Theblindmanpassedhishandlightlyoverthepoorfellow’sface，andfindingthathiselbowswereplantedonthetable，thathischinrestedonhistwohands，thatheleanedeagerlyforward，andthathiswholemannerexpressedtheutmostinterestandanxiety，pausedforaminuteasthoughhedesiredthewidowtoobservethisfully，andthenmadeanswer:
　　’It’sintheworld，boldBarnaby，themerryworld;notinsolitaryplaceslikethoseyoupassyourtimein，butincrowds，andwherethere’snoiseandrattle。’
　　’Good！good！’criedBarnaby，rubbinghishands。’Yes！Ilovethat。Griplovesittoo。Itsuitsusboth。That’sbrave！’
　　’——Thekindofplaces，’saidtheblindman，’thatayoungfellowlikes，andinwhichagoodsonmaydomoreforhismother，andhimselftoboot，inamonth，thanhecouldhereinallhislife——
　　thatis，ifhehadafriend，youknow，andsomeonetoadvisewith。’
　　’Youhearthis，mother？’criedBarnaby，turningtoherwithdelight。’Nevertellmeweshouldn’theedit，ifitlayshiningatoutfeet。Whydoweheeditsomuchnow？Whydoyoutoilfrommorninguntilnight？’
　　’Surely，’saidtheblindman，’surely。Haveyounoanswer，widow？
　　Isyourmind，’heslowlyadded，’notmadeupyet？’
　　’Letmespeakwithyou，’sheanswered，’apart。’
　　’Layyourhanduponmysleeve，’saidStagg，arisingfromthetable;
　　’andleadmewhereyouwill。Courage，boldBarnaby。We’lltalkmoreofthis:I’veafancyforyou。WaittheretillIcomeback。
　　Now，widow。’
　　Sheledhimoutatthedoor，andintothelittlegarden，wheretheystopped。
　　’Youareafitagent，’shesaid，inahalfbreathlessmanner，’andwellrepresentthemanwhosentyouhere。’
　　’I’lltellhimthatyousaidso，’Staggretorted。’Hehasaregardforyou，andwillrespectmethemoreifpossibleforyourpraise。Wemusthaveourrights，widow。’
　　’Rights！Doyouknow，’shesaid，’thatawordfromme——’
　　’Whydoyoustop？’returnedtheblindmancalmly，afteralongpause。’DoIknowthatawordfromyouwouldplacemyfriendinthelastpositionofthedanceoflife？Yes，Ido。Whatofthat？
　　Itwillneverbespoken，widow。’
　　’Youaresureofthat？’
　　’Quite——sosure，thatIdon’tcomeheretodiscussthequestion。I
　　saywemusthaveourrights，orwemustbeboughtoff。Keeptothatpoint，orletmereturntomyyoungfriend，forIhaveaninterestinthelad，anddesiretoputhiminthewayofmakinghisfortune。Bah！youneedn’tspeak，’headdedhastily;’Iknowwhatyouwouldsay:youhavehintedatitoncealready。HaveInofeelingforyou，becauseIamblind？No，Ihavenot。Whydoyouexpectme，beingindarkness，tobebetterthanmenwhohavetheirsight——whyshouldyou？IsthehandofHeavenmoremanifestinmyhavingnoeyes，thaninyourhavingtwo？It’sthecantofyoufolkstobehorrifiedifablindmanrobs，orlies，orsteals;ohyes，it’sfarworseinhim，whocanbarelyliveonthefewhalfpencethatarethrowntohiminstreets，thaninyou，whocansee，andwork，andarenotdependentonthemerciesoftheworld。
　　Acurseonyou！Youwhohavefivesensesmaybewickedatyourpleasure;wewhohavefour，andwantthemostimportant，aretoliveandbemoralonouraffliction。Thetruecharityandjusticeofrichtopoor，alltheworldover！’
　　Hepausedamomentwhenhehadsaidthesewords，andcaughtthesoundofmoney，jinglinginherhand。
　　’Well？’hecried，quicklyresuminghisformermanner。’Thatshouldleadtosomething。Thepoint，widow？’
　　’Firstanswermeonequestion，’shereplied。’Yousayheiscloseathand。HasheleftLondon？’
　　’Beingcloseathand，widow，itwouldseemhehas，’returnedtheblindman。
　　’Imean，forgood？Youknowthat。’
　　’Yes，forgood。Thetruthis，widow，thathismakingalongerstaytheremighthavehaddisagreeableconsequences。Hehascomeawayforthatreason。’
　　’Listen，’saidthewidow，tellingsomemoneyout，uponabenchbesidethem。’Count。’
　　’Six，’saidtheblindman，listeningattentively。’Anymore？’
　　’Theyarethesavings，’sheanswered，’offiveyears。Sixguineas。’
　　Heputouthishandforoneofthecoins;feltitcarefully，putitbetweenhisteeth，rungitonthebench;andnoddedtohertoproceed。
　　’Thesehavebeenscrapedtogetherandlaidby，lestsicknessordeathshouldseparatemysonandme。Theyhavebeenpurchasedatthepriceofmuchhunger，hardlabour，andwantofrest。IfyouCANtakethem——do——onconditionthatyouleavethisplaceupontheinstant，andenternomoreintothatroom，wherehesitsnow，expectingyourreturn。’
　　’Sixguineas，’saidtheblindman，shakinghishead，’thoughofthefullestweightthatwereevercoined，fallveryfarshortoftwentypounds，widow。’
　　’Forsuchasum，asyouknow，Imustwritetoadistantpartofthecountry。Todothat，andreceiveananswer，Imusthavetime。’
　　’Twodays？’saidStagg。
　　’More。’
　　’Fourdays？’
　　’Aweek。Returnonthisdayweek，atthesamehour，butnottothehouse。Waitatthecornerofthelane。’
　　’Ofcourse，’saidtheblindman，withacraftylook，’Ishallfindyouthere？’
　　’WhereelsecanItakerefuge？Isitnotenoughthatyouhavemadeabeggarofme，andthatIhavesacrificedmywholestore，sohardlyearned，topreservethishome？’
　　’Humph！’saidtheblindman，aftersomeconsideration。’Setmewithmyfacetowardsthepointyouspeakof，andinthemiddleoftheroad。Isthisthespot？’
　　’Itis。’
　　’Onthisdayweekatsunset。Andthinkofhimwithindoors——Forthepresent，goodnight。’
　　Shemadehimnoanswer，nordidhestopforany。Hewentslowlyaway，turninghisheadfromtimetotime，andstoppingtolisten，asifhewerecurioustoknowwhetherhewaswatchedbyanyone。
　　Theshadowsofnightwereclosingfastaround，andhewassoonlostinthegloom。Itwasnot，however，untilshehadtraversedthelanefromendtoend，andmadesurethathewasgone，thatshere-
　　enteredthecottage，andhurriedlybarredthedoorandwindow。
　　’Mother！’saidBarnaby。’Whatisthematter？Whereistheblindman？’
　　’Heisgone。’
　　’Gone！’hecried，startingup。’Imusthavemoretalkwithhim。
　　Whichwaydidhetake？’
　　’Idon’tknow，’sheanswered，foldingherarmsabouthim。’Youmustnotgooutto-night。Thereareghostsanddreamsabroad。’
　　’Ay？’saidBarnaby，inafrightenedwhisper。
　　’Itisnotsafetostir。Wemustleavethisplaceto-morrow。’
　　’Thisplace！Thiscottage——andthelittlegarden，mother！’
　　’Yes！To-morrowmorningatsunrise。WemusttraveltoLondon;
　　loseourselvesinthatwideplace——therewouldbesometraceofusinanyothertown——thentravelonagain，andfindsomenewabode。’
　　LittlepersuasionwasrequiredtoreconcileBarnabytoanythingthatpromisedchange。Inanotherminute，hewaswildwithdelight;
　　inanother，fullofgriefattheprospectofpartingwithhisfriendsthedogs;inanother，wildagain;thenhewasfearfulofwhatshehadsaidtopreventhiswanderingabroadthatnight，andfullofterrorsandstrangequestions。Hislight-heartednessintheendsurmountedallhisotherfeelings，andlyingdowninhisclothestotheendthathemightbereadyonthemorrow，hesoonfellfastasleepbeforethepoorturffire。
　　Hismotherdidnotclosehereyes，butsatbesidehim，watching。
