English
Ontheeveningfollowingthatuponwhichthethreeworthiesmentionedinthelastchapter,disposedoftheirlittlematterofbusinessasthereinnarrated,Mr.WilliamSikes,awakeningfromanap,drowsilygrowledforthaninquirywhattimeofnightitwas.
TheroominwhichMr.Sikespropoundedthisquestion,wasnotoneofthosehehadtenanted,previoustotheChertseyexpedition,althoughitwasinthesamequarterofthetown,andwassituatedatnogreatdistancefromhisformerlodgings.
Itwasnot,inappearance,sodesirableahabitationashisoldquarters:beingameanandbadly-furnishedapartment,ofverylimitedsize;lightedonlybyonesmallwindowintheshelvingroof,andabuttingonacloseanddirtylane.
Norweretherewantingotherindicationsofthegoodgentleman’shavinggonedownintheworldoflate:foragreatscarcityoffurniture,andtotalabsenceofcomfort,togetherwiththedisappearanceofallsuchsmallmoveablesasspareclothesandlinen,bespokeastateofextremepoverty;whilethemeagreandattenuatedconditionofMr.Sikeshimselfwouldhavefullyconfirmedthesesymptoms,iftheyhadstoodinanyneedofcorroboration.
Thehousebreakerwaslyingonthebed,wrappedinhiswhitegreat-coat,bywayofdressing-gown,anddisplayingasetoffeaturesinnodegreeimprovedbythecadaveroushueofillness,andtheadditionofasoilednightcap,andastiff,blackbeardofaweek’sgrowth.
Thedogsatatthebedside:noweyeinghismasterwithawistfullook,andnowprickinghisears,andutteringalowgrowlassomenoiseinthestreet,orinthelowerpartofthehouse,attractedhisattention.
Seatedbythewindow,busilyengagedinpatchinganoldwaistcoatwhichformedaportionoftherobber’sordinarydress,wasafemale:sopaleandreducedwithwatchingandprivation,thattherewouldhavebeenconsiderabledifficultyinrecognisingherasthesameNancywhohasalreadyfiguredinthistale,butforthevoiceinwhichsherepliedtoMr.Sikes’squestion.
‘Notlonggoneseven,’saidthegirl.‘Howdoyoufeelto-night,Bill?’
‘Asweakaswater,’repliedMr.Sikes,withanimprecationonhiseyesandlimbs.‘Here;lendusahand,andletmegetoffthisthunderingbedanyhow.’
IllnesshadnotimprovedMr.Sikes’stemper;for,asthegirlraisedhimupandledhimtoachair,hemutteredvariouscursesonherawkwardness,andstruckher.
‘Whiningareyou?’saidSikes.‘Come!Don’tstandsnivellingthere.Ifyoucan’tdoanythingbetterthanthat,cutoffaltogether.D’yehearme?’
‘Ihearyou,’repliedthegirl,turningherfaceaside,andforcingalaugh.‘Whatfancyhaveyougotinyourheadnow?’
‘Oh!you’vethoughtbetterofit,haveyou?’growledSikes,markingthetearwhichtrembledinhereye.‘Allthebetterforyou,youhave.’
‘Why,youdon’tmeantosay,you’dbeharduponmeto-night,Bill,’saidthegirl,layingherhanduponhisshoulder.
‘No!’criedMr.Sikes.‘Whynot?’
‘Suchanumberofnights,’saidthegirl,withatouchofwoman’stenderness,whichcommunicatedsomethinglikesweetnessoftone,eventohervoice:‘suchanumberofnightsasI’vebeenpatientwithyou,nursingandcaringforyou,asifyouhadbeenachild:andthisthefirstthatI’veseenyoulikeyourself;youwouldn’thaveservedmeasyoudidjustnow,ifyou’dthoughtofthat,wouldyou?
Come,come;sayyouwouldn’t.’
‘Well,then,’rejoinedMr.Sikes,‘Iwouldn’t.Why,damme,now,thegirls’swhiningagain!’
‘It’snothing,’saidthegirl,throwingherselfintoachair.‘Don’tyouseemtomindme.It’llsoonbeover.’
