"Mr. Jarndyce," he pursued, "being aware of the--I would say, desolate--position of our young friend, offers to place her at a first-rate establishment where her education shall be completed, where her comfort shall be secured, where her reasonable wants shall be anticipated, where she shall be eminently qualified to discharge her duty in that station of life unto which it has pleased--shall I say Providence?--to call her."

"Mr. Jarndyce," he pursued, "being aware of the desolate position of our young friend, offers to place her at a first-rate establishment where her education shall be completed, where her comfort shall be secured, and where she shall be qualified to do her duty in that station of life unto which Providence has called her."


My heart was filled so full, both by what he said and by his affecting manner of saying it, that I was not able to speak, though I tried.

My heart was filled so full that I was not able to speak.


"Mr. Jarndyce," he went on, "makes no condition beyond expressing his expectation that our young friend will not at any time remove herself from the establishment in question without his knowledge and concurrence.

"Mr. Jarndyce," he went on, "makes no condition beyond asking that our young friend will not remove herself from the establishment in question without his knowledge and agreement.


That she will faithfully apply herself to the acquisition of those accomplishments, upon the exercise of which she will be ultimately dependent.

That she will faithfully apply herself to acquiring those accomplishments upon which she will be ultimately dependent.


That she will tread in the paths of virtue and honour, and--the--a--so forth."

That she will tread in the paths of virtue and honour, and so forth.


I was still less able to speak than before.


What the destitute subject of such an offer tried to say, I need not repeat.


What she did say, I could more easily tell, if it were worth the telling.


What she felt, and will feel to her dying hour, I could never relate.


This interview took place at Windsor, where I had passed (as far as I knew) my whole life.

This interview took place at Windsor, where I had passed my whole life.


On that day week, amply provided with all necessaries, I left it, inside the stagecoach, for Reading.

A week later I left it, inside the stagecoach, for Reading.


Mrs. Rachael was too good to feel any emotion at parting, but I was not so good, and wept bitterly.


I thought that I ought to have known her better after so many years and ought to have made myself enough of a favourite with her to make her sorry then.

I thought that I ought to have made myself enough of a favourite with her to make her sorry.


When she gave me one cold parting kiss upon my forehead, like a thaw-drop from the stone porch--it was a very frosty day--I felt so miserable and self-reproachful that I clung to her and told her it was my fault, I knew, that she could say good-bye so easily!

When she gave me one cold parting kiss upon my forehead, I felt so miserable and self-reproachful that I clung to her and told her it was my fault, I knew, that she could say good-bye so easily.


The coach was at the little lawn-gate--we had not come out until we heard the wheels--and thus I left her, with a sorrowful heart.

The coach was at the gate; and thus I left her, with a sorrowful heart.


She went in before my boxes were lifted to the coach-roof and shut the door.

She went in before my boxes were lifted to the coach-roof.


As long as I could see the house, I looked back at it from the window through my tears.


My godmother had left Mrs. Rachael all the little property she possessed; and there was to be a sale; and an old hearth-rug with roses on it, which always seemed to me the first thing in the world I had ever seen, was hanging outside in the frost and snow.

My godmother had left Mrs. Rachael all the little property she possessed; and there was to be a sale.


A day or two before, I had wrapped the dear old doll in her own shawl and quietly laid her--I am half ashamed to tell it--in the garden-earth under the tree that shaded my old window.

A day or two before, I had wrapped the dear old doll in her own shawl and quietly laid her - I am half ashamed to tell it - in the garden-earth under the tree outside my old window.


I had no companion left but my bird, and him I carried with me in his cage.


When the house was out of sight, I sat, with my bird-cage in the straw at my feet, forward on the low seat to look out of the high window, watching the frosty trees, that were like beautiful pieces of spar, and the fields all smooth and white with last night's snow, and the sun, so red but yielding so little heat, and the ice, dark like metal where the skaters and sliders had brushed the snow away.

When the house was out of sight, I sat, with my bird-cage at my feet, looking out of the window, watching the frosty trees, and the fields all smooth and white with last night's snow, and the sun, so red but yielding so little heat.


There was a gentleman in the coach who sat on the opposite seat and looked very large in a quantity of wrappings, but he sat gazing out of the other window and took no notice of me.

There was a gentleman in the coach who sat on the opposite seat and looked very large in a quantity of wrappings, but he gazed out of the other window and took no notice of me.


I thought of my dead godmother, of the night when I read to her, of her frowning so fixedly and sternly in her bed, of the strange place I was going to, of the people I should find there, and what they would be like, and what they would say to me, when a voice in the coach gave me a terrible start.

I thought of my dead godmother, of the night when I read to her, of her frowning so sternly in her bed, of the strange place I was going to, of the people I should find there, and what they would be like, when a voice gave me a terrible start.


It said, "What the de-vil are you crying for?"


I was so frightened that I lost my voice and could only answer in a whisper, "Me, sir?"

I was so frightened that I could only answer in a whisper, "Me, sir?"


For of course I knew it must have been the gentleman in the quantity of wrappings, though he was still looking out of his window.

For of course it was the gentleman in the quantity of wrappings.


"I didn't know I was crying, sir," I faltered.


He came quite opposite to me from the other corner of the coach, brushed one of his large furry cuffs across my eyes (but without hurting me), and showed me that it was wet.

He came across to me, brushed one of his large furry cuffs across my eyes (but without hurting me), and showed me that it was wet.


said the gentleman, "Don't you want to go there?"


"Why, wherever you are going," said the gentleman.


"I am very glad to go there, sir," I answered.


I thought he was very strange, or at least that what I could see of him was very strange, for he was wrapped up to the chin, and his face was almost hidden in a fur cap with broad fur straps at the side of his head fastened under his chin; but I was composed again, and not afraid of him.

I thought he was very strange. He was wrapped up to the chin, and his face was almost hidden in a fur cap; but I was not afraid of him.


So I told him that I thought I must have been crying because of my godmother's death and because of Mrs. Rachael's not being sorry to part with me.


"Let her fly away in a high wind on a broomstick!"


I began to be really afraid of him now and looked at him with the greatest astonishment.


But I thought that he had pleasant eyes, although he kept on muttering to himself in an angry manner and calling Mrs. Rachael names.

But I thought that he had pleasant eyes, although he kept on muttering to himself in an angry manner.


After a little while he opened his outer wrapper, which appeared to me large enough to wrap up the whole coach, and put his arm down into a deep pocket in the side.

After a little while he opened his outer wrapper, and put his arm down into a deep pocket in the side.


"In this paper," which was nicely folded, "is a piece of the best plum-cake that can be got for money--sugar on the outside an inch thick, like fat on mutton chops.

"In this paper is a piece of the best plum-cake with sugar an inch thick.


Here's a little pie (a gem this is, both for size and quality), made in France.


"Thank you, sir," I replied; "thank you very much indeed, but I hope you won't be offended--they are too rich for me."

"Thank you, sir," I replied; "but I hope you won't be offended - they are too rich for me."


said the gentleman, which I didn't at all understand, and threw them both out of window.

said the gentleman, which I didn't at all understand, and threw them both out of the window.


He did not speak to me any more until he got out of the coach a little way short of Reading, when he advised me to be a good girl and to be studious, and shook hands with me.

He did not speak to me any more until he got out of the coach near Reading, when he advised me to be a good girl and to be studious, and shook hands with me.


I must say I was relieved by his departure.


I often walked past it afterwards, and never for a long time without thinking of him and half expecting to meet him.

I often walked past it afterwards, and thought of him, half expecting to meet him.


But I never did; and so, as time went on, he passed out of my mind.

But I never did; and as time went on, he passed out of my mind.


When the coach stopped, a very neat lady looked up at the window and said, "Miss Donny."


"That is quite right," said the lady, "Miss Donny."

"That is quite right," said the lady. "Miss Donny."


I now understood that she introduced herself by that name, and begged Miss Donny's pardon for my mistake, and pointed out my boxes at her request.

I now understood that she was Miss Donny, and apologised, and at her request pointed out my boxes.


Under the direction of a very neat maid, they were put outside a very small green carriage; and then Miss Donny, the maid, and I got inside and were driven away.

They were put on a very small green carriage; and then Miss Donny, her maid, and I got inside and were driven away.


"Everything is ready for you, Esther," said Miss Donny, "and the scheme of your pursuits has been arranged in exact accordance with the wishes of your guardian, Mr. Jarndyce."

"Everything is ready for you, Esther," said Miss Donny, "in exact accordance with the wishes of your guardian, Mr. Jarndyce."


"Of your guardian, Mr. Jarndyce," said Miss Donny.


I was so bewildered that Miss Donny thought the cold had been too severe for me and lent me her smelling-bottle.


"Do you know my--guardian, Mr. Jarndyce, ma'am?"

"Do you know my - guardian, Mr. Jarndyce, ma'am?"


I asked after a good deal of hesitation.


"Not personally, Esther," said Miss Donny; "merely through his solicitors, Messrs. Kenge and Carboy, of London.

"Not personally, Esther," said Miss Donny; "merely through his solicitors, Kenge and Carboy of London.


I felt this to be very true but was too confused to attend to it.

I felt this to be true, but was confused.


Our speedy arrival at our destination, before I had time to recover myself, increased my confusion, and I never shall forget the uncertain and the unreal air of everything at Greenleaf (Miss Donny's house) that afternoon!

Our speedy arrival at our destination increased my confusion, and I never shall forget the unreal air of everything at Greenleaf (Miss Donny's house) that afternoon.


I was so adapted to the routine of Greenleaf before long that I seemed to have been there a great while and almost to have dreamed rather than really lived my old life at my godmother's.

Before long, I seemed to have been there a great while and almost to have dreamed my old life at my godmother's.


Nothing could be more precise, exact, and orderly than Greenleaf.


There was a time for everything all round the dial of the clock, and everything was done at its appointed moment.


We were twelve boarders, and there were two Miss Donnys, twins.


It was understood that I would have to depend, by and by, on my qualifications as a governess, and I was not only instructed in everything that was taught at Greenleaf, but was very soon engaged in helping to instruct others.

