rate with its second little
mound of ashes; the kettle and the smell of black dye; all as they had
been for fifteen years.

Mr Flintwinch presented the gentleman commended to the consideration of
Clennam and Co. Mrs Clennam, who had the letter lying before her, bent
her head and requested him to sit. They looked very closely at one
another. That was but natural curiosity. 'I thank you, sir, for thinking
of a disabled woman like me. Few who come here on business have any
remembrance to bestow on one so removed from observation. It would be
idle to expect that they should have. Out of sight, out of mind. While I
am grateful for the exception, I don't complain of the rule.'

Mr Blandois, in his most gentlemanly manner, was afraid he had disturbed
her by unhappily presenting himself at such an unconscionable time. For
which he had already offered his best apologies to Mr--he begged
pardon--but by name had not the distinguished honour--'Mr Flintwinch
has been connected with the House many years.'

Mr Blandois was Mr Flintwinch's most obedient humble servant. He
entreated Mr Flintwinch to receive the assurance of his profoundest
consideration.

'My husband being dead,' said Mrs Clennam, 'and my son preferring
another pursuit, our old House has no other representative in these days
than Mr Flintwinch.'

'What do you call yourself?' was the surly demand of that gentleman.
'You have the head of two men.'

'My sex disqualifies me,' she proceeded with merely a slight turn of
her eyes in jeremiah's direction, 'from taking a responsible part in
the business, even if I had the ability; and therefore Mr Flintwinch
combines my interest with his own, and conducts it. It is not what it
used to be; but some of our old friends (principally the writers of this
letter) have the kindness not to forget us, and we retain the power
of doing what they entrust to us as efficiently as we ever did. This
however is not interesting to you. You are English, sir?'

'Faith, madam, no; I am neither born nor bred in England. In effect, I
am of no country,' said Mr Blandois, stretching out his leg and smiting
it: 'I descend from half-a-dozen countries.'

'You have been much about the world?'

'It is true. By Heaven, madam, I have been here and there and
everywhere!'

'You have no ties, probably. Are not married?'

'Madam,' said Mr Blandois, with an ugly fall of his eyebrows, 'I adore
your sex, but I am not married--never was.'

Mistress Af