?”
rejoined
Ebba
,
following
him
cautiously
.
“
Ha
!
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Has
he
been
here
?
”
“
Then
you
know
the
person
I
allude
to
?
”
she
rejoined
.
“
I
know
some
one
answering
his
description
,
”
he
replied
,
with
a
forced
smile
.
“
Once
beheld
,
the
man
I
mean
is
not
to
be
forgotten
,
”
said
Ebba
.
“
He
has
a
countenance
such
as
I
never
saw
before
.
If
I
could
believe
in
the
‘evil
eye
,
’
I
should
be
sure
he
possessed
it
.
”
“
’Tis
he
,
there
can
be
no
doubt
,
”
rejoined
Auriol
,
in
a
sombre
tone
.
“
Who
and
what
is
he
,
then
?
”
demanded
Ebba
.
“
He
is
a
messenger
of
ill
,
”
replied
Auriol
,
“
and
I
am
thankful
he
is
gone
.
”
“
Are
you
quite
sure
of
it
?
”
she
asked
,
glancing
timorously
up
and
down
the
road
.
But
the
mysterious
individual
could
no
longer
be
seen
.
“
And
so
,
after
exciting
my
curiosity
in
this
manner
,
you
will
not
satisfy
it
?
”
she
said
.
“
I
cannot
,
”
rejoined
Auriol
,
somewhat
sternly
.
“
Nay
,
then
,
since
you
are
so
ungracious
,
I
shall
go
and
prepare
breakfast
,
”
she
replied
.
“
My
father
must
be
down
by
this
time
.
”
“
Stay
!
”
cried
Auriol
,
arresting
her
,
as
she
was
about
to
pass
through
the
door
.
“
I
wish
to
have
a
word
with
you
.
”
Ebba
stopped
,
and
the
bloom
suddenly
forsook
her
cheeks
.
But
Auriol
seemed
unable
to
proceed
.
Neither
dared
to
regard
the
other
;
and
a
profound
silence
prevailed
between
them
for
a
few
moments
.
“
Ebba
,
”
said
Auriol
at
length
,
“
I
am
about
to
leave
your
father’s
house
to-day
.
”
“
Why
so
soon
?
”
she
exclaimed
,
looking
up
into
his
face
.
“
You
are
not
entirely
recovered
yet
.
”
“
I
dare
not
stay
longer
,
”
he
said
.
“
Dare
not
!
”
cried
Ebba
.
And
she
again
cast
down
her
eyes
;
but
Auriol
made
no
reply
.
Fortunately
the
silence
was
broken
by
the
clinking
of
the
smiths’
hammers
upon
the
anvil
.
“
If
you
must
really
go
,
”
said
Ebba
,
looking
up
,
after
a
long
pause
,
“
I
hope
we
shall
see
you
again
?
”
“
Most
assuredly
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
I
owe
your
worthy
father
a
deep
debt
of
gratitude
—
a
debt
which
,
I
fear
,
I
shall
never
be
able
to
repay
.
”
“
My
father
is
more
than
repaid
in
saving
your
life
,
”
she
replied
.
“
I
am
sure
he
will
be
sorry
to
learn
you
are
going
so
soon
.
”
“
I
have
been
here
a
week
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
If
I
remained
longer
,
I
might
not
be
able
to
go
at
all
.
”
There
was
another
pause
,
during
which
a
stout
old
fellow
in
the
workshop
quitted
the
anvil
for
a
moment
,
and
,
catching
a
glimpse
of
the
young
couple
,
muttered
to
his
helpmate
—
“
I
say
,
Ned
,
I’m
a-thinkin’
our
master’ll
soon
have
a
son-in-law
.
There’s
pretty
plain
signs
on
it
at
yonder
door
.
”
“
So
there
be
,
John
,
”
replied
Ned
,
peeping
round
.
“
He’s
a
good-lookin’
young
feller
that
.
I
wish
ve
could
hear
their
discoorse
.
”
“
No
,
that
ain’t
fair
,
”
replied
John
,
raking
some
small
coal
upon
the
fire
,
and
working
away
at
the
bellows
.
“
I
would
not
for
the
world
ask
a
disagreeable
question
,
”
said
Ebba
,
again
raising
her
eyes
,
“
but
since
you
are
about
to
quit
us
,
I
must
confess
I
should
like
to
know
something
of
your
history
.
”
“
Forgive
me
if
I
decline
to
comply
with
your
desire
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
You
would
not
believe
me
,
were
I
to
relate
my
history
.
But
this
I
may
say
,
that
it
is
stranger
and
wilder
than
any
you
ever
heard
.
The
prisoner
in
his
cell
is
not
restrained
by
more
terrible
fetters
than
those
which
bind
me
to
silence
.
”
Ebba
gazed
at
him
as
if
she
feared
his
reasoning
were
wandering
.
“
You
think
me
mad
,
”
said
Auriol
;
“
would
I
were
so
!
But
I
shall
never
lose
the
clear
perception
of
my
woes
.
Hear
me
,
Ebba
!
Fate
has
brought
me
into
this
house
.
I
have
seen
you
,
and
experienced
your
gentle
ministry
;
and
it
is
impossible
,
so
circumstanced
,
to
be
blind
to
your
attractions
.
I
have
only
been
too
sensible
to
them
—
but
I
will
not
dwell
on
that
theme
,
nor
run
the
risk
of
exciting
a
passion
which
must
destroy
you
.
I
will
ask
you
to
hate
me
—
to
regard
me
as
a
monster
whom
you
ought
to
shun
rather
than
as
a
being
for
whom
you
should
entertain
the
slightest
sympathy
.
”
“
You
have
some
motive
in
saying
this
to
me
,
”
cried
the
terrified
girl
.
“
My
motive
is
to
warn
you
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
If
you
love
me
,
you
are
lost
—
utterly
lost
!
”
She
was
so
startled
,
that
she
could
make
no
reply
,
but
burst
into
tears
.
Auriol
took
her
hand
,
which
she
unresistingly
yielded
.
“
A
terrible
fatality
attaches
to
me
,
in
which
you
must
have
no
share
,
”
he
said
,
in
a
solemn
tone
.
“
Would
you
had
never
come
to
my
father’s
house
!
”
she
exclaimed
,
in
a
voice
of
anguish
.
“
Is
it
,
then
,
too
late
?
”
cried
Auriol
despairingly
.
“
It
is
—
if
to
love
you
be
fatal
,
”
she
rejoined
.
“
Ha
!
”
exclaimed
Auriol
,
striking
his
forehead
with
his
clenched
hand
.
“
Recall
your
words
—
Ebba
—
recall
them
—
but
no
,
once
uttered
—
it
is
impossible
.
You
are
bound
to
me
for
ever
.
I
must
fulfil
my
destiny
.
”
At
this
juncture
a
low
growl
broke
from
the
dog
,
and
,
guided
by
the
sound
,
the
youthful
couple
beheld
,
standing
near
the
gate
,
the
tall
dark
man
in
the
black
cloak
.
A
fiendish
smile
sat
upon
his
countenance
.
“
That
is
the
man
who
frightened
me
!
”
cried
Ebba
.
“
It
is
the
person
I
supposed
!
”
ejaculated
Auriol
.
“
I
must
speak
to
him
.
Leave
me
,
Ebba
.
I
will
join
you
presently
.
”
And
as
the
girl
,
half
sinking
with
apprehension
,
withdrew
,
he
advanced
quickly
towards
the
intruder
.
“
I
have
sought
you
for
some
days
,
”
said
the
tall
man
,
in
a
stern
,
commanding
voice
.
“
You
have
not
kept
your
appointment
with
me
.
”
“
I
could
not
,
”
replied
Auriol
—
“
an
accident
has
befallen
me
.
”
“
I
know
it
,
”
rejoined
the
other
.
“
I
am
aware
you
were
assailed
by
ruffians
in
the
ruined
house
over
the
way
.
