extremelygolden
.
Dear
creature
!
She
was
all
Heart
!
And
that
charming
father
of
hers
!
I
hope
you
doat
on
Harry
the
Eighth
!
´
`
I
admire
him
very
much
,
´
said
Carker
.
`
So
bluff
!
´
cried
Mrs.
Skewton
,
`
was
n't
he
?
So
burly
.
So
truly
English
.
Such
a
picture
,
too
,
he
makes
,
with
his
dear
little
peppy
eyes
,
and
his
benevolent
chin
!
´
`
Ah
,
ma'am
!
´
said
Carker
,
stopping
short
;
`
but
if
you
speak
of
pictures
,
there
's
a
composition
!
What
gallery
in
the
world
can
produce
the
counterpart
of
that
?
´
As
the
smiling
gentleman
thus
spake
,
he
pointed
through
a
doorway
to
where
Mr.
Dombey
and
Edith
were
standing
alone
in
the
centre
of
another
room
.
They
were
not
interchanging
a
word
or
a
look
.
Standing
together
,
arm
in
arm
,
they
had
the
appearance
of
being
more
divided
than
if
seas
had
rolled
between
them
.
There
was
a
difference
even
in
the
pride
of
the
two
,
that
removed
them
farther
from
each
other
,
than
if
one
had
been
the
proudest
and
the
other
the
humblest
specimen
of
humanity
in
all
creation
.
He
,
self-important
,
unbending
,
formal
,
austere
.
She
,
lovely
and
graceful
in
an
uncommon
degree
,
but
totally
regardless
of
herself
and
him
and
everything
around
,
and
spurning
her
own
attractions
with
her
haughty
brow
and
lip
,
as
if
they
were
a
badge
or
livery
she
hated
.
So
unmatched
were
they
,
and
opposed
,
so
forced
and
linked
together
by
a
chain
which
adverse
hazard
and
mischance
had
forged
:
that
fancy
might
have
imagined
the
pictures
on
the
walls
around
them
,
startled
by
the
unnatural
conjunction
,
and
observant
of
it
in
their
several
expressions
.
Grim
knights
and
warriors
looked
scowling
on
them
.
A
churchman
,
with
his
hand
upraised
,
denounced
the
mockery
of
such
a
couple
coming
to
God
's
altar
.
Quiet
waters
in
landscapes
,
with
the
sun
reflected
in
their
depths
,
asked
,
if
better
means
of
escape
were
not
at
hand
,
was
there
no
drowning
left
?
Ruins
cried
,
`
Look
here
,
and
see
what
We
are
,
wedded
to
uncongenial
Time
!
´
Animals
,
opposed
by
nature
,
worried
one
another
,
as
a
moral
to
them
.
Loves
and
Cupids
took
to
flight
afraid
,
and
Martyrdom
had
no
such
torment
in
its
painted
history
of
suffering
.
Nevertheless
,
Mrs.
Skewton
was
so
charmed
by
the
sight
to
which
Mr.
Carker
invoked
her
attention
,
that
she
could
not
refrain
from
saying
,
half
aloud
,
how
sweet
,
how
very
full
of
soul
it
was
!
Edith
,
overhearing
,
looked
round
,
and
flushed
indignant
scarlet
to
her
hair
.
`
My
dearest
Edith
knows
I
was
admiring
her
!
´
said
Cleopatra
,
tapping
her
,
almost
timidly
,
on
the
back
with
her
parasol
.
`
Sweet
pet
!
´
Again
Mr.
Carker
saw
the
strife
he
had
witnessed
so
unexpectedly
among
the
trees
.
Again
he
saw
the
haughty
languor
and
indifference
come
over
it
,
and
hide
it
like
a
cloud
.
She
did
not
raise
her
eyes
to
him
;
but
with
a
slight
peremptory
motion
of
them
,
seemed
to
bid
her
mother
come
near
.
Mrs.
Skewton
thought
it
expedient
to
understand
the
hint
,
and
advancing
quickly
,
with
her
two
cavaliers
,
kept
near
her
daughter
from
that
time
.
Mr.
Carker
now
,
having
nothing
to
distract
his
attention
,
began
to
discourse
upon
the
pictures
and
to
select
the
best
,
and
point
them
out
to
Mr.
Dombey
:
speaking
with
his
usual
familiar
recognition
of
Mr.
Dombey
's
greatness
,
and
rendering
homage
by
adjusting
his
eye-glass
for
him
,
or
finding
out
the
right
place
in
his
catalogue
,
or
holding
his
stick
,
or
the
like
.
These
services
did
not
so
much
originate
with
Mr.
Carker
,
in
truth
,
as
with
Mr.
Dombey
himself
,
who
was
apt
to
assert
his
chieftainship
by
saying
,
with
subdued
authority
,
and
in
an
easy
way
—
for
him
—
`
Here
,
Carker
,
have
the
goodness
to
assist
me
,
will
you
?
´
which
the
smiling
gentleman
always
did
with
pleasure
.
They
made
the
tour
of
the
pictures
,
the
walls
,
crow
's
nest
,
and
so
forth
;
and
as
they
were
still
one
little
party
,
and
the
Major
was
rather
in
the
shade
:
being
sleepy
during
the
process
of
digestion
:
Mr.
Carker
became
communicative
and
agreeable
.
At
first
,
he
addressed
himself
for
the
most
part
to
Mrs.
Skewton
;
but
as
that
sensitive
lady
was
in
such
ecstasies
with
the
works
of
art
,
after
the
first
quarter
of
an
hour
,
that
she
could
do
nothing
but
yawn
(
they
were
such
perfect
inspirations
,
she
observed
as
a
reason
for
that
mark
of
rapture
)
,
he
transferred
his
attentions
to
Mr.
Dombey
.
Mr.
Dombey
said
little
beyond
an
occasional
`
Very
true
,
Carker
,
´
or
`
Indeed
,
Carker
,
´
but
he
tacitly
encouraged
Carker
to
proceed
,
and
inwardly
approved
of
his
behaviour
very
much
:
deeming
it
as
well
that
somebody
should
talk
,
and
thinking
that
his
remarks
,
which
were
,
as
one
might
say
,
a
branch
of
the
parent
establishment
,
might
amuse
Mrs.
Granger
.
Mr.
Carker
,
who
possessed
an
excellent
discretion
,
never
took
the
liberty
of
addressing
that
lady
,
direct
;
but
she
seemed
to
listen
,
though
she
never
looked
at
him
;
and
once
or
twice
,
when
he
was
emphatic
in
his
peculiar
humility
,
the
twilight
smile
stole
over
her
face
,
not
as
a
light
,
but
as
a
deep
black
shadow
.
Warwick
Castle
being
at
length
pretty
well
exhausted
,
and
the
Major
very
much
so
:
to
say
nothing
of
Mrs.
Skewton
,
whose
peculiar
demonstrations
of
delight
had
become
very
frequent
indeed
:
the
carriage
was
again
put
in
requisition
,
and
they
rode
to
several
admired
points
of
view
in
the
neighbourhood
.
Mr.
Dombey
ceremoniously
observed
of
one
of
these
,
that
a
sketch
,
however
slight
,
from
the
fair
hand
of
Mrs.
Granger
,
would
be
a
remembrance
to
him
of
that
agreeable
day
:
though
he
wanted
no
artificial
remembrance
,
he
was
sure
(
here
Mr.
Dombey
made
another
of
his
bows
)
,
which
he
must
always
highly
value
.
Withers
the
lean
having
Edith
's
sketch-book
under
his
arm
,
was
immediately
called
upon
by
Mrs.
Skewton
to
produce
the
same
:
and
the
carriage
stopped
,
that
Edith
might
make
the
drawing
,
which
Mr.
Dombey
was
to
put
away
among
his
treasures
.
`
But
I
am
afraid
I
trouble
you
too
much
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
By
no
means
.
