'Whyfails?'asksBoots。
　　'Howfails?'asksBrewer。
　　'Pardonme，'returnsLightwood，'Imustpostponethereplyforonemoment，orweshallhaveananti-climax。Artichokefailingsignally，myclientrefersthetasktome:hispurposebeingtoadvancetheinterestsoftheobjectofhissearch。Iproceedtoputmyselfincommunicationwithher；Ievenhappentopossesssomespecialmeans，'withaglanceatEugene，'ofputtingmyselfincommunicationwithher；butIfailtoo，becauseshehasvanished。'
　　'Vanished！'isthegeneralecho。
　　'Disappeared，'saysMortimer。'Nobodyknowshow，nobodyknowswhen，nobodyknowswhere。Andsoendsthestorytowhichmyhonourableandfairenslaveroppositereferred。'
　　Tippins，withabewitchinglittlescream，opinesthatweshalleveryoneofusbemurderedinourbeds。Eugeneeyesherasifsomeofuswouldbeenoughforhim。MrsVeneering，W。M。P。，remarksthatthesesocialmysteriesmakeoneafraidofleavingBaby。
　　Veneering，M。P。，wishestobeinformedwithsomethingofasecond-handairofseeingtheRightHonourableGentlemanattheheadoftheHomeDepartmentinhisplacewhetheritisintendedtobeconveyedthatthevanishedpersonhasbeenspiritedawayorotherwiseharmed?InsteadofLightwood'sanswering，Eugeneanswers，andanswershastilyandvexedly:'No，no，no；hedoesn'tmeanthat；hemeansvoluntarilyvanished——bututterly——
　　completely。'
　　However，thegreatsubjectofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammlemustnotbeallowedtovanishwiththeothervanishments——withthevanishingofthemurderer，thevanishingofJuliusHandford，thevanishingofLizzieHexam，——andthereforeVeneeringmustrecallthepresentsheeptothepenfromwhichtheyhavestrayed。WhosofittodiscourseofthehappinessofMrandMrsLammle，theybeingthedearestandoldestfriendshehasintheworld；orwhataudiencesofitforhimtotakeintohisconfidenceasthataudience，anounofmultitudeorsignifyingmany，whoarealltheoldestanddearestfriendshehasintheworld?SoVeneering，withouttheformalityofrising，launchesintoafamiliaroration，graduallytoningintotheParliamentarysing-song，inwhichheseesatthatboardhisdearfriendTwemlowwhoonthatdaytwelvemonthbestowedonhisdearfriendLammlethefairhandofhisdearfriendSophronia，andinwhichhealsoseesatthatboardhisdearfriendsBootsandBrewerwhoserallyingroundhimataperiodwhenhisdearfriendLadyTippinslikewiseralliedroundhim——ay，andintheforemostrank——
　　hecanneverforgetwhilememoryholdsherseat。ButheisfreetoconfessthathemissesfromthatboardhisdearoldfriendPodsnap，thoughheiswellrepresentedbyhisdearyoungfriendGeorgiana。Andhefurtherseesatthatboardthisheannounceswithpomp，asifexultinginthepowersofanextraordinarytelescopehisfriendMrFledgeby，ifhewillpermithimtocallhimso。Forallofthesereasons，andmanymorewhichherightwellknowswillhaveoccurredtopersonsofyourexceptionalacuteness，heisheretosubmittoyouthatthetimehasarrivedwhen，withourheartsinourglasses，withtearsinoureyes，withblessingsonourlips，andinageneralwaywithaprofusionofgammonandspinachinouremotionallarders，weshouldoneandalldrinktoourdearfriendstheLammles，wishingthemmanyyearsashappyasthelast，andmanymanyfriendsascongeniallyunitedasthemselves。Andthishewilladd；thatAnastatiaVeneeringwhoisinstantlyheardtoweepisformedonthesamemodelasheroldandchosenfriendSophroniaLammle，inrespectthatsheisdevotedtothemanwhowooedandwonher，andnoblydischargesthedutiesofawife。
　　Seeingnobetterwayoutofit，VeneeringherepullsuphisoratoricalPegasusextremelyshort，andplumpsdown，cleanoverhishead，with:'Lammle，Godblessyou！'
　　ThenLammle。Toomuchofhimeveryway；pervadinglytoomuchnoseofacoarsewrongshape，andhisnoseinhismindandhismanners；toomuchsmiletobereal；toomuchfrowntobefalse；toomanylargeteethtobevisibleatoncewithoutsuggestingabite。Hethanksyou，dearfriends，foryourkindlygreeting，andhopestoreceiveyou——itmaybeonthenextofthesedelightfiiloccasions——inaresidencebettersuitedtoyourclaimsontheritesofhospitality。HewillneverforgetthatatVeneering'shefirstsawSophronia。SophroniawillneverforgetthatatVeneering'sshefirstsawhim。'Theyspokeofitsoonaftertheyweremarried，andagreedthattheywouldneverforgetit。Infact，toVeneeringtheyowetheirunion。Theyhopetoshowtheirsenseofthissomeday'No，no，fromVeneering——ohyes，yes，andlethimrelyuponit，theywilliftheycan！HismarriagewithSophroniawasnotamarriageofinterestoneitherside:shehadherlittlefortune，hehadhislittlefortune:theyjoinedtheirlittlefortunes:itwasamarriageofpureinclinationandsuitability。Thankyou！
　　Sophroniaandhearefondofthesocietyofyoungpeople；butheisnotsurethattheirhousewouldbeagoodhouseforyoungpeopleproposingtoremainsingle，sincethecontemplationofitsdomesticblissmightinducethemtochangetheirminds。Hewillnotapplythistoanyonepresent；certainlynottotheirdarlinglittleGeorgiana。Againthankyou！Neither，by-the-by，willheapplyittohisfriendFledgeby。HethanksVeneeringforthefeelingmannerinwhichhereferredtotheircommonfriendFledgeby，forheholdsthatgentlemaninthehighestestimation。
　　Thankyou。InfactreturningunexpectedlytoFledgeby，thebetteryouknowhim，themoreyoufindinhimthatyoudesiretoknow。Againthankyou！InhisdearSophronia'snameandinhisown，thankyou！
　　MrsLammlehassatquitestill，withhereyescastdownuponthetable-cloth。AsMrLammle'saddressends，Twemlowoncemoreturnstoherinvoluntarily，notcuredyetofthatoftenrecurringimpressionthatsheisgoingtospeaktohim。Thistimeshereallyisgoingtospeaktohim。Veneeringistalkingwithhisothernextneighbour，andshespeaksinalowvoice。
　　'MrTwemlow。'
　　Heanswers，'Ibegyourpardon?Yes?'Stillalittledoubtful，becauseofhernotlookingathim。
　　'Youhavethesoulofagentleman，andIknowImaytrustyou。
　　Willyougivemetheopportunityofsayingafewwordstoyouwhenyoucomeupstairs?'
　　'Assuredly。Ishallbehonoured。'
　　'Don'tseemtodoso，ifyouplease，anddon'tthinkitinconsistentifmymannershouldbemorecarelessthanmywords。Imaybewatched。'
　　Intenselyastonished，Twemlowputshishandtohisforehead，andsinksbackinhischairmeditating。MrsLammlerises。Allrise。
　　Theladiesgoupstairs。Thegentlemensoonsaunterafterthem。
　　FledgebyhasdevotedtheintervaltotakinganobservationofBoots'swhiskers，Brewer'swhiskers，andLammle'swhiskers，andconsideringwhichpatternofwhiskerhewouldprefertoproduceoutofhimselfbyfriction，iftheGenieofthecheekwouldonlyanswertohisrubbing。
　　Inthedrawing-room，groupsformasusual。Lightwood，Boots，andBrewer，flutterlikemothsaroundthatyellowwaxcandle——
　　gutteringdown，andwithsomehintofawinding-sheetinit——LadyTippins。OutsiderscultivateVeneering，MP。，andMrsVeneering，W。M。P。Lammlestandswithfoldedarms，Mephistopheleaninacorner，withGeorgianaandFledgeby。MrsLammle，onasofabyatable，invitesMrTwemlow'sattentiontoabookofportraitsinherhand。
　　MrTwemlowtakeshisstationonasetteebeforeher，andMrsLammleshowshimaportrait。
　　'Youhavereasontobesurprised，'shesayssoftly，'butIwishyouwouldn'tlookso。'
　　DisturbedTwemlow，makinganeffortnottolookso，looksmuchmoreso。
　　'Ithink，MrTwemlow，youneversawthatdistantconnexionofyoursbeforeto-day?'
　　'No，never。'
　　'Nowthatyoudoseehim，youseewhatheis。Youarenotproudofhim?'
　　'Tosaythetruth，MrsLammle，no。'
　　'Ifyouknewmoreofhim，youwouldbelessinclinedtoacknowledgehim。Hereisanotherportrait。Whatdoyouthinkofit?'
　　Twemlowhasjustpresenceofmindenoughtosayaloud:'Verylike！Uncommonlylike！'
　　'Youhavenoticed，perhaps，whomhefavourswithhisattentions?
　　Younoticewhereheisnow，andhowengaged?'
　　'Yes。ButMrLammle——'
　　Shedartsalookathimwhichhecannotcomprehend，andshowshimanotherportrait。
　　'Verygood；isitnot?'
　　'Charming！'saysTwemlow。
　　'Solikeastobealmostacaricature?——MrTwemlow，itisimpossibletotellyouwhatthestruggleinmymindhasbeen，beforeIcouldbringmyselftospeaktoyouasIdonow。ItisonlyintheconvictionthatImaytrustyounevertobetrayme，thatI
　　canproceed。Sincerelypromisemethatyouneverwillbetraymyconfidence——thatyouwillrespectit，eventhoughyoumaynolongerrespectme，——andIshallbeassatisfiedasifyouhadswornit。'
　　'Madam，onthehonourofapoorgentleman——'
　　'Thankyou。Icandesirenomore。MrTwemlow，Iimploreyoutosavethatchild！'
　　'Thatchild?'