But
you
are
recovered
now
,
and
can
go
forth
.
You
ought
to
have
communicated
with
me
.
”
“
It
was
my
intention
to
do
so
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
Our
meeting
cannot
be
delayed
much
longer
,
”
pursued
the
stranger
.
“
I
will
give
you
three
more
days
.
On
the
evening
of
the
last
day
,
at
the
hour
of
seven
,
I
shall
look
for
you
at
the
foot
of
the
statue
in
Hyde
Park
.
”
“
I
will
be
there
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
That
girl
must
be
the
next
victim
,
”
said
the
stranger
,
with
a
grim
smile
.
“
Peace
!
”
thundered
Auriol
.
“
Nay
,
I
need
not
remind
you
of
the
tenure
by
which
you
maintain
your
power
,
”
rejoined
the
stranger
.
“
But
I
will
not
trouble
you
further
now
.
”
And
,
wrapping
his
cloak
more
closely
round
him
,
he
disappeared
.
“
Fate
has
once
more
involved
me
in
its
net
,
”
cried
Auriol
bitterly
.
“
But
I
will
save
Ebba
,
whatever
it
may
cost
me
.
I
will
see
her
no
more
.
”
And
instead
of
returning
to
the
house
,
he
hurried
away
in
the
opposite
direction
of
the
stranger
.
Chapter
5
The
Meeting
near
the
Statue
The
evening
of
the
third
day
arrived
,
and
Auriol
entered
Hyde
Park
by
Stanhope
Gate
.
Glancing
at
his
watch
,
and
finding
it
wanted
nearly
three-quarters
of
an
hour
of
the
time
appointed
for
his
meeting
with
the
mysterious
stranger
,
he
struck
across
the
park
,
in
the
direction
of
the
Serpentine
River
.
Apparently
he
was
now
perfectly
recovered
,
for
his
arm
was
without
the
support
of
the
sling
,
and
he
walked
with
great
swiftness
.
But
his
countenance
was
deathly
pale
,
and
his
looks
were
so
wild
and
disordered
,
that
the
few
persons
he
encountered
shrank
from
him
aghast
.
A
few
minutes’
rapid
walking
brought
him
to
the
eastern
extremity
of
the
Serpentine
,
and
advancing
close
to
the
edge
of
the
embankment
,
he
gazed
at
the
waters
beneath
his
feet
.
“
I
would
plunge
into
them
,
if
I
could
find
repose
,
”
he
murmured
.
“
But
it
would
avail
nothing
.
I
should
only
add
to
my
sufferings
.
No
;
I
must
continue
to
endure
the
weight
of
a
life
burdened
by
crime
and
remorse
,
till
I
can
find
out
the
means
of
freeing
myself
from
it
.
Once
I
dreaded
this
unknown
danger
,
but
now
I
seek
for
it
in
vain
.
”
The
current
of
his
thoughts
was
here
interrupted
by
the
sudden
appearance
of
a
dark
object
on
the
surface
of
the
water
,
which
he
at
first
took
to
be
a
huge
fish
,
with
a
pair
of
green
fins
springing
from
its
back
;
but
after
watching
it
more
closely
for
a
few
moments
,
he
became
convinced
that
it
was
a
human
being
,
tricked
out
in
some
masquerade
attire
,
while
the
slight
struggles
which
it
made
proved
that
life
was
not
entirely
extinct
.
Though
,
the
moment
before
,
he
had
contemplated
self-destruction
,
and
had
only
been
restrained
from
the
attempt
by
the
certainty
of
failing
in
his
purpose
,
instinct
prompted
him
to
rescue
the
perishing
creature
before
him
.
Without
hesitation
,
therefore
,
and
without
tarrying
to
divest
himself
of
his
clothes
,
he
dashed
into
the
water
,
and
striking
out
,
instantly
reached
the
object
of
his
quest
,
which
still
continued
to
float
,
and
turning
it
over
,
for
the
face
was
downwards
,
he
perceived
it
was
an
old
man
,
of
exceedingly
small
size
,
habited
in
a
pantomimic
garb
.
He
also
remarked
that
a
rope
was
twisted
round
the
neck
of
the
unfortunate
being
,
making
it
evident
that
some
violent
attempt
had
been
made
upon
his
life
.
Without
pausing
for
further
investigation
,
he
took
firm
hold
of
the
leathern
wings
of
the
dwarf
,
and
with
his
disengaged
hand
propelled
himself
towards
the
shore
,
dragging
the
other
after
him
.
The
next
instant
he
reached
the
bank
,
clambered
up
the
low
brickwork
,
and
placed
his
burden
in
safety
.
The
noise
of
the
plunge
had
attracted
attention
,
and
several
persons
now
hurried
to
the
spot
.
On
coming
up
,
and
finding
Auriol
bending
over
a
water-sprite
—
for
such
,
at
first
sight
,
the
dwarf
appeared
—
they
could
not
repress
their
astonishment
.
Wholly
insensible
to
the
presence
of
those
around
him
,
Auriol
endeavoured
to
recall
where
he
had
seen
the
dwarf
before
.
All
at
once
,
the
recollection
flashed
upon
him
,
and
he
cried
aloud
,
“
Why
,
it
is
my
poor
murdered
grandfather’s
attendant
,
Flapdragon
!
But
no
!
no
!
—
he
must
be
dead
ages
ago
!
Yet
the
resemblance
is
singularly
striking
!
”
Auriol’s
exclamations
,
coupled
with
his
wild
demeanour
,
surprised
the
bystanders
,
and
they
came
to
the
conclusion
that
he
must
be
a
travelling
showman
,
who
had
attempted
to
drown
his
dwarf
—
the
grotesque
,
impish
garb
of
the
latter
convincing
them
that
he
had
been
exhibited
at
a
booth
.
They
made
signs
,
therefore
,
to
each
other
not
to
let
Auriol
escape
,
and
one
of
them
,
raising
the
dwarf’s
head
on
his
knee
,
produced
a
flask
,
and
poured
some
brandy
from
it
down
his
throat
,
while
others
chafed
his
hands
.
These
efforts
were
attended
with
much
speedier
success
than
might
have
been
anticipated
.
After
a
struggle
or
two
for
respiration
,
the
dwarf
opened
his
eyes
,
and
gazed
at
the
group
around
him
.
“
It
must
be
Flapdragon
!
”
exclaimed
Auriol
.
“
Ah
!
who
calls
me
?
”
cried
the
dwarf
.
“
I
!
”
rejoined
Auriol
.
“
Do
you
not
recollect
me
?
”
“
To
be
sure
!
”
exclaimed
the
dwarf
,
gazing
at
him
fixedly
;
“
you
are
—
—
”
and
he
stopped
.
“
You
have
been
thrown
into
the
water
,
Master
Flapdragon
?
”
cried
a
bystander
,
noticing
the
cord
round
the
dwarf’s
throat
.
“
I
have
,
”
replied
the
little
old
man
.
“
By
your
governor
—
that
is
,
by
this
person
?
”
cried
another
,
laying
hold
of
Auriol
.
“
By
him
—
no
,
”
said
the
dwarf
;
“
I
have
not
seen
that
gentleman
for
nearly
three
centuries
.
”
“
Three
centuries
,
my
little
patriarch
?
”
said
the
man
who
had
given
him
the
brandy
.
“
That’s
a
long
time
.
Think
again
.
”
“
It’s
perfectly
true
,
nevertheless
,
”
replied
the
dwarf
.
“
His
wits
have
been
washed
away
by
the
water
,
”
said
the
first
speaker
.
“
Give
him
a
drop
more
brandy
.
”
“
Not
a
bit
of
it
,
”
rejoined
the
dwarf
;
“
my
senses
were
never
clearer
than
at
this
moment
.
At
last
we
have
met
,
”
he
continued
,
addressing
Auriol
,
“
and
I
hope
we
shall
not
speedily
part
again
.
We
hold
life
by
the
same
tie
.