Where
would
you
wish
it
taken
from
?
´
she
answered
,
turning
to
him
with
the
same
enforced
attention
as
before
.
Mr.
Dombey
,
with
another
bow
,
which
cracked
the
starch
in
his
cravat
,
would
beg
to
leave
that
to
the
Artist
.
`
I
would
rather
you
chose
for
yourself
,
´
said
Edith
.
`
Suppose
then
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
`
we
say
from
here
.
It
appears
a
good
spot
for
the
purpose
,
or
—
Carker
,
what
do
you
think
?
´
There
happened
to
be
in
the
foreground
,
at
some
little
distance
,
a
grove
of
trees
,
not
unlike
that
in
which
Mr.
Carker
had
made
his
chain
of
footsteps
in
the
morning
,
and
with
a
seat
under
one
tree
,
greatly
resembling
,
in
the
general
character
of
its
situation
,
the
point
where
his
chain
had
broken
.
`
Might
I
venture
to
suggest
to
Mrs.
Granger
,
´
said
Carker
,
`
that
that
is
an
interesting
—
almost
a
curious
—
point
of
view
?
´
She
followed
the
direction
of
his
riding-whip
with
her
eyes
,
and
raised
them
quickly
to
his
face
.
It
was
the
second
glance
they
had
exchanged
since
their
introduction
;
and
would
have
been
exactly
like
the
first
,
but
that
its
expression
was
plainer
.
`
Will
you
like
that
?
´
said
Edith
to
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
I
shall
be
charmed
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
to
Edith
.
Therefore
the
carriage
was
driven
to
the
spot
where
Mr.
Dombey
was
to
be
charmed
;
and
Edith
,
without
moving
from
her
seat
,
and
opening
her
sketch-book
with
her
usual
proud
indifference
,
began
to
sketch
.
`
My
pencils
are
all
pointless
,
´
she
said
,
stopping
and
turning
them
over
.
`
Pray
allow
me
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
Or
Carker
will
do
it
better
,
as
he
understands
these
things
.
Carker
,
have
the
goodness
to
see
to
these
pencils
for
Mrs.
Granger
.
´
Mr.
Carker
rode
up
close
to
the
carriage-door
on
Mrs.
Granger
's
side
,
and
letting
the
rein
fall
on
his
horse
's
neck
,
took
the
pencils
from
her
hand
with
a
smile
and
a
bow
,
and
sat
in
the
saddle
leisurely
mending
them
.
Having
done
so
,
he
begged
to
be
allowed
to
hold
them
,
and
to
hand
them
to
her
as
they
were
required
;
and
thus
Mr.
Carker
,
with
many
commendations
of
Mrs.
Granger
's
extraordinary
skill
—
especially
in
trees
—
remained
close
at
her
side
,
looking
over
the
drawing
as
she
made
it
.
Mr.
Dombey
in
the
meantime
stood
bolt
upright
in
the
carriage
like
a
highly
respectable
ghost
,
looking
on
too
;
while
Cleopatra
and
the
Major
dallied
as
two
ancient
doves
might
do
.
`
Are
you
satisified
with
that
,
or
shall
I
finish
it
a
little
more
?
´
said
Edith
,
showing
the
sketch
to
Mr.
Dombey
.
Mr.
Dombey
begged
that
it
might
not
be
touched
;
it
was
perfection
.
`
It
is
most
extraordinary
,
´
said
Carker
,
bringing
every
one
of
his
red
gums
to
bear
upon
his
praise
.
`
I
was
not
prepared
for
anything
so
beautiful
,
and
so
unusual
altogether
.
´
This
might
have
applied
to
the
sketcher
no
less
than
to
the
sketch
;
but
Mr.
Carker
's
manner
was
openness
itself
—
not
as
to
his
mouth
alone
,
but
as
to
his
whole
spirit
.
So
it
continued
to
be
while
the
drawing
was
laid
aside
for
Mr.
Dombey
,
and
while
the
sketching
materials
were
put
up
;
then
he
handed
in
the
pencils
(
which
were
received
with
a
distant
acknowledgment
of
his
help
,
but
without
a
look
)
,
and
tightening
his
rein
,
fell
back
,
and
followed
the
carriage
again
.
Thinking
,
perhaps
,
as
he
rode
,
that
even
this
trivial
sketch
had
been
made
and
delivered
to
its
owner
,
as
if
it
had
been
bargained
for
and
bought
.
Thinking
,
perhaps
,
that
although
she
had
assented
with
such
perfect
readiness
to
his
request
,
her
haughty
face
,
bent
over
the
drawing
,
or
glancing
at
the
distant
objects
represented
in
it
,
had
been
the
face
of
a
proud
woman
,
engaged
in
a
sordid
and
miserable
transaction
.
Thinking
,
perhaps
,
of
such
things
:
but
smiling
certainly
,
and
while
he
seemed
to
look
about
him
freely
,
in
enjoyment
of
the
air
and
exercise
,
keeping
always
that
sharp
corner
of
his
eye
upon
the
carriage
.
A
stroll
among
the
haunted
ruins
of
Kenilworth
,
and
more
rides
to
more
points
of
view
;
most
of
which
,
Mrs.
Skewton
reminded
Mr.
Dombey
,
Edith
had
already
sketched
,
as
he
had
seen
in
looking
over
her
drawings
:
brought
the
day
's
expedition
to
a
close
.
Mrs.
Skewton
and
Edith
were
driven
to
their
own
lodgings
;
Mr.
Carker
was
graciously
invited
by
Cleopatra
to
return
thither
with
Mr.
Dombey
and
the
Major
,
in
the
evening
,
to
hear
some
of
Edith
's
music
;
and
the
three
gentlemen
repaired
to
their
hotel
dinner
.
The
dinner
was
the
counterpart
of
yesterday
's
,
except
that
the
Major
was
twenty-four
hours
more
triumphant
and
less
mysterious
.
Edith
was
toasted
again
.
Mr.
Dombey
was
again
agreeably
embarrassed
.
And
Mr.
Carker
was
full
of
interest
and
praise
.
There
were
no
other
visitors
at
Mrs.
Skewton
's
.
Edith
's
drawings
were
strewn
about
the
room
,
a
little
more
abundantly
than
usual
perhaps
;
and
Withers
,
the
wan
page
,
handed
round
a
little
stronger
tea
.
The
harp
was
there
;
the
piano
was
there
;
and
Edith
sang
and
played
.
But
even
the
music
was
played
by
Edith
to
Mr.
Dombey
's
order
,
as
it
were
,
in
the
same
uncompromising
way
.
As
thus
.
`
Edith
,
my
dearest
love
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
half
an
hour
after
tea
,
`
Mr.
Dombey
is
dying
to
hear
you
,
I
know
.
´
`
Mr.
Dombey
has
life
enough
left
to
say
so
for
himself
,
mama
,
I
have
no
doubt
.
´
`
I
shall
be
immensely
obliged
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
What
do
you
wish
?
´
`
Piano
?
´
hesitated
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
Whatever
you
please
.
You
have
only
to
choose
.
´
Accordingly
,
she
began
with
the
piano
.
It
was
the
same
with
the
harp
;
the
same
with
her
singing
;
the
same
with
the
selection
of
the
pieces
that
she
sang
and
played
.
Such
frigid
and
constrained
,
yet
prompt
and
pointed
acquiescence
with
the
wishes
he
imposed
upon
her
,
and
on
no
one
else
,
was
sufficiently
remarkable
to
penetrate
through
all
the
mysteries
of
picquet
,
and
impress
itself
on
Mr.
Carker
's
keen
attention
.
Nor
did
he
lose
sight
of
the
fact
that
Mr.
Dombey
was
evidently
proud
of
his
power
,
and
liked
to
show
it
.
Nevertheless
,
Mr.
Carker
played
so
well
—
some
games
with
the
Major
,
and
some
with
Cleopatra
,
whose
vigilance
of
eye
in
respect
of
Mr.
