"It is the character of such a mind, Mr. Tulkinghorn," Sir Leicester interrupts him, "TO give trouble.

"It is the character of such a mind," Sir Leicester interrupts him, "to give trouble.


An exceedingly ill-conditioned, levelling person.


A person who, fifty years ago, would probably have been tried at the Old Bailey for some demagogue proceeding, and severely punished--if not," adds Sir Leicester after a moment's pause, "if not hanged, drawn, and quartered."


Sir Leicester appears to discharge his stately breast of a burden in passing this capital sentence, as if it were the next satisfactory thing to having the sentence executed.


"But night is coming on," says he, "and my Lady will take cold.

But night is coming on, and my Lady will take cold.


As they turn towards the hall-door, Lady Dedlock addresses Mr. Tulkinghorn for the first time.


"You sent me a message respecting the person whose writing I happened to inquire about.

"You sent me a message about the person whose writing I happened to inquire about.


It was like you to remember the circumstance; I had quite forgotten it.


I can't imagine what association I had with a hand like that, but I surely had some."

I can't imagine what association I had with a hand like that, but I think I must have had some.


And did you really take the trouble to find out the writer of that actual thing--what is it!--affidavit?"

Did you really take the trouble to find out the writer of that thing - what is it! - affidavit?"


They pass into a sombre breakfast-room on the ground floor, lighted in the day by two deep windows.


The fire glows brightly on the panelled wall and palely on the window-glass, where, through the cold reflection of the blaze, the colder landscape shudders in the wind and a grey mist creeps along, the only traveller besides the waste of clouds.


My Lady lounges in a great chair in the chimney-corner, and Sir Leicester takes another great chair opposite.


The lawyer stands before the fire with his hand out at arm's length, shading his face.

The lawyer stands before the fire, shading his face.


"Yes," he says, "I inquired about the man, and found him.


And, what is very strange, I found him--"
"Not to be any out-of-the-way person, I am afraid!" Lady Dedlock languidly anticipates.
"I found him dead."

And, what is very strange, I found him dead."


Not so much shocked by the fact as by the fact of the fact being mentioned.


"I was directed to his lodging--a miserable, poverty-stricken place--and I found him dead."

"I was directed to his lodging - a miserable, poverty-stricken place - and I found him dead."


"You will excuse me, Mr. Tulkinghorn," observes Sir Leicester.

"Excuse me, Mr. Tulkinghorn," observes Sir Leicester.


"Pray, Sir Leicester, let me hear the story out" (it is my Lady speaking).


Mr. Tulkinghorn re-asserts it by another inclination of his head.


Sir Leicester's gallantry concedes the point, though he still feels that to bring this sort of squalor among the upper classes is really--really--


"I was about to say," resumes the lawyer with undisturbed calmness, "that whether he had died by his own hand or not, it was beyond my power to tell you.

"I was about to say," resumes the lawyer calmly, "that whether he had died by his own hand or not, it was beyond my power to tell you.


I should amend that phrase, however, by saying that he had unquestionably died of his own act, though whether by his own deliberate intention or by mischance can never certainly be known.

He had unquestionably died of his own act, however, though whether deliberately or by mischance can never be known.


The coroner's jury found that he took the poison accidentally."


"And what kind of man," my Lady asks, "was this deplorable creature?"


"Very difficult to say," returns the lawyer, shaking his head.


"He had lived so wretchedly and was so neglected, with his gipsy colour and his wild black hair and beard, that I should have considered him the commonest of the common.

"He had lived so wretchedly and was so neglected, with his wild black hair and beard, that I should have considered him the commonest of the common.


The surgeon had a notion that he had once been something better, both in appearance and condition."

The surgeon had a notion that he had once been something better."


"What did they call the wretched being?"


"They called him what he had called himself, but no one knew his name."


"Not even any one who had attended on him?"

"Not even anyone who had attended on him?"


"Without any; there was," says the lawyer meditatively, "an old portmanteau, but--No, there were no papers."

"Without any; there was an old portmanteau," says the lawyer meditatively, "but there were no papers."


During the utterance of every word of this short dialogue, Lady Dedlock and Mr. Tulkinghorn, without any other alteration in their customary deportment, have looked very steadily at one another--as was natural, perhaps, in the discussion of so unusual a subject.

During every word of this short dialogue, Lady Dedlock and Mr. Tulkinghorn have looked very steadily at one another.


Sir Leicester has looked at the fire, with the general expression of the Dedlock on the staircase.


The story being told, he renews his stately protest, saying that as it is quite clear that no association in my Lady's mind can possibly be traceable to this poor wretch (unless he was a begging-letter writer), he trusts to hear no more about a subject so far removed from my Lady's station.

He now says haughtily that he trusts to hear no more about a subject so far removed from my Lady's station.


"Certainly, a collection of horrors," says my Lady, gathering up her mantles and furs, "but they interest one for the moment!

"Certainly, a collection of horrors," says my Lady, gathering up her furs, "but they interest one for the moment!


Have the kindness, Mr. Tulkinghorn, to open the door for me."


Mr. Tulkinghorn does so with deference and holds it open while she passes out. She passes close to him, with her usual fatigued manner and insolent grace.

Mr. Tulkinghorn holds it open while she passes out, with her usual fatigued manner and insolent grace.


They meet again at dinner--again, next day--again, for many days in succession.

They meet again at dinner, and again, for many days in succession.


Lady Dedlock is always the same exhausted deity, surrounded by worshippers, and terribly liable to be bored to death, even while presiding at her own shrine.

Lady Dedlock is always the same exhausted deity, surrounded by worshippers, and terribly liable to be bored to death.


Mr. Tulkinghorn is always the same speechless repository of noble confidences, so oddly out of place and yet so perfectly at home.

Mr. Tulkinghorn is always silent, oddly out of place and yet perfectly at home.


They appear to take as little note of one another as any two people enclosed within the same walls could.

They appear to take no notice of each other.


But whether each evermore watches and suspects the other, evermore mistrustful of some great reservation; whether each is evermore prepared at all points for the other, and never to be taken unawares; what each would give to know how much the other knows--all this is hidden, for the time, in their own hearts.

But whether each evermore watches and suspects the other, mistrustful of some great secret; and what each would give to know how much the other knows - all this is hidden, for the time, in their own hearts.


The term had commenced, and my guardian found an intimation from Mr. Kenge that the cause would come on in two days.

The Chancery term had commenced, and Mr. Kenge told us that the cause would come on in two days.


As I had sufficient hopes of the will to be in a flutter about it, Allan and I agreed to go down to the court that morning.


Richard was extremely agitated and was so weak and low, though his illness was still of the mind, that my dear girl indeed had sore occasion to be supported.

Richard was extremely agitated and was so weak and low that my dear girl indeed required support.


But she looked forward--a very little way now--to the help that was to come to her, and never drooped.

But she looked forward to the child that was to come, and never drooped.


It was at Westminster that the cause was to come on.

The Court of Chancery was to be held at Westminster Hall.


It had come on there, I dare say, a hundred times before, but I could not divest myself of an idea that it MIGHT lead to some result now.


We left home directly after breakfast to be at Westminster Hall in good time and walked down there through the lively streets--so happily and strangely it seemed!--together.


As we were going along, planning what we should do for Richard and Ada, I heard somebody calling "Esther!

As we were walking along, planning what we should do for Richard and Ada, I heard somebody calling "Esther!


And there was Caddy Jellyby, with her head out of the window of a little carriage which she hired now to go about in to her pupils (she had so many), as if she wanted to embrace me at a hundred yards' distance.

And there was Caddy, with her head out of the window of a little carriage which she hired now to go about in to her pupils.


I had written her a note to tell her of all that my guardian had done, but had not had a moment to go and see her.


Of course we turned back, and the affectionate girl was in that state of rapture, and was so overjoyed to talk about the night when she brought me the flowers, and was so determined to squeeze my face (bonnet and all) between her hands, and go on in a wild manner altogether, calling me all kinds of precious names, and telling Allan I had done I don't know what for her, that I was just obliged to get into the little carriage and calm her down by letting her say and do exactly what she liked.

Of course we turned back, and the affectionate girl was in such rapture, and was so overjoyed to talk about the night when she brought me the flowers, and was calling me all kinds of precious names, that I was obliged to get into the little carriage and calm her down by letting her say what she liked.


Allan, standing at the window, was as pleased as Caddy; and I was as pleased as either of them; and I wonder that I got away as I did, rather than that I came off laughing, and red, and anything but tidy, and looking after Caddy, who looked after us out of the coach-window as long as she could see us.

Allan, standing at the window, was as pleased as Caddy; and I came away laughing, and red.


This made us some quarter of an hour late, and when we came to Westminster Hall we found that the day's business was begun.

This made us some quarter of an hour late, and when we came to Westminster Hall the day's business was begun.


Worse than that, we found such an unusual crowd in the Court of Chancery that it was full to the door, and we could neither see nor hear what was passing within.


It appeared to be something droll, for occasionally there was a laugh and a cry of "Silence!"


It appeared to be something interesting, for every one was pushing and striving to get nearer.


It appeared to be something that made the professional gentlemen very merry, for there were several young counsellors in wigs and whiskers on the outside of the crowd, and when one of them told the others about it, they put their hands in their pockets, and quite doubled themselves up with laughter, and went stamping about the pavement of the Hall.

The professional gentlemen were very merry about it, for there were several young lawyers quite doubled up.


We asked a gentleman by us if he knew what cause was on.

We asked a gentleman nearby if he knew what cause was on.


We asked him if he knew what was doing in it.

We asked him if he knew what was happening in it.


He said really, no he did not, nobody ever did, but as well as he could make out, it was over.

He said, no he did not, nobody ever did, but as well as he could make out, it was over.


When we heard this unaccountable answer, we looked at one another quite lost in amazement.

We looked at one another lost in amazement.


Could it be possible that the will had set things right at last and that Richard and Ada were going to be rich?

Could it be possible that the will had set things right at last and that Richard and Ada would be rich?


Our suspense was short, for a break-up soon took place in the crowd, and the people came streaming out looking flushed and hot and bringing a quantity of bad air with them. Still they were all exceedingly amused and were more like people coming out from a farce or a juggler than from a court of justice.

