'Poison Cheggs, cut Cheggs's ears off,' rejoined Quilp. 'I won't hear of

Cheggs. Her name is Swiveller or nothing. I'll drink her health again,

and her father's, and her mother's; and to all her sisters and brothers

the glorious family of the Wackleses - all the Wackleses in one glass -

down with it to the dregs!' 'Well,' said Richard Swiveller, stopping

short in the act of raising the glass to his lips and looking at the dwarf

in a species of stupor as he flourished his arms and legs about: 'you're

a jolly fellow, but of all the jolly fellows I ever saw or heard of, you

have the queerest and most extraordinary way with you, upon my life

you have.'

This candid declaration tended rather to increase than restrain Mr

Quilp's eccentricities, and Richard Swiveller, astonished to see him in

such a roystering vein, and drinking not a little himself, for company -

began imperceptibly to become more companionable and confiding, so

that, being judiciously led on by Mr Quilp, he grew at last very

confiding indeed. Having once got him into this mood, and knowing

now the key-note to strike whenever he was at a loss, Daniel Quilp's

task was comparatively an easy one, and he was soon in possession of

the whole details of the scheme contrived between the easy Dick and

his more designing friend.

Stop!' said Quilp. 'That's the thing, that's the thing. It can be brought

about, it shall be brought about. There's my hand upon it; I am your

friend from this minute.'

What! do you think there's still a chance?' inquired Dick, in surprise

at this encouragement.

'A chance!' echoed the dwarf, 'a certainty! Sophy Wackles may become

a Cheggs or anything else she likes, but not a Swiveller. Oh you lucky

dog! He's richer than any Jew alive; you're a made man. I see in you

now nothing but Nelly's husband, rolling in gold and silver. I'll help

you. It shall be done. Mind my words, it shall be done.'

But how?' said Dick.

There's plenty of time,' rejoined the dwarf, 'and it shall be done. We'll

sit down and talk it over again all the way through. Fill your glass

while I'm gone. I shall be back directly - directly.' With these hasty

words, Daniel Quilp withdrew into a dismantled skittle-ground behind

the public-house, and, throwing himself upon the ground actually

screamed and rolled about in uncontrollable delight.

Here's sport!' he cried, 'sport ready to my hand, all invented and

arranged, and only to be enjoyed. It was this shallow-pated fellow who

made my bones ache t'other day, was it? It was his friend and fellow-

plotter, Mr Trent, that once made eyes at Mrs Quilp, and leered and

The Old Curiosity Shop