Dombey
and
Edith
no
lynx
could
have
surpassed
—
that
he
even
heightened
his
position
in
the
lady-mother
's
good
graces
;
and
when
on
taking
leave
he
regretted
that
he
would
be
obliged
to
return
to
London
next
morning
,
Cleopatra
trusted
:
community
of
feeling
not
being
met
with
every
day
:
that
it
was
far
from
being
the
last
time
they
would
meet
.
`
I
hope
so
,
´
said
Mr.
Carker
,
with
an
expressive
look
at
the
couple
in
the
distance
,
as
he
drew
towards
the
door
,
following
the
Major
.
`
I
think
so
.
´
Mr.
Dombey
,
who
had
taken
a
stately
leave
of
Edith
,
bent
,
or
made
some
approach
to
a
bend
,
over
Cleopatra
's
couch
,
and
said
,
in
a
low
voice
:
`
I
have
requested
Mrs.
Granger
's
permission
to
call
on
her
to-morrow
morning
—
for
a
purpose
—
and
she
has
appointed
twelve
o'clock
.
May
I
hope
to
have
the
pleasure
of
finding
you
at
home
,
madam
,
afterwards
?
´
Cleopatra
was
so
much
fluttered
and
moved
,
by
hearing
this
,
of
course
,
incomprehensible
speech
,
that
she
could
only
shut
her
eyes
,
and
shake
her
head
,
and
give
Mr.
Dombey
her
hand
;
which
Mr.
Dombey
,
not
exactly
knowing
what
to
do
with
,
dropped
.
`
Dombey
,
come
along
!
´
cried
the
Major
,
looking
in
at
the
door
.
`
Damme
,
Sir
,
old
Joe
has
a
great
mind
to
propose
an
alteration
in
the
name
of
the
Royal
Hotel
,
and
that
it
should
be
called
the
Tree
Jolly
Bachelors
,
in
honour
of
ourselves
and
Carker
.
´
With
this
the
Major
slapped
Mr.
Dombey
on
the
back
,
and
winking
over
his
shoulder
at
the
ladies
,
with
a
frightful
tendency
of
blood
to
the
head
,
carried
him
off
.
Mrs.
Skewton
reposed
on
her
sofa
,
and
Edith
sat
apart
,
by
her
harp
,
in
silence
.
The
mother
,
trifling
with
her
fan
,
looked
stealthily
at
the
daughter
more
than
once
,
but
the
daughter
,
brooding
gloomily
with
downcast
eyes
,
was
not
to
be
disturbed
.
Thus
they
remained
for
a
long
hour
,
without
a
word
,
until
Mrs.
Skewton
's
maid
appeared
,
according
to
custom
,
to
prepare
her
gradually
for
night
.
At
night
,
she
should
have
been
a
skeleton
,
with
dart
and
hour-glass
,
rather
than
a
woman
,
this
attendant
;
for
her
touch
was
as
the
touch
of
Death
.
The
painted
object
shrivelled
underneath
her
hand
;
the
form
collapsed
,
the
hair
dropped
off
,
the
arched
dark
eyebrows
changed
to
scanty
tufts
of
grey
;
the
pale
lips
shrunk
,
the
skin
became
cadaverous
and
loose
;
an
old
,
worn
,
yellow
,
nodding
woman
,
with
red
eyes
,
alone
remained
in
Cleopatra
's
place
,
huddled
up
,
like
a
slovenly
bundle
,
in
a
greasy
flannel
gown
.
The
very
voice
was
changed
,
as
it
addressed
Edith
,
when
they
were
alone
again
.
`
Why
do
n't
you
tell
me
,
´
it
said
sharply
,
`
that
he
is
coming
here
to-morrow
by
appointment
?
´
`
Because
you
know
it
,
´
returned
Edith
,
`
Mother
.
´
The
mocking
emphasis
she
laid
on
that
one
word
!
`
You
know
he
has
bought
me
,
´
she
resumed
.
`
Or
that
he
will
,
to-morrow
.
He
has
considered
of
his
bargain
;
he
has
shown
it
to
his
friend
;
he
is
even
rather
proud
of
it
;
he
thinks
that
it
will
suit
him
,
and
may
be
had
sufficiently
cheap
;
and
he
will
buy
to-morrow
.
God
,
that
I
have
lived
for
this
,
and
that
I
feel
it
!
´
Compress
into
one
handsome
face
the
conscious
self-abasement
,
and
the
burning
indignation
of
a
hundred
women
,
strong
in
passion
and
in
pride
;
and
there
it
hid
itself
with
two
white
shuddering
arms
.
`
What
do
you
mean
?
´
returned
the
angry
mother
.
`
Have
n't
you
from
a
child
—
´
`
A
child
!
´
said
Edith
,
looking
at
her
,
`
when
was
I
a
child
?
What
childhood
did
you
ever
leave
to
me
?
I
was
a
woman
—
artful
,
designing
,
mercenary
,
laying
snares
for
men
—
before
I
knew
myself
,
or
you
,
or
even
understood
the
base
and
wretched
aim
of
every
new
display
I
learnt
.
You
gave
birth
to
a
woman
.
Look
upon
her
.
She
is
in
her
pride
to-night
.
´
And
as
she
spoke
,
she
struck
her
hand
upon
her
beautiful
bosom
,
as
though
she
would
have
beaten
down
herself
.
`
Look
at
me
,
´
she
said
,
`
who
have
never
known
what
it
is
to
have
an
honest
heart
,
and
love
.
Look
at
me
,
taught
to
scheme
and
plot
when
children
play
;
and
married
in
my
youth
—
an
old
age
of
design
—
to
one
for
whom
I
had
no
feeling
but
indifference
.
Look
at
me
,
whom
he
left
a
widow
,
dying
before
his
inheritance
descended
to
him
—
a
judgment
on
you
!
well
deserved
!
—
and
tell
me
what
has
been
my
life
for
ten
years
since
.
´
`
We
have
been
making
every
effort
to
endeavour
to
secure
to
you
a
good
establishment
,
´
rejoined
her
mother
.
`
That
has
been
your
life
.
And
now
you
have
got
it
.
´
`
There
is
no
slave
in
a
market
;
there
is
no
horse
in
a
fair
:
so
shown
and
offered
and
examined
and
paraded
,
mother
,
as
I
have
been
,
for
ten
shameful
years
,
´
cried
Edith
,
with
a
burning
brow
,
and
the
same
bitter
emphasis
on
the
one
word
.
`
Is
it
not
so
?
Have
I
been
made
the
bye-word
of
all
kinds
of
men
?
Have
fools
,
have
profligates
,
have
boys
,
have
dotards
,
dangled
after
me
,
and
one
by
one
rejected
me
,
and
fallen
off
,
because
you
were
too
plain
with
all
your
cunning
:
yes
,
and
too
true
,
with
all
those
false
pretences
:
until
we
have
almost
come
to
be
notorious
?
The
licence
of
look
and
touch
,
´
she
said
,
with
flashing
eyes
,
`
have
I
submitted
to
it
,
in
half
the
places
of
resort
upon
the
map
of
England
.
Have
I
been
hawked
and
vended
here
and
there
until
the
last
grain
of
self-respect
is
dead
within
me
,
and
I
loathe
myself
?
Has
this
been
my
late
childhood
?
I
had
none
before
.
Do
not
tell
me
that
I
had
,
to-night
,
of
all
nights
in
my
life
!
´
`
You
might
have
been
well
married
,
´
said
her
mother
,
`
twenty
times
at
least
,
Edith
,
if
you
had
given
encouragement
enough
.
´
`
No
!
Who
takes
me
,
refuse
that
I
am
,
and
as
I
well
deserve
to
be
,
´
she
answered
,
raising
her
head
,
and
trembling
in
her
energy
of
shame
and
stormy
pride
,
`
shall
take
me
,
as
this
man
does
,
with
no
art
of
mine
put
forth
to
lure
him
.
