Raisinghiseyesthusoneday，hewassurprisedtoseeabonnetlabouringupthestep-ladder。Theunusualapparitionwasfollowedbyanotherbonnet。HethenperceivedthatthefirstbonnetwasontheheadofMrF。’sAunt，andthatthesecondbonnetwasontheheadofFlora，whoseemedtohavepropelledherlegacyupthesteepascentwithconsiderabledifficulty。
　　Thoughnotaltogetherenrapturedatthesightofthesevisitors，Clennamlostnotimeinopeningthecounting-housedoor，andextricatingthemfromtheworkshop；arescuewhichwasrenderedthemorenecessarybyMrF。’sAuntalreadystumblingoversomeimpediment，andmenacingsteampowerasanInstitutionwithastonyreticuleshecarried。
　　’Goodgracious，Arthur，——IshouldsayMrClennam，farmoreproper——
　　theclimbwehavehadtogetuphereandhowevertogetdownagainwithoutafire-escapeandMrF。’sAuntslippingthroughthestepsandbruisedalloverandyouinthemachineryandfoundrywaytooonlythink，andnevertoldus!’
　　Thus，Flora，outofbreath。Meanwhile，MrF。’sAuntrubbedheresteemedinstepswithherumbrella，andvindictivelyglared。
　　’Mostunkindnevertohavecomebacktoseeussincethatday，thoughnaturallyitwasnottobeexpectedthatthereshouldbeanyattractionatourhouseandyouweremuchmorepleasantlyengaged，that’sprettycertain，andisshefairordarkblueeyesorblackIwonder，notthatIexpectthatsheshouldbeanythingbutaperfectcontrasttomeinallparticularsforIamadisappointmentasIverywellknowandyouarequiterighttobedevotednodoubtthoughwhatIamsayingArthurnevermindIhardlyknowmyselfGoodgracious!’
　　Bythistimehehadplacedchairsfortheminthecounting-house。
　　AsFloradroppedintohers，shebestowedtheoldlookuponhim。
　　’AndtothinkofDoyceandClennam，andwhoDoycecanbe，’saidFlora；’delightfulmannodoubtandmarriedperhapsorperhapsadaughter，nowhashereally？thenoneunderstandsthepartnershipandseesitall，don’ttellmeanythingaboutitforIknowIhavenoclaimtoaskthequestionthegoldenchainthatoncewasforgedbeingsnappedandveryproper。’
　　Floraputherhandtenderlyonhis，andgavehimanotheroftheyouthfulglances。
　　’DearArthur——forceofhabit，MrClennameverywaymoredelicateandadaptedtoexistingcircumstances——ImustbegtobeexcusedfortakingthelibertyofthisintrusionbutIthoughtImightsofarpresumeuponoldtimesforeverfadednevermoretobloomastocallwithMrF。’sAunttocongratulateandofferbestwishes，A
　　greatdealsuperiortoChinanottobedeniedandmuchnearerthoughhigherup!’
　　’Iamveryhappytoseeyou，’saidClennam，’andIthankyou，Flora，verymuchforyourkindremembrance。’
　　’MorethanIcansaymyselfatanyrate，’returnedFlora，’forI
　　mighthavebeendeadandburiedtwentydistincttimesoverandnodoubtwhatevershouldhavebeenbeforeyouhadgenuinelyrememberedMeoranythinglikeitinspiteofwhichonelastremarkIwishtomake，onelastexplanationIwishtooffer——’
　　’MydearMrsFinching，’Arthurremonstratedinalarm。
　　’Ohnotthatdisagreeablename，sayFlora!’
　　’Flora，isitworthtroublingyourselfafreshtoenterintoexplanations？Iassureyounoneareneeded。Iamsatisfied——Iamperfectlysatisfied。’
　　Adiversionwasoccasionedhere，byMrF。’sAuntmakingthefollowinginexorableandawfulstatement：
　　’There’smile-stonesontheDoverroad!’
