'Good gracious, Arthur,--I should say Mr Clennam, far more proper--the

climb we have had to get up here and how ever to get down again without

a fire-escape and Mr F.'s Aunt slipping through the steps and bruised

all over and you in the machinery and foundry way too only think, and

never told us!' Thus, Flora, out of breath. Meanwhile, Mr F.'s Aunt rubbed her esteemed

insteps with her umbrella, and vindictively glared.

'Most unkind never to have come back to see us since that day, though

naturally it was not to be expected that there should be any attraction

at our house and you were much more pleasantly engaged, that's pretty

certain, and is she fair or dark blue eyes or black I wonder, not that

I expect that she should be anything but a perfect contrast to me in all

particulars for I am a disappointment as I very well know and you are

quite right to be devoted no doubt though what I am saying Arthur never

mind I hardly know myself Good gracious!'

By this time he had placed chairs for them in the counting-house. As

Flora dropped into hers, she bestowed the old look upon him.

'And to think of Doyce and Clennam, and who Doyce can be,' said Flora;

'delightful man no doubt and married perhaps or perhaps a daughter, now

has he really? then one understands the partnership and sees it all,

don't tell me anything about it for I know I have no claim to ask the

question the golden chain that once was forged being snapped and very

proper.'

Flora put her hand tenderly on his, and gave him another of the youthful

glances. 'Dear Arthur--force of habit, Mr Clennam every way more delicate and

adapted to existing circumstances--I must beg to be excused for taking

the liberty of this intrusion but I thought I might so far presume upon

old times for ever faded never more to bloom as to call with Mr F.'s

Aunt to congratulate and offer best wishes, A great deal superior to

China not to be denied and much nearer though higher up!'

'I am very happy to see you,' said Clennam, 'and I thank you, Flora,

very much for your kind remembrance.'

'More than I can say myself at any rate,' returned Flora, 'for I might

have been dead and buried twenty distinct times over and no doubt

whatever should have been before you had genuinely remembered Me or

anything like it in spite of which one last remark I wish to make, one

last explanation I wish to offer--' 'My dear Mrs Finching,'




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