It was understood that I would have to become a governess by and by, and I was not only instructed in everything that was taught, but was very soon helping to instruct others.


Although I was treated in every other respect like the rest of the school, this single difference was made in my case from the first.

Although I was treated in every other respect like the rest of the school, this single difference was made in my case.


As I began to know more, I taught more, and so in course of time I had plenty to do, which I was very fond of doing because it made the dear girls fond of me.

As I began to know more, I taught more, and had plenty to do, which I was very fond of doing because it made the dear girls fond of me.


At last, whenever a new pupil came who was a little downcast and unhappy, she was so sure--indeed I don't know why--to make a friend of me that all new-comers were confided to my care.

At last, whenever a new pupil came who was a little downcast and unhappy, she was so sure - indeed I don't know why - to make a friend of me that all new-comers were confided to my care.


They said I was so gentle, but I am sure THEY were!

They said I was so gentle, but I am sure they were!


I often thought of the resolution I had made on my birthday to try to be industrious, contented, and true-hearted and to do some good to some one and win some love if I could; and indeed, indeed, I felt almost ashamed to have done so little and have won so much.

I often thought of the resolution I had made on my birthday to try to be industrious, contented, and to do some good and win some love if I could; and indeed, I felt almost ashamed to have done so little and to have won so much.


I passed at Greenleaf six happy, quiet years.


I never saw in any face there, thank heaven, on my birthday, that it would have been better if I had never been born.


When the day came round, it brought me so many tokens of affectionate remembrance that my room was beautiful with them from New Year's Day to Christmas.

Instead I was given so many affectionate tokens that my room was beautiful with them.


In those six years I had never been away except on visits at holiday time in the neighbourhood.


After the first six months or so I had taken Miss Donny's advice in reference to the propriety of writing to Mr. Kenge to say that I was happy and grateful, and with her approval I had written such a letter.

After the first six months or so I had asked Miss Donny's advice about writing to Mr. Kenge, and with her approval I had written saying that I was happy and grateful.


I had received a formal answer acknowledging its receipt and saying, "We note the contents thereof, which shall be duly communicated to our client."

I had received a formal answer: "We note the contents thereof, which shall be duly communicated to our client."


After that I sometimes heard Miss Donny and her sister mention how regular my accounts were paid, and about twice a year I ventured to write a similar letter.

After that I sometimes heard Miss Donny and her sister mention how regularly my accounts were paid, and about twice a year I wrote a similar letter


I always received by return of post exactly the same answer in the same round hand, with the signature of Kenge and Carboy in another writing, which I supposed to be Mr. Kenge's.

, and received exactly the same answer in the same round handwriting.


It seems so curious to me to be obliged to write all this about myself!


As if this narrative were the narrative of MY life!

As if this narrative were the story of my life!


But my little body will soon fall into the background now.

But I will soon fall into the background now.


Six quiet years (I find I am saying it for the second time) I had passed at Greenleaf, seeing in those around me, as it might be in a looking-glass, every stage of my own growth and change there, when, one November morning, I received this letter.

Six quiet years I had passed at Greenleaf, when, one November morning, I received this letter.


Our clt Mr. Jarndyce being abt to rece into his house, under an Order of the Ct of Chy, a Ward of the Ct in this cause, for whom he wishes to secure an elgble compn, directs us to inform you that he will be glad of your serces in the afsd capacity.

Our clt Mr. Jarndyce being abt to rece into his house, under an Order of the Ct of Chy, a Ward of the Ct for whom he wishes to secure an elgble compn, directs us to inform you that he will be glad of your serces in the afsd capacity.


We have arrngd for your being forded, carriage free, pr eight o'clock coach from Reading, on Monday morning next, to White Horse Cellar, Piccadilly, London, where one of our clks will be in waiting to convey you to our offe as above.


Oh, never, never, never shall I forget the emotion this letter caused in the house!

Oh, never shall I forget the emotion this letter caused in the house!


It was so tender in them to care so much for me, it was so gracious in that father who had not forgotten me to have made my orphan way so smooth and easy and to have inclined so many youthful natures towards me, that I could hardly bear it.

It was so tender in them to care so much for me, it was so gracious in God to have made my orphan way so smooth and easy, that I could hardly bear it.


Not that I would have had them less sorry--I am afraid not; but the pleasure of it, and the pain of it, and the pride and joy of it, and the humble regret of it were so blended that my heart seemed almost breaking while it was full of rapture.

The pleasure and the pain of it, and pride and joy and humble regret were so blended that my heart seemed almost breaking while it was full of rapture.


The letter gave me only five days' notice of my removal.


When every minute added to the proofs of love and kindness that were given me in those five days, and when at last the morning came and when they took me through all the rooms that I might see them for the last time, and when some cried, "Esther, dear, say good-bye to me here at my bedside, where you first spoke so kindly to me!"

When at last the morning came and they took me through all the rooms to see them for the last time, and when some cried, "Esther, dear, say good-bye to me here, where you first spoke so kindly to me!"


and when others asked me only to write their names, "With Esther's love," and when they all surrounded me with their parting presents and clung to me weeping and cried, "What shall we do when dear, dear Esther's gone!"

and when they all surrounded me and clung to me weeping,


and when I tried to tell them how forbearing and how good they had all been to me and how I blessed and thanked them every one, what a heart I had!

and when I tried to tell them how good they had all been to me, and how I blessed and thanked them every one - what a heart I had!


And when the two Miss Donnys grieved as much to part with me as the least among them, and when the maids said, "Bless you, miss, wherever you go!"

And when the two Miss Donnys grieved as much as any, and when the maids said, "Bless you, miss, wherever you go!"


and when the ugly lame old gardener, who I thought had hardly noticed me in all those years, came panting after the coach to give me a little nosegay of geraniums and told me I had been the light of his eyes--indeed the old man said so!--what a heart I had then!

and when the ugly lame old gardener, who I thought had hardly noticed me in all those years, came panting after the coach to give me a little nosegay of geraniums and told me I had been the light of his eyes - what a heart I had then!


And could I help it if with all this, and the coming to the little school, and the unexpected sight of the poor children outside waving their hats and bonnets to me, and of a grey-haired gentleman and lady whose daughter I had helped to teach and at whose house I had visited (who were said to be the proudest people in all that country), caring for nothing but calling out, "Good-bye, Esther.


--could I help it if I was quite bowed down in the coach by myself and said "Oh, I am so thankful, I am so thankful!"

Could I help it if I was quite bowed down in the coach by myself and said "Oh, I am so thankful, I am so thankful!"


But of course I soon considered that I must not take tears where I was going after all that had been done for me.

But of course I soon considered that I must not take tears where I was going, after all that had been done for me.


Therefore, of course, I made myself sob less and persuaded myself to be quiet by saying very often, "Esther, now you really must!

I made myself sob less by saying to myself, "Esther, now,


I cheered myself up pretty well at last, though I am afraid I was longer about it than I ought to have been; and when I had cooled my eyes with lavender water, it was time to watch for London.

I cheered myself up pretty well at last, though I am afraid I was longer about it than I ought to have been; and then it was time to watch for London.


I was quite persuaded that we were there when we were ten miles off, and when we really were there, that we should never get there.


However, when we began to jolt upon a stone pavement, and particularly when every other conveyance seemed to be running into us, and we seemed to be running into every other conveyance, I began to believe that we really were approaching the end of our journey.

When we began to jolt upon a stone pavement, and when every other conveyance seemed to be running into us, and we seemed to be running into every other conveyance, I began to believe that we were approaching the end of our journey.


A young gentleman who had inked himself by accident addressed me from the pavement and said, "I am from Kenge and Carboy's, miss, of Lincoln's Inn."

An ink-stained young gentleman addressed me from the pavement and said, "I am from Kenge and Carboy's, miss, of Lincoln's Inn."


He was very obliging, and as he handed me into a fly after superintending the removal of my boxes, I asked him whether there was a great fire anywhere?

He was very obliging, and as he handed me into a carriage with my boxes, I asked him whether there was a great fire anywhere?


For the streets were so full of dense brown smoke that scarcely anything was to be seen.


"A fog, miss," said the young gentleman.


We drove slowly through the dirtiest and darkest streets that ever were seen in the world (I thought) and in such a distracting state of confusion that I wondered how the people kept their senses, until we passed into sudden quietude under an old gateway and drove on through a silent square until we came to an odd nook in a corner, where there was an entrance up a steep, broad flight of stairs, like an entrance to a church.

We drove slowly through the dirtiest, darkest, busiest streets that ever were seen (I thought), until we passed into sudden quietude under an old gateway and drove on through a silent square to a steep, broad flight of stairs in a corner, and an entrance like an entrance to a church.


And there really was a churchyard outside under some cloisters, for I saw the gravestones from the staircase window.


The young gentleman showed me through an outer office into Mr. Kenge's room--there was no one in it--and politely put an arm-chair for me by the fire.

The young gentleman showed me into Mr. Kenge's room - there was no one in it - and politely put an arm-chair for me by the fire.


He then called my attention to a little looking-glass hanging from a nail on one side of the chimney-piece.

He then called my attention to a little looking-glass hanging by the chimney-piece.


"In case you should wish to look at yourself, miss, after the journey, as you're going before the Chancellor.


Not that it's requisite, I am sure," said the young gentleman civilly.

Not that it's needed, I am sure," said he civilly.


"Only a matter of form, miss," returned the young gentleman.


He left his compliments, and would you partake of some refreshment"--there were biscuits and a decanter of wine on a small table--"and look over the paper," which the young gentleman gave me as he spoke.

He left his compliments, and would you partake of some refreshment" - there were biscuits and a decanter of wine on a small table - "and look over the newspaper," which the young gentleman gave me.


Everything was so strange--the stranger from its being night in the day-time, the candles burning with a white flame, and looking raw and cold--that I read the words in the newspaper without knowing what they meant and found myself reading the same words repeatedly.

Everything was so strange that I read the newspaper without knowing what the words meant.