‘What’llbeover?’demandedMr.Sikesinasavagevoice.‘Whatfooleryareyouupto,now,again?Getupandbustleabout,anddon’tcomeovermewithyourwoman’snonsense.’
Atanyothertime,thisremonstrance,andthetoneinwhichitwasdelivered,wouldhavehadthedesiredeffect;butthegirlbeingreallyweakandexhausted,droppedherheadoverthebackofthechair,andfainted,beforeMr.Sikescouldgetoutafewoftheappropriateoathswithwhich,onsimilaroccasions,hewasaccustomedtogarnishhisthreats.
Notknowing,verywell,whattodo,inthisuncommonemergency;forMissNancy’shystericswereusuallyofthatviolentkindwhichthepatientfightsandstrugglesoutof,withoutmuchassistance;Mr.Sikestriedalittleblasphemy:andfindingthatmodeoftreatmentwhollyineffectual,calledforassistance.
‘What’sthematterhere,mydear?’saidFagin,lookingin.
‘Lendahandtothegirl,can’tyou?’repliedSikesimpatiently.‘Don’tstandchatteringandgrinningatme!’
Withanexclamationofsurprise,Faginhastenedtothegirl’sassistance,whileMr.JohnDawkins(otherwisetheArtfulDodger),whohadfollowedhisvenerablefriendintotheroom,hastilydepositedonthefloorabundlewithwhichhewasladen;andsnatchingabottlefromthegraspofMasterCharlesBateswhocamecloseathisheels,uncorkeditinatwinklingwithhisteeth,andpouredaportionofitscontentsdownthepatient’sthroat:previouslytakingataste,himself,topreventmistakes.
‘Giveherawhiffoffreshairwiththebellows,Charley,’saidMr.Dawkins;‘andyouslapherhands,Fagin,whileBillundoesthepetticuts.’
Theseunitedrestoratives,administeredwithgreatenergy:especiallythatdepartmentconsignedtoMasterBates,whoappearedtoconsiderhisshareintheproceedings,apieceofunexampledpleasantry:werenotlonginproducingthedesiredeffect.
Thegirlgraduallyrecoveredhersenses;and,staggeringtoachairbythebedside,hidherfaceuponthepillow:leavingMr.Sikestoconfrontthenewcomers,insomeastonishmentattheirunlooked-forappearance.
‘Why,whatevilwindhasblowedyouhere?’heaskedFagin.
‘Noevilwindatall,mydear,forevilwindsblownobodyanygood;andI’vebroughtsomethinggoodwithme,thatyou’llbegladtosee.
Dodger,mydear,openthebundle;andgiveBillthelittletriflesthatwespentallourmoneyon,thismorning.’
IncompliancewithMr.Fagin’srequest,theArtfuluntiedthisbundle,whichwasoflargesize,andformedofanoldtable-cloth;andhandedthearticlesitcontained,onebyone,toCharleyBates:whoplacedthemonthetable,withvariousencomiumsontheirrarityandexcellence.
‘Sitcharabbitpie,Bill,’exclaimedthatyounggentleman,disclosingtoviewahugepasty;‘sitchdelicatecreeturs,withsitchtenderlimbs,Bill,thatthewerybonesmeltinyourmouth,andthere’snooccasiontopick‘em;halfapoundofsevenandsix-pennygreen,sopreciousstrongthatifyoumixitwithbilingwater,it’llgonightoblowthelidofthetea-potoff;apoundandahalfofmoistsugarthattheniggersdidn’tworkatallat,aforetheygotituptositchapitchofgoodness,—ohno!
Twohalf-quarternbrans;poundofbestfresh;pieceofdoubleGlo’ster;and,towindupall,someoftherichestsortyoueverlushed!’
Utteringthislastpanegyric,MasterBatesproduced,fromoneofhisextensivepockets,afull-sizedwine-bottle,carefullycorked;whileMr.Dawkins,atthesameinstant,pouredoutawine-glassfulofrawspiritsfromthebottlehecarried:whichtheinvalidtosseddownhisthroatwithoutamoment’shesitation.
‘Ah!’saidFagin,rubbinghishandswithgreatsatisfaction.‘You’lldo,Bill;you’lldonow.’
