it's when you call me a heap of
confusion, for you two clever ones have done your most to make me such.
You married me whether I liked it or not, and you've led me, pretty well
ever since, such a life of dreaming and frightening as never was known,
and what do you expect me to be but a heap of confusion? You wanted to
make me such, and I am such; but I won't submit no longer; no, I won't,
I won't, I won't, I won't!' She was still beating the air against all
comers.

After gazing at her in silence, Mrs Clennam turned to Rigaud. 'You
see and hear this foolish creature. Do you object to such a piece of
distraction remaining where she is?'

'I, madame,' he replied, 'do I? That's a question for you.'

'I do not,' she said, gloomily. 'There is little left to choose now.
Flintwinch, it is closing in.'

Mr Flintwinch replied by directing a look of red vengeance at his wife,
and then, as if to pinion himself from falling upon her, screwed his
crossed arms into the breast of his waistcoat, and with his chin very
near one of his elbows stood in a corner, watching Rigaud in the oddest
attitude. Rigaud, for his part, arose from his chair, and seated himself
on the table with his legs dangling. In this easy attitude, he met Mrs
Clennam's set face, with his moustache going up and his nose coming
down.

'Madame, I am a gentleman--'

'Of whom,' she interrupted in her steady tones, 'I have heard
disparagement, in connection with a French jail and an accusation of
murder.'

He kissed his hand to her with his exaggerated gallantry.

'Perfectly. Exactly. Of a lady too! What absurdity! How incredible! I
had the honour of making a great success then; I hope to have the
honour of making a great success now. I kiss your hands. Madame, I am a
gentleman (I was going to observe), who when he says, "I will definitely
finish this or that affair at the present sitting," does definitely
finish it. I announce to you that we are arrived at our last sitting on
our little business. You do me the favour to follow, and to comprehend?'

She kept her eyes fixed upon him with a frown. 'Yes.'

'Further, I am a gentleman to whom mere mercenary trade-bargains are
unknown, but to whom money is always acceptable as the means of pursuing
his pleasures. You do me the favour to follow, and to comprehend?'

'Scarcely necessary to ask, one would say. Yes.'

'Further, I am a gentleman of the softest and sweetest disposition,
but who, if trifled with, becom