slowin
coming
to
the
plants
,
this
morning
.
The
weather
was
warm
,
the
wind
southerly
;
and
there
was
a
sigh
of
the
summer-time
in
Princess
's
Place
,
that
turned
Miss
Tox
's
thoughts
upon
the
country
.
The
pot-boy
attached
to
the
Princess
's
Arms
had
come
out
with
a
can
and
trickled
water
,
in
a
flowing
pattern
,
all
over
Princess
's
Place
,
and
it
gave
the
weedy
ground
a
fresh
scent
—
quite
a
growing
scent
,
Miss
Tox
said
.
There
was
a
tiny
blink
of
sun
peeping
in
from
the
great
street
round
the
corner
,
and
the
smoky
sparrows
hopped
over
it
and
back
again
,
brightening
as
they
passed
:
or
bathed
in
it
,
like
a
stream
,
and
became
glorified
sparrows
,
unconnected
with
chimneys
.
Legends
in
praise
of
Ginger-Beer
,
with
pictorial
representations
of
thirsty
customers
submerged
in
the
effervescence
,
or
stunned
by
the
flying
corks
,
were
conspicuous
in
the
window
of
the
Princess
's
Arms
.
They
were
making
late
hay
,
somewhere
out
of
town
;
and
though
the
fragrance
had
a
long
way
to
come
,
and
many
counter
fragrances
to
contend
with
among
the
dwellings
of
the
poor
(
may
God
reward
the
worthy
gentlemen
who
stickle
for
the
Plague
as
part
and
parcel
of
the
wisdom
of
our
ancestors
,
and
who
do
their
little
best
to
keep
those
dwellings
miserable
!
)
,
yet
it
was
wafted
faintly
into
Princess
's
Place
,
whispering
of
Nature
and
her
wholesome
air
,
as
such
things
will
,
even
unto
prisoners
and
captives
,
and
those
who
are
desolate
and
oppressed
,
in
very
spite
of
aldermen
and
knights
to
boot
:
at
whose
sage
nod
—
and
how
they
nod
!
—
the
rolling
world
stands
still
!
Miss
Tox
sat
down
upon
the
widow-seat
,
and
thought
of
her
good
papa
deceased
—
Mr.
Tox
,
of
the
Customs
Department
of
the
public
service
;
and
of
her
childhood
,
passed
at
a
seaport
,
among
a
considerable
quantity
of
cold
tar
,
and
some
rusticity
.
She
fell
into
a
softened
remembrance
of
meadows
,
in
old
time
,
gleaming
with
buttercups
,
like
so
many
inverted
firmaments
of
golden
stars
;
and
how
she
had
made
chains
of
dandelion-stalks
for
youthful
vowers
of
eternal
constancy
,
dressed
chiefly
in
nankeen
;
and
how
soon
those
fetters
had
withered
and
broken
.
Sitting
on
the
window-seat
,
and
looking
out
upon
the
sparrows
and
the
blink
of
sun
,
Miss
Tox
thought
likewise
of
her
good
mama
deceased
—
sister
to
the
owner
of
the
powdered
head
and
pigtail
—
of
her
virtues
and
her
rheumatism
.
And
when
a
man
with
bulgy
legs
,
and
a
rough
voice
,
and
a
heavy
basket
on
his
head
that
crushed
his
hat
into
a
mere
black
muffin
,
came
crying
flowers
down
Princess
's
Place
,
making
his
timid
little
roots
of
daisies
shudder
in
the
vibration
of
every
yell
he
gave
,
as
though
he
had
been
an
ogre
,
hawking
little
children
,
summer
recollections
were
so
strong
upon
Miss
Tox
,
that
she
shook
her
head
,
and
murmured
she
would
be
comparatively
old
before
she
knew
it
—
which
seemed
likely
.
In
her
pensive
mood
,
Miss
Tox
's
thoughts
went
wandering
on
Mr.
Dombey
's
track
;
probably
because
the
Major
had
returned
home
to
his
lodgings
opposite
,
and
had
just
bowed
to
her
from
his
window
.
What
other
reason
could
Miss
Tox
have
for
connecting
Mr.
Dombey
with
her
summer
days
and
dandelion
fetters
?
Was
he
more
cheerful
?
thought
Miss
Tox
.
Was
he
reconciled
to
the
decrees
of
fate
?
Would
he
ever
marry
again
?
and
if
yes
,
whom
?
What
sort
of
person
now
!
A
flush
—
it
was
warm
weather
—
overspread
Miss
Tox
's
face
,
as
,
while
entertaining
these
meditations
,
she
turned
her
head
,
and
was
surprised
by
the
reflection
of
her
thoughtful
image
in
the
chimney-glass
.
Another
flush
succeeded
when
she
saw
a
little
carriage
drive
into
Princess
's
Place
,
and
make
straight
for
her
own
door
.
Miss
Tox
arose
,
took
up
her
scissors
hastily
,
and
so
coming
,
at
last
,
to
the
plants
,
was
very
busy
with
them
when
Mrs.
Chick
entered
the
room
.
`
How
is
my
sweetest
friend
!
´
exclaimed
Miss
Tox
,
with
open
arms
.
A
little
stateliness
was
mingled
with
Miss
Tox
's
sweetest
friend
's
demeanour
,
but
she
kissed
Miss
Tox
,
and
said
,
`
Lucretia
,
thank
you
,
I
am
pretty
well
.
I
hope
you
are
the
same
.
Hem
!
´
Mrs.
Chick
was
labouring
under
a
peculiar
little
monosyllabic
cough
;
a
sort
of
primer
,
or
easy
introduction
to
the
art
of
coughing
.
`
You
call
very
early
,
and
how
kind
that
is
,
my
dear
!
´
pursued
Miss
Tox
.
`
Now
,
have
you
breakfasted
?
´
`
Thank
you
,
Lucretia
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
I
have
.
I
took
an
early
breakfast
'
—
the
good
lady
seemed
curious
on
the
subject
of
Princess
's
Place
,
and
looked
all
round
it
as
she
spoke
—
`
with
my
brother
,
who
has
come
home
.
´
`
He
is
better
,
I
trust
,
my
love
,
´
faltered
Miss
Tox
.
`
He
is
greatly
better
,
thank
you
.
Hem
!
´
`
My
dear
Louisa
must
be
careful
of
that
cough
,
´
remarked
Miss
Tox
.
`
It
's
nothing
,
´
returned
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
It
's
merely
change
of
weather
.
We
must
expect
change
.
´
`
Of
weather
?
´
asked
Miss
Tox
,
in
her
simplicity
.
`
Of
everything
,
´
returned
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
Of
course
we
must
.
It
's
a
world
of
change
.
Any
one
would
surprise
me
very
much
,
Lucretia
,
and
would
greatly
alter
my
opinion
of
their
understanding
,
if
they
attempted
to
contradict
or
evade
what
is
so
perfectly
evident
.
Change
!
´
exclaimed
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
severe
philosophy
.
`
Why
,
my
gracious
me
,
what
is
there
that
does
not
change
!
even
the
silkworm
,
who
I
am
sure
might
be
supposed
not
to
trouble
itself
about
such
subjects
,
changes
into
all
sorts
of
unexpected
things
continually
.
´
`
My
Louisa
,
´
said
the
mild
Miss
Tox
,
`
is
ever
happy
in
her
illustrations
.
´
`
You
are
so
kind
,
Lucretia
,
´
returned
Mrs.
Chick
,
a
little
softened
,
`
as
to
say
so
,
and
to
think
so
,
I
believe
.
I
hope
neither
of
us
may
ever
have
any
cause
to
lessen
our
opinion
of
the
other
,
Lucretia
.
´
`
I
am
sure
of
it
,
´
returned
Miss
Tox
.
