faithful, complimentary, charming friend--if
I only had you here!'

His wife, who had retreated lest she should seem to listen to these
mutterings, ventured to approach him again, and was about to speak,
when he hurried to the door, and called Tom Scott, who, remembering his
late gentle admonition, deemed it prudent to appear immediately.

'There!' said the dwarf, pulling him in. 'Take her home. Don't come
here to-morrow, for this place will be shut up. Come back no more till
you hear from me or see me. Do you mind?'

Tom nodded sulkily, and beckoned Mrs Quilp to lead the way.

'As for you,' said the dwarf, addressing himself to her, 'ask no
questions about me, make no search for me, say nothing concerning me.
I shall not be dead, mistress, and that'll comfort you. He'll take
care of you.'

'But, Quilp? What is the matter? Where are you going? Do say
something more?'

'I'll say that,' said the dwarf, seizing her by the arm, 'and do that
too, which undone and unsaid would be best for you, unless you go
directly.'

'Has anything happened?' cried his wife. 'Oh! Do tell me that?'

'Yes,' snarled the dwarf. 'No. What matter which? I have told you
what to do. Woe betide you if you fail to do it, or disobey me by a
hair's breadth. Will you go!'

'I am going, I'll go directly; but,' faltered his wife, 'answer me one
question first. Has this letter any connexion with dear little Nell?
I must ask you that--I must indeed, Quilp. You cannot think what days
and nights of sorrow I have had through having once deceived that
child. I don't know what harm I may have brought about, but, great or
little, I did it for you, Quilp. My conscience misgave me when I did
it. Do answer me this question, if you please?'

The exasperated dwarf returned no answer, but turned round and caught
up his usual weapon with such vehemence, that Tom Scott dragged his
charge away, by main force, and as swiftly as he could. It was well he
did so, for Quilp, who was nearly mad with rage, pursued them to the
neighbouring lane, and might have prolonged the chase but for the dense
mist which obscured them from his view and appeared to thicken every
moment.

'It will be a good night for travelling anonymously,' he said, as he
returned slowly, being pretty well breathed with his run. 'Stay. We
may look better here. This is too hospitable and free.'

By a great exertion of strength, he closed the two old gates, which
were deepl