As it was of no use going on in that way, I put the paper down, took a peep at my bonnet in the glass to see if it was neat, and looked at the room, which was not half lighted, and at the shabby, dusty tables, and at the piles of writings, and at a bookcase full of the most inexpressive-looking books that ever had anything to say for themselves.

I put the paper down, took a peep at my bonnet in the glass to see if it was neat, and looked at the room, with its shabby, dusty tables, and piles of writings, and a bookcase full of the most inexpressive-looking books.


Then I went on, thinking, thinking, thinking; and the fire went on, burning, burning, burning; and the candles went on flickering and guttering, and there were no snuffers--until the young gentleman by and by brought a very dirty pair--for two hours.

Then I went on, thinking, thinking; and the fire went on, burning, burning, for two hours.


HE was not altered, but he was surprised to see how altered I was and appeared quite pleased.

He was not altered, but he was surprised to see how altered I was and appeared quite pleased.


"As you are going to be the companion of the young lady who is now in the Chancellor's private room, Miss Summerson," he said, "we thought it well that you should be in attendance also.

"As you are going to be the companion of the young lady who is now in the Chancellor's private room, Miss Summerson," he said, "we thought you should attend also.


You will not be discomposed by the Lord Chancellor, I dare say?"


"No, sir," I said, "I don't think I shall," really not seeing on consideration why I should be.

"No, sir," I said, "I don't think I shall."


So Mr. Kenge gave me his arm and we went round the corner, under a colonnade, and in at a side door.


And so we came, along a passage, into a comfortable sort of room where a young lady and a young gentleman were standing near a great, loud-roaring fire.

into a comfortable room where a young lady and a young gentleman were standing near a great, loud-roaring fire


A screen was interposed between them and it, and they were leaning on the screen, talking.

, and leaning on the fire-screen, talking.


They both looked up when I came in, and I saw in the young lady, with the fire shining upon her, such a beautiful girl!

They both looked up when I came in. The young lady was such a beautiful girl!


With such rich golden hair, such soft blue eyes, and such a bright, innocent, trusting face!


"Miss Ada," said Mr. Kenge, "this is Miss Summerson."


She came to meet me with a smile of welcome and her hand extended, but seemed to change her mind in a moment and kissed me.

She came to meet me with a smile of welcome, and impulsively kissed me.


In short, she had such a natural, captivating, winning manner that in a few minutes we were sitting in the window-seat, with the light of the fire upon us, talking together as free and happy as could be.

She had such a natural, winning manner that in a few minutes we were sitting in the window-seat, talking together as free and happy as could be.


It was so delightful to know that she could confide in me and like me!


It was so good of her, and so encouraging to me!


The young gentleman was her distant cousin, she told me, and his name Richard Carstone.

The young gentleman was her distant cousin, she told me, and his name was Richard Carstone.


He was a handsome youth with an ingenuous face and a most engaging laugh; and after she had called him up to where we sat, he stood by us, in the light of the fire, talking gaily, like a light-hearted boy.

He was a handsome youth with an ingenuous face and a most engaging laugh; and after she called him over, he stood by us, talking gaily, like a light-hearted boy.


He was very young, not more than nineteen then, if quite so much, but nearly two years older than she was.

He was only nineteen, but that was nearly two years older than she was.


They were both orphans and (what was very unexpected and curious to me) had never met before that day.

They were both orphans, and curiously, had never met before that day.


Our all three coming together for the first time in such an unusual place was a thing to talk about, and we talked about it; and the fire, which had left off roaring, winked its red eyes at us--as Richard said--like a drowsy old Chancery lion.


We conversed in a low tone because a full-dressed gentleman in a bag wig frequently came in and out, and when he did so, we could hear a drawling sound in the distance, which he said was one of the counsel in our case addressing the Lord Chancellor.

- in low voices, because a gentleman in a wig frequently came in and out.


He told Mr. Kenge that the Chancellor would be up in five minutes; and presently we heard a bustle and a tread of feet, and Mr. Kenge said that the Court had risen and his lordship was in the next room.

He told Mr. Kenge that the Chancellor would be up in five minutes; and presently we heard a bustle, and Mr. Kenge said that the Court had risen and his lordship was in the next room.


The gentleman in the bag wig opened the door almost directly and requested Mr. Kenge to come in.


Upon that, we all went into the next room, Mr. Kenge first, with my darling--it is so natural to me now that I can't help writing it; and there, plainly dressed in black and sitting in an arm-chair at a table near the fire, was his lordship, whose robe, trimmed with beautiful gold lace, was thrown upon another chair.

So we all went into the next room, Mr. Kenge first, with my darling - it is so natural to me now that I can't help writing it; and there, plainly dressed in black and sitting in an arm-chair, was his lordship, whose robe, trimmed with beautiful gold lace, was thrown upon another chair.


He gave us a searching look as we entered, but his manner was both courtly and kind.


The gentleman in the bag wig laid bundles of papers on his lordship's table, and his lordship silently selected one and turned over the leaves.


"Miss Ada Clare?" said the Lord Chancellor.


Mr. Kenge presented her, and his lordship begged her to sit down near him.

Mr. Kenge presented her, and his lordship begged her to sit down.


That he admired her and was interested by her even I could see in a moment.


It touched me that the home of such a beautiful young creature should be represented by that dry, official place.

; it touched me that the home of such a beautiful young creature should be represented by that dry, official place.


The Lord High Chancellor, at his best, appeared so poor a substitute for the love and pride of parents.

Even the Lord High Chancellor appeared a poor substitute for the love and pride of parents.


"The Jarndyce in question," said the Lord Chancellor, still turning over leaves, "is Jarndyce of Bleak House."

"The Jarndyce in question," said the Lord Chancellor, turning over some papers, "is Jarndyce of Bleak House."


"Jarndyce of Bleak House, my lord," said Mr. Kenge.


"A dreary name," said the Lord Chancellor.


"But not a dreary place at present, my lord," said Mr. Kenge.


"And Bleak House," said his lordship, "is in--"

"And Bleak House," said his lordship, "is in-"


"Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House is not married?"


"Young Mr. Richard Carstone is present?"


said the Lord Chancellor, glancing towards him.


said the Lord Chancellor, turning over more leaves.


"Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House, my lord," Mr. Kenge observed in a low voice, "if I may venture to remind your lordship, provides a suitable companion for--"

"Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House, my lord," Mr. Kenge observed in a low voice, "if I may remind your lordship, provides a suitable companion for


I thought (but I am not quite sure) I heard his lordship say in an equally low voice and with a smile.


His lordship gave me an indulgent look and acknowledged my curtsy very graciously.

His lordship gave me an indulgent look and acknowledged my curtsy graciously.


"Miss Summerson is not related to any party in the cause, I think?"


Mr. Kenge leant over before it was quite said and whispered.


His lordship, with his eyes upon his papers, listened, nodded twice or thrice, turned over more leaves, and did not look towards me again until we were going away.

His lordship, with his eyes upon his papers, listened, nodded, and did not look towards me again until we were going away.


Mr. Kenge now retired, and Richard with him, to where I was, near the door, leaving my pet (it is so natural to me that again I can't help it!)

His lordship spoke a little to my pet (it is so natural to call her that that I can't help it


sitting near the Lord Chancellor, with whom his lordship spoke a little part, asking her, as she told me afterwards, whether she had well reflected on the proposed arrangement, and if she thought she would be happy under the roof of Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House, and why she thought so?

), asking her whether she thought she would be happy under the roof of Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House, and why she thought so?


Presently he rose courteously and released her, and then he spoke for a minute or two with Richard Carstone, not seated, but standing, and altogether with more ease and less ceremony, as if he still knew, though he WAS Lord Chancellor, how to go straight to the candour of a boy.

Presently he rose courteously, and then he spoke for a minute or two with Richard Carstone, with more ease and less ceremony, as if he knew how to go straight to the candour of a boy.


Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House has chosen, so far as I may judge," and this was when he looked at me, "a very good companion for the young lady, and the arrangement altogether seems the best of which the circumstances admit."

Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House has chosen, so far as I may judge," and he looked at me, "a very good companion for the young lady, and the arrangement seems the best which the circumstances admit."


He dismissed us pleasantly, and we all went out, very much obliged to him for being so affable and polite, by which he had certainly lost no dignity but seemed to us to have gained some.

He dismissed us pleasantly, and we all went out.


When we got under the colonnade, Mr. Kenge remembered that he must go back for a moment to ask a question and left us in the fog, with the Lord Chancellor's carriage and servants waiting for him to come out.

Mr. Kenge left us outside in the fog for a moment while he went back in to ask a question.


And where do we go next, Miss Summerson?"


We looked at one another, half laughing at our being like the children in the wood, when a curious little old woman in a squeezed bonnet and carrying a reticule came curtsying and smiling up to us with an air of great ceremony.

We looked at one another, laughing, when a curious little old woman in a squeezed bonnet and carrying a handbag came curtsying and smiling up to us.


Ve-ry happy, I am sure, to have the honour!


It is a good omen for youth, and hope, and beauty when they find themselves in this place, and don't know what's to come of it."

It is a good omen for youth, and hope, and beauty when they find themselves here, and don't know what's to come of it."


whispered Richard, not thinking she could hear him.


Mad, young gentleman," she returned so quickly that he was quite abashed.


I was not mad at that time," curtsying low and smiling between every little sentence.

I was not mad at that time," curtsying low and smiling between every sentence.


Neither of the three served or saved me.


I have the honour to attend court regularly.


I have discovered that the sixth seal mentioned in the Revelations is the Great Seal."


As Ada was a little frightened, I said, to humour the poor old lady, that we were much obliged to her.


Now don't be troublesome, that's a good soul!"


"By no means," said the poor old lady, keeping up with Ada and me.

"By no means," said the poor old lady, keeping up with us.


I shall confer estates on both--which is not being troublesome, I trust?


She stopped at the bottom of the steep, broad flight of stairs; but we looked back as we went up, and she was still there, saying, still with a curtsy and a smile between every little sentence, "Youth.

She stopped at the bottom of the stairs; and when we looked back she was still there, saying with a curtsy and a smile, "Youth.


