 30 Festivities are held in honor of Nicholas, who suddenly withdraws himself from the society of Mr. Vincent Krummels and his theatrical companions. Mr. Vincent Krummels was no sooner acquainted with the public announcement which Nicholas had made relative to the probability of his shortly ceasing to be a member of the company, then he evinced many tokens of grief and consternation, and, in the extremity of his despair, even held out certain vague promises of a speedy improvement, not only in the amount of his regular salary, but also in the contingent emoluments appertaining to his authorship. Finding Nicholas bent upon quitting the society, for he had now determined that, even if no further tidings came from Newman, he would at all hazards ease his mind by repairing to London and ascertaining the exact position of his sister. Mr. Krummels was feigned to content himself by calculating the chances of his coming back again, and taking prompt and energetic measures to make the most of him before he went away. Let me see, said Mr. Krummels, taking off his outlaws' wig, the better to arrive at a cool-headed view of the whole case. Let me see. This is Wednesday night. We'll have the posters out first thing in the morning, announcing positively your last appearance for tomorrow. But perhaps it may not be my last appearance, you know, said Nicholas. Unless I am summoned away, I should be sorry to inconvenience you by leaving before the end of the week. So much the better, returned Mr. Krummels. We can have positively your last appearance on Thursday, re-engagement for one more night on Friday, and yielding to the wishes of numerous influential patrons who were disappointed in obtaining seats on Saturday. That ought to bring three very decent houses. Then I am to make three last appearances, am I? inquired Nicholas Smiley. Yes, rejoined the manager, scratching his head with an air of some vexation. Three is not enough. And it's very bungling and irregular not to have more. But if we can't help it, we can't. So there's no use in talking. A novelty would be very desirable. You couldn't sing a comic song on the pony's back, could you? No, replied Nicholas. I couldn't indeed. It has drawn money before, said Mr. Krummels, with a look of disappointment. What do you think of a brilliant display of fireworks? That it would be rather expensive, replied Nicholas dryly. Eight pence wouldn't do it, said Mr. Krummels. You, on the top of a pair of steppes with the phenomenon and an attitude. Farewell on a transparency behind, and nine people at the wings with a squib in each hand. All the dozen and a half going off at once. It would be very grand. Awful from the front. Quite awful. As Nicholas appeared, by no means impressed with the solemnity of the proposed effect. But on the contrary, received the proposition in the most irreverent manner, and laughed at it very heartily. Mr. Krummels abandoned the project in its birth, and gloomily observed that they must make up the best bill they could with combats and hornpipes, and so stick to the legitimate drama. For the purpose of carrying this object into instant execution, the manager at once repaired to a small dressing room adjacent, where Mrs. Krummels was then occupied in exchanging the habiliments of a melodramatic empress for the ordinary attire of matrons in the 19th century. And with the assistance of this lady, and the accomplished Mrs. Grudden, who had quite a genius for making out bills, being a great hand at throwing in the notes of admiration, and knowing from long experience exactly where the largest capitals ought to go, he seriously applied himself to the composition of the poster. Hi-ho! sighed Nicholas as he threw himself back in the prompter's chair after telegraphing the needful directions to Smyke, who had been playing the meager tailor in the interlude with one skirt to his coat, and a little pocket handkerchief with a large hole in it, and a woollen nightcap, and a red nose, and other distinctive marks peculiar to tailors on the stage. Hi-ho! I wish all this were over. Over, Mr. Johnson, repeated a female voice behind him, and a kind of plaintive surprise. It was an un-gallant speech, certainly, said Nicholas, looking up to see who the speaker was and recognizing Miss Snevillecky. I would not have made it if I had known who had been within hearing. What a dear that Mr. Digby is, said Miss Snevillecky, as the tailor went off in the opposite side at the end of the piece with great applause. Smyke's theatrical name was Digby. I'll tell him presently for his gratification that you said so, returned to Nicholas. O you naughty thing, rejoined Miss Snevillecky. I don't know, though, that I should much mind his knowing my opinions of him. Some other people, indeed, it might be—here Miss Snevillecky stopped, as though waiting to be questioned—but no questioning came for Nicholas was thinking about more serious matters. How kind it is of you, resumed Miss Snevillecky after his short silence, to sit waiting here for him night after night, night after night, no matter how tired you are, and taking so much pains with him, and doing it all with as much delight and readiness as if you were coining gold by it. He well deserves all the kindness I can show him, and a great deal more, said Nicholas. He is the most grateful, single-hearted, affectionate creature that's ever breathed. So odd, too, remarked Miss Snevillecky, isn't he? God help him in those who have made him say so. He is indeed rejoined, Nicholas, shaking his head. He is such a devilish, close chap, said Mr. Foiler, who had come up a little before and now joined in the conversation. But he can never get anything out of him. What should they get out of him, asked Nicholas, turning around with some abruptness? Zooks! What a fire-eater you are, Johnson, returned Mr. Foiler, pulling up the heel of his dancing shoe. I'm only talking of a natural curiosity of the people here, to know what he has been about all his life. Poor fellow, it is pretty plain I should think that he has not the intellect to have been about anything of much importance to them or anybody else, said Nicholas. A rejoined the