‘Do!’exclaimedMr.Sikes;‘Imighthavebeendonefor,twentytimesover,aforeyou’dhavedoneanythingtohelpme.
Whatdoyoumeanbyleavingamaninthisstate,threeweeksandmore,youfalse-heartedwagabond?’
‘Onlyhearhim,boys!’saidFagin,shrugginghisshoulders.‘Anduscometobringhimallthesebeau-ti-fulthings.’
‘Thethingsiswellenoughintheirway,’observedMr.Sikes:alittlesoothedasheglancedoverthetable;‘butwhathaveyougottosayforyourself,whyyoushouldleavemehere,downinthemouth,health,blunt,andeverythingelse;andtakenomorenoticeofme,allthismortaltime,thanifIwasthat‘eredog.—Drivehimdown,Charley!’
‘Ineverseesuchajollydogasthat,’criedMasterBates,doingashewasdesired.
‘Smellingthegrublikeaoldladyagoingtomarket!
He’dmakehisfortun’onthestagethatdogwould,andrewivethedraymabesides.’
‘Holdyourdin,’criedSikes,asthedogretreatedunderthebed:stillgrowlingangrily.‘Whathaveyougottosayforyourself,youwitheredoldfence,eh?’
‘IwasawayfromLondon,aweekandmore,mydear,onaplant,’repliedtheJew.
‘Andwhatabouttheotherfortnight?’demandedSikes.‘Whatabouttheotherfortnightthatyou’veleftmelyinghere,likeasickratinhishole?’
‘Icouldn’thelpit,Bill.Ican’tgointoalongexplanationbeforecompany;butIcouldn’thelpit,uponmyhonour.’
‘Uponyourwhat?’growledSikes,withexcessivedisgust.‘Here!Cutmeoffapieceofthatpie,oneofyouboys,totakethetasteofthatoutofmymouth,orit’llchokemedead.’
‘Don’tbeoutoftemper,mydear,’urgedFagin,submissively.‘Ihaveneverforgotyou,Bill;neveronce.’
‘No!I’llpounditthatyouhan’t,’repliedSikes,withabittergrin.
‘You’vebeenschemingandplottingaway,everyhourthatIhavelaidshiveringandburninghere;andBillwastodothis;andBillwastodothat;andBillwastodoitall,dirtcheap,assoonashegotwell:andwasquitepoorenoughforyourwork.
Ifithadn’tbeenforthegirl,Imighthavedied.’
‘Therenow,Bill,’remonstratedFagin,eagerlycatchingattheword.‘Ifithadn’tbeenforthegirl!WhobutpoorouldFaginwasthemeansofyourhavingsuchahandygirlaboutyou?’
‘Hesaystrueenoughthere!’saidNancy,cominghastilyforward.‘Lethimbe;lethimbe.’
Nancy’sappearancegaveanewturntotheconversation;fortheboys,receivingaslywinkfromthewaryoldJew,begantoplyherwithliquor:ofwhich,however,shetookverysparingly;whileFagin,assuminganunusualflowofspirits,graduallybroughtMr.Sikesintoabettertemper,byaffectingtoregardhisthreatsasalittlepleasantbanter;and,moreover,bylaughingveryheartilyatoneortworoughjokes,which,afterrepeatedapplicationstothespirit-bottle,hecondescendedtomake.
‘It’sallverywell,’saidMr.Sikes;‘butImusthavesomebluntfromyouto-night.’
‘Ihaven’tapieceofcoinaboutme,’repliedtheJew.
‘Thenyou’vegotlotsathome,’retortedSikes;‘andImusthavesomefromthere.’
‘Lots!’criedFagin,holdingupishands.‘Ihaven’tsomuchaswould—’
‘Idon’tknowhowmuchyou’vegot,andIdaresayyouhardlyknowyourself,asitwouldtakeaprettylongtimetocountit,’saidSikes;‘butImusthavesometo-night;andthat’sflat.’
‘Well,well,’saidFagin,withasigh,‘I’llsendtheArtfulroundpresently.’
‘Youwon’tdonothingofthekind,’rejoinedMr.Sikes.
