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.'