some particular delicacy.

'It seems to me just possible,' said Arthur, when he had retraced the
conversation to the water-cresses and back again, 'that you have made
some reference to Miss Dorrit.'

'It is just possible, sir,' returned John Chivery.

'I don't understand it. I hope I may not be so unlucky as to make you
think I mean to offend you again, for I never have meant to offend you
yet, when I say I don't understand it.'

'Sir,' said Young John, 'will you have the perfidy to deny that you know
and long have known that I felt towards Miss Dorrit, call it not the
presumption of love, but adoration and sacrifice?'

'Indeed, John, I will not have any perfidy if I know it; why you should
suspect me of it I am at a loss to think. Did you ever hear from Mrs
Chivery, your mother, that I went to see her once?'

'No, sir,' returned John, shortly. 'Never heard of such a thing.'

'But I did. Can you imagine why?'

'No, sir,' returned John, shortly. 'I can't imagine why.'

'I will tell you. I was solicitous to promote Miss Dorrit's happiness;
and if I could have supposed that Miss Dorrit returned your affection--'

Poor John Chivery turned crimson to the tips of his ears. 'Miss Dorrit
never did, sir. I wish to be honourable and true, so far as in my humble
way I can, and I would scorn to pretend for a moment that she ever did,
or that she ever led me to believe she did; no, nor even that it was
ever to be expected in any cool reason that she would or could. She was
far above me in all respects at all times. As likewise,' added John,
'similarly was her gen-teel family.' His chivalrous feeling towards all
that belonged to her made him so very respectable, in spite of his
small stature and his rather weak legs, and his very weak hair, and
his poetical temperament, that a Goliath might have sat in his place
demanding less consideration at Arthur's hands.

'You speak, john,' he said, with cordial admiration, 'like a Man.'

'Well, sir,' returned John, brushing his hand across his eyes, 'then I
wish you'd do the same.'

He was quick with this unexpected retort, and it again made Arthur
regard him with a wondering expression of face.

'Leastways,' said John, stretching his hand across the tea-tray, 'if too
strong a remark, withdrawn! But, why not, why not? When I say to you,
Mr Clennam, take care of yourself for some one else's sake, why not be
open, though a turnkey? Why did I get you the room which I knew you'd
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