　　Withsuchmortalhostilitytowardsthehumanracedidshedischargethismissile，thatClennamwasquiteatalosshowtodefendhimself；theratherashehadbeenalreadyperplexedinhismindbythehonourofavisitfromthisvenerablelady，whenitwasplainsheheldhimintheutmostabhorrence。Hecouldnotbutlookatherwithdisconcertment，asshesatbreathingbitternessandscorn，andstaringleaguesaway。Flora，however，receivedtheremarkasifithadbeenofamostappositeandagreeablenature；approvinglyobservingaloudthatMrF。’sAunthadagreatdealofspirit。
　　Stimulatedeitherbythiscompliment，orbyherburningindignation，thatillustriouswomanthenadded，’Lethimmeetitifhecan!’And，witharigidmovementofherstonyreticuleanappendageofgreatsizeandofafossilappearance，indicatedthatClennamwastheunfortunatepersonatwhomthechallengewashurled。
　　’Onelastremark，’resumedFlora，’IwasgoingtosayIwishtomakeonelastexplanationIwishtooffer，MrF。’sAuntandmyselfwouldnothaveintrudedonbusinesshoursMrF。havingbeeninbusinessandthoughthewinetradestillbusinessisequallybusinesscallitwhatyouwillandbusinesshabitsarejustthesameaswitnessMrF。himselfwhohadhisslippersalwaysonthematattenminutesbeforesixintheafternoonandhisbootsinsidethefenderattenminutesbeforeeightinthemorningtothemomentinallweatherslightordark——wouldnotthereforehaveintrudedwithoutamotivewhichbeingkindlymeantitmaybehopedwillbekindlytakenArthur，MrClennamfarmoreproper，evenDoyceandClennamprobablymorebusiness-like。’
　　’Praysaynothinginthewayofapology，’Arthurentreated。’Youarealwayswelcome。’
　　’VerypoliteofyoutosaysoArthur——cannotrememberMrClennamuntilthewordisout，suchisthehabitoftimesforeverfled，andsotrueitisthatoftinthestillynightereslumber’schainhasboundpeople，fondmemorybringsthelightofotherdaysaroundpeople——verypolitebutmorepolitethantrueIamafraid，fortogointothemachinerybusinesswithoutsomuchassendingalineoracardtopapa——Idon’tsaymethoughtherewasatimebutthatispastandsternrealityhasnowmygraciousnevermind——doesnotlooklikeityoumustconfess。’
　　EvenFlora’scommasseemedtohavefledonthisoccasion；shewassomuchmoredisjointedandvolublethanintheprecedinginterview。
　　’Thoughindeed，’shehurriedon，’nothingelseistobeexpectedandwhyshoulditbeexpectedandifit’snottobeexpectedwhyshoulditbe，andIamfarfromblamingyouoranyone，Whenyourmamaandmypapaworriedustodeathandseveredthegoldenbowl——I
　　meanbondbutIdaresayyouknowwhatImeanandifyoudon’tyoudon’tlosemuchandcarejustaslittleIwillventuretoadd——whentheyseveredthegoldenbondthatboundusandthrewusintofitsofcryingonthesofanearlychokedatleastmyselfeverythingwaschangedandingivingmyhandtoMrF。IknowIdidsowithmyeyesopenbuthewassoveryunsettledandinsuchlowspiritsthathehaddistractedlyalludedtotheriverifnotoilofsomethingfromthechemist’sandIdiditforthebest。’
　　’MygoodFlora，wesettledthatbefore。Itwasallquiteright。’
　　’It’sperfectlyclearyouthinkso，’returnedFlora，’foryoutakeitverycoolly，ifIhadn’tknownittobeChinaIshouldhaveguessedmyselfthePolarregions，dearMrClennamyouarerighthoweverandIcannotblameyoubutastoDoyceandClennampapa’spropertybeingaboutherewehearditfromPancksandbutforhimwenevershouldhaveheardonewordaboutitIamsatisfied。’
　　’No，no，don’tsaythat。’
　　’WhatnonsensenottosayitArthur——DoyceandClennam——easierandlesstryingtomethanMrClennam——whenIknowitandyouknowittooandcan’tdenyit。’
　　’ButIdodenyit，Flora。Ishouldsoonhavemadeyouafriendlyvisit。’