We held many consultations about what Richard was to be, first without Mr. Jarndyce, as he had requested, and afterwards with him, but it was a long time before we seemed to make progress.

We held many consultations about what Richard was to be, but it was a long time before we seemed to make progress.


When Mr. Jarndyce doubted whether he might not already be too old to enter the Navy, Richard said he had thought of that, and perhaps he was.


When Mr. Jarndyce asked him what he thought of the Army, Richard said he had thought of that, too, and it wasn't a bad idea.


When Mr. Jarndyce advised him to try and decide within himself whether his old preference for the sea was an ordinary boyish inclination or a strong impulse, Richard answered, Well he really HAD tried very often, and he couldn't make out.

When Mr. Jarndyce advised him to try and decide whether his old preference for the sea was a boyish inclination or a strong impulse, Richard answered, Well he really had tried very often, and he couldn't make it out.


"How much of this indecision of character," Mr. Jarndyce said to me, "is chargeable on that incomprehensible heap of uncertainty and procrastination on which he has been thrown from his birth, I don't pretend to say; but that Chancery, among its other sins, is responsible for some of it, I can plainly see.

"How much of this indecision of character," Mr. Jarndyce said to me, "is due to the uncertainty on which he has been thrown from his birth, I don't know; but that Chancery is responsible for some of it, I can plainly see.


It has engendered or confirmed in him a habit of putting off--and trusting to this, that, and the other chance, without knowing what chance--and dismissing everything as unsettled, uncertain, and confused.

It has confirmed in him a habit of putting off - and trusting to chance, without knowing what chance - and dismissing everything as unsettled and confused.


The character of much older and steadier people may be even changed by the circumstances surrounding them.

The character of much older people may be changed by the circumstances surrounding them.


It would be too much to expect that a boy's, in its formation, should be the subject of such influences and escape them."

It would be too much to expect that a boy's should escape."


I felt this to be true; though if I may venture to mention what I thought besides, I thought it much to be regretted that Richard's education had not counteracted those influences or directed his character.

I felt this to be true; though I also thought it much to be regretted that Richard's education had not counteracted those influences.


He had been eight years at a public school and had learnt, I understood, to make Latin verses of several sorts in the most admirable manner.

He had been eight years at a public school and had learnt, I understood, to make Latin verses in the most admirable manner.


But I never heard that it had been anybody's business to find out what his natural bent was, or where his failings lay, or to adapt any kind of knowledge to HIM.

But I never heard that it had been anybody's business to find out what his natural bent was, or where his failings lay, or to adapt any kind of knowledge to him.


HE had been adapted to the verses and had learnt the art of making them to such perfection that if he had remained at school until he was of age, I suppose he could only have gone on making them over and over again unless he had enlarged his education by forgetting how to do it.

He had been adapted to the verses and had learnt to make them to perfection


Still, although I had no doubt that they were very beautiful, and very improving, and very sufficient for a great many purposes of life, and always remembered all through life, I did doubt whether Richard would not have profited by some one studying him a little, instead of his studying them quite so much.

; but although no doubt they were very beautiful, and very improving, I felt that Richard would have profited by some one studying him a little, instead of his studying them quite so much.


To be sure, I knew nothing of the subject and do not even now know whether the young gentlemen of classic Rome or Greece made verses to the same extent--or whether the young gentlemen of any country ever did.


"I haven't the least idea," said Richard, musing, "what I had better be.

"I haven't the least idea," said Richard, "what I had better be.


Except that I am quite sure I don't want to go into the Church, it's a toss-up."


"You have no inclination in Mr. Kenge's way?"


Articled clerks go a good deal on the water.


I doubt if he had ever once thought of it before.


"That's the thing, sir," repeated Richard with the greatest enthusiasm.


I doubt if he had ever thought of it before.


He was not to be laughed out of it, though he laughed at it heartily.


He said he had chosen his profession, and the more he thought of it, the more he felt that his destiny was clear; the art of healing was the art of all others for him.

He said he had chosen his profession, and felt that the art of healing was the art of all others for him.


Mistrusting that he only came to this conclusion because, having never had much chance of finding out for himself what he was fitted for and having never been guided to the discovery, he was taken by the newest idea and was glad to get rid of the trouble of consideration, I wondered whether the Latin verses often ended in this or whether Richard's was a solitary case.

I suspected that he was simply taken by the newest idea and was glad to get rid of the trouble of consideration.


Mr. Jarndyce took great pains to talk with him seriously and to put it to his good sense not to deceive himself in so important a matter.

Mr. Jarndyce took great pains to talk with him seriously about the matter.


Richard was a little grave after these interviews, but invariably told Ada and me that it was all right, and then began to talk about something else.


cried Mr. Boythorn, who interested himself strongly in the subject--though I need not say that, for he could do nothing weakly; "I rejoice to find a young gentleman of spirit and gallantry devoting himself to that noble profession!

cried Mr. Boythorn, who interested himself strongly in the subject; "I rejoice to find a young gentleman of spirit devoting himself to that noble profession!


The more spirit there is in it, the better for mankind and the worse for those mercenary task-masters and low tricksters who delight in putting that illustrious art at a disadvantage in the world.


By all that is base and despicable," cried Mr. Boythorn, "the treatment of surgeons aboard ship is such that I would submit the legs--both legs--of every member of the Admiralty Board to a compound fracture and render it a transportable offence in any qualified practitioner to set them if the system were not wholly changed in eight and forty hours!"

By all that is base and despicable, the treatment of surgeons aboard ship is such that I would submit the legs of every member of the Admiralty Board to a compound fracture if the system were not wholly changed in eight and forty hours!"


As to corporations, parishes, vestry-boards, and similar gatherings of jolter-headed clods who assemble to exchange such speeches that, by heaven, they ought to be worked in quicksilver mines for the short remainder of their miserable existence, if it were only to prevent their detestable English from contaminating a language spoken in the presence of the sun--as to those fellows, who meanly take advantage of the ardour of gentlemen in the pursuit of knowledge to recompense the inestimable services of the best years of their lives, their long study, and their expensive education with pittances too small for the acceptance of clerks, I would have the necks of every one of them wrung and their skulls arranged in Surgeons' Hall for the contemplation of the whole profession in order that its younger members might understand from actual measurement, in early life, HOW thick skulls may become!"

Those fellows meanly take advantage of the ardour of these gentlemen to reward the services of the best years of their lives and their long study with pittances too small even for clerks. I would have the necks of every one of them wrung!"


He wound up this vehement declaration by looking round upon us with a most agreeable smile and suddenly thundering, "Ha, ha, ha!"

He looked round at us with an agreeable smile, thundering, "Ha, ha, ha!"


over and over again, until anybody else might have been expected to be quite subdued by the exertion.


As Richard still continued to say that he was fixed in his choice after repeated periods for consideration had been recommended by Mr. Jarndyce and had expired, and he still continued to assure Ada and me in the same final manner that it was "all right," it became advisable to take Mr. Kenge into council.

As Richard still continued to say that he was fixed in his choice, it became advisable to take Mr. Kenge into council.


Mr. Kenge, therefore, came down to dinner one day, and leaned back in his chair, and turned his eye-glasses over and over, and spoke in a sonorous voice, and did exactly what I remembered to have seen him do when I was a little girl.

Mr. Kenge, therefore, came to dinner one day, and leaned back in his chair, and turned his eye-glasses over and over, exactly as I remembered to have seen him do when I was a little girl.


A very good profession, Mr. Jarndyce, a very good profession."


"The course of study and preparation requires to be diligently pursued," observed my guardian with a glance at Richard.

"It requires diligent study and preparation," observed my guardian, with a glance at Richard.


"But that being the case, more or less, with all pursuits that are worth much," said Mr. Jarndyce, "it is not a special consideration which another choice would be likely to escape."


"And Mr. Richard Carstone, who has so meritoriously acquitted himself in the--shall I say the classic shades?--in which his youth had been passed, will, no doubt, apply the habits, if not the principles and practice, of versification in that tongue in which a poet was said (unless I mistake) to be born, not made, to the more eminently practical field of action on which he enters."

"And Mr. Richard Carstone, who has so well acquitted himself in the classics, will no doubt apply the habits, if not the principles and practice, of that study to the more eminently practical field of action on which he enters."


"You may rely upon it," said Richard in his off-hand manner, "that I shall go at it and do my best."


said Mr. Kenge, gently nodding his head.


"Really, when we are assured by Mr. Richard that he means to go at it and to do his best," nodding feelingly and smoothly over those expressions, "I would submit to you that we have only to inquire into the best mode of carrying out the object of his ambition.

"In that case we have only to inquire into the best mode of carrying out this ambition.


Now, with reference to placing Mr. Richard with some sufficiently eminent practitioner.

Now, with reference to placing Mr. Richard with some eminent practitioner.


Is there any particular feeling on that head?"

Is there any particular feeling about that?"


"I should like a little variety," said Richard; "I mean a good range of experience."

"I should like a little variety. I mean a good range of experience."


"Very requisite, no doubt," returned Mr. Kenge.


"I think this may be easily arranged, Mr. Jarndyce?

"I think this may be easily arranged, Mr. Jarndyce," returned Mr. Kenge.


We have only, in the first place, to discover a sufficiently eligible practitioner; and as soon as we make our want--and shall I add, our ability to pay a premium?--known, our only difficulty will be in the selection of one from a large number.

"We have only to discover an eligible practitioner; and


We have only, in the second place, to observe those little formalities which are rendered necessary by our time of life and our being under the guardianship of the court.

to observe those little formalities which are rendered necessary by our being under the guardianship of the court.


We shall soon be--shall I say, in Mr. Richard's own light-hearted manner, 'going at it'--to our heart's content.

We shall soon be - shall I say, 'going at it' - to our heart's content.


It is a coincidence," said Mr. Kenge with a tinge of melancholy in his smile, "one of those coincidences which may or may not require an explanation beyond our present limited faculties, that I have a cousin in the medical profession.

By coincidence, I have a cousin in the medical profession.


