I sat between them, at my dear girl's side, and felt very melancholy listening to her sweet voice.


I think Richard did too; I think he darkened the room for that reason.


She had been singing some time, rising between whiles to bend over him and speak to him, when Mr. Woodcourt came in.

She had been singing some time when Mr. Woodcourt came in.


Then he sat down by Richard and half playfully, half earnestly, quite naturally and easily, found out how he felt and where he had been all day.

He sat down by Richard and half playfully, half earnestly, quite naturally and easily, found out how he felt and where he had been all day.


Presently he proposed to accompany him in a short walk on one of the bridges, as it was a moonlight airy night; and Richard readily consenting, they went out together.

Presently he proposed to accompany him in a short walk, as it was a moonlight airy night; and they went out together.


They left my dear girl still sitting at the piano and me still sitting beside her.

They left my dear girl sitting at the piano with me beside her.


When they were gone out, I drew my arm round her waist.


She put her left hand in mine (I was sitting on that side), but kept her right upon the keys, going over and over them without striking any note.

She put her left hand in mine, but kept her right upon the keys, without striking any note.


"Esther, my dearest," she said, breaking silence, "Richard is never so well and I am never so easy about him as when he is with Allan Woodcourt.

"Esther, my dearest," she said, "Richard is never so well as when he is with Allan Woodcourt.


I pointed out to my darling how this could scarcely be, because Mr. Woodcourt had come to her cousin John's house and had known us all there, and because he had always liked Richard, and Richard had always liked him, and--and so forth.

I pointed out how this could scarcely be, because Mr. Woodcourt had always liked Richard, and Richard had always liked him.


"All true," said Ada, "but that he is such a devoted friend to us we owe to you."

"True," said Ada, "but that he is such a devoted friend to us we owe to you."


I thought it best to let my dear girl have her way and to say no more about it.

I thought it best to say no more about it.


I said it lightly, because I felt her trembling.


"Esther, my dearest, I want to be a good wife, a very, very good wife indeed.

"Esther, my dearest, I want to be a good wife.


I said no more, for I noticed the hand that was fluttering over the keys, and I knew that it was not I who ought to speak, that it was she who had something to say to me.

I said no more, for I noticed the hand that was fluttering over the keys, and I knew she had something more to say to me.


"When I married Richard I was not insensible to what was before him.

"When I married Richard I was aware of what was before him.


I had been perfectly happy for a long time with you, and I had never known any trouble or anxiety, so loved and cared for, but I understood the danger he was in, dear Esther."

I had never known any trouble or anxiety, but I understood the danger he was in, dear Esther."


"When we were married I had some little hope that I might be able to convince him of his mistake, that he might come to regard it in a new way as my husband and not pursue it all the more desperately for my sake--as he does.

"When we were married I hoped that I might be able to convince him of his mistake, that he might not pursue it all the more desperately for my sake.


But if I had not had that hope, I would have married him just the same, Esther.

But if I had not had that hope, I would have married him just the same!


In the momentary firmness of the hand that was never still--a firmness inspired by the utterance of these last words, and dying away with them--I saw the confirmation of her earnest tones.


"You are not to think, my dearest Esther, that I fail to see what you see and fear what you fear.

My dearest Esther, I see what you see and fear what you fear.


No one can understand him better than I do.


The greatest wisdom that ever lived in the world could scarcely know Richard better than my love does."


She spoke so modestly and softly and her trembling hand expressed such agitation as it moved to and fro upon the silent notes!


But when I married Richard I was quite determined, Esther, if heaven would help me, never to show him that I grieved for what he did and so to make him more unhappy.

But when I married Richard I was quite determined, Esther, if heaven would help me, never to show him that I grieved for what he did and so make him more unhappy.


I want him, when he comes home, to find no trouble in my face.

I want him to find no trouble in my face.


I want him, when he looks at me, to see what he loved in me.


I married him to do this, and this supports me."


I waited for what was yet to come, and I now thought I began to know what it was.


"And something else supports me, Esther."


Stopped speaking only; her hand was still in motion.


"I look forward a little while, and I don't know what great aid may come to me.

"In a little while, I don't know what great aid may come to me.


When Richard turns his eyes upon me then, there may be something lying on my breast more eloquent than I have been, with greater power than mine to show him his true course and win him back."

When Richard turns his eyes upon me then, there may be something lying on my breast with greater power than mine to show him his true course and win him back."


She clasped me in her arms, and I clasped her in mine.


"If that little creature should fail too, Esther, I still look forward.


I look forward a long while, through years and years, and think that then, when I am growing old, or when I am dead perhaps, a beautiful woman, his daughter, happily married, may be proud of him and a blessing to him.

"I look forward through years and years, Esther, and think that a beautiful daughter may be a blessing to him.


Or that a generous brave man, as handsome as he used to be, as hopeful, and far more happy, may walk in the sunshine with him, honouring his grey head and saying to himself, 'I thank God this is my father!

Or that a generous brave man, as handsome as he used to be, as hopeful, and far more happy, may walk in the sunshine with him, honouring his grey head!"


Ruined by a fatal inheritance, and restored through me!'"


Oh, my sweet girl, what a heart was that which beat so fast against me!


"These hopes uphold me, my dear Esther, and I know they will.


Though sometimes even they depart from me before a dread that arises when I look at Richard."

- though sometimes even they depart before a dread that arises when I look at Richard."


I tried to cheer my darling, and asked her what it was.


Sobbing and weeping, she replied, "That he may not live to see his child."


From the verdant undulations and the spreading oaks of the Dedlock property, Mr. Tulkinghorn transfers himself to the stale heat and dust of London.

From the spreading oaks of the Dedlock property, Mr. Tulkinghorn transfers himself to the stale heat and dust of London.

Chapter 42: In Mr. Tulkinghorn's Chambers


His manner of coming and going between the two places is one of his impenetrabilities.

His manner of coming and going between the two places is a mystery.


He walks into Chesney Wold as if it were next door to his chambers and returns to his chambers as if he had never been out of Lincoln's Inn Fields.


He neither changes his dress before the journey nor talks of it afterwards.


He melted out of his turret-room this morning, just as now, in the late twilight, he melts into his own square.


Like a dingy London bird among the birds at roost in these pleasant fields, where the sheep are all made into parchment, the goats into wigs, and the pasture into chaff, the lawyer, smoke-dried and faded, dwelling among mankind but not consorting with them, aged without experience of genial youth, and so long used to make his cramped nest in holes and corners of human nature that he has forgotten its broader and better range, comes sauntering home.

Like a dingy London bird, the lawyer, smoke-dried and faded, dwelling among mankind but not consorting with them, aged without experience of genial youth, comes sauntering home.


In the oven made by the hot pavements and hot buildings, he has baked himself dryer than usual; and he has in his thirsty mind his mellowed port-wine half a century old.

In the oven made by the hot pavements and hot buildings, he is dryer than usual; and he has in his thirsty mind his mellowed port-wine half a century old.


The lamplighter is skipping up and down his ladder on Mr. Tulkinghorn's side of the Fields when that high-priest of noble mysteries arrives at his own dull court-yard.

The lamplighter is skipping up and down his ladder on Mr. Tulkinghorn's side of the Fields when the lawyer ascends his door-steps.


He ascends the door-steps and is gliding into the dusky hall when he encounters, on the top step, a bowing and propitiatory little man.

Gliding into the dusky hall he encounters a bowing and propitiatory little man.


I was just giving you up, sir, and going home."


"Well, sir," says Mr. Snagsby, holding his hat at the side of his head in his deference towards his best customer, "I was wishful to say a word to you, sir."


The lawyer turns, leans his arms on the iron railing at the top of the steps, and looks at the lamplighter lighting the court-yard.


"It is relating," says Mr. Snagsby in a mysterious low voice, "it is relating--not to put too fine a point upon it--to the foreigner, sir!"

"It is relating," says Mr. Snagsby in a mysterious low voice, "to the foreigner, sir!"


Mr. Tulkinghorn eyes him with some surprise.


I am not acquainted with that language myself, but I should judge from her manners and appearance that she was French; anyways, certainly foreign.


Her that was upstairs, sir, when Mr. Bucket and me had the honour of waiting upon you with the sweeping-boy that night."

Her that was upstairs, sir, when Mr. Bucket and me had the honour of meeting you with the sweeping-boy that night."


Mr. Snagsby coughs his cough of submission behind his hat.


"I am not acquainted myself with the names of foreigners in general, but I have no doubt it WOULD be that."


Mr. Snagsby appears to have set out in this reply with some desperate design of repeating the name, but on reflection coughs again to excuse himself.


"And what can you have to say, Snagsby," demands Mr. Tulkinghorn, "about her?"


"Well, sir," returns the stationer, shading his communication with his hat, "it falls a little hard upon me.

"Well, sir," returns the stationer, "it falls a little hard upon me.


My domestic happiness is very great--at least, it's as great as can be expected, I'm sure--but my little woman is rather given to jealousy.

My domestic happiness is very great, but my little woman is rather given to jealousy.


Not to put too fine a point upon it, she is very much given to jealousy.


And you see, a foreign female of that genteel appearance coming into the shop, and hovering--I should be the last to make use of a strong expression if I could avoid it, but hovering, sir--in the court--you know it is--now ain't it?

And you see, a foreign female of that genteel appearance coming into the shop, and hovering, sir - in the court - you know it is - now ain't it?


Mr. Snagsby, having said this in a very plaintive manner, throws in a cough of general application to fill up all the blanks.

Mr. Snagsby says this in a very plaintive manner.


"Just so, sir," returns Mr. Snagsby; "I was sure you would feel it yourself and would excuse the reasonableness of MY feelings when coupled with the known excitableness of my little woman.


You see, the foreign female--which you mentioned her name just now, with quite a native sound I am sure--caught up the word Snagsby that night, being uncommon quick, and made inquiry, and got the direction and come at dinner-time.

"You see, sir, the foreign female caught up the word Snagsby that night, and made inquiry, and got the address and come at dinner-time.


Now Guster, our young woman, is timid and has fits, and she, taking fright at the foreigner's looks--which are fierce--and at a grinding manner that she has of speaking--which is calculated to alarm a weak mind--gave way to it, instead of bearing up against it, and tumbled down the kitchen stairs out of one into another, such fits as I do sometimes think are never gone into, or come out of, in any house but ours.

