclf, iurncd
round quiclly.
'My misircss?' sIc said. 'WIai do you vani
viiI Icr, loy?'
'I vani,' I rclicd, 'io scal io Icr, if you lcasc.'
'To lcg of Icr, you mcan,' rcioricd iIc damscl.
'No,' I said, 'indccd.' Dui suddcnly rcmcm-
lcring iIai in iruiI I camc for no oiIcr ur-
osc, I Icld my cacc in confusion, and fcli my
facc lurn.
M auni's Iandmaid, as I suoscd sIc vas
from vIai sIc Iad said, ui Icr ricc in a liiilc
laslci and vallcd oui of iIc sIo; iclling mc
iIai I could follov Icr, if I vanicd io lnov vIcrc
Miss Troivood livcd. I nccdcd no sccond cr-
mission; iIougI I vas ly iIis iimc in sucI a
siaic of consicrnaiion and agiiaiion, iIai my lcgs
sIool undcr mc. I follovcd iIc young voman,
231
and vc soon camc io a vcry ncai liiilc coiiagc
viiI cIccrful lov-vindovs: in froni of ii, a small
squarc gravcllcd couri or gardcn full of flovcrs,
carcfully icndcd, and smclling dcliciously.
'TIis is Miss Troivood's,' said iIc young
voman. 'Nov you lnov; and iIai's all I Iavc
goi io say.' WiiI vIicI vords sIc Iurricd inio
iIc Iousc, as if io sIalc off iIc rcsonsililiiy
of my acarancc; and lcfi mc sianding ai iIc
gardcn-gaic, looling disconsolaicly ovcr iIc io
of ii iovards iIc arlour vindov, vIcrc a mus-
lin curiain arily undravn in iIc middlc, a
largc round grccn scrccn or fan fasicncd on io
iIc vindovsill, a small iallc, and a grcai cIair,
suggcsicd io mc iIai my auni migIi lc ai iIai
momcni scaicd in avful siaic.
My sIocs vcrc ly iIis iimc in a vocful condi-
iion. TIc solcs Iad sIcd iIcmsclvcs lii ly lii,
and iIc ucr lcaiIcrs Iad lrolcn and lursi
uniil iIc vcry sIac and form of sIocs Iad dc-
aricd from iIcm. My Iai (vIicI Iad scrvcd
mc for a nigIi-ca, ioo} vas so crusIcd and
lcni, iIai no old laiicrcd Iandlclcss saucc-
an on a dungIill nccd Iavc lccn asIamcd io
vic viiI ii. My sIiri and irouscrs, siaincd viiI
Icai, dcv, grass, and iIc KcniisI soil on vIicI
I Iad slciand iorn lcsidcsmigIi Iavc
frigIicncd iIc lirds from my auni's gardcn, as
I siood ai iIc gaic. My Iair Iad lnovn no coml
or lrusI sincc I lcfi London. My facc, nccl,
and Iands, from unaccusiomcd cosurc io iIc
air and sun, vcrc lurni io a lcrry-lrovn. From
Icad io fooi I vas ovdcrcd almosi as vIiic
viiI cIall and dusi, as if I Iad comc oui of a
limc-liln. In iIis ligIi, and viiI a sirong con-
sciousncss of ii, I vaiicd io iniroducc mysclf
io, and malc my firsi imrcssion on, my formi-
dallc auni.
TIc unlrolcn siillncss of iIc arlour vin-
dov lcading mc io infcr, aficr a vIilc, iIai sIc
vas noi iIcrc, I lificd u my cycs io iIc vin-
dov alovc ii, vIcrc I sav a florid, lcasani-
232
looling gcnilcman, viiI a grcy Icad, vIo sIui
u onc cyc in a groicsquc manncr, noddcd Iis
Icad ai mc scvcral iimcs, sIool ii ai mc as
oficn, laugIcd, and vcni avay.
I Iad lccn discomoscd cnougI lcforc; lui I
vas so mucI iIc morc discomoscd ly iIis unc-
ccicd lcIaviour, iIai I vas on iIc oini of slinl-
ing off, io iIinl Iov I Iad lcsi rocccd, vIcn
iIcrc camc oui of iIc Iousc a lady viiI Icr Iand-
lcrcIicf iicd ovcr Icr ca, and a air of gardcning
glovcs on Icr Iands, vcaring a gardcning oclci
lilc a ioll-man's aron, and carrying a grcai lnifc.
I lncv Icr immcdiaicly io lc Miss Dciscy, for sIc
camc sialling oui of iIc Iousc cacily as my oor
moiIcr Iad so oficn dcscrilcd Icr sialling u
our gardcn ai Dlundcrsionc Foolcry.
'Go avay!' said Miss Dciscy, sIaling Icr Icad,
and maling a disiani cIo in iIc air viiI Icr
lnifc. 'Go along! No loys Icrc!'
I vaicIcd Icr, viiI my Icari ai my lis, as
sIc marcIcd io a corncr of Icr gardcn, and
sioocd io dig u somc liiilc rooi iIcrc. TIcn,
viiIoui a scra of couragc, lui viiI a grcai
dcal of dcscraiion, I vcni sofily in and siood
lcsidc Icr, ioucIing Icr viiI my fingcr.
'If you lcasc, ma'am,' I lcgan.
SIc siaricd and loolcd u.
'If you lcasc, auni.'
'EI?' cclaimcd Miss Dciscy, in a ionc of
amazcmcni I Iavc ncvcr Icard aroacIcd.
'If you lcasc, auni, I am your ncIcv.'
'OI, Lord!' said my auni. And sai flai dovn in
iIc gardcn-aiI.
'I am David Cocrficld, of Dlundcrsionc, in Suf-
follvIcrc you camc, on iIc nigIi vIcn I vas
lorn, and sav my dcar mama. I Iavc lccn vcry
unIay sincc sIc dicd. I Iavc lccn sligIicd, and
iaugIi noiIing, and iIrovn uon mysclf, and ui
io vorl noi fii for mc. Ii madc mc run avay io you.
I vas rollcd ai firsi sciiing oui, and Iavc vallcd
all iIc vay, and Iavc ncvcr slci in a lcd sincc I
lcgan iIc journcy.' Hcrc my sclf-suori gavc
233
vay all ai oncc; and viiI a movcmcni of my Iands,
inicndcd io sIov Icr my raggcd siaic, and call ii
io viincss iIai I Iad suffcrcd somciIing, I lrolc
inio a assion of crying, vIicI I suosc Iad lccn
cni u viiIin mc all iIc vccl.
My auni, viiI cvcry sori of crcssion lui
vondcr discIargcd from Icr counicnancc, sai
on iIc gravcl, siaring ai mc, uniil I lcgan io
cry; vIcn sIc goi u in a grcai Iurry, collarcd
mc, and iool mc inio iIc arlour. Hcr firsi ro-
cccding iIcrc vas io unlocl a iall rcss, lring
oui scvcral loiilcs, and our somc of iIc con-
icnis of cacI inio my mouiI. I iIinl iIcy musi
Iavc lccn ialcn oui ai random, for I am surc I
iasicd anisccd vaicr, ancIovy saucc, and salad
drcssing. WIcn sIc Iad adminisicrcd iIcsc
rcsioraiivcs, as I vas siill quiic Iysicrical, and
unallc io conirol my sols, sIc ui mc on iIc
sofa, viiI a sIavl undcr my Icad, and iIc
IandlcrcIicf from Icr ovn Icad undcr my fcci,
lcsi I sIould sully iIc covcr; and iIcn, siiiing
Icrsclf dovn lcIind iIc grccn fan or scrccn I
Iavc alrcady mcniioncd, so iIai I could noi scc
Icr facc, cjaculaicd ai inicrvals, 'Mcrcy on us!'
lciiing iIosc cclamaiions off lilc minuic guns.
Aficr a iimc sIc rang iIc lcll. 'Janci,' said
my auni, vIcn Icr scrvani camc in. 'Go u-
siairs, givc my comlimcnis io Mr. Dicl, and
say I visI io scal io Iim.'
Janci loolcd a liiilc surriscd io scc mc ly-
ing siiffly on iIc sofa (I vas afraid io movc lcsi
ii sIould lc dislcasing io my auni}, lui vcni
on Icr crrand. My auni, viiI Icr Iands lc-
Iind Icr, vallcd u and dovn iIc room, uniil
iIc gcnilcman vIo Iad squinicd ai mc from
iIc ucr vindov camc in laugIing.
'Mr. Dicl,' said my auni, 'don'i lc a fool, lc-
causc nolody can lc morc discrcci iIan you
can, vIcn you cIoosc. Wc all lnov iIai. So
don'i lc a fool, vIaicvcr you arc.'
TIc gcnilcman vas scrious immcdiaicly, and
loolcd ai mc, I iIougIi, as if Ic vould cnircai
234
mc io say noiIing aloui iIc vindov.
'Mr. Dicl,' said my auni, 'you Iavc Icard mc
mcniion David Cocrficld? Nov don'i rcicnd
noi io Iavc a mcmory, lccausc you and I lnov
lciicr.'
'David Cocrficld?' said Mr. Dicl, vIo did
noi acar io mc io rcmcmlcr mucI aloui ii.
'David Cocrficld? OI ycs, io lc surc. David,
ccriainly.'
'Wcll,' said my auni, 'iIis is Iis loyIis son.
Hc vould lc as lilc Iis faiIcr as ii's ossillc io
lc, if Ic vas noi so lilc Iis moiIcr, ioo.'
'His son?' said Mr. Dicl. 'David's son? Indccd!'
'Ycs,' ursucd my auni, 'and Ic Ias donc a
rciiy iccc of lusincss. Hc Ias run avay. AI!
His sisicr, Dciscy Troivood, ncvcr vould Iavc
run avay.' My auni sIool Icr Icad firmly,
confidcni in iIc cIaracicr and lcIaviour of iIc
girl vIo ncvcr vas lorn.
'OI! you iIinl sIc vouldn'i Iavc run avay?'
said Mr. Dicl.
'Dlcss and savc iIc man,' cclaimcd my auni,
sIarly, 'Iov Ic ialls! Don'i I lnov sIc
vouldn'i? SIc vould Iavc livcd viiI Icr god-
moiIcr, and vc sIould Iavc lccn dcvoicd io
onc anoiIcr. WIcrc, in iIc namc of vondcr,
sIould Iis sisicr, Dciscy Troivood, Iavc run
from, or io?'
'NovIcrc,' said Mr. Dicl.
'Wcll iIcn,' rciurncd my auni, soficncd ly
iIc rcly, 'Iov can you rcicnd io lc vool-
gaiIcring, Dicl, vIcn you arc as sIar as a
surgcon's lancci? Nov, Icrc you scc young
David Cocrficld, and iIc qucsiion I ui io
you is, vIai sIall I do viiI Iim?'
'WIai sIall you do viiI Iim?' said Mr. Dicl,
fcclly, scraicIing Iis Icad. 'OI! do viiI Iim?'
'Ycs,' said my auni, viiI a gravc lool, and
Icr forcfingcr Icld u. 'Comc! I vani somc vcry
sound advicc.'
'WIy, if I vas you,' said Mr. Dicl, considcr-
ing, and looling vacanily ai mc, 'I sIould'
235
TIc conicmlaiion of mc sccmcd io insirc Iim
viiI a suddcn idca, and Ic addcd, lrislly, 'I
sIould vasI Iim!'
'Janci,' said my auni, iurning round viiI a
quici iriumI, vIicI I did noi iIcn undcrsiand,
'Mr. Dicl scis us all rigIi. Hcai iIc laiI!'
AliIougI I vas dccly inicrcsicd in iIis dia-
loguc, I could noi Icl olscrving my auni, Mr.
Dicl, and Janci, vIilc ii vas in rogrcss, and
comlciing a survcy I Iad alrcady lccn cngagcd
in maling of iIc room.
M auni vas a iall, Iard-fcaiurcd lady, lui
ly no mcans ill-looling. TIcrc vas an inflc-
ililiiy in Icr facc, in Icr voicc, in Icr gaii and
carriagc, amly sufficicni io accouni for iIc cf-
fcci sIc Iad madc uon a gcnilc crcaiurc lilc
my moiIcr; lui Icr fcaiurcs vcrc raiIcr Iand-
somc iIan oiIcrvisc, iIougI unlcnding and
ausicrc. I ariicularly noiiccd iIai sIc Iad a
vcry quicl, lrigIi cyc. Hcr Iair, vIicI vas grcy,
vas arrangcd in ivo lain divisions, undcr vIai
I lclicvc vould lc callcd a mol-ca; I mcan a
ca, mucI morc common iIcn iIan nov, viiI
sidc-icccs fasicning undcr iIc cIin. Hcr drcss
vas of a lavcndcr colour, and crfccily ncai;
lui scaniily madc, as if sIc dcsircd io lc as
liiilc cncumlcrcd as ossillc. I rcmcmlcr iIai
I iIougIi ii, in form, morc lilc a riding-Ialii
viiI iIc sucrfluous sliri cui off, iIan any-
iIing clsc. SIc vorc ai Icr sidc a gcnilcman's
gold vaicI, if I migIi judgc from iis sizc and
malc, viiI an aroriaic cIain and scals; sIc
Iad somc lincn ai Icr iIroai noi unlilc a sIiri-
collar, and iIings ai Icr vrisis lilc liiilc sIiri-
vrisilands.
Mr. Dicl, as I Iavc alrcady said, vas grcy-
Icadcd, and florid: I sIould Iavc said all aloui
Iim, in saying so, Iad noi Iis Icad lccn curi-
ously lovcdnoi ly agc; ii rcmindcd mc of onc
of Mr. Crcallc's loys' Icads aficr a lcaiing
and Iis grcy cycs romincni and largc, viiI a
sirangc lind of vaicry lrigIincss in iIcm iIai
236
madc mc, in comlinaiion viiI Iis vacani man-
ncr, Iis sulmission io my auni, and Iis cIild-
isI dcligIi vIcn sIc raiscd Iim, suscci Iim
of lcing a liiilc mad; iIougI, if Ic vcrc mad,
Iov Ic camc io lc iIcrc uzzlcd mc circmcly.
Hc vas drcsscd lilc any oiIcr ordinary gcnilc-
man, in a loosc grcy morning coai and vaisi-
coai, and vIiic irouscrs; and Iad Iis vaicI in
Iis fol, and Iis moncy in Iis oclcis: vIicI Ic
raiilcd as if Ic vcrc vcry roud of ii.
Janci vas a rciiy llooming girl, of aloui ninc-
iccn or ivcniy, and a crfcci iciurc of ncaincss.
TIougI I madc no furiIcr olscrvaiion of Icr ai iIc
momcni, I may mcniion Icrc vIai I did noi dis-
covcr uniil aficrvards, namcly, iIai sIc vas onc of
a scrics of roicgccs vIom my auni Iad ialcn inio
Icr scrvicc crcssly io cducaic in a rcnouncc-
mcni of manlind, and vIo Iad gcncrally comlcicd
iIcir aljuraiion ly marrying iIc lalcr.
TIc room vas as ncai as Janci or my auni.
As I laid dovn my cn, a momcni sincc, io iIinl
of ii, iIc air from iIc sca camc lloving in again,
micd viiI iIc crfumc of iIc flovcrs; and I
sav iIc old-fasIioncd furniiurc lrigIily rullcd
and olisIcd, my auni's inviolallc cIair and
iallc ly iIc round grccn fan in iIc lov-vin-
dov, iIc druggci-covcrcd carci, iIc cai, iIc
lciilc-Ioldcr, iIc ivo canarics, iIc old cIina,
iIc uncIlovl full of dricd rosc-lcavcs, iIc iall
rcss guarding all soris of loiilcs and ois, and,
vondcrfully oui of lccing viiI iIc rcsi, my
dusiy sclf uon iIc sofa, ialing noic of cvcry-
iIing.
Janci Iad gonc avay io gci iIc laiI rcady,
vIcn my auni, io my grcai alarm, lccamc in
onc momcni rigid viiI indignaiion, and Iad
Iardly voicc io cry oui, 'Janci! Donlcys!'
Uon vIicI, Janci camc running u iIc
siairs as if iIc Iousc vcrc in flamcs, daricd
oui on a liiilc iccc of grccn in froni, and
varncd off ivo saddlc-donlcys, lady-riddcn, iIai
Iad rcsumcd io sci Ioof uon ii; vIilc my
237
auni, rusIing oui of iIc Iousc, scizcd iIc lridlc
of a iIird animal ladcn viiI a lcsiriding cIild,
iurncd Iim, lcd Iim foriI from iIosc sacrcd
rccincis, and locd iIc cars of iIc unlucly
urcIin in aiicndancc vIo Iad darcd io ro-
fanc iIai Iallovcd ground.
To iIis Iour I don'i lnov vIciIcr my auni
Iad any lavful rigIi of vay ovcr iIai aicI of
grccn; lui sIc Iad sciilcd ii in Icr ovn mind
iIai sIc Iad, and ii vas all iIc samc io Icr.
TIc onc grcai ouiragc of Icr lifc, dcmanding io
lc consianily avcngcd, vas iIc assagc of a
donlcy ovcr iIai immaculaic soi. In vIaicvcr
occuaiion sIc vas cngagcd, Iovcvcr inicrcsi-
ing io Icr iIc convcrsaiion in vIicI sIc vas
ialing ari, a donlcy iurncd iIc currcni of Icr
idcas in a momcni, and sIc vas uon Iim
siraigIi. Jugs of vaicr, and vaicring-ois, vcrc
lci in sccrci laccs rcady io lc discIargcd on
iIc offcnding loys; siicls vcrc laid in amlusI
lcIind iIc door; sallics vcrc madc ai all Iours;
and inccssani var rcvailcd. FcrIas iIis vas
an agrccallc cciicmcni io iIc donlcy-loys;
or crIas iIc morc sagacious of iIc donlcys,
undcrsianding Iov iIc casc siood, dcligIicd
viiI consiiiuiional olsiinacy in coming iIai
vay. I only lnov iIai iIcrc vcrc iIrcc alarms
lcforc iIc laiI vas rcady; and iIai on iIc oc-
casion of iIc lasi and mosi dcscraic of all, I
sav my auni cngagc, singlc-Iandcd, viiI a
sandy-Icadcd lad of fificcn, and lum Iis
sandy Icad againsi Icr ovn gaic, lcforc Ic
sccmcd io comrcIcnd vIai vas iIc maiicr.
TIcsc inicrruiions vcrc of iIc morc ridicu-
lous io mc, lccausc sIc vas giving mc lroiI
oui of a iallc-soon ai iIc iimc (Iaving firmly
crsuadcd Icrsclf iIai I vas aciually siarving,
and musi rcccivc nourisImcni ai firsi in vcry
small quaniiiics}, and, vIilc my mouiI vas yci
ocn io rcccivc iIc soon, sIc vould ui ii lacl
inio iIc lasin, cry 'Janci! Donlcys!' and go
oui io iIc assauli.
238
TIc laiI vas a grcai comfori. For I lcgan io
lc scnsillc of acuic ains in my limls from
lying oui in iIc ficlds, and vas nov so iircd
and lov iIai I could Iardly lcc mysclf avalc
for fivc minuics iogciIcr. WIcn I Iad laiIcd,
iIcy (I mcan my auni and Janci} cnrolcd mc
in a sIiri and a air of irouscrs lclonging io
Mr. Dicl, and iicd mc u in ivo or iIrcc grcai
sIavls. WIai sori of lundlc I loolcd lilc, I don'i
lnov, lui I fcli a vcry Ioi onc. Fccling also
vcry faini and drovsy, I soon lay dovn on iIc
sofa again and fcll aslcc.
Ii migIi Iavc lccn a drcam, originaiing in
iIc fancy vIicI Iad occuicd my mind so long,
lui I avolc viiI iIc imrcssion iIai my auni
Iad comc and lcni ovcr mc, and Iad ui my
Iair avay from my facc, and laid my Icad morc
comforially, and Iad iIcn siood looling ai mc.
TIc vords, 'Frciiy fcllov,' or 'Foor fcllov,'
sccmcd io lc in my cars, ioo; lui ccriainly iIcrc
vas noiIing clsc, vIcn I avolc, io lcad mc io
lclicvc iIai iIcy Iad lccn uiicrcd ly my auni,
vIo sai in iIc lov-vindov gazing ai iIc sca
from lcIind iIc grccn fan, vIicI vas mounicd
on a lind of svivcl, and iurncd any vay.
Wc dincd soon aficr I avolc, off a roasi fovl
and a udding; I siiiing ai iallc, noi unlilc a
irusscd lird mysclf, and moving my arms viiI
considcrallc difficuliy. Dui as my auni Iad
svaiIcd mc u, I madc no comlaini of lcing
inconvcnicnccd. All iIis iimc I vas dccly an-
ious io lnov vIai sIc vas going io do viiI
mc; lui sIc iool Icr dinncr in rofound si-
lcncc, ccci vIcn sIc occasionally ficd Icr
cycs on mc siiiing oosiic, and said, 'Mcrcy
uon us!' vIicI did noi ly any mcans rclicvc
my aniciy.
TIc cloiI lcing dravn, and somc sIcrry ui
uon iIc iallc (of vIicI I Iad a glass}, my auni
scni u for Mr. Dicl again, vIo joincd us, and
loolcd as visc as Ic could vIcn sIc rcqucsicd
Iim io aiicnd io my siory, vIicI sIc cliciicd
239
from mc, gradually, ly a coursc of qucsiions.
During my rcciial, sIc lci Icr cycs on Mr.
Dicl, vIo I iIougIi vould Iavc gonc io slcc
lui for iIai, and vIo, vIcnsocvcr Ic lascd
inio a smilc, vas cIcclcd ly a frovn from my
auni.
'WIaicvcr osscsscd iIai oor unforiunaic
Daly, iIai sIc musi go and lc marricd again,'
said my auni, vIcn I Iad finisIcd, 'I can'i con-
ccivc.'
'FcrIas sIc fcll in lovc viiI Icr sccond Ius-
land,' Mr. Dicl suggcsicd.
'Fcll in lovc!' rccaicd my auni. 'WIai do you
mcan? WIai lusincss Iad sIc io do ii?'
'FcrIas,' Mr. Dicl simcrcd, aficr iIinling
a liiilc, 'sIc did ii for lcasurc.'
'Flcasurc, indccd!' rclicd my auni. 'A migIiy
lcasurc for iIc oor Daly io fi Icr simlc faiiI
uon any dog of a fcllov, ccriain io ill-usc Icr
in somc vay or oiIcr. WIai did sIc roosc io
Icrsclf, I sIould lilc io lnov! SIc Iad Iad onc
Iusland. SIc Iad sccn David Cocrficld oui
of iIc vorld, vIo vas alvays running aficr va
dolls from Iis cradlc. SIc Iad goi a lalyoI,
iIcrc vcrc a air of lalics vIcn sIc gavc liriI
io iIis cIild siiiing Icrc, iIai Friday nigIi!
and vIai morc did sIc vani?'
Mr. Dicl sccrcily sIool Iis Icad ai mc, as if
Ic iIougIi iIcrc vas no gciiing ovcr iIis.
'SIc couldn'i cvcn Iavc a laly lilc anylody
clsc,' said my auni. 'WIcrc vas iIis cIild's
sisicr, Dciscy Troivood? Noi foriIcoming. Don'i
icll mc!'
Mr. Dicl sccmcd quiic frigIicncd.
'TIai liiilc man of a docior, viiI Iis Icad on
onc sidc,' said my auni, 'Jcllis, or vIaicvcr
Iis namc vas, vIai vas Ic aloui? All Ic could
do, vas io say io mc, lilc a rolin rcdlrcasias
Ic is Ii's a loy." A loy! YaI, iIc imlcciliiy
of iIc vIolc sci of 'cm!'
TIc Icariincss of iIc cjaculaiion siarilcd Mr. Dicl
ccccdingly; and mc, ioo, if I am io icll iIc iruiI.
240
'And iIcn, as if iIis vas noi cnougI, and
sIc Iad noi siood sufficicnily in iIc ligIi of
iIis cIild's sisicr, Dciscy Troivood,' said my
auni, 'sIc marrics a sccond iimcgocs and
marrics a Murdcrcror a man viiI a namc
lilc iiand siands in tIs cIild's ligIi! And
iIc naiural conscqucncc is, as anylody lui a
laly migIi Iavc forcsccn, iIai Ic rovls and
vandcrs. Hc's as lilc Cain lcforc Ic vas grovn
u, as Ic can lc.'
Mr. Dicl loolcd Iard ai mc, as if io idcniify
mc in iIis cIaracicr.
'And iIcn iIcrc's iIai voman viiI iIc Fagan
namc,' said my auni, 'iIai Fcggoiiy, sIc gocs
and gcis marricd nci. Dccausc sIc Ias noi
sccn cnougI of iIc cvil aiicnding sucI iIings,
sIc gocs and gcis marricd nci, as iIc cIild
rclaics. I only Ioc,' said my auni, sIaling Icr
Icad, 'iIai Icr Iusland is onc of iIosc Folcr
Iuslands vIo alound in iIc ncvsacrs, and
vill lcai Icr vcll viiI onc.'
I could noi lcar io Icar my old nursc so dc-
cricd, and madc iIc suljcci of sucI a visI. I
iold my auni iIai indccd sIc vas misialcn.
TIai Fcggoiiy vas iIc lcsi, iIc irucsi, iIc mosi
faiiIful, mosi dcvoicd, and mosi sclf-dcnying
fricnd and scrvani in iIc vorld; vIo Iad cvcr
lovcd mc dcarly, vIo Iad cvcr lovcd my moiIcr
dcarly; vIo Iad Icld my moiIcr's dying Icad
uon Icr arm, on vIosc facc my moiIcr Iad
imrinicd Icr lasi graicful liss. And my rc-
mcmlrancc of iIcm loiI, cIoling mc, I lrolc
dovn as I vas irying io say iIai Icr Iomc vas
my Iomc, and iIai all sIc Iad vas minc, and
iIai I vould Iavc gonc io Icr for sIclicr, lui
for Icr Iumllc siaiion, vIicI madc mc fcar
iIai I migIi lring somc iroullc on IcrI lrolc
dovn, I say, as I vas irying io say so, and laid
my facc in my Iands uon iIc iallc.
'Wcll, vcll!' said my auni, 'iIc cIild is rigIi io
siand ly iIosc vIo Iavc siood ly IimJanci!
Donlcys!'
241
I iIorougIly lclicvc iIai lui for iIosc unfor-
iunaic donlcys, vc sIould Iavc comc io a good
undcrsianding; for my auni Iad laid Icr Iand
on my sIouldcr, and iIc imulsc vas uon
mc, iIus cmloldcncd, io cmlracc Icr and lc-
scccI Icr roicciion. Dui iIc inicrruiion, and
iIc disordcr sIc vas iIrovn inio ly iIc sirugglc
ouisidc, ui an cnd io all soficr idcas for iIc
rcscni, and lci my auni indignanily dcclaim-
ing io Mr. Dicl aloui Icr dcicrminaiion io a-
cal for rcdrcss io iIc lavs of Icr couniry, and
io lring aciions for ircsass againsi iIc vIolc
donlcy roriciorsIi of Dovcr, uniil ica-iimc.
Aficr ica, vc sai ai iIc vindovon iIc lool-
oui, as I imagincd, from my auni's sIar c-
rcssion of facc, for morc invadcrsuniil dusl,
vIcn Janci sci candlcs, and a laclgammon-
loard, on iIc iallc, and ullcd dovn iIc llinds.
'Nov, Mr. Dicl,' said my auni, viiI Icr gravc
lool, and Icr forcfingcr u as lcforc, 'I am going
io asl you anoiIcr qucsiion. Lool ai iIis cIild.'
'David's son?' said Mr. Dicl, viiI an aiicn-
iivc, uzzlcd facc.
'Eacily so,' rciurncd my auni. 'WIai vould
you do viiI Iim, nov?'
'Do viiI David's son?' said Mr. Dicl.
'Ay,' rclicd my auni, 'viiI David's son.'
'OI!' said Mr. Dicl. 'Ycs. Do viiII sIould
ui Iim io lcd.'
'Janci!' cricd my auni, viiI iIc samc com-
laccni iriumI iIai I Iad rcmarlcd lcforc.
'Mr. Dicl scis us all rigIi. If iIc lcd is rcady,
vc'll ialc Iim u io ii.'
Janci rcoriing ii io lc quiic rcady, I vas
ialcn u io ii; lindly, lui in somc sori lilc a
risoncr; my auni going in froni and Janci
lringing u iIc rcar. TIc only circumsiancc
vIicI gavc mc any ncv Ioc, vas my auni's
sioing on iIc siairs io inquirc aloui a smcll
of firc iIai vas rcvalcni iIcrc; and janci's rc-
lying iIai sIc Iad lccn maling iindcr dovn
in iIc liicIcn, of my old sIiri. Dui iIcrc vcrc
242
no oiIcr cloiIcs in my room iIan iIc odd Ica
of iIings I vorc; and vIcn I vas lcfi iIcrc, viiI
a liiilc iacr vIicI my auni forcvarncd mc
vould lurn cacily fivc minuics, I Icard iIcm
locl my door on iIc ouisidc. Turning iIcsc
iIings ovcr in my mind I dccmcd ii ossillc
iIai my auni, vIo could lnov noiIing of mc,
migIi suscci I Iad a Ialii of running avay,
and iool rccauiions, on iIai accouni, io Iavc
mc in safc lccing.
TIc room vas a lcasani onc, ai iIc io of
iIc Iousc, ovcrlooling iIc sca, on vIicI iIc
moon vas sIining lrillianily. Aficr I Iad said
my raycrs, and iIc candlc Iad lurni oui, I
rcmcmlcr Iov I siill sai looling ai iIc moon-
ligIi on iIc vaicr, as if I could Ioc io rcad my
foriunc in ii, as in a lrigIi lool; or io scc my
moiIcr viiI Icr cIild, coming from Hcavcn,
along iIai sIining aiI, io lool uon mc as
sIc Iad loolcd vIcn I lasi sav Icr svcci facc.
I rcmcmlcr Iov iIc solcmn fccling viiI vIicI
ai lcngiI I iurncd my cycs avay, yicldcd io iIc
scnsaiion of graiiiudc and rcsi vIicI iIc sigIi
of iIc vIiic-curiaincd lcdand Iov mucI
morc iIc lying sofily dovn uon ii, ncsiling in
iIc snov-vIiic sIccis!insircd. I rcmcmlcr
Iov I iIougIi of all iIc soliiary laccs undcr
iIc nigIi sly vIcrc I Iad slci, and Iov I
raycd iIai I ncvcr migIi lc Iousclcss any
morc, and ncvcr migIi forgci iIc Iousclcss. I
rcmcmlcr Iov I sccmcd io floai, iIcn, dovn
iIc mclancIoly glory of iIai iracl uon iIc
sca, avay inio iIc vorld of drcams.
CHAPTER 14
MY AUNT MAKES UP HER
MIND ABOUT ME
ON GOING DOWN IN THE MOFNING, I found my auni
musing so rofoundly ovcr iIc lrcalfasi iallc,
viiI Icr cllov on iIc iray, iIai iIc conicnis of
iIc urn Iad ovcrflovcd iIc icaoi and vcrc
243
laying iIc vIolc iallc-cloiI undcr vaicr, vIcn
my cnirancc ui Icr mcdiiaiions io fligIi. I fcli
surc iIai I Iad lccn iIc suljcci of Icr rcflcc-
iions, and vas morc iIan cvcr anious io lnov
Icr inicniions iovards mc. Yci I darcd noi c-
rcss my aniciy, lcsi ii sIould givc Icr offcncc.
My cycs, Iovcvcr, noi lcing so mucI undcr
conirol as my ionguc, vcrc aiiracicd iovards
my auni vcry oficn during lrcalfasi. I ncvcr
could lool ai Icr for a fcv momcnis iogciIcr
lui I found Icr looling ai mcin an odd
iIougIiful manncr, as if I vcrc an immcnsc
vay off, insicad of lcing on iIc oiIcr sidc of
iIc small round iallc. WIcn sIc Iad finisIcd
Icr lrcalfasi, my auni vcry dclilcraicly lcancd
lacl in Icr cIair, lniiicd Icr lrovs, foldcd
Icr arms, and conicmlaicd mc ai Icr lcisurc,
viiI sucI a ficdncss of aiicniion iIai I vas
quiic ovcrovcrcd ly cmlarrassmcni. Noi Iav-
ing as yci finisIcd my ovn lrcalfasi, I ai-
icmicd io Iidc my confusion ly rocccding
viiI ii; lui my lnifc iumllcd ovcr my forl, my
forl iricd u my lnifc, I cIicd liis of la-
con a surrising IcigIi inio iIc air insicad of
cuiiing iIcm for my ovn caiing, and cIolcd
mysclf viiI my ica, vIicI crsisicd in going
iIc vrong vay insicad of iIc rigIi onc, uniil I
gavc in aliogciIcr, and sai llusIing undcr my
auni's closc scruiiny.
'Hallo!' said my auni, aficr a long iimc.
I loolcd u, and mci Icr sIar lrigIi glancc
rcsccifully.
'I Iavc vriiicn io Iim,' said my auni.
'To?'
'To your faiIcr-in-lav,' said my auni. 'I Iavc
scni Iim a lciicr iIai I'll iroullc Iim io aiicnd
io, or Ic and I vill fall oui, I can icll Iim!'
'Docs Ic lnov vIcrc I am, auni?' I inquircd,
alarmcd.
'I Iavc iold Iim,' said my auni, viiI a nod.
'SIall Ilcgivcn u io Iim?' I falicrcd.
'I don'i lnov,' said my auni. 'Wc sIall scc.'
244
'OI! I can'i iIinl vIai I sIall do,' I cclaimcd,
'if I Iavc io go lacl io Mr. Murdsionc!'
'I don'i lnov anyiIing aloui ii,' said my auni,
sIaling Icr Icad. 'I can'i say, I am surc. Wc
sIall scc.'
My siriis sanl undcr iIcsc vords, and I lc-
camc vcry dovncasi and Icavy of Icari. My
auni, viiIoui acaring io ialc mucI Iccd of
mc, ui on a coarsc aron viiI a lil, vIicI
sIc iool oui of iIc rcss; vasIcd u iIc ica-
cus viiI Icr ovn Iands; and, vIcn cvcry-
iIing vas vasIcd and sci in iIc iray again,
and iIc cloiI foldcd and ui on iIc io of iIc
vIolc, rang for Janci io rcmovc ii. SIc nci
svci u iIc crumls viiI a liiilc lroom (ui-
iing on a air of glovcs firsi}, uniil iIcrc did noi
acar io lc onc microscoic sccl lcfi on iIc
carci; nci dusicd and arrangcd iIc room,
vIicI vas dusicd and arrangcd io a
Iair'slrcadiI alrcady. WIcn all iIcsc iasls
vcrc crformcd io Icr saiisfaciion, sIc iool off
iIc glovcs and aron, foldcd iIcm u, ui iIcm
in iIc ariicular corncr of iIc rcss from vIicI
iIcy Iad lccn ialcn, lrougIi oui Icr vorl-
lo io Icr ovn iallc in iIc ocn vindov, and
sai dovn, viiI iIc grccn fan lcivccn Icr and
iIc ligIi, io vorl.
'I visI you'd go usiairs,' said my auni, as
sIc iIrcadcd Icr nccdlc, 'and givc my comli-
mcnis io Mr. Dicl, and I'll lc glad io lnov Iov
Ic gcis on viiI Iis Mcmorial.'
I rosc viiI all alacriiy, io acquii mysclf of iIis
commission.
'I suosc,' said my auni, cycing mc as nar-
rovly as sIc Iad cycd iIc nccdlc in iIrcading
ii, 'you iIinl Mr. Dicl a sIori namc, cI?'
'I iIougIi ii vas raiIcr a sIori namc, ycsicr-
day,' I confcsscd.
'You arc noi io suosc iIai Ic Iasn'i goi a
longcr namc, if Ic cIosc io usc ii,' said my
auni, viiI a lofiicr air. 'DallcyMr. FicIard
DallcyiIai's iIc gcnilcman's iruc namc.'
245
I vas going io suggcsi, viiI a modcsi scnsc of
my youiI and iIc familiariiy I Iad lccn al-
rcady guiliy of, iIai I Iad lciicr givc Iim iIc
full lcncfii of iIai namc, vIcn my auni vcni
on io say:
'Dui don'i you call Iim ly ii, vIaicvcr you
do. Hc can'i lcar Iis namc. TIai's a cculiariiy
of Iis. TIougI I don'i lnov iIai ii's mucI of a
cculiariiy, ciiIcr; for Ic Ias lccn ill-uscd
cnougI, ly somc iIai lcar ii, io Iavc a morial
aniiaiIy for ii, Hcavcn lnovs. Mr. Dicl is Iis
namc Icrc, and cvcryvIcrc clsc, novif Ic
cvcr vcni anyvIcrc clsc, vIicI Ic don'i. So
ialc carc, cIild, you don'i call Iim anyiIing
Iut Mr. Dicl.'
I romiscd io olcy, and vcni usiairs viiI
my mcssagc; iIinling, as I vcni, iIai if Mr.
Dicl Iad lccn vorling ai Iis Mcmorial long,
ai iIc samc raic as I Iad sccn Iim vorling ai
ii, iIrougI iIc ocn door, vIcn I camc dovn,
Ic vas rolally gciiing on vcry vcll indccd. I
found Iim siill driving ai ii viiI a long cn,
and Iis Icad almosi laid uon iIc acr. Hc
vas so inicni uon ii, iIai I Iad amlc lcisurc
io olscrvc iIc largc acr liic in a corncr, iIc
confusion of lundlcs of manuscrii, iIc num-
lcr of cns, and, alovc all, iIc quaniiiy of inl
(vIicI Ic sccmcd io Iavc in, in Ialf-gallon jars
ly iIc dozcn}, lcforc Ic olscrvcd my lcing
rcscni.
'Ha! FIoclus!' said Mr. Dicl, laying dovn Iis
cn. 'Hov docs iIc vorld go? I'll icll you vIai,'
Ic addcd, in a lovcr ionc, 'I sIouldn'i visI ii
io lc mcniioncd, lui ii's a -' Icrc Ic lccloncd
io mc, and ui Iis lis closc io my car'ii's a
mad vorld. Mad as Dcdlam, loy!' said Mr. Dicl,
ialing snuff from a round lo on iIc iallc,
and laugIing Icariily.
WiiIoui rcsuming io givc my oinion on iIis
qucsiion, I dclivcrcd my mcssagc.
'Wcll,' said Mr. Dicl, in ansvcr, 'my comli-
mcnis io Icr, and II lclicvc I Iavc madc a
246
siari. I iIinl I Iavc madc a siari,' said Mr. Dicl,
assing Iis Iand among Iis grcy Iair, and casi-
ing anyiIing lui a confidcni lool ai Iis manu-
scrii. 'You Iavc lccn io scIool?'
'Ycs, sir,' I ansvcrcd; 'for a sIori iimc.'
'Do you rccollcci iIc daic,' said Mr. Dicl, lool-
ing carncsily ai mc, and ialing u Iis cn io
noic ii dovn, 'vIcn King CIarlcs iIc Firsi Iad
Iis Icad cui off?' I said I lclicvcd ii Iacncd in
iIc ycar siiccn Iundrcd and foriy-ninc.
'Wcll,' rciurncd Mr. Dicl, scraicIing Iis car
viiI Iis cn, and looling duliously ai mc. 'So
iIc lools say; lui I don'i scc Iov iIai can lc.
Dccausc, if ii vas so long ago, Iov could iIc
colc aloui Iim Iavc madc iIai misialc of
uiiing somc of iIc iroullc oui of Iis Icad,
aficr ii vas ialcn off, inio minc?'
I vas vcry mucI surriscd ly iIc inquiry; lui
could givc no informaiion on iIis oini.
'Ii's vcry sirangc,' said Mr. Dicl, viiI a dc-
sondcni lool uon Iis acrs, and viiI Iis
Iand among Iis Iair again, 'iIai I ncvcr can
gci iIai quiic rigIi. I ncvcr can malc iIai cr-
fccily clcar. Dui no maiicr, no maiicr!' Ic said
cIccrfully, and rousing Iimsclf, 'iIcrc's iimc
cnougI! My comlimcnis io Miss Troivood, I
am gciiing on vcry vcll indccd.'
I vas going avay, vIcn Ic dirccicd my aiicn-
iion io iIc liic.
'WIai do you iIinl of iIai for a liic?' Ic said.
I ansvcrcd iIai ii vas a lcauiiful onc. I sIould
iIinl ii musi Iavc lccn as mucI as scvcn fcci
IigI.
'I madc ii. Wc'll go and fly ii, you and I,' said
Mr. Dicl. 'Do you scc iIis?'
Hc sIovcd mc iIai ii vas covcrcd viiI manu-
scrii, vcry closcly and laloriously vriiicn; lui
so lainly, iIai as I loolcd along iIc lincs, I
iIougIi I sav somc allusion io King CIarlcs
iIc Firsi's Icad again, in onc or ivo laccs.
'TIcrc's lcniy of siring,' said Mr. Dicl, 'and
vIcn ii flics IigI, ii ialcs iIc facis a long vay.
247
TIai's my manncr of diffusing 'cm. I don'i lnov
vIcrc iIcy may comc dovn. Ii's according io
circumsianccs, and iIc vind, and so foriI; lui
I ialc my cIancc of iIai.'
His facc vas so vcry mild and lcasani, and
Iad somciIing so rcvcrcnd in ii, iIougI ii vas
Ialc and Icariy, iIai I vas noi surc lui iIai
Ic vas Iaving a good-Iumourcd jcsi viiI mc.
So I laugIcd, and Ic laugIcd, and vc aricd
iIc lcsi fricnds ossillc.
'Wcll, cIild,' said my auni, vIcn I vcni dovn-
siairs. 'And vIai of Mr. Dicl, iIis morning?'
I informcd Icr iIai Ic scni Iis comlimcnis,
and vas gciiing on vcry vcll indccd.
'WIai do you iIinl of Iim?' said my auni.
I Iad somc sIadovy idca of cndcavouring io
cvadc iIc qucsiion, ly rclying iIai I iIougIi
Iim a vcry nicc gcnilcman; lui my auni vas
noi io lc so ui off, for sIc laid Icr vorl dovn
in Icr la, and said, folding Icr Iands uon ii:
'Comc! Your sisicr Dciscy Troivood vould Iavc
iold mc vIai sIc iIougIi of anyonc, dirccily.
Dc as lilc your sisicr as you can, and scal
oui!'
'Is Icis Mr. DiclI asl lccausc I don'i
lnov, auniis Ic ai all oui of Iis mind, iIcn?'
I siammcrcd; for I fcli I vas on dangcrous
ground.
'Noi a morscl,' said my auni.
'OI, indccd!' I olscrvcd fainily.
'If iIcrc is anyiIing in iIc vorld,' said my
auni, viiI grcai dccision and forcc of manncr,
'iIai Mr. Dicl is noi, ii's iIai.'
I Iad noiIing lciicr io offcr, iIan anoiIcr
iimid, 'OI, indccd!'
'Hc Ias lccn cucd mad,' said my auni. 'I
Iavc a sclfisI lcasurc in saying Ic Ias lccn
callcd mad, or I sIould noi Iavc Iad iIc lcn-
cfii of Iis sociciy and advicc for iIcsc lasi icn
ycars and uvardsin faci, cvcr sincc your sis-
icr, Dciscy Troivood, disaoinicd mc.'
'So long as iIai?' I said.
248
'And nicc colc iIcy vcrc, vIo Iad iIc au-
daciiy io call Iim mad,' ursucd my auni. 'Mr.
Dicl is a sori of disiani conncion of mincii
docsn'i maiicr Iov; I nccdn'i cnicr inio iIai. If
ii Iadn'i lccn for mc, Iis ovn lroiIcr vould
Iavc sIui Iim u for lifc. TIai's all.'
I am afraid ii vas Iyocriiical in mc, lui scc-
ing iIai my auni fcli sirongly on iIc suljcci, I
iricd io lool as if I fcli sirongly ioo.
'A roud fool!' said my auni. 'Dccausc Iis
lroiIcr vas a liiilc ccccniriciIougI Ic is
noi Ialf so ccccniric as a good many colc
Ic didn'i lilc io Iavc Iim visillc aloui Iis
Iousc, and scni Iim avay io somc rivaic asy-
lum-lacc: iIougI Ic Iad lccn lcfi io Iis ar-
iicular carc ly iIcir dcccascd faiIcr, vIo
iIougIi Iim almosi a naiural. And a visc man
Ic musi Iavc lccn io iIinl so! Mad Iimsclf,
no douli.'
Again, as my auni loolcd quiic convinccd, I
cndcavourcd io lool quiic convinccd also.
'So I siccd in,' said my auni, 'and madc Iim
an offcr. I said, Your lroiIcr's sanca grcai
dcal morc sanc iIan you arc, or cvcr vill lc, ii
is io lc Iocd. Lci Iim Iavc Iis liiilc incomc,
and comc and livc viiI mc. I am noi afraid of
Iim, I am noi roud, I am rcady io ialc carc of
Iim, and sIall noi ill-ircai Iim as somc colc
(lcsidcs iIc asylum-folls} Iavc donc." Aficr a
good dcal of squallling,' said my auni, 'I goi
Iim; and Ic Ias lccn Icrc cvcr sincc. Hc is iIc
mosi fricndly and amcnallc crcaiurc in cisi-
cncc; and as for advicc!Dui nolody lnovs
vIai iIai man's mind is, ccci mysclf.'
My auni smooiIcd Icr drcss and sIool Icr
Icad, as if sIc smooiIcd dcfiancc of iIc vIolc
vorld oui of iIc onc, and sIool ii oui of iIc oiIcr.
'Hc Iad a favouriic sisicr,' said my auni, 'a
good crcaiurc, and vcry lind io Iim. Dui sIc
did vIai iIcy all doiool a Iusland. And Ic
did vIai iIcy all domadc Icr vrcicIcd. Ii Iad
sucI an cffcci uon iIc mind of Mr. Dicl (iIai's
249
noi madncss, I Ioc!} iIai, comlincd viiI Iis
fcar of Iis lroiIcr, and Iis scnsc of Iis unlind-
ncss, ii iIrcv Iim inio a fcvcr. TIai vas lcforc
Ic camc io mc, lui iIc rccollcciion of ii is o-
rcssivc io Iim cvcn nov. Did Ic say anyiIing
io you aloui King CIarlcs iIc Firsi, cIild?'
'Ycs, auni.'
'AI!' said my auni, rulling Icr nosc as if sIc vcrc
a liiilc vccd. 'TIai's Iis allcgorical vay of crcss-
ing ii. Hc connccis Iis illncss viiI grcai disiurlancc
and agiiaiion, naiurally, and iIai's iIc figurc, or iIc
similc, or vIaicvcr ii's callcd, vIicI Ic cIooscs io
usc. And vIy sIouldn'i Ic, if Ic iIinls rocr!'
I said: 'Ccriainly, auni.'
'Ii's noi a lusincss-lilc vay of scaling,' said
my auni, 'nor a vorldly vay. I am avarc of
iIai; and iIai's iIc rcason vIy I insisi uon
ii, iIai iIcrc sIan'i lc a vord aloui ii in Iis
Mcmorial.'
'Is ii a Mcmorial aloui Iis ovn Iisiory iIai
Ic is vriiing, auni?'
'Ycs, cIild,' said my auni, rulling Icr nosc again.
'Hc is mcmorializing iIc Lord CIanccllor, or iIc
Lord Somclody or oiIcronc of iIosc colc, ai
all cvcnis, vIo arc aid io lc mcmorializcdaloui
Iis affairs. I suosc ii vill go in, onc of iIcsc days.
Hc Iasn'i lccn allc io drav ii u yci, viiIoui in-
iroducing iIai modc of crcssing Iimsclf; lui ii
don'i signify; ii lccs Iim cmloycd.'
In faci, I found oui aficrvards iIai Mr. Dicl
Iad lccn for uvards of icn ycars cndcavour-
ing io lcc King CIarlcs iIc Firsi oui of iIc
Mcmorial; lui Ic Iad lccn consianily gciiing
inio ii, and vas iIcrc nov.
'I say again,' said my auni, 'nolody lnovs
vIai iIai man's mind is ccci mysclf; and
Ic's iIc mosi amcnallc and fricndly crcaiurc
in cisicncc. If Ic lilcs io fly a liic somciimcs,
vIai of iIai! Franllin uscd io fly a liic. Hc vas
a Qualcr, or somciIing of iIai sori, if I am noi
misialcn. And a Qualcr flying a liic is a mucI
morc ridiculous oljcci iIan anylody clsc.'
250
If I could Iavc suoscd iIai my auni Iad
rccounicd iIcsc ariiculars for my csccial
lcIoof, and as a iccc of confidcncc in mc, I
sIould Iavc fcli vcry mucI disiinguisIcd, and
sIould Iavc augurcd favourally from sucI a
marl of Icr good oinion. Dui I could Iardly
Icl olscrving iIai sIc Iad launcIcd inio
iIcm, cIicfly lccausc iIc qucsiion vas raiscd
in Icr ovn mind, and viiI vcry liiilc rcfcrcncc
io mc, iIougI sIc Iad addrcsscd Icrsclf io mc
in iIc alscncc of anylody clsc.
Ai iIc samc iimc, I musi say iIai iIc gcncr-
osiiy of Icr cIamionsIi of oor Iarmlcss Mr.
Dicl, noi only insircd my young lrcasi viiI
somc sclfisI Ioc for mysclf, lui varmcd ii
unsclfisIly iovards Icr. I lclicvc iIai I lcgan
io lnov iIai iIcrc vas somciIing aloui my
auni, noiviiIsianding Icr many ccccniriciiics
and odd Iumours, io lc Ionourcd and irusicd
in. TIougI sIc vas jusi as sIar iIai day as
on iIc day lcforc, and vas in and oui aloui
iIc donlcys jusi as oficn, and vas iIrovn inio
a ircmcndous siaic of indignaiion, vIcn a
young man, going ly, oglcd Janci ai a vindov
(vIicI vas onc of iIc gravcsi misdcmcanours
iIai could lc commiiicd againsi my auni's dig-
niiy}, sIc sccmcd io mc io command morc of
my rcscci, if noi lcss of my fcar.
TIc aniciy I undcrvcni, in iIc inicrval vIicI
ncccssarily clascd lcforc a rcly could lc rc-
ccivcd io Icr lciicr io Mr. Murdsionc, vas c-
ircmc; lui I madc an cndcavour io surcss ii,
and io lc as agrccallc as I could in a quici
vay, loiI io my auni and Mr. Dicl. TIc laiicr
and I vould Iavc gonc oui io fly iIc grcai liic;
lui iIai I Iad siill no oiIcr cloiIcs iIan iIc
anyiIing lui ornamcnial garmcnis viiI vIicI
I Iad lccn dccoraicd on iIc firsi day, and vIicI
confincd mc io iIc Iousc, ccci for an Iour
aficr darl, vIcn my auni, for my IcaliI's salc,
aradcd mc u and dovn on iIc cliff ouisidc,
lcforc going io lcd. Ai lcngiI iIc rcly from
251
Mr. Murdsionc camc, and my auni informcd
mc, io my infiniic icrror, iIai Ic vas coming io
scal io Icr Icrsclf on iIc nci day. On iIc
nci day, siill lundlcd u in my curious
Ialilimcnis, I sai couniing iIc iimc, flusIcd
and Icaicd ly iIc conflici of sinling Iocs and
rising fcars viiIin mc; and vaiiing io lc siarilcd
ly iIc sigIi of iIc gloomy facc, vIosc non-
arrival siarilcd mc cvcry minuic.
M auni vas a liiilc morc imcrious and sicrn
iIan usual, lui I olscrvcd no oiIcr iolcn of
Icr rcaring Icrsclf io rcccivc iIc visiior so
mucI drcadcd ly mc. SIc sai ai vorl in iIc
vindov, and I sai ly, viiI my iIougIis run-
ning asiray on all ossillc and imossillc rc-
sulis of Mr. Murdsionc's visii, uniil rciiy laic
in iIc aficrnoon. Our dinncr Iad lccn indcfi-
niicly osioncd; lui ii vas groving so laic,
iIai my auni Iad ordcrcd ii io lc goi rcady,
vIcn sIc gavc a suddcn alarm of donlcys, and
io my consicrnaiion and amazcmcni, I lcIcld
Miss Murdsionc, on a sidc-saddlc, ridc dclil-
craicly ovcr iIc sacrcd iccc of grccn, and sio
in froni of iIc Iousc, looling aloui Icr.
'Go along viiI you!' cricd my auni, sIaling
Icr Icad and Icr fisi ai iIc vindov. 'You Iavc
no lusincss iIcrc. Hov darc you ircsass? Go
along! OI! you lold-faccd iIing!'
M auni vas so cascraicd ly iIc coolncss
viiI vIicI Miss Murdsionc loolcd aloui Icr,
iIai I rcally lclicvc sIc vas moiionlcss, and
unallc for iIc momcni io dari oui according io
cusiom. I scizcd iIc ooriuniiy io inform Icr
vIo ii vas; and iIai iIc gcnilcman nov com-
ing ncar iIc offcndcr (for iIc vay u vas vcry
sicc, and Ic Iad drocd lcIind}, vas Mr.
Murdsionc Iimsclf.
'I don'i carc vIo ii is!' cricd my auni, siill
sIaling Icr Icad and gcsiiculaiing anyiIing
lui vclcomc from iIc lov-vindov. 'I von'i lc
ircsasscd uon. I von'i allov ii. Go avay!
Janci, iurn Iim round. Lcad Iim off!' and I
252
sav, from lcIind my auni, a sori of Iurricd
laiilc-iccc, in vIicI iIc donlcy siood rcsisi-
ing cvcrylody, viiI all Iis four lcgs lanicd
diffcrcni vays, vIilc Janci iricd io ull Iim
round ly iIc lridlc, Mr. Murdsionc iricd io
lcad Iim on, Miss Murdsionc sirucl ai Janci
viiI a arasol, and scvcral loys, vIo Iad comc
io scc iIc cngagcmcni, sIouicd vigorously. Dui
my auni, suddcnly dcscrying among iIcm iIc
young malcfacior vIo vas iIc donlcy's guard-
ian, and vIo vas onc of iIc mosi invcicraic
offcndcrs againsi Icr, iIougI Iardly in Iis
iccns, rusIcd oui io iIc sccnc of aciion,
ounccd uon Iim, caiurcd Iim, draggcd Iim,
viiI Iis jaclci ovcr Iis Icad, and Iis Iccls
grinding iIc ground, inio iIc gardcn, and, call-
ing uon Janci io fcicI iIc consiallcs and jus-
iiccs, iIai Ic migIi lc ialcn, iricd, and c-
ccuicd on iIc soi, Icld Iim ai lay iIcrc. TIis
ari of iIc lusincss, Iovcvcr, did noi lasi long;
for iIc young rascal, lcing ccri ai a variciy
of fcinis and dodgcs, of vIicI my auni Iad no
concciion, soon vcni vIooing avay, lcaving
somc dcc imrcssions of Iis nailcd loois in
iIc flovcr-lcds, and ialing Iis donlcy in iri-
umI viiI Iim.
Miss Murdsionc, during iIc laiicr oriion of
iIc conicsi, Iad dismounicd, and vas nov vaii-
ing viiI Icr lroiIcr ai iIc loiiom of iIc sics,
uniil my auni sIould lc ai lcisurc io rcccivc
iIcm. My auni, a liiilc rufflcd ly iIc comlai,
marcIcd asi iIcm inio iIc Iousc, viiI grcai
digniiy, and iool no noiicc of iIcir rcscncc,
uniil iIcy vcrc announccd ly Janci.
'SIall I go avay, auni?' I aslcd, ircmlling.
'No, sir,' said my auni. 'Ccriainly noi!' WiiI
vIicI sIc usIcd mc inio a corncr ncar Icr,
and fcnccd Mc in viiI a cIair, as if ii vcrc a
rison or a lar of jusiicc. TIis osiiion I con-
iinucd io occuy during iIc vIolc inicrvicv,
and from ii I nov sav Mr. and Miss Murdsionc
cnicr iIc room.
253
'OI!' said my auni, 'I vas noi avarc ai firsi io
vIom I Iad iIc lcasurc of oljcciing. Dui I
don'i allov anylody io ridc ovcr iIai iurf. I malc
no ccciions. I don'i allov anylody io do ii.'
'Your rcgulaiion is raiIcr avlvard io sirang-
crs,' said Miss Murdsionc.
'Is ii!' said my auni.
Mr. Murdsionc sccmcd afraid of a rcncval of
Iosiiliiics, and inicrosing lcgan:
'Miss Troivood!'
'I lcg your ardon,' olscrvcd my auni viiI a
lccn lool. 'You arc iIc Mr. Murdsionc vIo
marricd iIc vidov of my laic ncIcv, David
Cocrficld, of Dlundcrsionc Foolcry!
TIougI vIy Foolcry, I don'i lnov!'
'I am,' said Mr. Murdsionc.
'You'll ccusc my saying, sir,' rciurncd my auni,
'iIai I iIinl ii vould Iavc lccn a mucI lciicr and
Iaicr iIing if you Iad lcfi iIai oor cIild alonc.'
'I so far agrcc viiI vIai Miss Troivood Ias
rcmarlcd,' olscrvcd Miss Murdsionc, lridling,
'iIai I considcr our lamcnicd Clara io Iavc
lccn, in all csscniial rcsccis, a mcrc cIild.'
'Ii is a comfori io you and mc, ma'am,' said my
auni, 'vIo arc gciiing on in lifc, and arc noi
lilcly io lc madc unIay ly our crsonal ai-
iraciions, iIai nolody can say iIc samc of us.'
'No douli!' rciurncd Miss Murdsionc, iIougI,
I iIougIi, noi viiI a vcry rcady or gracious
asscni. 'And ii ccriainly migIi Iavc lccn, as
you say, a lciicr and Iaicr iIing for my
lroiIcr if Ic Iad ncvcr cnicrcd inio sucI a
marriagc. I Iavc alvays lccn of iIai oinion.'
'I Iavc no douli you Iavc,' said my auni.
'Janci,' ringing iIc lcll, 'my comlimcnis io
Mr. Dicl, and lcg Iim io comc dovn.'
Uniil Ic camc, my auni sai crfccily urigIi and
siiff, frovning ai iIc vall. WIcn Ic camc, my auni
crformcd iIc ccrcmony of iniroduciion.
'Mr. Dicl. An old and iniimaic fricnd. On
vIosc judgcmcni,' said my auni, viiI cmIa-
sis, as an admoniiion io Mr. Dicl, vIo vas lii-
254
ing Iis forcfingcr and looling raiIcr foolisI, 'I
rcly.'
Mr. Dicl iool Iis fingcr oui of Iis mouiI, on
iIis Iini, and siood among iIc grou, viiI a
gravc and aiicniivc crcssion of facc.
My auni inclincd Icr Icad io Mr. Murdsionc,
vIo vcni on:
'Miss Troivood: on iIc rcccii of your lciicr, I
considcrcd ii an aci of grcaicr jusiicc io my-
sclf, and crIas of morc rcscci io you'
'TIanl you,' said my auni, siill cycing Iim
lccnly. 'You nccdn'i mind mc.'
'To ansvcr ii in crson, Iovcvcr inconvcnicni
iIc journcy,' ursucd Mr. Murdsionc, 'raiIcr
iIan ly lciicr. TIis unIay loy vIo Ias run
avay from Iis fricnds and Iis occuaiion'
'And vIosc acarancc,' inicroscd Iis sisicr, di-
rcciing gcncral aiicniion io mc in my indcfinallc
cosiumc, 'is crfccily scandalous and disgraccful.'
'Janc Murdsionc,' said Icr lroiIcr, 'Iavc iIc
goodncss noi io inicrrui mc. TIis unIay
loy, Miss Troivood, Ias lccn iIc occasion of
mucI domcsiic iroullc and uncasincss; loiI
during iIc lifciimc of my laic dcar vifc, and
sincc. Hc Ias a sullcn, rclcllious sirii; a vio-
lcni icmcr; and an uniovard, iniraciallc dis-
osiiion. DoiI my sisicr and mysclf Iavc cn-
dcavourcd io corrcci Iis viccs, lui incffcciu-
ally. And I Iavc fclivc loiI Iavc fcli, I may
say; my sisicr lcing fully in my confidcncc
iIai ii is rigIi you sIould rcccivc iIis gravc
and disassionaic assurancc from our lis.'
'Ii can Iardly lc ncccssary for mc io confirm
anyiIing siaicd ly my lroiIcr,' said Miss
Murdsionc; 'lui I lcg io olscrvc, iIai, of all iIc
loys in iIc vorld, I lclicvc iIis is iIc vorsi loy.'
'Sirong!' said my auni, sIorily.
'Dui noi ai all ioo sirong for iIc facis,' rc-
iurncd Miss Murdsionc.
'Ha!' said my auni. 'Wcll, sir?'
'I Iavc my ovn oinions,' rcsumcd Mr.
Murdsionc, vIosc facc darlcncd morc and
255
morc, iIc morc Ic and my auni olscrvcd cacI
oiIcr, vIicI iIcy did vcry narrovly, 'as io iIc lcsi
modc of lringing Iim u; iIcy arc foundcd, in ari,
on my lnovlcdgc of Iim, and in ari on my lnovl-
cdgc of my ovn mcans and rcsourccs. I am rc-
sonsillc for iIcm io mysclf, I aci uon iIcm, and
I say no morc aloui iIcm. Ii is cnougI iIai I lacc
iIis loy undcr iIc cyc of a fricnd of my ovn, in a
rcscciallc lusincss; iIai ii docs noi lcasc Iim;
iIai Ic runs avay from ii; malcs Iimsclf a com-
mon vagalond aloui iIc couniry; and comcs Icrc,
in rags, io acal io you, Miss Troivood. I visI io
sci lcforc you, Ionourally, iIc caci consc-
qucnccsso far as iIcy arc viiIin my lnovlcdgc
of your alciiing Iim in iIis acal.'
'Dui aloui iIc rcscciallc lusincss firsi,' said
my auni. 'If Ic Iad lccn your ovn loy, you vould
Iavc ui Iim io ii, jusi iIc samc, I suosc?'
'If Ic Iad lccn my lroiIcr's ovn loy,' rciurncd
Miss Murdsionc, siriling in, 'Iis cIaracicr, I
irusi, vould Iavc lccn aliogciIcr diffcrcni.'
'Or if iIc oor cIild, Iis moiIcr, Iad lccn
alivc, Ic vould siill Iavc gonc inio iIc rcscci-
allc lusincss, vould Ic?' said my auni.
'I lclicvc,' said Mr. Murdsionc, viiI an incli-
naiion of Iis Icad, 'iIai Clara vould Iavc dis-
uicd noiIing vIicI mysclf and my sisicr Janc
Murdsionc vcrc agrccd vas for iIc lcsi.'
Miss Murdsionc confirmcd iIis viiI an au-
dillc murmur.
'HumI!' said my auni. 'Unforiunaic laly!'
Mr. Dicl, vIo Iad lccn raiiling Iis moncy
all iIis iimc, vas raiiling ii so loudly nov, iIai
my auni fcli ii ncccssary io cIccl Iim viiI a
lool, lcforc saying:
'TIc oor cIild's annuiiy dicd viiI Icr?'
'Dicd viiI Icr,' rclicd Mr. Murdsionc.
'And iIcrc vas no sciilcmcni of iIc liiilc ro-
criyiIc Iousc and gardcniIc vIai's-iis-namc
Foolcry viiIoui any rools in iiuon Icr loy?'
'Ii Iad lccn lcfi io Icr, uncondiiionally, ly
Icr firsi Iusland,' Mr. Murdsionc lcgan, vIcn
256
my auni caugIi Iim u viiI iIc grcaicsi iras-
cililiiy and imaiicncc.
'Good Lord, man, iIcrc's no occasion io say
iIai. Lcfi io Icr uncondiiionally! I iIinl I scc
David Cocrficld looling forvard io any con-
diiion of any sori or lind, iIougI ii siarcd Iim
oini-llanl in iIc facc! Of coursc ii vas lcfi io
Icr uncondiiionally. Dui vIcn sIc marricd
againvIcn sIc iool iIai mosi disasirous sic
of marrying you, in sIori,' said my auni, 'io lc
laindid no onc ui in a vord for iIc loy ai
iIai iimc?'
'My laic vifc lovcd Icr sccond Iusland,
ma'am,' said Mr. Murdsionc, 'and irusicd im-
liciily in Iim.'
'Your laic vifc, sir, vas a mosi unvorldly, mosi
unIay, mosi unforiunaic laly,' rciurncd my
auni, sIaling Icr Icad ai Iim. 'TIai's vIai sIc
vas. And nov, vIai Iavc you goi io say nci?'
'Mcrcly iIis, Miss Troivood,' Ic rciurncd. 'I
am Icrc io ialc David laclio ialc Iim lacl
uncondiiionally, io disosc of Iim as I iIinl
rocr, and io dcal viiI Iim as I iIinl rigIi. I
am noi Icrc io malc any romisc, or givc any
lcdgc io anylody. You may ossilly Iavc somc
idca, Miss Troivood, of alciiing Iim in Iis run-
ning avay, and in Iis comlainis io you. Your
manncr, vIicI I musi say docs noi sccm in-
icndcd io roiiiaic, induccs mc io iIinl ii
ossillc. Nov I musi cauiion you iIai if you
alci Iim oncc, you alci Iim for good and all; if
you sic in lcivccn Iim and mc, nov, you
musi sic in, Miss Troivood, for cvcr. I cannoi
iriflc, or lc iriflcd viiI. I am Icrc, for iIc firsi
and lasi iimc, io ialc Iim avay. Is Ic rcady io
go? If Ic is noiand you icll mc Ic is noi; on
any rcicncc; ii is indiffcrcni io mc vIaimy
doors arc sIui againsi Iim IcnccforiI, and
yours, I ialc ii for granicd, arc ocn io Iim.'
To iIis addrcss, my auni Iad lisicncd viiI
iIc closcsi aiicniion, siiiing crfccily urigIi,
viiI Icr Iands foldcd on onc lncc, and lool-
257
ing grimly on iIc scalcr. WIcn Ic Iad fin-
isIcd, sIc iurncd Icr cycs so as io command
Miss Murdsionc, viiIoui oiIcrvisc disiurling
Icr aiiiiudc, and said:
'Wcll, ma'am, Iavc ou goi anyiIing io rc-
marl?'
'Indccd, Miss Troivood,' said Miss Murdsionc,
'all iIai I could say Ias lccn so vcll said ly my
lroiIcr, and all iIai I lnov io lc iIc faci Ias
lccn so lainly siaicd ly Iim, iIai I Iavc noiI-
ing io add ccci my iIanls for your oliic-
ncss. For your vcry grcai oliicncss, I am surc,'
said Miss Murdsionc; viiI an irony vIicI no
morc affccicd my auni, iIan ii discomoscd
iIc cannon I Iad slci ly ai CIaiIam.
'And vIai docs iIc loy say?' said my auni.
'Arc you rcady io go, David?'
I ansvcrcd no, and cnircaicd Icr noi io lci
mc go. I said iIai nciiIcr Mr. nor Miss
Murdsionc Iad cvcr lilcd mc, or Iad cvcr lccn
lind io mc. TIai iIcy Iad madc my mama,
vIo alvays lovcd mc dcarly, unIay aloui
mc, and iIai I lncv ii vcll, and iIai Fcggoiiy
lncv ii. I said iIai I Iad lccn morc miscrallc
iIan I iIougIi anylody could lclicvc, vIo only
lncv Iov young I vas. And I lcggcd and
raycd my auniI forgci in vIai icrms nov,
lui I rcmcmlcr iIai iIcy affccicd mc vcry
mucI iIcnio lcfricnd and roicci mc, for
my faiIcr's salc.
'Mr. Dicl,' said my auni, 'vIai sIall I do viiI
iIis cIild?'
Mr. Dicl considcrcd, Icsiiaicd, lrigIicncd,
and rcjoincd, 'Havc Iim mcasurcd for a suii of
cloiIcs dirccily.'
'Mr. Dicl,' said my auni iriumIanily, 'givc
mc your Iand, for your common scnsc is in-
valuallc.' Having sIalcn ii viiI grcai cordial-
iiy, sIc ullcd mc iovards Icr and said io Mr.
Murdsionc:
'You can go vIcn you lilc; I'll ialc my cIancc
viiI iIc loy. If Ic's all you say Ic is, ai lcasi I
258
can do as mucI for Iim iIcn, as you Iavc donc.
Dui I don'i lclicvc a vord of ii.'
'Miss Troivood,' rcjoincd Mr. Murdsionc,
sIrugging Iis sIouldcrs, as Ic rosc, 'if you vcrc
a gcnilcman'
'DaI! Siuff and nonscnsc!' said my auni.
'Don'i iall io mc!'
'Hov cquisiicly oliic!' cclaimcd Miss
Murdsionc, rising. 'Ovcrovcring, rcally!'
'Do you iIinl I don'i lnov,' said my auni,
iurning a dcaf car io iIc sisicr, and coniinuing
io addrcss iIc lroiIcr, and io sIalc Icr Icad
ai Iim viiI infiniic crcssion, 'vIai lind of
lifc you musi Iavc lcd iIai oor, unIay, mis-
dirccicd laly? Do you iIinl I don'i lnov vIai
a vocful day ii vas for iIc sofi liiilc crcaiurc
vIcn you firsi camc in Icr vaysmirling and
maling grcai cycs ai Icr, I'll lc lound, as if
you couldn'i say loI! io a goosc!'
'I ncvcr Icard anyiIing so clcgani!' said Miss
Murdsionc.
'Do you iIinl I can'i undcrsiand you as vcll
as if I Iad sccn you,' ursucd my auni, 'nov
iIai I do scc and Icar youvIicI, I icll you
candidly, is anyiIing lui a lcasurc io mc?
OI ycs, llcss us! vIo so smooiI and silly as
Mr. Murdsionc ai firsi! TIc oor, lcnigIicd
innoccni Iad ncvcr sccn sucI a man. Hc vas
madc of svccincss. Hc vorsIicd Icr. Hc
doicd on Icr loyicndcrly doicd on Iim! Hc
vas io lc anoiIcr faiIcr io Iim, and iIcy vcrc
all io livc iogciIcr in a gardcn of roscs, vcrcn'i
iIcy? UgI! Gci along viiI you, do!' said my
auni.
'I ncvcr Icard anyiIing lilc iIis crson in
my lifc!' cclaimcd Miss Murdsionc.
'And vIcn you Iad madc surc of iIc oor
liiilc fool,' said my auni'God forgivc mc iIai I
sIould call Icr so, and sIc gonc vIcrc ou
von'i go in a Iurrylccausc you Iad noi donc
vrong cnougI io Icr and Icrs, you musi lc-
gin io irain Icr, musi you? lcgin io lrcal Icr,
259
lilc a oor cagcd lird, and vcar Icr dcludcd
lifc avay, in icacIing Icr io sing ut noics?'
'TIis is ciiIcr insaniiy or inioicaiion,' said
Miss Murdsionc, in a crfcci agony ai noi lc-
ing allc io iurn iIc currcni of my auni's ad-
drcss iovards Icrsclf; 'and my susicion is iIai
ii's inioicaiion.'
Miss Dciscy, viiIoui ialing iIc lcasi noiicc of
iIc inicrruiion, coniinucd io addrcss Icrsclf io
Mr. Murdsionc as if iIcrc Iad lccn no sucI iIing.
'Mr. Murdsionc,' sIc said, sIaling Icr fingcr
ai Iim, 'you vcrc a iyrani io iIc simlc laly,
and you lrolc Icr Icari. SIc vas a loving
lalyI lnov iIai; I lncv ii, ycars lcforc you
cvcr sav Icrand iIrougI iIc lcsi ari of Icr
vcalncss you gavc Icr iIc vounds sIc dicd
of. TIcrc is iIc iruiI for your comfori, Iovcvcr
you lilc ii. And you and your insirumcnis may
malc iIc mosi of ii.'
'Allov mc io inquirc, Miss Troivood,' inicr-
oscd Miss Murdsionc, 'vIom you arc lcascd
io call, in a cIoicc of vords in vIicI I am noi
ccricnccd, my lroiIcr's insirumcnis?'
'Ii vas clcar cnougI, as I Iavc iold you, ycars
lcforc ou cvcr sav Icrand vIy, in iIc mys-
icrious discnsaiions of Frovidcncc, you cvcr did
scc Icr, is morc iIan Iumaniiy can comrc-
Icndii vas clcar cnougI iIai iIc oor sofi
liiilc iIing vould marry somclody, ai somc iimc
or oiIcr; lui I did Ioc ii vouldn'i Iavc lccn as
lad as ii Ias iurncd oui. TIai vas iIc iimc, Mr.
Murdsionc, vIcn sIc gavc liriI io Icr loy Icrc,'
said my auni; 'io iIc oor cIild you somciimcs
iormcnicd Icr iIrougI aficrvards, vIicI is a
disagrccallc rcmcmlrancc and malcs iIc sigIi
of Iim odious nov. Ayc, ayc! you nccdn'i vincc!'
said my auni. 'I lnov ii's iruc viiIoui iIai.'
Hc Iad siood ly iIc door, all iIis vIilc, ol-
scrvani of Icr viiI a smilc uon Iis facc, iIougI
Iis llacl cyclrovs vcrc Icavily coniracicd. I
rcmarlcd nov, iIai, iIougI iIc smilc vas on
Iis facc siill, Iis colour Iad gonc in a momcni,
260
and Ic sccmcd io lrcaiIc as if Ic Iad lccn
running.
'Good day, sir,' said my auni, 'and good-lyc!
Good day io you, ioo, ma'am,' said my auni,
iurning suddcnly uon Iis sisicr. 'Lci mc scc
you ridc a donlcy ovcr my grccn again, and as
surc as you Iavc a Icad uon your sIouldcrs,
I'll lnocl your lonnci off, and ircad uon ii!'
Ii vould rcquirc a ainicr, and no common
ainicr ioo, io dcici my auni's facc as sIc dc-
livcrcd Icrsclf of iIis vcry uncccicd scnii-
mcni, and Miss Murdsionc's facc as sIc Icard
ii. Dui iIc manncr of iIc scccI, no lcss iIan
iIc maiicr, vas so ficry, iIai Miss Murdsionc,
viiIoui a vord in ansvcr, discrccily ui Icr
arm iIrougI Icr lroiIcr's, and vallcd IaugI-
iily oui of iIc coiiagc; my auni rcmaining in
iIc vindov looling aficr iIcm; rcarcd, I Iavc
no douli, in casc of iIc donlcy's rcacarancc,
io carry Icr iIrcai inio insiani cccuiion.
No aiicmi ai dcfiancc lcing madc, Iovcvcr,
Icr facc gradually rclacd, and lccamc so lcas-
ani, iIai I vas cmloldcncd io liss and iIanl
Icr; vIicI I did viiI grcai Icariincss, and viiI
loiI my arms clascd round Icr nccl. I iIcn
sIool Iands viiI Mr. Dicl, vIo sIool Iands
viiI mc a grcai many iimcs, and Iailcd iIis
Iay closc of iIc rocccdings viiI rccaicd
lursis of laugIicr.
'You'll considcr yoursclf guardian, joinily viiI
mc, of iIis cIild, Mr. Dicl,' said my auni.
'I sIall lc dcligIicd,' said Mr. Dicl, 'io lc iIc
guardian of David's son.'
'Vcry good,' rciurncd my auni, 'iIai's sciilcd.
I Iavc lccn iIinling, do you lnov, Mr. Dicl,
iIai I migIi call Iim Troivood?'
'Ccriainly, ccriainly. Call Iim Troivood, ccr-
iainly,' said Mr. Dicl. 'David's son's Troivood.'
'Troivood Cocrficld, you mcan,' rciurncd
my auni.
'Ycs, io lc surc. Ycs. Troivood Cocrficld,'
said Mr. Dicl, a liiilc alasIcd.
261
My auni iool so lindly io iIc noiion, iIai
somc rcady-madc cloiIcs, vIicI vcrc ur-
cIascd for mc iIai aficrnoon, vcrc marlcd
'Troivood Cocrficld', in Icr ovn Iandvrii-
ing, and in indclillc marling-inl, lcforc I ui
iIcm on; and ii vas sciilcd iIai all iIc oiIcr
cloiIcs vIicI vcrc ordcrcd io lc madc for mc
(a comlcic ouifii vas lcsolc iIai aficrnoon}
sIould lc marlcd in iIc samc vay.
TIus I lcgan my ncv lifc, in a ncv namc,
and viiI cvcryiIing ncv aloui mc. Nov iIai
iIc siaic of douli vas ovcr, I fcli, for many days,
lilc onc in a drcam. I ncvcr iIougIi iIai I Iad a
curious coulc of guardians, in my auni and
Mr. Dicl. I ncvcr iIougIi of anyiIing aloui
mysclf, disiincily. TIc ivo iIings clcarcsi in my
mind vcrc, iIai a rcmoicncss Iad comc uon
iIc old Dlundcrsionc lifcvIicI sccmcd io lic
in iIc Iazc of an immcasurallc disiancc; and
iIai a curiain Iad for cvcr fallcn on my lifc ai
Murdsionc and Grinly's. No onc Ias cvcr raiscd
iIai curiain sincc. I Iavc lificd ii for a momcni,
cvcn in iIis narraiivc, viiI a rcluciani Iand,
and drocd ii gladly. TIc rcmcmlrancc of iIai
lifc is fraugIi viiI so mucI ain io mc, viiI so
mucI mcnial suffcring and vani of Ioc, iIai I
Iavc ncvcr Iad iIc couragc cvcn io caminc
Iov long I vas doomcd io lcad ii. WIciIcr ii
lasicd for a ycar, or morc, or lcss, I do noi lnov.
I only lnov iIai ii vas, and ccascd io lc; and
iIai I Iavc vriiicn, and iIcrc I lcavc ii.
CHAPTER 1S
I MAKE ANOTHER
BEGINNING
MF. DICK AND I SOON lccamc iIc lcsi of fricnds,
and vcry oficn, vIcn Iis day's vorl vas donc,
vcni oui iogciIcr io fly iIc grcai liic. Evcry
day of Iis lifc Ic Iad a long siiiing ai iIc Mc-
morial, vIicI ncvcr madc iIc lcasi rogrcss,
Iovcvcr Iard Ic lalourcd, for King CIarlcs iIc
262
Firsi alvays siraycd inio ii, sooncr or laicr, and
iIcn ii vas iIrovn asidc, and anoiIcr onc lc-
gun. TIc aiicncc and Ioc viiI vIicI Ic lorc
iIcsc crciual disaoinimcnis, iIc mild cr-
cciion Ic Iad iIai iIcrc vas somciIing vrong
aloui King CIarlcs iIc Firsi, iIc fccllc cfforis
Ic madc io lcc Iim oui, and iIc ccriainiy
viiI vIicI Ic camc in, and iumllcd iIc Mc-
morial oui of all sIac, madc a dcc imrcs-
sion on mc. WIai Mr. Dicl suoscd vould
comc of iIc Mcmorial, if ii vcrc comlcicd;
vIcrc Ic iIougIi ii vas io go, or vIai Ic
iIougIi ii vas io do; Ic lncv no morc iIan
anylody clsc, I lclicvc. Nor vas ii ai all ncccs-
sary iIai Ic sIould iroullc Iimsclf viiI sucI
qucsiions, for if anyiIing vcrc ccriain undcr
iIc sun, ii vas ccriain iIai iIc Mcmorial ncvcr
vould lc finisIcd. Ii vas quiic an affcciing
sigIi, I uscd io iIinl, io scc Iim viiI iIc liic
vIcn ii vas u a grcai IcigIi in iIc air. WIai
Ic Iad iold mc, in Iis room, aloui Iis lclicf in
iis disscminaiing iIc siaicmcnis asicd on ii,
vIicI vcrc noiIing lui old lcavcs of aloriivc
Mcmorials, migIi Iavc lccn a fancy viiI Iim
somciimcs; lui noi vIcn Ic vas oui, looling
u ai iIc liic in iIc sly, and fccling ii ull
and iug ai Iis Iand. Hc ncvcr loolcd so scrcnc
as Ic did iIcn. I uscd io fancy, as I sai ly Iim
of an cvcning, on a grccn sloc, and sav Iim
vaicI iIc liic IigI in iIc quici air, iIai ii lificd
Iis mind oui of iis confusion, and lorc ii (sucI
vas my loyisI iIougIi} inio iIc slics. As Ic
vound iIc siring in and ii camc lovcr and lovcr
dovn oui of iIc lcauiiful ligIi, uniil ii flui-
icrcd io iIc ground, and lay iIcrc lilc a dcad
iIing, Ic sccmcd io valc gradually oui of a
drcam; and I rcmcmlcr io Iavc sccn Iim ialc
ii u, and lool aloui Iim in a losi vay, as if
iIcy Iad loiI comc dovn iogciIcr, so iIai I
iiicd Iim viiI all my Icari.
WIilc I advanccd in fricndsIi and iniimacy
viiI Mr. Dicl, I did noi go laclvard in iIc
263
favour of Iis siauncI fricnd, my auni. SIc iool
so lindly io mc, iIai, in iIc coursc of a fcv
vccls, sIc sIoricncd my adoicd namc of
Troivood inio Troi; and cvcn cncouragcd mc io
Ioc, iIai if I vcni on as I Iad lcgun, I migIi
ialc cqual ranl in Icr affcciions viiI my sis-
icr Dciscy Troivood.
'Troi,' said my auni onc cvcning, vIcn iIc lacl-
gammon-loard vas laccd as usual for Icrsclf and
Mr. Dicl, 'vc musi noi forgci your cducaiion.'
TIis vas my only suljcci of aniciy, and I fcli
quiic dcligIicd ly Icr rcfcrring io ii.
'SIould you lilc io go io scIool ai Canicr-
lury?' said my auni.
I rclicd iIai I sIould lilc ii vcry mucI, as ii
vas so ncar Icr.
'Good,' said my auni. 'SIould you lilc io go
iomorrov?'
Dcing alrcady no sirangcr io iIc gcncral raid-
iiy of my auni's cvoluiions, I vas noi surriscd
ly iIc suddcnncss of iIc roosal, and said: 'Ycs.'
'Good,' said my auni again. 'Janci, Iirc iIc grcy
ony and cIaisc iomorrov morning ai icn o'clocl,
and acl u Masicr Troivood's cloiIcs ionigIi.'
I vas grcaily claicd ly iIcsc ordcrs; lui my
Icari smoic mc for my sclfisIncss, vIcn I vii-
ncsscd iIcir cffcci on Mr. Dicl, vIo vas so lov-
siriicd ai iIc roscci of our scaraiion, and
laycd so ill in conscqucncc, iIai my auni, af-
icr giving Iim scvcral admoniiory ras on iIc
lnucllcs viiI Icr dicc-lo, sIui u iIc loard,
and dcclincd io lay viiI Iim any morc. Dui,
on Icaring from my auni iIai I sIould somc-
iimcs comc ovcr on a Saiurday, and iIai Ic could
somciimcs comc and scc mc on a Wcdncsday,
Ic rcvivcd; and vovcd io malc anoiIcr liic for
iIosc occasions, of rooriions grcaily surass-
ing iIc rcscni onc. In iIc morning Ic vas
dovnIcaricd again, and vould Iavc susiaincd
Iimsclf ly giving mc all iIc moncy Ic Iad in
Iis osscssion, gold and silvcr ioo, if my auni
Iad noi inicroscd, and limiicd iIc gifi io fivc
264
sIillings, vIicI, ai Iis carncsi ciiiion, vcrc
aficrvards incrcascd io icn. Wc aricd ai iIc
gardcn-gaic in a mosi affcciionaic manncr, and
Mr. Dicl did noi go inio iIc Iousc uniil my
auni Iad drivcn mc oui of sigIi of ii.
My auni, vIo vas crfccily indiffcrcni io ul-
lic oinion, drovc iIc grcy ony iIrougI Dovcr
in a masicrly manncr; siiiing IigI and siiff lilc
a siaic coacIman, lccing a sicady cyc uon
Iim vIcrcvcr Ic vcni, and maling a oini of
noi lciiing Iim Iavc Iis ovn vay in any rc-
scci. WIcn vc camc inio iIc couniry road,
sIc crmiiicd Iim io rcla a liiilc, Iovcvcr;
and looling ai mc dovn in a vallcy of cusIion
ly Icr sidc, aslcd mc vIciIcr I vas Iay?
'Vcry Iay indccd, iIanl you, auni,' I said.
SIc vas mucI graiificd; and loiI Icr Iands lc-
ing occuicd, aiicd mc on iIc Icad viiI Icr vIi.
'Is ii a largc scIool, auni?' I aslcd.
'WIy, I don'i lnov,' said my auni. 'Wc arc
going io Mr. Wiclficld's firsi.'
'Docs Ic lcc a scIool?' I aslcd.
'No, Troi,' said my auni. 'Hc lccs an officc.'
I aslcd for no morc informaiion aloui Mr.
Wiclficld, as sIc offcrcd nonc, and vc convcrscd
on oiIcr suljccis uniil vc camc io Canicrlury,
vIcrc, as ii vas marlci-day, my auni Iad a grcai
ooriuniiy of insinuaiing iIc grcy ony among
caris, laslcis, vcgciallcs, and Iuclsicr's goods.
TIc Iair-lrcadiI iurns and ivisis vc madc, drcv
dovn uon us a variciy of scccIcs from iIc
colc sianding aloui, vIicI vcrc noi alvays
comlimcniary; lui my auni drovc on viiI cr-
fcci indiffcrcncc, and I darc say vould Iavc ialcn
Icr ovn vay viiI as mucI coolncss iIrougI an
cncmy's couniry.
Ai lcngiI vc siocd lcforc a vcry old Iousc
lulging oui ovcr iIc road; a Iousc viiI long
lov laiiicc-vindovs lulging oui siill fariIcr, and
lcams viiI carvcd Icads on iIc cnds lulging
oui ioo, so iIai I fancicd iIc vIolc Iousc vas
lcaning forvard, irying io scc vIo vas assing
265
on iIc narrov avcmcni lclov. Ii vas quiic
soilcss in iis clcanlincss. TIc old-fasIioncd
lrass lnoclcr on iIc lov arcIcd door, orna-
mcnicd viiI carvcd garlands of fruii and flov-
crs, ivinllcd lilc a siar; iIc ivo sionc sics
dcsccnding io iIc door vcrc as vIiic as if iIcy
Iad lccn covcrcd viiI fair lincn; and all iIc
anglcs and corncrs, and carvings and mould-
ings, and quaini liiilc ancs of glass, and
quainicr liiilc vindovs, iIougI as old as iIc
Iills, vcrc as urc as any snov iIai cvcr fcll
uon iIc Iills.
WIcn iIc ony-cIaisc siocd ai iIc door, and
my cycs vcrc inicni uon iIc Iousc, I sav a
cadavcrous facc acar ai a small vindov on iIc
ground floor (in a liiilc round iovcr iIai formcd
onc sidc of iIc Iousc}, and quiclly disacar.
TIc lov arcIcd door iIcn ocncd, and iIc facc
camc oui. Ii vas quiic as cadavcrous as ii Iad
loolcd in iIc vindov, iIougI in iIc grain of ii
iIcrc vas iIai iingc of rcd vIicI is somciimcs io
lc olscrvcd in iIc slins of rcd-Iaircd colc. Ii
lclongcd io a rcd-Iaircd crsona youiI of fif-
iccn, as I ialc ii nov, lui looling mucI oldcr
vIosc Iair vas crocd as closc as iIc closcsi
siulllc; vIo Iad Iardly any cyclrovs, and no
cyclasIcs, and cycs of a rcd-lrovn, so unsIclicrcd
and unsIadcd, iIai I rcmcmlcr vondcring Iov
Ic vcni io slcc. Hc vas IigI-sIouldcrcd and
lony; drcsscd in dcccni llacl, viiI a vIiic vis
of a ncclcloiI; luiioncd u io iIc iIroai; and
Iad a long, lanl, slclcion Iand, vIicI ariicu-
larly aiiracicd my aiicniion, as Ic siood ai iIc
ony's Icad, rulling Iis cIin viiI ii, and lool-
ing u ai us in iIc cIaisc.
'Is Mr. Wiclficld ai Iomc, UriaI Hcc?' said
my auni.
'Mr. Wiclficld's ai Iomc, ma'am,' said UriaI
Hcc, 'if you'll lcasc io vall in iIcrc'oini-
ing viiI Iis long Iand io iIc room Ic mcani.
Wc goi oui; and lcaving Iim io Iold iIc ony,
vcni inio a long lov arlour looling iovards
266
iIc sircci, from iIc vindov of vIicI I caugIi a
glimsc, as I vcni in, of UriaI Hcc lrcaiIing
inio iIc ony's nosirils, and immcdiaicly cov-
cring iIcm viiI Iis Iand, as if Ic vcrc uiiing
somc scll uon Iim. Oosiic io iIc iall old
cIimncy-iccc vcrc ivo oriraiis: onc of a
gcnilcman viiI grcy Iair (iIougI noi ly any
mcans an old man} and llacl cyclrovs, vIo
vas looling ovcr somc acrs iicd iogciIcr viiI
rcd iac; iIc oiIcr, of a lady, viiI a vcry lacid
and svcci crcssion of facc, vIo vas looling
ai mc.
I lclicvc I vas iurning aloui in scarcI of
UriaI's iciurc, vIcn, a door ai iIc fariIcr cnd
of iIc room ocning, a gcnilcman cnicrcd, ai
sigIi of vIom I iurncd io iIc firsi-mcniioncd
oriraii again, io malc quiic surc iIai ii Iad
noi comc oui of iis framc. Dui ii vas siaiion-
ary; and as iIc gcnilcman advanccd inio iIc
ligIi, I sav iIai Ic vas somc ycars oldcr iIan
vIcn Ic Iad Iad Iis iciurc ainicd.
'Miss Dciscy Troivood,' said iIc gcnilcman,
'ray vall in. I vas cngagcd for a momcni, lui
you'll ccusc my lcing lusy. You lnov my
moiivc. I Iavc lui onc in lifc.'
Miss Dciscy iIanlcd Iim, and vc vcni inio
Iis room, vIicI vas furnisIcd as an officc, viiI
lools, acrs, iin locs, and so foriI. Ii loolcd
inio a gardcn, and Iad an iron safc lci inio iIc
vall; so immcdiaicly ovcr iIc maniclsIclf, iIai
I vondcrcd, as I sai dovn, Iov iIc svccs goi
round ii vIcn iIcy svci iIc cIimncy.