actor, contemplating the effect of his face in the lamp reflector. But that involves the whole question, you know. What question, asked Nicholas? Why the who he is and what he is and how you two, who are so different, came to be such close companions, replied Mr. Foiler. Delighted with the opportunity of saying something disagreeable. That's in everybody's mouth. The everybody of the theatre, I suppose, said Nicholas contemptuously. In it and out of it, too, replied the actor, why you know Lendville says, I thought I had silenced him effectively, interrupted Nicholas, reddening. Perhaps you have rejoined the immovable Mr. Foiler, if you have. He said this before he was silenced. Lendville says that you're a regular stick of an actor, and that it's only the mystery about you that has caused you to go down with the people here, and that Krummels keeps it up, for his own sake. The Lendville says he don't believe there's anything at it at all, except you're having got into a scrape and ran away from somewhere for doing something or other. Oh, said Nicholas, forcing a smile. That's a part of what he says, added Mr. Foiler. I mention it as the friend of both parties, and in strict confidence. I don't agree with him, you know. He says he takes Digby to be more naïve than fool. And old fluggers, who does the heavy business, you know, he says that when he delivered messages at Covent Garden the season before last, there used to be a pickpocket hovering about the coachstand who had exactly the face of Digby, though, as he very properly says, Digby may not have been the same, but only his brother or some near-relation. Oh! cried Nicholas again. Yes, said Mr. Foiler, with undisturbed calmness. That's what they say. I thought I'd tell you, because really you ought to know, oh, here's this blessed phenomenon at last. Ugg you little imposition. I should like to quite ready, my darling. Humbug. Ring up, Mrs. G. And let the favorite wake him. Uttering in a loud voice such of the latter illusions as a complimentary to the unconscious phenomenon and giving the rest in a confidential aside to Nicholas, Mr. Foiler followed the ascent of the curtain with his eyes, regarded with a sneer the reception of Miss Cummels as the maiden, and, falling back a step or two to advance with the better effect, uttered a preliminary howl and went on, chattering his teeth and brandishing his tin tomahawk as the Indian savage. So these are some of the stories they invent about us and bandy about from mouth to mouth, thought Nicholas. If a man would commit an expiable offense against any society, large or small, let him be successful. They will forgive him any crime but that. You surely don't mind what that malicious creature says, Mr. Johnson, observed Miss Snevillecky in her most winning tones. Not I, replied Nicholas. If I were going to remain here, I might think it worth my while to embroil myself as it is, let them talk till they are hoarse. But here, added Nicholas, as Smyke approached, here comes the subject of a person of their good nature, so let he and I say good night together. No, I will not let either of you say anything of the kind, returned Miss Snevillecky. You must come home and see my mama, who only came to Portsmouth today and is dying to behold you. Bled, my dear, persuade Mr. Johnson. Oh, I'm sure, returned Miss Ledbrook, with considerable vivaciousness if you can't persuade him. Miss Ledbrook said no more but intimated by dexterous playfulness that if Miss Snevillecky couldn't persuade him, nobody could. Mr. and Mrs. Lillivick have taken lodgings in our house and share our sitting room for the present, said Miss Snevillecky. Won't that induce you? Surely, returned Nicholas, I can require no possible inducement beyond your invitation. Oh, no, I dare say, rejoined Miss Snevillecky. And Miss Ledbrook said, upon my word, upon which Miss Snevillecky said that Miss Ledbrook was a giddy thing and Miss Ledbrook said that Miss Snevillecky didn't needn't color up quite so much and Miss Snevillecky beat Miss Ledbrook and Miss Ledbrook beat Miss Snevillecky. Come, said Miss Ledbrook, it's high time we were there or we shall have poor Mrs. Snevillecky thinking that you have run away with her daughter, Mr. Johnson. And then we shall have a pretty to-do. Oh, my dear Led, remonstrated Miss Snevillecky, how you do talk. Miss Ledbrook made no answer, but taking Smike's arm and hers left her friend and Nicholas to follow at their pleasure, which it pleased them, or rather pleased Nicholas, who had no great fancy for a tet-a-tet under the circumstances to-do at once. There were not wanting matters of conversation when they reached the street, for it turned out that Miss Snevillecky had a small basket to carry home and Miss Ledbrook a small band-box, both containing such minor articles of theatrical costume as the lady performers usually carried to and fro every evening. Nicholas would insist upon carrying the basket and Miss Snevillecky would insist upon carrying it herself, which gave rise to a struggle in which Nicholas captured the basket and the band-box likewise. Then Nicholas said that he wondered what could possibly be inside the basket and attempted to peep in, where at Miss Snevillecky screamed and declared that if she thought he had seen, she was sure that she should faint away. This declaration was followed by a similar attempt on the band-box and similar demonstrations on the part of Miss Ledbrook. And then both ladies vowed that they wouldn't move a step further until Nicholas had promised that he wouldn't offer to peep in again. At last Nicholas pledged himself to betray no further curiosity, and they walked on. Both ladies giggling very much and declaring they never had seen such a wicked creature in all their born days never. Lightning the way with such pleasantry as this, they arrived at the tailor's house in no time, and here they made quite a little party. They're being present besides Mr. Lillivick and Mrs. Lillivick. Not only Miss Snevillecky's mama, but her papa also. And an uncommonly fine man Miss Snevillecky's papa was with a hooked nose and a white forehead and a curly black hair and high cheekbones