Now Guster, our young woman, is timid and has fits, and she, taking fright at the foreigner's looks - which are fierce - tumbled down the kitchen stairs.


Consequently there was by good fortune ample occupation for my little woman, and only me to answer the shop.

Consequently there was luckily ample occupation for my little woman, and only me to answer the shop.


When she DID say that Mr. Tulkinghorn, being always denied to her by his employer (which I had no doubt at the time was a foreign mode of viewing a clerk), she would do herself the pleasure of continually calling at my place until she was let in here.

When the foreigner said that because she was always refused admission to see Mr. Tulkinghorn, she would call continually until she was let in here.


Since then she has been, as I began by saying, hovering, hovering, sir"--Mr. Snagsby repeats the word with pathetic emphasis--"in the court.

Since then she has been, as I said, hovering, sir" - Mr. Snagsby repeats the word with pathetic emphasis - "in the court.


The effects of which movement it is impossible to calculate.


I shouldn't wonder if it might have already given rise to the painfullest mistakes even in the neighbours' minds, not mentioning (if such a thing was possible) my little woman.

I shouldn't wonder if it might have already given rise to the painfullest mistakes in the neighbours' minds, not to mention my little woman, sir!"


Whereas, goodness knows," says Mr. Snagsby, shaking his head, "I never had an idea of a foreign female, except as being formerly connected with a bunch of brooms and a baby, or at the present time with a tambourine and earrings.


Mr. Tulkinghorn had listened gravely to this complaint and inquires when the stationer has finished, "And that's all, is it, Snagsby?"

Mr. Tulkinghorn has listened gravely. "And that's all, is it, Snagsby?"


"Why yes, sir, that's all," says Mr. Snagsby, ending with a cough that plainly adds, "and it's enough too--for me."


"I don't know what Mademoiselle Hortense may want or mean, unless she is mad," says the lawyer.


"Even if she was, you know, sir," Mr. Snagsby pleads, "it wouldn't be a consolation to have some weapon or another in the form of a foreign dagger planted in the family."


I am sorry you have been inconvenienced.


Mr. Snagsby, with much bowing and short apologetic coughing, takes his leave, lightened in heart.

Mr. Snagsby, with much bowing, takes his leave, lightened in heart.


Mr. Tulkinghorn goes upstairs, saying to himself, "These women were created to give trouble the whole earth over.


The mistress not being enough to deal with, here's the maid now!


But I will be short with THIS jade at least!"

But I will be short with this jade at least!"


So saying, he unlocks his door, gropes his way into his murky rooms, lights his candles, and looks about him.

So saying, Mr. Tulkinghorn unlocks his door, gropes his way into his murky rooms and lights his candles.


It is too dark to see much of the Allegory overhead there, but that importunate Roman, who is for ever toppling out of the clouds and pointing, is at his old work pretty distinctly.


Not honouring him with much attention, Mr. Tulkinghorn takes a small key from his pocket, unlocks a drawer in which there is another key, which unlocks a chest in which there is another, and so comes to the cellar-key, with which he prepares to descend to the regions of old wine.

Then he takes up his cellar-key, with which he prepares to descend to the regions of old wine.


He is going towards the door with a candle in his hand when a knock comes.


He stands the candle on the chimney-piece in the clerk's hall and taps his dry cheek with the key as he addresses these words of welcome to Mademoiselle Hortense.

He addresses these words to Mademoiselle Hortense.


That feline personage, with her lips tightly shut and her eyes looking out at him sideways, softly closes the door before replying.

That feline personage softly closes the door before replying.


"I have had great deal of trouble to find you, sir."


It has always been said to me, he is not at home, he is engage, he is this and that, he is not for you."


At times there is a suddenness in the manner of Mademoiselle Hortense so like a bodily spring upon the subject of it that such subject involuntarily starts and fails back.

Mr. Tulkinghorn involuntarily starts and falls back


It is Mr. Tulkinghorn's case at present, though Mademoiselle Hortense, with her eyes almost shut up (but still looking out sideways), is only smiling contemptuously and shaking her head.

, though Mademoiselle Hortense, with her eyes almost shut, is only smiling contemptuously and shaking her head.


"Now, mistress," says the lawyer, tapping the key hastily upon the chimney-piece.


"If you have anything to say, say it, say it."


returns the lawyer, rubbing his nose with the key.


You have attrapped me--catched me--to give you information; you have asked me to show you the dress of mine my Lady must have wore that night, you have prayed me to come in it here to meet that boy.

You have attrapped me - catched me - to give you information; you have asked me to show you the dress of mine my Lady must have wore that night, you have prayed me to come in it here to meet that boy.


Mademoiselle Hortense makes another spring.


Mr. Tulkinghorn seems to meditate as he looks distrustfully at her, then he replies, "Well, wench, well.

Mr. Tulkinghorn looks distrustfully at her.


I have not change them, I re-fuse them, I des-pise them, I throw them from me!"

I refuse them, I despise them, I throw them from me!"


Which she literally does, taking them out of her bosom as she speaks and flinging them with such violence on the floor that they jerk up again into the light before they roll away into corners and slowly settle down there after spinning vehemently.

Which she does, flinging them with such violence on the floor that they spin vehemently before rolling away into corners.


says Mademoiselle Hortense, darkening her large eyes again.


Mr. Tulkinghorn rubs his head with the key while she entertains herself with a sarcastic laugh.


"You must be rich, my fair friend," he composedly observes, "to throw money about in that way!"


"Because you have known it perfectly before you prayed me to give you that information.


Because you have known perfectly that I was en-r-r-r-raged!"


It appears impossible for mademoiselle to roll the letter "r" sufficiently in this word, notwithstanding that she assists her energetic delivery by clenching both her hands and setting all her teeth.


says Mr. Tulkinghorn, examining the wards of the key.


You have made sure of me because you knew that.


Mademoiselle Hortense folds her arms and throws this last remark at him over one of her shoulders.


"Having said this, have you anything else to say, mademoiselle?"

"Have you anything else to say, mademoiselle?"


If you cannot, or do not choose to do that, employ me to pursue her, to chase her, to disgrace and to dishonour her.

If you cannot, then employ me to pursue her, to disgrace and to dishonour her.


I will help you well, and with a good will.


"You appear to know a good deal," Mr. Tulkinghorn retorts.


Is it that I am so weak as to believe, like a child, that I come here in that dress to rec-eive that boy only to decide a little bet, a wager?

"I am not so weak as to believe, like a child, that I come here in that dress only to decide a little bet, a wager!"


In this reply, down to the word "wager" inclusive, mademoiselle has been ironically polite and tender, then as suddenly dashed into the bitterest and most defiant scorn, with her black eyes in one and the same moment very nearly shut and staringly wide open.

Mademoiselle says this with bitterest and most defiant scorn.


"Now, let us see," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, tapping his chin with the key and looking imperturbably at her, "how this matter stands."

"Now, let us see," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, tapping his chin with the cellar-key, "how this matter stands.


Let us see," mademoiselle assents, with many angry and tight nods of her head.


"You come here to make a remarkably modest demand, which you have just stated, and it not being conceded, you will come again."

You come here to make a remarkably modest demand, and if it is not conceded, you will come again."


"And again," says mademoiselle with more tight and angry nods.


"And not only here, but you will go to Mr. Snagsby's too, perhaps?"


That visit not succeeding either, you will go again perhaps?"


"And again," repeats mademoiselle, cataleptic with determination.


Now, Mademoiselle Hortense, let me recommend you to take the candle and pick up that money of yours.

Now, Mademoiselle Hortense, let me recommend you to pick up that money of yours."


I think you will find it behind the clerk's partition in the corner yonder."


She merely throws a laugh over her shoulder and stands her ground with folded arms.

She merely laughs and stands her ground with folded arms.


"So much the poorer you; so much the richer I!


Look, mistress, this is the key of my wine-cellar.


It is a large key, but the keys of prisons are larger.


In this city there are houses of correction (where the treadmills are, for women), the gates of which are very strong and heavy, and no doubt the keys too.

, and their gates are very strong and heavy.


I am afraid a lady of your spirit and activity would find it an inconvenience to have one of those keys turned upon her for any length of time.

I am afraid you would find it an inconvenience to have one of those keys turned upon you for any length of time.


"I think," mademoiselle replies without any action and in a clear, obliging voice, "that you are a miserable wretch."

"I think," mademoiselle replies in a clear voice, "that you are a miserable wretch."


"Probably," returns Mr. Tulkinghorn, quietly blowing his nose.


"But I don't ask what you think of myself; I ask what you think of the prison."


"Why, it matters this much, mistress," says the lawyer, deliberately putting away his handkerchief and adjusting his frill; "the law is so despotic here that it interferes to prevent any of our good English citizens from being troubled, even by a lady's visits against his desire.

"Why, mistress, the law in England interferes to prevent any of our good English citizens from being troubled, even by a lady's visits.


And on his complaining that he is so troubled, it takes hold of the troublesome lady and shuts her up in prison under hard discipline.

And on his complaining that he is so troubled, it takes hold of the troublesome lady and shuts her up in prison.


returns mademoiselle in the same pleasant voice.


But--my faith!--still what does it matter to me?"


"My fair friend," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, "make another visit here, or at Mr. Snagsby's, and you shall learn."

"My fair friend," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, "make another visit here, and you shall learn.


"In that case you will send me to the prison, perhaps?"


It would be contradictory for one in mademoiselle's state of agreeable jocularity to foam at the mouth, otherwise a tigerish expansion thereabouts might look as if a very little more would make her do it.


"In a word, mistress," says Mr. Tulkinghorn, "I am sorry to be unpolite, but if you ever present yourself uninvited here--or there--again, I will give you over to the police.

If you ever present yourself uninvited here again, I will hand you over to the police.


Their gallantry is great, but they carry troublesome people through the streets in an ignominious manner, strapped down on a board, my good wench."

They carry troublesome people through the streets strapped down on a board, my good wench."


"I will prove you," whispers mademoiselle, stretching out her hand, "I will try if you dare to do it!"

"I will test you," whispers mademoiselle. "I will see if you dare to do it!"