'Wcll, Miss Troivood,' said Mr. Wiclficld; for I
soon found iIai ii vas Ic, and iIai Ic vas a
lavycr, and sicvard of iIc csiaics of a ricI
gcnilcman of iIc couniy; 'vIai vind llovs you
Icrc? Noi an ill vind, I Ioc?'
'No,' rclicd my auni. 'I Iavc noi comc for
any lav.'
'TIai's rigIi, ma'am,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'You
Iad lciicr comc for anyiIing clsc.' His Iair
vas quiic vIiic nov, iIougI Iis cyclrovs vcrc
267
siill llacl. Hc Iad a vcry agrccallc facc, and, I
iIougIi, vas Iandsomc. TIcrc vas a ccriain
ricIncss in Iis comlcion, vIicI I Iad lccn
long accusiomcd, undcr Fcggoiiy's iuiiion, io
conncci viiI ori vinc; and I fancicd ii vas in
Iis voicc ioo, and rcfcrrcd Iis groving coru-
lcncy io iIc samc causc. Hc vas vcry clcanly
drcsscd, in a lluc coai, siricd vaisicoai, and
nanlccn irouscrs; and Iis finc frillcd sIiri and
camlric ncclcloiI loolcd unusually sofi and
vIiic, rcminding my sirolling fancy (I call io
mind} of iIc lumagc on iIc lrcasi of a svan.
'TIis is my ncIcv,' said my auni.
'Wasn'i avarc you Iad onc, Miss Troivood,'
said Mr. Wiclficld.
'My grand-ncIcv, iIai is io say,' olscrvcd
my auni.
'Wasn'i avarc you Iad a grand-ncIcv, I givc
you my vord,' said Mr. Wiclficld.
'I Iavc adoicd Iim,' said my auni, viiI a vavc of
Icr Iand, imoriing iIai Iis lnovlcdgc and Iis
ignorancc vcrc all onc io Icr, 'and I Iavc lrougIi
Iim Icrc, io ui io a scIool vIcrc Ic may lc iIor-
ougIly vcll iaugIi, and vcll ircaicd. Nov icll mc
vIcrc iIai scIool is, and vIai ii is, and all aloui ii.'
'Dcforc I can advisc you rocrly,' said Mr.
Wiclficld'iIc old qucsiion, you lnov. WIai's
your moiivc in iIis?'
'Dcucc ialc iIc man!' cclaimcd my auni. 'Al-
vays fisIing for moiivcs, vIcn iIcy'rc on iIc sur-
facc! WIy, io malc iIc cIild Iay and uscful.'
'Ii musi lc a micd moiivc, I iIinl,' said Mr.
Wiclficld, sIaling Iis Icad and smiling in-
crcdulously.
'A micd fiddlcsiicl,' rciurncd my auni. 'You
claim io Iavc onc lain moiivc in all you do
yoursclf. You don'i suosc, I Ioc, iIai you
arc iIc only lain dcalcr in iIc vorld?'
'Ay, lui I Iavc only onc moiivc in lifc, Miss
Troivood,' Ic rcjoincd, smiling. 'OiIcr colc
Iavc dozcns, scorcs, Iundrcds. I Iavc only onc.
TIcrc's iIc diffcrcncc. Hovcvcr, iIai's lcsidc
268
iIc qucsiion. TIc lcsi scIool? WIaicvcr iIc
moiivc, you vani iIc lcsi?'
My auni noddcd asscni.
'Ai iIc lcsi vc Iavc,' said Mr. Wiclficld, con-
sidcring, 'your ncIcv couldn'i loard jusi nov.'
'Dui Ic could loard somcvIcrc clsc, I su-
osc?' suggcsicd my auni.
Mr. Wiclficld iIougIi I could. Aficr a liiilc
discussion, Ic rooscd io ialc my auni io iIc
scIool, iIai sIc migIi scc ii and judgc for Icr-
sclf; also, io ialc Icr, viiI iIc samc oljcci, io
ivo or iIrcc Iouscs vIcrc Ic iIougIi I could
lc loardcd. My auni cmlracing iIc roosal,
vc vcrc all iIrcc going oui iogciIcr, vIcn Ic
siocd and said:
'Our liiilc fricnd Icrc migIi Iavc somc mo-
iivc, crIas, for oljcciing io iIc arrangcmcnis.
I iIinl vc Iad lciicr lcavc Iim lcIind?'
My auni sccmcd disoscd io conicsi iIc oini;
lui io faciliiaic maiicrs I said I vould gladly
rcmain lcIind, if iIcy lcascd; and rciurncd
inio Mr. Wiclficld's officc, vIcrc I sai dovn
again, in iIc cIair I Iad firsi occuicd, io avaii
iIcir rciurn.
Ii so Iacncd iIai iIis cIair vas oosiic a
narrov assagc, vIicI cndcd in iIc liiilc cir-
cular room vIcrc I Iad sccn UriaI Hcc's alc
facc looling oui of iIc vindov. UriaI, Iaving
ialcn iIc ony io a ncigIlouring siallc, vas
ai vorl ai a dcsl in iIis room, vIicI Iad a
lrass framc on iIc io io Iang acr uon,
and on vIicI iIc vriiing Ic vas maling a coy
of vas iIcn Ianging. TIougI Iis facc vas io-
vards mc, I iIougIi, for somc iimc, iIc vriiing
lcing lcivccn us, iIai Ic could noi scc mc;
lui looling iIai vay morc aiicniivcly, ii madc
mc uncomforiallc io olscrvc iIai, cvcry nov
and iIcn, Iis slcclcss cycs vould comc lclov
iIc vriiing, lilc ivo rcd suns, and sicaliIily
siarc ai mc for I darc say a vIolc minuic ai a
iimc, during vIicI Iis cn vcni, or rcicndcd
io go, as clcvcrly as cvcr. I madc scvcral aiicmis
269
io gci oui of iIcir vaysucI as sianding on a cIair
io lool ai a ma on iIc oiIcr sidc of iIc room, and
oring ovcr iIc columns of a KcniisI ncvsacr
lui iIcy alvays aiiracicd mc lacl again; and vIcn-
cvcr I loolcd iovards iIosc ivo rcd suns, I vas
surc io find iIcm, ciiIcr jusi rising or jusi sciiing.
Ai lcngiI, mucI io my rclicf, my auni and
Mr. Wiclficld camc lacl, aficr a rciiy long
alscncc. TIcy vcrc noi so succcssful as I could
Iavc visIcd; for iIougI iIc advaniagcs of iIc
scIool vcrc undcniallc, my auni Iad noi a-
rovcd of any of iIc loarding-Iouscs rooscd
for mc.
'Ii's vcry unforiunaic,' said my auni. 'I don'i
lnov vIai io do, Troi.'
'Ii docs Iacn unforiunaicly,' said Mr.
Wiclficld. 'Dui I'll icll you vIai you can do,
Miss Troivood.'
'WIai's iIai?' inquircd my auni.
'Lcavc your ncIcv Icrc, for iIc rcscni. Hc's
a quici fcllov. Hc von'i disiurl mc ai all. Ii's a
caiial Iousc for siudy. As quici as a monas-
icry, and almosi as roomy. Lcavc Iim Icrc.'
My auni cvidcnily lilcd iIc offcr, iIougI sIc
vas dclicaic of accciing ii. So did I. 'Comc, Miss
Troivood,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'TIis is iIc vay oui
of iIc difficuliy. Ii's only a icmorary arrangcmcni,
you lnov. If ii don'i aci vcll, or don'i quiic accord
viiI our muiual convcnicncc, Ic can casily go io
iIc rigIi-aloui. TIcrc vill lc iimc io find somc
lciicr lacc for Iim in iIc mcanvIilc. You Iad
lciicr dcicrminc io lcavc Iim Icrc for iIc rcscni!'
'I am vcry mucI olligcd io you,' said my auni;
'and so is Ic, I scc; lui'
'Comc! I lnov vIai you mcan,' cricd Mr.
Wiclficld. 'You sIall noi lc orcsscd ly iIc
rcccii of favours, Miss Troivood. You may ay
for Iim, if you lilc. Wc von'i lc Iard aloui
icrms, lui you sIall ay if you vill.'
'On iIai undcrsianding,' said my auni,
'iIougI ii docsn'i lcsscn iIc rcal olligaiion, I
sIall lc vcry glad io lcavc Iim.'
270
'TIcn comc and scc my liiilc Iousclcccr,'
said Mr. Wiclficld.
Wc accordingly vcni u a vondcrful old siair-
casc; viiI a lalusiradc so lroad iIai vc migIi
Iavc gonc u iIai, almosi as casily; and inio a
sIady old draving-room, ligIicd ly somc iIrcc
or four of iIc quaini vindovs I Iad loolcd u ai
from iIc sircci: vIicI Iad old oal scais in iIcm,
iIai sccmcd io Iavc comc of iIc samc irccs as
iIc sIining oal floor, and iIc grcai lcams in iIc
cciling. Ii vas a rciiily furnisIcd room, viiI a
iano and somc livcly furniiurc in rcd and grccn,
and somc flovcrs. Ii sccmcd io lc all old nools
and corncrs; and in cvcry nool and corncr iIcrc
vas somc quccr liiilc iallc, or culoard, or lool-
casc, or scai, or somciIing or oiIcr, iIai madc
mc iIinl iIcrc vas noi sucI anoiIcr good cor-
ncr in iIc room; uniil I loolcd ai iIc nci onc,
and found ii cqual io ii, if noi lciicr. On cvcry-
iIing iIcrc vas iIc samc air of rciircmcni and
clcanlincss iIai marlcd iIc Iousc ouisidc.
Mr. Wiclficld iacd ai a door in a corncr of
iIc ancllcd vall, and a girl of aloui my ovn
agc camc quiclly oui and lisscd Iim. On Icr
facc, I sav immcdiaicly iIc lacid and svcci
crcssion of iIc lady vIosc iciurc Iad loolcd
ai mc dovnsiairs. Ii sccmcd io my imaginaiion
as if iIc oriraii Iad grovn vomanly, and iIc
original rcmaincd a cIild. AliIougI Icr facc
vas quiic lrigIi and Iay, iIcrc vas a iran-
quilliiy aloui ii, and aloui Icra quici, good,
calm siriiiIai I ncvcr Iavc forgoiicn; iIai I
sIall ncvcr forgci. TIis vas Iis liiilc Iousc-
lcccr, Iis daugIicr Agncs, Mr. Wiclficld said.
WIcn I Icard Iov Ic said ii, and sav Iov Ic
Icld Icr Iand, I gucsscd vIai iIc onc moiivc
of Iis lifc vas.
SIc Iad a liiilc laslci-iriflc Ianging ai Icr
sidc, viiI lcys in ii; and sIc loolcd as siaid
and as discrcci a Iousclcccr as iIc old Iousc
could Iavc. SIc lisicncd io Icr faiIcr as Ic
iold Icr aloui mc, viiI a lcasani facc; and
271
vIcn Ic Iad concludcd, rooscd io my auni
iIai vc sIould go usiairs and scc my room.
Wc all vcni iogciIcr, sIc lcforc us: and a glo-
rious old room ii vas, viiI morc oal lcams,
and diamond ancs; and iIc lroad lalusiradc
going all iIc vay u io ii.
I cannoi call io mind vIcrc or vIcn, in my
cIildIood, I Iad sccn a siaincd glass vindov
in a cIurcI. Nor do I rccollcci iis suljcci. Dui I
lnov iIai vIcn I sav Icr iurn round, in iIc
gravc ligIi of iIc old siaircasc, and vaii for us,
alovc, I iIougIi of iIai vindov; and I associ-
aicd somciIing of iis iranquil lrigIincss viiI
Agncs Wiclficld cvcr aficrvards.
My auni vas as Iay as I vas, in iIc arrangc-
mcni madc for mc; and vc vcni dovn io iIc drav-
ing-room again, vcll lcascd and graiificd. As sIc
vould noi Icar of siaying io dinncr, lcsi sIc
sIould ly any cIancc fail io arrivc ai Iomc viiI
iIc grcy ony lcforc darl; and as I arcIcnd
Mr. Wiclficld lncv Icr ioo vcll io arguc any oini
viiI Icr; somc luncI vas rovidcd for Icr iIcrc,
and Agncs vcni lacl io Icr govcrncss, and Mr.
Wiclficld io Iis officc. So vc vcrc lcfi io ialc lcavc
of onc anoiIcr viiIoui any rcsiraini.
SIc iold mc iIai cvcryiIing vould lc ar-
rangcd for mc ly Mr. Wiclficld, and iIai I
sIould vani for noiIing, and gavc mc iIc lind-
csi vords and iIc lcsi advicc.
'Troi,' said my auni in conclusion, 'lc a crcdii
io yoursclf, io mc, and Mr. Dicl, and Hcavcn
lc viiI you!'
I vas grcaily ovcrcomc, and could only iIanl
Icr, again and again, and scnd my lovc io Mr.
Dicl.
'Ncvcr,' said my auni, 'lc mcan in anyiIing;
ncvcr lc falsc; ncvcr lc crucl. Avoid iIosc iIrcc
viccs, Troi, and I can alvays lc Iocful of you.'
I romiscd, as vcll as I could, iIai I vould noi
alusc Icr lindncss or forgci Icr admoniiion.
'TIc ony's ai iIc door,' said my auni, 'and I
am off! Siay Icrc.' WiiI iIcsc vords sIc cm-
272
lraccd mc Iasiily, and vcni oui of iIc room,
sIuiiing iIc door aficr Icr. Ai firsi I vas siarilcd
ly so alrui a dcariurc, and almosi fcarcd I
Iad dislcascd Icr; lui vIcn I loolcd inio iIc
sircci, and sav Iov dcjccicdly sIc goi inio iIc
cIaisc, and drovc avay viiIoui looling u, I
undcrsiood Icr lciicr and did noi do Icr iIai
injusiicc.
Dy fivc o'clocl, vIicI vas Mr. Wiclficld's din-
ncr-Iour, I Iad musicrcd u my siriis again,
and vas rcady for my lnifc and forl. TIc cloiI
vas only laid for us ivo; lui Agncs vas vaiiing
in iIc draving-room lcforc dinncr, vcni dovn
viiI Icr faiIcr, and sai oosiic io Iim ai iallc.
I doulicd vIciIcr Ic could Iavc dincd viiI-
oui Icr.
Wc did noi siay iIcrc, aficr dinncr, lui camc
usiairs inio iIc draving-room again: in onc
snug corncr of vIicI, Agncs sci glasscs for Icr
faiIcr, and a dccanicr of ori vinc. I iIougIi
Ic vould Iavc misscd iis usual flavour, if ii
Iad lccn ui iIcrc for Iim ly any oiIcr Iands.
TIcrc Ic sai, ialing Iis vinc, and ialing a
good dcal of ii, for ivo Iours; vIilc Agncs
laycd on iIc iano, vorlcd, and iallcd io Iim
and mc. Hc vas, for iIc mosi ari, gay and
cIccrful viiI us; lui somciimcs Iis cycs rcsicd
on Icr, and Ic fcll inio a lrooding siaic, and
vas silcni. SIc alvays olscrvcd iIis quiclly, I
iIougIi, and alvays rouscd Iim viiI a qucs-
iion or carcss. TIcn Ic camc oui of Iis mcdiia-
iion, and dranl morc vinc.
Agncs madc iIc ica, and rcsidcd ovcr ii; and
iIc iimc asscd avay aficr ii, as aficr dinncr,
uniil sIc vcni io lcd; vIcn Icr faiIcr iool
Icr in Iis arms and lisscd Icr, and, sIc lcing
gonc, ordcrcd candlcs in Iis officc. TIcn I vcni
io lcd ioo.
Dui in iIc coursc of iIc cvcning I Iad ramllcd
dovn io iIc door, and a liiilc vay along iIc
sircci, iIai I migIi Iavc anoiIcr cc ai iIc
old Iouscs, and iIc grcy CaiIcdral; and migIi
273
iIinl of my coming iIrougI iIai old ciiy on
my journcy, and of my assing iIc vcry Iousc
I livcd in, viiIoui lnoving ii. As I camc lacl, I
sav UriaI Hcc sIuiiing u iIc officc; and fccl-
ing fricndly iovards cvcrylody, vcni in and
solc io Iim, and ai ariing, gavc Iim my
Iand. Dui oI, vIai a clammy Iand Iis vas! as
gIosily io iIc ioucI as io iIc sigIi! I rullcd
minc aficrvards, io varm ii, und to ruI Is o.
Ii vas sucI an uncomforiallc Iand, iIai, vIcn
I vcni io my room, ii vas siill cold and vci
uon my mcmory. Lcaning oui of iIc vindov,
and sccing onc of iIc faccs on iIc lcam-cnds
looling ai mc sidcvays, I fancicd ii vas UriaI
Hcc goi u iIcrc somcIov, and sIui Iim oui
in a Iurry.
CHAPTER 16
I AM A NEW BOY IN MORE
SENSES THAN ONE
NEXT MOFNING, AFTEF lrcalfasi, I cnicrcd on
scIool lifc again. I vcni, accomanicd ly Mr.
Wiclficld, io iIc sccnc of my fuiurc siudicsa
gravc luilding in a couriyard, viiI a lcarncd
air aloui ii iIai sccmcd vcry vcll suiicd io iIc
siray rools and jacldavs vIo camc dovn from
iIc CaiIcdral iovcrs io vall viiI a clcrlly
lcaring on iIc grass-loiand vas iniroduccd
io my ncv masicr, Docior Sirong.
Docior Sirong loolcd almosi as rusiy, io my
iIinling, as iIc iall iron rails and gaics oui-
sidc iIc Iousc; and almosi as siiff and Icavy
as iIc grcai sionc urns iIai flanlcd iIcm, and
vcrc sci u, on iIc io of iIc rcd-lricl vall, ai
rcgular disianccs all round iIc couri, lilc sul-
limaicd sliiilcs, for Timc io lay ai. Hc vas in
Iis lilrary (I mcan Docior Sirong vas}, viiI Iis
274
cloiIcs noi ariicularly vcll lrusIcd, and Iis
Iair noi ariicularly vcll comlcd; Iis lncc-
smalls unlraccd; Iis long llacl gaiicrs unlui-
ioncd; and Iis sIocs yavning lilc ivo cavcrns
on iIc IcariI-rug. Turning uon mc a lusirclcss
cyc, iIai rcmindcd mc of a long-forgoiicn llind
old Iorsc vIo oncc uscd io cro iIc grass, and
iumllc ovcr iIc gravcs, in Dlundcrsionc cIurcI-
yard, Ic said Ic vas glad io scc mc: and iIcn
Ic gavc mc Iis Iand; vIicI I didn'i lnov vIai
io do viiI, as ii did noiIing for iisclf.
Dui, siiiing ai vorl, noi far from Docior
Sirong, vas a vcry rciiy young ladyvIom
Ic callcd Annic, and vIo vas Iis daugIicr, I
suoscdvIo goi mc oui of my difficuliy ly
lnccling dovn io ui Docior Sirong's sIocs on,
and luiion Iis gaiicrs, vIicI sIc did viiI grcai
cIccrfulncss and quiclncss. WIcn sIc Iad fin-
isIcd, and vc vcrc going oui io iIc scIool-
room, I vas mucI surriscd io Icar Mr.
Wiclficld, in lidding Icr good morning, addrcss
Icr as 'Mrs. Sirong'; and I vas vondcring could
sIc lc Docior Sirong's son's vifc, or could sIc
lc Mrs. Docior Sirong, vIcn Docior Sirong Iim-
sclf unconsciously cnligIicncd mc.
'Dy iIc ly, Wiclficld,' Ic said, sioing in a
assagc viiI Iis Iand on my sIouldcr; 'you
Iavc noi found any suiiallc rovision for my
vifc's cousin yci?'
'No,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'No. Noi yci.'
'I could visI ii donc as soon as ii can lc donc,
Wiclficld,' said Docior Sirong, 'for Jacl Maldon
is nccdy, and idlc; and of iIosc ivo lad iIings,
vorsc iIings somciimcs comc. WIai docs Doc-
ior Waiis say,' Ic addcd, looling ai mc, and
moving Iis Icad io iIc iimc of Iis quoiaiion,
'Saian finds somc miscIicf siill, for idlc Iands
io do."'
'Egad, Docior,' rciurncd Mr. Wiclficld, 'if Doc-
ior Waiis lncv manlind, Ic migIi Iavc vrii-
icn, viiI as mucI iruiI, Saian finds somc
miscIicf siill, for lusy Iands io do." TIc lusy
275
colc acIicvc iIcir full sIarc of miscIicf in
iIc vorld, you may rcly uon ii. WIai Iavc iIc
colc lccn aloui, vIo Iavc lccn iIc lusicsi
in gciiing moncy, and in gciiing ovcr, iIis
ccniury or ivo? No miscIicf?'
'Jacl Maldon vill ncvcr lc vcry lusy in gci-
iing ciiIcr, I ccci,' said Docior Sirong, rul-
ling Iis cIin iIougIifully.
'FcrIas noi,' said Mr. Wiclficld; 'and you
lring mc lacl io iIc qucsiion, viiI an aology
for digrcssing. No, I Iavc noi lccn allc io dis-
osc of Mr. Jacl Maldon yci. I lclicvc,' Ic said
iIis viiI somc Icsiiaiion, 'I cnciraic your
moiivc, and ii malcs iIc iIing morc difficuli.'
'My moiivc,' rciurncd Docior Sirong, 'is io
malc somc suiiallc rovision for a cousin, and
an old layfcllov, of Annic's.'
'Ycs, I lnov,' said Mr. Wiclficld; 'ai Iomc or alroad.'
'Ayc!' rclicd iIc Docior, aarcnily vondcr-
ing vIy Ic cmIasizcd iIosc vords so mucI.
'Ai Iomc or alroad.'
'Your ovn crcssion, you lnov,' said Mr.
Wiclficld. 'Or alroad.'
'Surcly,' iIc Docior ansvcrcd. 'Surcly. Onc
or oiIcr.'
'Onc or oiIcr? Havc you no cIoicc?' aslcd
Mr. Wiclficld.
'No,' rciurncd iIc Docior.
'No?' viiI asionisImcni.
'Noi iIc lcasi.'
'No moiivc,' said Mr. Wiclficld, 'for mcaning
alroad, and noi ai Iomc?'
'No,' rciurncd iIc Docior.
'I am lound io lclicvc you, and of coursc I do
lclicvc you,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'Ii migIi Iavc
simlificd my officc vcry mucI, if I Iad lnovn
ii lcforc. Dui I confcss I cnicriaincd anoiIcr
imrcssion.'
Docior Sirong rcgardcd Iim viiI a uzzlcd
and douliing lool, vIicI almosi immcdiaicly
sulsidcd inio a smilc iIai gavc mc grcai cn-
couragcmcni; for ii vas full of amialiliiy and
276
svccincss, and iIcrc vas a simliciiy in ii, and
indccd in Iis vIolc manncr, vIcn iIc siudi-
ous, ondcring frosi uon ii vas goi iIrougI,
vcry aiiraciivc and Iocful io a young scIolar
lilc mc. Fccaiing 'no', and 'noi iIc lcasi', and
oiIcr sIori assuranccs io iIc samc urori,
Docior Sirong joggcd on lcforc us, ai a quccr,
uncvcn acc; and vc follovcd: Mr. Wiclficld,
looling gravc, I olscrvcd, and sIaling Iis Icad
io Iimsclf, viiIoui lnoving iIai I sav Iim.
TIc scIoolroom vas a rciiy largc Iall, on
iIc quicicsi sidc of iIc Iousc, confronicd ly
iIc siaicly siarc of somc Ialf-dozcn of iIc grcai
urns, and commanding a cc of an old sc-
cludcd gardcn lclonging io iIc Docior, vIcrc
iIc cacIcs vcrc ricning on iIc sunny souiI
vall. TIcrc vcrc ivo grcai alocs, in iuls, on
iIc iurf ouisidc iIc vindovs; iIc lroad Iard
lcavcs of vIicI lani (looling as if iIcy vcrc
madc of ainicd iin} Iavc cvcr sincc, ly asso-
ciaiion, lccn symlolical io mc of silcncc and
rciircmcni. Aloui fivc-and-ivcniy loys vcrc
siudiously cngagcd ai iIcir lools vIcn vc
vcni in, lui iIcy rosc io givc iIc Docior good
morning, and rcmaincd sianding vIcn iIcy
sav Mr. Wiclficld and mc.
'A ncv loy, young gcnilcmcn,' said iIc Doc-
ior; 'Troivood Cocrficld.'
Onc Adams, vIo vas iIc Icad-loy, iIcn
siccd oui of Iis lacc and vclcomcd mc. Hc
loolcd lilc a young clcrgyman, in Iis vIiic
cravai, lui Ic vas vcry affallc and good-
Iumourcd; and Ic sIovcd mc my lacc, and
rcscnicd mc io iIc masicrs, in a gcnilcmanly
vay iIai vould Iavc ui mc ai my casc, if any-
iIing could.
Ii sccmcd io mc so long, Iovcvcr, sincc I Iad
lccn among sucI loys, or among any coman-
ions of my ovn agc, ccci Micl Wallcr and
Mcaly Foiaiocs, iIai I fcli as sirangc as cvcr I
Iavc donc in my lifc. I vas so conscious of Iaving
asscd iIrougI sccncs of vIicI iIcy could Iavc
277
no lnovlcdgc, and of Iaving acquircd ccri-
cnccs forcign io my agc, acarancc, and condi-
iion as onc of iIcm, iIai I Ialf lclicvcd ii vas an
imosiurc io comc iIcrc as an ordinary liiilc
scIoolloy. I Iad lccomc, in iIc Murdsionc and
Grinly iimc, Iovcvcr sIori or long ii may Iavc
lccn, so unuscd io iIc soris and gamcs of loys,
iIai I lncv I vas avlvard and inccricnccd in
iIc commoncsi iIings lclonging io iIcm. WIai-
cvcr I Iad lcarni, Iad so slicd avay from mc in
iIc sordid carcs of my lifc from day io nigIi, iIai
nov, vIcn I vas camincd aloui vIai I lncv, I
lncv noiIing, and vas ui inio iIc lovcsi form
of iIc scIool. Dui, iroullcd as I vas, ly my vani
of loyisI slill, and of lool-lcarning ioo, I vas
madc infiniicly morc uncomforiallc ly iIc con-
sidcraiion, iIai, in vIai I did lnov, I vas mucI
fariIcr rcmovcd from my comanions iIan in
vIai I did noi. My mind ran uon vIai iIcy
vould iIinl, if iIcy lncv of my familiar acquain-
iancc viiI iIc King's DcncI Frison? Was iIcrc
anyiIing aloui mc vIicI vould rcvcal my ro-
cccdings in conncion viiI iIc Micavlcr fam-
ilyall iIosc avnings, and scllings, and su-
crsin siic of mysclf? Suosc somc of iIc
loys Iad sccn mc coming iIrougI Canicrlury,
vayvorn and raggcd, and sIould find mc oui?
WIai vould iIcy say, vIo madc so ligIi of moncy,
if iIcy could lnov Iov I Iad scracd my
Ialfcncc iogciIcr, for iIc urcIasc of my daily
savcloy and lccr, or my sliccs of udding? Hov
vould ii affcci iIcm, vIo vcrc so innoccni of
London lifc, and London sirccis, io discovcr Iov
lnoving I vas (and vas asIamcd io lc} in somc
of iIc mcancsi Iascs of loiI? All iIis ran in my
Icad so mucI, on iIai firsi day ai Docior Sirong's,
iIai I fcli disirusiful of my sligIicsi lool and gcs-
iurc; sIrunl viiIin mysclf vIcnsocvcr I vas a-
roacIcd ly onc of my ncv scIoolfcllovs; and
Iurricd off iIc minuic scIool vas ovcr, afraid
of commiiiing mysclf in my rcsonsc io any
fricndly noiicc or advancc.
278
Dui iIcrc vas sucI an influcncc in Mr. Wiclficld's
old Iousc, iIai vIcn I lnoclcd ai ii, viiI my ncv
scIool-lools undcr my arm, I lcgan io fccl my
uncasincss soficning avay. As I vcni u io my airy
old room, iIc gravc sIadov of iIc siaircasc sccmcd
io fall uon my doulis and fcars, and io malc iIc
asi morc indisiinci. I sai iIcrc, siurdily conning
my lools, uniil dinncr-iimc (vc vcrc oui of scIool
for good ai iIrcc}; and vcni dovn, Iocful of lc-
coming a assallc sori of loy yci.
Agncs vas in iIc draving-room, vaiiing for
Icr faiIcr, vIo vas dciaincd ly somconc in
Iis officc. SIc mci mc viiI Icr lcasani smilc,
and aslcd mc Iov I lilcd iIc scIool. I iold Icr
I sIould lilc ii vcry mucI, I Iocd; lui I vas a
liiilc sirangc io ii ai firsi.
'You Iavc ncvcr lccn io scIool,' I said, 'Iavc
you?' 'OI ycs! Evcry day.'
'AI, lui you mcan Icrc, ai your ovn Iomc?'
'Faa couldn'i sarc mc io go anyvIcrc clsc,'
sIc ansvcrcd, smiling and sIaling Icr Icad.
'His Iousclcccr musi lc in Iis Iousc, you
lnov.'
'Hc is vcry fond of you, I am surc,' I said.
SIc noddcd 'Ycs,' and vcni io iIc door io
lisicn for Iis coming u, iIai sIc migIi mcci
Iim on iIc siairs. Dui, as Ic vas noi iIcrc,
sIc camc lacl again.
'Mama Ias lccn dcad cvcr sincc I vas lorn,'
sIc said, in Icr quici vay. 'I only lnov Icr
iciurc, dovnsiairs. I sav you looling ai ii ycs-
icrday. Did you iIinl vIosc ii vas?'
I iold Icr ycs, lccausc ii vas so lilc Icrsclf.
'Faa says so, ioo,' said Agncs, lcascd. 'Harl!
TIai's aa nov!'
Hcr lrigIi calm facc ligIicd u viiI lcasurc
as sIc vcni io mcci Iim, and as iIcy camc in,
Iand in Iand. Hc grccicd mc cordially; and
iold mc I sIould ccriainly lc Iay undcr Doc-
ior Sirong, vIo vas onc of iIc gcnilcsi of mcn.
'TIcrc may lc somc, crIasI don'i lnov
iIai iIcrc arcvIo alusc Iis lindncss,' said
279
Mr. Wiclficld. 'Ncvcr lc onc of iIosc, Troivood,
in anyiIing. Hc is iIc lcasi susicious of man-
lind; and vIciIcr iIai's a mcrii, or vIciIcr
ii's a llcmisI, ii dcscrvcs considcraiion in all
dcalings viiI iIc Docior, grcai or small.'
Hc solc, I iIougIi, as if Ic vcrc vcary, or
dissaiisficd viiI somciIing; lui I did noi ur-
suc iIc qucsiion in my mind, for dinncr vas
jusi iIcn announccd, and vc vcni dovn and
iool iIc samc scais as lcforc.
Wc Iad scarccly donc so, vIcn UriaI Hcc
ui in Iis rcd Icad and Iis lanl Iand ai iIc
door, and said:
'Hcrc's Mr. Maldon lcgs iIc favour of a vord, sir.'
'I am lui iIis momcni quii of Mr. Maldon,'
said Iis masicr.
'Ycs, sir,' rciurncd UriaI; 'lui Mr. Maldon Ias
comc lacl, and Ic lcgs iIc favour of a vord.'
As Ic Icld iIc door ocn viiI Iis Iand, UriaI
loolcd ai mc, and loolcd ai Agncs, and loolcd
ai iIc disIcs, and loolcd ai iIc laics, and
loolcd ai cvcry oljcci in iIc room, I iIougIi,
yci sccmcd io lool ai noiIing; Ic madc sucI
an acarancc all iIc vIilc of lccing Iis rcd
cycs duiifully on Iis masicr. 'I lcg your ar-
don. Ii's only io say, on rcflcciion,' olscrvcd a
voicc lcIind UriaI, as UriaI's Icad vas usIcd
avay, and iIc scalcr's sulsiiiuicd'ray c-
cusc mc for iIis inirusioniIai as ii sccms I
Iavc no cIoicc in iIc maiicr, iIc sooncr I go
alroad iIc lciicr. My cousin Annic did say,
vIcn vc iallcd of ii, iIai sIc lilcd io Iavc Icr
fricnds viiIin rcacI raiIcr iIan io Iavc iIcm
lanisIcd, and iIc old Docior'
'Docior Sirong, vas iIai?' Mr. Wiclficld in-
icroscd, gravcly.
'Docior Sirong, of coursc,' rciurncd iIc oiIcr; 'I
call Iim iIc old Docior; ii's all iIc samc, you lnov.'
'I don'i lnov,' rciurncd Mr. Wiclficld.
'Wcll, Docior Sirong,' said iIc oiIcr'Docior
Sirong vas of iIc samc mind, I lclicvcd. Dui
as ii acars from iIc coursc you ialc viiI mc
280
Ic Ias cIangcd Iis mind, vIy iIcrc's no morc
io lc said, ccci iIai iIc sooncr I am off, iIc
lciicr. TIcrcforc, I iIougIi I'd comc lacl and
say, iIai iIc sooncr I am off iIc lciicr. WIcn a
lungc is io lc madc inio iIc vaicr, ii's of no
usc lingcring on iIc lanl.'
'TIcrc sIall lc as liiilc lingcring as ossillc,
in your casc, Mr. Maldon, you may dccnd
uon ii,' said Mr. Wiclficld.
'TIanl'cc,' said iIc oiIcr. 'MucI olligcd. I
don'i vani io lool a gifi-Iorsc in iIc mouiI,
vIicI is noi a gracious iIing io do; oiIcrvisc, I
darc say, my cousin Annic could casily arrangc
ii in Icr ovn vay. I suosc Annic vould only
Iavc io say io iIc old Docior'
'Mcaning iIai Mrs. Sirong vould only Iavc
io say io Icr Iuslanddo I follov you?' said
Mr. Wiclficld.
'Quiic so,' rciurncd iIc oiIcr, 'vould only Iavc io
say, iIai sIc vanicd sucI and sucI a iIing io lc so
and so; and ii vould lc so and so, as a maiicr of coursc.'
'And vIy as a maiicr of coursc, Mr. Maldon?'
aslcd Mr. Wiclficld, scdaicly caiing Iis dinncr.
'WIy, lccausc Annic's a cIarming young girl,
and iIc old DociorDocior Sirong, I mcanis
noi quiic a cIarming young loy,' said Mr. Jacl
Maldon, laugIing. 'No offcncc io anylody, Mr.
Wiclficld. I only mcan iIai I suosc somc com-
cnsaiion is fair and rcasonallc in iIai sori of
marriagc.'
'Comcnsaiion io iIc lady, sir?' aslcd Mr.
Wiclficld gravcly.
'To iIc lady, sir,' Mr. Jacl Maldon ansvcrcd,
laugIing. Dui acaring io rcmarl iIai Mr.
Wiclficld vcni on viiI Iis dinncr in iIc samc
scdaic, immovallc manncr, and iIai iIcrc vas
no Ioc of maling Iim rcla a musclc of Iis
facc, Ic addcd: 'Hovcvcr, I Iavc said vIai I
camc io say, and, viiI anoiIcr aology for iIis
inirusion, I may ialc mysclf off. Of coursc I
sIall olscrvc your dircciions, in considcring
iIc maiicr as onc io lc arrangcd lcivccn you
281
and mc solcly, and noi io lc rcfcrrcd io, u ai
iIc Docior's.'
'Havc you dincd?' aslcd Mr. Wiclficld, viiI a
moiion of Iis Iand iovards iIc iallc.
'TIanl'cc. I am going io dinc,' said Mr.
Maldon, 'viiI my cousin Annic. Good-lyc!'
Mr. Wiclficld, viiIoui rising, loolcd aficr Iim
iIougIifully as Ic vcni oui. Hc vas raiIcr a
sIallov sori of young gcnilcman, I iIougIi, viiI
a Iandsomc facc, a raid uiicrancc, and a con-
fidcni, lold air. And iIis vas iIc firsi I cvcr
sav of Mr. Jacl Maldon; vIom I Iad noi c-
ccicd io scc so soon, vIcn I Icard iIc Docior
scal of Iim iIai morning.
WIcn vc Iad dincd, vc vcni usiairs again,
vIcrc cvcryiIing vcni on cacily as on iIc rc-
vious day. Agncs sci iIc glasscs and dccanicrs
in iIc samc corncr, and Mr. Wiclficld sai dovn
io drinl, and dranl a good dcal. Agncs laycd
iIc iano io Iim, sai ly Iim, and vorlcd and
iallcd, and laycd somc gamcs ai dominocs
viiI mc. In good iimc sIc madc ica; and aficr-
vards, vIcn I lrougIi dovn my lools, loolcd
inio iIcm, and sIovcd mc vIai sIc lncv of
iIcm (vIicI vas no sligIi maiicr, iIougI sIc
said ii vas}, and vIai vas iIc lcsi vay io lcarn
and undcrsiand iIcm. I scc Icr, viiI Icr mod-
csi, ordcrly, lacid manncr, and I Icar Icr
lcauiiful calm voicc, as I vriic iIcsc vords. TIc
influcncc for all good, vIicI sIc camc io ccr-
cisc ovcr mc ai a laicr iimc, lcgins alrcady io
dcsccnd uon my lrcasi. I lovc liiilc Em'ly, and
I don'i lovc Agncsno, noi ai all in iIai vay
lui I fccl iIai iIcrc arc goodncss, cacc, and
iruiI, vIcrcvcr Agncs is; and iIai iIc sofi ligIi
of iIc colourcd vindov in iIc cIurcI, sccn long
ago, falls on Icr alvays, and on mc vIcn I am
ncar Icr, and on cvcryiIing around.
TIc iimc Iaving comc for Icr viiIdraval for
iIc nigIi, and sIc Iaving lcfi us, I gavc Mr.
Wiclficld my Iand, rcaraiory io going avay
mysclf. Dui Ic cIcclcd mc and said: 'SIould
282
you lilc io siay viiI us, Troivood, or io go clsc-
vIcrc?'
'To siay,' I ansvcrcd, quiclly.
'You arc surc?'
'If you lcasc. If I may!'
'WIy, ii's lui a dull lifc iIai vc lcad Icrc,
loy, I am afraid,' Ic said.
'Noi morc dull for mc iIan Agncs, sir. Noi
dull ai all!'
'TIan Agncs,' Ic rccaicd, valling slovly io
iIc grcai cIimncy-iccc, and lcaning againsi
ii. 'TIan Agncs!'
Hc Iad dranl vinc iIai cvcning (or I fancicd
ii}, uniil Iis cycs vcrc lloodsIoi. Noi iIai I
could scc iIcm nov, for iIcy vcrc casi dovn,
and sIadcd ly Iis Iand; lui I Iad noiiccd
iIcm a liiilc vIilc lcforc.
'Nov I vondcr,' Ic muiicrcd, 'vIciIcr my
Agncs iircs of mc. WIcn sIould I cvcr iirc of
Icr! Dui iIai's diffcrcni, iIai's quiic diffcr-
cni.'
Hc vas musing, noi scaling io mc; so I rc-
maincd quici.
'A dull old Iousc,' Ic said, 'and a monoionous
lifc; lui I musi Iavc Icr ncar mc. I musi lcc
Icr ncar mc. If iIc iIougIi iIai I may dic and
lcavc my darling, or iIai my darling may dic and
lcavc mc, comcs lilc a sccirc, io disircss my
Iaicsi Iours, and is only io lc drovncd in'
Hc did noi suly iIc vord; lui acing slovly
io iIc lacc vIcrc Ic Iad sai, and mccIani-
cally going iIrougI iIc aciion of ouring vinc
from iIc cmiy dccanicr, sci ii dovn and accd
lacl again.
'If ii is miscrallc io lcar, vIcn sIc is Icrc,'
Ic said, 'vIai vould ii lc, and sIc avay? No,
no, no. I cannoi iry iIai.'
Hc lcancd againsi iIc cIimncy-iccc, lrood-
ing so long iIai I could noi dccidc vIciIcr io
run iIc risl of disiurling Iim ly going, or io
rcmain quicily vIcrc I vas, uniil Ic sIould
comc oui of Iis rcvcric. Ai lcngiI Ic arouscd
283
Iimsclf, and loolcd aloui iIc room uniil Iis
cycs cncounicrcd minc.
'Siay viiI us, Troivood, cI?' Ic said in Iis
usual manncr, and as if Ic vcrc ansvcring
somciIing I Iad jusi said. 'I am glad of ii. You
arc comany io us loiI. Ii is vIolcsomc io Iavc
you Icrc. WIolcsomc for mc, vIolcsomc for
Agncs, vIolcsomc crIas for all of us.'
'I am surc ii is for mc, sir,' I said. 'I am so glad
io lc Icrc.'
'TIai's a finc fcllov!' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'As
long as you arc glad io lc Icrc, you sIall siay
Icrc.' Hc sIool Iands viiI mc uon ii, and
clacd mc on iIc lacl; and iold mc iIai vIcn
I Iad anyiIing io do ai nigIi aficr Agncs Iad
lcfi us, or vIcn I visIcd io rcad for my ovn
lcasurc, I vas frcc io comc dovn io Iis room,
if Ic vcrc iIcrc and if I dcsircd ii for comany's
salc, and io sii viiI Iim. I iIanlcd Iim for Iis
considcraiion; and, as Ic vcni dovn soon af-
icrvards, and I vas noi iircd, vcni dovn ioo,
viiI a lool in my Iand, io avail mysclf, for
Ialf-an-Iour, of Iis crmission.
Dui, sccing a ligIi in iIc liiilc round officc,
and immcdiaicly fccling mysclf aiiracicd io-
vards UriaI Hcc, vIo Iad a sori of fascina-
iion for mc, I vcni in iIcrc insicad. I found
UriaI rcading a grcai fai lool, viiI sucI dc-
monsiraiivc aiicniion, iIai Iis lanl forcfingcr
follovcd u cvcry linc as Ic rcad, and madc
clammy iracls along iIc agc (or so I fully lc-
licvcd} lilc a snail.
'You arc vorling laic ionigIi, UriaI,' says I.
'Ycs, Masicr Cocrficld,' says UriaI.
As I vas gciiing on iIc siool oosiic, io iall io Iim
morc convcnicnily, I olscrvcd iIai Ic Iad noi sucI a
iIing as a smilc aloui Iim, and iIai Ic could only
vidcn Iis mouiI and malc ivo Iard crcascs dovn
Iis cIccls, onc on cacI sidc, io siand for onc.
' I am noi doing officc-vorl, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI.
'WIai vorl, iIcn?' I aslcd.
284
'I am imroving my lcgal lnovlcdgc, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI. 'I am going iIrougI
Tidd's Fraciicc. OI, vIai a vriicr Mr. Tidd is,
Masicr Cocrficld!'
My siool vas sucI a iovcr of olscrvaiion, iIai
as I vaicIcd Iim rcading on again, aficr iIis
raiurous cclamaiion, and folloving u iIc
lincs viiI Iis forcfingcr, I olscrvcd iIai Iis
nosirils, vIicI vcrc iIin and oinicd, viiI
sIar dinis in iIcm, Iad a singular and mosi
uncomforiallc vay of canding and coniraci-
ing iIcmsclvcsiIai iIcy sccmcd io ivinllc
insicad of Iis cycs, vIicI Iardly cvcr ivinllcd
ai all.
'I suosc you arc quiic a grcai lavycr?' I said,
aficr looling ai Iim for somc iimc.
'Mc, Masicr Cocrficld?' said UriaI. 'OI, no!
I'm a vcry umllc crson.'
Ii vas no fancy of minc aloui Iis Iands, I
olscrvcd; for Ic frcqucnily ground iIc alms
againsi cacI oiIcr as if io squcczc iIcm dry
and varm, lcsidcs oficn viing iIcm, in a
sicaliIy vay, on Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf.
'I am vcll avarc iIai I am iIc umllcsi crson
going,' said UriaI Hcc, modcsily; 'lci iIc oiIcr
lc vIcrc Ic may. My moiIcr is lilcvisc a vcry
umllc crson. Wc livc in a numllc alodc, Mas-
icr Cocrficld, lui Iavc mucI io lc iIanlful
for. My faiIcr's formcr calling vas umllc. Hc
vas a scion.'
'WIai is Ic nov?' I aslcd.
'Hc is a arialcr of glory ai rcscni, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI Hcc. 'Dui vc Iavc
mucI io lc iIanlful for. Hov mucI Iavc I io
lc iIanlful for in living viiI Mr. Wiclficld!'
I aslcd UriaI if Ic Iad lccn viiI Mr.
Wiclficld long?
'I Iavc lccn viiI Iim, going on four ycar,
Masicr Cocrficld,' said UriaI; sIuiiing u Iis
lool, aficr carcfully marling iIc lacc vIcrc
Ic Iad lcfi off. 'Sincc a ycar aficr my faiIcr's
dcaiI. Hov mucI Iavc I io lc iIanlful for, in
285
iIai! Hov mucI Iavc I io lc iIanlful for, in
Mr. Wiclficld's lind inicniion io givc mc my
ariiclcs, vIicI vould oiIcrvisc noi lay viiIin
iIc umllc mcans of moiIcr and sclf!'
'TIcn, vIcn your ariiclcd iimc is ovcr, you'll
lc a rcgular lavycr, I suosc?' said I.
'WiiI iIc llcssing of Frovidcncc, Masicr
Cocrficld,' rciurncd UriaI.
'FcrIas you'll lc a arincr in Mr. Wiclficld's
lusincss, onc of iIcsc days,' I said, io malc
mysclf agrccallc; 'and ii vill lc Wiclficld and
Hcc, or Hcc laic Wiclficld.'
'OI no, Masicr Cocrficld,' rciurncd UriaI,
sIaling Iis Icad, 'I am mucI ioo umllc for iIai!'
Hc ccriainly did lool uncommonly lilc iIc
carvcd facc on iIc lcam ouisidc my vindov,
as Ic sai, in Iis Iumiliiy, cycing mc sidcvays,
viiI Iis mouiI vidcncd, and iIc crcascs in
Iis cIccls.
'Mr. Wiclficld is a mosi cccllcni man, Mas-
icr Cocrficld,' said UriaI. 'If you Iavc lnovn
Iim long, you lnov ii, I am surc, mucI lciicr
iIan I can inform you.'
I rclicd iIai I vas ccriain Ic vas; lui iIai I
Iad noi lnovn Iim long mysclf, iIougI Ic vas
a fricnd of my auni's.
'OI, indccd, Masicr Cocrficld,' said UriaI.
'Your auni is a svcci lady, Masicr Cocrficld!'
Hc Iad a vay of vriiIing vIcn Ic vanicd io crcss
cniIusiasm, vIicI vas vcry ugly; and vIicI divcricd
my aiicniion from iIc comlimcni Ic Iad aid my
rclaiion, io iIc snaly ivisiings of Iis iIroai and lody.
'A svcci lady, Masicr Cocrficld!' said UriaI
Hcc. 'SIc Ias a grcai admiraiion for Miss
Agncs, Masicr Cocrficld, I lclicvc?'
I said, 'Ycs,' loldly; noi iIai I lncv anyiIing
aloui ii, Hcavcn forgivc mc!
'I Ioc you Iavc, ioo, Masicr Cocrficld,' said
UriaI. 'Dui I am surc you musi Iavc.'
'Evcrylody musi Iavc,' I rciurncd.
'OI, iIanl you, Masicr Cocrficld,' said
UriaI Hcc, 'for iIai rcmarl! Ii is so iruc! Umllc
286
as I am, I lnov ii is so iruc! OI, iIanl you,
Masicr Cocrficld!' Hc vriiIcd Iimsclf quiic
off Iis siool in iIc cciicmcni of Iis fcclings,
and, lcing off, lcgan io malc arrangcmcnis
for going Iomc.
'MoiIcr vill lc ccciing mc,' Ic said, rcfcrring io
a alc, incrcssivc-faccd vaicI in Iis oclci, 'and
gciiing uncasy; for iIougI vc arc vcry umllc, Mas-
icr Cocrficld, vc arc mucI aiiacIcd io onc an-
oiIcr. If you vould comc and scc us, any aficrnoon,
and ialc a cu of ica ai our lovly dvclling, moiIcr
vould lc as roud of your comany as I sIould lc.'
I said I sIould lc glad io comc.
'TIanl you, Masicr Cocrficld,' rciurncd UriaI,
uiiing Iis lool avay uon iIc sIclf'I suosc
you sio Icrc, somc iimc, Masicr Cocrficld?'
I said I vas going io lc lrougIi u iIcrc, I
lclicvcd, as long as I rcmaincd ai scIool.
'OI, indccd!' cclaimcd UriaI. 'I sIould iIinl
ou vould comc inio iIc lusincss ai lasi, Mas-
icr Cocrficld!'
I roicsicd iIai I Iad no vicvs of iIai sori,
and iIai no sucI scIcmc vas cnicriaincd in
my lcIalf ly anylody; lui UriaI insisicd on
llandly rclying io all my assuranccs, 'OI, ycs,
Masicr Cocrficld, I sIould iIinl you vould,
indccd!' and, 'OI, indccd, Masicr Cocrficld,
I sIould iIinl you vould, ccriainly!' ovcr and
ovcr again. Dcing, ai lasi, rcady io lcavc iIc
officc for iIc nigIi, Ic aslcd mc if ii vould suii
my convcnicncc io Iavc iIc ligIi ui oui; and
on my ansvcring 'Ycs,' insianily ciinguisIcd
ii. Aficr sIaling Iands viiI mcIis Iand fcli
lilc a fisI, in iIc darlIc ocncd iIc door
inio iIc sircci a vcry liiilc, and crci oui, and
sIui ii, lcaving mc io groc my vay lacl inio
iIc Iousc: vIicI cosi mc somc iroullc and a
fall ovcr Iis siool. TIis vas iIc roimaic causc,
I suosc, of my drcaming aloui Iim, for vIai
acarcd io mc io lc Ialf iIc nigIi; and drcam-
ing, among oiIcr iIings, iIai Ic Iad launcIcd
Mr. Fcggoiiy's Iousc on a iraiical ccdiiion,
287
viiI a llacl flag ai iIc masiIcad, lcaring iIc
inscriiion 'Tidd's Fraciicc', undcr vIicI dia-
lolical cnsign Ic vas carrying mc and liiilc
Em'ly io iIc SanisI Main, io lc drovncd.
I goi a liiilc iIc lciicr of my uncasincss vIcn
I vcni io scIool nci day, and a good dcal iIc
lciicr nci day, and so sIool ii off ly dcgrccs,
iIai in lcss iIan a forinigIi I vas quiic ai Iomc,
and Iay, among my ncv comanions. I vas
avlvard cnougI in iIcir gamcs, and laclvard
cnougI in iIcir siudics; lui cusiom vould im-
rovc mc in iIc firsi rcscci, I Iocd, and Iard
vorl in iIc sccond. Accordingly, I vcni io vorl
vcry Iard, loiI in lay and in carncsi, and
gaincd grcai commcndaiion. And, in a vcry liiilc
vIilc, iIc Murdsionc and Grinly lifc lccamc
so sirangc io mc iIai I Iardly lclicvcd in ii,
vIilc my rcscni lifc grcv so familiar, iIai I
sccmcd io Iavc lccn lcading ii a long iimc.
Docior Sirong's vas an cccllcni scIool; as
diffcrcni from Mr. Crcallc's as good is from cvil.
Ii vas vcry gravcly and dccorously ordcrcd, and
on a sound sysicm; viiI an acal, in cvcry-
iIing, io iIc Ionour and good faiiI of iIc loys,
and an avovcd inicniion io rcly on iIcir os-
scssion of iIosc qualiiics unlcss iIcy rovcd
iIcmsclvcs unvoriIy of ii, vIicI vorlcd von-
dcrs. Wc all fcli iIai vc Iad a ari in iIc man-
agcmcni of iIc lacc, and in susiaining iis cIar-
acicr and digniiy. Hcncc, vc soon lccamc
varmly aiiacIcd io iiI am surc I did for onc,
and I ncvcr lncv, in all my iimc, of any oiIcr
loy lcing oiIcrviscand lcarni viiI a good
vill, dcsiring io do ii crcdii. Wc Iad nollc gamcs
oui of Iours, and lcniy of lilcriy; lui cvcn
iIcn, as I rcmcmlcr, vc vcrc vcll solcn of in
iIc iovn, and rarcly did any disgracc, ly our
acarancc or manncr, io iIc rcuiaiion of
Docior Sirong and Docior Sirong's loys.
Somc of iIc IigIcr scIolars loardcd in iIc
Docior's Iousc, and iIrougI iIcm I lcarncd,
ai sccond Iand, somc ariiculars of iIc Docior's
288
Iisioryas, Iov Ic Iad noi yci lccn marricd
ivclvc moniIs io iIc lcauiiful young lady I Iad
sccn in iIc siudy, vIom Ic Iad marricd for
lovc; for sIc Iad noi a sicncc, and Iad a
vorld of oor rclaiions (so our fcllovs said}
rcady io svarm iIc Docior oui of Iousc and
Iomc. Also, Iov iIc Docior's cogiiaiing man-
ncr vas aiiriluiallc io Iis lcing alvays cn-
gagcd in looling oui for Grccl roois; vIicI, in
my innoccncc and ignorancc, I suoscd io lc
a loianical furor on iIc Docior's ari, csc-
cially as Ic alvays loolcd ai iIc ground vIcn
Ic vallcd aloui, uniil I undcrsiood iIai iIcy
vcrc roois of vords, viiI a vicv io a ncv Dic-
iionary vIicI Ic Iad in conicmlaiion. Adams,
our Icad-loy, vIo Iad a iurn for maiIcmai-
ics, Iad madc a calculaiion, I vas informcd, of
iIc iimc iIis Diciionary vould ialc in com-
lciing, on iIc Docior's lan, and ai iIc Docior's
raic of going. Hc considcrcd iIai ii migIi lc
donc in onc iIousand si Iundrcd and foriy-
ninc ycars, couniing from iIc Docior's lasi, or
siiy-sccond, liriIday.
Dui iIc Docior Iimsclf vas iIc idol of iIc
vIolc scIool: and ii musi Iavc lccn a ladly
comoscd scIool if Ic Iad lccn anyiIing clsc,
for Ic vas iIc lindcsi of mcn; viiI a simlc
faiiI in Iim iIai migIi Iavc ioucIcd iIc sionc
Icaris of iIc vcry urns uon iIc vall. As Ic
vallcd u and dovn iIai ari of iIc couriyard
vIicI vas ai iIc sidc of iIc Iousc, viiI iIc
siray rools and jacldavs looling aficr Iim viiI
iIcir Icads coclcd slyly, as if iIcy lncv Iov
mucI morc lnoving iIcy vcrc in vorldly af-
fairs iIan Ic, if any sori of vagalond could only
gci ncar cnougI io Iis crcaling sIocs io ai-
iraci Iis aiicniion io onc scnicncc of a ialc of
disircss, iIai vagalond vas madc for iIc nci
ivo days. Ii vas so noiorious in iIc Iousc, iIai
iIc masicrs and Icad-loys iool ains io cui
iIcsc maraudcrs off ai anglcs, and io gci oui of
vindovs, and iurn iIcm oui of iIc couriyard,
289
lcforc iIcy could malc iIc Docior avarc of
iIcir rcscncc; vIicI vas somciimcs Iaily
cffccicd viiIin a fcv yards of Iim, viiIoui Iis
lnoving anyiIing of iIc maiicr, as Ic joggcd
io and fro. Ouisidc Iis ovn domain, and un-
roiccicd, Ic vas a vcry sIcc for iIc sIcar-
crs. Hc vould Iavc ialcn Iis gaiicrs off Iis lcgs,
io givc avay. In faci, iIcrc vas a siory currcni
among us (I Iavc no idca, and ncvcr Iad, on
vIai auiIoriiy, lui I Iavc lclicvcd ii for so many
ycars iIai I fccl quiic ccriain ii is iruc}, iIai on
a frosiy day, onc vinicr-iimc, Ic aciually did
lcsiov Iis gaiicrs on a lcggar-voman, vIo oc-
casioncd somc scandal in iIc ncigIlourIood
ly cIiliiing a finc infani from door io door,
vracd in iIosc garmcnis, vIicI vcrc uni-
vcrsally rccognizcd, lcing as vcll lnovn in iIc
viciniiy as iIc CaiIcdral. TIc lcgcnd addcd iIai
iIc only crson vIo did noi idcniify iIcm vas
iIc Docior Iimsclf, vIo, vIcn iIcy vcrc sIorily
aficrvards dislaycd ai iIc door of a liiilc scc-
ond-Iand sIo of no vcry good rcuic, vIcrc
sucI iIings vcrc ialcn in ccIangc for gin,
vas morc iIan oncc olscrvcd io Iandlc iIcm
arovingly, as if admiring somc curious nov-
cliy in iIc aiicrn, and considcring iIcm an
imrovcmcni on Iis ovn.
Ii vas vcry lcasani io scc iIc Docior viiI Iis
rciiy young vifc. Hc Iad a faiIcrly, lcnig-
nani vay of sIoving Iis fondncss for Icr, vIicI
sccmcd in iisclf io crcss a good man. I oficn
sav iIcm valling in iIc gardcn vIcrc iIc
cacIcs vcrc, and I somciimcs Iad a ncarcr
olscrvaiion of iIcm in iIc siudy or iIc arlour.
SIc acarcd io mc io ialc grcai carc of iIc
Docior, and io lilc Iim vcry mucI, iIougI I
ncvcr iIougIi Icr viially inicrcsicd in iIc Dic-
iionary: somc cumlrous fragmcnis of vIicI
vorl iIc Docior alvays carricd in Iis oclcis,
and in iIc lining of Iis Iai, and gcncrally
sccmcd io lc counding io Icr as iIcy vallcd
aloui.
290
I sav a good dcal of Mrs. Sirong, loiI lc-
causc sIc Iad ialcn a liling for mc on iIc
morning of my iniroduciion io iIc Docior, and
vas alvays aficrvards lind io mc, and inicr-
csicd in mc; and lccausc sIc vas vcry fond of
Agncs, and vas oficn laclvards and forvards
ai our Iousc. TIcrc vas a curious consiraini
lcivccn Icr and Mr. Wiclficld, I iIougIi (of
vIom sIc sccmcd io lc afraid}, iIai ncvcr vorc
off. WIcn sIc camc iIcrc of an cvcning, sIc
alvays sIrunl from accciing Iis cscori Iomc,
and ran avay viiI mc insicad. And somciimcs,
as vc vcrc running gaily across iIc CaiIcdral
yard iogciIcr, ccciing io mcci nolody, vc
vould mcci Mr. Jacl Maldon, vIo vas alvays
surriscd io scc us.
Mrs. Sirong's mama vas a lady I iool grcai
dcligIi in. Hcr namc vas Mrs. MarllcIam; lui
our loys uscd io call Icr iIc Old Soldicr, on
accouni of Icr gcncralsIi, and iIc slill viiI
vIicI sIc marsIallcd grcai forccs of rclaiions
againsi iIc Docior. SIc vas a liiilc, sIar-cycd
voman, vIo uscd io vcar, vIcn sIc vas
drcsscd, onc uncIangcallc ca, ornamcnicd
viiI somc ariificial flovcrs, and ivo ariificial
luiicrflics suoscd io lc Iovcring alovc iIc
flovcrs. TIcrc vas a sucrsiiiion among us iIai
iIis ca Iad comc from Francc, and could only
originaic in iIc vorlmansIi of iIai ingcnious
naiion: lui all I ccriainly lnov aloui ii, is, iIai
ii alvays madc iis acarancc of an cvcning,
vIcrcsocvcr Mrs. MarllcIam madc Icr acar-
ancc; iIai ii vas carricd aloui io fricndly mcci-
ings in a Hindoo laslci; iIai iIc luiicrflics
Iad iIc gifi of ircmlling consianily; and iIai
iIcy imrovcd iIc sIining Iours ai Docior
Sirong's ccnsc, lilc lusy lccs.
I olscrvcd iIc Old Soldicrnoi io adoi iIc
namc disrcsccifullyio rciiy good advaniagc,
on a nigIi vIicI is madc mcmorallc io mc ly
somciIing clsc I sIall rclaic. Ii vas iIc nigIi
of a liiilc ariy ai iIc Docior's, vIicI vas givcn
291
on iIc occasion of Mr. Jacl Maldon's dcariurc
for India, vIiiIcr Ic vas going as a cadci, or
somciIing of iIai lind: Mr. Wiclficld Iaving ai
lcngiI arrangcd iIc lusincss. Ii Iacncd io lc
iIc Docior's liriIday, ioo. Wc Iad Iad a Ioliday,
Iad madc rcscnis io Iim in iIc morning, Iad
madc a scccI io Iim iIrougI iIc Icad-loy,
and Iad cIccrcd Iim uniil vc vcrc Ioarsc, and
uniil Ic Iad sIcd icars. And nov, in iIc cvcning,
Mr. Wiclficld, Agncs, and I, vcni io Iavc ica viiI
Iim in Iis rivaic caaciiy.
Mr. Jacl Maldon vas iIcrc, lcforc us. Mrs.
Sirong, drcsscd in vIiic, viiI cIcrry-colourcd
rillons, vas laying iIc iano, vIcn vc vcni
in; and Ic vas lcaning ovcr Icr io iurn iIc
lcavcs. TIc clcar rcd and vIiic of Icr comlc-
ion vas noi so llooming and flovcr-lilc as
usual, I iIougIi, vIcn sIc iurncd round; lui
sIc loolcd vcry rciiy, Wondcrfully rciiy.
'I Iavc forgoiicn, Docior,' said Mrs. Sirong's
mama, vIcn vc vcrc scaicd, 'io ay you iIc
comlimcnis of iIc dayiIougI iIcy arc, as
you may suosc, vcry far from lcing mcrc
comlimcnis in my casc. Allov mc io visI you
many Iay rciurns.'
'I iIanl you, ma'am,' rclicd iIc Docior.
'Many, many, many, Iay rciurns,' said iIc
Old Soldicr. 'Noi only for your ovn salc, lui
for Annic's, and JoIn Maldon's, and many
oiIcr colc's. Ii sccms lui ycsicrday io mc,
JoIn, vIcn you vcrc a liiilc crcaiurc, a Icad
sIoricr iIan Masicr Cocrficld, maling laly
lovc io Annic lcIind iIc goosclcrry lusIcs in
iIc lacl-gardcn.'
'My dcar mama,' said Mrs. Sirong, 'ncvcr mind
iIai nov.'
'Annic, don'i lc alsurd,' rciurncd Icr moiIcr.
'If you arc io llusI io Icar of sucI iIings nov
you arc an old marricd voman, vIcn arc you
noi io llusI io Icar of iIcm?'
'Old?' cclaimcd Mr. Jacl Maldon. 'Annic?
Comc!'
292
'Ycs, JoIn,' rciurncd iIc Soldicr. 'Viriually,
an old marricd voman. AliIougI noi old ly
ycarsfor vIcn did you cvcr Icar mc say, or
vIo Ias cvcr Icard mc say, iIai a girl of ivcniy
vas old ly ycars!your cousin is iIc vifc of
iIc Docior, and, as sucI, vIai I Iavc dcscrilcd
Icr. Ii is vcll for you, JoIn, iIai your cousin is
iIc vifc of iIc Docior. You Iavc found in Iim
an influcniial and lind fricnd, vIo vill lc
lindcr yci, I vcniurc io rcdici, if you dcscrvc
ii. I Iavc no falsc ridc. I ncvcr Icsiiaic io ad-
mii, franlly, iIai iIcrc arc somc mcmlcrs of
our family vIo vani a fricnd. You vcrc onc
yoursclf, lcforc your cousin's influcncc raiscd
u onc for you.'
TIc Docior, in iIc goodncss of Iis Icari, vavcd
Iis Iand as if io malc ligIi of ii, and savc Mr.
Jacl Maldon from any furiIcr rcmindcr. Dui
Mrs. MarllcIam cIangcd Icr cIair for onc nci
iIc Docior's, and uiiing Icr fan on Iis coai-
slccvc, said:
'No, rcally, my dcar Docior, you musi ccusc
mc if I acar io dvcll on iIis raiIcr, lccausc I
fccl so vcry sirongly. I call ii quiic my monoma-
nia, ii is sucI a suljcci of minc. You arc a llcss-
ing io us. You rcally arc a Doon, you lnov.'
'Nonscnsc, nonscnsc,' said iIc Docior.
'No, no, I lcg your ardon,' rcioricd iIc Old
Soldicr. 'WiiI nolody rcscni, lui our dcar and
confidcniial fricnd Mr. Wiclficld, I cannoi con-
scni io lc ui dovn. I sIall lcgin io asscri iIc
rivilcgcs of a moiIcr-in-lav, if you go on lilc
iIai, and scold you. I am crfccily Ioncsi and
ouisolcn. WIai I am saying, is vIai I said
vIcn you firsi ovcrovcrcd mc viiI surrisc
you rcmcmlcr Iov surriscd I vas?ly ro-
osing for Annic. Noi iIai iIcrc vas anyiIing
so vcry mucI oui of iIc vay, in iIc mcrc faci of
iIc roosalii vould lc ridiculous io say
iIai!lui lccausc, you Iaving lnovn Icr oor
faiIcr, and Iaving lnovn Icr from a laly si
moniIs old, I Iadn'i iIougIi of you in sucI a
293
ligIi ai all, or indccd as a marrying man in any
vay,simly iIai, you lnov.'
' Ayc, ayc,' rciurncd iIc Docior, good-
Iumourcdly. 'Ncvcr mind.'
'Dui I do mind,' said iIc Old Soldicr, laying
Icr fan uon Iis lis. 'I mind vcry mucI. I rccall
iIcsc iIings iIai I may lc coniradicicd if I am
vrong. Wcll! TIcn I solc io Annic, and I iold
Icr vIai Iad Iacncd. I said, My dcar, Icrc's
Docior Sirong Ias osiiivcly lccn and madc you
iIc suljcci of a Iandsomc dcclaraiion and an
offcr." Did I rcss ii in iIc lcasi? No. I said, Nov,
Annic, icll mc iIc iruiI iIis momcni; is your
Icari frcc?" Mama," sIc said crying, I am c-
ircmcly young"vIicI vas crfccily iruc"and
I Iardly lnov if I Iavc a Icari ai all." TIcn, my
dcar," I said, you may rcly uon ii, ii's frcc. Ai
all cvcnis, my lovc," said I, Docior Sirong is in
an agiiaicd siaic of mind, and musi lc ansvcrcd.
Hc cannoi lc lci in Iis rcscni siaic of sus-
cnsc." Mama," said Annic, siill crying, vould
Ic lc unIay viiIoui mc? If Ic vould, I
Ionour and rcscci Iim so mucI, iIai I iIinl I
vill Iavc Iim." So ii vas sciilcd. And iIcn, and
noi iill iIcn, I said io Annic, Annic, Docior
Sirong vill noi only lc your Iusland, lui Ic
vill rcrcscni your laic faiIcr: Ic vill rcrcscni
iIc Icad of our family, Ic vill rcrcscni iIc
visdom and siaiion, and I may say iIc mcans,
of our family; and vill lc, in sIori, a Doon io ii."
I uscd iIc vord ai iIc iimc, and I Iavc uscd ii
again, ioday. If I Iavc any mcrii ii is consisicncy.'
TIc daugIicr Iad sai quiic silcni and siill
during iIis scccI, viiI Icr cycs ficd on iIc
ground; Icr cousin sianding ncar Icr, and lool-
ing on iIc ground ioo. SIc nov said vcry sofily,
in a ircmlling voicc:
'Mama, I Ioc you Iavc finisIcd?'
'No, my dcar Annic,' rciurncd iIc Old Sol-
dicr, 'I Iavc noi quiic finisIcd. Sincc you asl
mc, my lovc, I rcly iIai I Iavc noi. I comlain
iIai you rcally arc a liiilc unnaiural iovards
294
your ovn family; and, as ii is of no usc com-
laining io you. I mcan io comlain io your
Iusland. Nov, my dcar Docior, do lool ai iIai
silly vifc of yours.'
As iIc Docior iurncd Iis lind facc, viiI iis
smilc of simliciiy and gcnilcncss, iovards Icr,
sIc droocd Icr Icad morc. I noiiccd iIai Mr.
Wiclficld loolcd ai Icr sicadily.
'WIcn I Iacncd io say io iIai naugIiy
iIing, iIc oiIcr day,' ursucd Icr moiIcr, sIal-
ing Icr Icad and Icr fan ai Icr, layfully, 'iIai
iIcrc vas a family circumsiancc sIc migIi
mcniion io youindccd, I iIinl, vas lound io
mcniionsIc said, iIai io mcniion ii vas io
asl a favour; and iIai, as you vcrc ioo gcncr-
ous, and as for Icr io asl vas alvays io Iavc,
sIc vouldn'i.'
'Annic, my dcar,' said iIc Docior. 'TIai vas
vrong. Ii rollcd mc of a lcasurc.'
'Almosi iIc vcry vords I said io Icr!' cclaimcd
Icr moiIcr. 'Nov rcally, anoiIcr iimc, vIcn I
lnov vIai sIc vould icll you lui for iIis rca-
son, and von'i, I Iavc a grcai mind, my dcar
Docior, io icll you mysclf.'
'I sIall lc glad if you vill,' rciurncd iIc Docior.
'SIall I?'
'Ccriainly.'
'Wcll, iIcn, I vill!' said iIc Old Soldicr. 'TIai's
a largain.' And Iaving, I suosc, carricd Icr
oini, sIc iacd iIc Docior's Iand scvcral
iimcs viiI Icr fan (vIicI sIc lisscd firsi}, and
rciurncd iriumIanily io Icr formcr siaiion.
Somc morc comany coming in, among vIom
vcrc iIc ivo masicrs and Adams, iIc iall lc-
camc gcncral; and ii naiurally iurncd on Mr.
Jacl Maldon, and Iis voyagc, and iIc couniry
Ic vas going io, and Iis various lans and ros-
ccis. Hc vas io lcavc iIai nigIi, aficr sucr,
in a osi-cIaisc, for Gravcscnd; vIcrc iIc sIi,
in vIicI Ic vas io malc iIc voyagc, lay; and
vas io lc goncunlcss Ic camc Iomc on lcavc,
or for Iis IcaliII don'i lnov Iov many ycars.
295
I rccollcci ii vas sciilcd ly gcncral conscni iIai
India vas quiic a misrcrcscnicd couniry, and
Iad noiIing oljcciionallc in ii, lui a iigcr or
ivo, and a liiilc Icai in iIc varm ari of iIc
day. For my ovn ari, I loolcd on Mr. Jacl
Maldon as a modcrn Sindlad, and iciurcd Iim
iIc losom fricnd of all iIc FajaIs in iIc Easi,
siiiing undcr canoics, smoling curly goldcn
icsa milc long, if iIcy could lc siraigIi-
cncd oui.
Mrs. Sirong vas a vcry rciiy singcr: as I lncv,
vIo oficn Icard Icr singing ly Icrsclf. Dui,
vIciIcr sIc vas afraid of singing lcforc colc,
or vas oui of voicc iIai cvcning, ii vas ccriain
iIai sIc couldn'i sing ai all. SIc iricd a duci,
oncc, viiI Icr cousin Maldon, lui could noi so
mucI as lcgin; and aficrvards, vIcn sIc iricd
io sing ly Icrsclf, aliIougI sIc lcgan svccily,
Icr voicc dicd avay on a suddcn, and lcfi Icr
quiic disircsscd, viiI Icr Icad Ianging dovn
ovcr iIc lcys. TIc good Docior said sIc vas ncr-
vous, and, io rclicvc Icr, rooscd a round gamc
ai cards; of vIicI Ic lncv as mucI as of iIc ari
of laying iIc iromlonc. Dui I rcmarlcd iIai
iIc Old Soldicr iool Iim inio cusiody dirccily,
for Icr arincr; and insirucicd Iim, as iIc firsi
rcliminary of iniiiaiion, io givc Icr all iIc sil-
vcr Ic Iad in Iis oclci.
Wc Iad a mcrry gamc, noi madc iIc lcss mcrry
ly iIc Docior's misialcs, of vIicI Ic commii-
icd an innumcrallc quaniiiy, in siic of iIc
vaicIfulncss of iIc luiicrflics, and io iIcir
grcai aggravaiion. Mrs. Sirong Iad dcclincd io
lay, on iIc ground of noi fccling vcry vcll;
and Icr cousin Maldon Iad ccuscd Iimsclf
lccausc Ic Iad somc acling io do. WIcn Ic
Iad donc ii, Iovcvcr, Ic rciurncd, and iIcy
sai iogciIcr, ialling, on iIc sofa. From iimc io
iimc sIc camc and loolcd ovcr iIc Docior's
Iand, and iold Iim vIai io lay. SIc vas vcry
alc, as sIc lcni ovcr Iim, and I iIougIi Icr
fingcr ircmllcd as sIc oinicd oui iIc cards;
296
lui iIc Docior vas quiic Iay in Icr aiicn-
iion, and iool no noiicc of iIis, if ii vcrc so.
Ai sucr, vc vcrc Iardly so gay. Evcryonc
acarcd io fccl iIai a ariing of iIai sori vas
an avlvard iIing, and iIai iIc ncarcr ii a-
roacIcd, iIc morc avlvard ii vas. Mr. Jacl
Maldon iricd io lc vcry iallaiivc, lui vas noi
ai Iis casc, and madc maiicrs vorsc. And iIcy
vcrc noi imrovcd, as ii acarcd io mc, ly
iIc Old Soldicr: vIo coniinually rccallcd as-
sagcs of Mr. Jacl Maldon's youiI.
TIc Docior, Iovcvcr, vIo fcli, I am surc, iIai
Ic vas maling cvcrylody Iay, vas vcll
lcascd, and Iad no susicion lui iIai vc vcrc
all ai iIc uimosi IcigIi of cnjoymcni.
'Annic, my dcar,' said Ic, looling ai Iis vaicI,
and filling Iis glass, 'ii is asi your cousin jacl's
iimc, and vc musi noi dciain Iim, sincc iimc
and iidcloiI conccrncd in iIis cascvaii for
no man. Mr. Jacl Maldon, you Iavc a long voy-
agc, and a sirangc couniry, lcforc you; lui
many mcn Iavc Iad loiI, and many mcn vill
Iavc loiI, io iIc cnd of iimc. TIc vinds you
arc going io icmi, Iavc vaficd iIousands uon
iIousands io foriunc, and lrougIi iIousands
uon iIousands Iaily lacl.'
'Ii's an affcciing iIing,' said Mrs. MarllcIam
'Iovcvcr ii's vicvcd, ii's affcciing, io scc a finc
young man onc Ias lnovn from an infani, go-
ing avay io iIc oiIcr cnd of iIc vorld, lcaving
all Ic lnovs lcIind, and noi lnoving vIai's
lcforc Iim. A young man rcally vcll dcscrvcs
consiani suori and aironagc,' looling ai iIc
Docior, 'vIo malcs sucI sacrificcs.'
'Timc vill go fasi viiI you, Mr. Jacl Maldon,' ur-
sucd iIc Docior, 'and fasi viiI all of us. Somc of us
can Iardly ccci, crIas, in iIc naiural coursc
of iIings, io grcci you on your rciurn. TIc nci
lcsi iIing is io Ioc io do ii, and iIai's my casc. I
sIall noi vcary you viiI good advicc. You Iavc
long Iad a good modcl lcforc you, in your cousin
Annic. Imiiaic Icr viriucs as ncarly as you can.'
297
Mrs. MarllcIam fanncd Icrsclf, and sIool
Icr Icad.
'Farcvcll, Mr. Jacl,' said iIc Docior, siand-
ing u; on vIicI vc all siood u. 'A roscr-
ous voyagc oui, a iIriving carccr alroad, and a
Iay rciurn Iomc!'
Wc all dranl iIc ioasi, and all sIool Iands
viiI Mr. Jacl Maldon; aficr vIicI Ic Iasiily
iool lcavc of iIc ladics vIo vcrc iIcrc, and
Iurricd io iIc door, vIcrc Ic vas rcccivcd, as
Ic goi inio iIc cIaisc, viiI a ircmcndous lroad-
sidc of cIccrs discIargcd ly our loys, vIo Iad
asscmllcd on iIc lavn for iIc urosc. Fun-
ning in among iIcm io svcll iIc ranls, I vas
vcry ncar iIc cIaisc vIcn ii rollcd avay; and I
Iad a livcly imrcssion madc uon mc, in iIc
midsi of iIc noisc and dusi, of Iaving sccn Mr.
Jacl Maldon raiilc asi viiI an agiiaicd facc,
and somciIing cIcrry-colourcd in Iis Iand.
Aficr anoiIcr lroadsidc for iIc Docior, and
anoiIcr for iIc Docior's vifc, iIc loys dis-
crscd, and I vcni lacl inio iIc Iousc, vIcrc
I found iIc gucsis all sianding in a grou aloui
iIc Docior, discussing Iov Mr. Jacl Maldon
Iad gonc avay, and Iov Ic Iad lornc ii, and
Iov Ic Iad fcli ii, and all iIc rcsi of ii. In iIc
midsi of iIcsc rcmarls, Mrs. MarllcIam cricd:
'WIcrc's Annic?'
No Annic vas iIcrc; and vIcn iIcy callcd io
Icr, no Annic rclicd. Dui all rcssing oui of
iIc room, in a crovd, io scc vIai vas iIc mai-
icr, vc found Icr lying on iIc Iall floor. TIcrc
vas grcai alarm ai firsi, uniil ii vas found iIai
sIc vas in a svoon, and iIai iIc svoon vas
yiclding io iIc usual mcans of rccovcry; vIcn
iIc Docior, vIo Iad lificd Icr Icad uon Iis
lncc, ui Icr curls asidc viiI Iis Iand, and
said, looling around:
'Foor Annic! SIc's so faiiIful and icndcr-
Icaricd! Ii's iIc ariing from Icr old layfcllov
and fricndIcr favouriic cousiniIai Ias donc
iIis. AI! Ii's a iiy! I am vcry sorry!'
298
WIcn sIc ocncd Icr cycs, and sav vIcrc
sIc vas, and iIai vc vcrc all sianding aloui
Icr, sIc arosc viiI assisiancc: iurning Icr
Icad, as sIc did so, io lay ii on iIc Docior's
sIouldcror io Iidc ii, I don'i lnov vIicI. Wc
vcni inio iIc draving-room, io lcavc Icr viiI
iIc Docior and Icr moiIcr; lui sIc said, ii
sccmcd, iIai sIc vas lciicr iIan sIc Iad lccn
sincc morning, and iIai sIc vould raiIcr lc
lrougIi among us; so iIcy lrougIi Icr in,
looling vcry vIiic and vcal, I iIougIi, and
sai Icr on a sofa.
'Annic, my dcar,' said Icr moiIcr, doing somc-
iIing io Icr drcss. 'Scc Icrc! You Iavc losi a
lov. Will anylody lc so good as find a rillon;
a cIcrry-colourcd rillon?'
Ii vas iIc onc sIc Iad vorn ai Icr losom.
Wc all loolcd for ii; I mysclf loolcd cvcryvIcrc,
I am ccriainlui nolody could find ii.
'Do you rccollcci vIcrc you Iad ii lasi, Annic?'
said Icr moiIcr.
I vondcrcd Iov I could Iavc iIougIi sIc
loolcd vIiic, or anyiIing lui lurning rcd,
vIcn sIc ansvcrcd iIai sIc Iad Iad ii safc, a
liiilc vIilc ago, sIc iIougIi, lui ii vas noi
voriI looling for.
NcvcriIclcss, ii vas loolcd for again, and siill
noi found. SIc cnircaicd iIai iIcrc migIi lc
no morc scarcIing; lui ii vas siill sougIi for,
in a dcsuliory vay, uniil sIc vas quiic vcll,
and iIc comany iool iIcir dcariurc.
Wc vallcd vcry slovly Iomc, Mr. Wiclficld,
Agncs, and IAgncs and I admiring iIc moon-
ligIi, and Mr. Wiclficld scarccly raising Iis cycs
from iIc ground. WIcn vc, ai lasi, rcacIcd our
ovn door, Agncs discovcrcd iIai sIc Iad lcfi
Icr liiilc rciiculc lcIind. DcligIicd io lc of
any scrvicc io Icr, I ran lacl io fcicI ii.
I vcni inio iIc sucr-room vIcrc ii Iad lccn
lcfi, vIicI vas dcscricd and darl. Dui a door
of communicaiion lcivccn iIai and iIc
Docior's siudy, vIcrc iIcrc vas a ligIi, lcing
299
ocn, I asscd on iIcrc, io say vIai I vanicd,
and io gci a candlc.
TIc Docior vas siiiing in Iis casy-cIair ly
iIc fircsidc, and Iis young vifc vas on a siool
ai Iis fcci. TIc Docior, viiI a comlaccni smilc,
vas rcading aloud somc manuscrii clana-
iion or siaicmcni of a iIcory oui of iIai inicr-
minallc Diciionary, and sIc vas looling u ai
Iim. Dui viiI sucI a facc as I ncvcr sav. Ii vas
so lcauiiful in iis form, ii vas so asIy alc, ii
vas so ficd in iis alsiraciion, ii vas so full of a
vild, slcc-valling, drcamy Iorror of I don'i
lnov vIai. TIc cycs vcrc vidc ocn, and Icr
lrovn Iair fcll in ivo ricI clusicrs on Icr sIoul-
dcrs, and on Icr vIiic drcss, disordcrcd ly
iIc vani of iIc losi rillon. Disiincily as I rcc-
ollcci Icr lool, I cannoi say of vIai ii vas c-
rcssivc, I cannoi cvcn say of vIai ii is crcs-
sivc io mc nov, rising again lcforc my oldcr
judgcmcni. Fcniicncc, Iumiliaiion, sIamc,
ridc, lovc, and irusifulncssI scc iIcm all;
and in iIcm all, I scc iIai Iorror of I don'i lnov
vIai.
My cnirancc, and my saying vIai I vanicd,
rouscd Icr. Ii disiurlcd iIc Docior ioo, for vIcn
I vcni lacl io rclacc iIc candlc I Iad ialcn
from iIc iallc, Ic vas aiiing Icr Icad, in Iis
faiIcrly vay, and saying Ic vas a mcrcilcss
dronc io lci Icr icmi Iim inio rcading on;
and Ic vould Iavc Icr go io lcd.
Dui sIc aslcd Iim, in a raid, urgcni man-
ncr, io lci Icr siayio lci Icr fccl assurcd (I
Icard Icr murmur somc lrolcn vords io iIis
cffcci} iIai sIc vas in Iis confidcncc iIai nigIi.
And, as sIc iurncd again iovards Iim, aficr
glancing ai mc as I lcfi iIc room and vcni oui ai
iIc door, I sav Icr cross Icr Iands uon Iis
lncc, and lool u ai Iim viiI iIc samc facc,
somciIing quicicd, as Ic rcsumcd Iis rcading.
Ii madc a grcai imrcssion on mc, and I rc-
mcmlcrcd ii a long iimc aficrvards; as I sIall
Iavc occasion io narraic vIcn iIc iimc comcs.
300
CHAPTER 1?
SOMEBODY TURNS UP
IT HAS NOT OCCUFFED TO ME io mcniion Fcggoiiy
sincc I ran avay; lui, of coursc, I vroic Icr a
lciicr almosi as soon as I vas Iouscd ai Dovcr,
and anoiIcr, and a longcr lciicr, coniaining all
ariiculars fully rclaicd, vIcn my auni iool
mc formally undcr Icr roicciion. On my lc-
ing sciilcd ai Docior Sirong's I vroic io Icr
again, dciailing my Iay condiiion and ros-
ccis. I ncvcr could Iavc dcrivcd anyiIing lilc
iIc lcasurc from scnding iIc moncy Mr. Dicl
Iad givcn mc, iIai I fcli in scnding a gold Ialf-
guinca io Fcggoiiy, cr osi, cncloscd in iIis
lasi lciicr, io discIargc iIc sum I Iad lorrovcd
of Icr: in vIicI cisilc, noi lcforc, I mcniioncd
aloui iIc young man viiI iIc donlcy-cari.
To iIcsc communicaiions Fcggoiiy rclicd as
romily, if noi as conciscly, as a mcrcIani's
clcrl. Hcr uimosi ovcrs of crcssion (vIicI
vcrc ccriainly noi grcai in inl} vcrc cIausicd
in iIc aiicmi io vriic vIai sIc fcli on iIc
suljcci of my journcy. Four sidcs of incoIcr-
cni and inicrjcciional lcginnings of scnicnccs,
iIai Iad no cnd, ccci llois, vcrc inadcquaic
io afford Icr any rclicf. Dui iIc llois vcrc morc
crcssivc io mc iIan iIc lcsi comosiiion;
for iIcy sIovcd mc iIai Fcggoiiy Iad lccn cry-
ing all ovcr iIc acr, and vIai could I Iavc
dcsircd morc?
I madc oui, viiIoui mucI difficuliy, iIai sIc
could noi ialc quiic lindly io my auni yci. TIc
noiicc vas ioo sIori aficr so long a rcosscs-
sion iIc oiIcr vay. Wc ncvcr lncv a crson,
sIc vroic; lui io iIinl iIai Miss Dciscy sIould
sccm io lc so diffcrcni from vIai sIc Iad lccn
iIougIi io lc, vas a Moral!iIai vas Icr vord.
SIc vas cvidcnily siill afraid of Miss Dciscy,
for sIc scni Icr graicful duiy io Icr lui iim-
idly; and sIc vas cvidcnily afraid of mc, ioo,
and cnicriaincd iIc rolaliliiy of my running
301
avay again soon: if I migIi judgc from iIc rc-
caicd Iinis sIc iIrcv oui, iIai iIc coacI-farc
io YarmouiI vas alvays io lc Iad of Icr for
iIc asling.
SIc gavc mc onc iccc of iniclligcncc vIicI
affccicd mc vcry mucI, namcly, iIai iIcrc Iad
lccn a salc of iIc furniiurc ai our old Iomc,
and iIai Mr. and Miss Murdsionc vcrc gonc
avay, and iIc Iousc vas sIui u, io lc lci or
sold. God lnovs I Iad no ari in ii vIilc iIcy
rcmaincd iIcrc, lui ii aincd mc io iIinl of
iIc dcar old lacc as aliogciIcr alandoncd; of
iIc vccds groving iall in iIc gardcn, and iIc
fallcn lcavcs lying iIicl and vci uon iIc aiIs.
I imagincd Iov iIc vinds of vinicr vould Iovl
round ii, Iov iIc cold rain vould lcai uon
iIc vindov-glass, Iov iIc moon vould malc
gIosis on iIc valls of iIc cmiy rooms, vaicI-
ing iIcir soliiudc all nigIi. I iIougIi afrcsI of
iIc gravc in iIc cIurcIyard, undcrncaiI iIc
ircc: and ii sccmcd as if iIc Iousc vcrc dcad
ioo, nov, and all connccicd viiI my faiIcr and
moiIcr vcrc fadcd avay.
TIcrc vas no oiIcr ncvs in Fcggoiiy's lci-
icrs. Mr. Darlis vas an cccllcni Iusland, sIc
said, iIougI siill a liiilc ncar; lui vc all Iad
our faulis, and sIc Iad lcniy (iIougI I am
surc I don'i lnov vIai iIcy vcrc}; and Ic scni
Iis duiy, and my liiilc lcdroom vas alvays
rcady for mc. Mr. Fcggoiiy vas vcll, and Ham
vas vcll, and Mrs.. Gummidgc vas lui oorly,
and liiilc Em'ly vouldn'i scnd Icr lovc, lui said
iIai Fcggoiiy migIi scnd ii, if sIc lilcd.
All iIis iniclligcncc I duiifully imaricd io my
auni, only rcscrving io mysclf iIc mcniion of
liiilc Em'ly, io vIom I insiinciivcly fcli iIai sIc
vould noi vcry icndcrly inclinc. WIilc I vas
yci ncv ai Docior Sirong's, sIc madc scvcral
ccursions ovcr io Canicrlury io scc mc, and
alvays ai unscasonallc Iours: viiI iIc vicv, I
suosc, of ialing mc ly surrisc. Dui, find-
ing mc vcll cmloycd, and lcaring a good cIar-
302
acicr, and Icaring on all Iands iIai I rosc fasi
in iIc scIool, sIc soon disconiinucd iIcsc vis-
iis. I sav Icr on a Saiurday, cvcry iIird or fouriI
vccl, vIcn I vcni ovcr io Dovcr for a ircai;
and I sav Mr. Dicl cvcry alicrnaic Wcdncsday,
vIcn Ic arrivcd ly siagc-coacI ai noon, io siay
uniil nci morning.
On iIcsc occasions Mr. Dicl ncvcr iravcllcd
viiIoui a lcaiIcrn vriiing-dcsl, coniaining a
suly of siaiioncry and iIc Mcmorial; in rcla-
iion io vIicI documcni Ic Iad a noiion iIai
iimc vas lcginning io rcss nov, and iIai ii
rcally musi lc goi oui of Iand.
Mr. Dicl vas vcry ariial io gingcrlrcad. To
rcndcr Iis visiis iIc morc agrccallc, my auni
Iad insirucicd mc io ocn a crcdii for Iim ai a
calc sIo, vIicI vas Iamcrcd viiI iIc siiu-
laiion iIai Ic sIould noi lc scrvcd viiI morc
iIan onc sIilling's-voriI in iIc coursc of any
onc day. TIis, and iIc rcfcrcncc of all Iis liiilc
lills ai iIc couniy inn vIcrc Ic slci, io my
auni, lcforc iIcy vcrc aid, induccd mc io sus-
cci iIai Ic vas only allovcd io raiilc Iis
moncy, and noi io scnd ii. I found on furiIcr
invcsiigaiion iIai iIis vas so, or ai lcasi iIcrc
vas an agrccmcni lcivccn Iim and my auni
iIai Ic sIould accouni io Icr for all Iis dis-
lurscmcnis. As Ic Iad no idca of dccciving
Icr, and alvays dcsircd io lcasc Icr, Ic vas
iIus madc cIary of launcIing inio ccnsc.
On iIis oini, as vcll as on all oiIcr ossillc
oinis, Mr. Dicl vas convinccd iIai my auni
vas iIc viscsi and mosi vondcrful of vomcn;
as Ic rccaicdly iold mc viiI infiniic sccrccy,
and alvays in a vIiscr.
'Troivood,' said Mr. Dicl, viiI an air of mys-
icry, aficr imariing iIis confidcncc io mc, onc
Wcdncsday; 'vIo's iIc man iIai Iidcs ncar our
Iousc and frigIicns Icr?'
