It's a very unpleasant thing, Dick,' said Miss Brass, pulling out the tin

box and refreshing herself with a pinch of snuff; 'but between you and

me - between friends you know, for if Sammy knew it, I should never

hear the last of it - some of the office- money, too, that has been left

about, has gone in the same way. In particular, I have missed three

half-crowns at three different times.'

You don't mean that?' cried Dick. 'Be careful what you say, old boy,

for this is a serious matter. Are you quite sure? Is there no mistake?'

It is so, and there can't be any mistake at all,' rejoined Miss Brass

emphatically.

Then by Jove,' thought Richard, laying down his pen, 'I am afraid the

Marchioness is done for!'

The more he discussed the subject in his thoughts, the more probable

it appeared to Dick that the miserable little servant was the culprit.

When he considered on what a spare allowance of food she lived, how

neglected and untaught she was, and how her natural cunning had

been sharpened by necessity and privation, he scarcely doubted it.

And yet he pitied her so much, and felt so unwilling to have a matter

of such gravity disturbing the oddity of their acquaintance, that he

thought, and thought truly, that rather than receive fifty pounds

down, he would have the Marchioness proved innocent.

While he was plunged in very profound and serious meditation upon

this theme, Miss Sally sat shaking her head with an air of great

mystery and doubt; when the voice of her brother Sampson, carolling

a cheerful strain, was heard in the passage, and that gentleman

himself, beaming with virtuous smiles, appeared.

Mr Richard, sir, good morning! Here we are again, sir, entering upon

another day, with our bodies strengthened by slumber and breakfast,

and our spirits fresh and flowing. Here we are, Mr Richard, rising with

the sun to run our little course - our course of duty, sir - and, like

him, to get through our day's work with credit to ourselves and

advantage to our fellow- creatures. A charming reflection sir, very

charming!'

While he addressed his clerk in these words, Mr Brass was, somewhat

ostentatiously, engaged in minutely examining and holding up against

the light a five-pound bank note, which he had brought in, in his

hand.

Mr Richard not receiving his remarks with anything like enthusiasm,

his employer turned his eyes to his face, and observed that it wore a

troubled expression.

The Old Curiosity Shop