Mrs.
Chick
coughed
as
before
,
and
drew
lines
on
the
carpet
with
the
ivory
end
of
her
parasol
.
Miss
Tox
,
who
had
experience
of
her
fair
friend
,
and
knew
that
under
the
pressure
of
any
slight
fatigue
or
vexation
she
was
prone
to
a
discursive
kind
of
irritability
,
availed
herself
of
the
pause
,
to
change
the
subject
.
`
Pardon
me
,
my
dear
Louisa
,
´
said
Miss
Tox
,
`
but
have
I
caught
sight
of
the
manly
form
of
Mr.
Chick
in
the
carriage
?
´
`
He
is
there
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
`
but
pray
leave
him
there
.
He
has
his
newspaper
,
and
would
be
quite
contented
for
the
next
two
hours
.
Go
on
with
your
flowers
,
Lucretia
,
and
allow
me
to
sit
here
and
rest
.
´
`
My
Louisa
knows
,
´
observed
Miss
Tox
,
`
that
between
friends
like
ourselves
,
any
approach
to
ceremony
would
be
out
of
the
question
.
Therefore
—
´
Therefore
Miss
Tox
finished
the
sentence
,
not
in
words
but
action
;
and
putting
on
her
gloves
again
,
which
she
had
taken
off
,
and
arming
herself
once
more
with
her
scissors
,
began
to
snip
and
clip
among
the
leaves
with
microscopic
industry
.
`
Florence
has
returned
home
also
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
after
sitting
silent
for
some
time
,
with
her
head
on
one
side
,
and
her
parasol
sketching
on
the
floor
;
`
and
really
Florence
is
a
great
deal
too
old
now
,
to
continue
to
lead
that
solitary
life
to
which
she
has
been
accustomed
.
Of
course
she
is
.
There
can
be
no
doubt
about
it
.
I
should
have
very
little
respect
,
indeed
,
for
anybody
who
could
advocate
a
different
opinion
.
Whatever
my
wishes
might
be
,
I
could
not
respect
them
.
We
cannot
command
our
feelings
to
such
an
extent
as
that
.
´
Miss
Tox
assented
,
without
being
particular
as
to
the
intelligibility
of
the
proposition
.
`
If
she
's
a
strange
girl
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
`
and
if
my
brother
Paul
cannot
feel
perfectly
comfortable
in
her
society
,
after
all
the
sad
things
that
have
happened
,
and
all
the
terrible
disappointments
that
have
been
undergone
,
then
,
what
is
the
reply
?
That
he
must
make
an
effort
.
That
he
is
bound
to
make
an
effort
.
We
have
always
been
a
family
remarkable
for
effort
.
Paul
is
at
the
head
of
the
family
;
almost
the
only
representative
of
it
left
—
for
what
am
I
—
I
am
of
no
consequence
—
´
`
My
dearest
love
,
´
remonstrated
Miss
Tox
.
Mrs.
Chick
dried
her
eyes
,
which
were
,
for
the
moment
,
overflowing
;
and
proceeded
:
`
And
consequently
he
is
more
than
ever
bound
to
make
an
effort
.
And
though
his
having
done
so
,
comes
upon
me
with
a
sort
of
shock
—
for
mine
is
a
very
weak
and
foolish
nature
;
which
is
anything
but
a
blessing
I
am
sure
;
I
often
wish
my
heart
was
a
marble
slab
,
or
a
paving-stone
—
´
`
My
sweet
Louisa
,
´
remonstrated
Miss
Tox
again
.
`
Still
,
it
is
a
triumph
to
me
to
know
that
he
is
so
true
to
himself
,
and
to
his
name
of
Dombey
;
although
,
of
course
,
I
always
knew
he
would
be
.
I
only
hope
,
'
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
after
a
pause
,
`
that
she
may
be
worthy
of
the
name
too
.
´
Miss
Tox
filled
a
little
green
watering-pot
from
a
jug
,
and
happening
to
look
up
when
she
had
done
so
,
was
so
surprised
by
the
amount
of
expression
Mrs.
Chick
had
conveyed
into
her
face
,
and
was
bestowing
upon
her
,
that
she
put
the
little
watering-pot
on
the
table
for
the
present
,
and
sat
down
near
it
.
`
My
dear
Louisa
,
´
said
Miss
Tox
,
`
will
it
be
the
least
satisfaction
to
you
,
if
I
venture
to
observe
in
reference
to
that
remark
,
that
I
,
as
a
humble
individual
,
think
your
sweet
niece
in
every
way
most
promising
?
´
`
What
do
you
mean
,
Lucretia
?
´
returned
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
increased
stateliness
of
manner
.
`
To
what
remark
of
mine
,
my
dear
,
do
you
refer
?
´
`
Her
being
worthy
of
her
name
,
my
love
.
´
replied
Miss
Tox
.
`
If
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
solemn
patience
,
`
I
have
not
expressed
myself
with
clearness
,
Lucretia
,
the
fault
of
course
is
mine
.
There
is
,
perhaps
,
no
reason
why
I
should
express
myself
at
all
,
except
the
intimacy
that
has
subsisted
between
us
,
and
which
I
very
much
hope
,
Lucretia
—
confidently
hope
—
nothing
will
occur
to
disturb
.
Because
,
why
should
I
do
anything
else
?
There
is
no
reason
;
it
would
be
absurd
.
But
I
wish
to
express
myself
clearly
,
Lucretia
;
and
therefore
to
go
back
to
that
remark
,
I
must
beg
to
say
that
it
was
not
intended
to
relate
to
Florence
,
in
any
way
.
´
`
Indeed
!
´
returned
Miss
Tox
.
`
No
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
shortly
and
decisively
.
`
Pardon
me
,
my
dear
,
´
rejoined
her
meek
friend
;
`
but
I
cannot
have
understood
it
.
I
fear
I
am
dull
.
´
Mrs.
Chick
looked
round
the
room
and
over
the
way
;
at
the
plants
,
at
the
bird
,
at
the
watering-pot
,
at
almost
everything
within
view
,
except
Miss
Tox
;
and
finally
dropping
her
glance
upon
Miss
Tox
,
for
a
moment
,
on
its
way
to
the
ground
,
said
,
looking
meanwhile
with
elevated
eyebrows
at
the
carpet
:
`
When
I
speak
,
Lucretia
,
of
her
being
worthy
of
the
name
,
I
speak
of
my
brother
Paul
's
second
wife
.
I
believe
I
have
already
said
,
in
effect
,
if
not
in
the
very
words
I
now
use
,
that
it
is
his
intention
to
marry
a
second
wife
.
´
Miss
Tox
left
her
seat
in
a
hurry
,
and
returned
to
her
plants
;
clipping
among
the
stems
and
leaves
,
with
as
little
favour
as
a
barber
working
at
so
many
pauper
heads
of
hair
.
`
Whether
she
will
be
fully
sensible
of
the
distinction
conferred
upon
her
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
in
a
lofty
tone
,
`
is
quite
another
question
.
I
hope
she
may
be
.
We
are
bound
to
think
well
of
one
another
in
this
world
,
and
I
hope
she
may
be
.
I
have
not
been
advised
with
myself
.
If
I
had
been
advised
with
,
I
have
no
doubt
my
advice
would
have
been
cavalierly
received
,
and
therefore
it
is
infinitely
better
as
it
is
.
I
much
prefer
it
as
it
is
.
´
Miss
Tox
,
with
head
bent
down
,
still
clipped
among
the
plants
.
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
energetic
shakings
of
her
own
head
from
time
to
time
,
continued
to
hold
forth
,
as
if
in
defiance
of
somebody
.
