ere is nobody in the world, not mad, who could dream of
daring to entertain such a preposterous idea!"'

Miss Tox stopped clipping; and with her head among the plants, listened
attentively. Perhaps Miss Tox thought there was hope in this exordium,
and the warmth of Mrs Chick.

I should have adopted this course of argument,' pursued the discreet
lady, 'because I trust I am not a fool. I make no claim to be considered
a person of superior intellect--though I believe some people have been
extraordinary enough to consider me so; one so little humoured as I am,
would very soon be disabused of any such notion; but I trust I am not a
downright fool. And to tell ME,' said Mrs Chick with ineffable disdain,
'that my brother Paul Dombey could ever contemplate the possibility of
uniting himself to anybody--I don't care who'--she was more sharp
and emphatic in that short clause than in any other part of her
discourse--'not possessing these requisites, would be to insult what
understanding I have got, as much as if I was to be told that I was born
and bred an elephant, which I may be told next,' said Mrs Chick, with
resignation. 'It wouldn't surprise me at all. I expect it.'

In the moment's silence that ensued, Miss Tox's scissors gave a feeble
clip or two; but Miss Tox's face was still invisible, and Miss Tox's
morning gown was agitated. Mrs Chick looked sideways at her, through the
intervening plants, and went on to say, in a tone of bland conviction,
and as one dwelling on a point of fact that hardly required to be
stated:

'Therefore, of course my brother Paul has done what was to be expected
of him, and what anybody might have foreseen he would do, if he entered
the marriage state again. I confess it takes me rather by surprise,
however gratifying; because when Paul went out of town I had no idea at
all that he would form any attachment out of town, and he certainly
had no attachment when he left here. However, it seems to be extremely
desirable in every point of view. I have no doubt the mother is a most
genteel and elegant creature, and I have no right whatever to dispute
the policy of her living with them: which is Paul's affair, not
mine--and as to Paul's choice, herself, I have only seen her picture
yet, but that is beautiful indeed. Her name is beautiful too,' said Mrs
Chick, shaking her head with energy, and arranging herself in her
chair; 'Edith is at once uncommon, as it strikes me, and distinguished.
Consequently,