and altogether quite a handsome face, only a little pimply as though with drinking. He had a very broad chest, had Miss Snevillecky's papa and he wore thread-bear blue dress coat buttoned with gilt buttons tied across it. And he no sooner saw Nicholas come into the room than he wiped the two forefingers of his right hand in between the two center buttons and sticking his other arm gracefully a Kimbo seem to say, now here I am my buck and what have you got to say to me? Such was, and in such an attitude sat Miss Snevillecky's papa who had been in a profession ever since he had first played the ten-year-old imps in the Christmas pantomimes who could sing a little, dance a little, fence a little, act a little and do everything a little, but not much. Who had been sometimes in the ballet and sometimes in the chorus at every theater in London who was always selected in virtue of his figure to play the military visitors and the speechless nobleman who always wore smart dress and came on arm in arm with a smart lady in short petticoats and always did it too with such an air that people in the pit had been several times known to cry out bravo under the impression that he was somebody. Such was Miss Snevillecky's papa upon whom some envious persons cast the imputation that he occasionally beat Miss Snevillecky's mama who was still a dancer with a neat little figure and some remains of good looks and who now sat as she danced being rather too old for the full glare of the footlights in the background. To these good people Nicholas was presented with much formality. The introduction being completed Miss Snevillecky's papa who was scented with ramen water said that he was delighted to make the acquaintance of a gentleman so highly talented and furthermore remarked that there hadn't been such a hit made no, not since the first appearance of his friend Mr. Glavermelie at the Coburg. You have seen him, sir, said Miss Snevillecky's papa. No, really I never did, replied Nicholas. You never saw my friend Glavermelie, sir, said Miss Snevillecky's papa. Then you have never seen acting, sir. If he had lived... Oh, he is dead, is he? Interrupted, Nicholas. He is, said Mr. Snevillecky. He isn't in Westminster Abbey Moore's the shame. He was a... Well, no matter. He has gone to that born-from-wents-no-traveler returns. I hope he is appreciated there. So saying Miss Snevillecky's papa rubbed the tip of his nose with a very yellow silk handkerchief and gave the company to understand that these recollections overcame him. Well, Mr. Lulevic, said Nicholas, and how are you? Quite well, sir, replied the collector. There is nothing like the married state, sir, depend upon it. Indeed, said Nicholas, laughing. Nothing like it, sir, replied Mr. Lulevic solemnly. How do you think, whispering the collector, drawing him aside, how do you think she looks tonight? As handsome as ever, replied Nicholas, glancing at the late Miss Peck Tower, why there is an air about her, sir, whispered the collector, that I never saw anybody look at her. Now she moves to put the kettle on. There, isn't it fascination, sir? You're a lucky man, said Nicholas. Ha-ha-ha, rejoined the collector. No, do you think I am, eh, though? Perhaps I may be, perhaps I may be. I say I couldn't have done much better if I had been a young man, could I? You couldn't have done much better yourself, could you, eh? Could you? With such inquiries and many more such, Mr. Lulevic jerked his elbow into Nicholas's side and chuckled his face became quite purple in the attempt to keep down his satisfaction. By this time the cloth had been laid under the superintendents of all the ladies, upon two tables put together one being high and narrow, and the other low and broad. There were oysters at the top, sausages at the bottom, a pair of snuffers in the center, and baked potatoes wherever it was most convenient to put them. Two additional chairs were brought in from the bedroom. Miss Snevillecky sat at the head of the table and Mr. Lulevic at the foot, and Nicholas had not only the honor of sitting next to Miss Snevillecky, but of having Miss Snevillecky's mama on his right hand and Miss Snevillecky's papa over the way. In short, he was the hero of the feast, and when the table was cleared and something warm introduced, Miss Snevillecky's papa got up and proposed his health in a speech containing such affecting illusions to the coming departure that Miss Snevillecky's wept, and was compelled to retire into the bedroom. Hush, don't take any notice of it, said Miss Ledruc, peeping in from the bedroom. Say, when she comes back, that she exerts herself too much. Miss Ledruc eeked out of this speech with so many mysterious nods and frowns before she shut the door again that a profound silence came upon all the company, during which Miss Snevillecky's papa looked very big indeed. Several sizes larger than life at everybody in turn, but particularly at Nicholas, and kept on perpetually emptying his tumbler and filling it again until the ladies returned in a cluster with Miss Snevillecky among them. You needn't alarm yourself a bit, Mr. Snevillecky, said Mrs. Lilivick. She is only a little weak and nervous. She has been so ever since this morning. Oh, said Mr. Snevillecky. That's all, is it? Oh, yes, that's all. Don't make a fuss about it, cried all the ladies together. Now, this was not exactly the kind of reply suited to Mr. Snevillecky's importance as a man and a father. So he picked out the unfortunate Mrs. Snevillecky and asked her what the devil she meant by talking to him in that way. Dear me, dear me! said Mrs. Snevillecky. Don't call me your dear, ma'am! said Mr. Snevillecky, if you please. Pray, Pa, don't interrupt Mrs. Snevillecky. Don't want, my child. Talk in that way. Why not, said Mr. Snevillecky? I hope you don't suppose there's anybody here who is to prevent my talking as I like. Nobody wants to, Pa, rejoined his daughter. Nobody would if they did want to, said Mr. Snevillecky. I am not ashamed of myself. Snevillecky is my name. I'm to be found in Broadcourt, Bow Street, when I'm in town. If I'm not at home, let any men ask for me at the stage door. Damn, they