People now came streaming out looking flushed and hot and exceedingly amused, more like people coming out from a farce or a juggler than from a court of justice.


We stood aside, watching for any countenance we knew, and presently great bundles of paper began to be carried out--bundles in bags, bundles too large to be got into any bags, immense masses of papers of all shapes and no shapes, which the bearers staggered under, and threw down for the time being, anyhow, on the Hall pavement, while they went back to bring out more.

We stood aside, watching, and presently great bundles of paper began to be carried out, which the bearers staggered under, and threw down anyhow, on the Hall pavement, while they went back to bring out more.


We glanced at the papers, and seeing Jarndyce and Jarndyce everywhere, asked an official-looking person who was standing in the midst of them whether the cause was over.

We glanced at the papers, and saw Jarndyce and Jarndyce everywhere.


Yes, he said, it was all up with it at last, and burst out laughing too.


At this juncture we perceived Mr. Kenge coming out of court with an affable dignity upon him, listening to Mr. Vholes, who was deferential and carried his own bag.

Then we perceived Mr. Kenge coming out of court with affable dignity, listening to Mr. Vholes.


said Mr. Kenge, raising his hat to me with polished politeness.


"Really," returned Mr. Kenge, "it is as well that he is NOT here to-day, for his--shall I say, in my good friend's absence, his indomitable singularity of opinion?--might have been strengthened, perhaps; not reasonably, but might have been strengthened."

"Really," returned Mr. Kenge, "it is as well that he is not here today, for his opinion might have been strengthened, perhaps."


"What has been done," repeated Mr. Kenge.


We have been checked--brought up suddenly, I would say--upon the--shall I term it threshold?"

We have been checked upon the threshold."


"Is this will considered a genuine document, sir?"


"Most certainly, if I could," said Mr. Kenge; "but we have not gone into that, we have not gone into that."

"We have not gone into that," said Mr. Kenge.


"We have not gone into that," repeated Mr. Vholes as if his low inward voice were an echo.

"We have not gone into that," repeated Mr. Vholes like a dull echo.


"You are to reflect, Mr. Woodcourt," observed Mr. Kenge, using his silver trowel persuasively and smoothingly, "that this has been a great cause, that this has been a protracted cause, that this has been a complex cause.

"Reflect, Mr. Woodcourt," observed Mr. Kenge smoothly, "that this has been a great cause, a protracted and complex cause.


Jarndyce and Jarndyce has been termed, not inaptly, a monument of Chancery practice."

Jarndyce and Jarndyce has been termed a monument of Chancery practice."


"And patience has sat upon it a long time," said Allan.


"Very well indeed, sir," returned Mr. Kenge with a certain condescending laugh he had.


You are further to reflect, Mr. Woodcourt," becoming dignified almost to severity, "that on the numerous difficulties, contingencies, masterly fictions, and forms of procedure in this great cause, there has been expended study, ability, eloquence, knowledge, intellect, Mr. Woodcourt, high intellect.

"Further reflect, Mr. Woodcourt, that on the numerous difficulties in this great cause, there has been expended study, ability, eloquence, knowledge, and high intellect.


For many years, the--a--I would say the flower of the bar, and the--a--I would presume to add, the matured autumnal fruits of the woolsack--have been lavished upon Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

For many years, the flower of the bar has been lavished upon Jarndyce and Jarndyce.


If the public have the benefit, and if the country have the adornment, of this great grasp, it must be paid for in money or money's worth, sir."

And this great public benefit must be paid for, sir."


"Mr. Kenge," said Allan, appearing enlightened all in a moment.


"Do I understand that the whole estate is found to have been absorbed in costs?"


"And that thus the suit lapses and melts away?"


"My dearest life," whispered Allan, "this will break Richard's heart!"


There was such a shock of apprehension in his face, and he knew Richard so perfectly, and I too had seen so much of his gradual decay, that what my dear girl had said to me in the fullness of her foreboding love sounded like a knell in my ears.

There was such a shock of apprehension in his face, and I too had seen so much of Richard's gradual decay, that what my dear girl had said to me in her foreboding love sounded like a knell in my ears.


"In case you should be wanting Mr. C., sir," said Mr. Vholes, coming after us, "you'll find him in court.

"If you should be wanting Mr. C., sir," said Mr. Vholes, "you'll find him in court.


I left him there resting himself a little.


Good day, sir; good day, Miss Summerson."


As he gave me that slowly devouring look of his, while twisting up the strings of his bag before he hastened with it after Mr. Kenge, the benignant shadow of whose conversational presence he seemed afraid to leave, he gave one gasp as if he had swallowed the last morsel of his client, and his black buttoned-up unwholesome figure glided away to the low door at the end of the Hall.

He hastened after Mr. Kenge, and his black buttoned-up unwholesome figure glided away.


"My dear love," said Allan, "leave to me, for a little while, the charge you gave me.

"My dear love," said Allan, "leave him to me, for a little while.


Go home with this intelligence and come to Ada's by and by!"


I would not let him take me to a coach, but entreated him to go to Richard without a moment's delay and leave me to do as he wished.


Hurrying home, I found my guardian and told him gradually with what news I had returned.

Hurrying home, I found my guardian and told him the news.


"Little woman," said he, quite unmoved for himself, "to have done with the suit on any terms is a greater blessing than I had looked for.

"Little woman," said he, quite unmoved for himself, "to have done with the suit on any terms is a blessing.


We talked about them all the morning and discussed what it was possible to do.

We talked about them all morning, discussing what it was possible to do.


In the afternoon my guardian walked with me to Symond's Inn and left me at the door. I went upstairs.

In the afternoon my guardian walked with me to Symond's Inn and I went upstairs.


When my darling heard my footsteps, she came out into the small passage and threw her arms round my neck, but she composed herself directly and said that Richard had asked for me several times.

When my darling heard my footsteps, she came out and threw her arms round my neck.
Composing herself, she said that Richard had asked for me.


Allan had found him sitting in the corner of the court, she told me, like a stone figure.


On being roused, he had broken away and made as if he would have spoken in a fierce voice to the judge.

On being roused, he had broken away as if he would have spoken fiercely to the judge.


He was stopped by his mouth being full of blood, and Allan had brought him home.


He was lying on a sofa with his eyes closed when I went in.


There were restoratives on the table; the room was made as airy as possible, and was darkened, and was very orderly and quiet.

The room was darkened, and was very orderly and quiet.


Allan stood behind him watching him gravely.


His face appeared to me to be quite destitute of colour, and now that I saw him without his seeing me, I fully saw, for the first time, how worn away he was.

Richard's face appeared to be quite without colour, and I fully saw, for the first time, how worn away he was.


But he looked handsomer than I had seen him look for many a day.


Opening his eyes by and by, he said in a weak voice, but with his old smile, "Dame Durden, kiss me, my dear!"

Opening his eyes, he said in a weak voice, but with his old smile, "Dame Durden, kiss me, my dear!"


It was a great comfort and surprise to me to find him in his low state cheerful and looking forward.

It was a great comfort and surprise to me to find him cheerful and looking forward.


He was happier, he said, in our intended marriage than he could find words to tell me.

He was happier, he said, in our intended marriage than he could say.


My husband had been a guardian angel to him and Ada, and he blessed us both and wished us all the joy that life could yield us.

My husband had been a guardian angel to him and Ada, and he blessed us both.


I almost felt as if my own heart would have broken when I saw him take my husband's hand and hold it to his breast.


We spoke of the future as much as possible, and he said several times that he must be present at our marriage if he could stand upon his feet.


Ada would contrive to take him, somehow, he said.


But as my darling answered him thus hopefully, so serene and beautiful, with the help that was to come to her so near--I knew--I knew!

But as my darling answered him thus, so serene and beautiful - I knew - I knew!


It was not good for him to talk too much, and when he was silent, we were silent too.

It was not good for him to talk too much.


Sitting beside him, I made a pretence of working for my dear, as he had always been used to joke about my being busy.

Sitting beside him, I made a pretence of sewing for my dear, as he always used to joke about my being busy.


Ada leaned upon his pillow, holding his head upon her arm.


He dozed often, and whenever he awoke without seeing him, said first of all, "Where is Woodcourt?"

He dozed often, and whenever he awoke, said first of all, "Where is Woodcourt?"


Evening had come on when I lifted up my eyes and saw my guardian standing in the little hall.


The door was behind him, but he had observed in my face that some one was there.


I looked to Allan for advice, and as he nodded "Yes," bent over Richard and told him.

I looked to Allan for advice, and as he nodded, bent over Richard and told him.


My guardian saw what passed, came softly by me in a moment, and laid his hand on Richard's.

My guardian came softly in and laid his hand on Richard's.


"Oh, sir," said Richard, "you are a good man, you are a good man!"


and burst into tears for the first time.


My guardian, the picture of a good man, sat down in my place, keeping his hand on Richard's.

My guardian sat down in my place, keeping his hand on Richard's.


"My dear Rick," said he, "the clouds have cleared away, and it is bright now.


We were all bewildered, Rick, more or less.


"I am very weak, sir, but I hope I shall be stronger.


"I will not begin it in the old way now," said Richard with a sad smile.


It was a hard one, but you shall be assured, indeed, that I have learned it."

It was a hard one, but I have learned it."


"Well, well," said my guardian, comforting him; "well, well, well, dear boy!"

"Well, well," said my guardian, comforting him; "well, well, dear boy!"


"I was thinking, sir," resumed Richard, "that there is nothing on earth I should so much like to see as their house--Dame Durden's and Woodcourt's house.

"I was thinking, sir," resumed Richard, "that there is nothing I should so much like as to see as their house - Dame Durden's and Woodcourt's house.


If I could be removed there when I begin to recover my strength, I feel as if I should get well there sooner than anywhere."

If I could be moved there, I feel as if I should get well there sooner than anywhere."


"Why, so have I been thinking too, Rick," said my guardian, "and our little woman likewise; she and I have been talking of it this very day.

"Why, she and I have been thinking so too, Rick," said my guardian, "and we have been talking of it this very day.


Richard smiled and lifted up his arm to touch him as he stood behind the head of the couch.


"I say nothing of Ada," said Richard, "but I think of her, and have thought of her very much.