He
sees
me
at
the
auction
,
and
he
thinks
it
well
to
buy
me
.
Let
him
!
When
he
came
to
view
me
—
perhaps
to
bid
—
he
required
to
see
the
roll
of
my
accomplishments
.
I
gave
it
to
him
.
When
he
would
have
me
show
one
of
them
,
to
justify
his
purchase
to
his
men
,
I
require
of
him
to
say
which
he
demands
,
and
I
exhibit
it
.
I
will
do
no
more
.
He
makes
the
purchase
of
his
own
will
,
and
with
his
own
sense
of
its
worth
,
and
the
power
of
his
money
;
and
I
hope
it
may
never
disappoint
him
.
I
have
not
vaunted
and
pressed
the
bargain
;
neither
have
you
,
so
far
as
I
have
been
able
to
prevent
you
.
´
`
You
talk
strangely
to-night
,
Edith
,
to
your
own
mother
.
´
`
It
seems
so
to
me
;
stranger
to
me
than
you
,
´
said
Edith
.
`
But
my
education
was
completed
long
ago
.
I
am
too
old
now
,
and
have
fallen
too
low
,
by
degrees
,
to
take
a
new
course
,
and
to
stop
yours
,
and
to
help
myself
.
The
germ
of
all
that
purifies
a
woman
's
breast
,
and
makes
it
true
and
good
,
has
never
stirred
in
mine
,
and
I
have
nothing
else
to
sustain
me
when
I
despise
myself
.
´
There
had
been
a
touching
sadness
in
her
voice
,
but
it
was
gone
,
when
she
went
on
to
say
,
with
a
curled
lip
,
`
So
,
as
we
are
genteel
and
poor
,
I
am
content
that
we
should
be
made
rich
by
these
means
;
all
I
say
is
,
I
have
kept
the
only
purpose
I
have
had
the
strength
to
form
—
I
had
almost
said
the
power
,
with
you
at
my
side
,
mother
—
and
have
not
tempted
this
man
on
.
´
`
This
man
!
You
speak
,
´
said
her
mother
,
`
as
if
you
hated
him
.
´
`
And
you
thought
I
loved
him
,
did
you
not
?
´
she
answered
,
stopping
on
her
way
across
the
room
,
and
looking
round
.
`
Shall
I
tell
you
,
´
she
continued
,
with
her
eyes
fixed
on
her
mother
,
`
who
already
knows
us
thoroughly
,
and
reads
us
right
,
and
before
whom
I
have
even
less
of
self-respect
or
confidence
than
before
my
own
inward
self
;
being
so
much
degraded
by
his
knowledge
of
me
?
´
`
This
is
an
attack
,
I
suppose
,
´
returned
her
mother
coldly
,
`
on
poor
,
unfortunate
what's-his-name
—
Mr.
Carker
!
Your
want
of
self-respect
and
confidence
,
my
dear
,
in
reference
to
that
person
(
who
is
very
agreeable
,
it
strikes
me
)
,
is
not
likely
to
have
much
effect
on
your
establishment
.
Why
do
you
look
at
me
so
hard
?
Are
you
ill
?
´
Edith
suddenly
let
fall
her
face
,
as
if
it
had
been
stung
,
and
while
she
pressed
her
hands
upon
it
,
a
terrible
tremble
crept
over
her
whole
frame
.
It
was
quickly
gone
;
and
with
her
usual
step
,
she
passed
out
of
the
room
.
The
maid
who
should
have
been
a
skeleton
,
then
reappeared
,
and
giving
one
arm
to
her
mistress
,
who
appeared
to
have
taken
off
her
manner
with
her
charms
,
and
to
have
put
on
paralysis
with
her
flannel
gown
,
collected
the
ashes
of
Cleopatra
,
and
carried
them
away
in
the
other
,
ready
for
tomorrow
's
revivification
.
CHAPTER
XXVIII
Alterations
`
SO
the
day
has
come
at
length
,
Susan
,
´
said
Florence
to
the
excellent
Nipper
,
`
when
we
are
going
back
to
our
quiet
home
!
´
Susan
drew
in
her
breath
with
an
amount
of
expression
not
easily
described
,
and
further
relieving
her
feelings
with
a
smart
cough
,
answered
,
`
Very
quiet
indeed
,
Miss
Floy
,
no
doubt
.
Excessive
so
.
´
`
When
I
was
a
child
,
´
said
Florence
,
thoughtfully
,
and
after
musing
for
some
moments
,
`
did
you
ever
see
that
gentleman
who
has
taken
the
trouble
to
ride
down
here
to
speak
to
me
,
now
three
times
—
three
times
,
I
think
,
Susan
?
´
`
Three
times
,
Miss
,
´
returned
the
Nipper
.
`
Once
when
you
was
out
a
walking
with
them
Sket
—
´
Florence
gently
looked
at
her
,
and
Miss
Nipper
checked
herself
.
`
With
Sir
Barnet
and
his
lady
,
I
mean
to
say
,
Miss
,
and
the
young
gentleman
.
And
two
evenings
since
then
.
´
`
When
I
was
a
child
,
and
when
company
used
to
come
to
visit
papa
,
did
you
ever
see
that
gentleman
at
home
,
Susan
?
´
asked
Florence
.
`
Well
,
Miss
,
´
returned
her
maid
,
after
considering
,
`
I
really
could
n't
say
I
ever
did
.
When
your
poor
dear
ma
died
,
Miss
Floy
,
I
was
very
new
in
the
family
,
you
see
,
and
my
element
:
´
the
Nipper
bridled
,
as
opining
that
her
merits
had
been
always
designedly
extinguished
by
Mr.
Dombey
:
`
was
the
floor
below
the
attics
.
´
`
To
be
sure
,
´
said
Florence
,
still
thoughtfully
;
`
you
are
not
likely
to
have
known
who
came
to
the
house
.
I
quite
forgot
.
´
`
Not
,
Miss
,
but
what
we
talked
about
the
family
and
visitors
,
´
said
Susan
,
`
and
but
what
I
heard
much
said
,
although
the
nurse
before
Mrs.
Richards
did
make
unpleasant
remarks
when
I
was
in
company
,
and
hint
at
little
Pitchers
,
but
that
could
only
be
attributed
,
poor
thing
,
´
observed
Susan
,
with
composed
forbearance
,
`
to
habits
of
intoxication
,
for
which
she
was
required
to
leave
,
and
did
.
´
Florence
,
who
was
seated
at
her
chamber
window
,
with
her
face
resting
on
her
hand
,
sat
looking
out
,
and
hardly
seemed
to
hear
what
Susan
said
,
she
was
so
lost
in
thought
.
`
At
all
events
,
Miss
,
´
said
Susan
,
`
I
remember
very
well
that
this
same
gentleman
,
Mr.
Carker
,
was
almost
,
if
not
quite
,
as
great
a
gentleman
with
your
Papa
then
,
as
he
is
now
.
It
used
to
be
said
in
the
house
then
,
Miss
,
that
he
was
at
the
head
of
all
your
Pa
's
affairs
in
the
City
,
and
managed
the
whole
,
and
that
your
Pa
minded
him
more
than
anybody
,
which
,
begging
your
pardon
,
Miss
Floy
,
he
might
easy
do
,
for
he
never
minded
anybody
else
.
I
knew
that
,
Pitcher
as
I
might
have
been
.
´
Susan
Nipper
,
with
an
injured
remembrance
of
the
nurse
before
Mrs.
Richards
,
emphasised
`
Pitcher
´
strongly
.
`
And
that
Mr.