`
If
my
brother
Paul
had
consulted
with
me
,
which
he
sometimes
does
—
or
rather
,
sometimes
used
to
do
;
for
he
will
naturally
do
that
no
more
now
,
and
this
is
a
circumstance
which
I
regard
as
a
relief
from
responsibility
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
hysterically
,
`
for
I
thank
Heaven
I
am
not
jealous
—
´
here
Mrs.
Chick
again
shed
tears
:
`
if
my
brother
Paul
had
come
to
me
,
and
had
said
,
“
Louisa
,
what
kind
of
qualities
would
you
advise
me
to
look
out
for
,
in
a
wife
?
”
I
should
certainly
have
answered
,
“
Paul
,
you
must
have
family
,
you
must
have
beauty
,
you
must
have
dignity
,
you
must
have
connexion
.
”
Those
are
the
words
I
should
have
used
.
You
might
have
led
me
to
the
block
immediately
afterwards
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
as
if
that
consequence
were
highly
probable
,
`
but
I
should
have
used
them
.
I
should
have
said
,
“
Paul
!
You
to
marry
a
second
time
without
family
!
You
to
marry
without
beauty
!
You
to
marry
without
dignity
!
You
to
marry
without
connexion
!
There
is
nobody
in
the
world
,
not
mad
,
who
could
dream
of
daring
to
entertain
such
a
preposterous
idea
!
”
´
Miss
Tox
stopped
clipping
;
and
with
her
head
among
the
plants
,
listened
attentively
.
Perhaps
Miss
Tox
thought
there
was
hope
in
this
exordium
,
and
the
warmth
of
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
I
should
have
adopted
this
course
of
argument
,
´
pursued
the
discreet
lady
,
`
because
I
trust
I
am
not
a
fool
.
I
make
no
claim
to
be
considered
a
person
of
superior
intellect
—
though
I
believe
some
people
have
been
extraordinary
enough
to
consider
me
so
;
one
so
little
humoured
as
I
am
,
would
very
soon
be
disabused
of
any
such
notion
;
but
I
trust
I
am
not
a
downright
fool
.
And
to
tell
me
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
with
ineffable
disdain
,
`
that
my
brother
Paul
Dombey
could
ever
contemplate
the
possibility
of
uniting
himself
to
anybody
—
I
do
n't
care
who
´
—
she
was
more
sharp
and
emphatic
in
that
short
clause
than
in
any
other
part
of
her
discourse
—
`
not
possessing
these
requisites
,
would
be
to
insult
what
understanding
I
have
got
,
as
much
as
if
I
was
to
be
told
that
I
was
born
and
bred
an
elephant
,
which
I
may
be
told
next
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
resignation
.
`
It
would
n't
surprise
me
at
all
.
I
expect
it
.
´
In
the
moment
's
silence
that
ensued
,
Miss
Tox
's
scissors
gave
a
feeble
clip
or
two
:
but
Miss
Tox
's
face
was
still
invisible
,
and
Miss
Tox
's
morning
gown
was
agitated
.
Mrs.
Chick
looked
sideways
at
her
,
through
the
intervening
plants
,
and
went
on
to
say
,
in
a
tone
of
bland
conviction
,
and
as
one
dwelling
on
a
point
of
fact
that
hardly
required
to
be
stated
:
`
Therefore
,
of
course
my
brother
Paul
has
done
what
was
to
be
expected
of
him
,
and
what
anybody
might
have
foreseen
he
would
do
,
if
he
entered
the
marriage
state
again
.
I
confess
it
takes
me
rather
by
surprise
,
however
gratifying
;
because
when
Paul
went
out
of
town
I
had
no
idea
at
all
that
he
would
form
any
attachment
out
of
town
,
and
he
certainly
had
no
attachment
when
he
left
here
.
However
,
it
seems
to
be
extremely
desirable
in
every
point
of
view
.
I
have
no
doubt
the
mother
is
a
most
genteel
and
elegant
creature
,
and
I
have
no
right
whatever
to
dispute
the
policy
of
her
living
with
them
:
which
is
Paul
's
affair
,
not
mine
—
and
as
to
Paul
's
choice
,
herself
,
I
have
only
seen
her
picture
yet
,
but
that
is
beautiful
indeed
.
Her
name
is
beautiful
too
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
shaking
her
head
with
energy
,
and
arranging
herself
in
her
chair
;
`
Edith
is
at
once
uncommon
,
as
it
strike
me
,
and
distinguished
.
Consequently
,
Lucretia
,
I
have
no
doubt
you
will
be
happy
to
hear
that
the
marriage
is
to
take
place
immediately
—
of
course
,
you
will
:
´
great
emphasis
again
:
`
and
that
you
are
delighted
with
this
change
in
the
condition
of
my
brother
,
who
has
shown
you
a
great
deal
of
pleasant
attention
at
various
times
.
´
Miss
Tox
made
no
verbal
answer
,
but
took
up
the
little
watering-pot
with
a
trembling
hand
,
and
looked
vacantly
round
as
if
considering
what
article
of
furniture
would
be
improved
by
the
contents
.
The
room
door
opening
at
this
crisis
of
Miss
Tox
's
feelings
,
she
started
,
laughed
aloud
,
and
fell
into
the
arms
of
the
person
entering
;
happily
insensible
alike
of
Mrs.
Chick
's
indignant
countenance
and
of
the
Major
at
his
window
over
the
way
,
who
had
his
double-barrelled
eye-glass
in
full
action
,
and
whose
face
and
figure
were
dilated
with
Mephistophelean
joy
.
Not
so
the
expatriated
Native
,
amazed
supporter
of
Miss
Tox
's
swooning
form
,
who
,
coming
straight
upstairs
,
with
a
polite
inquiry
touching
Miss
Tox
's
health
(
in
exact
pursuance
of
the
Major
's
malicious
instructions
)
,
had
accidentally
arrived
in
the
very
nick
of
time
to
catch
the
delicate
burden
in
his
arms
,
and
to
receive
the
contents
of
the
little
watering-pot
in
his
shoe
;
both
of
which
circumstances
,
coupled
with
his
consciousness
of
being
closely
watched
by
the
wrathful
Major
,
who
had
threatened
the
usual
penalty
in
regard
of
every
bone
in
his
skin
in
case
of
any
failure
,
combined
to
render
him
a
moving
spectacle
of
mental
and
bodily
distress
.
For
some
moments
,
this
afflicted
foreigner
remained
clasping
Miss
Tox
to
his
heart
,
with
an
energy
of
action
in
remarkable
opposition
to
his
disconcerted
face
,
while
that
poor
lady
trickled
slowly
down
upon
him
the
very
last
sprinklings
of
the
little
watering-pot
,
as
if
he
were
a
delicate
exotic
(
which
indeed
he
was
)
,
and
might
be
almost
expected
to
blow
while
the
gentle
rain
descended
.
Mrs.
Chick
,
at
length
recovering
sufficient
presence
of
mind
to
interpose
,
commanded
him
to
drop
Miss
Tox
upon
the
sofa
and
withdraw
;
and
the
exile
promptly
obeying
,
she
applied
herself
to
promote
Miss
Tox
's
recovery
.
But
none
of
that
gentle
concern
which
usually
characterises
the
daughters
of
Eve
in
their
tending
of
each
other
;
none
of
that
freemasonry
in
fainting
,
by
which
they
are
generally
bound
together
in
a
mysterious
bond
of
sisterhood
;
was
visible
in
Mrs.
Chick
's
demeanour
.
Rather
like
the
executioner
who
restores
the
victim
to
sensation
previous
to
proceeding
with
the
torture
(
or
was
wont
to
do
so
,
in
the
good
old
times
for
which
all
true
men
wear
perpetual
mourning
)
,
did
Mrs.
Chick
administer
the
smelling-bottle
,
the
slapping
on
the
hands
,
the
dashing
of
cold
water
on
the
face
,
and
the
other
proved
remedies
.
