she opposed herself to him, with her
commanding face exacting his humility, her disdainful lip repulsing
him, her bosom angry at his intrusion, and the dark lashes of her
eyes sullenly veiling their light, that no ray of it might shine upon
him--and submissively as he stood before her, with an entreating injured
manner, but with complete submission to her will--she knew, in her own
soul, that the cases were reversed, and that the triumph and superiority
were his, and that he knew it full well.

'I have presumed,' said Mr Carker, 'to solicit an interview, and I have
ventured to describe it as being one of business, because--'

'Perhaps you are charged by Mr Dombey with some message of reproof,'
said Edit 'You possess Mr Dombey's confidence in such an unusual degree,
Sir, that you would scarcely surprise me if that were your business.'

'I have no message to the lady who sheds a lustre upon his name,' said
Mr Carker. 'But I entreat that lady, on my own behalf to be just to a
very humble claimant for justice at her hands--a mere dependant of
Mr Dombey's--which is a position of humility; and to reflect upon my
perfect helplessness last night, and the impossibility of my avoiding
the share that was forced upon me in a very painful occasion.'

'My dearest Edith,' hinted Cleopatra in a low voice, as she held her
eye-glass aside, 'really very charming of Mr What's-his-name. And full
of heart!'

'For I do,' said Mr Carker, appealing to Mrs Skewton with a look of
grateful deference,--'I do venture to call it a painful occasion, though
merely because it was so to me, who had the misfortune to be present. So
slight a difference, as between the principals--between those who love
each other with disinterested devotion, and would make any sacrifice of
self in such a cause--is nothing. As Mrs Skewton herself expressed, with
so much truth and feeling last night, it is nothing.'

Edith could not look at him, but she said after a few moments.

'And your business, Sir--'

'Edith, my pet,' said Mrs Skewton, 'all this time Mr Carker is standing!
My dear Mr Carker, take a seat, I beg.'

He offered no reply to the mother, but fixed his eyes on the proud
daughter, as though he would only be bidden by her, and was resolved
to be bidden by her. Edith, in spite of herself sat down, and slightly
motioned with her hand to him to be seated too. No action could be
colder, haughtier, more insolent in its air of supremacy and disrespect,
but s