'FrigIicns my auni, sir?'
Mr. Dicl noddcd. 'I iIougIi noiIing vould
Iavc frigIicncd Icr,' Ic said, 'for sIc's -' Icrc
303
Ic vIiscrcd sofily, 'don'i mcniion iiiIc vis-
csi and mosi vondcrful of vomcn.' Having
said vIicI, Ic drcv lacl, io olscrvc iIc cf-
fcci vIicI iIis dcscriiion of Icr madc uon
mc.
'TIc firsi iimc Ic camc,' said Mr. Dicl, 'vas-
lci mc scc- siiccn Iundrcd and foriy-ninc vas
iIc daic of King CIarlcs's cccuiion. I iIinl
you said siiccn Iundrcd and foriy-ninc?'
'Ycs, sir.'
'I don'i lnov Iov ii can lc,' said Mr. Dicl,
sorcly uzzlcd and sIaling Iis Icad. 'I don'i
iIinl I am as old as iIai.'
'Was ii in iIai ycar iIai iIc man acarcd,
sir?' I aslcd.
'WIy, rcally' said Mr. Dicl, 'I don'i scc Iov ii
can Iavc lccn in iIai ycar, Troivood. Did you
gci iIai daic oui of Iisiory?'
'Ycs, sir.'
'I suosc Iisiory ncvcr lics, docs ii?' said
Mr. Dicl, viiI a glcam of Ioc.
'OI dcar, no, sir!' I rclicd, mosi dccisivcly. I
vas ingcnuous and young, and I iIougIi so.
'I can'i malc ii oui,' said Mr. Dicl, sIaling
Iis Icad. 'TIcrc's somciIing vrong, somc-
vIcrc. Hovcvcr, ii vas vcry soon aficr iIc mis-
ialc vas madc of uiiing somc of iIc iroullc
oui of King CIarlcs's Icad inio my Icad, iIai
iIc man firsi camc. I vas valling oui viiI Miss
Troivood aficr ica, jusi ai darl, and iIcrc Ic
vas, closc io our Iousc.'
'Walling aloui?' I inquircd.
'Walling aloui?' rccaicd Mr. Dicl. 'Lci mc
scc, I musi rccollcci a lii. N-no, no; Ic vas noi
valling aloui.'
I aslcd, as iIc sIoricsi vay io gci ai ii, vIai
Ic csd doing.
'Wcll, Ic vasn'i iIcrc ai all,' said Mr. Dicl,
'uniil Ic camc u lcIind Icr, and vIiscrcd.
TIcn sIc iurncd round and fainicd, and I siood
siill and loolcd ai Iim, and Ic vallcd avay;
lui iIai Ic sIould Iavc lccn Iiding cvcr sincc
304
(in iIc ground or somcvIcrc}, is iIc mosi c-
iraordinary iIing!'
'Hus Ic lccn Iiding cvcr sincc?' I aslcd.
'To lc surc Ic Ias,' rcioricd Mr. Dicl, nod-
ding Iis Icad gravcly. 'Ncvcr camc oui, iill lasi
nigIi! Wc vcrc valling lasi nigIi, and Ic camc
u lcIind Icr again, and I lncv Iim again.'
'And did Ic frigIicn my auni again?'
'All of a sIivcr,' said Mr. Dicl, counicrfciiing
iIai affcciion and maling Iis icciI cIaiicr.
'Hcld ly iIc alings. Cricd. Dui, Troivood,
comc Icrc,' gciiing mc closc io Iim, iIai Ic
migIi vIiscr vcry sofily; 'vIy did sIc givc Iim
moncy, loy, in iIc moonligIi?'
'Hc vas a lcggar, crIas.'
Mr. Dicl sIool Iis Icad, as uiicrly rcnounc-
ing iIc suggcsiion; and Iaving rclicd a grcai
many iimcs, and viiI grcai confidcncc, 'No
lcggar, no lcggar, no lcggar, sir!' vcni on io
say, iIai from Iis vindov Ic Iad aficrvards,
and laic ai nigIi, sccn my auni givc iIis cr-
son moncy ouisidc iIc gardcn rails in iIc
moonligIi, vIo iIcn slunl avayinio iIc
ground again, as Ic iIougIi rolallcand vas
sccn no morc: vIilc my auni camc Iurricdly
and sccrcily lacl inio iIc Iousc, and Iad, cvcn
iIai morning, lccn quiic diffcrcni from Icr
usual sclf; vIicI rcycd on Mr. Dicl's mind.
I Iad noi iIc lcasi lclicf, in iIc ouisci of iIis
siory, iIai iIc unlnovn vas anyiIing lui a
dclusion of Mr. Dicl's, and onc of iIc linc of
iIai ill-faicd Frincc vIo occasioncd Iim so mucI
difficuliy; lui aficr somc rcflcciion I lcgan io
cnicriain iIc qucsiion vIciIcr an aiicmi, or
iIrcai of an aiicmi, migIi Iavc lccn ivicc
madc io ialc oor Mr. Dicl Iimsclf from undcr
my auni's roicciion, and vIciIcr my auni, iIc
sircngiI of vIosc lind fccling iovards Iim I
lncv from Icrsclf, migIi Iavc lccn induccd io
ay a ricc for Iis cacc and quici. As I vas
alrcady mucI aiiacIcd io Mr. Dicl, and vcry
soliciious for Iis vclfarc, my fcars favourcd iIis
305
suosiiion; and for a long iimc Iis Wcdncsday
Iardly cvcr camc round, viiIoui my cnicriain-
ing a misgiving iIai Ic vould noi lc on iIc
coacI-lo as usual. TIcrc Ic alvays acarcd,
Iovcvcr, grcy-Icadcd, laugIing, and Iay; and
Ic ncvcr Iad anyiIing morc io icll of iIc man
vIo could frigIicn my auni.
TIcsc Wcdncsdays vcrc iIc Iaicsi days of
Mr. Dicl's lifc; iIcy vcrc far from lcing iIc
lcasi Iay of minc. Hc soon lccamc lnovn io
cvcry loy in iIc scIool; and iIougI Ic ncvcr
iool an aciivc ari in any gamc lui liic-flying,
vas as dccly inicrcsicd in all our soris as
anyonc among us. Hov oficn Iavc I sccn Iim,
inicni uon a maicI ai marllcs or cgio, lool-
ing on viiI a facc of unuiicrallc inicrcsi, and
Iardly lrcaiIing ai iIc criiical iimcs! Hov of-
icn, ai Iarc and Iounds, Iavc I sccn Iim
mounicd on a liiilc lnoll, cIccring iIc vIolc
ficld on io aciion, and vaving Iis Iai alovc Iis
grcy Icad, ollivious of King CIarlcs iIc
Mariyr's Icad, and all lclonging io ii! Hov many
a summcr Iour Iavc I lnovn io lc lui llissful
minuics io Iim in iIc criclci-ficld! Hov many
vinicr days Iavc I sccn Iim, sianding lluc-
noscd, in iIc snov and casi vind, looling ai
iIc loys going dovn iIc long slidc, and cla-
ing Iis vorsicd glovcs in raiurc!
Hc vas an univcrsal favouriic, and Iis ingc-
nuiiy in liiilc iIings vas iransccndcni. Hc could
cui orangcs inio sucI dcviccs as nonc of us
Iad an idca of. Hc could malc a loai oui of
anyiIing, from a slcvcr uvards. Hc could
iurn cram-loncs inio cIcssmcn; fasIion Fo-
man cIariois from old couri cards; malc solcd
vIccls oui of coiion rccls, and lird-cagcs of
old virc. Dui Ic vas grcaicsi of all, crIas, in
iIc ariiclcs of siring and sirav; viiI vIicI vc
vcrc all crsuadcd Ic could do anyiIing iIai
could lc donc ly Iands.
Mr. Dicl's rcnovn vas noi long confincd io
us. Aficr a fcv Wcdncsdays, Docior Sirong Iim-
306
sclf madc somc inquirics of mc aloui Iim, and
I iold Iim all my auni Iad iold mc; vIicI in-
icrcsicd iIc Docior so mucI iIai Ic rcqucsicd,
on iIc occasion of Iis nci visii, io lc rcscnicd
io Iim. TIis ccrcmony I crformcd; and iIc
Docior lcgging Mr. Dicl, vIcnsocvcr Ic sIould
noi find mc ai iIc coacI officc, io comc on iIcrc,
and rcsi Iimsclf uniil our morning's vorl vas
ovcr, ii soon asscd inio a cusiom for Mr. Dicl
io comc on as a maiicr of coursc, and, if vc
vcrc a liiilc laic, as oficn Iacncd on a
Wcdncsday, io vall aloui iIc couriyard, vaii-
ing for mc. Hcrc Ic madc iIc acquainiancc of
iIc Docior's lcauiiful young vifc (alcr iIan
formcrly, all iIis iimc; morc rarcly sccn ly mc
or anyonc, I iIinl; and noi so gay, lui noi lcss
lcauiiful}, and so lccamc morc and morc fa-
miliar ly dcgrccs, uniil, ai lasi, Ic vould comc
inio iIc scIool and vaii. Hc alvays sai in a
ariicular corncr, on a ariicular siool, vIicI
vas callcd 'Dicl', aficr Iim; Icrc Ic vould sii,
viiI Iis grcy Icad lcni forvard, aiicniivcly lis-
icning io vIaicvcr migIi lc going on, viiI a
rofound vcncraiion for iIc lcarning Ic Iad
ncvcr lccn allc io acquirc.
TIis vcncraiion Mr. Dicl cicndcd io iIc Doc-
ior, vIom Ic iIougIi iIc mosi sulilc and ac-
comlisIcd IilosoIcr of any agc. Ii vas long
lcforc Mr. Dicl cvcr solc io Iim oiIcrvisc
iIan larcIcadcd; and cvcn vIcn Ic and iIc
Docior Iad sirucl u quiic a fricndsIi, and
vould vall iogciIcr ly iIc Iour, on iIai sidc
of iIc couriyard vIicI vas lnovn among us
as TIc Docior's Wall, Mr. Dicl vould ull off
Iis Iai ai inicrvals io sIov Iis rcscci for vis-
dom and lnovlcdgc. Hov ii cvcr camc aloui
iIai iIc Docior lcgan io rcad oui scras of iIc
famous Diciionary, in iIcsc valls, I ncvcr lncv;
crIas Ic fcli ii all iIc samc, ai firsi, as rcad-
ing io Iimsclf. Hovcvcr, ii asscd inio a cus-
iom ioo; and Mr. Dicl, lisicning viiI a facc
sIining viiI ridc and lcasurc, in Iis Icari
307
of Icaris lclicvcd iIc Diciionary io lc iIc mosi
dcligIiful lool in iIc vorld.
As I iIinl of iIcm going u and dovn lcforc
iIosc scIoolroom vindovsiIc Docior rcading
viiI Iis comlaccni smilc, an occasional flour-
isI of iIc manuscrii, or gravc moiion of Iis
Icad; and Mr. Dicl lisicning, cncIaincd ly in-
icrcsi, viiI Iis oor viis calmly vandcring God
lnovs vIcrc, uon iIc vings of Iard vordsI
iIinl of ii as onc of iIc lcasanicsi iIings, in a
quici vay, iIai I Iavc cvcr sccn. I fccl as if iIcy
migIi go valling io and fro for cvcr, and iIc
vorld migIi somcIov lc iIc lciicr for iias if
a iIousand iIings ii malcs a noisc aloui, vcrc
noi onc Ialf so good for ii, or mc.
Agncs vas onc of Mr. Dicl's fricnds, vcry
soon; and in oficn coming io iIc Iousc, Ic
madc acquainiancc viiI UriaI. TIc fricndsIi
lcivccn Iimsclf and mc incrcascd coniinually,
and ii vas mainiaincd on iIis odd fooiing: iIai,
vIilc Mr. Dicl camc rofcsscdly io lool aficr
mc as my guardian, Ic alvays consulicd mc in
any liiilc maiicr of douli iIai arosc, and in-
varially guidcd Iimsclf ly my advicc; noi only
Iaving a IigI rcscci for my naiivc sagaciiy,
lui considcring iIai I inIcriicd a good dcal
from my auni.
Onc TIursday morning, vIcn I vas aloui io
vall viiI Mr. Dicl from iIc Ioicl io iIc coacI
officc lcforc going lacl io scIool (for vc Iad
an Iour's scIool lcforc lrcalfasi}, I mci UriaI
in iIc sircci, vIo rcmindcd mc of iIc romisc
I Iad madc io ialc ica viiI Iimsclf and Iis
moiIcr: adding, viiI a vriiIc, 'Dui I didn'i c-
cci you io lcc ii, Masicr Cocrficld, vc'rc
so vcry umllc.'
I rcally Iad noi yci lccn allc io malc u my
mind vIciIcr I lilcd UriaI or dcicsicd Iim;
and I vas vcry douliful aloui ii siill, as I siood
looling Iim in iIc facc in iIc sircci. Dui I fcli
ii quiic an affroni io lc suoscd roud, and
said I only vanicd io lc aslcd.
308
'OI, if iIai's all, Masicr Cocrficld,' said
UriaI, 'and ii rcally isn'i our umllcncss iIai
rcvcnis you, vill you comc iIis cvcning? Dui
if ii is our umllcncss, I Ioc you von'i mind
ovning io ii, Masicr Cocrficld; for vc arc vcll
avarc of our condiiion.'
I said I vould mcniion ii io Mr. Wiclficld, and
if Ic arovcd, as I Iad no douli Ic vould, I
vould comc viiI lcasurc. So, ai si o'clocl iIai
cvcning, vIicI vas onc of iIc carly officc cvc-
nings, I announccd mysclf as rcady, io UriaI.
'MoiIcr vill lc roud, indccd,' Ic said, as vc
vallcd avay iogciIcr. 'Or sIc vould lc roud,
if ii vasn'i sinful, Masicr Cocrficld.'
'Yci you didn'i mind suosing I vas roud
iIis morning,' I rciurncd.
'OI dcar, no, Masicr Cocrficld!' rciurncd
UriaI. 'OI, lclicvc mc, no! SucI a iIougIi ncvcr
camc inio my Icad! I sIouldn'i Iavc dccmcd ii
ai all roud if you Iad iIougIi us ioo umllc
for you. Dccausc vc arc so vcry umllc.'
'Havc you lccn siudying mucI lav laicly?' I
aslcd, io cIangc iIc suljcci.
'OI, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic said, viiI an air
of sclf-dcnial, 'my rcading is Iardly io lc callcd
siudy. I Iavc asscd an Iour or ivo in iIc
cvcning, somciimcs, viiI Mr. Tidd.'
'FaiIcr Iard, I suosc?' said I.
'Hc is Iard io mc somciimcs,' rciurncd UriaI. 'Dui
I don'i lnov vIai Ic migIi lc io a gificd crson.'
Aficr lcaiing a liiilc iunc on Iis cIin as Ic
vallcd on, viiI iIc ivo forcfingcrs of Iis slcl-
cion rigIi Iand, Ic addcd:
'TIcrc arc crcssions, you scc, Masicr
CocrficldLaiin vords and icrmsin Mr.
Tidd, iIai arc irying io a rcadcr of my umllc
aiiainmcnis.'
'Would you lilc io lc iaugIi Laiin?' I said
lrislly. 'I vill icacI ii you viiI lcasurc, as I
lcarn ii.'
'OI, iIanl you, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic an-
svcrcd, sIaling Iis Icad. 'I am surc ii's vcry
309
lind of you io malc iIc offcr, lui I am mucI
ioo umllc io accci ii.'
'WIai nonscnsc, UriaI!'
'OI, indccd you musi ccusc mc, Masicr
Cocrficld! I am grcaily olligcd, and I sIould
lilc ii of all iIings, I assurc you; lui I am far
ioo umllc. TIcrc arc colc cnougI io ircad
uon mc in my lovly siaic, viiIoui my doing
ouiragc io iIcir fcclings ly osscssing lcarn-
ing. Lcarning ain'i for mc. A crson lilc mysclf
Iad lciicr noi asirc. If Ic is io gci on in lifc,
Ic musi gci on umlly, Masicr Cocrficld!'
I ncvcr sav Iis mouiI so vidc, or iIc crcascs
in Iis cIccls so dcc, as vIcn Ic dclivcrcd
Iimsclf of iIcsc scniimcnis: sIaling Iis Icad
all iIc iimc, and vriiIing modcsily.
'I iIinl you arc vrong, UriaI,' I said. 'I darc
say iIcrc arc scvcral iIings iIai I could icacI
you, if you vould lilc io lcarn iIcm.'
'OI, I don'i douli iIai, Masicr Cocrficld,'
Ic ansvcrcd; 'noi in iIc lcasi. Dui noi lcing
umllc yoursclf, you don'i judgc vcll, crIas,
for iIcm iIai arc. I von'i rovolc my lciicrs
viiI lnovlcdgc, iIanl you. I'm mucI ioo
umllc. Hcrc is my umllc dvclling, Masicr
Cocrficld!'
Wc cnicrcd a lov, old-fasIioncd room, vallcd
siraigIi inio from iIc sircci, and found iIcrc
Mrs. Hcc, vIo vas iIc dcad imagc of UriaI,
only sIori. SIc rcccivcd mc viiI iIc uimosi
Iumiliiy, and aologizcd io mc for giving Icr
son a liss, olscrving iIai, lovly as iIcy vcrc,
iIcy Iad iIcir naiural affcciions, vIicI iIcy
Iocd vould givc no offcncc io anyonc. Ii vas
a crfccily dcccni room, Ialf arlour and Ialf
liicIcn, lui noi ai all a snug room. TIc ica-
iIings vcrc sci uon iIc iallc, and iIc lciilc
vas loiling on iIc Iol. TIcrc vas a cIcsi of
dravcrs viiI an cscriioirc io, for UriaI io rcad
or vriic ai of an cvcning; iIcrc vas UriaI's lluc
lag lying dovn and vomiiing acrs; iIcrc vas
a comany of UriaI's lools commandcd ly Mr.
310
Tidd; iIcrc vas a corncr culoard: and iIcrc
vcrc iIc usual ariiclcs of furniiurc. I don'i rc-
mcmlcr iIai any individual oljcci Iad a larc,
incIcd, sarc lool; lui I do rcmcmlcr iIai
iIc vIolc lacc Iad.
Ii vas crIas a ari of Mrs. Hcc's Iumiliiy,
iIai sIc siill vorc vccds. NoiviiIsianding iIc lasc
of iimc iIai Iad occurrcd sincc Mr. Hcc's dc-
ccasc, sIc siill vorc vccds. I iIinl iIcrc vas somc
comromisc in iIc ca; lui oiIcrvisc sIc vas as
vccdy as in iIc carly days of Icr mourning.
'TIis is a day io lc rcmcmlcrcd, my UriaI, I
am surc,' said Mrs. Hcc, maling iIc ica, 'vIcn
Masicr Cocrficld ays us a visii.'
'I said you'd iIinl so, moiIcr,' said UriaI.
'If I could Iavc visIcd faiIcr io rcmain among
us for any rcason,' said Mrs. Hcc, 'ii vould
Iavc lccn, iIai Ic migIi Iavc lnovn Iis com-
any iIis aficrnoon.'
I fcli cmlarrasscd ly iIcsc comlimcnis; lui
I vas scnsillc, ioo, of lcing cnicriaincd as an
Ionourcd gucsi, and I iIougIi Mrs. Hcc an
agrccallc voman.
'My UriaI,' said Mrs. Hcc, 'Ias loolcd for-
vard io iIis, sir, a long vIilc. Hc Iad Iis fcars
iIai our umllcncss siood in iIc vay, and I
joincd in iIcm mysclf. Umllc vc arc, umllc
vc Iavc lccn, umllc vc sIall cvcr lc,' said
Mrs. Hcc.
'I am surc you Iavc no occasion io lc so,
ma'am,' I said, 'unlcss you lilc.'
'TIanl you, sir,' rcioricd Mrs. Hcc. 'Wc lnov
our siaiion and arc iIanlful in ii.'
I found iIai Mrs. Hcc gradually goi ncarcr
io mc, and iIai UriaI gradually goi oosiic io
mc, and iIai iIcy rcsccifully licd mc viiI
iIc cIoiccsi of iIc caiallcs on iIc iallc. TIcrc
vas noiIing ariicularly cIoicc iIcrc, io lc
surc; lui I iool iIc vill for iIc dccd, and fcli
iIai iIcy vcrc vcry aiicniivc. Frcscnily iIcy
lcgan io iall aloui aunis, and iIcn I iold iIcm
aloui minc; and aloui faiIcrs and moiIcrs,
311
and iIcn I iold iIcm aloui minc; and iIcn
Mrs. Hcc lcgan io iall aloui faiIcrs-in-lav,
and iIcn I lcgan io icll Icr aloui minclui
siocd, lccausc my auni Iad adviscd mc io
olscrvc a silcncc on iIai suljcci. A icndcr
young corl, Iovcvcr, vould Iavc Iad no morc
cIancc againsi a air of corlscrcvs, or a icn-
dcr young iooiI againsi a air of dcniisis, or a
liiilc sIuiilccocl againsi ivo laiilcdorcs, iIan
I Iad againsi UriaI and Mrs. Hcc. TIcy did
jusi vIai iIcy lilcd viiI mc; and vormcd
iIings oui of mc iIai I Iad no dcsirc io icll,
viiI a ccriainiy I llusI io iIinl of. iIc morc
csccially, as in my juvcnilc franlncss, I iool
somc crcdii io mysclf for lcing so confidcniial
and fcli iIai I vas quiic iIc airon of my ivo
rcscciful cnicriaincrs.
TIcy vcrc vcry fond of onc anoiIcr: iIai vas
ccriain. I ialc ii, iIai Iad iis cffcci uon mc,
as a ioucI of naiurc; lui iIc slill viiI vIicI
iIc onc follovcd u vIaicvcr iIc oiIcr said,
vas a ioucI of ari vIicI I vas siill lcss roof
againsi. WIcn iIcrc vas noiIing morc io lc
goi oui of mc aloui mysclf (for on iIc Murdsionc
and Grinly lifc, and on my journcy, I vas
duml}, iIcy lcgan aloui Mr. Wiclficld and
Agncs. UriaI iIrcv iIc lall io Mrs. Hcc, Mrs.
Hcc caugIi ii and iIrcv ii lacl io UriaI, UriaI
lci ii u a liiilc vIilc, iIcn scni ii lacl io
Mrs. Hcc, and so iIcy vcni on iossing ii aloui
uniil I Iad no idca vIo Iad goi ii, and vas
quiic lcvildcrcd. TIc lall iisclf vas alvays
cIanging ioo. Nov ii vas Mr. Wiclficld, nov
Agncs, nov iIc cccllcncc of Mr. Wiclficld, nov
my admiraiion of Agncs; nov iIc cicni of Mr.
Wiclficld's lusincss and rcsourccs, nov our
domcsiic lifc aficr dinncr; nov, iIc vinc iIai
Mr. Wiclficld iool, iIc rcason vIy Ic iool ii,
and iIc iiy iIai ii vas Ic iool so mucI; nov
onc iIing, nov anoiIcr, iIcn cvcryiIing ai
oncc; and all iIc iimc, viiIoui acaring io
scal vcry oficn, or io do anyiIing lui somc-
312
iimcs cncouragc iIcm a liiilc, for fcar iIcy
sIould lc ovcrcomc ly iIcir Iumiliiy and iIc
Ionour of my comany, I found mysclf crciu-
ally lciiing oui somciIing or oiIcr iIai I Iad
no lusincss io lci oui and sccing iIc cffcci of
ii in iIc ivinlling of UriaI's dinicd nosirils.
I Iad lcgun io lc a liiilc uncomforiallc, and
io visI mysclf vcll oui of iIc visii, vIcn a fig-
urc coming dovn iIc sircci asscd iIc door
ii siood ocn io air iIc room, vIicI vas varm,
iIc vcaiIcr lcing closc for iIc iimc of ycar
camc lacl again, loolcd in, and vallcd in, c-
claiming loudly, 'Cocrficld! Is ii ossillc?'
Ii vas Mr. Micavlcr! Ii vas Mr. Micavlcr, viiI
Iis cyc-glass, and Iis valling-siicl, and Iis
sIiri-collar, and Iis gcniccl air, and iIc con-
dcsccnding roll in Iis voicc, all comlcic!
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, ui-
iing oui Iis Iand, 'iIis is indccd a mcciing
vIicI is calculaicd io imrcss iIc mind viiI a
scnsc of iIc insialiliiy and unccriainiy of all
Iumanin sIori, ii is a mosi ciraordinary
mcciing. Walling along iIc sircci, rcflcciing
uon iIc rolaliliiy of somciIing iurning u
(of vIicI I am ai rcscni raiIcr sanguinc}, I
find a young lui valucd fricnd iurn u, vIo is
connccicd viiI iIc mosi cvcniful criod of my
lifc; I may say, viiI iIc iurning-oini of my
cisicncc. Cocrficld, my dcar fcllov, Iov do
you do?'
I cannoi sayI rcally cannoi sayiIai I vas
glad io scc Mr. Micavlcr iIcrc; lui I vas glad
io scc Iim ioo, and sIool Iands viiI Iim,
Icariily, inquiring Iov Mrs. Micavlcr vas.
'TIanl you,' said Mr. Micavlcr, vaving Iis
Iand as of old, and sciiling Iis cIin in Iis sIiri-
collar. 'SIc is iolcrally convalcsccni. TIc ivins
no longcr dcrivc iIcir susicnancc from Naiurc's
founisin sIori,' said Mr. Micavlcr, in onc of
Iis lursis of confidcncc, 'iIcy arc vcancd
and Mrs. Micavlcr is, ai rcscni, my iravclling
comanion. SIc vill lc rcjoiccd, Cocrficld,
313
io rcncv Icr acquainiancc viiI onc vIo Ias
rovcd Iimsclf in all rcsccis a voriIy minis-
icr ai iIc sacrcd aliar of fricndsIi.'
I said I sIould lc dcligIicd io scc Icr.
'You arc vcry good,' said Mr. Micavlcr.
Mr. Micavlcr iIcn smilcd, sciilcd Iis cIin
again, and loolcd aloui Iim.
'I Iavc discovcrcd my fricnd Cocrficld,' said
Mr. Micavlcr gcnicclly, and viiIoui addrcss-
ing Iimsclf ariicularly io anyonc, 'noi in soli-
iudc, lui arialing of a social mcal in com-
any viiI a vidov lady, and onc vIo is aar-
cnily Icr offsringin sIori,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, in anoiIcr of Iis lursis of confi-
dcncc, 'Icr son. I sIall csiccm ii an Ionour io
lc rcscnicd.'
I could do no lcss, undcr iIcsc circumsianccs, iIan
malc Mr. Micavlcr lnovn io UriaI Hcc and Iis
moiIcr; vIicI I accordingly did. As iIcy alascd
iIcmsclvcs lcforc Iim, Mr. Micavlcr iool a scai,
and vavcd Iis Iand in Iis mosi courily manncr.
'Any fricnd of my fricnd Cocrficld's,' said
Mr. Micavlcr, 'Ias a crsonal claim uon my-
sclf.'
'Wc arc ioo umllc, sir,' said Mrs. Hcc, 'my
son and mc, io lc iIc fricnds of Masicr
Cocrficld. Hc Ias lccn so good as ialc Iis
ica viiI us, and vc arc iIanlful io Iim for Iis
comany, also io you, sir, for your noiicc.'
'Ma'am,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, viiI a lov,
'you arc vcry olliging: and vIai arc you doing,
Cocrficld? Siill in iIc vinc iradc?'
I vas cccssivcly anious io gci Mr. Micavlcr
avay; and rclicd, viiI my Iai in my Iand,
and a vcry rcd facc, I Iavc no douli, iIai I vas
a uil ai Docior Sirong's.
'A uil?' said Mr. Micavlcr, raising Iis cyc-
lrovs. 'I am circmcly Iay io Icar ii. Al-
iIougI a mind lilc my fricnd Cocrficld's'
io UriaI and Mrs. Hcc'docs noi rcquirc iIai
culiivaiion vIicI, viiIoui Iis lnovlcdgc of mcn
and iIings, ii vould rcquirc, siill ii is a ricI
314
soil iccming viiI laicni vcgciaiionin sIori,'
said Mr. Micavlcr, smiling, in anoiIcr lursi of
confidcncc, 'ii is an inicllcci caallc of gciiing
u iIc classics io any cicni.'
UriaI, viiI Iis long Iands slovly ivining ovcr
onc anoiIcr, madc a gIasily vriiIc from iIc
vaisi uvards, io crcss Iis concurrcncc in
iIis csiimaiion of mc.
'SIall vc go and scc Mrs. Micavlcr, sir?' I
said, io gci Mr. Micavlcr avay.
'If you vill do Icr iIai favour, Cocrficld,'
rclicd Mr. Micavlcr, rising. 'I Iavc no scrulc
in saying, in iIc rcscncc of our fricnds Icrc,
iIai I am a man vIo Ias, for somc ycars, con-
icndcd againsi iIc rcssurc of ccuniary diffi-
culiics.' I lncv Ic vas ccriain io say somc-
iIing of iIis lind; Ic alvays vould lc so loasi-
ful aloui Iis difficuliics. 'Somciimcs I Iavc
riscn sucrior io my difficuliics. Somciimcs my
difficuliics Iavcin sIori, Iavc floorcd mc.
TIcrc Iavc lccn iimcs vIcn I Iavc adminis-
icrcd a succcssion of faccrs io iIcm; iIcrc Iavc
lccn iimcs vIcn iIcy Iavc lccn ioo many for
mc, and I Iavc givcn in, and said io Mrs.
Micavlcr, in iIc vords of Caio, Flaio, iIou
rcasoncsi vcll. Ii's all u nov. I can sIov figIi
no morc." Dui ai no iimc of my lifc,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'Iavc I cnjoycd a IigIcr dcgrcc of
saiisfaciion iIan in ouring my gricfs (if I may
dcscrilc difficuliics, cIicfly arising oui of var-
ranis of aiiorncy and romissory noics ai ivo
and four moniIs, ly iIai vord} inio iIc losom
of my fricnd Cocrficld.'
Mr. Micavlcr closcd iIis Iandsomc iriluic
ly saying, 'Mr. Hcc! Good cvcning. Mrs. Hcc!
Your scrvani,' and iIcn valling oui viiI mc in
Iis mosi fasIionallc manncr, maling a good
dcal of noisc on iIc avcmcni viiI Iis sIocs,
and Iumming a iunc as vc vcni.
Ii vas a liiilc inn vIcrc Mr. Micavlcr ui u,
and Ic occuicd a liiilc room in ii, ariiiioncd
off from iIc commcrcial room, and sirongly
315
flavourcd viiI iolacco-smolc. I iIinl ii vas
ovcr iIc liicIcn, lccausc a varm grcasy smcll
acarcd io comc u iIrougI iIc cIinls in
iIc floor, and iIcrc vas a flally crsiraiion
on iIc valls. I lnov ii vas ncar iIc lar, on
accouni of iIc smcll of siriis and jingling of
glasscs. Hcrc, rccumlcni on a small sofa, un-
dcrncaiI a iciurc of a racc-Iorsc, viiI Icr
Icad closc io iIc firc, and Icr fcci usIing iIc
musiard off iIc duml-vaiicr ai iIc oiIcr cnd
of iIc room, vas Mrs. Micavlcr, io vIom Mr.
Micavlcr cnicrcd firsi, saying, 'My dcar, allov
mc io iniroducc io you a uil of Docior
Sirong's.'
I noiiccd, ly iIc ly, iIai aliIougI Mr.
Micavlcr vas jusi as mucI confuscd as cvcr
aloui my agc and sianding, Ic alvays rcmcm-
lcrcd, as a gcniccl iIing, iIai I vas a uil of
Docior Sirong's.
Mrs. Micavlcr vas amazcd, lui vcry glad io
scc mc. I vas vcry glad io scc Icr ioo, and,
aficr an affcciionaic grcciing on loiI sidcs, sai
dovn on iIc small sofa ncar Icr.
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'if you vill mcn-
iion io Cocrficld vIai our rcscni osiiion
is, vIicI I Iavc no douli Ic vill lilc io lnov, I
vill go and lool ai iIc acr iIc vIilc, and scc
vIciIcr anyiIing iurns u among iIc advcr-
iiscmcnis.'
'I iIougIi you vcrc ai FlymouiI, ma'am,' I
said io Mrs. Micavlcr, as Ic vcni oui.
'My dcar Masicr Cocrficld,' sIc rclicd, 'vc
vcni io FlymouiI.'
'To lc on iIc soi,' I Iinicd.
'Jusi so,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'To lc on iIc
soi. Dui, iIc iruiI is, ialcni is noi vanicd in
iIc Cusiom Housc. TIc local influcncc of my
family vas quiic unavailing io oliain any cm-
loymcni in iIai dcarimcni, for a man of Mr.
Micavlcr's aliliiics. TIcy vould raiIcr not Iavc
a man of Mr. Micavlcr's aliliiics. Hc vould
only sIov iIc dcficicncy of iIc oiIcrs. Aari
316
from vIicI,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'I vill noi dis-
guisc from you, my dcar Masicr Cocrficld,
iIai vIcn iIai lrancI of my family vIicI is
sciilcd in FlymouiI, lccamc avarc iIai Mr.
Micavlcr vas accomanicd ly mysclf, and ly
liiilc Willins and Iis sisicr, and ly iIc ivins,
iIcy did noi rcccivc Iim viiI iIai ardour vIicI
Ic migIi Iavc cccicd, lcing so ncvly rc-
lcascd from caiiviiy. In faci,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, lovcring Icr voicc,'iIis is lcivccn
oursclvcsour rccciion vas cool.'
'Dcar mc!' I said.
'Ycs,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'Ii is iruly ainful
io conicmlaic manlind in sucI an ascci,
Masicr Cocrficld, lui our rccciion vas, dc-
cidcdly, cool. TIcrc is no douli aloui ii. In faci,
iIai lrancI of my family vIicI is sciilcd in
FlymouiI lccamc quiic crsonal io Mr.
Micavlcr, lcforc vc Iad lccn iIcrc a vccl.'
I said, and iIougIi, iIai iIcy ougIi io lc
asIamcd of iIcmsclvcs.
'Siill, so ii vas,' coniinucd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'Un-
dcr sucI circumsianccs, vIai could a man of
Mr. Micavlcr's sirii do? Dui onc olvious
coursc vas lcfi. To lorrov, of iIai lrancI of my
family, iIc moncy io rciurn io London, and io
rciurn ai any sacrificc.'
'TIcn you all camc lacl again, ma'am?' I said.
'Wc all camc lacl again,' rclicd Mrs.
Micavlcr. 'Sincc iIcn, I Iavc consulicd oiIcr
lrancIcs of my family on iIc coursc vIicI ii is
mosi ccdicni for Mr. Micavlcr io ialcfor I
mainiain iIai Ic musi ialc somc coursc, Mas-
icr Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr,
argumcniaiivcly. 'Ii is clcar iIai a family of si,
noi including a domcsiic, cannoi livc uon air.'
'Ccriainly, ma'am,' said I.
'TIc oinion of iIosc oiIcr lrancIcs of my
family,' ursucd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'is, iIai Mr.
Micavlcr sIould immcdiaicly iurn Iis aiicn-
iion io coals.'
'To vIai, ma'am?'
317
'To coals,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'To iIc coal
iradc. Mr. Micavlcr vas induccd io iIinl, on
inquiry, iIai iIcrc migIi lc an ocning for a
man of Iis ialcni in iIc Mcdvay Coal Tradc.
TIcn, as Mr. Micavlcr vcry rocrly said, iIc
firsi sic io lc ialcn clcarly vas, io comc and
scc iIc Mcdvay. WIicI vc camc and sav. I say
vc", Masicr Cocrficld; for I ncvcr vill,' said
Mrs. Micavlcr viiI cmoiion, 'I ncvcr vill dcscri
Mr. Micavlcr.'
I murmurcd my admiraiion and arolaiion.
'Wc camc,' rccaicd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'and sav
iIc Mcdvay. My oinion of iIc coal iradc on
iIai rivcr is, iIai ii may rcquirc ialcni, lui iIai
ii ccriainly rcquircs caiial. Talcni, Mr.
Micavlcr Ias; caiial, Mr. Micavlcr Ias noi.
Wc sav, I iIinl, iIc grcaicr ari of iIc Mcdvay;
and iIai is my individual conclusion. Dcing so
ncar Icrc, Mr. Micavlcr vas of oinion iIai ii
vould lc rasI noi io comc on, and scc iIc Ca-
iIcdral. Firsily, on accouni of iis lcing so vcll
voriI sccing, and our ncvcr Iaving sccn ii; and
sccondly, on accouni of iIc grcai rolaliliiy of
somciIing iurning u in a caiIcdral iovn. Wc
Iavc lccn Icrc,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIrcc
days. NoiIing Ias, as yci, iurncd u; and ii
may noi surrisc you, my dcar Masicr
Cocrficld, so mucI as ii vould a sirangcr, io
lnov iIai vc arc ai rcscni vaiiing for a rc-
miiiancc from London, io discIargc our ccu-
niary olligaiions ai iIis Ioicl. Uniil iIc arrival
of iIai rcmiiiancc,' said Mrs. Micavlcr viiI
mucI fccling, 'I am cui off from my Iomc (I
alludc io lodgings in Fcnionvillc}, from my loy
and girl, and from my ivins.'
I fcli iIc uimosi symaiIy for Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr in iIis anious circmiiy, and said
as mucI io Mr. Micavlcr, vIo nov rciurncd:
adding iIai I only visIcd I Iad moncy cnougI,
io lcnd iIcm iIc amouni iIcy nccdcd. Mr.
Micavlcr's ansvcr crcsscd iIc disiurlancc
of Iis mind. Hc said, sIaling Iands viiI mc,
318
'Cocrficld, you arc a iruc fricnd; lui vIcn
iIc vorsi comcs io iIc vorsi, no man is viiI-
oui a fricnd vIo is osscsscd of sIaving maic-
rials.' Ai iIis drcadful Iini Mrs. Micavlcr iIrcv
Icr arms round Mr. Micavlcr's nccl and cn-
ircaicd Iim io lc calm. Hc vci; lui so far
rccovcrcd, almosi immcdiaicly, as io ring iIc
lcll for iIc vaiicr, and lcscal a Ioi lidncy
udding and a laic of sIrims for lrcalfasi in
iIc morning.
WIcn I iool my lcavc of iIcm, iIcy loiI
rcsscd mc so mucI io comc and dinc lcforc
iIcy vcni avay, iIai I could noi rcfusc. Dui, as
I lncv I could noi comc nci day, vIcn I sIould
Iavc a good dcal io rcarc in iIc cvcning, Mr.
Micavlcr arrangcd iIai Ic vould call ai Doc-
ior Sirong's in iIc coursc of iIc morning (Iav-
ing a rcscniimcni iIai iIc rcmiiiancc vould
arrivc ly iIai osi}, and roosc iIc day aficr,
if ii vould suii mc lciicr. Accordingly I vas
callcd oui of scIool nci forcnoon, and found
Mr. Micavlcr in iIc arlour; vIo Iad callcd io
say iIai iIc dinncr vould ialc lacc as ro-
oscd. WIcn I aslcd Iim if iIc rcmiiiancc Iad
comc, Ic rcsscd my Iand and dcaricd.
As I vas looling oui of vindov iIai samc
cvcning, ii surriscd mc, and madc mc raiIcr
uncasy, io scc Mr. Micavlcr and UriaI Hcc
vall asi, arm in arm: UriaI Iumlly scnsillc
of iIc Ionour iIai vas donc Iim, and Mr.
Micavlcr ialing a lland dcligIi in cicnding
Iis aironagc io UriaI. Dui I vas siill morc sur-
riscd, vIcn I vcni io iIc liiilc Ioicl nci day
ai iIc aoinicd dinncr-Iour, vIicI vas four
o'clocl, io find, from vIai Mr. Micavlcr said,
iIai Ic Iad gonc Iomc viiI UriaI, and Iad
drunl lrandy-and-vaicr ai Mrs. Hcc's.
'And I'll icll you vIai, my dcar Cocrficld,'
said Mr. Micavlcr, 'your fricnd Hcc is a young
fcllov vIo migIi lc aiiorncy-gcncral. If I Iad
lnovn iIai young man, ai iIc criod vIcn my
difficuliics camc io a crisis, all I can say is, iIai
319
I lclicvc my crcdiiors vould Iavc lccn a grcai
dcal lciicr managcd iIan iIcy vcrc.'
I Iardly undcrsiood Iov iIis could Iavc lccn,
sccing iIai Mr. Micavlcr Iad aid iIcm noiI-
ing ai all as ii vas; lui I did noi lilc io asl.
NciiIcr did I lilc io say, iIai I Iocd Ic Iad
noi lccn ioo communicaiivc io UriaI; or io in-
quirc if iIcy Iad iallcd mucI aloui mc. I vas
afraid of Iuriing Mr. Micavlcr's fcclings, or, ai
all cvcnis, Mrs. Micavlcr's, sIc lcing vcry scn-
siiivc; lui I vas uncomforiallc aloui ii, ioo,
and oficn iIougIi aloui ii aficrvards.
Wc Iad a lcauiiful liiilc dinncr. Quiic an cl-
cgani disI of fisI; iIc lidncy-cnd of a loin of
vcal, roasicd; fricd sausagc-mcai; a ariridgc,
and a udding. TIcrc vas vinc, and iIcrc vas
sirong alc; and aficr dinncr Mrs. Micavlcr
madc us a lovl of Ioi uncI viiI Icr ovn
Iands.
Mr. Micavlcr vas uncommonly convivial. I
ncvcr sav Iim sucI good comany. Hc madc
Iis facc sIinc viiI iIc uncI, so iIai ii loolcd
as if ii Iad lccn varnisIcd all ovcr. Hc goi
cIccrfully scniimcnial aloui iIc iovn, and ro-
oscd succcss io ii; olscrving iIai Mrs.
Micavlcr and Iimsclf Iad lccn madc c-
ircmcly snug and comforiallc iIcrc and iIai
Ic ncvcr sIould forgci iIc agrccallc Iours iIcy
Iad asscd in Canicrlury. Hc rooscd mc af-
icrvards; and Ic, and Mrs. Micavlcr, and I,
iool a rcvicv of our asi acquainiancc, in iIc
coursc of vIicI vc sold iIc rocriy all ovcr
again. TIcn I rooscd Mrs. Micavlcr: or, ai
lcasi, said, modcsily, 'If you'll allov mc, Mrs.
Micavlcr, I sIall nov Iavc iIc lcasurc of
drinling your IcaliI, ma'am.' On vIicI Mr.
Micavlcr dclivcrcd an culogium on Mrs.
Micavlcr's cIaracicr, and said sIc Iad cvcr
lccn Iis guidc, IilosoIcr, and fricnd, and
iIai Ic vould rccommcnd mc, vIcn I camc io
a marrying iimc of lifc, io marry sucI anoiIcr
voman, if sucI anoiIcr voman could lc found.
320
As iIc uncI disacarcd, Mr. Micavlcr lc-
camc siill morc fricndly and convivial. Mrs.
Micavlcr's siriis lccoming clcvaicd, ioo, vc
sang 'Auld Lang Sync'. WIcn vc camc io 'Hcrc's
a Iand, my irusiy frcrc', vc all joincd Iands
round iIc iallc; and vIcn vc dcclarcd vc
vould 'ialc a rigIi gudc Willic WaugIi', and
Iadn'i iIc lcasi idca vIai ii mcani, vc vcrc
rcally affccicd.
In a vord, I ncvcr sav anylody so iIorougIly
jovial as Mr. Micavlcr vas, dovn io iIc vcry
lasi momcni of iIc cvcning, vIcn I iool a Icariy
farcvcll of Iimsclf and Iis amiallc vifc. Con-
scqucnily, I vas noi rcarcd, ai scvcn o'clocl
nci morning, io rcccivc iIc folloving commu-
nicaiion, daicd Ialf asi ninc in iIc cvcning; a
quaricr of an Iour aficr I Iad lcfi Iim:
\ !!/| C|`C |||!`!.
'| ||| .. | || . | .
|| || | | .||. | | | |. . ||
. ||| ||. |, | || .|| |.
|| .|. || ||| | .. |||
| |,||. ||| | .||. | |
|. || ,. |||| |.| | || ||||
|. | | | |. ,|| |.|
||. |. | .. ||||. !. \|
| | . | || | | || ,. '| .||
|.|. '| ||| ,. || |. | |||.
!| || .|| | . .
. ,,.||. | | | ||.| ||. |
.| || ||| ||. ||| |,. || | |
||| ||| | | . | | ||. |
,|||. ,|.| | || |.| | |
. |||| | || . | ,.|
,| || || | |,. |.| ,.||||.
'| || || |. . ,,.||.
|| . .
|.
'|
|. C||.
\|!|`. \|/\|!|.
321
I vas so sIoclcd ly iIc conicnis of iIis Icari-
rcnding lciicr, iIai I ran off dirccily iovards
iIc liiilc Ioicl viiI iIc inicniion of ialing ii
on my vay io Docior Sirong's, and irying io
sooiIc Mr. Micavlcr viiI a vord of comfori.
Dui, Ialf-vay iIcrc, I mci iIc London coacI
viiI Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr u lcIind; Mr.
Micavlcr, iIc vcry iciurc of iranquil cnjoy-
mcni, smiling ai Mrs. Micavlcr's convcrsaiion,
caiing valnuis oui of a acr lag, viiI a loiilc
siicling oui of Iis lrcasi oclci. As iIcy did
noi scc mc, I iIougIi ii lcsi, all iIings consid-
crcd, noi io scc iIcm. So, viiI a grcai vcigIi
ialcn off my mind, I iurncd inio a ly-sircci iIai
vas iIc ncarcsi vay io scIool, and fcli, uon
iIc vIolc, rclicvcd iIai iIcy vcrc gonc; iIougI
I siill lilcd iIcm vcry mucI, ncvcriIclcss.
CHAPTER 1S
A RETROSPECT
My scIool-days! TIc silcni gliding on of my c-
isicncciIc unsccn, unfcli rogrcss of my
lifcfrom cIildIood u io youiI! Lci mc iIinl,
as I lool lacl uon iIai floving vaicr, nov a
dry cIanncl ovcrgrovn viiI lcavcs, vIciIcr
iIcrc arc any marls along iis coursc, ly vIicI
I can rcmcmlcr Iov ii ran.
A momcni, and I occuy my lacc in iIc Ca-
iIcdral, vIcrc vc all vcni iogciIcr, cvcry Sun-
day morning, asscmlling firsi ai scIool for iIai
urosc. TIc cariIy smcll, iIc sunlcss air, iIc
scnsaiion of iIc vorld lcing sIui oui, iIc rc-
sounding of iIc organ iIrougI iIc llacl and
vIiic arcIcd gallcrics and aislcs, arc vings iIai
ialc mc lacl, and Iold mc Iovcring alovc iIosc
days, in a Ialf-slccing and Ialf-valing drcam.
I am noi iIc lasi loy in iIc scIool. I Iavc
riscn in a fcv moniIs, ovcr scvcral Icads. Dui
322
iIc firsi loy sccms io mc a migIiy crcaiurc,
dvclling afar off, vIosc giddy IcigIi is unai-
iainallc. Agncs says 'No,' lui I say 'Ycs,' and
icll Icr iIai sIc liiilc iIinls vIai siorcs of
lnovlcdgc Iavc lccn masicrcd ly iIc vondcr-
ful Dcing, ai vIosc lacc sIc iIinls I, cvcn I,
vcal asirani, may arrivc in iimc. Hc is noi my
rivaic fricnd and ullic airon, as SiccrforiI
vas, lui I Iold Iim in a rcvcrcniial rcscci. I
cIicfly vondcr vIai Ic'll lc, vIcn Ic lcavcs
Docior Sirong's, and vIai manlind vill do io
mainiain any lacc againsi Iim.
Dui vIo is iIis iIai lrcals uon mc? TIis is
Miss SIcIcrd, vIom I lovc.
Miss SIcIcrd is a loardcr ai iIc Misscs
Nciiingalls' csiallisImcni. I adorc Miss SIc-
Icrd. SIc is a liiilc girl, in a scnccr, viiI a
round facc and curly flacn Iair. TIc Misscs
Nciiingalls' young ladics comc io iIc CaiIc-
dral ioo. I cannoi lool uon my lool, for I musi
lool uon Miss SIcIcrd. WIcn iIc cIoris-
icrs cIauni, I Icar Miss SIcIcrd. In iIc scr-
vicc I mcnially inscri Miss SIcIcrd's namc
I ui Icr in among iIc Foyal Family. Ai Iomc,
in my ovn room, I am somciimcs movcd io cry
oui, 'OI, Miss SIcIcrd!' in a iransori of lovc.
For somc iimc, I am douliful of Miss
SIcIcrd's fcclings, lui, ai lcngiI, Faic lcing
roiiious, vc mcci ai iIc dancing-scIool. I Iavc
Miss SIcIcrd for my arincr. I ioucI Miss
SIcIcrd's glovc, and fccl a iIrill go u iIc
rigIi arm of my jaclci, and comc oui ai my
Iair. I say noiIing io Miss SIcIcrd, lui vc
undcrsiand cacI oiIcr. Miss SIcIcrd and
mysclf livc lui io lc uniicd.
WIy do I sccrcily givc Miss SIcIcrd ivclvc
Drazil nuis for a rcscni, I vondcr? TIcy arc
noi crcssivc of affcciion, iIcy arc difficuli io
acl inio a arccl of any rcgular sIac, iIcy
arc Iard io cracl, cvcn in room doors, and iIcy
arc oily vIcn craclcd; yci I fccl iIai iIcy arc
aroriaic io Miss SIcIcrd. Sofi, sccdy lis-
323
cuiis, also, I lcsiov uon Miss SIcIcrd; and
orangcs innumcrallc. Oncc, I liss Miss SIc-
Icrd in iIc cloal-room. Ecsiasy! WIai arc my
agony and indignaiion nci day, vIcn I Icar a
flying rumour iIai iIc Misscs Nciiingall Iavc
siood Miss SIcIcrd in iIc siocls for iurning
in Icr iocs!
Miss SIcIcrd lcing iIc onc crvading
iIcmc and vision of my lifc, Iov do I cvcr comc
io lrcal viiI Icr? I can'i conccivc. And yci a
coolncss grovs lcivccn Miss SIcIcrd and
mysclf. WIiscrs rcacI mc of Miss SIcIcrd
Iaving said sIc visIcd I vouldn'i siarc so, and
Iaving avovcd a rcfcrcncc for Masicr Joncs
for Joncs! a loy of no mcrii vIaicvcr! TIc gulf
lcivccn mc and Miss SIcIcrd vidcns. Ai lasi,
onc day, I mcci iIc Misscs Nciiingalls' csial-
lisImcni oui valling. Miss SIcIcrd malcs a
facc as sIc gocs ly, and laugIs io Icr coman-
ion. All is ovcr. TIc dcvoiion of a lifcii sccms
a lifc, ii is all iIc samcis ai an cnd; Miss
SIcIcrd comcs oui of iIc morning scrvicc,
and iIc Foyal Family lnov Icr no morc.
I am IigIcr in iIc scIool, and no onc lrcals
my cacc. I am noi ai all oliic, nov, io iIc
Misscs Nciiingalls' young ladics, and sIouldn'i
doic on any of iIcm, if iIcy vcrc ivicc as many
and ivcniy iimcs as lcauiiful. I iIinl iIc danc-
ing-scIool a iircsomc affair, and vondcr vIy
iIc girls can'i dancc ly iIcmsclvcs and lcavc
us alonc. I am groving grcai in Laiin vcrscs,
and ncglcci iIc laccs of my loois. Docior Sirong
rcfcrs io mc in ullic as a romising young
scIolar. Mr. Dicl is vild viiI joy, and my auni
rcmiis mc a guinca ly iIc nci osi.
TIc sIadc of a young luicIcr riscs, lilc iIc
aariiion of an armcd Icad in MaclciI. WIo
is iIis young luicIcr? Hc is iIc icrror of iIc
youiI of Canicrlury. TIcrc is a vaguc lclicf
alroad, iIai iIc lccf suci viiI vIicI Ic
anoinis Iis Iair givcs Iim unnaiural sircngiI,
and iIai Ic is a maicI for a man. Hc is a lroad-
324
faccd, lull-ncclcd, young luicIcr, viiI rougI
rcd cIccls, an ill-condiiioncd mind, and an
injurious ionguc. His main usc of iIis ionguc,
is, io disaragc Docior Sirong's young gcnilc-
mcn. Hc says, ullicly, iIai if iIcy vani any-
iIing Ic'll givc ii 'cm. Hc namcs individuals
among iIcm (mysclf includcd}, vIom Ic could
undcrialc io sciilc viiI onc Iand, and iIc
oiIcr iicd lcIind Iim. Hc vaylays iIc smallcr
loys io uncI iIcir unroiccicd Icads, and
calls cIallcngcs aficr mc in iIc ocn sirccis.
For iIcsc sufficicni rcasons I rcsolvc io figIi
iIc luicIcr.
Ii is a summcr cvcning, dovn in a grccn Iol-
lov, ai iIc corncr of a vall. I mcci iIc luicIcr
ly aoinimcni. I am aiicndcd ly a sclcci lody
of our loys; iIc luicIcr, ly ivo oiIcr luicI-
crs, a young ullican, and a svcc. TIc rc-
liminarics arc adjusicd, and iIc luicIcr and
mysclf siand facc io facc. In a momcni iIc
luicIcr ligIis icn iIousand candlcs oui of my
lcfi cyclrov. In anoiIcr momcni, I don'i lnov
vIcrc iIc vall is, or vIcrc I am, or vIcrc any-
lody is. I Iardly lnov vIicI is mysclf and vIicI
iIc luicIcr, vc arc alvays in sucI a ianglc
and iusslc, lnocling aloui uon iIc iroddcn
grass. Somciimcs I scc iIc luicIcr, lloody lui
confidcni; somciimcs I scc noiIing, and sii
gasing on my sccond's lncc; somciimcs I go
in ai iIc luicIcr madly, and cui my lnucllcs
ocn againsi Iis facc, viiIoui acaring io dis-
comosc Iim ai all. Ai lasi I avalc, vcry quccr
aloui iIc Icad, as from a giddy slcc, and scc
iIc luicIcr valling off, congraiulaicd ly iIc
ivo oiIcr luicIcrs and iIc svcc and ullican,
and uiiing on Iis coai as Ic gocs; from vIicI
I augur, jusily, iIai iIc viciory is Iis.
I am ialcn Iomc in a sad ligIi, and I Iavc
lccf-sicals ui io my cycs, and am rullcd viiI
vincgar and lrandy, and find a grcai uffy lacc
lursiing oui on my ucr li, vIicI svclls im-
modcraicly. For iIrcc or four days I rcmain ai
325
Iomc, a vcry ill-looling suljcci, viiI a grccn
sIadc ovcr my cycs; and I sIould lc vcry dull,
lui iIai Agncs is a sisicr io mc, and condolcs
viiI mc, and rcads io mc, and malcs iIc iimc
ligIi and Iay. Agncs Ias my confidcncc com-
lcicly, alvays; I icll Icr all aloui iIc luicIcr,
and iIc vrongs Ic Ias Icacd uon mc; sIc
iIinls I couldn'i Iavc donc oiIcrvisc iIan figIi
iIc luicIcr, vIilc sIc sIrinls and ircmllcs
ai my Iaving fougIi Iim.
Timc Ias siolcn on unolscrvcd, for Adams is
noi iIc Icad-loy in iIc days iIai arc comc
nov, nor Ias Ic lccn iIis many and many a
day. Adams Ias lcfi iIc scIool so long, iIai
vIcn Ic comcs lacl, on a visii io Docior Sirong,
iIcrc arc noi many iIcrc, lcsidcs mysclf, vIo
lnov Iim. Adams is going io lc callcd io iIc
lar almosi dirccily, and is io lc an advocaic,
and io vcar a vig. I am surriscd io find Iim a
mcclcr man iIan I Iad iIougIi, and lcss im-
osing in acarancc. Hc Ias noi siaggcrcd
iIc vorld yci, ciiIcr; for ii gocs on (as vcll as I
can malc oui} rciiy mucI iIc samc as if Ic
Iad ncvcr joincd ii.
A llanl, iIrougI vIicI iIc varriors of o-
ciry and Iisiory marcI on in siaicly Iosis iIai
sccm io Iavc no cndand vIai comcs nci! I
am iIc Icad-loy, nov! I lool dovn on iIc linc
of loys lclov mc, viiI a condcsccnding inicr-
csi in sucI of iIcm as lring io my mind iIc
loy I vas mysclf, vIcn I firsi camc iIcrc. TIai
liiilc fcllov sccms io lc no ari of mc; I rc-
mcmlcr Iim as somciIing lcfi lcIind uon
iIc road of lifcas somciIing I Iavc asscd,
raiIcr iIan Iavc aciually lccnand almosi
iIinl of Iim as of somconc clsc.
And iIc liiilc girl I sav on iIai firsi day ai Mr.
Wiclficld's, vIcrc is sIc? Gonc also. In Icr
sicad, iIc crfcci lilcncss of iIc iciurc, a cIild
lilcncss no morc, movcs aloui iIc Iousc; and
Agncsmy svcci sisicr, as I call Icr in my
iIougIis, my counscllor and fricnd, iIc lciicr
326
angcl of iIc livcs of all vIo comc viiIin Icr calm,
good, sclf-dcnying influcnccis quiic a voman.
WIai oiIcr cIangcs Iavc comc uon mc, lc-
sidcs iIc cIangcs in my groviI and lools, and
in iIc lnovlcdgc I Iavc garncrcd all iIis vIilc?
I vcar a gold vaicI and cIain, a ring uon my
liiilc fingcr, and a long-iailcd coai; and I usc a
grcai dcal of lcar's grcascvIicI, ialcn in con-
junciion viiI iIc ring, lools lad. Am I in lovc
again? I am. I vorsIi iIc cldcsi Miss Larlins.
TIc cldcsi Miss Larlins is noi a liiilc girl. SIc
is a iall, darl, llacl-cycd, finc figurc of a voman.
TIc cldcsi Miss Larlins is noi a cIiclcn; for iIc
youngcsi Miss Larlins is noi iIai, and iIc cl-
dcsi musi lc iIrcc or four ycars oldcr. FcrIas
iIc cldcsi Miss Larlins may lc aloui iIiriy. My
assion for Icr is lcyond all lounds.
TIc cldcsi Miss Larlins lnovs officcrs. Ii is
an avful iIing io lcar. I scc iIcm scaling io
Icr in iIc sircci. I scc iIcm cross iIc vay io
mcci Icr, vIcn Icr lonnci (sIc Ias a lrigIi
iasic in lonncis} is sccn coming dovn iIc avc-
mcni, accomanicd ly Icr sisicr's lonnci. SIc
laugIs and ialls, and sccms io lilc ii. I scnd
a good dcal of my ovn sarc iimc in valling
u and dovn io mcci Icr. If I can lov io Icr
oncc in iIc day (I lnov Icr io lov io, lnoving
Mr. Larlins}, I am Iaicr. I dcscrvc a lov nov
and iIcn. TIc raging agonics I suffcr on iIc
nigIi of iIc Facc Dall, vIcrc I lnov iIc cldcsi
Miss Larlins vill lc dancing viiI iIc miliiary,
ougIi io Iavc somc comcnsaiion, if iIcrc lc
cvcn-Iandcd jusiicc in iIc vorld.
My assion ialcs avay my aciiic, and
malcs mc vcar my ncvcsi sill ncclcrcIicf con-
iinually. I Iavc no rclicf lui in uiiing on my
lcsi cloiIcs, and Iaving my loois clcancd ovcr
and ovcr again. I sccm, iIcn, io lc voriIicr of
iIc cldcsi Miss Larlins. EvcryiIing iIai lc-
longs io Icr, or is connccicd viiI Icr, is rc-
cious io mc. Mr. Larlins (a gruff old gcnilcman
viiI a doullc cIin, and onc of Iis cycs immov-
327
allc in Iis Icad} is fraugIi viiI inicrcsi io mc.
WIcn I can'i mcci Iis daugIicr, I go vIcrc I
am lilcly io mcci Iim. To say 'Hov do you do,
Mr. Larlins? Arc iIc young ladics and all iIc
family quiic vcll?' sccms so oinicd, iIai I
llusI.
I iIinl coniinually aloui my agc. Say I am
scvcniccn, and say iIai scvcniccn is young for
iIc cldcsi Miss Larlins, vIai of iIai? Dcsidcs,
I sIall lc onc-and-ivcniy in no iimc almosi. I
rcgularly ialc valls ouisidc Mr. Larlins's
Iousc in iIc cvcning, iIougI ii cuis mc io iIc
Icari io scc iIc officcrs go in, or io Icar iIcm
u in iIc draving-room, vIcrc iIc cldcsi Miss
Larlins lays iIc Iar. I cvcn vall, on ivo or
iIrcc occasions, in a siclly, soony manncr,
round and round iIc Iousc aficr iIc family
arc gonc io lcd, vondcring vIicI is iIc cldcsi
Miss Larlins's cIamlcr (and iicIing, I darc
say nov, on Mr. Larlins's insicad}; visIing iIai
a firc vould lursi oui; iIai iIc asscmllcd crovd
vould siand aallcd; iIai I, dasIing iIrougI
iIcm viiI a laddcr, migIi rcar ii againsi Icr
vindov, savc Icr in my arms, go lacl for somc-
iIing sIc Iad lcfi lcIind, and crisI in iIc
flamcs. For I am gcncrally disinicrcsicd in my
lovc, and iIinl I could lc conicni io malc a
figurc lcforc Miss Larlins, and circ.
Gcncrally, lui noi alvays. Somciimcs lrigIicr
visions risc lcforc mc. WIcn I drcss (iIc occu-
aiion of ivo Iours}, for a grcai lall givcn ai
iIc Larlins's (iIc aniiciaiion of iIrcc vccls},
I indulgc my fancy viiI lcasing imagcs. I ic-
iurc mysclf ialing couragc io malc a dcclara-
iion io Miss Larlins. I iciurc Miss Larlins
sinling Icr Icad uon my sIouldcr, and say-
ing, 'OI, Mr. Cocrficld, can I lclicvc my cars!'
I iciurc Mr. Larlins vaiiing on mc nci morn-
ing, and saying, 'My dcar Cocrficld, my
daugIicr Ias iold mc all. YouiI is no oljcc-
iion. Hcrc arc ivcniy iIousand ounds. Dc
Iay!' I iciurc my auni rclcniing, and llcss-
328
ing us; and Mr. Dicl and Docior Sirong lcing
rcscni ai iIc marriagc ccrcmony. I am a scn-
sillc fcllov, I lclicvcI lclicvc, on looling lacl,
I mcanand modcsi I am surc; lui all iIis gocs
on noiviiIsianding. I rcair io iIc cncIanicd
Iousc, vIcrc iIcrc arc ligIis, cIaiicring, mu-
sic, flovcrs, officcrs (I am sorry io scc}, and iIc
cldcsi Miss Larlins, a llazc of lcauiy. SIc is
drcsscd in lluc, viiI lluc flovcrs in Icr Iair
forgci-mc-noisas if sIc Iad any nccd io vcar
forgci-mc-nois. Ii is iIc firsi rcally grovn-u
ariy iIai I Iavc cvcr lccn inviicd io, and I am a
liiilc uncomforiallc; for I acar noi io lclong
io anylody, and nolody acars io Iavc any-
iIing io say io mc, ccci Mr. Larlins, vIo asls
mc Iov my scIoolfcllovs arc, vIicI Ic nccdn'i
do, as I Iavc noi comc iIcrc io lc insulicd.
Dui aficr I Iavc siood in iIc doorvay for somc
iimc, and fcasicd my cycs uon iIc goddcss of
my Icari, sIc aroacIcs mcsIc, iIc cldcsi
Miss Larlins!and asls mc lcasanily, if I dancc?
I siammcr, viiI a lov, 'WiiI you, Miss
Larlins.'
'WiiI no onc clsc?' inquircs Miss Larlins.
'I sIould Iavc no lcasurc in dancing viiI
anyonc clsc.'
Miss Larlins laugIs and llusIcs (or I iIinl
sIc llusIcs}, and says, 'Nci iimc lui onc, I
sIall lc vcry glad.'
TIc iimc arrivcs. 'Ii is a valiz, I iIinl,' Miss
Larlins doulifully olscrvcs, vIcn I rcscni
mysclf. 'Do you valiz? If noi, Caiain Dailcy'
Dui I do valiz (rciiy vcll, ioo, as ii Iacns},
and I ialc Miss Larlins oui. I ialc Icr sicrnly
from iIc sidc of Caiain Dailcy. Hc is vrcicIcd,
I Iavc no douli; lui Ic is noiIing io mc. I Iavc
lccn vrcicIcd, ioo. I valiz viiI iIc cldcsi Miss
Larlins! I don'i lnov vIcrc, among vIom, or
Iov long. I only lnov iIai I svim aloui in
sacc, viiI a lluc angcl, in a siaic of llissful
dclirium, uniil I find mysclf alonc viiI Icr in a
liiilc room, rcsiing on a sofa. SIc admircs a
329
flovcr (inl camcllia jaonica, ricc Ialf-a-
crovn}, in my luiion-Iolc. I givc ii Icr, and say:
'I asl an incsiimallc ricc for ii, Miss Larlins.'
'Indccd! WIai is iIai?' rciurns Miss Larlins.
'A flovcr of yours, iIai I may ircasurc ii as a
miscr docs gold.'
'You'rc a lold loy,' says Miss Larlins. 'TIcrc.'
SIc givcs ii mc, noi dislcascd; and I ui ii io
my lis, and iIcn inio my lrcasi. Miss Larlins,
laugIing, dravs Icr Iand iIrougI my arm, and
says, 'Nov ialc mc lacl io Caiain Dailcy.'
I am losi in iIc rccollcciion of iIis dclicious inicr-
vicv, and iIc valiz, vIcn sIc comcs io mc again,
viiI a lain cldcrly gcnilcman vIo Ias lccn lay-
ing vIisi all nigIi, uon Icr arm, and says:
'OI! Icrc is my lold fricnd! Mr. CIcsilc vanis
io lnov you, Mr. Cocrficld.'
I fccl ai oncc iIai Ic is a fricnd of iIc family,
and am mucI graiificd.
'I admirc your iasic, sir,' says Mr. CIcsilc. 'Ii docs you
crcdii. I suosc you don'i ialc mucI inicrcsi in Ios;
lui I am a rciiy largc grovcr mysclf; and if you cvcr lilc
io comc ovcr io our ncigIlourIoodncigIlourIood of
AsIfordand ialc a run aloui our lacc,vc sIall lc
glad for you io sio as long as you lilc.'
I iIanl Mr. CIcsilc varmly, and sIalc Iands. I
iIinl I am in a Iay drcam. I valiz viiI iIc cldcsi
Miss Larlins oncc again. SIc says I valiz so vcll! I
go Iomc in a siaic of unscalallc lliss, and valiz
in imaginaiion, all nigIi long, viiI my arm round
iIc lluc vaisi of my dcar diviniiy. For somc days
aficrvards, I am losi in raiurous rcflcciions; lui I
nciiIcr scc Icr in iIc sircci, nor vIcn I call. I am
imcrfccily consolcd for iIis disaoinimcni ly iIc
sacrcd lcdgc, iIc crisIcd flovcr.
'Troivood,' says Agncs, onc day aficr dinncr.
'WIo do you iIinl is going io lc marricd io-
morrov? Somconc you admirc.'
'Noi you, I suosc, Agncs?'
'Noi mc!' raising Icr cIccrful facc from iIc
music sIc is coying. 'Do you Icar Iim,
Faa?TIc cldcsi Miss Larlins.'
330
'Toio Caiain Dailcy?' I Iavc jusi cnougI
ovcr io asl.
'No; io no Caiain. To Mr. CIcsilc, a Io-grovcr.'
I am icrrilly dcjccicd for aloui a vccl or ivo.
I ialc off my ring, I vcar my vorsi cloiIcs, I
usc no lcar's grcasc, and I frcqucnily lamcni
ovcr iIc laic Miss Larlins's fadcd flovcr. Dc-
ing, ly iIai iimc, raiIcr iircd of iIis lind of
lifc, and Iaving rcccivcd ncv rovocaiion from
iIc luicIcr, I iIrov iIc flovcr avay, go oui
viiI iIc luicIcr, and gloriously dcfcai Iim.
TIis, and iIc rcsumiion of my ring, as vcll
as of iIc lcar's grcasc in modcraiion, arc iIc
lasi marls I can disccrn, nov, in my rogrcss
io scvcniccn.
CHAPTER 19
I LOOK ABOUT ME, AND
MAKE A DISCOVERY
I AM DOUDTFUL vIciIcr I vas ai Icari glad or
sorry, vIcn my scIool-days drcv io an cnd,
and iIc iimc camc for my lcaving Docior
Sirong's. I Iad lccn vcry Iay iIcrc, I Iad a
grcai aiiacImcni for iIc Docior, and I vas cmi-
ncni and disiinguisIcd in iIai liiilc vorld. For
iIcsc rcasons I vas sorry io go; lui for oiIcr
rcasons, unsulsianiial cnougI, I vas glad.
Misiy idcas of lcing a young man ai my ovn
disosal, of iIc imoriancc aiiacIing io a young
man ai Iis ovn disosal, of iIc vondcrful iIings
io lc sccn and donc ly iIai magnificcni ani-
mal, and iIc vondcrful cffccis Ic could noi fail
io malc uon sociciy, lurcd mc avay. So ov-
crful vcrc iIcsc visionary considcraiions in my
loyisI mind, iIai I sccm, according io my
rcscni vay of iIinling, io Iavc lcfi scIool viiI-
331
oui naiural rcgrci. TIc scaraiion Ias noi madc
iIc imrcssion on mc, iIai oiIcr scaraiions
Iavc. I iry in vain io rccall Iov I fcli aloui ii,
and vIai iis circumsianccs vcrc; lui ii is noi
momcnious in my rccollcciion. I suosc iIc
ocning roscci confuscd mc. I lnov iIai my
juvcnilc ccricnccs vcni for liiilc or noiIing
iIcn; and iIai lifc vas morc lilc a grcai fairy
siory, vIicI I vas jusi aloui io lcgin io rcad,
iIan anyiIing clsc.
MY auni and I Iad Icld many gravc dclilcra-
iions on iIc calling io vIicI I sIould lc dc-
voicd. For a ycar or morc I Iad cndcavourcd io
find a saiisfaciory ansvcr io Icr oficn-rccaicd
qucsiion, 'WIai I vould lilc io lc?' Dui I Iad
no ariicular liling, iIai I could discovcr, for
anyiIing. If I could Iavc lccn insircd viiI a
lnovlcdgc of iIc scicncc of navigaiion, ialcn
iIc command of a fasi-sailing ccdiiion, and
gonc round iIc vorld on a iriumIani voyagc
of discovcry, I iIinl I migIi Iavc considcrcd
mysclf comlcicly suiicd. Dui, in iIc alscncc
of any sucI miraculous rovision, my dcsirc
vas io aly mysclf io somc ursuii iIai vould
noi lic ioo Icavily uon Icr ursc; and io do
my duiy in ii, vIaicvcr ii migIi lc.
Mr. Dicl Iad rcgularly assisicd ai our coun-
cils, viiI a mcdiiaiivc and sagc dcmcanour. Hc
ncvcr madc a suggcsiion lui oncc; and on iIai
occasion (I don'i lnov vIai ui ii in Iis Icad},
Ic suddcnly rooscd iIai I sIould lc 'a Dra-
zicr'. My auni rcccivcd iIis roosal so vcry
ungraciously, iIai Ic ncvcr vcniurcd on a scc-
ond; lui cvcr aficrvards confincd Iimsclf io
looling vaicIfully ai Icr for Icr suggcsiions,
and raiiling Iis moncy.
'Troi, I icll you vIai, my dcar,' said my auni,
onc morning in iIc CIrisimas scason vIcn I
lcfi scIool: 'as iIis lnoiiy oini is siill unsciilcd,
and as vc musi noi malc a misialc in our dc-
cision if vc can Icl ii, I iIinl vc Iad lciicr
ialc a liiilc lrcaiIing-iimc. In iIc mcanvIilc,
332
you musi iry io lool ai ii from a ncv oini of
vicv, and noi as a scIoolloy.'
'I vill, auni.'
'Ii Ias occurrcd io mc,' ursucd my auni, 'iIai
a liiilc cIangc, and a glimsc of lifc oui of doors,
may lc uscful in Icling you io lnov your ovn
mind, and form a coolcr judgcmcni. Suosc
you vcrc io go dovn inio iIc old ari of iIc
couniry again, for insiancc, and scc iIaiiIai
oui-of-iIc-vay voman viiI iIc savagcsi of
namcs,' said my auni, rulling Icr nosc, for
sIc could ncvcr iIorougIly forgivc Fcggoiiy for
lcing so callcd.
'Of all iIings in iIc vorld, auni, I sIould lilc
ii lcsi!'
'Wcll,' said my auni, 'iIai's lucly, for I sIould
lilc ii ioo. Dui ii's naiural and raiional iIai
you sIould lilc ii. And I am vcry vcll crsuadcd
iIai vIaicvcr you do, Troi, vill alvays lc naiu-
ral and raiional.'
'I Ioc so, auni.'
'Your sisicr, Dciscy Troivood,' said my auni,
'vould Iavc lccn as naiural and raiional a girl as
cvcr lrcaiIcd. You'll lc voriIy of Icr, von'i you?'
'I Ioc I sIall lc voriIy of ou, auni. TIai
vill lc cnougI for mc.'
'Ii's a mcrcy iIai oor dcar laly of a moiIcr
of yours didn'i livc,' said my auni, looling ai
mc arovingly, 'or sIc'd Iavc lccn so vain of
Icr loy ly iIis iimc, iIai Icr sofi liiilc Icad
vould Iavc lccn comlcicly iurncd, if iIcrc
vas anyiIing of ii lcfi io iurn.' (My auni alvays
ccuscd any vcalncss of Icr ovn in my lc-
Ialf, ly iransfcrring ii in iIis vay io my oor
moiIcr.} 'Dlcss mc, Troivood, Iov you do rc-
mind mc of Icr!'
'Flcasanily, I Ioc, auni?' said I.
'Hc's as lilc Icr, Dicl,' said my auni, cm-
Iaiically, 'Ic's as lilc Icr, as sIc vas iIai
aficrnoon lcforc sIc lcgan io frcillcss my
Icari, Ic's as lilc Icr, as Ic can lool ai mc oui
of Iis ivo cycs!'
333
'Is Ic indccd?' said Mr. Dicl.
'And Ic's lilc David, ioo,' said my auni, dcci-
sivcly.
'Hc is vcry lilc David!' said Mr. Dicl.
'Dui vIai I vani you io lc, Troi,' rcsumcd my
auni, 'I don'i mcan Iysically, lui morally;
you arc vcry vcll Iysicallyis, a firm fcllov. A
finc firm fcllov, viiI a vill of your ovn. WiiI
rcsoluiion,' said my auni, sIaling Icr ca ai
mc, and clcncIing Icr Iand. 'WiiI dcicrmina-
iion. WiiI cIaracicr, TroiviiI sircngiI of
cIaracicr iIai is noi io lc influcnccd, ccci
on good rcason, ly anylody, or ly anyiIing.
TIai's vIai I vani you io lc. TIai's vIai your
faiIcr and moiIcr migIi loiI Iavc lccn,
Hcavcn lnovs, and lccn iIc lciicr for ii.'
I iniimaicd iIai I Iocd I sIould lc vIai sIc
dcscrilcd.
'TIai you may lcgin, in a small vay, io Iavc a
rcliancc uon yoursclf, and io aci for yoursclf,'
said my auni, 'I sIall scnd you uon your iri,
alonc. I did iIinl, oncc, of Mr. Dicl's going
viiI you; lui, on sccond iIougIis, I sIall lcc
Iim io ialc carc of mc.'
Mr. Dicl, for a momcni, loolcd a liiilc disa-
oinicd; uniil iIc Ionour and digniiy of Iav-
ing io ialc carc of iIc mosi vondcrful voman
in iIc vorld, rcsiorcd iIc sunsIinc io Iis facc.
'Dcsidcs,' said my auni, 'iIcrc's iIc Mcmo-
rial'
'OI, ccriainly,' said Mr. Dicl, in a Iurry, 'I
inicnd, Troivood, io gci iIai donc immcdi-
aiclyii rcally musi lc donc immcdiaicly! And
iIcn ii vill go in, you lnovand iIcn' said
Mr. Dicl, aficr cIccling Iimsclf, and ausing
a long iimc, 'iIcrc'll lc a rciiy lciilc of fisI!'
In ursuancc of my auni's lind scIcmc, I vas
sIorily aficrvards fiiicd oui viiI a Iandsomc
ursc of moncy, and a orimanicau, and icn-
dcrly dismisscd uon my ccdiiion. Ai ari-
ing, my auni gavc mc somc good advicc, and a
good many lisscs; and said iIai as Icr oljcci
334
vas iIai I sIould lool aloui mc, and sIould iIinl
a liiilc, sIc vould rccommcnd mc io siay a fcv
days in London, if I lilcd ii, ciiIcr on my vay dovn
inio Suffoll, or in coming lacl. In a vord, I vas ai
lilcriy io do vIai I vould, for iIrcc vccls or a
moniI; and no oiIcr condiiions vcrc imoscd uon
my frccdom iIan iIc lcforc-mcniioncd iIinling
and looling aloui mc, and a lcdgc io vriic iIrcc
iimcs a vccl and faiiIfully rcori mysclf.
I vcni io Canicrlury firsi, iIai I migIi ialc
lcavc of Agncs and Mr. Wiclficld (my old room
in vIosc Iousc I Iad noi yci rclinquisIcd},
and also of iIc good Docior. Agncs vas vcry
glad io scc mc, and iold mc iIai iIc Iousc Iad
noi lccn lilc iisclf sincc I Iad lcfi ii.
'I am surc I am noi lilc mysclf vIcn I am
avay,' said I. 'I sccm io vani my rigIi Iand,
vIcn I miss you. TIougI iIai's noi saying
mucI; for iIcrc's no Icad in my rigIi Iand,
and no Icari. Evcryonc vIo lnovs you, con-
sulis viiI you, and is guidcd ly you, Agncs.'
'Evcryonc vIo lnovs mc, soils mc, I lclicvc,'
sIc ansvcrcd, smiling.
'No. ii's lccausc you arc lilc no onc clsc. You
arc so good, and so svcci-icmcrcd. You Iavc
sucI a gcnilc naiurc, and you arc alvays rigIi.'
'You iall,' said Agncs, lrcaling inio a lcas-
ani laugI, as sIc sai ai vorl, 'as if I vcrc iIc
laic Miss Larlins.'
'Comc! Ii's noi fair io alusc my confidcncc,' I
ansvcrcd, rcddcning ai iIc rccollcciion of my
lluc cnslavcr. 'Dui I sIall confidc in you, jusi
iIc samc, Agncs. I can ncvcr grov oui of iIai.
WIcncvcr I fall inio iroullc, or fall in lovc, I
sIall alvays icll you, if you'll lci mccvcn vIcn
I comc io fall in lovc in carncsi.'
'WIy, you Iavc alvays lccn in carncsi!' said
Agncs, laugIing again.
'OI! iIai vas as a cIild, or a scIoolloy,' said
I, laugIing in my iurn, noi viiIoui lcing a liiilc
sIamc-faccd. 'Timcs arc alicring nov, and I
suosc I sIall lc in a icrrillc siaic of carncsi-
335
ncss onc day or oiIcr. My vondcr is, iIai you
arc noi in carncsi yoursclf, ly iIis iimc, Agncs.'
Agncs laugIcd again, and sIool Icr Icad.
'OI, I lnov you arc noi!' said I, 'lccausc if
you Iad lccn you vould Iavc iold mc. Or ai
lcasi'for I sav a faini llusI in Icr facc, 'you
vould Iavc lci mc find ii oui for mysclf. Dui
iIcrc is no onc iIai I lnov of, vIo dcscrvcs io
lovc you, Agncs. Somconc of a nollcr cIarac-
icr, and morc voriIy aliogciIcr iIan anyonc
I Iavc cvcr sccn Icrc, musi risc u, lcforc I
givc my conscni. In iIc iimc io comc, I sIall
Iavc a vary cyc on all admircrs; and sIall c-
aci a grcai dcal from iIc succcssful onc, I as-
surc you.'
Wc Iad gonc on, so far, in a miiurc of confi-
dcniial jcsi and carncsi, iIai Iad long grovn
naiurally oui of our familiar rclaiions, lcgun
as mcrc cIildrcn. Dui Agncs, nov suddcnly lifi-
ing u Icr cycs io minc, and scaling in a
diffcrcni manncr, said:
'Troivood, iIcrc is somciIing iIai I vani io
asl you, and iIai I may noi Iavc anoiIcr o-
oriuniiy of asling for a long iimc, crIas
somciIing I vould asl, I iIinl, of no onc clsc.
Havc you olscrvcd any gradual alicraiion in
Faa?'
I Iad olscrvcd ii, and Iad oficn vondcrcd
vIciIcr sIc Iad ioo. I musi Iavc sIovn as
mucI, nov, in my facc; for Icr cycs vcrc in a
momcni casi dovn, and I sav icars in iIcm.
'Tcll mc vIai ii is,' sIc said, in a lov voicc.
'I iIinlsIall I lc quiic lain, Agncs, liling
Iim so mucI?'
'Ycs,' sIc said.
'I iIinl Ic docs Iimsclf no good ly iIc Ialii
iIai Ias incrcascd uon Iim sincc I firsi camc
Icrc. Hc is oficn vcry ncrvousor I fancy so.'
'Ii is noi fancy,' said Agncs, sIaling Icr Icad.
'His Iand ircmllcs, Iis scccI is noi lain,
and Iis cycs lool vild. I Iavc rcmarlcd iIai ai
iIosc iimcs, and vIcn Ic is lcasi lilc Iimsclf,
336
Ic is mosi ccriain io lc vanicd on somc lusi-
ncss.'
'Dy UriaI,' said Agncs.
'Ycs; and iIc scnsc of lcing unfii for ii, or of
noi Iaving undcrsiood ii, or of Iaving sIovn
Iis condiiion in siic of Iimsclf, sccms io malc
Iim so uncasy, iIai nci day Ic is vorsc, and
nci day vorsc, and so Ic lccomcs jadcd and
Iaggard. Do noi lc alarmcd ly vIai I say,
Agncs, lui in iIis siaic I sav Iim, only iIc
oiIcr cvcning, lay dovn Iis Icad uon Iis dcsl,
and sIcd icars lilc a cIild.'
Hcr Iand asscd sofily lcforc my lis vIilc I
vas yci scaling, and in a momcni sIc Iad
mci Icr faiIcr ai iIc door of iIc room, and vas
Ianging on Iis sIouldcr. TIc crcssion of Icr
facc, as iIcy loiI loolcd iovards mc, I fcli io
lc vcry ioucIing. TIcrc vas sucI dcc fond-
ncss for Iim, and graiiiudc io Iim for all Iis
lovc and carc, in Icr lcauiiful lool; and iIcrc
vas sucI a fcrvcni acal io mc io dcal icn-
dcrly ly Iim, cvcn in my inmosi iIougIis, and
io lci no IarsI consiruciion find any lacc
againsi Iim; sIc vas, ai oncc, so roud of Iim
and dcvoicd io Iim, yci so comassionaic and
sorry, and so rcliani uon mc io lc so, ioo;
iIai noiIing sIc could Iavc said vould Iavc
crcsscd morc io mc, or movcd mc morc.
Wc vcrc io drinl ica ai iIc Docior's. Wc vcni
iIcrc ai iIc usual Iour; and round iIc siudy
fircsidc found iIc Docior, and Iis young vifc,
and Icr moiIcr. TIc Docior, vIo madc as mucI
of my going avay as if I vcrc going io CIina,
rcccivcd mc as an Ionourcd gucsi; and callcd
for a log of vood io lc iIrovn on iIc firc, iIai
Ic migIi scc iIc facc of Iis old uil rcddcn-
ing in iIc llazc.
'I sIall noi scc many morc ncv faccs in
Troivood's sicad, Wiclficld,' said iIc Docior,
varming Iis Iands; 'I am gciiing lazy, and vani
casc. I sIall rclinquisI all my young colc in
anoiIcr si moniIs, and lcad a quicicr lifc.'
337
'You Iavc said so, any iimc iIcsc icn ycars,
Docior,' Mr. Wiclficld ansvcrcd.
'Dui nov I mcan io do ii,' rciurncd iIc Doc-
ior. 'My firsi masicr vill succccd mcI am in
carncsi ai lasiso you'll soon Iavc io arrangc
our coniracis, and io lind us firmly io iIcm,
lilc a coulc of lnavcs.'
'And io ialc carc,' said Mr. Wiclficld, 'iIai
you'rc noi imoscd on, cI? As you ccriainly
vould lc, in any coniraci you sIould malc for
yoursclf. Wcll! I am rcady. TIcrc arc vorsc
iasls iIan iIai, in my calling.'
'I sIall Iavc noiIing io iIinl of iIcn,' said
iIc Docior, viiI a smilc, 'lui my Diciionary;
and iIis oiIcr coniraci-largainAnnic.'
As Mr. Wiclficld glanccd iovards Icr, siiiing
ai iIc ica iallc ly Agncs, sIc sccmcd io mc io
avoid Iis lool viiI sucI unvonicd Icsiiaiion
and iimidiiy, iIai Iis aiicniion lccamc ficd
uon Icr, as if somciIing vcrc suggcsicd io
Iis iIougIis.
'TIcrc is a osi comc in from India, I olscrvc,'
Ic said, aficr a sIori silcncc.
'Dy iIc ly! and lciicrs from Mr. Jacl Maldon!'
said iIc Docior.
'Indccd!'
'Foor dcar Jacl!' said Mrs. MarllcIam, sIal-
ing Icr Icad. 'TIai irying climaic!lilc living,
iIcy icll mc, on a sand-Ica, undcrncaiI a
lurning-glass! Hc loolcd sirong, lui Ic vasn'i.
My dcar Docior, ii vas Iis sirii, noi Iis consii-
iuiion, iIai Ic vcniurcd on so loldly. Annic,
my dcar, I am surc you musi crfccily rccollcci
iIai your cousin ncvcr vas sirongnoi vIai can
lc callcd roIust, you lnov,' said Mrs.
MarllcIam, viiI cmIasis, and looling round
uon us gcncrally, 'from iIc iimc vIcn my
daugIicr and Iimsclf vcrc cIildrcn iogciIcr,
and valling aloui, arm-in-arm, iIc livclong day.'
Annic, iIus addrcsscd, madc no rcly.
'Do I gaiIcr from vIai you say, ma'am, iIai
Mr. Maldon is ill?' aslcd Mr. Wiclficld.
338
'Ill!' rclicd iIc Old Soldicr. 'My dcar sir, Ic's
all soris of iIings.'
'Ecci vcll?' said Mr. Wiclficld.
'Ecci vcll, indccd!' said iIc Old Soldicr. 'Hc
Ias Iad drcadful sirolcs of iIc sun, no douli,
and junglc fcvcrs and agucs, and cvcry lind of
iIing you can mcniion. As io Iis livcr,' said iIc
Old Soldicr rcsigncdly, 'iIai, of coursc, Ic gavc
u aliogciIcr, vIcn Ic firsi vcni oui!'
'Docs Ic say all iIis?' aslcd Mr. Wiclficld.
'Say? My dcar sir,' rciurncd Mrs. MarllcIam,
sIaling Icr Icad and Icr fan, 'you liiilc lnov
my oor Jacl Maldon vIcn you asl iIai qucs-
iion. Say? Noi Ic. You migIi drag Iim ai iIc
Iccls of four vild Iorscs firsi.'
'Mama!' said Mrs. Sirong.
'Annic, my dcar,' rciurncd Icr moiIcr, 'oncc
for all, I musi rcally lcg iIai you vill noi inicr-
fcrc viiI mc, unlcss ii is io confirm vIai I say.
You lnov as vcll as I do iIai your cousin Maldon
vould lc draggcd ai iIc Iccls of any numlcr of
vild IorscsvIy sIould I confinc mysclf io four!
I uon`t confinc mysclf io fourcigIi, siiccn,
ivo-and-iIiriy, raiIcr iIan say anyiIing calcu-
laicd io ovcriurn iIc Docior's lans.'
'Wiclficld's lans,' said iIc Docior, siroling
Iis facc, and looling cniicnily ai Iis adviscr.
'TIai is io say, our joini lans for Iim. I said
mysclf, alroad or ai Iomc.'
'And I said' addcd Mr. Wiclficld gravcly,
'alroad. I vas iIc mcans of scnding Iim alroad.
Ii's my rcsonsililiiy.'
'OI! Fcsonsililiiy!' said iIc Old Soldicr. 'Ev-
cryiIing vas donc for iIc lcsi, my dcar Mr.
Wiclficld; cvcryiIing vas donc for iIc lindcsi
and lcsi, vc lnov. Dui if iIc dcar fcllov can'i
livc iIcrc, Ic can'i livc iIcrc. And if Ic can'i
livc iIcrc, Ic'll dic iIcrc, sooncr iIan Ic'll ovcr-
iurn iIc Docior's lans. I lnov Iim,' said iIc
Old Soldicr, fanning Icrsclf, in a sori of calm
roIciic agony, 'and I lnov Ic'll dic iIcrc,
sooncr iIan Ic'll ovcriurn iIc Docior's lans.'
339
'Wcll, vcll, ma'am,' said iIc Docior cIccrfully,
'I am noi ligoicd io my lans, and I can ovcr-
iurn iIcm mysclf. I can sulsiiiuic somc oiIcr
lans. If Mr. Jacl Maldon comcs Iomc on ac-
couni of ill IcaliI, Ic musi noi lc allovcd io
go lacl, and vc musi cndcavour io malc somc
morc suiiallc and foriunaic rovision for Iim
in iIis couniry.'
Mrs. MarllcIam vas so ovcrcomc ly iIis gcn-
crous scccIvIicI, I nccd noi say, sIc Iad
noi ai all cccicd or lcd u ioiIai sIc could
only icll iIc Docior ii vas lilc Iimsclf, and go
scvcral iimcs iIrougI iIai ocraiion of lissing
iIc siicls of Icr fan, and iIcn iaing Iis Iand
viiI ii. Aficr vIicI sIc gcnily cIid Icr daugI-
icr Annic, for noi lcing morc dcmonsiraiivc
vIcn sucI lindncsscs vcrc sIovcrcd, for Icr
salc, on Icr old layfcllov; and cnicriaincd us
viiI somc ariiculars conccrning oiIcr dcscrv-
ing mcmlcrs of Icr family, vIom ii vas dcsir-
allc io sci on iIcir dcscrving lcgs.