‘TheArtful’sadealtooartful,andwouldforgettocome,orlosehisway,orgetdodgedbytrapsandsobeperwented,oranythingforanexcuse,ifyouputhimuptoit.
Nancyshallgotothekenandfetchit,tomakeallsure;andI’llliedownandhaveasnoozewhileshe’sgone.’
Afteragreatdealofhagglingandsquabbling,Faginbeatdowntheamountoftherequiredadvancefromfivepoundstothreepoundsfourandsixpence:protestingwithmanysolemnasseverationsthatthatwouldonlyleavehimeighteen-pencetokeephousewith;Mr.Sikessullenlyremarkingthatifhecouldn’tgetanymorehemustaccompanyhimhome;withtheDodgerandMasterBatesputtheeatablesinthecupboard.
TheJewthen,takingleaveofhisaffectionatefriend,returnedhomeward,attendedbyNancyandtheboys:Mr.Sikes,meanwhile,flinginghimselfonthebed,andcomposinghimselftosleepawaythetimeuntiltheyounglady’sreturn.
Induecourse,theyarrivedatFagin’sabode,wheretheyfoundTobyCrackitandMr.Chitlingintentupontheirfifteenthgameatcribbage,whichitisscarcelynecessarytosaythelattergentlemanlost,andwithit,hisfifteenthandlastsixpence:muchtotheamusementofhisyoungfriends.
Mr.Crackit,apparentlysomewhatashamedatbeingfoundrelaxinghimselfwithagentlemansomuchhisinferiorinstationandmentalendowments,yawned,andinquiringafterSikes,tookuphishattogo.
‘Hasnobodybeen,Toby?’askedFagin.
‘Notalivingleg,’answeredMr.Crackit,pullinguphiscollar;‘it’sbeenasdullasswipes.
Yououghttostandsomethinghandsome,Fagin,torecompensemeforkeepinghousesolong.
Damme,I’masflatasajuryman;andshouldhavegonetosleep,asfastasNewgate,ifIhadn’thadthegoodnatur’toamusethisyoungster.Horriddull,I’mblessedifIan’t!’
Withtheseandotherejaculationsofthesamekind,Mr.TobyCrackitsweptuphiswinnings,andcrammedthemintohiswaistcoatpocketwithahaughtyair,asthoughsuchsmallpiecesofsilverwerewhollybeneaththeconsiderationofamanofhisfigure;thisdone,heswaggeredoutoftheroom,withsomucheleganceandgentility,thatMr.Chitling,bestowingnumerousadmiringglancesonhislegsandbootstilltheywereoutofsight,assuredthecompanythatheconsideredhisacquaintancecheapatfifteensixpencesaninterview,andthathedidn’tvaluehislossesthesnapofhislittlefinger.
‘Wotarumchapyouare,Tom!’saidMasterBates,highlyamusedbythisdeclaration.
‘Notabitofit,’repliedMr.Chitling.‘AmI,Fagin?’
‘Averycleverfellow,mydear,’saidFagin,pattinghimontheshoulder,andwinkingtohisotherpupils.
‘AndMr.Crackitisaheavyswell;an’the,Fagin?’askedTom.
‘Nodoubtatallofthat,mydear.’
‘Anditisacreditablethingtohavehisacquaintance;an’tit,Fagin?’pursuedTom.
‘Verymuchso,indeed,mydear.They’reonlyjealous,Tom,becausehewon’tgiveittothem.’
‘Ah!’criedTom,triumphantly,‘that’swhereitis!Hehascleanedmeout.ButIcangoandearnsomemore,whenIlike;can’tI,Fagin?’
‘Tobesureyoucan,andthesooneryougothebetter,Tom;somakeupyourlossatonce,anddon’tloseanymoretime.Dodger!Charley!It’stimeyouwereonthelay.Come!It’snearten,andnothingdoneyet.’