"I think of Ada," he said, "and have thought of her very much.


See her here, sir, bending over this pillow when she has so much need to rest upon it herself, my dear love, my poor girl!"

See her here, sir, bending over this pillow when she has so much need to rest upon it herself, my dear love!"


He clasped her in his arms, and none of us spoke. He gradually released her, and she looked upon us, and looked up to heaven, and moved her lips.

He clasped her in his arms, and none of us spoke until he gradually released her.


"When I get down to Bleak House," said Richard, "I shall have much to tell you, sir, and you will have much to show me.

"When I get to the new Bleak House," said Richard, "I shall have much to tell you, sir.


"Thank you; like you, like you," said Richard.


They have been telling me how you planned it and how you remembered all Esther's familiar tastes and ways.


It will be like coming to the old Bleak House again."


"And you will come there too, I hope, Rick.


I am a solitary man now, you know, and it will be a charity to come to me.

I am a solitary man now, you know, and it will be a kindness to visit me."


he repeated to Ada as he gently passed his hand over her golden hair and put a lock of it to his lips.


(I think he vowed within himself to cherish her if she were left alone.)


said Richard, clasping both my guardian's hands eagerly.

said Richard, clasping my guardian's hands.


"And you, being a good man, can pass it as such, and forgive and pity the dreamer, and be lenient and encouraging when he wakes?"

"And you can forgive and pity the dreamer, and be lenient when he wakes?"


My husband drew a little nearer towards Ada, and I saw him solemnly lift up his hand to warn my guardian.


"When shall I go from this place to that pleasant country where the old times are, where I shall have strength to tell what Ada has been to me, where I shall be able to recall my many faults and blindnesses, where I shall prepare myself to be a guide to my unborn child?"

"When shall I go to that pleasant country where the old times are, where I shall have strength to tell what Ada has been to me, where I shall be able to recall my many faults and blindnesses, where I shall prepare myself to be a guide to my unborn child?"


"Dear Rick, when you are strong enough," returned my guardian.


Allan raised him so that she could hold him on her bosom, which was what he wanted.

Allan raised him so that she could hold him.


I have fallen like a poor stray shadow on your way, I have married you to poverty and trouble, I have scattered your means to the winds.


You will forgive me all this, my Ada, before I begin the world?"


A smile irradiated his face as she bent to kiss him.


He slowly laid his face down upon her bosom, drew his arms closer round her neck, and with one parting sob began the world.


When all was still, at a late hour, poor crazed Miss Flite came weeping to me and told me she had given her birds their liberty.


But one other day had intervened when, early in the morning as we were going to breakfast, Mr. Woodcourt came in haste with the astounding news that a terrible murder had been committed for which Mr. George had been apprehended and was in custody.

Only two days later, at breakfast time, Mr. Woodcourt came in haste with the astounding news that a terrible murder had been committed for which Mr. George was in custody.


When he told us that a large reward was offered by Sir Leicester Dedlock for the murderer's apprehension, I did not in my first consternation understand why; but a few more words explained to me that the murdered person was Sir Leicester's lawyer, and immediately my mother's dread of him rushed into my remembrance.

When he told us that a large reward was offered by Sir Leicester Dedlock for the murderer's apprehension, I did not understand why; but a few more words explained to me that the murdered person was Sir Leicester's lawyer, and immediately my mother's dread of him rushed into my remembrance.


This unforeseen and violent removal of one whom she had long watched and distrusted and who had long watched and distrusted her, one for whom she could have had few intervals of kindness, always dreading in him a dangerous and secret enemy, appeared so awful that my first thoughts were of her.

This unforeseen and violent removal of one whom she had long distrusted, dreading him as a dangerous and secret enemy, appeared so awful that my first thoughts were of her.


How appalling to hear of such a death and be able to feel no pity!


How dreadful to remember, perhaps, that she had sometimes even wished the old man away who was so swiftly hurried out of life!

How dreadful to remember, perhaps, that she had sometimes even wished the old man away!


Such crowding reflections, increasing the distress and fear I always felt when the name was mentioned, made me so agitated that I could scarcely hold my place at the table.

Such crowding reflections made me so distressed and agitated that I could scarcely keep my place at the table.


I was quite unable to follow the conversation until I had had a little time to recover.


But when I came to myself and saw how shocked my guardian was and found that they were earnestly speaking of the suspected man and recalling every favourable impression we had formed of him out of the good we had known of him, my interest and my fears were so strongly aroused in his behalf that I was quite set up again.

But when I came to myself and found that they were earnestly speaking of the suspected man, recalling our favourable impressions of him, my interest and my fears were strongly aroused in his behalf.


"Guardian, you don't think it possible that he is justly accused?"

"Guardian, you don't think it possible that Mr. George is guilty?"


This man whom we have seen so open-hearted and compassionate, who with the might of a giant has the gentleness of a child, who looks as brave a fellow as ever lived and is so simple and quiet with it, this man justly accused of such a crime?

This man whom we have seen so open-hearted and compassionate, who with the might of a giant has the gentleness of a child, this man guilty of such a crime?


"Still, whatever we believe or know of him, we had better not forget that some appearances are against him.

"Still, some appearances are against him.


He bore an animosity towards the deceased gentleman.


He has openly mentioned it in many places.


He is said to have expressed himself violently towards him, and he certainly did about him, to my knowledge.

He is said to have expressed himself violently towards him.


He admits that he was alone on the scene of the murder within a few minutes of its commission.


I sincerely believe him to be as innocent of any participation in it as I am, but these are all reasons for suspicion falling upon him."

I sincerely believe him to be innocent, but these are all reasons for suspicion falling upon him."


And he added, turning to me, "It would be doing him a very bad service, my dear, to shut our eyes to the truth in any of these respects."


I felt, of course, that we must admit, not only to ourselves but to others, the full force of the circumstances against him.

I felt, of course, that we must admit the full force of the circumstances against him.


Yet I knew withal (I could not help saying) that their weight would not induce us to desert him in his need.

Yet I knew (I could not help saying) that their weight would not induce us to desert him in his need.


"We will stand by him, as he himself stood by the two poor creatures who are gone."


He meant Mr. Gridley and the boy, to both of whom Mr. George had given shelter.


Mr. Woodcourt then told us that the trooper's man had been with him before day, after wandering about the streets all night like a distracted creature. That one of the trooper's first anxieties was that we should not suppose him guilty.

Mr. Woodcourt then told us that the trooper's man Phil Squod had been with him before day, after wandering about the streets all night like a distracted creature; and that the trooper was anxious that we should not suppose him guilty.


That he had charged his messenger to represent his perfect innocence with every solemn assurance he could send us.


That Mr. Woodcourt had only quieted the man by undertaking to come to our house very early in the morning with these representations. He added that he was now upon his way to see the prisoner himself.

Mr. Woodcourt had promised to come to our house very early in the morning; he added that he was now upon his way to see Mr. George in prison.


My guardian said directly he would go too.


Now, besides that I liked the retired soldier very much and that he liked me, I had that secret interest in what had happened which was only known to my guardian.

Now, besides my liking for the retired soldier, I had that secret interest in what had happened.


I felt as if it came close and near to me.


It seemed to become personally important to myself that the truth should be discovered and that no innocent people should be suspected, for suspicion, once run wild, might run wilder.

It seemed to become personally important to me that the truth should be discovered and that no innocent people should be suspected.


In a word, I felt as if it were my duty and obligation to go with them.

In a word, I felt as if it were my duty to go with them.


My guardian did not seek to dissuade me, and I went.


It was a large prison with many courts and passages so like one another and so uniformly paved that I seemed to gain a new comprehension, as I passed along, of the fondness that solitary prisoners, shut up among the same staring walls from year to year, have had--as I have read--for a weed or a stray blade of grass.

It was a large prison with many identical courts and passages, and with no weed or blade of grass.


In an arched room by himself, like a cellar upstairs, with walls so glaringly white that they made the massive iron window-bars and iron-bound door even more profoundly black than they were, we found the trooper standing in a corner.

In an arched room by himself, like a cellar upstairs, with massive iron window-bars and a black iron-bound door, we found the trooper.


He had been sitting on a bench there and had risen when he heard the locks and bolts turn.


When he saw us, he came forward a step with his usual heavy tread, and there stopped and made a slight bow.

When he saw us, he stepped forward with his usual heavy tread, and made a slight bow.


But as I still advanced, putting out my hand to him, he understood us in a moment.

But I advanced, putting out my hand to him.


"This is a load off my mind, I do assure you, miss and gentlemen," said he, saluting us with great heartiness and drawing a long breath.

"This is a load off my mind, I do assure you, miss and gentlemen," said he, saluting us and drawing a long breath.


"And now I don't so much care how it ends."


What with his coolness and his soldierly bearing, he looked far more like the prison guard.


"This is even a rougher place than my gallery to receive a lady in," said Mr. George, "but I know Miss Summerson will make the best of it."

"This is an even rougher place than my gallery to receive a lady, but I know Miss Summerson will make the best of it."


As he handed me to the bench on which he had been sitting, I sat down, which seemed to give him great satisfaction.

I sat down on the bench, which seemed to give him great satisfaction.


"Now, George," observed my guardian, "as we require no new assurances on your part, so I believe we need give you none on ours."

"Now, George," observed my guardian, "we require no new assurances on your part."


If I was not innocent of this crime, I couldn't look at you and keep my secret to myself under the condescension of the present visit.

If I was not innocent of this crime, I couldn't look at you and keep my secret to myself.


I am not one of the eloquent sort, but I feel it, Miss Summerson and gentlemen, deeply."


He laid his hand for a moment on his broad chest and bent his head to us. Although he squared himself again directly, he expressed a great amount of natural emotion by these simple means.

He laid his hand on his broad chest and bent his head, expressing a great amount of natural emotion by these simple means.


"First," said my guardian, "can we do anything for your personal comfort, George?"

"First," said my guardian, "is there anything we can do for your personal comfort, George?"


Is there anything you want that would lessen the hardship of this confinement?"


"Well, sir," replied George, after a little cogitation, "I am equally obliged to you, but tobacco being against the rules, I can't say that there is."

"Well, sir," replied George, thinking, "I am obliged to you, but since tobacco is against the rules, I can't say that there is."


