desires it?" "It certainly does not
signify," says Mr Brass. Then they whispered and laughed for a long
time about there being no danger if it was well done, and then Mr Brass
pulls out his pocket-book, and says, "Well," he says, "here it
is--Quilp's own five-pound note. We'll agree that way, then," he says.
"Kit's coming to-morrow morning, I know. While he's up-stairs, you'll
get out of the way, and I'll clear off Mr Richard. Having Kit alone,
I'll hold him in conversation, and put this property in his hat. I'll
manage so, besides," he says, "that Mr Richard shall find it there, and
be the evidence. And if that don't get Christopher out of Mr Quilp's
way, and satisfy Mr Quilp's grudges," he says, "the Devil's in it."
Miss Sally laughed, and said that was the plan, and as they seemed to
be moving away, and I was afraid to stop any longer, I went down-stairs
again.--There!'

The small servant had gradually worked herself into as much agitation
as Mr Swiveller, and therefore made no effort to restrain him when he
sat up in bed and hastily demanded whether this story had been told to
anybody.

'How could it be?' replied his nurse. 'I was almost afraid to think
about it, and hoped the young man would be let off. When I heard 'em
say they had found him guilty of what he didn't do, you was gone, and
so was the lodger--though I think I should have been frightened to tell
him, even if he'd been there. Ever since I come here, you've been out
of your senses, and what would have been the good of telling you then?'

'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, plucking off his nightcap and
flinging it to the other end of the room; 'if you'll do me the favour
to retire for a few minutes and see what sort of a night it is, I'll
get up.'

'You mustn't think of such a thing,' cried his nurse.

'I must indeed,' said the patient, looking round the room.
'Whereabouts are my clothes?'

'Oh, I'm so glad--you haven't got any,' replied the Marchioness.

'Ma'am!' said Mr Swiveller, in great astonishment.

'I've been obliged to sell them, every one, to get the things that was
ordered for you. But don't take on about that,' urged the Marchioness,
as Dick fell back upon his pillow. 'You're too weak to stand, indeed.'

'I am afraid,' said Richard dolefully, 'that you're right. What ought
I to do! what is to be done!'

It naturally occurred to him on very little reflection, that the first
step to take would be to communicate with one o