　　Everybreathofwindsoundedinherearslikethatdreadedfootstepatthedoor，orlikethathanduponthelatch，andmadethecalmsummernight，anightofhorror。Atlengththewelcomedayappeared。Whenshehadmadethelittlepreparationswhichwereneedfulfortheirjourney，andhadprayeduponherkneeswithmanytears，sherousedBarnaby，whojumpedupgailyathersummons。
　　Hisclotheswerefewenough，andtocarryGripwasalabouroflove。Asthesunshedhisearliestbeamsupontheearth，theyclosedthedooroftheirdesertedhome，andturnedaway。Theskywasblueandbright。Theairwasfreshandfilledwithathousandperfumes。Barnabylookedupward，andlaughedwithallhisheart。
　　Butitwasadayheusuallydevotedtoalongramble，andoneofthedogs——theugliestofthemall——cameboundingup，andjumpingroundhiminthefulnessofhisjoy。Hehadtobidhimgobackinasurlytone，andhisheartsmotehimwhilehedidso。Thedogretreated;turnedwithahalf-incredulous，half-imploringlook;
　　camealittleback;andstopped。
　　Itwasthelastappealofanoldcompanionandafaithfulfriend——
　　castoff。Barnabycouldbearnomore，andasheshookhisheadandwavedhisplaymatehome，heburstintotears。
　　’Ohmother，mother，howmournfulhewillbewhenhescratchesatthedoor，andfindsitalwaysshut！’
　　Therewassuchasenseofhomeinthethought，thatthoughherowneyesoverflowedshewouldnothaveobliteratedtherecollectionofit，eitherfromherownmindorfromhis，forthewealthofthewholewideworld。
　　Chapter47
　　IntheexhaustlesscatalogueofHeaven’smerciestomankind，thepowerwehaveoffindingsomegermsofcomfortinthehardesttrialsmusteveroccupytheforemostplace;notonlybecauseitsupportsandupholdsuswhenwemostrequiretobesustained，butbecauseinthissourceofconsolationthereissomething，wehavereasontobelieve，ofthedivinespirit;somethingofthatgoodnesswhichdetectsamidstourownevildoings，aredeemingquality;
　　somethingwhich，eveninourfallennature，wepossessincommonwiththeangels;whichhaditsbeingintheoldtimewhentheytrodtheearth，andlingersonityet，inpity。
　　Howoften，ontheirjourney，didthewidowrememberwithagratefulheart，thatoutofhisdeprivationBarnaby’scheerfulnessandaffectionsprung！Howoftendidshecalltomindthatbutforthat，hemighthavebeensullen，morose，unkind，farremovedfromher——vicious，perhaps，andcruel！Howoftenhadshecauseforcomfort，inhisstrength，andhope，andinhissimplenature！
　　Thosefeeblepowersofmindwhichrenderedhimsosoonforgetfulofthepast，saveinbriefgleamsandflashes，——eventheywereacomfortnow。Theworldtohimwasfullofhappiness;ineverytree，andplant，andflower，ineverybird，andbeast，andtinyinsectwhomabreathofsummerwindlaidlowupontheground，hehaddelight。Hisdelightwashers;andwheremanyawisesonwouldhavemadehersorrowful，thispoorlight-heartedidiotfilledherbreastwiththankfulnessandlove。
　　Theirstockofmoneywaslow，butfromthehoardshehadtoldintotheblindman’shand，thewidowhadwithheldoneguinea。This，withthefewpenceshepossessedbesides，wastotwopersonsoftheirfrugalhabits，agoodlysuminbank。MoreovertheyhadGripincompany;andwhentheymustotherwisehavechangedtheguinea，itwasbuttomakehimexhibitoutsideanalehousedoor，orinavillagestreet，orinthegroundsorgardensofamansionofthebettersort，andscoreswhowouldhavegivennothingincharity，werereadytobargainformoreamusementfromthetalkingbird。
　　Oneday——fortheymovedslowly，andalthoughtheyhadmanyridesincartsandwaggons，wereontheroadaweek——Barnaby，withGripuponhisshoulderandhismotherfollowing，beggedpermissionatatrimlodgetogouptothegreathouse，attheotherendoftheavenue，andshowhisraven。Themanwithinwasinclinedtogivethemadmittance，andwasindeedabouttodoso，whenastoutgentlemanwithalongwhipinhishand，andaflushedfacewhichseemedtoindicatethathehadhadhismorning’sdraught，rodeuptothegate，andcalledinaloudvoiceandwithmoreoathsthantheoccasionseemedtowarranttohaveitopeneddirectly。
　　’Whohastthougothere？’saidthegentlemanangrily，asthemanthrewthegatewideopen，andpulledoffhishat，’whoarethese？
　　Eh？artabeggar，woman？’
　　Thewidowansweredwithacurtsey，thattheywerepoortravellers。
　　’Vagrants，’saidthegentleman，’vagrantsandvagabonds。Theewishtobemadeacquaintedwiththecage，dostthee——thecage，thestocks，andthewhipping-post？Wheredostcomefrom？’
　　Shetoldhiminatimidmanner，——forhewasveryloud，hoarse，andred-faced，——andbesoughthimnottobeangry，fortheymeantnoharm，andwouldgoupontheirwaythatmoment。
　　’Don’thetoosureofthat，’repliedthegentleman，’wedon’tallowvagrantstoroamaboutthisplace。Iknowwhatthouwant’st——
　　straylinendryingonhedges，andstraypoultry，eh？Whathastgotinthatbasket，lazyhound？’
　　’Grip，Grip，Grip——Griptheclever，Gripthewicked，Griptheknowing——Grip，Grip，Grip，’criedtheraven，whomBarnabyhadshutupontheapproachofthissternpersonage。’I’madevilI’madevilI’madevil，NeversaydieHurrahBowwowwow，Pollyputthekettleonwe’llallhavetea。’
　　’Taketheverminout，scoundrel，’saidthegentleman，’andletmeseehim。’
　　Barnaby，thuscondescendinglyaddressed，producedhisbird，butnotwithoutmuchfearandtrembling，andsethimdownupontheground;
　　whichhehadnosoonerdonethanGripdrewfiftycorksatleast，andthenbegantodance;atthesametimeeyeingthegentlemanwithsurprisinginsolenceofmanner，andscrewinghisheadsomuchononesidethatheappeareddesirousofscrewingitoffuponthespot。
　　Thecork-drawingseemedtomakeagreaterimpressiononthegentleman’smind，thantheraven’spowerofspeech，andwasindeedparticularlyadaptedtohishabitsandcapacity。Hedesiredtohavethatdoneagain，butdespitehisbeingveryperemptory，andnotwithstandingthatBarnabycoaxedtotheutmost，Gripturnedadeafeartotherequest，andpreservedadeadsilence。
　　’Bringhimalong，’saidthegentleman，pointingtothehouse。ButGrip，whohadwatchedtheaction，anticipatedhismaster，byhoppingonbeforethem;——constantlyflappinghiswings，andscreaming’cook！’meanwhile，asahintperhapsthattherewascompanycoming，andasmallcollationwouldbeacceptable。
　　Barnabyandhismotherwalkedon，oneithersideofthegentlemanonhorseback，whosurveyedeachofthemfromtimetotimeinaproudandcoarsemanner，andoccasionallythunderedoutsomequestion，thetoneofwhichalarmedBarnabysomuchthathecouldfindnoanswer，and，asamatterofcourse，couldmakehimnoreply。Ononeoftheseoccasions，whenthegentlemanappeareddisposedtoexercisehishorsewhip，thewidowventuredtoinformhiminalowvoiceandwithtearsinhereyes，thathersonwasofweakmind。
　　’Anidiot，eh？’saidthegentleman，lookingatBarnabyashespoke。
　　’Andhowlonghastthoubeenanidiot？’
　　’Sheknows，’wasBarnaby’stimidanswer，pointingtohismother——