Carker
has
not
fallen
off
,
Miss
,
´
she
pursued
,
`
but
has
stood
his
ground
,
and
kept
his
credit
with
your
Pa
,
I
know
from
what
is
always
said
among
our
people
by
that
Perch
,
whenever
he
comes
to
the
house
;
and
though
he
's
the
weakest
weed
in
the
world
,
Miss
Floy
,
and
no
one
can
have
a
moment
's
patience
with
the
man
,
he
knows
what
goes
on
in
the
City
tolerable
well
,
and
says
that
your
Pa
does
nothing
without
Mr.
Carker
,
and
leaves
all
to
Mr.
Carker
,
and
acts
according
to
Mr.
Carker
,
and
has
Mr.
Carker
always
at
his
elbow
,
and
I
do
believe
that
he
believes
(
that
washiest
of
Perches
!
)
that
after
your
Pa
,
the
Emperor
of
India
is
the
child
unborn
to
Mr.
Carker
.
´
Not
a
word
of
this
was
lost
on
Florence
,
who
,
with
an
awakened
interest
in
Susan
's
speech
,
no
longer
gazed
abstractedly
on
the
prospect
without
,
but
looked
at
her
,
and
listened
with
attention
.
`
Yes
,
Susan
,
´
she
said
,
when
that
young
lady
had
concluded
.
`
He
is
in
Papa
's
confidence
,
and
is
his
friend
,
I
am
sure
.
´
Florence
's
mind
ran
high
on
this
theme
,
and
had
done
for
some
days
.
Mr.
Carker
,
in
the
two
visits
with
which
he
had
followed
up
his
first
one
,
had
assumed
a
confidence
between
himself
and
her
—
a
right
on
his
part
to
be
mysterious
and
stealthy
,
in
telling
her
that
the
ship
was
still
unheard
of
—
a
kind
of
mildly
restrained
power
and
authority
over
her
—
that
made
her
wonder
,
and
caused
her
great
uneasiness
.
She
had
no
means
of
repelling
it
,
or
of
freeing
herself
from
the
web
he
was
gradually
winding
about
her
;
for
that
would
have
required
some
art
and
knowledge
of
the
world
,
opposed
to
such
address
is
his
;
and
Florence
had
none
.
True
,
he
had
said
no
more
to
her
than
that
there
was
no
news
of
the
ship
,
and
that
he
feared
the
worst
;
but
how
he
came
to
know
that
she
was
interested
in
the
ship
,
and
why
he
had
the
right
to
signify
his
knowledge
to
her
,
so
insidiously
and
darkly
,
troubled
Florence
very
much
.
This
conduct
on
the
part
of
Mr.
Carker
,
and
her
habit
of
often
considering
it
with
wonder
and
uneasiness
,
began
to
invest
him
with
an
uncomfortable
fascination
in
Florence
's
thoughts
.
A
more
distinct
remembrance
of
his
features
,
voice
,
and
manner
:
which
she
sometimes
courted
,
as
a
means
of
reducing
him
to
the
level
of
a
real
personage
,
capable
of
exerting
no
greater
charm
over
her
than
another
:
did
not
remove
the
vague
impression
.
And
yet
he
never
frowned
,
or
looked
upon
her
with
an
air
of
dislike
or
animosity
,
but
was
always
smiling
and
serene
.
Again
,
Florence
,
in
pursuit
of
her
strong
purpose
with
reference
to
her
father
,
and
her
steady
resolution
to
believe
that
she
was
herself
unwittingly
to
blame
for
their
so
cold
and
distant
relations
,
would
recall
to
mind
that
this
gentleman
was
his
confidential
friend
,
and
would
think
,
with
an
anxious
heart
,
could
her
struggling
tendency
to
dislike
and
fear
him
be
a
part
of
that
misfortune
in
her
,
which
had
turned
her
father
's
love
adrift
,
and
left
her
so
alone
?
She
dreaded
that
it
might
be
;
sometimes
believed
it
was
:
then
she
resolved
that
she
would
try
to
conquer
this
wrong
feeling
;
persuaded
herself
that
she
was
honoured
and
encouraged
by
the
notice
of
her
father
's
friend
;
and
hoped
that
patient
observation
of
him
and
trust
in
him
would
lead
her
bleeding
feet
along
that
stony
road
which
ended
in
her
father
's
heart
.
Thus
,
with
no
one
to
advise
her
—
for
she
could
advise
with
no
one
without
seeming
to
complain
against
him
—
gentle
Florence
tossed
on
an
uneasy
sea
of
doubt
and
hope
;
and
Mr.
Carker
,
like
a
scaly
monster
of
the
deep
,
swam
down
below
,
and
kept
his
shining
eye
upon
her
.
Florence
had
a
new
reason
in
all
this
for
wishing
to
be
at
home
again
.
Her
lonely
life
was
better
suited
to
her
course
of
timid
hope
and
doubt
;
and
she
feared
sometimes
,
that
in
her
absence
she
might
miss
some
hopeful
chance
of
testifying
her
affection
for
her
father
.
Heaven
knows
,
she
might
have
set
her
mind
at
rest
,
poor
child
!
on
this
last
point
;
but
her
slighted
love
was
fluttering
within
her
,
and
,
even
in
her
sleep
,
it
flew
away
in
dreams
,
and
nestled
,
like
a
wandering
bird
come
home
,
upon
her
father
's
neck
.
Of
Walter
she
thought
often
.
Ah
!
how
often
,
when
the
night
was
gloomy
,
and
the
wind
was
blowing
round
the
house
!
But
hope
was
strong
in
her
breast
.
It
is
so
difficult
for
the
young
and
ardent
,
even
with
such
experience
as
hers
,
to
imagine
youth
and
ardour
quenched
like
a
weak
flame
,
and
the
bright
day
of
life
merging
into
night
,
at
noon
,
that
hope
was
strong
yet
.
Her
tears
fell
frequently
for
Walter
's
sufferings
;
but
rarely
for
his
supposed
death
,
and
never
long
.
She
had
written
to
the
old
Instrument-maker
,
but
had
received
no
answer
to
her
note
:
which
indeed
required
none
.
Thus
matters
stood
with
Florence
on
the
morning
when
she
was
going
home
,
gladly
,
to
her
old
secluded
life
.
Doctor
and
Mrs.
Blimber
,
accompanied
(
much
against
his
will
)
by
their
valued
charge
,
Master
Barnet
,
were
already
gone
back
to
Brighton
,
where
that
young
gentleman
and
his
fellow-pilgrims
to
Parnassus
were
then
,
no
doubt
,
in
the
continual
resumption
of
their
studies
.
The
holiday
time
was
past
and
over
;
most
of
the
juvenile
guests
at
the
villa
had
taken
their
departure
:
and
Florence
's
long
visit
was
come
to
an
end
.
There
was
one
guest
,
however
,
albeit
not
resident
within
the
house
,
who
had
been
very
constant
in
his
attention
to
the
family
,
and
who
still
remained
devoted
to
them
.
This
was
Mr.
Toots
,
who
after
renewing
,
some
weeks
ago
,
the
acquaintance
he
had
had
the
happiness
of
forming
with
Skettles
Junior
,
on
the
night
when
he
burst
the
Blimberian
bonds
and
soared
into
freedom
with
his
ring
on
,
called
regularly
every
other
day
,
and
left
a
perfect
pack
of
cards
at
the
hall-door
;
so
many
indeed
,
that
the
ceremony
was
quite
a
deal
on
the
part
of
Mr.
Toots
,
and
a
hand
at
whist
on
the
part
of
the
servant
.
Mr.
Toots
,
likewise
,
with
the
bold
and
happy
idea
of
preventing
the
family
from
forgetting
him
(
but
there
is
reason
to
suppose
that
this
expedient
originated
in
the
teeming
brain
of
the
Chicken
)
,
had
established
a
six-oared
cutter
,
manned
by
aquatic
friends
of
the
Chicken
's
and
steered
by
that
illustrious
character
in
person
,
who
wore
a
bright
red
fireman
's
coat
for
the
purpose
,
and
concealed
the
perpetual
black
eye
with
which
he
was
afflicted
,
beneath
a
green
shade
.
