第 46 页

change; and, as often as he raised them from his first work of getting

the array of business documents into perfect order, he glanced at these

things with a feeling of pleasure in his pursuit that was new to him.

Raising his eyes thus one day, he was surprised to see a bonnet

labouring up the step-ladder. The unusual apparition was followed by

another bonnet. He then perceived that the first bonnet was on the head

of Mr F.'s Aunt, and that the second bonnet was on the head of Flora,

who seemed to have propelled her legacy up the steep ascent with

considerable difficulty. Though not altogether enraptured at the sight

of these visitors, Clennam lost no time in opening the counting-house

door, and extricating them from the workshop; a rescue which was

rendered the more necessary by Mr F.'s Aunt already stumbling over some

impediment, and menacing steam power as an Institution with a stony

reticule she carried.

'Good gracious, Arthur,--I should say Mr Clennam, far more proper--the

climb we have had to get up here and how ever to get down again without

a fire-escape and Mr F.'s Aunt slipping through the steps and bruised

all over and you in the machinery and foundry way too only think, and

never told us!'

Thus, Flora, out of breath. Meanwhile, Mr F.'s Aunt rubbed her esteemed

insteps with her umbrella, and vindictively glared.

'Most unkind never to have come back to see us since that day, though

naturally it was not to be expected that there should be any attraction

at our house and you were much more pleasantly engaged, that's pretty

certain, and is she fair or dark blue eyes or black I wonder, not that

I expect that she should be anything but a perfect contrast to me in all

particulars for I am a disappointment as I very well know and you are

quite right to be devoted no doubt though what I am saying Arthur never

mind I hardly know myself Good gracious!'

By this time he had placed chairs for them in the counting-house. As

Flora dropped into hers, she bestowed the old look upon him.

'And to think of Doyce and Clennam, and who Doyce can be,' said Flora;

'delightful man no doubt and married perhaps or perhaps a daughter, now

has he really? then one understands the partnership and sees it all,

don't tell me anything about it for I know I have no claim to ask the

question the golden chain that once was forged being snapped and very

proper.'

Flora put her hand tenderly on his, and gave him another of the youthful

glances.

'Dear Arthur--force of habit, Mr Clennam every way more delicate and

adapted to existing circumstances--I must beg to be excused for taking

the liberty of this intrusion but I thought I might so far presume upon

old times for ever faded never more to bloom as to call with Mr F.'s

Aunt to congratulate and offer best wishes, A great deal superior to

China not to be denied and much nearer though higher up!'

'I am very happy to see you,' said Clennam, 'and I thank you, Flora,

very much for your kind remembrance.'

'More than I can say myself at any rate,' returned Flora, 'for I might

have been dead and buried twenty distinct times over and no doubt

whatever should have been before you had genuinely remembered Me or

anything like it in spite of which one last remark I wish to make, one

last explanation I wish to offer--'

'My dear Mrs Finching,' Arthur remonstrated in alarm.

'Oh not that disagreeable name, say Flora!'

'Flora, is it worth troubling yourself afresh to enter into

explanations? I assure you none are needed. I am satisfied--I am

perfectly satisfied.'

A diversion was occasioned here, by Mr F.'s Aunt making the following

inexorable and awful statement:

'There's mile-stones on the Dover road!'

With such mortal hostility towards the human race did she discharge this

missile, that Clennam was quite at a loss how to defend himself; the

rather as he had been already perplexed in his mind by the honour of a

visit from this venerable lady, when it was plain she held him in the

utmost abhorrence. He could not but look at her with disconcertment, as

she sat breathing bitterness and scorn, and staring leagues away. Flora,

however, received the remark as if it had been of a most apposite and

agreeable nature; approvingly observing aloud that Mr F.'s Aunt had a

great deal of spirit. Stimulated either by this compliment, or by her

burning indignation, that illustrious woman then added, 'Let him meet

it if he can!' And, with a rigid movement of her stony reticule (an

appendage of great size and of a fossil appearance), indicated that

Clennam was the unfortunate person at whom the challenge was hurled.

