'Now,youngwoman!'saidasmartly-dressedfemale,lookingoutfromadoorbehindher,'whodoyouwanthere?'
'Aladywhoisstoppinginthishouse,'answeredthegirl。
'Alady!'wasthereply,accompaniedwithascornfullook。'Whatlady?'
'MissMaylie,'saidNancy。
Theyoungwoman,whohadbythistime,notedherappearance,repliedonlybyalookofvirtuousdisdain;andsummonedamantoanswerher。Tohim,Nancyrepeatedherrequest。
'WhatnameamItosay?'askedthewaiter。
'It'sofnousesayingany,'repliedNancy。
'Norbusiness?'saidtheman。
'No,northatneither,'rejoinedthegirl。'Imustseethelady。'
'Come!'saidtheman,pushinghertowardsthedoor。'Noneofthis。Takeyourselfoff。'
'IshallbecarriedoutifIgo!'saidthegirlviolently;'andI
canmakethatajobthattwoofyouwon'tliketodo。Isn'tthereanybodyhere,'shesaid,lookinground,'thatwillseeasimplemessagecarriedforapoorwretchlikeme?'
Thisappealproducedaneffectonagood-tempered-facedman-cook,whowithsomeoftheotherservantswaslookingon,andwhosteppedforwardtointerfere。
'Takeitupforher,Joe;can'tyou?'saidthisperson。
'What'sthegood?'repliedtheman。'Youdon'tsupposetheyoungladywillseesuchasher;doyou?'
ThisallusiontoNancy'sdoubtfulcharacter,raisedavastquantityofchastewrathinthebosomsoffourhousemaids,whoremarked,withgreatfervour,thatthecreaturewasadisgracetohersex;andstronglyadvocatedherbeingthrown,ruthlessly,intothekennel。
'Dowhatyoulikewithme,'saidthegirl,turningtothemenagain;'butdowhatIaskyoufirst,andIaskyoutogivethismessageforGodAlmighty'ssake。'
Thesoft-heartedcookaddedhisintercession,andtheresultwasthatthemanwhohadfirstappearedundertookitsdelivery。
'What'sittobe?'saidtheman,withonefootonthestairs。
'ThatayoungwomanearnestlyaskstospeaktoMissMayliealone,'saidNancy;'andthatiftheladywillonlyhearthefirstwordshehastosay,shewillknowwhethertohearherbusiness,ortohaveherturnedoutofdoorsasanimpostor。'
'Isay,'saidtheman,'you'recomingitstrong!'
'Yougivethemessage,'saidthegirlfirmly;'andletmeheartheanswer。'
Themanranupstairs。Nancyremained,paleandalmostbreathless,listeningwithquiveringliptotheveryaudibleexpressionsofscorn,ofwhichthechastehousemaidswereveryprolific;andofwhichtheybecamestillmoreso,whenthemanreturned,andsaidtheyoungwomanwastowalkupstairs。
'It'snogoodbeingproperinthisworld,'saidthefirsthousemaid。
'Brasscandobetterthanthegoldwhathasstoodthefire,'saidthesecond。
Thethirdcontentedherselfwithwondering'whatladieswasmadeof';andthefourthtookthefirstinaquartetteof'Shameful!'
withwhichtheDianasconcluded。
Regardlessofallthis:forshehadweightiermattersatheart:
Nancyfollowedtheman,withtremblinglimbs,toasmallante-chamber,lightedbyalampfromtheceiling。Herehelefther,andretired。
CHAPTERXL
ASTRANGEINTERVIEW,WHICHISASEQUELTOTHELASTCHAMBER
Thegirl'slifehadbeensquanderedinthestreets,andamongthemostnoisomeofthestewsanddensofLondon,buttherewassomethingofthewoman'soriginalnatureleftinherstill;andwhensheheardalightstepapproachingthedooroppositetothatbywhichshehadentered,andthoughtofthewidecontrastwhichthesmallroomwouldinanothermomentcontain,shefeltburdenedwiththesenseofherowndeepshame,andshrunkasthoughshecouldscarcelybearthepresenceofherwithwhomshehadsoughtthisinterview。
Butstrugglingwiththesebetterfeelingswaspride,——theviceofthelowestandmostdebasedcreaturesnolessthanofthehighandself-assured。Themiserablecompanionofthievesandruffians,thefallenoutcastoflowhaunts,theassociateofthescouringsofthejailsandhulks,livingwithintheshadowofthegallowsitself,——eventhisdegradedbeingfelttooproudtobetrayafeeblegleamofthewomanlyfeelingwhichshethoughtaweakness,butwhichaloneconnectedherwiththathumanity,ofwhichherwastinglifehadobliteratedsomany,manytraceswhenaverychild。
Sheraisedhereyessufficientlytoobservethatthefigurewhichpresenteditselfwasthatofaslightandbeautifulgirl;then,bendingthemontheground,shetossedherheadwithaffectedcarelessnessasshesaid:
'It'sahardmattertogettoseeyou,lady。IfIhadtakenoffence,andgoneaway,asmanywouldhavedone,you'dhavebeensorryforitoneday,andnotwithoutreasoneither。'
'Iamverysorryifanyonehasbehavedharshlytoyou,'repliedRose。'Donotthinkofthat。Tellmewhyyouwishedtoseeme。
Iamthepersonyouinquiredfor。'
Thekindtoneofthisanswer,thesweetvoice,thegentlemanner,theabsenceofanyaccentofhaughtinessordispleasure,tookthegirlcompletelybysurprise,andsheburstintotears。
'Oh,lady,lady!'shesaid,claspingherhandspassionatelybeforeherface,'iftherewasmorelikeyou,therewouldbefewerlikeme,——therewould——therewould!'
'Sitdown,'saidRose,earnestly。'IfyouareinpovertyorafflictionIshallbetrulygladtorelieveyouifIcan,——I
shallindeed。Sitdown。'
'Letmestand,lady,'saidthegirl,stillweeping,'anddonotspeaktomesokindlytillyouknowmebetter。Itisgrowinglate。Is——is——thatdoorshut?'
'Yes,'saidRose,recoilingafewsteps,asiftobenearerassistanceincasesheshouldrequireit。'Why?'
'Because,'saidthegirl,'Iamabouttoputmylifeandthelivesofothersinyourhands。IamthegirlthatdraggedlittleOliverbacktooldFagin'sonthenighthewentoutfromthehouseinPentonville。'
'You!'saidRoseMaylie。
'I,lady!'repliedthegirl。'Iamtheinfamouscreatureyouhaveheardof,thatlivesamongthethieves,andthatneverfromthefirstmomentIcanrecollectmyeyesandsensesopeningonLondonstreetshaveknownanybetterlife,orkinderwordsthantheyhavegivenme,sohelpmeGod!Donotmindshrinkingopenlyfromme,lady。Iamyoungerthanyouwouldthink,tolookatme,butIamwellusedtoit。Thepoorestwomenfallback,asImakemywayalongthecrowdedpavement。'
'Whatdreadfulthingsarethese!'saidRose,involuntarilyfallingfromherstrangecompanion。
'ThankHeavenuponyourknees,dearlady,'criedthegirl,'thatyouhadfriendstocareforandkeepyouinyourchildhood,andthatyouwereneverinthemidstofcoldandhunger,andriotanddrunkenness,and——and——somethingworsethanall——asIhavebeenfrommycradle。Imayusetheword,forthealleyandthegutterweremine,astheywillbemydeathbed。'
'Ipityyou!'saidRose,inabrokenvoice。'Itwringsmyhearttohearyou!'
'Heavenblessyouforyourgoodness!'rejoinedthegirl。'IfyouknewwhatIamsometimes,youwouldpityme,indeed。ButIhavestolenawayfromthosewhowouldsurelymurderme,iftheyknewI
hadbeenhere,totellyouwhatIhaveoverheard。DoyouknowamannamedMonks?'
