But you may thank your fortunate stars - the same stars that made

you Mrs Quilp - you may thank them that I'm upon the old

gentleman's track, and have got a new light. So let me hear no more

about this matter now or at any other time, and don't get anything too

nice for dinner, for I shan't be home to it.'

So saying, Mr Quilp put his hat on and took himself off, and Mrs

Quilp, who was afflicted beyond measure by the recollection of the

part she had just acted, shut herself up in her chamber, and

smothering her head in the bed-clothes bemoaned her fault more

bitterly than many less tender-hearted persons would have mourned a

much greater offence; for, in the majority of cases, conscience is an

elastic and very flexible article, which will bear a deal of stretching

and adapt itself to a great variety of circumstances. Some people by

prudent management and leaving it off piece by piece like a flannel

waistcoat in warm weather, even contrive, in time, to dispense with it

altogether; but there be others who can assume the garment and

throw it off at pleasure; and this, being the greatest and most

convenient improvement, is the one most in vogue.

The Old Curiosity Shop