I tell you, you aggravating vagabond,' said the angry Sampson, 'that

I'd stake my life upon his honesty. Am I never to hear the last of this?

Am I always to be baited, and beset, by your mean suspicions? Have

you no regard for true merit, you malignant fellow? If you come to

that, I'd sooner suspect your honesty than his.'

Miss Sally pulled out the tin snuff-box, and took a long, slow pinch,

regarding her brother with a steady gaze all the time.

She drives me wild, Mr Richard, sir,' said Brass, 'she exasperates me

beyond all bearing. I am heated and excited, sir, I know I am. These

are not business manners, sir, nor business looks, but she carries me

out of myself.'

Why don't you leave him alone?' said Dick.

Because she can't, sir,' retorted Brass; 'because to chafe and vex me

is a part of her nature, Sir, and she will and must do it, or I don't

believe she'd have her health. But never mind,' said Brass, 'never

mind. I've carried my point. I've shown my confidence in the lad. He

has minded the office again. Ha ha! Ugh, you viper!'

The beautiful virgin took another pinch, and put the snuff-box in her

pocket; still looking at her brother with perfect composure.

'He has minded the office again,' said Brass triumphantly; 'he has had

my confidence, and he shall continue to have it; he - why, where's the

What have you lost?' inquired Mr Swiveller.

Dear me!' said Brass, slapping all his pockets, one after another, and

looking into his desk, and under it, and upon it, and wildly tossing the

papers about, 'the note, Mr Richard, sir, the five-pound note - what

can have become of it? I laid it down here - God bless me!'

'What!' cried Miss Sally, starting up, clapping her hands, and

scattering the papers on the floor. 'Gone! Now who's right? Now who's

got it? Never mind five pounds - what's five pounds? He's honest, you

know, quite honest. It would be mean to suspect him. Don't run after

him. No, no, not for the world!'

Is it really gone though?' said Dick, looking at Brass with a face as

pale as his own.

Upon my word, Mr Richard, Sir,' replied the lawyer, feeling in all his

pockets with looks of the greatest agitation, 'I fear this is a black

business. It's certainly gone, Sir. What's to be done?'

The Old Curiosity Shop