'No,'saidRose。
'Heknowsyou,'repliedthegirl;'andknewyouwerehere,foritwasbyhearinghimtelltheplacethatIfoundyouout。'
'Ineverheardthename,'saidRose。
'Thenhegoesbysomeotheramongstus,'rejoinedthegirl,'whichImorethanthoughtbefore。Sometimeago,andsoonafterOliverwasputintoyourhouseonthenightoftherobbery,I——suspectingthisman——listenedtoaconversationheldbetweenhimandFagininthedark。Ifoundout,fromwhatIheard,thatMonks——themanIaskedyouabout,youknow——'
'Yes,'saidRose,'Iunderstand。'
'——ThatMonks,'pursuedthegirl,'hadseenhimaccidentlywithtwoofourboysonthedaywefirstlosthim,andhadknownhimdirectlytobethesamechildthathewaswatchingfor,thoughI
couldn'tmakeoutwhy。AbargainwasstruckwithFagin,thatifOliverwasgotbackheshouldhaveacertainsum;andhewastohavemoreformakinghimathief,whichthisMonkswantedforsomepurposeofhisown。
'Forwhatpurpose?'askedRose。
'HecaughtsightofmyshadowonthewallasIlistened,inthehopeoffindingout,'saidthegirl;'andtherearenotmanypeoplebesidesmethatcouldhavegotoutoftheirwayintimetoescapediscovery。ButIdid;andIsawhimnomoretilllastnight。'
'Andwhatoccurredthen?'
'I'lltellyou,lady。Lastnighthecameagain。Againtheywentupstairs,andI,wrappingmyselfupsothatmyshadowwouldnotbetrayme,againlistenedatthedoor。ThefirstwordsIheardMonkssaywerethese:“Sotheonlyproofsoftheboy'sidentitylieatthebottomoftheriver,andtheoldhagthatreceivedthemfromthemotherisrottinginhercoffin。”Theylaughed,andtalkedofhissuccessindoingthis;andMonks,talkingonabouttheboy,andgettingverywild,saidthatthoughhehadgottheyoungdevil'smoneysafelyknow,he'dratherhavehadittheotherway;for,whatagameitwouldhavebeentohavebroughtdowntheboastofthefather'swill,bydrivinghimthrougheveryjailintown,andthenhaulinghimupforsomecapitalfelonywhichFagincouldeasilymanage,afterhavingmadeagoodprofitofhimbesides。'
'Whatisallthis!'saidRose。
'Thetruth,lady,thoughitcomesfrommylips,'repliedthegirl。'Then,hesaid,withoathscommonenoughinmyears,butstrangetoyours,thatifhecouldgratifyhishatredbytakingtheboy'slifewithoutbringinghisownneckindanger,hewould;
but,ashecouldn't,he'dbeuponthewatchtomeethimateveryturninlife;andifhetookadvantageofhisbirthandhistory,hemightharmhimyet。“Inshort,Fagin,“hesays,“Jewasyouare,youneverlaidsuchsnaresasI'llcontriveformyyoungbrother,Oliver。”'
'Hisbrother!'exclaimedRose。
'Thosewerehiswords,'saidNancy,glancinguneasilyround,asshehadscarcelyceasedtodo,sinceshebegantospeak,foravisionofSikeshauntedherperpetually。'Andmore。Whenhespokeofyouandtheotherlady,andsaiditseemedcontrivedbyHeaven,orthedevil,againsthim,thatOlivershouldcomeintoyourhands,helaughed,andsaidtherewassomecomfortinthattoo,forhowmanythousandsandhundredsofthousandsofpoundswouldyounotgive,ifyouhadthem,toknowwhoyourtwo-leggedspanielwas。'
'Youdonotmean,'saidRose,turningverypale,'totellmethatthiswassaidinearnest?'
'Hespokeinhardandangryearnest,ifamaneverdid,'repliedthegirl,shakingherhead。'Heisanearnestmanwhenhishatredisup。Iknowmanywhodoworsethings;butI'dratherlistentothemalladozentimes,thantothatMonksonce。Itisgrowinglate,andIhavetoreachhomewithoutsuspicionofhavingbeenonsuchanerrandasthis。Imustgetbackquickly。'
'ButwhatcanIdo?'saidRose。'TowhatusecanIturnthiscommunicationwithoutyou?Back!Whydoyouwishtoreturntocompanionsyoupaintinsuchterriblecolors?IfyourepeatthisinformationtoagentlemanwhomIcansummoninaninstantfromthenextroom,youcanbeconsignedtosomeplaceofsafetywithouthalfanhour'sdelay。'
'Iwishtogoback,'saidthegirl。'Imustgoback,because——howcanItellsuchthingstoaninnocentladylikeyou?——becauseamongthemenIhavetoldyouof,thereisone:
themostdesperateamongthemall;thatIcan'tleave:no,noteventobesavedfromthelifeIamleadingnow。'
'Yourhavinginterferedinthisdearboy'sbehalfbefore,'saidRose;'yourcominghere,atsogreatarisk,totellmewhatyouhaveheard;yourmanner,whichconvincesmeofthetruthofwhatyousay;yourevidentcontrition,andsenseofshame;allleadmetobelievethatyoumightyetbereclaimed。Oh!'saidtheearnestgirl,foldingherhandsasthetearscourseddownherface,'donotturnadeafeartotheentreatiesofoneofyourownsex;thefirst——thefirst,Idobelieve,whoeverappealedtoyouinthevoiceofpityandcompassion。Dohearmywords,andletmesaveyouyet,forbetterthings。'
'Lady,'criedthegirl,sinkingonherknees,'dear,sweet,angellady,youAREthefirstthateverblessedmewithsuchwordsasthese,andifIhadheardthemyearsago,theymighthaveturnedmefromalifeofsinandsorrow;butitistoolate,itistoolate!'
'Itisnevertoolate,'saidRose,'forpenitenceandatonement。'
'Itis,'criedthegirl,writhinginagonyofhermind;'Icannotleavehimnow!Icouldnotbehisdeath。'
'Whyshouldyoube?'askedRose。
'Nothingcouldsavehim,'criedthegirl。'IfItoldotherswhatIhavetoldyou,andledtotheirbeingtaken,hewouldbesuretodie。Heistheboldest,andhasbeensocruel!'
'Isitpossible,'criedRose,'thatforsuchamanasthis,youcanresigneveryfuturehope,andthecertaintyofimmediaterescue?Itismadness。'
'Idon'tknowwhatitis,'answeredthegirl;'Ionlyknowthatitisso,andnotwithmealone,butwithhundredsofothersasbadandwretchedasmyself。Imustgoback。WhetheritisGod'swrathforthewrongIhavedone,Idonotknow;butIamdrawnbacktohimthrougheverysufferingandillusage;andIshouldbe,Ibelieve,ifIknewthatIwastodiebyhishandatlast。'
'WhatamItodo?'saidRose。'Ishouldnotletyoudepartfrommethus。'
'Youshould,lady,andIknowyouwill,'rejoinedthegirl,rising。'YouwillnotstopmygoingbecauseIhavetrustedinyourgoodness,andforcednopromisefromyou,asImighthavedone。'
'Ofwhatuse,then,isthecommunicationyouhavemade?'saidRose。'Thismysterymustbeinvestigated,orhowwillitsdisclosuretome,benefitOliver,whomyouareanxioustoserve?'
'Youmusthavesomekindgentlemanaboutyouthatwillhearitasasecret,andadviseyouwhattodo,'rejoinedthegirl。
'ButwherecanIfindyouagainwhenitisnecessary?'askedRose。'Idonotseektoknowwherethesedreadfulpeoplelive,butwherewillyoubewalkingorpassingatanysettledperiodfromthistime?'