He might be deemed eligible by you and might be disposed to respond to this proposal.

He might be deemed eligible by you and might agree to this proposal."


I can answer for him as little as for you, but he MIGHT!"


As this was an opening in the prospect, it was arranged that Mr. Kenge should see his cousin.

So it was arranged that Mr. Kenge should see his cousin.


And as Mr. Jarndyce had before proposed to take us to London for a few weeks, it was settled next day that we should make our visit at once and combine Richard's business with it.

And as Mr. Jarndyce had proposed to take us to London for a few weeks, it was settled that we should make our visit at once and combine Richard's business with it.


Mr. Boythorn leaving us within a week, we took up our abode at a cheerful lodging near Oxford Street over an upholsterer's shop.

Mr. Boythorn having left us, we took up our abode at a cheerful lodging near Oxford Street over an upholsterer's shop.


London was a great wonder to us, and we were out for hours and hours at a time, seeing the sights, which appeared to be less capable of exhaustion than we were.

London was a great wonder to us, and we were out for hours at a time, seeing the sights.


We made the round of the principal theatres, too, with great delight, and saw all the plays that were worth seeing.

We made the round of the principal theatres with great delight, and saw all the plays that were worth seeing.


I mention this because it was at the theatre that I began to be made uncomfortable again by Mr. Guppy.


I was sitting in front of the box one night with Ada, and Richard was in the place he liked best, behind Ada's chair, when, happening to look down into the pit, I saw Mr. Guppy, with his hair flattened down upon his head and woe depicted in his face, looking up at me.

I was sitting in the box one night with Ada, and Richard was behind Ada's chair, when, happening to look down into the pit, I saw Mr. Guppy, with his hair flattened upon his head and woe in his face, looking up at me.


I felt all through the performance that he never looked at the actors but constantly looked at me, and always with a carefully prepared expression of the deepest misery and the profoundest dejection.

I felt all through the performance that he never looked at the actors but only at me, with a carefully prepared expression of the deepest misery.


It quite spoiled my pleasure for that night because it was so very embarrassing and so very ridiculous.

It quite spoiled my pleasure that night because it was so very embarrassing and very ridiculous.


But from that time forth, we never went to the play without my seeing Mr. Guppy in the pit, always with his hair straight and flat, his shirt-collar turned down, and a general feebleness about him.

But from that time forth, we never went to the play without my seeing Mr. Guppy in the pit, always with his hair flat, his shirt-collar turned down, and a general feebleness about him.


If he were not there when we went in, and I began to hope he would not come and yielded myself for a little while to the interest of the scene, I was certain to encounter his languishing eyes when I least expected it and, from that time, to be quite sure that they were fixed upon me all the evening.

If he were not there when we went in, and I began to hope he would not come, I was certain to see him when I least expected it; and then his languishing eyes would be fixed upon me all the evening.


I really cannot express how uneasy this made me.


If he would only have brushed up his hair or turned up his collar, it would have been bad enough; but to know that that absurd figure was always gazing at me, and always in that demonstrative state of despondency, put such a constraint upon me that I did not like to laugh at the play, or to cry at it, or to move, or to speak.

To know that he was always gazing at me in despondency put such a constraint upon me that I did not like to laugh at the play, or move, or speak.


As to escaping Mr. Guppy by going to the back of the box, I could not bear to do that because I knew Richard and Ada relied on having me next them and that they could never have talked together so happily if anybody else had been in my place.

I could not escape Mr. Guppy by going to the back of the box, because I knew Richard and Ada relied on having me next to them and that they could never have talked together so happily otherwise.


So there I sat, not knowing where to look--for wherever I looked, I knew Mr. Guppy's eyes were following me--and thinking of the dreadful expense to which this young man was putting himself on my account.

So there I sat, not knowing where to look - for wherever I looked, I knew Mr. Guppy's eyes were following me.


Sometimes I thought of telling Mr. Jarndyce.


Then I feared that the young man would lose his situation and that I might ruin him.

; but I feared that the young man might lose his job.


Sometimes I thought of confiding in Richard, but was deterred by the possibility of his fighting Mr. Guppy and giving him black eyes.

Sometimes I thought of confiding in Richard, but was deterred by the possibility of their fighting.


Sometimes I thought, should I frown at him or shake my head.


Sometimes I considered whether I should write to his mother, but that ended in my being convinced that to open a correspondence would be to make the matter worse.

Sometimes I considered whether I should write to his mother, but I felt that opening a correspondence would make the matter worse.


I always came to the conclusion, finally, that I could do nothing.


Mr. Guppy's perseverance, all this time, not only produced him regularly at any theatre to which we went, but caused him to appear in the crowd as we were coming out, and even to get up behind our fly--where I am sure I saw him, two or three times, struggling among the most dreadful spikes.

Mr. Guppy's perseverance, all this time, not only produced him regularly at the theatre, but caused him to appear in the crowd as we were coming out.


After we got home, he haunted a post opposite our house.


The upholsterer's where we lodged being at the corner of two streets, and my bedroom window being opposite the post, I was afraid to go near the window when I went upstairs, lest I should see him (as I did one moonlight night) leaning against the post and evidently catching cold.


If Mr. Guppy had not been, fortunately for me, engaged in the daytime, I really should have had no rest from him.


While we were making this round of gaieties, in which Mr. Guppy so extraordinarily participated, the business which had helped to bring us to town was not neglected.


Mr. Kenge's cousin was a Mr. Bayham Badger, who had a good practice at Chelsea and attended a large public institution besides.

Mr. Kenge's cousin was a Mr. Bayham Badger, who had a good practice at Chelsea and attended a large hospital besides.


He was quite willing to receive Richard into his house and to superintend his studies, and as it seemed that those could be pursued advantageously under Mr. Badger's roof, and Mr. Badger liked Richard, and as Richard said he liked Mr. Badger "well enough," an agreement was made, the Lord Chancellor's consent was obtained, and it was all settled.

He was quite willing to receive Richard into his house and to superintend his studies, and as Mr. Badger liked Richard, and as Richard said he liked Mr. Badger "well enough," an agreement was made, the Lord Chancellor's consent was obtained, and it was all settled.


On the day when matters were concluded between Richard and Mr. Badger, we were all under engagement to dine at Mr. Badger's house.

On the day when these matters were concluded, we were invited to dine at Mr. Badger's house.


We were to be "merely a family party," Mrs. Badger's note said; and we found no lady there but Mrs. Badger herself.

We were to be "merely a family party," Mrs. Badger's note said. We found Mrs. Badger


She was surrounded in the drawing-room by various objects, indicative of her painting a little, playing the piano a little, playing the guitar a little, playing the harp a little, singing a little, working a little, reading a little, writing poetry a little, and botanizing a little.


She was a lady of about fifty, I should think, youthfully dressed, and of a very fine complexion.

to be a lady of about fifty, youthfully dressed, and of a very fine complexion.


If I add to the little list of her accomplishments that she rouged a little, I do not mean that there was any harm in it.


Mr. Bayham Badger himself was a pink, fresh-faced, crisp-looking gentleman with a weak voice, white teeth, light hair, and surprised eyes, some years younger, I should say, than Mrs. Bayham Badger.

Mr. Bayham Badger himself was a pink, fresh-faced gentleman with a weak voice, light hair, and surprised eyes, some years younger, I should say, than Mrs. Bayham Badger.


He admired her exceedingly, but principally, and to begin with, on the curious ground (as it seemed to us) of her having had three husbands.

He admired her exceedingly, but principally on the curious ground of her having had three husbands.


We had barely taken our seats when he said to Mr. Jarndyce quite triumphantly, "You would hardly suppose that I am Mrs. Bayham Badger's third!"


"Mrs. Bayham Badger has not the appearance, Miss Summerson, of a lady who has had two former husbands?"


said Mr. Badger in a tone of confidence.


"Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy, who was Mrs. Badger's first husband, was a very distinguished officer indeed.

"Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy, Mrs. Badger's first husband, was a very distinguished officer indeed.


The name of Professor Dingo, my immediate predecessor, is one of European reputation."


Mr. Badger replied to the smile, "I was observing to Mr. Jarndyce and Miss Summerson that you had had two former husbands--both very distinguished men.


And they found it, as people generally do, difficult to believe."


"I was barely twenty," said Mrs. Badger, "when I married Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy.

"I was barely twenty," she said, "when I married Captain Swosser of the Royal Navy.


I was in the Mediterranean with him; I am quite a sailor.


On the twelfth anniversary of my wedding-day, I became the wife of Professor Dingo."


"Of European reputation," added Mr. Badger in an undertone.

"Of European reputation," added Mr. Badger.


"And when Mr. Badger and myself were married," pursued Mrs. Badger, "we were married on the same day of the year.


"So that Mrs. Badger has been married to three husbands--two of them highly distinguished men," said Mr. Badger, summing up the facts, "and each time upon the twenty-first of March at eleven in the forenoon!"


"But for Mr. Badger's modesty," said Mr. Jarndyce, "I would take leave to correct him and say three distinguished men."


"And, my dear," said Mr. Badger, "what do I always tell you?


That without any affectation of disparaging such professional distinction as I may have attained (which our friend Mr. Carstone will have many opportunities of estimating), I am not so weak--no, really," said Mr. Badger to us generally, "so unreasonable--as to put my reputation on the same footing with such first-rate men as Captain Swosser and Professor Dingo.


"Perhaps you may be interested, Mr. Jarndyce," continued Mr. Bayham Badger, leading the way into the next drawing-room, "in this portrait of Captain Swosser.


It was taken on his return home from the African station, where he had suffered from the fever of the country.

It was taken on his return home from the African station, where he had suffered from the fever.


"I feel when I look at it," said Mr. Badger, "'That's a man I should like to have seen!'


It strikingly bespeaks the first-class man that Captain Swosser pre-eminently was.


I knew him well--attended him in his last illness--a speaking likeness!

I knew him well - attended him in his last illness - a speaking likeness


Over the piano, Mrs. Bayham Badger when Mrs. Swosser.


Over the sofa, Mrs. Bayham Badger when Mrs. Dingo.