　　'Georgiana。Shewillbesacrificed。Shewillbeinveigledandmarriedtothatconnexionofyours。Itisapartnershipaffair，amoney-speculation。Shehasnostrengthofwillorcharactertohelpherselfandsheisonthebrinkofbeingsoldintowretchednessforlife。'
　　'Amazing！ButwhatcanIdotopreventit?'demandsTwemlow，shockedandbewilderedtothelastdegree。
　　'Hereisanotherportrait。Andnotgood，isit?'
　　Aghastatthelightmannerofherthrowingherheadbacktolookatitcritically，Twemlowstilldimlyperceivestheexpediencyofthrowinghisownheadback，anddoesso。ThoughhenomoreseestheportraitthanifitwereinChina。
　　'Decidedlynotgood，'saysMrsLammle。'Stiffandexaggerated！'
　　'Andex——'ButTwemlow，inhisdemolishedstate，cannotcommandtheword，andtrailsoffinto'——actlyso。'
　　'MrTwemlow，yourwordwillhaveweightwithherpompous，self-blindedfather。Youknowhowmuchhemakesofyourfamily。Losenotime。Warnhim。'
　　'Butwarnhimagainstwhom?'
　　'Againstme。'
　　BygreatgoodfortuneTwemlowreceivesastimulantatthiscriticalinstant。ThestimulantisLammle'svoice。
　　'Sophronia，mydear，whatportraitsareyoushowingTwemlow?'
　　'Publiccharacters，Alfred。'
　　'Showhimthelastofme。'
　　'Yes，Alfred。'
　　Sheputsthebookdown，takesanotherbookup，turnstheleaves，andpresentstheportraittoTwemlow。
　　'ThatisthelastofMrLammle。Doyouthinkitgood?——Warnherfatheragainstme。Ideserveit，forIhavebeenintheschemefromthefirst。Itismyhusband'sscheme，yourconnexion's，andmine。
　　Itellyouthis，onlytoshowyouthenecessityofthepoorlittlefoolishaffectionatecreature'sbeingbefriendedandrescued。Youwillnotrepeatthistoherfather。Youwillsparemesofar，andsparemyhusband。For，thoughthiscelebrationofto-dayisallamockery，heismyhusband，andwemustlive——Doyouthinkitlike?'
　　Twemlow，inastunnedcondition，feignstocomparetheportraitinhishandwiththeoriginallookingtowardshimfromhisMephistopheleancorner。
　　'Verywellindeed！'areatlengththewordswhichTwemlowwithgreatdifficultyextractsfromhimself。
　　'Iamgladyouthinkso。Onthewhole，Imyselfconsideritthebest。Theothersaresodark。Nowhere，forinstance，isanotherofMrLammle——'
　　'ButIdon'tunderstand；Idon'tseemyway，'Twemlowstammers，ashefaltersoverthebookwithhisglassathiseye。'Howwarnherfather，andnottellhim?Tellhimhowmuch?Tellhimhowlittle?I——I——amgettinglost。'
　　'TellhimIamamatch-maker；tellhimIamanartfulanddesigningwoman；tellhimyouaresurehisdaughterisbestoutofmyhouseandmycompany。Tellhimanysuchthingsofme；theywillallbetrue。Youknowwhatapuffed-upmanheis，andhoweasilyyoucancausehisvanitytotakethealarm。Tellhimasmuchaswillgivehimthealarmandmakehimcarefulofher，andsparemetherest。MrTwemlow，Ifeelmysuddendegradationinyoureyes；familiarasIamwithmydegradationinmyowneyes，I
　　keenlyfeelthechangethatmusthavecomeuponmeinyours，intheselastfewmoments。ButItrusttoyourgoodfaithwithmeasimplicitlyaswhenIbegan。IfyouknewhowoftenIhavetriedtospeaktoyouto-day，youwouldalmostpityme。Iwantnonewpromisefromyouonmyownaccount，forIamsatisfied，andI
　　alwaysshallbesatisfied，withthepromiseyouhavegivenme。I
　　canventuretosaynomore，forIseethatIamwatched。Ifyouwouldsetmymindatrestwiththeassurancethatyouwillinterposewiththefatherandsavethisharmlessgirl，closethatbookbeforeyoureturnittome，andIshallknowwhatyoumean，anddeeplythankyouinmyheart——Alfred，MrTwemlowthinksthelastonethebest，andquiteagreeswithyouandme。'
　　Alfredadvances。Thegroupsbreakup。LadyTippinsrisestogo，andMrsVeneeringfollowsherleader。Forthemoment，MrsLammledoesnotturntothem，butremainslookingatTwemlowlookingatAlfred'sportraitthroughhiseyeglass。Themomentpast，Twemlowdropshiseyeglassatitsribbon'slength，rises，andclosesthebookwithanemphasiswhichmakesthatfragilenurslingofthefairies，Tippins，start。
　　Thengood-byeandgood-bye，andcharmingoccasionworthyoftheGoldenAge，andmoreabouttheflitchofbacon，andthelikeofthat；andTwemlowgoesstaggeringacrossPiccadillywithhishandtohisforehead，andisnearlyrundownbyaflushedlettercart，andatlastdropssafeinhiseasy-chair，innocentgoodgentleman，withhishandtohisforeheadstill，andhisheadinawhirl。
　　BOOKTHETHIRDALONGLANE
　　Chapter1
　　LODGERSINQUEERSTREET
　　ItwasafoggydayinLondon，andthefogwasheavyanddark。
　　AnimateLondon，withsmartingeyesandirritatedlungs，wasblinking，wheezing，andchoking；inanimateLondonwasasootyspectre，dividedinpurposebetweenbeingvisibleandinvisible，andsobeingwhollyneither。Gaslightsflaredintheshopswithahaggardandunblestair，asknowingthemselvestobenight-
　　creaturesthathadnobusinessabroadunderthesun；whilethesunitselfwhenitwasforafewmomentsdimlyindicatedthroughcirclingeddiesoffog，showedasifithadgoneoutandwerecollapsingflatandcold。Eveninthesurroundingcountryitwasafoggyday，buttherethefogwasgrey，whereasinLondonitwas，atabouttheboundaryline，darkyellow，andalittlewithinitbrown，andthenbrowner，andthenbrowner，untilattheheartoftheCity——
　　whichcallSaintMaryAxe——itwasrusty-black。Fromanypointofthehighridgeoflandnorthward，itmighthavebeendiscernedthattheloftiestbuildingsmadeanoccasionalstruggletogettheirheadsabovethefoggysea，andespeciallythatthegreatdomeofSaintPaul'sseemedtodiehard；butthiswasnotperceivableinthestreetsattheirfeet，wherethewholemetropoliswasaheapofvapourchargedwithmuffledsoundofwheels，andenfoldingagiganticcatarrh。
　　Atnineo'clockonsuchamorning，theplaceofbusinessofPubseyandCo。wasnottheliveliestobjecteveninSaintMaryAxe——whichisnotaverylivelyspot——withasobbinggaslightinthecounting-
　　housewindow，andaburglariousstreamoffogcreepingintostrangleitthroughthekeyholeofthemaindoor。Butthelightwentout，andthemaindooropened，andRiahcameforthwithabagunderhisarm。
　　Almostintheactofcomingoutatthedoor，Riahwentintothefog，andwaslosttotheeyesofSaintMaryAxe。Buttheeyesofthishistorycanfollowhimwestward，byCornhill，Cheapside，FleetStreet，andtheStrand，toPiccadillyandtheAlbany。Thitherhewentathisgraveandmeasuredpace，staffinhand，skirtatheel；
　　andmorethanonehead，turningtolookbackathisvenerablefigurealreadylostinthemist，supposedittobesomeordinaryfigureindistinctlyseen，whichfancyandthefoghadworkedintothatpassinglikeness。
　　Arrivedatthehouseinwhichhismaster'schamberswereonthesecondfloor，Riahproceededupthestairs，andpausedatFascinationFledgeby'sdoor。Makingfreewithneitherbellnorknocker，hestruckuponthedoorwiththetopofhisstaff，and，havinglistened，satdownonthethreshold。Itwascharacteristicofhishabitualsubmission，thathesatdownontherawdarkstaircase，asmanyofhisancestorshadprobablysatdownindungeons，takingwhatbefellhimasitmightbefall。
　　Afteratime，whenhehadgrownsocoldastobefaintoblowuponhisfingers，hearoseandknockedwithhisstaffagain，andlistenedagain，andagainsatdowntowait。ThriceherepeatedtheseactionsbeforehislisteningearsweregreetedbythevoiceofFledgeby，callingfromhisbed，'Holdyourrow！——I'llcomeandopenthedoordirectly！'But，inlieuofcomingdirectly，hefellintoasweetsleepforsomequarterofanhourmore，duringwhichaddedintervalRiahsatuponthestairsandwaitedwithperfectpatience。
　　Atlengththedoorstoodopen，andMrFledgeby'sretreatingdraperyplungedintobedagain。Followingitatarespectfuldistance，Riahpassedintothebed-chamber，whereafirehadbeensometimelighted，andwasburningbriskly。
　　'Why，whattimeofnightdoyoumeantocallit?'inquiredFledgeby，turningawaybeneaththeclothes，andpresentingacomfortablerampartofshouldertothechilledfigureoftheoldman。
　　'Sir，itisfullhalf-pastteninthemorning。'
　　'Thedeuceitis！Thenitmustbepreciousfoggy?'