know me at the stage door, I suppose? Most men have seen my portrait at the cigar shop round the corner. I've been mentioned in the newspapers before now, haven't I? Talk, I'll tell you what, if I found out that any man had been tampering with the affections of my daughter, I wouldn't talk. I'd astonish him without talking. That's my way. So saying, Mr. Snevillecky struck the palm of his left hand three smart blows with his clenched fist, pulled a phantom nose with his right thumb and forefinger, and swallowed another glass full of the draught. That's my way, repeated Mr. Snevillecky. Most public characters have their failings, but the truth is that Mr. Snevillecky was a little addicted to drinking, or if the whole truth must be told that he was scarcely ever sober. He knew in his cups three distinct stages of intoxication, the dignified, the quarrelsome, the amorous. When professionally engaged he never got beyond the dignified. In private circles he went through all three, passing from one to another with a rapidity of transition often rather perplexing to those who had not the honour of his acquaintance. Thus Mr. Snevillecky had no sinner swallowed another glass full, all present in happy forgetfulness of having exhibited symptoms of pugnacity and proposed. The ladies blessed their hearts in a most vivacious manner. I love them, said Mr. Snevillecky, looking around the table. I love them, every one. Not every one reasoned Mr. Lillivick mildly. Yes, every one repeated Mr. Snevillecky. That would include the married ladies, you know, said Mr. Lillivick. I love them too, said Mr. Snevillecky. The collector looked into the surrounding faces within this aspect of grave astonishment seeming to say, this is a nice man. And appeared a little surprised that Mrs. Lillivick's manner yielded no evidences of horror and indignation. One good turn deserves another, said Mr. Snevillecky. I love them and they love me. And if this avowal were not made sufficient to disregard and defiance of all moral obligations what did Mr. Snevillecky do? He winked. Winked openly and undisguisedly. Winked with his right eye upon Henrietta Lillivick. The collector fell back in his chair in the intensity of his astonishment if anybody had winked at her as Henrietta Peck Tower it would have been indecorous in the last degree. Pet has missed his Lillivick. While he thought of it in a cold perspiration and wondered whether it was possible that he could be dreaming, Mr. Snevillecky repeated the wink and drinking to Mrs. Lillivick in a dumb show actually blew her a kiss. Mr. Lillivick left his chair wiped straight up to the other into the table and fell upon him literally fell upon him instantaneously. Mr. Lillivick was no lightweight and consequently when he fell upon Mr. Lillivick fell under the table. Mr. Lillivick followed him and the ladies screamed. What is the matter with the men? Are they mad? cried Nicholas. Diving under the table dragging up the collector by main force and thrusting him all doubled up into a chair as if he had been a stuffed figure. What do you mean to do? What do you want to do? What is the matter with you? While Nicholas raised up the collector's and welcomed the same office for Mr. Snevillecky who now regarded his late adversary in tipsy amazement. Look here, sir, replied Mr. Lillivick pointing to his astonished wife. Here is purity and elegance combined whose feelings have been outraged. Violated, sir. Lord, what nonsense he talks! exclaimed Mrs. Lillivick in answer to the inquiring look of Nicholas. Nobody has said anything to me. Sad Henrietta cried the collector. Didn't I see him? Mr. Lillivick couldn't bring himself to utter the word but he counterfeited the motion of the eye. Well cried Mrs. Lillivick. Do you suppose nobody is ever to look at me a pretty thing to be married indeed if that was the law? You didn't mind it? answered the collector. Mind it? repeated Mrs. Lillivick contemptuously. You ought to go down on your knees and beg everybody's pardon. That you ought. Pardon, my dears, the dismayed collector. Yes, and mind first, replied Mrs. Lillivick. Do you suppose I ain't the best judge of what's proper and what's improper? To be sure, cried all the ladies. Do you suppose we shouldn't be the first to speak if there was anything that ought to be taken notice of? Do you suppose you don't know, sir, said Mrs. Nevillecky's papa pulling up his collar and muttering something about a punching of heads and being only withheld by considerations of age? With which Mrs. Nevillecky's papa looked steadily and sternly at Mr. Lillivick for some seconds and then rising deliberately from his chair kissed all the ladies all around beginning with Mrs. Lillivick. The unhappy collector looked piteously at his wife as if to see whether there was one trait of Miss Patauker left in Mrs. Lillivick and finding too surely that there was not begged pardon of all the company with great humility and sat down such a crestful and dispirited disenchanted man that despite all his selfishness and dotage he was quite an object of compassion. Mrs. Nevillecky's papa, being greatly exalted by the triumphs and incontestable proof of his popularity with the fair sex quickly grew convivial not to savorious volunteering more than one song of no incontestable length and regaling the social circle between wows with recollections of diverse, splendid women who had been supposed to entertain a passion for him several of whom he toasted by name taking occasion to remark at the same time that if he had been a little more alive to his own interest he might have been rolling at that moment in his chariot and fore. These reminiscences appeared to awaken no very torturing pangs in the breast of Mrs. Nevillecky who was sufficiently occupied in discanting to Nicholas upon the manifold accomplishments and merits of her daughter nor was the young lady herself at all behind hand in displaying her choicest allurements but these heightened as they were by the artifices of Miss Ledruc had no effect whatever in increasing tensions of Nicholas who with the precedent of Miss Squeers still fresh in his memory steadily resisted every fascination