Of Mrs. Bayham Badger IN ESSE, I possess the original and have no copy."


Dinner was now announced, and we went downstairs.


It was a very genteel entertainment, very handsomely served.


But the captain and the professor still ran in Mr. Badger's head, and as Ada and I had the honour of being under his particular care, we had the full benefit of them.

But the captain and the professor still ran in Mr. Badger's head.


Bring me the professor's goblet, James!"


Ada very much admired some artificial flowers under a glass.


"They were presented to Mrs. Bayham Badger when she was in the Mediterranean."


He invited Mr. Jarndyce to take a glass of claret.


This is an occasion, and ON an occasion I produce some very special claret I happen to have.

he said. "This is an occasion, and on an occasion I produce some very special claret.


Mr. Jarndyce, this is a wine that was imported by the captain, we will not say how many years ago.


My dear, I shall be happy to take some of this wine with you.


(Captain Swosser's claret to your mistress, James!)


After dinner, when we ladies retired, we took Mrs. Badger's first and second husband with us.


Mrs. Badger gave us in the drawing-room a biographical sketch of the life and services of Captain Swosser before his marriage and a more minute account of him dating from the time when he fell in love with her at a ball on board the Crippler, given to the officers of that ship when she lay in Plymouth Harbour.

Mrs. Badger gave us in the drawing-room an outline of the life of Captain Swosser before his marriage, and a minute account from the time when he fell in love with her at a ball on board the Crippler, when she lay in Plymouth Harbour.


Trim, ship-shape, all a taunto, as Captain Swosser used to say.


You must excuse me if I occasionally introduce a nautical expression; I was quite a sailor once.


Captain Swosser loved that craft for my sake.


When she was no longer in commission, he frequently said that if he were rich enough to buy her old hulk, he would have an inscription let into the timbers of the quarter-deck where we stood as partners in the dance to mark the spot where he fell--raked fore and aft (Captain Swosser used to say) by the fire from my tops.

When she was no longer in commission, he frequently said that if he were rich enough to buy her, he would have an inscription made on the timbers of the quarter-deck where we stood as partners in the dance."


It was his naval way of mentioning my eyes."


Mrs. Badger shook her head, sighed, and looked in the glass.


"It was a great change from Captain Swosser to Professor Dingo," she resumed with a plaintive smile.


Such an entire revolution in my mode of life!


But custom, combined with science--particularly science--inured me to it.


Being the professor's sole companion in his botanical excursions, I almost forgot that I had ever been afloat, and became quite learned.

soon I almost forgot that I had ever been afloat, and became quite learned!"


It is singular that the professor was the antipodes of Captain Swosser and that Mr. Badger is not in the least like either!"


We then passed into a narrative of the deaths of Captain Swosser and Professor Dingo, both of whom seem to have had very bad complaints.


In the course of it, Mrs. Badger signified to us that she had never madly loved but once and that the object of that wild affection, never to be recalled in its fresh enthusiasm, was Captain Swosser.


The professor was yet dying by inches in the most dismal manner, and Mrs. Badger was giving us imitations of his way of saying, with great difficulty, "Where is Laura?


when the entrance of the gentlemen consigned him to the tomb.


Now, I observed that evening, as I had observed for some days past, that Ada and Richard were more than ever attached to each other's society, which was but natural, seeing that they were going to be separated so soon.

Now, I observed that evening, as I had observed for some days past, that Ada and Richard were more than ever attached to each other's society.


I was therefore not very much surprised when we got home, and Ada and I retired upstairs, to find Ada more silent than usual, though I was not quite prepared for her coming into my arms and beginning to speak to me, with her face hidden.

I was therefore not very much surprised when we got home, and Ada and I retired upstairs, to find Ada more silent than usual, though I was not quite prepared for her coming into my arms and beginning to speak with her face hidden.


A mighty secret, my pretty one, no doubt!


cried Ada, very much startled by the idea of my doing so.


said I, kissing her bright hair, which was all I could see.


It was so pretty to have her clinging to me in that way, hiding her face, and to know that she was not crying in sorrow but in a little glow of joy, and pride, and hope, that I would not help her just yet.

It was so pretty to have her clinging to me, hiding her face, and crying in a little glow of joy and hope, that I would not help her just yet.


"He says--I know it's very foolish, we are both so young--but he says," with a burst of tears, "that he loves me dearly, Esther."

"He says - I know it's very foolish, we are both so young - but he says," with a burst of tears, "that he loves me dearly, Esther."


"Why, my pet of pets, I could have told you that weeks and weeks ago!"


To see Ada lift up her flushed face in joyful surprise, and hold me round the neck, and laugh, and cry, and blush, was so pleasant!

To see Ada lift up her flushed face in joyful surprise was so pleasant!


"Why, my darling," said I, "what a goose you must take me for!


Your cousin Richard has been loving you as plainly as he could for I don't know how long!"

your cousin Richard has been loving you as plainly as he could for I don't know how long!"


"And yet you never said a word about it!"


"But now I have told you, you don't think it wrong of me, do you?"

"You don't think it wrong of me, do you?"


She might have coaxed me to say no if I had been the hardest-hearted duenna in the world.


Not being that yet, I said no very freely.


"And now," said I, "I know the worst of it."


"Oh, that's not quite the worst of it, Esther dear!"


cried Ada, holding me tighter and laying down her face again upon my breast.


"Why, you never mean to say--" I was beginning in joke.

"Why, you never mean to say-" I was beginning in joke.


But Ada, looking up and smiling through her tears, cried, "Yes, I do!


And then sobbed out, "With all my heart I do!

And then sobbed out, "With all my heart I do, Esther!"


I told her, laughing, why I had known that, too, just as well as I had known the other!

I told her, laughing, I had known that, too!


And we sat before the fire, and I had all the talking to myself for a little while (though there was not much of it); and Ada was soon quiet and happy.

And we sat before the fire and talked until she was quiet and happy.


"Do you think my cousin John knows, dear Dame Durden?"


"Unless my cousin John is blind, my pet," said I, "I should think my cousin John knows pretty well as much as we know."

"Unless my cousin John is blind, my pet, I should think he knows."


"We want to speak to him before Richard goes," said Ada timidly, "and we wanted you to advise us, and to tell him so.

"We want to speak to him before Richard goes," said Ada timidly, "and we wanted you to advise us.


Perhaps you wouldn't mind Richard's coming in, Dame Durden?"

Perhaps you wouldn't mind Richard's coming in?"


"I am not quite certain," returned Ada with a bashful simplicity that would have won my heart if she had not won it long before, "but I think he's waiting at the door."

"I am not quite certain," returned Ada with bashful simplicity, "but I think he's waiting at the door."


They brought a chair on either side of me, and put me between them, and really seemed to have fallen in love with me instead of one another, they were so confiding, and so trustful, and so fond of me.

They sat on either side of me, and really seemed to have fallen in love with me instead of one another, they were so confiding and trustful.


They went on in their own wild way for a little while--I never stopped them; I enjoyed it too much myself--and then we gradually fell to considering how young they were, and how there must be a lapse of several years before this early love could come to anything, and how it could come to happiness only if it were real and lasting and inspired them with a steady resolution to do their duty to each other, with constancy, fortitude, and perseverance, each always for the other's sake.

They went on in their own wild way for a little while; and then we began to consider how young they were, and how there must be a lapse of several years before this early love could come to anything, and how it could come to happiness only if it were real and lasting, and inspired them with constancy, fortitude, and perseverance for the other's sake.


Richard said that he would work his fingers to the bone for Ada, and Ada said that she would work her fingers to the bone for Richard, and they called me all sorts of endearing and sensible names, and we sat there, advising and talking, half the night.

Richard said that he would work his fingers to the bone for Ada, and Ada said that she would work her fingers to the bone for Richard, and they called me all sorts of endearing things, and we sat there talking half the night.


Finally, before we parted, I gave them my promise to speak to their cousin John to-morrow.

Before we parted, I promised to speak to their cousin John tomorrow.


So, when to-morrow came, I went to my guardian after breakfast, in the room that was our town-substitute for the growlery, and told him that I had it in trust to tell him something.

So, when tomorrow came, I went to my guardian after breakfast, in the room that was our town-substitute for the growlery.


"Well, little woman," said he, shutting up his book, "if you have accepted the trust, there can be no harm in it."


"I can guarantee that there is no secrecy in it.


"Guardian," said I, "you remember the happy night when first we came down to Bleak House?


I wished to call to his remembrance the look he had given me then.


Unless I am much mistaken, I saw that I did so.


"Because--" said I with a little hesitation.


"Because," said I, "Ada and Richard have fallen in love.

"Because-" said I with a little hesitation - "because Ada and Richard have fallen in love.


"And to tell you the truth, guardian, I rather expected it."


He sat considering for a minute or two, with his smile, at once so handsome and so kind, upon his changing face, and then requested me to let them know that he wished to see them.

He sat considering for a minute or two, with his kind smile, and then asked me to let them know that he wished to see them.


When they came, he encircled Ada with one arm in his fatherly way and addressed himself to Richard with a cheerful gravity.


"Rick," said Mr. Jarndyce, "I am glad to have won your confidence.


When I contemplated these relations between us four which have so brightened my life and so invested it with new interests and pleasures, I certainly did contemplate, afar off, the possibility of you and your pretty cousin here (don't be shy, Ada, don't be shy, my dear!)

I certainly did contemplate, afar off, the possibility of you and your pretty cousin here (don't be shy, Ada, my dear!)


being in a mind to go through life together.


I saw, and do see, many reasons to make it desirable.


"We look afar off, sir," returned Richard.


I might tell you that you don't know your own minds yet, that a thousand things may happen to divert you from one another, that it is well this chain of flowers you have taken up is very easily broken, or it might become a chain of lead.

I might tell you that you don't know your own minds yet, that a thousand things may happen to divert you from one another, that this chain of flowers you have taken up is very easily broken.


Such wisdom will come soon enough, I dare say, if it is to come at all.


I will assume that a few years hence you will be in your hearts to one another what you are to-day.