Previous
to
the
institution
of
this
equipage
,
Mr.
Toots
sounded
the
Chicken
on
a
hypothetical
case
,
as
,
supposing
the
Chicken
to
be
enamoured
of
a
young
lady
named
Mary
,
and
to
have
conceived
the
intention
of
starting
a
boat
of
his
own
,
what
would
he
call
that
boat
?
The
Chicken
replied
,
with
divers
strong
asseverations
,
that
he
would
either
christen
it
Poll
or
The
Chicken
's
Delight
.
Improving
on
this
idea
,
Mr.
Toots
,
after
deep
study
and
the
exercise
of
much
invention
,
resolved
to
call
his
boat
The
Toots
's
Joy
,
as
a
delicate
compliment
to
Florence
,
of
which
no
man
knowing
the
parties
,
could
possibly
miss
the
appreciation
.
Stretched
on
a
crimson
cushion
in
his
gallant
bark
,
with
his
shoes
in
the
air
,
Mr.
Toots
,
in
the
exercise
of
his
project
,
had
come
up
the
river
,
day
after
day
,
and
week
after
week
,
and
had
flitted
to
and
fro
,
near
Sir
Barnet
's
garden
,
and
had
caused
his
crew
to
cut
across
and
across
the
river
at
sharp
angles
,
for
his
better
exhibition
to
any
lookers-out
from
Sir
Barnet
's
windows
,
and
had
had
such
evolutions
performed
by
the
Toots
's
Joy
as
had
filled
all
the
neighbouring
part
of
the
water-side
with
astonishment
.
But
whenever
he
saw
any
one
in
Sir
Barnet
's
garden
on
the
brink
of
the
river
,
Mr.
Toots
always
feigned
to
be
passing
there
,
by
a
combination
of
coincidences
of
the
most
singular
and
unlikely
description
.
`
How
are
you
,
Toots
?
´
Sir
Barnet
would
say
,
waving
his
hand
from
the
lawn
,
while
the
artful
Chicken
steered
close
in
shore
.
`
How
de
do
,
Sir
Barnet
?
´
Mr.
Toots
would
answer
,
`
What
a
surprising
thing
that
I
should
see
you
here
!
´
Mr.
Toots
,
in
his
sagacity
,
always
said
this
,
as
if
,
instead
of
that
being
Sir
Barnet
's
house
,
it
were
some
deserted
edifice
on
the
banks
of
the
Nile
,
or
Ganges
.
`
I
never
was
so
surprised
!
´
Mr.
Toots
would
exclaim
.
—
`
Is
Miss
Dombey
there
?
´
Whereupon
Florence
would
appear
,
perhaps
.
`
Oh
,
Diogenes
is
quite
well
,
Miss
Dombey
,
´
Mr.
Toots
would
cry
.
`
I
called
to
ask
this
morning
.
´
`
Thank
you
very
much
!
´
the
pleasant
voice
of
Florence
would
reply
.
`
Wo
n't
you
come
ashore
,
Toots
?
´
Sir
Barnet
would
say
then
.
`
Come
!
you
're
in
no
hurry
.
Come
and
see
us
.
´
`
Oh
,
it
's
of
no
consequence
,
thank
you
!
´
Mr.
Toots
would
blushingly
rejoin
.
`
I
thought
Miss
Dombey
might
like
to
know
,
that
's
all
.
Good-bye
!
´
And
poor
Mr.
Toots
,
who
was
dying
to
accept
the
invitation
,
but
had
n't
the
courage
to
do
it
,
signed
to
the
Chicken
,
with
an
aching
heart
,
and
away
went
the
Joy
,
cleaving
the
water
like
an
arrow
.
The
Joy
was
lying
in
a
state
of
extraordinary
splendour
,
at
the
garden
steps
,
on
the
morning
of
Florence
's
departure
.
When
she
went
down
stairs
to
take
leave
,
after
her
talk
with
Susan
,
she
found
Mr.
Toots
awaiting
her
in
the
drawing-room
.
`
Oh
,
how
de
do
,
Miss
Dombey
?
´
said
the
stricken
Toots
,
always
dreadfully
disconcerted
when
the
desire
of
his
heart
was
gained
,
and
he
was
speaking
to
her
;
`
thank
you
,
I
'm
very
well
indeed
,
I
hope
you
're
the
same
,
so
was
Diogenes
yesterday
.
´
`
You
are
very
kind
,
´
said
Florence
.
`
Thank
you
,
it
's
of
no
consequence
,
´
retorted
Mr.
Toots
.
`
I
thought
perhaps
you
would
n't
mind
,
in
this
fine
weather
,
coming
home
by
water
,
Miss
Dombey
.
There
's
plenty
of
room
in
the
boat
for
your
maid
.
´
`
I
am
very
much
obliged
to
you
,
´
said
Florence
,
hesitating
.
`
I
really
am
—
but
I
would
rather
not
.
´
`
Oh
,
it
's
of
no
consequence
,
´
retorted
Mr.
Toots
.
`
Good
morning
!
´
`
Wo
n't
you
wait
and
see
Lady
Skettles
?
´
asked
Florence
,
kindly
.
`
Oh
no
,
thank
you
,
´
returned
Mr.
Toots
,
`
it
's
of
no
consequence
at
all
.
´
So
shy
was
Mr.
Toots
on
such
occasions
,
and
so
flurried
!
But
Lady
Skettles
entering
at
the
moment
,
Mr.
Toots
was
suddenly
seized
with
a
passion
for
asking
her
how
she
did
,
and
hoping
she
was
very
well
;
nor
could
Mr.
Toots
by
any
possibility
leave
off
shaking
hands
with
her
,
until
Sir
Barnet
appeared
:
to
whom
he
immediately
clung
with
the
tenacity
of
desperation
.
`
We
are
losing
,
to-day
,
Toots
,
´
said
Sir
Barnet
,
turning
towards
Florence
,
`
the
light
of
our
house
,
I
assure
you
.
´
`
Oh
,
it
's
of
no
conseq
—
—
I
mean
yes
,
to
be
sure
,
´
faltered
the
embarrassed
Toots
.
`
good
morning
!
´
Notwithstanding
the
emphatic
nature
of
this
farewell
,
Mr.
Toots
,
instead
of
going
away
,
stood
leering
about
him
,
vacantly
.
Florence
,
to
relieve
him
,
bade
adieu
,
with
many
thanks
,
to
Lady
Skettles
,
and
gave
her
arm
to
Sir
Barnet
.
`
May
I
beg
of
you
,
my
dear
Miss
Dombey
,
´
said
her
host
,
as
he
conducted
her
to
the
carriage
,
`
to
present
my
best
compliments
to
your
dear
Papa
?
´
It
was
distressing
to
Florence
to
receive
the
commission
,
for
she
felt
as
if
she
were
imposing
on
Sir
Barnet
by
allowing
him
to
believe
that
a
kindness
rendered
to
her
,
was
rendered
to
her
father
.
As
she
could
not
explain
,
however
,
she
bowed
her
head
and
thanked
him
;
and
again
she
thought
that
the
dull
home
,
free
from
such
embarrassments
,
and
such
reminders
of
her
sorrow
,
was
her
natural
and
best
retreat
.
Such
of
her
late
friends
and
companions
as
were
yet
remaining
at
the
villa
,
came
running
from
within
,
and
from
the
garden
,
to
say
good-bye
.
They
were
all
attached
to
her
,
and
very
earnest
in
taking
leave
of
her
.
Even
the
household
were
sorry
for
her
going
,
and
the
servants
came
nodding
and
curtseying
round
the
carriage
door
.
As
Florence
looked
round
on
the
kind
faces
,
and
saw
among
them
those
of
Sir
Barnet
and
his
lady
,
and
of
Mr.
