'Well，'saidBounderby，stoppingandfacingabouttoconfrontthemall，'I'lltellyou。It'snottobementionedeverywhere；it'snottobementionedanywhere:inorderthatthescoundrelsconcernedthere'sagangof'emmaybethrownofftheirguard。Sotakethisinconfidence。Nowwaitabit。'Mr。Bounderbywipedhisheadagain。'Whatshouldyousayto；'hereheviolentlyexploded:'toaHandbeinginit？'
　　'Ihope，'saidHarthouse，lazily，'notourfriendBlackpot？'
　　'SayPoolinsteadofPot，sir，'returnedBounderby，'andthat'stheman。'
　　Louisafaintlyutteredsomewordofincredulityandsurprise。
　　'Oyes！Iknow！'saidBounderby，immediatelycatchingatthesound。'Iknow！Iamusedtothat。Iknowallaboutit。Theyarethefinestpeopleintheworld，thesefellowsare。Theyhavegotthegiftofthegab，theyhave。Theyonlywanttohavetheirrightsexplainedtothem，theydo。ButItellyouwhat。ShowmeadissatisfiedHand，andI'llshowyouamanthat'sfitforanythingbad，Idon'tcarewhatitis。'
　　AnotherofthepopularfictionsofCoketown，whichsomepainshadbeentakentodisseminate-andwhichsomepeoplereallybelieved。
　　'ButIamacquaintedwiththesechaps，'saidBounderby。'Icanread'emoff，likebooks。Mrs。Sparsit，ma'am，Iappealtoyou。
　　WhatwarningdidIgivethatfellow，thefirsttimehesetfootinthehouse，whentheexpressobjectofhisvisitwastoknowhowhecouldknockReligionover，andfloortheEstablishedChurch？Mrs。
　　Sparsit，inpointofhighconnexions，youareonalevelwiththearistocracy，-didIsay，ordidInotsay，tothatfellow，"youcan'thidethetruthfromme:youarenotthekindoffellowI
　　like；you'llcometonogood"？'
　　'Assuredly，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'youdid，inahighlyimpressivemanner，givehimsuchanadmonition。'
　　'Whenheshockedyou，ma'am，'saidBounderby；'whenheshockedyourfeelings？'
　　'Yes，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，withameekshakeofherhead，'hecertainlydidso。ThoughIdonotmeantosaybutthatmyfeelingsmaybeweakeronsuchpoints-morefoolishifthetermispreferred-thantheymighthavebeen，ifIhadalwaysoccupiedmypresentposition。'
　　Mr。BounderbystaredwithaburstingprideatMr。Harthouse，asmuchastosay，'Iamtheproprietorofthisfemale，andshe'sworthyourattention，Ithink。'Then，resumedhisdiscourse。
　　'Youcanrecallforyourself，Harthouse，whatIsaidtohimwhenyousawhim。Ididn'tmincethematterwithhim。Iamnevermealywith'em。IKNOW'em。Verywell，sir。Threedaysafterthat，hebolted。Wentoff，nobodyknowswhere:asmymotherdidinmyinfancy-onlywiththisdifference，thatheisaworsesubjectthanmymother，ifpossible。Whatdidhedobeforehewent？Whatdoyousay；'Mr。Bounderby，withhishatinhishand，gaveabeatuponthecrownateverylittledivisionofhissentences，asifitwereatambourine；'tohisbeingseen-nightafternight-
　　watchingtheBank？-tohislurkingaboutthere-afterdark？-ToitsstrikingMrs。Sparsit-thathecouldbelurkingfornogood-
　　TohercallingBitzer'sattentiontohim，andtheirbothtakingnoticeofhim-Andtoitsappearingoninquiryto-day-thathewasalsonoticedbytheneighbours？'Havingcometotheclimax，Mr。Bounderby，likeanorientaldancer，puthistambourineonhishead。
　　'Suspicious，'saidJamesHarthouse，'certainly。'
　　'Ithinkso，sir，'saidBounderby，withadefiantnod。'Ithinkso。Buttherearemoreof'eminit。There'sanoldwoman。Oneneverhearsofthesethingstillthemischief'sdone；allsortsofdefectsarefoundoutinthestabledoorafterthehorseisstolen；
　　there'sanoldwomanturnsupnow。Anoldwomanwhoseemstohavebeenflyingintotownonabroomstick，everynowandthen。Shewatchestheplaceawholedaybeforethisfellowbegins，andonthenightwhenyousawhim，shestealsawaywithhimandholdsacouncilwithhim-Isuppose，tomakeherreportongoingoffduty，andbedamnedtoher。'
　　Therewassuchapersonintheroomthatnight，andsheshrunkfromobservation，thoughtLouisa。
　　'Thisisnotallof'em，evenaswealreadyknow'em，'saidBounderby，withmanynodsofhiddenmeaning。'ButIhavesaidenoughforthepresent。You'llhavethegoodnesstokeepitquiet，andmentionittonoone。Itmaytaketime，butweshallhave'em。
　　It'spolicytogive'emlineenough，andthere'snoobjectiontothat。'
　　'Ofcourse，theywillbepunishedwiththeutmostrigourofthelaw，asnotice-boardsobserve，'repliedJamesHarthouse，'andservethemright。FellowswhogoinforBanksmusttaketheconsequences。Iftherewerenoconsequences，weshouldallgoinforBanks。'HehadgentlytakenLouisa'sparasolfromherhand，andhadputitupforher；andshewalkedunderitsshade，thoughthesundidnotshinethere。
　　'Forthepresent，LooBounderby，'saidherhusband，'here'sMrs。
　　Sparsittolookafter。Mrs。Sparsit'snerveshavebeenacteduponbythisbusiness，andshe'llstayhereadayortwo。Somakehercomfortable。'
　　'Thankyouverymuch，sir，'thatdiscreetladyobserved，'butpraydonotletMycomfortbeaconsideration。AnythingwilldoforMe。'
　　ItsoonappearedthatifMrs。Sparsithadafailinginherassociationwiththatdomesticestablishment，itwasthatshewassoexcessivelyregardlessofherselfandregardfulofothers，astobeanuisance。Onbeingshownherchamber，shewassodreadfullysensibleofitscomfortsastosuggesttheinferencethatshewouldhavepreferredtopassthenightonthemangleinthelaundry。
　　True，thePowlersandtheScadgerseswereaccustomedtosplendour，'butitismydutytoremember，'Mrs。Sparsitwasfondofobservingwithaloftygrace:particularlywhenanyofthedomesticswerepresent，'thatwhatIwas，Iamnolonger。Indeed，'saidshe，'ifIcouldaltogethercanceltheremembrancethatMr。SparsitwasaPowler，orthatImyselfamrelatedtotheScadgersfamily；orifI
　　couldevenrevokethefact，andmakemyselfapersonofcommondescentandordinaryconnexions；Iwouldgladlydoso。Ishouldthinkit，underexistingcircumstances，righttodoso。'ThesameHermiticalstateofmindledtoherrenunciationofmadedishesandwinesatdinner，untilfairlycommandedbyMr。Bounderbytotakethem；whenshesaid，'Indeedyouareverygood，sir；'anddepartedfromaresolutionofwhichshehadmaderatherformalandpublicannouncement，to'waitforthesimplemutton。'Shewaslikewisedeeplyapologeticforwantingthesalt；and，feelingamiablyboundtobearoutMr。Bounderbytothefullestextentinthetestimonyhehadbornetohernerves，occasionallysatbackinherchairandsilentlywept；atwhichperiodsatearoflargedimensions，likeacrystalear-ring，mightbeobservedorrather，mustbe，foritinsistedonpublicnoticeslidingdownherRomannose。
　　ButMrs。Sparsit'sgreatestpoint，firstandlast，washerdeterminationtopityMr。Bounderby。Therewereoccasionswheninlookingathimshewasinvoluntarilymovedtoshakeherhead，aswhowouldsay，'Alas，poorYorick！'Afterallowingherselftobebetrayedintotheseevidencesofemotion，shewouldforcealambentbrightness，andwouldbefitfullycheerful，andwouldsay，'Youhavestillgoodspirits，sir，Iamthankfultofind；'andwouldappeartohailitasablesseddispensationthatMr。Bounderbyboreupashedid。Oneidiosyncrasyforwhichsheoftenapologized，shefounditexcessivelydifficulttoconquer。ShehadacuriouspropensitytocallMrs。Bounderby'MissGradgrind，'andyieldedtoitsomethreeorfourscoretimesinthecourseoftheevening。