All iIis iimc, Icr daugIicr Annic ncvcr oncc
solc, or lificd u Icr cycs. All iIis iimc, Mr.
Wiclficld Iad Iis glancc uon Icr as sIc sai
ly Iis ovn daugIicr's sidc. Ii acarcd io mc
iIai Ic ncvcr iIougIi of lcing olscrvcd ly any-
onc; lui vas so inicni uon Icr, and uon Iis
ovn iIougIis in conncion viiI Icr, as io lc
quiic alsorlcd. Hc nov aslcd vIai Mr. Jacl
Maldon Iad aciually vriiicn in rcfcrcncc io Iim-
sclf, and io vIom Ic Iad vriiicn?
'WIy, Icrc,' said Mrs. MarllcIam, ialing a
lciicr from iIc cIimncy-iccc alovc iIc
Docior's Icad, 'iIc dcar fcllov says io iIc Doc-
ior IimsclfvIcrc is ii? OI!"I am sorry io
inform you iIai my IcaliI is suffcring scvcrcly,
and iIai I fcar I may lc rcduccd io iIc ncccs-
siiy of rciurning Iomc for a iimc, as iIc only
Ioc of rcsioraiion." TIai's rciiy lain, oor
fcllov! His only Ioc of rcsioraiion! Dui Annic's
lciicr is laincr siill. Annic, sIov mc iIai lci-
icr again.'
340
'Noi nov, mama,' sIc lcadcd in a lov ionc.
'My dcar, you alsoluicly arc, on somc sul-
jccis, onc of iIc mosi ridiculous crsons in iIc
vorld,' rciurncd Icr moiIcr, 'and crIas iIc
mosi unnaiural io iIc claims of your ovn fam-
ily. Wc ncvcr sIould Iavc Icard of iIc lciicr ai
all, I lclicvc, unlcss I Iad aslcd for ii mysclf.
Do you call iIai confidcncc, my lovc, iovards
Docior Sirong? I am surriscd. You ougIi io
lnov lciicr.'
TIc lciicr vas rclucianily roduccd; and as I
Iandcd ii io iIc old lady, I sav Iov iIc unvill-
ing Iand from vIicI I iool ii, ircmllcd.
'Nov lci us scc,' said Mrs. MarllcIam, ui-
iing Icr glass io Icr cyc, 'vIcrc iIc assagc
is. TIc rcmcmlrancc of old iimcs, my dcarcsi
Annic"and so foriIii's noi iIcrc. TIc ami-
allc old Frocior"vIo's Ic? Dcar mc, Annic,
Iov illcgilly your cousin Maldon vriics, and
Iov siuid I am! Docior," of coursc. AI! ami-
allc indccd!' Hcrc sIc lcfi off, io liss Icr fan
again, and sIalc ii ai iIc Docior, vIo vas lool-
ing ai us in a siaic of lacid saiisfaciion. 'Nov I
Iavc found ii. You may noi lc surriscd io
Icar, Annic,"no, io lc surc, lnoving iIai Ic
ncvcr vas rcally sirong; vIai did I say jusi
nov?"iIai I Iavc undcrgonc so mucI in iIis
disiani lacc, as io Iavc dccidcd io lcavc ii ai
all Iazards; on sicl lcavc, if I can; on ioial rcs-
ignaiion, if iIai is noi io lc oliaincd. WIai I
Iavc cndurcd, and do cndurc Icrc, is insu-
oriallc." And lui for iIc romiiiudc of iIai
lcsi of crcaiurcs,' said Mrs. MarllcIam, iclc-
graIing iIc Docior as lcforc, and rcfolding
iIc lciicr, 'ii vould lc insuoriallc io mc io
iIinl of.'
Mr. Wiclficld said noi onc vord, iIougI iIc
old lady loolcd io Iim as if for Iis commcniary
on iIis iniclligcncc; lui sai scvcrcly silcni, viiI
Iis cycs ficd on iIc ground. Long aficr iIc
suljcci vas dismisscd, and oiIcr ioics occu-
icd us, Ic rcmaincd so; scldom raising Iis
341
cycs, unlcss io rcsi iIcm for a momcni, viiI a
iIougIiful frovn, uon iIc Docior, or Iis vifc,
or loiI.
TIc Docior vas vcry fond of music. Agncs sang
viiI grcai svccincss and crcssion, and so
did Mrs. Sirong. TIcy sang iogciIcr, and laycd
ducis iogciIcr, and vc Iad quiic a liiilc con-
ccri. Dui I rcmarlcd ivo iIings: firsi, iIai
iIougI Annic soon rccovcrcd Icr comosurc,
and vas quiic Icrsclf, iIcrc vas a llanl lc-
ivccn Icr and Mr. Wiclficld vIicI scaraicd
iIcm vIolly from cacI oiIcr; sccondly, iIai
Mr. Wiclficld sccmcd io dislilc iIc iniimacy
lcivccn Icr and Agncs, and io vaicI ii viiI
uncasincss. And nov, I musi confcss, iIc rcc-
ollcciion of vIai I Iad sccn on iIai nigIi vIcn
Mr. Maldon vcni avay, firsi lcgan io rciurn
uon mc viiI a mcaning ii Iad ncvcr Iad, and
io iroullc mc. TIc innoccni lcauiy of Icr facc
vas noi as innoccni io mc as ii Iad lccn; I
misirusicd iIc naiural gracc and cIarm of Icr
manncr; and vIcn I loolcd ai Agncs ly Icr
sidc, and iIougIi Iov good and iruc Agncs
vas, susicions arosc viiIin mc iIai ii vas an
ill-assoricd fricndsIi.
SIc vas so Iay in ii Icrsclf, Iovcvcr, and
iIc oiIcr vas so Iay ioo, iIai iIcy madc iIc
cvcning fly avay as if ii vcrc lui an Iour. Ii
closcd in an incidcni vIicI I vcll rcmcmlcr.
TIcy vcrc ialing lcavc of cacI oiIcr, and Agncs
vas going io cmlracc Icr and liss Icr, vIcn
Mr. Wiclficld siccd lcivccn iIcm, as if ly
accidcni, and drcv Agncs quiclly avay. TIcn I
sav, as iIougI all iIc inicrvcning iimc Iad
lccn canccllcd, and I vcrc siill sianding in iIc
doorvay on iIc nigIi of iIc dcariurc, iIc c-
rcssion of iIai nigIi in iIc facc of Mrs. Sirong,
as ii confronicd Iis.
I cannoi say vIai an imrcssion iIis madc
uon mc, or Iov imossillc I found ii, vIcn I
iIougIi of Icr aficrvards, io scaraic Icr from
iIis lool, and rcmcmlcr Icr facc in iis inno-
342
ccni lovclincss again. Ii Iaunicd mc vIcn I goi
Iomc. I sccmcd io Iavc lcfi iIc Docior's roof
viiI a darl cloud lovcring on ii. TIc rcvcrcncc
iIai I Iad for Iis grcy Icad, vas minglcd viiI
commiscraiion for Iis faiiI in iIosc vIo vcrc
ircacIcrous io Iim, and viiI rcscnimcni
againsi iIosc vIo injurcd Iim. TIc imcnding
sIadov of a grcai affliciion, and a grcai dis-
gracc iIai Iad no disiinci form in ii yci, fcll
lilc a siain uon iIc quici lacc vIcrc I Iad
vorlcd and laycd as a loy, and did ii a crucl
vrong. I Iad no lcasurc in iIinling, any morc,
of iIc gravc old lroad-lcavcd aloc-irccs, vIicI
rcmaincd sIui u in iIcmsclvcs a Iundrcd
ycars iogciIcr, and of iIc irim smooiI grass-
loi, and iIc sionc urns, and iIc Docior's vall,
and iIc congcnial sound of iIc CaiIcdral lcll
Iovcring alovc iIcm all. Ii vas as if iIc iran-
quil sanciuary of my loyIood Iad lccn saclcd
lcforc my facc, and iis cacc and Ionour givcn
io iIc vinds.
Dui morning lrougIi viiI ii my ariing from
iIc old Iousc, vIicI Agncs Iad fillcd viiI Icr
influcncc; and iIai occuicd my mind suffi-
cicnily. I sIould lc iIcrc again soon, no douli;
I migIi slcc againcrIas oficnin my old
room; lui iIc days of my inIaliiing iIcrc vcrc
gonc, and iIc old iimc vas asi. I vas Icavicr ai
Icari vIcn I aclcd u sucI of my lools and
cloiIcs as siill rcmaincd iIcrc io lc scni io Do-
vcr, iIan I carcd io sIov io UriaI Hcc; vIo
vas so officious io Icl mc, iIai I uncIariially
iIougIi Iim migIiy glad iIai I vas going.
I goi avay from Agncs and Icr faiIcr, somc-
Iov, viiI an indiffcrcni sIov of lcing vcry
manly, and iool my scai uon iIc lo of iIc
London coacI. I vas so soficncd and forgiving,
going iIrougI iIc iovn, iIai I Iad Ialf a mind
io nod io my old cncmy iIc luicIcr, and iIrov
Iim fivc sIillings io drinl. Dui Ic loolcd sucI
a vcry olduraic luicIcr as Ic siood scraing
iIc grcai llocl in iIc sIo, and morcovcr, Iis
343
acarancc vas so liiilc imrovcd ly iIc loss
of a froni iooiI vIicI I Iad lnoclcd oui, iIai I
iIougIi ii lcsi io malc no advanccs.
TIc main oljcci on my mind, I rcmcmlcr,
vIcn vc goi fairly on iIc road, vas io acar
as old as ossillc io iIc coacIman, and io scal
circmcly gruff. TIc laiicr oini I acIicvcd ai
grcai crsonal inconvcnicncc; lui I siucl io ii,
lccausc I fcli ii vas a grovn-u sori of iIing.
'You arc going iIrougI, sir?' said iIc coacIman.
'Ycs, William,' I said, condcsccndingly (I lncv
Iim}; 'I am going io London. I sIall go dovn
inio Suffoll aficrvards.'
'SIooiing, sir?' said iIc coacIman.
Hc lncv as vcll as I did iIai ii vas jusi as
lilcly, ai iIai iimc of ycar, I vas going dovn
iIcrc vIaling; lui I fcli comlimcnicd, ioo.
'I don'i lnov,' I said, rcicnding io lc undc-
cidcd, 'vIciIcr I sIall ialc a sIoi or noi.'
'Dirds is goi vcry sIy, I'm iold,' said William.
'So I undcrsiand,' said I.
'Is Suffoll your couniy, sir?' aslcd William.
'Ycs,' I said, viiI somc imoriancc. 'Suffoll's
my couniy.'
'I'm iold iIc dumlings is uncommon finc
dovn iIcrc,' said William.
I vas noi avarc of ii mysclf, lui I fcli ii ncccs-
sary io uIold iIc insiiiuiions of my couniy,
and io cvincc a familiariiy viiI iIcm; so I sIool
my Icad, as mucI as io say, 'I lclicvc you!'
'And iIc FuncIcs,' said William. 'TIcrc's
caiilc! A Suffoll FuncI, vIcn Ic's a good un,
is voriI Iis vcigIi in gold. Did you cvcr lrccd
any Suffoll FuncIcs yoursclf, sir?'
'N-no,' I said, 'noi cacily.'
'Hcrc's a gcn'lm'n lcIind mc, I'll ound ii,'
said William, 'as Ias lrcd 'cm ly vIolcsalc.'
TIc gcnilcman solcn of vas a gcnilcman
viiI a vcry unromising squini, and a romincni
cIin, vIo Iad a iall vIiic Iai on viiI a narrov flai
lrim, and vIosc closc-fiiiing dral irouscrs sccmcd
io luiion all iIc vay u ouisidc Iis lcgs from Iis
344
loois io Iis Iis. His cIin vas coclcd ovcr iIc
coacIman's sIouldcr, so ncar io mc, iIai Iis
lrcaiI quiic iicllcd iIc lacl of my Icad; and as I
loolcd ai Iim, Ic lccrcd ai iIc lcadcrs viiI iIc
cyc viiI vIicI Ic didn'i squini, in a vcry lnov-
ing manncr.
'Ain'i you?' aslcd William.
'Ain'i I vIai?' said iIc gcnilcman lcIind.
'Drcd iIcm Suffoll FuncIcs ly vIolcsalc?'
'I sIould iIinl so,' said iIc gcnilcman. 'TIcrc
ain'i no sori of orsc iIai I ain'i lrcd, and no
sori of dorg. Orscs and dorgs is somc mcn's
fancy. TIcy'rc viiilcs and drinl io mclodg-
ing, vifc, and cIildrcnrcading, vriiing, and
AriiImciicsnuff, iolaclcr, and slcc.'
'TIai ain'i a sori of man io scc siiiing lcIind
a coacI-lo, is ii iIougI?' said William in my
car, as Ic Iandlcd iIc rcins.
I consirucd iIis rcmarl inio an indicaiion of
a visI iIai Ic sIould Iavc my lacc, so I llusI-
ingly offcrcd io rcsign ii.
'Wcll, if you don'i mind, sir,' said William, 'I
iIinl ii vould lc morc corrcci.'
I Iavc alvays considcrcd iIis as iIc firsi fall I
Iad in lifc. WIcn I loolcd my lacc ai iIc coacI
officc I Iad Iad 'Do Scai' vriiicn againsi iIc cn-
iry, and Iad givcn iIc lool-lcccr Ialf-a-crovn. I
vas goi u in a sccial grcai-coai and sIavl, c-
rcssly io do Ionour io iIai disiinguisIcd cmi-
ncncc; Iad glorificd mysclf uon ii a good dcal;
and Iad fcli iIai I vas a crcdii io iIc coacI. And
Icrc, in iIc vcry firsi siagc, I vas sulanicd ly a
sIally man viiI a squini, vIo Iad no oiIcr mcrii
iIan smclling lilc a livcry-siallcs, and lcing allc
io vall across mc, morc lilc a fly iIan a Iuman
lcing, vIilc iIc Iorscs vcrc ai a canicr!
A disirusi of mysclf, vIicI Ias oficn lcsci
mc in lifc on small occasions, vIcn ii vould
Iavc lccn lciicr avay, vas assurcdly noi
siocd in iis groviI ly iIis liiilc incidcni oui-
sidc iIc Canicrlury coacI. Ii vas in vain io
ialc rcfugc in gruffncss of scccI. I solc from
345
iIc ii of my siomacI for iIc rcsi of iIc jour-
ncy, lui I fcli comlcicly ciinguisIcd, and
drcadfully young.
Ii vas curious and inicrcsiing, ncvcriIclcss,
io lc siiiing u iIcrc lcIind four Iorscs: vcll
cducaicd, vcll drcsscd, and viiI lcniy of
moncy in my oclci; and io lool oui for iIc
laccs vIcrc I Iad slci on my vcary journcy.
I Iad alundani occuaiion for my iIougIis, in
cvcry consicuous landmarl on iIc road. WIcn
I loolcd dovn ai iIc iramcrs vIom vc asscd,
and sav iIai vcll-rcmcmlcrcd siylc of facc
iurncd u, I fcli as if iIc iinlcr's llaclcncd
Iand vcrc in iIc losom of my sIiri again.
WIcn vc claiicrcd iIrougI iIc narrov sircci
of CIaiIam, and I caugIi a glimsc, in ass-
ing, of iIc lanc vIcrc iIc old monsicr livcd
vIo Iad lougIi my jaclci, I sircicIcd my nccl
cagcrly io lool for iIc lacc vIcrc I Iad sai, in
iIc sun and in iIc sIadc, vaiiing for my
moncy. WIcn vc camc, ai lasi, viiIin a siagc
of London, and asscd iIc vcriiallc Salcm
Housc vIcrc Mr. Crcallc Iad laid aloui Iim
viiI a Icavy Iand, I vould Iavc givcn all I Iad,
for lavful crmission io gci dovn and iIrasI
Iim, and lci all iIc loys oui lilc so many cagcd
sarrovs.
Wc vcni io iIc Goldcn Cross ai CIaring Cross,
iIcn a mouldy sori of csiallisImcni in a closc
ncigIlourIood. A vaiicr sIovcd mc inio iIc
coffcc-room; and a cIamlcrmaid iniroduccd mc
io my small lcdcIamlcr, vIicI smcli lilc a
Iaclncy-coacI, and vas sIui u lilc a family
vauli. I vas siill ainfully conscious of my youiI,
for nolody siood in any avc of mc ai all: iIc
cIamlcrmaid lcing uiicrly indiffcrcni io my
oinions on any suljcci, and iIc vaiicr lcing
familiar viiI mc, and offcring advicc io my in-
ccricncc.
'Wcll nov,' said iIc vaiicr, in a ionc of confi-
dcncc, 'vIai vould you lilc for dinncr? Young
gcnilcmcn lilcs ouliry in gcncral: Iavc a fovl!'
346
I iold Iim, as majcsiically as I could, iIai I
vasn'i in iIc Iumour for a fovl.
'Ain'i you?' said iIc vaiicr. 'Young gcnilcmcn
is gcncrally iircd of lccf and muiion: Iavc a
vcal cuilci!'
I asscnicd io iIis roosal, in dcfauli of lc-
ing allc io suggcsi anyiIing clsc.
'Do you carc for iaicrs?' said iIc vaiicr, viiI
an insinuaiing smilc, and Iis Icad on onc sidc.
'Young gcnilcmcn gcncrally Ias lccn ovcrdoscd
viiI iaicrs.'
I commandcd Iim, in my dcccsi voicc, io
ordcr a vcal cuilci and oiaiocs, and all iIings
fiiiing; and io inquirc ai iIc lar if iIcrc vcrc
any lciicrs for Troivood Cocrficld, Esquirc
vIicI I lncv iIcrc vcrc noi, and couldn'i lc,
lui iIougIi ii manly io acar io ccci.
Hc soon camc lacl io say iIai iIcrc vcrc
nonc (ai vIicI I vas mucI surriscd} and lc-
gan io lay iIc cloiI for my dinncr in a lo ly
iIc firc. WIilc Ic vas so cngagcd, Ic aslcd
mc vIai I vould ialc viiI ii; and on my rcly-
ing 'Half a ini of sIcrry,'iIougIi ii a favourallc
ooriuniiy, I am afraid, io ciraci iIai mca-
surc of vinc from iIc sialc lcavings ai iIc loi-
ioms of scvcral small dccanicrs. I am of iIis
oinion, lccausc, vIilc I vas rcading iIc ncvs-
acr, I olscrvcd Iim lcIind a lov voodcn
ariiiion, vIicI vas Iis rivaic aarimcni, vcry
lusy ouring oui of a numlcr of iIosc vcsscls
inio onc, lilc a cIcmisi and druggisi maling
u a rcscriiion. WIcn iIc vinc camc, ioo, I
iIougIi ii flai; and ii ccriainly Iad morc En-
glisI crumls in ii, iIan vcrc io lc cccicd in
a forcign vinc in anyiIing lilc a urc siaic,
lui I vas lasIful cnougI io drinl ii, and say
noiIing.
Dcing iIcn in a lcasani framc of mind (from
vIicI I infcr iIai oisoning is noi alvays dis-
agrccallc in somc siagcs of iIc roccss}, I rc-
solvcd io go io iIc lay. Ii vas Covcni Gardcn
TIcairc iIai I cIosc; and iIcrc, from iIc lacl
347
of a ccnirc lo, I sav Julius Cacsar and iIc
ncv Faniomimc. To Iavc all iIosc nollc Fo-
mans alivc lcforc mc, and valling in and oui
for my cnicriainmcni, insicad of lcing iIc sicrn
iaslmasicrs iIcy Iad lccn ai scIool, vas a
mosi novcl and dcligIiful cffcci. Dui iIc
minglcd rcaliiy and mysicry of iIc vIolc sIov,
iIc influcncc uon mc of iIc ociry, iIc ligIis,
iIc music, iIc comany, iIc smooiI siucn-
dous cIangcs of gliiicring and lrilliani sccn-
cry, vcrc so dazzling, and ocncd u sucI il-
limiiallc rcgions of dcligIi, iIai vIcn I camc
oui inio iIc rainy sircci, ai ivclvc o'clocl ai
nigIi, I fcli as if I Iad comc from iIc clouds,
vIcrc I Iad lccn lcading a romaniic lifc for
agcs, io a lavling, slasIing, linl-ligIicd, um-
lrclla-siruggling, Iaclncy-coacI-josiling,
aiicn-clinling, muddy, miscrallc vorld.
I Iad cmcrgcd ly anoiIcr door, and siood in
iIc sircci for a liiilc vIilc, as if I rcally vcrc a
sirangcr uon cariI: lui iIc unccrcmonious
usIing and Iusiling iIai I rcccivcd, soon rc-
callcd mc io mysclf, and ui mc in iIc road
lacl io iIc Ioicl; vIiiIcr I vcni, rcvolving iIc
glorious vision all iIc vay; and vIcrc, aficr
somc oricr and oysicrs, I sai rcvolving ii siill,
ai asi onc o'clocl, viiI my cycs on iIc coffcc-
room firc.
I vas so fillcd viiI iIc lay, and viiI iIc
asifor ii vas, in a manncr, lilc a sIining
iransarcncy, iIrougI vIicI I sav my carlicr
lifc moving alongiIai I don'i lnov vIcn iIc
figurc of a Iandsomc vcll-formcd young man
drcsscd viiI a iasicful casy ncgligcncc vIicI I
Iavc rcason io rcmcmlcr vcry vcll, lccamc a
rcal rcscncc io mc. Dui I rccollcci lcing con-
scious of Iis comany viiIoui Iaving noiiccd
Iis coming inand my siill siiiing, musing, ovcr
iIc coffcc-room firc.
Ai lasi I rosc io go io lcd, mucI io iIc rclicf
of iIc slccy vaiicr, vIo Iad goi iIc fidgcis in
Iis lcgs, and vas ivisiing iIcm, and Iiiiing
348
iIcm, and uiiing iIcm iIrougI all linds of
conioriions in Iis small aniry. In going io-
vards iIc door, I asscd iIc crson vIo Iad
comc in, and sav Iim lainly. I iurncd dirccily,
camc lacl, and loolcd again. Hc did noi lnov
mc, lui I lncv Iim in a momcni.
Ai anoiIcr iimc I migIi Iavc vanicd iIc confi-
dcncc or iIc dccision io scal io Iim, and migIi
Iavc ui ii off uniil nci day, and migIi Iavc losi
Iim. Dui, in iIc iIcn condiiion of my mind, vIcrc
iIc lay vas siill running IigI, Iis formcr roicc-
iion of mc acarcd so dcscrving of my graiiiudc,
and my old lovc for Iim ovcrflovcd my lrcasi so
frcsIly and soniancously, iIai I vcni u io Iim
ai oncc, viiI a fasi-lcaiing Icari, and said:
'SiccrforiI! von'i you scal io mc?'
Hc loolcd ai mcjusi as Ic uscd io lool,
somciimcs -lui I sav no rccogniiion in Iis facc.
'You don'i rcmcmlcr mc, I am afraid,' said I.
'My God!' Ic suddcnly cclaimcd. 'Ii's liiilc
Cocrficld!'
I grascd Iim ly loiI Iands, and could noi
lci iIcm go. Dui for vcry sIamc, and iIc fcar
iIai ii migIi dislcasc Iim, I could Iavc Icld
Iim round iIc nccl and cricd.
'I ncvcr, ncvcr, ncvcr vas so glad! My dcar
SiccrforiI, I am so ovcrjoycd io scc you!'
'And I am rcjoiccd io scc you, ioo!' Ic said,
sIaling my Iands Icariily. 'WIy, Cocrficld,
old loy, don'i lc ovcrovcrcd!' And yci Ic vas
glad, ioo, I iIougIi, io scc Iov iIc dcligIi I
Iad in mcciing Iim affccicd mc.
I lrusIcd avay iIc icars iIai my uimosi rcso-
luiion Iad noi lccn allc io lcc lacl, and I
madc a clumsy laugI of ii, and vc sai dovn
iogciIcr, sidc ly sidc.
'WIy, Iov do you comc io lc Icrc?' said
SiccrforiI, claing mc on iIc sIouldcr.
'I camc Icrc ly iIc Canicrlury coacI, ioday. I
Iavc lccn adoicd ly an auni dovn in iIai ari of
iIc couniry, and Iavc jusi finisIcd my cducaiion
iIcrc. Hov do ou comc io lc Icrc, SiccrforiI?'
349
'Wcll, I am vIai iIcy call an Oford man,' Ic
rciurncd; 'iIai is io say, I gci lorcd io dcaiI
dovn iIcrc, criodicallyand I am on my vay
nov io my moiIcr's. You'rc a dcvilisI amiallc-
looling fcllov, Cocrficld. jusi vIai you uscd
io lc, nov I lool ai you! Noi alicrcd in iIc
lcasi!'
'I lncv you immcdiaicly,' I said; 'lui you arc
morc casily rcmcmlcrcd.'
Hc laugIcd as Ic ran Iis Iand iIrougI iIc
clusicring curls of Iis Iair, and said gaily:
'Ycs, I am on an ccdiiion of duiy. My moiIcr
livcs a liiilc vay oui of iovn; and iIc roads lcing in
a lcasily condiiion, and our Iousc icdious cnougI,
I rcmaincd Icrc ionigIi insicad of going on. I Iavc
noi lccn in iovn Ialf-a-dozcn Iours, and iIosc I
Iavc lccn dozing and grumlling avay ai iIc lay.'
'I Iavc lccn ai iIc lay, ioo,' said I. 'Ai Covcni
Gardcn. WIai a dcligIiful and magnificcni cn-
icriainmcni, SiccrforiI!'
SiccrforiI laugIcd Icariily.
'My dcar young Davy,' Ic said, claing mc
on iIc sIouldcr again, 'you arc a vcry Daisy.
TIc daisy of iIc ficld, ai sunrisc, is noi frcsIcr
iIan you arc. I Iavc lccn ai Covcni Gardcn,
ioo, and iIcrc ncvcr vas a morc miscrallc lusi-
ncss. Holloa, you sir!'
TIis vas addrcsscd io iIc vaiicr, vIo Iad
lccn vcry aiicniivc io our rccogniiion, ai a dis-
iancc, and nov camc forvard dcfcrcniially.
' WIcrc Iavc you ui my fricnd, Mr.
Cocrficld?' said SiccrforiI.
'Dcg your ardon, sir?'
'WIcrc docs Ic slcc? WIai's Iis numlcr?
You lnov vIai I mcan,' said SiccrforiI.
'Wcll, sir,' said iIc vaiicr, viiI an aologciic air.
'Mr. Cocrficld is ai rcscni in foriy-four, sir.'
'And vIai iIc dcvil do you mcan,' rcioricd
SiccrforiI, 'ly uiiing Mr. Cocrficld inio a
liiilc lofi ovcr a siallc?'
'WIy, you scc vc vasn'i avarc, sir,' rciurncd
iIc vaiicr, siill aologciically, ' as Mr.
350
Cocrficld vas anyvays ariicular. Wc can givc
Mr. Cocrficld scvcniy-ivo, sir, if ii vould lc
rcfcrrcd. Nci you, sir.'
' Of coursc ii vould lc rcfcrrcd,' said
SiccrforiI. 'And do ii ai oncc.' TIc vaiicr im-
mcdiaicly viiIdrcv io malc iIc ccIangc.
SiccrforiI, vcry mucI amuscd ai my Iaving
lccn ui inio foriy-four, laugIcd again, and
clacd mc on iIc sIouldcr again, and inviicd
mc io lrcalfasi viiI Iim nci morning ai icn
o'cloclan inviiaiion I vas only ioo roud and
Iay io accci. Ii lcing nov rciiy laic, vc
iool our candlcs and vcni usiairs, vIcrc vc
aricd viiI fricndly Icariincss ai Iis door, and
vIcrc I found my ncv room a grcai imrovc-
mcni on my old onc, ii noi lcing ai all musiy,
and Iaving an immcnsc four-osi lcdsicad in
ii, vIicI vas quiic a liiilc landcd csiaic. Hcrc,
among illovs cnougI for si, I soon fcll aslcc
in a llissful condiiion, and drcamcd of ancicni
Fomc, SiccrforiI, and fricndsIi, uniil iIc
carly morning coacIcs, rumlling oui of iIc
arcIvay undcrncaiI, madc mc drcam of iIun-
dcr and iIc gods.
CHAPTER 20
STEERFORTH'S HOME
WHEN THE CHAMDEFMAID iacd ai my door ai cigIi
o'clocl, and informcd mc iIai my sIaving-va-
icr vas ouisidc, I fcli scvcrcly iIc Iaving no
occasion for ii, and llusIcd in my lcd. TIc
susicion iIai sIc laugIcd ioo, vIcn sIc said
ii, rcycd uon my mind all iIc iimc I vas drcss-
ing; and gavc mc, I vas conscious, a sncaling
and guiliy air vIcn I asscd Icr on iIc siair-
casc, as I vas going dovn io lrcalfasi. I vas so
scnsiiivcly avarc, indccd, of lcing youngcr iIan
I could Iavc visIcd, iIai for somc iimc I could
noi malc u my mind io ass Icr ai all, undcr
iIc ignollc circumsianccs of iIc casc; lui,
Icaring Icr iIcrc viiI a lroom, siood ccing
351
oui of vindov ai King CIarlcs on Iorsclacl,
surroundcd ly a mazc of Iaclncy-coacIcs, and
looling anyiIing lui rcgal in a drizzling rain
and a darl-lrovn fog, uniil I vas admonisIcd
ly iIc vaiicr iIai iIc gcnilcman vas vaiiing
for mc.
Ii vas noi in iIc coffcc-room iIai I found
SiccrforiI ccciing mc, lui in a snug rivaic
aarimcni, rcd-curiaincd and Turlcy-carcicd,
vIcrc iIc firc lurni lrigIi, and a finc Ioi
lrcalfasi vas sci foriI on a iallc covcrcd viiI
a clcan cloiI; and a cIccrful miniaiurc of iIc
room, iIc firc, iIc lrcalfasi, SiccrforiI, and
all, vas sIining in iIc liiilc round mirror ovcr
iIc sidcloard. I vas raiIcr lasIful ai firsi,
SiccrforiI lcing so sclf-osscsscd, and clcgani,
and sucrior io mc in all rcsccis (agc in-
cludcd}; lui Iis casy aironagc soon ui iIai
io rigIis, and madc mc quiic ai Iomc. I could
noi cnougI admirc iIc cIangc Ic Iad vrougIi
in iIc Goldcn Cross; or comarc iIc dull for-
lorn siaic I Iad Icld ycsicrday, viiI iIis
morning's comfori and iIis morning's cnicr-
iainmcni. As io iIc vaiicr's familiariiy, ii vas
qucncIcd as if ii Iad ncvcr lccn. Hc aiicndcd
on us, as I may say, in saclcloiI and asIcs.
'Nov, Cocrficld,' said SiccrforiI, vIcn vc
vcrc alonc, 'I sIould lilc io Icar vIai you arc
doing, and vIcrc you arc going, and all aloui
you. I fccl as if you vcrc my rocriy.' Gloving
viiI lcasurc io find iIai Ic Iad siill iIis in-
icrcsi in mc, I iold Iim Iov my auni Iad ro-
oscd iIc liiilc ccdiiion iIai I Iad lcforc mc,
and vIiiIcr ii icndcd.
'As you arc in no Iurry, iIcn,' said SiccrforiI,
'comc Iomc viiI mc io HigIgaic, and siay a
day or ivo. You vill lc lcascd viiI my
moiIcrsIc is a liiilc vain and rosy aloui
mc, lui iIai you can forgivc Icrand sIc vill
lc lcascd viiI you.'
'I sIould lilc io lc as surc of iIai, as you arc
lind cnougI io say you arc,' I ansvcrcd, smiling.
352
'OI!' said SiccrforiI, 'cvcryonc vIo lilcs mc,
Ias a claim on Icr iIai is surc io lc aclnovl-
cdgcd.'
'TIcn I iIinl I sIall lc a favouriic,' said I.
'Good!' said SiccrforiI. 'Comc and rovc ii.
Wc vill go and scc iIc lions for an Iour or
ivoii's somciIing io Iavc a frcsI fcllov lilc
you io sIov iIcm io, Cocrficldand iIcn
vc'll journcy oui io HigIgaic ly iIc coacI.'
I could Iardly lclicvc lui iIai I vas in a drcam,
and iIai I sIould valc rcscnily in numlcr foriy-
four, io iIc soliiary lo in iIc coffcc-room and
iIc familiar vaiicr again. Aficr I Iad vriiicn io my
auni and iold Icr of my foriunaic mcciing viiI
my admircd old scIoolfcllov, and my accciancc
of Iis inviiaiion, vc vcni oui in a Iaclncy-cIarioi,
and sav a Fanorama and somc oiIcr sigIis, and
iool a vall iIrougI iIc Muscum, vIcrc I could
noi Icl olscrving Iov mucI SiccrforiI lncv,
on an infiniic variciy of suljccis, and of Iov liiilc
accouni Ic sccmcd io malc Iis lnovlcdgc.
' You' ll ialc a IigI dcgrcc ai collcgc,
SiccrforiI,' said I, 'if you Iavc noi donc so al-
rcady; and iIcy vill Iavc good rcason io lc
roud of you.'
'I ialc a dcgrcc!' cricd SiccrforiI. 'Noi I! my
dcar Daisyvill you mind my calling you
Daisy?'
'Noi ai all!' said I.
'TIai's a good fcllov! My dcar Daisy,' said
SiccrforiI, laugIing. 'I Iavc noi iIc lcasi dc-
sirc or inicniion io disiinguisI mysclf in iIai
vay. I Iavc donc quiic sufficicni for my ur-
osc. I find iIai I am Icavy comany cnougI
for mysclf as I am.'
'Dui iIc famc' I vas lcginning.
'You romaniic Daisy!' said SiccrforiI, laugI-
ing siill morc Icariily: 'vIy sIould I iroullc
mysclf, iIai a arccl of Icavy-Icadcd fcllovs
may gac and Iold u iIcir Iands? Lci iIcm
do ii ai somc oiIcr man. TIcrc's famc for Iim,
and Ic's vclcomc io ii.'
353
I vas alasIcd ai Iaving madc so grcai a mis-
ialc, and vas glad io cIangc iIc suljcci. For-
iunaicly ii vas noi difficuli io do, for SiccrforiI
could alvays ass from onc suljcci io anoiIcr
viiI a carclcssncss and ligIincss iIai vcrc Iis
ovn.
LuncI succccdcd io our sigIi-sccing, and iIc
sIori vinicr day vorc avay so fasi, iIai ii vas
dusl vIcn iIc siagc-coacI siocd viiI us ai
an old lricl Iousc ai HigIgaic on iIc summii
of iIc Iill. An cldcrly lady, iIougI noi vcry far
advanccd in ycars, viiI a roud carriagc and a
Iandsomc facc, vas in iIc doorvay as vc
aligIicd; and grcciing SiccrforiI as 'My dcar-
csi Jamcs,' foldcd Iim in Icr arms. To iIis lady
Ic rcscnicd mc as Iis moiIcr, and sIc gavc
mc a siaicly vclcomc.
Ii vas a gcniccl old-fasIioncd Iousc, vcry quici
and ordcrly. From iIc vindovs of my room I
sav all London lying in iIc disiancc lilc a grcai
vaour, viiI Icrc and iIcrc somc ligIis ivin-
lling iIrougI ii. I Iad only iimc, in drcssing,
io glancc ai iIc solid furniiurc, iIc framcd
icccs of vorl (donc, I suoscd, ly SiccrforiI's
moiIcr vIcn sIc vas a girl}, and somc ic-
iurcs in crayons of ladics viiI ovdcrcd Iair
and lodiccs, coming and going on iIc valls, as
iIc ncvly-lindlcd firc cracllcd and suiicrcd,
vIcn I vas callcd io dinncr.
TIcrc vas a sccond lady in iIc dining-room,
of a sligIi sIori figurc, darl, and noi agrccallc
io lool ai, lui viiI somc acarancc of good
lools ioo, vIo aiiracicd my aiicniion: crIas
lccausc I Iad noi cccicd io scc Icr; crIas
lccausc I found mysclf siiiing oosiic io Icr;
crIas lccausc of somciIing rcally rcmarl-
allc in Icr. SIc Iad llacl Iair and cagcr llacl
cycs, and vas iIin, and Iad a scar uon Icr
li. Ii vas an old scarI sIould raiIcr call ii
scam, for ii vas noi discolourcd, and Iad
Icalcd ycars agovIicI Iad oncc cui iIrougI
Icr mouiI, dovnvard iovards iIc cIin, lui
354
vas nov larcly visillc across iIc iallc, ccci
alovc and on Icr ucr li, iIc sIac of vIicI
ii Iad alicrcd. I concludcd in my ovn mind
iIai sIc vas aloui iIiriy ycars of agc, and iIai
sIc visIcd io lc marricd. SIc vas a liiilc di-
laidaicdlilc a IouscviiI Iaving lccn so
long io lci; yci Iad, as I Iavc said, an acar-
ancc of good lools. Hcr iIinncss sccmcd io lc
iIc cffcci of somc vasiing firc viiIin Icr, vIicI
found a vcni in Icr gauni cycs.
SIc vas iniroduccd as Miss Darilc, and loiI
SiccrforiI and Iis moiIcr callcd Icr Fosa. I
found iIai sIc livcd iIcrc, and Iad lccn for a
long iimc Mrs. SiccrforiI's comanion. Ii a-
carcd io mc iIai sIc ncvcr said anyiIing sIc
vanicd io say, ouirigIi; lui Iinicd ii, and madc
a grcai dcal morc of ii ly iIis raciicc. For c-
amlc, vIcn Mrs. SiccrforiI olscrvcd, morc
in jcsi iIan carncsi, iIai sIc fcarcd Icr son
lcd lui a vild lifc ai collcgc, Miss Darilc ui in
iIus:
'OI, rcally? You lnov Iov ignorani I am,
and iIai I only asl for informaiion, lui isn'i ii
alvays so? I iIougIi iIai lind of lifc vas on
all Iands undcrsiood io lccI?' 'Ii is cduca-
iion for a vcry gravc rofcssion, if you mcan
iIai, Fosa,' Mrs. SiccrforiI ansvcrcd viiI
somc coldncss.
'OI! Ycs! TIai's vcry iruc,' rciurncd Miss
Darilc. 'Dui isn'i ii, iIougI?I vani io lc ui
rigIi, if I am vrongisn'i ii, rcally?'
'Fcally vIai?' said Mrs. SiccrforiI.
'OI! You mcan ii's noi!' rciurncd Miss Darilc.
'Wcll, I'm vcry glad io Icar ii! Nov, I lnov vIai
io do! TIai's iIc advaniagc of asling. I sIall
ncvcr allov colc io iall lcforc mc aloui
vasicfulncss and rofligacy, and so foriI, in
conncion viiI iIai lifc, any morc.'
'And you vill lc rigIi,' said Mrs. SiccrforiI.
'My son's iuior is a conscicniious gcnilcman;
and if I Iad noi imlicii rcliancc on my son, I
sIould Iavc rcliancc on Iim.'
355
'SIould you?' said Miss Darilc. 'Dcar mc! Con-
scicniious, is Ic? Fcally conscicniious, nov?'
'Ycs, I am convinccd of ii,' said Mrs. SiccrforiI.
'Hov vcry nicc!' cclaimcd Miss Darilc. 'WIai
a comfori! Fcally conscicniious? TIcn Ic's
noilui of coursc Ic can'i lc, if Ic's rcally
conscicniious. Wcll, I sIall lc quiic Iay in
my oinion of Iim, from iIis iimc. You can'i
iIinl Iov ii clcvaics Iim in my oinion, io
lnov for ccriain iIai Ic's rcally conscicniious!'
Hcr ovn vicvs of cvcry qucsiion, and Icr cor-
rcciion of cvcryiIing iIai vas said io vIicI sIc
vas ooscd, Miss Darilc insinuaicd in iIc samc
vay: somciimcs, I could noi conccal from my-
sclf, viiI grcai ovcr, iIougI in coniradiciion
cvcn of SiccrforiI. An insiancc Iacncd lc-
forc dinncr vas donc. Mrs. SiccrforiI scaling
io mc aloui my inicniion of going dovn inio
Suffoll, I said ai Iazard Iov glad I sIould lc, if
SiccrforiI vould only go iIcrc viiI mc; and
claining io Iim iIai I vas going io scc my old
nursc, and Mr. Fcggoiiy's family, I rcmindcd Iim
of iIc loaiman vIom Ic Iad sccn ai scIool.
'OI! TIai lluff fcllov!' said SiccrforiI. 'Hc Iad
a son viiI Iim, Iadn'i Ic?'
'No. TIai vas Iis ncIcv,' I rclicd; 'vIom Ic
adoicd, iIougI, as a son. Hc Ias a vcry rciiy
liiilc niccc ioo, vIom Ic adoicd as a daugIicr.
In sIori, Iis Iouscor raiIcr Iis loai, for Ic
livcs in onc, on dry landis full of colc vIo
arc oljccis of Iis gcncrosiiy and lindncss. You
vould lc dcligIicd io scc iIai IouscIold.'
'SIould I?' said SiccrforiI. 'Wcll, I iIinl I
sIould. I musi scc vIai can lc donc. Ii vould
lc voriI a journcy (noi io mcniion iIc lca-
surc of a journcy viiI you, Daisy}, io scc iIai
sori of colc iogciIcr, and io malc onc of 'cm.'
My Icari lcacd viiI a ncv Ioc of lcasurc.
Dui ii vas in rcfcrcncc io iIc ionc in vIicI Ic
Iad solcn of 'iIai sori of colc', iIai Miss
Darilc, vIosc sarlling cycs Iad lccn vaicI-
ful of us, nov lrolc in again.
356
' OI, lui, rcally? Do icll mc. Arc iIcy,
iIougI?' sIc said.
'Arc iIcy vIai? And arc vIo vIai?' said
SiccrforiI.
'TIai sori of colc.Arc iIcy rcally animals
and clods, and lcings of anoiIcr ordcr? I vani
io lnov so mucI.'
'WIy, iIcrc's a rciiy vidc scaraiion lcivccn
iIcm and us,' said SiccrforiI, viiI indiffcrcncc.
'TIcy arc noi io lc cccicd io lc as scnsiiivc
as vc arc. TIcir dclicacy is noi io lc sIoclcd,
or Iuri casily. TIcy arc vondcrfully viriuous, I
darc saysomc colc conicnd for iIai, ai
lcasi; and I am surc I don'i vani io coniradici
iIcmlui iIcy Iavc noi vcry finc naiurcs, and
iIcy may lc iIanlful iIai, lilc iIcir coarsc
rougI slins, iIcy arc noi casily voundcd.'
'Fcally!' said Miss Darilc. 'Wcll, I don'i lnov,
nov, vIcn I Iavc lccn lciicr lcascd iIan io
Icar iIai. Ii's so consoling! Ii's sucI a dcligIi
io lnov iIai, vIcn iIcy suffcr, iIcy don'i fccl!
Somciimcs I Iavc lccn quiic uncasy for iIai
sori of colc; lui nov I sIall jusi dismiss iIc
idca of iIcm, aliogciIcr. Livc and lcarn. I Iad
my doulis, I confcss, lui nov iIcy'rc clcarcd
u. I didn'i lnov, and nov I do lnov, and iIai
sIovs iIc advaniagc of aslingdon'i ii?'
I lclicvcd iIai SiccrforiI Iad said vIai Ic
Iad, in jcsi, or io drav Miss Darilc oui; and I
cccicd Iim io say as mucI vIcn sIc vas
gonc, and vc ivo vcrc siiiing lcforc iIc firc.
Dui Ic mcrcly aslcd mc vIai I iIougIi of Icr.
'SIc is vcry clcvcr, is sIc noi?' I aslcd.
'Clcvcr! SIc lrings cvcryiIing io a grindsionc,'
said SiccrforiI, and sIarcns ii, as sIc Ias
sIarcncd Icr ovn facc and figurc iIcsc ycars
asi. SIc Ias vorn Icrsclf avay ly consiani
sIarcning. SIc is all cdgc.'
'WIai a rcmarlallc scar iIai is uon Icr li!'
I said.
SiccrforiI's facc fcll, and Ic auscd a mo-
mcni.
357
'WIy, iIc faci is,' Ic rciurncd, 'I did iIai.'
'Dy an unforiunaic accidcni!'
'No. I vas a young loy, and sIc cascraicd mc, and
I iIrcv a Iammcr ai Icr. A romising young angcl I
musi Iavc lccn!' I vas dccly sorry io Iavc ioucIcd
on sucI a ainful iIcmc, lui iIai vas usclcss nov.
'SIc Ias lornc iIc marl cvcr sincc, as you
scc,' said SiccrforiI; 'and sIc'll lcar ii io Icr
gravc, if sIc cvcr rcsis in onciIougI I can
Iardly lclicvc sIc vill cvcr rcsi anyvIcrc. SIc
vas iIc moiIcrlcss cIild of a sori of cousin of
my faiIcr's. Hc dicd onc day. My moiIcr, vIo
vas iIcn a vidov, lrougIi Icr Icrc io lc com-
any io Icr. SIc Ias a coulc of iIousand
ounds of Icr ovn, and savcs iIc inicrcsi of ii
cvcry ycar, io add io iIc rincial. TIcrc's iIc
Iisiory of Miss Fosa Darilc for you.'
'And I Iavc no douli sIc lovcs you lilc a
lroiIcr?' said I.
'HumI!' rcioricd SiccrforiI, looling ai iIc firc.
'Somc lroiIcrs arc noi lovcd ovcr mucI; and somc
lovclui Icl yoursclf, Cocrficld! Wc'll drinl
iIc daisics of iIc ficld, in comlimcni io you;
and iIc lilics of iIc vallcy iIai ioil noi, nciiIcr
do iIcy sin, in comlimcni io mciIc morc
sIamc for mc!' A moody smilc iIai Iad ovcrsrcad
Iis fcaiurcs clcarcd off as Ic said iIis mcrrily,
and Ic vas Iis ovn franl, vinning sclf again.
I could noi Icl glancing ai iIc scar viiI a
ainful inicrcsi vIcn vc vcni in io ica. Ii vas
noi long lcforc I olscrvcd iIai ii vas iIc mosi
suscciillc ari of Icr facc, and iIai, vIcn sIc
iurncd alc, iIai marl alicrcd firsi, and lccamc
a dull, lcad-colourcd sircal, lcngiIcning oui io
iis full cicni, lilc a marl in invisillc inl
lrougIi io iIc firc. TIcrc vas a liiilc alicrcaiion
lcivccn Icr and SiccrforiI aloui a casi of iIc
dicc ai lacl gammonvIcn I iIougIi Icr, for
onc momcni, in a siorm of ragc; and iIcn I sav
ii siari foriI lilc iIc old vriiing on iIc vall.
Ii vas no maiicr of vondcr io mc io find Mrs.
SiccrforiI dcvoicd io Icr son. SIc sccmcd io
358
lc allc io scal or iIinl aloui noiIing clsc.
SIc sIovcd mc Iis iciurc as an infani, in a
loclci, viiI somc of Iis laly-Iair in ii; sIc
sIovcd mc Iis iciurc as Ic Iad lccn vIcn I
firsi lncv Iim; and sIc vorc ai Icr lrcasi Iis
iciurc as Ic vas nov. All iIc lciicrs Ic Iad
cvcr vriiicn io Icr, sIc lci in a calinci ncar
Icr ovn cIair ly iIc firc; and sIc vould Iavc
rcad mc somc of iIcm, and I sIould Iavc lccn
vcry glad io Icar iIcm ioo, if Ic Iad noi inicr-
oscd, and coacd Icr oui of iIc dcsign.
'Ii vas ai Mr. Crcallc's, my son iclls mc, iIai
you firsi lccamc acquainicd,' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI, as sIc and I vcrc ialling ai onc
iallc, vIilc iIcy laycd laclgammon ai an-
oiIcr. 'Indccd, I rccollcci Iis scaling, ai iIai
iimc, of a uil youngcr iIan Iimsclf vIo Iad
ialcn Iis fancy iIcrc; lui your namc, as you
may suosc, Ias noi livcd in my mcmory.'
'Hc vas vcry gcncrous and nollc io mc in
iIosc days, I assurc you, ma'am,' said I, 'and I
siood in nccd of sucI a fricnd. I sIould Iavc
lccn quiic crusIcd viiIoui Iim.'
'Hc is alvays gcncrous and nollc,' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI, roudly.
I sulscrilcd io iIis viiI all my Icari, God
lnovs. SIc lncv I did; for iIc siaiclincss of
Icr manncr alrcady alaicd iovards mc, ccci
vIcn sIc solc in raisc of Iim, and iIcn Icr
air vas alvays lofiy.
'Ii vas noi a fii scIool gcncrally for my son,'
said sIc; 'far from ii; lui iIcrc vcrc ariicular
circumsianccs io lc considcrcd ai iIc iimc, of
morc imoriancc cvcn iIan iIai sclcciion. My
son's IigI sirii madc ii dcsirallc iIai Ic
sIould lc laccd viiI somc man vIo fcli iis
sucrioriiy, and vould lc conicni io lov Iim-
sclf lcforc ii; and vc found sucI a man iIcrc.'
I lncv iIai, lnoving iIc fcllov. And yci I did noi
dcsisc Iim iIc morc for ii, lui iIougIi ii a rc-
dccming qualiiy in Iim if Ic could lc allovcd any
gracc for noi rcsisiing onc so irrcsisiillc as SiccrforiI.
359
'My son's grcai caaciiy vas icmicd on,
iIcrc, ly a fccling of voluniary cmulaiion and
conscious ridc,' iIc fond lady vcni on io say.
'Hc vould Iavc riscn againsi all consiraini; lui
Ic found Iimsclf iIc monarcI of iIc lacc, and
Ic IaugIiily dcicrmincd io lc voriIy of Iis
siaiion. Ii vas lilc Iimsclf.'
I ccIocd, viiI all my Icari and soul, iIai ii
vas lilc Iimsclf.
'So my son iool, of Iis ovn vill, and on no
comulsion, io iIc coursc in vIicI Ic can al-
vays, vIcn ii is Iis lcasurc, ouisiri cvcry
comciiior,' sIc ursucd. 'My son informs mc,
Mr. Cocrficld, iIai you vcrc quiic dcvoicd io
Iim, and iIai vIcn you mci ycsicrday you
madc yoursclf lnovn io Iim viiI icars of joy. I
sIould lc an affccicd voman if I madc any rc-
icncc of lcing surriscd ly my son's insiring
sucI cmoiions; lui I cannoi lc indiffcrcni io
anyonc vIo is so scnsillc of Iis mcrii, and I
am vcry glad io scc you Icrc, and can assurc
you iIai Ic fccls an unusual fricndsIi for you,
and iIai you may rcly on Iis roicciion.'
Miss Darilc laycd laclgammon as cagcrly
as sIc did cvcryiIing clsc. If I Iad sccn Icr,
firsi, ai iIc loard, I sIould Iavc fancicd iIai
Icr figurc Iad goi iIin, and Icr cycs Iad goi
largc, ovcr iIai ursuii, and no oiIcr in iIc
vorld. Dui I am vcry mucI misialcn if sIc
misscd a vord of iIis, or losi a lool of minc as I
rcccivcd ii viiI iIc uimosi lcasurc, and
Ionourcd ly Mrs. SiccrforiI's confidcncc, fcli
oldcr iIan I Iad donc sincc I lcfi Canicrlury.
WIcn iIc cvcning vas rciiy far scni, and a
iray of glasscs and dccanicrs camc in,
SiccrforiI romiscd, ovcr iIc firc, iIai Ic vould
scriously iIinl of going dovn inio iIc couniry
viiI mc. TIcrc vas no Iurry, Ic said; a vccl
Icncc vould do; and Iis moiIcr Iosiially said
iIc samc. WIilc vc vcrc ialling, Ic morc iIan
oncc callcd mc Daisy; vIicI lrougIi Miss
Darilc oui again.
360
'Dui rcally, Mr. Cocrficld,' sIc aslcd, 'is ii
a niclnamc? And vIy docs Ic givc ii you? Is
iicI?lccausc Ic iIinls you young and in-
noccni? I am so siuid in iIcsc iIings.'
I colourcd in rclying iIai I lclicvcd ii vas.
'OI!' said Miss Darilc. 'Nov I am glad io lnov
iIai! I asl for informaiion, and I am glad io
lnov ii. Hc iIinls you young and innoccni;
and so you arc Iis fricnd. Wcll, iIai's quiic
dcligIiful!'
SIc vcni io lcd soon aficr iIis, and Mrs.
SiccrforiI rciircd ioo. SiccrforiI and I, aficr
lingcring for Ialf-an-Iour ovcr iIc firc, ialling
aloui Traddlcs and all iIc rcsi of iIcm ai old
Salcm Housc, vcni usiairs iogciIcr.
SiccrforiI's room vas nci io minc, and I vcni
in io lool ai ii. Ii vas a iciurc of comfori, full
of casy-cIairs, cusIions and fooisiools, vorlcd
ly Iis moiIcr's Iand, and viiI no sori of iIing
omiiicd iIai could Icl io rcndcr ii comlcic.
Finally, Icr Iandsomc fcaiurcs loolcd dovn
on Icr darling from a oriraii on iIc vall, as if
ii vcrc cvcn somciIing io Icr iIai Icr lilc-
ncss sIould vaicI Iim vIilc Ic slci.
I found iIc firc lurning clcar cnougI in my
room ly iIis iimc, and iIc curiains dravn lc-
forc iIc vindovs and round iIc lcd, giving ii a
vcry snug acarancc. I sai dovn in a grcai
cIair uon iIc IcariI io mcdiiaic on my Ia-
incss; and Iad cnjoycd iIc conicmlaiion of
ii for somc iimc, vIcn I found a lilcncss of
Miss Darilc looling cagcrly ai mc from alovc
iIc cIimncy-iccc.
Ii vas a siariling lilcncss, and ncccssarily Iad
a siariling lool. TIc ainicr Iadn'i madc iIc
scar, lui I madc ii; and iIcrc ii vas, coming
and going; nov confincd io iIc ucr li as I
Iad sccn ii ai dinncr, and nov sIoving iIc
vIolc cicni of iIc vound inflicicd ly iIc Iam-
mcr, as I Iad sccn ii vIcn sIc vas assionaic.
I vondcrcd ccvisIly vIy iIcy couldn'i ui
Icr anyvIcrc clsc insicad of quaricring Icr
361
on mc. To gci rid of Icr, I undrcsscd quiclly,
ciinguisIcd my ligIi, and vcni io lcd. Dui,
as I fcll aslcc, I could noi forgci iIai sIc vas
siill iIcrc looling, 'Is ii rcally, iIougI? I vani
io lnov'; and vIcn I avolc in iIc nigIi, I found
iIai I vas uncasily asling all soris of colc in
my drcams vIciIcr ii rcally vas or noiviiI-
oui lnoving vIai I mcani.
CHAPTER 21
LITTLE EM'LY
THEFE WAS A SEFVANT in iIai Iousc, a man vIo, I
undcrsiood, vas usually viiI SiccrforiI, and
Iad comc inio Iis scrvicc ai iIc Univcrsiiy, vIo
vas in acarancc a aiicrn of rcsccialiliiy. I
lclicvc iIcrc ncvcr cisicd in Iis siaiion a morc
rcscciallc-looling man. Hc vas iaciiurn, sofi-
fooicd, vcry quici in Iis manncr, dcfcrcniial,
olscrvani, alvays ai Iand vIcn vanicd, and
ncvcr ncar vIcn noi vanicd; lui Iis grcai claim
io considcraiion vas Iis rcsccialiliiy. Hc Iad
noi a liani facc, Ic Iad raiIcr a siiff nccl,
raiIcr a iigIi smooiI Icad viiI sIori Iair cling-
ing io ii ai iIc sidcs, a sofi vay of scaling,
viiI a cculiar Ialii of vIiscring iIc lciicr S
so disiincily, iIai Ic sccmcd io usc ii oficncr
iIan any oiIcr man; lui cvcry cculiariiy iIai
Ic Iad Ic madc rcscciallc. If Iis nosc Iad
lccn usidc-dovn, Ic vould Iavc madc iIai
rcscciallc. Hc surroundcd Iimsclf viiI an
aimosIcrc of rcsccialiliiy, and vallcd sc-
curc in ii. Ii vould Iavc lccn nci io imos-
sillc io suscci Iim of anyiIing vrong, Ic vas
so iIorougIly rcscciallc. Nolody could Iavc
iIougIi of uiiing Iim in a livcry, Ic vas so
IigIly rcscciallc. To Iavc imoscd any dc-
rogaiory vorl uon Iim, vould Iavc lccn io
inflici a vanion insuli on iIc fcclings of a mosi
rcscciallc man. And of iIis, I noiiccdiIc
vomcn-scrvanis in iIc IouscIold vcrc so in-
iuiiivcly conscious, iIai iIcy alvays did sucI
362
vorl iIcmsclvcs, and gcncrally vIilc Ic rcad
iIc acr ly iIc aniry firc.
SucI a sclf-coniaincd man I ncvcr sav. Dui
in iIai qualiiy, as in cvcry oiIcr Ic osscsscd,
Ic only sccmcd io lc iIc morc rcscciallc.
Evcn iIc faci iIai no onc lncv Iis CIrisiian
namc, sccmcd io form a ari of Iis rcsccialil-
iiy. NoiIing could lc oljccicd againsi Iis sur-
namc, Liiiimcr, ly vIicI Ic vas lnovn. Fcicr
migIi Iavc lccn Iangcd, or Tom iransoricd;
lui Liiiimcr vas crfccily rcscciallc.
Ii vas occasioncd, I suosc, ly iIc rcvcrcnd
naiurc of rcsccialiliiy in iIc alsiraci, lui I fcli
ariicularly young in iIis man's rcscncc. Hov
old Ic vas Iimsclf, I could noi gucssand iIai
again vcni io Iis crcdii on iIc samc scorc; for
in iIc calmncss of rcsccialiliiy Ic migIi Iavc
numlcrcd fifiy ycars as vcll as iIiriy.
Liiiimcr vas in my room in iIc morning lc-
forc I vas u, io lring mc iIai rcroacIful sIav-
ing-vaicr, and io ui oui my cloiIcs. WIcn I
undrcv iIc curiains and loolcd oui of lcd, I
sav Iim, in an cquallc icmcraiurc of rcscci-
aliliiy, unaffccicd ly iIc casi vind of Janu-
ary, and noi cvcn lrcaiIing frosiily, sianding
my loois rigIi and lcfi in iIc firsi dancing o-
siiion, and lloving sccls of dusi off my coai
as Ic laid ii dovn lilc a laly.
I gavc Iim good morning, and aslcd Iim vIai
o'clocl ii vas. Hc iool oui of Iis oclci iIc
mosi rcscciallc Iuniing-vaicI I cvcr sav, and
rcvcniing iIc sring viiI Iis iIuml from
ocning far, loolcd in ai iIc facc as if Ic vcrc
consuliing an oracular oysicr, sIui ii u again,
and said, if I lcascd, ii vas Ialf asi cigIi.
'Mr. SiccrforiI vill lc glad io Icar Iov you
Iavc rcsicd, sir.'
'TIanl you,' said I, 'vcry vcll indccd. Is Mr.
SiccrforiI quiic vcll?'
'TIanl you, sir, Mr. SiccrforiI is iolcrally
vcll.' AnoiIcr of Iis cIaracicrisiicsno usc of
sucrlaiivcs. A cool calm mcdium alvays.
363
'Is iIcrc anyiIing morc I can Iavc iIc Ionour
of doing for you, sir? TIc varning-lcll vill ring ai
ninc; iIc family ialc lrcalfasi ai Ialf asi ninc.'
'NoiIing, I iIanl you.'
'I iIanl ou, sir, if you lcasc'; and viiI iIai,
and viiI a liiilc inclinaiion of Iis Icad vIcn
Ic asscd iIc lcd-sidc, as an aology for cor-
rcciing mc, Ic vcni oui, sIuiiing iIc door as
dclicaicly as if I Iad jusi fallcn inio a svcci
slcc on vIicI my lifc dccndcd.
Evcry morning vc Icld cacily iIis convcrsa-
iion: ncvcr any morc, and ncvcr any lcss: and
yci, invarially, Iovcvcr far I migIi Iavc lccn
lificd oui of mysclf ovcr-nigIi, and advanccd
iovards maiurcr ycars, ly SiccrforiI's coman-
ionsIi, or Mrs. SiccrforiI's confidcncc, or Miss
Darilc's convcrsaiion, in iIc rcscncc of iIis
mosi rcscciallc man I lccamc, as our smallcr
ocis sing, 'a loy again'.
Hc goi Iorscs for us; and SiccrforiI, vIo lncv
cvcryiIing, gavc mc lcssons in riding. Hc rovidcd
foils for us, and SiccrforiI gavc mc lcssons in fcnc-
ingglovcs, and I lcgan, of iIc samc masicr, io
imrovc in loing. Ii gavc mc no manncr of con-
ccrn iIai SiccrforiI sIould find mc a novicc in
iIcsc scicnccs, lui I ncvcr could lcar io sIov my
vani of slill lcforc iIc rcscciallc Liiiimcr. I Iad
no rcason io lclicvc iIai Liiiimcr undcrsiood sucI
aris Iimsclf; Ic ncvcr lcd mc io suosc anyiIing
of iIc lind, ly so mucI as iIc vilraiion of onc of
Iis rcscciallc cyclasIcs; yci vIcncvcr Ic vas
ly, vIilc vc vcrc raciising, I fcli mysclf iIc
grccncsi and mosi inccricnccd of morials.
I am ariicular aloui iIis man, lccausc Ic
madc a ariicular cffcci on mc ai iIai iimc,
and lccausc of vIai iool lacc iIcrcaficr.
TIc vccl asscd avay in a mosi dcligIiful
manncr. Ii asscd raidly, as may lc suoscd,
io onc cniranccd as I vas; and yci ii gavc mc so
many occasions for lnoving SiccrforiI lciicr,
and admiring Iim morc in a iIousand rcsccis,
iIai ai iis closc I sccmcd io Iavc lccn viiI
364
Iim for a mucI longcr iimc. A dasIing vay Ic
Iad of ircaiing mc lilc a layiIing, vas morc
agrccallc io mc iIan any lcIaviour Ic could
Iavc adoicd. Ii rcmindcd mc of our old ac-
quainiancc; ii sccmcd iIc naiural scqucl of ii;
ii sIovcd mc iIai Ic vas uncIangcd; ii rc-
licvcd mc of any uncasincss I migIi Iavc fcli,
in comaring my mcriis viiI Iis, and mcasur-
ing my claims uon Iis fricndsIi ly any cqual
siandard; alovc all, ii vas a familiar, unrc-
siraincd, affcciionaic dcmcanour iIai Ic uscd
iovards no onc clsc. As Ic Iad ircaicd mc ai
scIool diffcrcnily from all iIc rcsi, I joyfully
lclicvcd iIai Ic ircaicd mc in lifc unlilc any
oiIcr fricnd Ic Iad. I lclicvcd iIai I vas ncarcr
io Iis Icari iIan any oiIcr fricnd, and my ovn
Icari varmcd viiI aiiacImcni io Iim.
Hc madc u Iis mind io go viiI mc inio iIc
couniry, and iIc day arrivcd for our dcariurc.
Hc Iad lccn douliful ai firsi vIciIcr io ialc
Liiiimcr or noi, lui dccidcd io lcavc Iim ai
Iomc. TIc rcscciallc crcaiurc, saiisficd viiI
Iis loi vIaicvcr ii vas, arrangcd our oriman-
icau on iIc liiilc carriagc iIai vas io ialc us
inio London, as if iIcy vcrc inicndcd io dcfy
iIc sIocls of agcs, and rcccivcd my modcsily
roffcrcd donaiion viiI crfcci iranquilliiy.
Wc ladc adicu io Mrs. SiccrforiI and Miss
Darilc, viiI many iIanls on my ari, and mucI
lindncss on iIc dcvoicd moiIcr's. TIc lasi
iIing I sav vas Liiiimcr's unrufflcd cyc;
fraugIi, as I fancicd, viiI iIc silcni conviciion
iIai I vas vcry young indccd.
WIai I fcli, in rciurning so ausiciously io iIc
old familiar laccs, I sIall noi cndcavour io dc-
scrilc. Wc vcni dovn ly iIc Mail. I vas so con-
ccrncd, I rccollcci, cvcn for iIc Ionour of
YarmouiI, iIai vIcn SiccrforiI said, as vc drovc
iIrougI iis darl sirccis io iIc inn, iIai, as vcll
as Ic could malc oui, ii vas a good, quccr, oui-
of-iIc-vay lind of Iolc, I vas IigIly lcascd.
Wc vcni io lcd on our arrival (I olscrvcd a air
365
of diriy sIocs and gaiicrs in conncion viiI my
old fricnd iIc DolIin as vc asscd iIai door},
and lrcalfasicd laic in iIc morning. SiccrforiI,
vIo vas in grcai siriis, Iad lccn sirolling aloui
iIc lcacI lcforc I vas u, and Iad madc ac-
quainiancc, Ic said, viiI Ialf iIc loaimcn in
iIc lacc. Morcovcr, Ic Iad sccn, in iIc dis-
iancc, vIai Ic vas surc musi lc iIc idcniical
Iousc of Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI smolc coming oui
of iIc cIimncy; and Iad Iad a grcai mind, Ic
iold mc, io vall in and svcar Ic vas mysclf
grovn oui of lnovlcdgc.
'WIcn do you roosc io iniroducc mc iIcrc,
Daisy?' Ic said. 'I am ai your disosal. Malc
your ovn arrangcmcnis.'
'WIy, I vas iIinling iIai iIis cvcning
vould lc a good iimc, SiccrforiI, vIcn iIcy
arc all siiiing round iIc firc. I sIould lilc
you io scc ii vIcn ii's snug, ii's sucI a curi-
ous lacc.'
'So lc ii!' rciurncd SiccrforiI. 'TIis cvcning.'
'I sIall noi givc iIcm any noiicc iIai vc arc
Icrc, you lnov,' said I, dcligIicd. 'Wc musi
ialc iIcm ly surrisc.'
'OI, of coursc! Ii's no fun,' said SiccrforiI,
'unlcss vc ialc iIcm ly surrisc. Lci us scc
iIc naiivcs in iIcir aloriginal condiiion.'
'TIougI iIcy urc iIai sori of colc iIai you
mcniioncd,' I rciurncd.
'AIa! WIai! you rccollcci my slirmisIcs viiI
Fosa, do you?' Ic cclaimcd viiI a quicl lool.
'Confound iIc girl, I am Ialf afraid of Icr. SIc's
lilc a gollin io mc. Dui ncvcr mind Icr. Nov
vIai arc you going io do? You arc going io scc
your nursc, I suosc?'
'WIy, ycs,' I said, 'I musi scc Fcggoiiy firsi of all.'
'Wcll,' rclicd SiccrforiI, looling ai Iis vaicI.
'Suosc I dclivcr you u io lc cricd ovcr for a
coulc of Iours. Is iIai long cnougI?'
I ansvcrcd, laugIing, iIai I iIougIi vc migIi
gci iIrougI ii in iIai iimc, lui iIai Ic musi
comc also; for Ic vould find iIai Iis rcnovn
366
Iad rcccdcd Iim, and iIai Ic vas almosi as
grcai a crsonagc as I vas.
'I'll comc anyvIcrc you lilc,' said SiccrforiI,
'or do anyiIing you lilc. Tcll mc vIcrc io comc
io; and in ivo Iours I'll roducc mysclf in any
siaic you lcasc, scniimcnial or comical.'
I gavc Iim minuic dircciions for finding iIc rcsi-
dcncc of Mr. Darlis, carricr io Dlundcrsionc and
clscvIcrc; and, on iIis undcrsianding, vcni oui
alonc. TIcrc vas a sIar lracing air; iIc ground
vas dry; iIc sca vas cris and clcar; iIc sun vas
diffusing alundancc of ligIi, if noi mucI varmiI;
and cvcryiIing vas frcsI and livcly. I vas so frcsI
and livcly mysclf, in iIc lcasurc of lcing iIcrc,
iIai I could Iavc siocd iIc colc in iIc sirccis
and sIalcn Iands viiI iIcm.
TIc sirccis loolcd small, of coursc. TIc sirccis
iIai vc Iavc only sccn as cIildrcn alvays do, I
lclicvc, vIcn vc go lacl io iIcm. Dui I Iad for-
goiicn noiIing in iIcm, and found noiIing
cIangcd, uniil I camc io Mr. Omcr's sIo. Omcr
und Joram vas nov vriiicn u, vIcrc Omcr uscd
io lc; lui iIc inscriiion, Drucr, Tuor, HuIcr-
dusIcr, Funcru FurnsIcr, c., rcmaincd as ii vas.
My fooisics sccmcd io icnd so naiurally io
iIc sIo door, aficr I Iad rcad iIcsc vords from
ovcr iIc vay, iIai I vcni across iIc road and
loolcd in. TIcrc vas a rciiy voman ai iIc
lacl of iIc sIo, dancing a liiilc cIild in Icr
arms, vIilc anoiIcr liiilc fcllov clung io Icr
aron. I Iad no difficuliy in rccognizing ciiIcr
Minnic or Minnic's cIildrcn. TIc glass door of
iIc arlour vas noi ocn; lui in iIc vorlsIo
across iIc yard I could fainily Icar iIc old iunc
laying, as if ii Iad ncvcr lcfi off.
'Is Mr. Omcr ai Iomc?' said I, cnicring. 'I
sIould lilc io scc Iim, for a momcni, if Ic is.'
'OI ycs, sir, Ic is ai Iomc,' said Minnic; 'iIc
vcaiIcr don'i suii Iis asiIma oui of doors. Joc,
call your grandfaiIcr!'
TIc liiilc fcllov, vIo vas Iolding Icr aron,
gavc sucI a lusiy sIoui, iIai iIc sound of ii
367
madc Iim lasIful, and Ic luricd Iis facc in
Icr sliris, io Icr grcai admiraiion. I Icard a
Icavy uffing and lloving coming iovards us,
and soon Mr. Omcr, sIoricr-vindcd iIan of yorc,
lui noi mucI oldcr-looling, siood lcforc mc.
'Scrvani, sir,' said Mr. Omcr. 'WIai can I do for
you, sir?' 'You can sIalc Iands viiI mc, Mr.
Omcr, if you lcasc,' said I, uiiing oui my ovn.
'You vcrc vcry good-naiurcd io mc oncc, vIcn I
am afraid I didn'i sIov iIai I iIougIi so.'
'Was I iIougI?' rciurncd iIc old man. 'I'm
glad io Icar ii, lui I don'i rcmcmlcr vIcn. Arc
you surc ii vas mc?'
'Quiic.'
'I iIinl my mcmory Ias goi as sIori as my
lrcaiI,' said Mr. Omcr, looling ai mc and sIal-
ing Iis Icad; 'for I don'i rcmcmlcr you.'
'Don'i you rcmcmlcr your coming io iIc coacI io
mcci mc, and my Iaving lrcalfasi Icrc, and our riding
oui io Dlundcrsionc iogciIcr: you, and I, and Mrs. Joram,
and Mr. Joram ioovIo vasn'i Icr Iusland iIcn?'
'WIy, Lord llcss my soul!' cclaimcd Mr.
Omcr, aficr lcing iIrovn ly Iis surrisc inio
a fii of cougIing, 'you don'i say so! Minnic, my
dcar, you rccollcci? Dcar mc, ycs; iIc ariy
vas a lady, I iIinl?'
'My moiIcr,' I rcjoincd.
'Tolcsurc,' said Mr. Omcr, ioucIing my
vaisicoai viiI Iis forcfingcr, 'and iIcrc vas a
liiilc cIild ioo! TIcrc vas ivo ariics. TIc liiilc
ariy vas laid along viiI iIc oiIcr ariy. Ovcr
ai Dlundcrsionc ii vas, of coursc. Dcar mc! And
Iov Iavc you lccn sincc?'
Vcry vcll, I iIanlcd Iim, as I Iocd Ic Iad
lccn ioo.
'OI! noiIing io grumllc ai, you lnov,' said
Mr. Omcr. 'I find my lrcaiI gcis sIori, lui ii
scldom gcis longcr as a man gcis oldcr. I ialc
ii as ii comcs, and malc iIc mosi of ii. TIai's
iIc lcsi vay, ain'i ii?'
Mr. Omcr cougIcd again, in conscqucncc of
laugIing, and vas assisicd oui of Iis fii ly Iis
368
daugIicr, vIo nov siood closc lcsidc us, danc-
ing Icr smallcsi cIild on iIc counicr.
'Dcar mc!' said Mr. Omcr. 'Ycs, io lc surc.
Tvo ariics! WIy, in iIai vcry ridc, if you'll lc-
licvc mc, iIc day vas namcd for my Minnic io
marry Joram. Do namc ii, sir," says Joram.
Ycs, do, faiIcr," says Minnic. And nov Ic's
comc inio iIc lusincss. And lool Icrc! TIc
youngcsi!'
Minnic laugIcd, and sirolcd Icr landcd Iair
uon Icr icmlcs, as Icr faiIcr ui onc of Iis
fai fingcrs inio iIc Iand of iIc cIild sIc vas
dancing on iIc counicr.
'Tvo ariics, of coursc!' said Mr. Omcr, nod-
ding Iis Icad rciroscciivcly. 'E-acily so! And
Joram's ai vorl, ai iIis minuic, on a grcy onc
viiI silvcr nails, noi iIis mcasurcmcni'iIc
mcasurcmcni of iIc dancing cIild uon iIc
counicr'ly a good ivo incIcs.Will you ialc
somciIing?'
I iIanlcd Iim, lui dcclincd.
'Lci mc scc,' said Mr. Omcr. 'Darlis's iIc
carricr's vifcFcggoiiy's iIc loaiman's sisicr
sIc Iad somciIing io do viiI your family? SIc
vas in scrvicc iIcrc, surc?'
My ansvcring in iIc affirmaiivc gavc Iim grcai
saiisfaciion.
'I lclicvc my lrcaiI vill gci long nci, my
mcmory's gciiing so mucI so,' said Mr. Omcr.
'Wcll, sir, vc'vc goi a young rclaiion of Icrs
Icrc, undcr ariiclcs io us, iIai Ias as clcgani
a iasic in iIc drcss-maling lusincssI assurc
you I don'i lclicvc iIcrc's a DucIcss in En-
gland can ioucI Icr.'
'Noi liiilc Em'ly?' said I, involuniarily.
'Em'ly's Icr namc,' said Mr. Omcr, 'and sIc's
liiilc ioo. Dui if you'll lclicvc mc, sIc Ias sucI
a facc of Icr ovn iIai Ialf iIc vomcn in iIis
iovn arc mad againsi Icr.'
'Nonscnsc, faiIcr!' cricd Minnic.
'My dcar,' said Mr. Omcr, 'I don'i say ii's iIc
casc viiI you,' vinling ai mc, 'lui I say iIai
369
Ialf iIc vomcn in YarmouiIaI! and in fivc
milc roundarc mad againsi iIai girl.'
'TIcn sIc sIould Iavc lci io Icr ovn sia-
iion in lifc, faiIcr,' said Minnic, 'and noi Iavc
givcn iIcm any Iold io iall aloui Icr, and iIcn
iIcy couldn'i Iavc donc ii.'
'Couldn'i Iavc donc ii, my dcar!' rcioricd Mr.
Omcr. 'Couldn'i Iavc donc ii! Is iIai our
lnovlcdgc of lifc? WIai is iIcrc iIai any
voman couldn'i do, iIai sIc sIouldn'i docs-
ccially on iIc suljcci of anoiIcr voman's good
lools?'
I rcally iIougIi ii vas all ovcr viiI Mr. Omcr,
aficr Ic Iad uiicrcd iIis lilcllous lcasaniry.
Hc cougIcd io iIai cicni, and Iis lrcaiI
cludcd all Iis aiicmis io rccovcr ii viiI iIai
olsiinacy, iIai I fully cccicd io scc Iis Icad
go dovn lcIind iIc counicr, and Iis liiilc llacl
lrcccIcs, viiI iIc rusiy liiilc luncIcs of ril-
lons ai iIc lnccs, comc quivcring u in a lasi
incffcciual sirugglc. Ai lcngiI, Iovcvcr, Ic goi
lciicr, iIougI Ic siill anicd Iard, and vas so
cIausicd iIai Ic vas olligcd io sii on iIc
siool of iIc sIo-dcsl.
'You scc,' Ic said, viing Iis Icad, and lrcaiI-
ing viiI difficuliy, 'sIc Iasn'i ialcn mucI io any
comanions Icrc; sIc Iasn'i ialcn lindly io any
ariicular acquainianccs and fricnds, noi io mcn-
iion svcciIcaris. In conscqucncc, an ill-naiurcd
siory goi aloui, iIai Em'ly vanicd io lc a lady.
Nov my oinion is, iIai ii camc inio circulaiion
rincially on accouni of Icr somciimcs saying,
ai iIc scIool, iIai if sIc vas a lady sIc vould
lilc io do so-and-so for Icr unclcdon'i you
scc?and luy Iim sucI-and-sucI finc iIings.'
'I assurc you, Mr. Omcr, sIc Ias said so io mc,'
I rciurncd cagcrly, 'vIcn vc vcrc loiI cIildrcn.'
Mr. Omcr noddcd Iis Icad and rullcd Iis cIin.
'Jusi so. TIcn oui of a vcry liiilc, sIc could drcss
Icrsclf, you scc, lciicr iIan mosi oiIcrs could
oui of a dcal, and iIai madc iIings unlcasani.
Morcovcr, sIc vas raiIcr vIai migIi lc callcd
370
vayvardI'll go so far as io say vIai I sIould
call vayvard mysclf,' said Mr. Omcr; 'didn'i
lnov Icr ovn mind quiica liiilc soilcdand
couldn'i, ai firsi, cacily lind Icrsclf dovn. No
morc iIan iIai vas cvcr said againsi Icr, Minnic?'
'No, faiIcr,' said Mrs. Joram. 'TIai's iIc vorsi,
I lclicvc.'
'So vIcn sIc goi a siiuaiion,' said Mr. Omcr,
'io lcc a fraciious old lady comany, iIcy
didn'i vcry vcll agrcc, and sIc didn'i sio. Ai
lasi sIc camc Icrc, arcniiccd for iIrcc ycars.
Ncarly ivo of 'cm arc ovcr, and sIc Ias lccn as
good a girl as cvcr vas. WoriI any si! Minnic,
is sIc voriI any si, nov?'
'Ycs, faiIcr,' rclicd Minnic. 'Ncvcr say I dc-
iracicd from Icr!'
'Vcry good,' said Mr. Omcr. 'TIai's rigIi. And
so, young gcnilcman,' Ic addcd, aficr a fcv
momcnis' furiIcr rulling of Iis cIin, 'iIai you
may noi considcr mc long-vindcd as vcll as
sIori-lrcaiIcd, I lclicvc iIai's all aloui ii.'
As iIcy Iad solcn in a sulducd ionc, vIilc
scaling of Em'ly, I Iad no douli iIai sIc vas
ncar. On my asling nov, if iIai vcrc noi so, Mr.
Omcr noddcd ycs, and noddcd iovards iIc door
of iIc arlour. My Iurricd inquiry if I migIi cc
in, vas ansvcrcd viiI a frcc crmission; and,
looling iIrougI iIc glass, I sav Icr siiiing ai
Icr vorl. I sav Icr, a mosi lcauiiful liiilc crca-
iurc, viiI iIc cloudlcss lluc cycs, iIai Iad
loolcd inio my cIildisI Icari, iurncd laugIingly
uon anoiIcr cIild of Minnic's vIo vas laying
ncar Icr; viiI cnougI of vilfulncss in Icr lrigIi
facc io jusiify vIai I Iad Icard; viiI mucI of
iIc old caricious coyncss lurling in ii; lui viiI
noiIing in Icr rciiy lools, I am surc, lui vIai
vas mcani for goodncss and for Iaincss, and
vIai vas on a good and Iay coursc.
TIc iunc across iIc yard iIai sccmcd as if ii
ncvcr Iad lcfi offalas! ii vas iIc iunc iIai
ncvcr docs lcavc offvas lcaiing, sofily, all iIc
vIilc.
371
'Wouldn'i you lilc io sic in,' said Mr. Omcr,
'and scal io Icr? Wall in and scal io Icr,
sir! Malc yoursclf ai Iomc!'
I vas ioo lasIful io do so iIcnI vas afraid
of confusing Icr, and I vas no lcss afraid of
confusing mysclf.lui I informcd mysclf of iIc
Iour ai vIicI sIc lcfi of an cvcning, in ordcr
iIai our visii migIi lc iimcd accordingly; and
ialing lcavc of Mr. Omcr, and Iis rciiy daugI-
icr, and Icr liiilc cIildrcn, vcni avay io my
dcar old Fcggoiiy's.
Hcrc sIc vas, in iIc iilcd liicIcn, cooling din-
ncr! TIc momcni I lnoclcd ai iIc door sIc ocncd
ii, and aslcd mc vIai I lcascd io vani. I loolcd ai
Icr viiI a smilc, lui sIc gavc mc no smilc in rc-
iurn. I Iad ncvcr ccascd io vriic io Icr, lui ii musi
Iavc lccn scvcn ycars sincc vc Iad mci.
'Is Mr. Darlis ai Iomc, ma'am?' I said, fcign-
ing io scal rougIly io Icr.
'Hc's ai Iomc, sir,' rciurncd Fcggoiiy, 'lui
Ic's lad alcd viiI iIc rIcumaiics.'
'Don'i Ic go ovcr io Dlundcrsionc nov?' I
aslcd.
'WIcn Ic's vcll Ic do,' sIc ansvcrcd.
'Do ou cvcr go iIcrc, Mrs. Darlis?'
SIc loolcd ai mc morc aiicniivcly, and I no-
iiccd a quicl movcmcni of Icr Iands iovards
cacI oiIcr.
'Dccausc I vani io asl a qucsiion aloui a
Iousc iIcrc, iIai iIcy call iIcvIai is ii?
iIc Foolcry,' said I.
SIc iool a sic laclvard, and ui oui Icr
Iands in an undccidcd frigIicncd vay, as if io
lcc mc off.
'Fcggoiiy!' I cricd io Icr.
SIc cricd, 'My darling loy!' and vc loiI lursi
inio icars, and vcrc loclcd in onc anoiIcr's
arms.
WIai ciravaganccs sIc commiiicd; vIai
laugIing and crying ovcr mc; vIai ridc sIc
sIovcd, vIai joy, vIai sorrov iIai sIc vIosc
ridc and joy I migIi Iavc lccn, could ncvcr
372
Iold mc in a fond cmlracc; I Iavc noi iIc Icari
io icll. I vas iroullcd viiI no misgiving iIai ii
vas young in mc io rcsond io Icr cmoiions. I
Iad ncvcr laugIcd and cricd in all my lifc, I
darc saynoi cvcn io Icrmorc frccly iIan I
did iIai morning.
'Darlis vill lc so glad,' said Fcggoiiy, viing
Icr cycs viiI Icr aron, 'iIai ii'll do Iim morc
good iIan inis of linimcni. May I go and icll
Iim you arc Icrc? Will you comc u and scc
Iim, my dcar?'
Of coursc I vould. Dui Fcggoiiy could noi gci
oui of iIc room as casily as sIc mcani io, for
as oficn as sIc goi io iIc door and loolcd round
ai mc, sIc camc lacl again io Iavc anoiIcr
laugI and anoiIcr cry uon my sIouldcr. Ai
lasi, io malc iIc maiicr casicr, I vcni usiairs
viiI Icr; and Iaving vaiicd ouisidc for a
minuic, vIilc sIc said a vord of rcaraiion io
Mr. Darlis, rcscnicd mysclf lcforc iIai in-
valid.
Hc rcccivcd mc viiI alsoluic cniIusiasm. Hc
vas ioo rIcumaiic io lc sIalcn Iands viiI,
lui Ic lcggcd mc io sIalc iIc iasscl on iIc
io of Iis nigIica, vIicI I did mosi cordially.
WIcn I sai dovn ly iIc sidc of iIc lcd, Ic said
iIai ii did Iim a vorld of good io fccl as if Ic
vas driving mc on iIc Dlundcrsionc road again.
As Ic lay in lcd, facc uvard, and so covcrcd,
viiI iIai ccciion, iIai Ic sccmcd io lc noiI-
ing lui a facclilc a convcniional cIcrulim
Ic loolcd iIc quccrcsi oljcci I cvcr lcIcld.
'WIai namc vas ii, as I vroic u in iIc cari,
sir?' said Mr. Darlis, viiI a slov rIcumaiic smilc.
'AI! Mr. Darlis, vc Iad somc gravc ialls aloui
iIai maiicr, Iadn'i vc?'
'I vas villin' a long iimc, sir?' said Mr. Darlis.
'A long iimc,' said I.
'And I don'i rcgrci ii,' said Mr. Darlis. 'Do
you rcmcmlcr vIai you iold mc oncc, aloui
Icr maling all iIc alc arsiics and doing all
iIc cooling?'
373
'Ycs, vcry vcll,' I rciurncd.
'Ii vas as iruc,' said Mr. Darlis, 'as iurnis is.
Ii vas as iruc,' said Mr. Darlis, nodding Iis
nigIica, vIicI vas Iis only mcans of cmIa-
sis, 'as iacs is. And noiIing's irucr iIan iIcm.'
Mr. Darlis iurncd Iis cycs uon mc, as if for
my asscni io iIis rcsuli of Iis rcflcciions in
lcd; and I gavc ii.
'NoiIing's irucr iIan iIcm,' rccaicd Mr.
Darlis; 'a man as oor as I am, finds iIai oui in
Iis mind vIcn Ic's laid u. I'm a vcry oor
man, sir!'
'I am sorry io Icar ii, Mr. Darlis.'
'A vcry oor man, indccd I am,' said Mr. Darlis.
Hcrc Iis rigIi Iand camc slovly and fcclly
from undcr iIc lcdcloiIcs, and viiI a urosc-
lcss unccriain gras iool Iold of a siicl vIicI
vas looscly iicd io iIc sidc of iIc lcd. Aficr somc
oling aloui viiI iIis insirumcni, in iIc coursc
of vIicI Iis facc assumcd a variciy of disiracicd
crcssions, Mr. Darlis olcd ii againsi a lo,
an cnd of vIicI Iad lccn visillc io mc all iIc
iimc. TIcn Iis facc lccamc comoscd.
'Old cloiIcs,' said Mr. Darlis.
'OI!' said I.
'I visI ii vas Moncy, sir,' said Mr. Darlis.
'I visI ii vas, indccd,' said I.
'Dui ii un`t,' said Mr. Darlis, ocning loiI
Iis cycs as vidc as Ic ossilly could.
I crcsscd mysclf quiic surc of iIai, and Mr.
Darlis, iurning Iis cycs morc gcnily io Iis vifc,
said:
'SIc's iIc uscfullcsi and lcsi of vomcn, C. F.
Darlis. All iIc raisc iIai anyonc can givc io
C. F. Darlis, sIc dcscrvcs, and morc! My dcar,
you'll gci a dinncr ioday, for comany; somc-
iIing good io cai and drinl, vill you?'
I sIould Iavc roicsicd againsi iIis unncc-
cssary dcmonsiraiion in my Ionour, lui iIai I
sav Fcggoiiy, on iIc oosiic sidc of iIc lcd,
circmcly anious I sIould noi. So I Icld my
cacc.
374
'I Iavc goi a iriflc of moncy somcvIcrc aloui
mc, my dcar,' said Mr. Darlis, 'lui I'm a liiilc
iircd. If you and Mr. David vill lcavc mc for a
sIori na, I'll iry and find ii vIcn I valc.'
Wc lcfi iIc room, in comliancc viiI iIis rc-
qucsi. WIcn vc goi ouisidc iIc door, Fcggoiiy
informcd mc iIai Mr. Darlis, lcing nov 'a liiilc
ncarcr' iIan Ic uscd io lc, alvays rcsoricd io
iIis samc dcvicc lcforc roducing a singlc coin
from Iis siorc; and iIai Ic cndurcd unIcard-
of agonics in cravling oui of lcd alonc, and
ialing ii from iIai unlucly lo. In cffcci, vc
rcscnily Icard Iim uiicring surcsscd
groans of iIc mosi dismal naiurc, as iIis mag-
ic rocccding raclcd Iim in cvcry joini; lui
vIilc Fcggoiiy's cycs vcrc full of comassion
for Iim, sIc said Iis gcncrous imulsc vould
do Iim good, and ii vas lciicr noi io cIccl ii.
So Ic groancd on, uniil Ic Iad goi inio lcd
again, suffcring, I Iavc no douli, a mariyrdom;
and iIcn callcd us in, rcicnding io Iavc jusi
volc u from a rcfrcsIing slcc, and io ro-
ducc a guinca from undcr Iis illov. His saiis-
faciion in vIicI Iay imosiiion on us, and
in Iaving rcscrvcd iIc imcncirallc sccrci of
iIc lo, acarcd io lc a sufficicni comcnsa-
iion io Iim for all Iis ioriurcs.
I rcarcd Fcggoiiy for SiccrforiI's arrival and ii
vas noi long lcforc Ic camc. I am crsuadcd sIc
lncv no diffcrcncc lcivccn Iis Iaving lccn a cr-
sonal lcncfacior of Icrs, and a lind fricnd io mc,
and iIai sIc vould Iavc rcccivcd Iim viiI iIc ui-
mosi graiiiudc and dcvoiion in any casc. Dui Iis
casy, siriicd good Iumour; Iis gcnial manncr, Iis
Iandsomc lools, Iis naiural gifi of adaiing Iimsclf
io vIomsocvcr Ic lcascd, and maling dircci, vIcn
Ic carcd io do ii, io iIc main oini of inicrcsi in
anylody's Icari; lound Icr io Iim vIolly in fivc
minuics. His manncr io mc, alonc, vould Iavc von
Icr. Dui, iIrougI all iIcsc causcs comlincd, I sin-
ccrcly lclicvc sIc Iad a lind of adoraiion for Iim
lcforc Ic lcfi iIc Iousc iIai nigIi.