and placed so strict a guard upon his behaviour that when he had taken his leave the ladies were unanimous in pronouncing him quite a monster of insensibility. Next day the posters appeared in due course and the public were informed in all colours of the rainbow with every possible variation of spinal deformity how that Mr. Johnson would have the honour of making his last appearance that evening and how that an early application for places was requested in consequence of the extraordinary overflow attendant on his performances it being a remarkable fact in theatrical history but one long since established to be on dispute that it is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre that they can first be brought to believe that they will never get into it Nicholas was somewhat at a loss on entering the theatre at night to account for the unusual perturbation and excitement visible in the countenances of all the company but he was not long in doubt as to the cause for before he could make any enquiry respecting it Mr. Kreml's approach and in an agitated tone of voice informed him that there was a London manager in the boxes it's the phenomenon depend upon it sir said Mr. Kreml's dragging Nicholas to the little hole in the curtain that he might look through at the London manager I have not the smallest doubt it's the fame of the phenomenon that's the man in him the great coat in no shirt collar she shall have ten pound a week Johnson so she shall not appear on the London boards for a farthing less they shan't engage her either unless they engage Mr. Kreml's also twenty pound a week for the pair or I'll tell you what I'll throw in myself and the two boys and they shall have the family for thirty I can't say fairer than that they must take us all if none of us will go without the others that's the way of some London people do and it always answers thirty pound a week it's too cheap Johnson it's dirt cheap Nicholas replied that it certainly was and Mr. Vincent Kreml's taking several huge pinches of snuff to compose his feelings hurried away to tell Mrs. Kreml's that he had quite settled the only terms that could be accepted and had resolved not to abate one single farthing when everybody was dressed and the curtain went up the excitement occasioned by the presence of the London manager increased a thousand fold everybody happened to know that the London manager had come down specifically to witness his or her performance and all were in a flutter of anxiety and expectation some of those who were not on in the first scene hurried to the wings and they're stretched their necks to have a peep at him others stole up into the two little private boxes over the stage doors and from that position reconoidered the London manager once the London manager was seen to smile he smiled at the comic countrymen's pretending to catch a blue bottle while Mrs. Kreml's was making her greatest effect very good my fine fellow said Mr. Kreml's shaking his fist at the comic countryman when he came off, you leave this company next Saturday night in the same way everybody who was on stage beheld an audience but one individual everybody played to the London manager when Mr. Lenville in a sudden burst of passion called the emperor miscreant and then biting his glove said he could not assemble instead of looking gloomily at the boards and so waiting for his cue as his proper in such cases he kept his eye fixed upon the London manager when Miss Bravassa sang her song at her lover who according to customs stood ready to shake hands with her between the verses they looked not at each other but at the London manager Mr. Kreml's died point-blanket him and when the two guards came in to take the body off after a very hard death it was seen to open his eyes and glance at the London manager at length the London manager was discovered to be asleep and shortly after that he woke up and went away whereupon all the company fell foul of the unhappy countryman declaring that his buffoonery was the sole cause and Mr. Kreml's said that he had put up with it long enough but that he couldn't stand it any longer and therefore would feel obliged by his looking out for another engagement all this was the occasion of much amusement to Nicholas whose only feeling upon the subject was one of sincere satisfaction that the great man went away before he appeared he went through his part in the last two pieces as briskly as he could and having been received with unbounded favour and unprecedented applause so said the bills for the next day which had been printed an hour or two before he took Smyke's arm and walked home to bed with the post next morning came a letter from Newman Noggs very inky very short very dirty very small and very mysterious urging Nicholas to return to London instantly not to lose an instant to be there at night if possible I will said Nicholas heaven knows I have remained here for the best and sorely against my own will but even now I have dallyed too long what can it happened Smyke my good fellow here take my purse put our things together and pay what little debts we owe quick and we shall be in time for the morning coach I will only tell them that we are going and will return to you immediately so saying he took his hat and hurrying away to the lodgings of Mr. Krummels applied his hand to the knocker with such hearty good will that he awakened that gentleman who was still in bed and caused Mr. Booth the pilot to take his morning's pipe very nearly out of his mouth in the extremity of his surprise the door being opened Nicholas ran upstairs without any ceremony and bursting into the darkened sitting room on the one pair front found that the two master Krummels had sprung out of the sofa bed and were putting on their clothes with great rapidity under the impression in the middle of the night and the next house was on fire before he could un-deceive them Mr. Krummels came down in a flannel gown and nightcap and to him Nicholas briefly explained that circumstances had occurred which rendered it necessary for him to repair to London immediately so goodbye said Nicholas goodbye goodbye he was half way downstairs before