"And if," pursues the lawyer without minding her, "I place you in that good condition of being locked up in jail, it will be some time before you find yourself at liberty again."


"I will prove you," repeats mademoiselle in her former whisper.


"And now," proceeds the lawyer, still without minding her, "you had better go.

"And now," proceeds the lawyer, without minding her, "you had better go.


Think twice before you come here again."


"Think you," she answers, "twice two hundred times!"


"You were dismissed by your lady, you know," Mr. Tulkinghorn observes, following her out upon the staircase, "as the most implacable and unmanageable of women.

You were dismissed by your lady, you know, as the most unmanageable of women.


Now turn over a new leaf and take warning by what I say to you.


For what I say, I mean; and what I threaten, I will do, mistress."

For what I say, I mean; and what I threaten, I will do."


She goes down without answering or looking behind her.

She goes out and down the stairs without answering.


When she is gone, he goes down too, and returning with his cobweb-covered bottle, devotes himself to a leisurely enjoyment of its contents, now and then, as he throws his head back in his chair, catching sight of the pertinacious Roman pointing from the ceiling.

When she is gone, he goes down too, and returning with his cobweb-covered bottle, sits back in his chair, and devotes himself to a leisurely enjoyment of its contents.


As soon as Richard and I had held the conversation of which I have given an account, Richard communicated the state of his mind to Mr. Jarndyce.

As soon as Richard and I had talked together, Richard communicated the state of his mind to Mr. Jarndyce.


I doubt if my guardian were altogether taken by surprise when he received the representation, though it caused him much uneasiness and disappointment.

I doubt if my guardian were taken by surprise, though the news made him uneasy and disappointed.


He and Richard were often closeted together, late at night and early in the morning, and passed whole days in London, and had innumerable appointments with Mr. Kenge, and laboured through a quantity of disagreeable business.

He and Richard were often closeted together, and had innumerable appointments with Mr. Kenge, and laboured through a quantity of disagreeable business.


While they were thus employed, my guardian, though he underwent considerable inconvenience from the state of the wind and rubbed his head so constantly that not a single hair upon it ever rested in its right place, was as genial with Ada and me as at any other time, but maintained a steady reserve on these matters.

While they were thus employed, my guardian, though he suffered from the state of the wind and rubbed his head constantly, was as genial with Ada and me as at any other time, but did not speak.


And as our utmost endeavours could only elicit from Richard himself sweeping assurances that everything was going on capitally and that it really was all right at last, our anxiety was not much relieved by him.

And since Richard would only say that everything was going on capitally and that it really was all right at last, our anxiety was not much relieved by him.


We learnt, however, as the time went on, that a new application was made to the Lord Chancellor on Richard's behalf as an infant and a ward, and I don't know what, and that there was a quantity of talking, and that the Lord Chancellor described him in open court as a vexatious and capricious infant, and that the matter was adjourned and readjourned, and referred, and reported on, and petitioned about until Richard began to doubt (as he told us) whether, if he entered the army at all, it would not be as a veteran of seventy or eighty years of age.

We learnt, however, as the time went on, that a new application was made to the Lord Chancellor on Richard's behalf as a ward, and that there was a quantity of talking, and that the Lord Chancellor described him in open court as a vexatious and capricious infant. The matter was adjourned and referred until Richard began to doubt whether he would enter the army before the age of seventy.


At last an appointment was made for him to see the Lord Chancellor again in his private room, and there the Lord Chancellor very seriously reproved him for trifling with time and not knowing his mind--"a pretty good joke, I think," said Richard, "from that quarter!"


--and at last it was settled that his application should be granted.

; but it was settled that his application should be granted.


His name was entered at the Horse Guards as an applicant for an ensign's commission; the purchase-money was deposited at an agent's; and Richard, in his usual characteristic way, plunged into a violent course of military study and got up at five o'clock every morning to practise the broadsword exercise.

His name was entered at the Horse Guards as an applicant for an ensign's commission; the purchase-money was paid; and Richard, in his characteristic way, plunged into a violent course of military study and got up at five o'clock every morning to practise the broadsword exercise.


Thus, vacation succeeded term, and term succeeded vacation.


We sometimes heard of Jarndyce and Jarndyce as being in the paper or out of the paper, or as being to be mentioned, or as being to be spoken to; and it came on, and it went off.

We sometimes heard of Jarndyce and Jarndyce; the case came on, and it went off.


Richard, who was now in a professor's house in London, was able to be with us less frequently than before; my guardian still maintained the same reserve; and so time passed until the commission was obtained and Richard received directions with it to join a regiment in Ireland.

Richard, who was now in an instructor's house in London, was able to be with us less frequently than before; and so time passed until the commission was obtained and Richard received directions to join a regiment in Ireland.


He arrived post-haste with the intelligence one evening, and had a long conference with my guardian.

He arrived with the news one evening, and had a long conference with my guardian.


Upwards of an hour elapsed before my guardian put his head into the room where Ada and I were sitting and said, "Come in, my dears!"

After an hour my guardian put his head into the room where Ada and I were sitting and said, "Come in, my dears!"


We went in and found Richard, whom we had last seen in high spirits, leaning on the chimney-piece looking mortified and angry.


"Rick and I, Ada," said Mr. Jarndyce, "are not quite of one mind.

"Rick and I," said Mr. Jarndyce, "are not quite of one mind.


Come, come, Rick, put a brighter face upon it!"


"You are very hard with me, sir," said Richard.


"The harder because you have been so considerate to me in all other respects and have done me kindnesses that I can never acknowledge.

"The harder, because you have been so considerate to me in all other respects.


I never could have been set right without you, sir."


I want to set you more right with yourself."


"I hope you will excuse my saying, sir," returned Richard in a fiery way, but yet respectfully, "that I think I am the best judge about myself."

"I hope you will excuse my saying, sir," returned Richard, "that I think I am the best judge about myself."


"I hope you will excuse my saying, my dear Rick," observed Mr. Jarndyce with the sweetest cheerfulness and good humour, "that it's quite natural in you to think so, but I don't think so.

"I hope you will excuse my saying, my dear Rick," observed Mr. Jarndyce with good humour, "that it's quite natural in you to think so, but I don't think so.


I must do my duty, Rick, or you could never care for me in cool blood; and I hope you will always care for me, cool and hot."


Ada had turned so pale that he made her sit down in his reading-chair and sat beside her.

Ada had turned so pale that he made her sit down beside him.


"It's nothing, my dear," he said, "it's nothing.


Rick and I have only had a friendly difference, which we must state to you, for you are the theme.


"I am not indeed, cousin John," replied Ada with a smile, "if it is to come from you."

"I am not, cousin John," replied Ada with a smile, "if it is to come from you."


Do you give me a minute's calm attention, without looking at Rick.


My dear girl," putting his hand on hers as it lay on the side of the easy-chair, "you recollect the talk we had, we four when the little woman told me of a little love affair?"

Putting his hand on hers, he said, "Do you recollect the talk we had, we four, when the little woman told me of a little love affair?"


"It is not likely that either Richard or I can ever forget your kindness that day, cousin John."


"So much the easier what I have to say, and so much the easier for us to agree," returned my guardian, his face irradiated by the gentleness and honour of his heart.

"So much the easier for us to agree," returned my guardian gently.


"Ada, my bird, you should know that Rick has now chosen his profession for the last time.


All that he has of certainty will be expended when he is fully equipped.


He has exhausted his resources and is bound henceforward to the tree he has planted."

He has exhausted his money and is bound henceforward to the tree he has planted."


"Quite true that I have exhausted my present resources, and I am quite content to know it.


But what I have of certainty, sir," said Richard, "is not all I have."

sir," said Richard, "but that is not all I have."


cried my guardian with a sudden terror in his manner, and in an altered voice, and putting up his hands as if he would have stopped his ears.

cried my guardian with a sudden terror in his manner.


"For the love of God, don't found a hope or expectation on the family curse!

"For the love of God, don't found a hope on the family curse!


Whatever you do on this side the grave, never give one lingering glance towards the horrible phantom that has haunted us so many years.

Never give one glance towards the horrible phantom that has haunted us so many years.


Better to borrow, better to beg, better to die!"


We were all startled by the fervour of this warning.


Richard bit his lip and held his breath, and glanced at me as if he felt, and knew that I felt too, how much he needed it.

Richard bit his lip and held his breath.


"Ada, my dear," said Mr. Jarndyce, recovering his cheerfulness, "these are strong words of advice, but I live in Bleak House and have seen a sight here.


All Richard had to start him in the race of life is ventured.


I recommend to him and you, for his sake and your own, that he should depart from us with the understanding that there is no sort of contract between you.

I recommend, for his sake and your own, that he should depart from us with the understanding that there is no contract between you.


You were to confide freely in me, and I will confide freely in you.


I ask you wholly to relinquish, for the present, any tie but your relationship."

I ask you wholly to relinquish, for the present, any tie but your relationship as cousins."


"Better to say at once, sir," returned Richard, "that you renounce all confidence in me and that you advise Ada to do the same."


"Better to say nothing of the sort, Rick, because I don't mean it."


"You think I have begun ill, sir," retorted Richard.


"How I hoped you would begin, and how go on, I told you when we spoke of these things last," said Mr. Jarndyce in a cordial and encouraging manner.


"You have not made that beginning yet, but there is a time for all things, and yours is not gone by; rather, it is just now fully come.

"You have not made that beginning yet, but there is a time for all things," said Mr. Jarndyce in an encouraging manner, "and yours is just now fully come.


You two (very young, my dears) are cousins.


What more may come must come of being worked out, Rick, and no sooner."

What more may come must come of being worked out, Rick."


"You are very hard with me, sir," said Richard.


"Harder than I could have supposed you would be."


"My dear boy," said Mr. Jarndyce, "I am harder with myself when I do anything that gives you pain.


Ada, it is better for him that he should be free and that there should be no youthful engagement between you.


Rick, it is better for her, much better; you owe it to her.

Rick, it is better for her; you owe it to her.


Each of you will do what is best for the other, if not what is best for yourselves."


"It was not when we opened our hearts to you.


I don't blame you, Rick, but I have had experience since."


Yes, of both of you," said Mr. Jarndyce kindly.


"The time is not come for your standing pledged to one another.