And
when
,
at
length
,
Miss
Tox
opened
her
eyes
,
and
gradually
became
restored
to
animation
and
consciousness
,
Mrs.
Chick
drew
off
as
form
a
criminal
,
and
reversing
the
precedent
of
the
murdered
king
of
Denmark
,
regarded
her
more
in
anger
than
in
sorrow
.
`
Lucretia
!
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
I
will
not
attempt
to
disguise
what
I
feel
.
My
eyes
are
opened
,
all
at
once
.
I
would
n't
have
believed
this
,
if
a
Saint
had
told
it
to
me
.
´
`
I
am
foolish
to
give
way
to
faintness
,
´
Miss
Tox
faltered
.
`
I
shall
be
better
presently
.
´
`
You
will
be
better
presently
,
Lucretia
!
´
repeated
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
exceeding
scorn
.
`
Do
you
suppose
I
am
blind
?
Do
you
imagine
I
am
in
my
second
childhood
?
No
,
Lucretia
!
I
am
obliged
to
you
!
´
Miss
Tox
directed
an
imploring
,
helpless
kind
of
look
towards
her
friend
,
and
put
her
handkerchief
before
her
face
.
`
If
any
one
had
told
me
this
yesterday
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
majesty
,
`
or
even
half-an-hour
ago
,
I
should
have
been
tempted
,
I
almost
believe
,
to
strike
them
to
the
earth
,
Lucretia
Tox
,
my
eyes
are
opened
to
you
all
at
once
.
The
scales
:
'
here
Mrs.
Chick
cast
down
an
imaginary
pair
,
such
as
are
commonly
used
in
grocers
´
shops
:
`
have
fallen
from
my
sight
.
The
blindness
of
my
confidence
is
past
,
Lucretia
.
It
has
been
abused
and
played
upon
,
and
evasion
is
quite
out
of
the
question
now
,
I
assure
you
.
´
`
Oh
!
to
what
do
you
allude
so
cruelly
,
my
love
?
´
asked
Miss
Tox
,
through
her
tears
.
`
Lucretia
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
`
ask
your
own
heart
.
I
must
entreat
you
not
to
address
me
by
any
such
familiar
term
as
you
have
just
used
,
if
you
please
.
I
have
some
self-respect
left
,
though
you
may
think
otherwise
.
´
`
Oh
,
Louisa
!
´
cried
Miss
Tox
.
`
How
can
you
speak
to
me
like
that
?
´
`
How
can
I
speak
to
you
like
that
?
´
retorted
Mrs.
Chick
,
who
,
in
default
of
having
any
particular
argument
to
sustain
herself
upon
,
relied
principally
on
such
repetitions
for
her
most
withering
effects
.
`
Like
that
!
You
may
well
say
like
that
,
indeed
!
´
Miss
Tox
sobbed
pitifully
.
`
The
idea
!
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
`
of
your
having
basked
at
my
brother
's
fireside
,
like
a
serpent
,
and
would
yourself
,
through
me
,
almost
into
his
confidence
,
Lucretia
,
that
you
might
,
in
secret
,
entertain
designs
upon
him
,
and
dare
to
aspire
to
contemplate
the
possibility
of
his
uniting
himself
to
you
!
Why
,
it
is
and
idea
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
sarcastic
dignity
,
`
the
absurdity
of
which
almost
relieves
its
treachery
.
´
`
Pray
,
Louisa
,
´
urged
Miss
Tox
,
`
do
not
say
such
dreadful
things
.
´
`
Dreadful
things
!
´
repeated
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
Dreadful
things
!
Is
it
not
a
fact
,
Lucretia
,
that
you
have
just
now
been
unable
to
command
your
feelings
even
before
me
,
whose
eyes
you
had
so
completely
closed
?
´
`
I
have
made
no
complaint
,
´
sobbed
Miss
Tox
.
`
I
have
said
nothing
.
If
I
have
been
a
little
overpowered
by
your
news
,
Louisa
,
and
have
ever
had
any
lingering
thought
that
Mr.
Dombey
was
inclined
to
be
particular
towards
me
,
surely
you
will
not
condemn
me
.
´
`
She
is
going
to
say
.
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
addressing
herself
to
the
whole
of
the
furniture
,
in
a
comprehensive
glance
of
resignation
and
appeal
,
`
She
is
going
to
say
—
I
know
it
—
that
I
have
encouraged
her
!
´
`
I
do
n't
wish
to
exchange
reproaches
,
dear
Louisa
,
´
sobbed
Miss
Tox
.
`
Nor
do
I
wish
to
complain
.
But
,
in
my
own
defence
—
´
`
Yes
,
´
cried
Mrs.
Chick
,
looking
round
the
room
with
a
prophetic
smile
,
`
that
's
what
she
's
going
to
say
.
I
knew
it
.
You
had
better
say
it
.
Say
it
openly
!
Be
open
,
Lucretia
Tox
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
desperate
sternness
,
`
whatever
you
are
.
´
`
In
my
own
defence
,
´
faltered
Miss
Tox
,
`
and
only
in
my
own
defence
against
your
unkind
words
,
my
dear
Louisa
,
I
would
merely
ask
you
if
you
have
n't
often
favoured
such
a
fancy
,
and
even
said
it
might
happen
,
for
anything
we
could
tell
?
´
`
There
is
a
point
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
rising
,
not
as
if
she
were
going
to
stop
at
the
floor
,
but
as
if
she
were
about
to
soar
up
,
high
,
into
her
native
skies
,
`
beyond
which
endurance
becomes
ridiculous
,
if
not
culpable
.
I
can
bear
much
;
but
not
too
much
.
What
spell
was
on
me
when
I
came
into
this
house
this
day
,
I
do
n't
know
;
but
I
had
a
presentiment
—
a
dark
presentiment
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
with
a
shiver
,
`
that
something
was
going
to
happen
.
Well
may
I
have
had
that
foreboding
,
Lucretia
,
when
my
confidence
of
many
years
is
destroyed
in
an
instant
,
when
my
eyes
are
opened
all
at
once
,
and
when
I
find
you
revealed
in
your
true
colours
.
Lucretia
,
I
have
been
mistaken
in
you
.
It
is
better
for
us
both
that
this
subject
should
end
here
.
I
wish
you
well
,
and
I
shall
ever
wish
you
well
.
But
,
as
an
individual
who
desires
to
be
true
to
herself
in
her
own
poor
position
,
whatever
that
position
may
be
,
or
may
not
be
—
and
as
the
sister
of
my
brother
—
and
as
the
sister-in-law
of
my
brother
's
wife
—
and
as
a
connexion
by
marriage
of
my
brother
's
wife
's
mother
—
may
I
be
permitted
to
add
,
as
a
Dombey
?
—
I
can
wish
you
nothing
else
but
good
morning
.
´
These
words
,
delivered
with
cutting
suavity
,
tempered
and
chastened
by
a
lofty
air
of
moral
rectitude
,
carried
the
speaker
to
the
door
.
There
she
inclined
her
head
in
a
ghostly
and
statue-like
manner
,
and
so
withdrew
to
her
carriage
,
to
seek
comfort
and
consolation
in
the
arms
of
Mr.
Chick
her
lord
.
Figuratively
speaking
,
that
is
to
say
:
for
the
arms
of
Mr.
Chick
were
full
of
his
newspaper
.
Neither
did
that
gentleman
address
his
eyes
towards
his
wife
otherwise
than
by
stealth
.
Neither
did
he
offer
any
consolation
whatever
.
In
short
,
he
sat
reading
,
and
humming
fag
ends
of
tunes
,
and
sometimes
glancing
furtively
at
her
without
delivering
himself
of
a
word
,
good
,
bad
,
or
indifferent
.