　　HerrepetitionofthismistakecoveredMrs。Sparsitwithmodestconfusion；butindeed，shesaid，itseemedsonaturaltosayMissGradgrind:whereas，topersuadeherselfthattheyoungladywhomshehadhadthehappinessofknowingfromachildcouldbereallyandtrulyMrs。Bounderby，shefoundalmostimpossible。Itwasafurthersingularityofthisremarkablecase，thatthemoreshethoughtaboutit，themoreimpossibleitappeared；'thedifferences，'sheobserved，'beingsuch。'
　　Inthedrawing-roomafterdinner，Mr。Bounderbytriedthecaseoftherobbery，examinedthewitnesses，madenotesoftheevidence，foundthesuspectedpersonsguilty，andsentencedthemtotheextremepunishmentofthelaw。Thatdone，BitzerwasdismissedtotownwithinstructionstorecommendTomtocomehomebythemail-
　　train。
　　Whencandleswerebrought，Mrs。Sparsitmurmured，'Don'tbelow，sir。Prayletmeseeyoucheerful，sir，asIusedtodo。'Mr。
　　Bounderby，uponwhomtheseconsolationshadbeguntoproducetheeffectofmakinghim，inabull-headedblunderingway，sentimental，sighedlikesomelargesea-animal。'Icannotbeartoseeyouso，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Tryahandatbackgammon，sir，asyouusedtodowhenIhadthehonouroflivingunderyourroof。''I
　　haven'tplayedbackgammon，ma'am，'saidMr。Bounderby，'sincethattime。''No，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，soothingly，'Iamawarethatyouhavenot。IrememberthatMissGradgrindtakesnointerestinthegame。ButIshallbehappy，sir，ifyouwillcondescend。'
　　Theyplayednearawindow，openingonthegarden。Itwasafinenight:notmoonlight，butsultryandfragrant。LouisaandMr。
　　Harthousestrolledoutintothegarden，wheretheirvoicescouldbeheardinthestillness，thoughnotwhattheysaid。Mrs。Sparsit，fromherplaceatthebackgammonboard，wasconstantlystraininghereyestopiercetheshadowswithout。'What'sthematter，ma'am？
　　'saidMr。Bounderby；'youdon'tseeaFire，doyou？''Ohdearno，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'Iwasthinkingofthedew。''Whathaveyougottodowiththedew，ma'am？'saidMr。Bounderby。'It'snotmyself，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'IamfearfulofMissGradgrind'stakingcold。''Shenevertakescold，'saidMr。
　　Bounderby。'Really，sir？'saidMrs。Sparsit。Andwasaffectedwithacoughinherthroat。
　　Whenthetimedrewnearforretiring，Mr。Bounderbytookaglassofwater。'Oh，sir？'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Notyoursherrywarm，withlemon-peelandnutmeg？''Why，Ihavegotoutofthehabitoftakingitnow，ma'am，'saidMr。Bounderby。'Themore'sthepity，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit；'youarelosingallyourgoodoldhabits。Cheerup，sir！IfMissGradgrindwillpermitme，Iwilloffertomakeitforyou，asIhaveoftendone。'
　　MissGradgrindreadilypermittingMrs。Sparsittodoanythingshepleased，thatconsiderateladymadethebeverage，andhandedittoMr。Bounderby。'Itwilldoyougood，sir。Itwillwarmyourheart。Itisthesortofthingyouwant，andoughttotake，sir。'
　　AndwhenMr。Bounderbysaid，'Yourhealth，ma'am！'sheansweredwithgreatfeeling，'Thankyou，sir。Thesametoyou，andhappinessalso。'Finally，shewishedhimgoodnight，withgreatpathos；andMr。Bounderbywenttobed，withamaudlinpersuasionthathehadbeencrossedinsomethingtender，thoughhecouldnot，forhislife，havementionedwhatitwas。
　　LongafterLouisahadundressedandlaindown，shewatchedandwaitedforherbrother'scominghome。Thatcouldhardlybe，sheknew，untilanhourpastmidnight；butinthecountrysilence，whichdidanythingbutcalmthetroubleofherthoughts，timelaggedwearily。Atlast，whenthedarknessandstillnesshadseemedforhourstothickenoneanother，sheheardthebellatthegate。Shefeltasthoughshewouldhavebeengladthatitrangonuntildaylight；butitceased，andthecirclesofitslastsoundspreadoutfainterandwiderintheair，andallwasdeadagain。
　　Shewaitedyetsomequarterofanhour，asshejudged。Thenshearose，putonalooserobe，andwentoutofherroominthedark，andupthestaircasetoherbrother'sroom。Hisdoorbeingshut，shesoftlyopeneditandspoketohim，approachinghisbedwithanoiselessstep。
　　Shekneeleddownbesideit，passedherarmoverhisneck，anddrewhisfacetohers。Sheknewthatheonlyfeignedtobeasleep，butshesaidnothingtohim。
　　Hestartedbyandbyasifhewerejustthenawakened，andaskedwhothatwas，andwhatwasthematter？
　　'Tom，haveyouanythingtotellme？Ifeveryoulovedmeinyourlife，andhaveanythingconcealedfromeveryonebesides，tellittome。'
　　'Idon'tknowwhatyoumean，Loo。Youhavebeendreaming。'
　　'Mydearbrother:'shelaidherheaddownonhispillow，andherhairflowedoverhimasifshewouldhidehimfromeveryonebutherself:'istherenothingthatyouhavetotellme？Istherenothingyoucantellmeifyouwill？Youcantellmenothingthatwillchangeme。OTom，tellmethetruth！'
　　'Idon'tknowwhatyoumean，Loo！'
　　'Asyoulieherealone，mydear，inthemelancholynight，soyoumustliesomewhereonenight，whenevenI，ifIamlivingthen，shallhaveleftyou。AsIamherebesideyou，barefoot，unclothed，undistinguishableindarkness，somustIliethroughallthenightofmydecay，untilIamdust。Inthenameofthattime，Tom，tellmethetruthnow！'
　　'Whatisityouwanttoknow？'
　　'Youmaybecertain；'intheenergyofherloveshetookhimtoherbosomasifhewereachild；'thatIwillnotreproachyou。YoumaybecertainthatIwillbecompassionateandtruetoyou。YoumaybecertainthatIwillsaveyouatwhatevercost。OTom，haveyounothingtotellme？Whisperverysoftly。Sayonly"yes，"andIshallunderstandyou！'
　　Sheturnedhereartohislips，butheremaineddoggedlysilent。
　　'Notaword，Tom？'
　　'HowcanIsayYes，orhowcanIsayNo，whenIdon'tknowwhatyoumean？Loo，youareabrave，kindgirl，worthyIbegintothinkofabetterbrotherthanIam。ButIhavenothingmoretosay。Gotobed，gotobed。'
　　'Youaretired，'shewhisperedpresently，moreinherusualway。
　　'Yes，Iamquitetiredout。'
　　'Youhavebeensohurriedanddisturbedto-day。Haveanyfreshdiscoveriesbeenmade？'
　　'Onlythoseyouhaveheardof，from-him。'
　　'Tom，haveyousaidtoanyonethatwemadeavisittothosepeople，andthatwesawthosethreetogether？'
　　'No。Didn'tyouyourselfparticularlyaskmetokeepitquietwhenyouaskedmetogotherewithyou？'
　　'Yes。ButIdidnotknowthenwhatwasgoingtohappen。'
　　'NorIneither。HowcouldI？'
　　Hewasveryquickuponherwiththisretort。
　　'OughtItosay，afterwhathashappened，'saidhissister，standingbythebed-shehadgraduallywithdrawnherselfandrisen，'thatImadethatvisit？ShouldIsayso？MustIsayso？'
　　'GoodHeavens，Loo，'returnedherbrother，'youarenotinthehabitofaskingmyadvice。saywhatyoulike。Ifyoukeepittoyourself，Ishallkeepittomyself。Ifyoudiscloseit，there'sanendofit。'
　　Itwastoodarkforeithertoseetheother'sface；buteachseemedveryattentive，andtoconsiderbeforespeaking。
　　'Tom，doyoubelievethemanIgavethemoneyto，isreallyimplicatedinthiscrime？'
　　'Idon'tknow。Idon'tseewhyheshouldn'tbe。'
　　'Heseemedtomeanhonestman。'
　　'Anotherpersonmayseemtoyoudishonest，andyetnotbeso。'
　　Therewasapause，forhehadhesitatedandstopped。
