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| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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soon!' said the dwarf. 'And so eager! I am afraid I shall disappoint you.
It's well I'm quite prepared. Sally, I thank you!'
As he spoke, he extinguished the candle. In his impetuous attempts to
subdue the brightness of the fire, he overset the stove, which came
tumbling forward, and fell with a crash upon the burning embers it
had shot forth in its descent, leaving the room in pitchy darkness. The
noise at the gate still continuing, he felt his way to the door, and
stepped into the open air.
At that moment the knocking ceased. It was about eight o'clock; but
the dead of the darkest night would have been as noon-day in
comparison with the thick cloud which then rested upon the earth,
and shrouded everything from view. He darted forward for a few paces,
as if into the mouth of some dim, yawning cavern; then, thinking he
had gone wrong, changed the direction of his steps; then stood still,
not knowing where to turn.
'
If they would knock again,' said Quilp, trying to peer into the gloom
by which he was surrounded, 'the sound might guide me! Come!
Batter the gate once more!'
He stood listening intently, but the noise was not renewed. Nothing
was to be heard in that deserted place, but, at intervals, the distant
barkings of dogs. The sound was far away - now in one quarter, now
answered in another - nor was it any guide, for it often came from
shipboard, as he knew.
'If I could find a wall or fence,' said the dwarf, stretching out his arms,
and walking slowly on, 'I should know which way to turn. A good,
black, devil's night this, to have my dear friend here! If I had but that
wish, it might, for anything I cared, never be day again.'
As the word passed his lips, he staggered and fell - and next moment
was fighting with the cold dark water!
For all its bubbling up and rushing in his ears, he could hear the
knocking at the gate again - could hear a shout that followed it -
could recognise the voice. For all his struggling and plashing, he could
understand that they had lost their way, and had wandered back to
the point from which they started; that they were all but looking on,
while he was drowned; that they were close at hand, but could not
make an effort to save him; that he himself had shut and barred them
out. He answered the shout - with a yell, which seemed to make the
hundred fires that danced before his eyes tremble and flicker, as if a
gust of wind had stirred them. It was of no avail. The strong tide filled
his throat, and bore him on, upon its rapid current.
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