　　’I——always，Ibelieve。’
　　’Fromhisbirth，’saidthewidow。
　　’Idon’tbelieveit，’criedthegentleman，’notabitofit。It’sanexcusenottowork。There’snothinglikefloggingtocurethatdisorder。I’dmakeadifferenceinhimintenminutes，I’llbebound。’
　　’Heavenhasmadenoneinmorethantwicetenyears，sir，’saidthewidowmildly。
　　’Thenwhydon’tyoushuthimup？wepayenoughforcountyinstitutions，damn’em。Butthou’dratherdraghimabouttoexcitecharity——ofcourse。Ay，Iknowthee。’
　　Now，thisgentlemanhadvariousendearingappellationsamonghisintimatefriends。Bysomehewascalled’acountrygentlemanofthetrueschool，’bysome’afineoldcountrygentleman，’bysome’asportinggentleman，’bysome’athorough-bredEnglishman，’bysome’agenuineJohnBull;’buttheyallagreedinonerespect，andthatwas，thatitwasapitytherewerenotmorelikehim，andthatbecausetherewerenot，thecountrywasgoingtorackandruineveryday。Hewasinthecommissionofthepeace，andcouldwritehisnamealmostlegibly;buthisgreatestqualificationswere，thathewasmoreseverewithpoachers，wasabettershot，aharderrider，hadbetterhorses，keptbetterdogs，couldeatmoresolidfood，drinkmorestrongwine，gotobedeverynightmoredrunkandgetupeverymorningmoresober，thananymaninthecounty。Inknowledgeofhorsefleshhewasalmostequaltoafarrier，instablelearninghesurpassedhisownheadgroom，andingluttonynotapigonhisestatewasamatchforhim。HehadnoseatinParliamenthimself，buthewasextremelypatriotic，andusuallydrovehisvotersuptothepollwithhisownhands。Hewaswarmlyattachedtochurchandstate，andneverappointedtothelivinginhisgiftanybutathree-bottlemanandafirst-ratefox-hunter。Hemistrustedthehonestyofallpoorpeoplewhocouldreadandwrite，andhadasecretjealousyofhisownwifeayoungladywhomhehadmarriedforwhathisfriendscalled’thegoodoldEnglishreason，’
　　thatherfather’spropertyadjoinedhisownforpossessingthoseaccomplishmentsinagreaterdegreethanhimself。Inshort，Barnabybeinganidiot，andGripacreatureofmerebruteinstinct，itwouldbeveryhardtosaywhatthisgentlemanwas。
　　Herodeuptothedoorofahandsomehouseapproachedbyagreatflightofsteps，whereamanwaswaitingtotakehishorse，andledthewayintoalargehall，which，spaciousasitwas，wastaintedwiththefumesoflastnight’sstaledebauch。Greatcoats，riding-
　　whips，bridles，top-boots，spurs，andsuchgear，werestrewnaboutonallsides，andformed，withsomehugestags’antlers，andafewportraitsofdogsandhorses，itsprincipalembellishments。
　　Throwinghimselfintoagreatchairinwhich，bythebye，heoftensnoredawaythenight，whenhehadbeen，accordingtohisadmirers，afinercountrygentlemanthanusualhebadethemantotellhismistresstocomedown:andpresentlythereappeared，alittleflurried，asitseemed，bytheunwontedsummons，aladymuchyoungerthanhimself，whohadtheappearanceofbeingindelicatehealth，andnottoohappy。
　　’Here！Thou’stnodelightinfollowingthehoundsasanEnglishwomanshouldhave，’saidthegentleman。’Seetothishere。That’llpleasetheeperhaps。’
　　Theladysmiled，satdownatalittledistancefromhim，andglancedatBarnabywithalookofpity。
　　’He’sanidiot，thewomansays，’observedthegentleman，shakinghishead;’Idon’tbelieveit。’
　　’Areyouhismother？’askedthelady。
　　Sheansweredyes。
　　’What’stheuseofaskingHER？’saidthegentleman，thrustinghishandsintohisbreechespockets。’She’lltelltheeso，ofcourse。
　　Mostlikelyhe’shired，atsomuchaday。There。Geton。Makehimdosomething。’
　　Griphavingbythistimerecoveredhisurbanity，condescended，atBarnaby’ssolicitation，torepeathisvariousphrasesofspeech，andtogothroughthewholeofhisperformanceswiththeutmostsuccess。Thecorks，andtheneversaydie，affordedthegentlemansomuchdelightthathedemandedtherepetitionofthispartoftheentertainment，untilGripgotintohisbasket，andpositivelyrefusedtosayanotherword，goodorbad。Theladytoo，wasmuchamusedwithhim;andtheclosingpointofhisobstinacysodelightedherhusbandthatheburstintoaroaroflaughter，anddemandedhisprice。
　　Barnabylookedasthoughhedidn’tunderstandhismeaning。
　　Probablyhedidnot。
　　’Hisprice，’saidthegentleman，rattlingthemoneyinhispockets，’whatdostwantforhim？Howmuch？’
　　’He’snottobesold，’repliedBarnaby，shuttingupthebasketinagreathurry，andthrowingthestrapoverhisshoulder。’Mother，comeaway。’
　　’Thouseesthowmuchofanidiotheis，book-learner，’saidthegentleman，lookingscornfullyathiswife。’Hecanmakeabargain。
　　Whatdostwantforhim，oldwoman？’
　　’Heismyson’sconstantcompanion，’saidthewidow。’Heisnottobesold，sir，indeed。’
　　’Nottobesold！’criedthegentleman，growingtentimesredder，hoarser，andlouderthanbefore。’Nottobesold！’
　　’Indeedno，’sheanswered。’Wehaveneverthoughtofpartingwithhim，sir，Idoassureyou。’
　　Hewasevidentlyabouttomakeaverypassionateretort，whenafewmurmuredwordsfromhiswifehappeningtocatchhisear，heturnedsharplyround，andsaid，’Eh？What？’
　　’Wecanhardlyexpectthemtosellthebird，againsttheirowndesire，’shefaltered。’Iftheyprefertokeephim——’
　　’Prefertokeephim！’heechoed。’Thesepeople，whogotrampingaboutthecountrya-pilferingandvagabondisingonallhands，prefertokeepabird，whenalandedproprietorandajusticeaskshisprice！Thatoldwoman’sbeentoschool。Iknowshehas。
　　Don’ttellmeno，’heroaredtothewidow，’Isay，yes。’
　　Barnaby’smotherpleadedguiltytotheaccusation，andhopedtherewasnoharminit。
　　’Noharm！’saidthegentleman。’No。Noharm。Noharm，yeoldrebel，notabitofharm。Ifmyclerkwashere，I’dsetyeinthestocks，Iwould，orlayyeinjailforprowlingupanddown，onthelook-outforpettylarcenies，yelimbofagipsy。Here，Simon，putthesepilferersout，shove’emintotheroad，outwith’em！Yedon’twanttosellthebird，yethatcomeheretobeg，don’tye？
　　Iftheyan’toutindouble-quick，setthedogsupon’em！’
　　Theywaitedfornofurtherdismissal，butfledprecipitately，leavingthegentlemantostormawaybyhimselfforthepoorladyhadalreadyretreated，andmakingagreatmanyvainattemptstosilenceGrip，who，excitedbythenoise，drewcorksenoughforacityfeastastheyhurrieddowntheavenue，andappearedtocongratulatehimselfbeyondmeasureonhavingbeenthecauseofthedisturbance。Whentheyhadnearlyreachedthelodge，anotherservant，emergingfromtheshrubbery，feignedtobeveryactiveinorderingthemoff，butthismanputacrownintothewidow’shand，andwhisperingthathisladysentit，thrustthemgentlyfromthegate。