　　'Inshort，'resumedTom，asifhehadmadeuphismind，'ifyoucometothat，perhapsIwassofarfrombeingaltogetherinhisfavour，thatItookhimoutsidethedoortotellhimquietly，thatIthoughthemightconsiderhimselfverywellofftogetsuchawindfallashehadgotfrommysister，andthatIhopedhewouldmakegooduseofit。YourememberwhetherItookhimoutornot。
　　Isaynothingagainsttheman；hemaybeaverygoodfellow，foranythingIknow；Ihopeheis。'
　　'Washeoffendedbywhatyousaid？'
　　'No，hetookitprettywell；hewascivilenough。Whereareyou，Loo？'Hesatupinbedandkissedher。'Goodnight，mydear，goodnight。'
　　'Youhavenothingmoretotellme？'
　　'No。WhatshouldIhave？Youwouldn'thavemetellyoualie！'
　　'Iwouldn'thaveyoudothatto-night，Tom，ofallthenightsinyourlife；manyandmuchhappierasIhopetheywillbe。'
　　'Thankyou，mydearLoo。Iamsotired，thatIamsureIwonderI
　　don'tsayanythingtogettosleep。Gotobed，gotobed。'
　　Kissingheragain，heturnedround，drewthecoverletoverhishead，andlayasstillasifthattimehadcomebywhichshehadadjuredhim。Shestoodforsometimeatthebedsidebeforesheslowlymovedaway。Shestoppedatthedoor，lookedbackwhenshehadopenedit，andaskedhimifhehadcalledher？Buthelaystill，andshesoftlyclosedthedoorandreturnedtoherroom。
　　Thenthewretchedboylookedcautiouslyupandfoundhergone，creptoutofbed，fastenedhisdoor，andthrewhimselfuponhispillowagain:tearinghishair，moroselycrying，grudginglylovingher，hatefullybutimpenitentlyspurninghimself，andnolesshatefullyandunprofitablyspurningallthegoodintheworld。
　　CHAPTERIX-HEARINGTHELASTOFIT
　　MRS。SPARSIT，lyingbytorecoverthetoneofhernervesinMr。
　　Bounderby'sretreat，keptsuchasharplook-out，nightandday，underherCoriolanianeyebrows，thathereyes，likeacoupleoflighthousesonaniron-boundcoast，mighthavewarnedallprudentmarinersfromthatboldrockherRomannoseandthedarkandcraggyregioninitsneighbourhood，butfortheplacidityofhermanner。
　　Althoughitwashardtobelievethatherretiringforthenightcouldbeanythingbutaform，soseverelywideawakewerethoseclassicaleyesofhers，andsoimpossiblediditseemthatherrigidnosecouldyieldtoanyrelaxinginfluence，yethermannerofsitting，smoothingheruncomfortable，nottosay，grittymittenstheywereconstructedofacoolfabriclikeameat-safe，orofamblingtounknownplacesofdestinationwithherfootinhercottonstirrup，wassoperfectlyserene，thatmostobserverswouldhavebeenconstrainedtosupposeheradove，embodiedbysomefreakofnature，intheearthlytabernacleofabirdofthehook-beakedorder。
　　Shewasamostwonderfulwomanforprowlingaboutthehouse。Howshegotfromstorytostorywasamysterybeyondsolution。Aladysodecorousinherself，andsohighlyconnected，wasnottobesuspectedofdroppingoverthebanistersorslidingdownthem，yetherextraordinaryfacilityoflocomotionsuggestedthewildidea。
　　AnothernoticeablecircumstanceinMrs。Sparsitwas，thatshewasneverhurried。Shewouldshootwithconsummatevelocityfromtherooftothehall，yetwouldbeinfullpossessionofherbreathanddignityonthemomentofherarrivalthere。Neitherwassheeverseenbyhumanvisiontogoatagreatpace。
　　ShetookverykindlytoMr。Harthouse，andhadsomepleasantconversationwithhimsoonafterherarrival。Shemadehimherstatelycurtseyinthegarden，onemorningbeforebreakfast。
　　'Itappearsbutyesterday，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'thatIhadthehonourofreceivingyouattheBank，whenyouweresogoodastowishtobemadeacquaintedwithMr。Bounderby'saddress。'
　　'Anoccasion，Iamsure，nottobeforgottenbymyselfinthecourseofAges，'saidMr。Harthouse，inclininghisheadtoMrs。
　　Sparsitwiththemostindolentofallpossibleairs。
　　'Weliveinasingularworld，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Ihavehadthehonour，byacoincidenceofwhichIamproud，tohavemadearemark，similarineffect，thoughnotsoepigrammaticallyexpressed。'
　　'Asingularworld，Iwouldsay，sir，'pursuedMrs。Sparsit；afteracknowledgingthecomplimentwithadroopingofherdarkeyebrows，notaltogethersomildinitsexpressionashervoicewasinitsdulcettones；'asregardstheintimaciesweformatonetime，withindividualswewerequiteignorantof，atanother。Irecall，sir，thatonthatoccasionyouwentsofarastosayyouwereactuallyapprehensiveofMissGradgrind。'
　　'Yourmemorydoesmemorehonourthanmyinsignificancedeserves。
　　Iavailedmyselfofyourobliginghintstocorrectmytimidity，anditisunnecessarytoaddthattheywereperfectlyaccurate。Mrs。
　　Sparsit'stalentfor-infactforanythingrequiringaccuracy-
　　withacombinationofstrengthofmind-andFamily-istoohabituallydevelopedtoadmitofanyquestion。'Hewasalmostfallingasleepoverthiscompliment；ittookhimsolongtogetthrough，andhismindwanderedsomuchinthecourseofitsexecution。
　　'YoufoundMissGradgrind-IreallycannotcallherMrs。
　　Bounderby；it'sveryabsurdofme-asyouthfulasIdescribedher？'askedMrs。Sparsit，sweetly。
　　'Youdrewherportraitperfectly，'saidMr。Harthouse。'Presentedherdeadimage。'
　　'Veryengaging，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，causinghermittensslowlytorevolveoveroneanother。
　　'Highlyso。'
　　'Itusedtobeconsidered，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'thatMissGradgrindwaswantinginanimation，butIconfesssheappearstomeconsiderablyandstrikinglyimprovedinthatrespect。Ay，andindeedhereisMr。Bounderby！'criedMrs。Sparsit，noddingherheadagreatmanytimes，asifshehadbeentalkingandthinkingofnooneelse。'Howdoyoufindyourselfthismorning，sir？Prayletusseeyoucheerful，sir。'
　　Now，thesepersistentassuagementsofhismisery，andlighteningsofhisload，hadbythistimebeguntohavetheeffectofmakingMr。BounderbysofterthanusualtowardsMrs。Sparsit，andharderthanusualtomostotherpeoplefromhiswifedownward。So，whenMrs。Sparsitsaidwithforcedlightnessofheart，'Youwantyourbreakfast，sir，butIdaresayMissGradgrindwillsoonbeheretopresideatthetable，'Mr。Bounderbyreplied，'IfIwaitedtobetakencareofbymywife，ma'am，IbelieveyouknowprettywellI
　　shouldwaittillDoomsday，soI'lltroubleyoutotakechargeoftheteapot。'Mrs。Sparsitcomplied，andassumedheroldpositionattable。
　　Thisagainmadetheexcellentwomanvastlysentimental。Shewassohumblewithal，thatwhenLouisaappeared，sherose，protestingshenevercouldthinkofsittinginthatplaceunderexistingcircumstances，oftenasshehadhadthehonourofmakingMr。
　　Bounderby'sbreakfast，beforeMrs。Gradgrind-shebeggedpardon，shemeanttosayMissBounderby-shehopedtobeexcused，butshereallycouldnotgetitrightyet，thoughshetrustedtobecomefamiliarwithitbyandby-hadassumedherpresentposition。ItwasonlysheobservedbecauseMissGradgrindhappenedtobealittlelate，andMr。Bounderby'stimewassoveryprecious，andsheknewitofoldtobesoessentialthatheshouldbreakfasttothemoment，thatshehadtakenthelibertyofcomplyingwithhisrequest；longashiswillhadbeenalawtoher。
　　'There！Stopwhereyouare，ma'am，'saidMr。Bounderby，'stopwhereyouare！Mrs。Bounderbywillbeverygladtoberelievedofthetrouble，Ibelieve。'
