That was her picture up in the corner. When they went away, she always

put on the silk-gown and the jet-black row of curls represented in that

portrait (her hair was reddish-grey in the kitchen), established herself

in the breakfast-room, put her spectacles between two particular leaves

of Doctor Buchan's Domestic Medicine, and sat looking over the blind all

day until they came back again. It was supposed that no persuasion could

be invented which would induce Mrs Tickit to abandon her post at the

blind, however long their absence, or to dispense with the attendance

of Dr Buchan; the lucubrations of which learned practitioner, Mr Meagles

implicitly believed she had never yet consulted to the extent of one

word in her life.

In the evening they played an old-fashioned rubber; and Pet sat looking

over her father's hand, or singing to herself by fits and starts at the

piano. She was a spoilt child; but how could she be otherwise? Who could

be much with so pliable and beautiful a creature, and not yield to her

endearing influence? Who could pass an evening in the house, and not

love her for the grace and charm of her very presence in the room? This

was Clennam's reflection, notwithstanding the final conclusion at which

he had arrived up-stairs.

In making it, he revoked. 'Why, what are you thinking of, my good sir?'

asked the astonished Mr Meagles, who was his partner. 'I beg your pardon. Nothing,' returned Clennam. 'Think of something, next time; that's a dear fellow,' said Mr Meagles. Pet laughingly believed he had been thinking of Miss Wade.

'Why of Miss Wade, Pet?' asked her father. 'Why, indeed!' said Arthur Clennam. Pet coloured a little, and went to the piano again. As they broke up for the night, Arthur overheard Doyce ask his host if

he could give him half an hour's conversation before breakfast in the

morning? The host replying willingly, Arthur lingered behind a moment,

having his own word to add to that topic.

'Mr Meagles,' he said, on their being left alone, 'do you remember when

you advised me to go straight to London?'

'Perfectly well.' 'And when you gave me some other good advice which I

needed at that time?' 'I won't say what it was worth,' answered Mr Meagles: 'but of course I

remember our being very pleasant and confidential together.'

'I have acted on your advice; and having disembarrassed myself of an

occupation that was painful to me for many reasons, wish to devote

myself and what means I have, to another pursuit.'




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