"The time is not come for your being pledged to one another.


It is not right, and I must not recognize it.


Come, come, my young cousins, begin afresh!


Bygones shall be bygones, and a new page turned for you to write your lives in."


Richard gave an anxious glance at Ada but said nothing.


"I have avoided saying one word to either of you or to Esther," said Mr. Jarndyce, "until now, in order that we might be open as the day, and all on equal terms.


I now affectionately advise, I now most earnestly entreat, you two to part as you came here.

I now affectionately advise you two to part as you came here," said Mr. Jarndyce.


"Leave all else to time, truth, and steadfastness.


If you do otherwise, you will do wrong, and you will have made me do wrong in ever bringing you together."


"Cousin Richard," said Ada then, raising her blue eyes tenderly to his face, "after what our cousin John has said, I think no choice is left us.

"Cousin Richard," said Ada then, raising her blue eyes tenderly to his face, "I think no choice is left us.


Your mind may be quite at ease about me, for you will leave me here under his care and will be sure that I can have nothing to wish for--quite sure if I guide myself by his advice.

Your mind may be quite at ease about me, for you will leave me here under his care and will be sure that I can have nothing to wish for.


I--I don't doubt, cousin Richard," said Ada, a little confused, "that you are very fond of me, and I--I don't think you will fall in love with anybody else.

I - I don't doubt, cousin Richard," said she, a little confused, "that you are very fond of me, and I - I don't think you will fall in love with anybody else.


But I should like you to consider well about it too, as I should like you to be in all things very happy.

But I should like you to consider well about it, as I should like you to be happy.


I am not at all changeable; but I am not unreasonable, and should never blame you.

I am not at all changeable; but I should never blame you.


Even cousins may be sorry to part; and in truth I am very, very sorry, Richard, though I know it's for your welfare.

Even cousins may be sorry to part; and in truth I am very sorry, Richard, though I know it's for your welfare.


I shall always think of you affectionately, and often talk of you with Esther, and--and perhaps you will sometimes think a little of me, cousin Richard.

I shall always think of you affectionately, and often talk of you with Esther, and - and perhaps you will sometimes think of me, cousin Richard.


So now," said Ada, going up to him and giving him her trembling hand, "we are only cousins again, Richard--for the time perhaps--and I pray for a blessing on my dear cousin, wherever he goes!"

So now," said Ada, giving him her trembling hand, "we are only cousins again, Richard - for the time perhaps - and I pray for a blessing on my dear cousin, wherever he goes!"


It was strange to me that Richard should not be able to forgive my guardian for entertaining the very same opinion of him which he himself had expressed of himself in much stronger terms to me.

It was strange to me that Richard should not be able to forgive my guardian for holding the very same opinion of him which he himself had expressed.


I observed with great regret that from this hour he never was as free and open with Mr. Jarndyce as he had been before.


He had every reason given him to be so, but he was not; and solely on his side, an estrangement began to arise between them.

Solely on his side, an estrangement began to arise between them.


In the business of preparation and equipment he soon lost himself, and even his grief at parting from Ada, who remained in Hertfordshire while he, Mr. Jarndyce, and I went up to London for a week.

He, Mr. Jarndyce, and I went to London for a week. In the business of preparation he soon lost himself, and lost even his grief at parting from Ada, who remained in Hertfordshire.


He remembered her by fits and starts, even with bursts of tears, and at such times would confide to me the heaviest self-reproaches.

He remembered her by fits and starts, with bursts of tears and self-reproaches.


But in a few minutes he would recklessly conjure up some undefinable means by which they were both to be made rich and happy for ever, and would become as gay as possible.


It was a busy time, and I trotted about with him all day long, buying a variety of things of which he stood in need.

I trotted about with him all day long, buying things which he needed.


Of the things he would have bought if he had been left to his own ways I say nothing.

Of the things he would have bought if he had been left to himself, I say nothing.


He was perfectly confidential with me, and often talked so sensibly and feelingly about his faults and his vigorous resolutions, and dwelt so much upon the encouragement he derived from these conversations that I could never have been tired if I had tried.

He often talked sensibly and feelingly to me about his faults and resolutions, and seemed encouraged by our conversations.


There used, in that week, to come backward and forward to our lodging to fence with Richard a person who had formerly been a cavalry soldier; he was a fine bluff-looking man, of a frank free bearing, with whom Richard had practised for some months.

In that week, there used to come to fence with Richard a former cavalry soldier; he was a fine bluff-looking man, of a frank free bearing, with whom Richard had practised for some months.


I heard so much about him, not only from Richard, but from my guardian too, that I was purposely in the room with my work one morning after breakfast when he came.

I heard so much about him, that I was purposely in the room with my work one morning when he came.


"Good morning, Mr. George," said my guardian, who happened to be alone with me.

"Good morning, Mr. George," said my guardian.


Meanwhile, Miss Summerson is very happy to see you, I know.


He sat down, a little disconcerted by my presence, I thought, and without looking at me, drew his heavy sunburnt hand across and across his upper lip.

He sat down, a little disconcerted by my presence, I thought.


"You are as punctual as the sun," said Mr. Jarndyce.


"Yet you have a large establishment, too, I am told?"

"Yet you have a large establishment, I am told?"


I keep a shooting gallery, but not much of a one."

"I keep a shooting gallery, sir, but not much of a one."


"And what kind of a shot and what kind of a swordsman do you make of Mr. Carstone?"


"Pretty good, sir," he replied, folding his arms upon his broad chest and looking very large.


"If Mr. Carstone was to give his full mind to it, he would come out very good."


"He did at first, sir, but not afterwards.


Perhaps he has something else upon it--some young lady, perhaps."

Perhaps he has something else upon it - some young lady, perhaps."


His bright dark eyes glanced at me for the first time.


"He has not me upon his mind, I assure you, Mr. George," said I, laughing, "though you seem to suspect me."

"He has not me upon his mind, I assure you, Mr. George," said I, laughing.


He reddened a little through his brown and made me a trooper's bow.

He reddened a little and made me a trooper's bow.


If he had not looked at me before, he looked at me now in three or four quick successive glances.

He looked at me now in three or four quick successive glances.


"I beg your pardon, sir," he said to my guardian with a manly kind of diffidence, "but you did me the honour to mention the young lady's name--"

"I beg your pardon, sir," he said to my guardian with a manly diffidence, "but you did me the honour to mention the young lady's name-"


"Miss Summerson," he repeated, and looked at me again.


"I think not," I returned, raising my head from my work to look at him; and there was something so genuine in his speech and manner that I was glad of the opportunity.

"I think not," I returned, raising my head from my work to look at him; there was something so genuine in his speech and manner that I was glad of the opportunity.


he returned, meeting my look with the fullness of his dark eyes and broad forehead.


His once more reddening through his brown and being disconcerted by his efforts to remember the association brought my guardian to his relief.


Mostly they're but a small lot to live by."


"And what classes of chance people come to practise at your gallery?"

"And what type of people come to practise at your gallery?"


I have had Frenchwomen come, before now, and show themselves dabs at pistol-shooting.


Mad people out of number, of course, but THEY go everywhere where the doors stand open."

Mad people out of number, of course, but they go everywhere where the doors stand open."


"People don't come with grudges and schemes of finishing their practice with live targets, I hope?"

"People don't come with grudges and schemes of finding live targets, I hope?"


"Not much of that, sir, though that HAS happened.

"Not much, sir, though that has happened.


Mostly they come for skill--or idleness.

Mostly they come for skill - or idleness.


Six of one, and half-a-dozen of the other.


I beg your pardon," said Mr. George, sitting stiffly upright and squaring an elbow on each knee, "but I believe you're a Chancery suitor, if I have heard correct?"

I beg your pardon," said Mr. George, sitting stiffly upright, "but I believe you're a Chancery suitor, if I have heard correct?"


"I have had one of YOUR compatriots in my time, sir."

"I have had one of your compatriots in my time, sir."


"Why, the man was so badgered and worried and tortured by being knocked about from post to pillar, and from pillar to post," said Mr. George, "that he got out of sorts.

"Why, the man was so badgered and worried and tortured," said Mr. George, "that he got out of sorts.


I don't believe he had any idea of taking aim at anybody, but he was in that condition of resentment and violence that he would come and pay for fifty shots and fire away till he was red hot.


One day I said to him when there was nobody by and he had been talking to me angrily about his wrongs, 'If this practice is a safety-valve, comrade, well and good; but I don't altogether like your being so bent upon it in your present state of mind; I'd rather you took to something else.'

One day I said to him when there was nobody by, 'If this practice is a safety-valve, comrade, well and good; but I'd rather you took to something else.'


I was on my guard for a blow, he was that passionate; but he received it in very good part and left off directly.

He received it in very good part and left off directly.


We shook hands and struck up a sort of friendship."


asked my guardian in a new tone of interest.


"Why, he began by being a small Shropshire farmer before they made a baited bull of him," said Mr. George.

"Why, he began as a small Shropshire farmer before they made a baited bull of him," said Mr. George.


Mr. George directed another succession of quick bright glances at me as my guardian and I exchanged a word or two of surprise at the coincidence, and I therefore explained to him how we knew the name.

I explained to him how we knew the name.


He made me another of his soldierly bows in acknowledgment of what he called my condescension.


"I don't know," he said as he looked at me, "what it is that sets me off again--but--bosh!

"I don't know," he said as he looked at me, "what it is that sets me off again - but - bosh!"


He passed one of his heavy hands over his crisp dark hair as if to sweep the broken thoughts out of his mind and sat a little forward, with one arm akimbo and the other resting on his leg, looking in a brown study at the ground.

He passed one of his heavy hands over his crisp dark hair as if to sweep the broken thoughts out of his mind.


"I am sorry to learn that the same state of mind has got this Gridley into new troubles and that he is in hiding," said my guardian.

"I am sorry to learn that this Gridley has got into new troubles and is in hiding," said my guardian.


"So I am told, sir," returned Mr. George, still musing and looking on the ground.

"So I am told, sir," returned Mr. George.


"No, sir," returned the trooper, lifting up his eyes and coming out of his reverie.


You may file a strong man's heart away for a good many years, but it will tell all of a sudden at last."


Richard's entrance stopped the conversation.