Inobediencetothishint,theboys,noddingtoNancy,tookuptheirhats,andlefttheroom;theDodgerandhisvivaciousfriendindulging,astheywent,inmanywitticismsattheexpenseofMr.Chitling;inwhoseconduct,itisbutjusticetosay,therewasnothingveryconspicuousorpeculiar:inasmuchasthereareagreatnumberofspiritedyoungbloodsupontown,whopayamuchhigherpricethanMr.Chitlingforbeingseeningoodsociety:andagreatnumberoffinegentlemen(composingthegoodsocietyaforesaid)whoestablishedtheirreputationuponverymuchthesamefootingasflashTobyCrackit.
‘Now,’saidFagin,whentheyhadlefttheroom,‘I’llgoandgetyouthatcash,Nancy.
ThisisonlythekeyofalittlecupboardwhereIkeepafewoddthingstheboysget,mydear.
Ineverlockupmymoney,forI’vegotnonetolockup,mydear—ha!ha!ha!—nonetolockup.
It’sapoortrade,Nancy,andnothanks;butI’mfondofseeingtheyoungpeopleaboutme;andIbearitall,Ibearitall.Hush!’
hesaid,hastilyconcealingthekeyinhisbreast;‘who’sthat?Listen!’
Thegirl,whowassittingatthetablewithherarmsfolded,appearedinnowayinterestedinthearrival:ortocarewhethertheperson,whoeverhewas,cameorwent:untilthemurmurofaman’svoicereachedherears.
Theinstantshecaughtthesound,shetoreoffherbonnetandshawl,withtherapidityoflightning,andthrustthemunderthetable.
TheJew,turningroundimmediatelyafterwards,shemutteredacomplaintoftheheat:inatoneoflanguorthatcontrasted,veryremarkably,withtheextremehasteandviolenceofthisaction:which,however,hadbeenunobservedbyFagin,whohadhisbacktowardsheratthetime.
‘Bah!’hewhispered,asthoughnettledbytheinterruption;‘it’sthemanIexpectedbefore;he’scomingdownstairs.
Notawordaboutthemoneywhilehe’shere,Nance.Hewon’tstoplong.Nottenminutes,mydear.’
Layinghisskinnyforefingeruponhislip,theJewcarriedacandletothedoor,asaman’sstepwashearduponthestairswithout.
Hereachedit,atthesamemomentasthevisitor,who,cominghastilyintotheroom,wascloseuponthegirlbeforeheobservedher.
ItwasMonks.
‘Onlyoneofmyyoungpeople,’saidFagin,observingthatMonksdrewback,onbeholdingastranger.‘Don’tmove,Nancy.’
Thegirldrewclosertothetable,andglancingatMonkswithanairofcarelesslevity,withdrewhereyes;butasheturnedtowardsFagin,shestoleanotherlook;sokeenandsearching,andfullofpurpose,thatiftherehadbeenanybystandertoobservethechange,hecouldhardlyhavebelievedthetwolookstohaveproceededfromthesameperson.
‘Anynews?’inquiredFagin.
‘Great.’
‘And—and—good?’askedFagin,hesitatingasthoughhefearedtovextheothermanbybeingtoosanguine.
‘Notbad,anyway,’repliedMonkswithasmile.‘Ihavebeenpromptenoughthistime.Letmehaveawordwithyou.’
Thegirldrewclosertothetable,andmadenooffertoleavetheroom,althoughshecouldseethatMonkswaspointingtoher.
TheJew:perhapsfearingshemightsaysomethingaloudaboutthemoney,ifheendeavouredtogetridofher:pointedupward,andtookMonksoutoftheroom.
‘Notthatinfernalholewewereinbefore,’shecouldhearthemansayastheywentupstairs.
Faginlaughed;andmakingsomereplywhichdidnotreachher,seemed,bythecreakingoftheboards,toleadhiscompaniontothesecondstory.
Beforethesoundoftheirfootstepshadceasedtoechothroughthehouse,thegirlhadslippedoffhershoes;anddrawinghergownlooselyoverherhead,andmufflingherarmsinit,stoodatthedoor,listeningwithbreathlessinterest.
Themomentthenoiseceased,sheglidedfromtheroom;ascendedthestairswithincrediblesoftnessandsilence;andwaslostinthegloomabove.
Theroomremaineddesertedforaquarterofanhourormore;thegirlglidedbackwiththesameunearthlytread;and,immediatelyafterwards,thetwomenwerehearddescending.