In
the
meantime
Mrs.
Chick
sat
swelling
and
bridling
,
and
tossing
her
head
,
as
if
she
were
still
repeating
that
solemn
formula
of
farewell
to
Lucretia
Tox
.
At
length
,
she
said
aloud
,
`
Oh
the
extent
to
which
her
eyes
had
been
opened
that
day
!
´
`
To
which
your
eyes
have
been
opened
,
,
my
dear
!
´
repeated
Mr.
Chick
.
`
Oh
,
do
n't
talk
to
me
!
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
.
`
If
you
can
bear
to
see
me
in
this
state
,
and
not
ask
me
what
the
matter
is
,
you
had
better
hold
your
tongue
for
ever
.
´
`
What
is
the
matter
,
my
dear
?
´
asked
Mr.
Chick
.
`
To
think
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
in
a
state
of
soliloquy
,
`
that
she
should
ever
have
conceived
the
base
idea
of
connecting
herself
with
our
family
by
a
marriage
with
Paul
!
To
think
that
when
she
was
playing
at
horses
with
that
dear
child
who
is
now
in
his
grave
—
I
never
liked
it
at
the
time
—
she
should
have
been
hiding
such
a
double-faced
design
!
I
wonder
she
was
never
afraid
that
something
would
happen
to
her
.
She
is
fortunate
if
nothing
does
.
´
`
I
really
thought
,
my
dear
,
´
said
Mr.
Chick
slowly
,
after
rubbing
the
bridge
of
his
nose
for
some
time
with
his
newspaper
,
`
that
you
had
gone
on
the
same
tack
yourself
,
all
along
,
until
this
morning
;
and
had
thought
it
would
be
a
convenient
thing
enough
,
if
it
could
have
been
brought
about
.
´
Mrs.
Chick
instantly
burst
into
tears
,
and
told
Mr.
Chick
that
if
he
wished
to
trample
upon
her
with
his
boots
,
he
had
better
do
it
.
`
But
with
Lucretia
Tox
I
have
done
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
after
abandoning
herself
to
her
feelings
for
some
minutes
,
to
Mr.
Chick
's
great
terror
.
`
I
can
bear
to
resign
Paul
's
confidence
in
favour
of
one
who
,
I
hope
and
trust
,
may
be
deserving
of
it
,
and
with
whom
he
has
a
perfect
right
to
replace
poor
Fanny
if
he
chooses
;
I
can
bear
to
be
informed
,
in
Paul
's
cool
manner
,
of
such
a
change
in
his
plans
,
and
never
to
be
consulted
until
all
is
settled
and
determined
;
but
deceit
I
can
not
bear
,
and
with
Lucretia
Tox
I
have
done
.
It
is
better
as
it
is
,
´
said
Mrs.
Chick
,
piously
;
`
much
better
.
It
would
have
been
a
long
time
before
I
could
have
accommodated
myself
comfortably
with
her
,
after
this
;
and
I
really
do
n't
know
,
as
Paul
is
going
to
be
very
grand
,
and
these
are
people
of
condition
,
that
she
would
have
been
quite
presentable
,
and
might
not
have
compromised
myself
.
There
's
a
providence
in
everything
;
everything
works
for
the
best
;
I
have
been
tried
to-day
,
but
,
upon
the
whole
I
do
n't
regret
it
.
´
In
which
Christian
spirit
,
Mrs.
Chick
dried
her
eyes
,
and
smoothed
her
lap
,
and
sat
as
became
a
person
calm
under
a
great
wrong
.
Mr.
Chick
,
feeling
his
unworthiness
no
doubt
,
took
an
early
opportunity
of
being
set
down
at
a
street
corner
and
walking
away
,
whistling
,
with
his
shoulders
very
much
raised
,
and
his
hands
in
his
pockets
.
While
poor
excommunicated
Miss
Tox
,
who
,
if
she
were
a
fawner
and
toad-eater
,
was
at
least
an
honest
and
a
constant
one
,
and
had
ever
borne
a
faithful
friendship
towards
her
impeacher
,
and
had
been
truly
absorbed
and
swallowed
up
in
devotion
to
the
magnificence
of
Mr.
Dombey
—
while
poor
excommunicated
Miss
Tox
watered
her
plants
with
her
tears
,
and
felt
that
it
was
winter
in
Princess
's
Place
.
CHAPTER
XXX
The
Interval
before
the
Marriage
ALTHOUGH
the
enchanted
house
was
not
more
,
and
the
working
world
had
broken
into
it
,
and
was
hammering
and
crashing
and
tramping
up
and
down
stairs
all
day
long
,
keeping
Diogenes
in
an
incessant
paroxysm
of
barking
,
from
sunrise
to
sunset
—
evidently
convinced
that
his
enemy
had
got
the
better
of
him
at
last
,
and
was
then
sacking
the
premises
in
triumphant
defiance
—
there
was
,
at
first
,
no
other
great
change
in
the
method
of
Florence
's
life
.
At
night
,
when
the
work-people
went
away
,
the
house
was
dreary
and
deserted
again
;
and
Florence
,
listening
to
their
voices
echoing
through
the
hall
and
staircase
as
they
departed
,
pictured
to
herself
the
cheerful
homes
to
which
they
were
returning
,
and
the
children
who
were
waiting
for
them
,
and
was
glad
to
think
that
they
were
merry
and
well
pleased
to
go
.
She
welcomed
back
the
evening
silence
as
on
old
friend
,
but
it
came
now
with
an
altered
face
,
and
looked
more
kindly
on
her
.
Fresh
hope
was
in
it
.
The
beautiful
lady
who
had
soothed
and
caressed
her
,
in
the
very
room
in
which
her
heart
had
been
so
wrung
,
was
a
spirit
of
promise
to
her
.
Soft
shadows
of
the
bright
life
dawning
,
when
her
father
's
affection
should
be
gradually
won
,
and
all
,
or
much
should
be
restored
,
of
what
she
had
lost
on
the
dark
day
when
a
mother
's
love
had
faded
with
a
mother
's
last
breath
on
her
cheek
,
moved
about
her
in
the
twilight
and
were
welcome
company
.
Peeping
at
the
rosy
children
her
neighbours
,
it
was
a
new
and
precious
sensation
to
think
that
they
might
soon
speak
together
and
know
each
other
;
when
she
would
not
fear
,
as
of
old
,
to
show
herself
before
them
,
lest
they
should
be
grieved
to
see
her
in
her
black
dress
sitting
there
alone
!
In
her
thoughts
of
her
new
mother
,
and
in
the
love
and
trust
overflowing
her
pure
heart
towards
her
,
Florence
loved
her
own
dead
mother
more
and
more
.
She
had
no
fear
of
setting
up
a
rival
in
her
breast
.
The
new
flower
sprang
from
the
deep-planted
and
long-cherished
root
,
she
knew
.
Every
gentle
word
that
had
fallen
from
the
lips
of
the
beautiful
lady
,
sounded
to
Florence
like
an
echo
of
the
voice
long
hushed
and
silent
.
How
could
she
love
that
memory
less
for
living
tenderness
,
when
it
was
her
memory
of
all
parental
tenderness
and
love
!
Florence
was
,
one
day
,
sitting
reading
in
her
room
,
and
thinking
of
the
lady
and
her
promised
visit
soon
—
for
her
book
turned
on
a
kindred
subject
—
when
,
raising
her
eyes
,
she
saw
her
standing
in
the
doorway
.
`
Mama
!
´
cried
Florence
,
joyfully
meeting
her
.
`
Come
again
!
´
`
Not
Mama
yet
,
´
returned
the
lady
,
with
a
serious
smile
,
as
she
encircled
Florence
's
neck
with
her
arm
.