"You will think of many little things perhaps, by and by. Whenever you do, George, let us know."

"If you think of anything, George, let us know."


Howsoever," observed Mr. George with one of his sunburnt smiles, "a man who has been knocking about the world in a vagabond kind of a way as long as I have gets on well enough in a place like the present, so far as that goes."

Howsoever," observed Mr. George with one of his sunburnt smiles, "a man who has been knocking about the world in a vagabond way as long as I have gets on well enough in a place like this."


"Next, as to your case," observed my guardian.


"Exactly so, sir," returned Mr. George, folding his arms upon his breast with perfect self-possession and a little curiosity.


"Why, sir, it is under remand at present.


Bucket gives me to understand that he will probably apply for a series of remands from time to time until the case is more complete.

Bucket tells me that he will probably apply for a series of remands until the case is more complete.


How it is to be made more complete I don't myself see, but I dare say Bucket will manage it somehow."

How it is to be made more complete I don't see, but I dare say Bucket will manage it somehow."


"Why, heaven save us, man," exclaimed my guardian, surprised into his old oddity and vehemence, "you talk of yourself as if you were somebody else!"

"Why, heaven save us, man," exclaimed my guardian, "you talk as if you were somebody else!"


But I don't see how an innocent man is to make up his mind to this kind of thing without knocking his head against the walls unless he takes it in that point of view.

"But I don't see how an innocent man is to cope with this kind of thing without knocking his head against the walls, unless he takes that point of view."


"That is true enough to a certain extent," returned my guardian, softened.


"But my good fellow, even an innocent man must take ordinary precautions to defend himself."

"But even an innocent man must defend himself."


I have stated to the magistrates, 'Gentlemen, I am as innocent of this charge as yourselves; what has been stated against me in the way of facts is perfectly true; I know no more about it.'

I have stated my innocence to the magistrates, and have said I know nothing about it.


"But the mere truth won't do," rejoined my guardian.


"You must have a lawyer," pursued my guardian.


"I ask your pardon, sir," said Mr. George with a step backward.


But I must decidedly beg to be excused from anything of that sort."


Mr. George shook his head in the most emphatic manner.


"I thank you all the same, sir, but--no lawyer!"


"I don't take kindly to the breed," said Mr. George.


And--if you'll excuse my saying so much--I should hardly have thought you did yourself, sir."


"That's equity," my guardian explained, a little at a loss; "that's equity, George."


returned the trooper in his off-hand manner.


"I am not acquainted with those shades of names myself, but in a general way I object to the breed."


Unfolding his arms and changing his position, he stood with one massive hand upon the table and the other on his hip, as complete a picture of a man who was not to be moved from a fixed purpose as ever I saw.


It was in vain that we all three talked to him and endeavoured to persuade him; he listened with that gentleness which went so well with his bluff bearing, but was evidently no more shaken by our representations that his place of confinement was.

It was in vain that we all three endeavoured to persuade him; he listened with that gentleness which went so well with his bluff bearing, but was unshaken by our arguments.


"Pray think, once more, Mr. George," said I.


"Have you no wish in reference to your case?"


"I certainly could wish it to be tried, miss," he returned, "by court-martial; but that is out of the question, as I am well aware.


If you will be so good as to favour me with your attention for a couple of minutes, miss, not more, I'll endeavour to explain myself as clearly as I can."


He looked at us all three in turn, shook his head a little as if he were adjusting it in the stock and collar of a tight uniform, and after a moment's reflection went on.


"You see, miss, I have been handcuffed and taken into custody and brought here.

"You see," he said, "I have been handcuffed and brought here.


I am a marked and disgraced man, and here I am.


My shooting gallery is rummaged, high and low, by Bucket; such property as I have--'tis small--is turned this way and that till it don't know itself; and (as aforesaid) here I am!

My shooting gallery is rummaged, high and low, by Bucket; such property as I have is turned this way and that; and here I am!


Though I am in these present quarters through no immediately preceding fault of mine, I can very well understand that if I hadn't gone into the vagabond way in my youth, this wouldn't have happened.

Though it is through no immediate fault of mine, I can understand that if I hadn't gone into the vagabond way in my youth, this wouldn't have happened.


It HAS happened. Then comes the question how to meet it."

It has happened: then comes the question how to meet it."


He rubbed his swarthy forehead for a moment with a good-humoured look and said apologetically, "I am such a short-winded talker that I must think a bit." Having thought a bit, he looked up again and resumed.

He rubbed his forehead for a moment and thought a bit; then he resumed.


"Now, the unfortunate deceased was himself a lawyer and had a pretty tight hold of me.


I don't wish to rake up his ashes, but he had, what I should call if he was living, a devil of a tight hold of me.

I don't wish to rake up his ashes, but he had a devil of a tight hold of me.


I don't like his trade the better for that.


If I had kept clear of his trade, I should have kept outside this place.


But that's not what I mean. Now, suppose I had killed him.


Suppose I really had discharged into his body any one of those pistols recently fired off that Bucket has found at my place, and dear me, might have found there any day since it has been my place.

with one of those pistols that Bucket has found at my place, which have always been there.


What should I have done as soon as I was hard and fast here?

What should I have done as soon as I was here?


He stopped on hearing some one at the locks and bolts and did not resume until the door had been opened and was shut again.

He stopped on hearing someone at the locks and bolts and did not resume until the door had been opened and was shut again.


For what purpose opened, I will mention presently.


"I should have got a lawyer, and he would have said (as I have often read in the newspapers), 'My client says nothing, my client reserves his defence': my client this, that, and t'other.


Well, 'tis not the custom of that breed to go straight, according to my opinion, or to think that other men do.


He would be as likely to believe me guilty as not; perhaps more.

He would be as likely to believe me guilty as not.


Act as if I was--shut my mouth up, tell me not to commit myself, keep circumstances back, chop the evidence small, quibble, and get me off perhaps!

Act as if I was - shut my mouth, tell me not to commit myself, and get me off perhaps!


But, Miss Summerson, do I care for getting off in that way; or would I rather be hanged in my own way--if you'll excuse my mentioning anything so disagreeable to a lady?"

But, Miss Summerson, I would rather be hanged!


He had warmed into his subject now, and was under no further necessity to wait a bit.


"I would rather be hanged in my own way.


I don't intend to say," looking round upon us with his powerful arms akimbo and his dark eyebrows raised, "that I am more partial to being hanged than another man.


What I say is, I must come off clear and full or not at all.


Therefore, when I hear stated against me what is true, I say it's true; and when they tell me, 'whatever you say will be used,' I tell them I don't mind that; I mean it to be used.


If they can't make me innocent out of the whole truth, they are not likely to do it out of anything less, or anything else.

If they can't make me innocent out of the whole truth, they are not likely to do it out of anything less.


And if they are, it's worth nothing to me."


Taking a pace or two over the stone floor, he came back to the table and finished what he had to say.

He paced back to the table and finished his speech.


"I thank you, miss and gentlemen both, many times for your attention, and many times more for your interest.

"I thank you, miss and gentlemen both, for your attention.


That's the plain state of the matter as it points itself out to a mere trooper with a blunt broadsword kind of a mind. I have never done well in life beyond my duty as a soldier, and if the worst comes after all, I shall reap pretty much as I have sown.

I have a blunt broadsword kind of a mind, and have never done well in life beyond my duty as a soldier; and if the worst comes after all, I shall reap pretty much as I have sown.


When I got over the first crash of being seized as a murderer--it don't take a rover who has knocked about so much as myself so very long to recover from a crash--I worked my way round to what you find me now.


No relations will be disgraced by me or made unhappy for me, and--and that's all I've got to say."

No relations will be disgraced by me or made unhappy for me, and - and that's all I've got to say."


The door had been opened to admit another soldier-looking man of less prepossessing appearance at first sight and a weather-tanned, bright-eyed wholesome woman with a basket, who, from her entrance, had been exceedingly attentive to all Mr. George had said.

The door had been opened to admit another soldierly-looking man and a weather-tanned, bright-eyed wholesome woman with a basket, who had been exceedingly attentive to all Mr. George had said.


Mr. George had received them with a familiar nod and a friendly look, but without any more particular greeting in the midst of his address.

Mr. George had received them with a familiar nod and a friendly look.


He now shook them cordially by the hand and said, "Miss Summerson and gentlemen, this is an old comrade of mine, Matthew Bagnet. And this is his wife, Mrs. Bagnet."

He now shook them cordially by the hand and said, "Miss Summerson and gentlemen, this is an old comrade of mine, Matthew Bagnet, and his wife, Mrs. Bagnet."


Mr. Bagnet made us a stiff military bow, and Mrs. Bagnet dropped us a curtsy.


"Real good friends of mine, they are," sald Mr. George.

"Real good friends of mine, they are," said Mr. George.


"With a second-hand wiolinceller," Mr. Bagnet put in, twitching his head angrily.

"With a second-hand cello," Mr. Bagnet put in, twitching his head angrily.


"Mat," said Mr. George, "you have heard pretty well all I have been saying to this lady and these two gentlemen.

"Mat," said Mr. George, "you have heard pretty well all I have been saying.


Mr. Bagnet, after considering, referred the point to his wife. "Old girl," said he. "Tell him.


"Why, George," exclaimed Mrs. Bagnet, who had been unpacking her basket, in which there was a piece of cold pickled pork, a little tea and sugar, and a brown loaf, "you ought to know it don't.


You ought to know it's enough to drive a person wild to hear you.


You won't be got off this way, and you won't be got off that way--what do you mean by such picking and choosing?

You won't be got off this way, or that way?


"Don't be severe upon me in my misfortunes, Mrs. Bagnet," said the trooper lightly.


Bother your misfortunes," cried Mrs. Bagnet, "if they don't make you more reasonable than that comes to.


I never was so ashamed in my life to hear a man talk folly as I have been to hear you talk this day to the present company.


Why, what but too many cooks should hinder you from having a dozen lawyers if the gentleman recommended them to you."

Why, you should have a dozen lawyers if the gentleman recommended them to you."


"This is a very sensible woman," said my guardian.


"I hope you will persuade him, Mrs. Bagnet."


Mrs. Bagnet left her basket to point him out with both her bare brown hands.