”
“
How
came
you
in
the
desperate
condition
in
which
I
found
you
?
”
demanded
Auriol
evasively
.
“
I
was
thrown
into
the
canal
with
a
stone
to
my
neck
,
like
a
dog
about
to
be
drowned
,
”
replied
the
dwarf
.
“
But
,
as
you
are
aware
,
I’m
not
so
easily
disposed
of
.
”
Again
the
bystanders
exchanged
significant
looks
.
“
By
whom
was
the
attempt
made
?
”
inquired
Auriol
.
“
I
don’t
know
the
villain’s
name
,
”
rejoined
the
dwarf
,
“
but
he’s
a
very
tall
,
dark
man
,
and
is
generally
wrapped
in
a
long
black
cloak
.
”
“
Ha
!
”
exclaimed
Auriol
.
“
When
was
it
done
?
”
“
Some
nights
ago
,
I
should
fancy
,
”
replied
the
dwarf
,
“
for
I’ve
been
a
terrible
long
time
under
water
.
I
have
only
just
managed
to
shake
off
the
stone
.
”
At
this
speech
there
was
a
titter
of
incredulity
among
the
bystanders
.
“
You
may
laugh
,
but
it’s
true
!
”
cried
the
dwarf
angrily
.
“
We
must
speak
of
this
anon
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
Will
you
convey
him
to
the
nearest
tavern
?
”
he
added
,
placing
money
in
the
hands
of
the
man
who
held
the
dwarf
in
his
arms
.
“
Willingly
,
sir
,
”
replied
the
man
.
“
I’ll
take
him
to
the
Life
Guardsman
,
near
the
barracks
—
that’s
the
nearest
public
.
”
“
I’ll
join
him
there
in
an
hour
,
”
replied
Auriol
,
moving
away
.
And
as
he
disappeared
,
the
man
took
up
his
little
burden
,
and
bent
his
steps
towards
the
barracks
.
Utterly
disregarding
the
dripping
state
of
his
habiliments
,
Auriol
proceeded
quickly
to
the
place
of
rendezvous
.
Arrived
there
,
he
looked
around
,
and
not
seeing
any
one
,
flung
himself
upon
a
bench
at
the
foot
of
the
gentle
eminence
on
which
the
gigantic
statue
of
Achilles
is
placed
.
It
was
becoming
rapidly
dark
,
and
heavy
clouds
,
portending
speedy
rain
,
increased
the
gloom
.
Auriol’s
thoughts
were
sombre
as
the
weather
and
the
hour
,
and
he
fell
into
a
deep
fit
of
abstraction
,
from
which
he
was
roused
by
a
hand
laid
on
his
shoulder
.
Recoiling
at
the
touch
,
he
raised
his
eyes
,
and
beheld
the
stranger
leaning
over
him
,
and
gazing
at
him
with
a
look
of
diabolical
exultation
.
The
cloak
was
thrown
partly
aside
,
so
as
to
display
the
tall
,
gaunt
figure
of
its
wearer
;
while
the
large
collar
of
sable
fur
with
which
it
was
decorated
stood
out
like
the
wings
of
a
demon
.
The
stranger’s
hat
was
off
,
and
his
high
broad
forehead
,
white
as
marble
,
was
fully
revealed
.
“
Our
meeting
must
be
brief
,
”
he
said
.
“
Are
you
prepared
to
fulfil
the
compact
?
”
“
What
do
you
require
?
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
Possession
of
the
girl
I
saw
three
days
ago
,
”
said
the
other
;
“
the
iron-merchant’s
daughter
,
Ebba
.
She
must
be
mine
.
”
“
Never
!
”
cried
Auriol
firmly
—
“
never
!
”
“
Beware
how
you
tempt
me
to
exert
my
power
,
”
said
the
stranger
;
“
she
must
be
mine
—
or
—
—
”
“
I
defy
you
!
”
rejoined
Auriol
;
“
I
will
never
consent
.
”
“
Fool
!
”
cried
the
other
,
seizing
him
by
the
arm
,
and
fixing
a
withering
glance
upon
him
.
“
Bring
her
to
me
ere
the
week
be
out
,
or
dread
my
vengeance
!
”
And
,
enveloping
himself
in
his
cloak
,
he
retreated
behind
the
statue
,
and
was
lost
to
view
.
As
he
disappeared
,
a
moaning
wind
arose
,
and
heavy
rain
descended
.
Still
Auriol
did
not
quit
the
bench
.
Chapter
6
The
Charles
the
Second
Spaniel
It
was
about
two
o’clock
,
on
a
charming
spring
day
,
that
a
stout
middle-aged
man
,
accompanied
by
a
young
person
of
extraordinary
beauty
,
took
up
his
station
in
front
of
Langham
Church
.
Just
as
the
clock
struck
the
hour
,
a
young
man
issued
at
a
quick
pace
from
a
cross-street
,
and
came
upon
the
couple
before
he
was
aware
of
it
.
He
was
evidently
greatly
embarrassed
,
and
would
have
beaten
a
retreat
,
but
that
was
impossible
.
His
embarrassment
was
in
some
degree
shared
by
the
young
lady
;
she
blushed
deeply
,
but
could
not
conceal
her
satisfaction
at
the
encounter
.
The
elder
individual
,
who
did
not
appear
to
notice
the
confusion
of
either
party
,
immediately
extended
his
hand
to
the
young
man
,
and
exclaimed
:
“
What
!
Mr.
Darcy
,
is
it
you
?
Why
,
we
thought
we
had
lost
you
,
sir
!
What
took
you
off
so
suddenly
?
We
have
been
expecting
you
these
four
days
,
and
were
now
walking
about
to
try
and
find
you
.
My
daughter
has
been
terribly
uneasy
.
Haven’t
you
,
Ebba
?
”
The
young
lady
made
no
answer
to
this
appeal
,
but
cast
down
her
eyes
.
“
It
was
my
intention
to
call
,
and
give
you
an
explanation
of
my
strange
conduct
,
to-day
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
I
hope
you
received
my
letter
,
stating
that
my
sudden
departure
was
unavoidable
.
”
“
To
be
sure
;
and
I
also
received
the
valuable
snuffbox
you
were
so
good
as
to
send
me
,
”
replied
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
But
you
neglected
to
tell
me
how
to
acknowledge
the
gift
.
”
“
I
could
not
give
an
address
at
the
moment
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
Well
,
I
am
glad
to
find
you
have
got
the
use
of
your
arm
again
,
”
observed
the
iron-merchant
;
“
but
I
can’t
say
you
look
so
well
as
when
you
left
us
.
You
seem
paler
—
eh
?
what
do
you
think
,
Ebba
?
”
“
Mr.
Darcy
looks
as
if
he
were
suffering
from
mental
anxiety
rather
than
from
bodily
ailment
,
”
she
replied
timidly
.
“
I
am
so
,
”
replied
Auriol
,
regarding
her
fixedly
.
“
A
very
disastrous
circumstance
has
happened
to
me
.
But
answer
me
one
question
:
Has
the
mysterious
person
in
the
black
cloak
troubled
you
again
?
”
“
What
mysterious
person
?
”
demanded
Mr.
Thorneycroft
,
opening
his
eyes
.
“
Never
mind
,
father
,
”
replied
Ebba
.
“
I
saw
him
last
night
,
”
she
added
to
Auriol
.
“
I
was
sitting
in
the
back
room
alone
,
wondering
what
had
become
of
you
,
when
I
heard
a
tap
against
the
window
,
which
was
partly
open
,
and
,
looking
up
,
I
beheld
the
tall
stranger
.
It
was
nearly
dark
,
but
the
light
of
the
fire
revealed
his
malignant
countenance
.
I
don’t
exaggerate
,
when
I
say
his
eyes
gleamed
like
those
of
a
tiger
.
I
was
terribly
frightened
,
but
something
prevented
me
from
crying
out
.
