Крихітка Дорріт

Chapter 30. Closing in

           Itwasinitsusualstate;exceptthatoneofthewindowswaswideopen,andAfferysatonitsold-fashionedwindow-seat,mendingastocking.Theusualarticleswereonthelittletable;theusualdeadenedfirewasinthegrate;thebedhaditsusualpalluponit;andthemistressofallsatonherblackbier-likesofa,proppedupbyherblackangularbolsterthatwasliketheheadsman’sblock.

           Yettherewasanamelessairofpreparationintheroom,asifitwerestrungupforanoccasion.Fromwhattheroomderivedit—everyoneofitssmallvarietyofobjectsbeinginthefixedspotithadoccupiedforyears—noonecouldhavesaidwithoutlookingattentivelyatitsmistress,andthat,too,withapreviousknowledgeofherface.Althoughherunchangingblackdresswasineveryplaitpreciselyasofold,andherunchangingattitudewasrigidlypreserved,averyslightadditionalsettingofherfeaturesandcontractionofhergloomyforeheadwassopowerfullymarked,thatitmarkedeverythingabouther.

           ‘Whoarethese?’shesaid,wonderingly,asthetwoattendantsentered.‘Whatdothesepeoplewanthere?’

           ‘Whoarethese,dearmadame,isit?’returnedRigaud.‘Faith,theyarefriendsofyoursontheprisoner.Andwhatdotheywanthere,isit?Death,madame,Idon’tknow.Youwilldowelltoaskthem.’

           ‘Youknowyoutoldusatthedoor,nottogoyet,’saidPancks.

           ‘Andyouknowyoutoldmeatthedoor,youdidn’tmeantogo,’retortedRigaud.‘Inaword,madame,permitmetopresenttwospiesoftheprisoner’s—madmen,butspies.

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