As self-willed and as determined a man, in the wrong way, as ever put a human creature under heaven out of patience!


You could as soon take up and shoulder an eight and forty pounder by your own strength as turn that man when he has got a thing into his head and fixed it there.


You don't mean to set up for a new character with ME after all these years, I hope?"

You don't mean to set up for a new character with me after all these years, I hope?"


Her friendly indignation had an exemplary effect upon her husband, who shook his head at the trooper several times as a silent recommendation to him to yield.

At her friendly indignation, her husband shook his head at the trooper as a silent recommendation to him to yield.


Between whiles, Mrs. Bagnet looked at me; and I understood from the play of her eyes that she wished me to do something, though I did not comprehend what.


"But I have given up talking to you, old fellow, years and years," said Mrs. Bagnet as she blew a little dust off the pickled pork, looking at me again; "and when ladies and gentlemen know you as well as I do, they'll give up talking to you too.

"But I have given up talking to you, old fellow," said Mrs. Bagnet, looking at me again; "and when ladies and gentlemen know you as well as I do, they'll give up talking to you too.


If you are not too headstrong to accept of a bit of dinner, here it is."

If you are not too headstrong to accept a bit of dinner, here it is."


"I accept it with many thanks," returned the trooper.

"I accept it with thanks," returned the trooper.


said Mrs. Bagnet, continuing to grumble on good-humouredly.


"I wonder you don't starve in your own way also.


Perhaps you'll set your mind upon THAT next."


Here she again looked at me, and I now perceived from her glances at the door and at me, by turns, that she wished us to retire and to await her following us outside the prison.

Here she again looked at me, and I now perceived from her glances at the door that she wished us to retire and to wait for her outside the prison.


Communicating this by similar means to my guardian and Mr. Woodcourt, I rose.


"We hope you will think better of it, Mr. George," said I, "and we shall come to see you again, trusting to find you more reasonable."

"We hope you will think better of it, Mr. George," said I, "and we shall come to see you again, trusting to find you more persuadable.


"More grateful, Miss Summerson, you can't find me," he returned.


"But more persuadable we can, I hope," said I.


"And let me entreat you to consider that the clearing up of this mystery and the discovery of the real perpetrator of this deed may be of the last importance to others besides yourself."

And please to consider that the clearing up of this mystery and the discovery of the real criminal may be of great importance to others besides yourself."


He heard me respectfully but without much heeding these words, which I spoke a little turned from him, already on my way to the door; he was observing (this they afterwards told me) my height and figure, which seemed to catch his attention all at once.

He heard me respectfully but without much heeding these words, which I spoke as I was already on my way to the door. He was observing my height and figure, which seemed to catch his attention.


"Why, sir," he answered, "when my ill fortune took me to the dead man's staircase on the night of his murder, I saw a shape so like Miss Summerson's go by me in the dark that I had half a mind to speak to it."


For an instant I felt such a shudder as I never felt before or since and hope I shall never feel again.


"It came downstairs as I went up," said the trooper, "and crossed the moonlighted window with a loose black mantle on; I noticed a deep fringe to it.

"It came downstairs as I went up," said the trooper, "and crossed the moonlighted window with a black fringed mantle on.


However, it has nothing to do with the present subject, excepting that Miss Summerson looked so like it at the moment that it came into my head."

Miss Summerson looked so like it that it came into my head."


I cannot separate and define the feelings that arose in me after this; it is enough that the vague duty and obligation I had felt upon me from the first of following the investigation was, without my distinctly daring to ask myself any question, increased, and that I was indignantly sure of there being no possibility of a reason for my being afraid.

I cannot define the feelings that arose in me after this; but my determination to follow the investigation increased, and I was indignantly sure of there being no possible reason for my being afraid.


We three went out of the prison and walked up and down at some short distance from the gate, which was in a retired place.

We three went out of the prison and walked up and down a short distance from the gate.


We had not waited long when Mr. and Mrs. Bagnet came out too and quickly joined us.

Soon Mr. and Mrs. Bagnet came out and joined us.


There was a tear in each of Mrs. Bagnet's eyes, and her face was flushed and hurried.

There were tears in Mrs. Bagnet's eyes, and her face was flushed.


"I didn't let George see what I thought about it, you know, miss," was her first remark when she came up, "but he's in a bad way, poor old fellow!"

"I didn't let George see what I thought about it, you know, miss," she said when she came up, "but he's in a bad way, poor old fellow!"


"Not with care and prudence and good help," said my guardian.


"A gentleman like you ought to know best, sir," returned Mrs. Bagnet, hurriedly drying her eyes on the hem of her grey cloak, "but I am uneasy for him.

"A gentleman like you ought to know best, sir," returned Mrs. Bagnet, hurriedly drying her eyes, "but I am uneasy for him.


He has been so careless and said so much that he never meant.


The gentlemen of the juries might not understand him as Lignum and me do.


And then such a number of circumstances have happened bad for him, and such a number of people will be brought forward to speak against him, and Bucket is so deep."

And then so many circumstances have happened bad for him, and so many people will be brought forward to speak against him, and Bucket is so deep.


When a boy," Mr. Bagnet added with great solemnity.


"Now, I tell you, miss," said Mrs. Bagnet; "and when I say miss, I mean all!


Just come into the corner of the wall and I'll tell you!"

Just come into the corner and I'll tell you!"


Mrs. Bagnet hurried us into a more secluded place and was at first too breathless to proceed, occasioning Mr. Bagnet to say, "Old girl!

Mrs. Bagnet hurried us into a secluded corner.


"Why, then, miss," the old girl proceeded, untying the strings of her bonnet for more air, "you could as soon move Dover Castle as move George on this point unless you had got a new power to move him with.

"You could as soon move Dover Castle as move George on this point, miss, unless you had got a new power to move him with.


"You are a jewel of a woman," said my guardian.


"Now, I tell you, miss," she proceeded, clapping her hands in her hurry and agitation a dozen times in every sentence, "that what he says concerning no relations is all bosh.

"Now, what he says concerning no relations is all bosh.


They don't know of him, but he does know of them.


He has said more to me at odd times than to anybody else, and it warn't for nothing that he once spoke to my Woolwich about whitening and wrinkling mothers' heads.

He once spoke to my Woolwich about whitening and wrinkling mothers' heads.


For fifty pounds he had seen his mother that day.


She's alive and must be brought here straight!"


Instantly Mrs. Bagnet put some pins into her mouth and began pinning up her skirts all round a little higher than the level of her grey cloak, which she accomplished with surpassing dispatch and dexterity.


"Lignum," said Mrs. Bagnet, "you take care of the children, old man, and give me the umbrella!

Lignum, you take care of the children, and give me the umbrella!


I'm away to Lincolnshire to bring that old lady here."


"But, bless the woman," cried my guardian with his hand in his pocket, "how is she going?

"But, bless the woman," cried my guardian, "how is she going?


Mrs. Bagnet made another application to her skirts and brought forth a leathern purse in which she hastily counted over a few shillings and which she then shut up with perfect satisfaction.

Mrs. Bagnet brought forth a leather purse in which she hastily counted a few shillings.


"I'm a soldier's wife and accustomed to travel my own way.


Lignum, old boy," kissing him, "one for yourself, three for the children.


Now I'm away into Lincolnshire after George's mother!"


And she actually set off while we three stood looking at one another lost in amazement.

And she actually set off while we three stood looking at one another in amazement.


She actually trudged away in her grey cloak at a sturdy pace, and turned the corner, and was gone.

She trudged away in her grey cloak at a sturdy pace, turned the corner, and was gone.


"Do you mean to let her go in that way?"


"Made her way home once from another quarter of the world.


Whenever the old girl says, I'LL do it. She does it."

Whenever the old girl says, I'll do it, she does it."


"Then she is as honest and genuine as she looks," rejoined my guardian, "and it is impossible to say more for her."

"Then she is as honest as she looks," rejoined my guardian.


"She's Colour-Sergeant of the Nonpareil battalion," said Mr. Bagnet, looking at us over his shoulder as he went his way also.

"She's Colour-Sergeant of the Nonpareil battalion," said Mr. Bagnet.


Soon after I had that conversation with my guardian, he put a sealed paper in my hand one morning and said, "This is for next month, my dear."

Soon after that conversation with my guardian, he put a sealed paper in my hand one morning and said, "This is for next month, my dear."


I now began very quietly to make such preparations as I thought were necessary. Regulating my purchases by my guardian's taste, which I knew very well of course, I arranged my wardrobe to please him and hoped I should be highly successful.

I now began quietly to make necessary preparations, arranging my wardrobe to please my guardian's taste.


I did it all so quietly because I was not quite free from my old apprehension that Ada would be rather sorry and because my guardian was so quiet himself.

I did it so quietly because I was not quite free from my old apprehension that Ada would be rather sorry and because my guardian was so quiet himself.


I had no doubt that under all the circumstances we should be married in the most private and simple manner.

I had no doubt that we should be married in the most private and simple manner.


Perhaps I should only have to say to Ada, "Would you like to come and see me married to-morrow, my pet?"

Perhaps I should only have to say to Ada, "Would you like to come and see me married tomorrow, my pet?"


Perhaps our wedding might even be as unpretending as her own, and I might not find it necessary to say anything about it until it was over.

Perhaps I might not find it necessary to say anything about it until it was over.


I thought that if I were to choose, I would like this best.


The only exception I made was Mrs. Woodcourt.


I told her that I was going to be married to my guardian and that we had been engaged some time.


She could never do enough for me and was remarkably softened now in comparison with what she had been when we first knew her.

She could never do enough for me and was remarkably softened now in comparison to when we first knew her.


There was no trouble she would not have taken to have been of use to me, but I need hardly say that I only allowed her to take as little as gratified her kindness without tasking it.


Of course this was not a time to neglect my guardian, and of course it was not a time for neglecting my darling.

Of course this was not a time to neglect my guardian, nor my darling.


So I had plenty of occupation, which I was glad of; and as to Charley, she was absolutely not to be seen for needlework.


To surround herself with great heaps of it--baskets full and tables full--and do a little, and spend a great deal of time in staring with her round eyes at what there was to do, and persuade herself that she was going to do it, were Charley's great dignities and delights.