　　'Veryfoggy，sir。'
　　'Andraw，then?'
　　'Chillandbitter，'saidRiah，drawingoutahandkerchief，andwipingthemoisturefromhisbeardandlonggreyhairashestoodonthevergeoftherug，withhiseyesontheacceptablefire。
　　Withaplungeofenjoyment，Fledgebysettledhimselfafresh。
　　'Anysnow，orsleet，orslush，oranythingofthatsort?'heasked。
　　'No，sir，no。Notquitesobadasthat。Thestreetsareprettyclean。'
　　'Youneedn'tbragaboutit，'returnedFledgeby，disappointedinhisdesiretoheightenthecontrastbetweenhisbedandthestreets。
　　'Butyou'realwaysbraggingaboutsomething。Gotthebooksthere?'
　　'Theyarehere，sir。'
　　'Allright。I'llturnthegeneralsubjectoverinmymindforaminuteortwo，andwhileI'maboutityoucanemptyyourbagandgetreadyforme。'
　　Withanothercomfortableplunge，MrFledgebyfellasleepagain。
　　Theoldman，havingobeyedhisdirections，satdownontheedgeofachair，and，foldinghishandsbeforehim，graduallyyieldedtotheinfluenceofthewarmth，anddozed。HewasrousedbyMrFledgeby'sappearingerectatthefootofthebed，inTurkishslippers，rose-colouredTurkishtrousersgotcheapfromsomebodywhohadcheatedsomeothersomebodyoutofthem，andagownandcaptocorrespond。Inthatcostumehewouldhaveleftnothingtobedesired，ifhehadbeenfurtherfittedoutwithabottomlesschair，alantern，andabunchofmatches。
　　'Now，old'un！'criedFascination，inhislightraillery，'whatdodgeryareyouuptonext，sittingtherewithyoureyesshut?Youain'tasleep。Catchaweaselatit，andcatchaJew！'
　　'Truly，sir，IfearInodded，'saidtheoldman。
　　'Notyou！'returnedFledgeby，withacunninglook。'Atellingmovewithagoodmany，Idaresay，butitwon'tputMEoffmyguard。
　　Notabadnotionthough，ifyouwanttolookindifferentindrivingabargain。Oh，youareadodger！'
　　Theoldmanshookhishead，gentlyrepudiatingtheimputation，andsuppresedasigh，andmovedtothetableatwhichMrFledgebywasnowpouringoutforhimselfacupofsteamingandfragrantcoffeefromapotthathadstoodreadyonthehob。Itwasanedifyingspectacle，theyoungmaninhiseasychairtakinghiscoffee，andtheoldmanwithhisgreyheadbent，standingawaitinghispleasure。
　　'Now！'saidFledgeby。'Forkoutyourbalanceinhand，andprovebyfigureshowyoumakeitoutthatitain'tmore。Firstofall，lightthatcandle。'
　　Riahobeyed，andthentakingabagfromhisbreast，andreferringtothesumintheaccountsforwhichtheymadehimresponsible，tolditoutuponthetable。Fledgebytolditagainwithgreatcare，andrangeverysovereign。
　　'Isuppose，'hesaid，takingoneuptoeyeitclosely，'youhaven'tbeenlighteninganyofthese；butit'satradeofyourpeople's，youknow。YOUunderstandwhatsweatingapoundmeans，don'tyou?'
　　'Muchasyoudo，sir，'returnedtheoldman，withhishandsunderoppositecuffsofhisloosesleeves，ashestoodatthetable，deferentiallyobservantofthemaster'sface。'MayItakethelibertytosaysomething?'
　　'Youmay，'Fledgebygraciouslyconceded。
　　'Doyounot，sir——withoutintendingit——ofasuretywithoutintendingit——sometimesminglethecharacterIfairlyearninyouremployment，withthecharacterwhichitisyourpolicythatI
　　shouldbear?'
　　'Idon'tfinditworthmywhiletocutthingssofineastogointotheinquiry，'Fascinationcoollyanswered。
　　'Notinjustice?'
　　'Botherjustice！'saidFledgeby。
　　'Notingenerosity?'
　　'Jewsandgenerosity！'saidFledgeby。'That'sagoodconnexion！
　　Bringoutyourvouchers，anddon'ttalkJerusalempalaver。'
　　Thevoucherswereproduced，andforthenexthalf-hourMrFledgebyconcentratedhissublimeattentiononthem。Theyandtheaccountswereallfoundcorrect，andthebooksandthepapersresumedtheirplacesinthebag。
　　'Next，'saidFledgeby，'concerningthatbill-brokingbranchofthebusiness；thebranchIlikebest。Whatqueerbillsaretobebought，andatwhatprices?Youhavegotyourlistofwhat'sinthemarket?'
　　'Sir，alonglist，'repliedRiah，takingoutapocket-book，andselectingfromitscontentsafoldedpaper，which，beingunfolded，becameasheetoffoolscapcoveredwithclosewriting。
　　'Whew！'whistledFledgeby，ashetookitinhishand。'QueerStreetisfulloflodgersjustatpresent！Thesearetobedisposedofinparcels；arethey?'
　　'Inparcelsassetforth，'returnedtheoldman，lookingoverhismaster'sshoulder；'orthelump。'
　　'Halfthelumpwillbewaste-paper，oneknowsbeforehand，'saidFledgeby。'Canyougetitatwaste-paperprice?That'sthequestion。'
　　Riahshookhishead，andFledgebycasthissmalleyesdownthelist。Theypresentlybegantotwinkle，andhenosoonerbecameconsciousoftheirtwinkling，thanhelookedupoverhisshoulderatthegravefaceabovehim，andmovedtothechimney-piece。
　　Makingadeskofit，hestoodtherewithhisbacktotheoldman，warminghisknees，perusingthelistathisleisure，andoftenreturningtosomelinesofit，asthoughtheywereparticularlyinteresting。Atthosetimesheglancedinthechimney-glasstoseewhatnotetheoldmantookofhim。Hetooknonethatcouldbedetected，but，awareofhisemployer'ssuspicions，stoodwithhiseyesontheground。
　　MrFledgebywasthusamiablyengagedwhenastepwasheardattheouterdoor，andthedoorwasheardtoopenhastily。'Hark！
　　That'syourdoing，youPumpofIsrael，'saidFledgeby；'youcan'thaveshutit。'Thenthestepwasheardwithin，andthevoiceofMrAlfredLammlecalledaloud，'Areyouanywherehere，Fledgeby?'
　　TowhichFledgeby，aftercautioningRiahinalowvoicetotakehiscueasitshouldbegivenhim，replied，'HereIam！'andopenedhisbedroomdoor。
　　'Comein！'saidFledgeby。'ThisgentlemanisonlyPubseyandCo。
　　ofSaintMaryAxe，thatIamtryingtomaketermsforanunfortunatefriendwithinamatterofsomedishonouredbills。ButreallyPubseyandCo。aresostrictwiththeirdebtors，andsohardtomove，thatIseemtobewastingmytime。Can'tImakeANY
　　termswithyouonmyfriend'spart，MrRiah?'
　　'Iambuttherepresentativeofanother，sir，'returnedtheJewinalowvoice。'IdoasIambiddenbymyprincipal。Itisnotmycapitalthatisinvestedinthebusiness。Itisnotmyprofitthatarisestherefrom。'
　　'Haha！'laughedFledgeby。'Lammle?'
