Final

           Itisadangerousthingtoseeanythinginthesphereofavainblusterer,beforethevainblustererseesithimself.Mr.BounderbyfeltthatMrs.Sparsithadaudaciouslyanticipatedhim,andpresumedtobewiserthanhe.InappeasablyindignantwithherforhertriumphantdiscoveryofMrs.Pegler,heturnedthispresumption,onthepartofawomaninherdependentposition,overandoverinhismind,untilitaccumulatedwithturninglikeagreatsnowball.Atlasthemadethediscoverythattodischargethishighlyconnectedfemale—tohaveitinhispowertosay,‘Shewasawomanoffamily,andwantedtosticktome,butIwouldn’thaveit,andgotridofher’—wouldbetogettheutmostpossibleamountofcrowninggloryoutoftheconnection,andatthesametimetopunishMrs.Sparsitaccordingtoherdeserts.

           Filledfullerthanever,withthisgreatidea,Mr.Bounderbycameintolunch,andsathimselfdowninthedining-roomofformerdays,wherehisportraitwas.Mrs.Sparsitsatbythefire,withherfootinhercottonstirrup,littlethinkingwhithershewasposting.

           SincethePegleraffair,thisgentlewomanhadcoveredherpityforMr.Bounderbywithaveilofquietmelancholyandcontrition.Invirtuethereof,ithadbecomeherhabittoassumeawofullook,whichwofullookshenowbestoweduponherpatron.

           ‘What’sthematternow,ma’am?’saidMr.Bounderby,inaveryshort,roughway.

           ‘Pray,sir,’returnedMrs.Sparsit,‘donotbitemynoseoff.’

           ‘Biteyournoseoff,ma’am?’repeatedMr.Bounderby.‘Yournose!’meaning,asMrs.