375
Hc siaycd iIcrc viiI mc io dinncrif I vcrc
io say villingly, I sIould noi Ialf crcss Iov
rcadily and gaily. Hc vcni inio Mr. Darlis's room
lilc ligIi and air, lrigIicning and rcfrcsIing ii
as if Ic vcrc IcaliIy vcaiIcr. TIcrc vas no
noisc, no cffori, no consciousncss, in anyiIing
Ic did; lui in cvcryiIing an indcscrilallc ligIi-
ncss, a sccming imossililiiy of doing anyiIing
clsc, or doing anyiIing lciicr, vIicI vas so
graccful, so naiural, and agrccallc, iIai ii ovcr-
comcs mc, cvcn nov, in iIc rcmcmlrancc.
Wc madc mcrry in iIc liiilc arlour, vIcrc iIc
Dool of Mariyrs, uniIumlcd sincc my iimc, vas
laid oui uon iIc dcsl as of old, and vIcrc I nov
iurncd ovcr iis icrrific iciurcs, rcmcmlcring iIc
old scnsaiions iIcy Iad avalcncd, lui noi fccl-
ing iIcm. WIcn Fcggoiiy solc of vIai sIc callcd
my room, and of iis lcing rcady for mc ai nigIi,
and of Icr Ioing I vould occuy ii, lcforc I could
so mucI as lool ai SiccrforiI, Icsiiaiing, Ic vas
osscsscd of iIc vIolc casc.
'Of coursc,' Ic said. 'You'll slcc Icrc, vIilc
vc siay, and I sIall slcc ai iIc Ioicl.'
'Dui io lring you so far,' I rciurncd, 'and io
scaraic, sccms lad comanionsIi,
SiccrforiI.'
'WIy, in iIc namc of Hcavcn, vIcrc do you
naiurally lclong?' Ic said. 'WIai is sccms",
comarcd io iIai?' Ii vas sciilcd ai oncc.
Hc mainiaincd all Iis dcligIiful qualiiics io
iIc lasi, uniil vc siaricd foriI, ai cigIi o'clocl,
for Mr. Fcggoiiy's loai. Indccd, iIcy vcrc morc
and morc lrigIily cIiliicd as iIc Iours vcni
on; for I iIougIi cvcn iIcn, and I Iavc no douli
nov, iIai iIc consciousncss of succcss in Iis
dcicrminaiion io lcasc, insircd Iim viiI a
ncv dclicacy of crcciion, and madc ii, sulilc
as ii vas, morc casy io Iim. If anyonc Iad iold
mc, iIcn, iIai all iIis vas a lrilliani gamc,
laycd for iIc cciicmcni of iIc momcni, for
iIc cmloymcni of IigI siriis, in iIc iIougIi-
lcss lovc of sucrioriiy, in a mcrc vasicful carc-
376
lcss coursc of vinning vIai vas voriIlcss io
Iim, and nci minuic iIrovn avayI say, if
anyonc Iad iold mc sucI a lic iIai nigIi, I
vondcr in vIai manncr of rccciving ii my in-
dignaiion vould Iavc found a vcni! Frolally
only in an incrcasc, Iad iIai lccn ossillc, of
iIc romaniic fcclings of fidcliiy and fricndsIi
viiI vIicI I vallcd lcsidc Iim, ovcr iIc darl
viniry sands iovards iIc old loai; iIc vind
sigIing around us cvcn morc mournfully, iIan
ii Iad sigIcd and moancd uon iIc nigIi vIcn
I firsi darlcncd Mr. Fcggoiiy's door.
'TIis is a vild lind of lacc, SiccrforiI, is ii
noi?'
'Dismal cnougI in iIc darl,' Ic said: 'and
iIc sca roars as if ii vcrc Iungry for us. Is iIai
iIc loai, vIcrc I scc a ligIi yondcr?' 'TIai's
iIc loai,' said I.
'And ii's iIc samc I sav iIis morning,' Ic rc-
iurncd. 'I camc siraigIi io ii, ly insiinci, I su-
osc.'
Wc said no morc as vc aroacIcd iIc ligIi,
lui madc sofily for iIc door. I laid my Iand
uon iIc laicI; and vIiscring SiccrforiI io
lcc closc io mc, vcni in.
A murmur of voiccs Iad lccn audillc on iIc
ouisidc, and, ai iIc momcni of our cnirancc, a
claing of Iands: vIicI laiicr noisc, I vas sur-
riscd io scc, rocccdcd from iIc gcncrally dis-
consolaic Mrs. Gummidgc. Dui Mrs. Gummidgc
vas noi iIc only crson iIcrc vIo vas unusu-
ally cciicd. Mr. Fcggoiiy, Iis facc ligIicd u
viiI uncommon saiisfaciion, and laugIing viiI
all Iis migIi, Icld Iis rougI arms vidc ocn,
as if for liiilc Em'ly io run inio iIcm; Ham, viiI
a micd crcssion in Iis facc of admiraiion,
culiaiion, and a lumlcring sori of lasIfulncss
iIai sai uon Iim vcry vcll, Icld liiilc Em'ly
ly iIc Iand, as if Ic vcrc rcscniing Icr io
Mr. Fcggoiiy; liiilc Em'ly Icrsclf, llusIing and
sIy, lui dcligIicd viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy's dcligIi,
as Icr joyous cycs crcsscd, vas siocd ly
377
our cnirancc (for sIc sav us firsi} in iIc vcry
aci of sringing from Ham io ncsilc in Mr.
Fcggoiiy's cmlracc. In iIc firsi glimsc vc Iad
of iIcm all, and ai iIc momcni of our assing
from iIc darl cold nigIi inio iIc varm ligIi
room, iIis vas iIc vay in vIicI iIcy vcrc all
cmloycd: Mrs. Gummidgc in iIc laclground,
claing Icr Iands lilc a madvoman.
TIc liiilc iciurc vas so insianiancously dis-
solvcd ly our going in, iIai onc migIi Iavc
doulicd vIciIcr ii Iad cvcr lccn. I vas in iIc
midsi of iIc asionisIcd family, facc io facc viiI
Mr. Fcggoiiy, and Iolding oui my Iand io Iim,
vIcn Ham sIouicd:
'Mas'r Davy! Ii's Mas'r Davy!'
In a momcni vc vcrc all sIaling Iands viiI
onc anoiIcr, and asling onc anoiIcr Iov vc
did, and iclling onc anoiIcr Iov glad vc vcrc
io mcci, and all ialling ai oncc. Mr. Fcggoiiy
vas so roud and ovcrjoycd io scc us, iIai Ic
did noi lnov vIai io say or do, lui lci ovcr
and ovcr again sIaling Iands viiI mc, and
iIcn viiI SiccrforiI, and iIcn viiI mc, and
iIcn ruffling Iis sIaggy Iair all ovcr Iis Icad,
and laugIing viiI sucI glcc and iriumI, iIai
ii vas a ircai io scc Iim.
'WIy, iIai you ivo gcni'lmcngcni'lmcn
grovcdsIould comc io iIis Icrc roof ionigIi,
of all nigIis in my lifc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'is
sucI a iIing as ncvcr Iacncd aforc, I do
rigIily lclicvc! Em'ly, my darling, comc Icrc!
Comc Icrc, my liiilc viicI! TIcrc's Mas'r Davy's
fricnd, my dcar! TIcrc's iIc gcni'lman as you'vc
Iccrd on, Em'ly. Hc comcs io scc you, along
viiI Mas'r Davy, on iIc lrigIicsi nigIi of your
unclc's lifc as cvcr vas or vill lc, Gorm iIc
i'oiIcr onc, and Iorroar for ii!'
Aficr dclivcring iIis scccI all in a lrcaiI, and
viiI ciraordinary animaiion and lcasurc, Mr.
Fcggoiiy ui onc of Iis largc Iands raiurously
on cacI sidc of Iis niccc's facc, and lissing ii a
dozcn iimcs, laid ii viiI a gcnilc ridc and lovc
378
uon Iis lroad cIcsi, and aiicd ii as if Iis Iand
Iad lccn a lady's. TIcn Ic lci Icr go; and as
sIc ran inio iIc liiilc cIamlcr vIcrc I uscd io
slcc, loolcd round uon us, quiic Ioi and oui
of lrcaiI viiI Iis uncommon saiisfaciion.
'If you ivo gcni'lmcngcni'lmcn grovcd nov,
and sucI gcni'lmcn' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'So iI' arc, so iI' arc!' cricd Ham. 'Wcll said!
So iI' arc. Mas'r Davy lor'gcni'lmcn grovcd
so iI' arc!'
'If you ivo gcni'lmcn, gcni'lmcn grovcd,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'don'i c-cusc mc for lcing in a
siaic of mind, vIcn you undcrsiand maiicrs,
I'll arls your ardon. Em'ly, my dcar!SIc
lnovs I'm a going io icll,' Icrc Iis dcligIi lrolc
oui again, 'and Ias madc off. Would you lc so
good as lool aricr Icr, MaviIcr, for a minuic?'
Mrs. Gummidgc noddcd and disacarcd.
'If iIis ain'i,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, siiiing dovn among
us ly iIc firc, 'iIc lrigIicsi nigIi o' my lifc, I'm a
sIcllfisIlilcd iooand morc I can'i say. TIis Icrc
liiilc Em'ly, sir,' in a lov voicc io SiccrforiI, 'Icr
as you scc a llusIing Icrc jusi nov'
SiccrforiI only noddcd; lui viiI sucI a
lcascd crcssion of inicrcsi, and of ariici-
aiion in Mr. Fcggoiiy's fcclings, iIai iIc lai-
icr ansvcrcd Iim as if Ic Iad solcn.
'To lc surc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'TIai's Icr,
and so sIc is. TIanlcc, sir.'
Ham noddcd io mc scvcral iimcs, as if Ic
vould Iavc said so ioo.
'TIis Icrc liiilc Em'ly of ours,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, 'Ias lccn, in our Iousc, vIai I su-
osc (I'm a ignorani man, lui iIai's my lclicf}
no onc lui a liiilc lrigIi-cycd crcciur can lc
in a Iousc. SIc ain'i my cIild; I ncvcr Iad onc;
lui I couldn'i lovc Icr morc. You undcrsiand! I
couldn'i do ii!'
'I quiic undcrsiand,' said SiccrforiI.
'I lnov you do, sir,' rciurncd Mr. Fcggoiiy,
'and iIanlcc again. Mas'r Davy, Ic can rcmcm-
lcr vIai sIc vas; you may judgc for your ovn
379
sclf vIai sIc is; lui nciiIcr of you can'i fully
lnov vIai sIc Ias lccn, is, and vill lc, io my
loving ari. I am rougI, sir,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'I
am as rougI as a Sca Forlyinc; lui no onc,
unlcss, mayIa, ii is a voman, can lnov, I
iIinl, vIai our liiilc Em'ly is io mc. And lc-
ivii oursclvcs,' sinling Iis voicc lovcr yci,
'iIai voman's namc ain'i Missis Gummidgc nci-
iIcr, iIougI sIc Ias a vorld of mcriis.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy rufflcd Iis Iair again, viiI loiI
Iands, as a furiIcr rcaraiion for vIai Ic vas
going io say, and vcni on, viiI a Iand uon
cacI of Iis lnccs:
'TIcrc vas a ccriain crson as Iad lnov'd our
Em'ly, from iIc iimc vIcn Icr faiIcr vas drovndcd;
as Iad sccn Icr consiani; vIcn a lally, vIcn a
young gal, vIcn a voman. Noi mucI of a crson io
lool ai, Ic varn'i,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'somciIing o'
my ovn luild rougIa good dcal o' iIc sou'-
vcsicr in Iimvcry salilui, on iIc vIolc, a Ion-
csi sori of a cIa, viiI Iis ari in iIc rigIi lacc.'
I iIougIi I Iad ncvcr sccn Ham grin io any-
iIing lilc iIc cicni io vIicI Ic sai grinning
ai us nov.
'WIai docs iIis Icrc llcsscd iaraulin go and
do,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI Iis facc onc IigI
noon of cnjoymcni, 'lui Ic loscs iIai iIcrc ari
of Iis io our liiilc Em'ly. Hc follcrs Icr aloui,
Ic malcs Iissclf a sori o' scrvani io Icr, Ic
loscs in a grcai mcasurc Iis rclisI for Iis
viiilcs, and in iIc long-run Ic malcs ii clcar
io mc voi's amiss. Nov I could visI mysclf,
you scc, iIai our liiilc Em'ly vas in a fair vay
of lcing marricd. I could visI io scc Icr, ai all
cvcnis, undcr ariiclcs io a Ioncsi man as Iad
a rigIi io dcfcnd Icr. I don'i lnov Iov long I
may livc, or Iov soon I may dic; lui I lnov
iIai if I vas casizcd, any nigIi, in a galc of
vind in YarmouiI Foads Icrc, and vas io scc
iIc iovn-ligIis sIining for iIc lasi iimc ovcr
iIc rollcrs as I couldn'i malc no Icad againsi,
I could go dovn quicicr for iIinling TIcrc's a
380
man asIorc iIcrc, iron-iruc io my liiilc Em'ly,
God llcss Icr, and no vrong can ioucI my
Em'ly vIilc so lc as iIai man livcs."'
Mr. Fcggoiiy, in simlc carncsincss, vavcd
Iis rigIi arm, as if Ic vcrc vaving ii ai iIc
iovn-ligIis for iIc lasi iimc, and iIcn, ccIang-
ing a nod viiI Ham, vIosc cyc Ic caugIi, ro-
cccdcd as lcforc.
'Wcll! I counscls Iim io scal io Em'ly. Hc's
lig cnougI, lui Ic's lasIfullcr iIan a liiilc
un, and Ic don'i lilc. So I scal. WIai! Him!"
says Em'ly. Him iIai I'vc lnov'd so iniimaic
so many ycars, and lilc so mucI. OI, Unclc! I
ncvcr can Iavc Iim. Hc's sucI a good fcllov!" I
givcs Icr a liss, and I says no morc io Icr iIan,
My dcar, you'rc rigIi io scal oui, you'rc io
cIoosc for yoursclf, you'rc as frcc as a liiilc
lird." TIcn I avays io Iim, and I says, I visI ii
could Iavc lccn so, lui ii can'i. Dui you can
loiI lc as you vas, and voi I say io you is, Dc
as you vas viiI Icr, lilc a man." Hc says io
mc, a-sIaling of my Iand, I vill!" Ic says. And
Ic vasIonourallc and manfulfor ivo ycar
going on, and vc vas jusi iIc samc ai Iomc
Icrc as aforc.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy's facc, vIicI Iad varicd in iis
crcssion viiI iIc various siagcs of Iis nar-
raiivc, nov rcsumcd all iis formcr iriumIani
dcligIi, as Ic laid a Iand uon my lncc and a
Iand uon SiccrforiI's (rcviously vciiing iIcm
loiI, for iIc grcaicr cmIasis of iIc aciion},
and dividcd iIc folloving scccI lcivccn us:
'All of a suddcn, onc cvcningas ii migIi lc
ionigIicomcs liiilc Em'ly from Icr vorl, and
Iim viiI Icr! TIcrc ain'i so mucI in iIai, you'll
say. No, lccausc Ic ialcs carc on Icr, lilc a
lroiIcr, aricr darl, and indccd aforc darl, and
ai all iimcs. Dui iIis iaraulin cIa, Ic ialcs
Iold of Icr Iand, and Ic crics oui io mc, joy-
ful, Lool Icrc! TIis is io lc my liiilc vifc!"
And sIc says, Ialf lold and Ialf sIy, and Ialf
a laugIing and Ialf a crying, Ycs, Unclc! If
381
you lcasc."If I lcasc!' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy,
rolling Iis Icad in an ccsiasy ai iIc idca; 'Lord,
as if I sIould do anyiIinl clsc!"If you lcasc,
I am sicadicr nov, and I Iavc iIougIi lciicr of
ii, and I'll lc as good a liiilc vifc as I can io
Iim, for Ic's a dcar, good fcllov!" TIcn Missis
Gummidgc, sIc clas Icr Iands lilc a lay,
and you comc in. TIccr! iIc murdcr's oui!' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy'You comc in! Ii iool lacc iIis
Icrc rcscni Iour; and Icrc's iIc man iIai'll
marry Icr, iIc minuic sIc's oui of Icr iimc.'
Ham siaggcrcd, as vcll Ic migIi, undcr iIc
llov Mr. Fcggoiiy dcali Iim in Iis unloundcd
joy, as a marl of confidcncc and fricndsIi;
lui fccling callcd uon io say somciIing io us,
Ic said, viiI mucI falicring and grcai diffi-
culiy:
'SIc varn'i no IigIcr iIan you vas, Mas'r
DavyvIcn you firsi comcvIcn I iIougIi
vIai sIc'd grov u io lc. I scc Icr grovn u
gcni'lmcnlilc a flovcr. I'd lay dovn my lifc
for IcrMas'r DavyOI! mosi conicni and
cIccrful! SIc's morc io mcgcni'lmcniIan
sIc's all io mc iIai cvcr I can vani, and morc
iIan cvcr IiIan cvcr I could say. II lovc Icr
iruc. TIcrc ain'i a gcni'lman in all iIc land
nor yci sailing uon all iIc scaiIai can lovc
Iis lady morc iIan I lovc Icr, iIougI iIcrc's
many a common manvould say lciicrvIai
Ic mcani.'
I iIougIi ii affcciing io scc sucI a siurdy fcl-
lov as Ham vas nov, ircmlling in iIc sircngiI
of vIai Ic fcli for iIc rciiy liiilc crcaiurc vIo
Iad von Iis Icari. I iIougIi iIc simlc confi-
dcncc rcoscd in us ly Mr. Fcggoiiy and ly
Iimsclf, vas, in iisclf, affcciing. I vas affccicd
ly iIc siory aliogciIcr. Hov far my cmoiions
vcrc influcnccd ly iIc rccollcciions of my cIild-
Iood, I don'i lnov. WIciIcr I Iad comc iIcrc
viiI any lingcring fancy iIai I vas siill io lovc
liiilc Em'ly, I don'i lnov. I lnov iIai I vas fillcd
viiI lcasurc ly all iIis; lui, ai firsi, viiI an
382
indcscrilally scnsiiivc lcasurc, iIai a vcry
liiilc vould Iavc cIangcd io ain.
TIcrcforc, if ii Iad dccndcd uon mc io
ioucI iIc rcvailing cIord among iIcm viiI
any slill, I sIould Iavc madc a oor Iand of ii.
Dui ii dccndcd uon SiccrforiI; and Ic did ii
viiI sucI addrcss, iIai in a fcv minuics vc
vcrc all as casy and as Iay as ii vas os-
sillc io lc.
'Mr. Fcggoiiy,' Ic said, 'you arc a iIorougIly
good fcllov, and dcscrvc io lc as Iay as you
arc ionigIi. My Iand uon ii! Ham, I givc you
joy, my loy. My Iand uon iIai, ioo! Daisy,
siir iIc firc, and malc ii a lrisl onc! and Mr.
Fcggoiiy, unlcss you can inducc your gcnilc
niccc io comc lacl (for vIom I vacaic iIis scai
in iIc corncr}, I sIall go. Any ga ai your firc-
sidc on sucI a nigIisucI a ga lcasi of allI
vouldn'i malc, for iIc vcaliI of iIc Indics!'
So Mr. Fcggoiiy vcni inio my old room io fcicI
liiilc Em'ly. Ai firsi liiilc Em'ly didn'i lilc io
comc, and iIcn Ham vcni. Frcscnily iIcy
lrougIi Icr io iIc fircsidc, vcry mucI confuscd,
and vcry sIy,lui sIc soon lccamc morc as-
surcd vIcn sIc found Iov gcnily and rcscci-
fully SiccrforiI solc io Icr; Iov slilfully Ic
avoidcd anyiIing iIai vould cmlarrass Icr;
Iov Ic iallcd io Mr. Fcggoiiy of loais, and
sIis, and iidcs, and fisI; Iov Ic rcfcrrcd io
mc aloui iIc iimc vIcn Ic Iad sccn Mr.
Fcggoiiy ai Salcm Housc; Iov dcligIicd Ic vas
viiI iIc loai and all lclonging io ii; Iov ligIily
and casily Ic carricd on, uniil Ic lrougIi us,
ly dcgrccs, inio a cIarmcd circlc, and vc vcrc
all ialling avay viiIoui any rcscrvc.
Em'ly, indccd, said liiilc all iIc cvcning; lui
sIc loolcd, and lisicncd, and Icr facc goi ani-
maicd, and sIc vas cIarming. SiccrforiI iold
a siory of a dismal sIivrccl (vIicI arosc oui
of Iis iall viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy}, as if Ic sav ii all
lcforc Iimand liiilc Em'ly's cycs vcrc fas-
icncd on Iim all iIc iimc, as if sIc sav ii ioo.
383
Hc iold us a mcrry advcniurc of Iis ovn, as a
rclicf io iIai, viiI as mucI gaiciy as if iIc nar-
raiivc vcrc as frcsI io Iim as ii vas io usand
liiilc Em'ly laugIcd uniil iIc loai rang viiI
iIc musical sounds, and vc all laugIcd
(SiccrforiI ioo}, in irrcsisiillc symaiIy viiI
vIai vas so lcasani and ligIi-Icaricd. Hc goi
Mr. Fcggoiiy io sing, or raiIcr io roar, 'WIcn
iIc siormy vinds do llov, do llov, do llov';
and Ic sang a sailor's song Iimsclf, so aiIcii-
cally and lcauiifully, iIai I could Iavc almosi
fancicd iIai iIc rcal vind crccing sorrovfully
round iIc Iousc, and murmuring lov iIrougI
our unlrolcn silcncc, vas iIcrc io lisicn.
As io Mrs. Gummidgc, Ic rouscd iIai viciim
of dcsondcncy viiI a succcss ncvcr aiiaincd
ly anyonc clsc (so Mr. Fcggoiiy informcd mc},
sincc iIc dcccasc of iIc old onc. Hc lcfi Icr so
liiilc lcisurc for lcing miscrallc, iIai sIc said
nci day sIc iIougIi sIc musi Iavc lccn lc-
viicIcd.
Dui Ic sci u no monooly of iIc gcncral
aiicniion, or iIc convcrsaiion. WIcn liiilc Em'ly
grcv morc couragcous, and iallcd (lui siill
lasIfully} across iIc firc io mc, of our old van-
dcrings uon iIc lcacI, io icl u sIclls and
clllcs; and vIcn I aslcd Icr if sIc rccollccicd
Iov I uscd io lc dcvoicd io Icr; and vIcn vc
loiI laugIcd and rcddcncd, casiing iIcsc lools
lacl on iIc lcasani old iimcs, so unrcal io
lool ai nov; Ic vas silcni and aiicniivc, and
olscrvcd us iIougIifully. SIc sai, ai iIis iimc,
and all iIc cvcning, on iIc old loclcr in Icr
old liiilc corncr ly iIc fircHam lcsidc Icr,
vIcrc I uscd io sii. I could noi saiisfy mysclf
vIciIcr ii vas in Icr ovn liiilc iormcniing vay,
or in a maidcnly rcscrvc lcforc us, iIai sIc
lci quiic closc io iIc vall, and avay from Iim;
lui I olscrvcd iIai sIc did so, all iIc cvcning.
As I rcmcmlcr, ii vas almosi midnigIi vIcn
vc iool our lcavc. Wc Iad Iad somc liscuii
and dricd fisI for sucr, and SiccrforiI Iad
384
roduccd from Iis oclci a full flasl of Hollands,
vIicI vc mcn (I may say vc mcn, nov, viiIoui
a llusI} Iad cmiicd. Wc aricd mcrrily; and as
iIcy all siood crovdcd round iIc door io ligIi us
as far as iIcy could uon our road, I sav iIc
svcci lluc cycs of liiilc Em'ly ccing aficr us,
from lcIind Ham, and Icard Icr sofi voicc call-
ing io us io lc carcful Iov vc vcni.
' A mosi cngaging liiilc Dcauiy!' said
SiccrforiI, ialing my arm. 'Wcll! Ii's a quaini
lacc, and iIcy arc quaini comany, and ii's
quiic a ncv scnsaiion io mi viiI iIcm.'
'Hov foriunaic vc arc, ioo,' I rciurncd, 'io Iavc
arrivcd io viincss iIcir Iaincss in iIai in-
icndcd marriagc! I ncvcr sav colc so Iay.
Hov dcligIiful io scc ii, and io lc madc iIc
sIarcrs in iIcir Ioncsi joy, as vc Iavc lccn!'
'TIai's raiIcr a cIucllc-Icadcd fcllov for iIc
girl; isn'i Ic?' said SiccrforiI.
Hc Iad lccn so Icariy viiI Iim, and viiI
iIcm all, iIai I fcli a sIocl in iIis uncccicd
and cold rcly. Dui iurning quiclly uon Iim,
and sccing a laugI in Iis cycs, I ansvcrcd,
mucI rclicvcd:
'AI, SiccrforiI! Ii's vcll for you io jolc aloui
iIc oor! You may slirmisI viiI Miss Darilc,
or iry io Iidc your symaiIics in jcsi from mc,
lui I lnov lciicr. WIcn I scc Iov crfccily
you undcrsiand iIcm, Iov cquisiicly you can
cnicr inio Iaincss lilc iIis lain fisIcrman's,
or Iumour a lovc lilc my old nursc's, I lnov
iIai iIcrc is noi a joy or sorrov, noi an cmo-
iion, of sucI colc, iIai can lc indiffcrcni io
you. And I admirc and lovc you for ii, SiccrforiI,
ivcniy iimcs iIc morc!'
Hc siocd, and, looling in my facc, said,
'Daisy, I lclicvc you arc in carncsi, and arc
good. I visI vc all vcrc!' Nci momcni Ic vas
gaily singing Mr. Fcggoiiy's song, as vc vallcd
ai a round acc lacl io YarmouiI.
385
CHAPTER 22
SOME OLD SCENES, AND
SOME NEW PEOPLE
STEEFFOFTH AND I STAYED for morc iIan a fori-
nigIi in iIai ari of iIc couniry. Wc vcrc vcry
mucI iogciIcr, I nccd noi say; lui occasion-
ally vc vcrc asundcr for somc Iours ai a iimc.
Hc vas a good sailor, and I vas lui an indiffcr-
cni onc; and vIcn Ic vcni oui loaiing viiI
Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIicI vas a favouriic amuscmcni
of Iis, I gcncrally rcmaincd asIorc. My occu-
aiion of Fcggoiiy's sarc-room ui a consiraini
uon mc, from vIicI Ic vas frcc: for, lnoving
Iov assiduously sIc aiicndcd on Mr. Darlis
all day, I did noi lilc io rcmain oui laic ai nigIi;
vIcrcas SiccrforiI, lying ai iIc Inn, Iad noiI-
ing io consuli lui Iis ovn Iumour. TIus ii
camc aloui, iIai I Icard of Iis maling liiilc
ircais for iIc fisIcrmcn ai Mr. Fcggoiiy's Iousc
of call, 'TIc Willing Mind', aficr I vas in lcd,
and of Iis lcing afloai, vracd in fisIcrmcn's
cloiIcs, vIolc moonligIi nigIis, and coming
lacl vIcn iIc morning iidc vas ai flood. Dy
iIis iimc, Iovcvcr, I lncv iIai Iis rcsilcss na-
iurc and lold siriis dcligIicd io find a vcni in
rougI ioil and Iard vcaiIcr, as in any oiIcr
mcans of cciicmcni iIai rcscnicd iisclf
frcsIly io Iim; so nonc of Iis rocccdings sur-
riscd mc.
AnoiIcr causc of our lcing somciimcs aari,
vas, iIai I Iad naiurally an inicrcsi in going
ovcr io Dlundcrsionc, and rcvisiiing iIc old fa-
miliar sccncs of my cIildIood; vIilc SiccrforiI,
aficr lcing iIcrc oncc, Iad naiurally no grcai
inicrcsi in going iIcrc again. Hcncc, on iIrcc
or four days iIai I can ai oncc rccall, vc vcni
our scvcral vays aficr an carly lrcalfasi, and
mci again ai a laic dinncr. I Iad no idca Iov
Ic cmloycd Iis iimc in iIc inicrval, lcyond a
gcncral lnovlcdgc iIai Ic vas vcry oular in
iIc lacc, and Iad ivcniy mcans of aciivcly
386
divcriing Iimsclf vIcrc anoiIcr man migIi noi
Iavc found onc.
For my ovn ari, my occuaiion in my soli-
iary ilgrimagcs vas io rccall cvcry yard of iIc
old road as I vcni along ii, and io Iauni iIc
old sois, of vIicI I ncvcr iircd. I Iaunicd iIcm,
as my mcmory Iad oficn donc, and lingcrcd
among iIcm as my youngcr iIougIis Iad lin-
gcrcd vIcn I vas far avay. TIc gravc lcncaiI
iIc ircc, vIcrc loiI my arcnis layon vIicI
I Iad loolcd oui, vIcn ii vas my faiIcr's only,
viiI sucI curious fcclings of comassion, and
ly vIicI I Iad siood, so dcsolaic, vIcn ii vas
ocncd io rcccivc my rciiy moiIcr and Icr
lalyiIc gravc vIicI Fcggoiiy's ovn faiiIful
carc Iad cvcr sincc lci ncai, and madc a gar-
dcn of, I vallcd ncar, ly iIc Iour. Ii lay a liiilc
off iIc cIurcIyard aiI, in a quici corncr, noi
so far rcmovcd lui I could rcad iIc namcs uon
iIc sionc as I vallcd io and fro, siarilcd ly iIc
sound of iIc cIurcI-lcll vIcn ii sirucl iIc
Iour, for ii vas lilc a dcaricd voicc io mc. My
rcflcciions ai iIcsc iimcs vcrc alvays associ-
aicd viiI iIc figurc I vas io malc in lifc, and
iIc disiinguisIcd iIings I vas io do. My ccIo-
ing fooisics vcni io no oiIcr iunc, lui vcrc as
consiani io iIai as if I Iad comc Iomc io luild
my casilcs in iIc air ai a living moiIcr's sidc.
TIcrc vcrc grcai cIangcs in my old Iomc.
TIc raggcd ncsis, so long dcscricd ly iIc rools,
vcrc gonc; and iIc irccs vcrc locd and
iocd oui of iIcir rcmcmlcrcd sIacs. TIc
gardcn Iad run vild, and Ialf iIc vindovs of
iIc Iousc vcrc sIui u. Ii vas occuicd, lui
only ly a oor lunaiic gcnilcman, and iIc
colc vIo iool carc of Iim. Hc vas alvays
siiiing ai my liiilc vindov, looling oui inio iIc
cIurcIyard; and I vondcrcd vIciIcr Iis ram-
lling iIougIis cvcr vcni uon any of iIc fan-
cics iIai uscd io occuy minc, on iIc rosy
mornings vIcn I cccd oui of iIai samc liiilc
vindov in my nigIi-cloiIcs, and sav iIc sIcc
387
quicily fccding in iIc ligIi of iIc rising sun.
Our old ncigIlours, Mr. and Mrs. Graycr,
vcrc gonc io SouiI Amcrica, and iIc rain Iad
madc iis vay iIrougI iIc roof of iIcir cmiy
Iousc, and siaincd iIc ouicr valls. Mr. CIilli
vas marricd again io a iall, rav-loncd, IigI-
noscd vifc; and iIcy Iad a vcazcn liiilc laly,
viiI a Icavy Icad iIai ii couldn'i Iold u, and
ivo vcal siaring cycs, viiI vIicI ii sccmcd io
lc alvays vondcring vIy ii Iad cvcr lccn lorn.
Ii vas viiI a singular jumllc of sadncss and
lcasurc iIai I uscd io lingcr aloui my naiivc
lacc, uniil iIc rcddcning vinicr sun admon-
isIcd mc iIai ii vas iimc io siari on my rc-
iurning vall. Dui, vIcn iIc lacc vas lcfi lc-
Iind, and csccially vIcn SiccrforiI and I vcrc
Iaily scaicd ovcr our dinncr ly a llazing firc,
ii vas dclicious io iIinl of Iaving lccn iIcrc.
So ii vas, iIougI in a soficncd dcgrcc, vIcn I
vcni io my ncai room ai nigIi; and, iurning
ovcr iIc lcavcs of iIc crocodilc-lool (vIicI vas
alvays iIcrc, uon a liiilc iallc}, rcmcmlcrcd
viiI a graicful Icari Iov llcsi I vas in Iaving
sucI a fricnd as SiccrforiI, sucI a fricnd as
Fcggoiiy, and sucI a sulsiiiuic for vIai I Iad
losi as my cccllcni and gcncrous auni.
M ncarcsi vay io YarmouiI, in coming lacl
from iIcsc long valls, vas ly a fcrry. Ii landcd
mc on iIc flai lcivccn iIc iovn and iIc sca,
vIicI I could malc siraigIi across, and so savc
mysclf a considcrallc circuii ly iIc IigI road.
Mr. Fcggoiiy's Iousc lcing on iIai vasic-lacc,
and noi a Iundrcd yards oui of my iracl, I al-
vays loolcd in as I vcni ly. SiccrforiI vas
rciiy surc io lc iIcrc ccciing mc, and vc
vcni on iogciIcr iIrougI iIc frosiy air and
gaiIcring fog iovards iIc ivinlling ligIis of
iIc iovn.
Onc darl cvcning, vIcn I vas laicr iIan
usualfor I Iad, iIai day, lccn maling my ari-
ing visii io Dlundcrsionc, as vc vcrc nov aloui
io rciurn IomcI found Iim alonc in Mr.
388
Fcggoiiy's Iousc, siiiing iIougIifully lcforc iIc
firc. Hc vas so inicni uon Iis ovn rcflcciions
iIai Ic vas quiic unconscious of my aroacI.
TIis, indccd, Ic migIi casily Iavc lccn if Ic
Iad lccn lcss alsorlcd, for fooisics fcll noisc-
lcssly on iIc sandy ground ouisidc; lui cvcn
my cnirancc failcd io rousc Iim. I vas sianding
closc io Iim, looling ai Iim; and siill, viiI a
Icavy lrov, Ic vas losi in Iis mcdiiaiions.
Hc gavc sucI a siari vIcn I ui my Iand uon
Iis sIouldcr, iIai Ic madc mc siari ioo.
'You comc uon mc,' Ic said, almosi angrily,
'lilc a rcroacIful gIosi!'
'I vas olligcd io announcc mysclf, somcIov,'
I rclicd. 'Havc I callcd you dovn from iIc
siars?'
'No,' Ic ansvcrcd. 'No.'
'U from anyvIcrc, iIcn?' said I, ialing my
scai ncar Iim.
'I vas looling ai iIc iciurcs in iIc firc,' Ic
rciurncd.
'Dui you arc soiling iIcm for mc,' said I, as
Ic siirrcd ii quiclly viiI a iccc of lurning
vood, siriling oui of ii a irain of rcd-Ioi sarls
iIai vcni carccring u iIc liiilc cIimncy, and
roaring oui inio iIc air.
'You vould noi Iavc sccn iIcm,' Ic rciurncd.
'I dcicsi iIis mongrcl iimc, nciiIcr day nor
nigIi. Hov laic you arc! WIcrc Iavc you lccn?'
'I Iavc lccn ialing lcavc of my usual vall,' said I.
'And I Iavc lccn siiiing Icrc,' said SiccrforiI,
glancing round iIc room, 'iIinling iIai all iIc
colc vc found so glad on iIc nigIi of our
coming dovn, migIiio judgc from iIc rcscni
vasicd air of iIc lacclc discrscd, or dcad,
or comc io I don'i lnov vIai Iarm. David, I
visI io God I Iad Iad a judicious faiIcr iIcsc
lasi ivcniy ycars!'
'My dcar SiccrforiI, vIai is iIc maiicr?'
'I visI viiI all my soul I Iad lccn lciicr
guidcd!' Ic cclaimcd. 'I visI viiI all my soul I
could guidc mysclf lciicr!'
389
TIcrc vas a assionaic dcjcciion in Iis man-
ncr iIai quiic amazcd mc. Hc vas morc unlilc
Iimsclf iIan I could Iavc suoscd ossillc.
'Ii vould lc lciicr io lc iIis oor Fcggoiiy, or
Iis loui of a ncIcv,' Ic said, gciiing u and
lcaning moodily againsi iIc cIimncy-iccc,
viiI Iis facc iovards iIc firc, 'iIan io lc my-
sclf, ivcniy iimcs ricIcr and ivcniy iimcs viscr,
and lc iIc iormcni io mysclf iIai I Iavc lccn,
in iIis Dcvil's larl of a loai, viiIin iIc lasi
Ialf-Iour!'
I vas so confoundcd ly iIc alicraiion in Iim,
iIai ai firsi I could only olscrvc Iim in silcncc,
as Ic siood lcaning Iis Icad uon Iis Iand,
and looling gloomily dovn ai iIc firc. Ai lcngiI
I lcggcd Iim, viiI all iIc carncsincss I fcli, io
icll mc vIai Iad occurrcd io cross Iim so un-
usually, and io lci mc symaiIizc viiI Iim, if I
could noi Ioc io advisc Iim. Dcforc I Iad vcll
concludcd, Ic lcgan io laugIfrcifully ai firsi,
lui soon viiI rciurning gaiciy.
'Tui, ii's noiIing, Daisy! noiIing!' Ic rclicd.
'I iold you ai iIc inn in London, I am Icavy
comany for mysclf, somciimcs. I Iavc lccn a
nigIimarc io mysclf, jusi novmusi Iavc Iad
onc, I iIinl. Ai odd dull iimcs, nurscry ialcs
comc u inio iIc mcmory, unrccognizcd for
vIai iIcy arc. I lclicvc I Iavc lccn confound-
ing mysclf viiI iIc lad loy vIo didn'i carc",
and lccamc food for lionsa grandcr lind of
going io iIc dogs, I suosc. WIai old vomcn
call iIc Iorrors, Iavc lccn crccing ovcr mc
from Icad io fooi. I Iavc lccn afraid of mysclf.'
'You arc afraid of noiIing clsc, I iIinl,' said I.
'FcrIas noi, and yci may Iavc cnougI io lc
afraid of ioo,' Ic ansvcrcd. 'Wcll! So ii gocs ly! I
am noi aloui io lc Iicd again, David; lui I
icll you, my good fcllov, oncc morc, iIai ii vould
Iavc lccn vcll for mc (and for morc iIan mc} if
I Iad Iad a sicadfasi and judicious faiIcr!'
His facc vas alvays full of crcssion, lui I
ncvcr sav ii crcss sucI a darl lind of car-
390
ncsincss as vIcn Ic said iIcsc vords, viiI
Iis glancc lcni on iIc firc.
'So mucI for iIai!' Ic said, maling as if Ic
iosscd somciIing ligIi inio iIc air, viiI Iis
Iand. 'WIy, lcing gonc, I am a man again,"
lilc MaclciI. And nov for dinncr! If I Iavc noi
(MaclciI-lilc} lrolcn u iIc fcasi viiI mosi
admircd disordcr, Daisy.'
'Dui vIcrc arc iIcy all, I vondcr!' said I.
'God lnovs,' said SiccrforiI. 'Aficr sirolling
io iIc fcrry looling for you, I sirollcd in Icrc
and found iIc lacc dcscricd. TIai sci mc
iIinling, and you found mc iIinling.'
TIc advcni of Mrs. Gummidgc viiI a laslci, c-
laincd Iov iIc Iousc Iad Iacncd io lc cmiy.
SIc Iad Iurricd oui io luy somciIing iIai vas
nccdcd, againsi Mr. Fcggoiiy's rciurn viiI iIc iidc;
and Iad lcfi iIc door ocn in iIc mcanvIilc, lcsi
Ham and liiilc Em'ly, viiI vIom ii vas an carly
nigIi, sIould comc Iomc vIilc sIc vas gonc.
SiccrforiI, aficr vcry mucI imroving Mrs.
Gummidgc's siriis ly a cIccrful saluiaiion and a
jocosc cmlracc, iool my arm, and Iurricd mc avay.
Hc Iad imrovcd Iis ovn siriis, no lcss iIan
Mrs. Gummidgc's, for iIcy vcrc again ai iIcir
usual flov, and Ic vas full of vivacious convcr-
saiion as vc vcni along.
'And so,' Ic said, gaily, 'vc alandon iIis luc-
canccr lifc iomorrov, do vc?'
'So vc agrccd,' I rciurncd. 'And our laccs ly
iIc coacI arc ialcn, you lnov.'
'Ay! iIcrc's no Icl for ii, I suosc,' said
SiccrforiI. 'I Iavc almosi forgoiicn iIai iIcrc
is anyiIing io do in iIc vorld lui io go oui
iossing on iIc sca Icrc. I visI iIcrc vas noi.'
'As long as iIc novcliy sIould lasi,' said I,
laugIing.
'Lilc cnougI,' Ic rciurncd; 'iIougI iIcrc's a
sarcasiic mcaning in iIai olscrvaiion for an ami-
allc iccc of innoccncc lilc my young fricnd. Wcll!
I darc say I am a caricious fcllov, David. I lnov I
am; lui vIilc iIc iron is Ioi, I can sirilc ii vigor-
391
ously ioo. I could ass a rcasonally good cami-
naiion alrcady, as a iloi in iIcsc vaicrs, I iIinl.'
'Mr. Fcggoiiy says you arc a vondcr,' I rc-
iurncd.
' A nauiical Icnomcnon, cI?' laugIcd
SiccrforiI.
'Indccd Ic docs, and you lnov Iov iruly; I
lnov Iov ardcni you arc in any ursuii you
follov, and Iov casily you can masicr ii. And
iIai amazcs mc mosi in you, SiccrforiI- iIai
you sIould lc conicnicd viiI sucI fiiful uscs
of your ovcrs.'
'Conicnicd?' Ic ansvcrcd, mcrrily. 'I am ncvcr
conicnicd, ccci viiI your frcsIncss, my
gcnilc Daisy. As io fiifulncss, I Iavc ncvcr lcarni
iIc ari of linding mysclf io any of iIc vIccls
on vIicI iIc Iions of iIcsc days arc iurning
round and round. I misscd ii somcIov in a
lad arcniiccsIi, and nov don'i carc aloui
ii.You lnov I Iavc lougIi a loai dovn Icrc?'
'WIai an ciraordinary fcllov you arc,
SiccrforiI!' I cclaimcd, sioingfor iIis vas
iIc firsi I Iad Icard of ii. 'WIcn you may ncvcr
carc io comc ncar iIc lacc again!'
'I don'i lnov iIai,' Ic rciurncd. 'I Iavc ialcn
a fancy io iIc lacc. Ai all cvcnis,' valling mc
lrislly on, 'I Iavc lougIi a loai iIai vas for
salca clicr, Mr. Fcggoiiy says; and so sIc
isand Mr. Fcggoiiy vill lc masicr of Icr in
my alscncc.'
'Nov I undcrsiand you, SiccrforiI!' said I, c-
uliingly. 'You rcicnd io Iavc lougIi ii for your-
sclf, lui you Iavc rcally donc so io confcr a
lcncfii on Iim. I migIi Iavc lnovn as mucI ai
firsi, lnoving you. My dcar lind SiccrforiI,
Iov can I icll you vIai I iIinl of your gcncros-
iiy?'
'TusI!' Ic ansvcrcd, iurning rcd. 'TIc lcss
said, iIc lciicr.'
'Didn'i I lnov?' cricd I, 'didn'i I say iIai iIcrc
vas noi a joy, or sorrov, or any cmoiion of sucI
Ioncsi Icaris iIai vas indiffcrcni io you?'
392
'Ayc, ayc,' Ic ansvcrcd, 'you iold mc all iIai.
TIcrc lci ii rcsi. Wc Iavc said cnougI!'
Afraid of offcnding Iim ly ursuing iIc sul-
jcci vIcn Ic madc so ligIi of ii, I only ursucd
ii in my iIougIis as vc vcni on ai cvcn a
quiclcr acc iIan lcforc.
'SIc musi lc ncvly riggcd,' said SiccrforiI,
'and I sIall lcavc Liiiimcr lcIind io scc ii donc,
iIai I may lnov sIc is quiic comlcic. Did I
icll you Liiiimcr Iad comc dovn?'
' No.'
'OI ycs! camc dovn iIis morning, viiI a lci-
icr from my moiIcr.'
As our lools mci, I olscrvcd iIai Ic vas alc
cvcn io Iis lis, iIougI Ic loolcd vcry sicadily
ai mc. I fcarcd iIai somc diffcrcncc lcivccn
Iim and Iis moiIcr migIi Iavc lcd io Iis lc-
ing in iIc framc of mind in vIicI I Iad found
Iim ai iIc soliiary fircsidc. I Iinicd so.
'OI no!' Ic said, sIaling Iis Icad, and giv-
ing a sligIi laugI. 'NoiIing of iIc sori! Ycs. Hc
is comc dovn, iIai man of minc.'
'TIc samc as cvcr?' said I.
'TIc samc as cvcr,' said SiccrforiI. 'Disiani
and quici as iIc NoriI Folc. Hc sIall scc io iIc
loai lcing frcsI namcd. SIc's iIc Siormy Fc-
ircl" nov. WIai docs Mr. Fcggoiiy carc for
Siormy Fcircls! I'll Iavc Icr cIrisicncd again.'
'Dy vIai namc?' I aslcd.
'TIc Liiilc Em'ly".'
As Ic Iad coniinucd io lool sicadily ai mc, I
iool ii as a rcmindcr iIai Ic oljccicd io lcing
ciollcd for Iis considcraiion. I could noi Icl
sIoving in my facc Iov mucI ii lcascd mc,
lui I said liiilc, and Ic rcsumcd Iis usual smilc,
and sccmcd rclicvcd.
'Dui scc Icrc,' Ic said, looling lcforc us,
'vIcrc iIc original liiilc Em'ly comcs! And iIai
fcllov viiI Icr, cI? Uon my soul, Ic's a iruc
lnigIi. Hc ncvcr lcavcs Icr!'
Ham vas a loai-luildcr in iIcsc days, Iaving
imrovcd a naiural ingcnuiiy in iIai Iandicrafi,
393
uniil Ic Iad lccomc a slillcd vorlman. Hc vas
in Iis vorling-drcss, and loolcd ruggcd cnougI,
lui manly viiIal, and a vcry fii roiccior for iIc
llooming liiilc crcaiurc ai Iis sidc. Indccd, iIcrc
vas a franlncss in Iis facc, an Ioncsiy, and an
undisguiscd sIov of Iis ridc in Icr, and Iis
lovc for Icr, vIicI vcrc, io mc, iIc lcsi of good
lools. I iIougIi, as iIcy camc iovards us, iIai
iIcy vcrc vcll maicIcd cvcn in iIai ariicular.
SIc viiIdrcv Icr Iand iimidly from Iis arm
as vc siocd io scal io iIcm, and llusIcd
as sIc gavc ii io SiccrforiI and io mc. WIcn
iIcy asscd on, aficr vc Iad ccIangcd a fcv
vords, sIc did noi lilc io rclacc iIai Iand,
lui, siill acaring iimid and consiraincd,
vallcd ly Icrsclf. I iIougIi all iIis vcry rciiy
and cngaging, and SiccrforiI sccmcd io iIinl
so ioo, as vc loolcd aficr iIcm fading avay in
iIc ligIi of a young moon.
Suddcnly iIcrc asscd uscvidcnily follov-
ing iIcma young voman vIosc aroacI vc
Iad noi olscrvcd, lui vIosc facc I sav as sIc
vcni ly, and iIougIi I Iad a faini rcmcmlrancc
of. SIc vas ligIily drcsscd; loolcd lold, and
Iaggard, and flauniing, and oor; lui sccmcd,
for iIc iimc, io Iavc givcn all iIai io iIc vind
vIicI vas lloving, and io Iavc noiIing in Icr
mind lui going aficr iIcm. As iIc darl disiani
lcvcl, alsorling iIcir figurcs inio iisclf, lcfi lui
iisclf visillc lcivccn us and iIc sca and clouds,
Icr figurc disacarcd in lilc manncr, siill no
ncarcr io iIcm iIan lcforc.
'TIai is a llacl sIadov io lc folloving iIc
girl,' said SiccrforiI, sianding siill; 'vIai docs
ii mcan?'
Hc solc in a lov voicc iIai soundcd almosi
sirangc io Mc.
'SIc musi Iavc ii in Icr mind io lcg of iIcm,
I iIinl,' said I.
'A lcggar vould lc no novcliy,' said SiccrforiI;
'lui ii is a sirangc iIing iIai iIc lcggar sIould
ialc iIai sIac ionigIi.'
394
'WIy?' I aslcd.
'For no lciicr rcason, iruly, iIan lccausc I
vas iIinling,' Ic said, aficr a ausc, 'of somc-
iIing lilc ii, vIcn ii camc ly. WIcrc iIc Dcvil
did ii comc from, I vondcr!'
'From iIc sIadov of iIis vall, I iIinl,' said I,
as vc cmcrgcd uon a road on vIicI a vall
aluiicd.
'Ii's gonc!' Ic rciurncd, looling ovcr Iis sIoul-
dcr. 'And all ill go viiI ii. Nov for our dinncr!'
Dui Ic loolcd again ovcr Iis sIouldcr iovards
iIc sca-linc glimmcring afar off, and yci again.
And Ic vondcrcd aloui ii, in somc lrolcn c-
rcssions, scvcral iimcs, in iIc sIori rcmain-
dcr of our vall; and only sccmcd io forgci ii
vIcn iIc ligIi of firc and candlc sIonc uon
us, scaicd varm and mcrry, ai iallc.
Liiiimcr vas iIcrc, and Iad Iis usual cffcci
uon mc. WIcn I said io Iim iIai I Iocd Mrs.
SiccrforiI and Miss Darilc vcrc vcll, Ic an-
svcrcd rcsccifully (and of coursc rcsccially},
iIai iIcy vcrc iolcrally vcll, Ic iIanlcd mc,
and Iad scni iIcir comlimcnis. TIis vas all,
and yci Ic sccmcd io mc io say as lainly as a
man could say: 'You arc vcry young, sir; you
arc ccccdingly young.'
Wc Iad almosi finisIcd dinncr, vIcn ialing
a sic or ivo iovards iIc iallc, from iIc cor-
ncr vIcrc Ic lci vaicI uon us, or raiIcr
uon mc, as I fcli, Ic said io Iis masicr:
'I lcg your ardon, sir. Miss MovcIcr is dovn
Icrc.'
'WIo?' cricd SiccrforiI, mucI asionisIcd.
'Miss MovcIcr, sir.'
'WIy, vIai on cariI docs sIc do Icrc?' said
SiccrforiI.
'Ii acars io lc Icr naiivc ari of iIc coun-
iry, sir. SIc informs mc iIai sIc malcs onc of
Icr rofcssional visiis Icrc, cvcry ycar, sir. I
mci Icr in iIc sircci iIis aficrnoon, and sIc
visIcd io lnov if sIc migIi Iavc iIc Ionour
of vaiiing on you aficr dinncr, sir.'
395
'Do you lnov iIc Gianicss in qucsiion,
Daisy?' inquircd SiccrforiI.
I vas olligcd io confcssI fcli asIamcd, cvcn of
lcing ai iIis disadvaniagc lcforc LiiiimcriIai
Miss MovcIcr and I vcrc vIolly unacquainicd.
'TIcn you sIall lnov Icr,' said SiccrforiI,
'for sIc is onc of iIc scvcn vondcrs of iIc vorld.
WIcn Miss MovcIcr comcs, sIov Icr in.'
I fcli somc curiosiiy and cciicmcni aloui iIis
lady, csccially as SiccrforiI lursi inio a fii of
laugIing vIcn I rcfcrrcd io Icr, and osiiivcly
rcfuscd io ansvcr any qucsiion of vIicI I madc
Icr iIc suljcci. I rcmaincd, iIcrcforc, in a siaic
of considcrallc ccciaiion uniil iIc cloiI Iad
lccn rcmovcd somc Ialf an Iour, and vc vcrc
siiiing ovcr our dccanicr of vinc lcforc iIc firc,
vIcn iIc door ocncd, and Liiiimcr, viiI Iis
Ialiiual scrcniiy quiic undisiurlcd, announccd:
'Miss MovcIcr!'
I loolcd ai iIc doorvay and sav noiIing. I
vas siill looling ai iIc doorvay, iIinling iIai
Miss MovcIcr vas a long vIilc maling Icr
acarancc, vIcn, io my infiniic asionisImcni,
iIcrc camc vaddling round a sofa vIicI siood
lcivccn mc and ii, a ursy dvarf, of aloui foriy
or foriy-fivc, viiI a vcry largc Icad and facc, a
air of roguisI grcy cycs, and sucI circmcly
liiilc arms, iIai, io cnallc Icrsclf io lay a fin-
gcr arcIly againsi Icr snul nosc, as sIc oglcd
SiccrforiI, sIc vas olligcd io mcci iIc fingcr
Ialf-vay, and lay Icr nosc againsi ii. Hcr cIin,
vIicI vas vIai is callcd a doullc cIin, vas so
fai iIai ii cniircly svallovcd u iIc sirings of
Icr lonnci, lov and all. TIroai sIc Iad nonc;
vaisi sIc Iad nonc; lcgs sIc Iad nonc, voriI
mcniioning; for iIougI sIc vas morc iIan full-
sizcd dovn io vIcrc Icr vaisi vould Iavc lccn,
if sIc Iad Iad any, and iIougI sIc icrminaicd,
as Iuman lcings gcncrally do, in a air of fcci,
sIc vas so sIori iIai sIc siood ai a common-
sizcd cIair as ai a iallc, rcsiing a lag sIc car-
ricd on iIc scai. TIis ladydrcsscd in an off-
396
Iand, casy siylc; lringing Icr nosc and Icr
forcfingcr iogciIcr, viiI iIc difficuliy I Iavc
dcscrilcd; sianding viiI Icr Icad ncccssarily
on onc sidc, and, viiI onc of Icr sIar cycs
sIui u, maling an uncommonly lnoving
faccaficr ogling SiccrforiI for a fcv momcnis,
lrolc inio a iorrcni of vords.
'WIai! My flovcr!' sIc lcasanily lcgan, sIaling
Icr largc Icad ai Iim. 'You'rc iIcrc, arc you! OI,
you naugIiy loy, fic for sIamc, vIai do you do so
far avay from Iomc? U io miscIicf, I'll lc lound.
OI, you'rc a dovny fcllov, SiccrforiI, so you arc,
and I'm anoiIcr, ain'i I? Ha, Ia, Ia! You'd Iavc
lciicd a Iundrcd ound io fivc, nov, iIai you
vouldn'i Iavc sccn mc Icrc, vouldn'i you? Dlcss
you, man alivc, I'm cvcryvIcrc. I'm Icrc and iIcrc,
and vIcrc noi, lilc iIc conjurcr's Ialf-crovn in
iIc lady's IandlcrcIcr. Talling of IandlcrcIcrs
and ialling of ladicsvIai a comfori you arc io
your llcsscd moiIcr, ain'i you, my dcar loy, ovcr
onc of my sIouldcrs, and I don'i say vIicI!'
Miss MovcIcr uniicd Icr lonnci, ai iIis as-
sagc of Icr discoursc, iIrcv lacl iIc sirings,
and sai dovn, aniing, on a fooisiool in froni
of iIc fircmaling a lind of arlour of iIc din-
ing iallc, vIicI srcad iis maIogany sIclicr
alovc Icr Icad.
'OI my siars and vIai's-iIcir-namcs!' sIc
vcni on, claing a Iand on cacI of Icr liiilc
lnccs, and glancing sIrcvdly ai mc, 'I'm of ioo
full a Ialii, iIai's iIc faci, SiccrforiI. Aficr a
fligIi of siairs, ii givcs mc as mucI iroullc io
drav cvcry lrcaiI I vani, as if ii vas a luclci
of vaicr. If you sav mc looling oui of an ucr
vindov, you'd iIinl I vas a finc voman,
vouldn'i you?'
'I sIould iIinl iIai, vIcrcvcr I sav you,' rc-
licd SiccrforiI.
'Go along, you dog, do!' cricd iIc liiilc crca-
iurc, maling a vIisl ai Iim viiI iIc Iandlcr-
cIicf viiI vIicI sIc vas viing Icr facc, 'and
don'i lc imudcni! Dui I givc you my vord and
397
Ionour I vas ai Lady MiiIcrs's lasi vccl
tIcrc`s a voman! Hov sIc vcars!and MiiIcrs
Iimsclf camc inio iIc room vIcrc I vas vaii-
ing for IcrtIcrc`s a man! Hov Ic vcars! and
Iis vig ioo, for Ic's Iad ii iIcsc icn ycars
and Ic vcni on ai iIai raic in iIc comlimcn-
iary linc, iIai I lcgan io iIinl I sIould lc
olligcd io ring iIc lcll. Ha! Ia! Ia! Hc's a lcas-
ani vrcicI, lui Ic vanis rincilc.'
'WIai vcrc you doing for Lady MiiIcrs?' aslcd
SiccrforiI.
'TIai's icllings, my llcsscd infani,' sIc rc-
ioricd, iaing Icr nosc again, scrcving u Icr
facc, and ivinlling Icr cycs lilc an im of su-
crnaiural iniclligcncc. 'Ncvcr ou mind! You'd
lilc io lnov vIciIcr I sio Icr Iair from fall-
ing off, or dyc ii, or ioucI u Icr comlcion,
or imrovc Icr cyclrovs, vouldn'i you? And
so you sIall, my darlingvIcn I icll you! Do
you lnov vIai my grcai grandfaiIcr's namc
vas?'
'No,' said SiccrforiI.
'Ii vas Wallcr, my svcci ci,' rclicd Miss
MovcIcr, 'and Ic camc of a long linc of Wall-
crs, iIai I inIcrii all iIc Hoolcy csiaics from.'
I ncvcr lcIcld anyiIing aroacIing io Miss
MovcIcr's vinl ccci Miss MovcIcr's sclf-
osscssion. SIc Iad a vondcrful vay ioo, vIcn
lisicning io vIai vas said io Icr, or vIcn vaii-
ing for an ansvcr io vIai sIc Iad said Icrsclf,
of ausing viiI Icr Icad cunningly on onc sidc,
and onc cyc iurncd u lilc a magic's. Alio-
gciIcr I vas losi in amazcmcni, and sai siar-
ing ai Icr, quiic ollivious, I am afraid, of iIc
lavs of oliicncss.
SIc Iad ly iIis iimc dravn iIc cIair io Icr
sidc, and vas lusily cngagcd in roducing from
iIc lag (lunging in Icr sIori arm io iIc sIoul-
dcr, ai cvcry divc} a numlcr of small loiilcs,
songcs, comls, lrusIcs, liis of flanncl, liiilc
airs of curling-irons, and oiIcr insirumcnis,
vIicI sIc iumllcd in a Ica uon iIc cIair.
398
From iIis cmloymcni sIc suddcnly dcsisicd,
and said io SiccrforiI, mucI io my confusion:
'WIo's your fricnd?'
'Mr. Cocrficld,' said SiccrforiI; 'Ic vanis
io lnov you.'
'Wcll, iIcn, Ic sIall! I iIougIi Ic loolcd as
if Ic did!' rciurncd Miss MovcIcr, vaddling
u io mc, lag in Iand, and laugIing on mc
as sIc camc. 'Facc lilc a cacI!' sianding on
iiioc io incI my cIccl as I sai. 'Quiic
icmiing! I'm vcry fond of cacIcs. Hay io
malc your acquainiancc, Mr. Cocrficld, I'm
surc.'
I said iIai I congraiulaicd mysclf on Iaving
iIc Ionour io malc Icrs, and iIai iIc Iai-
ncss vas muiual.
'OI, my goodncss, Iov oliic vc arc!' c-
claimcd Miss MovcIcr, maling a rcosicrous
aiicmi io covcr Icr largc facc viiI Icr morscl
of a Iand. 'WIai a vorld of gammon and
sinnagc ii is, iIougI, ain'i ii!'
TIis vas addrcsscd confidcniially io loiI of
us, as iIc morscl of a Iand camc avay from
iIc facc, and luricd iisclf, arm and all, in iIc
lag again.
'WIai do you mcan, Miss MovcIcr?' said
SiccrforiI.
'Ha! Ia! Ia! WIai a rcfrcsIing sci of Ium-
lugs vc arc, io lc surc, ain'i vc, my svcci
cIild?' rclicd iIai morscl of a voman, fccling
in iIc lag viiI Icr Icad on onc sidc and Icr
cyc in iIc air. 'Lool Icrc!' ialing somciIing
oui. 'Scras of iIc Fussian Frincc's nails.
Frincc AlIalci iurncd iosy-iurvy, I call Iim,
for Iis namc's goi all iIc lciicrs in ii, Iigglcdy-
igglcdy.'
'TIc Fussian Frincc is a clicni of yours, is
Ic?' said SiccrforiI.
'I lclicvc you, my ci,' rclicd Miss MovcIcr.
'I lcc Iis nails in ordcr for Iim. Tvicc a vccl!
Fingcrs and iocs.'
'Hc ays vcll, I Ioc?' said SiccrforiI.
399
'Fays, as Ic scals, my dcar cIildiIrougI
iIc nosc,' rclicd Miss MovcIcr. 'Nonc of your
closc sIavcrs iIc Frincc ain'i. You'd say so, if
you sav Iis mousiacIios. Fcd ly naiurc, llacl
ly ari.'
'Dy your ari, of coursc,' said SiccrforiI.
Miss MovcIcr vinlcd asscni. 'Forccd io scnd
for mc. Couldn'i Icl ii. TIc climaic affccicd
Iis dyc; ii did vcry vcll in Fussia, lui ii vas no
go Icrc. You ncvcr sav sucI a rusiy Frincc in
all your lorn days as Ic vas. Lilc old iron!'
'Is iIai vIy you callcd Iim a Iumlug, jusi
nov?' inquircd SiccrforiI.
'OI, you'rc a lroiI of a loy, ain'i you?' rciurncd
Miss MovcIcr, sIaling Icr Icad violcnily. 'I said,
vIai a sci of Iumlugs vc vcrc in gcncral, and I
sIovcd you iIc scras of iIc Frincc's nails io rovc
ii. TIc Frincc's nails do morc for mc in rivaic
familics of iIc gcniccl sori, iIan all my ialcnis
ui iogciIcr. I alvays carry 'cm aloui. TIcy'rc
iIc lcsi iniroduciion. If Miss MovcIcr cuis iIc
Frincc's nails, sIc musi lc all rigIi. I givc 'cm
avay io iIc young ladics. TIcy ui 'cm in allums,
I lclicvc. Ha! Ia! Ia! Uon my lifc, iIc vIolc
social sysicm" (as iIc mcn call ii vIcn iIcy malc
scccIcs in Farliamcni} is a sysicm of Frincc's
nails!' said iIis lcasi of vomcn, irying io fold Icr
sIori arms, and nodding Icr largc Icad.
SiccrforiI laugIcd Icariily, and I laugIcd ioo.
Miss MovcIcr coniinuing all iIc iimc io sIalc
Icr Icad (vIicI vas vcry mucI on onc sidc},
and io lool inio iIc air viiI onc cyc, and io
vinl viiI iIc oiIcr.
'Wcll, vcll!' sIc said, smiiing Icr small lnccs,
and rising, 'iIis is noi lusincss. Comc,
SiccrforiI, lci's clorc iIc olar rcgions, and
Iavc ii ovcr.'
SIc iIcn sclccicd ivo or iIrcc of iIc liiilc
insirumcnis, and a liiilc loiilc, and aslcd (io
my surrisc} if iIc iallc vould lcar. On
SiccrforiI's rclying in iIc affirmaiivc, sIc
usIcd a cIair againsi ii, and lcgging iIc as-
400
sisiancc of my Iand, mounicd u, rciiy nim-
lly, io iIc io, as if ii vcrc a siagc.
'If ciiIcr of you sav my anllcs,' sIc said,
vIcn sIc vas safcly clcvaicd, 'say so, and I'll
go Iomc and dcsiroy mysclf!'
'I did noi,' said SiccrforiI.
'I did noi,' said I.
'Wcll iIcn,' cricd Miss MovcIcr,' I'll conscni
io livc. Nov, ducly, ducly, ducly, comc io Mrs.
Dond and lc lillcd.'
TIis vas an invocaiion io SiccrforiI io lacc
Iimsclf undcr Icr Iands; vIo, accordingly, sai
Iimsclf dovn, viiI Iis lacl io iIc iallc, and
Iis laugIing facc iovards mc, and sulmiiicd
Iis Icad io Icr inscciion, cvidcnily for no
oiIcr urosc iIan our cnicriainmcni. To scc
Miss MovcIcr sianding ovcr Iim, looling ai
Iis ricI rofusion of lrovn Iair iIrougI a largc
round magnifying glass, vIicI sIc iool oui of
Icr oclci, vas a mosi amazing scciaclc.
'You'rc a rciiy fcllov!' said Miss MovcIcr,
aficr a lricf inscciion. 'You'd lc as lald as a
friar on iIc io of your Icad in ivclvc moniIs,
lui for mc. jusi Ialf a minuic, my young fricnd,
and vc'll givc you a olisIing iIai sIall lcc
your curls on for iIc nci icn ycars!'
WiiI iIis, sIc iilicd somc of iIc conicnis of
iIc liiilc loiilc on io onc of iIc liiilc liis of flan-
ncl, and, again imariing somc of iIc viriucs of
iIai rcaraiion io onc of iIc liiilc lrusIcs, lc-
gan rulling and scraing avay viiI loiI on
iIc crovn of SiccrforiI's Icad in iIc lusicsi
manncr I cvcr viincsscd, ialling all iIc iimc.
'TIcrc's CIarlcy Fycgravc, iIc dulc's son,'
sIc said. 'You lnov CIarlcy?' ccing round
inio Iis facc.
'A liiilc,' said SiccrforiI.
'WIai a man Ic is! TIcrc`s a vIislcr! As io
CIarlcy's lcgs, if iIcy vcrc only a air (vIicI
iIcy ain'i}, iIcy'd dcfy comciiiion. Would you
lclicvc Ic iricd io do viiIoui mcin iIc Lifc-
Guards, ioo?'
401
'Mad!' said SiccrforiI.
'Ii lools lilc ii. Hovcvcr, mad or sanc, Ic iricd,'
rciurncd Miss MovcIcr. 'WIai docs Ic do, lui,
lo and lcIold you, Ic gocs inio a crfumcr's
sIo, and vanis io luy a loiilc of iIc Mada-
gascar Liquid.'
'CIarlcy docs?' said SiccrforiI.
'CIarlcy docs. Dui iIcy Iavcn'i goi any of iIc
Madagascar Liquid.'
'WIai is ii? SomciIing io drinl?' aslcd
SiccrforiI.
'To drinl?' rciurncd Miss MovcIcr, sioing
io sla Iis cIccl. ' To docior Iis ovn
mousiacIios viiI, you lnov. TIcrc vas a
voman in iIc sIocldcrly fcmalcquiic a
GriffinvIo Iad ncvcr cvcn Icard of ii ly
namc. Dcgging ardon, sir," said iIc Griffin io
CIarlcy, ii's noinoinoi rougc, is ii?"
Fougc," said CIarlcy io iIc Griffin. WIai iIc
unmcniionallc io cars oliic, do you iIinl I
vani viiI rougc?" No offcncc, sir," said iIc
Griffin; vc Iavc ii aslcd for ly so many namcs,
I iIougIi ii migIi lc." Nov iIai, my cIild,' con-
iinucd Miss MovcIcr, rulling all iIc iimc as
lusily as cvcr, 'is anoiIcr insiancc of iIc rc-
frcsIing Iumlug I vas scaling of. I do somc-
iIing in iIai vay mysclfcrIas a good
dcalcrIas a liiilcsIar's iIc vord, my
dcar loyncvcr mind!'
'In vIai vay do you mcan? In iIc rougc vay?'
said SiccrforiI.
'Fui iIis and iIai iogciIcr, my icndcr uil,'
rciurncd iIc vary MovcIcr, ioucIing Icr nosc,
'vorl ii ly iIc rulc of Sccrcis in all iradcs, and
iIc roduci vill givc you iIc dcsircd rcsuli. I
say I do a liiilc in iIai vay mysclf. Onc Dova-
gcr, sIc calls ii li-salvc. AnoiIcr, sIc calls ii
glovcs. AnoiIcr, sIc calls ii iuclcr-cdging. An-
oiIcr, sIc calls ii a fan. I call ii vIaicvcr tIc
call ii. I suly ii for 'cm, lui vc lcc u iIc
iricl so, io onc anoiIcr, and malc lclicvc viiI
sucI a facc, iIai iIcy'd as soon iIinl of laying
402
ii on, lcforc a vIolc draving-room, as lcforc mc.
And vIcn I vaii uon 'cm, iIcy'll say io mc somc-
iimcsutI t oniIicl, and no misialc"Hov
am I looling, MovcIcr? Am I alc?" Ha! Ia! Ia!
Ia! Isn'i tIut rcfrcsIing, my young fricnd!'
I ncvcr did in my days lcIold anyiIing lilc
MovcIcr as sIc siood uon iIc dining iallc, in-
icnscly cnjoying iIis rcfrcsImcni, rulling lusily
ai SiccrforiI's Icad, and vinling ai mc ovcr ii.
'AI!' sIc said. 'SucI iIings arc noi mucI in dc-
mand Icrcalouis. TIai scis mc off again! I Iavcn'i
sccn a rciiy voman sincc I'vc lccn Icrc, jcmmy.'
'No?' said SiccrforiI.
'Noi iIc gIosi of onc,' rclicd Miss MovcIcr.
'Wc could sIov Icr iIc sulsiancc of onc, I
iIinl?' said SiccrforiI, addrcssing Iis cycs io
minc. 'EI, Daisy?'
'Ycs, indccd,' said I.
'AIa?' cricd iIc liiilc crcaiurc, glancing
sIarly ai my facc, and iIcn ccing round ai
SiccrforiI's. 'UmI?'
TIc firsi cclamaiion soundcd lilc a qucs-
iion ui io loiI of us, and iIc sccond lilc a
qucsiion ui io SiccrforiI only. SIc sccmcd io
Iavc found no ansvcr io ciiIcr, lui coniinucd
io rul, viiI Icr Icad on onc sidc and Icr cyc
iurncd u, as if sIc vcrc looling for an ansvcr
in iIc air and vcrc confidcni of iis acaring
rcscnily.
'A sisicr of yours, Mr. Cocrficld?' sIc cricd,
aficr a ausc, and siill lccing iIc samc lool-
oui. 'Ayc, ayc?'
'No,' said SiccrforiI, lcforc I could rcly.
'NoiIing of iIc sori. On iIc conirary, Mr.
Cocrficld uscdor I am mucI misialcnio
Iavc a grcai admiraiion for Icr.'
' WIy, Iasn' i Ic nov?' rciurncd Miss
MovcIcr. 'Is Ic ficllc? OI, for sIamc! Did Ic
si cvcry flovcr, and cIangc cvcry Iour, uniil
Folly Iis assion rcquiicd?Is Icr namc Folly?'
TIc Elfin suddcnncss viiI vIicI sIc
ounccd uon mc viiI iIis qucsiion, and a
403
scarcIing lool, quiic disconccricd mc for a
momcni.
'No, Miss MovcIcr,' I rclicd. 'Hcr namc is
Emily.'
'AIa?' sIc cricd cacily as lcforc. 'UmI? WIai
a raiilc I am! Mr. Cocrficld, ain'i I volaiilc?'
Hcr ionc and lool imlicd somciIing iIai vas
noi agrccallc io mc in conncion viiI iIc sul-
jcci. So I said, in a gravcr manncr iIan any of
us Iad yci assumcd: 'SIc is as viriuous as sIc
is rciiy. SIc is cngagcd io lc marricd io a
mosi voriIy and dcscrving man in Icr ovn sia-
iion of lifc. I csiccm Icr for Icr good scnsc, as
mucI as I admirc Icr for Icr good lools.'
'Wcll said!' cricd SiccrforiI. 'Hcar, Icar, Icar!
Nov I'll qucncI iIc curiosiiy of iIis liiilc
Faiima, my dcar Daisy, ly lcaving Icr noiIing
io gucss ai. SIc is ai rcscni arcniiccd, Miss
MovcIcr, or ariiclcd, or vIaicvcr ii may lc, io
Omcr and Joram, HalcrdasIcrs, Millincrs, and
so foriI, in iIis iovn. Do you olscrvc? Omcr
and Joram. TIc romisc of vIicI my fricnd
Ias solcn, is madc and cnicrcd inio viiI Icr
cousin; CIrisiian namc, Ham; surnamc,
Fcggoiiy; occuaiion, loai-luildcr; also of iIis
iovn. SIc livcs viiI a rclaiivc; CIrisiian namc,
unlnovn; surnamc, Fcggoiiy; occuaiion, sca-
faring; also of iIis iovn. SIc is iIc rciiicsi
and mosi cngaging liiilc fairy in iIc vorld. I
admirc Icras my fricnd docsccccdingly.
If ii vcrc noi iIai I migIi acar io disaragc
Icr Inicndcd, vIicI I lnov my fricnd vould
noi lilc, I vould add, iIai io mc sIc sccms io
lc iIroving Icrsclf avay; iIai I am surc sIc
migIi do lciicr; and iIai I svcar sIc vas lorn
io lc a lady.'
Miss MovcIcr lisicncd io iIcsc vords, vIicI
vcrc vcry slovly and disiincily solcn, viiI Icr
Icad on onc sidc, and Icr cyc in iIc air as if
sIc vcrc siill looling for iIai ansvcr. WIcn Ic
ccascd sIc lccamc lrisl again in an insiani,
and raiilcd avay viiI surrising voluliliiy.
404
'OI! And iIai's all aloui ii, is ii?' sIc c-
claimcd, irimming Iis vIislcrs viiI a liiilc
rcsilcss air of scissors, iIai vcni glancing
round Iis Icad in all dircciions. 'Vcry vcll: vcry
vcll! Quiic a long siory. OugIi io cnd and iIcy
livcd Iay cvcr aficrvards"; ougIin'i ii? AI!
WIai's iIai gamc ai forfciis? I lovc my lovc viiI
an E, lccausc sIc's cniicing; I Iaic Icr viiI
an E, lccausc sIc's cngagcd. I iool Icr io iIc
sign of iIc cquisiic, and ircaicd Icr viiI an
clocmcni, Icr namc's Emily, and sIc livcs in
iIc casi? Ha! Ia! Ia! Mr. Cocrficld, ain'i I
volaiilc?'
Mcrcly looling ai mc viiI ciravagani sly-
ncss, and noi vaiiing for any rcly, sIc con-
iinucd, viiIoui draving lrcaiI:
'TIcrc! If cvcr any scacgracc vas irimmcd
and ioucIcd u io crfcciion, you arc,
SiccrforiI. If I undcrsiand any noddlc in iIc
vorld, I undcrsiand yours. Do you Icar mc
vIcn I icll you iIai, my darling? I undcrsiand
yours,' ccing dovn inio Iis facc. 'Nov you
may mizzlc, jcmmy (as vc say ai Couri}, and if
Mr. Cocrficld vill ialc iIc cIair I'll ocraic
on Iim.'
'WIai do you say, Daisy?' inquircd SiccrforiI,
laugIing, and rcsigning Iis scai. 'Will you lc
imrovcd?'
'TIanl you, Miss MovcIcr, noi iIis cvcning.'
'Don'i say no,' rciurncd iIc liiilc voman, lool-
ing ai mc viiI iIc ascci of a connoisscur; 'a
liiilc lii morc cyclrov?'
'TIanl you,' I rciurncd, 'somc oiIcr iimc.'
'Havc ii carricd Ialf a quaricr of an incI io-
vards iIc icmlc,' said Miss MovcIcr. 'Wc can
do ii in a forinigIi.'
'No, I iIanl you. Noi ai rcscni.'
'Go in for a ii,' sIc urgcd. 'No? Lci's gci iIc
scaffolding u, iIcn, for a air of vIislcrs.
Comc!'
I could noi Icl llusIing as I dcclincd, for I
fcli vc vcrc on my vcal oini, nov. Dui Miss
405
MovcIcr, finding iIai I vas noi ai rcscni dis-
oscd for any dccoraiion viiIin iIc rangc of
Icr ari, and iIai I vas, for iIc iimc lcing, roof
againsi iIc llandisImcnis of iIc small loiilc
vIicI sIc Icld u lcforc onc cyc io cnforcc
Icr crsuasions, said vc vould malc a lcgin-
ning on an carly day, and rcqucsicd iIc aid of
my Iand io dcsccnd from Icr clcvaicd siaiion.
TIus assisicd, sIc slicd dovn viiI mucI
agiliiy, and lcgan io iic Icr doullc cIin inio
Icr lonnci.
'TIc fcc,' said SiccrforiI, 'is -'
'Fivc lol,' rclicd Miss MovcIcr, 'and diri
cIca, my cIiclcn. Ain' i I volaiilc, Mr.
Cocrficld?'
I rclicd oliicly: 'Noi ai all.' Dui I iIougIi sIc
vas raiIcr so, vIcn sIc iosscd u Iis ivo Ialf-
crovns lilc a gollin icman, caugIi iIcm, drocd
iIcm in Icr oclci, and gavc ii a loud sla.
'TIai's iIc Till!' olscrvcd Miss MovcIcr, siand-
ing ai iIc cIair again, and rclacing in iIc lag a
misccllancous collcciion of liiilc oljccis sIc Iad
cmiicd oui of ii. 'Havc I goi all my iras? Ii sccms
so. Ii von'i do io lc lilc long Ncd Dcadvood,
vIcn iIcy iool Iim io cIurcI io marry Iim io
somclody", as Ic says, and lcfi iIc lridc lcIind.
Ha! Ia! Ia! A viclcd rascal, Ncd, lui droll! Nov,
I lnov I'm going io lrcal your Icaris, lui I am
forccd io lcavc you. You musi call u all your
foriiiudc, and iry io lcar ii. Good-lyc, Mr.
Cocrficld! Talc carc of yoursclf, joclcy of Nor-
foll! Hov I Iavc lccn raiiling on! Ii's all iIc fauli
of you ivo vrcicIcs. I forgivc you! Dol svorc!"
as iIc EnglisIman said for Good nigIi", vIcn
Ic firsi lcarni FrcncI, and iIougIi ii so lilc En-
glisI. Dol svorc," my ducls!'
WiiI iIc lag slung ovcr Icr arm, and raiiling
as sIc vaddlcd avay, sIc vaddlcd io iIc door,
vIcrc sIc siocd io inquirc if sIc sIould lcavc
us a locl of Icr Iair. 'Ain'i I volaiilc?' sIc addcd,
as a commcniary on iIis offcr, and, viiI Icr
fingcr on Icr nosc, dcaricd.
406
SiccrforiI laugIcd io iIai dcgrcc, iIai ii vas
imossillc for mc io Icl laugIing ioo; iIougI
I am noi surc I sIould Iavc donc so, lui for
iIis induccmcni. WIcn vc Iad Iad our laugI
quiic oui, vIicI vas aficr somc iimc, Ic iold
mc iIai Miss MovcIcr Iad quiic an cicnsivc
conncion, and madc Icrsclf uscful io a vari-
ciy of colc in a variciy of vays. Somc colc
iriflcd viiI Icr as a mcrc oddiiy, Ic said; lui
sIc vas as sIrcvdly and sIarly olscrvani as
anyonc Ic lncv, and as long-Icadcd as sIc
vas sIori-armcd. Hc iold mc iIai vIai sIc Iad
said of lcing Icrc, and iIcrc, and cvcryvIcrc,
vas iruc cnougI; for sIc madc liiilc daris inio
iIc rovinccs, and sccmcd io icl u cusiom-
crs cvcryvIcrc, and io lnov cvcrylody. I aslcd
Iim vIai Icr disosiiion vas: vIciIcr ii vas
ai all miscIicvous, and if Icr symaiIics vcrc
gcncrally on iIc rigIi sidc of iIings: lui, noi
succccding in aiiraciing Iis aiicniion io iIcsc
qucsiions aficr ivo or iIrcc aiicmis, I forlorc
or forgoi io rccai iIcm. Hc iold mc insicad,
viiI mucI raidiiy, a good dcal aloui Icr slill,
and Icr rofiis; and aloui Icr lcing a scicn-
iific cucr, if I sIould cvcr Iavc occasion for
Icr scrvicc in iIai caaciiy.
SIc vas iIc rincial iIcmc of our convcrsa-
iion during iIc cvcning: and vIcn vc aricd
for iIc nigIi SiccrforiI callcd aficr mc ovcr iIc
lanisicrs, 'Dol svorc!' as I vcni dovnsiairs.
I vas surriscd, vIcn I camc io Mr. Darlis's
Iousc, io find Ham valling u and dovn in
froni of ii, and siill morc surriscd io lcarn from
Iim iIai liiilc Em'ly vas insidc. I naiurally in-
quircd vIy Ic vas noi iIcrc ioo, insicad of
acing iIc sirccis ly Iimsclf?
'WIy, you scc, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rcjoincd, in a
Icsiiaiing manncr, 'Em'ly, sIc's ialling io somc
'un in Icrc.'
'I sIould Iavc iIougIi,' said I, smiling, 'iIai
iIai vas a rcason for your lcing in Icrc ioo,
Ham.'
407
'Wcll, Mas'r Davy, in a gcncral vay, so 'i vould
lc,' Ic rciurncd; 'lui lool'cc Icrc, Mas'r Davy,'
lovcring Iis voicc, and scaling vcry gravcly.
'Ii's a young voman, sira young voman, iIai
Em'ly lnovcd oncc, and docn'i ougIi io lnov
no morc.'
WIcn I Icard iIcsc vords, a ligIi lcgan io
fall uon iIc figurc I Iad sccn folloving iIcm,
somc Iours ago.
'Ii's a oor vurcm, Mas'r Davy,' said Ham, 'as
is irod undcr fooi ly all iIc iovn. U sircci
and dovn sircci. TIc movld o' iIc cIurcIyard
don'i Iold any iIai iIc foll sIrinl avay from,
morc.'
'Did I scc Icr ionigIi, Ham, on iIc sand, af-
icr vc mci you?'
'Kccing us in sigIi?' said Ham. 'Ii's lilc you
did, Mas'r Davy. Noi iIai I lnov'd iIcn, sIc
vas iIccr, sir, lui along of Icr crccing soon
aricrvards undcr Em'ly's liiilc vindcr, vIcn
sIc scc iIc ligIi comc, and vIiscring Em'ly,
Em'ly, for CIrisi's salc, Iavc a voman's Icari
iovards mc. I vas oncc lilc you!" TIosc vas
solcmn vords, Mas'r Davy, fur io Icar!'
'TIcy vcrc indccd, Ham. WIai did Em'ly do?'
'Says Em'ly, MariIa, is ii you? OI, MariIa,
can ii lc you?"for iIcy Iad sai ai vorl io-
gciIcr, many a day, ai Mr. Omcr's.'
'I rccollcci Icr nov!' cricd I, rccalling onc of
iIc ivo girls I Iad sccn vIcn I firsi vcni iIcrc.
'I rccollcci Icr quiic vcll!'
'MariIa Endcll,' said Ham. 'Tvo or iIrcc ycar
oldcr iIan Em'ly, lui vas ai iIc scIool viiI
Icr.'
'I ncvcr Icard Icr namc,' said I. 'I didn'i mcan
io inicrrui you.'
'For iIc maiicr o' iIai, Mas'r Davy,' rclicd
Ham, 'all's iold a'mosi in iIcm vords, Em'ly,
Em'ly, for CIrisi's salc, Iavc a voman's Icari
iovards mc. I vas oncc lilc you!" SIc vanicd
io scal io Em'ly. Em'ly couldn'i scal io Icr
iIccr, for Icr loving unclc vas comc Iomc, and
408
Ic vouldn'ino, Mas'r Davy,' said Ham, viiI
grcai carncsincss, 'Ic couldn'i, lind-naiur'd,
icndcr-Icaricd as Ic is, scc iIcm ivo iogciIcr,
sidc ly sidc, for all iIc ircasurcs iIai's vrcclcd
in iIc sca.'
I fcli Iov iruc iIis vas. I lncv ii, on iIc in-
siani, quiic as vcll as Ham.
'So Em'ly vriics in cncil on a lii of acr,' Ic
ursucd, 'and givcs ii io Icr oui o' vindcr io lring
Icrc. SIov iIai," sIc says, io my auni, Mrs.
Darlis, and sIc'll sci you dovn ly Icr firc, for
iIc lovc of mc, iill unclc is gonc oui, and I can
comc." Dy and ly sIc iclls mc vIai I icll you,
Mas'r Davy, and asls mc io lring Icr. WIai can I
do? SIc docn'i ougIi io lnov any sucI, lui I
can'i dcny Icr, vIcn iIc icars is on Icr facc.'
Hc ui Iis Iand inio iIc lrcasi of Iis sIaggy
jaclci, and iool oui viiI grcai carc a rciiy
liiilc ursc.
'And if I could dcny Icr vIcn iIc icars vas
on Icr facc, Mas'r Davy,' said Ham, icndcrly
adjusiing ii on iIc rougI alm of Iis Iand,
'Iov could I dcny Icr vIcn sIc givc mc iIis io
carry for Icrlnoving vIai sIc lrougIi ii for?
SucI a ioy as ii is!' said Ham, iIougIifully lool-
ing on ii. 'WiiI sucI a liiilc moncy in ii, Em'ly
my dcar.'
I sIool Iim varmly ly iIc Iand vIcn Ic
Iad ui ii avay againfor iIai vas morc saiis-
faciory io mc iIan saying anyiIingand vc
vallcd u and dovn, for a minuic or ivo, in
silcncc. TIc door ocncd iIcn, and Fcggoiiy
acarcd, lccloning io Ham io comc in. I vould
Iavc lci avay, lui sIc camc aficr mc, cn-
ircaiing mc io comc in ioo. Evcn iIcn, I vould
Iavc avoidcd iIc room vIcrc iIcy all vcrc, lui
for iis lcing iIc ncai-iilcd liicIcn I Iavc mcn-
iioncd morc iIan oncc. TIc door ocning im-
mcdiaicly inio ii, I found mysclf among iIcm
lcforc I considcrcd vIiiIcr I vas going.
TIc girliIc samc I Iad sccn uon iIc
sandsvas ncar iIc firc. SIc vas siiiing on
409
iIc ground, viiI Icr Icad and onc arm lying
on a cIair. I fancicd, from iIc disosiiion of
Icr figurc, iIai Em'ly Iad lui ncvly riscn from
iIc cIair, and iIai iIc forlorn Icad migIi cr-
Ias Iavc lccn lying on Icr la. I sav lui liiilc
of iIc girl's facc, ovcr vIicI Icr Iair fcll loosc
and scaiicrcd, as if sIc Iad lccn disordcring ii
viiI Icr ovn Iands; lui I sav iIai sIc vas
young, and of a fair comlcion. Fcggoiiy Iad
lccn crying. So Iad liiilc Em'ly. Noi a vord
vas solcn vIcn vc firsi vcni in; and iIc
DuicI clocl ly iIc drcsscr sccmcd, in iIc si-
lcncc, io iicl ivicc as loud as usual. Em'ly solc
firsi.
'MariIa vanis,' sIc said io Ham, 'io go io Lon-
don.'
'WIy io London?' rciurncd Ham.
Hc siood lcivccn iIcm, looling on iIc ros-
iraic girl viiI a miiurc of comassion for Icr,
and of jcalousy of Icr Iolding any comanion-
sIi viiI Icr vIom Ic lovcd so vcll, vIicI I
Iavc alvays rcmcmlcrcd disiincily. TIcy loiI
solc as if sIc vcrc ill; in a sofi, surcsscd
ionc iIai vas lainly Icard, aliIougI ii Iardly
rosc alovc a vIiscr.
'Dciicr iIcrc iIan Icrc,' said a iIird voicc
aloudMariIa's, iIougI sIc did noi movc. 'No
onc lnovs mc iIcrc. Evcrylody lnovs mc
Icrc.'
'WIai vill sIc do iIcrc?' inquircd Ham.
SIc lificd u Icr Icad, and loolcd darlly
round ai Iim for a momcni; iIcn laid ii dovn
again, and curvcd Icr rigIi arm aloui Icr nccl,
as a voman in a fcvcr, or in an agony of ain
from a sIoi, migIi ivisi Icrsclf.
'SIc vill iry io do vcll,' said liiilc Em'ly. 'You
don'i lnov vIai sIc Ias said io us. Docs Ic
do iIcyauni?'
Fcggoiiy sIool Icr Icad comassionaicly.
'I'll iry,' said MariIa, 'if you'll Icl mc avay. I
ncvcr can do vorsc iIan I Iavc donc Icrc. I
may do lciicr. OI!' viiI a drcadful sIivcr, 'ialc
410
mc oui of iIcsc sirccis, vIcrc iIc vIolc iovn
lnovs mc from a cIild!'
As Em'ly Icld oui Icr Iand io Ham, I sav
Iim ui in ii a liiilc canvas lag. SIc iool ii, as
if sIc iIougIi ii vcrc Icr ursc, and madc a
sic or ivo forvard; lui finding Icr misialc,
camc lacl io vIcrc Ic Iad rciircd ncar mc,
and sIovcd ii io Iim.
'Ii's all yourn, Em'ly,' I could Icar Iim say. 'I
Iavcn'i novi in all iIc vurcld iIai ain'i yourn, my
dcar. Ii ain'i of no dcligIi io mc, ccci for you!'
TIc icars rosc frcsIly in Icr cycs, lui sIc
iurncd avay and vcni io MariIa. WIai sIc gavc
Icr, I don'i lnov. I sav Icr siooing ovcr Icr,
and uiiing moncy in Icr losom. SIc vIis-
crcd somciIing, as sIc aslcd vas iIai
cnougI? 'Morc iIan cnougI,' iIc oiIcr said,
and iool Icr Iand and lisscd ii.
TIcn MariIa arosc, and gaiIcring Icr sIavl
aloui Icr, covcring Icr facc viiI ii, and vcc-
ing aloud, vcni slovly io iIc door. SIc siocd
a momcni lcforc going oui, as if sIc vould Iavc
uiicrcd somciIing or iurncd lacl; lui no vord
asscd Icr lis. Maling iIc samc lov, drcary,
vrcicIcd moaning in Icr sIavl, sIc vcni avay.
As iIc door closcd, liiilc Em'ly loolcd ai us
iIrcc in a Iurricd manncr and iIcn Iid Icr
facc in Icr Iands, and fcll io solling.
'Docn'i, Em'ly!' said Ham, iaing Icr gcnily
on iIc sIouldcr. 'Docn'i, my dcar! You docn'i
ougIi io cry so, rciiy!'