Monkswentatonceintothestreet;andtheJewcrawledupstairsagainforthemoney.
Whenhereturned,thegirlwasadjustinghershawlandbonnet,asifpreparingtobegone.
‘Why,Nance!’exclaimedtheJew,startingbackasheputdownthecandle,‘howpaleyouare!’
‘Pale!’echoedthegirl,shadinghereyeswithherhands,asiftolooksteadilyathim.
‘Quitehorrible.Whathaveyoubeendoingtoyourself?’
‘NothingthatIknowof,exceptsittinginthiscloseplaceforIdon’tknowhowlongandall,’repliedthegirlcarelessly.‘Come!Letmegetback;that’sadear.’
Withasighforeverypieceofmoney,Fagintoldtheamountintoherhand.Theypartedwithoutmoreconversation,merelyinterchanginga‘good-night.’
Whenthegirlgotintotheopenstreet,shesatdownuponadoorstep;andseemed,forafewmoments,whollybewilderedandunabletopursueherway.
Suddenlyshearose;andhurryingon,inadirectionquiteoppositetothatinwhichSikeswasawaitingherreturned,quickenedherpace,untilitgraduallyresolvedintoaviolentrun.
Aftercompletelyexhaustingherself,shestoppedtotakebreath:and,asifsuddenlyrecollectingherself,anddeploringherinabilitytodosomethingshewasbentupon,wrungherhands,andburstintotears.
Itmightbethathertearsrelievedher,orthatshefeltthefullhopelessnessofhercondition;butsheturnedback;andhurryingwithnearlyasgreatrapidityinthecontrarydirection;partlytorecoverlosttime,andpartlytokeeppacewiththeviolentcurrentofherownthoughts:soonreachedthedwellingwhereshehadleftthehousebreaker.
Ifshebetrayedanyagitation,whenshepresentedherselftoMr.Sikes,hedidnotobserveit;formerelyinquiringifshehadbroughtthemoney,andreceivingareplyintheaffirmative,heutteredagrowlofsatisfaction,andreplacinghisheaduponthepillow,resumedtheslumberswhichherarrivalhadinterrupted.
Itwasfortunateforherthatthepossessionofmoneyoccasionedhimsomuchemploymentnextdayinthewayofeatinganddrinking;andwithalhadsobeneficialaneffectinsmoothingdowntheasperitiesofhistemper;thathehadneithertimenorinclinationtobeverycriticaluponherbehaviouranddeportment.
Thatshehadalltheabstractedandnervousmannerofonewhoisontheeveofsomeboldandhazardousstep,whichithasrequirednocommonstruggletoresolveupon,wouldhavebeenobvioustothelynx-eyedFagin,whowouldmostprobablyhavetakenthealarmatonce;butMr.Sikeslackingthenicetiesofdiscrimination,andbeingtroubledwithnomoresubtlemisgivingsthanthosewhichresolvethemselvesintoadoggedroughnessofbehaviourtowardseverybody;andbeing,furthermore,inanunusuallyamiablecondition,ashasbeenalreadyobserved;sawnothingunusualinherdemeanor,andindeed,troubledhimselfsolittleabouther,that,hadheragitationbeenfarmoreperceptiblethanitwas,itwouldhavebeenveryunlikelytohaveawakenedhissuspicions.
Asthatdayclosedin,thegirl’sexcitementincreased;and,whennightcameon,andshesatby,watchinguntilthehousebreakershoulddrinkhimselfasleep,therewasanunusualpalenessinhercheek,andafireinhereye,thatevenSikesobservedwithastonishment.
Mr.Sikesbeingweakfromthefever,waslyinginbed,takinghotwaterwithhisgintorenderitlessinflammatory;andhadpushedhisglasstowardsNancytobereplenishedforthethirdorfourthtime,whenthesesymptomsfirststruckhim.
‘Why,burnmybody!’saidtheman,raisinghimselfonhishandsashestaredthegirlintheface.‘Youlooklikeacorpsecometolifeagain.What’sthematter?’
‘Matter!’repliedthegirl.‘Nothing.Whatdoyoulookatmesohardfor?’