'Willyoupromisemethatyouwillhavemysecretstrictlykept,andcomealone,orwiththeonlyotherpersonthatknowsit;andthatIshallnotbewatchedorfollowed?'askedthegirl。
'Ipromiseyousolemnly,'answeredRose。
'EverySundaynight,fromelevenuntiltheclockstrikestwelve,'
saidthegirlwithouthesitation,'IwillwalkonLondonBridgeifIamalive。'
'Stayanothermoment,'interposedRose,asthegirlmovedhurriedlytowardsthedoor。'Thinkonceagainonyourowncondition,andtheopportunityyouhaveofescapingfromit。Youhaveaclaimonme:notonlyasthevoluntarybearerofthisintelligence,butasawomanlostalmostbeyondredemption。Willyoureturntothisgangofrobbers,andtothisman,whenawordcansaveyou?Whatfascinationisitthatcantakeyouback,andmakeyouclingtowickednessandmisery?Oh!istherenochordinyourheartthatIcantouch!Istherenothingleft,towhichIcanappealagainstthisterribleinfatuation!'
'Whenladiesasyoung,andgood,andbeautifulasyouare,'
repliedthegirlsteadily,'giveawayyourhearts,lovewillcarryyoualllengths——evensuchasyou,whohavehome,friends,otheradmirers,everything,tofillthem。WhensuchasI,whohavenocertainroofbutthecoffinlid,andnofriendinsicknessordeathbutthehospitalnurse,setourrottenheartsonanyman,andlethimfilltheplacethathasbeenablankthroughallourwretchedlives,whocanhopetocureus?Pityus,lady——pityusforhavingonlyonefeelingofthewomanleft,andforhavingthatturned,byaheavyjudgment,fromacomfortandapride,intoanewmeansofviolenceandsuffering。'
'Youwill,'saidRose,afterapause,'takesomemoneyfromme,whichmayenableyoutolivewithoutdishonesty——atalleventsuntilwemeetagain?'
'Notapenny,'repliedthegirl,wavingherhand。
'Donotcloseyourheartagainstallmyeffortstohelpyou,'
saidRose,steppinggentlyforward。'Iwishtoserveyouindeed。'
'Youwouldservemebest,lady,'repliedthegirl,wringingherhands,'ifyoucouldtakemylifeatonce;forIhavefeltmoregrieftothinkofwhatIam,to-night,thanIeverdidbefore,anditwouldbesomethingnottodieinthehellinwhichIhavelived。Godblessyou,sweetlady,andsendasmuchhappinessonyourheadasIhavebroughtshameonmine!'
Thusspeaking,andsobbingaloud,theunhappycreatureturnedaway;whileRoseMaylie,overpoweredbythisextraordinaryinterview,whichhadmorethesemblanceofarapiddreamthananactualoccurance,sankintoachair,andendeavouredtocollectherwanderingthoughts。
CHAPTERXLI
CONTAININGFRESHDISCOVERIES,ANDSHOWINGTHATSUPRISES,LIKE
MISFORTUNES,SELDOMCOMEALONE
Hersituationwas,indeed,oneofnocommontrialanddifficulty。
WhileshefeltthemosteagerandburningdesiretopenetratethemysteryinwhichOliver'shistorywasenveloped,shecouldnotbutholdsacredtheconfidencewhichthemiserablewomanwithwhomshehadjustconversed,hadreposedinher,asayoungandguilelessgirl。HerwordsandmannerhadtouchedRoseMaylie'sheart;and,mingledwithherloveforheryoungcharge,andscarcelylessintenseinitstruthandfervour,washerfondwishtowintheoutcastbacktorepentanceandhope。
TheypurposedremaininginLondononlythreedays,priortodepartingforsomeweekstoadistantpartofthecoast。Itwasnowmidnightofthefirstday。Whatcourseofactioncouldshedetermineupon,whichcouldbeadoptedineight-and-fortyhours?
Orhowcouldshepostponethejourneywithoutexcitingsuspicion?
Mr。Losbernewaswiththem,andwouldbeforthenexttwodays;
butRosewastoowellacquaintedwiththeexcellentgentleman'simpetuosity,andforesawtooclearlythewrathwithwhich,inthefirstexplosionofhisindignation,hewouldregardtheinstrumentofOliver'srecapture,totrusthimwiththesecret,whenherrepresentationsinthegirl'sbehalfcouldbesecondedbynoexperiencedperson。ThesewereallreasonsforthegreatestcautionandmostcircumspectbehaviourincommunicatingittoMrs。Maylie,whosefirstimpulsewouldinfalliblybetoholdaconferencewiththeworthydoctoronthesubject。Astoresortingtoanylegaladviser,evenifshehadknownhowtodoso,itwasscarcelytobethoughtof,forthesamereason。OncethethoughtoccurredtoherofseekingassistancefromHarry;butthisawakenedtherecollectionoftheirlastparting,anditseemedunworthyofhertocallhimback,when——thetearsrosetohereyesasshepursuedthistrainofreflection——hemighthavebythistimelearnttoforgether,andtobehappieraway。
Disturbedbythesedifferentreflections;incliningnowtoonecourseandthentoanother,andagainrecoilingfromall,aseachsuccessiveconsiderationpresenteditselftohermind;Rosepassedasleeplessandanxiousnight。Aftermorecommuningwithherselfnextday,shearrivedatthedesperateconclusionofconsultingHarry。
'Ifitbepainfultohim,'shethought,'tocomebackhere,howpainfulitwillbetome!Butperhapshewillnotcome;hemaywrite,orhemaycomehimself,andstudiouslyabstainfrommeetingme——hedidwhenhewentaway。Ihardlythoughthewould;
butitwasbetterforusboth。'AndhereRosedroppedthepen,andturnedaway,asthoughtheverypaperwhichwastobehermessengershouldnotseeherweep。
Shehadtakenupthesamepen,andlaiditdownagainfiftytimes,andhadconsideredandreconsideredthefirstlineofherletterwithoutwritingthefirstword,whenOliver,whohadbeenwalkinginthestreets,withMr。Gilesforabody-guard,enteredtheroominsuchbreathlesshasteandviolentagitation,asseemedtobetokensomenewcauseofalarm。
'Whatmakesyoulooksoflurried?'askedRose,advancingtomeethim。
'Ihardlyknowhow;IfeelasifIshouldbechoked,'repliedtheboy。'Ohdear!TothinkthatIshouldseehimatlast,andyoushouldbeabletoknowthatIhavetoldyouthetruth!'
'Ineverthoughtyouhadtoldusanythingbutthetruth,'saidRose,soothinghim。'Butwhatisthis?——ofwhomdoyouspeak?'
'Ihaveseenthegentleman,'repliedOliver,scarcelyabletoarticulate,'thegentlemanwhowassogoodtome——Mr。Brownlow,thatwehavesooftentalkedabout。'
'Where?'askedRose。
'Gettingoutofacoach,'repliedOliver,sheddingtearsofdelight,'andgoingintoahouse。Ididn'tspeaktohim——I
couldn'tspeaktohim,forhedidn'tseeme,andItrembledso,thatIwasnotabletogouptohim。ButGilesasked,forme,whetherhelivedthere,andtheysaidhedid。Lookhere,'saidOliver,openingascrapofpaper,'hereitis;here'swherehelives——I'mgoingtheredirectly!Oh,dearme,dearme!WhatshallIdowhenIcometoseehimandhearhimspeakagain!'