　　'Haha！'laughedLammle。'Yes。Ofcourse。Weknow。'
　　'Devilishgood，ain'tit，Lammle?'saidFledgeby，unspeakablyamusedbyhishiddenjoke。
　　'Alwaysthesame，alwaysthesame！'saidLammle。'Mr——'
　　'Riah，PubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，'Fledgebyputin，ashewipedawaythetearsthattrickledfromhiseyes，sorarewashisenjoymentofhissecretjoke。
　　'MrRiahisboundtoobservetheinvaRiahleformsforsuchcasesmadeandprovided，'saidLammle。
　　'Heisonlytherepresentativeofanother！'criedFledgeby。'Doesasheistoldbyhisprincipal！Nothiscapitalthat'sinvestedinthebusiness。Oh，that'sgood！Hahahaha！'MrLammlejoinedinthelaughandlookedknowing；andthemorehedidboth，themoreexquisitethesecretjokebecameforMrFledgeby。
　　'However，'saidthatfascinatinggentleman，wipinghiseyesagain，'ifwegooninthisway，weshallseemtobealmostmakinggameofMrRiah，orofPubseyandCo。SaintMaryAxe，orofsomebody:
　　whichisfarfromourintention。MrRiah，ifyouwouldhavethekindnesstostepintothenextroomforafewmomentswhileI
　　speakwithMrLammlehere，Ishouldliketotrytomaketermswithyouonceagainbeforeyougo。'
　　Theoldman，whohadneverraisedhiseyesduringthewholetransactionofMrFledgeby'sjoke，silentlybowedandpassedoutbythedoorwhichFledgebyopenedforhim。Havingcloseditonhim，FledgebyreturnedtoLammle，standingwithhisbacktothebedroomfire，withonehandunderhiscoat-skirts，andallhiswhiskersintheother。
　　'Halloa！'saidFledgeby。'There'ssomethingwrong！'
　　'Howdoyouknowit?'demandedLammle。
　　'Becauseyoushowit，'repliedFledgebyinunintentionalrhyme。
　　'Wellthen；thereis，'saidLammle；'thereISsomethingwrong；thewholething'swrong。'
　　'Isay！'remonstratedFascinationveryslowly，andsittingdownwithhishandsonhiskneestostareathisgloweringfriendwithhisbacktothefire。
　　'Itellyou，Fledgeby，'repeatedLammle，withasweepofhisrightarm，'thewholething'swrong。Thegame'sup。'
　　'Whatgame'sup?'demandedFledgeby，asslowlyasbefore，andmoresternly。
　　'THEgame。OURgame。Readthat。'
　　Fledgebytookanotefromhisextendedhandandreaditaloud。
　　'AlfredLammle，Esquire。Sir:AllowMrsPodsnapandmyselftoexpressourunitedsenseofthepoliteattentionsofMrsAlfredLammleandyourselftowardsourdaughter，Georgiana。Allowusalso，whollytorejectthemforthefuture，andtocommunicateourfinaldesirethatthetwofamiliesmaybecomeentirestrangers。I
　　havethehonourtobe，Sir，yourmostobedientandveryhumbleservant，JOHNPODSNAP。'Fledgebylookedatthethreeblanksidesofthisnote，quiteaslongandearnestlyasatthefirstexpressiveside，andthenlookedatLammle，whorespondedwithanotherextensivesweepofhisrightarm。
　　'Whosedoingisthis?'saidFledgeby。
　　'Impossibletoimagine，'saidLammle。
　　'Perhaps，'suggestedFledgeby，afterreflectingwithaverydiscontentedbrow，'somebodyhasbeengivingyouabadcharacter。'
　　'Oryou，'saidLammle，withadeeperfrown。
　　MrFledgebyappearedtobeonthevergeofsomemutinousexpressions，whenhishandhappenedtotouchhisnose。Acertainremembranceconnectedwiththatfeatureoperatingasatimelywarning，hetookitthoughtfullybetweenhisthumbandforefinger，andpondered；Lammlemeanwhileeyeinghimwithfurtiveeyes。
　　'Well！'saidFledgeby。'Thiswon'timprovewithtalkingabout。Ifweeverfindoutwhodidit，we'llmarkthatperson。There'snothingmoretobesaid，exceptthatyouundertooktodowhatcircumstancespreventyourdoing。'
　　'Andthatyouundertooktodowhatyoumighthavedonebythistime，ifyouhadmadeaprompteruseofcircumstances，'snarledLammle。
　　'Hah！That，'remarkedFledgeby，withhishandsintheTurkishtrousers，'ismatterofopinion。'
　　'MrFledgeby，'saidLammle，inabullyingtone，'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?'
　　'No，'saidFledgeby；'providedyouhavebroughtmypromissorynoteinyourpocket，andnowhanditover。'
　　Lammleproducedit，notwithoutreluctance。Fledgebylookedatit，identifiedit，twisteditup，andthrewitintothefire。Theybothlookedatitasitblazed，wentout，andflewinfeatheryashupthechimney。
　　'NOW，MrFledgeby，'saidLammle，asbefore；'amItounderstandthatyouinanywayreflectuponme，orhintdissatisfactionwithme，inthisaffair?'
　　'No，'saidFledgeby。
　　'Finallyandunreservedlyno?'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Fledgeby，myhand。'
　　MrFledgebytookit，saying，'Andifweeverfindoutwhodidthis，we'llmarkthatperson。Andinthemostfriendlymanner，letmementiononethingmore。Idon'tknowwhatyourcircumstancesare，andIdon'task。Youhavesustainedalosshere。Manymenareliabletobeinvolvedattimes，andyoumaybe，oryoumaynotbe。Butwhateveryoudo，Lammle，don't——don't——don't，Ibegofyou——everfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。inthenextroom，fortheyaregrinders。Regularflayersandgrinders，mydearLammle，'repeatedFledgebywithapeculiarrelish，'andthey'llskinyoubytheinch，fromthenapeofyournecktothesoleofyourfoot，andgrindeveryinchofyourskintotooth-powder。YouhaveseenwhatMrRiahis。Neverfallintohishands，Lammle，Ibegofyouasafriend！'
　　MrLammle，disclosingsomealarmatthesolemnityofthisaffectionateadjuration，demandedwhythedevilheevershouldfallintothehandsofPubseyandCo。?
　　'Toconfessthefact，Iwasmadealittleuneasy，'saidthecandidFledgeby，'bythemannerinwhichthatJewlookedatyouwhenheheardyourname。Ididn'tlikehiseye。Butitmayhavebeentheheatedfancyofafriend。Ofcourseifyouaresurethatyouhavenopersonalsecurityout，whichyoumaynotbequiteequaltomeeting，andwhichcanhavegotintohishands，itmusthavebeenfancy。Still，Ididn'tlikehiseye。'
　　ThebroodingLammle，withcertainwhitedintscomingandgoinginhispalpitatingnose，lookedasifsometormentingimpwerepinchingit。Fledgeby，watchinghimwithatwitchinhismeanfacewhichdiddutythereforasmile，lookedverylikethetormentorwhowaspinching。
　　'ButImustn'tkeephimwaitingtoolong，'saidFledgeby，'orhe'llrevengeitonmyunfortunatefriend。How'syourverycleverandagreeablewife?Sheknowswehavebrokendown?'
　　'Ishowedhertheletter。'
　　'Verymuchsurprised?'askedFledgeby。
　　'Ithinkshewouldhavebeenmoreso，'answeredLammle，'iftherehadbeenmoregoinYOU?'
　　'Oh！——Shelaysituponme，then?'
　　'MrFledgeby，Iwillnothavemywordsmisconstrued。'
　　'Don'tbreakout，Lammle，'urgedFledgeby，inasubmissivetone，'becausethere'snooccasion。Ionlyaskedaquestion。Thenshedon'tlayituponme?Toaskanotherquestion。'
　　'No，sir。'
　　'Verygood，'saidFledgeby，plainlyseeingthatshedid。'Mycomplimentstoher。Good-bye！'
　　Theyshookhands，andLammlestrodeoutpondering。Fledgebysawhimintothefog，and，returningtothefireandmusingwithhisfacetoit，stretchedthelegsoftherose-colouredTurkishtrouserswideapart，andmeditativelybenthisknees，asifheweregoingdownuponthem。
　　'Youhaveapairofwhiskers，Lammle，whichIneverliked，'
　　murmuredFledgeby，'andwhichmoneycan'tproduce；youareboastfulofyourmannersandyourconversation；youwantedtopullmynose，andyouhaveletmeinforafailure，andyourwifesaysIamthecauseofit。I'llbowlyoudown。Iwill，thoughIhavenowhiskers，'hereherubbedtheplaceswheretheyweredue，'andnomanners，andnoconversation！'
　　Havingthusrelievedhisnoblemind，hecollectedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousers，straightenedhimselfonhisknees，andcalledouttoRiahinthenextroom，'Halloa，yousir！'Atsightoftheoldmanre-enteringwithagentlenessmonstrouslyincontrastwiththecharacterhehadgivenhim，MrFledgebywassotickledagain，thatheexclaimed，laughing，'Good！Good！Uponmysoulitisuncommongood！'
　　'Now，old'un，'proceededFledgeby，whenhehadhadhislaughout，'you'llbuyuptheselotsthatImarkwithmypencil——there'satickthere，andatickthere，andatickthere——andIwagertwo-penceyou'llafterwardsgoonsqueezingthoseChristiansliketheJewyouare。Now，nextyou'llwantacheque——oryou'llsayyouwantit，thoughyou'vecapitalenoughsomewhere，ifoneonlyknewwhere，butyou'dbepepperedandsaltedandgrilledonagridironbeforeyou'downtoit——andthatchequeI'llwrite。'
　　Whenhehadunlockedadrawerandtakenakeyfromittoopenanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasanotherkeythatopenedanotherdrawer，inwhichwasthechequebook；andwhenhehadwrittenthecheque；
　　andwhen，reversingthekeyanddrawerprocess，hehadplacedhischequebookinsafetyagain；hebeckonedtheoldman，withthefoldedcheque，tocomeandtakeit。
　　'Old'un，'saidFledgeby，whentheJewhadputitinhispocketbook，andwasputtingthatinthebreastofhisoutergarment；'somuchatpresentformyaffairs。Nowawordaboutaffairsthatarenotexactlymine。Whereisshe?'
　　Withhishandnotyetwithdrawnfromthebreastofhisgarment，Riahstartedandpaused。
　　'Oho！'saidFledgeby。'Didn'texpectit！Wherehaveyouhiddenher?'
　　Showingthathewastakenbysurprise，theoldmanlookedathismasterwithsomepassingconfusion，whichthemasterhighlyenjoyed。
　　'IssheinthehouseIpayrentandtaxesforinSaintMaryAxe?'
　　demandedFledgeby。
　　'No，sir。'
　　'Issheinyourgardenupatopofthathouse——goneuptobedead，orwhateverthegameis?'askedFledgeby。
　　'No，sir。'
　　'Whereisshethen?'
　　Riahbenthiseyesupontheground，asifconsideringwhetherhecouldanswerthequestionwithoutbreachoffaith，andthensilentlyraisedthemtoFledgeby'sface，asifhecouldnot。
　　'Come！'saidFledgeby。'Iwon'tpressthatjustnow。ButIwanttoknowthis，andIwillknowthis，mindyou。Whatareyouupto?'
　　Theoldman，withanapologeticactionofhisheadandhands，asnotcomprehendingthemaster'smeaning，addressedtohimalookofmuteinquiry。
　　'Youcan'tbeagallivantingdodger，'saidFledgeby。'Foryou'rea“regularpitythesorrows“，youknow——ifyouDOknowanyChristianrhyme——“whosetremblinglimbshavebornehimto“——etcetrer。You'reoneofthePatriarchs；you'reashakyoldcard；andyoucan'tbeinlovewiththisLizzie?'