After
gazing
at
me
for
a
few
moments
,
with
a
look
that
seemed
to
fascinate
while
it
frightened
me
,
he
said
—
‘You
desire
to
see
Auriol
Darcy
.
I
have
just
quitted
him
.
Go
to
Langham
Place
to-morrow
,
and
,
as
the
clock
strikes
two
,
you
will
behold
him.’
Without
waiting
for
any
reply
on
my
part
,
he
disappeared
.
”
“
Ah
,
you
never
told
me
this
,
you
little
rogue
!
”
cried
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
You
persuaded
me
to
come
out
with
you
,
in
the
hope
of
meeting
Mr.
Darcy
;
but
you
did
not
say
you
were
sure
to
find
him
.
So
you
sent
this
mysterious
gentleman
to
her
,
eh
?
”
he
added
to
Auriol
.
“
No
,
I
did
not
,
”
replied
the
other
gloomily
.
“
Indeed
!
”
exclaimed
the
iron-merchant
,
with
a
puzzled
look
.
“
Oh
,
then
I
suppose
he
thought
it
might
relieve
her
anxiety
.
However
,
since
we
have
met
,
I
hope
you’ll
walk
home
and
dine
with
us
.
”
Auriol
was
about
to
decline
the
invitation
,
but
Ebba
glanced
at
him
entreatingly
.
“
I
have
an
engagement
,
but
I
will
forego
it
,
”
he
said
,
offering
his
arm
to
her
.
And
they
walked
along
towards
Oxford
Street
,
while
Mr.
Thorneycroft
followed
,
a
few
paces
behind
them
.
“
This
is
very
kind
of
you
,
Mr.
Darcy
,
”
said
Ebba
.
“
Oh
,
I
have
been
so
wretched
!
”
“
I
grieve
to
hear
it
,
”
he
rejoined
.
“
I
hoped
you
had
forgotten
me
.
”
“
I
am
sure
you
did
not
think
so
,
”
she
cried
.
As
she
spoke
,
she
felt
a
shudder
pass
through
Auriol’s
frame
.
“
What
ails
you
?
”
she
anxiously
inquired
.
“
I
would
have
shunned
you
,
if
I
could
,
Ebba
,
”
he
replied
;
“
but
a
fate
,
against
which
it
is
vain
to
contend
,
has
brought
us
together
again
.
”
“
I
am
glad
of
it
,
”
she
replied
;
“
because
,
ever
since
our
last
interview
,
I
have
been
reflecting
on
what
you
then
said
to
me
,
and
am
persuaded
you
are
labouring
under
some
strange
delusion
,
occasioned
by
your
recent
accident
.
”
“
Be
not
deceived
,
Ebba
,
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
I
am
under
a
terrible
influence
.
I
need
not
remind
you
of
the
mysterious
individual
who
tapped
at
your
window
last
night
.
”
“
What
of
him
?
”
demanded
Ebba
,
with
a
thrill
of
apprehension
.
“
He
it
is
who
controls
my
destiny
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
But
what
has
he
to
do
with
me
?
”
asked
Ebba
.
“
Much
,
much
,
”
he
replied
,
with
a
perceptible
shudder
.
“
You
terrify
me
,
Auriol
,
”
she
rejoined
.
“
Tell
me
what
you
mean
—
in
pity
,
tell
me
?
”
Before
Auriol
could
reply
,
Mr.
Thorneycroft
stepped
forward
,
and
turned
the
conversation
into
another
channel
.
Soon
after
this
,
they
reached
the
Quadrant
,
and
were
passing
beneath
the
eastern
colonnade
,
when
Ebba’s
attention
was
attracted
towards
a
man
who
was
leading
a
couple
of
dogs
by
a
string
,
while
he
had
others
under
his
arm
,
others
again
in
his
pocket
,
and
another
in
his
breast
.
It
was
Mr.
Ginger
.
“
What
a
pretty
little
dog
!
”
cried
Ebba
,
remarking
the
Charles
the
Second
spaniel
.
“
Allow
me
to
present
you
with
it
?
”
said
Auriol
.
“
You
know
I
should
value
it
,
as
coming
from
you
,
”
she
replied
,
blushing
deeply
;
“
but
I
cannot
accept
it
;
so
I
will
not
look
at
it
again
,
for
fear
I
should
be
tempted
.
”
The
dog-fancier
,
however
,
noticing
Ebba’s
admiration
,
held
forward
the
spaniel
,
and
said
,
“
Do
jist
look
at
the
pretty
little
creater
,
miss.
It
han’t
its
equil
for
beauty
.
Don’t
be
afeerd
on
it
,
miss.
It’s
as
gentle
as
a
lamb
.
”
“
Oh
you
little
darling
!
”
Ebba
said
,
patting
its
sleek
head
and
long
silken
ears
,
while
it
fixed
its
large
black
eyes
upon
her
,
as
if
entreating
her
to
become
its
purchaser
.
“
Fairy
seems
to
have
taken
quite
a
fancy
to
you
,
miss
,
”
observed
Ginger
;
“
and
she
ain’t
i’
the
habit
o’
fallin’
i’
love
at
first
sight
.
I
don’t
wonder
at
it
,
though
,
for
my
part
.
I
should
do
jist
the
same
,
if
I
wos
in
her
place
.
Vell
,
now
,
miss
,
as
she
seems
to
like
you
,
and
you
seem
to
like
her
,
I
won’t
copy
the
manners
o’
them
’ere
fathers
as
has
stony
‘arts
,
and
part
two
true
lovyers
.
You
shall
have
her
a
bargin
.
”
“
What
do
you
call
a
bargain
,
my
good
man
?
”
inquired
Ebba
,
smiling
.
“
I
wish
I
could
afford
to
give
her
to
you
,
miss
,
”
replied
Ginger
;
“
you
should
have
her
,
and
welcome
.
But
I
must
airn
a
livelihood
,
and
Fairy
is
the
most
wallerable
part
o’
my
stock
.
I’ll
tell
you
wot
I
give
for
her
myself
,
and
you
shall
have
her
at
a
trifle
beyond
it
.
I’d
scorn
to
take
adwantage
o’
the
likes
o’
you
.
”
“
I
hope
you
didn’t
give
too
much
,
then
,
friend
,
”
replied
Ebba
.
“
I
didn’t
give
hayf
her
wally
—
not
hayf
,
”
said
Ginger
;
“
and
if
so
be
you
don’t
like
her
in
a
month’s
time
,
I’ll
buy
her
back
again
from
you
.
You’ll
alvays
find
me
here
—
alvays
.
Everybody
knows
Mr.
Ginger
—
that’s
my
name
,
miss.
I’m
the
only
honest
man
in
the
dog-fancyin’
line
.
Ask
Mr.
Bishop
,
the
great
gunmaker
o’
Bond
Street
,
about
me
—
him
as
the
nobs
calls
the
Bishop
o’
Bond
Street
—
an’
he’ll
tell
you
.
”
“
But
you
haven’t
answered
the
lady’s
question
,
”
said
Auriol
.
“
What
do
you
ask
for
the
dog
?
”
“
Do
you
want
it
for
yourself
,
sir
,
or
for
her
?
”
inquired
Ginger
.
“
What
does
it
matter
?
”
cried
Auriol
angrily
.
“
A
great
deal
,
sir
,
”
replied
Ginger
;
“
it’ll
make
a
mater’al
difference
in
the
price
.
To
you
she’ll
be
five-an’-twenty
guineas
.
To
the
young
lady
,
twenty
.
”
“
But
suppose
I
buy
her
for
the
young
lady
?
”
said
Auriol
.
“
Oh
,
then
,
in
coorse
,
you’ll
get
her
at
the
lower
figure
!
”
replied
Ginger
.
“
I
hope
you
don’t
mean
to
buy
the
dog
?
”
interposed
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
The
price
is
monstrous
—
preposterous
.
”
“
It
may
appear
so
to
you
,
sir
,
”
said
Ginger
,
“
because
you’re
ignorant
o’
the
wally
of
sich
a
hanimal
;
but
I
can
tell
you
,
it’s
cheap
—
dirt
cheap
.