　　'Don'tsaythat，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，almostwithseverity，'becausethatisveryunkindtoMrs。Bounderby。Andtobeunkindisnottobeyou，sir。'
　　'Youmaysetyourmindatrest，ma'am-Youcantakeitveryquietly，can'tyou，Loo？'saidMr。Bounderby，inablusteringwaytohiswife。
　　'Ofcourse。Itisofnomoment。Whyshoulditbeofanyimportancetome？'
　　'Whyshoulditbeofanyimportancetoanyone，Mrs。Sparsit，ma'am？'saidMr。Bounderby，swellingwithasenseofslight。'Youattachtoomuchimportancetothesethings，ma'am。ByGeorge，you'llbecorruptedinsomeofyournotionshere。Youareold-
　　fashioned，ma'am。YouarebehindTomGradgrind'schildren'stime。'
　　'Whatisthematterwithyou？'askedLouisa，coldlysurprised。
　　'Whathasgivenyouoffence？'
　　'Offence！'repeatedBounderby。'Doyousupposeiftherewasanyoffencegivenme，Ishouldn'tnameit，andrequesttohaveitcorrected？Iamastraightforwardman，Ibelieve。Idon'tgobeatingaboutforside-winds。'
　　'Isupposenooneeverhadoccasiontothinkyoutoodiffident，ortoodelicate，'Louisaansweredhimcomposedly:'Ihavenevermadethatobjectiontoyou，eitherasachildorasawoman。Idon'tunderstandwhatyouwouldhave。'
　　'Have？'returnedMr。Bounderby。'Nothing。Otherwise，don'tyou，LooBounderby，knowthoroughlywellthatI，JosiahBounderbyofCoketown，wouldhaveit？'
　　Shelookedathim，ashestruckthetableandmadetheteacupsring，withaproudcolourinherfacethatwasanewchange，Mr。
　　Harthousethought。'Youareincomprehensiblethismorning，'saidLouisa。'Praytakenofurthertroubletoexplainyourself。Iamnotcurioustoknowyourmeaning。Whatdoesitmatter？'
　　Nothingmorewassaidonthistheme，andMr。Harthousewassoonidlygayonindifferentsubjects。Butfromthisday，theSparsitactionuponMr。BounderbythrewLouisaandJamesHarthousemoretogether，andstrengthenedthedangerousalienationfromherhusbandandconfidenceagainsthimwithanother，intowhichshehadfallenbydegreessofinethatshecouldnotretracethemifshetried。Butwhethersheevertriedorno，layhiddeninherownclosedheart。
　　Mrs。Sparsitwassomuchaffectedonthisparticularoccasion，that，assistingMr。Bounderbytohishatafterbreakfast，andbeingthenalonewithhiminthehall，sheimprintedachastekissuponhishand，murmured'Mybenefactor！'andretired，overwhelmedwithgrief。Yetitisanindubitablefact，withinthecognizanceofthishistory，thatfiveminutesafterhehadleftthehouseintheself-samehat，thesamedescendantoftheScadgersesandconnexionbymatrimonyofthePowlers，shookherright-handmittenathisportrait，madeacontemptuousgrimaceatthatworkofart，andsaid'Serveyouright，youNoodle，andIamgladofit。'
　　Mr。Bounderbyhadnotbeenlonggone，whenBitzerappeared。Bitzerhadcomedownbytrain，shriekingandrattlingoverthelonglineofarchesthatbestrodethewildcountryofpastandpresentcoal-
　　pits，withanexpressfromStoneLodge。ItwasahastynotetoinformLouisathatMrs。Gradgrindlayveryill。Shehadneverbeenwellwithinherdaughter'sknowledge；but，shehaddeclinedwithinthelastfewdays，hadcontinuedsinkingallthroughthenight，andwasnowasnearlydead，asherlimitedcapacityofbeinginanystatethatimpliedtheghostofanintentiontogetoutofit，allowed。
　　Accompaniedbythelightestofporters，fitcolourlessservitoratDeath'sdoorwhenMrs。Gradgrindknocked，LouisarumbledtoCoketown，overthecoal-pitspastandpresent，andwaswhirledintoitssmokyjaws。Shedismissedthemessengertohisowndevices，androdeawaytoheroldhome。
　　Shehadseldombeentheresincehermarriage。Herfatherwasusuallysiftingandsiftingathisparliamentarycinder-heapinLondonwithoutbeingobservedtoturnupmanypreciousarticlesamongtherubbish，andwasstillhardatitinthenationaldust-
　　yard。Hermotherhadtakenitratherasadisturbancethanotherwise，tobevisited，asshereclineduponhersofa；youngpeople，Louisafeltherselfallunfitfor；Sissyshehadneversoftenedtoagain，sincethenightwhenthestroller'schildhadraisedhereyestolookatMr。Bounderby'sintendedwife。Shehadnoinducementstogoback，andhadrarelygone。
　　Neither，assheapproachedheroldhomenow，didanyofthebestinfluencesofoldhomedescenduponher。Thedreamsofchildhood-
　　itsairyfables；itsgraceful，beautiful，humane，impossibleadornmentsoftheworldbeyond:sogoodtobebelievedinonce，sogoodtoberememberedwhenoutgrown，forthentheleastamongthemrisestothestatureofagreatCharityintheheart，sufferinglittlechildrentocomeintothemidstofit，andtokeepwiththeirpurehandsagardeninthestonywaysofthisworld，whereinitwerebetterforallthechildrenofAdamthattheyshouldoftenersunthemselves，simpleandtrustful，andnotworldly-wise-
　　whathadshetodowiththese？Remembrancesofhowshehadjourneyedtothelittlethatsheknew，bytheenchantedroadsofwhatsheandmillionsofinnocentcreatureshadhopedandimagined；
　　ofhow，firstcominguponReasonthroughthetenderlightofFancy，shehadseenitabeneficentgod，deferringtogodsasgreatasitself；notagrimIdol，cruelandcold，withitsvictimsboundhandtofoot，anditsbigdumbshapesetupwithasightlessstare，nevertobemovedbyanythingbutsomanycalculatedtonsofleverage-whathadshetodowiththese？Herremembrancesofhomeandchildhoodwereremembrancesofthedryingupofeveryspringandfountaininheryoungheartasitgushedout。Thegoldenwaterswerenotthere。Theywereflowingforthefertilizationofthelandwheregrapesaregatheredfromthorns，andfigsfromthistles。
　　Shewent，withaheavy，hardenedkindofsorrowuponher，intothehouseandintohermother'sroom。Sincethetimeofherleavinghome，Sissyhadlivedwiththerestofthefamilyonequalterms。
　　Sissywasathermother'sside；andJane，hersister，nowtenortwelveyearsold，wasintheroom。
　　TherewasgreattroublebeforeitcouldbemadeknowntoMrs。
　　Gradgrindthathereldestchildwasthere。Shereclined，proppedup，frommerehabit，onacouch:asnearlyinheroldusualattitude，asanythingsohelplesscouldbekeptin。Shehadpositivelyrefusedtotaketoherbed；onthegroundthatifshedid，shewouldneverhearthelastofit。
　　Herfeeblevoicesoundedsofarawayinherbundleofshawls，andthesoundofanothervoiceaddressingherseemedtotakesuchalongtimeingettingdowntoherears，thatshemighthavebeenlyingatthebottomofawell。ThepoorladywasnearerTruththansheeverhadbeen:whichhadmuchtodowithit。
　　OnbeingtoldthatMrs。Bounderbywasthere，shereplied，atcross-
　　purposes，thatshehadnevercalledhimbythatnamesincehemarriedLouisa；thatpendingherchoiceofanobjectionablename，shehadcalledhimJ；andthatshecouldnotatpresentdepartfromthatregulation，notbeingyetprovidedwithapermanentsubstitute。Louisahadsatbyherforsomeminutes，andhadspokentoheroften，beforeshearrivedataclearunderstandingwhoitwas。Shethenseemedtocometoitallatonce。
　　'Well，mydear，'saidMrs。Gradgrind，'andIhopeyouaregoingonsatisfactorilytoyourself。Itwasallyourfather'sdoing。Hesethisheartuponit。Andheoughttoknow。'
　　'Iwanttohearofyou，mother；notofmyself。'
　　'Youwanttohearofme，mydear？That'ssomethingnew，Iamsure，whenanybodywantstohearofme。Notatallwell，Louisa。Veryfaintandgiddy。'