Toots
,
who
was
chuckling
and
staring
at
her
from
a
distance
,
she
was
reminded
of
the
night
when
Paul
and
she
had
come
from
Doctor
Blimber
's
:
and
when
the
carriage
drove
away
,
her
face
was
wet
with
tears
.
Sorrowful
tears
,
but
tears
of
consolation
,
too
;
for
all
the
softer
memories
connected
with
the
dull
old
house
to
which
she
was
returning
made
it
dear
to
her
,
as
they
rose
up
.
How
long
it
seemed
since
she
had
wandered
through
the
silent
rooms
:
since
she
had
last
crept
,
softly
and
afraid
,
into
those
her
father
occupied
:
since
she
had
felt
the
solemn
but
yet
soothing
influence
of
the
beloved
dead
in
every
action
of
her
daily
life
!
This
new
farewell
reminded
her
,
besides
,
of
her
parting
with
poor
Walter
:
of
his
looks
and
words
that
night
:
and
of
the
gracious
blending
she
had
noticed
in
him
,
of
tenderness
for
those
he
left
behind
,
with
courage
and
high
spirit
.
His
little
history
was
associated
with
the
old
house
too
,
and
gave
it
a
new
claim
and
hold
upon
her
heart
.
Even
Susan
Nipper
softened
towards
the
home
of
so
many
years
,
as
they
were
on
their
way
towards
it
.
Gloomy
as
it
was
,
and
rigid
justice
as
she
rendered
to
its
gloom
,
she
forgave
it
a
great
deal
.
`
I
shall
be
glad
to
see
it
again
,
I
do
n't
deny
,
Miss
,
´
said
the
Nipper
.
`
There
ai
n't
much
in
it
to
boast
of
,
but
I
would
n't
have
it
burnt
or
pulled
down
,
neither
!
´
`
You
'll
be
glad
to
go
through
the
old
rooms
,
wo
n't
you
,
Susan
?
´
said
Florence
,
smiling
.
`
Well
,
Miss
,
´
returned
the
Nipper
,
softening
more
and
more
towards
the
house
,
as
they
approached
it
nearer
,
`
I
wo
n't
deny
but
what
I
shall
,
though
I
shall
hate
'
em
again
,
to-morrow
,
very
likely
.
´
Florence
felt
that
,
for
her
,
there
was
greater
peace
within
it
than
elsewhere
.
It
was
better
and
easier
to
keep
her
secret
shut
up
there
,
among
the
tall
dark
walls
,
than
to
carry
it
abroad
into
the
light
,
and
try
to
hide
it
from
a
crowd
of
happy
eyes
.
It
was
better
to
pursue
the
study
of
her
loving
heart
,
alone
,
and
find
no
new
discouragements
in
loving
hearts
about
her
.
It
was
easier
to
hope
,
and
pray
,
and
love
on
,
all
uncared
for
,
yet
with
constancy
and
patience
,
in
the
tranquil
sanctuary
of
such
remembrances
:
although
it
mouldered
,
rusted
,
and
decayed
about
her
:
than
in
a
new
scene
,
let
its
gaiety
be
what
it
would
.
She
welcomed
back
her
old
enchanted
dream
of
life
,
and
longed
for
the
old
dark
door
to
close
upon
her
,
once
again
.
Full
of
such
thoughts
,
they
turned
into
the
long
and
sombre
street
.
Florence
was
not
on
that
side
of
the
carriage
which
was
nearest
to
her
home
,
and
as
the
distance
lessened
between
them
and
it
,
she
looked
out
of
her
window
for
the
children
over
the
way
.
She
was
thus
engaged
,
when
an
exclamation
from
Susan
caused
her
to
turn
quickly
round
.
`
Why
,
Gracious
me
!
´
cried
Susan
,
breathless
,
`
where
's
our
house
!
´
`
Our
house
!
´
said
Florence
.
Susan
,
drawing
in
her
head
from
the
window
,
thrust
it
out
again
,
drew
it
in
again
as
the
carriage
stopped
,
and
stared
at
her
mistress
in
amazement
.
There
was
a
labyrinth
of
scaffolding
raised
all
round
the
house
from
the
basement
to
the
roof
.
Loads
of
bricks
and
stones
,
and
heaps
of
mortar
,
and
piles
of
wood
,
blocked
up
half
the
width
and
length
of
the
broad
street
at
the
side
.
Ladders
were
raised
against
the
walls
:
labourers
were
climbing
up
and
down
;
men
were
at
work
upon
the
steps
of
the
scaffolding
:
painters
and
decorators
were
busy
inside
;
great
rolls
of
ornamental
paper
were
being
delivered
from
a
cart
at
the
door
;
an
upholsterer
's
waggon
also
stopped
the
way
;
no
furniture
was
to
be
seen
through
the
gaping
and
broken
windows
in
any
of
the
rooms
;
nothing
but
workmen
,
and
the
implements
of
their
several
trades
swarming
from
the
kitchens
to
the
garrets
.
Inside
and
outside
alike
:
bricklayers
,
painters
,
carpenters
,
masons
:
hammer
,
hod
,
brush
,
pickaxe
,
saw
,
and
trowel
:
all
at
work
together
,
in
full
chorus
.
Florence
descended
from
the
coach
,
half
doubting
if
it
were
,
or
could
be
the
right
house
,
until
she
recognized
Towlinson
,
with
a
sun-burnt
face
,
standing
at
the
door
to
receive
her
.
`
There
is
nothing
the
matter
?
´
inquired
Florence
.
`
Oh
no
,
Miss.
´
`
There
are
great
alterations
going
on
.
´
`
Yes
,
Miss
,
great
alterations
,
´
said
Towlinson
.
Florence
passed
him
as
if
she
were
in
a
dream
,
and
hurried
up
stairs
.
The
garish
light
was
in
the
long-darkened
drawing-room
,
and
there
were
steps
and
platforms
,
and
men
in
paper
caps
,
in
the
high
places
.
Her
mother
's
picture
was
gone
with
the
rest
of
the
moveables
,
and
on
the
mark
where
it
had
been
,
was
scrawled
in
chalk
,
`
this
room
in-panel
.
Green
and
gold
.
´
The
staircase
was
a
labyrinth
of
posts
and
planks
like
the
out-side
of
the
house
,
and
a
whole
Olympus
of
plumbers
and
glaziers
was
reclining
in
various
attitudes
,
on
the
skylight
.
Her
own
room
was
not
yet
touched
within
,
but
there
were
beams
and
boards
raised
against
it
without
,
baulking
the
daylight
.
She
went
up
swiftly
to
that
other
bedroom
,
where
the
little
bed
was
;
and
a
dark
giant
of
a
man
with
a
pipe
in
his
mouth
,
and
his
head
tied
up
in
a
pocket-handkerchief
,
was
staring
in
at
the
window
.
It
was
here
that
Susan
Nipper
,
who
had
been
in
quest
of
Florence
,
found
her
,
and
said
,
would
she
go
down
stairs
to
her
Papa
,
who
wished
to
speak
to
her
.
`
At
home
!
and
wishing
to
speak
to
me
!
´
cried
Florence
,
trembling
.
Susan
,
who
was
infinitely
more
distraught
than
Florence
herself
,
repeated
her
errand
;
and
Florence
,
pale
and
agitated
,
hurried
down
again
,
without
a
moment
's
hesitation
.
She
thought
upon
the
way
down
,
would
she
dare
to
kiss
him
?
The
longing
of
her
heart
resolved
her
,
and
she
thought
she
would
.
Her
father
might
have
heard
that
heart
beat
,
when
it
came
into
his
presence
.
One
instant
,
and
it
would
have
beat
against
his
breast
—
But
he
was
not
alone
.
There
were
two
ladies
there
;
and
Florence
stopped
.