'One last remark,' resumed Flora, 'I was going to say I wish to make one

last explanation I wish to offer, Mr F.'s Aunt and myself would not have

intruded on business hours Mr F. having been in business and though the

wine trade still business is equally business call it what you will and

business habits are just the same as witness Mr F. himself who had his

slippers always on the mat at ten minutes before six in the afternoon

and his boots inside the fender at ten minutes before eight in the

morning to the moment in all weathers light or dark--would not therefore

have intruded without a motive which being kindly meant it may be hoped

will be kindly taken Arthur, Mr Clennam far more proper, even Doyce and

Clennam probably more business-like.'

'Pray say nothing in the way of apology,' Arthur entreated. 'You are

always welcome.'

'Very polite of you to say so Arthur--cannot remember Mr Clennam until

the word is out, such is the habit of times for ever fled, and so true

it is that oft in the stilly night ere slumber's chain has bound people,

fond memory brings the light of other days around people--very polite

but more polite than true I am afraid, for to go into the machinery

business without so much as sending a line or a card to papa--I don't

say me though there was a time but that is past and stern reality has

now my gracious never mind--does not look like it you must confess.'

Even Flora's commas seemed to have fled on this occasion; she was so

much more disjointed and voluble than in the preceding interview.

'Though indeed,' she hurried on, 'nothing else is to be expected and why

should it be expected and if it's not to be expected why should it be,

and I am far from blaming you or any one, When your mama and my papa

worried us to death and severed the golden bowl--I mean bond but I dare

say you know what I mean and if you don't you don't lose much and care

just as little I will venture to add--when they severed the golden bond

that bound us and threw us into fits of crying on the sofa nearly choked

at least myself everything was changed and in giving my hand to Mr F. I

know I did so with my eyes open but he was so very unsettled and in such

low spirits that he had distractedly alluded to the river if not oil of

something from the chemist's and I did it for the best.'

'My good Flora, we settled that before. It was all quite right.'

'It's perfectly clear you think so,' returned Flora, 'for you take it

very coolly, if I hadn't known it to be China I should have guessed

myself the Polar regions, dear Mr Clennam you are right however and I

cannot blame you but as to Doyce and Clennam papa's property being about

here we heard it from Pancks and but for him we never should have heard

one word about it I am satisfied.'

'No, no, don't say that.'

'What nonsense not to say it Arthur--Doyce and Clennam--easier and less

trying to me than Mr Clennam--when I know it and you know it too and

can't deny it.'

'But I do deny it, Flora. I should soon have made you a friendly visit.'

'Ah!' said Flora, tossing her head. 'I dare say!' and she gave him

another of the old looks. 'However when Pancks told us I made up my mind

that Mr F.'s Aunt and I would come and call because when papa--which was

before that--happened to mention her name to me and to say that you were

interested in her I said at the moment Good gracious why not have her

here then when there's anything to do instead of putting it out.'

'When you say Her,' observed Clennam, by this time pretty well

bewildered, 'do you mean Mr F.'s--'

'My goodness, Arthur--Doyce and Clennam really easier to me with old

remembrances--who ever heard of Mr F.'s Aunt doing needlework and going

out by the day?'

'Going out by the day! Do you speak of Little Dorrit?' 'Why yes of

course,' returned Flora; 'and of all the strangest names I ever heard

the strangest, like a place down in the country with a turnpike, or a

favourite pony or a puppy or a bird or something from a seed-shop to be

put in a garden or a flower-pot and come up speckled.'

'Then, Flora,' said Arthur, with a sudden interest in the conversation,

'Mr Casby was so kind as to mention Little Dorrit to you, was he? What

did he say?'