`
But
very
soon
to
be
,
´
cried
Florence
.
`
Very
soon
now
,
Florence
:
very
soon
.
´
Edith
bent
her
head
a
little
,
so
as
to
press
the
blooming
cheek
of
Florence
against
her
own
,
and
for
some
few
moments
remained
thus
silent
.
There
was
something
so
very
tender
in
her
manner
,
that
Florence
was
even
more
sensible
of
it
than
on
the
first
occasion
of
their
meeting
.
She
led
Florence
to
a
chair
beside
her
,
and
sat
down
:
Florence
looking
in
her
face
,
quite
wondering
at
its
beauty
,
and
willingly
leaving
her
hand
in
hers
.
`
Have
you
been
alone
,
Florence
,
since
I
was
here
last
?
´
`
Oh
yes
!
´
smiled
Florence
,
hastily
.
She
hesitated
and
cast
down
her
eyes
;
for
her
new
Mama
was
very
earnest
in
her
look
,
and
the
look
was
intently
and
thoughtfully
fixed
upon
her
face
.
`
I
—
I
—
am
used
to
be
alone
,
´
said
Florence
.
`
I
do
n't
mind
it
at
all
.
Di
and
I
pass
whole
days
together
,
sometimes
.
´
Florence
might
have
said
,
whole
weeks
and
months
.
`
Is
Di
your
maid
,
love
?
´
`
My
dog
,
Mama
,
´
said
Florence
,
laughing
.
`
Susan
is
my
maid
.
´
`
And
these
are
your
rooms
,
´
said
Edith
,
looking
round
.
`
I
was
not
shown
these
rooms
the
other
day
.
We
must
have
them
improved
,
Florence
.
They
shall
be
made
the
prettiest
in
the
house
.
´
`
If
I
might
change
them
,
Mama
,
´
returned
Florence
;
`
there
is
one
up
stairs
I
should
like
much
better
.
´
`
Is
this
not
high
enough
,
dear
girl
?
´
asked
Edith
,
smiling
.
`
The
other
was
my
brother
's
room
,
´
said
Florence
,
`
and
I
am
very
fond
of
it
.
I
would
have
spoken
to
Papa
about
it
when
I
came
home
,
and
found
the
workmen
here
,
and
everything
changing
:
but
—
´
Florence
dropped
her
eyes
,
lest
the
same
look
should
make
her
falter
again
.
`
—
but
I
was
afraid
it
might
distress
him
;
and
as
you
said
you
would
be
here
again
soon
,
Mama
,
and
are
the
mistress
of
everything
,
I
determined
to
take
courage
and
ask
you
.
´
Edith
sat
looking
at
her
,
with
her
brilliant
eyes
intent
upon
her
face
,
until
Florence
raising
her
own
,
she
,
in
her
turn
,
withdrew
her
gaze
,
and
turned
it
on
the
ground
.
It
was
then
that
Florence
thought
how
different
this
lady
's
beauty
was
,
from
what
she
had
supposed
.
She
had
thought
it
of
a
proud
and
lofty
kind
;
yet
her
manner
was
so
subdued
and
gentle
,
that
if
she
had
been
of
Florence
's
own
age
and
character
,
it
scarcely
could
have
invited
confidence
more
.
Except
when
a
constrained
and
singular
reserve
crept
over
her
;
and
then
she
seemed
(
but
Florence
hardly
understood
this
,
though
she
could
not
choose
but
notice
it
,
and
think
about
it
)
as
if
she
were
humbled
before
Florence
,
and
ill
at
ease
.
When
she
had
said
that
she
was
not
her
Mama
yet
,
and
when
Florence
had
called
her
the
mistress
of
everything
there
,
this
change
in
her
was
quick
and
startling
;
and
now
,
while
the
eyes
of
Florence
rested
on
her
face
,
she
sat
as
though
she
would
have
shrunk
and
hidden
from
her
,
rather
than
as
one
about
to
love
and
cherish
her
,
in
right
of
such
a
near
connexion
.
She
gave
Florence
her
ready
promise
,
about
her
new
room
,
and
said
she
would
give
directions
about
it
herself
.
She
then
asked
some
questions
concerning
poor
Paul
;
and
when
they
had
sat
in
conversation
for
some
time
,
told
Florence
she
had
come
to
take
her
to
her
own
home
.
`
We
have
come
to
London
now
,
my
mother
and
I
,
´
said
Edith
,
`
and
you
shall
stay
with
us
until
I
am
married
.
I
wish
that
we
should
know
and
trust
each
other
,
Florence
.
´
`
You
are
very
kind
to
me
.
´
said
Florence
,
`
dear
Mama
.
How
much
I
thank
you
!
´
`
Let
me
say
now
,
for
it
may
be
the
best
opportunity
,
´
continued
Edith
,
looking
round
to
see
that
they
were
quite
alone
,
and
speaking
in
a
lower
voice
,
`
that
when
I
am
married
,
and
have
gone
away
for
some
weeks
,
I
shall
be
easier
at
heart
if
you
will
come
home
here
.
No
matter
who
invites
you
to
stay
elsewhere
,
come
home
here
.
It
is
better
to
be
alone
then
—
what
I
would
say
is
,
´
she
added
,
checking
herself
,
`
that
I
know
well
you
are
best
at
home
,
dear
Florence
.
´
`
I
will
come
home
on
the
very
day
,
Mama
.
´
`
Do
so
.
I
rely
on
that
promise
.
Now
,
prepare
to
come
with
me
,
dear
girl
.
You
will
find
me
down
stairs
when
you
are
ready
.
´
Slowly
and
thoughtfully
did
Edith
wander
alone
through
the
mansion
of
which
she
was
so
soon
to
be
the
lady
:
and
little
heed
took
she
of
all
the
elegance
and
splendour
it
began
to
display
.
The
same
indomitable
haughtiness
of
soul
,
the
same
proud
scorn
expressed
in
eye
and
lip
,
the
same
fierce
beauty
,
only
tamed
by
a
sense
of
its
own
little
worth
,
and
of
the
little
worth
of
everything
around
it
,
went
through
the
grand
saloons
and
halls
,
that
had
got
loose
among
the
shady
trees
,
and
raged
and
rent
themselves
.
The
mimic
roses
on
the
walls
and
floors
were
set
round
with
sharp
thorns
,
that
tore
her
breast
;
in
every
scrap
of
gold
so
dazzling
to
the
eye
,
she
saw
some
hateful
atom
of
her
purchase-money
;
the
broad
high
mirrors
showed
her
,
at
full
length
,
a
women
with
a
noble
quality
yet
dwelling
in
her
nature
,
who
was
too
false
to
her
better
self
,
and
too
debased
and
lost
,
to
save
herself
.
She
believed
that
all
this
was
so
plain
,
more
or
less
,
to
all
eyes
,
that
she
had
no
resource
or
power
of
self-assertion
but
in
pride
:
and
with
this
pride
,
which
tortured
her
own
heart
night
and
day
,
she
fought
her
fate
out
,
braved
it
,
and
defied
it
.
Was
this
the
woman
whom
Florence
—
an
innocent
girl
,
strong
only
in
her
earnestness
and
simple
truth
—
could
so
impress
and
quell
,
that
by
her
side
she
was
another
creature
,
with
her
tempest
of
passion
hushed
,
and
her
very
pride
itself
subdued
?
Was
this
the
woman
who
now
sat
beside
her
in
a
carriage
,
with
her
arms
entwined
,
and
who
,
while
she
courted
and
entreated
her
to
love
and
trust
her
,
drew
her
fair
head
to
nestle
on
her
breast
,
and
would
have
laid
down
life
to
shield
it
from
wrong
or
harm
?