Mr. George rose, made me another of his soldierly bows, wished my guardian a good day, and strode heavily out of the room.

Mr. George rose, made me another bow, and strode heavily out of the room.


This was the morning of the day appointed for Richard's departure.

This was the day appointed for Richard's departure.


We had no more purchases to make now; I had completed all his packing early in the afternoon; and our time was disengaged until night, when he was to go to Liverpool for Holyhead.

I had completed all his packing; and our time was free until night, when he was to go to Liverpool and on to Holyhead.


Jarndyce and Jarndyce being again expected to come on that day, Richard proposed to me that we should go down to the court and hear what passed.


As it was his last day, and he was eager to go, and I had never been there, I gave my consent and we walked down to Westminster, where the court was then sitting.

As it was his last day, and he was eager to go, and I had never been there, I agreed.


We beguiled the way with arrangements concerning the letters that Richard was to write to me and the letters that I was to write to him and with a great many hopeful projects.

As we walked down to Westminster, we talked about the letters that Richard was to write to me and that I was to write to him.


My guardian knew where we were going and therefore was not with us.

My guardian knew where we were going, and therefore was not with us.


When we came to the court, there was the Lord Chancellor--the same whom I had seen in his private room in Lincoln's Inn--sitting in great state and gravity on the bench, with the mace and seals on a red table below him and an immense flat nosegay, like a little garden, which scented the whole court.

When we came to the court, there was the Lord Chancellor sitting in great state on the bench, with the mace and seals on a red table below him.


Below the table, again, was a long row of solicitors, with bundles of papers on the matting at their feet; and then there were the gentlemen of the bar in wigs and gowns--some awake and some asleep, and one talking, and nobody paying much attention to what he said.

Below the table was a long row of solicitors, with bundles of papers at their feet; and then there were the gentlemen of the bar in wigs and gowns - some awake and some asleep.


The Lord Chancellor leaned back in his very easy chair with his elbow on the cushioned arm and his forehead resting on his hand; some of those who were present dozed; some read the newspapers; some walked about or whispered in groups: all seemed perfectly at their ease, by no means in a hurry, very unconcerned, and extremely comfortable.

The Lord Chancellor leaned back in his easy chair; some of those who were present dozed; some read the newspapers; all seemed perfectly at their ease, in no hurry, very unconcerned and comfortable.


To see everything going on so smoothly and to think of the roughness of the suitors' lives and deaths; to see all that full dress and ceremony and to think of the waste, and want, and beggared misery it represented; to consider that while the sickness of hope deferred was raging in so many hearts this polite show went calmly on from day to day, and year to year, in such good order and composure; to behold the Lord Chancellor and the whole array of practitioners under him looking at one another and at the spectators as if nobody had ever heard that all over England the name in which they were assembled was a bitter jest, was held in universal horror, contempt, and indignation, was known for something so flagrant and bad that little short of a miracle could bring any good out of it to any one--this was so curious and self-contradictory to me, who had no experience of it, that it was at first incredible, and I could not comprehend it.

To see everything going on so smoothly and to think of the roughness of the suitors' lives and deaths; to see all that ceremony and to think of the waste, and want, and beggared misery it represented; to consider that while the sickness of deferred hope was raging in so many hearts, this polite show went calmly on from day to day, and year to year; to behold the Lord Chancellor and the whole array of practitioners as if nobody had ever heard that all over England the name of Chancery was a bitter jest, held in universal horror and contempt - this was so curious to me that I could not comprehend it.


I sat where Richard put me, and tried to listen, and looked about me; but there seemed to be no reality in the whole scene except poor little Miss Flite, the madwoman, standing on a bench and nodding at it.

I sat and tried to listen, and looked about me; but there seemed to be no reality in the whole scene except poor little Miss Flite, standing on a bench.


Miss Flite soon espied us and came to where we sat.


She gave me a gracious welcome to her domain and indicated, with much gratification and pride, its principal attractions.

She gave me a gracious welcome to her domain.


Mr. Kenge also came to speak to us and did the honours of the place in much the same way, with the bland modesty of a proprietor.


It was not a very good day for a visit, he said; he would have preferred the first day of term; but it was imposing, it was imposing.

: it was not a very good day for a visit, he said; but it was imposing, it was imposing.


When we had been there half an hour or so, the case in progress--if I may use a phrase so ridiculous in such a connexion--seemed to die out of its own vapidity, without coming, or being by anybody expected to come, to any result.

When we had been there half an hour or so, the case in progress seemed to die out without coming to any result.


The Lord Chancellor then threw down a bundle of papers from his desk to the gentlemen below him, and somebody said, "Jarndyce and Jarndyce."

The Lord Chancellor threw down a bundle of papers from his desk to the gentlemen below him, and somebody said, "Jarndyce and Jarndyce."


Upon this there was a buzz, and a laugh, and a general withdrawal of the bystanders, and a bringing in of great heaps, and piles, and bags and bags full of papers.

Upon this there was a buzz, and a laugh, and a bringing in of great heaps and bags and bags full of papers.


I think it came on "for further directions"--about some bill of costs, to the best of my understanding, which was confused enough.

I think it came on "for further directions" - about some bill of costs, which I found confusing enough.


But I counted twenty-three gentlemen in wigs who said they were "in it," and none of them appeared to understand it much better than I.


They chatted about it with the Lord Chancellor, and contradicted and explained among themselves, and some of them said it was this way, and some of them said it was that way, and some of them jocosely proposed to read huge volumes of affidavits, and there was more buzzing and laughing, and everybody concerned was in a state of idle entertainment, and nothing could be made of it by anybody.

Some of them said it was this way, and some of them said it was that way, and some of them proposed to read huge volumes of affidavits, and there was more buzzing and laughing, and everybody concerned was in a state of idle entertainment, and nothing could be made of it by anybody.


After an hour or so of this, and a good many speeches being begun and cut short, it was "referred back for the present," as Mr. Kenge said, and the papers were bundled up again before the clerks had finished bringing them in.

After an hour or so of this, it was "referred back for the present," as Mr. Kenge said, and the papers were bundled up again.


I glanced at Richard on the termination of these hopeless proceedings and was shocked to see the worn look of his handsome young face.

I glanced at Richard and was shocked to see the worn look of his handsome young face.


I had seen Mr. Guppy bringing in papers and arranging them for Mr. Kenge; and he had seen me and made me a forlorn bow, which rendered me desirous to get out of the court.

I had seen Mr. Guppy bringing in papers for Mr. Kenge; and he had seen me and bowed forlornly, which made me wish to get out of the court.


Richard had given me his arm and was taking me away when Mr. Guppy came up.

Richard was taking me away when Mr. Guppy came up.


"I beg your pardon, Mr. Carstone," said he in a whisper, "and Miss Summerson's also, but there's a lady here, a friend of mine, who knows her and wishes to have the pleasure of shaking hands."

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Carstone," said he in a whisper, "and Miss Summerson's, but there's a lady here, a friend of mine, who knows her."


As he spoke, I saw before me, as if she had started into bodily shape from my remembrance, Mrs. Rachael of my godmother's house.

As he spoke, I saw before me Mrs. Rachael of my godmother's house.


I gave her my hand and told her yes and that she was very little altered.


"I wonder you remember those times, Esther," she returned with her old asperity.


I am glad to see you, and glad you are not too proud to know me."


But indeed she seemed disappointed that I was not.


"I am married, Esther," she returned, coldly correcting me, "and am Mrs. Chadband.


I wish you good day, and I hope you'll do well."


Mr. Guppy, who had been attentive to this short dialogue, heaved a sigh in my ear and elbowed his own and Mrs. Rachael's way through the confused little crowd of people coming in and going out, which we were in the midst of and which the change in the business had brought together.

Mr. Guppy heaved a sigh in my ear and elbowed his own and Mrs. Rachael's way through the confused crowd.


Richard and I were making our way through it, and I was yet in the first chill of the late unexpected recognition when I saw, coming towards us, but not seeing us, no less a person than Mr. George.

Richard and I were making our way through it, and I was still in the first chill of the unexpected recognition when I saw, coming towards us, but not seeing us, Mr. George.


He made nothing of the people about him as he tramped on, staring over their heads into the body of the court.


said Richard as I called his attention to him.


Could you point a person out for me, I want?


Turning as he spoke and making an easy way for us, he stopped when we were out of the press in a corner behind a great red curtain.


"There's a little cracked old woman," he began, "that--"

There's a little cracked old woman, that-"


I put up my finger, for Miss Flite was close by me, having kept beside me all the time and having called the attention of several of her legal acquaintance to me (as I had overheard to my confusion) by whispering in their ears, "Hush!

I put up my finger, for Miss Flite was close by.


"You remember, miss, that we passed some conversation on a certain man this morning?

"You remember, miss, that we spoke of a certain man this morning?


Gridley," in a low whisper behind his hand.


He is on his last march, miss, and has a whim to see her.


He says they can feel for one another, and she has been almost as good as a friend to him here.

He says she has been almost as good as a friend to him here.


I came down to look for her, for when I sat by Gridley this afternoon, I seemed to hear the roll of the muffled drums."


he returned with a glance of something like apprehension at Miss Flite.


"It's a providence I met you, miss; I doubt if I should have known how to get on with that lady."


And he put one hand in his breast and stood upright in a martial attitude as I informed little Miss Flite, in her ear, of the purport of his kind errand.

He stood upright in a martial attitude as I informed little Miss Flite of the reason for his kind errand.


My dear, I will wait upon him with the greatest pleasure."

"My dear, I will visit him with the greatest pleasure."


"He is living concealed at Mr. George's," said I.


Poor Miss Flite deemed it necessary to be so courtly and polite, as a mark of her respect for the army, and to curtsy so very often that it was no easy matter to get her out of the court.

Poor Miss Flite deemed it necessary to be so polite, as a mark of her respect for the army, and to curtsy so very often that it was no easy matter to get her out of the court.


When this was at last done, and addressing Mr. George as "General," she gave him her arm, to the great entertainment of some idlers who were looking on, he was so discomposed and begged me so respectfully "not to desert him" that I could not make up my mind to do it, especially as Miss Flite was always tractable with me and as she too said, "Fitz Jarndyce, my dear, you will accompany us, of course."