　　'Areyouinpain，dearmother？'
　　'Ithinkthere'sapainsomewhereintheroom，'saidMrs。
　　Gradgrind，'butIcouldn'tpositivelysaythatIhavegotit。'
　　Afterthisstrangespeech，shelaysilentforsometime。Louisa，holdingherhand，couldfeelnopulse；butkissingit，couldseeaslightthinthreadoflifeinflutteringmotion。
　　'Youveryseldomseeyoursister，'saidMrs。Gradgrind。'Shegrowslikeyou。Iwishyouwouldlookather。Sissy，bringherhere。'
　　Shewasbrought，andstoodwithherhandinhersister's。LouisahadobservedherwithherarmroundSissy'sneck，andshefeltthedifferenceofthisapproach。
　　'Doyouseethelikeness，Louisa？'
　　'Yes，mother。Ishouldthinkherlikeme。But-'
　　'Eh！Yes，Ialwayssayso，'Mrs。Gradgrindcried，withunexpectedquickness。'Andthatremindsme。I-Iwanttospeaktoyou，mydear。Sissy，mygoodgirl，leaveusaloneaminute。'Louisahadrelinquishedthehand:hadthoughtthathersister'swasabetterandbrighterfacethanhershadeverbeen:hadseeninit，notwithoutarisingfeelingofresentment，eveninthatplaceandatthattime，somethingofthegentlenessoftheotherfaceintheroom；thesweetfacewiththetrustingeyes，madepalerthanwatchingandsympathymadeit，bytherichdarkhair。
　　Leftalonewithhermother，Louisasawherlyingwithanawfullulluponherface，likeonewhowasfloatingawayuponsomegreatwater，allresistanceover，contenttobecarrieddownthestream。
　　Sheputtheshadowofahandtoherlipsagain，andrecalledher。
　　'Youweregoingtospeaktome，mother。'
　　'Eh？Yes，tobesure，mydear。Youknowyourfatherisalmostalwaysawaynow，andthereforeImustwritetohimaboutit。'
　　'Aboutwhat，mother？Don'tbetroubled。Aboutwhat？'
　　'Youmustremember，mydear，thatwheneverIhavesaidanything，onanysubject，Ihaveneverheardthelastofit:andconsequently，thatIhavelongleftoffsayinganything。'
　　'Icanhearyou，mother。'But，itwasonlybydintofbendingdowntoherear，andatthesametimeattentivelywatchingthelipsastheymoved，thatshecouldlinksuchfaintandbrokensoundsintoanychainofconnexion。
　　'Youlearntagreatdeal，Louisa，andsodidyourbrother。Ologiesofallkindsfrommorningtonight。IfthereisanyOlogyleft，ofanydescription，thathasnotbeenworntoragsinthishouse，allIcansayis，IhopeIshallneverhearitsname。'
　　'Icanhearyou，mother，whenyouhavestrengthtogoon。'This，tokeepherfromfloatingaway。
　　'Butthereissomething-notanOlogyatall-thatyourfatherhasmissed，orforgotten，Louisa。Idon'tknowwhatitis。IhaveoftensatwithSissynearme，andthoughtaboutit。Ishallnevergetitsnamenow。Butyourfathermay。Itmakesmerestless。I
　　wanttowritetohim，tofindoutforGod'ssake，whatitis。Givemeapen，givemeapen。'
　　Eventhepowerofrestlessnesswasgone，exceptfromthepoorhead，whichcouldjustturnfromsidetoside。
　　Shefancied，however，thatherrequesthadbeencompliedwith，andthatthepenshecouldnothaveheldwasinherhand。Itmatterslittlewhatfiguresofwonderfulno-meaningshebegantotraceuponherwrappers。Thehandsoonstoppedinthemidstofthem；thelightthathadalwaysbeenfeebleanddimbehindtheweaktransparency，wentout；andevenMrs。Gradgrind，emergedfromtheshadowinwhichmanwalkethanddisquietethhimselfinvain，tookuponherthedreadsolemnityofthesagesandpatriarchs。
　　CHAPTERX-MRS。SPARSIT'SSTAIRCASE
　　MRS。SPARSIT'Snervesbeingslowtorecovertheirtone，theworthywomanmadeastayofsomeweeksindurationatMr。Bounderby'sretreat，where，notwithstandingheranchoriteturnofmindbaseduponherbecomingconsciousnessofheralteredstation，sheresignedherselfwithnoblefortitudetolodging，asonemaysay，inclover，andfeedingonthefatoftheland。DuringthewholetermofthisrecessfromtheguardianshipoftheBank，Mrs。Sparsitwasapatternofconsistency；continuingtotakesuchpityonMr。
　　Bounderbytohisface，asisrarelytakenonman，andtocallhisportraitaNoodletoitsface，withthegreatestacrimonyandcontempt。
　　Mr。Bounderby，havinggotitintohisexplosivecompositionthatMrs。Sparsitwasahighlysuperiorwomantoperceivethathehadthatgeneralcrossuponhiminhisdesertsforhehadnotyetsettledwhatitwas，andfurtherthatLouisawouldhaveobjectedtoherasafrequentvisitorifithadcomportedwithhisgreatnessthatsheshouldobjecttoanythinghechosetodo，resolvednottolosesightofMrs。Sparsiteasily。Sowhenhernerveswerestrunguptothepitchofagainconsumingsweetbreadsinsolitude，hesaidtoheratthedinner-table，onthedaybeforeherdeparture，'I
　　tellyouwhat，ma'am；youshallcomedownhereofaSaturday，whilethefineweatherlasts，andstaytillMonday。'TowhichMrs。
　　Sparsitreturned，ineffect，thoughnotoftheMahomedanpersuasion:'Tohearistoobey。'
　　Now，Mrs。Sparsitwasnotapoeticalwoman；butshetookanideainthenatureofanallegoricalfancy，intoherhead。MuchwatchingofLouisa，andmuchconsequentobservationofherimpenetrabledemeanour，whichkeenlywhettedandsharpenedMrs。Sparsit'sedge，musthavegivenherasitwerealift，inthewayofinspiration。
　　SheerectedinhermindamightyStaircase，withadarkpitofshameandruinatthebottom；anddownthosestairs，fromdaytodayandhourtohour，shesawLouisacoming。
　　ItbecamethebusinessofMrs。Sparsit'slife，tolookupatherstaircase，andtowatchLouisacomingdown。Sometimesslowly，sometimesquickly，sometimesseveralstepsatonebout，sometimesstopping，neverturningback。Ifshehadonceturnedback，itmighthavebeenthedeathofMrs。Sparsitinspleenandgrief。
　　Shehadbeendescendingsteadily，totheday，andontheday，whenMr。Bounderbyissuedtheweeklyinvitationrecordedabove。Mrs。
　　Sparsitwasingoodspirits，andinclinedtobeconversational。
　　'Andpray，sir，'saidshe，'ifImayventuretoaskaquestionappertainingtoanysubjectonwhichyoushowreserve-whichisindeedhardyinme，forIwellknowyouhaveareasonforeverythingyoudo-haveyoureceivedintelligencerespectingtherobbery？'
　　'Why，ma'am，no；notyet。Underthecircumstances，Ididn'texpectityet。Romewasn'tbuiltinaday，ma'am。'
　　'Verytrue，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，shakingherhead。
　　'Noryetinaweek，ma'am。'
　　'No，indeed，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，withagentlemelancholyuponher。
　　'Inasimilarmanner，ma'am，'saidBounderby，'Icanwait，youknow。IfRomulusandRemuscouldwait，JosiahBounderbycanwait。
　　TheywerebetteroffintheiryouththanIwas，however。Theyhadashe-wolfforanurse；Ihadonlyashe-wolfforagrandmother。
　　Shedidn'tgiveanymilk，ma'am；shegavebruises。ShewasaregularAlderneyatthat。'
　　'Ah！'Mrs。Sparsitsighedandshuddered。
　　'No，ma'am，'continuedBounderby，'Ihavenotheardanythingmoreaboutit。It'sinhand，though；andyoungTom，whoratherstickstobusinessatpresent-somethingnewforhim；hehadn'ttheschoolingIhad-ishelping。Myinjunctionis，Keepitquiet，andletitseemtoblowover。Dowhatyoulikeundertherose，butdon'tgiveasignofwhatyou'reabout；orhalfahundredof'emwillcombinetogetherandgetthisfellowwhohasbolted，outofreachforgood。Keepitquiet，andthethieveswillgrowinconfidencebylittleandlittle，andweshallhave'em。'