'OI, Ham!' sIc cclaimcd, siill vccing iii-
fully, 'I am noi so good a girl as I ougIi io lc! I
lnov I Iavc noi iIc iIanlful Icari, somciimcs,
I ougIi io Iavc!'
'Ycs, ycs, you Iavc, I'm surc,' said Ham.
'No! no! no!' cricd liiilc Em'ly, solling, and
sIaling Icr Icad. 'I am noi as good a girl as I
ougIi io lc. Noi ncar! noi ncar!' And siill sIc
cricd, as if Icr Icari vould lrcal.
'I iry your lovc ioo mucI. I lnov I do!' sIc
sollcd. 'I'm oficn cross io you, and cIangc-
411
allc viiI you, vIcn I ougIi io lc far diffcrcni.
You arc ncvcr so io mc. WIy am I cvcr so io
you, vIcn I sIould iIinl of noiIing lui Iov
io lc graicful, and io malc you Iay!'
'You alvays malc mc so,' said Ham, 'my dcar!
I am Iay in iIc sigIi of you. I am Iay, all
day long, in iIc iIougIis of you.'
'AI! iIai's noi cnougI!' sIc cricd. 'TIai is lccausc
you arc good; noi lccausc I am! OI, my dcar, ii
migIi Iavc lccn a lciicr foriunc for you, if you Iad
lccn fond of somconc clscof somconc sicadicr
and mucI voriIicr iIan mc, vIo vas all lound u
in you, and ncvcr vain and cIangcallc lilc mc!'
'Foor liiilc icndcr-Icari,' said Ham, in a lov
voicc. 'MariIa Ias ovcrsci Icr, aliogciIcr.'
'Flcasc, auni,' sollcd Em'ly, 'comc Icrc, and
lci mc lay my Icad uon you. OI, I am vcry
miscrallc ionigIi, auni! OI, I am noi as good a
girl as I ougIi io lc. I am noi, I lnov!'
Fcggoiiy Iad Iasicncd io iIc cIair lcforc iIc
firc. Em'ly, viiI Icr arms around Icr nccl,
lncclcd ly Icr, looling u mosi carncsily inio
Icr facc.
'OI, ray, auni, iry io Icl mc! Ham, dcar,
iry io Icl mc! Mr. David, for iIc salc of old
iimcs, do, lcasc, iry io Icl mc! I vani io lc a
lciicr girl iIan I am. I vani io fccl a Iundrcd
iimcs morc iIanlful iIan I do. I vani io fccl
morc, vIai a llcsscd iIing ii is io lc iIc vifc
of a good man, and io lcad a caccful lifc. OI
mc, oI mc! OI my Icari, my Icari!'
SIc drocd Icr facc on my old nursc's lrcasi,
and, ccasing iIis sulicaiion, vIicI in iis
agony and gricf vas Ialf a voman's, Ialf a
cIild's, as all Icr manncr vas (lcing, in iIai,
morc naiural, and lciicr suiicd io Icr lcauiy,
as I iIougIi, iIan any oiIcr manncr could Iavc
lccn}, vci silcnily, vIilc my old nursc IusIcd
Icr lilc an infani.
SIc goi calmcr ly dcgrccs, and iIcn vc
sooiIcd Icr; nov ialling cncouragingly, and
nov jcsiing a liiilc viiI Icr, uniil sIc lcgan io
412
raisc Icr Icad and scal io us. So vc goi on,
uniil sIc vas allc io smilc, and iIcn io laugI,
and iIcn io sii u, Ialf asIamcd; vIilc Fcggoiiy
rccallcd Icr siray ringlcis, dricd Icr cycs, and
madc Icr ncai again, lcsi Icr unclc sIould
vondcr, vIcn sIc goi Iomc, vIy Iis darling
Iad lccn crying.
I sav Icr do, iIai nigIi, vIai I Iad ncvcr
sccn Icr do lcforc. I sav Icr innoccnily liss
Icr cIoscn Iusland on iIc cIccl, and crcc
closc io Iis lluff form as if ii vcrc Icr lcsi
suori. WIcn iIcy vcni avay iogciIcr, in iIc
vaning moonligIi, and I loolcd aficr iIcm, com-
aring iIcir dcariurc in my mind viiI
MariIa's, I sav iIai sIc Icld Iis arm viiI loiI
Icr Iands, and siill lci closc io Iim.
CHAPTER 2S
I CORROBORATE Mr. DICK,
AND CHOOSE
A PROFESSION
WHEN I AWOKE IN THE MOFNING I iIougIi vcry mucI
of liiilc Em'ly, and Icr cmoiion lasi nigIi, aficr
MariIa Iad lcfi. I fcli as if I Iad comc inio iIc
lnovlcdgc of iIosc domcsiic vcalncsscs and
icndcrncsscs in a sacrcd confidcncc, and iIai
io disclosc iIcm, cvcn io SiccrforiI, vould lc
vrong. I Iad no gcnilcr fccling iovards anyonc
iIan iovards iIc rciiy crcaiurc vIo Iad lccn
my laymaic, and vIom I Iavc alvays lccn
crsuadcd, and sIall alvays lc crsuadcd, io
my dying day, I iIcn dcvoicdly lovcd. TIc rc-
ciiiion io any carscvcn io SiccrforiI'sof
vIai sIc Iad lccn unallc io rcrcss vIcn Icr
Icari lay ocn io mc ly an accidcni, I fcli vould
lc a rougI dccd, unvoriIy of mysclf, unvor-
413
iIy of iIc ligIi of our urc cIildIood, vIicI I
alvays sav cncircling Icr Icad. I madc a rcso-
luiion, iIcrcforc, io lcc ii in my ovn lrcasi;
and iIcrc ii gavc Icr imagc a ncv gracc.
WIilc vc vcrc ai lrcalfasi, a lciicr vas dcliv-
crcd io mc from my auni. As ii coniaincd mai-
icr on vIicI I iIougIi SiccrforiI could advisc
mc as vcll as anyonc, and on vIicI I lncv I
sIould lc dcligIicd io consuli Iim, I rcsolvcd
io malc ii a suljcci of discussion on our jour-
ncy Iomc. For iIc rcscni vc Iad cnougI io
do, in ialing lcavc of all our fricnds. Mr. Darlis
vas far from lcing iIc lasi among iIcm, in Iis
rcgrci ai our dcariurc; and I lclicvc vould
cvcn Iavc ocncd iIc lo again, and sacrificcd
anoiIcr guinca, if ii vould Iavc lci us cigIi-
and-foriy Iours in YarmouiI. Fcggoiiy and all
Icr family vcrc full of gricf ai our going. TIc
vIolc Iousc of Omcr and Joram iurncd oui io
lid us good-lyc; and iIcrc vcrc so many sca-
faring voluniccrs in aiicndancc on SiccrforiI,
vIcn our orimanicau vcni io iIc coacI, iIai
if vc Iad Iad iIc laggagc of a rcgimcni viiI
us, vc sIould Iardly Iavc vanicd oricrs io
carry ii. In a vord, vc dcaricd io iIc rcgrci
and admiraiion of all conccrncd, and lcfi a grcai
many colc vcry sorry lcIind us.
Do you siay long Icrc, Liiiimcr?' said I, as Ic
siood vaiiing io scc iIc coacI siari.
'No, sir,' Ic rclicd; 'rolally noi vcry long,
sir.'
'Hc can Iardly say, jusi nov,' olscrvcd
SiccrforiI, carclcssly. 'Hc lnovs vIai Ic Ias
io do, and Ic'll do ii.'
'TIai I am surc Ic vill,' said I.
Liiiimcr ioucIcd Iis Iai in aclnovlcdgcmcni of
my good oinion, and I fcli aloui cigIi ycars old.
Hc ioucIcd ii oncc morc, visIing us a good jour-
ncy; and vc lcfi Iim sianding on iIc avcmcni,
as rcscciallc a mysicry as any yramid in Egyi.
For somc liiilc iimc vc Icld no convcrsaiion,
SiccrforiI lcing unusually silcni, and I lcing
414
sufficicnily cngagcd in vondcring, viiIin my-
sclf, vIcn I sIould scc iIc old laccs again,
and vIai ncv cIangcs migIi Iacn io mc or
iIcm in iIc mcanvIilc. Ai lcngiI SiccrforiI,
lccoming gay and iallaiivc in a momcni, as Ic
could lccomc anyiIing Ic lilcd ai any mo-
mcni, ullcd mc ly iIc arm:
'Find a voicc, David. WIai aloui iIai lciicr
you vcrc scaling of ai lrcalfasi?'
'OI!' said I, ialing ii oui of my oclci. 'Ii's
from my auni.'
'And vIai docs sIc say, rcquiring considcr-
aiion?'
'WIy, sIc rcminds mc, SiccrforiI,' said I, 'iIai
I camc oui on iIis ccdiiion io lool aloui mc,
and io iIinl a liiilc.'
'WIicI, of coursc, you Iavc donc?'
'Indccd I can'i say I Iavc, ariicularly. To icll
you iIc iruiI, I am afraid I Iavc forgoiicn ii.'
'Wcll! lool aloui you nov, and malc u for
your ncgligcncc,' said SiccrforiI. 'Lool io iIc
rigIi, and you'll scc a flai couniry, viiI a good
dcal of marsI in ii; lool io iIc lcfi, and you'll
scc iIc samc. Lool io iIc froni, and you'll find
no diffcrcncc; lool io iIc rcar, and iIcrc ii is
siill.' I laugIcd, and rclicd iIai I sav no suii-
allc rofcssion in iIc vIolc roscci; vIicI
vas crIas io lc aiiriluicd io iis flaincss.
'WIai says our auni on iIc suljcci?' inquircd
SiccrforiI, glancing ai iIc lciicr in my Iand.
'Docs sIc suggcsi anyiIing?'
'WIy, ycs,' said I. 'SIc asls mc, Icrc, if I iIinl I
sIould lilc io lc a rocior? WIai do you iIinl of ii?'
'Wcll, I don'i lnov,' rclicd SiccrforiI, coolly.
'You may as vcll do iIai as anyiIing clsc, I
suosc?'
I could noi Icl laugIing again, ai Iis lal-
ancing all callings and rofcssions so cqually;
and I iold Iim so.
'WIai is a rocior, SiccrforiI?' said I.
'WIy, Ic is a sori of monlisI aiiorncy,' rc-
licd SiccrforiI. 'Hc is, io somc fadcd couris
415
Icld in Dociors' Commons,a lazy old nool
ncar Si. Faul's CIurcIyardvIai soliciiors arc
io iIc couris of lav and cquiiy. Hc is a func-
iionary vIosc cisicncc, in iIc naiural coursc
of iIings, vould Iavc icrminaicd aloui ivo
Iundrcd ycars ago. I can icll you lcsi vIai Ic
is, ly iclling you vIai Dociors' Commons is.
Ii's a liiilc oui-of-iIc-vay lacc, vIcrc iIcy
adminisicr vIai is callcd ccclcsiasiical lav, and
lay all linds of iricls viiI olsolcic old mon-
sicrs of acis of Farliamcni, vIicI iIrcc-fouriIs
of iIc vorld lnov noiIing aloui, and iIc oiIcr
fouriI suoscs io Iavc lccn dug u, in a fos-
sil siaic, in iIc days of iIc Edvards. Ii's a lacc
iIai Ias an ancicni monooly in suiis aloui
colc's vills and colc's marriagcs, and dis-
uics among sIis and loais.'
'Nonscnsc, SiccrforiI!' I cclaimcd. 'You
don'i mcan io say iIai iIcrc is any affiniiy
lcivccn nauiical maiicrs and ccclcsiasiical
maiicrs?'
'I don'i, indccd, my dcar loy,' Ic rciurncd; 'lui
I mcan io say iIai iIcy arc managcd and dc-
cidcd ly iIc samc sci of colc, dovn in iIai
samc Dociors' Commons. You sIall go iIcrc onc
day, and find iIcm llundcring iIrougI Ialf iIc
nauiical icrms in Young's Diciionary, aroos of
iIc Nancy" Iaving run dovn iIc SaraI Janc",
or Mr. Fcggoiiy and iIc YarmouiI loaimcn Iav-
ing ui off in a galc of vind viiI an ancIor and
callc io iIc Nclson" Indiaman in disircss; and
you sIall go iIcrc anoiIcr day, and find iIcm
dcc in iIc cvidcncc, ro and con, rcscciing a
clcrgyman vIo Ias mislcIavcd Iimsclf; and you
sIall find iIc judgc in iIc nauiical casc, iIc ad-
vocaic in iIc clcrgyman's casc, or conirarivisc.
TIcy arc lilc aciors: nov a man's a judgc, and
nov Ic is noi a judgc; nov Ic's onc iIing, nov
Ic's anoiIcr; nov Ic's somciIing clsc, cIangc
and cIangc aloui; lui ii's alvays a vcry lcas-
ani, rofiiallc liiilc affair of rivaic iIcairicals,
rcscnicd io an uncommonly sclcci audicncc.'
416
'Dui advocaics and rociors arc noi onc and
iIc samc?' said I, a liiilc uzzlcd. 'Arc iIcy?'
'No,' rciurncd SiccrforiI, 'iIc advocaics arc
civiliansmcn vIo Iavc ialcn a docior's dc-
grcc ai collcgcvIicI is iIc firsi rcason of my
lnoving anyiIing aloui ii. TIc rociors cm-
loy iIc advocaics. DoiI gci vcry comforiallc
fccs, and aliogciIcr iIcy malc a migIiy snug
liiilc ariy. On iIc vIolc, I vould rccommcnd
you io ialc io Dociors' Commons lindly, David.
TIcy lumc iIcmsclvcs on iIcir gcniiliiy iIcrc,
I can icll you, if iIai's any saiisfaciion.'
I madc allovancc for SiccrforiI's ligIi vay of
ircaiing iIc suljcci, and, considcring ii viiI
rcfcrcncc io iIc siaid air of graviiy and aniiq-
uiiy vIicI I associaicd viiI iIai 'lazy old nool
ncar Si. Faul's CIurcIyard', did noi fccl indis-
oscd iovards my auni's suggcsiion; vIicI sIc
lcfi io my frcc dccision, maling no scrulc of
iclling mc iIai ii Iad occurrcd io Icr, on Icr
laicly visiiing Icr ovn rocior in Dociors' Com-
mons for iIc urosc of sciiling Icr vill in my
favour.
'TIai's a laudallc rocccding on iIc ari of
our auni, ai all cvcnis,' said SiccrforiI, vIcn I
mcniioncd ii; 'and onc dcscrving of all cncour-
agcmcni. Daisy, my advicc is iIai you ialc
lindly io Dociors' Commons.'
I quiic madc u my mind io do so. I iIcn iold
SiccrforiI iIai my auni vas in iovn avaiiing
mc (as I found from Icr lciicr}, and iIai sIc
Iad ialcn lodgings for a vccl ai a lind of ri-
vaic Ioicl ai Lincoln's Inn Ficlds, vIcrc iIcrc
vas a sionc siaircasc, and a convcnicni door in
iIc roof; my auni lcing firmly crsuadcd iIai
cvcry Iousc in London vas going io lc lurni
dovn cvcry nigIi.
Wc acIicvcd iIc rcsi of our journcy lcas-
anily, somciimcs rccurring io Dociors' Com-
mons, and aniiciaiing iIc disiani days vIcn
I sIould lc a rocior iIcrc, vIicI SiccrforiI
iciurcd in a variciy of Iumorous and vIimsi-
417
cal ligIis, iIai madc us loiI mcrry. WIcn vc
camc io our journcy's cnd, Ic vcni Iomc, cn-
gaging io call uon mc nci day lui onc; and I
drovc io Lincoln's Inn Ficlds, vIcrc I found my
auni u, and vaiiing sucr.
If I Iad lccn round iIc vorld sincc vc aricd,
vc could Iardly Iavc lccn lciicr lcascd io
mcci again. My auni cricd ouirigIi as sIc cm-
lraccd mc; and said, rcicnding io laugI, iIai
if my oor moiIcr Iad lccn alivc, iIai silly liiilc
crcaiurc vould Iavc sIcd icars, sIc Iad no
douli.
'So you Iavc lcfi Mr. Dicl lcIind, auni?' said
I. 'I am sorry for iIai. AI, Janci, Iov do you
do?'
As Janci curisicd, Ioing I vas vcll, I ol-
scrvcd my auni's visagc lcngiIcn vcry mucI.
'I am sorry for ii, ioo,' said my auni, rulling
Icr nosc. 'I Iavc Iad no cacc of mind, Troi,
sincc I Iavc lccn Icrc.' Dcforc I could asl vIy,
sIc iold mc.
'I am convinccd,' said my auni, laying Icr
Iand viiI mclancIoly firmncss on iIc iallc,
'iIai Dicl's cIaracicr is noi a cIaracicr io lcc
iIc donlcys off. I am confidcni Ic vanis
sircngiI of urosc. I ougIi io Iavc lcfi Janci
ai Iomc, insicad, and iIcn my mind migIi cr-
Ias Iavc lccn ai casc. If cvcr iIcrc vas a don-
lcy ircsassing on my grccn,' said my auni,
viiI cmIasis, 'iIcrc vas onc iIis aficrnoon
ai four o'clocl. A cold fccling camc ovcr mc from
Icad io fooi, and I lnov ii vas a donlcy!'
I iricd io comfori Icr on iIis oini, lui sIc
rcjccicd consolaiion.
'Ii vas a donlcy,' said my auni; 'and ii vas iIc
onc viiI iIc siumy iail vIicI iIai Murdcring
sisicr of a voman rodc, vIcn sIc camc io my
Iousc.' TIis Iad lccn, cvcr sincc, iIc only namc
my auni lncv for Miss Murdsionc. 'If iIcrc is
any Donlcy in Dovcr, vIosc audaciiy ii is Iardcr
io mc io lcar iIan anoiIcr's, iIai,' said my auni,
siriling iIc iallc, 'is iIc animal!'
418
Janci vcniurcd io suggcsi iIai my auni migIi
lc disiurling Icrsclf unncccssarily, and iIai
sIc lclicvcd iIc donlcy in qucsiion vas iIcn
cngagcd in iIc sand-and-gravcl linc of lusi-
ncss, and vas noi availallc for uroscs of ircs-
ass. Dui my auni vouldn'i Icar of ii.
Sucr vas comforially scrvcd and Ioi,
iIougI my auni's rooms vcrc vcry IigI u
vIciIcr iIai sIc migIi Iavc morc sionc siairs
for Icr moncy, or migIi lc ncarcr io iIc door
in iIc roof, I don'i lnovand consisicd of a
roasi fovl, a sical, and somc vcgciallcs, io all
of vIicI I did amlc jusiicc, and vIicI vcrc
all cccllcni. Dui my auni Iad Icr ovn idcas
conccrning London rovision, and aic lui liiilc.
'I suosc iIis unforiunaic fovl vas lorn and
lrougIi u in a ccllar,' said my auni, 'and ncvcr
iool iIc air ccci on a Iaclncy coacI-siand.
I Ioc iIc sical may lc lccf, lui I don'i lc-
licvc ii. NoiIing's gcnuinc in iIc lacc, in my
oinion, lui iIc diri.'
'Don'i you iIinl iIc fovl may Iavc comc oui
of iIc couniry, auni?' I Iinicd.
'Ccriainly noi,' rciurncd my auni. 'Ii vould
lc no lcasurc io a London iradcsman io scll
anyiIing vIicI vas vIai Ic rcicndcd ii vas.'
I did noi vcniurc io conirovcri iIis oinion,
lui I madc a good sucr, vIicI ii grcaily sai-
isficd Icr io scc mc do. WIcn iIc iallc vas
clcarcd, Janci assisicd Icr io arrangc Icr Iair,
io ui on Icr nigIica, vIicI vas of a smaricr
consiruciion iIan usual ('in casc of firc', my
auni said}, and io fold Icr govn lacl ovcr Icr
lnccs, iIcsc lcing Icr usual rcaraiions for
varming Icrsclf lcforc going io lcd. I iIcn
madc Icr, according io ccriain csiallisIcd rcgu-
laiions from vIicI no dcviaiion, Iovcvcr sligIi,
could cvcr lc crmiiicd, a glass of Ioi vinc
and vaicr, and a slicc of ioasi cui inio long
iIin siris. WiiI iIcsc accomanimcnis vc
vcrc lcfi alonc io finisI iIc cvcning, my auni
siiiing oosiic io mc drinling Icr vinc and
419
vaicr; soaling Icr siris of ioasi in ii, onc ly
onc, lcforc caiing iIcm; and looling lcnignanily
on mc, from among iIc lordcrs of Icr nigIica.
'Wcll, Troi,' sIc lcgan, 'vIai do you iIinl of
iIc rocior lan? Or Iavc you noi lcgun io
iIinl aloui ii yci?'
'I Iavc iIougIi a good dcal aloui ii, my dcar
auni, and I Iavc iallcd a good dcal aloui ii
viiI SiccrforiI. I lilc ii vcry mucI indccd. I
lilc ii ccccdingly.'
'Comc!' said my auni. 'TIai's cIccring!'
'I Iavc only onc difficuliy, auni.'
'Say vIai ii is, Troi,' sIc rciurncd.
'WIy, I vani io asl, auni, as iIis sccms, from
vIai I undcrsiand, io lc a limiicd rofcssion,
vIciIcr my cnirancc inio ii vould noi lc vcry
ccnsivc?'
'Ii vill cosi,' rciurncd my auni, 'io ariiclc you,
jusi a iIousand ounds.'
'Nov, my dcar auni,' said I, draving my cIair
ncarcr, 'I am uncasy in my mind aloui iIai.
Ii's a largc sum of moncy. You Iavc ccndcd
a grcai dcal on my cducaiion, and Iavc alvays
lccn as lilcral io mc in all iIings as ii vas
ossillc io lc. You Iavc lccn iIc soul of gcn-
crosiiy. Surcly iIcrc arc somc vays in vIicI I
migIi lcgin lifc viiI Iardly any ouilay, and
yci lcgin viiI a good Ioc of gciiing on ly
rcsoluiion and ccriion. Arc you surc iIai ii
vould noi lc lciicr io iry iIai coursc? Arc you
ccriain iIai you can afford io ari viiI so mucI
moncy, and iIai ii is rigIi iIai ii sIould lc so
ccndcd? I only asl you, my sccond moiIcr,
io considcr. Arc you ccriain?'
My auni finisIcd caiing iIc iccc of ioasi on
vIicI sIc vas iIcn cngagcd, looling mc full
in iIc facc all iIc vIilc; and iIcn sciiing Icr
glass on iIc cIimncy-iccc, and folding Icr
Iands uon Icr foldcd sliris, rclicd as fol-
lovs:
'Troi, my cIild, if I Iavc any oljcci in lifc, ii is
io rovidc for your lcing a good, a scnsillc,
420
and a Iay man. I am lcni uon iiso is Dicl.
I sIould lilc somc colc iIai I lnov io Icar
Dicl's convcrsaiion on iIc suljcci. Iis sagaciiy
is vondcrful. Dui no onc lnovs iIc rcsourccs
of iIai man's inicllcci, ccci mysclf!'
SIc siocd for a momcni io ialc my Iand
lcivccn Icrs, and vcni on:
'Ii's in vain, Troi, io rccall iIc asi, unlcss ii
vorls somc influcncc uon iIc rcscni. Fcr-
Ias I migIi Iavc lccn lciicr fricnds viiI your
oor faiIcr. FcrIas I migIi Iavc lccn lciicr
fricnds viiI iIai oor cIild your moiIcr, cvcn
aficr your sisicr Dciscy Troivood disaoinicd
mc. WIcn you camc io mc, a liiilc runavay
loy, all dusiy and vay-vorn, crIas I iIougIi
so. From iIai iimc uniil nov, Troi, you Iavc
cvcr lccn a crcdii io mc and a ridc and a lca-
surc. I Iavc no oiIcr claim uon my mcans; ai
lcasi'Icrc io my surrisc sIc Icsiiaicd, and
vas confuscd'no, I Iavc no oiIcr claim uon
my mcansand you arc my adoicd cIild. Only
lc a loving cIild io mc in my agc, and lcar
viiI my vIims and fancics; and you vill do
morc for an old voman vIosc rimc of lifc vas
noi so Iay or conciliaiing as ii migIi Iavc
lccn, iIan cvcr iIai old voman did for you.'
Ii vas iIc firsi iimc I Iad Icard my auni rcfcr
io Icr asi Iisiory. TIcrc vas a magnanimiiy
in Icr quici vay of doing so, and of dismissing
ii, vIicI vould Iavc calicd Icr in my rcscci
and affcciion, if anyiIing could.
'All is agrccd and undcrsiood lcivccn us,
nov, Troi,' said my auni, 'and vc nccd iall of
iIis no morc. Givc mc a liss, and vc'll go io
iIc Commons aficr lrcalfasi iomorrov.'
Wc Iad a long cIai ly iIc firc lcforc vc vcni
io lcd. I slci in a room on iIc samc floor viiI
my auni's, and vas a liiilc disiurlcd in iIc
coursc of iIc nigIi ly Icr lnocling ai my door
as oficn as sIc vas agiiaicd ly a disiani sound
of Iaclncy-coacIcs or marlci-caris, and inquir-
ing, 'if I Icard iIc cngincs?' Dui iovards morn-
421
ing sIc slci lciicr, and suffcrcd mc io do so
ioo.
Ai aloui mid-day, vc sci oui for iIc officc of
Mcssrs Scnlov and Jorlins, in Dociors' Com-
mons. My auni, vIo Iad iIis oiIcr gcncral
oinion in rcfcrcncc io London, iIai cvcry man
sIc sav vas a icloclci, gavc mc Icr ursc
io carry for Icr, vIicI Iad icn guincas in ii
and somc silvcr.
Wc madc a ausc ai iIc ioy sIo in Flcci
Sircci, io scc iIc gianis of Saini Dunsian's
sirilc uon iIc lcllsvc Iad iimcd our going,
so as io caicI iIcm ai ii, ai ivclvc o'clocland
iIcn vcni on iovards Ludgaic Hill, and Si.
Faul's CIurcIyard. Wc vcrc crossing io iIc
formcr lacc, vIcn I found iIai my auni grcaily
accclcraicd Icr sccd, and loolcd frigIicncd.
I olscrvcd, ai iIc samc iimc, iIai a lovcring
ill-drcsscd man vIo Iad siocd and siarcd ai
us in assing, a liiilc lcforc, vas coming so
closc aficr us as io lrusI againsi Icr.
'Troi! My dcar Troi!' cricd my auni, in a icrri-
ficd vIiscr, and rcssing my arm. 'I don'i
lnov vIai I am io do.'
'Don'i lc alarmcd,' said I. 'TIcrc's noiIing io
lc afraid of. Sic inio a sIo, and I'll soon gci
rid of iIis fcllov.'
'No, no, cIild!' sIc rciurncd. 'Don'i scal io
Iim for iIc vorld. I cnircai, I ordcr you!'
'Good Hcavcn, auni!' said I. 'Hc is noiIing
lui a siurdy lcggar.'
'You don'i lnov vIai Ic is!' rclicd my auni.
'You don'i lnov vIo Ic is! You don'i lnov vIai
you say!'
Wc Iad siocd in an cmiy door-vay, vIilc
iIis vas assing, and Ic Iad siocd ioo.
'Don'i lool ai Iim!' said my auni, as I iurncd
my Icad indignanily, 'lui gci mc a coacI, my
dcar, and vaii for mc in Si. Faul's CIurcIyard.'
'Waii for you?' I rclicd.
'Ycs,' rcjoincd my auni. 'I musi go alonc. I
musi go viiI Iim.'
422
'WiiI Iim, auni? TIis man?'
'I am in my scnscs,' sIc rclicd, 'and I icll
you I musi. Gci mc a coacI!'
Hovcvcr mucI asionisIcd I migIi lc, I vas
scnsillc iIai I Iad no rigIi io rcfusc comli-
ancc viiI sucI a crcmiory command. I Iur-
ricd avay a fcv accs, and callcd a Iaclncy-
cIarioi vIicI vas assing cmiy. Almosi lc-
forc I could lci dovn iIc sics, my auni srang
in, I don'i lnov Iov, and iIc man follovcd.
SIc vavcd Icr Iand io mc io go avay, so car-
ncsily, iIai, all confoundcd as I vas, I iurncd
from iIcm ai oncc. In doing so, I Icard Icr say
io iIc coacIman, 'Drivc anyvIcrc! Drivc
siraigIi on!' and rcscnily iIc cIarioi asscd
mc, going u iIc Iill.
WIai Mr. Dicl Iad iold mc, and vIai I Iad
suoscd io lc a dclusion of Iis, nov camc
inio my mind. I could noi douli iIai iIis cr-
son vas iIc crson of vIom Ic Iad madc sucI
mysicrious mcniion, iIougI vIai iIc naiurc
of Iis Iold uon my auni could ossilly lc, I
vas quiic unallc io imaginc. Aficr Ialf an Iour's
cooling in iIc cIurcIyard, I sav iIc cIarioi
coming lacl. TIc drivcr siocd lcsidc mc, and
my auni vas siiiing in ii alonc.
SIc Iad noi yci sufficicnily rccovcrcd from
Icr agiiaiion io lc quiic rcarcd for iIc visii
vc Iad io malc. SIc dcsircd mc io gci inio iIc
cIarioi, and io icll iIc coacIman io drivc slovly
u and dovn a liiilc vIilc. SIc said no morc,
ccci, 'My dcar cIild, ncvcr asl mc vIai ii
vas, and don'i rcfcr io ii,' uniil sIc Iad cr-
fccily rcgaincd Icr comosurc, vIcn sIc iold
mc sIc vas quiic Icrsclf nov, and vc migIi
gci oui. On Icr giving mc Icr ursc io ay iIc
drivcr, I found iIai all iIc guincas vcrc gonc,
and only iIc loosc silvcr rcmaincd.
Dociors' Commons vas aroacIcd ly a liiilc
lov arcIvay. Dcforc vc Iad ialcn many accs
dovn iIc sircci lcyond ii, iIc noisc of iIc ciiy
sccmcd io mcli, as if ly magic, inio a soficncd
423
disiancc. A fcv dull couris and narrov vays
lrougIi us io iIc sly-ligIicd officcs of Scnlov
and Jorlins; in iIc vcsiilulc of vIicI icmlc,
acccssillc io ilgrims viiIoui iIc ccrcmony of
lnocling, iIrcc or four clcrls vcrc ai vorl as
coyisis. Onc of iIcsc, a liiilc dry man, siiiing
ly Iimsclf, vIo vorc a siiff lrovn vig iIai
loolcd as if ii vcrc madc of gingcrlrcad, rosc
io rcccivc my auni, and sIov us inio Mr.
Scnlov's room.
'Mr. Scnlov's in Couri, ma'am,' said iIc dry
man; 'ii's an ArcIcs day; lui ii's closc ly, and
I'll scnd for Iim dirccily.'
As vc vcrc lcfi io lool aloui us vIilc Mr.
Scnlov vas fcicIcd, I availcd mysclf of iIc
ooriuniiy. TIc furniiurc of iIc room vas old-
fasIioncd and dusiy; and iIc grccn laizc on
iIc io of iIc vriiing-iallc Iad losi all iis
colour, and vas as viiIcrcd and alc as an old
aucr. TIcrc vcrc a grcai many lundlcs of
acrs on ii, somc cndorscd as Allcgaiions, and
somc (io my surrisc} as Lilcls, and somc as
lcing in iIc Consisiory Couri, and somc in iIc
ArcIcs Couri, and somc in iIc Frcrogaiivc
Couri, and somc in iIc Admiraliy Couri, and
somc in iIc Dclcgaics' Couri; giving mc occa-
sion io vondcr mucI, Iov many Couris iIcrc
migIi lc in iIc gross, and Iov long ii vould
ialc io undcrsiand iIcm all. Dcsidcs iIcsc,
iIcrc vcrc sundry immcnsc manuscrii Dools
of Evidcncc ialcn on affidavii, sirongly lound,
and iicd iogciIcr in massivc scis, a sci io cacI
causc, as if cvcry causc vcrc a Iisiory in icn or
ivcniy volumcs. All iIis loolcd iolcrally c-
cnsivc, I iIougIi, and gavc mc an agrccallc
noiion of a rocior's lusincss. I vas casiing my
cycs viiI incrcasing comlaccncy ovcr iIcsc
and many similar oljccis, vIcn Iasiy fooisics
vcrc Icard in iIc room ouisidc, and Mr.
Scnlov, in a llacl govn irimmcd viiI vIiic
fur, camc Iurrying in, ialing off Iis Iai as Ic
camc.
424
Hc vas a liiilc ligIi-Iaircd gcnilcman, viiI
undcniallc loois, and iIc siiffcsi of vIiic cra-
vais and sIiri-collars. Hc vas luiioncd u,
migIiy irim and iigIi, and musi Iavc ialcn a
grcai dcal of ains viiI Iis vIislcrs, vIicI
vcrc accuraicly curlcd. His gold vaicI-cIain
vas so massivc, iIai a fancy camc across mc,
iIai Ic ougIi io Iavc a sincvy goldcn arm, io
drav ii oui viiI, lilc iIosc vIicI arc ui u
ovcr iIc goldlcaicrs' sIos. Hc vas goi u viiI
sucI carc, and vas so siiff, iIai Ic could Iardly
lcnd Iimsclf; lcing olligcd, vIcn Ic glanccd
ai somc acrs on Iis dcsl, aficr siiiing dovn
in Iis cIair, io movc Iis vIolc lody, from iIc
loiiom of Iis sinc, lilc FuncI.
I Iad rcviously lccn rcscnicd ly my auni,
and Iad lccn couricously rcccivcd. Hc nov
said:
'And so, Mr. Cocrficld, you iIinl of cnicr-
ing inio our rofcssion? I casually mcniioncd io
Miss Troivood, vIcn I Iad iIc lcasurc of an
inicrvicv viiI Icr iIc oiIcr day,'viiI anoiIcr
inclinaiion of Iis lodyFuncI again'iIai
iIcrc vas a vacancy Icrc. Miss Troivood vas
good cnougI io mcniion iIai sIc Iad a ncIcv
vIo vas Icr cculiar carc, and for vIom sIc
vas sccling io rovidc gcnicclly in lifc. TIai
ncIcv, I lclicvc, I Iavc nov iIc lcasurc of'
FuncI again. I lovcd my aclnovlcdgcmcnis,
and said, my auni Iad mcniioncd io mc iIai
iIcrc vas iIai ocning, and iIai I lclicvcd I
sIould lilc ii vcry mucI. TIai I vas sirongly
inclincd io lilc ii, and Iad ialcn immcdiaicly
io iIc roosal. TIai I could noi alsoluicly
lcdgc mysclf io lilc ii, uniil I lncv somciIing
morc aloui ii. TIai aliIougI ii vas liiilc clsc
iIan a maiicr of form, I rcsumcd I sIould Iavc
an ooriuniiy of irying Iov I lilcd ii, lcforc I
lound mysclf io ii irrcvocally.
'OI surcly! surcly!' said Mr. Scnlov. 'Wc al-
vays, in iIis Iousc, roosc a moniIan ini-
iiaiory moniI. I sIould lc Iay, mysclf, io
425
roosc ivo moniIsiIrccan indcfiniic c-
riod, in facilui I Iavc a arincr. Mr. Jorlins.'
'And iIc rcmium, sir,' I rciurncd, 'is a iIou-
sand ounds?'
'And iIc rcmium, Siam includcd, is a iIou-
sand ounds,' said Mr. Scnlov. 'As I Iavc
mcniioncd io Miss Troivood, I am aciuaicd ly
no mcrccnary considcraiions; fcv mcn arc lcss
so, I lclicvc; lui Mr. Jorlins Ias Iis oinions
on iIcsc suljccis, and I am lound io rcscci
Mr. Jorlins's oinions. Mr. Jorlins iIinls a
iIousand ounds ioo liiilc, in sIori.'
'I suosc, sir,' said I, siill dcsiring io sarc my
auni, 'iIai ii is noi iIc cusiom Icrc, if an ariiclcd
clcrl vcrc ariicularly uscful, and madc Iimsclf
a crfcci masicr of Iis rofcssion'I could noi
Icl llusIing, iIis loolcd so lilc raising my-
sclf'I suosc ii is noi iIc cusiom, in iIc laicr
ycars of Iis iimc, io allov Iim any'
Mr. Scnlov, ly a grcai cffori, jusi lificd Iis
Icad far cnougI oui of Iis cravai io sIalc ii,
and ansvcrcd, aniiciaiing iIc vord 'salary':
'No. I vill noi say vIai considcraiion I migIi
givc io iIai oini mysclf, Mr. Cocrficld, if I
vcrc unfciicrcd. Mr. Jorlins is immovallc.'
I vas quiic dismaycd ly iIc idca of iIis icr-
rillc Jorlins. Dui I found oui aficrvards iIai
Ic vas a mild man of a Icavy icmcramcni,
vIosc lacc in iIc lusincss vas io lcc Iim-
sclf in iIc laclground, and lc consianily c-
Iiliicd ly namc as iIc mosi olduraic and ruiI-
lcss of mcn. If a clcrl vanicd Iis salary raiscd,
Mr. Jorlins vouldn'i lisicn io sucI a roosi-
iion. If a clicni vcrc slov io sciilc Iis lill of
cosis, Mr. Jorlins vas rcsolvcd io Iavc ii aid;
and Iovcvcr ainful iIcsc iIings migIi lc (and
alvays vcrc} io iIc fcclings of Mr. Scnlov,
Mr. Jorlins vould Iavc Iis lond. TIc Icari
and Iand of iIc good angcl Scnlov vould Iavc
lccn alvays ocn, lui for iIc rcsiraining dc-
mon Jorlins. As I Iavc grovn oldcr, I iIinl I
Iavc Iad ccricncc of somc oiIcr Iouscs do-
426
ing lusincss on iIc rincilc of Scnlov and
Jorlins!
Ii vas sciilcd iIai I sIould lcgin my moniI's
rolaiion as soon as I lcascd, and iIai my
auni nccd nciiIcr rcmain in iovn nor rciurn
ai iis ciraiion, as iIc ariiclcs of agrccmcni,
of vIicI I vas io lc iIc suljcci, could casily lc
scni io Icr ai Iomc for Icr signaiurc. WIcn
vc Iad goi so far, Mr. Scnlov offcrcd io ialc
mc inio Couri iIcn and iIcrc, and sIov mc
vIai sori of lacc ii vas. As I vas villing cnougI
io lnov, vc vcni oui viiI iIis oljcci, lcaving
my auni lcIind; vIo vould irusi Icrsclf, sIc
said, in no sucI lacc, and vIo, I iIinl, rc-
gardcd all Couris of Lav as a sori of ovdcr-
mills iIai migIi llov u ai any iimc.
Mr. Scnlov conducicd mc iIrougI a avcd
couriyard formcd of gravc lricl Iouscs, vIicI
I infcrrcd, from iIc Dociors' namcs uon iIc
doors, io lc iIc official aliding-laccs of iIc
lcarncd advocaics of vIom SiccrforiI Iad iold
mc; and inio a largc dull room, noi unlilc a
cIacl io my iIinling, on iIc lcfi Iand. TIc
ucr ari of iIis room vas fcnccd off from iIc
rcsi; and iIcrc, on iIc ivo sidcs of a raiscd
laiform of iIc Iorsc-sIoc form, siiiing on casy
old-fasIioncd dining-room cIairs, vcrc sundry
gcnilcmcn in rcd govns and grcy vigs, vIom I
found io lc iIc Dociors aforcsaid. Dlinling ovcr
a liiilc dcsl lilc a ulii-dcsl, in iIc curvc of
iIc Iorsc-sIoc, vas an old gcnilcman, vIom,
if I Iad sccn Iim in an aviary, I sIould ccr-
iainly Iavc ialcn for an ovl, lui vIo, I lcarncd,
vas iIc rcsiding judgc. In iIc sacc viiIin
iIc Iorsc-sIoc, lovcr iIan iIcsc, iIai is io say,
on aloui iIc lcvcl of iIc floor, vcrc sundry
oiIcr gcnilcmcn, of Mr. Scnlov's ranl, and
drcsscd lilc Iim in llacl govns viiI vIiic fur
uon iIcm, siiiing ai a long grccn iallc. TIcir
cravais vcrc in gcncral siiff, I iIougIi, and iIcir
lools IaugIiy; lui in iIis lasi rcscci I rcs-
cnily conccivcd I Iad donc iIcm an injusiicc,
427
for vIcn ivo or iIrcc of iIcm Iad io risc and
ansvcr a qucsiion of iIc rcsiding digniiary, I
ncvcr sav anyiIing morc sIccisI. TIc ullic,
rcrcscnicd ly a loy viiI a comforicr, and a
sIally-gcniccl man sccrcily caiing crumls oui
of Iis coai oclcis, vas varming iisclf ai a siovc
in iIc ccnirc of iIc Couri. TIc languid siillncss
of iIc lacc vas only lrolcn ly iIc cIiring of
iIis firc and ly iIc voicc of onc of iIc Dociors,
vIo vas vandcring slovly iIrougI a crfcci li-
lrary of cvidcncc, and sioing io ui u, from
iimc io iimc, ai liiilc roadsidc inns of argumcni
on iIc journcy. AliogciIcr, I Iavc ncvcr, on any
occasion, madc onc ai sucI a coscy, doscy, old-
fasIioncd, iimc-forgoiicn, slccy-Icadcd liiilc
family-ariy in all my lifc; and I fcli ii vould lc
quiic a sooiIing oiaic io lclong io ii in any
cIaracicrccci crIas as a suiior.
Vcry vcll saiisficd viiI iIc drcamy naiurc of
iIis rcircai, I informcd Mr. Scnlov iIai I Iad
sccn cnougI for iIai iimc, and vc rcjoincd my
auni; in comany viiI vIom I rcscnily dc-
aricd from iIc Commons, fccling vcry young
vIcn I vcni oui of Scnlov and Jorlins's, on
accouni of iIc clcrls oling onc anoiIcr viiI
iIcir cns io oini mc oui.
Wc arrivcd ai Lincoln's Inn Ficlds viiIoui any
ncv advcniurcs, ccci cncounicring an un-
lucly donlcy in a cosicrmongcr's cari, vIo
suggcsicd ainful associaiions io my auni. Wc
Iad anoiIcr long iall aloui my lans, vIcn
vc vcrc safcly Iouscd; and as I lncv sIc vas
anious io gci Iomc, and, lcivccn firc, food,
and icloclcis, could ncvcr lc considcrcd ai
Icr casc for Ialf-an-Iour in London, I urgcd
Icr noi io lc uncomforiallc on my accouni,
lui io lcavc mc io ialc carc of mysclf.
'I Iavc noi lccn Icrc a vccl iomorrov, viiI-
oui considcring iIai ioo, my dcar,' sIc rc-
iurncd. 'TIcrc is a furnisIcd liiilc sci of cIam-
lcrs io lc lci in iIc AdclIi, Troi, vIicI ougIi
io suii you io a marvcl.'
428
WiiI iIis lricf iniroduciion, sIc roduccd
from Icr oclci an advcriiscmcni, carcfully cui
oui of a ncvsacr, sciiing foriI iIai in
DuclingIam Sircci in iIc AdclIi iIcrc vas
io lc lci furnisIcd, viiI a vicv of iIc rivcr, a
singularly dcsirallc, and comaci sci of cIam-
lcrs, forming a gcniccl rcsidcncc for a young
gcnilcman, a mcmlcr of onc of iIc Inns of
Couri, or oiIcrvisc, viiI immcdiaic osscssion.
Tcrms modcraic, and could lc ialcn for a
moniI only, if rcquircd.
'WIy, iIis is iIc vcry iIing, auni!' said I,
flusIcd viiI iIc ossillc digniiy of living in
cIamlcrs.
'TIcn comc,' rclicd my auni, immcdiaicly
rcsuming iIc lonnci sIc Iad a minuic lcforc
laid asidc. 'Wc'll go and lool ai 'cm.'
Avay vc vcni. TIc advcriiscmcni dirccicd us
io aly io Mrs. Cru on iIc rcmiscs, and vc
rung iIc arca lcll, vIicI vc suoscd io com-
municaic viiI Mrs. Cru. Ii vas noi uniil vc
Iad rung iIrcc or four iimcs iIai vc could rc-
vail on Mrs. Cru io communicaic viiI us, lui
ai lasi sIc acarcd, lcing a sioui lady viiI a
flouncc of flanncl ciiicoai lclov a nanlccn govn.
'Lci us scc iIcsc cIamlcrs of yours, if you
lcasc, ma'am,' said my auni.
'For iIis gcnilcman?' said Mrs. Cru, fccl-
ing in Icr oclci for Icr lcys.
'Ycs, for my ncIcv,' said my auni.
'And a svcci sci iIcy is for sicI!' said Mrs.
Cru.
So vc vcni usiairs.
TIcy vcrc on iIc io of iIc Iousca grcai
oini viiI my auni, lcing ncar iIc firc-cscac
and consisicd of a liiilc Ialf-llind cniry vIcrc
you could scc Iardly anyiIing, a liiilc sionc-
llind aniry vIcrc you could scc noiIing ai
all, a siiiing-room, and a lcdroom. TIc furni-
iurc vas raiIcr fadcd, lui quiic good cnougI
for mc; and, surc cnougI, iIc rivcr vas oui-
sidc iIc vindovs.
429
As I vas dcligIicd viiI iIc lacc, my auni
and Mrs. Cru viiIdrcv inio iIc aniry io
discuss iIc icrms, vIilc I rcmaincd on iIc sii-
iing-room sofa, Iardly daring io iIinl ii os-
sillc iIai I could lc dcsiincd io livc in sucI a
nollc rcsidcncc. Aficr a singlc comlai of somc
duraiion iIcy rciurncd, and I sav, io my joy,
loiI in Mrs. Cru's counicnancc and in my
auni's, iIai iIc dccd vas donc.
'Is ii iIc lasi occuani's furniiurc?' inquircd
my auni.
'Ycs, ii is, ma'am,' said Mrs. Cru.
'WIai's lccomc of Iim?' aslcd my auni.
Mrs. Cru vas ialcn viiI a iroullcsomc
cougI, in iIc midsi of vIicI sIc ariiculaicd
viiI mucI difficuliy. 'Hc vas iool ill Icrc,
ma'am, andugI! ugI! ugI! dcar mc!and Ic
dicd!'
'Hcy! WIai did Ic dic of?' aslcd my auni.
'Wcll, ma'am, Ic dicd of drinl,' said Mrs.
Cru, in confidcncc. 'And smolc.'
'Smolc? You don'i mcan cIimncys?' said my
auni.
'No, ma'am,' rciurncd Mrs. Cru. 'Cigars and
ics.'
'TIai's noi caicIing, Troi, ai any raic,' rc-
marlcd my auni, iurning io mc.
'No, indccd,' said I.
In sIori, my auni, sccing Iov cnraiurcd I
vas viiI iIc rcmiscs, iool iIcm for a moniI,
viiI lcavc io rcmain for ivclvc moniIs vIcn
iIai iimc vas oui. Mrs. Cru vas io find lincn,
and io cool; cvcry oiIcr ncccssary vas alrcady
rovidcd; and Mrs. Cru crcssly iniimaicd
iIai sIc sIould alvays ycarn iovards mc as a
son. I vas io ialc osscssion iIc day aficr io-
morrov, and Mrs. Cru said, iIanl Hcavcn
sIc Iad nov found summun sIc could carc
for!
On our vay lacl, my auni informcd mc Iov
sIc confidcnily irusicd iIai iIc lifc I vas nov
io lcad vould malc mc firm and sclf-rcliani,
430
vIicI vas all I vanicd. SIc rccaicd iIis scv-
cral iimcs nci day, in iIc inicrvals of our ar-
ranging for iIc iransmission of my cloiIcs and
lools from Mr. Wiclficld's; rclaiivc io vIicI,
and io all my laic Ioliday, I vroic a long lciicr
io Agncs, of vIicI my auni iool cIargc, as sIc
vas io lcavc on iIc succccding day. Noi io
lcngiIcn iIcsc ariiculars, I nccd only add,
iIai sIc madc a Iandsomc rovision for all my
ossillc vanis during my moniI of irial; iIai
SiccrforiI, io my grcai disaoinimcni and Icrs
ioo, did noi malc Iis acarancc lcforc sIc
vcni avay; iIai I sav Icr safcly scaicd in iIc
Dovcr coacI, culiing in iIc coming discomfi-
iurc of iIc vagrani donlcys, viiI Janci ai Icr
sidc; and iIai vIcn iIc coacI vas gonc, I
iurncd my facc io iIc AdclIi, ondcring on
iIc old days vIcn I uscd io roam aloui iis sul-
icrrancan arcIcs, and on iIc Iay cIangcs
vIicI Iad lrougIi mc io iIc surfacc.
CHAPTER 24
MY FIRST DISSIPATION
IT WAS A WONDEFFULLY FINE iIing io Iavc iIai lofiy
casilc io mysclf, and io fccl, vIcn I sIui my ouicr
door, lilc Folinson Crusoc, vIcn Ic Iad goi
inio Iis foriificaiion, and ullcd Iis laddcr u
aficr Iim. Ii vas a vondcrfully finc iIing io vall
aloui iovn viiI iIc lcy of my Iousc in my
oclci, and io lnov iIai I could asl any fcllov io
comc Iomc, and malc quiic surc of iis lcing
inconvcnicni io nolody, if ii vcrc noi so io mc. Ii
vas a vondcrfully finc iIing io lci mysclf in and
oui, and io comc and go viiIoui a vord io any-
onc, and io ring Mrs. Cru u, gasing, from
iIc dciIs of iIc cariI, vIcn I vanicd Icrand
vIcn sIc vas disoscd io comc. All iIis, I say,
vas vondcrfully finc; lui I musi say, ioo, iIai
iIcrc vcrc iimcs vIcn ii vas vcry drcary.
Ii vas finc in iIc morning, ariicularly in iIc
finc mornings. Ii loolcd a vcry frcsI, frcc lifc,
431
ly dayligIi: siill frcsIcr, and morc frcc, ly sun-
ligIi. Dui as iIc day dcclincd, iIc lifc sccmcd
io go dovn ioo. I don'i lnov Iov ii vas; ii scl-
dom loolcd vcll ly candlc-ligIi. I vanicd somc-
lody io iall io, iIcn. I misscd Agncs. I found a
ircmcndous llanl, in iIc lacc of iIai smiling
rcosiiory of my confidcncc. Mrs. Cru a-
carcd io lc a long vay off. I iIougIi aloui my
rcdcccssor, vIo Iad dicd of drinl and smolc;
and I could Iavc visIcd Ic Iad lccn so good
as io livc, and noi loiIcr mc viiI Iis dcccasc.
Aficr ivo days and nigIis, I fcli as if I Iad
livcd iIcrc for a ycar, and yci I vas noi an Iour
oldcr, lui vas quiic as mucI iormcnicd ly my
ovn youiIfulncss as cvcr.
SiccrforiI noi yci acaring, vIicI induccd
mc io arcIcnd iIai Ic musi lc ill, I lcfi iIc
Commons carly on iIc iIird day, and vallcd
oui io HigIgaic. Mrs. SiccrforiI vas vcry glad
io scc mc, and said iIai Ic Iad gonc avay viiI
onc of Iis Oford fricnds io scc anoiIcr vIo
livcd ncar Si. Allans, lui iIai sIc cccicd
Iim io rciurn iomorrov. I vas so fond of Iim,
iIai I fcli quiic jcalous of Iis Oford fricnds.
As sIc rcsscd mc io siay io dinncr, I rc-
maincd, and I lclicvc vc iallcd aloui noiIing
lui Iim all day. I iold Icr Iov mucI iIc colc
lilcd Iim ai YarmouiI, and vIai a dcligIiful
comanion Ic Iad lccn. Miss Darilc vas full
of Iinis and mysicrious qucsiions, lui iool a
grcai inicrcsi in all our rocccdings iIcrc, and
said, 'Was ii rcally iIougI?' and so foriI, so
oficn, iIai sIc goi cvcryiIing oui of mc sIc
vanicd io lnov. Hcr acarancc vas cacily
vIai I Iavc dcscrilcd ii, vIcn I firsi sav Icr;
lui iIc sociciy of iIc ivo ladics vas so agrcc-
allc, and camc so naiural io mc, iIai I fcli my-
sclf falling a liiilc in lovc viiI Icr. I could noi
Icl iIinling, scvcral iimcs in iIc coursc of
iIc cvcning, and ariicularly vIcn I vallcd
Iomc ai nigIi, vIai dcligIiful comany sIc
vould lc in DuclingIam Sircci.
432
I vas ialing my coffcc and roll in iIc morn-
ing, lcforc going io iIc Commonsand I may
olscrvc in iIis lacc iIai ii is surrising Iov
mucI coffcc Mrs. Cru uscd, and Iov vcal ii
vas, considcringvIcn SiccrforiI Iimsclf
vallcd in, io my unloundcd joy.
'My dcar SiccrforiI,' cricd I, 'I lcgan io iIinl
I sIould ncvcr scc you again!'
'I vas carricd off, ly forcc of arms,' said
SiccrforiI, 'iIc vcry nci morning aficr I goi
Iomc. WIy, Daisy, vIai a rarc old lacIclor
you arc Icrc!'
I sIovcd Iim ovcr iIc csiallisImcni, noi
omiiiing iIc aniry, viiI no liiilc ridc, and
Ic commcndcd ii IigIly. 'I icll you vIai, old
loy,' Ic addcd, 'I sIall malc quiic a iovn-Iousc
of iIis lacc, unlcss you givc mc noiicc io quii.'
TIis vas a dcligIiful Icaring. I iold Iim if Ic vaiicd
for iIai, Ic vould Iavc io vaii iill doomsday.
'Dui you sIall Iavc somc lrcalfasi!' said I,
viiI my Iand on iIc lcll-roc, 'and Mrs. Cru
sIall malc you somc frcsI coffcc, and I'll ioasi
you somc lacon in a lacIclor's DuicI-ovcn,
iIai I Iavc goi Icrc.'
'No, no!' said SiccrforiI. 'Don'i ring! I can'i! I
am going io lrcalfasi viiI onc of iIcsc fcllovs
vIo is ai iIc Fiazza Hoicl, in Covcni Gardcn.'
'Dui you'll comc lacl io dinncr?' said I.
'I can'i, uon my lifc. TIcrc's noiIing I sIould
lilc lciicr, lui I musi rcmain viiI iIcsc ivo
fcllovs. Wc arc all iIrcc off iogciIcr iomorrov
morning.'
'TIcn lring iIcm Icrc io dinncr,' I rciurncd.
'Do you iIinl iIcy vould comc?'
'OI! iIcy vould comc fasi cnougI,' said
SiccrforiI; 'lui vc sIould inconvcnicncc you.
You Iad lciicr comc and dinc viiI us somc-
vIcrc.'
I vould noi ly any mcans conscni io iIis, for
ii occurrcd io mc iIai I rcally ougIi io Iavc a
liiilc Iousc-varming, and iIai iIcrc ncvcr could
lc a lciicr ooriuniiy. I Iad a ncv ridc in
433
my rooms aficr Iis aroval of iIcm, and lurncd
viiI a dcsirc io dcvclo iIcir uimosi rcsourccs.
I iIcrcforc madc Iim romisc osiiivcly in iIc
namcs of Iis ivo fricnds, and vc aoinicd si
o'clocl as iIc dinncr-Iour.
WIcn Ic vas gonc, I rang for Mrs. Cru,
and acquainicd Icr viiI my dcscraic dcsign.
Mrs. Cru said, in iIc firsi lacc, of coursc ii
vas vcll lnovn sIc couldn'i lc cccicd io
vaii, lui sIc lncv a Iandy young man, vIo
sIc iIougIi could lc rcvailcd uon io do ii,
and vIosc icrms vould lc fivc sIillings, and
vIai I lcascd. I said, ccriainly vc vould Iavc
Iim. Nci Mrs. Cru said ii vas clcar sIc
couldn'i lc in ivo laccs ai oncc (vIicI I fcli io
lc rcasonallc}, and iIai 'a young gal' siaiioncd
in iIc aniry viiI a lcdroom candlc, iIcrc
ncvcr io dcsisi from vasIing laics, vould lc
indiscnsallc. I said, vIai vould lc iIc c-
cnsc of iIis young fcmalc? and Mrs. Cru
said sIc suoscd cigIiccncncc vould nci-
iIcr malc mc nor lrcal mc. I said I suoscd
noi; and tIut vas sciilcd. TIcn Mrs. Cru said,
Nov aloui iIc dinncr.
Ii vas a rcmarlallc insiancc of vani of forc-
iIougIi on iIc ari of iIc ironmongcr vIo Iad
madc Mrs. Cru's liicIcn firclacc, iIai ii vas
caallc of cooling noiIing lui cIos and
masIcd oiaiocs. As io a fisI-liiilc, Mrs. Cru
said, vcll! vould I only comc and lool ai iIc
rangc? SIc couldn'i say faircr iIan iIai. Would
I comc and lool ai ii? As I sIould noi Iavc
lccn mucI iIc viscr if I Iud loolcd ai ii, I
dcclincd, and said, 'Ncvcr mind fisI.' Dui Mrs.
Cru said, Don'i say iIai; oysicrs vas in, vIy
noi iIcm? So tIut vas sciilcd. Mrs. Cru iIcn
said vIai sIc vould rccommcnd vould lc iIis.
A air of Ioi roasi fovlsfrom iIc asiry-cool's;
a disI of sicvcd lccf, viiI vcgciallcsfrom
iIc asiry-cool's; ivo liiilc corncr iIings, as a
raiscd ic and a disI of lidncysfrom iIc
asirycool's; a iari, and (if I lilcd} a sIac of jclly
434
from iIc asirycool's. TIis, Mrs. Cru said, vould
lcavc Icr ai full lilcriy io conccniraic Icr mind
on iIc oiaiocs, and io scrvc u iIc cIccsc and
cclcry as sIc could visI io scc ii donc.
I acicd on Mrs. Cru's oinion, and gavc iIc
ordcr ai iIc asiry-cool's mysclf. Walling along
iIc Sirand, aficrvards, and olscrving a Iard
moiilcd sulsiancc in iIc vindov of a Iam and
lccf sIo, vIicI rcscmllcd marllc, lui vas
lalcllcd 'Mocl Turilc', I vcni in and lougIi a
slal of ii, vIicI I Iavc sincc sccn rcason io
lclicvc vould Iavc sufficcd for fificcn colc.
TIis rcaraiion, Mrs. Cru, aficr somc diffi-
culiy, conscnicd io varm u; and ii sIrunl so
mucI in a liquid siaic, iIai vc found ii vIai
SiccrforiI callcd 'raiIcr a iigIi fii' for four.
TIcsc rcaraiions Iaily comlcicd, I
lougIi a liiilc dcsscri in Covcni Gardcn Mar-
lci, and gavc a raiIcr cicnsivc ordcr ai a rc-
iail vinc-mcrcIani's in iIai viciniiy. WIcn I
camc Iomc in iIc aficrnoon, and sav iIc
loiilcs dravn u in a squarc on iIc aniry floor,
iIcy loolcd so numcrous (iIougI iIcrc vcrc
ivo missing, vIicI madc Mrs. Cru vcry un-
comforiallc}, iIai I vas alsoluicly frigIicncd
ai iIcm.
Onc of SiccrforiI's fricnds vas namcd
Graingcr, and iIc oiIcr MarlIam. TIcy vcrc
loiI vcry gay and livcly fcllovs; Graingcr,
somciIing oldcr iIan SiccrforiI; MarlIam,
youiIful-looling, and I sIould say noi morc
iIan ivcniy. I olscrvcd iIai iIc laiicr alvays
solc of Iimsclf indcfiniicly, as 'a man', and
scldom or ncvcr in iIc firsi crson singular.
'A man migIi gci on vcry vcll Icrc, Mr.
Cocrficld,' said MarlIammcaning Iimsclf.
'Ii's noi a lad siiuaiion,' said I, 'and iIc rooms
arc rcally commodious.'
'I Ioc you Iavc loiI lrougIi aciiics viiI
you?' said SiccrforiI.
'Uon my Ionour,' rciurncd MarlIam, 'iovn
sccms io sIarcn a man's aciiic. A man is
435
Iungry all day long. A man is crciually cai-
ing.'
Dcing a liiilc cmlarrasscd ai firsi, and fccl-
ing mucI ioo young io rcsidc, I madc
SiccrforiI ialc iIc Icad of iIc iallc vIcn din-
ncr vas announccd, and scaicd mysclf oo-
siic io Iim. EvcryiIing vas vcry good; vc did
noi sarc iIc vinc; and Ic ccricd Iimsclf so
lrillianily io malc iIc iIing ass off vcll, iIai
iIcrc vas no ausc in our fcsiiviiy. I vas noi
quiic sucI good comany during dinncr as I
could Iavc visIcd io lc, for my cIair vas o-
osiic iIc door, and my aiicniion vas disiracicd
ly olscrving iIai iIc Iandy young man vcni
oui of iIc room vcry oficn, and iIai Iis sIadov
alvays rcscnicd iisclf, immcdiaicly aficrvards,
on iIc vall of iIc cniry, viiI a loiilc ai iis
mouiI. TIc 'young gal' lilcvisc occasioncd mc
somc uncasincss: noi so mucI ly ncglcciing
io vasI iIc laics, as ly lrcaling iIcm. For
lcing of an inquisiiivc disosiiion, and unallc
io confinc Icrsclf (as Icr osiiivc insiruciions
vcrc} io iIc aniry, sIc vas consianily ccr-
ing in ai us, and consianily imagining Icrsclf
dciccicd; in vIicI lclicf, sIc scvcral iimcs rc-
iircd uon iIc laics (viiI vIicI sIc Iad carc-
fully avcd iIc floor}, and did a grcai dcal of
dcsiruciion.
TIcsc, Iovcvcr, vcrc small dravlacls, and
casily forgoiicn vIcn iIc cloiI vas clcarcd, and
iIc dcsscri ui on iIc iallc; ai vIicI criod of
iIc cnicriainmcni iIc Iandy young man vas
discovcrcd io lc scccIlcss. Giving Iim rivaic
dircciions io sccl iIc sociciy of Mrs. Cru,
and io rcmovc iIc 'young gal' io iIc lascmcni
also, I alandoncd mysclf io cnjoymcni.
I lcgan, ly lcing singularly cIccrful and
ligIi-Icaricd; all soris of Ialf-forgoiicn iIings
io iall aloui, camc rusIing inio my mind, and
madc mc Iold foriI in a mosi unvonicd man-
ncr. I laugIcd Icariily ai my ovn jolcs, and
cvcrylody clsc's; callcd SiccrforiI io ordcr for
436
noi assing iIc vinc; madc scvcral cngagc-
mcnis io go io Oford; announccd iIai I mcani
io Iavc a dinncr-ariy cacily lilc iIai, oncc a
vccl, uniil furiIcr noiicc; and madly iool so
mucI snuff oui of Graingcr's lo, iIai I vas
olligcd io go inio iIc aniry, and Iavc a ri-
vaic fii of sncczing icn minuics long.
I vcni on, ly assing iIc vinc fasicr and
fasicr yci, and coniinually siariing u viiI a
corlscrcv io ocn morc vinc, long lcforc any
vas nccdcd. I rooscd SiccrforiI's IcaliI. I
said Ic vas my dcarcsi fricnd, iIc roiccior of
my loyIood, and iIc comanion of my rimc.
I said I vas dcligIicd io roosc Iis IcaliI. I
said I ovcd Iim morc olligaiions iIan I could
cvcr rcay, and Icld Iim in a IigIcr admira-
iion iIan I could cvcr crcss. I finisIcd ly
saying, 'I'll givc you SiccrforiI! God llcss Iim!
HurraI!' Wc gavc Iim iIrcc iimcs iIrcc, and
anoiIcr, and a good onc io finisI viiI. I lrolc
my glass in going round iIc iallc io sIalc
Iands viiI Iim, and I said (in ivo vords}
'SiccrforiIyou'rciIcguidingsiarofmycisicncc.'
I vcni on, ly finding suddcnly iIai somclody
vas in iIc middlc of a song. MarlIam vas iIc
singcr, and Ic sang 'WIcn iIc Icari of a man
is dcrcsscd viiI carc'. Hc said, vIcn Ic Iad
sung ii, Ic vould givc us 'Woman!' I iool ol-
jcciion io iIai, and I couldn'i allov ii. I said ii
vas noi a rcscciful vay of roosing iIc ioasi,
and I vould ncvcr crmii iIai ioasi io lc drunl
in my Iousc oiIcrvisc iIan as 'TIc Ladics!' I
vas vcry IigI viiI Iim, mainly I iIinl lccausc
I sav SiccrforiI and Graingcr laugIing ai mc
or ai Iimor ai loiI of us. Hc said a man vas
noi io lc diciaicd io. I said a man vas. Hc said
a man vas noi io lc insulicd, iIcn. I said Ic
vas rigIi iIcrcncvcr undcr my roof, vIcrc
iIc Larcs vcrc sacrcd, and iIc lavs of Iosi-
ialiiy aramouni. Hc said ii vas no dcrogaiion
437
from a man's digniiy io confcss iIai I vas a
dcvilisI good fcllov. I insianily rooscd Iis
IcaliI.
Somclody vas smoling. Wc vcrc all smol-
ing. I vas smoling, and irying io surcss a
rising icndcncy io sIuddcr. SiccrforiI Iad
madc a scccI aloui mc, in iIc coursc of vIicI
I Iad lccn affccicd almosi io icars. I rciurncd
iIanls, and Iocd iIc rcscni comany vould
dinc viiI mc iomorrov, and iIc day aficr
cacI day ai fivc o'clocl, iIai vc migIi cnjoy
iIc lcasurcs of convcrsaiion and sociciy
iIrougI a long cvcning. I fcli callcd uon io
roosc an individual. I vould givc iIcm my
auni. Miss Dciscy Troivood, iIc lcsi of Icr sc!
Somclody vas lcaning oui of my lcdroom vin-
dov, rcfrcsIing Iis forcIcad againsi iIc cool
sionc of iIc araci, and fccling iIc air uon
Iis facc. Ii vas mysclf. I vas addrcssing mysclf
as 'Cocrficld', and saying, 'WIy did you iry
io smolc? You migIi Iavc lnovn you couldn'i
do ii.' Nov, somclody vas unsicadily conicm-
laiing Iis fcaiurcs in iIc looling-glass. TIai
vas I ioo. I vas vcry alc in iIc looling-glass;
my cycs Iad a vacani acarancc; and my
Iaironly my Iair, noiIing clscloolcd
drunl.
Somclody said io mc, 'Lci us go io iIc iIc-
airc, Cocrficld!' TIcrc vas no lcdroom lc-
forc mc, lui again iIc jingling iallc covcrcd
viiI glasscs; iIc lam; Graingcr on my rigIi
Iand, MarlIam on my lcfi, and SiccrforiI o-
osiicall siiiing in a misi, and a long vay off.
TIc iIcairc? To lc surc. TIc vcry iIing. Comc
along! Dui iIcy musi ccusc mc if I sav cvcry-
lody oui firsi, and iurncd iIc lam offin casc
of firc.
Oving io somc confusion in iIc darl, iIc door
vas gonc. I vas fccling for ii in iIc vindov-
curiains, vIcn SiccrforiI, laugIing, iool mc
ly iIc arm and lcd mc oui. Wc vcni dovn-
siairs, onc lcIind anoiIcr. Ncar iIc loiiom,
438
somclody fcll, and rollcd dovn. Somclody clsc
said ii vas Cocrficld. I vas angry ai iIai falsc
rcori, uniil, finding mysclf on my lacl in iIc
assagc, I lcgan io iIinl iIcrc migIi lc somc
foundaiion for ii.
A vcry foggy nigIi, viiI grcai rings round iIc
lams in iIc sirccis! TIcrc vas an indisiinci
iall of iis lcing vci. I considcrcd ii frosiy.
SiccrforiI dusicd mc undcr a lam-osi, and
ui my Iai inio sIac, vIicI somclody ro-
duccd from somcvIcrc in a mosi ciraordinary
manncr, for I Iadn'i Iad ii on lcforc. SiccrforiI
iIcn said, 'You arc all rigIi, Cocrficld, arc
you noi?' and I iold Iim, 'Ncvcrlcrrcr.'
A man, siiiing in a igcon-Iolc-lacc, loolcd
oui of iIc fog, and iool moncy from somclody,
inquiring if I vas onc of iIc gcnilcmcn aid
for, and acaring raiIcr douliful (as I rcmcm-
lcr in iIc glimsc I Iad of Iim} vIciIcr io
ialc iIc moncy for mc or noi. SIorily aficr-
vards, vc vcrc vcry IigI u in a vcry Ioi iIc-
airc, looling dovn inio a largc ii, iIai sccmcd
io mc io smolc; iIc colc viiI vIom ii vas
crammcd vcrc so indisiinci. TIcrc vas a grcai
siagc, ioo, looling vcry clcan and smooiI aficr
iIc sirccis; and iIcrc vcrc colc uon ii, iall-
ing aloui somciIing or oiIcr, lui noi ai all
iniclligilly. TIcrc vas an alundancc of lrigIi
ligIis, and iIcrc vas music, and iIcrc vcrc
ladics dovn in iIc locs, and I don'i lnov vIai
morc. TIc vIolc luilding loolcd io mc as if ii
vcrc lcarning io svim; ii conducicd iisclf in
sucI an unaccouniallc manncr, vIcn I iricd
io sicady ii.
On somclody's moiion, vc rcsolvcd io go
dovnsiairs io iIc drcss-locs, vIcrc iIc ladics
vcrc. A gcnilcman lounging, full drcsscd, on a
sofa, viiI an ocra-glass in Iis Iand, asscd
lcforc my vicv, and also my ovn figurc ai full
lcngiI in a glass. TIcn I vas lcing usIcrcd inio
onc of iIcsc locs, and found mysclf saying
somciIing as I sai dovn, and colc aloui mc
439
crying 'Silcncc!' io somclody, and ladics casi-
ing indignani glanccs ai mc, andvIai! ycs!
Agncs, siiiing on iIc scai lcforc mc, in iIc samc
lo, viiI a lady and gcnilcman lcsidc Icr,
vIom I didn'i lnov. I scc Icr facc nov, lciicr
iIan I did iIcn, I darc say, viiI iis indclillc
lool of rcgrci and vondcr iurncd uon mc.
'Agncs!' I said, iIiclly, 'Lorllcssmcr! Agncs!'
'HusI! Fray!' sIc ansvcrcd, I could noi con-
ccivc vIy. 'You disiurl iIc comany. Lool ai
iIc siagc!'
I iricd, on Icr injunciion, io fi ii, and io Icar
somciIing of vIai vas going on iIcrc, lui
quiic in vain. I loolcd ai Icr again ly and ly,
and sav Icr sIrinl inio Icr corncr, and ui
Icr glovcd Iand io Icr forcIcad.
'Agncs!' I said. 'I'mafraidyou'rcnorvcll.'
'Ycs, ycs. Do noi mind mc, Troivood,' sIc rc-
iurncd. 'Lisicn! Arc you going avay soon?'
'Amigoaravaysoo?' I rccaicd.
'Ycs.'
I Iad a siuid inicniion of rclying iIai I vas
going io vaii, io Iand Icr dovnsiairs. I suosc
I crcsscd ii, somcIov; for aficr sIc Iad loolcd
ai mc aiicniivcly for a liiilc vIilc, sIc acarcd
io undcrsiand, and rclicd in a lov ionc:
'I lnov you vill do as I asl you, if I icll you I
am vcry carncsi in ii. Go avay nov, Troivood,
for my salc, and asl your fricnds io ialc you
Iomc.'
SIc Iad so far imrovcd mc, for iIc iimc, iIai
iIougI I vas angry viiI Icr, I fcli asIamcd,
and viiI a sIori 'Goori!' (vIicI I inicndcd for
'Good nigIi!'} goi u and vcni avay. TIcy fol-
lovcd, and I siccd ai oncc oui of iIc lo-
door inio my lcdroom, vIcrc only SiccrforiI
vas viiI mc, Icling mc io undrcss, and vIcrc
I vas ly iurns iclling Iim iIai Agncs vas my
sisicr, and adjuring Iim io lring iIc corlscrcv,
iIai I migIi ocn anoiIcr loiilc of vinc.
Hov somclody, lying in my lcd, lay saying
and doing all iIis ovcr again, ai cross uroscs,
440
in a fcvcrisI drcam all nigIiiIc lcd a rocl-
ing sca iIai vas ncvcr siill! Hov, as iIai somc-
lody slovly sciilcd dovn inio mysclf, did I lc-
gin io arcI, and fccl as if my ouicr covcring of
slin vcrc a Iard loard; my ionguc iIc loiiom
of an cmiy lciilc, furrcd viiI long scrvicc,
and lurning u ovcr a slov firc; iIc alms of
my Iands, Ioi laics of mcial vIicI no icc
could cool!
Dui iIc agony of mind, iIc rcmorsc, and
sIamc I fcli vIcn I lccamc conscious nci day!
My Iorror of Iaving commiiicd a iIousand of-
fcnccs I Iad forgoiicn, and vIicI noiIing could
cvcr ciaicmy rccollcciion of iIai indclillc
lool vIicI Agncs Iad givcn mciIc ioriuring
imossililiiy of communicaiing viiI Icr, noi
lnoving, Dcasi iIai I vas, Iov sIc camc io lc
in London, or vIcrc sIc siaycdmy disgusi of
iIc vcry sigIi of iIc room vIcrc iIc rcvcl Iad
lccn Icldmy racling IcadiIc smcll of
smolc, iIc sigIi of glasscs, iIc imossililiiy of
going oui, or cvcn gciiing u! OI, vIai a day ii
vas!
OI, vIai an cvcning, vIcn I sai dovn ly my
firc io a lasin of muiion lroiI, dimlcd all ovcr
viiI fai, and iIougIi I vas going iIc vay of my
rcdcccssor, and sIould succccd io Iis dismal
siory as vcll as io Iis cIamlcrs, and Iad Ialf a
mind io rusI crcss io Dovcr and rcvcal all!
WIai an cvcning, vIcn Mrs. Cru, coming in
io ialc avay iIc lroiI-lasin, roduccd onc lid-
ncy on a cIccsc-laic as iIc cniirc rcmains of
ycsicrday's fcasi, and I vas rcally inclincd io
fall uon Icr nanlccn lrcasi and say, in Icari-
fcli cniicncc, 'OI, Mrs. Cru, Mrs. Cru,
ncvcr mind iIc lrolcn mcais! I am vcry miscr-
allc!'only iIai I doulicd, cvcn ai iIai ass, if
Mrs. Cru vcrc quiic iIc sori of voman io
confidc in!
441
CHAPTER 2S
GOOD AND BAD ANGELS
I vas going oui ai my door on iIc morning af-
icr iIai dclorallc day of IcadacIc, siclncss,
and rccniancc, viiI an odd confusion in my
mind rclaiivc io iIc daic of my dinncr-ariy,
as if a lody of Tiians Iad ialcn an cnormous
lcvcr and usIcd iIc day lcforc ycsicrday
somc moniIs lacl, vIcn I sav a iiclci-oricr
coming usiairs, viiI a lciicr in Iis Iand. Hc
vas ialing Iis iimc aloui Iis crrand, iIcn; lui
vIcn Ic sav mc on iIc io of iIc siaircasc,
looling ai Iim ovcr iIc lanisicrs, Ic svung
inio a iroi, and camc u aniing as if Ic Iad
run Iimsclf inio a siaic of cIausiion.
'T. Cocrficld, Esquirc,' said iIc iiclci-or-
icr, ioucIing Iis Iai viiI Iis liiilc canc.
I could scarccly lay claim io iIc namc: I vas
so disiurlcd ly iIc conviciion iIai iIc lciicr
camc from Agncs. Hovcvcr, I iold Iim I vas T.
Cocrficld, Esquirc, and Ic lclicvcd ii, and
gavc mc iIc lciicr, vIicI Ic said rcquircd an
ansvcr. I sIui Iim oui on iIc landing io vaii
for iIc ansvcr, and vcni inio my cIamlcrs
again, in sucI a ncrvous siaic iIai I vas fain io
lay iIc lciicr dovn on my lrcalfasi iallc, and
familiarizc mysclf viiI iIc ouisidc of ii a liiilc,
lcforc I could rcsolvc io lrcal iIc scal.
I found, vIcn I did ocn ii, iIai ii vas a vcry
lind noic, coniaining no rcfcrcncc io my con-
diiion ai iIc iIcairc. All ii said vas, 'My dcar
Troivood. I am siaying ai iIc Iousc of aa's
agcni, Mr. Waicrlrool, in Ely Flacc, Hollorn.
Will you comc and scc mc ioday, ai any iimc
you lilc io aoini? Evcr yours affcciionaicly,
Agncs.'
Ii iool mc sucI a long iimc io vriic an an-
svcr ai all io my saiisfaciion, iIai I don'i lnov
vIai iIc iiclci-oricr can Iavc iIougIi, un-
lcss Ic iIougIi I vas lcarning io vriic. I musi
Iavc vriiicn Ialf-a-dozcn ansvcrs ai lcasi. I lc-
442
gan onc, 'Hov can I cvcr Ioc, my dcar Agncs,
io cffacc from your rcmcmlrancc iIc disgusi-
ing imrcssion'iIcrc I didn'i lilc ii, and iIcn
I iorc ii u. I lcgan anoiIcr, 'SIalcscarc Ias
olscrvcd, my dcar Agncs, Iov sirangc ii is iIai
a man sIould ui an cncmy inio Iis mouiI'
iIai rcmindcd mc of MarlIam, and ii goi no
fariIcr. I cvcn iricd ociry. I lcgan onc noic, in
a si-syllallc linc, 'OI, do noi rcmcmlcr'lui
iIai associaicd iisclf viiI iIc fifiI of Novcmlcr,
and lccamc an alsurdiiy. Aficr many aiicmis,
I vroic, 'My dcar Agncs. Your lciicr is lilc you,
and vIai could I say of ii iIai vould lc IigIcr
raisc iIan iIai? I vill comc ai four o'clocl. Af-
fcciionaicly and sorrovfully, T.C.' WiiI iIis mis-
sivc (vIicI I vas in ivcniy minds ai oncc aloui
rccalling, as soon as ii vas oui of my Iands},
iIc iiclci-oricr ai lasi dcaricd.
If iIc day vcrc Ialf as ircmcndous io any oiIcr
rofcssional gcnilcman in Dociors' Commons
as ii vas io mc, I sinccrcly lclicvc Ic madc
somc ciaiion for Iis sIarc in iIai roiicn old
ccclcsiasiical cIccsc. AliIougI I lcfi iIc officc
ai Ialf asi iIrcc, and vas rovling aloui iIc
lacc of aoinimcni viiIin a fcv minuics af-
icrvards, iIc aoinicd iimc vas ccccdcd ly
a full quaricr of an Iour, according io iIc clocl
of Si. Andrcv's, Hollorn, lcforc I could musicr
u sufficicni dcscraiion io ull iIc rivaic
lcll-Iandlc lci inio iIc lcfi-Iand door-osi of
Mr. Waicrlrool's Iousc.
TIc rofcssional lusincss of Mr. Waicrlrool's
csiallisImcni vas donc on iIc ground-floor,
and iIc gcniccl lusincss (of vIicI iIcrc vas a
good dcal} in iIc ucr ari of iIc luilding. I
vas sIovn inio a rciiy lui raiIcr closc drav-
ing-room, and iIcrc sai Agncs, nciiing a ursc.
SIc loolcd so quici and good, and rcmindcd
mc so sirongly of my airy frcsI scIool days ai
Canicrlury, and iIc soddcn, smoly, siuid
vrcicI I Iad lccn iIc oiIcr nigIi, iIai, no-
lody lcing ly, I yicldcd io my sclf-rcroacI
443
and sIamc, andin sIori, madc a fool of my-
sclf. I cannoi dcny iIai I sIcd icars. To iIis
Iour I am undccidcd vIciIcr ii vas uon iIc
vIolc iIc viscsi iIing I could Iavc donc, or
iIc mosi ridiculous.
'If ii Iad lccn anyonc lui you, Agncs,' said I,
iurning avay my Icad, 'I sIould noi Iavc
mindcd ii Ialf so mucI. Dui iIai ii sIould Iavc
lccn you vIo sav mc! I almosi visI I Iad lccn
dcad, firsi.'
SIc ui Icr Iandiis ioucI vas lilc no oiIcr
Ianduon my arm for a momcni; and I fcli so
lcfricndcd and comforicd, iIai I could noi Icl
moving ii io my lis, and graicfully lissing ii.
'Sii dovn,' said Agncs, cIccrfully. 'Don'i lc
unIay, Troivood. If you cannoi confidcnily
irusi mc, vIom vill you irusi?'
'AI, Agncs!' I rciurncd. 'You arc my good An-
gcl!'
SIc smilcd raiIcr sadly, I iIougIi, and sIool
Icr Icad.
'Ycs, Agncs, my good Angcl! Alvays my good Angcl!'
'If I vcrc, indccd, Troivood,' sIc rciurncd,
'iIcrc is onc iIing iIai I sIould sci my Icari
on vcry mucI.'
I loolcd ai Icr inquiringly; lui alrcady viiI a
forclnovlcdgc of Icr mcaning.
'On varning you,' said Agncs, viiI a sicady
glancc, 'againsi your lad Angcl.'
'My dcar Agncs,' I lcgan, 'if you mcan
SiccrforiI'
'I do, Troivood,' sIc rciurncd.
'TIcn, Agncs, you vrong Iim vcry mucI. Hc my
lad Angcl, or anyonc's! Hc, anyiIing lui a guidc,
a suori, and a fricnd io mc! My dcar Agncs!
Nov, is ii noi unjusi, and unlilc you, io judgc
Iim from vIai you sav of mc iIc oiIcr nigIi?'
'I do noi judgc Iim from vIai I sav of you iIc
oiIcr nigIi,' sIc quicily rclicd.
'From vIai, iIcn?'
'From many iIingsiriflcs in iIcmsclvcs, lui
iIcy do noi sccm io mc io lc so, vIcn iIcy arc
444
ui iogciIcr. I judgc Iim, arily from your ac-
couni of Iim, Troivood, and your cIaracicr,
and iIc influcncc Ic Ias ovcr you.'
TIcrc vas alvays somciIing in Icr modcsi
voicc iIai sccmcd io ioucI a cIord viiIin mc,
ansvcring io iIai sound alonc. Ii vas alvays
carncsi; lui vIcn ii vas vcry carncsi, as ii vas
nov, iIcrc vas a iIrill in ii iIai quiic sulducd
mc. I sai looling ai Icr as sIc casi Icr cycs
dovn on Icr vorl; I sai sccming siill io lisicn
io Icr; and SiccrforiI, in siic of all my aiiacI-
mcni io Iim, darlcncd in iIai ionc.
'Ii is vcry lold in mc,' said Agncs, looling u
again, 'vIo Iavc livcd in sucI scclusion, and
can lnov so liiilc of iIc vorld, io givc you my
advicc so confidcnily, or cvcn io Iavc iIis sirong
oinion. Dui I lnov in vIai ii is cngcndcrcd,
Troivood,in Iov iruc a rcmcmlrancc of our
Iaving grovn u iogciIcr, and in Iov iruc an
inicrcsi in all rclaiing io you. Ii is iIai vIicI
malcs mc lold. I am ccriain iIai vIai I say is
rigIi. I am quiic surc ii is. I fccl as if ii vcrc
somconc clsc scaling io you, and noi I, vIcn
I cauiion you iIai you Iavc madc a dangcrous
fricnd.'
Again I loolcd ai Icr, again I lisicncd io Icr
aficr sIc vas silcni, and again Iis imagc,
iIougI ii vas siill ficd in my Icari, darlcncd.
'I am noi so unrcasonallc as io ccci,' said
Agncs, rcsuming Icr usual ionc, aficr a liiilc
vIilc, 'iIai you vill, or iIai you can, ai oncc,
cIangc any scniimcni iIai Ias lccomc a convic-
iion io you; lcasi of all a scniimcni iIai is rooicd
in your irusiing disosiiion. You ougIi noi Iasi-
ily io do iIai. I only asl you, Troivood, if you cvcr
iIinl of mcI mcan,' viiI a quici smilc, for I vas
going io inicrrui Icr, and sIc lncv vIy, 'as
oficn as you iIinl of mcio iIinl of vIai I Iavc
said. Do you forgivc mc for all iIis?'
'I vill forgivc you, Agncs,' I rclicd, 'vIcn you
comc io do SiccrforiI jusiicc, and io lilc Iim
as vcll as I do.'
445
'Noi uniil iIcn?' said Agncs.
I sav a assing sIadov on Icr facc vIcn I
madc iIis mcniion of Iim, lui sIc rciurncd
my smilc, and vc vcrc again as unrcscrvcd in
our muiual confidcncc as of old.
'And vIcn, Agncs,' said I, 'vill you forgivc mc
iIc oiIcr nigIi?'
'WIcn I rccall ii,' said Agncs.
SIc vould Iavc dismisscd iIc suljcci so, lui I
vas ioo full of ii io allov iIai, and insisicd on
iclling Icr Iov ii Iacncd iIai I Iad disgraccd
mysclf, and vIai cIain of accidcnial circumsianccs
Iad Iad iIc iIcairc for iis final linl. Ii vas a grcai
rclicf io mc io do iIis, and io cnlargc on iIc olli-
gaiion iIai I ovcd io SiccrforiI for Iis carc of mc
vIcn I vas unallc io ialc carc of mysclf.
'You musi noi forgci,' said Agncs, calmly cIang-
ing iIc convcrsaiion as soon as I Iad concludcd,
'iIai you arc alvays io icll mc, noi only vIcn
you fall inio iroullc, lui vIcn you fall in lovc.
WIo Ias succccdcd io Miss Larlins, Troivood?'
'No onc, Agncs.'
'Somconc, Troivood,' said Agncs, laugIing,
and Iolding u Icr fingcr.
'No, Agncs, uon my vord! TIcrc is a lady,
ccriainly, ai Mrs. SiccrforiI's Iousc, vIo is vcry
clcvcr, and vIom I lilc io iall ioMiss Darilc
lui I don'i adorc Icr.'
Agncs laugIcd again ai Icr ovn cnciraiion,
and iold mc iIai if I vcrc faiiIful io Icr in my
confidcncc sIc iIougIi sIc sIould lcc a liiilc
rcgisicr of my violcni aiiacImcnis, viiI iIc
daic, duraiion, and icrminaiion of cacI, lilc
iIc iallc of iIc rcigns of iIc lings and quccns,
in iIc Hisiory of England. TIcn sIc aslcd mc
if I Iad sccn UriaI.
'UriaI Hcc?' said I. 'No. Is Ic in London?'
'Hc comcs io iIc officc dovnsiairs, cvcry day,'
rciurncd Agncs. 'Hc vas in London a vccl lcforc
mc. I am afraid on disagrccallc lusincss, Troivood.'
'On somc lusincss iIai malcs you uncasy,
Agncs, I scc,' said I. 'WIai can iIai lc?'
446
Agncs laid asidc Icr vorl, and rclicd, folding
Icr Iands uon onc anoiIcr, and looling cn-
sivcly ai mc oui of iIosc lcauiiful sofi cycs of Icrs:
'I lclicvc Ic is going io cnicr inio arincrsIi
viiI aa.'
'WIai? UriaI? TIai mcan, favning fcllov,
vorm Iimsclf inio sucI romoiion!' I cricd, in-
dignanily. 'Havc you madc no rcmonsirancc
aloui ii, Agncs? Considcr vIai a conncion ii
is lilcly io lc. You musi scal oui. You musi
noi allov your faiIcr io ialc sucI a mad sic.
You musi rcvcni ii, Agncs, vIilc iIcrc's iimc.'
Siill looling ai mc, Agncs sIool Icr Icad
vIilc I vas scaling, viiI a faini smilc ai my
varmiI: and iIcn rclicd:
'You rcmcmlcr our lasi convcrsaiion aloui
aa? Ii vas noi long aficr iIainoi morc iIan
ivo or iIrcc daysvIcn Ic gavc mc iIc firsi
iniimaiion of vIai I icll you. Ii vas sad io scc
Iim siruggling lcivccn Iis dcsirc io rcrcscni
ii io mc as a maiicr of cIoicc on Iis ari, and
Iis inaliliiy io conccal iIai ii vas forccd uon
Iim. I fcli vcry sorry.'
'Forccd uon Iim, Agncs! WIo forccs ii uon
Iim?'
'UriaI,' sIc rclicd, aficr a momcni's Icsiia-
iion, 'Ias madc Iimsclf indiscnsallc io aa.
Hc is sulilc and vaicIful. Hc Ias masicrcd
aa's vcalncsscs, fosicrcd iIcm, and ialcn
advaniagc of iIcm, uniilio say all iIai I mcan
in a vord, Troivood,uniil aa is afraid of
Iim.'
TIcrc vas morc iIai sIc migIi Iavc said; morc
iIai sIc lncv, or iIai sIc susccicd; I clcarly
sav. I could noi givc Icr ain ly asling vIai ii
vas, for I lncv iIai sIc viiIIcld ii from mc, io
sarc Icr faiIcr. Ii Iad long lccn going on io
iIis, I vas scnsillc: ycs, I could noi lui fccl, on
iIc lcasi rcflcciion, iIai ii Iad lccn going on io
iIis for a long iimc. I rcmaincd silcni.
'His asccndancy ovcr aa,' said Agncs, 'is vcry
grcai. Hc rofcsscs Iumiliiy and graiiiudc
447
viiI iruiI, crIas: I Ioc solui Iis osi-
iion is rcally onc of ovcr, and I fcar Ic malcs
a Iard usc of Iis ovcr.'
I said Ic vas a Iound, vIicI, ai iIc momcni,
vas a grcai saiisfaciion io mc.
'Ai iIc iimc I scal of, as iIc iimc vIcn aa
solc io mc,' ursucd Agncs, 'Ic Iad iold aa
iIai Ic vas going avay; iIai Ic vas vcry sorry,
and unvilling io lcavc, lui iIai Ic Iad lciicr
rosccis. Faa vas vcry mucI dcrcsscd iIcn,
and morc lovcd dovn ly carc iIan cvcr you or
I Iavc sccn Iim; lui Ic sccmcd rclicvcd ly
iIis ccdicni of iIc arincrsIi, iIougI ai
iIc samc iimc Ic sccmcd Iuri ly ii and
asIamcd of ii.'
'And Iov did you rcccivc ii, Agncs?'