　　'O，sir！'expostulatedRiah。'O，sir，sir，sir！'
　　'Thenwhy，'retortedFledgeby，withsomeslighttingeofablush，'don'tyououtwithyourreasonforhavingyourspooninthesoupatall?'
　　'Sir，Iwilltellyouthetruth。Butyourpardonforthestipulationitisinsacredconfidence；itisstrictlyuponhonour。'
　　'Honourtoo！'criedFledgeby，withamockinglip。'HonouramongJews。Well。Cutaway。'
　　'Itisuponhonour，sir?'theotherstillstipulated，withrespectfulfirmness。
　　'Oh，certainly。Honourbright，'saidFledgeby。
　　Theoldman，neverbiddentositdown，stoodwithanearnesthandlaidonthebackoftheyoungman'seasychair。Theyoungmansatlookingatthefirewithafaceoflisteningcuriosity，readytocheckhimoffandcatchhimtripping。
　　'Cutaway，'saidFledgeby。'Startwithyourmotive。'
　　'Sir，Ihavenomotivebuttohelpthehelpless。'
　　MrFledgebycouldonlyexpressthefeelingstowhichthisincrediblestatementgaveriseinhisbreast，byaprodigiouslylongderisivesniff。
　　'HowIcametoknow，andmuchtoesteemandtorespect，thisdamsel，Imentionedwhenyousawherinmypoorgardenonthehouse-top，'saidtheJew。
　　'Didyou?'saidFledgeby，distrustfully。'Well。Perhapsyoudid，though。'
　　'ThebetterIknewher，themoreinterestIfeltinherfortunes。Theygatheredtoacrisis。Ifoundherbesetbyaselfishandungratefulbrother，besetbyanunacceptablewooer，besetbythesnaresofamorepowerfullover，besetbythewilesofherownheart。'
　　'Shetooktooneofthechapsthen?'
　　'Sir，itwasonlynaturalthatsheshouldinclinetowardshim，forhehadmanyandgreatadvantages。Buthewasnotofherstation，andtomarryherwasnotinhismind。Perilswereclosingroundher，andthecirclewasfastdarkening，whenI——beingasyouhavesaid，sir，toooldandbrokentobesuspectedofanyfeelingforherbutafather's——steppedin，andcounselledflight。Isaid，“Mydaughter，therearetimesofmoraldangerwhenthehardestvirtuousresolutiontoformisflight，andwhenthemostheroicbraveryisflight。”Sheanswered，shehadhadthisinherthoughts；butwhithertoflywithouthelpsheknewnot，andtherewerenonetohelpher。Ishowedhertherewasonetohelpher，anditwasI。
　　Andsheisgone。'
　　'Whatdidyoudowithher?'askedFledgeby，feelinghischeek。
　　'Iplacedher，'saidtheoldman，'atadistance；'withagravesmoothoutwardsweepfromoneanotherofhistwoopenhandsatarm'slength；'atadistance——amongcertainofourpeople，whereherindustrywouldserveher，andwhereshecouldhopetoexerciseit，unassailedfromanyquarter。'
　　Fledgeby'seyeshadcomefromthefiretonoticetheactionofhishandswhenhesaid'atadistance。'Fledgebynowtriedveryunsuccessfullytoimitatethataction，asheshookhisheadandsaid，'Placedherinthatdirection，didyou?Ohyoucircularolddodger！'
　　Withonehandacrosshisbreastandtheotherontheeasychair，Riah，withoutjustifyinghimself，waitedforfurtherquestioning。
　　But，thatitwashopelesstoquestionhimonthatonereservedpoint，Fledgeby，withhissmalleyestooneartogether，sawfullwell。
　　'Lizzie，'saidFledgeby，lookingatthefireagain，andthenlookingup。'Humph，Lizzie。Youdidn'ttellmetheothernameinyourgardenatopofthehouse。I'llbemorecommunicativewithyou。
　　Theothername'sHexam。'
　　Riahbenthisheadinassent。
　　'Lookhere，yousir，'saidFledgeby。'IhaveanotionIknowsomethingoftheinveiglingchap，thepowerfulone。Hasheanythingtodowiththelaw?'
　　'Nominally，Ibelieveithiscalling。'
　　'Ithoughtso。NameanythinglikeLightwood?'
　　'Sir，notatalllike。'
　　'Come，old'un，'saidFledgeby，meetinghiseyeswithawink，'saythename。'
　　'Wrayburn。'
　　'ByJupiter！'criedFledgeby。'Thatone，isit?Ithoughtitmightbetheother，butIneverdreamtofthatone！Ishouldn'tobjecttoyourbaulkingeitherofthepair，dodger，fortheyarebothconceitedenough；butthatoneisascoolacustomeraseverImetwith。Gotabeardbesides，andpresumesuponit。Welldone，old'un！Goonandprosper！'
　　Brightenedbythisunexpectedcommendation，Riahaskedweretheremoreinstructionsforhim?
　　'No，'saidFledgeby，'youmaytoddlenow，Judah，andgropeaboutontheordersyouhavegot。'Dismissedwiththosepleasingwords，theoldmantookhisbroadhatandstaff，andleftthegreatpresence:moreasifheweresomesuperiorcreaturebenignantlyblessingMrFledgeby，thanthepoordependentonwhomhesethisfoot。Leftalone，MrFledgebylockedhisouterdoor，andcamebacktohisfire。
　　'Welldoneyou！'saidFascinationtohimself。'Slow，youmaybe；
　　sure，youare！'Thishetwiceorthricerepeatedwithmuchcomplacency，asheagaindispersedthelegsoftheTurkishtrousersandbenttheknees。
　　'Atidyshotthat，Iflattermyself，'hethensoliloquised。'AndaJewbroughtdownwithit！Now，whenIheardthestorytoldatLammle's，Ididn'tmakeajumpatRiah。Notahitofit；Igotathimbydegrees。'Hereinhewasquiteaccurate；itbeinghishabit，nottojump，orleap，ormakeanupwardspring，atanythinginlife，buttocrawlateverything。
　　'Igotathim，'pursuedFledgeby，feelingforhiswhisker，'bydegrees。IfyourLammlesoryourLightwoodshadgotathimanyhow，theywouldhaveaskedhimthequestionwhetherhehadn'tsomethingtodowiththatgal'sdisappearance。Iknewabetterwayofgoingtowork。Havinggotbehindthehedge，andputhiminthelight，Itookashotathimandbroughthimdownplump。
　　Oh！Itdon'tcountformuch，beingaJew，inamatchagainstME！'
　　Anotherdrytwistinplaceofasmile，madehisfacecrookedhere。
　　'AstoChristians，'proceededFledgeby，'lookout，fellow-
　　Christians，particularlyyouthatlodgeinQueerStreet！IhavegottherunofQueerStreetnow，andyoushallseesomegamesthere。
　　Toworkalotofpoweroveryouandyounotknowit，knowingasyouthinkyourselves，wouldbealmostworthlayingoutmoneyupon。Butwhenitcomestosqueezingaprofitoutofyouintothebargain，it'ssomethinglike！'
　　WiththisapostropheMrFledgebyappropriatelyproceededtodivesthimselfofhisTurkishgarments，andinvesthimselfwithChristianattire。Pendingwhichoperation，andhismorningablutions，andhisanointingofhimselfwiththelastinfalliblepreparationfortheproductionofluxuriantandglossyhairuponthehumancountenancequacksbeingtheonlysageshebelievedinbesidesusurers，themurkyfogclosedabouthimandshuthimupinitssootyembrace。Ifithadneverlethimoutanymore，theworldwouldhavehadnoirreparableloss，butcouldhaveeasilyreplacedhimfromitsstockonhand。
　　Chapter2
　　ARESPECTEDFRIENDINANEWASPECT
　　Intheeveningofthissamefoggydaywhentheyellowwindow-
　　blindofPubseyandCo。wasdrawndownupontheday'swork，RiahtheJewoncemorecameforthintoSaintMaryAxe。Butthistimehecarriednobag，andwasnotboundonhismaster'saffairs。
　　HepassedoverLondonBridge，andreturnedtotheMiddlesexshorebythatofWestminster，andso，everwadingthroughthefog，wadedtothedoorstepofthedolls'dressmaker。
　　MissWrenexpectedhim。Hecouldseeherthroughthewindowbythelightofherlowfire——carefullybankedupwithdampcindersthatitmightlastthelongerandwastethelesswhenshewasout——
　　sittingwaitingforhiminherbonnet。Histapattheglassrousedherfromthemusingsolitudeinwhichshesat，andshecametothedoortoopenit；aidingherstepswithalittlecrutch-stick。
　　'Goodevening，godmother！'saidMissJennyWren。
　　Theoldmanlaughed，andgaveherhisarmtoleanon。
　　'Won'tyoucomeinandwarmyourself，godmother?'askedMissJennyWren。
　　'Notifyouareready，Cinderella，mydear。'
　　'Well！'exclaimedMissWren，delighted。'NowyouAREacleveroldboy！Ifwegaveprizesatthisestablishmentbutweonlykeepblanks，youshouldhavethefirstsilvermedal，fortakingmeupsoquick。'Asshespakethus，MissWrenremovedthekeyofthehouse-doorfromthekeyholeandputitinherpocket，andthenbustlinglyclosedthedoor，andtrieditastheybothstoodonthestep。Satisfiedthatherdwellingwassafe，shedrewonehandthroughtheoldman'sarmandpreparedtoplyhercrutch-stickwiththeother。Butthekeywasaninstrumentofsuchgiganticproportions，thatbeforetheystartedRiahproposedtocarryit。
　　'No，no，no！I'llcarryitmyself，'returnedMissWren。'I'mawfullylopsided，youknow，andstoweddowninmypocketit'lltrimtheship。Toletyouintoasecret，godmother，Iwearmypocketonmyhighside，o'purpose。'
　　Withthattheybegantheirploddingthroughthefog。
　　'Yes，itwastrulysharpofyou，godmother，'resumedMissWrenwithgreatapprobation，'tounderstandme。But，yousee，youARE
　　solikethefairygodmotherinthebrightlittlebooks！Youlooksounliketherestofpeople，andsomuchasifyouhadchangedyourselfintothatshape，justthismoment，withsomebenevolentobject。Boh！'criedMissJenny，puttingherfaceclosetotheoldman's。'Icanseeyourfeatures，godmother，behindthebeard。'
　　'Doesthefancygotomychangingotherobjectstoo，Jenny?'