I will assume that a few years hence you will be in your hearts to one another what you are today.


All I say before speaking to you according to that assumption is, if you DO change--if you DO come to find that you are more commonplace cousins to each other as man and woman than you were as boy and girl (your manhood will excuse me, Rick!)

All I say therefore is that if you do change and find that you are commonplace cousins to each other,


--don't be ashamed still to confide in me, for there will be nothing monstrous or uncommon in it.

don't be ashamed to confide in me, for there will be nothing monstrous or uncommon in it.


I am only your friend and distant kinsman.


But I wish and hope to retain your confidence if I do nothing to forfeit it."


"I am very sure, sir," returned Richard, "that I speak for Ada too when I say that you have the strongest power over us both--rooted in respect, gratitude, and affection--strengthening every day."

"I am very sure, sir," returned Richard, "that I speak for Ada too when I say that you have the strongest power over us both - rooted in respect, gratitude, and affection - strengthening every day."


"Dear cousin John," said Ada, on his shoulder, "my father's place can never be empty again.


All the love and duty I could ever have rendered to him is transferred to you."

all the love and duty I could ever have rendered to my father is transferred to you."


"Now we lift our eyes up and look hopefully at the distance!


Rick, the world is before you; and it is most probable that as you enter it, so it will receive you.


Trust in nothing but in Providence and your own efforts.

trust in Providence and your own efforts.


Never separate the two, like the heathen waggoner.


Constancy in love is a good thing, but it means nothing, and is nothing, without constancy in every kind of effort.

Constancy in love is a good thing, but it means nothing without constancy in every kind of effort.


If you had the abilities of all the great men, past and present, you could do nothing well without sincerely meaning it and setting about it.

Even with the greatest abilities, you could do nothing well without sincerely meaning it and setting about it.


If you entertain the supposition that any real success, in great things or in small, ever was or could be, ever will or can be, wrested from Fortune by fits and starts, leave that wrong idea here or leave your cousin Ada here."

If you suppose that any real success can ever be gained by fits and starts, leave that wrong idea here or leave your cousin Ada here."


"I will leave IT here, sir," replied Richard smiling, "if I brought it here just now (but I hope I did not), and will work my way on to my cousin Ada in the hopeful distance."

"I will leave it here, sir," replied Richard smiling.


"If you are not to make her happy, why should you pursue her?"


"I wouldn't make her unhappy--no, not even for her love," retorted Richard proudly.


Love her, Rick, in your active life, no less than in her home when you revisit it, and all will go well.

Love her, Rick, in your active life, and all will go well.


Otherwise, all will go ill. That's the end of my preaching.


I think you and Ada had better take a walk."


Ada tenderly embraced him, and Richard heartily shook hands with him, and then the cousins went out of the room, looking back again directly, though, to say that they would wait for me.

Ada tenderly embraced him, and Richard heartily shook hands with him, and then the cousins went out of the room, saying that they would wait for me.


The door stood open, and we both followed them with our eyes as they passed down the adjoining room, on which the sun was shining, and out at its farther end.

The door stood open, and we both watched them as they passed through the sunny room and out at its farther end.


Richard with his head bent, and her hand drawn through his arm, was talking to her very earnestly; and she looked up in his face, listening, and seemed to see nothing else.

Richard, with his head bent, and her hand drawn through his arm, was talking very earnestly; and Ada looked up in his face, and seemed to see nothing else.


So young, so beautiful, so full of hope and promise, they went on lightly through the sunlight as their own happy thoughts might then be traversing the years to come and making them all years of brightness.


So they passed away into the shadow and were gone.

, passed away into the shadow and were gone.


It was only a burst of light that had been so radiant.


The room darkened as they went out, and the sun was clouded over.


He was so good and wise to ask ME whether he was right!

He was so good to ask me whether he was right!


"Rick may gain, out of this, the quality he wants.


Wants, at the core of so much that is good!"

lacks, at the core of so much that is good!"


She has her friend and counsellor always near."


And he laid his hand lovingly upon my head.


I could not help showing that I was a little moved, though I did all I could to conceal it.


"But we must take care, too, that our little woman's life is not all consumed in care for others."


My dear guardian, I believe I am the happiest creature in the world!"


"But some one may find out what Esther never will--that the little woman is to be held in remembrance above all other people!"

"But some one may find out what Esther never will - that the little woman is to be remembered above all other people!"


I have omitted to mention in its place that there was some one else at the family dinner party.

I have omitted to mention that there was some one else at the doctor's dinner party.


It was a gentleman of a dark complexion--a young surgeon.

It was a gentleman, of a dark complexion - a young surgeon.


He was rather reserved, but I thought him very sensible and agreeable.


At least, Ada asked me if I did not, and I said yes.

At least, Ada asked me if I did, and I said yes.


Richard had been gone away some time when a visitor came to pass a few days with us.


It was Mrs. Woodcourt, who, having come from Wales to stay with Mrs. Bayham Badger and having written to my guardian, "by her son Allan's desire," to report that she had heard from him and that he was well "and sent his kind remembrances to all of us," had been invited by my guardian to make a visit to Bleak House.

It was an elderly lady: Mrs. Woodcourt, who, having come from Wales to stay with Mrs. Bayham Badger, had been invited by my guardian to make a visit to Bleak House.


She took very kindly to me and was extremely confidential, so much so that sometimes she almost made me uncomfortable.


I had no right, I knew very well, to be uncomfortable because she confided in me, and I felt it was unreasonable; still, with all I could do, I could not quite help it.

I felt it was unreasonable of me; still, I could not help it.


She was such a sharp little lady and used to sit with her hands folded in each other looking so very watchful while she talked to me that perhaps I found that rather irksome.

She was such a sharp little lady and used to sit with her hands folded, looking so very watchful while she talked that perhaps I found that rather irksome.


Or perhaps it was her being so upright and trim, though I don't think it was that, because I thought that quaintly pleasant.

I don't think it was her being so upright and trim,


Nor can it have been the general expression of her face, which was very sparkling and pretty for an old lady.

nor the expression of her face, which was very sparkling and pretty for an old lady.


Or at least if I do now, I thought I did not then.

Or at least if I do now, I did not then.


Of a night when I was going upstairs to bed, she would invite me into her room, where she sat before the fire in a great chair; and, dear me, she would tell me about Morgan ap-Kerrig until I was quite low-spirited!

When I was going upstairs to bed, she would invite me into her room, where she sat before the fire in a great chair; and, dear me, she would tell me about Morgan ap-Kerrig until I was quite low-spirited!


Sometimes she recited a few verses from Crumlinwallinwer and the Mewlinnwillinwodd (if those are the right names, which I dare say they are not), and would become quite fiery with the sentiments they expressed.

Sometimes she recited a few verses from Crumlinwallinwer and the Mewlinnwillinwodd (though I dare say these are not the right names), and would become quite fiery with the sentiments they expressed.


Though I never knew what they were (being in Welsh), further than that they were highly eulogistic of the lineage of Morgan ap-Kerrig.

Though I never knew what they were, being in Welsh.


"So, Miss Summerson," she would say to me with stately triumph, "this, you see, is the fortune inherited by my son.


Wherever my son goes, he can claim kindred with Ap-Kerrig.


He may not have money, but he always has what is much better--family, my dear."

He may not have money, but he has family, my dear."


I had my doubts of their caring so very much for Morgan ap-Kerrig in India and China, but of course I never expressed them.

I had my doubts of their caring for Morgan ap-Kerrig in India and China, but of course I never expressed them.


I used to say it was a great thing to be so highly connected.


"It IS, my dear, a great thing," Mrs. Woodcourt would reply.

"It is, my dear, a great thing," Mrs. Woodcourt would reply.


"It has its disadvantages; my son's choice of a wife, for instance, is limited by it, but the matrimonial choice of the royal family is limited in much the same manner."

"My son's choice of a wife is limited by it, but the royal family is limited in much the same manner."


Then she would pat me on the arm and smooth my dress, as much as to assure me that she had a good opinion of me, the distance between us notwithstanding.


"Poor Mr. Woodcourt, my dear," she would say, and always with some emotion, for with her lofty pedigree she had a very affectionate heart, "was descended from a great Highland family, the MacCoorts of MacCoort.

"His father, my dear," she would say with some emotion, for she had a very affectionate heart, "was descended from a great Highland family, the MacCoorts of MacCoort.


He served his king and country as an officer in the Royal Highlanders, and he died on the field.


My son is one of the last representatives of two old families.


With the blessing of heaven he will set them up again and unite them with another old family."

With the blessing of heaven he will unite them with another old family."


It was in vain for me to try to change the subject, as I used to try, only for the sake of novelty or perhaps because--but I need not be so particular.

It was in vain for me to try to change the subject.


Mrs. Woodcourt never would let me change it.


"My dear," she said one night, "you have so much sense and you look at the world in a quiet manner so superior to your time of life that it is a comfort to me to talk to you about these family matters of mine.

"My dear," she said one night, "you have so much sense for your age that it is a comfort to me to talk to you about these family matters of mine.


You don't know much of my son, my dear; but you know enough of him, I dare say, to recollect him?"

You don't know much of my son, my dear; but you recollect him?"


"Now, my dear, I think you are a judge of character, and I should like to have your opinion of him."


"Oh, Mrs. Woodcourt," said I, "that is so difficult!"

"Oh, Mrs. Woodcourt," said I, "it is so difficult


I didn't mean that, because Mr. Woodcourt had been at our house a good deal altogether and had become quite intimate with my guardian.

I didn't mean that, because Mr. Woodcourt had been at our house a good deal and had become quite intimate with my guardian.


I said so, and added that he seemed to be very clever in his profession--we thought--and that his kindness and gentleness to Miss Flite were above all praise.

I said so, and added that he seemed to be very clever in his profession - we thought - and that his kindness and gentleness to Miss Flite were above all praise.


"Allan is a dear fellow, and in his profession faultless.


Still, I must confess he is not without faults, love."

Still, I must confess he is not without faults."


But his really are faults that he might correct, and ought to correct," returned the sharp old lady, sharply shaking her head.