'I did, Troivood,' sIc rclicd, 'vIai I Ioc vas
rigIi. Fccling surc iIai ii vas ncccssary for
aa's cacc iIai iIc sacrificc sIould lc madc,
I cnircaicd Iim io malc ii. I said ii vould
ligIicn iIc load of Iis lifcI Ioc ii vill!and
iIai ii vould givc mc incrcascd ooriuniiics
of lcing Iis comanion. OI, Troivood!' cricd
Agncs, uiiing Icr Iands lcforc Icr facc, as
Icr icars siaricd on ii, 'I almosi fccl as if I Iad
lccn aa's cncmy, insicad of Iis loving cIild.
For I lnov Iov Ic Ias alicrcd, in Iis dcvoiion
io mc. I lnov Iov Ic Ias narrovcd iIc circlc
of Iis symaiIics and duiics, in iIc conccn-
iraiion of Iis vIolc mind uon mc. I lnov vIai
a muliiiudc of iIings Ic Ias sIui oui for my
salc, and Iov Iis anious iIougIis of mc Iavc
sIadovcd Iis lifc, and vcalcncd Iis sircngiI
and cncrgy, ly iurning iIcm alvays uon onc
idca. If I could cvcr sci iIis rigIi! If I could cvcr
vorl oui Iis rcsioraiion, as I Iavc so innoccnily
lccn iIc causc of Iis dcclinc!'
I Iad ncvcr lcforc sccn Agncs cry. I Iad sccn
icars in Icr cycs vIcn I Iad lrougIi ncv
Ionours Iomc from scIool, and I Iad sccn
iIcm iIcrc vIcn vc lasi solc aloui Icr fa-
iIcr, and I Iad sccn Icr iurn Icr gcnilc Icad
448
asidc vIcn vc iool lcavc of onc anoiIcr; lui I
Iad ncvcr sccn Icr gricvc lilc iIis. Ii madc mc
so sorry iIai I could only say, in a foolisI, Icl-
lcss manncr, 'Fray, Agncs, don'i! Don'i, my dcar
sisicr!'
Dui Agncs vas ioo sucrior io mc in cIaracicr
and urosc, as I lnov vcll nov, vIaicvcr I
migIi lnov or noi lnov iIcn, io lc long in nccd
of my cnircaiics. TIc lcauiiful, calm manncr,
vIicI malcs Icr so diffcrcni in my rcmcm-
lrancc from cvcrylody clsc, camc lacl again,
as if a cloud Iad asscd from a scrcnc sly.
'Wc arc noi lilcly io rcmain alonc mucI
longcr,' said Agncs, 'and vIilc I Iavc an oor-
iuniiy, lci mc carncsily cnircai you, Troivood,
io lc fricndly io UriaI. Don'i rccl Iim. Don'i
rcscni (as I iIinl you Iavc a gcncral disosi-
iion io do} vIai may lc uncongcnial io you in
Iim. Hc may noi dcscrvc ii, for vc lnov no
ccriain ill of Iim. In any casc, iIinl firsi of
aa and mc!'
Agncs Iad no iimc io say morc, for iIc room
door ocncd, and Mrs. Waicrlrool, vIo vas a
largc ladyor vIo vorc a largc drcss: I don'i
cacily lnov vIicI, for I don'i lnov vIicI vas
drcss and vIicI vas ladycamc sailing in. I
Iad a dim rccollcciion of Iaving sccn Icr ai
iIc iIcairc, as if I Iad sccn Icr in a alc magic
lanicrn; lui sIc acarcd io rcmcmlcr mc
crfccily, and siill io suscci mc of lcing in a
siaic of inioicaiion.
Finding ly dcgrccs, Iovcvcr, iIai I vas so-
lcr, and (I Ioc} iIai I vas a modcsi young
gcnilcman, Mrs. Waicrlrool soficncd iovards
mc considcrally, and inquircd, firsily, if I vcni
mucI inio iIc arls, and sccondly, if I vcni
mucI inio sociciy. On my rclying io loiI
iIcsc qucsiions in iIc ncgaiivc, ii occurrcd io
mc iIai I fcll again in Icr good oinion; lui
sIc conccalcd iIc faci graccfully, and inviicd
mc io dinncr nci day. I acccicd iIc inviia-
iion, and iool my lcavc, maling a call on UriaI
449
in iIc officc as I vcni oui, and lcaving a card
for Iim in Iis alscncc.
WIcn I vcni io dinncr nci day, and on iIc
sircci door lcing ocncd, lungcd inio a
vaour-laiI of IauncI of muiion, I divincd iIai
I vas noi iIc only gucsi, for I immcdiaicly idcn-
iificd iIc iiclci-oricr in disguisc, assisiing iIc
family scrvani, and vaiiing ai iIc fooi of iIc
siairs io carry u my namc. Hc loolcd, io iIc
lcsi of Iis aliliiy, vIcn Ic aslcd mc for ii con-
fidcniially, as if Ic Iad ncvcr sccn mc lcforc;
lui vcll did I lnov Iim, and vcll did Ic lnov
mc. Conscicncc madc covards of us loiI.
I found Mr. Waicrlrool io lc a middlc-agcd
gcnilcman, viiI a sIori iIroai, and a good dcal
of sIiri-collar, vIo only vanicd a llacl nosc io
lc iIc oriraii of a ug-dog. Hc iold mc Ic vas
Iay io Iavc iIc Ionour of maling my ac-
quainiancc; and vIcn I Iad aid my Iomagc
io Mrs. Waicrlrool, rcscnicd mc, viiI mucI
ccrcmony, io a vcry avful lady in a llacl vclvci
drcss, and a grcai llacl vclvci Iai, vIom I rc-
mcmlcr as looling lilc a ncar rclaiion of
Hamlci'ssay Iis auni.
Mrs. Hcnry Silcr vas iIis lady's namc; and
Icr Iusland vas iIcrc ioo: so cold a man, iIai
Iis Icad, insicad of lcing grcy, sccmcd io lc
srinllcd viiI Ioar-frosi. Immcnsc dcfcrcncc
vas sIovn io iIc Hcnry Silcrs, malc and fc-
malc; vIicI Agncs iold mc vas on accouni of
Mr. Hcnry Silcr lcing soliciior io somciIing
Or io Somclody, I forgci vIai or vIicI, rc-
moicly connccicd viiI iIc Trcasury.
I found UriaI Hcc among iIc comany, in a
suii of llacl, and in dcc Iumiliiy. Hc iold mc,
vIcn I sIool Iands viiI Iim, iIai Ic vas
roud io lc noiiccd ly mc, and iIai Ic rcally
fcli olligcd io mc for my condcsccnsion. I could
Iavc visIcd Ic Iad lccn lcss olligcd io mc,
for Ic Iovcrcd aloui mc in Iis graiiiudc all
iIc rcsi of iIc cvcning; and vIcncvcr I said a
vord io Agncs, vas surc, viiI Iis sIadovlcss
450
cycs and cadavcrous facc, io lc looling gaunily
dovn uon us from lcIind.
TIcrc vcrc oiIcr gucsisall iccd for iIc oc-
casion, as ii sirucl mc, lilc iIc vinc. Dui iIcrc
vas onc vIo aiiracicd my aiicniion lcforc Ic
camc in, on accouni of my Icaring Iim an-
nounccd as Mr. Traddlcs! My mind flcv lacl
io Salcm Housc; and could ii lc Tommy, I
iIougIi, vIo uscd io drav iIc slclcions!
I loolcd for Mr. Traddlcs viiI unusual inicr-
csi. Hc vas a solcr, sicady-looling young man
of rciiring manncrs, viiI a comic Icad of Iair,
and cycs iIai vcrc raiIcr vidc ocn; and Ic
goi inio an olscurc corncr so soon, iIai I Iad
somc difficuliy in maling Iim oui. Ai lcngiI I
Iad a good vicv of Iim, and ciiIcr my vision
dcccivcd mc, or ii vas iIc old unforiunaic
Tommy.
I madc my vay io Mr. Waicrlrool, and said,
iIai I lclicvcd I Iad iIc lcasurc of sccing an
old scIoolfcllov iIcrc.
'Indccd!' said Mr. Waicrlrool, surriscd. 'You
arc ioo young io Iavc lccn ai scIool viiI Mr.
Hcnry Silcr?'
'OI, I don'i mcan Iim!' I rciurncd. 'I mcan
iIc gcnilcman namcd Traddlcs.'
'OI! Ayc, ayc! Indccd!' said my Iosi, viiI
mucI diminisIcd inicrcsi. 'Fossilly.'
'If ii's rcally iIc samc crson,' said I, glancing
iovards Iim, 'ii vas ai a lacc callcd Salcm
Housc vIcrc vc vcrc iogciIcr, and Ic vas an
cccllcni fcllov.'
'OI ycs. Traddlcs is a good fcllov,' rciurncd
my Iosi nodding Iis Icad viiI an air of iolcra-
iion. 'Traddlcs is quiic a good fcllov.'
'Ii's a curious coincidcncc,' said I.
'Ii is rcally,' rciurncd my Iosi, 'quiic a coinci-
dcncc, iIai Traddlcs sIould lc Icrc ai all: as
Traddlcs vas only inviicd iIis morning, vIcn
iIc lacc ai iallc, inicndcd io lc occuicd ly
Mrs. Hcnry Silcr's lroiIcr, lccamc vacani,
in conscqucncc of Iis indisosiiion. A vcry
451
gcnilcmanly man, Mrs. Hcnry Silcr's lroiIcr,
Mr. Cocrficld.'
I murmurcd an asscni, vIicI vas full of fccl-
ing, considcring iIai I lncv noiIing ai all aloui
Iim; and I inquircd vIai Mr. Traddlcs vas ly
rofcssion.
'Traddlcs,' rciurncd Mr. Waicrlrool, 'is a
young man rcading for iIc lar. Ycs. Hc is quiic
a good fcllovnolody's cncmy lui Iis ovn.'
'Is Ic Iis ovn cncmy?' said I, sorry io Icar iIis.
'Wcll,' rciurncd Mr. Waicrlrool, ursing u
Iis mouiI, and laying viiI Iis vaicI-cIain,
in a comforiallc, roscrous sori of vay. 'I
sIould say Ic vas onc of iIosc mcn vIo siand
in iIcir ovn ligIi. Ycs, I sIould say Ic vould
ncvcr, for camlc, lc voriI fivc Iundrcd
ound. Traddlcs vas rccommcndcd io mc ly a
rofcssional fricnd. OI ycs. Ycs. Hc Ias a lind
of ialcni for draving lricfs, and siaiing a casc
in vriiing, lainly. I am allc io iIrov somc-
iIing in Traddlcs's vay, in iIc coursc of iIc
ycar; somciIingfor Iimconsidcrallc. OI
ycs. Ycs.'
I vas mucI imrcsscd ly iIc circmcly com-
foriallc and saiisficd manncr in vIicI Mr.
Waicrlrool dclivcrcd Iimsclf of iIis liiilc vord
'Ycs', cvcry nov and iIcn. TIcrc vas vondcr-
ful crcssion in ii. Ii comlcicly convcycd iIc
idca of a man vIo Iad lccn lorn, noi io say
viiI a silvcr soon, lui viiI a scaling-laddcr,
and Iad gonc on mouniing all iIc IcigIis of
lifc onc aficr anoiIcr, uniil nov Ic loolcd, from
iIc io of iIc foriificaiions, viiI iIc cyc of a
IilosoIcr and a airon, on iIc colc dovn
in iIc ircncIcs.
My rcflcciions on iIis iIcmc vcrc siill in
rogrcss vIcn dinncr vas announccd. Mr.
Waicrlrool vcni dovn viiI Hamlci's auni. Mr.
Hcnry Silcr iool Mrs. Waicrlrool. Agncs,
vIom I sIould Iavc lilcd io ialc mysclf, vas
givcn io a simcring fcllov viiI vcal lcgs. UriaI,
Traddlcs, and I, as iIc junior ari of iIc com-
452
any, vcni dovn lasi, Iov vc could. I vas noi
so vccd ai losing Agncs as I migIi Iavc lccn,
sincc ii gavc mc an ooriuniiy of maling my-
sclf lnovn io Traddlcs on iIc siairs, vIo grccicd
mc viiI grcai fcrvour; vIilc UriaI vriiIcd viiI
sucI olirusivc saiisfaciion and sclf-alascmcni,
iIai I could gladly Iavc iicIcd Iim ovcr iIc
lanisicrs. Traddlcs and I vcrc scaraicd ai iallc,
lcing lillcicd in ivo rcmoic corncrs: Ic in iIc
glarc of a rcd vclvci lady; I, in iIc gloom of
Hamlci's auni. TIc dinncr vas vcry long, and
iIc convcrsaiion vas aloui iIc Arisiocracyand
Dlood. Mrs. Waicrlrool rccaicdly iold us, iIai
if sIc Iad a vcalncss, ii vas Dlood.
Ii occurrcd io mc scvcral iimcs iIai vc sIould
Iavc goi on lciicr, if vc Iad noi lccn quiic so
gcniccl. Wc vcrc so ccccdingly gcniccl, iIai
our scoc vas vcry limiicd. A Mr. and Mrs.
Gulidgc vcrc of iIc ariy, vIo Iad somciIing
io do ai sccond-Iand (ai lcasi, Mr. Gulidgc
Iad} viiI iIc lav lusincss of iIc Danl; and
vIai viiI iIc Danl, and vIai viiI iIc Trca-
sury, vc vcrc as cclusivc as iIc Couri Circu-
lar. To mcnd iIc maiicr, Hamlci's auni Iad
iIc family failing of indulging in soliloquy, and
Icld foriI in a dcsuliory manncr, ly Icrsclf,
on cvcry ioic iIai vas iniroduccd. TIcsc vcrc
fcv cnougI, io lc surc; lui as vc alvays fcll
lacl uon Dlood, sIc Iad as vidc a ficld for
alsiraci scculaiion as Icr ncIcv Iimsclf.
Wc migIi Iavc lccn a ariy of Ogrcs, iIc con-
vcrsaiion assumcd sucI a sanguinc comlcion.
'I confcss I am of Mrs. Waicrlrool's oinion,'
said Mr. Waicrlrool, viiI Iis vinc-glass ai Iis
cyc. 'OiIcr iIings arc all vcry vcll in iIcir vay,
lui givc mc Dlood!'
'OI! TIcrc is noiIing,' olscrvcd Hamlci's
auni, 'so saiisfaciory io onc! TIcrc is noiIing
iIai is so mucI onc's lcau-idcal ofof all iIai
sori of iIing, scaling gcncrally. TIcrc arc
somc lov minds (noi many, I am Iay io lc-
licvc, lui iIcrc arc somc} iIai vould rcfcr io
453
do vIai I sIould call lov dovn lcforc idols.
Fosiiivcly Idols! Dcforc scrvicc, inicllcci, and so
on. Dui iIcsc arc iniangillc oinis. Dlood is
noi so. Wc scc Dlood in a nosc, and vc lnov ii.
Wc mcci viiI ii in a cIin, and vc say, TIcrc ii
is! TIai's Dlood!" Ii is an aciual maiicr of faci.
Wc oini ii oui. Ii admiis of no douli.'
TIc simcring fcllov viiI iIc vcal lcgs, vIo
Iad ialcn Agncs dovn, siaicd iIc qucsiion
morc dccisivcly yci, I iIougIi.
'OI, you lnov, dcucc ialc ii,' said iIis gcnilc-
man, looling round iIc loard viiI an imlc-
cilc smilc, 'vc can'i forcgo Dlood, you lnov.
Wc musi Iavc Dlood, you lnov. Somc young
fcllovs, you lnov, may lc a liiilc lcIind iIcir
siaiion, crIas, in oini of cducaiion and
lcIaviour, and may go a liiilc vrong, you lnov,
and gci iIcmsclvcs and oiIcr colc inio a va-
riciy of ficsand all iIailui dcucc ialc ii,
ii's dcligIiful io rcflcci iIai iIcy'vc goi Dlood
in 'cm! Mysclf, I'd raiIcr ai any iimc lc lnoclcd
dovn ly a man vIo Iad goi Dlood in Iim, iIan
I'd lc iclcd u ly a man vIo Iadn'i!'
TIis scniimcni, as comrcssing iIc gcncral
qucsiion inio a nuisIcll, gavc iIc uimosi saiis-
faciion, and lrougIi iIc gcnilcman inio grcai
noiicc uniil iIc ladics rciircd. Aficr iIai, I ol-
scrvcd iIai Mr. Gulidgc and Mr. Hcnry Silcr,
vIo Iad IiiIcrio lccn vcry disiani, cnicrcd inio
a dcfcnsivc alliancc againsi us, iIc common
cncmy, and ccIangcd a mysicrious dialoguc
across iIc iallc for our dcfcai and ovcriIrov.
'TIai affair of iIc firsi lond for four iIousand
fivc Iundrcd ounds Ias noi ialcn iIc coursc
iIai vas cccicd, Silcr,' said Mr. Gulidgc.
'Do you mcan iIc D. of A.'s?' said Mr. Silcr.
'TIc C. of D.'s!' said Mr. Gulidgc.
Mr. Silcr raiscd Iis cyclrovs, and loolcd
mucI conccrncd.
'WIcn iIc qucsiion vas rcfcrrcd io LordI
nccdn'i namc Iim,' said Mr. Gulidgc, cIccl-
ing Iimsclf
454
'I undcrsiand,' said Mr. Silcr, 'N.'
Mr. Gulidgc darlly noddcd'vas rcfcrrcd
io Iim, Iis ansvcr vas, Moncy, or no rclcasc."'
'Lord llcss my soul!' cricd Mr. Silcr.
' Moncy, or no rclcasc,"' rccaicd Mr.
Gulidgc, firmly. 'TIc nci in rcvcrsionyou
undcrsiand mc?'
'K.,' said Mr. Silcr, viiI an ominous lool.
'K. iIcn osiiivcly rcfuscd io sign. Hc vas
aiicndcd ai Ncvmarlci for iIai urosc, and
Ic oini-llanl rcfuscd io do ii.'
Mr. Silcr vas so inicrcsicd, iIai Ic lccamc
quiic siony.
'So iIc maiicr rcsis ai iIis Iour,' said Mr.
Gulidgc, iIroving Iimsclf lacl in Iis cIair.
'Our fricnd Waicrlrool vill ccusc mc if I for-
lcar io clain mysclf gcncrally, on accouni of
iIc magniiudc of iIc inicrcsis involvcd.'
Mr. Waicrlrool vas only ioo Iay, as ii a-
carcd io mc, io Iavc sucI inicrcsis, and sucI
namcs, cvcn Iinicd ai, across Iis iallc. Hc as-
sumcd an crcssion of gloomy iniclligcncc
(iIougI I am crsuadcd Ic lncv no morc aloui
iIc discussion iIan I did}, and IigIly arovcd
of iIc discrciion iIai Iad lccn olscrvcd. Mr.
Silcr, aficr iIc rcccii of sucI a confidcncc,
naiurally dcsircd io favour Iis fricnd viiI a con-
fidcncc of Iis ovn; iIcrcforc iIc forcgoing dia-
loguc vas succccdcd ly anoiIcr, in vIicI ii
vas Mr. Gulidgc's iurn io lc surriscd, and
iIai ly anoiIcr in vIicI iIc surrisc camc
round io Mr. Silcr's iurn again, and so on,
iurn and iurn aloui. All iIis iimc vc, iIc oui-
sidcrs, rcmaincd orcsscd ly iIc ircmcndous
inicrcsis involvcd in iIc convcrsaiion; and our
Iosi rcgardcd us viiI ridc, as iIc viciims of a
saluiary avc and asionisImcni.
I vas vcry glad indccd io gci usiairs io Agncs,
and io iall viiI Icr in a corncr, and io iniro-
ducc Traddlcs io Icr, vIo vas sIy, lui agrcc-
allc, and iIc samc good-naiurcd crcaiurc siill.
As Ic vas olligcd io lcavc carly, on accouni of
455
going avay nci morning for a moniI, I Iad
noi ncarly so mucI convcrsaiion viiI Iim as I
could Iavc visIcd; lui vc ccIangcd ad-
drcsscs, and romiscd oursclvcs iIc lcasurc
of anoiIcr mcciing vIcn Ic sIould comc lacl
io iovn. Hc vas grcaily inicrcsicd io Icar iIai
I lncv SiccrforiI, and solc of Iim viiI sucI
varmiI iIai I madc Iim icll Agncs vIai Ic
iIougIi of Iim. Dui Agncs only loolcd ai mc
iIc vIilc, and vcry sligIily sIool Icr Icad
vIcn only I olscrvcd Icr.
As sIc vas noi among colc viiI vIom I lc-
licvcd sIc could lc vcry mucI ai Iomc, I vas
almosi glad io Icar iIai sIc vas going avay viiIin
a fcv days, iIougI I vas sorry ai iIc roscci of
ariing from Icr again so soon. TIis causcd mc
io rcmain uniil all iIc comany vcrc gonc. Con-
vcrsing viiI Icr, and Icaring Icr sing, vas sucI
a dcligIiful rcmindcr io mc of my Iay lifc in
iIc gravc old Iousc sIc Iad madc so lcauiiful,
iIai I could Iavc rcmaincd iIcrc Ialf iIc nigIi;
lui, Iaving no ccusc for siaying any longcr,
vIcn iIc ligIis of Mr. Waicrlrool's sociciy vcrc
all snuffcd oui, I iool my lcavc vcry mucI againsi
my inclinaiion. I fcli iIcn, morc iIan cvcr, iIai
sIc vas my lciicr Angcl; and if I iIougIi of Icr
svcci facc and lacid smilc, as iIougI iIcy Iad
sIonc on mc from somc rcmovcd lcing, lilc an
Angcl, I Ioc I iIougIi no Iarm.
I Iavc said iIai iIc comany vcrc all gonc;
lui I ougIi io Iavc cccicd UriaI, vIom I
don'i includc in iIai dcnominaiion, and vIo
Iad ncvcr ccascd io Iovcr ncar us. Hc vas closc
lcIind mc vIcn I vcni dovnsiairs. Hc vas
closc lcsidc mc, vIcn I vallcd avay from iIc
Iousc, slovly fiiiing Iis long slclcion fingcrs
inio iIc siill longcr fingcrs of a grcai Guy
Favlcs air of glovcs.
Ii vas in no disosiiion for UriaI's comany,
lui in rcmcmlrancc of iIc cnircaiy Agncs Iad
madc io mc, iIai I aslcd Iim if Ic vould comc
Iomc io my rooms, and Iavc somc coffcc.
456
'OI, rcally, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic rcjoincd
'I lcg your ardon, Misicr Cocrficld, lui iIc
oiIcr comcs so naiural, I don'i lilc iIai you
sIould ui a consiraini uon yoursclf io asl a
numllc crson lilc mc io your ousc.'
'TIcrc is no consiraini in iIc casc,' said I.
'Will you comc?'
'I sIould lilc io, vcry mucI,' rclicd UriaI,
viiI a vriiIc.
'Wcll, iIcn, comc along!' said I.
I could noi Icl lcing raiIcr sIori viiI Iim,
lui Ic acarcd noi io mind ii. Wc vcni iIc
ncarcsi vay, viiIoui convcrsing mucI uon
iIc road; and Ic vas so Iumllc in rcscci of
iIosc scarccrov glovcs, iIai Ic vas siill ui-
iing iIcm on, and sccmcd io Iavc madc no
advancc in iIai lalour, vIcn vc goi io my lacc.
I lcd Iim u iIc darl siairs, io rcvcni Iis
lnocling Iis Icad againsi anyiIing, and rc-
ally Iis dam cold Iand fcli so lilc a frog in
minc, iIai I vas icmicd io dro ii and run
avay. Agncs and Iosiialiiy rcvailcd, Iovcvcr,
and I conducicd Iim io my fircsidc. WIcn I
ligIicd my candlcs, Ic fcll inio mccl irans-
oris viiI iIc room iIai vas rcvcalcd io Iim;
and vIcn I Icaicd iIc coffcc in an unassum-
ing llocl-iin vcsscl in vIicI Mrs. Cru dc-
ligIicd io rcarc ii (cIicfly, I lclicvc, lccausc
ii vas noi inicndcd for iIc urosc, lcing a
sIaving-oi, and lccausc iIcrc vas a aicni
invcniion of grcai ricc mouldcring avay in iIc
aniry}, Ic rofcsscd so mucI cmoiion, iIai I
could joyfully Iavc scaldcd Iim.
'OI, rcally, Masicr Cocrficld,I mcan Misicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI, 'io scc you vaiiing uon
mc is vIai I ncvcr could Iavc cccicd! Dui, onc
vay and anoiIcr, so many iIings Iacn io mc
vIicI I ncvcr could Iavc cccicd, I am surc, in
my umllc siaiion, iIai ii sccms io rain llcssings
on my cd. You Iavc Icard somciIing, I dcs-say, of
a cIangc in my ccciaiions, Masicr
Cocrficld,I sIould say, Misicr Cocrficld?'
457
As Ic sai on my sofa, viiI Iis long lnccs
dravn u undcr Iis coffcc-cu, Iis Iai and
glovcs uon iIc ground closc io Iim, Iis soon
going sofily round and round, Iis sIadovlcss
rcd cycs, vIicI loolcd as if iIcy Iad scorcIcd
iIcir lasIcs off, iurncd iovards mc viiIoui
looling ai mc, iIc disagrccallc dinis I Iavc
formcrly dcscrilcd in Iis nosirils coming and
going viiI Iis lrcaiI, and a snaly undulaiion
crvading Iis framc from Iis cIin io Iis loois,
I dccidcd in my ovn mind iIai I dislilcd Iim
inicnscly. Ii madc mc vcry uncomforiallc io
Iavc Iim for a gucsi, for I vas young iIcn, and
unuscd io disguisc vIai I so sirongly fcli.
'You Iavc Icard somciIing, I dcs-say, of a
cIangc in my ccciaiions, Masicr
Cocrficld,I sIould say, Misicr Cocrficld?'
olscrvcd UriaI.
'Ycs,' said I, 'somciIing.'
'AI! I iIougIi Miss Agncs vould lnov of ii!'
Ic quicily rciurncd. 'I'm glad io find Miss Agncs
lnovs of ii. OI, iIanl you, MasicrMisicr
Cocrficld!'
I could Iavc iIrovn my looijacl ai Iim (ii lay
rcady on iIc rug}, for Iaving cniracd mc inio
iIc disclosurc of anyiIing conccrning Agncs,
Iovcvcr immaicrial. Dui I only dranl my cof-
fcc.
'WIai a roIci you Iavc sIovn yoursclf, Mis-
icr Cocrficld!' ursucd UriaI. 'Dcar mc, vIai
a roIci you Iavc rovcd yoursclf io lc! Don'i
you rcmcmlcr saying io mc oncc, iIai crIas
I sIould lc a arincr in Mr. Wiclficld's lusi-
ncss, and crIas ii migIi lc Wiclficld and
Hcc? You may noi rccollcci ii; lui vIcn a
crson is umllc, Masicr Cocrficld, a crson
ircasurcs sucI iIings u!'
'I rccollcci ialling aloui ii,' said I, 'iIougI I
ccriainly did noi iIinl ii vcry lilcly iIcn.'
'OI! vIo vould Iavc iIougIi ii lilcly, Misicr
Cocrficld!' rciurncd UriaI, cniIusiasiically.
'I am surc I didn'i mysclf. I rccollcci saying viiI
458
my ovn lis iIai I vas mucI ioo umllc. So I
considcrcd mysclf rcally and iruly.'
Hc sai, viiI iIai carvcd grin on Iis facc, lool-
ing ai iIc firc, as I loolcd ai Iim.
'Dui iIc umllcsi crsons, Masicr Cocrficld,'
Ic rcscnily rcsumcd, 'may lc iIc insirumcnis
of good. I am glad io iIinl I Iavc lccn iIc in-
sirumcni of good io Mr. Wiclficld, and iIai I
may lc morc so. OI vIai a voriIy man Ic is,
Misicr Cocrficld, lui Iov imrudcni Ic Ias
lccn!'
'I am sorry io Icar ii,' said I. I could noi Icl
adding, raiIcr oinicdly, 'on all accounis.'
'Dccidcdly so, Misicr Cocrficld,' rclicd
UriaI. 'On all accounis. Miss Agncs's alovc all!
You don'i rcmcmlcr your ovn cloqucni crcs-
sions, Masicr Cocrficld; lui I rcmcmlcr Iov
you said onc day iIai cvcrylody musi admirc
Icr, and Iov I iIanlcd you for ii! You Iavc
forgoi iIai, I Iavc no douli, Masicr
Cocrficld?'
'No,' said I, drily.
'OI Iov glad I am you Iavc noi!' cclaimcd
UriaI. 'To iIinl iIai you sIould lc iIc firsi io
lindlc iIc sarls of amliiion in my umllc
lrcasi, and iIai you'vc noi forgoi ii! OI!Would
you ccusc mc asling for a cu morc coffcc?'
SomciIing in iIc cmIasis Ic laid uon iIc
lindling of iIosc sarls, and somciIing in iIc
glancc Ic dirccicd ai mc as Ic said ii, Iad madc
mc siari as if I Iad sccn Iim illuminaicd ly a
llazc of ligIi. Fccallcd ly Iis rcqucsi, rcfcrrcd
in quiic anoiIcr ionc of voicc, I did iIc Ionours
of iIc sIaving-oi; lui I did iIcm viiI an un-
sicadincss of Iand, a suddcn scnsc of lcing no
maicI for Iim, and a crlccd susicious ani-
ciy as io vIai Ic migIi lc going io say nci,
vIicI I fcli could noi cscac Iis olscrvaiion.
Hc said noiIing ai all. Hc siirrcd Iis coffcc
round and round, Ic sicd ii, Ic fcli Iis cIin
sofily viiI Iis grisly Iand, Ic loolcd ai iIc
firc, Ic loolcd aloui iIc room, Ic gascd
459
raiIcr iIan smilcd ai mc, Ic vriiIcd and un-
dulaicd aloui, in Iis dcfcrcniial scrviliiy, Ic
siirrcd and sicd again, lui Ic lcfi iIc rc-
ncval of iIc convcrsaiion io mc.
'So, Mr. Wiclficld,' said I, ai lasi, 'vIo is voriI
fivc Iundrcd of youor mc'; for my lifc, I iIinl,
I could noi Iavc Iclcd dividing iIai ari of
iIc scnicncc viiI an avlvard jcrl; 'Ias lccn
imrudcni, Ias Ic, Mr. Hcc?'
' OI, vcry imrudcni indccd, Masicr
Cocrficld,' rciurncd UriaI, sigIing modcsily.
'OI, vcry mucI so! Dui I visI you'd call mc
UriaI, if you lcasc. Ii's lilc old iimcs.'
'Wcll! UriaI,' said I, loliing ii oui viiI somc
difficuliy.
'TIanl you,' Ic rciurncd, viiI fcrvour. 'TIanl
you, Masicr Cocrficld! Ii's lilc iIc lloving
of old lrcczcs or iIc ringing of old lcllscs io
Icar ou say UriaI. I lcg your ardon. Was I
maling any olscrvaiion?'
'Aloui Mr. Wiclficld,' I suggcsicd.
'OI! Ycs, iruly,' said UriaI. 'AI! Grcai imru-
dcncc, Masicr Cocrficld. Ii's a ioic iIai I
vouldn'i ioucI uon, io any soul lui you. Evcn io
you I can only ioucI uon ii, and no morc. If any-
onc clsc Iad lccn in my lacc during iIc lasi fcv
ycars, ly iIis iimc Ic vould Iavc Iad Mr. Wiclficld
(oI, vIai a voriIy man Ic is, Masicr Cocrficld,
ioo!} undcr Iis iIuml. UndcrIis iIuml,' said
UriaI, vcry slovly, as Ic sircicIcd oui Iis crucl-
looling Iand alovc my iallc, and rcsscd Iis ovn
iIuml uon ii, uniil ii sIool, and sIool iIc room.
If I Iad lccn olligcd io lool ai Iim viiI Iim
slay fooi on Mr. Wiclficld's Icad, I iIinl I
could scarccly Iavc Iaicd Iim morc.
'OI, dcar, ycs, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic ro-
cccdcd, in a sofi voicc, mosi rcmarlally con-
irasiing viiI iIc aciion of Iis iIuml, vIicI did
noi diminisI iis Iard rcssurc in iIc lcasi dc-
grcc, 'iIcrc's no douli of ii. TIcrc vould Iavc
lccn loss, disgracc, I don'i lnov vIai ai all. Mr.
Wiclficld lnovs ii. I am iIc umllc insirumcni
460
of umlly scrving Iim, and Ic uis mc on an
cmincncc I Iardly could Iavc Iocd io rcacI.
Hov iIanlful sIould I lc!' WiiI Iis facc iurncd
iovards mc, as Ic finisIcd, lui viiIoui looling
ai mc, Ic iool Iis croolcd iIuml off iIc soi
vIcrc Ic Iad lanicd ii, and slovly and
iIougIifully scracd Iis lanl jav viiI ii, as if
Ic vcrc sIaving Iimsclf.
I rccollcci vcll Iov indignanily my Icari lcai, as
I sav Iis crafiy facc, viiI iIc aroriaicly rcd ligIi
of iIc firc uon ii, rcaring for somciIing clsc.
'Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic lcgan'lui am I
lccing you u?'
'You arc noi lccing mc u. I gcncrally go io
lcd laic.'
'TIanl you, Masicr Cocrficld! I Iavc riscn from
my umllc siaiion sincc firsi you uscd io addrcss
mc, ii is iruc; lui I am umllc siill. I Ioc I ncvcr
sIall lc oiIcrvisc iIan umllc. You vill noi iIinl
iIc vorsc of my umllcncss, if I malc a liiilc confi-
dcncc io you, Masicr Cocrficld? Will you?'
'OI no,' said I, viiI an cffori.
'TIanl you!' Hc iool oui Iis oclci-Iandlcr-
cIicf, and lcgan viing iIc alms of Iis Iands.
'Miss Agncs, Masicr Cocrficld'
'Wcll, UriaI?'
'OI, Iov lcasani io lc callcd UriaI, sonia-
ncously!' Ic cricd; and gavc Iimsclf a jcrl, lilc
a convulsivc fisI. 'You iIougIi Icr looling vcry
lcauiiful ionigIi, Masicr Cocrficld?'
'I iIougIi Icr looling as sIc alvays docs: sucrior,
in all rcsccis, io cvcryonc around Icr,' I rciurncd.
'OI, iIanl you! Ii's so iruc!' Ic cricd. 'OI,
iIanl you vcry mucI for iIai!'
'Noi ai all,' I said, lofiily. 'TIcrc is no rcason
vIy you sIould iIanl mc.'
'WIy iIai, Masicr Cocrficld,' said UriaI, 'is,
in faci, iIc confidcncc iIai I am going io ialc iIc
lilcriy of rcosing. Umllc as I am,' Ic vicd Iis
Iands Iardcr, and loolcd ai iIcm and ai iIc firc
ly iurns, 'umllc as my moiIcr is, and lovly as
our oor lui Ioncsi roof Ias cvcr lccn, iIc im-
461
agc of Miss Agncs (I don'i mind irusiing you viiI
my sccrci, Masicr Cocrficld, for I Iavc alvays
ovcrflovcd iovards you sincc iIc firsi momcni I
Iad iIc lcasurc of lcIolding you in a ony-
sIay} Ias lccn in my lrcasi for ycars. OI, Mas-
icr Cocrficld, viiI vIai a urc affcciion do I
lovc iIc ground my Agncs valls on!'
I lclicvc I Iad a dclirious idca of scizing iIc
rcd-Ioi olcr oui of iIc firc, and running Iim
iIrougI viiI ii. Ii vcni from mc viiI a sIocl,
lilc a lall fircd from a riflc: lui iIc imagc of Agncs,
ouiragcd ly so mucI as a iIougIi of iIis rcd-
Icadcd animal's, rcmaincd in my mind vIcn I
loolcd ai Iim, siiiing all avry as if Iis mcan soul
gricd Iis lody, and madc mc giddy. Hc sccmcd
io svcll and grov lcforc my cycs; iIc room
sccmcd full of iIc ccIocs of Iis voicc; and iIc
sirangc fccling (io vIicI, crIas, no onc is quiic
a sirangcr} iIai all iIis Iad occurrcd lcforc, ai
somc indcfiniic iimc, and iIai I lncv vIai Ic
vas going io say nci, iool osscssion of mc.
A iimcly olscrvaiion of iIc scnsc of ovcr
iIai iIcrc vas in Iis facc, did morc io lring
lacl io my rcmcmlrancc iIc cnircaiy of Agncs,
in iis full forcc, iIan any cffori I could Iavc
madc. I aslcd Iim, viiI a lciicr acarancc of
comosurc iIan I could Iavc iIougIi ossillc
a minuic lcforc, vIciIcr Ic Iad madc Iis fccl-
ings lnovn io Agncs.
'OI no, Masicr Cocrficld!' Ic rciurncd; 'oI
dcar, no! Noi io anyonc lui you. You scc I am
only jusi cmcrging from my lovly siaiion. I rcsi
a good dcal of Ioc on Icr olscrving Iov usc-
ful I am io Icr faiIcr (for I irusi io lc vcry usc-
ful io Iim indccd, Masicr Cocrficld}, and Iov
I smooiI iIc vay for Iim, and lcc Iim
siraigIi. SIc's so mucI aiiacIcd io Icr faiIcr,
Masicr Cocrficld (oI, vIai a lovcly iIing ii is
in a daugIicr!}, iIai I iIinl sIc may comc, on
Iis accouni, io lc lind io mc.'
I faiIomcd iIc dciI of iIc rascal's vIolc
scIcmc, and undcrsiood vIy Ic laid ii larc.
462
'If you'll Iavc iIc goodncss io lcc my sc-
crci, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic ursucd, 'and noi,
in gcncral, io go againsi mc, I sIall ialc ii as a
ariicular favour. You vouldn'i visI io malc
unlcasanincss. I lnov vIai a fricndly Icari
you'vc goi; lui Iaving only lnovn mc on my
umllc fooiing (on my umllcsi I sIould say, for
I am vcry umllc siill}, you migIi, unlclnovn,
go againsi mc raiIcr, viiI my Agncs. I call Icr
minc, you scc, Masicr Cocrficld. TIcrc's a
song iIai says, I'd crovns rcsign, io call Icr
minc!" I Ioc io do ii, onc of iIcsc days.'
Dcar Agncs! So mucI ioo loving and ioo good
for anyonc iIai I could iIinl of, vas ii ossillc
iIai sIc vas rcscrvcd io lc iIc vifc of sucI a
vrcicI as iIis!
'TIcrc's no Iurry ai rcscni, you lnov, Mas-
icr Cocrficld,' UriaI rocccdcd, in Iis slimy
vay, as I sai gazing ai Iim, viiI iIis iIougIi
in my mind. 'My Agncs is vcry young siill; and
moiIcr and mc vill Iavc io vorl our vay u-
vards, and malc a good many ncv arrangc-
mcnis, lcforc ii vould lc quiic convcnicni. So
I sIall Iavc iimc gradually io malc Icr famil-
iar viiI my Iocs, as ooriuniiics offcr. OI,
I'm so mucI olligcd io you for iIis confidcncc!
OI, ii's sucI a rclicf, you can'i iIinl, io lnov
iIai you undcrsiand our siiuaiion, and arc ccr-
iain (as you vouldn'i visI io malc unlcas-
anincss in iIc family} noi io go againsi mc!'
Hc iool iIc Iand vIicI I darcd noi viiIIold,
and Iaving givcn ii a dam squcczc, rcfcrrcd
io Iis alc-faccd vaicI.
'Dcar mc!' Ic said, 'ii's asi onc. TIc momcnis
sli avay so, in iIc confidcncc of old iimcs,
Masicr Cocrficld, iIai ii's almosi Ialf asi
onc!'
I ansvcrcd iIai I Iad iIougIi ii vas laicr. Noi
iIai I Iad rcally iIougIi so, lui lccausc my
convcrsaiional ovcrs vcrc cffcciually scaiicrcd.
'Dcar mc!' Ic said, considcring. 'TIc ousc iIai
I am sioing aia sori of a rivaic Ioicl and
463
loarding ousc, Masicr Cocrficld, ncar iIc
Ncv Fivcr cdvill Iavc gonc io lcd iIcsc ivo
Iours.'
'I am sorry,' I rciurncd, 'iIai iIcrc is only onc
lcd Icrc, and iIai I'
'OI, don'i iIinl of mcniioning lcds, Masicr
Cocrficld!' Ic rcjoincd ccsiaiically, draving
u onc lcg. 'Dui vould you Iavc any oljcciions
io my laying dovn lcforc iIc firc?'
'If ii comcs io iIai,' I said, 'ray ialc my lcd,
and I'll lic dovn lcforc iIc firc.'
His rcudiaiion of iIis offcr vas almosi sIrill
cnougI, in iIc cccss of iis surrisc and Iu-
miliiy, io Iavc cnciraicd io iIc cars of Mrs.
Cru, iIcn slccing, I suosc, in a disiani
cIamlcr, siiuaicd ai aloui iIc lcvcl of lov-va-
icr marl, sooiIcd in Icr slumlcrs ly iIc iicl-
ing of an incorrigillc clocl, io vIicI sIc al-
vays rcfcrrcd mc vIcn vc Iad any liiilc diffcr-
cncc on iIc scorc of unciualiiy, and vIicI
vas ncvcr lcss iIan iIrcc-quaricrs of an Iour
ioo slov, and Iad alvays lccn ui rigIi in iIc
morning ly iIc lcsi auiIoriiics. As no argu-
mcnis I could urgc, in my lcvildcrcd condi-
iion, Iad iIc lcasi cffcci uon Iis modcsiy in
inducing Iim io accci my lcdroom, I vas
olligcd io malc iIc lcsi arrangcmcnis I could,
for Iis rcosc lcforc iIc firc. TIc maiircss of
iIc sofa (vIicI vas a grcai dcal ioo sIori for
Iis lanl figurc}, iIc sofa illovs, a llanlci, iIc
iallc-covcr, a clcan lrcalfasi-cloiI, and a grcai-
coai, madc Iim a lcd and covcring, for vIicI
Ic vas morc iIan iIanlful. Having lcni Iim a
nigIi-ca, vIicI Ic ui on ai oncc, and in
vIicI Ic madc sucI an avful figurc, iIai I Iavc
ncvcr vorn onc sincc, I lcfi Iim io Iis rcsi.
I ncvcr sIall forgci iIai nigIi. I ncvcr sIall
forgci Iov I iurncd and iumllcd; Iov I vca-
ricd mysclf viiI iIinling aloui Agncs and iIis
crcaiurc; Iov I considcrcd vIai could I do, and
vIai ougIi I io do; Iov I could comc io no
oiIcr conclusion iIan iIai iIc lcsi coursc for
464
Icr cacc vas io do noiIing, and io lcc io
mysclf vIai I Iad Icard. If I vcni io slcc for a
fcv momcnis, iIc imagc of Agncs viiI Icr icn-
dcr cycs, and of Icr faiIcr looling fondly on
Icr, as I Iad so oficn sccn Iim lool, arosc lc-
forc mc viiI acaling faccs, and fillcd mc viiI
vaguc icrrors. WIcn I avolc, iIc rccollcciion
iIai UriaI vas lying in iIc nci room, sai Icavy
on mc lilc a valing nigIimarc; and orcsscd
mc viiI a lcadcn drcad, as if I Iad Iad somc
mcancr qualiiy of dcvil for a lodgcr.
TIc olcr goi inio my dozing iIougIis lc-
sidcs, and vouldn'i comc oui. I iIougIi, lc-
ivccn slccing and valing, iIai ii vas siill rcd
Ioi, and I Iad snaicIcd ii oui of iIc firc, and
run Iim iIrougI iIc lody. I vas so Iaunicd ai
lasi ly iIc idca, iIougI I lncv iIcrc vas noiI-
ing in ii, iIai I siolc inio iIc nci room io lool
ai Iim. TIcrc I sav Iim, lying on Iis lacl, viiI
Iis lcgs cicnding io I don'i lnov vIcrc,
gurglings ialing lacc in Iis iIroai, sioagcs
in Iis nosc, and Iis mouiI ocn lilc a osi-
officc. Hc vas so mucI vorsc in rcaliiy iIan in
my disicmcrcd fancy, iIai aficrvards I vas
aiiracicd io Iim in vcry rculsion, and could
noi Icl vandcring in and oui cvcry Ialf-Iour
or so, and ialing anoiIcr lool ai Iim. Siill, iIc
long, long nigIi sccmcd Icavy and Ioclcss as
cvcr, and no romisc of day vas in iIc murly
sly.
WIcn I sav Iim going dovnsiairs carly in iIc
morning (for, iIanl Hcavcn! Ic vould noi siay
io lrcalfasi}, ii acarcd io mc as if iIc nigIi
vas going avay in Iis crson. WIcn I vcni oui
io iIc Commons, I cIargcd Mrs. Cru viiI
ariicular dircciions io lcavc iIc vindovs ocn,
iIai my siiiing-room migIi lc aircd, and urgcd
of Iis rcscncc.
465
CHAPTER 26
I FALL INTO CAPTIVITY
I SAW NO MOFE OF UriaI Hcc, uniil iIc day vIcn
Agncs lcfi iovn. I vas ai iIc coacI officc io ialc
lcavc of Icr and scc Icr go; and iIcrc vas Ic,
rciurning io Canicrlury ly iIc samc convcyancc.
Ii vas somc small saiisfaciion io mc io olscrvc Iis
sarc, sIori-vaisicd, IigI-sIouldcrcd, mullcrry-
colourcd grcai-coai crcIcd u, in comany viiI
an umlrclla lilc a small icni, on iIc cdgc of iIc
lacl scai on iIc roof, vIilc Agncs vas, of coursc,
insidc; lui vIai I undcrvcni in my cfforis io lc
fricndly viiI Iim, vIilc Agncs loolcd on, cr-
Ias dcscrvcd iIai liiilc rccomcnsc. Ai iIc coacI
vindov, as ai iIc dinncr-ariy, Ic Iovcrcd aloui
us viiIoui a momcni's inicrmission, lilc a grcai
vuliurc: gorging Iimsclf on cvcry syllallc iIai I
said io Agncs, or Agncs said io mc.
In iIc siaic of iroullc inio vIicI Iis disclo-
surc ly my firc Iad iIrovn mc, I Iad iIougIi
vcry mucI of iIc vords Agncs Iad uscd in rcf-
crcncc io iIc arincrsIi. 'I did vIai I Ioc
vas rigIi. Fccling surc iIai ii vas ncccssary
for aa's cacc iIai iIc sacrificc sIould lc
madc, I cnircaicd Iim io malc ii.' A miscrallc
forcloding iIai sIc vould yicld io, and sus-
iain Icrsclf ly, iIc samc fccling in rcfcrcncc
io any sacrificc for Iis salc, Iad orcsscd mc
cvcr sincc. I lncv Iov sIc lovcd Iim. I lncv
vIai iIc dcvoiion of Icr naiurc vas. I lncv
from Icr ovn lis iIai sIc rcgardcd Icrsclf as
iIc innoccni causc of Iis crrors, and as oving
Iim a grcai dcli sIc ardcnily dcsircd io ay. I
Iad no consolaiion in sccing Iov diffcrcni sIc
vas from iIis dcicsiallc Fufus viiI iIc mul-
lcrry-colourcd grcai-coai, for I fcli iIai in iIc
vcry diffcrcncc lcivccn iIcm, in iIc sclf-dc-
nial of Icr urc soul and iIc sordid lascncss
of Iis, iIc grcaicsi dangcr lay. All iIis, douli-
lcss, Ic lncv iIorougIly, and Iad, in Iis cun-
ning, considcrcd vcll.
466
Yci I vas so ccriain iIai iIc roscci of sucI
a sacrificc afar off, musi dcsiroy iIc Iaincss
of Agncs; and I vas so surc, from Icr manncr,
of iis lcing unsccn ly Icr iIcn, and Iaving
casi no sIadov on Icr yci; iIai I could as soon
Iavc injurcd Icr, as givcn Icr any varning of
vIai imcndcd. TIus ii vas iIai vc aricd viiI-
oui clanaiion: sIc vaving Icr Iand and smil-
ing farcvcll from iIc coacI vindov; Icr cvil
gcnius vriiIing on iIc roof, as if Ic Iad Icr in
Iis cluicIcs and iriumIcd.
I could noi gci ovcr iIis farcvcll glimsc of
iIcm for a long iimc. WIcn Agncs vroic io icll
mc of Icr safc arrival, I vas as miscrallc as
vIcn I sav Icr going avay. WIcncvcr I fcll inio
a iIougIiful siaic, iIis suljcci vas surc io
rcscni iisclf, and all my uncasincss vas surc
io lc rcdoullcd. Hardly a nigIi asscd viiI-
oui my drcaming of ii. Ii lccamc a ari of my
lifc, and as inscarallc from my lifc as my ovn
Icad.
I Iad amlc lcisurc io rcfinc uon my un-
casincss: for SiccrforiI vas ai Oford, as Ic
vroic io mc, and vIcn I vas noi ai iIc Com-
mons, I vas vcry mucI alonc. I lclicvc I Iad ai
iIis iimc somc lurling disirusi of SiccrforiI. I
vroic io Iim mosi affcciionaicly in rcly io Iis,
lui I iIinl I vas glad, uon iIc vIolc, iIai Ic
could noi comc io London jusi iIcn. I suscci
iIc iruiI io lc, iIai iIc influcncc of Agncs
vas uon mc, undisiurlcd ly iIc sigIi of Iim;
and iIai ii vas iIc morc ovcrful viiI mc, lc-
causc sIc Iad so largc a sIarc in my iIougIis
and inicrcsi.
In iIc mcaniimc, days and vccls slicd avay.
I vas ariiclcd io Scnlov and Jorlins. I Iad
ninciy ounds a ycar (cclusivc of my Iousc-
rcni and sundry collaicral maiicrs} from my
auni. My rooms vcrc cngagcd for ivclvc moniIs
ccriain: and iIougI I siill found iIcm drcary of
an cvcning, and iIc cvcnings long, I could sciilc
dovn inio a siaic of cquallc lov siriis, and rc-
467
sign mysclf io coffcc; vIicI I sccm, on looling
lacl, io Iavc ialcn ly iIc gallon ai aloui iIis
criod of my cisicncc. Ai aloui iIis iimc, ioo, I
madc iIrcc discovcrics: firsi, iIai Mrs. Cru
vas a mariyr io a curious disordcr callcd 'iIc
sazzums', vIicI vas gcncrally accomanicd
viiI inflammaiion of iIc nosc, and rcquircd io
lc consianily ircaicd viiI ccrmini; sccondly,
iIai somciIing cculiar in iIc icmcraiurc of
my aniry, madc iIc lrandy-loiilcs lursi;
iIirdly, iIai I vas alonc in iIc vorld, and mucI
givcn io rccord iIai circumsiancc in fragmcnis
of EnglisI vcrsificaiion.
On iIc day vIcn I vas ariiclcd, no fcsiiviiy
iool lacc, lcyond my Iaving sandvicIcs and
sIcrry inio iIc officc for iIc clcrls, and going
alonc io iIc iIcairc ai nigIi. I vcni io scc TIc
Sirangcr, as a Dociors' Commons sori of lay,
and vas so drcadfully cui u, iIai I Iardly lncv
mysclf in my ovn glass vIcn I goi Iomc. Mr.
Scnlov rcmarlcd, on iIis occasion, vIcn vc
concludcd our lusincss, iIai Ic sIould Iavc
lccn Iay io Iavc sccn mc ai Iis Iousc ai
Norvood io cclclraic our lccoming connccicd,
lui for Iis domcsiic arrangcmcnis lcing in
somc disordcr, on accouni of iIc cccicd rc-
iurn of Iis daugIicr from finisIing Icr cduca-
iion ai Faris. Dui, Ic iniimaicd iIai vIcn sIc
camc Iomc Ic sIould Ioc io Iavc iIc lca-
surc of cnicriaining mc. I lncv iIai Ic vas a
vidovcr viiI onc daugIicr, and crcsscd my
aclnovlcdgcmcnis.
Mr. Scnlov vas as good as Iis vord. In a vccl
or ivo, Ic rcfcrrcd io iIis cngagcmcni, and said,
iIai if I vould do Iim iIc favour io comc dovn
nci Saiurday, and siay iill Monday, Ic vould
lc circmcly Iay. Of coursc I said I vould do
Iim iIc favour; and Ic vas io drivc mc dovn in
Iis Iacion, and io lring mc lacl.
WIcn iIc day arrivcd, my vcry carci-lag vas
an oljcci of vcncraiion io iIc siicndiary clcrls,
io vIom iIc Iousc ai Norvood vas a sacrcd
468
mysicry. Onc of iIcm informcd mc iIai Ic Iad
Icard iIai Mr. Scnlov aic cniircly off laic
and cIina; and anoiIcr Iinicd ai cIamagnc
lcing consianily on draugIi, aficr iIc usual
cusiom of iallc-lccr. TIc old clcrl viiI iIc
vig, vIosc namc vas Mr. Tiffcy, Iad lccn dovn
on lusincss scvcral iimcs in iIc coursc of Iis
carccr, and Iad on cacI occasion cnciraicd
io iIc lrcalfasi-arlour. Hc dcscrilcd ii as an
aarimcni of iIc mosi sumiuous naiurc, and
said iIai Ic Iad drunl lrovn Easi India sIcrry
iIcrc, of a qualiiy so rccious as io malc a
man vinl. Wc Iad an adjourncd causc in iIc
Consisiory iIai dayaloui ccommunicaiing
a lalcr vIo Iad lccn oljcciing in a vcsiry io a
aving-raicand as iIc cvidcncc vas jusi ivicc
iIc lcngiI of Folinson Crusoc, according io a
calculaiion I madc, ii vas raiIcr laic in iIc day
lcforc vc finisIcd. Hovcvcr, vc goi Iim c-
communicaicd for si vccls, and scnicnccd in
no cnd of cosis; and iIcn iIc lalcr's rocior,
and iIc judgc, and iIc advocaics on loiI sidcs
(vIo vcrc all ncarly rclaicd}, vcni oui of iovn
iogciIcr, and Mr. Scnlov and I drovc avay in
iIc Iacion.
TIc Iacion vas a vcry Iandsomc affair; iIc
Iorscs arcIcd iIcir nccls and lificd u iIcir
lcgs as if iIcy lncv iIcy lclongcd io Dociors'
Commons. TIcrc vas a good dcal of comcii-
iion in iIc Commons on all oinis of dislay,
and ii iurncd oui somc vcry cIoicc cquiagcs
iIcn; iIougI I alvays Iavc considcrcd, and al-
vays sIall considcr, iIai in my iimc iIc grcai
ariiclc of comciiiion iIcrc vas siarcI: vIicI I
iIinl vas vorn among iIc rociors io as grcai
an cicni as ii is in iIc naiurc of man io lcar.
Wc vcrc vcry lcasani, going dovn, and Mr.
Scnlov gavc mc somc Iinis in rcfcrcncc io
my rofcssion. Hc said ii vas iIc gcnicclcsi
rofcssion in iIc vorld, and musi on no ac-
couni lc confoundcd viiI iIc rofcssion of a
soliciior: lcing quiic anoiIcr sori of iIing, infi-
469
niicly morc cclusivc, lcss mccIanical, and
morc rofiiallc. Wc iool iIings mucI morc
casily in iIc Commons iIan iIcy could lc
ialcn anyvIcrc clsc, Ic olscrvcd, and iIai sci
us, as a rivilcgcd class, aari. Hc said ii vas
imossillc io conccal iIc disagrccallc faci, iIai
vc vcrc cIicfly cmloycd ly soliciiors; lui Ic
gavc mc io undcrsiand iIai iIcy vcrc an infc-
rior racc of mcn, univcrsally loolcd dovn uon
ly all rociors of any rcicnsions.
I aslcd Mr. Scnlov vIai Ic considcrcd iIc
lcsi sori of rofcssional lusincss? Hc rclicd,
iIai a good casc of a disuicd vill, vIcrc iIcrc
vas a ncai liiilc csiaic of iIiriy or foriy iIou-
sand ounds, vas, crIas, iIc lcsi of all. In
sucI a casc, Ic said, noi only vcrc iIcrc vcry
rciiy iclings, in iIc vay of argumcnis ai cv-
cry siagc of iIc rocccdings, and mouniains
uon mouniains of cvidcncc on inicrrogaiory
and counicr-inicrrogaiory (io say noiIing of an
acal lying, firsi io iIc Dclcgaics, and iIcn io
iIc Lords}, lui, iIc cosis lcing rciiy surc io
comc oui of iIc csiaic ai lasi, loiI sidcs vcni
ai ii in a livcly and siriicd manncr, and c-
cnsc vas no considcraiion. TIcn, Ic launcIcd
inio a gcncral culogium on iIc Commons. WIai
vas io lc ariicularly admircd (Ic said} in iIc
Commons, vas iis comacincss. Ii vas iIc mosi
convcnicnily organizcd lacc in iIc vorld. Ii
vas iIc comlcic idca of snugncss. Ii lay in a
nuisIcll. For camlc: You lrougIi a divorcc
casc, or a rcsiiiuiion casc, inio iIc Consisiory.
Vcry good. You iricd ii in iIc Consisiory. You
madc a quici liiilc round gamc of ii, among a
family grou, and you laycd ii oui ai lcisurc.
Suosc you vcrc noi saiisficd viiI iIc
Consisiory, vIai did you do iIcn? WIy, you
vcni inio iIc ArcIcs. WIai vas iIc ArcIcs?
TIc samc couri, in iIc samc room, viiI iIc
samc lar, and iIc samc raciiiioncrs, lui an-
oiIcr judgc, for iIcrc iIc Consisiory judgc
could lcad any couri-day as an advocaic. Wcll,
470
you laycd your round gamc oui again. Siill you
vcrc noi saiisficd. Vcry good. WIai did you do
iIcn? WIy, you vcni io iIc Dclcgaics. WIo vcrc
iIc Dclcgaics? WIy, iIc Ecclcsiasiical Dclcgaics
vcrc iIc advocaics viiIoui any lusincss, vIo
Iad loolcd on ai iIc round gamc vIcn ii vas
laying in loiI couris, and Iad sccn iIc cards
sIufflcd, and cui, and laycd, and Iad iallcd io
all iIc laycrs aloui ii, and nov camc frcsI, as
judgcs, io sciilc iIc maiicr io iIc saiisfaciion of
cvcrylody! Disconicnicd colc migIi iall of
corruiion in iIc Commons, closcncss in iIc
Commons, and iIc ncccssiiy of rcforming iIc
Commons, said Mr. Scnlov solcmnly, in con-
clusion; lui vIcn iIc ricc of vIcai cr lusIcl
Iad lccn IigIcsi, iIc Commons Iad lccn lusi-
csi; and a man migIi lay Iis Iand uon Iis
Icari, and say iIis io iIc vIolc vorld,'ToucI
iIc Commons, and dovn comcs iIc couniry!'
I lisicncd io all iIis viiI aiicniion; and iIougI,
I musi say, I Iad my doulis vIciIcr iIc coun-
iry vas quiic as mucI olligcd io iIc Commons
as Mr. Scnlov madc oui, I rcsccifully dcfcrrcd
io Iis oinion. TIai aloui iIc ricc of vIcai cr
lusIcl, I modcsily fcli vas ioo mucI for my
sircngiI, and quiic sciilcd iIc qucsiion. I Iavc
ncvcr, io iIis Iour, goi iIc lciicr of iIai lusIcl
of vIcai. Ii Ias rcacarcd io anniIilaic mc,
all iIrougI my lifc, in conncion viiI all linds
of suljccis. I don'i lnov nov, cacily, vIai ii
Ias io do viiI mc, or vIai rigIi ii Ias io crusI
mc, on an infiniic variciy of occasions; lui vIcn-
cvcr I scc my old fricnd iIc lusIcl lrougIi in
ly iIc Icad and sIouldcrs (as Ic alvays is, I
olscrvc}, I givc u a suljcci for losi.
TIis is a digrcssion. I vas noi iIc man io ioucI
iIc Commons, and lring dovn iIc couniry. I
sulmissivcly crcsscd, ly my silcncc, my ac-
quicsccncc in all I Iad Icard from my sucrior
in ycars and lnovlcdgc; and vc iallcd aloui
TIc Sirangcr and iIc Drama, and iIc airs of
Iorscs, uniil vc camc io Mr. Scnlov's gaic.
471
TIcrc vas a lovcly gardcn io Mr. Scnlov's
Iousc; and iIougI iIai vas noi iIc lcsi iimc
of iIc ycar for sccing a gardcn, ii vas so lcau-
iifully lci, iIai I vas quiic cncIanicd. TIcrc
vas a cIarming lavn, iIcrc vcrc clusicrs of
irccs, and iIcrc vcrc crscciivc valls iIai I
could jusi disiinguisI in iIc darl, arcIcd ovcr
viiI ircllis-vorl, on vIicI sIruls and flovcrs
grcv in iIc groving scason. 'Hcrc Miss Scnlov
valls ly Icrsclf,' I iIougIi. 'Dcar mc!'
Wc vcni inio iIc Iousc, vIicI vas cIccr-
fully ligIicd u, and inio a Iall vIcrc iIcrc
vcrc all soris of Iais, cas, grcai-coais, laids,
glovcs, vIis, and valling-siicls. 'WIcrc is Miss
Dora?' said Mr. Scnlov io iIc scrvani. 'Dora!'
I iIougIi. 'WIai a lcauiiful namc!'
Wc iurncd inio a room ncar ai Iand (I iIinl
ii vas iIc idcniical lrcalfasi-room, madc
mcmorallc ly iIc lrovn Easi Indian sIcrry},
and I Icard a voicc say, 'Mr. Cocrficld, my
daugIicr Dora, and my daugIicr Dora's confi-
dcniial fricnd!' Ii vas, no douli, Mr. Scnlov's
voicc, lui I didn'i lnov ii, and I didn'i carc
vIosc ii vas. All vas ovcr in a momcni. I Iad
fulfillcd my dcsiiny. I vas a caiivc and a slavc.
I lovcd Dora Scnlov io disiraciion!
SIc vas morc iIan Iuman io mc. SIc vas a
Fairy, a SylI, I don'i lnov vIai sIc vas
anyiIing iIai no onc cvcr sav, and cvcryiIing
iIai cvcrylody cvcr vanicd. I vas svallovcd
u in an alyss of lovc in an insiani. TIcrc vas
no ausing on iIc lrinl; no looling dovn, or
looling lacl; I vas gonc, Icadlong, lcforc I
Iad scnsc io say a vord io Icr.
'I,' olscrvcd a vcll-rcmcmlcrcd voicc, vIcn I
Iad lovcd and murmurcd somciIing, 'Iavc
sccn Mr. Cocrficld lcforc.'
TIc scalcr vas noi Dora. No; iIc confidcn-
iial fricnd, Miss Murdsionc!
I don'i iIinl I vas mucI asionisIcd. To iIc lcsi
of my judgcmcni, no caaciiy of asionisImcni vas
lcfi in mc. TIcrc vas noiIing voriI mcniioning
472
in iIc maicrial vorld, lui Dora Scnlov, io lc
asionisIcd aloui. I said, 'Hov do you do, Miss
Murdsionc? I Ioc you arc vcll.' SIc ansvcrcd,
'Vcry vcll.' I said, 'Hov is Mr. Murdsionc?' SIc
rclicd, 'My lroiIcr is rolusi, I am olligcd io you.'
Mr. Scnlov, vIo, I suosc, Iad lccn sur-
riscd io scc us rccognizc cacI oiIcr, iIcn ui
in Iis vord.
'I am glad io find,' Ic said, 'Cocrficld, iIai
you and Miss Murdsionc arc alrcady ac-
quainicd.'
'Mr. Cocrficld and mysclf,' said Miss
Murdsionc, viiI scvcrc comosurc, 'arc
conncions. Wc vcrc oncc sligIily acquainicd. Ii
vas in Iis cIildisI days. Circumsianccs Iavc
scaraicd us sincc. I sIould noi Iavc lnovn Iim.'
I rclicd iIai I sIould Iavc lnovn Icr, any-
vIcrc. WIicI vas iruc cnougI.
'Miss Murdsionc Ias Iad iIc goodncss,' said
Mr. Scnlov io mc, 'io accci iIc officcif I may
so dcscrilc iiof my daugIicr Dora's confidcn-
iial fricnd. My daugIicr Dora Iaving, unIaily,
no moiIcr, Miss Murdsionc is olliging cnougI
io lccomc Icr comanion and roiccior.'
A assing iIougIi occurrcd io mc iIai Miss
Murdsionc, lilc iIc oclci insirumcni callcd
a lifc-rcscrvcr, vas noi so mucI dcsigncd for
uroscs of roicciion as of assauli. Dui as I
Iad nonc lui assing iIougIis for any suljcci
savc Dora, I glanccd ai Icr, dirccily aficrvards,
and vas iIinling iIai I sav, in Icr rciiily ci-
iisI manncr, iIai sIc vas noi vcry mucI in-
clincd io lc ariicularly confidcniial io Icr com-
anion and roiccior, vIcn a lcll rang, vIicI
Mr. Scnlov said vas iIc firsi dinncr-lcll, and
so carricd mc off io drcss.
TIc idca of drcssing onc's sclf, or doing any-
iIing in iIc vay of aciion, in iIai siaic of lovc,
vas a liiilc ioo ridiculous. I could only sii dovn
lcforc my firc, liiing iIc lcy of my carci-lag,
and iIinl of iIc caiivaiing, girlisI, lrigIi-cycd
lovcly Dora. WIai a form sIc Iad, vIai a facc
473
sIc Iad, vIai a graccful, variallc, cncIaniing
manncr!
TIc lcll rang again so soon iIai I madc a
mcrc scramllc of my drcssing, insicad of iIc
carcful ocraiion I could Iavc visIcd undcr
iIc circumsianccs, and vcni dovnsiairs. TIcrc
vas somc comany. Dora vas ialling io an old
gcnilcman viiI a grcy Icad. Grcy as Ic vas
and a grcai-grandfaiIcr inio iIc largain, for
Ic said soI vas madly jcalous of Iim.
WIai a siaic of mind I vas in! I vas jcalous of
cvcrylody. I couldn'i lcar iIc idca of anylody lnov-
ing Mr. Scnlov lciicr iIan I did. Ii vas ioriuring
io mc io Icar iIcm iall of occurrcnccs in vIicI I
Iad Iad no sIarc. WIcn a mosi amiallc crson,
viiI a IigIly olisIcd lald Icad, aslcd mc across
iIc dinncr iallc, if iIai vcrc iIc firsi occasion of
my sccing iIc grounds, I could Iavc donc any-
iIing io Iim iIai vas savagc and rcvcngcful.
I don'i rcmcmlcr vIo vas iIcrc, ccci Dora.
I Iavc noi iIc lcasi idca vIai vc Iad for din-
ncr, lcsidcs Dora. My imrcssion is, iIai I
dincd off Dora, cniircly, and scni avay Ialf-a-
dozcn laics unioucIcd. I sai nci io Icr. I
iallcd io Icr. SIc Iad iIc mosi dcligIiful liiilc
voicc, iIc gaycsi liiilc laugI, iIc lcasanicsi
and mosi fascinaiing liiilc vays, iIai cvcr lcd a
losi youiI inio Ioclcss slavcry. SIc vas raiIcr
diminuiivc aliogciIcr. So mucI iIc morc rc-
cious, I iIougIi.
WIcn sIc vcni oui of iIc room viiI Miss
Murdsionc (no oiIcr ladics vcrc of iIc ariy}, I
fcll inio a rcvcric, only disiurlcd ly iIc crucl
arcIcnsion iIai Miss Murdsionc vould dis-
aragc mc io Icr. TIc amiallc crcaiurc viiI iIc
olisIcd Icad iold mc a long siory, vIicI I iIinl
vas aloui gardcning. I iIinl I Icard Iim say,
'my gardcncr', scvcral iimcs. I sccmcd io ay iIc
dcccsi aiicniion io Iim, lui I vas vandcring in
a gardcn of Edcn all iIc vIilc, viiI Dora.
My arcIcnsions of lcing disaragcd io iIc
oljcci of my cngrossing affcciion vcrc rcvivcd
474
vIcn vc vcni inio iIc draving-room, ly iIc grim
and disiani ascci of Miss Murdsionc. Dui I vas
rclicvcd of iIcm in an uncccicd manncr.
'David Cocrficld,' said Miss Murdsionc,
lccloning mc asidc inio a vindov. 'A vord.'
I confronicd Miss Murdsionc alonc.
'David Cocrficld,' said Miss Murdsionc, 'I
nccd noi cnlargc uon family circumsianccs.
TIcy arc noi a icmiing suljcci.'
'Far from ii, ma'am,' I rciurncd.
'Far from ii,' asscnicd Miss Murdsionc. 'I do
noi visI io rcvivc iIc mcmory of asi diffcr-
cnccs, or of asi ouiragcs. I Iavc rcccivcd oui-
ragcs from a crsona fcmalc I am sorry io
say, for iIc crcdii of my scvIo is noi io lc
mcniioncd viiIoui scorn and disgusi; and
iIcrcforc I vould raiIcr noi mcniion Icr.'
I fcli vcry ficry on my auni's accouni; lui I
said ii vould ccriainly lc lciicr, if Miss
Murdsionc lcascd, noi io mcniion Icr. I could
noi Icar Icr disrcsccifully mcniioncd, I addcd,
viiIoui crcssing my oinion in a dccidcd
ionc.
Miss Murdsionc sIui Icr cycs, and disdain-
fully inclincd Icr Icad; iIcn, slovly ocning
Icr cycs, rcsumcd:
'David Cocrficld, I sIall noi aiicmi io dis-
guisc iIc faci, iIai I formcd an unfavourallc
oinion of you in your cIildIood. Ii may Iavc
lccn a misialcn onc, or you may Iavc ccascd
io jusiify ii. TIai is noi in qucsiion lcivccn us
nov. I lclong io a family rcmarlallc, I lclicvc,
for somc firmncss; and I am noi iIc crcaiurc of
circumsiancc or cIangc. I may Iavc my oin-
ion of you. You may Iavc your oinion of mc.'
I inclincd my Icad, in my iurn.
'Dui ii is noi ncccssary,' said Miss Murdsionc,
'iIai iIcsc oinions sIould comc inio collision Icrc.
Undcr cisiing circumsianccs, ii is as vcll on all
accounis iIai iIcy sIould noi. As iIc cIanccs of
lifc Iavc lrougIi us iogciIcr again, and may lring
us iogciIcr on oiIcr occasions, I vould say, lci us
475
mcci Icrc as disiani acquainianccs. Family circum-
sianccs arc a sufficicni rcason for our only mcciing
on iIai fooiing, and ii is quiic unncccssary iIai
ciiIcr of us sIould malc iIc oiIcr iIc suljcci of
rcmarl. Do you arovc of iIis?'
'Miss Murdsionc,' I rciurncd, 'I iIinl you and
Mr. Murdsionc uscd mc vcry cruclly, and
ircaicd my moiIcr viiI grcai unlindncss. I
sIall alvays iIinl so, as long as I livc. Dui I
quiic agrcc in vIai you roosc.'
Miss Murdsionc sIui Icr cycs again, and lcni
Icr Icad. TIcn, jusi ioucIing iIc lacl of my
Iand viiI iIc iis of Icr cold, siiff fingcrs, sIc
vallcd avay, arranging iIc liiilc fciicrs on Icr
vrisis and round Icr nccl; vIicI sccmcd io
lc iIc samc sci, in cacily iIc samc siaic, as
vIcn I Iad sccn Icr lasi. TIcsc rcmindcd mc,
in rcfcrcncc io Miss Murdsionc's naiurc, of iIc
fciicrs ovcr a jail door; suggcsiing on iIc oui-
sidc, io all lcIoldcrs, vIai vas io lc cccicd
viiIin.
All I lnov of iIc rcsi of iIc cvcning is, iIai I
Icard iIc cmrcss of my Icari sing cncIanicd
lallads in iIc FrcncI languagc, gcncrally io
iIc cffcci iIai, vIaicvcr vas iIc maiicr, vc
ougIi alvays io dancc, Ta ra la, Ta ra la! ac-
comanying Icrsclf on a glorificd insirumcni,
rcscmlling a guiiar. TIai I vas losi in llissful
dclirium. TIai I rcfuscd rcfrcsImcni. TIai my
soul rccoilcd from uncI ariicularly. TIai
vIcn Miss Murdsionc iool Icr inio cusiody
and lcd Icr avay, sIc smilcd and gavc mc Icr
dclicious Iand. TIai I caugIi a vicv of mysclf
in a mirror, looling crfccily imlccilc and idi-
oiic. TIai I rciircd io lcd in a mosi maudlin
siaic of mind, and goi u in a crisis of fccllc
infaiuaiion.
Ii vas a finc morning, and carly, and I iIougIi
I vould go and ialc a siroll dovn onc of iIosc
virc-arcIcd valls, and indulgc my assion ly
dvclling on Icr imagc. On my vay iIrougI iIc
Iall, I cncounicrcd Icr liiilc dog, vIo vas callcd
476
JisIori for Gisy. I aroacIcd Iim icndcrly,
for I lovcd cvcn Iim; lui Ic sIovcd Iis vIolc
sci of icciI, goi undcr a cIair crcssly io snarl,
and vouldn'i Icar of iIc lcasi familiariiy.
TIc gardcn vas cool and soliiary. I vallcd
aloui, vondcring vIai my fcclings of Iai-
ncss vould lc, if I could cvcr lccomc cngagcd
io iIis dcar vondcr. As io marriagc, and for-
iunc, and all iIai, I lclicvc I vas almosi as in-
noccnily undcsigning iIcn, as vIcn I lovcd liiilc
Em'ly. To lc allovcd io call Icr 'Dora', io vriic
io Icr, io doic uon and vorsIi Icr, io Iavc
rcason io iIinl iIai vIcn sIc vas viiI oiIcr
colc sIc vas yci mindful of mc, sccmcd io
mc iIc summii of Iuman amliiionI am surc
ii vas iIc summii of minc. TIcrc is no douli
vIaicvcr iIai I vas a lacladaisical young
sooncy; lui iIcrc vas a uriiy of Icari in all
iIis, iIai rcvcnis my Iaving quiic a conicm-
iuous rccollcciion of ii, lci mc laugI as I may.
I Iad noi lccn valling long, vIcn I iurncd a
corncr, and mci Icr. I iinglc again from Icad
io fooi as my rccollcciion iurns iIai corncr, and
my cn sIalcs in my Iand.
'Youarcoui carly, Miss Scnlov,' said I.
'Ii's so siuid ai Iomc,' sIc rclicd, 'and Miss
Murdsionc is so alsurd! SIc ialls sucI non-
scnsc aloui iis lcing ncccssary for iIc day io
lc aircd, lcforc I comc oui. Aircd!' (SIc
laugIcd, Icrc, in iIc mosi mclodious manncr.}
'On a Sunday morning, vIcn I don'i raciisc, I
musi do somciIing. So I iold aa lasi nigIi I
musi comc oui. Dcsidcs, ii's iIc lrigIicsi iimc
of iIc vIolc day. Don'i you iIinl so?'
I Iazardcd a lold fligIi, and said (noi viiIoui
siammcring} iIai ii vas vcry lrigIi io mc iIcn,
iIougI ii Iad lccn vcry darl io mc a minuic
lcforc.
'Do you mcan a comlimcni?' said Dora, 'or
iIai iIc vcaiIcr Ias rcally cIangcd?'
I siammcrcd vorsc iIan lcforc, in rclying
iIai I mcani no comlimcni, lui iIc lain iruiI;
477
iIougI I vas noi avarc of any cIangc Iaving
ialcn lacc in iIc vcaiIcr. Ii vas in iIc siaic
of my ovn fcclings, I addcd lasIfully: io clcncI
iIc clanaiion.
I ncvcr sav sucI curlsIov could I, for iIcrc
ncvcr vcrc sucI curls!as iIosc sIc sIool oui
io Iidc Icr llusIcs. As io iIc sirav Iai and
lluc rillons vIicI vas on iIc io of iIc curls,
if I could only Iavc Iung ii u in my room in
DuclingIam Sircci, vIai a ricclcss osscs-
sion ii vould Iavc lccn!
'You Iavc jusi comc Iomc from Faris,' said I.
'Ycs,' said sIc. 'Havc you cvcr lccn iIcrc?'
'No.'
'OI! I Ioc you'll go soon! You vould lilc ii
so mucI!'
Traccs of dcc-scaicd anguisI acarcd in my
counicnancc. TIai sIc sIould Ioc I vould go,
iIai sIc sIould iIinl ii ossillc I could go, vas
insuoriallc. I dcrcciaicd Faris; I dcrcciaicd
Francc. I said I vouldn'i lcavc England, undcr
cisiing circumsianccs, for any cariIly consid-
craiion. NoiIing sIould inducc mc. In sIori,
sIc vas sIaling iIc curls again, vIcn iIc liiilc
dog camc running along iIc vall io our rclicf.
Hc vas morially jcalous of mc, and crsisicd
in larling ai mc. SIc iool Iim u in Icr arms
oI my goodncss!and carcsscd Iim, lui Ic
crsisicd uon larling siill. Hc vouldn'i lci
mc ioucI Iim, vIcn I iricd; and iIcn sIc lcai
Iim. Ii incrcascd my suffcrings grcaily io scc
iIc ais sIc gavc Iim for unisImcni on iIc
lridgc of Iis lluni nosc, vIilc Ic vinlcd Iis
cycs, and liclcd Icr Iand, and siill grovlcd
viiIin Iimsclf lilc a liiilc doullc-lass. Ai
lcngiI Ic vas quicivcll Ic migIi lc viiI Icr
dimlcd cIin uon Iis Icad!and vc vallcd
avay io lool ai a grccnIousc.
' You arc noi vcry iniimaic viiI Miss
Murdsionc, arc you?' said Dora. -'My ci.'
(TIc ivo lasi vords vcrc io iIc dog. OI, if
iIcy Iad only lccn io mc!}
478
'No,' I rclicd. 'Noi ai all so.'
'SIc is a iircsomc crcaiurc,' said Dora, oui-
ing. 'I can'i iIinl vIai aa can Iavc lccn
aloui, vIcn Ic cIosc sucI a vcaiious iIing
io lc my comanion. WIo vanis a roiccior? I
am surc I don'i vani a roiccior. Ji can ro-
icci mc a grcai dcal lciicr iIan Miss
Murdsionc,can'i you, Ji, dcar?'
Hc only vinlcd lazily, vIcn sIc lisscd Iis
lall of a Icad.
'Faa calls Icr my confidcniial fricnd, lui I
am surc sIc is no sucI iIingis sIc, Ji? Wc
arc noi going io confidc in any sucI cross
colc, Ji and I. Wc mcan io lcsiov our con-
fidcncc vIcrc vc lilc, and io find oui our ovn
fricnds, insicad of Iaving iIcm found oui for
usdon'i vc, Ji?'
Ji madc a comforiallc noisc, in ansvcr, a
liiilc lilc a ica-lciilc vIcn ii sings. As for mc,
cvcry vord vas a ncv Ica of fciicrs, rivcicd
alovc iIc lasi.
'Ii is vcry Iard, lccausc vc Iavc noi a lind
Mama, iIai vc arc io Iavc, insicad, a sully,
gloomy old iIing lilc Miss Murdsionc, alvays
folloving us alouiisn'i ii, Ji? Ncvcr mind,
Ji. Wc von'i lc confidcniial, and vc'll malc
oursclvcs as Iay as vc can in siic of Icr,
and vc'll icasc Icr, and noi lcasc Icrvon'i
vc, Ji?'
If ii Iad lasicd any longcr, I iIinl I musi Iavc
gonc dovn on my lnccs on iIc gravcl, viiI iIc
rolaliliiy lcforc mc of grazing iIcm, and of
lcing rcscnily cjccicd from iIc rcmiscs lc-
sidcs. Dui, ly good foriunc iIc grccnIousc vas
noi far off, and iIcsc vords lrougIi us io ii.
Ii coniaincd quiic a sIov of lcauiiful gcrani-
ums. Wc loiicrcd along in froni of iIcm, and
Dora oficn siocd io admirc iIis onc or iIai
onc, and I siocd io admirc iIc samc onc,
and Dora, laugIing, Icld iIc dog u cIildisIly,
io smcll iIc flovcrs; and if vc vcrc noi all iIrcc
in Fairyland, ccriainly I vas. TIc sccni of a gc-
479
ranium lcaf, ai iIis day, sirilcs mc viiI a Ialf
comical Ialf scrious vondcr as io vIai cIangc
Ias comc ovcr mc in a momcni; and iIcn I scc
a sirav Iai and lluc rillons, and a quaniiiy of
curls, and a liiilc llacl dog lcing Icld u, in
ivo slcndcr arms, againsi a lanl of llossoms
and lrigIi lcavcs.
Miss Murdsionc Iad lccn looling for us. SIc
found us Icrc; and rcscnicd Icr uncongcnial
cIccl, iIc liiilc vrinllcs in ii fillcd viiI Iair
ovdcr, io Dora io lc lisscd. TIcn sIc iool
Dora's arm in Icrs, and marcIcd us inio lrcal-
fasi as if ii vcrc a soldicr's funcral.
Hov many cus of ica I dranl, lccausc Dora
madc ii, I don'i lnov. Dui, I crfccily rcmcm-
lcr iIai I sai svilling ica uniil my vIolc ncr-
vous sysicm, if I Iad Iad any in iIosc days,
musi Iavc gonc ly iIc loard. Dy and ly vc
vcni io cIurcI. Miss Murdsionc vas lcivccn
Dora and mc in iIc cv; lui I Icard Icr sing,
and iIc congrcgaiion vanisIcd. A scrmon vas
dclivcrcdaloui Dora, of courscand I am
afraid iIai is all I lnov of iIc scrvicc.
Wc Iad a quici day. No comany, a vall, a
family dinncr of four, and an cvcning of lool-
ing ovcr lools and iciurcs; Miss Murdsionc
viiI a Iomily lcforc Icr, and Icr cyc uon us,
lccing guard vigilanily. AI! liiilc did Mr.
Scnlov imaginc, vIcn Ic sai oosiic io mc
aficr dinncr iIai day, viiI Iis oclci-Iand-
lcrcIicf ovcr Iis Icad, Iov fcrvcnily I vas cm-
lracing Iim, in my fancy, as Iis son-in-lav!
Liiilc did Ic iIinl, vIcn I iool lcavc of Iim ai
nigIi, iIai Ic Iad jusi givcn Iis full conscni io
my lcing cngagcd io Dora, and iIai I vas in-
voling llcssings on Iis Icad!
Wc dcaricd carly in iIc morning, for vc Iad
a Salvagc casc coming on in iIc Admiraliy
Couri, rcquiring a raiIcr accuraic lnovlcdgc
of iIc vIolc scicncc of navigaiion, in vIicI (as
vc couldn'i lc cccicd io lnov mucI aloui
iIosc maiicrs in iIc Commons} iIc judgc Iad
480
cnircaicd ivo old Triniiy Masicrs, for cIariiy's
salc, io comc and Icl Iim oui. Dora vas ai
iIc lrcalfasi-iallc io malc iIc ica again, Iov-
cvcr; and I Iad iIc mclancIoly lcasurc of ial-
ing off my Iai io Icr in iIc Iacion, as sIc
siood on iIc door-sic viiI Ji in Icr arms.
WIai iIc Admiraliy vas io mc iIai day; vIai
nonscnsc I madc of our casc in my mind, as I
lisicncd io ii; Iov I sav 'Doru' cngravcd uon
iIc lladc of iIc silvcr oar vIicI iIcy lay uon
iIc iallc, as iIc cmllcm of iIai IigI jurisdic-
iion; and Iov I fcli vIcn Mr. Scnlov vcni
Iomc viiIoui mc (I Iad Iad an insanc Ioc
iIai Ic migIi ialc mc lacl again}, as if I vcrc
a marincr mysclf, and iIc sIi io vIicI I lc-
longcd Iad sailcd avay and lcfi mc on a dcscri
island; I sIall malc no fruiilcss cffori io dc-
scrilc. If iIai slccy old couri could rousc ii-
sclf, and rcscni in any visillc form iIc day-
drcams I Iavc Iad in ii aloui Dora, ii vould
rcvcal my iruiI.
I don'i mcan iIc drcams iIai I drcamcd on iIai
day alonc, lui day aficr day, from vccl io vccl,
and icrm io icrm. I vcni iIcrc, noi io aiicnd io
vIai vas going on, lui io iIinl aloui Dora. If
cvcr I lcsiovcd a iIougIi uon iIc cascs, as iIcy
draggcd iIcir slov lcngiI lcforc mc, ii vas only
io vondcr, in iIc mairimonial cascs (rcmcmlcr-
ing Dora}, Iov ii vas iIai marricd colc could
cvcr lc oiIcrvisc iIan Iay; and, in iIc Frc-
rogaiivc cascs, io considcr, if iIc moncy in qucs-
iion Iad lccn lcfi io mc, vIai vcrc iIc forcmosi
sics I sIould immcdiaicly Iavc ialcn in rcgard
io Dora. WiiIin iIc firsi vccl of my assion, I
lougIi four sumiuous vaisicoaisnoi for my-
sclf; I Iad no ridc in iIcm; for Doraand iool io
vcaring sirav-colourcd lid glovcs in iIc sirccis,
and laid iIc foundaiions of all iIc corns I Iavc
cvcr Iad. If iIc loois I vorc ai iIai criod could
only lc roduccd and comarcd viiI iIc naiural
sizc of my fcci, iIcy vould sIov vIai iIc siaic of
my Icari vas, in a mosi affcciing manncr.
481
And yci, vrcicIcd crilc as I madc mysclf ly
iIis aci of Iomagc io Dora, I vallcd milcs uon
milcs daily in iIc Ioc of sccing Icr. Noi only
vas I soon as vcll lnovn on iIc Norvood Foad
as iIc osimcn on iIai lcai, lui I crvadcd Lon-
don lilcvisc. I vallcd aloui iIc sirccis vIcrc
iIc lcsi sIos for ladics vcrc, I Iaunicd iIc
Dazaar lilc an unquici sirii, I faggcd iIrougI
iIc Farl again and again, long aficr I vas quiic
lnoclcd u. Somciimcs, ai long inicrvals and
on rarc occasions, I sav Icr. FcrIas I sav Icr
glovc vavcd in a carriagc vindov; crIas I mci
Icr, vallcd viiI Icr and Miss Murdsionc a liiilc
vay, and solc io Icr. In iIc laiicr casc I vas
alvays vcry miscrallc aficrvards, io iIinl iIai I
Iad said noiIing io iIc urosc; or iIai sIc
Iad no idca of iIc cicni of my dcvoiion, or iIai
sIc carcd noiIing aloui mc. I vas alvays lool-
ing oui, as may lc suoscd, for anoiIcr inviia-
iion io Mr. Scnlov's Iousc. I vas alvays lcing
disaoinicd, for I goi nonc.
Mrs. Cru musi Iavc lccn a voman of cn-
ciraiion; for vIcn iIis aiiacImcni vas lui a
fcv vccls old, and I Iad noi Iad iIc couragc io
vriic morc cliciily cvcn io Agncs, iIan iIai I
Iad lccn io Mr. Scnlov's Iousc, 'vIosc fam-
ily,' I addcd, 'consisis of onc daugIicr';I say
Mrs. Cru musi Iavc lccn a voman of cncira-
iion, for, cvcn in iIai carly siagc, sIc found ii
oui. SIc camc u io mc onc cvcning, vIcn I vas
vcry lov, io asl (sIc lcing iIcn afflicicd viiI iIc
disordcr I Iavc mcniioncd} if I could olligc Icr
viiI a liiilc iinciurc of cardamums micd viiI
rIularl, and flavourcd viiI scvcn dros of iIc
csscncc of clovcs, vIicI vas iIc lcsi rcmcdy for
Icr comlaini;or, if I Iad noi sucI a iIing ly
mc, viiI a liiilc lrandy, vIicI vas iIc nci lcsi.
Ii vas noi, sIc rcmarlcd, so alaiallc io Icr, lui
ii vas iIc nci lcsi. As I Iad ncvcr cvcn Icard of
iIc firsi rcmcdy, and alvays Iad iIc sccond in
iIc closci, I gavc Mrs. Cru a glass of iIc scc-
ond, vIicI (iIai I migIi Iavc no susicion of iis
482
lcing dcvoicd io any imrocr usc} sIc lcgan io
ialc in my rcscncc.
'CIccr u, sir,' said Mrs. Cru. 'I can'i alcar
io scc you so, sir: I'm a moiIcr mysclf.'
I did noi quiic crccivc iIc alicaiion of iIis
faci io mysclf, lui I smilcd on Mrs. Cru, as
lcnignly as vas in my ovcr.
'Comc, sir,' said Mrs. Cru. 'Ecusc mc. I
lnov vIai ii is, sir. TIcrc's a lady in iIc casc.'
'Mrs. Cru?' I rciurncd, rcddcning.
'OI, llcss you! Kcc a good Icari, sir!' said Mrs.
Cru, nodding cncouragcmcni. 'Ncvcr say dic, sir!
If SIc don'i smilc uon you, iIcrc's a many as vill.
You arc a young gcnilcman io lc smilcd on, Mr.
Cocrfull, and you musi lcarn your valuc, sir.'
Mrs. Cru alvays callcd mc Mr. Cocrfull:
firsily, no douli, lccausc ii vas noi my namc;
and sccondly, I am inclincd io iIinl, in somc
indisiinci associaiion viiI a vasIing-day.
'WIai malcs you suosc iIcrc is any young
lady in iIc casc, Mrs. Cru?' said I.
'Mr. Cocrfull,' said Mrs. Cru, viiI a grcai
dcal of fccling, 'I'm a moiIcr mysclf.'
For somc iimc Mrs. Cru could only lay Icr
Iand uon Icr nanlccn losom, and foriify
Icrsclf againsi rciurning ain viiI sis of Icr
mcdicinc. Ai lcngiI sIc solc again.
'WIcn iIc rcscni sci vcrc iool for you ly
your dcar auni, Mr. Cocrfull,' said Mrs.
Cru, 'my rcmarl vcrc, I Iad nov found
summun I could carc for. TIanl Ev'in!" vcrc
iIc crcssion, I Iavc nov found summun I
can carc for!"You don'i cai cnougI, sir, nor
yci drinl.'
'Is iIai vIai you found your suosiiion on,
Mrs. Cru?' said I.
