and dreaded as if I brought the plague? He'll tell you that I have no

natural affection; and that I care no more for Nell, for her own sake,

than I do for him. Let him say so. I care for the whim, then, of coming

to and fro and reminding her of my existence. I WILL see her when I

please. That's my point. I came here to-day to maintain it, and I'll

come here again fifty times with the same object and always with the

same success. I said I would stop till I had gained it. I have done so,

and now my visit's ended. Come Dick.'

Stop!' cried Mr Swiveller, as his companion turned toward the door.

Sir!'

Sir, I am your humble servant,' said Mr Quilp, to whom the

monosyllable was addressed.

Before I leave the gay and festive scene, and halls of dazzling light,

sir,' said Mr Swiveller, 'I will with your permission, attempt a slight

remark. I came here, sir, this day, under the impression that the old

min was friendly.'

'Proceed, sir,' said Daniel Quilp; for the orator had made a sudden

stop.

Inspired by this idea and the sentiments it awakened, sir, and feeling

as a mutual friend that badgering, baiting, and bullying, was not the

sort of thing calculated to expand the souls and promote the social

harmony of the contending parties, I took upon myself to suggest a

course which is THE course to be adopted to the present occasion.

Will you allow me to whisper half a syllable, sir?'

Without waiting for the permission he sought, Mr Swiveller stepped up

to the dwarf, and leaning on his shoulder and stooping down to get at

his ear, said in a voice which was perfectly audible to all present,

The watch-word to the old min is - fork.'

Is what?' demanded Quilp.

Is fork, sir, fork,' replied Mr Swiveller slapping his picket. 'You are

awake, sir?'

The dwarf nodded. Mr Swiveller drew back and nodded likewise, then

drew a little further back and nodded again, and so on. By these

means he in time reached the door, where he gave a great cough to

attract the dwarf's attention and gain an opportunity of expressing in

dumb show, the closest confidence and most inviolable secrecy.

Having performed the serious pantomime that was necessary for the

The Old Curiosity Shop