Oh
,
Edith
!
it
were
well
to
die
,
indeed
,
at
such
a
time
!
Better
and
happier
far
,
perhaps
,
to
die
so
,
Edith
,
than
to
live
on
to
the
end
!
The
Honourable
Mrs.
Skewton
,
who
was
thinking
of
anything
rather
than
of
such
sentiments
—
for
,
like
many
genteel
persons
who
have
existed
at
various
times
,
she
set
her
face
against
death
altogether
,
and
objected
to
the
mention
of
any
such
low
and
levelling
upstart
—
had
borrowed
a
house
in
Brook
Street
,
Grosvenor
Square
,
from
a
stately
relative
(
one
of
the
Feenix
brood
)
,
who
was
out
of
town
,
and
who
did
not
object
to
lending
it
,
in
the
handsomest
manner
,
for
nuptial
purposes
,
as
the
loan
implied
his
final
release
and
acquittance
from
all
further
loans
and
gifts
to
Mrs.
Skewton
and
her
daughter
.
It
being
necessary
for
the
credit
of
the
family
to
make
a
handsome
appearance
at
such
a
time
,
Mrs.
Skewton
,
with
the
assistance
of
an
accommodating
tradesman
resident
in
the
parish
of
Mary-le-bone
,
who
lent
out
all
sorts
of
articles
to
the
nobility
and
gentry
,
from
a
service
of
plate
to
an
army
of
foot-men
,
clapped
into
this
house
a
silver-headed
butler
(
who
was
charged
extra
on
that
account
,
as
having
the
appearance
of
an
ancient
family
retainer
)
,
two
very
tall
young
men
in
livery
,
and
a
select
staff
of
kitchen-servants
;
so
that
a
legend
arose
,
downstairs
,
that
Withers
the
page
,
released
at
once
from
his
numerous
household
duties
,
and
from
the
propulsion
of
the
wheeled-chair
(
inconsistent
with
the
metropolis
)
,
had
been
several
times
observed
to
rub
his
eyes
and
pinch
his
limbs
,
as
if
he
misdoubted
his
having
overslept
himself
at
the
Leamington
milkman
's
,
and
being
still
in
a
celestial
dream
.
A
variety
of
requisites
in
plate
and
china
being
also
conveyed
to
the
same
establishment
from
the
same
convenient
source
,
with
several
miscellaneous
articles
,
including
a
neat
chariot
and
a
pair
of
bays
,
Mrs.
Skewton
cushioned
herself
on
the
principal
sofa
,
in
the
Cleopatra
attitude
,
and
held
her
court
in
fair
state
.
`
And
how
,
´
said
Mr.
Skewton
,
on
the
entrance
of
her
daughter
and
her
charge
,
`
is
my
charming
Florence
?
You
must
come
and
kiss
me
,
Florence
,
if
you
please
,
my
love
.
´
Florence
was
timidly
stooping
to
pick
out
a
place
in
the
white
part
of
Mrs.
Skewton
's
face
,
when
that
lady
presented
her
ear
,
and
relieved
her
of
her
difficulty
.
`
Edith
,
my
dear
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
`
positively
,
I
—
stand
a
little
more
in
the
light
,
my
sweetest
Florence
,
for
a
moment
.
´
Florence
blushingly
complied
.
`
You
do
n't
remember
,
dearest
Edith
,
´
said
her
mother
,
`
what
you
were
when
you
were
about
the
same
age
as
our
exceedingly
precious
Florence
,
or
a
few
years
younger
?
´
`
I
have
long
forgotten
,
mother
.
´
`
For
positively
,
my
dear
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
`
I
do
think
that
I
see
a
decided
resemblance
to
what
you
were
then
,
in
our
extremely
fascinating
young
friend
.
And
it
shows
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
in
a
lower
voice
,
which
conveyed
her
opinion
that
Florence
was
in
a
very
unfinished
state
,
`
what
cultivation
will
do
.
´
`
It
does
,
indeed
,
´
was
Edith
's
stern
reply
.
Her
mother
eyed
her
sharply
for
a
moment
,
and
feeling
herself
on
unsafe
ground
,
said
,
as
a
diversion
:
`
My
charming
Florence
,
you
must
come
and
kiss
me
once
more
,
if
you
please
,
my
love
.
´
Florence
complied
,
of
course
,
and
again
imprinted
her
lips
or
Mrs.
Skewton
's
ear
.
`
And
you
have
heard
,
no
doubt
,
my
darling
pet
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
detaining
her
hand
,
`
that
your
Papa
,
whom
we
all
perfectly
adore
and
dote
upon
,
is
to
be
married
to
my
dearest
Edith
this
day
week
.
´
`
I
knew
it
would
be
very
soon
,
´
returned
Florence
,
`
but
not
exactly
when
.
´
`
My
darling
Edith
,
´
urged
her
mother
,
gaily
,
`
is
it
possible
you
have
not
told
Florence
?
´
`
Why
should
I
tell
Florence
?
´
She
returned
,
so
suddenly
and
harshly
,
that
Florence
could
scarcely
believe
it
was
the
same
voice
.
Mrs.
Skewton
then
told
Florence
,
as
another
and
safer
diversion
,
that
her
father
was
coming
to
dinner
,
and
that
he
would
no
doubt
be
charmingly
surprised
to
see
her
;
as
he
had
spoken
last
night
of
dressing
in
the
City
,
and
had
known
nothing
of
Edith
's
design
,
the
execution
of
which
,
according
to
Mrs.
Skewton
's
expectation
,
would
throw
him
into
a
perfect
ecstasy
.
Florence
was
troubled
to
hear
this
;
and
her
distress
became
so
keen
,
as
the
dinner-hour
approached
,
that
if
she
had
known
how
to
frame
an
entreaty
to
be
suffered
to
return
home
,
without
involving
her
father
in
her
explanation
,
she
would
have
hurried
back
on
foot
,
bareheaded
,
breathless
,
and
alone
,
rather
than
incur
the
risk
of
meeting
his
displeasure
.
As
the
time
drew
nearer
,
she
could
hardly
breathe
.
She
dared
not
approach
a
window
,
lest
he
should
see
her
from
the
street
.
She
dared
not
go
up
stairs
to
hide
her
emotion
,
lest
,
in
passing
out
at
the
door
,
she
should
meet
him
unexpectedly
;
besides
which
dread
,
she
left
as
though
she
never
could
come
back
again
if
she
were
summoned
to
his
presence
.
In
this
conflict
of
fears
,
she
was
sitting
by
Cleopatra
's
couch
,
endeavouring
to
understand
and
to
reply
to
the
bald
discourse
of
that
lady
,
when
she
heard
his
foot
upon
the
stair
.
`
I
hear
him
now
!
´
cried
Florence
,
starting
.
`
He
is
coming
!
´
Cleopatra
,
who
in
her
juvenility
was
always
playfully
disposed
,
and
who
in
her
self-engrossment
did
not
trouble
herself
about
the
nature
of
this
agitation
,
pushed
Florence
behind
her
couch
,
and
dropped
a
shawl
over
her
,
preparatory
to
giving
Mr.
Dombey
a
rapture
of
surprise
.
It
was
so
quickly
done
,
that
in
a
moment
Florence
heard
his
awful
step
in
the
room
.
He
saluted
his
intended
mother-in-law
,
and
his
intended
bride
.
The
strange
sound
of
his
voice
thrilled
through
the
whole
frame
of
his
child
.
`
My
dear
Dombey
,
´
said
Cleopatra
,
`
come
here
and
tell
me
how
your
pretty
Florence
is
.
´
`
Florence
is
very
well
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
advancing
towards
the
couch
.
`
At
home
?
´
`
At
home
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
My
dear
Dombey
,
´
returned
Cleopatra
,
with
bewitching
vivacity
;
`
now
are
you
sure
you
are
not
deceiving
me
?