　　Thisincidentonlysuggestedtothewidow’smind，whentheyhaltedatanalehousesomemilesfurtheron，andheardthejustice’scharacterasgivenbyhisfriends，thatperhapssomethingmorethancapacityofstomachandtastesforthekennelandthestable，wererequiredtoformeitheraperfectcountrygentleman，athoroughbredEnglishman，oragenuineJohnBull;andthatpossiblythetermsweresometimesmisappropriated，nottosaydisgraced。Shelittlethoughtthen，thatacircumstancesoslightwouldeverinfluencetheirfuturefortunes;buttimeandexperienceenlightenedherinthisrespect。
　　’Mother，’saidBarnaby，astheyweresittingnextdayinawaggonwhichwastotakethemwithintenmilesofthecapital，’we’regoingtoLondonfirst，yousaid。Shallweseethatblindmanthere？’
　　Shewasabouttoanswer’Heavenforbid！’butcheckedherself，andtoldhimNo，shethoughtnot;whydidheask？
　　’He’sawiseman，’saidBarnaby，withathoughtfulcountenance。’I
　　wishthatwemaymeetwithhimagain。Whatwasitthathesaidofcrowds？Thatgoldwastobefoundwherepeoplecrowded，andnotamongthetreesandinsuchquietplaces？Hespokeasifhelovedit;Londonisacrowdedplace;Ithinkweshallmeethimthere。’
　　’Butwhydoyoudesiretoseehim，love？’sheasked。
　　’Because，’saidBarnaby，lookingwistfullyather，’hetalkedtomeaboutgold，whichisararething，andsaywhatyouwill，athingyouwouldliketohave，Iknow。Andbecausehecameandwentawaysostrangely——justaswhite-headedoldmencomesometimestomybed’sfootinthenight，andsaywhatIcan’trememberwhenthebrightdayreturns。Hetoldmehe’dcomeback。Iwonderwhyhebrokehisword！’
　　’Butyouneverthoughtofbeingrichorgay，before，dearBarnaby。
　　Youhavealwaysbeencontented。’
　　Helaughedandbadehersaythatagain，thencried，’Ayay——ohyes，’andlaughedoncemore。Thensomethingpassedthatcaughthisfancy，andthetopicwanderedfromhismind，andwassucceededbyanotherjustasfleeting。
　　Butitwasplainfromwhathehadsaid，andfromhisreturningtothepointmorethanoncethatday，andonthenext，thattheblindman’svisit，andindeedhiswords，hadtakenstrongpossessionofhismind。Whethertheideaofwealthhadoccurredtohimforthefirsttimeonlookingatthegoldencloudsthatevening——andimageswereoftenpresentedtohisthoughtsbyoutwardobjectsquiteasremoteanddistant;orwhethertheirpoorandhumblewayoflifehadsuggestedit，bycontrast，longago;orwhethertheaccidentashewoulddeemitoftheblindman’spursuingthecurrentofhisownremarks，haddonesoatthemoment;orhehadbeenimpressedbythemerecircumstanceofthemanbeingblind，and，therefore，unlikeanyonewithwhomhehadtalkedbefore;itwasimpossibletotell。Shetriedeverymeanstodiscover，butinvain;andtheprobabilityisthatBarnabyhimselfwasequallyinthedark。
　　Itfilledherwithuneasinesstofindhimharpingonthisstring，butallthatshecoulddo，wastoleadhimquicklytosomeothersubject，andtodismissitfromhisbrain。Tocautionhimagainsttheirvisitor，toshowanyfearorsuspicioninreferencetohim，wouldonlybe，shefeared，toincreasethatinterestwithwhichBarnabyregardedhim，andtostrengthenhisdesiretomeethimonceagain。Shehoped，byplungingintothecrowd，toridherselfofherterriblepursuer，andthen，byjourneyingtoadistanceandobservingincreasedcaution，ifthatwerepossible，toliveagainunknown，insecrecyandpeace。
　　Theyreached，incourseoftime，theirhalting-placewithintenmilesofLondon，andlaythereforthenight，afterbargainingtobecarriedonforatriflenextday，inalightvanwhichwasreturningempty，andwastostartatfiveo’clockinthemorning。
　　Thedriverwaspunctual，theroadgood——saveforthedust，theweatherbeingveryhotanddry——andatsevenintheforenoonofFridaythesecondofJune，onethousandsevenhundredandeighty，theyalightedatthefootofWestminsterBridge，badetheirconductorfarewell，andstoodalone，together，onthescorchingpavement。Forthefreshnesswhichnightshedsuponsuchbusythoroughfareshadalreadydeparted，andthesunwasshiningwithuncommonlustre。
　　Chapter48
　　Uncertainwheretogonext，andbewilderedbythecrowdofpeoplewhowerealreadyastir，theysatdowninoneoftherecessesonthebridge，torest。Theysoonbecameawarethatthestreamoflifewasallpouringoneway，andthatavastthrongofpersonswerecrossingtheriverfromtheMiddlesextotheSurreyshore，inunusualhasteandevidentexcitement。Theywere，forthemostpart，inknotsoftwoorthree，orsometimeshalf-a-dozen;theyspokelittletogether——manyofthemwerequitesilent;andhurriedonasiftheyhadoneabsorbingobjectinview，whichwascommontothemall。
　　Theyweresurprisedtoseethatnearlyeverymaninthisgreatconcourse，whichstillcamepouringpast，withoutslackeningintheleast，woreinhishatabluecockade;andthatthechancepassengerswhowerenotsodecorated，appearedtimidlyanxioustoescapeobservationorattack，andgavethemthewallasiftheywouldconciliatethem。This，however，wasnaturalenough，consideringtheirinferiorityinpointofnumbers;fortheproportionofthosewhoworebluecockades，tothosewhoweredressedasusual，wasatleastfortyorfiftytoone。Therewasnoquarrelling，however:thebluecockadeswentswarmingon，passingeachotherwhentheycould，andmakingallthespeedthatwaspossibleinsuchamultitude;andexchangednothingmorethanlooks，andveryoftennoteventhose，withsuchofthepassers-byaswerenotoftheirnumber。
　　Atfirst，thecurrentofpeoplehadbeenconfinedtothetwopathways，andbutafewmoreeagerstragglerskepttheroad。Butafterhalfanhourorso，thepassagewascompletelyblockedupbythegreatpress，which，beingnowcloselywedgedtogether，andimpededbythecartsandcoachesitencountered，movedbutslowly，andwassometimesatastandforfiveortenminutestogether。
　　Afterthelapseofnearlytwohours，thenumbersbegantodiminishvisibly，andgraduallydwindlingaway，bylittleandlittle，leftthebridgequiteclear，savethat，nowandthen，somehotanddustyman，withthecockadeinhishat，andhiscoatthrownoverhisshoulder，wentpantingby，fearfulofbeingtoolate，orstoppedtoaskwhichwayhisfriendshadtaken，andbeingdirected，hastenedonagainlikeonerefreshed。Inthiscomparativesolitude，whichseemedquitestrangeandnovelafterthelatecrowd，thewidowhadforthefirsttimeanopportunityofinquiringofanoldmanwhocameandsatbesidethem，whatwasthemeaningofthatgreatassemblage。
　　’Why，wherehaveyoucomefrom，’hereturned，’thatyouhaven’theardofLordGeorgeGordon’sgreatassociation？ThisisthedaythathepresentsthepetitionagainsttheCatholics，Godblesshim！’
　　’Whathaveallthesementodowiththat？’shesaid。
　　’Whathavetheytodowithit！’theoldmanreplied。’Why，howyoutalk！Don’tyouknowhislordshiphasdeclaredhewon’tpresentittothehouseatall，unlessitisattendedtothedoorbyfortythousandgoodandtruemenatleast？There’sacrowdforyou！’
　　’Acrowdindeed！’saidBarnaby。’Doyouhearthat，mother！’
　　’Andthey’remusteringyonder，asIamtold，’resumedtheoldman，’nighuponahundredthousandstrong。Ah！LetLordGeorgealone。