Vy
,
his
Excellency
the
Prooshan
Ambassador
bought
a
Charley
from
me
,
t’other
week
,
to
present
to
a
certain
duchess
of
his
acquaintance
,
and
wot
d’ye
think
he
give
for
it
?
”
“
I
don’t
know
,
and
I
don’t
want
to
know
,
”
replied
Mr.
Thorneycroft
gruffly
.
“
Eighty
guineas
,
”
said
Ginger
.
“
Eighty
guineas
,
as
I’m
a
livin’
man
,
and
made
no
bones
about
it
neither
.
The
dog
I
sold
him
warn’t
to
be
compared
wi’
Fairy
.
”
“
Stuff
—
stuff
!
”
cried
Mr.
Thorneycroft
;
“
I
ain’t
to
be
gammoned
in
that
way
.
”
“
It’s
no
gammon
,
”
said
Ginger
.
“
Look
at
them
ears
,
miss
—
vy
,
they’re
as
long
as
your
own
ringlets
—
and
them
pads
—
an’
I’m
sure
you
von’t
say
she’s
dear
at
twenty
pound
.
”
“
She’s
a
lovely
little
creature
,
indeed
,
”
returned
Ebba
,
again
patting
the
animal’s
head
.
While
this
was
passing
,
two
men
of
very
suspicious
mien
,
ensconced
behind
a
pillar
adjoining
the
group
,
were
reconnoitring
Auriol
.
“
It’s
him
!
”
whispered
the
taller
and
darker
of
the
two
to
his
companion
—
“
it’s
the
young
man
ve’ve
been
lookin’
for
—
Auriol
Darcy
.
”
“
It
seems
like
him
,
”
said
the
other
,
edging
round
the
pillar
as
far
as
he
could
without
exposure
.
“
I
vish
he’d
turn
his
face
a
leetle
more
this
vay
.
”
“
It’s
him
,
I
tell
you
,
Sandman
,
”
said
the
Tinker
.
“
Ve
must
give
the
signal
to
our
comrade
.
”
“
Vell
,
I’ll
tell
you
wot
it
is
,
miss
,
”
said
Ginger
coaxingly
,
“
your
sveet’art
—
I’m
sure
he’s
your
sveet’art
—
I
can
tell
these
things
in
a
minnit
—
your
sveet’art
,
I
say
,
shall
give
me
fifteen
pound
,
and
the
dog’s
yourn
.
I
shall
lose
five
pound
by
the
transaction
;
but
I
don’t
mind
it
for
sich
a
customer
as
you
.
Fairy
desarves
a
kind
missus
.
”
Auriol
,
who
had
fallen
into
a
fit
of
abstraction
,
here
remarked
:
“
What’s
that
you
are
saying
,
fellow
?
”
“
I
vos
a-sayin’
,
sir
,
the
young
lady
shall
have
the
dog
for
fifteen
pound
,
and
a
precious
bargin
it
is
,
”
replied
Ginger
.
“
Well
,
then
,
I
close
with
you
.
Here’s
the
money
,
”
said
Auriol
,
taking
out
his
purse
.
“
On
no
account
,
Auriol
,
”
cried
Ebba
quickly
.
“
It’s
too
much
.
”
“
A
great
deal
too
much
,
Mr.
Darcy
,
”
said
Thorneycroft
.
“
Auriol
and
Darcy
!
”
muttered
Ginger
.
“
Can
this
be
the
gemman
ve’re
a-lookin’
for
.
Vere’s
my
two
pals
,
I
vonder
?
Oh
,
it’s
all
right
!
”
he
added
,
receiving
a
signal
from
behind
the
pillar
.
“
They’re
on
the
look-out
,
I
see
.
”
“
Give
the
lady
the
dog
,
and
take
the
money
,
man
,
”
said
Auriol
sharply
.
“
Beg
pardon
,
sir
,
”
said
Ginger
,
“
but
hadn’t
I
better
carry
the
dog
home
for
the
young
lady
?
It
might
meet
vith
some
accident
in
the
vay
.
”
“
Accident
!
—
stuff
and
nonsense
!
”
cried
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
The
rascal
only
wants
to
follow
you
home
,
that
he
may
know
where
you
live
,
and
steal
the
dog
back
again
.
Take
my
advice
,
Mr.
Darcy
,
and
don’t
buy
it
.
”
“
The
bargain’s
concluded
,
”
said
Ginger
,
delivering
the
dog
to
Ebba
,
and
taking
the
money
from
Auriol
,
which
,
having
counted
,
he
thrust
into
his
capacious
breeches
pocket
.
“
How
shall
I
thank
you
for
this
treasure
,
Auriol
?
”
exclaimed
Ebba
,
in
an
ecstasy
of
delight
.
“
By
transferring
to
it
all
regard
you
may
entertain
for
me
,
”
he
replied
,
in
a
low
tone
.
“
That
is
impossible
,
”
she
answered
.
“
Well
,
I
vote
we
drive
away
at
once
,
”
said
Mr.
Thorneycroft
.
“
Halloa
!
jarvey
!
”
he
cried
,
hailing
a
coach
that
was
passing
;
adding
,
as
the
vehicle
stopped
,
“
Now
get
in
,
Ebba
.
By
this
means
we
shall
avoid
being
followed
by
the
rascal
.
”
So
saying
,
he
got
into
the
coach
.
As
Auriol
was
about
to
follow
him
,
he
felt
a
slight
touch
on
his
arm
,
and
,
turning
,
beheld
a
tall
and
very
forbidding
man
by
his
side
.
“
Beg
pardin
,
sir
,
”
said
the
fellow
,
touching
his
hat
,
“
but
ain’t
your
name
Mr.
Auriol
Darcy
?
”
“
It
is
,
”
replied
Auriol
,
regarding
him
fixedly
.
“
Why
do
you
ask
?
”
“
I
vants
a
vord
or
two
vith
you
in
private
—
that’s
all
,
sir
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
.
“
Say
what
you
have
to
say
at
once
,
”
rejoined
Auriol
.
“
I
know
nothing
of
you
.
”
“
You’ll
know
me
better
by-and-by
,
sir
,
”
said
the
Tinker
,
in
a
significant
tone
.
“
I
must
speak
to
you
,
and
alone
.
”
“
If
you
don’t
go
about
your
business
,
fellow
,
instantly
,
I’ll
give
you
in
charge
of
the
police
,
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
No
,
you
von’t
,
sir
—
no
,
you
von’t
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
,
shaking
his
head
.
And
then
,
lowering
his
voice
,
he
added
,
“
You’ll
be
glad
to
purchase
my
silence
ven
you
larns
wot
secrets
o’
yourn
has
come
to
my
knowledge
.
”
“
Won’t
you
get
in
,
Mr.
Darcy
?
”
cried
Thorneycroft
,
whose
back
was
towards
the
Tinker
.
“
I
must
speak
to
this
man
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
I’ll
come
to
you
in
the
evening
.
Till
then
,
farewell
,
Ebba
.
”
And
,
as
the
coach
drove
away
,
he
added
to
the
Tinker
,
“
Now
,
rascal
,
what
have
you
to
say
?
”
“
Step
this
vay
,
sir
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
.
“
There’s
two
friends
o’
mine
as
vishes
to
be
present
at
our
conference
.
Ve’d
better
valk
into
a
back
street
.
”
Chapter
7
The
Hand
Again
!
Followed
by
Auriol
,
who
,
in
his
turn
,
was
followed
by
Ginger
and
the
Sandman
,
the
Tinker
directed
his
steps
to
Great
Windmill
Street
,
where
he
entered
a
public-house
,
called
the
Black
Lion
.
Leaving
his
four-footed
attendants
with
the
landlord
,
with
whom
he
was
acquainted
,
Ginger
caused
the
party
to
be
shown
into
a
private
room
,
and
,
on
entering
it
,
Auriol
flung
himself
into
a
chair
,
while
the
dog-fancier
stationed
himself
near
the
door
.