　　'Verysagaciousindeed，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Veryinteresting。Theoldwomanyoumentioned，sir-'
　　'TheoldwomanImentioned，ma'am，'saidBounderby，cuttingthemattershort，asitwasnothingtoboastabout，'isnotlaidholdof；but，shemaytakeheroathshewillbe，ifthatisanysatisfactiontohervillainousoldmind。Inthemeantime，ma'am，Iamofopinion，ifyouaskmemyopinion，thatthelesssheistalkedabout，thebetter。'
　　Thesameevening，Mrs。Sparsit，inherchamberwindow，restingfromherpackingoperations，lookedtowardshergreatstaircaseandsawLouisastilldescending。
　　ShesatbyMr。Harthouse，inanalcoveinthegarden，talkingverylow；hestoodleaningoverher，astheywhisperedtogether，andhisfacealmosttouchedherhair。'Ifnotquite！'saidMrs。Sparsit，strainingherhawk'seyestotheutmost。Mrs。Sparsitwastoodistanttohearawordoftheirdiscourse，oreventoknowthattheywerespeakingsoftly，otherwisethanfromtheexpressionoftheirfigures；butwhattheysaidwasthis:
　　'Yourecollecttheman，Mr。Harthouse？'
　　'Oh，perfectly！'
　　'Hisface，andhismanner，andwhathesaid？'
　　'Perfectly。Andaninfinitelydrearypersonheappearedtometobe。Lengthyandprosyintheextreme。Itwasknowingtoholdforth，inthehumble-virtueschoolofeloquence；but，IassureyouIthoughtatthetime，"Mygoodfellow，youareover-doingthis！"'
　　'Ithasbeenverydifficulttometothinkillofthatman。'
　　'MydearLouisa-asTomsays。'Whichheneverdidsay。'Youknownogoodofthefellow？'
　　'No，certainly。'
　　'Norofanyothersuchperson？'
　　'HowcanI，'shereturned，withmoreofherfirstmanneronherthanhehadlatelyseen，'whenIknownothingofthem，menorwomen？'
　　'MydearLouisa，thenconsenttoreceivethesubmissiverepresentationofyourdevotedfriend，whoknowssomethingofseveralvarietiesofhisexcellentfellow-creatures-forexcellenttheyare，Iamquitereadytobelieve，inspiteofsuchlittlefoiblesasalwayshelpingthemselvestowhattheycangetholdof。
　　Thisfellowtalks。Well；everyfellowtalks。Heprofessesmorality。Well；allsortsofhumbugsprofessmorality。FromtheHouseofCommonstotheHouseofCorrection，thereisageneralprofessionofmorality，exceptamongourpeople；itreallyisthatexceptionwhichmakesourpeoplequitereviving。Yousawandheardthecase。HerewasoneofthefluffyclassespulledupextremelyshortbymyesteemedfriendMr。Bounderby-who，asweknow，isnotpossessedofthatdelicacywhichwouldsoftensotightahand。Thememberofthefluffyclasseswasinjured，exasperated，leftthehousegrumbling，metsomebodywhoproposedtohimtogoinforsomeshareinthisBankbusiness，wentin，putsomethinginhispocketwhichhadnothinginitbefore，andrelievedhismindextremely。
　　Reallyhewouldhavebeenanuncommon，insteadofacommon，fellow，ifhehadnotavailedhimselfofsuchanopportunity。Orhemayhaveoriginateditaltogether，ifhehadthecleverness。'
　　'Ialmostfeelasthoughitmustbebadinme，'returnedLouisa，aftersittingthoughtfulawhile，'tobesoreadytoagreewithyou，andtobesolightenedinmyheartbywhatyousay。'
　　'Ionlysaywhatisreasonable；nothingworse。IhavetalkeditoverwithmyfriendTommorethanonce-ofcourseIremainontermsofperfectconfidencewithTom-andheisquiteofmyopinion，andIamquiteofhis。Willyouwalk？'
　　Theystrolledaway，amongthelanesbeginningtobeindistinctinthetwilight-sheleaningonhisarm-andshelittlethoughthowshewasgoingdown，down，down，Mrs。Sparsit'sstaircase。
　　Nightandday，Mrs。Sparsitkeptitstanding。WhenLouisahadarrivedatthebottomanddisappearedinthegulf，itmightfallinuponherifitwould；but，untilthen，thereitwastobe，aBuilding，beforeMrs。Sparsit'seyes。AndthereLouisaalwayswas，uponit。
　　Andalwaysglidingdown，down，down！
　　Mrs。SparsitsawJamesHarthousecomeandgo；sheheardofhimhereandthere；shesawthechangesofthefacehehadstudied；she，too，remarkedtoanicetyhowandwhenitclouded，howandwhenitcleared；shekeptherblackeyeswideopen，withnotouchofpity，withnotouchofcompunction，allabsorbedininterest。Intheinterestofseeingher，everdrawing，withnohandtostayher，nearerandnearertothebottomofthisnewGiant'sStaircase。
　　WithallherdeferenceforMr。Bounderbyascontradistinguishedfromhisportrait，Mrs。Sparsithadnotthesmallestintentionofinterruptingthedescent。Eagertoseeitaccomplished，andyetpatient，shewaitedforthelastfall，asfortheripenessandfulnessoftheharvestofherhopes。Hushedinexpectancy，shekeptherwarygazeuponthestairs；andseldomsomuchasdarklyshookherrightmittenwithherfistinit，atthefigurecomingdown。
　　CHAPTERXI-LOWERANDLOWER
　　THEfiguredescendedthegreatstairs，steadily，steadily；alwaysverging，likeaweightindeepwater，totheblackgulfatthebottom。
　　Mr。Gradgrind，apprisedofhiswife'sdecease，madeanexpeditionfromLondon，andburiedherinabusiness-likemanner。Hethenreturnedwithpromptitudetothenationalcinder-heap，andresumedhissiftingfortheoddsandendshewanted，andhisthrowingofthedustaboutintotheeyesofotherpeoplewhowantedotheroddsandends-infactresumedhisparliamentaryduties。
　　Inthemeantime，Mrs。Sparsitkeptunwinkingwatchandward。
　　Separatedfromherstaircase，alltheweek，bythelengthofironroaddividingCoketownfromthecountryhouse，sheyetmaintainedhercat-likeobservationofLouisa，throughherhusband，throughherbrother，throughJamesHarthouse，throughtheoutsidesoflettersandpackets，througheverythinganimateandinanimatethatatanytimewentnearthestairs。'Yourfootonthelaststep，mylady，'saidMrs。Sparsit，apostrophizingthedescendingfigure，withtheaidofherthreateningmitten，'andallyourartshallneverblindme。'
　　Artornaturethough，theoriginalstockofLouisa'scharacterorthegraftofcircumstancesuponit，-hercuriousreservedidbaffle，whileitstimulated，oneassagaciousasMrs。Sparsit。
　　ThereweretimeswhenMr。JamesHarthousewasnotsureofher。
　　Thereweretimeswhenhecouldnotreadthefacehehadstudiedsolong；andwhenthislonelygirlwasagreatermysterytohim，thananywomanoftheworldwitharingofsatellitestohelpher。
　　Sothetimewenton；untilithappenedthatMr。Bounderbywascalledawayfromhomebybusinesswhichrequiredhispresenceelsewhere，forthreeorfourdays。ItwasonaFridaythatheintimatedthistoMrs。SparsitattheBank，adding:'Butyou'llgodownto-morrow，ma'am，allthesame。You'llgodownjustasifI
　　wasthere。Itwillmakenodifferencetoyou。'
　　'Pray，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，reproachfully，'letmebegyounottosaythat。Yourabsencewillmakeavastdifferencetome，sir，asIthinkyouverywellknow。'
　　'Well，ma'am，thenyoumustgetoninmyabsenceaswellasyoucan，'saidMr。Bounderby，notdispleased。
　　'Mr。Bounderby，'retortedMrs。Sparsit，'yourwillistomealaw，sir；otherwise，itmightbemyinclinationtodisputeyourkindcommands，notfeelingsurethatitwillbequitesoagreeabletoMissGradgrindtoreceiveme，asiteveristoyourownmunificenthospitality。Butyoushallsaynomore，sir。Iwillgo，uponyourinvitation。'
　　'Why，whenIinviteyoutomyhouse，ma'am，'saidBounderby，openinghiseyes，'Ishouldhopeyouwantnootherinvitation。'