I
do
n't
know
what
my
dearest
Edith
will
say
to
me
when
I
make
such
a
declaration
,
but
upon
my
honour
I
am
afraid
you
are
the
falsest
of
men
,
my
dear
Dombey
.
´
Though
he
had
been
;
and
had
been
detected
on
the
spot
,
in
the
most
enormous
falsehood
that
was
ever
said
or
done
;
he
could
hardly
have
been
more
disconcerted
than
he
was
,
when
Mrs.
Skewton
plucked
the
shawl
away
,
and
Florence
,
pale
and
trembling
,
rose
before
him
like
a
ghost
.
He
had
not
yet
recovered
his
presence
of
mind
,
when
Florence
had
run
up
to
him
,
clasped
her
hands
round
his
neck
,
kissed
his
face
,
and
hurried
out
of
the
room
.
He
looked
round
as
if
to
refer
the
matter
to
somebody
else
,
but
Edith
had
gone
after
Florence
,
instantly
.
`
Now
,
confess
,
my
dear
Dombey
,
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
giving
him
her
hand
,
`
that
you
never
were
more
surprised
and
pleased
in
your
life
.
´
`
I
never
was
more
surprised
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
Nor
pleased
,
my
dearest
Dombey
?
´
returned
Mrs.
Skewton
,
holding
up
her
fan
.
`
I
—
yes
,
I
am
exceedingly
glad
to
meet
Florence
here
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
.
He
appeared
to
consider
gravely
about
it
for
a
moment
,
and
then
said
,
more
decidedly
,
`
Yes
,
I
really
am
very
glad
indeed
to
meet
Florence
here
.
´
`
You
wonder
how
she
comes
here
?
´
said
Mrs.
Skewton
,
`
do
n't
you
?
´
`
Edith
,
perhaps
—
´
suggested
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
Ah
!
wicked
guesser
!
´
replied
Cleopatra
,
shaking
her
head
.
`
Ah
!
cunning
,
cunning
man
!
One
should
n't
tell
these
things
;
your
sex
,
my
dear
Dombey
,
are
so
vain
,
and
so
apt
to
abuse
our
weaknesses
;
but
you
know
my
open
soul
—
very
well
;
immediately
.
´
This
was
addressed
to
one
of
the
very
tall
young
men
who
announced
dinner
.
`
But
Edith
,
my
dear
Dombey
,
´
she
continued
in
a
whisper
,
`
when
she
cannot
have
you
near
her
—
and
as
I
tell
her
,
she
cannot
expect
that
always
—
will
at
least
have
near
her
something
or
somebody
belonging
to
you
.
Well
,
how
extremely
natural
that
is
!
And
in
this
spirit
,
nothing
would
keep
her
from
riding
off
to-day
to
fetch
our
darling
Florence
.
Well
,
how
excessively
charming
that
is
!
´
As
she
waited
for
an
answer
,
Mr.
Dombey
answered
,
`
Eminently
so
.
´
`
Bless
you
,
my
dear
Dombey
,
for
that
proof
of
heart
!
´
cried
Cleopatra
,
squeezing
his
hand
.
`
But
I
am
growing
too
serious
!
Take
me
down
stairs
,
like
an
angel
,
and
let
us
see
what
these
people
intend
to
give
us
for
dinner
.
Bless
you
,
dear
Dombey
!
´
Cleopatra
skipping
off
her
couch
with
tolerable
briskness
,
after
the
last
benediction
,
Mr.
Dombey
took
her
arm
in
his
and
led
her
ceremoniously
down
stairs
;
one
of
the
very
tall
young
men
on
hire
,
whose
organ
of
veneration
was
imperfectly
developed
,
thrusting
his
tongue
into
his
cheek
,
for
the
entertainment
of
the
other
very
tall
young
man
on
hire
,
as
the
couple
turned
into
the
dining-room
.
Florence
and
Edith
were
already
there
,
and
sitting
side
by
side
.
Florence
would
have
risen
when
her
father
entered
,
to
resign
her
chair
to
him
;
but
Edith
openly
put
her
hand
upon
her
arm
,
and
Mr.
Dombey
took
an
opposite
place
at
the
round
table
.
The
conversation
was
almost
entirely
sustained
by
Mrs.
Skewton
.
Florence
hardly
dared
to
raise
her
eyes
,
lest
they
should
reveal
the
traces
of
tears
;
far
less
dared
to
speak
;
and
Edith
never
uttered
one
word
,
unless
in
answer
to
a
question
.
Verily
,
Cleopatra
worked
hard
,
for
the
establishment
that
was
so
nearly
clutched
;
and
verily
it
should
have
been
a
rich
one
to
reward
her
!
`
And
so
your
preparations
are
nearly
finished
at
last
,
my
dear
Dombey
?
´
said
Cleopatra
,
when
the
dessert
was
put
upon
the
table
,
and
the
silver-headed
butler
had
withdrawn
.
`
Even
the
lawyers
´
preparations
!
´
`
Yes
,
madam
,
´
replied
Mr.
Dombey
;
`
the
deed
of
settlement
,
the
professional
gentlemen
inform
me
,
is
now
ready
,
and
as
I
was
mentioning
to
you
,
Edith
has
only
to
do
us
the
favour
to
suggest
her
own
time
for
its
execution
.
´
Edith
sat
like
a
handsome
statue
;
as
cold
,
as
silent
,
and
as
still
.
`
My
dearest
love
,
´
said
Cleopatra
,
`
do
you
hear
what
Mr.
Dombey
says
?
Ah
,
my
dear
Dombey
!
´
aside
to
that
gentleman
,
`
how
her
absence
,
as
the
time
approaches
,
reminds
me
of
the
days
,
when
that
most
agreeable
of
creatures
,
her
papa
,
was
in
your
situation
!
´
`
I
have
nothing
to
suggest
.
It
shall
be
when
you
please
,
´
said
Edith
,
scarcely
looking
over
the
table
at
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
To-morrow
?
´
suggested
Mr.
Dombey
.
`
If
you
please
.
´
`
Or
would
next
day
,
´
said
Mr.
Dombey
,
`
suit
your
engagements
better
?
´
`
I
have
no
engagements
.
I
am
always
at
your
disposal
.
Let
it
be
when
you
like
.
`
No
engagements
,
my
dear
Edith
!
´
remonstrated
her
mother
,
`
when
you
are
in
a
most
terrible
state
of
flurry
all
day
long
,
and
have
a
thousand
and
one
appointments
with
all
sorts
of
tradespeople
!
´
`
They
are
of
your
making
,
´
returned
Edith
,
turning
on
her
with
a
slight
contraction
of
her
brow
.
`
You
and
Mr.
Dombey
can
arrange
between
you
.
´
`
Very
true
indeed
,
my
love
,
and
most
considerate
of
you
!
´
said
Cleopatra
.
`
My
darling
Florence
,
you
must
really
come
and
kiss
me
once
more
,
if
you
please
,
my
dear
!
´
Singular
coincidence
,
that
these
gushes
of
interest
in
Florence
hurried
Cleopatra
away
from
almost
every
dialogue
in
which
Edith
had
a
share
,
however
trifling
!
Florence
had
certainly
never
undergone
so
much
embracing
,
and
perhaps
had
never
been
,
unconsciously
,
so
useful
in
her
life
.
Mr.
Dombey
was
far
from
quarrelling
,
in
his
own
breast
,
with
the
manner
of
his
beautiful
betrothed
.
He
had
that
good
reason
for
sympathy
with
haughtiness
and
coldness
,
which
is
found
in
a
fellow-feeling
.
It
flattered
him
to
think
how
these
deferred
to
him
,
in
Edith
's
case
,
and