When this was at last done, addressing Mr. George as "General," she gave him her arm. He was so discomposed and begged me so respectfully "not to desert him" that Richard and I said


As Richard seemed quite willing, and even anxious, that we should see them safely to their destination, we agreed to do so.

we should see them safely to their destination.


And as Mr. George informed us that Gridley's mind had run on Mr. Jarndyce all the afternoon after hearing of their interview in the morning, I wrote a hasty note in pencil to my guardian to say where we were gone and why.

And as Mr. George informed us that Gridley's mind had run on Mr. Jarndyce all afternoon, I wrote a hasty note to my guardian to say where we were gone and why.


Mr. George sealed it at a coffee-house, that it might lead to no discovery, and we sent it off by a ticket-porter.

Mr. George sent it off by a ticket-porter.


We then took a hackney-coach and drove away to the neighbourhood of Leicester Square.

We then took a hackney-coach to the neighbourhood of Leicester Square.


We walked through some narrow courts, for which Mr. George apologized, and soon came to the shooting gallery, the door of which was closed.

We walked through some narrow courts, and soon came to the shooting gallery, the door of which was closed.


As he pulled a bell-handle which hung by a chain to the door-post, a very respectable old gentleman with grey hair, wearing spectacles, and dressed in a black spencer and gaiters and a broad-brimmed hat, and carrying a large gold-beaded cane, addressed him.

As Mr. George pulled a bell-handle, a very respectable old gentleman with grey hair, wearing spectacles and a broad-brimmed hat, and carrying a large gold-headed cane, addressed him.


"I ask your pardon, my good friend," said he, "but is this George's Shooting Gallery?"


"It is, sir," returned Mr. George, glancing up at the great letters in which that inscription was painted on the whitewashed wall.


said the old gentleman, following his eyes.


"My name is George, sir, and I have rung the bell."


"Then it was your young man who came for me.


I am a physician and was requested--five minutes ago--to come and visit a sick man at George's Shooting Gallery."

I am a physician and was requested - five minutes ago - to come and visit a sick man here."


"The muffled drums," said Mr. George, turning to Richard and me and gravely shaking his head.

"Quite correct, sir," said Mr. George gravely.


The door being at that moment opened by a very singular-looking little man in a green-baize cap and apron, whose face and hands and dress were blackened all over, we passed along a dreary passage into a large building with bare brick walls where there were targets, and guns, and swords, and other things of that kind.

The door being at that moment opened by a very singular-looking little man in a green-baize apron, whose face and hands and dress were blackened all over, we passed along a dreary passage into a large building with bare brick walls where there were targets, and guns, and swords.


When we had all arrived here, the physician stopped, and taking off his hat, appeared to vanish by magic and to leave another and quite a different man in his place.

The physician stopped, and taking off his hat, appeared to vanish by magic and to leave another and quite a different man in his place.


"Now lookee here, George," said the man, turning quickly round upon him and tapping him on the breast with a large forefinger.


You're a man of the world, and I'm a man of the world.


My name's Bucket, as you are aware, and I have got a peace-warrant against Gridley.


You have kept him out of the way a long time, and you have been artful in it, and it does you credit."

You have kept him out of the way a long time, and been artful in it, and it does you credit."


Mr. George, looking hard at him, bit his lip and shook his head.

Mr. George bit his lip and shook his head.


"Now, George," said the other, keeping close to him, "you're a sensible man and a well-conducted man; that's what YOU are, beyond a doubt.

"Now, George, you're a sensible man and a well-conducted man; that's what you are.


And mind you, I don't talk to you as a common character, because you have served your country and you know that when duty calls we must obey.


Consequently you're very far from wanting to give trouble.


If I required assistance, you'd assist me; that's what YOU'D do.


Phil Squod, don't you go a-sidling round the gallery like that"--the dirty little man was shuffling about with his shoulder against the wall, and his eyes on the intruder, in a manner that looked threatening--"because I know you and won't have it."

Phil Squod, don't you go a-sidling round the gallery like that" - the dirty little man was shuffling about with his shoulder against the wall, and his eyes on the intruder- "because I know you and I won't have it."


The little man, with a low growl, stood still.


"Ladies and gentlemen," said Mr. Bucket, "you'll excuse anything that may appear to be disagreeable in this, for my name's Inspector Bucket of the Detective, and I have a duty to perform.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Mr. Bucket, "I have a duty to perform.


George, I know where my man is because I was on the roof last night and saw him through the skylight, and you along with him.

George, I know where my man is because I was on the roof last night and saw him through the skylight.


He is in there, you know," pointing; "that's where HE is--on a sofy.

He is in there, you know," pointing; "on a sofy.


Now I must see my man, and I must tell my man to consider himself in custody; but you know me, and you know I don't want to take any uncomfortable measures.

Now I must see my man, and I must tell him to consider himself in custody; but you know me, and you know I don't want to take any uncomfortable measures.


You give me your word, as from one man to another (and an old soldier, mind you, likewise), that it's honourable between us two, and I'll accommodate you to the utmost of my power."

You give me your word that it's honourable between us two, and I'll accommodate you to the utmost of my power."


"But it wasn't handsome in you, Mr. Bucket."


said Mr. Bucket, tapping him on his broad breast again and shaking hands with him.


"I don't say it wasn't handsome in you to keep my man so close, do I?

"I don't say it wasn't handsome in you to keep my man so secret, do I?


Be equally good-tempered to me, old boy!"


Old William Tell, Old Shaw, the Life Guardsman!


Why, he's a model of the whole British army in himself, ladies and gentlemen.


I'd give a fifty-pun' note to be such a figure of a man!"


The affair being brought to this head, Mr. George, after a little consideration, proposed to go in first to his comrade (as he called him), taking Miss Flite with him.


Mr. Bucket agreeing, they went away to the further end of the gallery, leaving us sitting and standing by a table covered with guns.

Mr. Bucket agreeing, they went away to the further end of the gallery, leaving us by a table covered with guns.


Mr. Bucket took this opportunity of entering into a little light conversation, asking me if I were afraid of fire-arms, as most young ladies were; asking Richard if he were a good shot; asking Phil Squod which he considered the best of those rifles and what it might be worth first-hand, telling him in return that it was a pity he ever gave way to his temper, for he was naturally so amiable that he might have been a young woman, and making himself generally agreeable.

Mr. Bucket entered into a little light conversation, asking me if I were afraid of fire-arms, as most young ladies were; asking Richard if he were a good shot; asking Phil Squod which he considered the best of those rifles, and making himself generally agreeable.


After a time he followed us to the further end of the gallery, and Richard and I were going quietly away when Mr. George came after us.

After a time Mr. George came and said that if Richard and I


He said that if we had no objection to see his comrade, he would take a visit from us very kindly.

had no objection to seeing his comrade, he would take a visit from us very kindly.


The words had hardly passed his lips when the bell was rung and my guardian appeared, "on the chance," he slightly observed, "of being able to do any little thing for a poor fellow involved in the same misfortune as himself."

The words had hardly passed his lips when the bell was rung and my guardian appeared, "on the chance," he observed, "of being able to do any little thing for the poor fellow."


We all four went back together and went into the place where Gridley was.

We all four went into the place where Gridley was.


It was a bare room, partitioned off from the gallery with unpainted wood.

It was a bare room, partitioned off from the gallery by a high screen.


As the screening was not more than eight or ten feet high and only enclosed the sides, not the top, the rafters of the high gallery roof were overhead, and the skylight through which Mr. Bucket had looked down.

Overhead were the rafters, and the skylight through which Mr. Bucket had looked down.


The sun was low--near setting--and its light came redly in above, without descending to the ground.

The sun was near setting, and its light came redly in above.


Upon a plain canvas-covered sofa lay the man from Shropshire, dressed much as we had seen him last, but so changed that at first I recognized no likeness in his colourless face to what I recollected.

Upon a canvas-covered sofa lay the man from Shropshire, but so changed that at first I did not recognize his colourless face.


He had been still writing in his hiding-place, and still dwelling on his grievances, hour after hour.

He had been writing in his hiding-place, and still dwelling on his grievances.


A table and some shelves were covered with manuscript papers and with worn pens and a medley of such tokens.

A table was covered with manuscripts and worn pens.


Touchingly and awfully drawn together, he and the little mad woman were side by side and, as it were, alone.

He and the little mad woman were side by side


She sat on a chair holding his hand, and none of us went close to them.


His voice had faded, with the old expression of his face, with his strength, with his anger, with his resistance to the wrongs that had at last subdued him.

His voice had faded, with his strength and his anger


The faintest shadow of an object full of form and colour is such a picture of it as he was of the man from Shropshire whom we had spoken with before.

; he was the faintest shadow of the former man from Shropshire.


He inclined his head to Richard and me and spoke to my guardian.


"Mr. Jarndyce, it is very kind of you to come to see me.


You are a good man, superior to injustice, and God knows I honour you."


They shook hands earnestly, and my guardian said some words of comfort to him.


"It may seem strange to you, sir," returned Gridley; "I should not have liked to see you if this had been the first time of our meeting.


But you know I made a fight for it, you know I stood up with my single hand against them all, you know I told them the truth to the last, and told them what they were, and what they had done to me; so I don't mind your seeing me, this wreck."

"You know I made a fight for it," said Gridley, "you know I stood up against them all, you know I told them the truth to the last, and told them what they had done to me."


"You have been courageous with them many and many a time," returned my guardian.


"I told you what would come of it when I ceased to be so, and see here!


He drew the hand Miss Flite held through her arm and brought her something nearer to him.


Of all my old associations, of all my old pursuits and hopes, of all the living and the dead world, this one poor soul alone comes natural to me, and I am fit for.

Of all my old associations, this one poor soul alone comes natural to me.


There is a tie of many suffering years between us two, and it is the only tie I ever had on earth that Chancery has not broken."


"Accept my blessing, Gridley," said Miss Flite in tears.


"I thought, boastfully, that they never could break my heart, Mr. Jarndyce.


I did believe that I could, and would, charge them with being the mockery they were until I died of some bodily disorder.


How long I have been wearing out, I don't know; I seemed to break down in an hour.


I hope they may never come to hear of it.


I hope everybody here will lead them to believe that I died defying them, consistently and perseveringly, as I did through so many years."