Withherattentionnotalittledistractedbytheseandagreatmanyotherincoherentexclamationsofjoy,Rosereadtheaddress,whichwasCravenStreet,intheStrand。Sheverysoondetermineduponturningthediscoverytoaccount。
'Quick!'shesaid。'Tellthemtofetchahackney-coach,andbereadytogowithme。Iwilltakeyoutheredirectly,withoutaminute'slossoftime。Iwillonlytellmyauntthatwearegoingoutforanhour,andbereadyassoonasyouare。'
Oliverneedednopromptingtodespatch,andinlittlemorethanfiveminutestheywereontheirwaytoCravenStreet。Whentheyarrivedthere,RoseleftOliverinthecoach,underpretenceofpreparingtheoldgentlemantoreceivehim;andsendinguphercardbytheservant,requestedtoseeMr。Brownlowonverypressingbusiness。Theservantsoonreturned,tobegthatshewouldwalkupstairs;andfollowinghimintoanupperroom,MissMayliewaspresentedtoanelderlygentlemanofbenevolentappearance,inabottle-greencoat。Atnogreatdistancefromwhom,wasseatedanotheroldgentleman,innankeenbreechesandgaiters;whodidnotlookparticularlybenevolent,andwhowassittingwithhishandsclaspedonthetopofathickstick,andhischinproppedthereupon。
'Dearme,'saidthegentleman,inthebottle-greencoat,hastilyrisingwithgreatpoliteness,'Ibegyourpardon,younglady——I
imagineditwassomeimportunatepersonwho——Ibegyouwillexcuseme。Beseated,pray。'
'Mr。Brownlow,Ibelieve,sir?'saidRose,glancingfromtheothergentlemantotheonewhohadspoken。
'Thatismyname,'saidtheoldgentleman。'Thisismyfriend,Mr。Grimwig。Grimwig,willyouleaveusforafewminutes?'
'Ibelieve,'interposedMissMaylie,'thatatthisperiodofourinterview,Ineednotgivethatgentlemanthetroubleofgoingaway。IfIamcorrectlyinformed,heiscognizantofthebusinessonwhichIwishtospeaktoyou。'
Mr。Brownlowinclinedhishead。Mr。Grimwig,whohadmadeoneverystiffbow,andrisenfromhischair,madeanotherverystiffbow,anddroppedintoitagain。
'Ishallsurpriseyouverymuch,Ihavenodoubt,'saidRose,naturallyembarrassed;'butyouonceshowedgreatbenevolenceandgoodnesstoaverydearyoungfriendofmine,andIamsureyouwilltakeaninterestinhearingofhimagain。'
'Indeed!'saidMr。Brownlow。
'OliverTwistyouknewhimas,'repliedRose。
Thewordsnosoonerescapedherlips,thanMr。Grimwig,whohadbeenaffectingtodipintoalargebookthatlayonthetable,upsetitwithagreatcrash,andfallingbackinhischair,dischargedfromhisfeatureseveryexpressionbutoneofunmitigatedwonder,andindulgedinaprolongedandvacantstare;
then,asifashamedofhavingbetrayedsomuchemotion,hejerkedhimself,asitwere,byaconvulsionintohisformerattitude,andlookingoutstraightbeforehimemittedalongdeepwhistle,whichseemed,atlast,nottobedischargedonemptyair,buttodieawayintheinnermostrecessesofhisstomach。
Mr。Browlowwasnolesssurprised,althoughhisastonishmentwasnotexpressedinthesameeccentricmanner。HedrewhischairnearertoMissMaylie's,andsaid,'Domethefavour,mydearyounglady,toleaveentirelyoutofthequestionthatgoodnessandbenevolenceofwhichyouspeak,andofwhichnobodyelseknowsanything;andifyouhaveitinyourpowertoproduceanyevidencewhichwillaltertheunfavourableopinionIwasonceinducedtoentertainofthatpoorchild,inHeaven'snameputmeinpossessionofit。'
'Abadone!I'lleatmyheadifheisnotabadone,'growledMr。Grimwig,speakingbysomeventriloquialpower,withoutmovingamuscleofhisface。
'Heisachildofanoblenatureandawarmheart,'saidRose,colouring;'andthatPowerwhichhasthoughtfittotryhimbeyondhisyears,hasplantedinhisbreastaffectionsandfeelingswhichwoulddohonourtomanywhohavenumberedhisdayssixtimesover。'
'I'monlysixty-one,'saidMr。Grimwig,withthesamerigidface。
'And,asthedevil'sinitifthisOliverisnottwelveyearsoldatleast,Idon'tseetheapplicationofthatremark。'
'Donotheedmyfriend,MissMaylie,'saidMr。Brownlow;'hedoesnotmeanwhathesays。'
'Yes,hedoes,'growledMr。Grimwig。
'No,hedoesnot,'saidMr。Brownlow,obviouslyrisinginwrathashespoke。
'He'lleathishead,ifhedoesn't,'growledMr。Grimwig。
'Hewoulddeservetohaveitknockedoff,ifhedoes,'saidMr。
Brownlow。
'Andhe'duncommonlyliketoseeanymanoffertodoit,'
respondedMr。Grimwig,knockinghisstickuponthefloor。
Havinggonethusfar,thetwooldgentlemenseverallytooksnuff,andafterwardsshookhands,accordingtotheirinvariablecustom。
'Now,MissMaylie,'saidMr。Brownlow,'toreturntothesubjectinwhichyourhumanityissomuchinterested。Willyouletmeknowwhatintelligenceyouhaveofthispoorchild:allowingmetopromisethatIexhaustedeverymeansinmypowerofdiscoveringhim,andthatsinceIhavebeenabsentfromthiscountry,myfirstimpressionthathehadimposeduponme,andhadbeenpersuadedbyhisformerassociatestorobme,hasbeenconsiderablyshaken。'
Rose,whohadhadtimetocollectherthoughts,atoncerelated,inafewnaturalwords,allthathadbefallenOliversinceheleftMr。Brownlow'shouse;reservingNancy'sinformationforthatgentleman'sprivateear,andconcludingwiththeassurancethathisonlysorrow,forsomemonthspast,hadbeennotbeingabletomeetwithhisformerbenefactorandfriend。
'ThankGod!'saidtheoldgentleman。'Thisisgreathappinesstome,greathappiness。Butyouhavenottoldmewhereheisnow,MissMaylie。Youmustpardonmyfindingfaultwithyou,——butwhynothavebroughthim?'
'Heiswaitinginacoachatthedoor,'repliedRose。
'Atthisdoor!'criedtheoldgentleman。Withwhichhehurriedoutoftheroom,downthestairs,upthecoachsteps,andintothecoach,withoutanotherword。
Whentheroom-doorclosedbehindhim,Mr。Grimwiglifteduphishead,andconvertingoneofthehindlegsofhischairintoapivot,describedthreedistinctcircleswiththeassistanceofhisstickandthetable;stittinginitallthetime。Afterperformingthisevolution,heroseandlimpedasfastashecouldupanddowntheroomatleastadozentimes,andthenstoppingsuddenlybeforeRose,kissedherwithouttheslightestpreface。
'Hush!'hesaid,astheyoungladyroseinsomealarmatthisunusualproceeding。'Don'tbeafraid。I'moldenoughtobeyourgrandfather。You'reasweetgirl。Ilikeyou。Heretheyare!'
Infact,ashethrewhimselfatonedexterousdiveintohisformerseat,Mr。Brownlowreturned,accompaniedbyOliver,whomMr。Grimwigreceivedverygraciously;andifthegratificationofthatmomenthadbeentheonlyrewardforallheranxietyandcareinOliver'sbehalf,RoseMayliewouldhavebeenwellrepaid。
'Thereissomebodyelsewhoshouldnotbeforgotten,bythebye,'
saidMr。Brownlow,ringingthebell。'SendMrs。Bedwinhere,ifyouplease。'
Theoldhousekeeperansweredthesummonswithalldispatch;anddroppingacurtseyatthedoor,waitedfororders。
'Why,yougetblindereveryday,Bedwin,'saidMr。Brownlow,rathertestily。
'Well,thatIdo,sir,'repliedtheoldlady。'People'seyes,atmytimeoflife,don'timprovewithage,sir。'
'Icouldhavetoldyouthat,'rejoinedMr。Brownlow;'butputonyourglasses,andseeifyoucan'tfindoutwhatyouwerewantedfor,willyou?'
Theoldladybegantorummageinherpocketforherspectacles。
ButOliver'spatiencewasnotproofagainstthisnewtrial;andyieldingtohisfirstimpulse,hesprangintoherarms。
'Godbegoodtome!'criedtheoldlady,embracinghim;'itismyinnocentboy!'