“
Now
,
what
do
you
want
with
me
?
”
demanded
Auriol
.
“
You
shall
learn
presently
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
;
“
but
first
,
it
may
be
as
vell
to
state
,
that
a
certain
pocket-book
has
been
found
.
”
“
Ah
!
”
exclaimed
Auriol
.
“
You
are
the
villains
who
beset
me
in
the
ruined
house
in
the
Vauxhall
Road
.
”
“
Your
pocket-book
has
been
found
,
I
tell
you
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
,
“
and
from
it
ve
have
made
the
most
awful
diskiveries
.
Our
werry
‘air
stood
on
end
ven
ve
first
read
the
shockin’
particulars
.
What
a
bloodthirsty
ruffian
you
must
be
!
Vy
,
ve
finds
you’ve
been
i’
the
habit
o’
makin’
avay
with
a
young
ooman
vonce
every
ten
years
.
Your
last
wictim
wos
in
1820
—
the
last
but
one
,
in
1810
—
and
the
one
before
her
,
in
1800.
”
“
Hangin’s
too
good
for
you
!
”
cried
the
Sandman
;
“
but
if
ve
peaches
you’re
sartin
to
sving
.
”
“
I
hope
that
pretty
creater
I
jist
see
ain’t
to
be
the
next
wictim
?
”
said
Ginger
.
“
Peace
!
”
thundered
Auriol
.
“
What
do
you
require
?
”
“
A
hundred
pound
each’ll
buy
our
silence
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
.
“
Ve
ought
to
have
double
that
,
”
said
the
Sandman
,
“
for
screenin’
sich
atterocious
crimes
as
he
has
parpetrated
.
Ve’re
not
werry
partic’lar
ourselves
,
but
ve
don’t
commit
murder
wholesale
.
”
“
Ve
don’t
commit
murder
at
all
,
”
said
Ginger
.
“
You
may
fancy
,
”
pursued
the
Tinker
,
“
that
ve
ain’t
perfectly
acvainted
with
your
history
,
but
to
prove
that
ve
are
,
I’ll
just
rub
up
your
memory
.
Did
you
ever
hear
tell
of
a
gemman
as
murdered
Doctor
Lamb
,
the
famous
halchemist
o’
Queen
Bess’s
time
,
and
,
havin’
drank
the
‘lixir
vich
the
doctor
had
made
for
hisself
,
has
lived
ever
since
?
Did
you
ever
hear
tell
of
such
a
person
,
I
say
?
”
Auriol
gazed
at
him
in
astonishment
.
“
What
idle
tale
are
you
inventing
?
”
he
said
at
length
.
“
It
is
no
idle
tale
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
boldly
.
“
Ve
can
bring
a
vitness
as’ll
prove
the
fact
—
a
livin’
vitness
.
”
“
What
witness
?
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Don’t
you
reckilect
the
dwarf
as
used
to
serve
Doctor
Lamb
?
”
rejoined
the
Tinker
.
“
He’s
alive
still
;
and
ve
calls
him
Old
Parr
,
on
account
of
his
great
age
.
”
“
Where
is
he
?
—
what
has
become
of
him
?
”
demanded
Auriol
.
“
Oh
,
ve’ll
perduce
him
in
doo
time
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
cunningly
.
“
But
tell
me
where
the
poor
fellow
is
?
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Have
you
seen
him
since
last
night
?
I
sent
him
to
a
public-house
at
Kensington
,
but
he
has
disappeared
from
it
,
and
I
can
discover
no
traces
of
him
.
”
“
He’ll
turn
up
somewhere
—
never
fear
,
”
rejoined
the
Tinker
.
“
But
now
,
sir
,
that
ve
fairly
understands
each
other
,
are
you
agreeable
to
our
terms
?
You
shall
give
us
an
order
for
the
money
,
and
ve’ll
undertake
,
on
our
parts
,
not
to
mislest
you
more
.
”
“
The
pocket-book
must
be
delivered
up
to
me
if
I
assent
,
”
said
Auriol
,
“
and
the
poor
dwarf
must
be
found
.
”
“
Vy
,
as
to
that
,
I
can
scarcely
promise
,
”
replied
the
Tinker
;
“
there’s
a
difficulty
in
the
case
,
you
see
.
But
the
pocket-book’ll
never
be
brought
aginst
you
—
you
may
rest
assured
o’
that
.
”
“
I
must
have
it
,
or
you
get
nothing
from
me
,
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Here’s
a
bit
o’
paper
as
come
from
the
pocket-book
,
”
said
Ginger
.
“
Would
you
like
to
hear
wot’s
written
upon
it
?
Here
are
the
words
:
‘How
many
crimes
have
I
to
reproach
myself
with
!
How
many
innocents
have
I
destroyed
!
And
all
owing
to
my
fatal
compact
with
—
—
’
”
“
Give
me
that
paper
,
”
cried
Auriol
,
rising
,
and
attempting
to
snatch
it
from
the
dog-fancier
.
Just
as
this
moment
,
and
while
Ginger
retreated
from
Auriol
,
the
door
behind
him
was
noiselessly
opened
—
a
hand
was
thrust
through
the
chink
—
and
the
paper
was
snatched
from
his
grasp
.
Before
Ginger
could
turn
round
,
the
door
was
closed
again
.
“
Halloa
!
What’s
that
?
”
he
cried
.
“
The
paper’s
gone
!
”
“
The
hand
again
!
”
cried
the
Sandman
,
in
alarm
.
“
See
who’s
in
the
passage
—
open
the
door
—
quick
!
”
Ginger
cautiously
complied
,
and
,
peeping
forth
,
said
—
“
There’s
no
one
there
.
It
must
be
the
devil
.
I’ll
have
nuffin’
more
to
do
wi’
the
matter
.
”
“
Poh
!
poh
!
don’t
be
so
chicken-‘arted
!
”
cried
the
Tinker
.
“
But
come
what
may
,
the
gemman
shan’t
stir
till
he
undertakes
to
pay
us
three
hundred
pounds
.
”
“
You
seek
to
frighten
me
in
vain
,
villain
,
”
cried
Auriol
,
upon
whom
the
recent
occurrence
had
not
been
lost
.
“
I
have
but
to
stamp
my
foot
,
and
I
can
instantly
bring
assistance
that
shall
overpower
you
.
”
“
Don’t
provoke
him
,
”
whispered
Ginger
,
plucking
the
Tinker’s
sleeve
.
“
For
my
part
,
I
shan’t
stay
any
longer
.
I
wouldn’t
take
his
money
.
”
And
he
quitted
the
room
.
“
I’ll
go
and
see
wot’s
the
matter
wi’
Ginger
,
”
said
the
Sandman
,
slinking
after
him
.
The
Tinker
looked
nervously
round
.
He
was
not
proof
against
his
superstitious
fears
.
“
Here
,
take
this
purse
,
and
trouble
me
no
more
!
”
cried
Auriol
.
The
Tinker’s
hands
clutched
the
purse
mechanically
,
but
he
instantly
laid
it
down
again
.
“
I’m
bad
enough
—
but
I
won’t
sell
myself
to
the
devil
,
”
he
said
.
And
he
followed
his
companions
.
Left
alone
,
Auriol
groaned
aloud
,
and
covered
his
face
with
his
hands
.
When
he
looked
up
,
he
found
the
tall
man
in
the
black
cloak
standing
beside
him
.
A
demoniacal
smile
played
upon
his
features
.
“
You
here
?
”
cried
Auriol
.
“
Of
course
,
”
replied
the
stranger
.
“
I
came
to
watch
over
your
safety
.
You
were
in
danger
from
those
men
.
But
you
need
not
concern
yourself
more
about
them
.
I
have
your
pocket-book
,
and
the
slip
of
paper
that
dropped
from
it
.
Here
are
both
.