Mr. Krummels had sufficiently recovered his surprise to gasp about the posters I can't help it replied Nicholas said whatever I may have earned this week against them or if that will not repay you said once what will quick quick will cry quits about that returned Krummels but can't we have one last night more not an hour not a minute replied Nicholas impatiently won't you stop to say something to Mrs. Krummels as the manager following him down to the door I must stop if it were to prolong my life a score of years rejoined Nicholas here take my hand and with it my hearty thanks oh that I should have been fooling here accompanying these words with an impatient stamp upon the ground he tore himself from the manager's detaining grasp and darting rapidly down the street was out of sight in an instant dear me dear me said Mr. Krummels looking wistfully toward if he only acted like that what a deal of money he'd draw he should have kept upon the circuit he'd have been very useful to me but he don't know what's good for him he is an impetuous youth young man our rash very rash Mr. Krummels being in a moralizing mood might possibly have moralized for some minutes longer if he had not mechanically put his hand in the pocket where he was accustomed to keeping his snuff the absence of any pocket at all in the unusual direction suddenly recalled to his recollection the fact that he had no waistcoat on and this leading him to a contemplation of the extreme scantiness of his attire he shut the door abruptly and retired upstairs with great precipitation Smike had made good speed while Nicholas was absent and with his help everything was soon ready they scarcely stopped to take a morsel of breakfast and in less than half an hour arrived at the coach office quite out of breath with the haste they had made to reach it in time there were yet a few minutes to spare so having secured the places Nicholas hurried into a slopsellers hard by and bought Smike a great coat it would have been rather large for a substantial yeoman but the shopman was curing and with considerable truth that it was a most uncommon fit Nicholas would have purchased it in his impatience if it had not been twice the size as they hurried up to the coach which was now in the open street and already for starting Nicholas was not a little astonished to find himself suddenly clutched in a close and violent embrace which nearly took him off his legs nor was his amazement at all lessened by hearing the voice my friend my friend bless my heart cried Nicholas struggling in the manager's arms what are you about the manager made no reply but strained him to his breast again exclaiming as he did so farewell my noble my lion hearted boy in fact Mr. Crummel's who could never lose any opportunity for professional display had turned out for the express purpose of taking a public farewell of Nicholas and to render it the more imposing he was now to the young gentleman's most profound annoyance inflicting upon him a rapid cessation of stage embraces which as everybody knows are performed by the embracers laying his or her chin on the shoulder of the object of affection and looking over it this Mr. Crummel's did in the highest style of melodrama pouring forth at the same time all of the most dismal forms of farewell he could think of out of the stock pieces nor was this all for the elder master Crummel's was going through a similar ceremony with a smike the prissy Crummel's with a very little second hand camelet cloak worn theatrically over his left shoulder stood by in the attitude of an attendant officer waiting to convey the two victims to the scaffold the looker's on laughed very heartily and as it was as well to put a good face upon the matter Nicholas laughed too when he had succeeded in disengaging himself and rescuing the astonished smike climbed up to the coach roof after him and kissed the hand in honor of the absent Mrs. Crummel's as they rolled away. End of Chapter 30 Nicholas Nicolby Chapter 31 by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer to go to LibriVox.org this recording by Patty Bregman Nicholas Nicolby Chapter 31 of Ralph Nicolby and Newman Nogs and some wise precautions the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel in blissful unconsciousness that his nephew was hastening at utmost speed of four good horses toward his sphere of action and that every passing minute of his absence between them Ralph Nicolby sat that morning occupied in his customary avocations and yet unable to prevent his thoughts wandering from time to time back to the interview which had taken place between himself and his niece on the previous day at such intervals after a few moments of abstraction Ralph would mutter some peevish interjection and apply himself with renewed steadiness of purpose to the ledger before him but again and again the same train of thought came back despite all his efforts to prevent it confusing him in his calculations and utterly distracting his attention from the figures over which he bent at length Ralph laid down his pen and threw himself back in his chair as though he had made up his mind to allow the obtrusive current of reflection to take its own course and by giving it full scope to rid himself of it effectually I am not a man to be moved by a pretty face muttered Ralph sternly there is a grinning skull beneath it and men like me who look and work below the surface see that and not its delicate covering and yet I almost like the girl or should if she had been less proudly and squimishly brought up if the boy were drowned or hanged and the mother dead this house should be her home as it were with all my soul not withstanding the deadly hatred which Ralph felt toward Nicholas and the bitter contempt with which he sneered at poor Mrs. Nicolby not withstanding the baseness with which he had behaved and then was behaving and would behave again if his interest prompted him toward Kate herself still there was strange though it may seem something humanizing and even gentle in his thoughts at that moment his home might be if Kate were there he placed her in an empty chair looked upon her, heard her speak he felt again