'Mydearoldnurse!'criedOliver。
'Hewouldcomeback——Iknewhewould,'saidtheoldlady,holdinghiminherarms。'Howwellhelooks,andhowlikeagentleman'ssonheisdressedagain!Wherehaveyoubeen,thislong,longwhile?Ah!thesamesweetface,butnotsopale;thesamesofteye,butnotsosad。Ihaveneverforgottenthemorhisquietsmile,buthaveseenthemeveryday,sidebysidewiththoseofmyowndearchildren,deadandgonesinceIwasalightsomeyoungcreature。'Runningonthus,andnowholdingOliverfromhertomarkhowhehadgrown,nowclaspinghimtoherandpassingherfingersfondlythroughhishair,thegoodsoullaughedandweptuponhisneckbyturns。
LeavingherandOlivertocomparenotesatleisure,Mr。Brownlowledthewayintoanotherroom;andthere,heardfromRoseafullnarrationofherinterviewwithNancy,whichoccasionedhimnolittlesurpriseandperplexity。RosealsoexplainedherreasonsfornotconfidinginherfriendMr。Losberneinthefirstinstance。Theoldgentlemanconsideredthatshehadactedprudently,andreadilyundertooktoholdsolemnconferencewiththeworthydoctorhimself。Toaffordhimanearlyopportunityfortheexecutionofthisdesign,itwasarrangedthatheshouldcallatthehotelateighto'clockthatevening,andthatinthemeantimeMrs。Maylieshouldbecautiouslyinformedofallthathadoccurred。Thesepreliminariesadjusted,RoseandOliverreturnedhome。
Rosehadbynomeansoverratedthemeasureofthegooddoctor'swrath。Nancy'shistorywasnosoonerunfoldedtohim,thanhepouredforthashowerofmingledthreatsandexecrations;
threatenedtomakeherthefirstvictimofthecombinedingenuityofMessrs。BlathersandDuff;andactuallyputonhishatpreparatorytosallyingforthtoobtaintheassistanceofthoseworthies。And,doubtless,hewould,inthisfirstoutbreak,havecarriedtheintentionintoeffectwithoutamoment'sconsiderationoftheconsequences,ifhehadnotbeenrestrained,inpart,bycorrespondingviolenceonthesideofMr。Brownlow,whowashimselfofanirascibletemperament,andpartybysuchargumentsandrepresentationsasseemedbestcalculatedtodissuadehimfromhishotbrainedpurpose。
'Thenwhatthedevilistobedone?'saidtheimpetuousdoctor,whentheyhadrejoinedthetwoladies。'Arewetopassavoteofthankstoallthesevagabonds,maleandfemale,andbegthemtoacceptahundredpounds,orso,apiece,asatriflingmarkofouresteem,andsomeslightacknowledgmentoftheirkindnesstoOliver?'
'Notexactlythat,'rejoinedMr。Brownlow,laughing;'butwemustproceedgentlyandwithgreatcare。'
'Gentlenessandcare,'exclaimedthedoctor。'I'dsendthemoneandallto——'
'Nevermindwhere,'interposedMr。Brownlow。'Butreflectwhethersendingthemanywhereislikelytoattaintheobjectwehaveinview。'
'Whatobject?'askedthedoctor。
'Simply,thediscoveryofOliver'sparentage,andregainingforhimtheinheritanceofwhich,ifthisstorybetrue,hehasbeenfraudulentlydeprived。'
'Ah!'saidMr。Losberne,coolinghimselfwithhispocket-handkerchief;'Ialmostforgotthat。'
'Yousee,'pursuedMr。Brownlow;'placingthispoorgirlentirelyoutofthequestion,andsupposingitwerepossibletobringthesescoundrelstojusticewithoutcompromisinghersafety,whatgoodshouldwebringabout?'
'Hangingafewofthematleast,inallprobability,'suggestedthedoctor,'andtransportingtherest。'
'Verygood,'repliedMr。Brownlow,smiling;'butnodoubttheywillbringthataboutforthemselvesinthefulnessoftime,andifwestepintoforestallthem,itseemstomethatweshallbeperformingaveryQuixoticact,indirectoppositiontoourowninterest——oratleasttoOliver's,whichisthesamething。'
'How?'inquiredthedoctor。
'Thus。Itisquiteclearthatweshallhaveextremedifficultyingettingtothebottomofthismystery,unlesswecanbringthisman,Monks,uponhisknees。Thatcanonlybedonebystratagem,andbycatchinghimwhenheisnotsurroundedbythesepeople。For,supposehewereapprehended,wehavenoproofagainsthim。Heisnotevensofarasweknow,orasthefactsappeartousconcernedwiththeganginanyoftheirrobberies。
Ifhewerenotdischarged,itisveryunlikelythathecouldreceiveanyfurtherpunishmentthanbeingcommittedtoprisonasarogueandvagabond;andofcourseeverafterwardshismouthwouldbesoobstinatelyclosedthathemightaswell,forourpurposes,bedeaf,dumb,blind,andanidiot。'
'Then,'saidthedoctorimpetuously,'Iputittoyouagain,whetheryouthinkitreasonablethatthispromisetothegirlshouldbeconsideredbinding;apromisemadewiththebestandkindestintentions,butreally——'
'Donotdiscussthepoint,mydearyounglady,pray,'saidMr。
Brownlow,interruptingRoseasshewasabouttospeak。'Thepromiseshallbekept。Idon'tthinkitwill,intheslightestdegree,interferewithourproceedings。But,beforewecanresolveuponanyprecisecourseofaction,itwillbenecessarytoseethegirl;toascertainfromherwhethershewillpointoutthisMonks,ontheunderstandingthatheistobedealtwithbyus,andnotbythelaw;or,ifshewillnot,orcannotdothat,toprocurefromhersuchanaccountofhishauntsanddescriptionofhisperson,aswillenableustoidentifyhim。ShecannotbeseenuntilnextSundaynight;thisisTuesday。Iwouldsuggestthatinthemeantime,weremainperfectlyquiet,andkeepthesematterssecretevenfromOliverhimself。'
AlthoughMr。Losebernereceivedwithmanywryfacesaproposalinvolvingadelayoffivewholedays,hewasfaintoadmitthatnobettercourseoccurredtohimjustthen;andasbothRoseandMrs。MayliesidedverystronglywithMr。Brownlow,thatgentleman'spropositionwascarriedunanimously。
'Ishouldlike,'hesaid,'tocallintheaidofmyfriendGrimwig。Heisastrangecreature,butashrewdone,andmightproveofmaterialassistancetous;Ishouldsaythathewasbredalawyer,andquittedtheBarindisgustbecausehehadonlyonebriefandamotionofcourse,intwentyyears,thoughwhetherthatisrecommendationornot,youmustdetermineforyourselves。'
'IhavenoobjectiontoyourcallinginyourfriendifImaycallinmine,'saidthedoctor。
'Wemustputittothevote,'repliedMr。Brownlow,'whomayhebe?'