　　'Ah！Thatitdoes！Ifyou'donlyborrowmystickandtapthispieceofpavement——thisdirtystonethatmyfoottaps——itwouldstartupacoachandsix。Isay！Let'sbelieveso！'
　　'Withallmyheart，'repliedthegoodoldman。
　　'AndI'lltellyouwhatImustaskyoutodo，godmother。Imustaskyoutobesokindasgivemychildatap，andchangehimaltogether。Omychildhasbeensuchabad，badchildoflate！Itworriesmenearlyoutofmywits。Notdoneastrokeofworkthesetendays。Hashadthehorrors，too，andfanciedthatfourcopper-
　　colouredmeninredwantedtothrowhimintoafieryfurnace。'
　　'Butthat'sdangerous，Jenny。'
　　'Dangerous，godmother?Mychildisalwaysdangerous，moreorless。Hemight'——herethelittlecreatureglancedbackoverhershoulderatthesky——'besettingthehouseonfireatthispresentmoment。Idon'tknowwhowouldhaveachild，formypart！It'snouseshakinghim。IhaveshakenhimtillIhavemademyselfgiddy。“Whydon'tyoumindyourCommandmentsandhonouryourparent，younaughtyoldboy?“Isaidtohimallthetime。Butheonlywhimperedandstaredatme。'
　　'Whatshallbechanged，afterhim?'askedRiahinacompassionatelyplayfulvoice。
　　'Uponmyword，godmother，IamafraidImustbeselfishnext，andgetyoutosetmerightinthebackandthelegs。It'salittlethingtoyouwithyourpower，godmother，butit'sagreatdealtopoorweakachingme。'
　　Therewasnoquerulouscomplaininginthewords，buttheywerenotthelesstouchingforthat。
　　'Andthen?'
　　'Yes，andthen——YOUknow，godmother。We'llbothjumpupintothecoachandsixandgotoLizzie。Thisremindsme，godmother，toaskyouaseriousquestion。Youareaswiseaswisecanbehavingbeenbroughtupbythefairies，andyoucantellmethis:Isitbettertohavehadagoodthingandlostit，ornevertohavehadit?'
　　'Explain，god-daughter。'
　　'IfeelsomuchmoresolitaryandhelplesswithoutLizzienow，thanIusedtofeelbeforeIknewher。'Tearswereinhereyesasshesaidso。
　　'Somebelovedcompanionshipfadesoutofmostlives，mydear，'
　　saidtheJew，——'thatofawife，andafairdaughter，andasonofpromise，hasfadedoutofmyownlife——butthehappinesswas。'
　　'Ah！'saidMissWrenthoughtfully，bynomeansconvinced，andchoppingtheexclamationwiththatsharplittlehatchetofhers；
　　'thenItellyouwhatchangeIthinkyouhadbetterbeginwith，godmother。YouhadbetterchangeIsintoWasandWasintoIs，andkeepthemso。'
　　'Wouldthatsuityourcase?Wouldyounotbealwaysinpainthen?'askedtheoldmantenderly。
　　'Right！'exclaimedMissWrenwithanotherchop。'Youhavechangedmewiser，godmother——Not，'sheaddedwiththequainthitchofherchinandeyes，'thatyouneedbeaverywonderfulgodmothertodothatdeed。'
　　Thusconversing，andhavingcrossedWestminsterBridge，theytraversedthegroundthatRiahhadlatelytraversed，andnewgroundlikewise；for，whentheyhadrecrossedtheThamesbywayofLondonBridge，theystruckdownbytheriverandheldtheirstillfoggiercoursethatway。
　　Butpreviously，astheyweregoingalong，Jennytwistedhervenerablefriendasidetoabrilliantly-lightedtoy-shopwindow，andsaid:'Nowlookat'em！Allmywork！'
　　Thisreferredtoadazzlingsemicircleofdollsinallthecoloursoftherainbow，whoweredressedforpresentationatcourt，forgoingtoballs，forgoingoutdriving，forgoingoutonhorseback，forgoingoutwalking，forgoingtogetmarried，forgoingtohelpotherdollstogetmarried，forallthegayeventsoflife。'
　　'Pretty，pretty，pretty！'saidtheoldmanwithaclapofhishands。
　　'Mosteleganttaste！'
　　'Gladyoulike'em，'returnedMissWren，loftily。'Butthefunis，godmother，howImakethegreatladiestrymydresseson。Thoughit'sthehardestpartofmybusiness，andwouldbe，evenifmybackwerenotbadandmylegsqueer。'
　　Helookedatherasnotunderstandingwhatshesaid。
　　'Blessyou，godmother，'saidMissWren，'Ihavetoscudabouttownatallhours。Ifitwasonlysittingatmybench，cuttingoutandsewing，itwouldbecomparativelyeasywork；butit'sthetrying-onbythegreatladiesthattakesitoutofme。'
　　'How，thetrying-on?'askedRiah。
　　'Whatamooneygodmotheryouare，afterall！'returnedMissWren。
　　'Lookhere。There'saDrawingRoom，oragranddayinthePark，oraShow，oraFete，orwhatyoulike。Verywell。Isqueezeamongthecrowd，andIlookaboutme。WhenIseeagreatladyverysuitableformybusiness，Isay“You'lldo，mydear！'andItakeparticularnoticeofher，andrunhomeandcutheroutandbasteher。Thenanotherday，Icomescuddingbackagaintotryon，andthenItakeparticularnoticeofheragain。Sometimessheplainlyseemstosay，'Howthatlittlecreatureisstaring！'andsometimeslikesitandsometimesdon't，butmuchmoreoftenyesthanno。AllthetimeIamonlysayingtomyself，“Imusthollowoutabithere；I
　　mustslopeawaythere；“andIammakingaperfectslaveofher，withmakinghertryonmydoll'sdress。Eveningpartiesaresevererworkforme，becausethere'sonlyadoorwayforafullview，andwhatwithhobblingamongthewheelsofthecarriagesandthelegsofthehorses，Ifullyexpecttoberunoversomenight。However，thereIhave'em，justthesame。Whentheygobobbingintothehallfromthecarriage，andcatchaglimpseofmylittlephysiognomypokedoutfrombehindapoliceman'scapeintherain，IdaresaytheythinkIamwonderingandadmiringwithallmyeyesandheart，buttheylittlethinkthey'reonlyworkingformydolls！TherewasLadyBelindaWhitrose。Imadeherdodoubledutyinonenight。Isaidwhenshecameoutofthecarriage，“YOU'lldo，mydear！“andIranstraighthomeandcutheroutandbastedher。BackIcameagain，andwaitedbehindthementhatcalledthecarriages。Verybadnighttoo。Atlast，“LadyBelindaWhitrose'scarriage！LadyBelindaWhitrosecomingdown！“AndImadehertryon——oh！andtakepainsaboutittoo——beforeshegotseated。That'sLadyBelindahangingupbythewaist，muchtoonearthegaslightforawaxone，withhertoesturnedin。'
　　Whentheyhadploddedonforsometimenightheriver，RiahaskedthewaytoacertaintaverncalledtheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。Followingthedirectionshereceived，theyarrived，aftertwoorthreepuzzledstoppagesforconsideration，andsomeuncertainlookingaboutthem，atthedoorofMissAbbeyPotterson'sdominions。Apeepthroughtheglassportionofthedoorrevealedtothemthegloriesofthebar，andMissAbbeyherselfseatedinstateonhersnugthrone，readingthenewspaper。
　　Towhom，withdeference，theypresentedthemselves。
　　Takinghereyesoffhernewspaper，andpausingwithasuspendedexpressionofcountenance，asifshemustfinishtheparagraphinhandbeforeundertakinganyotherbusinesswhatever，MissAbbeydemanded，withsomeslightasperity:'Nowthen，what'sforyou?'
　　'CouldweseeMissPotterson?'askedtheoldman，uncoveringhishead。
　　'Younotonlycould，butyoucanandyoudo，'repliedthehostess。
　　'Mightwespeakwithyou，madam?'