‘Whatfooleryisthis?’demandedSikes,graspingherbythearm,andshakingherroughly.‘Whatisit?Whatdoyoumean?Whatareyouthinkingof?’
‘Ofmanythings,Bill,’repliedthegirl,shivering,andasshedidso,pressingherhandsuponhereyes.‘But,Lord!Whatoddsinthat?’
Thetoneofforcedgaietyinwhichthelastwordswerespoken,seemedtoproduceadeeperimpressiononSikesthanthewildandrigidlookwhichhadprecededthem.
‘Itellyouwotitis,’saidSikes;‘ifyouhaven’tcaughtthefever,andgotitcomin’on,now,there’ssomethingmorethanusualinthewind,andsomethingdangeroustoo.You’renota-goingto—.No,damme!youwouldn’tdothat!’
‘Dowhat?’askedthegirl.
‘Thereain’t,’saidSikes,fixinghiseyesuponher,andmutteringthewordstohimself;‘thereain’tastauncher-heartedgalgoing,orI’dhavecutherthroatthreemonthsago.
She’sgotthefevercomingon;that’sit.’
Fortifyinghimselfwiththisassurance,Sikesdrainedtheglasstothebottom,andthen,withmanygrumblingoaths,calledforhisphysic.
Thegirljumpedup,withgreatalacrity;poureditquicklyout,butwithherbacktowardshim;andheldthevesseltohislips,whilehedrankoffthecontents.
‘Now,’saidtherobber,‘comeandsitasideofme,andputonyourownface;orI’llalteritso,thatyouwon’tknowitaginwhenyoudowantit.’
Thegirlobeyed.Sikes,lockingherhandinhis,fellbackuponthepillow:turninghiseyesuponherface.
Theyclosed;openedagain;closedoncemore;againopened.
Heshiftedhispositionrestlessly;and,afterdozingagain,andagain,fortwoorthreeminutes,andasoftenspringingupwithalookofterror,andgazingvacantlyabouthim,wassuddenlystricken,asitwere,whileintheveryattitudeofrising,intoadeepandheavysleep.
Thegraspofhishandrelaxed;theupraisedarmfelllanguidlybyhisside;andhelaylikeoneinaprofoundtrance.
‘Thelaudanumhastakeneffectatlast,’murmuredthegirl,assherosefromthebedside.‘Imaybetoolate,evennow.’
Shehastilydressedherselfinherbonnetandshawl:lookingfearfullyround,fromtimetotime,asif,despitethesleepingdraught,sheexpectedeverymomenttofeelthepressureofSikes’sheavyhanduponhershoulder;then,stoopingsoftlyoverthebed,shekissedtherobber’slips;andthenopeningandclosingtheroom-doorwithnoiselesstouch,hurriedfromthehouse.
Awatchmanwascryinghalf-pastnine,downadarkpassagethroughwhichshehadtopass,ingainingthemainthoroughfare.
‘Hasitlonggonethehalf-hour?’askedthegirl.
‘It’llstrikethehourinanotherquarter,’saidtheman:raisinghislanterntoherface.
‘AndIcannotgetthereinlessthananhourormore,’mutteredNancy:brushingswiftlypasthim,andglidingrapidlydownthestreet.
Manyoftheshopswerealreadyclosinginthebacklanesandavenuesthroughwhichshetrackedherway,inmakingfromSpitalfieldstowardstheWest-EndofLondon.
Theclockstruckten,increasingherimpatience.
Shetorealongthenarrowpavement:elbowingthepassengersfromsidetoside;anddartingalmostunderthehorses’heads,crossedcrowdedstreets,whereclustersofpersonswereeagerlywatchingtheiropportunitytodothelike.
‘Thewomanismad!’saidthepeople,turningtolookafterherassherushedaway.
Whenshereachedthemorewealthyquarterofthetown,thestreetswerecomparativelydeserted;andhereherheadlongprogressexcitedastillgreatercuriosityinthestragglerswhomshehurriedpast.
Somequickenedtheirpacebehind,asthoughtoseewhithershewashasteningatsuchanunusualrate;andafewmadeheaduponher,andlookedback,surprisedatherundiminishedspeed;buttheyfelloffonebyone;andwhenshenearedherplaceofdestination,shewasalone.