To surround herself with great heaps of it, and do a little, and spend a great deal of time in staring at what there was to do, and persuade herself that she was going to do it, were Charley's great dignities and delights.


Meanwhile, I must say, I could not agree with my guardian on the subject of the will, and I had some sanguine hopes of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

Meanwhile, I could not agree with my guardian on the subject of the will, for I had some hopes of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.


Which of us was right will soon appear, but I certainly did encourage expectations.


In Richard, the discovery gave occasion for a burst of business and agitation that buoyed him up for a little time, but he had lost the elasticity even of hope now and seemed to me to retain only its feverish anxieties.

In Richard, the discovery buoyed him up for a little time, but hope seemed to make him feverish and anxious.


From something my guardian said one day when we were talking about this, I understood that my marriage would not take place until after the term-time we had been told to look forward to; and I thought the more, for that, how rejoiced I should be if I could be married when Richard and Ada were a little more prosperous.

From something my guardian said one day when we were talking about this, I understood that my marriage would not take place until after the Chancery term-time; and I thought how rejoiced I should be if I could be married when Richard and Ada were a little more prosperous.


The term was very near indeed when my guardian was called out of town and went down into Yorkshire on Mr. Woodcourt's business.

The term was very near indeed when my guardian was called up to Yorkshire on Mr. Woodcourt's business.


He had told me beforehand that his presence there would be necessary.


I had just come in one night from my dear girl's and was sitting in the midst of all my new clothes, looking at them all around me and thinking, when a letter from my guardian was brought to me.

I had just come in one night from my dear girl's and was sitting in the midst of all my new clothes, looking at them and thinking, when a letter from my guardian was brought to me.


It asked me to join him in the country and mentioned by what stage-coach my place was taken and at what time in the morning I should have to leave town.

It asked me to join him in the country and mentioned by which stage-coach I should have to leave town in the morning.


It added in a postscript that I would not be many hours from Ada.

It added in a postscript that I would not be long away from Ada.


I expected few things less than a journey at that time, but I was ready for it in half an hour and set off as appointed early next morning.

I had not expected a journey at that time, but I set off as appointed early next morning.


I travelled all day, wondering all day what I could be wanted for at such a distance; now I thought it might be for this purpose, and now I thought it might be for that purpose, but I was never, never, never near the truth.

I travelled all day, wondering what I could be wanted for; now I thought it might be for this purpose, and now I thought it might be for that, but I was never near the truth.


It was night when I came to my journey's end and found my guardian waiting for me.


This was a great relief, for towards evening I had begun to fear (the more so as his letter was a very short one) that he might be ill.

This was a great relief, for towards evening I had begun to fear (as his letter was a very short one) that he might be ill.


However, there he was, as well as it was possible to be; and when I saw his genial face again at its brightest and best, I said to myself, he has been doing some other great kindness.

However, when I saw his genial face at its brightest and best, I said to myself, he has been doing some great kindness.


Not that it required much penetration to say that, because I knew that his being there at all was an act of kindness.

Not that there was anything unusual in that.


Supper was ready at the hotel, and when we were alone at table he said, "Full of curiosity, no doubt, little woman, to know why I have brought you here?"

Supper was ready at the hotel, and when we were alone at the table he said, "Full of curiosity, no doubt, little woman, to know why I have brought you here?"


"Well, guardian," said I, "without thinking myself a Fatima or you a Blue Beard, I am a little curious about it."

"Well, guardian," said I, "I am a little curious."


"Then to ensure your night's rest, my love," he returned gaily, "I won't wait until to-morrow to tell you.

"Then, my love," he returned gaily, "I won't wait until tomorrow to tell you.


I have very much wished to express to Woodcourt, somehow, my sense of his humanity to poor unfortunate Jo, his inestimable services to my young cousins, and his value to us all.

I have very much wished to express to Woodcourt, somehow, my sense of his services and value to us all.


When it was decided that he should settle here, it came into my head that I might ask his acceptance of some unpretending and suitable little place to lay his own head in.

When it was decided that he should settle here, it came into my head that I might ask him to accept some suitable little place to live.


I therefore caused such a place to be looked out for, and such a place was found on very easy terms, and I have been touching it up for him and making it habitable.

I therefore caused such a house to be looked for, and one was found on very easy terms, and I have been making it habitable.


However, when I walked over it the day before yesterday and it was reported ready, I found that I was not housekeeper enough to know whether things were all as they ought to be.

However, when I walked over it the day before yesterday, I found that I was not housekeeper enough to know whether things were all as they ought to be.


So I sent off for the best little housekeeper that could possibly be got to come and give me her advice and opinion.

So I sent off for the best little housekeeper that could possibly give me her advice.


And here she is," said my guardian, "laughing and crying both together!"


Because he was so dear, so good, so admirable.


I tried to tell him what I thought of him, but I could not articulate a word.

I tried to tell him this, but I could not say a word.


Why, how you sob, Dame Durden, how you sob!"


"It is with exquisite pleasure, guardian--with a heart full of thanks."

"It is with pleasure, guardian - with a heart full of thanks."


I meant it as a pleasant surprise for the little mistress of Bleak House."


"I have seen this in your face a long while."


"What a Dame Durden it is to read a face!"


He was so quaintly cheerful that I could not long be otherwise, and was almost ashamed of having been otherwise at all.


When I went to bed, I cried. I am bound to confess that I cried; but I hope it was with pleasure, though I am not quite sure it was with pleasure.

When I went to bed, I am bound to confess that I cried; but I hope it was with pleasure, though I am not quite sure it was.


I repeated every word of the letter twice over.


A most beautiful summer morning succeeded, and after breakfast we went out arm in arm to see the house of which I was to give my mighty housekeeping opinion.

After breakfast we went out arm in arm to see the house of which I was to give my mighty housekeeping opinion.


We entered a flower-garden by a gate in a side wall, of which he had the key, and the first thing I saw was that the beds and flowers were all laid out according to the manner of my beds and flowers at home.

We entered a flower-garden by a gate in a side wall, and the first thing I saw was that the beds and flowers were all laid out according to the manner of my beds and flowers at home.


"You see, my dear," observed my guardian, standing still with a delighted face to watch my looks, "knowing there could be no better plan, I borrowed yours."


We went on by a pretty little orchard, where the cherries were nestling among the green leaves and the shadows of the apple-trees were sporting on the grass, to the house itself--a cottage, quite a rustic cottage of doll's rooms; but such a lovely place, so tranquil and so beautiful, with such a rich and smiling country spread around it; with water sparkling away into the distance, here all overhung with summer-growth, there turning a humming mill; at its nearest point glancing through a meadow by the cheerful town, where cricket-players were assembling in bright groups and a flag was flying from a white tent that rippled in the sweet west wind.

We went on by a pretty little orchard, where the cherries were nestling among the green leaves, to the house itself - a rustic cottage of small rooms; but such a lovely place, so tranquil and so beautiful, with such a rich and smiling country spread around it; and across a meadow the cheerful town, where cricket-players were assembling in bright groups.


And still, as we went through the pretty rooms, out at the little rustic verandah doors, and underneath the tiny wooden colonnades garlanded with woodbine, jasmine, and honey-suckle, I saw in the papering on the walls, in the colours of the furniture, in the arrangement of all the pretty objects, MY little tastes and fancies, MY little methods and inventions which they used to laugh at while they praised them, my odd ways everywhere.

As we went through the pretty rooms, out at the little rustic verandah doors, and underneath the tiny wooden colonnades garlanded with woodbine, jasmine, and honey-suckle, I saw my little tastes and fancies, my odd ways everywhere.


I could not say enough in admiration of what was all so beautiful, but one secret doubt arose in my mind when I saw this, I thought, oh, would he be the happier for it!

I could not say enough in admiration, but one secret doubt arose in my mind. I thought, oh, would he be the happier for it?


Would it not have been better for his peace that I should not have been so brought before him?


Because although I was not what he thought me, still he loved me very dearly, and it might remind him mournfully of what be believed he had lost.

Because although I was not what he thought me, still he loved me very dearly, and it might remind him mournfully of what he believed he had lost.


I did not wish him to forget me--perhaps he might not have done so, without these aids to his memory--but my way was easier than his, and I could have reconciled myself even to that so that he had been the happier for it.

I did not wish him to forget me - but my way was easier than his, and I could have reconciled myself even to that if he had been the happier for it.


"And now, little woman," said my guardian, whom I had never seen so proud and joyful as in showing me these things and watching my appreciation of them, "now, last of all, for the name of this house."

"And now, little woman," said my guardian, whom I had never seen so proud and joyful, "now, last of all, for the name of this house."


He took me to the porch, which he had hitherto avoided, and said, pausing before we went out, "My dear child, don't you guess the name?"


We went out of the porch and he showed me written over it, Bleak House.

He took me to the porch, and showed me, written over it, Bleak House.


He led me to a seat among the leaves close by, and sitting down beside me and taking my hand in his, spoke to me thus, "My darling girl, in what there has been between us, I have, I hope, been really solicitous for your happiness.

He led me to a seat among the leaves. Sitting down beside me and taking my hand, he said, smiling, "My darling girl, I wish for your happiness.


When I wrote you the letter to which you brought the answer," smiling as he referred to it, "I had my own too much in view; but I had yours too. Whether, under different circumstances, I might ever have renewed the old dream I sometimes dreamed when you were very young, of making you my wife one day, I need not ask myself. I did renew it, and I wrote my letter, and you brought your answer.

When I wrote you the letter to which you brought the answer, I had my own happiness too much in view, for I had dreamed of making you my wife; but I had yours in view too.


You are following what I say, my child?"


I was cold, and I trembled violently, but not a word he uttered was lost.


As I sat looking fixedly at him and the sun's rays descended, softly shining through the leaves upon his bare head, I felt as if the brightness on him must be like the brightness of the angels.

As I sat looking at him in the sun's rays, softly shining through the leaves upon his bare head, I felt as if the brightness on him must be like the brightness of the angels.


When it was that I began to doubt whether what I had done would really make you happy is no matter.


Woodcourt came home, and I soon had no doubt at all."


I clasped him round the neck and hung my head upon his breast and wept.


"Lie lightly, confidently here, my child," said he, pressing me gently to him.

"Rest confidently here, my child," said he, pressing me gently to him.


