Крошка Доррит

Chapter 8. The Lock

           Thelasttwoorthreestragglerswerehurryingtothelodge,andhewasfollowing,whenhecaughtsightofherinthedoorwayofthefirsthousefromtheentrance.Heturnedbackhastily.

           ‘Prayforgiveme,’hesaid,‘forspeakingtoyouhere;prayforgivemeforcominghereatall!Ifollowedyouto-night.Ididso,thatImightendeavourtorenderyouandyourfamilysomeservice.YouknowthetermsonwhichIandmymotherare,andmaynotbesurprisedthatIhavepreservedourdistantrelationsatherhouse,lestIshouldunintentionallymakeherjealous,orresentful,ordoyouanyinjuryinherestimation.WhatIhaveseenhere,inthisshorttime,hasgreatlyincreasedmyheartfeltwishtobeafriendtoyou.ItwouldrecompensemeformuchdisappointmentifIcouldhopetogainyourconfidence.’

           Shewasscaredatfirst,butseemedtotakecouragewhilehespoketoher.

           ‘Youareverygood,sir.Youspeakveryearnestlytome.ButI—butIwishyouhadnotwatchedme.’

           Heunderstoodtheemotionwithwhichshesaidit,toariseinherfather’sbehalf;andherespectedit,andwassilent.

           ‘MrsClennamhasbeenofgreatservicetome;Idon’tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithouttheemploymentshehasgivenme;Iamafraiditmaynotbeagoodreturntobecomesecretwithher;Icansaynomoreto-night,sir.Iamsureyoumeantobekindtous.Thankyou,thankyou.’

           ‘LetmeaskyouonequestionbeforeIleave.Haveyouknownmymotherlong?’

           ‘Ithinktwoyears,sir,—Thebellhasstopped.’

           ‘Howdidyouknowherfirst?Didshesendhereforyou?’

           ‘No.

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