ItwasafamilyhotelinaquietbuthandsomestreetnearHydePark.
Asthebrilliantlightofthelampwhichburntbeforeitsdoor,guidedhertothespot,theclockstruckeleven.
Shehadloiteredforafewpacesasthoughirresolute,andmakinguphermindtoadvance;butthesounddeterminedher,andshesteppedintothehall.Theporter’sseatwasvacant.
Shelookedroundwithanairofincertitude,andadvancedtowardsthestairs.
‘Now,youngwoman!’saidasmartly-dressedfemale,lookingoutfromadoorbehindher,‘whodoyouwanthere?’
‘Aladywhoisstoppinginthishouse,’answeredthegirl.
‘Alady!’wasthereply,accompaniedwithascornfullook.‘Whatlady?’
‘MissMaylie,’saidNancy.
Theyoungwoman,whohadbythistime,notedherappearance,repliedonlybyalookofvirtuousdisdain;andsummonedamantoanswerher.Tohim,Nancyrepeatedherrequest.
‘WhatnameamItosay?’askedthewaiter.
‘It’sofnousesayingany,’repliedNancy.
‘Norbusiness?’saidtheman.
‘No,northatneither,’rejoinedthegirl.‘Imustseethelady.’
‘Come!’saidtheman,pushinghertowardsthedoor.‘Noneofthis.Takeyourselfoff.’
‘IshallbecarriedoutifIgo!’saidthegirlviolently;‘andIcanmakethatajobthattwoofyouwon’tliketodo.
Isn’tthereanybodyhere,’shesaid,lookinground,‘thatwillseeasimplemessagecarriedforapoorwretchlikeme?’
Thisappealproducedaneffectonagood-tempered-facedman-cook,whowithsomeoftheotherservantswaslookingon,andwhosteppedforwardtointerfere.
‘Takeitupforher,Joe;can’tyou?’saidthisperson.
‘What’sthegood?’repliedtheman.‘Youdon’tsupposetheyoungladywillseesuchasher;doyou?’
ThisallusiontoNancy’sdoubtfulcharacter,raisedavastquantityofchastewrathinthebosomsoffourhousemaids,whoremarked,withgreatfervour,thatthecreaturewasadisgracetohersex;andstronglyadvocatedherbeingthrown,ruthlessly,intothekennel.
‘Dowhatyoulikewithme,’saidthegirl,turningtothemenagain;‘butdowhatIaskyoufirst,andIaskyoutogivethismessageforGodAlmighty’ssake.’
Thesoft-heartedcookaddedhisintercession,andtheresultwasthatthemanwhohadfirstappearedundertookitsdelivery.
‘What’sittobe?’saidtheman,withonefootonthestairs.
‘ThatayoungwomanearnestlyaskstospeaktoMissMayliealone,’saidNancy;‘andthatiftheladywillonlyhearthefirstwordshehastosay,shewillknowwhethertohearherbusiness,ortohaveherturnedoutofdoorsasanimpostor.’
‘Isay,’saidtheman,‘you’recomingitstrong!’
‘Yougivethemessage,’saidthegirlfirmly;‘andletmeheartheanswer.’
Themanranupstairs.Nancyremained,paleandalmostbreathless,listeningwithquiveringliptotheveryaudibleexpressionsofscorn,ofwhichthechastehousemaidswereveryprolific;andofwhichtheybecamestillmoreso,whenthemanreturned,andsaidtheyoungwomanwastowalkupstairs.
‘It’snogoodbeingproperinthisworld,’saidthefirsthousemaid.
‘Brasscandobetterthanthegoldwhathasstoodthefire,’saidthesecond.
Thethirdcontentedherselfwithwondering‘whatladieswasmadeof’;andthefourthtookthefirstinaquartetteof‘Shameful!’withwhichtheDianasconcluded.
Regardlessofallthis:forshehadweightiermattersatheart:Nancyfollowedtheman,withtremblinglimbs,toasmallante-chamber,lightedbyalampfromtheceiling.Herehelefther,andretired.
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