"I am your guardian and your father now."


Soothingly, like the gentle rustling of the leaves; and genially, like the ripening weather; and radiantly and beneficently, like the sunshine, he went on.

Soothingly, like the gentle rustling of the leaves; and radiantly, like the sunshine, he went on.


I had no doubt of your being contented and happy with me, being so dutiful and so devoted; but I saw with whom you would be happier.

I had no doubt of your being contented with me, being so dutiful and so devoted; but I saw with whom you would be happier.


That I penetrated his secret when Dame Durden was blind to it is no wonder, for I knew the good that could never change in her better far than she did.


I have long been in Allan Woodcourt's confidence, although he was not, until yesterday, a few hours before you came here, in mine.

I have long been in Allan Woodcourt's confidence, although he was not, until yesterday, in mine.


But I would not have my Esther's bright example lost; I would not have a jot of my dear girl's virtues unobserved and unhonoured; I would not have her admitted on sufferance into the line of Morgan ap-Kerrig, no, not for the weight in gold of all the mountains in Wales!"

But I would not have a jot of my dear girl's virtues unobserved and unhonoured; I would not have her admitted on sufferance into the line of Morgan ap-Kerrig, no, not for the weight in gold of all the mountains in Wales!"


He stopped to kiss me on the forehead, and I sobbed and wept afresh.

He stopped to kiss me on the forehead, and I sobbed afresh.


For I felt as if I could not bear the painful delight of his praise.


I have looked forward to it," he said exultingly, "for months on months!


A few words more, Dame Trot, and I have said my say.


Determined not to throw away one atom of my Esther's worth, I took Mrs. Woodcourt into a separate confidence.


'Now, madam,' said I, 'I clearly perceive--and indeed I know, to boot--that your son loves my ward.

'Now, madam,' said I, 'I clearly perceive that your son loves my ward.


I am further very sure that my ward loves your son, but will sacrifice her love to a sense of duty and affection, and will sacrifice it so completely, so entirely, so religiously, that you should never suspect it though you watched her night and day.'

I am very sure that my ward loves your son, but will sacrifice her love to duty and affection, so completely and religiously, that you should never suspect it though you watched her night and day.'


Then I told her all our story--ours--yours and mine.


'Now, madam,' said I, 'come you, knowing this, and live with us.


Come you, and see my child from hour to hour; set what you see against her pedigree, which is this, and this'--for I scorned to mince it--'and tell me what is the true legitimacy when you shall have quite made up your mind on that subject.'

Come and see my child; set what you see against her pedigree, which is this' - for I scorned to mince words - 'and tell me what is the true legitimacy.'


Why, honour to her old Welsh blood, my dear," cried my guardian with enthusiasm, "I believe the heart it animates beats no less warmly, no less admiringly, no less lovingly, towards Dame Durden than my own!"

Why, honour to her old Welsh blood, my dear," cried my guardian with enthusiasm, "her heart beats no less warmly, no less lovingly, towards Dame Durden than my own!"


He tenderly raised my head, and as I clung to him, kissed me in his old fatherly way again and again.

He tenderly raised my head, and as I clung to him, kissed me in his old fatherly way again.


What a light, now, on the protecting manner I had thought about!


When Allan Woodcourt spoke to you, my dear, he spoke with my knowledge and consent--but I gave him no encouragement, not I, for these surprises were my great reward, and I was too miserly to part with a scrap of it.

When Allan Woodcourt spoke to you, my dear, he spoke with my knowledge and consent - but I gave him no encouragement.


He was to come and tell me all that passed, and he did.


My dearest, Allan Woodcourt stood beside your father when he lay dead--stood beside your mother.

My dearest, Allan Woodcourt stood beside your father when he lay dead - stood beside your mother.


This day I give this house its little mistress; and before God, it is the brightest day in all my life!"


My husband--I have called him by that name full seven happy years now--stood at my side.

My husband - I have called him by that name seven happy years now - stood at my side.


"Allan," said my guardian, "take from me a willing gift, the best wife that ever man had.


What more can I say for you than that I know you deserve her!


Take with her the little home she brings you.


You know what she will make it, Allan; you know what she has made its namesake.


Let me share its felicity sometimes, and what do I sacrifice?

Let me share its happiness sometimes, and what do I sacrifice?


He kissed me once again, and now the tears were in his eyes as he said more softly, "Esther, my dearest, after so many years, there is a kind of parting in this too. I know that my mistake has caused you some distress.

He kissed me once again, and now the tears were in his eyes as he said more softly, "Esther, my dearest, I know that my mistake has caused you some distress.


Forgive your old guardian, in restoring him to his old place in your affections; and blot it out of your memory.

Forgive your old guardian, in restoring him to his old place in your affections.


He moved away from under the green roof of leaves, and stopping in the sunlight outside and turning cheerfully towards us, said, "I shall be found about here somewhere.

He moved away from under the green roof of leaves, and stopping in the sunlight outside said cheerfully, "I shall be found about here somewhere.


It's a west wind, little woman, due west!


Let no one thank me any more, for I am going to revert to my bachelor habits, and if anybody disregards this warning, I'll run away and never come back!"


What happiness was ours that day, what joy, what rest, what hope, what gratitude, what bliss!

What happiness was ours that day, what gratitude, what bliss!


We were to be married before the month was out, but when we were to come and take possession of our own house was to depend on Richard and Ada.

We were to be married before the month was out, but when we were to come and live in our own house was to depend on Richard and Ada.


We all three went home together next day.


As soon as we arrived in town, Allan went straight to see Richard and to carry our joyful news to him and my darling.


Late as it was, I meant to go to her for a few minutes before lying down to sleep, but I went home with my guardian first to make his tea for him and to occupy the old chair by his side, for I did not like to think of its being empty so soon.

Late as it was, I meant to go to her for a few minutes, but I went home with my guardian first to make his tea for him and to occupy the old chair by his side, for I did not like to think of its being empty so soon.


When we came home we found that a young man had called three times in the course of that one day to see me and that having been told on the occasion of his third call that I was not expected to return before ten o'clock at night, he had left word that he would call about then.

At home we found that a young man had called three times in the course of that day to see me, and had left word that he would call again that evening.


As I naturally speculated on the object of these visits, and as I always associated something ludicrous with the visitor, it fell out that in laughing about Mr. Guppy I told my guardian of his old proposal and his subsequent retraction.

As I naturally speculated on the object of these visits, I told my guardian of Mr. Guppy's old proposal and his subsequent retraction.


"After that," said my guardian, "we will certainly receive this hero."


So instructions were given that Mr. Guppy should be shown in when he came again, and they were scarcely given when he did come again.

So when Mr. Guppy came again, he was shown in.


He was embarrassed when he found my guardian with me, but recovered himself and said, "How de do, sir?"


"Thank you, sir, I am tolerable," returned Mr. Guppy.


"Will you allow me to introduce my mother, Mrs. Guppy of the Old Street Road, and my particular friend, Mr. Weevle. That is to say, my friend has gone by the name of Weevle, but his name is really and truly Jobling."

"Will you allow me to introduce my mother, Mrs. Guppy, and my particular friend, Mr. Weevle, that is to say, Jobling."


My guardian begged them to be seated, and they all sat down.


"Tony," said Mr. Guppy to his friend after an awkward silence.


"Do it yourself," returned the friend rather tartly.


"Well, Mr. Jarndyce, sir," Mr. Guppy, after a moment's consideration, began, to the great diversion of his mother, which she displayed by nudging Mr. Jobling with her elbow and winking at me in a most remarkable manner, "I had an idea that I should see Miss Summerson by herself and was not quite prepared for your esteemed presence.

"Well, Mr. Jarndyce, sir," Mr. Guppy began, while his mother nudged Mr. Jobling with her elbow and winked at me in a most remarkable manner, "I had an idea that I should see Miss Summerson by herself.


But Miss Summerson has mentioned to you, perhaps, that something has passed between us on former occasions?"


"Miss Summerson," returned my guardian, smiling, "has made a communication to that effect to me."

"She has," returned my guardian, smiling.


"That," said Mr. Guppy, "makes matters easier.


Sir, I have come out of my articles at Kenge and Carboy's, and I believe with satisfaction to all parties. I am now admitted (after undergoing an examination that's enough to badger a man blue, touching a pack of nonsense that he don't want to know) on the roll of attorneys and have taken out my certificate, if it would be any satisfaction to you to see it."

Sir, I have come out of my articles at Kenge and Carboy's, and I am now admitted on the roll of attorneys and have taken out my certificate.


"Thank you, Mr. Guppy," returned my guardian.


"I am quite willing--I believe I use a legal phrase--to admit the certificate."


Mr. Guppy therefore desisted from taking something out of his pocket and proceeded without it.


"I have no capital myself, but my mother has a little property which takes the form of an annuity"--here Mr. Guppy's mother rolled her head as if she never could sufficiently enjoy the observation, and put her handkerchief to her mouth, and again winked at me--"and a few pounds for expenses out of pocket in conducting business will never be wanting, free of interest, which is an advantage, you know," said Mr. Guppy feelingly.
"Certainly an advantage," returned my guardian.
"I HAVE some connexion," pursued Mr. Guppy, "and it lays in the direction of Walcot Square, Lambeth. I have therefore taken a 'ouse in that locality, which, in the opinion of my friends, is a hollow bargain (taxes ridiculous, and use of fixtures included in the rent), and intend setting up professionally for myself there forthwith."

I have no capital myself, but my mother has a small annuity" - here his mother rolled her head and again winked at me - "and I have taken a 'ouse in the locality of Lambeth, and intend setting up professionally for myself there forthwith."


Here Mr. Guppy's mother fell into an extraordinary passion of rolling her head and smiling waggishly at anybody who would look at her.

Here Mr. Guppy's mother began smiling waggishly at anybody who would look at her.


"It's a six-roomer, exclusive of kitchens," said Mr. Guppy, "and in the opinion of my friends, a commodious tenement.


When I mention my friends, I refer principally to my friend Jobling, who I believe has known me," Mr. Guppy looked at him with a sentimental air, "from boyhood's hour."


Mr. Jobling confirmed this with a sliding movement of his legs.