　　'No，indeed，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'Ishouldhopenot。Saynomore，sir。Iwould，sir，Icouldseeyougayagain。'
　　'Whatdoyoumean，ma'am？'blusteredBounderby。
　　'Sir，'rejoinedMrs。Sparsit，'therewaswonttobeanelasticityinyouwhichIsadlymiss。Bebuoyant，sir！'
　　Mr。Bounderby，undertheinfluenceofthisdifficultadjuration，backedupbyhercompassionateeye，couldonlyscratchhisheadinafeebleandridiculousmanner，andafterwardsasserthimselfatadistance，bybeingheardtobullythesmallfryofbusinessallthemorning。
　　'Bitzer，'saidMrs。Sparsitthatafternoon，whenherpatronwasgoneonhisjourney，andtheBankwasclosing，'presentmycomplimentstoyoungMr。Thomas，andaskhimifhewouldstepupandpartakeofalambchopandwalnutketchup，withaglassofIndiaale？'YoungMr。Thomasbeingusuallyreadyforanythinginthatway，returnedagraciousanswer，andfollowedonitsheels。
　　'Mr。Thomas，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'theseplainviandsbeingontable，Ithoughtyoumightbetempted。'
　　'Thank'ee，Mrs。Sparsit，'saidthewhelp。Andgloomilyfellto。
　　'HowisMr。Harthouse，Mr。Tom？'askedMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Oh，he'sallright，'saidTom。
　　'Wheremayhebeatpresent？'Mrs。Sparsitaskedinalightconversationalmanner，aftermentallydevotingthewhelptotheFuriesforbeingsouncommunicative。
　　'HeisshootinginYorkshire，'saidTom。'SentLooabaskethalfasbigasachurch，yesterday。'
　　'Thekindofgentleman，now，'saidMrs。Sparsit，sweetly，'whomonemightwagertobeagoodshot！'
　　'Crack，'saidTom。
　　Hehadlongbeenadown-lookingyoungfellow，butthischaracteristichadsoincreasedoflate，thatheneverraisedhiseyestoanyfaceforthreesecondstogether。Mrs。Sparsitconsequentlyhadamplemeansofwatchinghislooks，ifsheweresoinclined。
　　'Mr。Harthouseisagreatfavouriteofmine，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'asindeedheisofmostpeople。Mayweexpecttoseehimagainshortly，Mr。Tom？'
　　'Why，Iexpecttoseehimto-morrow，'returnedthewhelp。
　　'Goodnews！'criedMrs。Sparsit，blandly。
　　'Ihavegotanappointmentwithhimtomeethimintheeveningatthestationhere，'saidTom，'andIamgoingtodinewithhimafterwards，Ibelieve。Heisnotcomingdowntothecountryhouseforaweekorso，beingduesomewhereelse。Atleast，hesaysso；
　　butIshouldn'twonderifhewastostophereoverSunday，andstraythatway。'
　　'Whichremindsme！'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Wouldyourememberamessagetoyoursister，Mr。Tom，ifIwastochargeyouwithone？'
　　'Well？I'lltry，'returnedthereluctantwhelp，'ifitisn'talongun。'
　　'Itismerelymyrespectfulcompliments，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'andI
　　fearImaynottroubleherwithmysocietythisweek；beingstillalittlenervous，andbetterperhapsbymypoorself。'
　　'Oh！Ifthat'sall，'observedTom，'itwouldn'tmuchmatter，evenifIwastoforgetit，forLoo'snotlikelytothinkofyouunlesssheseesyou。'
　　Havingpaidforhisentertainmentwiththisagreeablecompliment，herelapsedintoahangdogsilenceuntiltherewasnomoreIndiaaleleft，whenhesaid，'Well，Mrs。Sparsit，Imustbeoff！'andwentoff。
　　Nextday，Saturday，Mrs。Sparsitsatatherwindowalldaylonglookingatthecustomerscominginandout，watchingthepostmen，keepinganeyeonthegeneraltrafficofthestreet，revolvingmanythingsinhermind，but，aboveall，keepingherattentiononherstaircase。Theeveningcome，sheputonherbonnetandshawl，andwentquietlyout:havingherreasonsforhoveringinafurtivewayaboutthestationbywhichapassengerwouldarrivefromYorkshire，andforpreferringtopeepintoitroundpillarsandcorners，andoutofladies'waiting-roomwindows，toappearinginitsprecinctsopenly。
　　Tomwasinattendance，andloiteredaboutuntiltheexpectedtraincamein。ItbroughtnoMr。Harthouse。Tomwaiteduntilthecrowdhaddispersed，andthebustlewasover；andthenreferredtoapostedlistoftrains，andtookcounselwithporters。Thatdone，hestrolledawayidly，stoppinginthestreetandlookingupitanddownit，andliftinghishatoffandputtingitonagain，andyawningandstretchinghimself，andexhibitingallthesymptomsofmortalwearinesstobeexpectedinonewhohadstilltowaituntilthenexttrainshouldcomein，anhourandfortyminuteshence。
　　'Thisisadevicetokeephimoutoftheway，'saidMrs。Sparsit，startingfromthedullofficewindowwhenceshehadwatchedhimlast。'Harthouseiswithhissisternow！'
　　Itwastheconceptionofaninspiredmoment，andsheshotoffwithherutmostswiftnesstoworkitout。Thestationforthecountryhousewasattheoppositeendofthetown，thetimewasshort，theroadnoteasy；butshewassoquickinpouncingonadisengagedcoach，soquickindartingoutofit，producinghermoney，seizingherticket，anddivingintothetrain，thatshewasbornealongthearchesspanningthelandofcoal-pitspastandpresent，asifshehadbeencaughtupinacloudandwhirledaway。
　　Allthejourney，immovableintheairthoughneverleftbehind；
　　plaintothedarkeyesofhermind，astheelectricwireswhichruledacolossalstripofmusic-paperoutoftheeveningsky，wereplaintothedarkeyesofherbody；Mrs。Sparsitsawherstaircase，withthefigurecomingdown。Verynearthebottomnow。Uponthebrinkoftheabyss。
　　AnovercastSeptemberevening，justatnightfall，sawbeneathitsdroopingeyelidsMrs。Sparsitglideoutofhercarriage，passdownthewoodenstepsofthelittlestationintoastonyroad，crossitintoagreenlane，andbecomehiddeninasummer-growthofleavesandbranches。Oneortwolatebirdssleepilychirpingintheirnests，andabatheavilycrossingandrecrossingher，andthereekofherowntreadinthethickdustthatfeltlikevelvet，wereallMrs。Sparsitheardorsawuntilsheverysoftlyclosedagate。
　　Shewentuptothehouse，keepingwithintheshrubbery，andwentroundit，peepingbetweentheleavesatthelowerwindows。Mostofthemwereopen，astheyusuallywereinsuchwarmweather，buttherewerenolightsyet，andallwassilent。Shetriedthegardenwithnobettereffect。Shethoughtofthewood，andstoletowardsit，heedlessoflonggrassandbriers:ofworms，snails，andslugs，andallthecreepingthingsthatbe。Withherdarkeyesandherhooknosewarilyinadvanceofher，Mrs。Sparsitsoftlycrushedherwaythroughthethickundergrowth，sointentuponherobjectthatsheprobablywouldhavedonenoless，ifthewoodhadbeenawoodofadders。
　　Hark！
　　Thesmallerbirdsmighthavetumbledoutoftheirnests，fascinatedbytheglitteringofMrs。Sparsit'seyesinthegloom，asshestoppedandlistened。
　　Lowvoicescloseathand。Hisvoiceandhers。Theappointmentwasadevicetokeepthebrotheraway！Theretheywereyonder，bythefelledtree。
　　Bendinglowamongthedewygrass，Mrs。Sparsitadvancedclosertothem。Shedrewherselfup，andstoodbehindatree，likeRobinsonCrusoeinhisambuscadeagainstthesavages；soneartothemthatataspring，andthatnogreatone，shecouldhavetouchedthemboth。Hewastheresecretly，andhadnotshownhimselfatthehouse。Hehadcomeonhorseback，andmusthavepassedthroughtheneighbouringfields；forhishorsewastiedtothemeadowsideofthefence，withinafewpaces。
　　'Mydearestlove，'saidhe，'whatcouldIdo？Knowingyouwerealone，wasitpossiblethatIcouldstayaway？'