　　BythistimeMissAbbey'seyeshadpossessedthemselvesofthesmallfigureofMissJennyWren。Forthecloserobservationofwhich，MissAbbeylaidasidehernewspaper，rose，andlookedoverthehalf-doorofthebar。Thecrutch-stickseemedtoentreatforitsownerleavetocomeinandrestbythefire；so，MissAbbeyopenedthehalf-door，andsaid，asthoughreplyingtothecrutch-
　　stick:
　　'Yes，comeinandrestbythefire。'
　　'MynameisRiah，'saidtheoldman，withcourteousaction，'andmyavocationisinLondoncity。This，myyoungcompanion——'
　　'Stopabit，'interposedMissWren。'I'llgivetheladymycard。'Sheproduceditfromherpocketwithanair，afterstrugglingwiththegiganticdoor-keywhichhadgotuponthetopofitandkeptitdown。MissAbbey，withmanifesttokensofastonishment，tookthediminutivedocument，andfoundittorunconciselythus:——
　　MISSJENNYWREN
　　DOLLS'DRESSMAKER。
　　Dollsattendedattheirownresidences。
　　'Lud！'exclaimedMissPotterson，staring。Anddroppedthecard。
　　'Wetakethelibertyofcoming，myyoungcompanionandI，madam，'saidRiah，'onbehalfofLizzieHexam。'
　　MissPottersonwasstoopingtoloosenthebonnet-stringsofthedolls'dressmaker。Shelookedroundratherangrily，andsaid:
　　'LizzieHexamisaveryproudyoungwoman。'
　　'Shewouldbesoproud，'returnedRiah，dexterously，'tostandwellinyourgoodopinion，thatbeforeshequittedLondonfor——'
　　'Forwhere，inthenameoftheCapeofGoodHope?'askedMissPotterson，asthoughsupposinghertohaveemigrated。
　　'Forthecountry，'wasthecautiousanswer，——'shemadeuspromisetocomeandshowyouapaper，whichsheleftinourhandsforthatspecialpurpose。Iamanunserviceablefriendofhers，whobegantoknowherafterherdeparturefromthisneighbourhood。Shehasbeenforsometimelivingwithmyyoungcompanion，andhasbeenahelpfulandacomfortablefriendtoher。Muchneeded，madam，'
　　headded，inalowervoice。'Believeme；ifyouknewall，muchneeded。'
　　'Icanbelievethat，'saidMissAbbey，withasofteningglanceatthelittlecreature。
　　'Andifit'sproudtohaveaheartthatneverhardens，andatemperthatnevertires，andatouchthatneverhurts，'MissJennystruckin，flushed，'sheisproud。Andifit'snot，sheisNOT。'
　　HersetpurposeofcontradictingMissAbbeypointblank，wassofarfromoffendingthatdreadauthority，astoelicitagracioussmile。'Youdoright，child，'saidMissAbbey，'tospeakwellofthosewhodeservewellofyou。'
　　'Rightorwrong，'mutteredMissWren，inaudibly，withavisiblehitchofherchin，'Imeantodoit，andyoumaymakeupyourmindtoTHAT，oldlady。'
　　'Hereisthepaper，madam，'saidtheJew，deliveringintoMissPotterson'shandstheoriginaldocumentdrawnupbyRokesmith，andsignedbyRiderhood。'Willyoupleasetoreadit?'
　　'Butfirstofall，'saidMissAbbey，'——didyouevertasteshrub，child?'
　　MissWrenshookherhead。
　　'Shouldyouliketo?'
　　'Shouldifit'sgood，'returnedMissWren。
　　'Youshalltry。And，ifyoufinditgood，I'llmixsomeforyouwithhotwater。Putyourpoorlittlefeetonthefender。It'sacold，coldnight，andthefogclingsso。'AsMissAbbeyhelpedhertoturnherchair，herloosenedbonnetdroppedonthefloor。'Why，whatlovelyhair！'criedMissAbbey。'Andenoughtomakewigsforallthedollsintheworld。Whataquantity！'
　　'CallTHATaquantity?'returnedMissWren。'Poof！Whatdoyousaytotherestofit?'Asshespoke，sheuntiedaband，andthegoldenstreamfelloverherselfandoverthechair，andfloweddowntotheground。MissAbbey'sadmirationseemedtoincreaseherperplexity。ShebeckonedtheJewtowardsher，asshereacheddowntheshrub-bottlefromitsniche，andwhispered:
　　'Child，orwoman?'
　　'Childinyears，'wastheanswer；'womaninself-relianceandtrial。'
　　'YouaretalkingaboutMe，goodpeople，'thoughtMissJenny，sittinginhergoldenbower，warmingherfeet。'Ican'thearwhatyousay，butIknowyourtricksandyourmanners！'
　　Theshrub，whentastedfromaspoon，perfectlyharmonizingwithMissJenny'spalate，ajudiciousamountwasmixedbyMissPotterson'sskilfulhands，whereofRiahtoopartook。Afterthispreliminary，MissAbbeyreadthedocument；and，asoftenassheraisedhereyebrowsinsodoing，thewatchfulMissJennyaccompaniedtheactionwithanexpressiveandemphaticsipoftheshrubandwater。
　　'Asfarasthisgoes，'saidMissAbbeyPotterson，whenshehadreaditseveraltimes，andthoughtaboutit，'itproveswhatdidn'tmuchneedprovingthatRogueRiderhoodisavillain。Ihavemydoubtswhetherheisnotthevillainwhosolelydidthedeed；butI
　　havenoexpectationofthosedoubtseverbeingclearedupnow。I
　　believeIdidLizzie'sfatherwrong，butneverLizzie'sself；becausewhenthingswereattheworstItrustedher，hadperfectconfidenceinher，andtriedtopersuadehertocometomeforarefuge。Iamverysorrytohavedoneamanwrong，particularlywhenitcan'tbeundone。BekindenoughtoletLizzieknowwhatIsay；notforgettingthatifshewillcometothePorters，afterall，bygonesbeingbygones，shewillfindahomeatthePorters，andafriendatthePorters。SheknowsMissAbbeyofold，remindher，andsheknowswhat-likethehome，andwhat-likethefriend，islikelytoturnout。Iamgenerallyshortandsweet——orshortandsour，accordingasitmaybeandasopinionsvary——'remarkedMissAbbey，'andthat'saboutallIhavegottosay，andenoughtoo。'
　　Butbeforetheshrubandwaterwassippedout，MissAbbeybethoughtherselfthatshewouldliketokeepacopyofthepaperbyher。'It'snotlong，sir，'saidshetoRiah，'andperhapsyouwouldn'tmindjustjottingitdown。'Theoldmanwillinglyputonhisspectacles，and，standingatthelittledeskinthecornerwhereMissAbbeyfiledherreceiptsandkepthersamplephialscustomers'scoreswereinterdictedbythestrictadministrationofthePorters，wroteoutthecopyinafairroundcharacter。Ashestoodthere，doinghismethodicalpenmanship，hisancientscribelikefigureintentuponthework，andthelittledolls'
　　dressmakersittinginhergoldenbowerbeforethefire，MissAbbeyhadherdoubtswhethershehadnotdreamedthosetworarefiguresintothebaroftheSixJollyFellowships，andmightnotwakewithanodnextmomentandfindthemgone。
　　MissAbbeyhadtwicemadetheexperimentofshuttinghereyesandopeningthemagain，stillfindingthefiguresthere，when，dreamlike，aconfusedhubbubaroseinthepublicroom。Asshestartedup，andtheyallthreelookedatoneanother，itbecameanoiseofclamouringvoicesandofthestiroffeet；thenallthewindowswereheardtobehastilythrownup，andshoutsandcriescamefloatingintothehousefromtheriver。Amomentmore，andBobGlidderycameclatteringalongthepassage，withthenoiseofallthenailsinhisbootscondensedintoeveryseparatenail。
　　'Whatisit?'askedMissAbbey。
　　'It'ssummutrundowninthefog，ma'am，'answeredBob。'There'seversomanypeopleintheriver。'
　　'Tell'emtoputonallthekettles！'criedMissAbbey。'Seethattheboiler'sfull。Getabathout。Hangsomeblanketstothefire。Heatsomestonebottles。Haveyoursensesaboutyou，yougirlsdownstairs，anduse'em。'
　　WhileMissAbbeypartlydeliveredthesedirectionstoBob——whomsheseizedbythehair，andwhoseheadsheknockedagainstthewall，asageneralinjunctiontovigilanceandpresenceofmind——
　　andpartlyhailedthekitchenwiththem——thecompanyinthepublicroom，jostlingoneanother，rushedouttothecauseway，andtheouternoiseincreased。
　　'Comeandlook，'saidMissAbbeytohervisitors。Theyallthreehurriedtothevacatedpublicroom，andpassedbyoneofthewindowsintothewoodenverandahoverhangingtheriver。
　　'Doesanybodydownthereknowwhathashappened?'demandedMissAbbey，inhervoiceofauthority。
　　'It'sasteamer，MissAbbey，'criedoneblurredfigureinthefog。
　　'ItalwaysISasteamer，MissAbbey，'criedanother。
　　'Them'sherlights，MissAbbey，wotyouseea-blinkingyonder，'
　　criedanother。
　　'She'sa-blowingoffhersteam，MissAbbey，andthat'swhatmakesthefogandthenoiseworse，don'tyousee?'explainedanother。
　　Boatswereputtingoff，torcheswerelightingup，peoplewererushingtumultuouslytothewater'sedge。Somemanfellinwithasplash，andwaspulledoutagainwitharoaroflaughter。Thedragswerecalledfor。Acryforthelife-buoypassedfrommouthtomouth。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhatwasgoingonupontheriver，foreveryboatthatputoffsculledintothefogandwaslosttoviewataboat'slength。Nothingwasclearbutthattheunpopularsteamerwasassailedwithreproachesonallsides。ShewastheMurderer，boundforGallowsBay；shewastheManslaughterer，boundforPenalSettlement；hercaptainoughttobetriedforhislife；hercrewrandownmeninrow-boatswitharelish；shemashedupThameslightermenwithherpaddles；shefiredpropertywithherfunnels；shealwayswas，andshealwayswouldbe，wreakingdestructionuponsomebodyorsomething，afterthemannerofallherkind。Thewholebulkofthefogteemedwithsuchtaunts，utteredintonesofuniversalhoarseness。Allthewhile，thesteamer'slightsmovedspectrallyaverylittle，asshelay-
　　to，waitingtheupshotofwhateveraccidenthadhappened。Now，shebeganburningblue-lights。Thesemadealuminouspatchabouther，asifshehadsetthefogonfire，andinthepatch——thecrieschangingtheirnote，andbecomingmorefitfulandmoreexcited——shadowsofmenandboatscouldbeseenmoving，whilevoicesshouted:'There！''Thereagain！''Acouplemorestrokesa-
　　head！''Hurrah！''Lookout！''Holdon！''Haulin！'andthelike。Lastly，withafewtumblingclotsofbluefire，thenightclosedindarkagain，thewheelsofthesteamerwereheardrevolving，andherlightsglidedsmoothlyawayinthedirectionofthesea。
　　ItappearedtoMissAbbeyandhertwocompanionsthataconsiderabletimehadbeenthusoccupied。Therewasnowaseagerasettowardstheshorebeneaththehouseastherehadbeenfromit；anditwasonlyonthefirstboatoftherushcominginthatitwasknownwhathadoccurred。
　　'Ifthat'sTomTootle，'MissAbbeymadeproclamation，inhermostcommandingtones，'lethiminstantlycomeunderneathhere。'
　　ThesubmissiveTomcomplied，attendedbyacrowd。
　　'Whatisit，Tootle?'demandedMissAbbey。
　　'It'saforeignsteamer，miss，rundownawherry。'
　　'Howmanyinthewherry?'