"My friend Jobling will render me his assistance in the capacity of clerk and will live in the 'ouse," said Mr. Guppy.

My friend Jobling will assist me in the capacity of clerk and will live in the 'ouse.


"My mother will likewise live in the 'ouse when her present quarter in the Old Street Road shall have ceased and expired; and consequently there will be no want of society.

Likewise my mother; and consequently there will be no want of society.


My friend Jobling is naturally aristocratic by taste, and besides being acquainted with the movements of the upper circles, fully backs me in the intentions I am now developing."

My friend Jobling is naturally aristocratic by taste, and fully backs me in the intentions I am now developing."


Mr. Jobling said "Certainly" and withdrew a little from the elbow of Mr Guppy's mother.

Mr. Jobling said "Certainly," and withdrew a little from Mrs. Guppy's elbow.


"Now, I have no occasion to mention to you, sir, you being in the confidence of Miss Summerson," said Mr. Guppy, "(mother, I wish you'd be so good as to keep still), that Miss Summerson's image was formerly imprinted on my 'eart and that I made her a proposal of marriage."

"Now, you may know, sir," said Mr. Guppy, "that Miss Summerson's image was formerly imprinted on my 'eart and that I made her a proposal of marriage."


"That I have heard," returned my guardian.


"Circumstances," pursued Mr. Guppy, "over which I had no control, but quite the contrary, weakened the impression of that image for a time.

"Circumstances over which I had no control weakened the impression of that image for a time.


At which time Miss Summerson's conduct was highly genteel; I may even add, magnanimous."

At which time Miss Summerson's conduct was highly genteel and generous."


My guardian patted me on the shoulder and seemed much amused.


"Now, sir," said Mr. Guppy, "I have got into that state of mind myself that I wish for a reciprocity of magnanimous behaviour. I wish to prove to Miss Summerson that I can rise to a heighth of which perhaps she hardly thought me capable.

"Now, sir," said Mr. Guppy, "I wish to prove to Miss Summerson that I can rise to a height of which perhaps she hardly thought me capable.


I find that the image which I did suppose had been eradicated from my 'eart is NOT eradicated.

I find that the image which I supposed had been eradicated from my 'eart is not eradicated.


Its influence over me is still tremenjous, and yielding to it, I am willing to overlook the circumstances over which none of us have had any control and to renew those proposals to Miss Summerson which I had the honour to make at a former period.

Yielding to it, I am willing to overlook the circumstances over which none of us have had any control and to renew my proposals to Miss Summerson."


I beg to lay the 'ouse in Walcot Square, the business, and myself before Miss Summerson for her acceptance."


"Very magnanimous indeed, sir," observed my guardian.


"Well, sir," replied Mr. Guppy with candour, "my wish is to BE magnanimous.


I do not consider that in making this offer to Miss Summerson I am by any means throwing myself away; neither is that the opinion of my friends.


Still, there are circumstances which I submit may be taken into account as a set off against any little drawbacks of mine, and so a fair and equitable balance arrived at."


"I take upon myself, sir," said my guardian, laughing as he rang the bell, "to reply to your proposals on behalf of Miss Summerson.


She is very sensible of your handsome intentions, and wishes you good evening, and wishes you well."


"Is that tantamount, sir, to acceptance, or rejection, or consideration?"

"Is that acceptance, or rejection, or consideration?"


"To decided rejection, if you please," returned my guardian.

"Rejection, if you please," returned my guardian.


Mr. Guppy looked incredulously at his friend, and at his mother, who suddenly turned very angry, and at the floor, and at the ceiling.

Mr. Guppy looked incredulously at his friend, and at his mother, who suddenly turned very angry.


"Then, Jobling, if you was the friend you represent yourself, I should think you might hand my mother out of the gangway instead of allowing her to remain where she ain't wanted."


But Mrs. Guppy positively refused to come out of the gangway.


"Why, get along with you," said she to my guardian, "what do you mean?


"My good lady," returned my guardian, "it is hardly reasonable to ask me to get out of my own room."


"I don't care for that," said Mrs. Guppy.


If we ain't good enough for you, go and procure somebody that is good enough.

If we ain't good enough for you, go and find somebody that is."


I was quite unprepared for the rapid manner in which Mrs. Guppy's power of jocularity merged into a power of taking the profoundest offence.

I was quite unprepared for the rapid manner in which Mrs. Guppy's jocularity changed.


"Go along and find somebody that's good enough for you," repeated Mrs. Guppy.


Nothing seemed to astonish Mr. Guppy's mother so much and to make her so very indignant as our not getting out.


"Mother," interposed her son, always getting before her and pushing her back with one shoulder as she sidled at my guardian, "WILL you hold your tongue?"

"Mother," interposed her son, "will you hold your tongue?"


However, Mr. Guppy and Mr. Jobling together closed on Mr. Guppy's mother (who began to be quite abusive) and took her, very much against her will, downstairs, her voice rising a stair higher every time her figure got a stair lower, and insisting that we should immediately go and find somebody who was good enough for us, and above all things that we should get out.

However, Mr. Guppy and Mr. Jobling together closed on her and took her, very much against her will, downstairs, her voice rising as she got lower, and insisting that we should immediately get out.


I proceed to other passages of my narrative.


From the goodness of all about me I derived such consolation as I can never think of unmoved. I have already said so much of myself, and so much still remains, that I will not dwell upon my sorrow.

From the goodness of all about me I derived much consolation; and I have already said so much about myself that I will not dwell upon my sorrow.


I had an illness, but it was not a long one; and I would avoid even this mention of it if I could quite keep down the recollection of their sympathy.

I had an illness, but it was not a long one.


During the time of my illness, we were still in London, where Mrs. Woodcourt had come, on my guardian's invitation, to stay with us.

During this time, we were in London; Mrs. Woodcourt had come, on my guardian's invitation, to stay with us.


When my guardian thought me well and cheerful enough to talk with him in our old way--though I could have done that sooner if he would have believed me--I resumed my work and my chair beside his.

When my guardian thought me well and cheerful enough to talk with him in our old way, I resumed my work and my chair beside his.


He had appointed the time himself, and we were alone.


"Dame Trot," said he, receiving me with a kiss, "welcome to the growlery again, my dear.

"Dame Trot," said he, "welcome to the growlery again, my dear.


I have a scheme to develop, little woman.


I propose to remain here, perhaps for six months, perhaps for a longer time--as it may be.

I propose to remain here, perhaps for six months, perhaps more.


Quite to settle here for a while, in short."


"And in the meanwhile leave Bleak House?"


"Bleak House," he returned, "must learn to take care of itself."


I thought his tone sounded sorrowful, but looking at him, I saw his kind face lighted up by its pleasantest smile.

I thought he sounded sorrowful, but looking up I saw his kind face lighted up by its pleasantest smile.


"Bleak House," he repeated--and his tone did NOT sound sorrowful, I found--"must learn to take care of itself. It is a long way from Ada, my dear, and Ada stands much in need of you."

"Bleak House," he said, "is a long way from Ada, my dear, and Ada stands much in need of you.


"It's like you, guardian," said I, "to have been taking that into consideration for a happy surprise to both of us."


"Not so disinterested either, my dear, if you mean to extol me for that virtue, since if you were generally on the road, you could be seldom with me.


And besides, I wish to hear as much and as often of Ada as I can in this condition of estrangement from poor Rick.

I wish to hear as often of Ada as I can while I am estranged from poor Rick.


Not of her alone, but of him too, poor fellow."


"Have you seen Mr. Woodcourt, this morning, guardian?"

"Have you seen Mr. Woodcourt this morning, guardian?"


"I see Mr. Woodcourt every morning, Dame Durden."


"Does he still say the same of Richard?"


He knows of no direct bodily illness that he has; on the contrary, he believes that he has none.

He believes he has no direct bodily illness; yet he is not easy about him.


Yet he is not easy about him; who CAN be?"


My dear girl had been to see us lately every day, some times twice in a day.

My dear girl had been to see us lately every day, sometimes twice a day.


But we had foreseen, all along, that this would only last until I was quite myself.

But we had foreseen that this would only last until I was quite myself.


We knew full well that her fervent heart was as full of affection and gratitude towards her cousin John as it had ever been, and we acquitted Richard of laying any injunctions upon her to stay away; but we knew on the other hand that she felt it a part of her duty to him to be sparing of her visits at our house.

Her fervent heart was as full of affection and gratitude towards her cousin John as ever, but on the other hand she felt it her duty to Richard to be sparing of her visits to our house.


My guardian's delicacy had soon perceived this and had tried to convey to her that he thought she was right.

My guardian had soon perceived this and had tried to tell her that he thought she was right.


"Dear, unfortunate, mistaken Richard," said I.


"He is not in the way to do so now, my dear," replied my guardian.

"Not yet, my dear," replied my guardian.


"The more he suffers, the more averse he will be to me, having made me the principal representative of the great occasion of his suffering."

"The more he suffers, the more averse he will be to me, having made me the main cause of his suffering."


I could not help adding, "So unreasonably!"


"Ah, Dame Trot, Dame Trot," returned my guardian, "what shall we find reasonable in Jarndyce and Jarndyce!

"Ah, Dame Trot," returned my guardian, "what shall we find reasonable in Jarndyce and Jarndyce!


Unreason and injustice at the top, unreason and injustice at the heart and at the bottom, unreason and injustice from beginning to end--if it ever has an end--how should poor Rick, always hovering near it, pluck reason out of it?

Unreason and injustice from beginning to end - if it ever has an end - how should poor Rick pluck reason out of it?"


He no more gathers grapes from thorns or figs from thistles than older men did in old times."


His gentleness and consideration for Richard whenever we spoke of him touched me so that I was always silent on this subject very soon.

His gentleness and consideration for Richard so touched me that I fell silent.


"I suppose the Lord Chancellor, and the Vice Chancellors, and the whole Chancery battery of great guns would be infinitely astonished by such unreason and injustice in one of their suitors," pursued my guardian.


"When those learned gentlemen begin to raise moss-roses from the powder they sow in their wigs, I shall begin to be astonished too!"


He checked himself in glancing towards the window to look where the wind was and leaned on the back of my chair instead.


This rock we must leave to time, chance, and hopeful circumstance.

This rock we must leave to time and chance.