I hope they will believe that I died defying them, as I did through so many years."


Here Mr. Bucket, who was sitting in a corner by the door, good-naturedly offered such consolation as he could administer.

Here Mr. Bucket, who was sitting in a corner by the door, good-naturedly said, "Come, come!


We are all of us a little low sometimes.


You'll lose your temper with the whole round of 'em, again and again; and I shall take you on a score of warrants yet, if I have luck."

You'll lose your temper with the whole round of 'em again; and I shall take you on a score of warrants yet."


"Don't shake your head," said Mr. Bucket.


"Nod it; that's what I want to see you do.


Why, Lord bless your soul, what times we have had together!


Haven't I seen you in the Fleet over and over again for contempt?

Haven't I seen you in the Fleet Prison over and over again for contempt?


Haven't I come into court, twenty afternoons for no other purpose than to see you pin the Chancellor like a bull-dog?

Haven't I come into court twenty afternoons to see you pin the Chancellor like a bull-dog?


Don't you remember when you first began to threaten the lawyers, and the peace was sworn against you two or three times a week?


Ask the little old lady there; she has been always present.


"I don't know yet," said Bucket in the same tone.


Then resuming his encouragement, he pursued aloud: "Worn out, Mr. Gridley?

Then he resumed his encouragement aloud: "Worn out, Mr. Gridley?


After dodging me for all these weeks and forcing me to climb the roof here like a tom cat and to come to see you as a doctor?

After dodging me for all these weeks and forcing me to climb the roof here like a tom-cat?


You want excitement, you know, to keep YOU up; that's what YOU want.

You want excitement, you know; that's what you want.


You're used to it, and you can't do without it.


Very well, then; here's this warrant got by Mr. Tulkinghorn of Lincoln's Inn Fields, and backed into half-a-dozen counties since.

Here's this warrant got by Mr. Tulkinghorn.


What do you say to coming along with me, upon this warrant, and having a good angry argument before the magistrates?


It'll do you good; it'll freshen you up and get you into training for another turn at the Chancellor.

It'll do you good; it'll freshen you up.


Why, I am surprised to hear a man of your energy talk of giving in.


You're half the fun of the fair in the Court of Chancery.


George, you lend Mr. Gridley a hand, and let's see now whether he won't be better up than down."


"He is very weak," said the trooper in a low voice.


I don't like to see an old acquaintance giving in like this.


It would cheer him up more than anything if I could make him a little waxy with me.

It would cheer him up more than anything if I could make him angry with me."


He's welcome to drop into me, right and left, if he likes.


The roof rang with a scream from Miss Flite, which still rings in my ears.


she cried as he fell heavily and calmly back from before her.

she cried as he fell back heavily and calmly.


The sun was down, the light had gradually stolen from the roof, and the shadow had crept upward.


But to me the shadow of that pair, one living and one dead, fell heavier on Richard's departure than the darkness of the darkest night.


And through Richard's farewell words I heard it echoed: "Of all my old associations, of all my old pursuits and hopes, of all the living and the dead world, this one poor soul alone comes natural to me, and I am fit for.

And through Richard's farewell words I heard it echoed: "Of all my old associations, this one poor soul alone comes natural to me.


There is a tie of many suffering years between us two, and it is the only tie I ever had on earth that Chancery has not broken!"


Chesney Wold is shut up, carpets are rolled into great scrolls in corners of comfortless rooms, bright damask does penance in brown holland, carving and gilding puts on mortification, and the Dedlock ancestors retire from the light of day again.

Chesney Wold is shut up, carpets are rolled into great scrolls, bright damask is covered in brown dust-sheets, and the Dedlock ancestors retire from the light of day again.


Around and around the house the leaves fall thick, but never fast, for they come circling down with a dead lightness that is sombre and slow.

Around the house the leaves fall thick, but never fast, for they come circling down with a dead lightness that is sombre and slow.


Let the gardener sweep and sweep the turf as he will, and press the leaves into full barrows, and wheel them off, still they lie ankle-deep.

No matter how much the gardener sweeps up, still they lie ankle-deep.


Howls the shrill wind round Chesney Wold; the sharp rain beats, the windows rattle, and the chimneys growl.

Howls the shrill wind round Chesney Wold; the sharp rain beats, and the windows rattle.


Mists hide in the avenues, veil the points of view, and move in funeral-wise across the rising grounds.

Mists hide in the avenues, veil the views, and move funeral-wise across the grounds.


On all the house there is a cold, blank smell like the smell of a little church, though something dryer, suggesting that the dead and buried Dedlocks walk there in the long nights and leave the flavour of their graves behind them.

On all the house there is the cold, blank smell of a church, suggesting that the dead and buried Dedlocks walk there in the long nights and leave the flavour of their graves behind them.


But the house in town, which is rarely in the same mind as Chesney Wold at the same time, seldom rejoicing when it rejoices or mourning when it mourns, excepting when a Dedlock dies--the house in town shines out awakened.

But the house in town shines out awakened.


As warm and bright as so much state may be, as delicately redolent of pleasant scents that bear no trace of winter as hothouse flowers can make it, soft and hushed so that the ticking of the clocks and the crisp burning of the fires alone disturb the stillness in the rooms, it seems to wrap those chilled bones of Sir Leicester's in rainbow-coloured wool.

As warm and bright as possible, as pleasantly scented as hothouse flowers can make it, soft and hushed so that the ticking of the clocks and the crisp burning of the fires alone disturb the stillness in the rooms, it seems to wrap Sir Leicester's chilled bones in rainbow-coloured wool.


And Sir Leicester is glad to repose in dignified contentment before the great fire in the library, condescendingly perusing the backs of his books or honouring the fine arts with a glance of approbation.

And Sir Leicester is glad to repose in dignified contentment before the great fire in the library, condescendingly perusing the backs of his books or honouring the fine arts with an approving glance.


For he has his pictures, ancient and modern.


Some of the Fancy Ball School in which art occasionally condescends to become a master, which would be best catalogued like the miscellaneous articles in a sale.


As "Three high-backed chairs, a table and cover, long-necked bottle (containing wine), one flask, one Spanish female's costume, three-quarter face portrait of Miss Jogg the model, and a suit of armour containing Don Quixote."


Or "One stone terrace (cracked), one gondola in distance, one Venetian senator's dress complete, richly embroidered white satin costume with profile portrait of Miss Jogg the model, one Scimitar superbly mounted in gold with jewelled handle, elaborate Moorish dress (very rare), and Othello."


Mr. Tulkinghorn comes and goes pretty often, there being estate business to do, leases to be renewed, and so on.

Mr. Tulkinghorn comes and goes pretty often on estate business.


He sees my Lady pretty often, too; and he and she are as composed, and as indifferent, and take as little heed of one another, as ever.

He sees my Lady pretty often, too; and he and she are as composed, and as indifferent to each other, as ever.


Yet it may be that my Lady fears this Mr. Tulkinghorn and that he knows it.

Yet it may be that my Lady fears Mr. Tulkinghorn and that he knows it.


It may be that he pursues her doggedly and steadily, with no touch of compunction, remorse, or pity.

It may be that he pursues her doggedly and steadily, with no touch of remorse or pity.


It may be that her beauty and all the state and brilliancy surrounding her only gives him the greater zest for what he is set upon and makes him the more inflexible in it.

It may be that her beauty and state only give him the greater zest for what he is set upon and make him more inflexible.


Whether he be cold and cruel, whether immovable in what he has made his duty, whether absorbed in love of power, whether determined to have nothing hidden from him in ground where he has burrowed among secrets all his life, whether he in his heart despises the splendour of which he is a distant beam, whether he is always treasuring up slights and offences in the affability of his gorgeous clients--whether he be any of this, or all of this, it may be that my Lady had better have five thousand pairs of fashionable eyes upon her, in distrustful vigilance, than the two eyes of this rusty lawyer with his wisp of neckcloth and his dull black breeches tied with ribbons at the knees.

Whether or no, my Lady had better have five thousand pairs of fashionable eyes upon her, than the two eyes of this rusty lawyer with his wisp of neckcloth.


Sir Leicester sits in my Lady's room--that room in which Mr. Tulkinghorn read the affidavit in Jarndyce and Jarndyce--particularly complacent.

Sir Leicester sits in my Lady's room - that room in which Mr. Tulkinghorn read the affidavit in Jarndyce and Jarndyce - particularly complacent.


My Lady, as on that day, sits before the fire with her screen in her hand.


Sir Leicester is particularly complacent because he has found in his newspaper some congenial remarks bearing directly on the floodgates and the framework of society.


They apply so happily to the late case that Sir Leicester has come from the library to my Lady's room expressly to read them aloud.

He has come from the library to my Lady's room expressly to read them aloud.


"The man who wrote this article," he observes by way of preface, nodding at the fire as if he were nodding down at the man from a mount, "has a well-balanced mind."

"The man who wrote this article," he observes, "has a well-balanced mind."


The man's mind is not so well balanced but that he bores my Lady, who, after a languid effort to listen, or rather a languid resignation of herself to a show of listening, becomes distraught and falls into a contemplation of the fire as if it were her fire at Chesney Wold, and she had never left it.

My Lady, after a languid effort to listen, or rather pretend to listen, becomes distracted and falls into a contemplation of the fire.


Sir Leicester, quite unconscious, reads on through his double eye-glass, occasionally stopping to remove his glass and express approval, as "Very true indeed," "Very properly put," "I have frequently made the same remark myself," invariably losing his place after each observation, and going up and down the column to find it again.

Sir Leicester, quite unconscious, reads on, occasionally stopping to remark "Very true indeed," or "Very properly put," invariably losing his place after each observation, and going up and down the column to find it again.


Sir Leicester is reading with infinite gravity and state when the door opens, and the Mercury in powder makes this strange announcement, "The young man, my Lady, of the name of Guppy."

He is reading with infinite gravity when the door opens, and the footman makes this strange announcement, "The young man, my Lady, of the name of Guppy."


Sir Leicester pauses, stares, repeats in a killing voice, "The young man of the name of Guppy?"

Sir Leicester pauses, and repeats, "The young man of the name of Guppy?"


Looking round, he beholds the young man of the name of Guppy, much discomfited and not presenting a very impressive letter of introduction in his manner and appearance.


