| 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
often mingled with her dreams, were to meet her by the way,
rendering itself visible by some strange light of its own, how terrified
she would be. But these fears vanished before a well-trimmed lamp
and the familiar aspect of her own room. After praying fervently, and
with many bursting tears, for the old man, and the restoration of his
peace of mind and the happiness they had once enjoyed, she would
lay her head upon the pillow and sob herself to sleep: often starting
up again, before the day-light came, to listen for the bell and respond
to the imaginary summons which had roused her from her slumber.
One night, the third after Nelly's interview with Mrs Quilp, the old
man, who had been weak and ill all day, said he should not leave
home. The child's eyes sparkled at the intelligence, but her joy
subsided when they reverted to his worn and sickly face.
'Two days,' he said, 'two whole, clear, days have passed, and there is
no reply. What did he tell thee, Nell?'
'
'
Exactly what I told you, dear grandfather, indeed.'
True,' said the old man, faintly. 'Yes. But tell me again, Nell. My head
fails me. What was it that he told thee? Nothing more than that he
would see me to-morrow or next day? That was in the note.'
'Nothing more,' said the child. 'Shall I go to him again to- morrow,
dear grandfather? Very early? I will be there and back, before
breakfast.'
The old man shook his head, and sighing mournfully, drew her
towards him.
'
'Twould be of no use, my dear, no earthly use. But if he deserts me,
Nell, at this moment - if he deserts me now, when I should, with his
assistance, be recompensed for all the time and money I have lost,
and all the agony of mind I have undergone, which makes me what
you see, I am ruined, and - worse, far worse than that - have ruined
thee, for whom I ventured all. If we are beggars - !'
'What if we are?' said the child boldly. 'Let us be beggars, and be
happy.'
'
'
Beggars - and happy!' said the old man. 'Poor child!'
Dear grandfather,' cried the girl with an energy which shone in her
flushed face, trembling voice, and impassioned gesture, 'I am not a
child in that I think, but even if I am, oh hear me pray that we may
beg, or work in open roads or fields, to earn a scanty living, rather
than live as we do now.'
Page
Quick Jump
|