| 523 | 524 | 525 | 526 | 527 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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The body of Quilp being found - though not until some days had
elapsed - an inquest was held on it near the spot where it had been
washed ashore. The general supposition was that he had committed
suicide, and, this appearing to be favoured by all the circumstances of
his death, the verdict was to that effect. He was left to be buried with
a stake through his heart in the centre of four lonely roads.
It was rumoured afterwards that this horrible and barbarous
ceremony had been dispensed with, and that the remains had been
secretly given up to Tom Scott. But even here, opinion was divided; for
some said Tom dug them up at midnight, and carried them to a place
indicated to him by the widow. It is probable that both these stories
may have had their origin in the simple fact of Tom's shedding tears
upon the inquest - which he certainly did, extraordinary as it may
appear. He manifested, besides, a strong desire to assault the jury;
and being restrained and conducted out of court, darkened its only
window by standing on his head upon the sill, until he was
dexterously tilted upon his feet again by a cautious beadle.
Being cast upon the world by his master's death, he determined to go
through it upon his head and hands, and accordingly began to tumble
for his bread. Finding, however, his English birth an insurmountable
obstacle to his advancement in this pursuit (notwithstanding that his
art was in high repute and favour), he assumed the name of an Italian
image lad, with whom he had become acquainted; and afterwards
tumbled with extraordinary success, and to overflowing audiences.
Little Mrs Quilp never quite forgave herself the one deceit that lay so
heavy on her conscience, and never spoke or thought of it but with
bitter tears. Her husband had no relations, and she was rich. He had
made no will, or she would probably have been poor. Having married
the first time at her mother's instigation, she consulted in her second
choice nobody but herself. It fell upon a smart young fellow enough;
and as he made it a preliminary condition that Mrs Jiniwin should be
thenceforth an out-pensioner, they lived together after marriage with
no more than the average amount of quarrelling, and led a merry life
upon the dead dwarf's money.
Mr and Mrs Garland, and Mr Abel, went out as usual (except that
there was a change in their household, as will be seen presently), and
in due time the latter went into partnership with his friend the notary,
on which occasion there was a dinner, and a ball, and great extent of
dissipation. Unto this ball there happened to be invited the most
bashful young lady that was ever seen, with whom Mr Abel happened
to fall in love. HOW it happened, or how they found it out, or which of
them first communicated the discovery to the other, nobody knows.
But certain it is that in course of time they were married; and equally
certain it is that they were the happiest of the happy; and no less
certain it is that they deserved to be so. And it is pleasant to write
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