have feeling hearts. I yielded from necessity to Quilp, for though

necessity has no law, she has her lawyers. I yield to you from

necessity too; from policy besides; and because of feelings that have

been a pretty long time working within me. Punish Quilp, gentlemen.

Weigh heavily upon him. Grind him down. Tread him under foot. He

has done as much by me, for many and many a day.'

Having now arrived at the conclusion of his discourse, Sampson

checked the current of his wrath, kissed his glove again, and smiled

as only parasites and cowards can.

And this,' said Miss Brass, raising her head, with which she had

hitherto sat resting on her hands, and surveying him from head to

foot with a bitter sneer, 'this is my brother, is it! This is my brother,

that I have worked and toiled for, and believed to have had something

of the man in him!'

'Sarah, my dear,' returned Sampson, rubbing his hands feebly; you

disturb our friends. Besides you - you're disappointed, Sarah, and,

not knowing what you say, expose yourself.'

Yes, you pitiful dastard,' retorted the lovely damsel, 'I understand

you. You feared that I should be beforehand with you. But do you

think that I would have been enticed to say a word! I'd have scorned

it, if they had tried and tempted me for twenty years.'

He he!' simpered Brass, who, in his deep debasement, really seemed

to have changed sexes with his sister, and to have made over to her

any spark of manliness he might have possessed. 'You think so,

Sarah, you think so perhaps; but you would have acted quite

different, my good fellow. You will not have forgotten that it was a

maxim with Foxey - our revered father, gentlemen - ’Always suspect

everybody.’ That's the maxim to go through life with! If you were not

actually about to purchase your own safety when I showed myself, I

suspect you'd have done it by this time. And therefore I've done it

myself, and spared you the trouble as well as the shame. The shame,

gentlemen,' added Brass, allowing himself to be slightly overcome, 'if

there is any, is mine. It's better that a female should be spared it.'

With deference to the better opinion of Mr Brass, and more

particularly to the authority of his Great Ancestor, it may be doubted,

with humility, whether the elevating principle laid down by the latter

gentleman, and acted upon by his descendant, is always a prudent

one, or attended in practice with the desired results. This is, beyond

question, a bold and presumptuous doubt, inasmuch as many

distinguished characters, called men of the world, long-headed

customers, knowing dogs, shrewd fellows, capital hands at business,

and the like, have made, and do daily make, this axiom their polar

The Old Curiosity Shop