Now
let
us
talk
on
other
matters
.
You
have
just
parted
from
Ebba
,
and
will
see
her
again
this
evening
.
”
“
Perchance
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
You
will
,
”
rejoined
the
stranger
peremptorily
.
“
Remember
,
your
ten
years’
limit
draws
to
a
close
.
In
a
few
days
it
will
be
at
an
end
;
and
if
you
renew
it
not
,
you
will
incur
the
penalty
,
and
you
know
it
to
be
terrible
.
With
the
means
of
renewal
in
your
hands
,
why
hesitate
?
”
“
Because
I
will
not
sacrifice
the
girl
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
You
cannot
help
yourself
,
”
cried
the
stranger
scornfully
.
“
I
command
you
to
bring
her
to
me
.
”
“
I
persist
in
my
refusal
,
”
replied
Auriol
.
“
It
is
useless
to
brave
my
power
,
”
said
the
stranger
.
“
A
moon
is
just
born
.
When
it
has
attained
its
first
quarter
,
Ebba
shall
be
mine
.
Till
then
,
farewell
.
”
And
as
the
words
were
uttered
,
he
passed
through
the
door
.
Chapter
8
The
Barber
of
London
Who
has
not
heard
of
the
Barber
of
London
?
His
dwelling
is
in
the
neighbourhood
of
Lincoln’s
Inn
.
It
is
needless
to
particularise
the
street
,
for
everybody
knows
the
shop
;
that
is
to
say
,
every
member
of
the
legal
profession
,
high
or
low
.
All
,
to
the
very
judges
themselves
,
have
their
hair
cut
,
or
their
wigs
dressed
,
by
him
.
A
pleasant
fellow
is
Mr.
Tuffnell
Trigge
—
Figaro
himself
not
pleasanter
—
and
if
you
do
not
shave
yourself
—
if
you
want
a
becoming
flow
imparted
to
your
stubborn
locks
,
or
if
you
require
a
wig
,
I
recommend
you
to
the
care
of
Mr.
Tuffnell
Trigge
.
Not
only
will
he
treat
you
well
,
but
he
will
regale
you
with
all
the
gossip
of
the
court
;
he
will
give
you
the
last
funny
thing
of
Mr.
Serjeant
Larkins
;
he
will
tell
you
how
many
briefs
the
great
Mr.
Skinner
Fyne
receives
—
what
the
Vice-Chancellor
is
doing
;
and
you
will
own
,
on
rising
,
that
you
have
never
spent
a
five
minutes
more
agreeably
.
Besides
,
you
are
likely
to
see
some
noticeable
characters
,
for
Mr.
Trigge’s
shop
is
quite
a
lounge
.
Perhaps
you
may
find
a
young
barrister
who
has
just
been
“
called
,
”
ordering
his
“
first
wig
,
”
and
you
may
hear
the
prognostications
of
Mr.
Trigge
as
to
his
future
distinction
.
“
Ah
,
sir
,
”
he
will
say
,
glancing
at
the
stolid
features
of
the
young
man
,
“
you
have
quite
the
face
of
the
Chief
Justice
—
quite
the
face
of
the
chief
—
I
don’t
recollect
him
ordering
his
first
wig
—
that
was
a
little
before
my
time
;
but
I
hope
to
live
to
see
you
chief
,
sir
.
Quite
within
your
reach
,
if
you
choose
to
apply
.
Sure
of
it
,
sir
—
quite
sure
.
”
Or
you
may
see
him
attending
to
some
grave
master
in
Chancery
,
and
listening
with
profound
attention
to
his
remarks
;
or
screaming
with
laughter
at
the
jokes
of
some
smart
special
pleader
;
or
talking
of
the
theatres
,
the
actors
and
actresses
,
to
some
young
attorneys
,
or
pupils
in
conveyancers’
chambers
;
for
those
are
the
sort
of
customers
in
whom
Mr.
Trigge
chiefly
delights
;
with
them
,
indeed
,
he
is
great
,
for
it
is
by
them
he
has
been
dubbed
the
Barber
of
London
.
His
shop
is
also
frequented
by
managing
clerks
,
barristers’
clerks
,
engrossing
clerks
,
and
others
;
but
these
are
,
for
the
most
part
,
his
private
friends
.
Mr.
Trigge’s
shop
is
none
of
your
spruce
West
End
hair-cutting
establishments
,
with
magnificent
mirrors
on
every
side
,
in
which
you
may
see
the
back
of
your
head
,
the
front
,
and
the
side
,
all
at
once
,
with
walls
bedizened
with
glazed
French
paper
,
and
with
an
ante-room
full
of
bears’-grease
,
oils
,
creams
,
tooth-powders
,
and
cut
glass
.
No
,
it
is
a
real
barber’s
and
hairdresser’s
shop
,
of
the
good
old
stamp
,
where
you
may
get
cut
and
curled
for
a
shilling
,
and
shaved
for
half
the
price
.
True
,
the
floor
is
not
covered
with
a
carpet
.
But
what
of
that
?
It
bears
the
imprint
of
innumerable
customers
,
and
is
scattered
over
with
their
hair
.
In
the
window
,
there
is
an
assortment
of
busts
moulded
in
wax
,
exhibiting
the
triumphs
of
Mr.
Trigge’s
art
;
and
above
these
are
several
specimens
of
legal
wigs
.
On
the
little
counter
behind
the
window
,
amid
large
pots
of
pomade
and
bears’-grease
,
and
the
irons
and
brushes
in
constant
use
by
the
barber
,
are
other
bustos
,
done
to
the
life
,
and
for
ever
glancing
amiably
into
the
room
.
On
the
block
is
a
judge’s
wig
,
which
Mr.
Trigge
has
just
been
dressing
,
and
a
little
farther
,
on
a
higher
block
,
is
that
of
a
counsel
.
On
either
side
of
the
fireplace
are
portraits
of
Lord
Eldon
and
Lord
Lyndhurst
.
Some
other
portraits
of
pretty
actresses
are
likewise
to
be
seen
.
Against
the
counter
rests
a
board
,
displaying
the
playbill
of
the
evening
;
and
near
it
is
a
large
piece
of
emblematical
crockery
,
indicating
that
bears’-grease
may
be
had
on
the
premises
.
Amongst
Mr.
Trigge’s
live-stock
may
be
enumerated
his
favourite
magpie
,
placed
in
a
wicker
cage
in
the
window
,
which
chatters
incessantly
,
and
knows
everything
,
its
master
avouches
,
“
as
well
as
a
Christian
.
”
And
now
as
to
Mr.
Tuffnell
Trigge
himself
.
He
is
very
tall
and
very
thin
,
and
holds
himself
so
upright
that
he
loses
not
an
inch
of
his
stature
.
His
head
is
large
and
his
face
long
,
with
marked
,
if
not
very
striking
features
,
charged
,
it
must
be
admitted
,
with
a
very
self-satisfied
expression
.
One
cannot
earn
the
appellation
of
the
Barber
of
London
without
talent
;
and
it
is
the
consciousness
of
this
talent
that
lends
to
Mr.
Trigge’s
features
their
apparently
conceited
expression
.
A
fringe
of
black
whisker
adorns
his
cheek
and
chin
,
and
his
black
bristly
hair
is
brushed
back
,
so
as
to
exhibit
the
prodigious
expanse
of
his
forehead
.
His
eyebrows
are
elevated
,
as
if
in
constant
scorn
.
The
attire
in
which
Mr.
Trigge
is
ordinarily
seen
,
consists
of
a
black
velvet
waistcoat
,
and
tight
black
continuations
.
These
are
protected
by
a
white
apron
tied
round
his
waist
,
with
pockets
to
hold
his
scissors
and
combs
;
over
all
,
he
wears
a
short
nankeen
jacket
,
into
the
pockets
of
which
his
hands
are
constantly
thrust
when
not
otherwise
employed
.