upon his arm the gentle pressure of the trembling hand he strewed his costly rooms with the hundred silent tokens of feminine presence and occupation he came back again to the cold fireside in the silent dreary splendor and in that one glimpse of a better nature born as it was in selfish thoughts Newton felt himself friendless, childless and alone gold for the instant lost its luster in his eyes for there were countless treasures of the heart which it could never purchase a very slight circumstance was sufficient to banish such reflections from the mind of such a man as Ralph looked vacantly out across the yard toward the window on the other office he became suddenly aware of the earnest observation of Newton-nogs who with his red nose almost touching the glass feigned to be mending a pen with a rusty fragment of a knife but was in reality staring at his employer with a countenance of the closest and most eager scrutiny Ralph exchanged his dreamy posture for his accustomed business attitude the face of Newman disappeared and the train of thought took to flight all simultaneously and in an instant after a few minutes Ralph rang the bell Newman answered the summons and Ralph raised his eyes stealthily to his face as if he almost feared to read there a knowledge of his recent thoughts there was not the smallest speculation however in the countenance of Newman-nogs if it be possible to imagine a man with two eyes in his head and both wide open looking in no direction whatever and seeing nothing he would see that man while Ralph Niccolby regarded him How now, growled Ralph Oh, said Newman throwing some intelligence into his eyes all at once and dropping them on his master I thought you rang with which laconic remark Newman turned round and hobbled away Stop said Ralph Newman stopped not at all disconcerted I did ring then why did you offer to go if you know that I thought you rang to say you didn't ring replied Newman, you often do How dare you pry and appear and stare at me, sirrah demanded Ralph Stare cried Newman at you, ha ha which was all the explanation Newman deigned to offer Be careful, sir, said Ralph looking steadily at him let me have no drunken fooling here do you see this parcel it's big enough, rejoined Newman carry it into the city to cross and broad street and leave it there quick do you hear Newman gave a dogged kind of nod to express an affirmative reply and leaving the room for a few seconds returned with his hat having made various ineffective attempts to fit the parcel which was some two feet square into the crown thereof Newman took it under his arm and after putting on his fingerless gloves with great precision and nicety keeping his eyes fixed upon Mr. Ralph Nickelby all the time he adjusted his hat upon his head with as much care real or pretended as if it were a brand new one of the most expensive quality and at last departed on his errand he executed his commission with great promptitude and dispatch only calling at one public house for half a minute and even that be said to be in his way for he went in one door and came out at the other but as he returned and had got on so far homeward as the strand Newman began to loiter with that uncertain air of a man who has not quite made up his mind whether to halt or both straight forward after a very short consideration the former inclination prevailed and making towards the point he had laid in his mind Newman knocked a modest double knock or rather a nervous single one at Ms. Nickelby's door it was opened by a strange servant on whom the odd figure of the visitor did not appear to make the most favorable impression possible in as much 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 uttered the monosyllable knobs there were some cabalistic word at sound of which bolts would fly back and doors open pushed briskly past and gained the door of Ms. Nickelby's sitting room before the astonished servant could offer any opposition walk in if you please said Ms. Nickelby and reply to the sound of Newman's knuckles and in he walked accordingly bless us cried Ms. Nickelby staring at Newman bolted in what did you want sir you have forgotten me said Newman with an inclination of 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 Ms. Nickelby rising to receive Newman who met her halfway and I am ashamed of myself for doing so for you are a kind good creature Mr. Nox sit down and tell me all about Ms. Nickelby poor dear thing I haven't seen her for this many a week how's that asked Newman why the truth is Mr. Nox said Ms. Lucrevy that I have been out on a visit the first visit I have made for 15 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 rather thank heaven the solitary days roll away peacefully and happily enough replied the miniature painter I have a brother Mr. Nox the only relation I have and all that time I never saw him once not that we ever quarreled but he was apprenticed down in the country and he got married there and new ties and defections springing up about him he forgot a poor little woman like me as it was 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 John is making his way in the world and he has a wife to tell his cares and troubles to and children now to play about him so God bless him and them and send we may all meet together one day where we shall part no more but what do you think Mr. Nox said the miniature painter brightening up and clapping her hands that very same brother coming up to London at last and never resting till he found me out what do you think of his coming here and sitting down in that very chair and crying like a child because he was so glad to see me what do you think of his insisting on taking me down all the way into the country to his own house quite a sumptuous place Mr. Nox with a large garden and I don't know how many fields and a man in livery waiting at table and cows and horses and pigs and I don't know what besides and making me stay a whole month and pressing me to stop there all my life yes all my life and so did his wife and so did the children and there were four of them and one the eldest girl of all they they had named her after me eight good years before