'Thatlady'sson,andthisyounglady's——veryoldfriend,'saidthedoctor,motioningtowardsMrs。Maylie,andconcludingwithanexpressiveglanceatherniece。
Roseblusheddeeply,butshedidnotmakeanyaudibleobjectiontothismotionpossiblyshefeltinahopelessminority;andHarryMaylieandMr。Grimwigwereaccordinglyaddedtothecommittee。
'Westayintown,ofcourse,'saidMrs。Maylie,'whilethereremainstheslightestprospectofprosecutingthisinquirywithachanceofsuccess。Iwillspareneithertroublenorexpenseinbehalfoftheobjectinwhichweareallsodeeplyinterested,andIamcontenttoremainhere,ifitbefortwelvemonths,solongasyouassuremethatanyhoperemains。'
'Good!'rejoinedMr。Brownlow。'AndasIseeonthefacesaboutme,adispositiontoinquirehowithappenedthatIwasnotinthewaytocorroborateOliver'stale,andhadsosuddenlyleftthekingdom,letmestipulatethatIshallbeaskednoquestionsuntilsuchtimeasImaydeemitexpedienttoforestallthembytellingmyownstory。Believeme,Imakethisrequestwithgoodreason,forImightotherwiseexcitehopesdestinednevertoberealised,andonlyincreasedifficultiesanddisappointmentsalreadyquitenumerousenough。Come!Supperhasbeenannounced,andyoungOliver,whoisallaloneinthenextroom,willhavebeguntothink,bythistime,thatwehaveweariedofhiscompany,andenteredintosomedarkconspiracytothrusthimforthupontheworld。'
Withthesewords,theoldgentlemangavehishandtoMrs。Maylie,andescortedherintothesupper-room。Mr。Losbernefollowed,leadingRose;andthecouncilwas,forthepresent,effectuallybrokenup。
CHAPTERXLII
ANOLDACQUAINTANCEOFOLIVER'S,EXHIBITINGDECIDEDMARKSOF
GENIUS,BECOMESAPUBLICCHARACTERINTHEMETROPOLIS
UponthenightwhenNancy,havinglulledMr。Sikestosleep,hurriedonherself-imposedmissiontoRoseMaylie,thereadvancedtowardsLondon,bytheGreatNorthRoad,twopersons,uponwhomitisexpedientthatthishistoryshouldbestowsomeattention。
Theywereamanandwoman;orperhapstheywouldbebetterdescribedasamaleandfemale:fortheformerwasoneofthoselong-limbed,knock-kneed,shambling,bonypeople,towhomitisdifficulttoassignanypreciseage,——lookingastheydo,whentheyareyetboys,likeundergrownmen,andwhentheyarealmostmen,likeovergrownboys。Thewomanwasyoung,butofarobustandhardymake,assheneedhavebeentobeartheweightoftheheavybundlewhichwasstrappedtoherback。Hercompanionwasnotencumberedwithmuchluggage,astheremerelydangledfromastickwhichhecarriedoverhisshoulder,asmallparcelwrappedinacommonhandkerchief,andapparentlylightenough。Thiscircumstance,addedtothelengthofhislegs,whichwereofunusualextent,enabledhimwithmucheasetokeepsomehalf-dozenpacesinadvanceofhiscompanion,towhomheoccasionallyturnedwithanimpatientjerkofthehead:asifreproachinghertardiness,andurginghertogreaterexertion。
Thus,theyhadtoiledalongthedustyroad,takinglittleheedofanyobjectwithinsight,savewhentheysteppedasidetoallowawiderpassageforthemail-coacheswhichwerewhirlingoutoftown,untiltheypassedthroughHighgatearchway;whentheforemosttravellerstoppedandcalledimpatientlytohiscompanion,'Comeon,can'tyer?Whatalazybonesyerare,Charlotte。'
'It'saheavyload,Icantellyou,'saidthefemale,comingup,almostbreathlesswithfatigue。
'Heavy!Whatareyertalkingabout?Whatareyermadefor?'
rejoinedthemaletraveller,changinghisownlittlebundleashespoke,totheothershoulder。'Oh,thereyerare,restingagain!
Well,ifyerain'tenoughtotireanybody'spatienceout,Idon'tknowwhatis!'
'Isitmuchfarther?'askedthewoman,restingherselfagainstabank,andlookingupwiththeperspirationstreamingfromherface。
'Muchfarther!Yerasgoodasthere,'saidthelong-leggedtramper,pointingoutbeforehim。'Lookthere!ThosearethelightsofLondon。'
'They'reagoodtwomileoff,atleast,'saidthewomandespondingly。
'Nevermindwhetherthey'retwomileoff,ortwenty,'saidNoahClaypole;forheitwas;'butgetupandcomeon,orI'llkickyer,andsoIgiveyernotice。'
AsNoah'srednosegrewredderwithanger,andashecrossedtheroadwhilespeaking,asiffullypreparedtoputhisthreatintoexecution,thewomanrosewithoutanyfurtherremark,andtrudgedonwardbyhisside。
'Wheredoyoumeantostopforthenight,Noah?'sheasked,aftertheyhadwalkedafewhundredyards。
'HowshouldIknow?'repliedNoah,whosetemperhadbeenconsiderablyimpairedbywalking。
'Near,Ihope,'saidCharlotte。
'No,notnear,'repliedMr。Claypole。'There!Notnear;sodon'tthinkit。'
'Whynot?'
'WhenItellyerthatIdon'tmeantodoathing,that'senough,withoutanywhyorbecauseeither,'repliedMr。Claypolewithdignity。
'Well,youneedn'tbesocross,'saidhiscompanion。
'Aprettythingitwouldbe,wouldn'tittogoandstopattheveryfirstpublic-houseoutsidethetown,sothatSowerberry,ifhecomeupafterus,mightpokeinhisoldnose,andhaveustakenbackinacartwithhandcuffson,'saidMr。Claypoleinajeeringtone。'No!IshallgoandlosemyselfamongthenarroweststreetsIcanfind,andnotstoptillwecometotheveryout-of-the-wayesthouseIcanseteyeson。'Cod,yermaythanksyerstarsI'vegotahead;forifwehadn'tgone,atfirst,thewrongroadapurpose,andcomebackacrosscountry,yer'dhavebeenlockeduphardandfastaweekago,mylady。Andserveyerrightforbeingafool。'
'IknowIain'tascunningasyouare,'repliedCharlotte;'butdon'tputalltheblameonme,andsayIshouldhavebeenlockedup。YouwouldhavebeenifIhadbeen,anyway。'
'Yertookthemoneyfromthetill,yerknowyerdid,'saidMr。
Claypole。
'Itookitforyou,Noah,dear,'rejoinedCharlotte。
'DidIkeepit?'askedMr。Claypole。
'No;youtrustedinme,andletmecarryitlikeadear,andsoyouare,'saidthelady,chuckinghimunderthechin,anddrawingherarmthroughhis。
Thiswasindeedthecase;butasitwasnotMr。Claypole'shabittoreposeablindandfoolishconfidenceinanybody,itshouldbeobserved,injusticetothatgentleman,thathehadtrustedCharlottetothisextent,inorderthat,iftheywerepursued,themoneymightbefoundonher:whichwouldleavehimanopportunityofassertinghisinnocenceofanytheft,andwouldgreatlyfacilitatehischancesofescape。Ofcourse,heenteredatthisjuncture,intonoexplanationofhismotives,andtheywalkedonverylovinglytogether。
Inpursuanceofthiscautiousplan,Mr。Claypolewenton,withouthalting,untilhearrivedattheAngelatIslington,wherehewiselyjudged,fromthecrowdofpassengersandnumbersofvehicles,thatLondonbeganinearnest。Justpausingtoobservewhichappearedthemostcrowdedstreets,andconsequentlythemosttobeavoided,hecrossedintoSaintJohn'sRoad,andwassoondeepintheobscurityoftheintricateanddirtyways,which,lyingbetweenGray'sInnLaneandSmithfield,renderthatpartofthetownoneofthelowestandworstthatimprovementhasleftinthemidstofLondon。
Throughthesestreets,NoahClaypolewalked,draggingCharlotteafterhim;nowsteppingintothekenneltoembraceataglancethewholeexternalcharacterofsomesmallpublic-house;nowjoggingonagain,assomefanciedappearanceinducedhimtobelieveittoopublicforhispurpose。Atlength,hestoppedinfrontofone,morehumbleinappearanceandmoredirtythananyhehadyetseen;and,havingcrossedoverandsurveyeditfromtheoppositepavement,graciouslyannouncedhisintentionofputtingupthere,forthenight。
'Sogiveusthebundle,'saidNoah,unstrappingitfromthewoman'sshoulders,andslingingitoverhisown;'anddon'tyerspeak,exceptwhenyerspoketo。What'sthenameofthehouse——t-h-r——threewhat?'