　　Heknowshispower。There’llbeagoodmanyfacesinsidethemthreewindowsoverthere，’andhepointedtowheretheHouseofCommonsoverlookedtheriver，’that’llturnpalewhengoodLordGeorgegetsupthisafternoon，andwithreasontoo！Ay，ay。Lethislordshipalone。Lethimalone。HEknows！’Andso，withmuchmumblingandchucklingandshakingofhisforefinger，herose，withtheassistanceofhisstick，andtotteredoff。
　　’Mother！’saidBarnaby，’that’sabravecrowdhetalksof。Come！’
　　’Nottojoinit！’criedhismother。
　　’Yes，yes，’heanswered，pluckingathersleeve。’Whynot？Come！’
　　’Youdon’tknow，’sheurged，’whatmischieftheymaydo，wheretheymayleadyou，whattheirmeaningis。DearBarnaby，formysake——’
　　’Foryoursake！’hecried，pattingherhand。’Well！ItISforyoursake，mother。Yourememberwhattheblindmansaid，aboutthegold。Here’sabravecrowd！Come！OrwaittillIcomeback——yes，yes，waithere。’
　　Shetriedwithalltheearnestnessherfearsengendered，toturnhimfromhispurpose，butinvain。Hewasstoopingdowntobuckleonhisshoe，whenahackney-coachpassedthemratherquickly，andavoiceinsidecalledtothedrivertostop。
　　’Youngman，’saidavoicewithin。
　　’Who’sthat？’criedBarnaby，lookingup。
　　’Doyouwearthisornament？’returnedthestranger，holdingoutabluecockade。
　　’InHeaven’sname，no。Praydonotgiveithim！’exclaimedthewidow。
　　’Speakforyourself，woman，’saidthemanwithinthecoach，coldly。
　　’Leavetheyoungmantohischoice;he’soldenoughtomakeit，andtosnapyourapron-strings。Heknows，withoutyourtelling，whetherhewearsthesignofaloyalEnglishmanornot。’
　　Barnaby，tremblingwithimpatience，cried，’Yes！yes，yes，Ido，’
　　ashehadcriedadozentimesalready。Themanthrewhimacockade，andcrying，’MakehastetoStGeorge’sFields，’orderedthecoachmantodriveonfast;andleftthem。
　　Withhandsthattrembledwithhiseagernesstofixthebaubleinhishat，Barnabywasadjustingitashebestcould，andhurriedlyreplyingtothetearsandentreatiesofhismother，whentwogentlemenpassedontheoppositesideoftheway。Observingthem，andseeinghowBarnabywasoccupied，theystopped，whisperedtogetherforaninstant，turnedback，andcameovertothem。
　　’Whyareyousittinghere？’saidoneofthem，whowasdressedinaplainsuitofblack，worelonglankhair，andcarriedagreatcane。
　　’Whyhaveyounotgonewiththerest？’
　　’Iamgoing，sir，’repliedBarnaby，finishinghistask，andputtinghishatonwithanairofpride。’Ishallbetheredirectly。’
　　’Say“mylord。”youngman，whenhislordshipdoesyouthehonourofspeakingtoyou，’saidthesecondgentlemanmildly。’Ifyoudon’tknowLordGeorgeGordonwhenyouseehim，it’shightimeyoushould。’
　　’Nay，Gashford，’saidLordGeorge，asBarnabypulledoffhishatagainandmadehimalowbow，’it’snogreatmatteronadaylikethis，whicheveryEnglishmanwillrememberwithdelightandpride。
　　Putonyourhat，friend，andfollowus，foryoulagbehindandarelate。It’spasttennow。Didn’tyouknowthatthehourforassemblingwasteno’clock？’
　　Barnabyshookhisheadandlookedvacantlyfromonetotheother。
　　’Youmighthaveknownit，friend，’saidGashford，’itwasperfectlyunderstood。Howcameyoutobesoillinformed？’
　　’Hecannottellyou，sir，’thewidowinterposed。’It’sofnousetoaskhim。Wearebutthismorningcomefromalongdistanceinthecountry，andknownothingofthesematters。’
　　’Thecausehastakenadeeproot，andhasspreaditsbranchesfarandwide，’saidLordGeorgetohissecretary。’Thisisapleasanthearing。IthankHeavenforit！’
　　’Amen！’criedGashfordwithasolemnface。
　　’Youdonotunderstandme，mylord，’saidthewidow。’Pardonme，butyoucruellymistakemymeaning。Weknownothingofthesematters。Wehavenodesireorrighttojoininwhatyouareabouttodo。Thisismyson，mypoorafflictedson，dearertomethanmyownlife。Inmercy’sname，mylord，goyourwayalone，anddonottempthimintodanger！’
　　’Mygoodwoman，’saidGashford，’howcanyou！——Dearme！——Whatdoyoumeanbytempting，andbydanger？Doyouthinkhislordshipisaroaringlion，goingaboutandseekingwhomhemaydevour？Godblessme！’
　　’No，no，mylord，forgiveme，’imploredthewidow，layingbothherhandsuponhisbreast，andscarcelyknowingwhatshedid，orsaid，intheearnestnessofhersupplication，’buttherearereasonswhyyoushouldhearmyearnest，mother’sprayer，andleavemysonwithme。Ohdo！Heisnotinhisrightsenses，heisnot，indeed！’
　　’Itisabadsignofthewickednessofthesetimes，’saidLordGeorge，evadinghertouch，andcolouringdeeply，’thatthosewhoclingtothetruthandsupporttherightcause，aresetdownasmad。Haveyouthehearttosaythisofyourownson，unnaturalmother！’
　　’Iamastonishedatyou！’saidGashford，withakindofmeekseverity。’Thisisaverysadpictureoffemaledepravity。’
　　’Hehassurelynoappearance，’saidLordGeorge，glancingatBarnaby，andwhisperinginhissecretary’sear，’ofbeingderanged？
　　Andevenifhehad，wemustnotconstrueanytriflingpeculiarityintomadness。Whichofus’——andhereheturnedredagain——’wouldbesafe，ifthatweremadethelaw！’
　　’Notone，’repliedthesecretary;’inthatcase，thegreaterthezeal，thetruth，andtalent;themoredirectthecallfromabove;
　　theclearerwouldbethemadness。Withregardtothisyoungman，mylord，’headded，withalipthatslightlycurledashelookedatBarnaby，whostoodtwirlinghishat，andstealthilybeckoningthemtocomeaway，’heisassensibleandself-possessedasanyoneI
　　eversaw。’
　　’Andyoudesiretomakeoneofthisgreatbody？’saidLordGeorge，addressinghim;’andintendedtomakeone，didyou？’
　　’Yes——yes，’saidBarnaby，withsparklingeyes。’TobesureIdid！
　　Itoldhersomyself。’
　　’Isee，’repliedLordGeorge，withareproachfulglanceattheunhappymother。’Ithoughtso。Followmeandthisgentleman，andyoushallhaveyourwish。’
　　Barnabykissedhismothertenderlyonthecheek，andbiddingherbeofgoodcheer，fortheirfortuneswerebothmadenow，didashewasdesired。She，poorwoman，followedtoo——withhowmuchfearandgriefitwouldbehardtotell。
　　TheypassedquicklythroughtheBridgeRoad，wheretheshopswereallshutupforthepassageofthegreatcrowdandtheexpectationoftheirreturnhadalarmedthetradesmenfortheirgoodsandwindows，andwhere，intheupperstories，alltheinhabitantswerecongregated，lookingdownintothestreetbelow，withfacesvariouslyexpressiveofalarm，ofinterest，expectancy，andindignation。Someoftheseapplauded，andsomehissed;butregardlessoftheseinterruptions——forthenoiseofavastcongregationofpeopleatalittledistance，soundedinhisearsliketheroaringofthesea——LordGeorgeGordonquickenedhispace，andpresentlyarrivedbeforeStGeorge’sFields。
　　Theywerereallyfieldsatthattime，andofconsiderableextent。
　　Hereanimmensemultitudewascollected，bearingflagsofvariouskindsandsizes，butallofthesamecolour——blue，likethecockades——somesectionsmarchingtoandfroinmilitaryarray，andothersdrawnupincircles，squares，andlines。Alargeportion，bothofthebodieswhichparadedtheground，andofthosewhichremainedstationary，wereoccupiedinsinginghymnsorpsalms。