'Oh you know what papa is,' rejoined Flora, 'and how aggravatingly he

sits looking beautiful and turning his thumbs over and over one another

till he makes one giddy if one keeps one's eyes upon him, he said when

we were talking of you--I don't know who began the subject Arthur (Doyce

and Clennam) but I am sure it wasn't me, at least I hope not but you

really must excuse my confessing more on that point.'

'Certainly,' said Arthur. 'By all means.'

'You are very ready,' pouted Flora, coming to a sudden stop in a

captivating bashfulness, 'that I must admit, Papa said you had spoken of

her in an earnest way and I said what I have told you and that's all.'

'That's all?' said Arthur, a little disappointed.

'Except that when Pancks told us of your having embarked in this

business and with difficulty persuaded us that it was really you I said

to Mr F.'s Aunt then we would come and ask you if it would be agreeable

to all parties that she should be engaged at our house when required

for I know she often goes to your mama's and I know that your mama has

a very touchy temper Arthur--Doyce and Clennam--or I never might have

married Mr F. and might have been at this hour but I am running into

nonsense.'

'It was very kind of you, Flora, to think of this.'

Poor Flora rejoined with a plain sincerity which became her better than

her youngest glances, that she was glad he thought so. She said it with

so much heart that Clennam would have given a great deal to buy his

old character of her on the spot, and throw it and the mermaid away for

ever.

'I think, Flora,' he said, 'that the employment you can give Little

Dorrit, and the kindness you can show her--'

'Yes and I will,' said Flora, quickly.

'I am sure of it--will be a great assistance and support to her. I do

not feel that I have the right to tell you what I know of her, for I

acquired the knowledge confidentially, and under circumstances that

bind me to silence. But I have an interest in the little creature, and

a respect for her that I cannot express to you. Her life has been one

of such trial and devotion, and such quiet goodness, as you can scarcely

imagine. I can hardly think of her, far less speak of her, without

feeling moved. Let that feeling represent what I could tell you, and

commit her to your friendliness with my thanks.'

Once more he put out his hand frankly to poor Flora; once more poor

Flora couldn't accept it frankly, found it worth nothing openly, must

make the old intrigue and mystery of it. As much to her own enjoyment as

to his dismay, she covered it with a corner of her shawl as she took it.

Then, looking towards the glass front of the counting-house, and seeing

two figures approaching, she cried with infinite relish, 'Papa! Hush,

Arthur, for Mercy's sake!' and tottered back to her chair with an

amazing imitation of being in danger of swooning, in the dread surprise

and maidenly flutter of her spirits.

The Patriarch, meanwhile, came inanely beaming towards the

counting-house in the wake of Pancks. Pancks opened the door for him,

towed him in, and retired to his own moorings in a corner.

'I heard from Flora,' said the Patriarch with his benevolent smile,

'that she was coming to call, coming to call. And being out, I thought

I'd come also, thought I'd come also.'

The benign wisdom he infused into this declaration (not of itself

profound), by means of his blue eyes, his shining head, and his long

white hair, was most impressive. It seemed worth putting down among the

noblest sentiments enunciated by the best of men. Also, when he said to

Clennam, seating himself in the proffered chair, 'And you are in a new

business, Mr Clennam? I wish you well, sir, I wish you well!' he seemed

to have done benevolent wonders.

'Mrs Finching has been telling me, sir,' said Arthur, after making his

acknowledgments; the relict of the late Mr F. meanwhile protesting, with

a gesture, against his use of that respectable name; 'that she hopes

occasionally to employ the young needlewoman you recommended to my

mother. For which I have been thanking her.'

The Patriarch turning his head in a lumbering way towards Pancks, that

assistant put up the note-book in which he had been absorbed, and took

him in tow.

'You didn't recommend her, you know,' said Pancks; 'how could you? You

knew nothing about her, you didn't. The name was mentioned to you, and

you passed it on. That's what YOU did.'

'Well!' said Clennam. 'As she justifies any recommendation, it is much

the same thing.'

'You are glad she turns out well,' said Pancks, 'but it wouldn't have