'Cripples,'saidCharlotte。
'ThreeCripples,'repeatedNoah,'andaverygoodsigntoo。Now,then!Keepcloseatmyheels,andcomealong。'Withtheseinjunctions,hepushedtherattlingdoorwithhisshoulder,andenteredthehouse,followedbyhiscompanion。
TherewasnobodyinthebarbutayoungJew,who,withhistwoelbowsonthecounter,wasreadingadirtynewspaper。HestaredveryhardatNoah,andNoahstaredveryhardathim。
IfNoahhadbeenattiredinhischarity-boy'sdress,theremighthavebeensomereasonfortheJewopeninghiseyessowide;butashehaddiscardedthecoatandbadge,andworeashortsmock-frockoverhisleathers,thereseemednoparticularreasonforhisappearanceexcitingsomuchattentioninapublic-house。
'IsthistheThreeCripples?'askedNoah。
'Thatisthedabeofthis'ouse,'repliedtheJew。
'Agentlemanwemetontheroad,comingupfromthecountry,recommendedushere,'saidNoah,nudgingCharlotte,perhapstocallherattentiontothismostingeniousdeviceforattractingrespect,andperhapstowarnhertobetraynosurprise。'Wewanttosleephereto-night。'
'I'bdotcertaidyoucad,'saidBarney,whowastheattendantsprite;'butI'llidquire。'
'Showusthetap,andgiveusabitofcoldmeatandadropofbeerwhileyerinquiring,willyer?'saidNoah。
Barneycompliedbyusheringthemintoasmallback-room,andsettingtherequiredviandsbeforethem;havingdonewhich,heinformedthetravellersthattheycouldbelodgedthatnight,andlefttheamiablecoupletotheirrefreshment。
Now,thisback-roomwasimmediatelybehindthebar,andsomestepslower,sothatanypersonconnectedwiththehouse,undrawingasmallcurtainwhichconcealedasinglepaneofglassfixedinthewallofthelast-namedapartment,aboutfivefeetfromitsflooring,couldnotonlylookdownuponanyguestsintheback-roomwithoutanygreathazardofbeingobservedtheglassbeinginadarkangleofthewall,betweenwhichandalargeuprightbeamtheobserverhadtothrusthimself,butcould,byapplyinghiseartothepartition,ascertainwithtolerabledistinctness,theirsubjectofconversation。Thelandlordofthehousehadnotwithdrawnhiseyefromthisplaceofespialforfiveminutes,andBarneyhadonlyjustreturnedfrommakingthecommunicationaboverelated,whenFagin,inthecourseofhisevening'sbusiness,cameintothebartoinquireaftersomeofhisyoungpupils。
'Hush!'saidBarney:'stradegersidthenextroob。'
'Strangers!'repeatedtheoldmaninawhisper。
'Ah!Adrubudstoo,'addedBarney。'Frobthecuttry,butsubthiginyourway,orI'bbistaked。'
Faginappearedtoreceivethiscommunicationwithgreatinterest。
Mountingastool,hecautiouslyappliedhiseyetothepaneofglass,fromwhichsecretposthecouldseeMr。Claypoletakingcoldbeeffromthedish,andporterfromthepot,andadministeringhomoepathicdosesofbothtoCharlotte,whosatpatientlyby,eatinganddrinkingathispleasure。
'Aha!'hewhispered,lookingroundtoBarney,'Ilikethatfellow'slooks。He'dbeofusetous;heknowshowtotrainthegirlalready。Don'tmakeasmuchnoiseasamouse,mydear,andletmehear'emtalk——letmehear'em。'
Heagainappliedhiseyetotheglass,andturninghiseartothepartition,listenedattentively:withasubtleandeagerlookuponhisface,thatmighthaveappertainedtosomeoldgoblin。
'SoImeantobeagentleman,'saidMr。Claypole,kickingouthislegs,andcontinuingaconversation,thecommencementofwhichFaginhadarrivedtoolatetohear。'Nomorejollyoldcoffins,Charlotte,butagentleman'slifeforme:and,ifyerlike,yershallbealady。'
'Ishouldlikethatwellenough,dear,'repliedCharlotte;'buttillsain'ttobeemptiedeveryday,andpeopletogetclearoffafterit。'
'Tillsbeblowed!'saidMr。Claypole;'there'smorethingsbesidestillstobeemptied。'
'Whatdoyoumean?'askedhiscompanion。
'Pockets,women'sridicules,houses,mail-coaches,banks!'saidMr。Claypole,risingwiththeporter。
'Butyoucan'tdoallthat,dear,'saidCharlotte。
'Ishalllookouttogetintocompanywiththemascan,'repliedNoah。'They'llbeabletomakeususefulsomewayoranother。
Why,youyourselfareworthfiftywomen;IneverseesuchapreciousslyanddeceitfulcreeturasyercanbewhenIletyer。'
'Lor,howniceitistohearyersayso!'exclaimedCharlotte,imprintingakissuponhisuglyface。
'There,that'lldo:don'tyerbetooaffectionate,incaseI'mcrosswithyer,'saidNoah,disengaginghimselfwithgreatgravity。'Ishouldliketobethecaptainofsomeband,andhavethewhoppingof'em,andfollering'emabout,unbeknowntothemselves。Thatwouldsuitme,iftherewasgoodprofit;andifwecouldonlygetinwithsomegentlemanofthissort,Isayitwouldbecheapatthattwenty-poundnoteyou'vegot,——especiallyaswedon'tverywellknowhowtogetridofitourselves。'
Afterexpressingthisopinion,Mr。Claypolelookedintotheporter-potwithanaspectofdeepwisdom;andhavingwellshakenitscontents,noddedcondescendinglytoCharlotte,andtookadraught,wherewithheappearedgreatlyrefreshed。Hewasmeditatinganother,whenthesuddenopeningofthedoor,andtheappearanceofastranger,interruptedhim。
ThestrangerwasMr。Fagin。Andveryamiablehelooked,andaverylowbowhemade,asheadvanced,andsettinghimselfdownatthenearesttable,orderedsomethingtodrinkofthegrinningBarney。
'Apleasantnight,sir,butcoolforthetimeofyear,'saidFagin,rubbinghishands。'Fromthecountry,Isee,sir?'
'Howdoyerseethat?'askedNoahClaypole。
'WehavenotsomuchdustasthatinLondon,'repliedFagin,pointingfromNoah'sshoestothoseofhiscompanion,andfromthemtothetwobundles。
'Yerasharpfeller,'saidNoah。'Ha!ha!onlyhearthat,Charlotte!'