　　'Oneman，MissAbbey。'
　　'Found?'
　　'Yes。He'sbeenunderwateralongtime，Miss；butthey'vegrappledupthebody。'
　　'Let'embringithere。You，BobGliddery，shutthehouse-doorandstandbyitontheinside，anddon'tyouopentillItellyou。Anypolicedownthere?'
　　'Here，MissAbbey，'wasofficialrejoinder。
　　'Aftertheyhavebroughtthebodyin，keepthecrowdout，willyou?
　　AndhelpBobGlidderytoshut'emout。'
　　'Allright，MissAbbey。'
　　TheautocraticlandladywithdrewintothehousewithRiahandMissJenny，anddisposedthoseforces，oneoneithersideofher，withinthehalf-doorofthebar，asbehindabreastwork。
　　'Youtwostandclosehere，'saidMissAbbey，'andyou'llcometonohurt，andseeitbroughtin。Bob，youstandbythedoor。'
　　Thatsentinel，smartlygivinghisrolledshirt-sleevesanextraandafinaltuckonhisshoulders，obeyed。
　　Soundofadvancingvoices，soundofadvancingsteps。Shuffleandtalkwithout。Momentarypause。Twopeculiarlybluntknocksorpokesatthedoor，asifthedeadmanarrivingonhisbackwerestrikingatitwiththesolesofhismotionlessfeet。
　　'That'sthestretcher，ortheshutter，whicheverofthetwotheyarecarrying，'saidMissAbbey，withexperiencedear。'Open，youBob！'
　　Dooropened。Heavytreadofladenmen。Ahalt。Arush。
　　Stoppageofrush。Doorshut。Baffledbootsfromthevexedsoulsofdisappointedoutsiders。
　　'Comeon，men！'saidMissAbbey；forsopotentwasshewithhersubjectsthateventhenthebearersawaitedherpermission。'Firstfloor。'
　　Theentrybeinglow，andthestaircasebeinglow，theysotookuptheburdentheyhadsetdown，astocarrythatlow。Therecumbentfigure，inpassing，layhardlyashighasthehalfdoor。
　　MissAbbeystartedbackatsightofit。'Why，goodGod！'saidshe，turningtohertwocompanions，'that'stheverymanwhomadethedeclarationwehavejusthadinourhands。That'sRiderhood！'
　　Chapter3
　　THESAMERESPECTEDFRIENDINMOREASPECTSTHANONE
　　Insooth，itisRiderhoodandnoother，oritistheouterhuskandshellofRiderhoodandnoother，thatisborneintoMissAbbey'sfirst-floorbedroom。SuppletotwistandturnastheRoguehaseverbeen，heissufficientlyrigidnow；andnotwithoutmuchshufflingofattendantfeet，andtiltingofhisbierthiswayandthatway，andperilevenofhisslidingoffitandbeingtumbledinaheapoverthebalustrades，canhebegotupstairs。
　　'Fetchadoctor，'quothMissAbbey。Andthen，'Fetchhisdaughter。'
　　Onbothofwhicherrands，quickmessengersdepart。
　　Thedoctor-seekingmessengermeetsthedoctorhalfway，comingunderconvoyofpolice。Doctorexaminesthedankcarcase，andpronounces，nothopefully，thatitisworthwhiletryingtoreanimatethesame。Allthebestmeansareatonceinaction，andeverybodypresentlendsahand，andaheartandsoul。Noonehastheleastregardfortheman；withthemall，hehasbeenanobjectofavoidance，suspicion，andaversion；butthesparkoflifewithinhimiscuriouslyseparablefromhimselfnow，andtheyhaveadeepinterestinit，probablybecauseitISlife，andtheyarelivingandmustdie。
　　Inanswertothedoctor'sinquiryhowdidithappen，andwasanyonetoblame，TomTootlegivesinhisverdict，unavoidableaccidentandnoonetoblamebutthesufferer。'Hewasslinkingaboutinhisboat，'saysTom，'whichslinkingwere，nottospeakillofthedead，themanneroftheman，whenhecomerightathwartthesteamer'sbowsandshecuthimintwo。'MrTootleissofarfigurative，touchingthedismemberment，asthathemeanstheboat，andnottheman。For，themanlieswholebeforethem。
　　CaptainJoey，thebottle-nosedregularcustomerintheglazedhat，isapupilofthemuch-respectedoldschool，andhavinginsinuatedhimselfintothechamber，intheexecutionoftheimpontantserviceofcarryingthedrownedman'sneck-kerchieffavoursthedoctorwithasagaciousold-scholasticsuggestionthatthebodyshouldbehungupbytheheels，'sim'lar'，saysCaptainJoey，'tomuttoninabutcher'sshop，'andshouldthen，asaparticularlychoicemanoeuvreforpromotingeasyrespiration，berolleduponcasks。
　　Thesescrapsofthewisdomofthecaptain'sancestorsarereceivedwithsuchspeechlessindignationbyMissAbbey，thatsheinstantlyseizestheCaptainbythecollar，andwithoutasinglewordejectshim，notpresumingtoremonstrate，fromthescene。
　　Therethenremain，toassistthedoctorandTom，onlythosethreeotherregularcustomers，BobGlamour，WilliamWilliams，andJonathanfamilynameofthelatter，ifany，unknowntoman-kind，whoarequiteenough。MissAbbeyhavinglookedintomakesurethatnothingiswanted，descendstothebar，andthereawaitstheresult，withthegentleJewandMissJennyWren。
　　Ifyouarenotgoneforgood，MrRiderhood，itwouldbesomethingtoknowwhereyouarehidingatpresent。Thisflabbylumpofmortalitythatweworksohardatwithsuchpatientperseverance，yieldsnosignofyou。Ifyouaregoneforgood，Rogue，itisverysolemn，andifyouarecomingback，itishardlylessso。Nay，inthesuspenseandmysteryofthelatterquestion，involvingthatofwhereyoumaybenow，thereisasolemnityevenaddedtothatofdeath，makinguswhoareinattendancealikeafraidtolookonyouandtolookoffyou，andmakingthosebelowstartattheleastsoundofacreakingplankinthefloor。
　　Stay！Didthateyelidtremble?Sothedoctor，breathinglow，andcloselywatching，askshimself。
　　No。
　　Didthatnostriltwitch?
　　No。
　　Thisartificialrespirationceasing，doIfeelanyfaintflutterundermyhanduponthechest?
　　No。
　　OverandoveragainNo。No。Buttryoverandoveragain，nevertheless。
　　See！Atokenoflife！Anindubitabletokenoflife！Thesparkmaysmoulderandgoout，oritmayglowandexpand，butsee！Thefourroughfellows，seeing，shedtears。NeitherRiderhoodinthisworld，norRiderhoodintheother，coulddrawtearsfromthem；butastrivinghumansoulbetweenthetwocandoiteasily。
　　Heisstrugglingtocomeback。Now，heisalmosthere，nowheisfarawayagain。Nowheisstrugglinghardertogetback。Andyet——
　　likeusall，whenweswoon——likeusall，everydayofourliveswhenwewake——heisinstinctivelyunwillingtoberestoredtotheconsciousnessofthisexistence，andwouldbeleftdormant，ifhecould。
　　BobGlidderyreturnswithPleasantRiderhood，whowasoutwhensoughtfor，andhardtofind。Shehasashawloverherhead，andherfirstaction，whenshetakesitoffweeping，andcurtseystoMissAbbey，istowindherhairup。
　　'Thankyou，MissAbbey，forhavingfatherhere。'
　　'Iamboundtosay，girl，Ididn'tknowwhoitwas，'returnsMissAbbey；'butIhopeitwouldhavebeenprettymuchthesameifI
　　hadknown。'
　　PoorPleasant，fortifiedwithasipofbrandy，isusheredintothefirst-floorchamber。Shecouldnotexpressmuchsentimentaboutherfatherifshewerecalledupontopronouncehisfuneraloration，butshehasagreatertendernessforhimthanheeverhadforher，andcryingbitterlywhensheseeshimstretchedunconscious，asksthedoctor，withclaspedhands:'Istherenohope，sir?Opoorfather！Ispoorfatherdead?'
　　Towhichthedoctor，ononekneebesidethebody，busyandwatchful，onlyrejoinswithoutlookinground:'Now，mygirl，unlessyouhavetheself-commandtobeperfectlyquiet，Icannotallowyoutoremainintheroom。'