Striving
so
hard
with
her
emotion
,
that
if
her
brute
friend
Di
had
not
burst
in
and
overwhelmed
her
with
his
caresses
as
a
welcome
home
—
at
which
one
of
the
ladies
gave
a
little
scream
,
and
that
diverted
her
attention
from
herself
—
she
would
have
swooned
upon
the
floor
.
`
Florence
,
´
said
her
father
,
putting
out
his
hand
:
so
stiffly
that
it
held
her
off
:
`
how
do
you
do
?
´
Florence
took
the
hand
between
her
own
,
and
putting
it
timidly
to
her
lips
,
yielded
to
its
withdrawal
.
It
touched
the
door
in
shutting
it
,
with
quite
as
much
endearment
as
it
had
touched
her
.
`
What
dog
is
that
?
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
displeased
.
`
It
is
a
dog
,
Papa
—
from
Brighton
.
´
`
Well
!
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
;
and
a
cloud
passed
over
his
face
,
for
he
understood
her
.
`
He
is
very
good-tempered
,
´
said
Florence
,
addressing
herself
with
her
natural
grace
and
sweetness
to
the
two
lady
strangers
.
`
He
is
only
glad
to
see
me
.
Pray
forgive
him
.
´
She
saw
in
the
glance
they
interchanged
,
that
the
lady
who
had
screamed
,
and
who
was
seated
,
was
old
;
and
that
the
other
lady
,
who
stood
near
her
Papa
,
was
very
beautiful
,
and
of
an
elegant
figure
.
`
Mrs.
Skewton
,
´
said
her
father
,
turning
to
the
first
,
and
holding
out
his
hand
,
`
this
is
my
daughter
Florence
.
´
`
Charming
,
I
am
sure
,
´
observed
the
lady
,
putting
up
her
glass
.
`
So
natural
!
My
darling
Florence
,
you
must
kiss
me
,
if
you
please
.
´
Florence
having
done
so
,
turned
towards
the
other
lady
,
by
whom
her
father
stood
waiting
.
`
Edith
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
`
this
is
my
daughter
Florence
.
Florence
,
this
lady
will
soon
be
your
Mama
.
´
Florence
started
,
and
looked
up
at
the
beautiful
face
in
a
conflict
of
emotions
,
among
which
the
tears
that
name
awakened
,
struggled
for
a
moment
with
surprise
,
interest
,
admiration
,
and
an
indefinable
sort
of
fear
.
Then
she
cried
out
,
`
Oh
,
Papa
,
may
you
be
happy
!
may
you
be
very
,
very
happy
all
your
life
!
´
and
then
fell
weeping
on
the
lady
's
bosom
.
There
was
a
short
silence
.
The
beautiful
lady
,
who
at
first
had
seemed
to
hesitate
whether
or
no
she
should
advance
to
Florence
,
held
her
to
her
breast
,
and
pressed
the
hand
with
which
she
clasped
her
,
close
about
her
waist
,
as
if
to
reassure
her
and
comfort
her
.
Not
one
word
passed
the
lady
's
lips
.
She
bent
her
head
down
over
Florence
,
and
she
kissed
her
on
the
cheek
,
but
she
said
no
word
.
`
Shall
we
go
on
through
the
rooms
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
`
and
see
how
our
workmen
are
doing
?
Pray
allow
me
,
my
dear
madam
.
´
He
said
this
in
offering
his
arm
to
Mrs.
Skewton
,
who
had
been
looking
at
Florence
through
her
glass
,
as
though
picturing
to
herself
what
she
might
be
made
,
by
the
fashion
—
from
her
own
copious
storehouse
,
no
doubt
—
of
a
little
more
Heart
and
Nature
.
Florence
was
still
sobbing
on
the
lady
's
breast
,
and
holding
to
her
,
when
Mr.
Dombey
was
heard
to
say
from
the
Conservatory
:
`
Let
us
ask
Edith
.
Dear
me
,
where
is
she
?
´
`
Edith
,
my
dear
!
´
cried
Mrs.
Skewton
,
`
where
are
you
?
Looking
for
Mr.
Dombey
somewhere
,
I
know
.
We
are
here
,
my
love
.
´
The
beautiful
lady
released
her
hold
of
Florence
,
and
pressing
her
lips
once
more
upon
her
face
,
withdrew
hurriedly
,
and
joined
them
.
Florence
remained
standing
in
the
same
place
:
happy
,
sorry
,
joyful
,
and
in
tears
,
she
knew
not
how
,
or
how
long
,
but
all
at
once
:
when
her
new
Mama
came
back
,
and
took
her
in
her
arms
again
.
`
Florence
,
´
said
the
lady
,
hurriedly
,
and
looking
into
her
face
with
great
earnestness
.
`
You
will
not
begin
by
hating
me
?
´
`
By
hating
you
,
Mama
?
´
cried
Florence
,
winding
her
arm
round
her
neck
,
and
returning
the
look
.
`
Hush
!
Begin
by
thinking
well
of
me
,
´
said
the
beautiful
lady
.
`
Begin
by
believing
that
I
will
try
to
make
you
happy
,
and
that
I
am
prepared
to
love
you
,
Florence
.
Good-bye
.
We
shall
meet
again
soon
.
Good-bye
!
Do
n't
stay
here
,
now
.
´
Again
she
pressed
her
to
her
breast
—
she
had
spoken
in
a
rapid
manner
,
but
firmly
—
and
Florence
saw
her
rejoin
them
in
the
other
room
.
And
now
Florence
began
to
hope
that
she
would
learn
from
her
new
and
beautiful
Mama
,
how
to
gain
her
father
's
love
;
and
in
her
sleep
that
night
,
in
her
lost
old
home
,
her
own
Mama
smiled
radiantly
upon
the
hope
,
and
blessed
it
.
Dreaming
Florence
!
CHAPTER
XXIX
The
Opening
of
the
Eyes
of
Mrs.
Chick
MISS
TOX
,
all
unconscious
of
any
such
rare
appearances
in
connexion
with
Mr.
Dombey
's
house
,
as
scaffoldings
and
ladders
,
and
men
with
their
heads
tied
up
in
pocket-handkerchiefs
,
glaring
in
at
the
windows
like
flying
genii
or
strange
birds
,
—
having
breakfasted
one
morning
at
about
this
eventful
period
of
time
,
on
her
customary
viands
;
to
wit
,
one
French
roll
rasped
,
one
egg
new
laid
(
or
warranted
to
be
)
,
and
one
little
pot
of
tea
,
wherein
was
infused
one
little
silver
scoopful
of
that
herb
on
behalf
of
Miss
Tox
,
and
one
little
silver
scoopful
on
behalf
of
the
teapot
—
a
flight
of
fancy
in
which
good
housekeepers
delight
;
went
up
stairs
to
set
forth
the
bird
waltz
on
the
harpsichord
,
to
water
and
arrange
the
plants
,
to
dust
the
nick-nacks
,
and
according
to
her
daily
custom
,
to
make
her
little
drawing-room
the
garland
of
Princess
's
Place
.
Miss
Tox
endued
herself
with
a
pair
of
ancient
gloves
,
like
dead
leaves
,
in
which
she
was
accustomed
to
perform
these
avocations
—
hidden
from
human
sight
at
other
times
in
a
table
drawer
—
and
went
methodically
to
work
;
beginning
with
the
bird
waltz
;
passing
,
by
a
natural
association
of
ideas
,
to
her
bird
—
a
very
high-shouldered
canary
,
stricken
in
years
,
and
much
rumpled
,
but
a
piercing
singer
,
as
Princess
's
Place
well
knew
;
taking
,
next
in
order
,
the
little
china
ornaments
,
paper
fly-cages
,
and
so
forth
;
and
coming
round
,
in
good
time
,
to
the
plants
,
which
generally
required
to
be
snipped
here
and
there
with
a
pair
of
scissors
,
for
some
botanical
reason
that
was
very
powerful
with
Miss
Tox
.
Miss
Tox
was