　　’Ah!’saidFlora，tossingherhead。’Idaresay!’andshegavehimanotheroftheoldlooks。’HoweverwhenPanckstoldusImadeupmymindthatMrF。’sAuntandIwouldcomeandcallbecausewhenpapa——whichwasbeforethat——happenedtomentionhernametomeandtosaythatyouwereinterestedinherIsaidatthemomentGoodgraciouswhynothaveherherethenwhenthere’sanythingtodoinsteadofputtingitout。’
　　’WhenyousayHer，’observedClennam，bythistimeprettywellbewildered，’doyoumeanMrF。’s——’
　　’Mygoodness，Arthur——DoyceandClennamreallyeasiertomewitholdremembrances——whoeverheardofMrF。’sAuntdoingneedleworkandgoingoutbytheday？’
　　’Goingoutbytheday!DoyouspeakofLittleDorrit？’
　　’Whyyesofcourse，’returnedFlora；’andofallthestrangestnamesIeverheardthestrangest，likeaplacedowninthecountrywithaturnpike，orafavouriteponyorapuppyorabirdorsomethingfromaseed-shoptobeputinagardenoraflower-potandcomeupspeckled。’
　　’Then，Flora，’saidArthur，withasuddeninterestintheconversation，’MrCasbywassokindastomentionLittleDorrittoyou，washe？Whatdidhesay？’
　　’Ohyouknowwhatpapais，’rejoinedFlora，’andhowaggravatinglyhesitslookingbeautifulandturninghisthumbsoverandoveroneanothertillhemakesonegiddyifonekeepsone’seyesuponhim，hesaidwhenweweretalkingofyou——Idon’tknowwhobeganthesubjectArthurDoyceandClennambutIamsureitwasn’tme，atleastIhopenotbutyoureallymustexcusemyconfessingmoreonthatpoint。’
　　’Certainly，’saidArthur。’Byallmeans。’
　　’Youareveryready，’poutedFlora，comingtoasuddenstopinacaptivatingbashfulness，’thatImustadmit，PapasaidyouhadspokenofherinanearnestwayandIsaidwhatIhavetoldyouandthat’sall。’
　　’That’sall？’saidArthur，alittledisappointed。
　　’ExceptthatwhenPanckstoldusofyourhavingembarkedinthisbusinessandwithdifficultypersuadedusthatitwasreallyyouI
　　saidtoMrF。’sAuntthenwewouldcomeandaskyouifitwouldbeagreeabletoallpartiesthatsheshouldbeengagedatourhousewhenrequiredforIknowsheoftengoestoyourmama’sandIknowthatyourmamahasaverytouchytemperArthur——DoyceandClennam——
　　orInevermighthavemarriedMrF。andmighthavebeenatthishourbutIamrunningintononsense。’
　　’Itwasverykindofyou，Flora，tothinkofthis。’
　　PoorFlorarejoinedwithaplainsinceritywhichbecameherbetterthanheryoungestglances，thatshewasgladhethoughtso。ShesaiditwithsomuchheartthatClennamwouldhavegivenagreatdealtobuyhisoldcharacterofheronthespot，andthrowitandthemermaidawayforever。
　　’Ithink，Flora，’hesaid，’thattheemploymentyoucangiveLittleDorrit，andthekindnessyoucanshowher——’
　　’YesandIwill，’saidFlora，quickly。
　　’Iamsureofit——willbeagreatassistanceandsupporttoher。
　　IdonotfeelthatIhavetherighttotellyouwhatIknowofher，forIacquiredtheknowledgeconfidentially，andundercircumstancesthatbindmetosilence。ButIhaveaninterestinthelittlecreature，andarespectforherthatIcannotexpresstoyou。Herlifehasbeenoneofsuchtrialanddevotion，andsuchquietgoodness，asyoucanscarcelyimagine。Icanhardlythinkofher，farlessspeakofher，withoutfeelingmoved。LetthatfeelingrepresentwhatIcouldtellyou，andcommithertoyourfriendlinesswithmythanks。’
　　OncemoreheputouthishandfranklytopoorFlora；oncemorepoorFloracouldn’tacceptitfrankly，founditworthnothingopenly，mustmaketheoldintrigueandmysteryofit。Asmuchtoherownenjoymentastohisdismay，shecovereditwithacornerofhershawlasshetookit。Then，lookingtowardstheglassfrontofthecounting-house，andseeingtwofiguresapproaching，shecriedwithinfiniterelish，’Papa!Hush，Arthur，forMercy’ssake!’andtotteredbacktoherchairwithanamazingimitationofbeingindangerofswooning，inthedreadsurpriseandmaidenlyflutterofherspirits。