　　'Youmayhangyourhead，tomakeyourselfthemoreattractive；I
　　don'tknowwhattheyseeinyouwhenyouholditup，'thoughtMrs。
　　Sparsit；'butyoulittlethink，mydearestlove，whoseeyesareonyou！'
　　Thatshehungherhead，wascertain。Sheurgedhimtogoaway，shecommandedhimtogoaway；butsheneitherturnedherfacetohim，norraisedit。Yetitwasremarkablethatshesatasstillasevertheamiablewomaninambuscadehadseenhersit，atanyperiodinherlife。Herhandsrestedinoneanother，likethehandsofastatue；andevenhermannerofspeakingwasnothurried。
　　'Mydearchild，'saidHarthouse；Mrs。Sparsitsawwithdelightthathisarmembracedher；'willyounotbearwithmysocietyforalittlewhile？'
　　'Nothere。'
　　'Where，Louisa？
　　'Nothere。'
　　'Butwehavesolittletimetomakesomuchof，andIhavecomesofar，andamaltogethersodevoted，anddistracted。Thereneverwasaslaveatoncesodevotedandill-usedbyhismistress。Tolookforyoursunnywelcomethathaswarmedmeintolife，andtobereceivedinyourfrozenmanner，isheart-rending。'
　　'AmItosayagain，thatImustbelefttomyselfhere？'
　　'Butwemustmeet，mydearLouisa。Whereshallwemeet？'
　　Theybothstarted。Thelistenerstarted，guiltily，too；forshethoughttherewasanotherlisteneramongthetrees。Itwasonlyrain，beginningtofallfast，inheavydrops。
　　'ShallIrideuptothehouseafewminuteshence，innocentlysupposingthatitsmasterisathomeandwillbecharmedtoreceiveme？'
　　'No！'
　　'Yourcruelcommandsareimplicitlytobeobeyed；thoughIamthemostunfortunatefellowintheworld，Ibelieve，tohavebeeninsensibletoallotherwomen，andtohavefallenprostrateatlastunderthefootofthemostbeautiful，andthemostengaging，andthemostimperious。MydearestLouisa，Icannotgomyself，orletyougo，inthishardabuseofyourpower。'
　　Mrs。Sparsitsawhimdetainherwithhisencirclingarm，andheardhimthenandthere，withinherMrs。Sparsit'sgreedyhearing，tellherhowhelovedher，andhowshewasthestakeforwhichheardentlydesiredtoplayawayallthathehadinlife。Theobjectshehadlatelypursued，turnedworthlessbesideher；suchsuccessaswasalmostinhisgrasp，heflungawayfromhimlikethedirtitwas，comparedwithher。Itspursuit，nevertheless，ifitkepthimnearher，oritsrenunciationifittookhimfromher，orflightifshesharedit，orsecrecyifshecommandedit，oranyfate，oreveryfate，allwasaliketohim，sothatshewastruetohim，-
　　themanwhohadseenhowcastawayshewas，whomshehadinspiredattheirfirstmeetingwithanadmiration，aninterest，ofwhichhehadthoughthimselfincapable，whomshehadreceivedintoherconfidence，whowasdevotedtoherandadoredher。Allthis，andmore，inhishurry，andinhers，inthewhirlofherowngratifiedmalice，inthedreadofbeingdiscovered，intherapidlyincreasingnoiseofheavyrainamongtheleaves，andathunderstormrollingup-Mrs。Sparsitreceivedintohermind，setoffwithsuchanunavoidablehaloofconfusionandindistinctness，thatwhenatlengthheclimbedthefenceandledhishorseaway，shewasnotsurewheretheyweretomeet，orwhen，exceptthattheyhadsaiditwastobethatnight。
　　Butoneofthemyetremainedinthedarknessbeforeher；andwhileshetrackedthatoneshemustberight。'Oh，mydearestlove，'
　　thoughtMrs。Sparsit，'youlittlethinkhowwellattendedyouare！'
　　Mrs。Sparsitsawheroutofthewood，andsawherenterthehouse。
　　Whattodonext？Itrainednow，inasheetofwater。Mrs。
　　Sparsit'swhitestockingswereofmanycolours，greenpredominating；pricklythingswereinhershoes；caterpillarsslungthemselves，inhammocksoftheirownmaking，fromvariouspartsofherdress；rillsranfromherbonnet，andherRomannose。Insuchcondition，Mrs。Sparsitstoodhiddeninthedensityoftheshrubbery，consideringwhatnext？
　　Lo，Louisacomingoutofthehouse！Hastilycloakedandmuffled，andstealingaway。Sheelopes！Shefallsfromthelowermoststair，andisswallowedupinthegulf。
　　Indifferenttotherain，andmovingwithaquickdeterminedstep，shestruckintoaside-pathparallelwiththeride。Mrs。Sparsitfollowedintheshadowofthetrees，atbutashortdistance；foritwasnoteasytokeepafigureinviewgoingquicklythroughtheumbrageousdarkness。
　　Whenshestoppedtoclosetheside-gatewithoutnoise，Mrs。Sparsitstopped。Whenshewenton，Mrs。Sparsitwenton。ShewentbythewayMrs。Sparsithadcome，emergedfromthegreenlane，crossedthestonyroad，andascendedthewoodenstepstotherailroad。AtrainforCoketownwouldcomethroughpresently，Mrs。Sparsitknew；sosheunderstoodCoketowntobeherfirstplaceofdestination。
　　InMrs。Sparsit'slimpandstreamingstate，noextensiveprecautionswerenecessarytochangeherusualappearance；but，shestoppedundertheleeofthestationwall，tumbledhershawlintoanewshape，andputitonoverherbonnet。Sodisguisedshehadnofearofbeingrecognizedwhenshefolloweduptherailroadsteps，andpaidhermoneyinthesmalloffice。Louisasatwaitinginacorner。Mrs。Sparsitsatwaitinginanothercorner。Bothlistenedtothethunder，whichwasloud，andtotherain，asitwashedofftheroof，andpatteredontheparapetsofthearches。Twoorthreelampswererainedoutandblownout；so，bothsawthelightningtoadvantageasitquiveredandzigzaggedontheirontracks。
　　Theseizureofthestationwithafitoftrembling，graduallydeepeningtoacomplaintoftheheart，announcedthetrain。Fireandsteam，andsmoke，andredlight；ahiss，acrash，abell，andashriek；Louisaputintoonecarriage，Mrs。Sparsitputintoanother:thelittlestationadesertspeckinthethunderstorm。
　　Thoughherteethchatteredinherheadfromwetandcold，Mrs。
　　Sparsitexultedhugely。Thefigurehadplungeddowntheprecipice，andshefeltherself，asitwere，attendingonthebody。Couldshe，whohadbeensoactiveinthegettingupofthefuneraltriumph，dolessthanexult？'ShewillbeatCoketownlongbeforehim，'thoughtMrs。Sparsit，'thoughhishorseisneversogood。
　　Wherewillshewaitforhim？Andwherewilltheygotogether？
　　Patience。Weshallsee。'
　　Thetremendousrainoccasionedinfiniteconfusion，whenthetrainstoppedatitsdestination。Guttersandpipeshadburst，drainshadoverflowed，andstreetswereunderwater。Inthefirstinstantofalighting，Mrs。Sparsitturnedherdistractedeyestowardsthewaitingcoaches，whichwereingreatrequest。'Shewillgetintoone，'sheconsidered，'andwillbeawaybeforeIcanfollowinanother。Atallrisksofbeingrunover，Imustseethenumber，andheartheordergiventothecoachman。'
　　But，Mrs。Sparsitwaswronginhercalculation。Louisagotintonocoach，andwasalreadygone。Theblackeyeskeptupontherailroad-carriageinwhichshehadtravelled，settleduponitamomenttoolate。Thedoornotbeingopenedafterseveralminutes，Mrs。Sparsitpasseditandrepassedit，sawnothing，lookedin，andfounditempty。Wetthroughandthrough:withherfeetsquelchingandsquashinginhershoeswhenevershemoved；witharashofrainuponherclassicalvisage；withabonnetlikeanover-ripefig；
　　withallherclothesspoiled；withdampimpressionsofeverybutton，string，andhook-and-eyeshewore，printedoffuponherhighlyconnectedback；withastagnantverdureonhergeneralexterior，suchasaccumulatesonanoldparkfenceinamouldylane；Mrs。Sparsithadnoresourcebuttoburstintotearsofbitternessandsay，'Ihavelosther！'