But his really are faults that he ought to correct," returned the sharp old lady.


"I am so much attached to you that I may confide in you, my dear, as a third party wholly disinterested, that he is fickleness itself."

"I am so much attached to you that I may confide in you, my dear, that he is fickleness itself.


I said I should have thought it hardly possible that he could have been otherwise than constant to his profession and zealous in the pursuit of it, judging from the reputation he had earned.


"You are right again, my dear," the old lady retorted, "but I don't refer to his profession, look you."


"I refer, my dear, to his social conduct.


He is always paying trivial attentions to young ladies, and always has been, ever since he was eighteen.

He is always paying trivial attentions to young ladies, and has been since he was eighteen.


Now, my dear, he has never really cared for any one of them and has never meant in doing this to do any harm or to express anything but politeness and good nature.

Now, my dear, he has never really cared for any of them and has never meant to express anything but good nature.


Still, it's not right, you know; is it?"


"No," said I, as she seemed to wait for me.


"And it might lead to mistaken notions, you see, my dear."


"Therefore, I have told him many times that he really should be more careful, both in justice to himself and in justice to others.

"I have told him many times that he really should be more careful.


And he has always said, 'Mother, I will be; but you know me better than anybody else does, and you know I mean no harm--in short, mean nothing.'

And he has always said, 'Mother, I will be; but you know I mean no harm - in short, mean nothing.'


All of which is very true, my dear, but is no justification.

Which is very true, my dear, but is no justification.


However, as he is now gone so far away and for an indefinite time, and as he will have good opportunities and introductions, we may consider this past and gone.

However, as he is now gone so far away, and as he will have good opportunities and introductions, we may consider this past and gone.


And you, my dear," said the old lady, who was now all nods and smiles, "regarding your dear self, my love?"

And you, my dear," said the old lady, all nods and smiles, "regarding your dear self, my love?"


"Not to be always selfish, talking of my son, who has gone to seek his fortune and to find a wife--when do you mean to seek YOUR fortune and to find a husband, Miss Summerson?

"Not to be always selfish, talking of my son, who has gone to seek his fortune and to find a wife - when do you mean to seek your fortune and to find a husband, Miss Summerson?


I don't think I did blush--at all events, it was not important if I did--and I said my present fortune perfectly contented me and I had no wish to change it.

I don't think I did blush. I said my present fortune perfectly contented me and I had no wish to change it.


"Shall I tell you what I always think of you and the fortune yet to come for you, my love?"

"Shall I tell you what I always think of your future, my love?"


"If you believe you are a good prophet," said I.


"Why, then, it is that you will marry some one very rich and very worthy, much older--five and twenty years, perhaps--than yourself.

"Why, then, it is that you will marry some one very rich and very worthy, much older - five and twenty years, perhaps - than yourself.


And you will be an excellent wife, and much beloved, and very happy."


"My dear," she returned, "there's suitability in it--you are so busy, and so neat, and so peculiarly situated altogether that there's suitability in it, and it will come to pass.

"My dear," she returned, "you are so busy, and so neat, and so peculiarly situated that it is suitable, and it will come to pass.


And nobody, my love, will congratulate you more sincerely on such a marriage than I shall."


It was curious that this should make me uncomfortable, but I think it did.

It was curious that this should make me uncomfortable, but it did.


It made me for some part of that night uncomfortable.


I was so ashamed of my folly that I did not like to confess it even to Ada, and that made me more uncomfortable still.

I was so ashamed of my folly that I did not like to confess it even to Ada.


I would have given anything not to have been so much in the bright old lady's confidence if I could have possibly declined it.


It gave me the most inconsistent opinions of her.

; it gave me the most inconsistent opinions of her.


At one time I thought she was a story-teller, and at another time that she was the pink of truth.


Now I suspected that she was very cunning, next moment I believed her honest Welsh heart to be perfectly innocent and simple.


And after all, what did it matter to me, and why did it matter to me?


Why could not I, going up to bed with my basket of keys, stop to sit down by her fire and accommodate myself for a little while to her, at least as well as to anybody else, and not trouble myself about the harmless things she said to me?

Why did I trouble myself about the harmless things she said?


Impelled towards her, as I certainly was, for I was very anxious that she should like me and was very glad indeed that she did, why should I harp afterwards, with actual distress and pain, on every word she said and weigh it over and over again in twenty scales?

I was certainly very anxious that she should like me and was very glad that she did, but why should I harp afterwards, with distress and pain, on every word she said and weigh it over and over again in twenty scales?


Why was it so worrying to me to have her in our house, and confidential to me every night, when I yet felt that it was better and safer somehow that she should be there than anywhere else?


These were perplexities and contradictions that I could not account for.

These were perplexities that I could not account for.


At least, if I could--but I shall come to all that by and by, and it is mere idleness to go on about it now.

At least, if I could - but I shall come to all that by and by.


So when Mrs. Woodcourt went away, I was sorry to lose her but was relieved too.

So when Mrs. Woodcourt went away, I was sorry to lose her but relieved too.


And then Caddy Jellyby came down, and Caddy brought such a packet of domestic news that it gave us abundant occupation.

And then Caddy Jellyby came down with a packet of domestic news.


First Caddy declared (and would at first declare nothing else) that I was the best adviser that ever was known.

First Caddy declared that I was the best adviser that ever was known.


This, my pet said, was no news at all; and this, I said, of course, was nonsense.


Then Caddy told us that she was going to be married in a month and that if Ada and I would be her bridesmaids, she was the happiest girl in the world.

Then she told us that she was going to be married in a month and that if Ada and I would be her bridesmaids, she was the happiest girl in the world.


To be sure, this was news indeed; and I thought we never should have done talking about it, we had so much to say to Caddy, and Caddy had so much to say to us.


It seemed that Caddy's unfortunate papa had got over his bankruptcy--"gone through the Gazette," was the expression Caddy used, as if it were a tunnel--with the general clemency and commiseration of his creditors, and had got rid of his affairs in some blessed manner without succeeding in understanding them, and had given up everything he possessed (which was not worth much, I should think, to judge from the state of the furniture), and had satisfied every one concerned that he could do no more, poor man.

It seemed that Caddy's unfortunate papa had got over his bankruptcy and had given up everything he possessed (which was not worth much, I should think, to judge from the state of the furniture), and had satisfied his creditors that he could do no more, poor man.


So, he had been honourably dismissed to "the office" to begin the world again.

So he had been honourably dismissed to "the office" to begin the world again.


What he did at the office, I never knew; Caddy said he was a "custom-house and general agent," and the only thing I ever understood about that business was that when he wanted money more than usual he went to the docks to look for it, and hardly ever found it.

What he did at the office, I never knew; Caddy said he was a custom-house and general agent.


As soon as her papa had tranquillized his mind by becoming this shorn lamb, and they had removed to a furnished lodging in Hatton Garden (where I found the children, when I afterwards went there, cutting the horse hair out of the seats of the chairs and choking themselves with it), Caddy had brought about a meeting between him and old Mr. Turveydrop; and poor Mr. Jellyby, being very humble and meek, had deferred to Mr. Turveydrop's deportment so submissively that they had become excellent friends.

They had moved to a furnished lodging in Hatton Garden (where I found the children, when I afterwards went there, cutting the horse hair out of the chair seats and choking themselves with it). Caddy had brought about a meeting between him and old Mr. Turveydrop; and poor Mr. Jellyby, being very humble and meek, had deferred to Mr. Turveydrop's deportment so submissively that they had become excellent friends.


By degrees, old Mr. Turveydrop, thus familiarized with the idea of his son's marriage, had worked up his parental feelings to the height of contemplating that event as being near at hand and had given his gracious consent to the young couple commencing housekeeping at the academy in Newman Street when they would.

By degrees, old Mr. Turveydrop had worked up his parental feelings to contemplating his son's marriage and had given his gracious consent to the young couple setting up house at the academy in Newman Street.


Poor Pa," said Caddy, "only cried and said he hoped we might get on better than he and Ma had got on.


He didn't say so before Prince, he only said so to me.


And he said, 'My poor girl, you have not been very well taught how to make a home for your husband, but unless you mean with all your heart to strive to do it, you had better murder him than marry him--if you really love him.'"

but he said to me, 'My poor girl, you have not been very well taught how to make a home for your husband, but unless you mean with all your heart to strive to do it, you had better murder him than marry him - if you really love him.'"


"Why, it was very distressing, you know, to see poor Pa so low and hear him say such terrible things, and I couldn't help crying myself.

"Why, it was very distressing, you know, to see poor Pa so low and hear him say such terrible things.


But I told him that I DID mean it with all my heart and that I hoped our house would be a place for him to come and find some comfort in of an evening and that I hoped and thought I could be a better daughter to him there than at home.

But I told him that I did mean it with all my heart and that I hoped our house would be a place for him to come and find some comfort and that I hoped I could be a better daughter to him there than at home.


Then I mentioned Peepy's coming to stay with me, and then Pa began to cry again and said the children were Indians."

Then I mentioned Peepy's coming to stay with me, and Pa began to cry again and said the children were wild Indians.


And Pa said"--here she began to sob, poor girl, not at all like the happiest girl in the world--"that he was sensible the best thing that could happen to them was their being all tomahawked together."

And Pa said" - here she began to sob, poor girl - "that the best thing that could happen to them was their being all tomahawked together."


Ada suggested that it was comfortable to know that Mr. Jellyby did not mean these destructive sentiments.


"No, of course I know Pa wouldn't like his family to be weltering in their blood," said Caddy, "but he means that they are very unfortunate in being Ma's children and that he is very unfortunate in being Ma's husband; and I am sure that's true, though it seems unnatural to say so."

"No, of course not," said Caddy, "but he means that they are very unfortunate in being Ma's children and that he is very unfortunate in being Ma's husband; and I am sure that's true, though it seems unnatural to say so."


I asked Caddy if Mrs. Jellyby knew that her wedding-day was fixed.


You know what Ma is, Esther," she returned.


"It's impossible to say whether she knows it or not.