A
black
satin
stock
with
a
large
bow
encircles
his
throat
,
and
his
shirt
is
fastened
by
black
enamel
studs
.
Such
is
Mr.
Tuffnell
Trigge
,
yclept
the
Barber
of
London
.
At
the
time
of
his
introduction
to
the
reader
,
Mr.
Trigge
had
just
advertised
for
an
assistant
,
his
present
young
man
,
Rutherford
Watts
,
being
about
to
leave
him
,
and
set
up
for
himself
in
Canterbury
.
It
was
about
two
o’clock
,
and
Mr.
Trigge
had
just
withdrawn
into
an
inner
room
to
take
some
refection
,
when
,
on
returning
,
he
found
Watts
occupied
in
cutting
the
hair
of
a
middle-aged
,
sour-looking
gentleman
,
who
was
seated
before
the
fire
.
Mr.
Trigge
bowed
to
the
sour-looking
gentleman
,
and
appeared
ready
to
enter
into
conversation
with
him
,
but
no
notice
being
taken
of
his
advances
,
he
went
and
talked
to
his
magpie
.
While
he
was
chattering
to
it
,
the
sagacious
bird
screamed
forth
:
“
Pretty
dear
!
—
pretty
dear
!
”
“
Ah
!
what’s
that
?
Who
is
it
?
”
cried
Trigge
.
“
Pretty
dear
!
—
pretty
dear
!
”
reiterated
the
magpie
.
Upon
this
,
Trigge
looked
around
,
and
saw
a
very
singular
little
man
enter
the
shop
.
He
had
somewhat
the
appearance
of
a
groom
,
being
clothed
in
a
long
grey
coat
,
drab
knees
,
and
small
top-boots
.
He
had
a
large
and
remarkably
projecting
mouth
,
like
that
of
a
baboon
,
and
a
great
shock
head
of
black
hair
.
“
Pretty
dear
!
—
pretty
dear
!
”
screamed
the
magpie
.
“
I
see
nothing
pretty
about
him
,
”
thought
Mr.
Trigge
.
“
What
a
strange
little
fellow
!
It
would
puzzle
the
Lord
Chancellor
himself
to
say
what
his
age
might
be
.
”
The
little
man
took
off
his
hat
,
and
making
a
profound
bow
to
the
barber
,
unfolded
the
Times
newspaper
,
which
he
carried
under
his
arm
,
and
held
it
up
to
Trigge
.
“
What
do
you
want
,
my
little
friend
,
eh
?
”
said
the
barber
.
“
High
wages
!
—
high
wages
!
”
screamed
the
magpie
.
“
Is
this
yours
,
sir
?
”
replied
the
little
man
,
pointing
to
an
advertisement
in
the
newspaper
.
“
Yes
,
yes
,
that’s
my
advertisement
,
friend
,
”
replied
Mr.
Trigge
.
“
But
what
of
it
?
”
Before
the
little
man
could
answer
,
a
slight
interruption
occurred
.
While
eyeing
the
new-comer
,
Watts
neglected
to
draw
forth
the
hot
curling-irons
,
in
consequence
of
which
he
burnt
the
sour-looking
gentleman’s
forehead
,
and
singed
his
hair
.
“
Take
care
,
sir
!
”
cried
the
gentleman
furiously
.
“
What
the
devil
are
you
about
?
”
“
Yes
!
take
care
,
sir
,
as
Judge
Learmouth
observes
to
a
saucy
witness
,
”
cried
Trigge
—
”
‘take
care
,
or
I’ll
commit
you
!
’
”
“
D
—
n
Judge
Learmouth
!
”
cried
the
gentleman
angrily
.
“
If
I
were
a
judge
,
I’d
hang
such
a
careless
fellow
.
”
“
Sarve
him
right
!
”
screamed
Mag
—
“
sarve
him
right
!
”
“
Beg
pardon
,
sir
,
”
cried
Watts
.
“
I’ll
rectify
you
in
a
minute
.
”
“
Well
,
my
little
friend
,
”
observed
Trigge
,
“
and
what
may
be
your
object
in
coming
to
me
?
as
the
great
conveyancer
,
Mr.
Plodwell
,
observes
to
his
clients
—
what
may
be
your
object
?
”
“
You
want
an
assistant
,
don’t
you
,
sir
?
”
rejoined
the
little
man
humbly
.
“
Do
you
apply
on
your
own
account
,
or
on
behalf
of
a
friend
?
”
asked
Trigge
.
“
On
my
own
,
”
replied
the
little
man
.
“
What
are
your
qualifications
?
”
demanded
Trigge
—
“
what
are
your
qualifications
?
”
“
I
fancy
I
understand
something
of
the
business
,
”
replied
the
little
man
.
“
I
was
a
perruquier
myself
,
when
wigs
were
more
in
fashion
than
they
are
now
.
”
“
Ha
!
indeed
!
”
said
Trigge
,
laughing
.
“
That
must
have
been
in
the
last
century
—
in
Queen
Anne’s
time
—
eh
?
”
“
You
have
hit
it
exactly
,
sir
,
”
replied
the
little
man
.
“
It
was
in
Queen
Anne’s
time
.
”
“
Perhaps
you
recollect
when
wigs
were
first
worn
,
my
little
Nestor
?
”
cried
Mr.
Trigge
.
“
Perfectly
,
”
replied
the
little
man
.
“
French
periwigs
were
first
worn
in
Charles
the
Second’s
time
.
”
“
You
saw
’em
,
of
course
?
”
cried
the
barber
,
with
a
sneer
.
“
I
did
,
”
replied
the
little
man
quietly
.
“
Oh
,
he
must
be
out
of
his
mind
,
”
cried
Trigge
.
“
We
shall
have
a
commission
de
lunatico
to
issue
here
,
as
the
Master
of
the
Rolls
would
observe
.
”
“
I
hope
I
may
suit
you
,
sir
,
”
said
the
little
man
.
“
I
don’t
think
you
will
,
my
friend
,
”
replied
Mr.
Trigge
;
“
I
don’t
think
you
will
.
You
don’t
seem
to
have
a
hand
for
hairdressing
.
Are
you
aware
of
the
talent
the
art
requires
?
Are
you
aware
what
it
has
cost
me
to
earn
the
enviable
title
of
the
Barber
of
London
?
I’m
as
proud
of
that
title
as
if
I
were
—
—
”
“
Lord
Chancellor
!
—
Lord
Chancellor
!
”
screamed
Mag
.
“
Precisely
,
Mag
,
”
said
Mr.
Trigge
;
“
as
if
I
were
Lord
Chancellor
.
”
“
Well
,
I’m
sorry
for
it
,
”
said
the
little
man
disconsolately
.
“
Pretty
dear
!
”
screamed
Mag
;
“
pretty
dear
!
”
“
What
a
wonderful
bird
you
have
got
!
”
said
the
sour-looking
gentleman
,
rising
and
paying
Mr.
Trigge
.
“
I
declare
its
answers
are
quite
appropriate
.
”
“
Ah
!
Mag
is
a
clever
creature
,
sir
—
that
she
is
,
”
replied
the
barber
.
“
I
gave
a
good
deal
for
her
.
”
“
Little
or
nothing
!
”
screamed
Mag
—
“
little
or
nothing
!
”
“
What
is
your
name
,
friend
?
”
said
the
gentleman
,
addressing
the
little
man
,
who
still
lingered
in
the
shop
.
“
Why
,
sir
,
I’ve
had
many
names
in
my
time
,
”
he
replied
.
“
At
one
time
I
was
called
Flapdragon
—
at
another
,
Old
Parr
—
but
my
real
name
,
I
believe
,
is
Morse
—
Gregory
Morse
.
”
“
An
Old
Bailey
answer
,
”
cried
Mr.
Trigge
,
shaking
his
head
.
“
Flapdragon
,
alias
Old
Parr
—
alias
Gregory
Morse
—
alias
—
—
”
“
Pretty
dear
!
”
screamed
Mag
.
“
And
