t or go straight forwards. After a
very short consideration, the former inclination prevailed, and making
towards the point he had had in his mind, Newman knocked a modest double
knock, or rather a nervous single one, at Miss La Creevy's door.

It was opened by a strange servant, on whom the odd figure of the
visitor did not appear to make the most favourable impression possible,
inasmuch as she no sooner saw him than she very nearly closed it, and
placing herself in the narrow gap, inquired what he wanted. But Newman
merely uttering the monosyllable 'Noggs,' as if it were some cabalistic
word, at sound of which bolts would fly back and doors open, pushed
briskly past and gained the door of Miss La Creevy's sitting-room,
before the astonished servant could offer any opposition.

'Walk in if you please,' said Miss La Creevy in reply to the sound of
Newman's knuckles; and in he walked accordingly.

'Bless us!' cried Miss La Creevy, starting as Newman bolted in; 'what
did you want, sir?'

'You have forgotten me,' said Newman, with an inclination of the head.
'I wonder at that. That nobody should remember me who knew me in other
days, is natural enough; but there are few people who, seeing me once,
forget me NOW.' He glanced, as he spoke, at his shabby clothes and
paralytic limb, and slightly shook his head.

'I did forget you, I declare,' said Miss La Creevy, rising to receive
Newman, who met her half-way, 'and I am ashamed of myself for doing so;
for you are a kind, good creature, Mr Noggs. Sit down and tell me all
about Miss Nickleby. Poor dear thing! I haven't seen her for this many a
week.'

'How's that?' asked Newman.

'Why, the truth is, Mr Noggs,' said Miss La Creevy, 'that I have been
out on a visit--the first visit I have made for fifteen years.'

'That is a long time,' said Newman, sadly.

'So it is a very long time to look back upon in years, though, somehow
or other, thank Heaven, the solitary days roll away peacefully and
happily enough,' replied the miniature painter. 'I have a brother, Mr
Noggs--the only relation I have--and all that time I never saw him once.
Not that we ever quarrelled, but he was apprenticed down in the country,
and he got married there; and new ties and affections springing up about
him, he forgot a poor little woman like me, as it was very reasonable
he should, you know. Don't suppose that I complain about that, because I
always said to myself, "It is very natural; poor dear J