"Pray," says Sir Leicester to Mercury, "what do you mean by announcing with this abruptness a young man of the name of Guppy?"


"I beg your pardon, Sir Leicester, but my Lady said she would see the young man whenever he called."


I was not aware that you were here, Sir Leicester."


With this apology, Mercury directs a scornful and indignant look at the young man of the name of Guppy which plainly says, "What do you come calling here for and getting ME into a row?"


The young man of the name of Guppy stands there, much discomfited.
"It's quite right.


I gave him those directions," says my Lady.


Since he has your orders to come, I will not interrupt you."


Sir Leicester in his gallantry retires, rather declining to accept a bow from the young man as he goes out and majestically supposing him to be some shoemaker of intrusive appearance.

Sir Leicester gallantly retires, declining to accept a bow from the young man as he goes out and majestically supposing him to be some shoemaker.


Lady Dedlock looks imperiously at her visitor when the servant has left the room, casting her eyes over him from head to foot.

Lady Dedlock looks imperiously at her visitor when the servant has left the room.


She suffers him to stand by the door and asks him what he wants.


"That your ladyship would have the kindness to oblige me with a little conversation," returns Mr. Guppy, embarrassed.


"You are, of course, the person who has written me so many letters?"

"You are the person who has written me so many letters?"


Several before your ladyship condescended to favour me with an answer."

"Several, your ladyship, before your ladyship condescended to favour me with an answer."


"And could you not take the same means of rendering a Conversation unnecessary?


Mr. Guppy screws his mouth into a silent "No!"


If it should appear, after all, that what you have to say does not concern me--and I don't know how it can, and don't expect that it will--you will allow me to cut you short with but little ceremony.

If it should appear, after all, that what you have to say does not concern me - and I don't expect that it will - you will allow me to cut you short.


Say what you have to say, if you please."


My Lady, with a careless toss of her screen, turns herself towards the fire again, sitting almost with her back to the young man of the name of Guppy.

My Lady turns herself towards the fire again, sitting almost with her back to the young man.


"With your ladyship's permission, then," says the young man, "I will now enter on my business.

"With your ladyship's permission, then," says Mr. Guppy, "


I am, as I told your ladyship in my first letter, in the law.


Being in the law, I have learnt the habit of not committing myself in writing, and therefore I did not mention to your ladyship the name of the firm with which I am connected and in which my standing--and I may add income--is tolerably good.

, and have learnt the habit of not committing myself in writing.


I may now state to your ladyship, in confidence, that the name of that firm is Kenge and Carboy, of Lincoln's Inn, which may not be altogether unknown to your ladyship in connexion with the case in Chancery of Jarndyce and Jarndyce."

The name of my firm is Kenge and Carboy, of Lincoln's Inn, which may not be altogether unknown to your ladyship in connexion with the case in Chancery of Jarndyce and Jarndyce."


My Lady's figure begins to be expressive of some attention.


She has ceased to toss the screen and holds it as if she were listening.


"Now, I may say to your ladyship at once," says Mr. Guppy, a little emboldened, "it is no matter arising out of Jarndyce and Jarndyce that made me so desirous to speak to your ladyship, which conduct I have no doubt did appear, and does appear, obtrusive--in fact, almost blackguardly."

"I may say at once," says Mr. Guppy, a little emboldened, "it is not about Jarndyce and Jarndyce that I wish to speak to your ladyship.


After waiting for a moment to receive some assurance to the contrary, and not receiving any, Mr. Guppy proceeds, "If it had been Jarndyce and Jarndyce, I should have gone at once to your ladyship's solicitor, Mr. Tulkinghorn, of the Fields.

If it had been about Jarndyce and Jarndyce, I should have gone to your ladyship's solicitor, Mr. Tulkinghorn."


I have the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. Tulkinghorn--at least we move when we meet one another--and if it had been any business of that sort, I should have gone to him."


My Lady turns a little round and says, "You had better sit down."

My Lady says, "You had better sit down."


"Now, your ladyship"--Mr. Guppy refers to a little slip of paper on which he has made small notes of his line of argument and which seems to involve him in the densest obscurity whenever he looks at it--"I--Oh, yes!--I place myself entirely in your ladyship's hands.

"Now, your ladyship" - he refers to a little slip of paper - "Oh, yes! - I place myself entirely in your ladyship's hands.


If your ladyship was to make any complaint to Kenge and Carboy or to Mr. Tulkinghorn of the present visit, I should be placed in a very disagreeable situation.

If your ladyship was to make any complaint to Kenge and Carboy or to Mr. Tulkinghorn of this visit, I should be placed in a very disagreeable situation.


Consequently, I rely upon your ladyship's honour."


My Lady, with a disdainful gesture of the hand that holds the screen, assures him of his being worth no complaint from her.

My Lady, with a disdainful gesture, assures him of his being worth no complaint from her.


"Thank your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy; "quite satisfactory.


Now--I--dash it!--The fact is that I put down a head or two here of the order of the points I thought of touching upon, and they're written short, and I can't quite make out what they mean.

Now - dash it! I wrote down here the points I thought of touching upon, and I can't quite make them out."


If your ladyship will excuse me taking it to the window half a moment, I--"


Mr. Guppy, going to the window, tumbles into a pair of love-birds, to whom he says in his confusion, "I beg your pardon, I am sure."


This does not tend to the greater legibility of his notes.


He murmurs, growing warm and red and holding the slip of paper now close to his eyes, now a long way off, "C.S.

He blushes, peering at the slip of paper. "C.S.


"I am not aware," says Mr. Guppy, standing midway between my Lady and his chair, "whether your ladyship ever happened to hear of, or to see, a young lady of the name of Miss Esther Summerson."

I am not aware whether your ladyship ever happened to hear of, or to see, a young lady of the name of Miss Esther Summerson."


"I saw a young lady of that name not long ago."


"Now, did it strike your ladyship that she was like anybody?"


asks Mr. Guppy, crossing his arms, holding his head on one side, and scratching the corner of his mouth with his memoranda.

asks Mr. Guppy, crossing his arms, and holding his head on one side.


My Lady removes her eyes from him no more.


"I think your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy, "can hardly remember Miss Summerson's face?"


"Your ladyship, I do assure you that having Miss Summerson's image imprinted on my 'eart--which I mention in confidence--I found, when I had the honour of going over your ladyship's mansion of Chesney Wold while on a short out in the county of Lincolnshire with a friend, such a resemblance between Miss Esther Summerson and your ladyship's own portrait that it completely knocked me over, so much so that I didn't at the moment even know what it WAS that knocked me over.

"Your ladyship, I do assure you that having Miss Summerson's image imprinted on my 'eart, I found, when I had the honour of going over your ladyship's mansion of Chesney Wold recently, such a resemblance between Miss Esther Summerson and your ladyship's own portrait that it completely knocked me over.


And now I have the honour of beholding your ladyship near (I have often, since that, taken the liberty of looking at your ladyship in your carriage in the park, when I dare say you was not aware of me, but I never saw your ladyship so near), it's really more surprising than I thought it."

And now I have the honour of beholding your ladyship near, it's really more surprising than I thought."


What a deadly look those beautiful eyes give the young man of the name of Guppy!


There have been times, when ladies lived in strongholds and had unscrupulous attendants within call, when that poor life of yours would NOT have been worth a minute's purchase, with those beautiful eyes looking at you as they look at this moment.


My Lady, slowly using her little hand-screen as a fan, asks him again what he supposes that his taste for likenesses has to do with her.

My Lady asks him again what he supposes that this has to do with her.


"Your ladyship," replies Mr. Guppy, again referring to his paper, "I am coming to that.


Mr. Guppy draws his chair a little forward and seats himself again.


My Lady reclines in her chair composedly, though with a trifle less of graceful ease than usual perhaps, and never falters in her steady gaze.

My Lady reclines in her chair composedly, though with a trifle less ease than usual perhaps, and never falters in her steady gaze.


Rolling up the slip of paper as an instrument to point his speech with, Mr. Guppy proceeds.


"Your ladyship, there is a mystery about Miss Esther Summerson's birth and bringing up.


I am informed of that fact because--which I mention in confidence--I know it in the way of my profession at Kenge and Carboy's.

I know that fact in the way of my profession at Kenge and Carboy's.


Now, as I have already mentioned to your ladyship, Miss Summerson's image is imprinted on my 'eart.


If I could clear this mystery for her, or prove her to be well related, or find that having the honour to be a remote branch of your ladyship's family she had a right to be made a party in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, why, I might make a sort of a claim upon Miss Summerson to look with an eye of more dedicated favour on my proposals than she has exactly done as yet.

If I could clear this mystery for her, or prove her to be well related, or find that having the honour to be a remote branch of your ladyship's family she had a right to be made a party in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, why, Miss Summerson might look with more favour on my proposals than she has exactly done as yet.


In fact, as yet she hasn't favoured them at all."


A kind of angry smile just dawns upon my Lady's face.

A kind of angry smile dawns upon my Lady's face.


"Now, it's a very singular circumstance, your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy, "though one of those circumstances that do fall in the way of us professional men--which I may call myself, for though not admitted, yet I have had a present of my articles made to me by Kenge and Carboy, on my mother's advancing from the principal of her little income the money for the stamp, which comes heavy--that I have encountered the person who lived as servant with the lady who brought Miss Summerson up before Mr. Jarndyce took charge of her.

"Now, by chance," says Mr. Guppy, "through one of those circumstances that fall in the way of us professional men, I have met the person who lived as servant with the lady who brought Miss Summerson up.


That lady was a Miss Barbary, your ladyship."


Is the dead colour on my Lady's face reflected from the screen which has a green silk ground and which she holds in her raised hand as if she had forgotten it, or is it a dreadful paleness that has fallen on her?

Is the dead colour on my Lady's face reflected from her green silk screen, or is it a dreadful paleness that has fallen on her?


"Did your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy, "ever happen to hear of Miss Barbary?"

"Did your ladyship," says Mr. Guppy, "ever hear of Miss Barbary?"


"Was Miss Barbary at all connected with your ladyship's family?"

"Was she at all connected with your ladyship's family?"


My Lady's lips move, but they utter nothing.


"Not to your ladyship's knowledge, perhaps?


After each of these interrogatories, she has inclined her head.