'Why,oneneedbesharpinthistown,mydear,'repliedtheJew,sinkinghisvoicetoaconfidentialwhisper;'andthat'sthetruth。'
Faginfollowedupthisremarkbystrikingthesideofhisnosewithhisrightforefinger,——agesturewhichNoahattemptedtoimitate,thoughnotwithcompletesuccess,inconsequenceofhisownnosenotbeinglargeenoughforthepurpose。However,Mr。
Faginseemedtointerprettheendeavourasexpressingaperfectcoincidencewithhisopinion,andputabouttheliquorwhichBarneyreappearedwith,inaveryfriendlymanner。
'Goodstuffthat,'observedMr。Claypole,smackinghislips。
'Dear!'saidFagin。'Amanneedbealwaysemptyingatill,orapocket,orawoman'sreticule,orahouse,oramail-coach,orabank,ifhedrinksitregularly。'
Mr。Claypolenosoonerheardthisextractfromhisownremarksthanhefellbackinhischair,andlookedfromtheJewtoCharlottewithacountenanceofashypalencesandexcessiveterror。
'Don'tmindme,mydear,'saidFagin,drawinghischaircloser。
'Ha!ha!itwasluckyitwasonlymethatheardyoubychance。
Itwasveryluckyitwasonlyme。'
'Ididn'ttakeit,'stammeredNoah,nolongerstretchingouthislegslikeanindependentgentleman,butcoilingthemupaswellashecouldunderhischair;'itwasallherdoing;yer'vegotitnow,Charlotte,yerknowyerhave。'
'Nomatterwho'sgotit,orwhodidit,mydear,'repliedFagin,glancing,nevertheless,withahawk'seyeatthegirlandthetwobundles。'I'minthatwaymyself,andIlikeyouforit。'
'Inwhatway?'askedMr。Claypole,alittlerecovering。
'Inthatwayofbusiness,'rejoinedFagin;'andsoarethepeopleofthehouse。You'vehittherightnailuponthehead,andareassafehereasyoucouldbe。ThereisnotasaferplaceinallthistownthanistheCripples;thatis,whenIliketomakeitso。AndIhavetakenafancytoyouandtheyoungwoman;soI'vesaidtheword,andyoumaymakeyourmindseasy。'
NoahClaypole'smindmighthavebeenateaseafterthisassurance,buthisbodycertainlywasnot;forheshuffledandwrithedabout,intovariousuncouthpositions:eyeinghisnewfriendmeanwhilewithmingledfearandsuspicion。
'I'lltellyoumore,'saidFagin,afterhehadreassuredthegirl,bydintoffriendlynodsandmutteredencouragements。'I
havegotafriendthatIthinkcangratifyyourdarlingwish,andputyouintherightway,whereyoucantakewhateverdepartmentofthebusinessyouthinkwillsuityoubestatfirst,andbetaughtalltheothers。'
'Yerspeakasifyerwereinearnest,'repliedNoah。
'Whatadvantagewoulditbetometobeanythingelse?'inquiredFagin,shrugginghisshoulders。'Here!Letmehaveawordwithyououtside。'
'There'snooccasiontotroubleourselvestomove,'saidNoah,gettinghislegsbygradualdegreesabroadagain。'She'lltaketheluggageupstairsthewhile。Charlotte,seetothembundles。'
Thismandate,whichhadbeendeliveredwithgreatmajesty,wasobeyedwithouttheslightestdemur;andCharlottemadethebestofherwayoffwiththepackageswhileNoahheldthedooropenandwatchedherout。
'She'skepttolerablywellunder,ain'tshe?'heaskedasheresumedhisseat:inthetoneofakeeperwhohadtamedsomewildanimal。
'Quiteperfect,'rejoinedFagin,clappinghimontheshoulder。
'You'reagenius,mydear。'
'Why,IsupposeifIwasn't,Ishouldn'tbehere,'repliedNoah。
'But,Isay,she'llbebackifyerlosetime。'
'Now,whatdoyouthink?'saidFagin。'Ifyouwastolikemyfriend,couldyoudobetterthanjoinhim?'
'Isheinagoodwayofbusiness;that'swhereitis!'respondedNoah,winkingoneofhislittleeyes。
'Thetopofthetree;employsapowerofhands;hastheverybestsocietyintheprofession。'
'Regulartown-maders?'askedMr。Claypole。
'Notacountrymanamong'em;andIdon'tthinkhe'dtakeyou,evenonmyrecommendation,ifhedidn'trunrathershortofassistantsjustnow,'repliedFagin。
'ShouldIhavetohandover?'saidNoah,slappinghisbreeches-pocket。
'Itcouldn'tpossiblybedonewithout,'repliedFagin,inamostdecidedmanner。
'Twentypound,though——it'salotofmoney!'
'Notwhenit'sinanoteyoucan'tgetridof,'retortedFagin。
'Numberanddatetaken,Isuppose?PaymentstoppedattheBank?
Ah!It'snotworthmuchtohim。It'llhavetogoabroad,andhecouldn'tsellitforagreatdealinthemarket。'
'WhencouldIseehim?'askedNoahdoubtfully。
'To-morrowmorning。'
'Where?'
'Here。'
'Um!'saidNoah。'What'sthewages?'
'Livelikeagentleman——boardandlodging,pipesandspiritsfree——halfofallyouearn,andhalfofalltheyoungwomanearns,'repliedMr。Fagin。
WhetherNoahClaypole,whoserapacitywasnoneoftheleastcomprehensive,wouldhaveaccededeventotheseglowingterms,hadhebeenaperfectlyfreeagent,isverydoubtful;butasherecollectedthat,intheeventofhisrefusal,itwasinthepowerofhisnewacquaintancetogivehimuptojusticeimmediatelyandmoreunlikelythingshadcometopass,hegraduallyrelented,andsaidhethoughtthatwouldsuithim。
'But,yersee,'observedNoah,'asshewillbeabletodoagooddeal,Ishouldliketotakesomethingverylight。'
'Alittlefancywork?'suggestedFagin。
'Ah!somethingofthatsort,'repliedNoah。'Whatdoyouthinkwouldsuitmenow?Somethingnottootryingforthestrength,andnotverydangerous,youknow。That'sthesortofthing!'
'Iheardyoutalkofsomethinginthespywayupontheothers,mydear,'saidFagin。'Myfriendwantssomebodywhowoulddothatwell,verymuch。'
'Why,Ididmentionthat,andIshouldn'tmindturningmyhandtoitsometimes,'rejoinedMr。Claypoleslowly;'butitwouldn'tpaybyitself,youknow。'
'That'strue!'observedtheJew,ruminatingorpretendingtoruminate。'No,itmightnot。'
'Whatdoyouthink,then?'askedNoah,anxiouslyregardinghim。
'Somethinginthesneakingway,whereitwasprettysurework,andnotmuchmoreriskthanbeingathome。'
'Whatdoyouthinkoftheoldladies?'askedFagin。'There'sagooddealofmoneymadeinsnatchingtheirbagsandparcels,andrunningroundthecorner。'
'Don'ttheyholleroutagooddeal,andscratchsometimes?'askedNoah,shakinghishead。'Idon'tthinkthatwouldanswermypurpose。Ain'tthereanyotherlineopen?'
'Stop!'saidFagin,layinghishandonNoah'sknee。'Thekinchinlay。'
'Thekinchins,mydear,'saidFagin,'istheyoungchildrenthat'ssentonerrandsbytheirmothers,withsixpencesandshillings;andthelayisjusttotaketheirmoneyaway——they'vealwaysgotitreadyintheirhands,——thenknock'emintothekennel,andwalkoffveryslow,asiftherewerenothingelsethematterbutachildfallendownandhurtitself。Ha!ha!ha!'
'Ha!ha!'roaredMr。Claypole,kickinguphislegsinanecstasy。
'Lord,that'stheverything!'
'Tobesureitis,'repliedFagin;'andyoucanhaveafewgoodbeatschalkedoutinCamdenTown,andBattleBridge,andneighborhoodslikethat,wherethey'realwaysgoingerrands;andyoucanupsetasmanykinchinsasyouwant,anyhourintheday。
Ha!ha!ha!'
Withthis,FaginpokedMr。Claypoleintheside,andtheyjoinedinaburstoflaughterbothlongandloud。
'Well,that'sallright!'saidNoah,whenhehadrecoveredhimself,andCharlottehadreturned。'Whattimeto-morrowshallwesay?'
'Willtendo?'askedFagin,adding,asMr。Claypolenoddedassent,'WhatnameshallItellmygoodfriend。'
'Mr。Bolter,'repliedNoah,whohadpreparedhimselfforsuchemergency。'Mr。MorrisBolter。ThisisMrs。Bolter。'
'Mrs。Bolter'shumbleservant,'saidFagin,bowingwithgrotesquepoliteness。'IhopeIshallknowherbetterveryshortly。'
'Doyouhearthegentleman,Charlotte?'thunderedMr。Claypole。
'Yes,Noah,dear!'repliedMrs。Bolter,extendingherhand。
'ShecallsmeNoah,asasortoffondwayoftalking,'saidMr。
MorrisBolter,lateClaypole,turningtoFagin。'Youunderstand?'
'Ohyes,Iunderstand——perfectly,'repliedFagin,tellingthetruthforonce。'Good-night!Good-night!'
Withmanyadieusandgoodwishes,Mr。Faginwenthisway。NoahClaypole,bespeakinghisgoodlady'sattention,proceededtoenlightenherrelativetothearrangementhehadmade,withallthathaughtinessandairofsuperiority,becoming,notonlyamemberofthesternersex,butagentlemanwhoappreciatedthedignityofaspecialappointmentonthekinchinlay,inLondonanditsvicinity。
第12章