　　Withwhomsoeverthisoriginated，itwaswelldone;forthesoundofsomanythousandvoicesintheairmusthavestirredtheheartofanymanwithinhim，andcouldnotfailtohaveawonderfuleffectuponenthusiasts，howevermistaken。
　　Scoutshadbeenpostedinadvanceofthegreatbody，togivenoticeoftheirleader’scoming。Thesefallingback，thewordwasquicklypassedthroughthewholehost，andforashortintervalthereensuedaprofoundanddeathlikesilence，duringwhichthemasswassostillandquiet，thattheflutteringofabannercaughttheeye，andbecameacircumstanceofnote。Thentheyburstintoatremendousshout，intoanother，andanother;andtheairseemedrentandshaken，asifbythedischargeofcannon。
　　’Gashford！’criedLordGeorge，pressinghissecretary’sarmtightwithinhisown，andspeakingwithasmuchemotioninhisvoice，asinhisalteredface，’Iarncalledindeed，now。Ifeelandknowit。Iamtheleaderofahost。Iftheysummonedmeatthismomentwithonevoicetoleadthemontodeath，I’ddoit——Yes，andfallfirstmyself！’
　　’Itisaproudsight，’saidthesecretary。’ItisanobledayforEngland，andforthegreatcausethroughouttheworld。Suchhomage，mylord，asI，anhumblebutdevotedman，canrender——’
　　’Whatareyoudoing？’criedhismaster，catchinghimbybothhands;
　　forhehadmadeashowofkneelingathisfeet。’Donotunfitme，dearGashford，forthesolemndutyofthisgloriousday——’thetearsstoodintheeyesofthepoorgentlemanashesaidthewords——’Letusgoamongthem;wehavetofindaplaceinsomedivisionforthisnewrecruit——givemeyourhand。’
　　Gashfordslidhiscoldinsidiouspalmintohismaster’sgrasp，andso，handinhand，andfollowedstillbyBarnabyandbyhismothertoo，theymingledwiththeconcourse。
　　Theyhadbythistimetakentotheirsingingagain，andastheirleaderpassedbetweentheirranks，theyraisedtheirvoicestotheirutmost。Manyofthosewhowerebandedtogethertosupportthereligionoftheircountry，evenuntodeath，hadneverheardahymnorpsalminalltheirlives。Butthesefellowshavingforthemostpartstronglungs，andbeingnaturallyfondofsinging，chantedanyribaldryornonsensethatoccurredtothem，feelingprettycertainthatitwouldnotbedetectedinthegeneralchorus，andnotcaringmuchifitwere。ManyofthesevoluntariesweresungundertheverynoseofLordGeorgeGordon，who，quiteunconsciousoftheirburden，passedonwithhisusualstiffandsolemndeportment，verymuchedifiedanddelightedbythepiousconductofhisfollowers。
　　Sotheywentonandon，upthisline，downthat，roundtheexteriorofthiscircle，andoneverysideofthathollowsquare;andstilltherewerelines，andsquares，andcirclesoutofnumbertoreview。
　　Thedaybeingnowintenselyhot，andthesunstrikingdownhisfiercestraysuponthefield，thosewhocarriedheavybannersbegantogrowfaintandweary;mostofthenumberassembledwerefaintopullofftheirneckcloths，andthrowtheircoatsandwaistcoatsopen;andsome，towardsthecentre，quiteoverpoweredbytheexcessiveheat，whichwasofcourserenderedmoreunendurablebythemultitudearoundthem，laydownuponthegrass，andofferedalltheyhadaboutthemforadrinkofwater。Still，nomanlefttheground，notevenofthosewhoweresodistressed;stillLordGeorge，streamingfromeverypore，wentonwithGashford;andstillBarnabyandhismotherfollowedclosebehindthem。
　　Theyhadarrivedatthetopofalonglineofsomeeighthundredmeninsinglefile，andLordGeorgehadturnedhisheadtolookback，whenaloudcryofrecognition——inthatpeculiarandhalf-
　　stifledtonewhichavoicehas，whenitisraisedintheopenairandinthemidstofagreatconcourseofpersons——washeard，andamansteppedwithashoutoflaughterfromtherank，andsmoteBarnabyontheshoulderswithhisheavyhand。
　　’Hownow！’hecried。’BarnabyRudge！Why，wherehaveyoubeenhidingforthesehundredyears？’
　　Barnabyhadbeenthinkingwithinhimselfthatthesmellofthetroddengrassbroughtbackhisolddaysatcricket，whenhewasayoungboyandplayedonChigwellGreen。Confusedbythissuddenandboisterousaddress，hestaredinabewilderedmannerattheman，andcouldscarcelysay’What！Hugh！’
　　’Hugh！’echoedtheother;’ay，Hugh——MaypoleHugh！Youremembermydog？He’salivenow，andwillknowyou，Iwarrant。What，youwearthecolour，doyou？Welldone！Hahaha！’
　　’Youknowthisyoungman，Isee，’saidLordGeorge。
　　’Knowhim，mylord！aswellasIknowmyownrighthand。Mycaptainknowshim。Weallknowhim。’
　　’Willyoutakehimintoyourdivision？’
　　’Ithasn’tinitabetter，noranimbler，noramoreactiveman，thanBarnabyRudge，’saidHugh。’Showmethemanwhosaysithas！
　　Fallin，Barnaby。Heshallmarch，mylord，betweenmeandDennis;
　　andheshallcarry，’headded，takingaflagfromthehandofatiredmanwhotenderedit，’thegayestsilkenstreamerinthisvaliantarmy。’
　　’InthenameofGod，no！’shriekedthewidow，dartingforward。
　　’Barnaby——mylord——see——he’llcomeback——Barnaby——Barnaby！’
　　’Womeninthefield！’criedHugh，steppingbetweenthem，andholdingheroff。’Holloa！Mycaptainthere！’
　　’What’sthematterhere？’criedSimonTappertit，bustlingupinagreatheat。’Doyoucallthisorder？’
　　’Nothinglikeit，captain，’answeredHugh，stillholdingherbackwithhisoutstretchedhand。’It’sagainstallorders。Ladiesarecarryingoffourgallantsoldiersfromtheirduty。Thewordofcommand，captain！They’refilingofftheground。Quick！’
　　’Close！’criedSimon，withthewholepowerofhislungs。’Form！
　　March！’
　　Shewasthrowntotheground;thewholefieldwasinmotion;
　　Barnabywaswhirledawayintotheheartofadensemassofmen，andshesawhimnomore。
　　Chapter49
　　Themobhadbeendividedfromitsfirstassemblageintofourdivisions;theLondon，theWestminster，theSouthwark，andtheScotch。Eachofthesedivisionsbeingsubdividedintovariousbodies，andthesebodiesbeingdrawnupinvariousformsandfigures，thegeneralarrangementwas，excepttothefewchiefsandleaders，asunintelligibleastheplanofagreatbattletothemeanestsoldierinthefield。Itwasnotwithoutitsmethod，however;for，inaveryshortspaceoftimeafterbeingputinmotion，thecrowdhadresolveditselfintothreegreatparties，andwereprepared，ashadbeenarranged，tocrosstheriverbydifferentbridges，andmakefortheHouseofCommonsinseparatedetachments。
　　AttheheadofthatdivisionwhichhadWestminsterBridgeforitsapproachtothesceneofaction，LordGeorgeGordontookhispost;
　　withGashfordathisrighthand，andsundryruffians，ofmostunpromisingappearance，formingakindofstaffabouthim。Theconductofasecondparty，whoseroutelaybyBlackfriars，wasentrustedtoacommitteeofmanagement，includingperhapsadozenmen:whilethethird，whichwastogobyLondonBridge，andthroughthemainstreets，inorderthattheirnumbersandtheirseriousintentionsmightbethebetterknownandappreciatedbythecitizens，wereledbySimonTappertitassistedbyafewsubalterns，selectedfromtheBrotherhoodofUnitedBulldogs，Dennisthehangman，Hugh，andsomeothers。
