due conveyance of these idea, he cast himself upon his friend's track,

and vanished.

Humph!' said the dwarf with a sour look and a shrug of his

shoulders, 'so much for dear relations. Thank God I acknowledge

none! Nor need you either,' he added, turning to the old man, 'if you

were not as weak as a reed, and nearly as senseless.'

What would you have me do?' he retorted in a kind of helpless

desperation. 'It is easy to talk and sneer. What would you have me

do?'

What would I do if I was in your case?' said the dwarf.

Something violent, no doubt.'

You're right there,' returned the little man, highly gratified by the

compliment, for such he evidently considered it; and grinning like a

devil as he rubbed his dirty hands together. 'Ask Mrs Quilp, pretty

Mrs Quilp, obedient, timid, loving Mrs Quilp. But that reminds me - I

have left her all alone, and she will be anxious and know not a

moment's peace till I return. I know she's always in that condition

when I'm away, thought she doesn't dare to say so, unless I lead her

on and tell her she may speak freely and I won't be angry with her.

Oh! well-trained Mrs Quilp.

The creature appeared quite horrible with his monstrous head and

little body, as he rubbed his hands slowly round, and round, and

round again - with something fantastic even in his manner of

performing this slight action - and, dropping his shaggy brows and

cocking his chin in the air, glanced upward with a stealthy look of

exultation that an imp might have copied and appropriated to himself.

'Here,' he said, putting his hand into his breast and sidling up to the

old man as he spoke; 'I brought it myself for fear of accidents, as,

being in gold, it was something large and heavy for Nell to carry in her

bag. She need be accustomed to such loads betimes thought,

neighbor, for she will carry weight when you are dead.'

'Heaven send she may! I hope so,' said the old man with something

like a groan.'

Hope so!' echoed the dwarf, approaching close to his ear; 'neighbour, I

would I knew in what good investment all these supplies are sunk.

But you are a deep man, and keep your secret close.'

'My secret!' said the other with a haggard look. 'Yes, you're right - I - I

keep it close - very close.'

The Old Curiosity Shop