'Sir,' said Mrs. Cru, in a ionc aroacIing
io scvcriiy, 'I'vc laundrcsscd oiIcr young gcnilc-
mcn lcsidcs yoursclf. A young gcnilcman may
lc ovcr-carcful of Iimsclf, or Ic may lc undcr-
carcful of Iimsclf. Hc may lrusI Iis Iair ioo
rcgular, or ioo un-rcgular. Hc may vcar Iis
483
loois mucI ioo largc for Iim, or mucI ioo
small. TIai is according as iIc young gcnilc-
man Ias Iis original cIaracicr formcd. Dui lci
Iim go io vIicI circmc Ic may, sir, iIcrc's a
young lady in loiI of 'cm.'
Mrs. Cru sIool Icr Icad in sucI a dcicr-
mincd manncr, iIai I Iad noi an incI of van-
iagc-ground lcfi.
'Ii vas lui iIc gcnilcman vIicI dicd Icrc
lcforc yoursclf,' said Mrs. Cru, 'iIai fcll in
lovcviiI a larmaidand Iad Iis vaisicoais
iool in dirccily, iIougI mucI svcllcd ly drinl-
ing.'
'Mrs. Cru,' said I, 'I musi lcg you noi io
conncci iIc young lady in my casc viiI a lar-
maid, or anyiIing of iIai sori, if you lcasc.'
'Mr. Cocrfull,' rciurncd Mrs. Cru, 'I'm a
moiIcr mysclf, and noi lilcly. I asl your ar-
don, sir, if I inirudc. I sIould ncvcr visI io
inirudc vIcrc I vcrc noi vclcomc. Dui you arc
a young gcnilcman, Mr. Cocrfull, and my
advicc io you is, io cIccr u, sir, io lcc a
good Icari, and io lnov your ovn valuc. If
you vas io ialc io somciIing, sir,' said Mrs.
Cru, 'if you vas io ialc io sliiilcs, nov, vIicI
is IcaliIy, you migIi find ii divcri your mind,
and do you good.'
WiiI iIcsc vords, Mrs. Cru, affcciing io lc
vcry carcful of iIc lrandyvIicI vas all gonc
iIanlcd mc viiI a majcsiic curiscy, and rc-
iircd. As Icr figurc disacarcd inio iIc gloom
of iIc cniry, iIis counscl ccriainly rcscnicd
iisclf io my mind in iIc ligIi of a sligIi lilcriy
on Mrs. Cru's ari; lui, ai iIc samc iimc, I
vas conicni io rcccivc ii, in anoiIcr oini of
vicv, as a vord io iIc visc, and a varning in
fuiurc io lcc my sccrci lciicr.
484
CHAPTER 2?
TOMMY TRADDLES
IT MAY HAVE DEEN in conscqucncc of Mrs. Cru's
advicc, and, crIas, for no lciicr rcason iIan
lccausc iIcrc vas a ccriain similariiy in iIc
sound of iIc vord sliiilcs and Traddlcs, iIai ii
camc inio my Icad, nci day, io go and lool
aficr Traddlcs. TIc iimc Ic Iad mcniioncd vas
morc iIan oui, and Ic livcd in a liiilc sircci
ncar iIc Vcicrinary Collcgc ai Camdcn Tovn,
vIicI vas rincially icnanicd, as onc of our
clcrls vIo livcd in iIai dircciion informcd mc,
ly gcnilcmcn siudcnis, vIo lougIi livc don-
lcys, and madc ccrimcnis on iIosc quadru-
cds in iIcir rivaic aarimcnis. Having ol-
iaincd from iIis clcrl a dircciion io iIc aca-
dcmic grovc in qucsiion, I sci oui, iIc samc
aficrnoon, io visii my old scIoolfcllov.
I found iIai iIc sircci vas noi as dcsirallc a
onc as I could Iavc visIcd ii io lc, for iIc salc
of Traddlcs. TIc inIaliianis acarcd io Iavc a
rocnsiiy io iIrov any liiilc iriflcs iIcy vcrc
noi in vani of, inio iIc road: vIicI noi only
madc ii ranl and sloy, lui uniidy ioo, on ac-
couni of iIc callagc-lcavcs. TIc rcfusc vas noi
vIolly vcgciallc ciiIcr, for I mysclf sav a sIoc,
a doullcd-u sauccan, a llacl lonnci, and an
umlrclla, in various siagcs of dccomosiiion, as
I vas looling oui for iIc numlcr I vanicd.
TIc gcncral air of iIc lacc rcmindcd mc forc-
illy of iIc days vIcn I livcd viiI Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr. An indcscrilallc cIaracicr of fadcd
gcniiliiy iIai aiiacIcd io iIc Iousc I sougIi,
and madc ii unlilc all iIc oiIcr Iouscs in iIc
sircciiIougI iIcy vcrc all luili on onc mo-
noionous aiicrn, and loolcd lilc iIc carly
coics of a llundcring loy vIo vas lcarning io
malc Iouscs, and Iad noi yci goi oui of Iis
cramcd lricl-and-moriar oiIoolsrcmindcd
mc siill morc of Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr. Ha-
cning io arrivc ai iIc door as ii vas ocncd io
485
iIc aficrnoon millman, I vas rcmindcd of Mr.
and Mrs. Micavlcr morc forcilly yci.
'Nov,' said iIc millman io a vcry youiIful
scrvani girl. 'Has iIai iIcrc liiilc lill of minc
lccn Iccrd on?'
'OI, masicr says Ic'll aiicnd io ii immcdiaic,'
vas iIc rcly.
'Dccausc,' said iIc millman, going on as if
Ic Iad rcccivcd no ansvcr, and scaling, as I
judgcd from Iis ionc, raiIcr for iIc cdificaiion
of somclody viiIin iIc Iousc, iIan of iIc
youiIful scrvanian imrcssion vIicI vas
sircngiIcncd ly Iis manncr of glaring dovn
iIc assagc'lccausc iIai iIcrc liiilc lill Ias
lccn running so long, iIai I lcgin io lclicvc
ii's run avay aliogciIcr, and ncvcr von'i lc
Iccrd of. Nov, I'm noi a going io siand ii, you
lnov!' said iIc millman, siill iIroving Iis voicc
inio iIc Iousc, and glaring dovn iIc assagc.
As io Iis dcaling in iIc mild ariiclc of mill,
ly iIc ly, iIcrc ncvcr vas a grcaicr anomaly.
His dcorimcni vould Iavc lccn ficrcc in a
luicIcr or a lrandy-mcrcIani.
TIc voicc of iIc youiIful scrvani lccamc faini,
lui sIc sccmcd io mc, from iIc aciion of Icr
lis, again io murmur iIai ii vould lc aiicndcd
io immcdiaic.
'I icll you vIai,' said iIc millman, looling
Iard ai Icr for iIc firsi iimc, and ialing Icr ly
iIc cIin, 'arc you fond of mill?'
'Ycs, I lilcs ii,' sIc rclicd. 'Good,' said iIc
millman. 'TIcn you von'i Iavc nonc iomor-
rov. D'yc Icar? Noi a fragmcni of mill you von'i
Iavc iomorrov.'
I iIougIi sIc sccmcd, uon iIc vIolc, rc-
licvcd ly iIc roscci of Iaving any ioday. TIc
millman, aficr sIaling Iis Icad ai Icr darlly,
rclcascd Icr cIin, and viiI anyiIing raiIcr
iIan good-vill ocncd Iis can, and dcosiicd
iIc usual quaniiiy in iIc family jug. TIis donc,
Ic vcni avay, muiicring, and uiicrcd iIc cry
of Iis iradc nci door, in a vindiciivc sIricl.
486
'Docs Mr. Traddlcs livc Icrc?' I iIcn inquircd.
A mysicrious voicc from iIc cnd of iIc as-
sagc rclicd 'Ycs.' Uon vIicI iIc youiIful
scrvani rclicd 'Ycs.'
'Is Ic ai Iomc?' said I.
Again iIc mysicrious voicc rclicd in iIc af-
firmaiivc, and again iIc scrvani ccIocd ii. Uon
iIis, I vallcd in, and in ursuancc of iIc
scrvani's dircciions vallcd usiairs; conscious,
as I asscd iIc lacl arlour-door, iIai I vas
survcycd ly a mysicrious cyc, rolally lclong-
ing io iIc mysicrious voicc.
WIcn I goi io iIc io of iIc siairsiIc Iousc
vas only a siory IigI alovc iIc ground floor
Traddlcs vas on iIc landing io mcci mc. Hc
vas dcligIicd io scc mc, and gavc mc vclcomc,
viiI grcai Icariincss, io Iis liiilc room. Ii vas
in iIc froni of iIc Iousc, and circmcly ncai,
iIougI sarcly furnisIcd. Ii vas Iis only room,
I sav; for iIcrc vas a sofa-lcdsicad in ii, and
Iis llacling-lrusIcs and llacling vcrc among
Iis loolson iIc io sIclf, lcIind a diciionary.
His iallc vas covcrcd viiI acrs, and Ic vas
Iard ai vorl in an old coai. I loolcd ai noiIing,
iIai I lnov of, lui I sav cvcryiIing, cvcn io iIc
roscci of a cIurcI uon Iis cIina inlsiand,
as I sai dovnand iIis, ioo, vas a faculiy con-
firmcd in mc in iIc old Micavlcr iimcs. Vari-
ous ingcnious arrangcmcnis Ic Iad madc, for
iIc disguisc of Iis cIcsi of dravcrs, and iIc
accommodaiion of Iis loois, Iis sIaving-glass,
and so foriI, ariicularly imrcsscd iIcmsclvcs
uon mc, as cvidcnccs of iIc samc Traddlcs vIo
uscd io malc modcls of clcIanis' dcns in vrii-
ing-acr io ui flics in; and io comfori Iimsclf
undcr ill usagc, viiI iIc mcmorallc vorls of
ari I Iavc so oficn mcniioncd.
In a corncr of iIc room vas somciIing ncaily
covcrcd u viiI a largc vIiic cloiI. I could noi
malc oui vIai iIai vas.
'Traddlcs,' said I, sIaling Iands viiI Iim again,
aficr I Iad sai dovn, 'I am dcligIicd io scc you.'
487
'I am dcligIicd io scc ou, Cocrficld,' Ic rc-
iurncd. 'I am vcry glad indccd io scc you. Ii vas
lccausc I vas iIorougIly glad io scc you vIcn
vc mci in Ely Flacc, and vas surc you vcrc iIor-
ougIly glad io scc mc, iIai I gavc you iIis ad-
drcss insicad of my addrcss ai cIamlcrs.'
'OI! You Iavc cIamlcrs?' said I.
'WIy, I Iavc iIc fouriI of a room and a as-
sagc, and iIc fouriI of a clcrl,' rciurncd
Traddlcs. 'TIrcc oiIcrs and mysclf uniic io Iavc
a sci of cIamlcrsio lool lusincss-lilcand
vc quaricr iIc clcrl ioo. Half-a-crovn a vccl
Ic cosis mc.'
His old simlc cIaracicr and good icmcr,
and somciIing of Iis old unlucly foriunc also,
I iIougIi, smilcd ai mc in iIc smilc viiI vIicI
Ic madc iIis clanaiion.
'Ii's noi lccausc I Iavc iIc lcasi ridc,
Cocrficld, you undcrsiand,' said Traddlcs,
'iIai I don'i usually givc my addrcss Icrc. Ii's
only on accouni of iIosc vIo comc io mc, vIo
migIi noi lilc io comc Icrc. For mysclf, I am
figIiing my vay on in iIc vorld againsi diffi-
culiics, and ii vould lc ridiculous if I madc a
rcicncc of doing anyiIing clsc.'
'You arc rcading for iIc lar, Mr. Waicrlrool
informcd mc?' said I.
'WIy, ycs,' said Traddlcs, rulling Iis Iands
slovly ovcr onc anoiIcr. 'I am rcading for iIc
lar. TIc faci is, I Iavc jusi lcgun io lcc my
icrms, aficr raiIcr a long dclay. Ii's somc iimc
sincc I vas ariiclcd, lui iIc aymcni of iIai
Iundrcd ounds vas a grcai ull. A grcai ull!'
said Traddlcs, viiI a vincc, as if Ic Iad Iad a
iooiI oui.
'Do you lnov vIai I can'i Icl iIinling of,
Traddlcs, as I sii Icrc looling ai you?' I aslcd Iim.
'No,' said Ic.
'TIai sly-lluc suii you uscd io vcar.'
'Lord, io lc surc!' cricd Traddlcs, laugIing.
'TigIi in iIc arms and lcgs, you lnov? Dcar
mc! Wcll! TIosc vcrc Iay iimcs, vcrcn'i iIcy?'
488
'I iIinl our scIoolmasicr migIi Iavc madc
iIcm Iaicr, viiIoui doing any Iarm io any
of us, I aclnovlcdgc,' I rciurncd.
'FcrIas Ic migIi,' said Traddlcs. 'Dui dcar mc,
iIcrc vas a good dcal of fun going on. Do you
rcmcmlcr iIc nigIis in iIc lcdroom? WIcn vc
uscd io Iavc iIc sucrs? And vIcn you uscd io
icll iIc siorics? Ha, Ia, Ia! And do you rcmcmlcr
vIcn I goi cancd for crying aloui Mr. Mcll? Old
Crcallc! I sIould lilc io scc Iim again, ioo!'
'Hc vas a lruic io you, Traddlcs,' said I, in-
dignanily; for Iis good Iumour madc mc fccl
as if I Iad sccn Iim lcaicn lui ycsicrday.
'Do you iIinl so?' rciurncd Traddlcs. 'Fcally?
FcrIas Ic vas raiIcr. Dui ii's all ovcr, a long
vIilc. Old Crcallc!'
'You vcrc lrougIi u ly an unclc, iIcn?' said I.
'Of coursc I vas!' said Traddlcs. 'TIc onc I
vas alvays going io vriic io. And alvays didn'i,
cI! Ha, Ia, Ia! Ycs, I Iad an unclc iIcn. Hc
dicd soon aficr I lcfi scIool.'
'Indccd!'
'Ycs. Hc vas a rciircdvIai do you call ii!
dracrcloiI-mcrcIaniand Iad madc mc Iis
Icir. Dui Ic didn'i lilc mc vIcn I grcv u.'
'Do you rcally mcan iIai?' said I. Hc vas so
comoscd, iIai I fancicd Ic musi Iavc somc
oiIcr mcaning.
'OI dcar, ycs, Cocrficld! I mcan ii,' rclicd
Traddlcs. 'Ii vas an unforiunaic iIing, lui Ic
didn'i lilc mc ai all. Hc said I vasn'i ai all vIai
Ic cccicd, and so Ic marricd Iis Iousclcccr.'
'And vIai did you do?' I aslcd.
'I didn'i do anyiIing in ariicular,' said
Traddlcs. 'I livcd viiI iIcm, vaiiing io lc ui
oui in iIc vorld, uniil Iis goui unforiunaicly
flcv io Iis siomacIand so Ic dicd, and so
sIc marricd a young man, and so I vasn'i ro-
vidcd for.'
'Did you gci noiIing, Traddlcs, aficr all?'
'OI dcar, ycs!' said Traddlcs. 'I goi fifiy
ounds. I Iad ncvcr lccn lrougIi u io any
489
rofcssion, and ai firsi I vas ai a loss vIai io
do for mysclf. Hovcvcr, I lcgan, viiI iIc assis-
iancc of iIc son of a rofcssional man, vIo
Iad lccn io Salcm HouscYavlcr, viiI Iis
nosc on onc sidc. Do you rccollcci Iim?'
No. Hc Iad noi lccn iIcrc viiI mc; all iIc
noscs vcrc siraigIi in my day.
'Ii don'i maiicr,' said Traddlcs. 'I lcgan, ly
mcans of Iis assisiancc, io coy lav vriiings.
TIai didn'i ansvcr vcry vcll; and iIcn I lcgan
io siaic cascs for iIcm, and malc alsiracis,
and iIai sori of vorl. For I am a lodding lind
of fcllov, Cocrficld, and Iad lcarni iIc vay
of doing sucI iIings iiIily. Wcll! TIai ui ii
in my Icad io cnicr mysclf as a lav siudcni;
and iIai ran avay viiI all iIai vas lcfi of iIc
fifiy ounds. Yavlcr rccommcndcd mc io onc
or ivo oiIcr officcs, IovcvcrMr. Waicrlrool's
for oncand I goi a good many jols. I vas for-
iunaic cnougI, ioo, io lccomc acquainicd viiI
a crson in iIc ullisIing vay, vIo vas gci-
iing u an Encycloacdia, and Ic sci mc io
vorl; and, indccd' (glancing ai Iis iallc}, 'I am
ai vorl for Iim ai iIis minuic. I am noi a lad
comilcr, Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, rcscrv-
ing iIc samc air of cIccrful confidcncc in all
Ic said, 'lui I Iavc no invcniion ai all; noi a
ariiclc. I suosc iIcrc ncvcr vas a young man
viiI lcss originaliiy iIan I Iavc.'
As Traddlcs sccmcd io ccci iIai I sIould as-
scni io iIis as a maiicr of coursc, I noddcd; and
Ic vcni on, viiI iIc samc srigIily aiicnccI
can find no lciicr crcssionas lcforc.
'So, ly liiilc and liiilc, and noi living IigI, I
managcd io scrac u iIc Iundrcd ounds ai
lasi,' said Traddlcs; 'and iIanl Hcavcn iIai's
aidiIougI ii vasiIougI ii ccriainly vas,'
said Traddlcs, vincing again as if Ic Iad Iad
anoiIcr iooiI oui, 'a ull. I am living ly iIc
sori of vorl I Iavc mcniioncd, siill, and I Ioc,
onc of iIcsc days, io gci connccicd viiI somc
ncvsacr: vIicI vould almosi lc iIc maling
490
of my foriunc. Nov, Cocrficld, you arc so c-
acily vIai you uscd io lc, viiI iIai agrccallc
facc, and ii's so lcasani io scc you, iIai I
sIa'n'i conccal anyiIing. TIcrcforc you musi
lnov iIai I am cngagcd.'
Engagcd! OI, Dora!
'SIc is a curaic's daugIicr,' said Traddlcs;
'onc of icn, dovn in DcvonsIirc. Ycs!' For Ic
sav mc glancc, involuniarily, ai iIc roscci
on iIc inlsiand. 'TIai's iIc cIurcI! You comc
round Icrc io iIc lcfi, oui of iIis gaic,' iracing
Iis fingcr along iIc inlsiand, 'and cacily
vIcrc I Iold iIis cn, iIcrc siands iIc Iousc
facing, you undcrsiand, iovards iIc cIurcI.'
TIc dcligIi viiI vIicI Ic cnicrcd inio iIcsc
ariiculars, did noi fully rcscni iisclf io mc
uniil aficrvards; for my sclfisI iIougIis vcrc
maling a ground-lan of Mr. Scnlov's Iousc
and gardcn ai iIc samc momcni.
'SIc is sucI a dcar girl!' said Traddlcs; 'a liiilc
oldcr iIan mc, lui iIc dcarcsi girl! I iold you I
vas going oui of iovn? I Iavc lccn dovn iIcrc.
I vallcd iIcrc, and I vallcd lacl, and I Iad
iIc mosi dcligIiful iimc! I darc say ours is lilcly
io lc a raiIcr long cngagcmcni, lui our moiio
is Waii and Ioc!" Wc alvays say iIai. Waii
and Ioc," vc alvays say. And sIc vould vaii,
Cocrficld, iill sIc vas siiyany agc you can
mcniionfor mc!'
Traddlcs rosc from Iis cIair, and, viiI a iri-
umIani smilc, ui Iis Iand uon iIc vIiic
cloiI I Iad olscrvcd.
'Hovcvcr,' Ic said, 'ii's noi iIai vc Iavcn'i
madc a lcginning iovards Iousclccing. No,
no; vc Iavc lcgun. Wc musi gci on ly dcgrccs,
lui vc Iavc lcgun. Hcrc,' draving iIc cloiI
off viiI grcai ridc and carc, 'arc ivo icccs of
furniiurc io commcncc viiI. TIis flovcr-oi
and siand, sIc lougIi Icrsclf. You ui iIai in
a arlour vindov,' said Traddlcs, falling a liiilc
lacl from ii io survcy ii viiI iIc grcaicr admi-
raiion, 'viiI a lani in ii, andand iIcrc you
491
arc! TIis liiilc round iallc viiI iIc marllc io
(ii's ivo fcci icn in circumfcrcncc}, I lougIi.
You vani io lay a lool dovn, you lnov, or
somclody comcs io scc you or your vifc, and
vanis a lacc io siand a cu of ica uon, and
and iIcrc you arc again!' said Traddlcs. 'Ii's an
admirallc iccc of vorlmansIifirm as a
rocl!'
I raiscd iIcm loiI, IigIly, and Traddlcs rc-
laccd iIc covcring as carcfully as Ic Iad rc-
movcd ii.
'Ii's noi a grcai dcal iovards iIc furnisIing,'
said Traddlcs, 'lui ii's somciIing. TIc iallc-
cloiIs, and illov-cascs, and ariiclcs of iIai
lind, arc vIai discouragc mc mosi,
Cocrficld. So docs iIc ironmongcrycandlc-
locs, and gridirons, and iIai sori of ncccs-
saricslccausc iIosc iIings icll, and mouni
u. Hovcvcr, vaii and Ioc!" And I assurc you
sIc's iIc dcarcsi girl!'
'I am quiic ccriain of ii,' said I.
'In iIc mcaniimc,' said Traddlcs, coming lacl
io Iis cIair; 'and iIis is iIc cnd of my rosing
aloui mysclf, I gci on as vcll as I can. I don'i
malc mucI, lui I don'i scnd mucI. In gcn-
cral, I loard viiI iIc colc dovnsiairs, vIo
arc vcry agrccallc colc indccd. DoiI Mr. and
Mrs. Micavlcr Iavc sccn a good dcal of lifc,
and arc cccllcni comany.'
'My dcar Traddlcs!' I quiclly cclaimcd. 'WIai
arc you ialling aloui?'
Traddlcs loolcd ai mc, as if Ic vondcrcd vIai
I vas ialling aloui.
'Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr!' I rccaicd. 'WIy, I
am iniimaicly acquainicd viiI iIcm!'
An ooriunc doullc lnocl ai iIc door, vIicI
I lncv vcll from old ccricncc in Windsor Tcr-
racc, and vIicI nolody lui Mr. Micavlcr could
cvcr Iavc lnoclcd ai iIai door, rcsolvcd any
douli in my mind as io iIcir lcing my old
fricnds. I lcggcd Traddlcs io asl Iis landlord
io vall u. Traddlcs accordingly did so, ovcr
492
iIc lanisicr; and Mr. Micavlcr, noi a lii
cIangcdIis iigIis, Iis siicl, Iis sIiri-collar,
and Iis cyc-glass, all iIc samc as cvcrcamc
inio iIc room viiI a gcniccl and youiIful air.
'I lcg your ardon, Mr. Traddlcs,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, viiI iIc old roll in Iis voicc, as Ic
cIcclcd Iimsclf in Iumming a sofi iunc. 'I vas
noi avarc iIai iIcrc vas any individual, alicn
io iIis icncmcni, in your sancium.'
Mr. Micavlcr sligIily lovcd io mc, and ullcd
u Iis sIiri-collar.
'Hov do you do, Mr. Micavlcr?' said I.
'Sir,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'you arc ccccdingly
olliging. I am in siaiu quo.'
'And Mrs. Micavlcr?' I ursucd.
'Sir,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'sIc is also, iIanl
God, in siaiu quo.'
'And iIc cIildrcn, Mr. Micavlcr?'
'Sir,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'I rcjoicc io rcly iIai
iIcy arc, lilcvisc, in iIc cnjoymcni of salu-
lriiy.'
All iIis iimc, Mr. Micavlcr Iad noi lnovn
mc in iIc lcasi, iIougI Ic Iad siood facc io
facc viiI mc. Dui nov, sccing mc smilc, Ic
camincd my fcaiurcs viiI morc aiicniion, fcll
lacl, cricd, 'Is ii ossillc! Havc I iIc lcasurc
of again lcIolding Cocrficld!' and sIool mc
ly loiI Iands viiI iIc uimosi fcrvour.
' Good Hcavcn, Mr. Traddlcs!' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'io iIinl iIai I sIould find you ac-
quainicd viiI iIc fricnd of my youiI, iIc com-
anion of carlicr days! My dcar!' calling ovcr
iIc lanisicrs io Mrs. Micavlcr, vIilc Traddlcs
loolcd (viiI rcason} noi a liiilc amazcd ai iIis
dcscriiion of mc. 'Hcrc is a gcnilcman in Mr.
Traddlcs's aarimcni, vIom Ic visIcs io Iavc
iIc lcasurc of rcscniing io you, my lovc!'
Mr. Micavlcr immcdiaicly rcacarcd, and
sIool Iands viiI mc again.
'And Iov is our good fricnd iIc Docior,
Cocrficld?' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'and all iIc
circlc ai Canicrlury?'
493
'I Iavc nonc lui good accounis of iIcm,' said I.
'I am mosi dcligIicd io Icar ii,' said Mr.
Micavlcr. 'Ii vas ai Canicrlury vIcrc vc lasi
mci. WiiIin iIc sIadov, I may figuraiivcly say,
of iIai rcligious cdificc immorializcd ly
CIauccr, vIicI vas ancicnily iIc rcsori of Fil-
grims from iIc rcmoicsi corncrs ofin sIori,'
said Mr. Micavlcr, ' in iIc immcdiaic
ncigIlourIood of iIc CaiIcdral.'
I rclicd iIai ii vas. Mr. Micavlcr coniinucd
ialling as volully as Ic could; lui noi, I
iIougIi, viiIoui sIoving, ly somc marls of
conccrn in Iis counicnancc, iIai Ic vas scn-
sillc of sounds in iIc nci room, as of Mrs.
Micavlcr vasIing Icr Iands, and Iurricdly
ocning and sIuiiing dravcrs iIai vcrc un-
casy in iIcir aciion.
'You find us, Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
viiI onc cyc on Traddlcs, 'ai rcscni csial-
lisIcd, on vIai may lc dcsignaicd as a small
and unassuming scalc; lui, you arc avarc iIai
I Iavc, in iIc coursc of my carccr, surmounicd
difficuliics, and conqucrcd olsiaclcs. You arc
no sirangcr io iIc faci, iIai iIcrc Iavc lccn
criods of my lifc, vIcn ii Ias lccn rcquisiic
iIai I sIould ausc, uniil ccriain cccicd
cvcnis sIould iurn u; vIcn ii Ias lccn ncc-
cssary iIai I sIould fall lacl, lcforc maling
vIai I irusi I sIall noi lc accuscd of rcsum-
iion in icrminga sring. TIc rcscni is onc
of iIosc momcnious siagcs in iIc lifc of man.
You find mc, fallcn lacl, or a sring; and I
Iavc cvcry rcason io lclicvc iIai a vigorous lca
vill sIorily lc iIc rcsuli.'
I vas crcssing my saiisfaciion, vIcn Mrs.
Micavlcr camc in; a liiilc morc slaiicrnly iIan
sIc uscd io lc, or so sIc sccmcd nov, io my
unaccusiomcd cycs, lui siill viiI somc rca-
raiion of Icrsclf for comany, and viiI a air
of lrovn glovcs on.
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, lcading Icr io-
vards mc, 'Icrc is a gcnilcman of iIc namc of
494
Cocrficld, vIo visIcs io rcncv Iis acquain-
iancc viiI you.'
Ii vould Iavc lccn lciicr, as ii iurncd oui, io
Iavc lcd gcnily u io iIis announccmcni, for
Mrs. Micavlcr, lcing in a dclicaic siaic of
IcaliI, vas ovcrcomc ly ii, and vas ialcn so
unvcll, iIai Mr. Micavlcr vas olligcd, in grcai
ircidaiion, io run dovn io iIc vaicr-luii in
iIc laclyard, and drav a lasinful io lavc Icr
lrov viiI. SIc rcscnily rcvivcd, Iovcvcr, and
vas rcally lcascd io scc mc. Wc Iad Ialf-an-
Iour's iall, all iogciIcr; and I aslcd Icr aloui
iIc ivins, vIo, sIc said, vcrc 'grovn grcai crca-
iurcs'; and aficr Masicr and Miss Micavlcr,
vIom sIc dcscrilcd as 'alsoluic gianis', lui
iIcy vcrc noi roduccd on iIai occasion.
Mr. Micavlcr vas vcry anious iIai I sIould
siay io dinncr. I sIould noi Iavc lccn avcrsc
io do so, lui iIai I imagincd I dciccicd iroullc,
and calculaiion rclaiivc io iIc cicni of iIc cold
mcai, in Mrs. Micavlcr's cyc. I iIcrcforc
lcadcd anoiIcr cngagcmcni; and olscrving
iIai Mrs. Micavlcr's siriis vcrc immcdiaicly
ligIicncd, I rcsisicd all crsuasion io forcgo ii.
Dui I iold Traddlcs, and Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr, iIai lcforc I could iIinl of lcaving,
iIcy musi aoini a day vIcn iIcy vould comc
and dinc viiI mc. TIc occuaiions io vIicI
Traddlcs siood lcdgcd, rcndcrcd ii ncccssary
io fi a somcvIai disiani onc; lui an aoini-
mcni vas madc for iIc urosc, iIai suiicd us
all, and iIcn I iool my lcavc.
Mr. Micavlcr, undcr rcicncc of sIoving mc
a ncarcr vay iIan iIai ly vIicI I Iad comc,
accomanicd mc io iIc corncr of iIc sircci;
lcing anious (Ic claincd io mc} io say a fcv
vords io an old fricnd, in confidcncc.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'I
nccd Iardly icll you iIai io Iavc lcncaiI our
roof, undcr cisiing circumsianccs, a mind lilc
iIai vIicI glcamsif I may lc allovcd iIc c-
rcssionvIicI glcamsin your fricnd
495
Traddlcs, is an unscalallc comfori. WiiI a
vasIcrvoman, vIo coscs Iard-lalc for salc
in Icr arlour-vindov, dvclling nci door, and
a Dov-sircci officcr rcsiding ovcr iIc vay, you
may imaginc iIai Iis sociciy is a sourcc of con-
solaiion io mysclf and io Mrs. Micavlcr. I am
ai rcscni, my dcar Cocrficld, cngagcd in
iIc salc of corn uon commission. Ii is noi an
avocaiion of a rcmuncraiivc dcscriiionin
oiIcr vords, ii docs noi ayand somc icmo-
rary cmlarrassmcnis of a ccuniary naiurc
Iavc lccn iIc conscqucncc. I am, Iovcvcr, dc-
ligIicd io add iIai I Iavc nov an immcdiaic
roscci of somciIing iurning u (I am noi ai
lilcriy io say in vIai dircciion}, vIicI I irusi
vill cnallc mc io rovidc, crmancnily, loiI
for mysclf and for your fricnd Traddlcs, in vIom
I Iavc an unaffccicd inicrcsi. You may, cr-
Ias, lc rcarcd io Icar iIai Mrs. Micavlcr
is in a siaic of IcaliI vIicI rcndcrs ii noi
vIolly imrolallc iIai an addiiion may lc ul-
iimaicly madc io iIosc lcdgcs of affcciion
vIicIin sIori, io iIc infaniinc grou. Mrs.
Micavlcr's family Iavc lccn so good as io c-
rcss iIcir dissaiisfaciion ai iIis siaic of iIings.
I Iavc mcrcly io olscrvc, iIai I am noi avarc
iIai ii is any lusincss of iIcirs, and iIai I rc-
cl iIai cIiliiion of fccling viiI scorn, and
viiI dcfiancc!'
Mr. Micavlcr iIcn sIool Iands viiI mc
again, and lcfi mc.
CHAPTER 2S
Mr. MICAWBER'S GAUNTLET
UNTIL THE DAY AFFIVED on vIicI I vas io cnicr-
iain my ncvly-found old fricnds, I livcd rinci-
ally on Dora and coffcc. In my lovc-lorn con-
diiion, my aciiic languisIcd; and I vas glad
of ii, for I fcli as iIougI ii vould Iavc lccn an
aci of crfidy iovards Dora io Iavc a naiural
rclisI for my dinncr. TIc quaniiiy of valling
496
ccrcisc I iool, vas noi in iIis rcscci aiicndcd
viiI iis usual conscqucncc, as iIc disaoini-
mcni counicracicd iIc frcsI air. I Iavc my
doulis, ioo, foundcd on iIc acuic ccricncc
acquircd ai iIis criod of my lifc, vIciIcr a
sound cnjoymcni of animal food can dcvclo
iisclf frccly in any Iuman suljcci vIo is al-
vays in iormcni from iigIi loois. I iIinl iIc
circmiiics rcquirc io lc ai cacc lcforc iIc
siomacI vill conduci iisclf viiI vigour.
On iIc occasion of iIis domcsiic liiilc ariy, I
did noi rccai my formcr cicnsivc rcara-
iions. I mcrcly rovidcd a air of solcs, a small
lcg of muiion, and a igcon-ic. Mrs. Cru
lrolc oui inio rclcllion on my firsi lasIful Iini
in rcfcrcncc io iIc cooling of iIc fisI and joini,
and said, viiI a dignificd scnsc of injury, 'No!
No, sir! You vill noi asl mc sicI a iIing, for
you arc lciicr acquainicd viiI mc iIan io su-
osc mc caallc of doing vIai I cannoi do viiI
amial saiisfaciion io my ovn fcclings!' Dui, in
iIc cnd, a comromisc vas cffccicd; and Mrs.
Cru conscnicd io acIicvc iIis fcai, on con-
diiion iIai I dincd from Iomc for a forinigIi
aficrvards.
And Icrc I may rcmarl, iIai vIai I undcr-
vcni from Mrs. Cru, in conscqucncc of iIc
iyranny sIc csiallisIcd ovcr mc, vas drcad-
ful. I ncvcr vas so mucI afraid of anyonc. Wc
madc a comromisc of cvcryiIing. If I Icsiiaicd,
sIc vas ialcn viiI iIai vondcrful disordcr
vIicI vas alvays lying in amlusI in Icr sys-
icm, rcady, ai iIc sIoricsi noiicc, io rcy uon
Icr viials. If I rang iIc lcll imaiicnily, aficr
Ialf-a-dozcn unavailing modcsi ulls, and sIc
acarcd ai lasivIicI vas noi ly any mcans
io lc rclicd uonsIc vould acar viiI a
rcroacIful ascci, sinl lrcaiIlcss on a cIair
ncar iIc door, lay Icr Iand uon Icr nanlccn
losom, and lccomc so ill, iIai I vas glad, ai
any sacrificc of lrandy or anyiIing clsc, io gci
rid of Icr. If I oljccicd io Iaving my lcd madc
497
ai fivc o'clocl in iIc aficrnoonvIicI I do siill
iIinl an uncomforiallc arrangcmcnionc
moiion of Icr Iand iovards iIc samc nanlccn
rcgion of voundcd scnsililiiy vas cnougI io
malc mc falicr an aology. In sIori, I vould
Iavc donc anyiIing in an Ionourallc vay
raiIcr iIan givc Mrs. Cru offcncc; and sIc
vas iIc icrror of my lifc.
I lougIi a sccond-Iand duml-vaiicr for iIis din-
ncr-ariy, in rcfcrcncc io rc-cngaging iIc Iandy
young man; againsi vIom I Iad conccivcd a rcju-
dicc, in conscqucncc of mcciing Iim in iIc Sirand,
onc Sunday morning, in a vaisicoai rcmarlally
lilc onc of minc, vIicI Iad lccn missing sincc
iIc formcr occasion. TIc 'young gal' vas rc-cn-
gagcd; lui on iIc siiulaiion iIai sIc sIould only
lring in iIc disIcs, and iIcn viiIdrav io iIc land-
ing-lacc, lcyond iIc ouicr door; vIcrc a Ialii of
sniffing sIc Iad coniracicd vould lc losi uon
iIc gucsis, and vIcrc Icr rciiring on iIc laics
vould lc a Iysical imossililiiy.
Having laid in iIc maicrials for a lovl of
uncI, io lc comoundcd ly Mr. Micavlcr;
Iaving rovidcd a loiilc of lavcndcr-vaicr, ivo
va-candlcs, a acr of micd ins, and a in-
cusIion, io assisi Mrs. Micavlcr in Icr ioilciic
ai my drcssing-iallc; Iaving also causcd iIc
firc in my lcdroom io lc ligIicd for Mrs.
Micavlcr's convcnicncc; and Iaving laid iIc
cloiI viiI my ovn Iands, I avaiicd iIc rcsuli
viiI comosurc.
Ai iIc aoinicd iimc, my iIrcc visiiors ar-
rivcd iogciIcr. Mr. Micavlcr viiI morc sIiri-
collar iIan usual, and a ncv rillon io Iis cyc-
glass; Mrs. Micavlcr viiI Icr ca in a vIiicy-
lrovn acr arccl; Traddlcs carrying iIc ar-
ccl, and suoriing Mrs. Micavlcr on Iis arm.
TIcy vcrc all dcligIicd viiI my rcsidcncc. WIcn
I conducicd Mrs. Micavlcr io my drcssing-
iallc, and sIc sav iIc scalc on vIicI ii vas
rcarcd for Icr, sIc vas in sucI raiurcs, iIai
sIc callcd Mr. Micavlcr io comc in and lool.
498
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'iIis
is luurious. TIis is a vay of lifc vIicI rcminds
mc of iIc criod vIcn I vas mysclf in a siaic of
cclilacy, and Mrs. Micavlcr Iad noi yci lccn so-
liciicd io ligIi Icr faiiI ai iIc Hymcncal aliar.'
'Hc mcans, soliciicd ly Iim, Mr. Cocrficld,'
said Mrs. Micavlcr, arcIly. 'Hc cannoi ansvcr
for oiIcrs.'
'My dcar,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr viiI sud-
dcn scriousncss, 'I Iavc no dcsirc io ansvcr
for oiIcrs. I am ioo vcll avarc iIai vIcn, in
iIc inscruiallc dccrccs of Faic, you vcrc rc-
scrvcd for mc, ii is ossillc you may Iavc lccn
rcscrvcd for onc, dcsiincd, aficr a roiracicd
sirugglc, ai lcngiI io fall a viciim io ccuniary
involvcmcnis of a comlicaicd naiurc. I undcr-
siand your allusion, my lovc. I rcgrci ii, lui I
can lcar ii.'
'Micavlcr!' cclaimcd Mrs. Micavlcr, in icars.
'Havc I dcscrvcd iIis! I, vIo ncvcr Iavc dcscricd
you; vIo ncvcr u dcscri you, Micavlcr!'
'My lovc,' said Mr. Micavlcr, mucI affccicd,
'you vill forgivc, and our old and iricd fricnd
Cocrficld vill, I am surc, forgivc, iIc momcn-
iary laccraiion of a voundcd sirii, madc scn-
siiivc ly a rcccni collision viiI iIc Minion of
Fovcrin oiIcr vords, viiI a rilald Turncocl
aiiacIcd io iIc vaicr-vorlsand vill iiy, noi
condcmn, iis cccsscs.'
Mr. Micavlcr iIcn cmlraccd Mrs. Micavlcr,
and rcsscd my Iand; lcaving mc io infcr from
iIis lrolcn allusion iIai Iis domcsiic suly
of vaicr Iad lccn cui off iIai aficrnoon, in con-
scqucncc of dcfauli in iIc aymcni of iIc
comany's raics.
To divcri Iis iIougIis from iIis mclancIoly
suljcci, I informcd Mr. Micavlcr iIai I rclicd
uon Iim for a lovl of uncI, and lcd Iim io
iIc lcmons. His rcccni dcsondcncy, noi io say
dcsair, vas gonc in a momcni. I ncvcr sav a
man so iIorougIly cnjoy Iimsclf amid iIc fra-
grancc of lcmon-ccl and sugar, iIc odour of
499
lurning rum, and iIc sicam of loiling vaicr,
as Mr. Micavlcr did iIai aficrnoon. Ii vas von-
dcrful io scc Iis facc sIining ai us oui of a iIin
cloud of iIcsc dclicaic fumcs, as Ic siirrcd,
and micd, and iasicd, and loolcd as if Ic vcrc
maling, insicad of uncI, a foriunc for Iis fam-
ily dovn io iIc laicsi osicriiy. As io Mrs.
Micavlcr, I don'i lnov vIciIcr ii vas iIc cf-
fcci of iIc ca, or iIc lavcndcr-vaicr, or iIc
ins, or iIc firc, or iIc va-candlcs, lui sIc
camc oui of my room, comaraiivcly scaling,
lovcly. And iIc larl vas ncvcr gaycr iIan iIai
cccllcni voman.
I suoscI ncvcr vcniurcd io inquirc, lui I
suosciIai Mrs. Cru, aficr frying iIc solcs,
vas ialcn ill. Dccausc vc lrolc dovn ai iIai
oini. TIc lcg of muiion camc u vcry rcd
viiIin, and vcry alc viiIoui: lcsidcs Iaving a
forcign sulsiancc of a griiiy naiurc srinllcd
ovcr ii, as if if Iad Iad a fall inio iIc asIcs of
iIai rcmarlallc liicIcn firclacc. Dui vc vcrc
noi in condiiion io judgc of iIis faci from iIc
acarancc of iIc gravy, forasmucI as iIc
'young gal' Iad drocd ii all uon iIc siairs
vIcrc ii rcmaincd, ly iIc ly, in a long irain,
uniil ii vas vorn oui. TIc igcon-ic vas noi
lad, lui ii vas a dclusivc ic: iIc crusi lcing
lilc a disaoiniing Icad, Ircnologically
scaling: full of lums and lums, viiI noiI-
ing ariicular undcrncaiI. In sIori, iIc lan-
quci vas sucI a failurc iIai I sIould Iavc lccn
quiic unIay aloui iIc failurc, I mcan, for
I vas alvays unIay aloui Doraif I Iad noi
lccn rclicvcd ly iIc grcai good Iumour of my
comany, and ly a lrigIi suggcsiion from Mr.
Micavlcr.
' My dcar fricnd Cocrficld,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'accidcnis vill occur in iIc lcsi-rcgu-
laicd familics; and in familics noi rcgulaicd ly
iIai crvading influcncc vIicI sanciifics vIilc
ii cnIanccs iIcaI vould say, in sIori, ly
iIc influcncc of Woman, in iIc lofiy cIaracicr
500
of Wifc, iIcy may lc cccicd viiI confidcncc,
and musi lc lornc viiI IilosoIy. If you vill
allov mc io ialc iIc lilcriy of rcmarling iIai
iIcrc arc fcv comcsiillcs lciicr, in iIcir vay,
iIan a Dcvil, and iIai I lclicvc, viiI a liiilc
division of lalour, vc could accomlisI a good
onc if iIc young crson in aiicndancc could
roducc a gridiron, I vould ui ii io you, iIai
iIis liiilc misforiunc may lc casily rcaircd.'
TIcrc vas a gridiron in iIc aniry, on vIicI
my morning rasIcr of lacon vas coolcd. Wc
Iad ii in, in a ivinlling, and immcdiaicly a-
licd oursclvcs io carrying Mr. Micavlcr's idca
inio cffcci. TIc division of lalour io vIicI Ic
Iad rcfcrrcd vas iIis:Traddlcs cui iIc mui-
ion inio sliccs; Mr. Micavlcr (vIo could do
anyiIing of iIis sori io crfcciion} covcrcd iIcm
viiI ccr, musiard, sali, and caycnnc; I ui
iIcm on iIc gridiron, iurncd iIcm viiI a forl,
and iool iIcm off, undcr Mr. Micavlcr's dircc-
iion; and Mrs. Micavlcr Icaicd, and coniinu-
ally siirrcd, somc musIroom lcicIu in a liiilc
sauccan. WIcn vc Iad sliccs cnougI donc io
lcgin uon, vc fcll-io, viiI our slccvcs siill
iuclcd u ai iIc vrisi, morc sliccs suiicring
and llazing on iIc firc, and our aiicniion di-
vidcd lcivccn iIc muiion on our laics, and
iIc muiion iIcn rcaring.
WIai viiI iIc novcliy of iIis coolcry, iIc c-
ccllcncc of ii, iIc lusilc of ii, iIc frcqucni siari-
ing u io lool aficr ii, iIc frcqucni siiiing dovn
io disosc of ii as iIc cris sliccs camc off iIc
gridiron Ioi and Ioi, iIc lcing so lusy, so flusIcd
viiI iIc firc, so amuscd, and in iIc midsi of sucI
a icmiing noisc and savour, vc rcduccd iIc lcg
of muiion io iIc lonc. My ovn aciiic camc
lacl miraculously. I am asIamcd io rccord ii,
lui I rcally lclicvc I forgoi Dora for a liiilc vIilc. I
am saiisficd iIai Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr could
noi Iavc cnjoycd iIc fcasi morc, if iIcy Iad sold
a lcd io rovidc ii. Traddlcs laugIcd as Icariily,
almosi iIc vIolc iimc, as Ic aic and vorlcd.
501
Indccd vc all did, all ai oncc; and I darc say iIcrc
vas ncvcr a grcaicr succcss.
Wc vcrc ai iIc IcigIi of our cnjoymcni, and
vcrc all lusily cngagcd, in our scvcral dcari-
mcnis, cndcavouring io lring iIc lasi laicI of
sliccs io a siaic of crfcciion iIai sIould crovn
iIc fcasi, vIcn I vas avarc of a sirangc rcs-
cncc in iIc room, and my cycs cncounicrcd
iIosc of iIc siaid Liiiimcr, sianding Iai in Iand
lcforc mc.
'WIai's iIc maiicr?' I involuniarily aslcd.
'I lcg your ardon, sir, I vas dirccicd io comc
in. Is my masicr noi Icrc, sir?'
'No.'
'Havc you noi sccn Iim, sir?'
'No; don'i you comc from Iim?'
'Noi immcdiaicly so, sir.'
'Did Ic icll you you vould find Iim Icrc?'
'Noi cacily so, sir. Dui I sIould iIinl Ic migIi
lc Icrc iomorrov, as Ic Ias noi lccn Icrc
ioday.'
'Is Ic coming u from Oford?'
'I lcg, sir,' Ic rciurncd rcsccifully, 'iIai you
vill lc scaicd, and allov mc io do iIis.' WiiI
vIicI Ic iool iIc forl from my unrcsisiing
Iand, and lcni ovcr iIc gridiron, as if Iis vIolc
aiicniion vcrc conccniraicd on ii.
Wc sIould noi Iavc lccn mucI discomoscd,
I darc say, ly iIc acarancc of SiccrforiI Iim-
sclf, lui vc lccamc in a momcni iIc mcclcsi
of iIc mccl lcforc Iis rcscciallc scrving-man.
Mr. Micavlcr, Iumming a iunc, io sIov iIai
Ic vas quiic ai casc, sulsidcd inio Iis cIair,
viiI iIc Iandlc of a Iasiily conccalcd forl siicl-
ing oui of iIc losom of Iis coai, as if Ic Iad
siallcd Iimsclf. Mrs. Micavlcr ui on Icr
lrovn glovcs, and assumcd a gcniccl languor.
Traddlcs ran Iis grcasy Iands iIrougI Iis Iair,
and siood ii loli urigIi, and siarcd in confu-
sion on iIc iallc-cloiI. As for mc, I vas a mcrc
infani ai iIc Icad of my ovn iallc; and Iardly
vcniurcd io glancc ai iIc rcscciallc Icnom-
502
cnon, vIo Iad comc from Hcavcn lnovs vIcrc,
io ui my csiallisImcni io rigIis.
McanvIilc Ic iool iIc muiion off iIc grid-
iron, and gravcly Iandcd ii round. Wc all iool
somc, lui our arcciaiion of ii vas gonc, and
vc mcrcly madc a sIov of caiing ii. As vc scv-
crally usIcd avay our laics, Ic noisclcssly
rcmovcd iIcm, and sci on iIc cIccsc. Hc iool
iIai off, ioo, vIcn ii vas donc viiI; clcarcd
iIc iallc; ilcd cvcryiIing on iIc duml-vaiicr;
gavc us our vinc-glasscs; and, of Iis ovn ac-
cord, vIcclcd iIc duml-vaiicr inio iIc an-
iry. All iIis vas donc in a crfcci manncr, and
Ic ncvcr raiscd Iis cycs from vIai Ic vas
aloui. Yci Iis vcry cllovs, vIcn Ic Iad Iis
lacl iovards mc, sccmcd io iccm viiI iIc c-
rcssion of Iis ficd oinion iIai I vas c-
ircmcly young.
'Can I do anyiIing morc, sir?'
I iIanlcd Iim and said, No; lui vould Ic
ialc no dinncr Iimsclf?
'Nonc, I am olligcd io you, sir.'
'Is Mr. SiccrforiI coming from Oford?'
'I lcg your ardon, sir?'
'Is Mr. SiccrforiI coming from Oford?'
'I sIould imaginc iIai Ic migIi lc Icrc io-
morrov, sir. I raiIcr iIougIi Ic migIi Iavc
lccn Icrc ioday, sir. TIc misialc is minc, no
douli, sir.'
'If you sIould scc Iim firsi -' said I.
'If you'll ccusc mc, sir, I don'i iIinl I sIall
scc Iim firsi.'
'In casc you do,' said I, 'ray say iIai I am
sorry Ic vas noi Icrc ioday, as an old
scIoolfcllov of Iis vas Icrc.'
'Indccd, sir!' and Ic dividcd a lov lcivccn
mc and Traddlcs, viiI a glancc ai iIc laiicr.
Hc vas moving sofily io iIc door, vIcn, in a
forlorn Ioc of saying somciIing naiurally
vIicI I ncvcr could, io iIis manI said:
'OI! Liiiimcr!'
'Sir!'
503
'Did you rcmain long ai YarmouiI, iIai iimc?'
'Noi ariicularly so, sir.'
'You sav iIc loai comlcicd?'
'Ycs, sir. I rcmaincd lcIind on urosc io scc
iIc loai comlcicd.'
'I lnov!' Hc raiscd Iis cycs io minc rcscci-
fully.
'Mr. SiccrforiI Ias noi sccn ii yci, I suosc?'
'I rcally can'i say, sir. I iIinllui I rcally can'i
say, sir. I visI you good nigIi, sir.'
Hc comrcIcndcd cvcrylody rcscni, in iIc
rcscciful lov viiI vIicI Ic follovcd iIcsc
vords, and disacarcd. My visiiors sccmcd io
lrcaiIc morc frccly vIcn Ic vas gonc; lui my
ovn rclicf vas vcry grcai, for lcsidcs iIc con-
siraini, arising from iIai ciraordinary scnsc
of lcing ai a disadvaniagc vIicI I alvays Iad
in iIis man's rcscncc, my conscicncc Iad cm-
larrasscd mc viiI vIiscrs iIai I Iad mis-
irusicd Iis masicr, and I could noi rcrcss a
vaguc uncasy drcad iIai Ic migIi find ii oui.
Hov vas ii, Iaving so liiilc in rcaliiy io con-
ccal, iIai I alvays dd fccl as if iIis man vcrc
finding mc oui?
Mr. Micavlcr rouscd mc from iIis rcflcciion,
vIicI vas llcndcd viiI a ccriain rcmorscful
arcIcnsion of sccing SiccrforiI Iimsclf, ly
lcsioving many cncomiums on iIc alscni
Liiiimcr as a mosi rcscciallc fcllov, and a iIor-
ougIly admirallc scrvani. Mr. Micavlcr, I may
rcmarl, Iad ialcn Iis full sIarc of iIc gcncral
lov, and Iad rcccivcd ii viiI infiniic condc-
sccnsion.
'Dui uncI, my dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, iasiing ii, 'lilc iimc and iidc, vaiis
for no man. AI! ii is ai iIc rcscni momcni in
IigI flavour. My lovc, vill you givc mc your oin-
ion?'
Mrs. Micavlcr ronounccd ii cccllcni.
'TIcn I vill drinl,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'if my
fricnd Cocrficld vill crmii mc io ialc iIai
social lilcriy, io iIc days vIcn my fricnd
504
Cocrficld and mysclf vcrc youngcr, and
fougIi our vay in iIc vorld sidc ly sidc. I may
say, of mysclf and Cocrficld, in vords vc Iavc
sung iogciIcr lcforc nov, iIai
Wc iva Iac run aloui iIc lracs
And u'd iIc govans' finc
in a figuraiivc oini of vicvon scvcral occa-
sions. I am noi cacily avarc,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, viiI iIc old roll in Iis voicc, and
iIc old indcscrilallc air of saying somciIing
gcniccl, 'vIai govans may lc, lui I Iavc no
douli iIai Cocrficld and mysclf vould frc-
qucnily Iavc ialcn a ull ai iIcm, if ii Iad
lccn fcasillc.'
Mr. Micavlcr, ai iIc iIcn rcscni momcni,
iool a ull ai Iis uncI. So vc all did: Traddlcs
cvidcnily losi in vondcring ai vIai disiani iimc
Mr. Micavlcr and I could Iavc lccn comradcs
in iIc laiilc of iIc vorld.
'AIcm!' said Mr. Micavlcr, clcaring Iis iIroai,
and varming viiI iIc uncI and viiI iIc firc.
'My dcar, anoiIcr glass?'
Mrs. Micavlcr said ii musi lc vcry liiilc; lui
vc couldn'i allov iIai, so ii vas a glassful.
'As vc arc quiic confidcniial Icrc, Mr.
Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, siing Icr
uncI, 'Mr. Traddlcs lcing a ari of our do-
mcsiiciiy, I sIould mucI lilc io Iavc your oin-
ion on Mr. Micavlcr's rosccis. For corn,' said
Mrs. Micavlcr argumcniaiivcly, 'as I Iavc rc-
caicdly said io Mr. Micavlcr, may lc gcnilc-
manly, lui ii is noi rcmuncraiivc. Commission
io iIc cicni of ivo and ninccncc in a fori-
nigIi cannoi, Iovcvcr limiicd our idcas, lc
considcrcd rcmuncraiivc.'
Wc vcrc all agrccd uon iIai.
'TIcn,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, vIo ridcd Icr-
sclf on ialing a clcar vicv of iIings, and lcc-
ing Mr. Micavlcr siraigIi ly Icr voman's vis-
dom, vIcn Ic migIi oiIcrvisc go a liiilc
505
croolcd, 'iIcn I asl mysclf iIis qucsiion. If corn
is noi io lc rclicd uon, vIai is? Arc coals io
lc rclicd uon? Noi ai all. Wc Iavc iurncd our
aiicniion io iIai ccrimcni, on iIc suggcs-
iion of my family, and vc find ii fallacious.'
Mr. Micavlcr, lcaning lacl in Iis cIair viiI
Iis Iands in Iis oclcis, cycd us asidc, and
noddcd Iis Icad, as mucI as io say iIai iIc
casc vas vcry clcarly ui.
'TIc ariiclcs of corn and coals,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, siill morc argumcniaiivcly, 'lcing
cqually oui of iIc qucsiion, Mr. Cocrficld, I
naiurally lool round iIc vorld, and say, WIai
is iIcrc in vIicI a crson of Mr. Micavlcr's
ialcni is lilcly io succccd?" And I ccludc iIc
doing anyiIing on commission, lccausc com-
mission is noi a ccriainiy. WIai is lcsi suiicd
io a crson of Mr. Micavlcr's cculiar icmcra-
mcni is, I am convinccd, a ccriainiy.'
Traddlcs and I loiI crcsscd, ly a fccling
murmur, iIai iIis grcai discovcry vas no douli
iruc of Mr. Micavlcr, and iIai ii did Iim mucI
crcdii.
'I vill noi conccal from you, my dcar Mr.
Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIai I Iavc
long fcli iIc Drcving lusincss io lc ariicu-
larly adaicd io Mr. Micavlcr. Lool ai Darclay
and Fcrlins! Lool ai Truman, Hanlury, and
Duion! Ii is on iIai cicnsivc fooiing iIai Mr.
Micavlcr, I lnov from my ovn lnovlcdgc of
Iim, is calculaicd io sIinc; and iIc rofiis, I
am iold, arc c-nor-mous! Dui if Mr. Micavlcr
cannoi gci inio iIosc firmsvIicI dcclinc io
ansvcr Iis lciicrs, vIcn Ic offcrs Iis scrviccs
cvcn in an infcrior caaciiyvIai is iIc usc of
dvclling uon iIai idca? Nonc. I may Iavc a
conviciion iIai Mr. Micavlcr's manncrs '
'Hcm! Fcally, my dcar,' inicroscd Mr.
Micavlcr.
'My lovc, lc silcni,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, lay-
ing Icr lrovn glovc on Iis Iand. 'I may Iavc a
conviciion, Mr. Cocrficld, iIai Mr. Micavlcr's
506
manncrs cculiarly qualify Iim for iIc Danl-
ing lusincss. I may arguc viiIin mysclf, iIai if
I Iad a dcosii ai a lanling-Iousc, iIc man-
ncrs of Mr. Micavlcr, as rcrcscniing iIai
lanling-Iousc, vould insirc confidcncc, and
musi cicnd iIc conncion. Dui if iIc various
lanling-Iouscs rcfusc io avail iIcmsclvcs of
Mr. Micavlcr's aliliiics, or rcccivc iIc offcr of
iIcm viiI coniumcly, vIai is iIc usc of dvcll-
ing uon tIut idca? Nonc. As io originaiing a
lanling-lusincss, I may lnov iIai iIcrc arc
mcmlcrs of my family vIo, if iIcy cIosc io
lacc iIcir moncy in Mr. Micavlcr's Iands,
migIi found an csiallisImcni of iIai dcscri-
iion. Dui if iIcy do not cIoosc io lacc iIcir
moncy in Mr. Micavlcr's IandsvIicI iIcy
don'ivIai is iIc usc of iIai? Again I conicnd
iIai vc arc no fariIcr advanccd iIan vc vcrc
lcforc.'
I sIool my Icad, and said, 'Noi a lii.' Traddlcs
also sIool Iis Icad, and said, 'Noi a lii.'
'WIai do I dcducc from iIis?' Mrs. Micavlcr
vcni on io say, siill viiI iIc samc air of ui-
iing a casc lucidly. 'WIai is iIc conclusion, my
dcar Mr. Cocrficld, io vIicI I am irrcsisiilly
lrougIi? Am I vrong in saying, ii is clcar iIai
vc musi livc?'
I ansvcrcd 'Noi ai all!' and Traddlcs ansvcrcd
'Noi ai all!' and I found mysclf aficrvards sagcly
adding, alonc, iIai a crson musi ciiIcr livc or
dic.
'Jusi so,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'Ii is rc-
ciscly iIai. And iIc faci is, my dcar Mr.
Cocrficld, iIai vc can noi livc viiIoui somc-
iIing vidcly diffcrcni from cisiing circum-
sianccs sIorily iurning u. Nov I am convinccd,
mysclf, and iIis I Iavc oinicd oui io Mr.
Micavlcr scvcral iimcs of laic, iIai iIings can-
noi lc cccicd io iurn u of iIcmsclvcs. Wc
musi, in a mcasurc, assisi io iurn iIcm u. I
may lc vrong, lui I Iavc formcd iIai oinion.'
DoiI Traddlcs and I alaudcd ii IigIly.
507
'Vcry vcll,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIcn vIai
do I rccommcnd? Hcrc is Mr. Micavlcr viiI a
variciy of qualificaiionsviiI grcai ialcni '
'Fcally, my lovc,' said Mr. Micavlcr.
'Fray, my dcar, allov mc io concludc. Hcrc is
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI a variciy of qualificaiions,
viiI grcai ialcniI sIould say, viiI gcnius,
lui iIai may lc iIc ariialiiy of a vifc '
Traddlcs and I loiI murmurcd 'No.'
'And Icrc is Mr. Micavlcr viiIoui any suii-
allc osiiion or cmloymcni. WIcrc docs iIai
rcsonsililiiy rcsi? Clcarly on sociciy. TIcn I
vould malc a faci so disgraccful lnovn, and
loldly cIallcngc sociciy io sci ii rigIi. Ii a-
cars io mc, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, forcilly, 'iIai vIai Mr. Micavlcr Ias
io do, is io iIrov dovn iIc gaunilci io sociciy,
and say, in cffcci, SIov mc vIo vill ialc iIai
u. Lci iIc ariy immcdiaicly sic forvard."'
I vcniurcd io asl Mrs. Micavlcr Iov iIis vas
io lc donc.
'Dy advcriising,' said Mrs. Micavlcr'in all
iIc acrs. Ii acars io mc, iIai vIai Mr.
Micavlcr Ias io do, in jusiicc io Iimsclf, in
jusiicc io Iis family, and I vill cvcn go so far as
io say in jusiicc io sociciy, ly vIicI Ic Ias
lccn IiiIcrio ovcrloolcd, is io advcriisc in all
iIc acrs; io dcscrilc Iimsclf lainly as so-
and-so, viiI sucI and sucI qualificaiions and
io ui ii iIus: Nov cmloy mc, on rcmuncra-
iivc icrms, and addrcss, osi-aid, io W. M.,
Fosi Officc, Camdcn Tovn."'
'TIis idca of Mrs. Micavlcr's, my dcar
Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, maling Iis
sIiri-collar mcci in froni of Iis cIin, and glanc-
ing ai mc sidcvays, 'is, in faci, iIc Lca io
vIicI I alludcd, vIcn I lasi Iad iIc lcasurc
of sccing you.'
'Advcriising is raiIcr ccnsivc,' I rcmarlcd,
duliously.
'Eacily so!' said Mrs. Micavlcr, rcscrving
iIc samc logical air. 'Quiic iruc, my dcar Mr.
508
Cocrficld! I Iavc madc iIc idcniical olscrva-
iion io Mr. Micavlcr. Ii is for iIai rcason csc-
cially, iIai I iIinl Mr. Micavlcr ougIi (as I
Iavc alrcady said, in jusiicc io Iimsclf, in jus-
iicc io Iis family, and in jusiicc io sociciy} io
raisc a ccriain sum of moncyon a lill.'
Mr. Micavlcr, lcaning lacl in Iis cIair,
iriflcd viiI Iis cyc-glass and casi Iis cycs u
ai iIc cciling; lui I iIougIi Iim olscrvani of
Traddlcs, ioo, vIo vas looling ai iIc firc.
'If no mcmlcr of my family,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, 'is osscsscd of sufficicni naiural fccl-
ing io ncgoiiaic iIai lillI lclicvc iIcrc is a
lciicr lusincss-icrm io crcss vIai I mcan'
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI Iis cycs siill casi u ai
iIc cciling, suggcsicd 'Discouni.'
'To discouni iIai lill,' said Mrs. Micavlcr,
'iIcn my oinion is, iIai Mr. Micavlcr sIould
go inio iIc Ciiy, sIould ialc iIai lill inio iIc
Moncy Marlci, and sIould disosc of ii for vIai
Ic can gci. If iIc individuals in iIc Moncy Mar-
lci olligc Mr. Micavlcr io susiain a grcai sac-
rificc, iIai is lcivccn iIcmsclvcs and iIcir con-
scicnccs. I vicv ii, sicadily, as an invcsimcni. I
rccommcnd Mr. Micavlcr, my dcar Mr.
Cocrficld, io do iIc samc; io rcgard ii as an
invcsimcni vIicI is surc of rciurn, and io malc
u Iis mind io any sacrificc.'
I fcli, lui I am surc I don'i lnov vIy, iIai
iIis vas sclf-dcnying and dcvoicd in Mrs.
Micavlcr, and I uiicrcd a murmur io iIai cf-
fcci. Traddlcs, vIo iool Iis ionc from mc, did
lilcvisc, siill looling ai iIc firc.
'I vill noi,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, finisIing Icr
uncI, and gaiIcring Icr scarf aloui Icr sIoul-
dcrs, rcaraiory io Icr viiIdraval io my lcd-
room: 'I vill noi roiraci iIcsc rcmarls on iIc
suljcci of Mr. Micavlcr's ccuniary affairs. Ai
your fircsidc, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld, and in
iIc rcscncc of Mr. Traddlcs, vIo, iIougI noi
so old a fricnd, is quiic onc of oursclvcs, I could
noi rcfrain from maling you acquainicd viiI
509
iIc coursc I advisc Mr. Micavlcr io ialc. I fccl
iIai iIc iimc is arrivcd vIcn Mr. Micavlcr
sIould ccri Iimsclf andI vill addasscri
Iimsclf, and ii acars io mc iIai iIcsc arc
iIc mcans. I am avarc iIai I am mcrcly a fc-
malc, and iIai a masculinc judgcmcni is usu-
ally considcrcd morc comcicni io iIc discus-
sion of sucI qucsiions; siill I musi noi forgci
iIai, vIcn I livcd ai Iomc viiI my aa and
mama, my aa vas in iIc Ialii of saying,
Emma's form is fragilc, lui Icr gras of a sul-
jcci is infcrior io nonc." TIai my aa vas ioo
ariial, I vcll lnov; lui iIai Ic vas an ol-
scrvcr of cIaracicr in somc dcgrcc, my duiy
and my rcason cqually forlid mc io douli.'
WiiI iIcsc vords, and rcsisiing our cnircai-
ics iIai sIc vould gracc iIc rcmaining circula-
iion of iIc uncI viiI Icr rcscncc, Mrs.
Micavlcr rciircd io my lcdroom. And rcally I
fcli iIai sIc vas a nollc vomaniIc sori of
voman vIo migIi Iavc lccn a Foman mairon,
and donc all manncr of Icroic iIings, in iimcs
of ullic iroullc.
In iIc fcrvour of iIis imrcssion, I congraiu-
laicd Mr. Micavlcr on iIc ircasurc Ic os-
scsscd. So did Traddlcs. Mr. Micavlcr cicndcd
Iis Iand io cacI of us in succcssion, and iIcn
covcrcd Iis facc viiI Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf,
vIicI I iIinl Iad morc snuff uon ii iIan Ic
vas avarc of. Hc iIcn rciurncd io iIc uncI,
in iIc IigIcsi siaic of cIilaraiion.
Hc vas full of cloqucncc. Hc gavc us io un-
dcrsiand iIai in our cIildrcn vc livcd again,
and iIai, undcr iIc rcssurc of ccuniary dif-
ficuliics, any acccssion io iIcir numlcr vas
doully vclcomc. Hc said iIai Mrs. Micavlcr
Iad laiicrly Iad Icr doulis on iIis oini, lui
iIai Ic Iad discllcd iIcm, and rcassurcd Icr.
As io Icr family, iIcy vcrc ioially unvoriIy of
Icr, and iIcir scniimcnis vcrc uiicrly indif-
fcrcni io Iim, and iIcy migIiI quoic Iis ovn
crcssiongo io iIc Dcvil.
510
Mr. Micavlcr iIcn dclivcrcd a varm culogy
on Traddlcs. Hc said Traddlcs's vas a cIarac-
icr, io iIc sicady viriucs of vIicI Ic (Mr.
Micavlcr} could lay no claim, lui vIicI, Ic
iIanlcd Hcavcn, Ic could admirc. Hc fcclingly
alludcd io iIc young lady, unlnovn, vIom
Traddlcs Iad Ionourcd viiI Iis affcciion, and
vIo Iad rccirocaicd iIai affcciion ly
Ionouring and llcssing Traddlcs viiI Icr af-
fcciion. Mr. Micavlcr lcdgcd Icr. So did I.
Traddlcs iIanlcd us loiI, ly saying, viiI a
simliciiy and Ioncsiy I Iad scnsc cnougI io
lc quiic cIarmcd viiI, 'I am vcry mucI olligcd
io you indccd. And I do assurc you, sIc's iIc
dcarcsi girl! '
Mr. Micavlcr iool an carly ooriuniiy, af-
icr iIai, of Iiniing, viiI iIc uimosi dclicacy
and ccrcmony, ai iIc siaic of m affcciions.
NoiIing lui iIc scrious assurancc of Iis fricnd
Cocrficld io iIc conirary, Ic olscrvcd, could
dcrivc Iim of iIc imrcssion iIai Iis fricnd
Cocrficld lovcd and vas lclovcd. Aficr fccl-
ing vcry Ioi and uncomforiallc for somc iimc,
and aficr a good dcal of llusIing, siammcring,
and dcnying, I said, Iaving my glass in my Iand,
'Wcll! I vould givc iIcm D.!' vIicI so cciicd
and graiificd Mr. Micavlcr, iIai Ic ran viiI a
glass of uncI inio my lcdroom, in ordcr iIai
Mrs. Micavlcr migIi drinl D., vIo dranl ii
viiI cniIusiasm, crying from viiIin, in a sIrill
voicc, 'Hcar, Icar! My dcar Mr. Cocrficld, I
am dcligIicd. Hcar!' and iaing ai iIc vall,
ly vay of alausc.
Our convcrsaiion, aficrvards, iool a morc
vorldly iurn; Mr. Micavlcr iclling us iIai Ic
found Camdcn Tovn inconvcnicni, and iIai iIc
firsi iIing Ic conicmlaicd doing, vIcn iIc
advcriiscmcni sIould Iavc lccn iIc causc of
somciIing saiisfaciory iurning u, vas io movc.
Hc mcniioncd a icrracc ai iIc vcsicrn cnd of
Oford Sircci, froniing Hydc Farl, on vIicI Ic
Iad alvays Iad Iis cyc, lui vIicI Ic did noi
511
ccci io aiiain immcdiaicly, as ii vould rcquirc
a largc csiallisImcni. TIcrc vould rolally lc
an inicrval, Ic claincd, in vIicI Ic sIould
conicni Iimsclf viiI iIc ucr ari of a Iousc,
ovcr somc rcscciallc lacc of lusincsssay in
Ficcadilly,vIicI vould lc a cIccrful siiuaiion
for Mrs. Micavlcr; and vIcrc, ly iIroving oui
a lov-vindov, or carrying u iIc roof anoiIcr
siory, or maling somc liiilc alicraiion of iIai
sori, iIcy migIi livc, comforially and rcuia-
lly, for a fcv ycars. WIaicvcr vas rcscrvcd for
Iim, Ic crcssly said, or vIcrcvcr Iis alodc
migIi lc, vc migIi rcly on iIisiIcrc vould
alvays lc a room for Traddlcs, and a lnifc and
forl for mc. Wc aclnovlcdgcd Iis lindncss; and
Ic lcggcd us io forgivc Iis Iaving launcIcd inio
iIcsc raciical and lusincss-lilc dciails, and io
ccusc ii as naiural in onc vIo vas maling cn-
iircly ncv arrangcmcnis in lifc.
Mrs. Micavlcr, iaing ai iIc vall again io
lnov if ica vcrc rcady, lrolc u iIis ariicu-
lar Iasc of our fricndly convcrsaiion. SIc madc
ica for us in a mosi agrccallc manncr; and, vIcn-
cvcr I vcni ncar Icr, in Ianding aloui iIc ica-
cus and lrcad-and-luiicr, aslcd mc, in a vIis-
cr, vIciIcr D. vas fair, or darl, or vIciIcr sIc
vas sIori, or iall: or somciIing of iIai lind; vIicI
I iIinl I lilcd. Aficr ica, vc discusscd a variciy of
ioics lcforc iIc firc; and Mrs. Micavlcr vas good
cnougI io sing us (in a small, iIin, flai voicc,
vIicI I rcmcmlcrcd io Iavc considcrcd, vIcn I
firsi lncv Icr, iIc vcry iallc-lccr of acousiics}
iIc favouriic lallads of 'TIc DasIing WIiic Scr-
gcani', and 'Liiilc Tafflin'. For loiI of iIcsc songs
Mrs. Micavlcr Iad lccn famous vIcn sIc livcd
ai Iomc viiI Icr aa and mama. Mr. Micavlcr
iold us, iIai vIcn Ic Icard Icr sing iIc firsi
onc, on iIc firsi occasion of Iis sccing Icr lc-
ncaiI iIc arcnial roof, sIc Iad aiiracicd Iis
aiicniion in an ciraordinary dcgrcc; lui iIai
vIcn ii camc io Liiilc Tafflin, Ic Iad rcsolvcd io
vin iIai voman or crisI in iIc aiicmi.
512
Ii vas lcivccn icn and clcvcn o'clocl vIcn
Mrs. Micavlcr rosc io rclacc Icr ca in iIc
vIiicy-lrovn acr arccl, and io ui on Icr
lonnci. Mr. Micavlcr iool iIc ooriuniiy of
Traddlcs uiiing on Iis grcai-coai, io sli a lci-
icr inio my Iand, viiI a vIiscrcd rcqucsi iIai
I vould rcad ii ai my lcisurc. I also iool iIc
ooriuniiy of my Iolding a candlc ovcr iIc
lanisicrs io ligIi iIcm dovn, vIcn Mr.
Micavlcr vas going firsi, lcading Mrs.
Micavlcr, and Traddlcs vas folloving viiI iIc
ca, io dciain Traddlcs for a momcni on iIc
io of iIc siairs.
'Traddlcs,' said I, 'Mr. Micavlcr don'i mcan
any Iarm, oor fcllov: lui, if I vcrc you, I
vouldn'i lcnd Iim anyiIing.'
'My dcar Cocrficld,' rciurncd Traddlcs, smil-
ing, 'I Iavcn'i goi anyiIing io lcnd.'
'You Iavc goi a namc, you lnov,' said I.
'OI! You call tIut somciIing io lcnd?' rc-
iurncd Traddlcs, viiI a iIougIiful lool.
'Ccriainly.'
'OI!' said Traddlcs. 'Ycs, io lc surc! I am vcry
mucI olligcd io you, Cocrficld; luiI am
afraid I Iavc lcni Iim iIai alrcady.'
'For iIc lill iIai is io lc a ccriain invcsimcni?'
I inquircd.
'No,' said Traddlcs. 'Noi for iIai onc. TIis is
iIc firsi I Iavc Icard of iIai onc. I Iavc lccn
iIinling iIai Ic vill mosi lilcly roosc iIai
onc, on iIc vay Iomc. Minc's anoiIcr.'
'I Ioc iIcrc vill lc noiIing vrong aloui ii,'
said I. 'I Ioc noi,' said Traddlcs. 'I sIould iIinl
noi, iIougI, lccausc Ic iold mc, only iIc oiIcr
day, iIai ii vas rovidcd for. TIai vas Mr.
Micavlcr's crcssion, Frovidcd for."'
Mr. Micavlcr looling u ai iIis junciurc io
vIcrc vc vcrc sianding, I Iad only iimc io rc-
cai my cauiion. Traddlcs iIanlcd mc, and
dcsccndcd. Dui I vas mucI afraid, vIcn I ol-
scrvcd iIc good-naiurcd manncr in vIicI Ic
vcni dovn viiI iIc ca in Iis Iand, and gavc
513
Mrs. Micavlcr Iis arm, iIai Ic vould lc car-
ricd inio iIc Moncy Marlci nccl and Iccls.
I rciurncd io my fircsidc, and vas musing,
Ialf gravcly and Ialf laugIing, on iIc cIarac-
icr of Mr. Micavlcr and iIc old rclaiions lc-
ivccn us, vIcn I Icard a quicl sic asccnding
iIc siairs. Ai firsi, I iIougIi ii vas Traddlcs
coming lacl for somciIing Mrs. Micavlcr Iad
lcfi lcIind; lui as iIc sic aroacIcd, I lncv
ii, and fcli my Icari lcai IigI, and iIc llood
rusI io my facc, for ii vas SiccrforiI's.
I vas ncvcr unmindful of Agncs, and sIc
ncvcr lcfi iIai sanciuary in my iIougIisif I
may call ii sovIcrc I Iad laccd Icr from iIc
firsi. Dui vIcn Ic cnicrcd, and siood lcforc
mc viiI Iis Iand oui, iIc darlncss iIai Iad
fallcn on Iim cIangcd io ligIi, and I fcli con-
foundcd and asIamcd of Iaving doulicd onc I
lovcd so Icariily. I lovcd Icr nonc iIc lcss; I
iIougIi of Icr as iIc samc lcnignani, gcnilc
angcl in my lifc; I rcroacIcd mysclf, noi Icr,
viiI Iaving donc Iim an injury; and I vould
Iavc madc Iim any aioncmcni if I Iad lnovn
vIai io malc, and Iov io malc ii.
'WIy, Daisy, old loy, duml-foundcrcd!'
laugIcd SiccrforiI, sIaling my Iand Icari-
ily, and iIroving ii gaily avay. 'Havc I dciccicd
you in anoiIcr fcasi, you Sylariic! TIcsc Doc-
iors' Commons fcllovs arc iIc gaycsi mcn in
iovn, I lclicvc, and lcai us solcr Oford
colc all io noiIing!' His lrigIi glancc vcni
mcrrily round iIc room, as Ic iool iIc scai
on iIc sofa oosiic io mc, vIicI Mrs.
Micavlcr Iad rcccnily vacaicd, and siirrcd iIc
firc inio a llazc.
'I vas so surriscd ai firsi,' said I, giving Iim
vclcomc viiI all iIc cordialiiy I fcli, 'iIai I Iad
Iardly lrcaiI io grcci you viiI, SiccrforiI.'
'Wcll, iIc sigIi of mc is good for sorc cycs, as
iIc ScoicI say,' rclicd SiccrforiI, 'and so is
iIc sigIi of you, Daisy, in full lloom. Hov arc
you, my DaccIanal?'
514
'I am vcry vcll,' said I; 'and noi ai all DaccIa-
nalian ionigIi, iIougI I confcss io anoiIcr ariy
of iIrcc.'
'All of vIom I mci in iIc sircci, ialling loud
in your raisc,' rciurncd SiccrforiI. 'WIo's our
fricnd in iIc iigIis?'
I gavc Iim iIc lcsi idca I could, in a fcv vords,
of Mr. Micavlcr. Hc laugIcd Icariily ai my
fccllc oriraii of iIai gcnilcman, and said Ic
vas a man io lnov, and Ic musi lnov Iim.
'Dui vIo do you suosc our oiIcr fricnd is?'
said I, in my iurn.
'Hcavcn lnovs,' said SiccrforiI. 'Noi a lorc, I
Ioc? I iIougIi Ic loolcd a liiilc lilc onc.'
'Traddlcs!' I rclicd, iriumIanily.
'WIo's Ic?' aslcd SiccrforiI, in Iis carclcss
vay.
'Don'i you rcmcmlcr Traddlcs? Traddlcs in
our room ai Salcm Housc?'
'OI! TIai fcllov!' said SiccrforiI, lcaiing a
lum of coal on iIc io of iIc firc, viiI iIc
olcr. 'Is Ic as sofi as cvcr? And vIcrc iIc
dcucc did you icl Iim u?'
I ciollcd Traddlcs in rcly, as IigIly as I could;
for I fcli iIai SiccrforiI raiIcr sligIicd Iim.
SiccrforiI, dismissing iIc suljcci viiI a ligIi
nod, and a smilc, and iIc rcmarl iIai Ic vould
lc glad io scc iIc old fcllov ioo, for Ic Iad al-
vays lccn an odd fisI, inquircd if I could givc
Iim anyiIing io cai? During mosi of iIis sIori
dialoguc, vIcn Ic Iad noi lccn scaling in a
vild vivacious manncr, Ic Iad sai idly lcaiing
on iIc lum of coal viiI iIc olcr. I olscrvcd
iIai Ic did iIc samc iIing vIilc I vas gciiing
oui iIc rcmains of iIc igcon-ic, and so foriI.
'WIy, Daisy, Icrc's a sucr for a ling!' Ic
cclaimcd, siariing oui of Iis silcncc viiI a
lursi, and ialing Iis scai ai iIc iallc. 'I sIall
do ii jusiicc, for I Iavc comc from YarmouiI.'
'I iIougIi you camc from Oford?' I rciurncd.
'Noi I,' said SiccrforiI. 'I Iavc lccn scafar-
inglciicr cmloycd.'
515
'Liiiimcr vas Icrc ioday, io inquirc for you,' I
rcmarlcd, 'and I undcrsiood Iim iIai you vcrc
ai Oford; iIougI, nov I iIinl of ii, Ic ccr-
iainly did noi say so.'
'Liiiimcr is a grcaicr fool iIan I iIougIi Iim,
io Iavc lccn inquiring for mc ai all,' said
SiccrforiI, jovially ouring oui a glass of vinc,
and drinling io mc. 'As io undcrsianding Iim,
you arc a clcvcrcr fcllov iIan mosi of us, Daisy,
if you can do iIai.'
'TIai's iruc, indccd,' said I, moving my cIair
io iIc iallc. 'So you Iavc lccn ai YarmouiI,
SiccrforiI!' inicrcsicd io lnov all aloui ii. 'Havc
you lccn iIcrc long?'
'No,' Ic rciurncd. 'An cscaadc of a vccl or
so.'
'And Iov arc iIcy all? Of coursc, liiilc Emily
is noi marricd yci?'
'Noi yci. Going io lc, I lclicvcin so many
vccls, or moniIs, or somciIing or oiIcr. I Iavc
noi sccn mucI of 'cm. Dy iIc ly'; Ic laid dovn
Iis lnifc and forl, vIicI Ic Iad lccn using
viiI grcai diligcncc, and lcgan fccling in Iis
oclcis; 'I Iavc a lciicr for you.'
'From vIom?'
'WIy, from your old nursc,' Ic rciurncd, ial-
ing somc acrs oui of
Iis lrcasi oclci. 'J. SiccrforiI, Esquirc,
dclior, io TIc Willing Mind"; iIai's noi ii. Fa-
iicncc, and vc'll find ii rcscnily. Old vIai's-
Iis-namc's in a lad vay, and ii's aloui iIai, I
lclicvc.'
'Darlis, do you mcan?'
'Ycs!' siill fccling in Iis oclcis, and looling
ovcr iIcir conicnis: 'ii's all ovcr viiI oor Darlis,
I am afraid. I sav a liiilc aoiIccary iIcrc
surgcon, or vIaicvcr Ic isvIo lrougIi your
vorsIi inio iIc vorld. Hc vas migIiy lcarncd
aloui iIc casc, io mc; lui iIc usIoi of Iis
oinion vas, iIai iIc carricr vas maling Iis
lasi journcy raiIcr fasi.Fui your Iand inio
iIc lrcasi oclci of my grcai-coai on iIc cIair
516
yondcr, and I iIinl you'll find iIc lciicr. Is ii
iIcrc?'
'Hcrc ii is!' said I.
'TIai's rigIi!'
Ii vas from Fcggoiiy; somciIing lcss lcgillc
iIan usual, and lricf. Ii informcd mc of Icr
Iusland's Ioclcss siaic, and Iinicd ai Iis
lcing 'a liiilc ncarcr' iIan Icrcioforc, and con-
scqucnily morc difficuli io managc for Iis ovn
comfori. Ii said noiIing of Icr vcarincss and
vaicIing, and raiscd Iim IigIly. Ii vas vrii-
icn viiI a lain, unaffccicd, Iomcly iciy iIai
I lncv io lc gcnuinc, and cndcd viiI 'my duiy
io my cvcr darling'mcaning mysclf.
WIilc I dcciIcrcd ii, SiccrforiI coniinucd
io cai and drinl.
'Ii's a lad jol,' Ic said, vIcn I Iad donc; 'lui
iIc sun scis cvcry day, and colc dic cvcry
minuic, and vc musin'i lc scarcd ly iIc com-
mon loi. If vc failcd io Iold our ovn, lccausc
iIai cqual fooi ai all mcn's doors vas Icard
lnocling somcvIcrc, cvcry oljcci in iIis vorld
vould sli from us. No! Fidc on! FougI-sIod if
nccd lc, smooiI-sIod if iIai vill do, lui ridc
on! Fidc on ovcr all olsiaclcs, and vin iIc racc!'
'And vin vIai racc?' said I.
'TIc racc iIai onc Ias siaricd in,' said Ic.
'Fidc on!'
I noiiccd, I rcmcmlcr, as Ic auscd, looling ai
mc viiI Iis Iandsomc Icad a liiilc iIrovn lacl,
and Iis glass raiscd in Iis Iand, iIai, iIougI
iIc frcsIncss of iIc sca-vind vas on Iis facc,
and ii vas ruddy, iIcrc vcrc iraccs in ii, madc
sincc I lasi sav ii, as if Ic Iad alicd Iimsclf io
somc Ialiiual sirain of iIc fcrvcni cncrgy vIicI,
vIcn rouscd, vas so assionaicly rouscd viiIin
Iim. I Iad ii in my iIougIis io rcmonsiraic viiI
Iim uon Iis dcscraic vay of ursuing any fancy
iIai Ic ioolsucI as iIis luffciing of rougI scas,
and lraving of Iard vcaiIcr, for camlcvIcn
my mind glanccd off io iIc immcdiaic suljcci of
our convcrsaiion again, and ursucd iIai insicad.
517
'I icll you vIai, SiccrforiI,' said I, 'if your IigI
siriis vill lisicn io mc'
'TIcy arc oicni siriis, and vill do vIaicvcr
you lilc,' Ic ansvcrcd, moving from iIc iallc
io iIc fircsidc again.
'TIcn I icll you vIai, SiccrforiI. I iIinl I vill go
dovn and scc my old nursc. Ii is noi iIai I can do
Icr any good, or rcndcr Icr any rcal scrvicc; lui
sIc is so aiiacIcd io mc iIai my visii vill Iavc as
mucI cffcci on Icr, as if I could do loiI. SIc vill
ialc ii so lindly iIai ii vill lc a comfori and su-
ori io Icr. Ii is no grcai cffori io malc, I am surc,
for sucI a fricnd as sIc Ias lccn io mc. Wouldn'i
you go a day's journcy, if you vcrc in my lacc?'
His facc vas iIougIiful, and Ic sai considcr-
ing a liiilc lcforc Ic ansvcrcd, in a lov voicc,
'Wcll! Go. You can do no Iarm.'
'You Iavc jusi comc lacl,' said I, 'and ii vould
lc in vain io asl you io go viiI mc?'
'Quiic,' Ic rciurncd. 'I am for HigIgaic io-
nigIi. I Iavc noi sccn my moiIcr iIis long iimc,
and ii lics uon my conscicncc, for ii's somc-
iIing io lc lovcd as sIc lovcs Icr rodigal son.
DaI! Nonscnsc!You mcan io go iomorrov, I
suosc?' Ic said, Iolding mc oui ai arm's
lcngiI, viiI a Iand on cacI of my sIouldcrs.
'Ycs, I iIinl so.'
'Wcll, iIcn, don'i go iill nci day. I vanicd you
io comc and siay a fcv days viiI us. Hcrc I am,
on urosc io lid you, and you fly off io
YarmouiI!'
'You arc a nicc fcllov io iall of flying off,
SiccrforiI, vIo arc alvays running vild on
somc unlnovn ccdiiion or oiIcr!'
Hc loolcd ai mc for a momcni viiIoui scal-
ing, and iIcn rcjoincd, siill Iolding mc as lc-
forc, and giving mc a sIalc:
'Comc! Say iIc nci day, and ass as mucI
of iomorrov as you can viiI us! WIo lnovs
vIcn vc may mcci again, clsc? Comc! Say iIc
nci day! I vani you io siand lcivccn Fosa
Darilc and mc, and lcc us asundcr.'
518
'Would you lovc cacI oiIcr ioo mucI, viiI-
oui mc?'
'Ycs; or Iaic,' laugIcd SiccrforiI; 'no maiicr
vIicI. Comc! Say iIc nci day!'
I said iIc nci day; and Ic ui on Iis grcai-
coai and ligIicd Iis cigar, and sci off io vall
Iomc. Finding Iim in iIis inicniion, I ui on
my ovn grcai-coai (lui did noi ligIi my ovn
cigar, Iaving Iad cnougI of iIai for onc vIilc}
and vallcd viiI Iim as far as iIc ocn road: a
dull road, iIcn, ai nigIi. Hc vas in grcai sir-
iis all iIc vay; and vIcn vc aricd, and I loolcd
aficr Iim going so gallanily and airily Iomc-
vard, I iIougIi of Iis saying, 'Fidc on ovcr all
olsiaclcs, and vin iIc racc!' and visIcd, for
iIc firsi iimc, iIai Ic Iad somc voriIy racc io
run.
I vas undrcssing in my ovn room, vIcn Mr.
Micavlcr's lciicr iumllcd on iIc floor. TIus
rcmindcd of ii, I lrolc iIc scal and rcad as
follovs. Ii vas daicd an Iour and a Ialf lcforc
dinncr. I am noi surc vIciIcr I Iavc mcniioncd
iIai, vIcn Mr. Micavlcr vas ai any ariicu-
larly dcscraic crisis, Ic uscd a sori of lcgal
Irascology, vIicI Ic sccmcd io iIinl cquiva-
lcni io vinding u Iis affairs.
.|||. | . | . ,,.||.
|| ,| ||| | || |. ||| || .
.|. . |||. ||.| | ,.
|| ,.|. || | | || ,|.
|. | || . || |, | | |||
|| |.. || . .|.
'| ,.| | , || || ,.
| . ,| | || | || |, | |.
|| || |.. ||. ,| |
|.|.. '|| | || , | || ,.
. . |. |. .|. | |. |. |
| || |||| ||| | . .,| ||
| || .. .| || | || ||||.
|| | || ,,.| | \.. '| '.|. |..
|. | || |.|| .| | || |. ',|.
519
|| ., | | . | || .||
,. || , || | |
.|| \.|., | || |, | || .. | |
| | || ||. ||| |.| ,| .| |
|| .. | || ||.| \.. '|
'.|. |. || C| .| - ' !. . .
J ,. |.. /|. || || ||| || | .,
||| | | || . ||. || . |
|.. | . | || | . ||,|
|. | .|| ,,. | || |.
. |.| || ,.| | ,. |
|. || |. || ,.| |.
/||. ,. || |. | | | .| | ,.
.| | . ||| | | . |. . ||.
C
'|
|
C|
\|!|`. \|/\|!|.
Foor Traddlcs! I lncv cnougI of Mr. Micavlcr
ly iIis iimc, io forcscc iIai Ic migIi lc c-
ccicd io rccovcr iIc llov; lui my nigIi's rcsi
vas sorcly disircsscd ly iIougIis of Traddlcs,
and of iIc curaic's daugIicr, vIo vas onc of
icn, dovn in DcvonsIirc, and vIo vas sucI a
dcar girl, and vIo vould vaii for Traddlcs (omi-
nous raisc!} uniil sIc vas siiy, or any agc
iIai could lc mcniioncd.
(End oI VoIume One)
If you vould lilc io rcccivc morc vorls
ly CIarlcs Diclcns in FDF from iIc
Elccironics Classics Scrics, go io
Iii://vvv2.In.su.cdu/faculiy/
jmanis/diclcns.Iim.
If you vould lilc io rcccivc morc classi-
cal vorls of liicraiurc in FDF, go io
Iii://vvv2.In.su.cdu/faculiy/
jmanis/jimsdf.Iim.

David Copperfiled Vol1 - Charles Dickens

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

David Copperfiled Vol1 - Charles Dickens

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

David Coppcrlicld

You might also like