　　Thewordofcommandbeinggiven，eachofthesegreatbodiestooktheroadassignedtoit，anddepartedonitsway，inperfectorderandprofoundsilence。ThatwhichwentthroughtheCitygreatlyexceededtheothersinnumber，andwasofsuchprodigiousextentthatwhentherearbegantomove，thefrontwasnearlyfourmilesinadvance，notwithstandingthatthemenmarchedthreeabreastandfollowedverycloseuponeachother。
　　Attheheadofthisparty，intheplacewhereHugh，inthemadnessofhishumour，hadstationedhim，andwalkingbetweenthatdangerouscompanionandthehangman，wentBarnaby;asmanyamanamongthethousandswholookedonthatdayafterwardsrememberedwell。Forgetfulofallotherthingsintheecstasyofthemoment，hisfaceflushedandhiseyessparklingwithdelight，heedlessoftheweightofthegreatbannerhecarried，andmindfulonlyofitsflashinginthesunandrustlinginthesummerbreeze，onhewent，proud，happy，elatedpastalltelling:——theonlylight-hearted，undesigningcreature，inthewholeassembly。
　　’Whatdoyouthinkofthis？’askedHugh，astheypassedthroughthecrowdedstreets，andlookedupatthewindowswhichwerethrongedwithspectators。’Theyhaveallturnedouttoseeourflagsandstreamers？Eh，Barnaby？Why，Barnaby’sthegreatestmanofallthepack！Hisflag’sthelargestofthelot，thebrightesttoo。
　　There’snothingintheshow，likeBarnaby。Alleyesareturnedonhim。Hahaha！’
　　’Don’tmakethatdin，brother，’growledthehangman，glancingwithnoveryapprovingeyesatBarnabyashespoke:’Ihopehedon’tthinkthere’snothingtobedone，butcarryingthattherepieceofbluerag，likeaboyatabreakingup。You’rereadyforactionI
　　hope，eh？You，Imean，’headded，nudgingBarnabyroughlywithhiselbow。’Whatareyoustaringat？Whydon’tyouspeak？’
　　Barnabyhadbeengazingathisflag，andlookedvacantlyfromhisquestionertoHugh。
　　’Hedon’tunderstandyourway，’saidthelatter。’Here，I’llexplainittohim。Barnabyoldboy，attendtome。’
　　’I’llattend，’saidBarnaby，lookinganxiouslyround;’butIwishIcouldseehersomewhere。’
　　’Seewho？’demandedDennisinagrufftone。’Youan’tinloveI
　　hope，brother？Thatan’tthesortofthingforus，youknow。Wemustn’thavenolovehere。’
　　’Shewouldbeproudindeedtoseemenow，ehHugh？’saidBarnaby。
　　’Wouldn’titmakehergladtoseemeattheheadofthislargeshow？She’dcryforjoy，Iknowshewould。WhereCANshebe？Sheneverseesmeatmybest，andwhatdoIcaretobegayandfineifSHE’Snotby？’
　　’Why，whatpalaver’sthis？’askedMrDenniswithsupremedisdain。
　　’Wean’tgotnosentimentalmembersamongus，Ihope。’
　　’Don’tbeuneasy，brother，’criedHugh，’he’sonlytalkingofhismother。’
　　’Ofhiswhat？’saidMrDenniswithastrongoath。
　　’Hismother。’
　　’AndhaveIcombinedmyselfwiththisheresection，andturnedoutonthisherememorableday，tohearmentalkabouttheirmothers！’
　　growledMrDenniswithextremedisgust。’Thenotionofaman’ssweetheart’sbadenough，butaman’smother！’——andherehisdisgustwassoextremethathespatupontheground，andcouldsaynomore。
　　’Barnaby’sright，’criedHughwithagrin，’andIsayit。Lookee，boldlad。Ifshe’snotheretosee，it’sbecauseI’veprovidedforher，andsenthalf-a-dozengentlemen，everyoneof’emwithablueflagbutnothalfasfineasyours，totakeher，instate，toagrandhouseallhungroundwithgoldandsilverbanners，andeverythingelseyouplease，whereshe’llwaittillyoucome，andwantfornothing。’
　　’Ay！’saidBarnaby，hisfacebeamingwithdelight:’haveyouindeed？That’sagoodhearing。That’sfine！KindHugh！’
　　’Butnothingtowhatwillcome，blessyou，’retortedHugh，withawinkatDennis，whoregardedhisnewcompanioninarmswithgreatastonishment。
　　’No，indeed？’criedBarnaby。
　　’Nothingatall，’saidHugh。’Money，cockedhatsandfeathers，redcoatsandgoldlace;allthefinethingsthereare，everwere，orwillbe;willbelongtousifwearetruetothatnoblegentleman——
　　thebestmanintheworld——carryourflagsforafewdays，andkeep’emsafe。That’sallwe’vegottodo。’
　　’Isthatall？’criedBarnabywithglisteningeyes，asheclutchedhispolethetighter;’IwarrantyouIkeepthisonesafe，then。
　　Youhaveputitingoodhands。Youknowme，Hugh。Nobodyshallwrestthisflagaway。’
　　’Wellsaid！’criedHugh。’Haha！Noblysaid！That’stheoldstoutBarnaby，thatIhaveclimbedandleapedwith，manyandmanyaday——IknewIwasnotmistakeninBarnaby——Don’tyousee，man，’headdedinawhisper，asheslippedtotheothersideofDennis，’thatthelad’sanatural，andcanbegottodoanything，ifyoutakehimtherightway？Lettingalonethefunheis，he’sworthadozenmen，inearnest，asyou’dfindifyoutriedafallwithhim。
　　Leavehimtome。Youshallsoonseewhetherhe’sofuseornot。’
　　MrDennisreceivedtheseexplanatoryremarkswithmanynodsandwinks，andsoftenedhisbehaviourtowardsBarnabyfromthatmoment。
　　Hugh，layinghisfingeronhisnose，steppedbackintohisformerplace，andtheyproceededinsilence。
　　Itwasbetweentwoandthreeo’clockintheafternoonwhenthethreegreatpartiesmetatWestminster，and，unitingintoonehugemass，raisedatremendousshout。Thiswasnotonlydoneintokenoftheirpresence，butasasignaltothoseonwhomthetaskdevolved，thatitwastimetotakepossessionofthelobbiesofbothHouses，andofthevariousavenuesofapproach，andofthegallerystairs。Tothelast-namedplace，HughandDennis，stillwiththeirpupilbetweenthem，rushedstraightway;Barnabyhavinggivenhisflagintothehandsofoneoftheirownparty，whokeptthemattheouterdoor。Theirfollowerspressingonbehind，theywereborneasonagreatwavetotheverydoorsofthegallery，whenceitwasimpossibletoretreat，eveniftheyhadbeensoinclined，byreasonofthethrongwhichchokedupthepassages。Itisafamiliarexpressionindescribingagreatcrowd，thatapersonmighthavewalkeduponthepeople’sheads。Inthiscaseitwasactuallydone;foraboywhohadbysomemeansgotamongtheconcourse，andwasinimminentdangerofsuffocation，climbedtotheshouldersofamanbesidehimandwalkeduponthepeople’shatsandheadsintotheopenstreet;traversinginhispassagethewholelengthoftwostaircasesandalonggallery。Norwastheswarmwithoutlessdense;forabasketwhichhadbeentossedintothecrowd，wasjerkedfromheadtohead，andshouldertoshoulder，andwentspinningandwhirlingonabovethem，untilitwaslosttoview，withouteveroncefallinginamongthemorcomingneartheground。
　　Throughthisvastthrong，sprinkleddoubtlesshereandtherewithhonestzealots，butcomposedforthemostpartoftheveryscumandrefuseofLondon，whosegrowthwasfosteredbybadcriminallaws，badprisonregulations，andtheworstconceivablepolice，suchofthemembersofbothHousesofParliamentashadnottakentheprecautiontobealreadyattheirposts，werecompelledtofightandforcetheirway。Theircarriageswerestoppedandbroken;thewheelswrenchedoff;theglassesshiveredtoatoms;thepanelsbeatenin;drivers，footmen，andmasters，pulledfromtheirseatsandrolledinthemud。Lords，commoners，andreverendbishops，withlittledistinctionofpersonorparty，werekickedandpinchedandhustled;passedfromhandtohandthroughvariousstagesofill-usage;andsenttotheirfellow-senatorsatlastwiththeirclotheshanginginribandsaboutthem，theirbagwigstornoff，themselvesspeechlessandbreathless，andtheirpersonscoveredwiththepowderwhichhadbeencuffedandbeatenoutoftheirhair。
　　Onelordwassolonginthehandsofthepopulace，thatthePeersasabodyresolvedtosallyforthandrescuehim，andwereintheactofdoingso，whenhehappilyappearedamongthemcoveredwithdirtandbruises，andhardlytoberecognisedbythosewhoknewhimbest。Thenoiseanduproarwereontheincreaseeverymoment。Theairwasfilledwithexecrations，hoots，andhowlings。Themobragedandroared，likeamadmonsterasitwas，unceasingly，andeachnewoutrageservedtoswellitsfury。
　　Withindoors，matterswereevenyetmorethreatening。LordGeorge——
　　precededbyamanwhocarriedtheimmensepetitiononaporter’sknotthroughthelobbytothedooroftheHouseofCommons，whereitwasreceivedbytwoofficersofthehousewhorolledituptothetablereadyforpresentation——hadtakenhisseatatanearlyhour，beforetheSpeakerwenttoprayers。Hisfollowerspouringinatthesametime，thelobbyandalltheavenueswereimmediatelyfilled，aswehaveseen。Thusthememberswerenotonlyattackedintheirpassagethroughthestreets，butweresetuponwithintheverywallsofParliament;whilethetumult，bothwithinandwithout，wassogreat，thatthosewhoattemptedtospeakcouldscarcelyheartheirownvoices:farless，consultuponthecourseitwouldbewisetotakeinsuchextremity，oranimateeachothertodignifiedandfirmresistance。Sosureasanymember，justarrived，withdressdisorderedanddishevelledhair，camestrugglingthroughthecrowdinthelobby，ityelledandscreamedintriumph;andwhenthedooroftheHouse，partiallyandcautiouslyopenedbythosewithinforhisadmission，gavethemamomentaryglimpseoftheinterior，theygrewmorewildandsavage，likebeastsatthesightofprey，andmadearushagainsttheportalwhichstraineditslocksandboltsintheirstaples，andshooktheverybeams。
　　Thestrangers’gallery，whichwasimmediatelyabovethedooroftheHouse，hadbeenorderedtobeclosedonthefirstrumourofdisturbance，andwasempty;savethatnowandthenLordGeorgetookhisseatthere，fortheconvenienceofcomingtotheheadofthestairswhichledtoit，andrepeatingtothepeoplewhathadpassedwithin。ItwasonthesestairsthatBarnaby，Hugh，andDenniswereposted。Thereweretwoflights，short，steep，andnarrow，runningparalleltoeachother，andleadingtotwolittledoorscommunicatingwithalowpassagewhichopenedonthegallery。
　　Betweenthemwasakindofwell，orunglazedskylight，fortheadmissionoflightandairintothelobby，whichmightbesomeeighteenortwentyfeetbelow。
　　Upononeoftheselittlestaircases——notthatattheheadofwhichLordGeorgeappearedfromtimetotime，buttheother——Gashfordstoodwithhiselbowonthebannister，andhischeekrestingonhishand，withhisusualcraftyaspect。Wheneverhevariedthisattitudeintheslightestdegree——somuchasbythegentlestmotionofhisarm——theuproarwascertaintoincrease，notmerelythere，butinthelobbybelow;fromwhichplacenodoubt，somemanwhoactedasfuglemantotherest，wasconstantlylookingupandwatchinghim。
　　’Order！’criedHugh，inavoicewhichmadeitselfheardevenabovetheroarandtumult，asLordGeorgeappearedatthetopofthestaircase。’News！Newsfrommylord！’
　　Thenoisecontinued，notwithstandinghisappearance，untilGashfordlookedround。Therewassilenceimmediately——evenamongthepeopleinthepassageswithout，andontheotherstaircases，whocouldneitherseenorhear，buttowhom，notwithstanding，thesignalwasconveyedwithmarvellousrapidity。
　　’Gentlemen，’saidLordGeorge，whowasverypaleandagitated，wemustbefirm。Theytalkofdelays，butwemusthavenodelays。
　　TheytalkoftakingyourpetitionintoconsiderationnextTuesday，butwemusthaveitconsiderednow。Presentappearanceslookbadforoursuccess，butwemustsucceedandwill！’
　　’Wemustsucceedandwill！’echoedthecrowd。Andsoamongtheirshoutsandcheersandothercries，hebowedtothemandretired，andpresentlycamebackagain。TherewasanothergesturefromGashford，andadeadsilencedirectly。
　　’Iamafraid，’hesaid，thistime，’thatwehavelittlereason，gentlemen，tohopeforanyredressfromtheproceedingsofParliament。Butwemustredressourowngrievances，wemustmeetagain，wemustputourtrustinProvidence，anditwillblessourendeavours。’
　　Thisspeechbeingalittlemoretemperatethanthelast，wasnotsofavourablyreceived。Whenthenoiseandexasperationwereattheirheight，hecamebackoncemore，andtoldthemthatthealarmhadgoneforthformanymilesround;thatwhentheKingheardoftheirassemblingtogetherinthatgreatbody，hehadnodoubt，HisMajestywouldsenddownprivateorderstohavetheirwishescompliedwith;and——withthemannerofhisspeechaschildish，irresolute，anduncertainashismatter——wasproceedinginthisstrain，whentwogentlemensuddenlyappearedatthedoorwherehestood，andpressingpasthimandcomingasteportwolowerdownuponthestairs，confrontedthepeople。
　　Theboldnessofthisactionquitetookthembysurprise。Theywerenotthelessdisconcerted，whenoneofthegentlemen，turningtoLordGeorge，spokethus——inaloudvoicethattheymighthearhimwell，butquitecoollyandcollectedly:
　　’Youmaytellthesepeople，ifyouplease，mylord，thatIamGeneralConwayofwhomtheyhaveheard;andthatIopposethispetition，andalltheirproceedings，andyours。Iamasoldier，youmaytellthem，andIwillprotectthefreedomofthisplacewithmysword。Yousee，mylord，thatthemembersofthisHouseareallinarmsto-day;youknowthattheentrancetoitisanarrowone;youcannotbeignorantthattherearemenwithinthesewallswhoaredeterminedtodefendthatpasstothelast，andbeforewhommanylivesmustfallifyouradherentspersevere。Haveacarewhatyoudo。’
　　’AndmyLordGeorge，’saidtheothergentleman，addressinghiminlikemanner，’Idesirethemtohearthis，fromme——ColonelGordon——
　　yournearrelation。Ifamanamongthiscrowd，whoseuproarstrikesusdeaf，crossesthethresholdoftheHouseofCommons，I
　　sweartorunmyswordthatmoment——notintohis，butintoyourbody！’
　　Withthat，theysteppedbackagain，keepingtheirfacestowardsthecrowd;tookeachanarmofthemisguidednobleman;drewhimintothepassage，andshutthedoor;whichtheydirectlylockedandfastenedontheinside。