they had indeed I never was so happy and all my life I never was the worthy soul hit her face in her handkerchief and sobbed aloud for it was the first opportunity she had had of unburdening her heart and it would have its way but bless my life said Mr. Crevy wiping her eyes after a short pause and cramming her handkerchief into her pocket with a great bustle and dispatch what a foolish creature I must have been to you Mr. Nox I shouldn't have said anything about it only I wanted to explain to you that I hadn't seen Miss Nicolby have you seen the old lady asked Newman you mean Mrs. Nicolby said Mr. Crevy then I tell you what Mr. Nox if you want to keep the good books in that quarter you had better not call her the old lady any more for I suspect she wouldn't be best pleased to hear you yes I went there the night before last but she was quite on the high ropes and was so grand and mysterious that I couldn't make anything of her so to tell you the truth I took it into my head to be grand too and came away in state I thought she would have come around again before this but she hasn't been here about Miss Nicolby said Newman while she was here twice while I was away I returned to Miss Lucrevy I was afraid she might not like to have me calling on her among those great folks in what's its name place and if I didn't see her right OX claimed Newman cracking his fingers however I want to hear all the news about them from you said Miss Lucrevy how is the old rough and tough monster of Golden Square well of course such people always are I don't mean how is he in health but how is he going on how is he behaving himself damn him cried Newman like a cat on the floor like a full town gracious Mr. Nox you quite terrify me I should have spoiled his features yesterday afternoon if I could have afforded it said Newman moving restlessly about and shaking his fist at a portrait of Mr. Canning over the mantelpiece I was very near it I was obliged to put my hands in my pockets and keep him there very tight I shall do it some day in that little back parlor I know I shall I should have done it before now if I hadn't been afraid of making bad worse I shall double lock myself in with him and have it out before I die I'm quite certain of it I shall scream if you don't compose yourself Mr. Nox said Miss Lucrevy I'm sure I shan't be able to help it never mind rejoined Newman darting violently to and fro he's coming up tonight I wrote to tell him he little thinks I know fair, cunning scoundrel he don't think that not he, not he never mind all thwart him I Newman nogs ho-ho the rascal lashing himself up to an extravagant pitch of fury Newman nogs jerked himself about the room with the most eccentric motion ever beheld in a human being now sparring at little miniatures on the wall and now giving himself violent thumps on the head as if to heighten the delusion until he sank down into his former seat quite breathless and exhausted there said Newman picking up his hat that's done me good now I'm better and I'll tell you all about it it took some little time to reassure Miss Lucrevy who had been almost frightened out of her senses by this remarkable demonstration but that done Newman faithfully related all that had passed in the interview between Kate and her uncle prefacing his narrative with a statement of his previous suspicion on the subject and his reasons for forming them and concluding with a little communication of the step he had taken in secretly writing to Nicholas though little Miss Lucrevy's indignation was not so singularly displayed as Newman's it was scarcely inferior in violence and intensity indeed if Ralph Nicolby had happened to make his appearance in the room at that moment there is some doubt whether he would not have found Miss Lucrevy a more dangerous opponent than even Newman Noggs himself God forgive me for saying so said Miss Lucrevy as a wind-up to all her expressions of anger but I really feel as if I could stick this into him with pleasure it was not a very awful weapon that Miss Lucrevy held at being in fact nothing more or less than a black lead pencil but discovering a mistake the little portrait painter exchanged it for a mother of little fruit knife wherewith in proof of her desperate thought she made a lunge as she spoke which would have scarcely disturbed the crumbs of half-quartered loaf she won't stop where she is after tonight said Newman that's a comfort stop cried Miss Lucrevy she should have left there weeks ago if we had known this rejoined Newman but we didn't nobody could properly interfere but her mother or brother the week the poor thing week the dear young man will be here tonight heart alive cried Miss Lucrevy he will do something desperate Mr. Noggs if you tell him all at once Newman left off rubbing his hands and assuming a thoughtful look depend upon it said Miss Lucrevy earnestly if you are not very careful in breaking about the truth to him he will do something violent upon his uncle these men that will bring some terrible calamity upon his own head in grief and sorrow to us all I never thought of that rejoined Newman his countenance failing more and more I came to ask you to receive his sister in case he brought her here but but this is a matter of much greater importance interrupt Miss Lucrevy that you might have been sure of before you came but the end of this nobody can foresee unless you are very guarded and careful what can I do cried Newman scratching his head and with an air of great vexation and perplexity if he was to talk of pistoling him all I should be very obliged to say certainly serve him right Miss Lucrevy could not suppress a small shriek on hearing this and instantly sat about extorting a solemn pledge from Newman that he would use his utmost endeavors to pacify the wrath of Nicholas which after some demure was conceded they then consulted together on the safest and surest mode of communicating to him the circumstances which had rendered his presence necessary he must have time to cool before he can possibly do anything said Miss Lucrevy that is of greatest consequence he must not be told until late at night but he'll be in town between six and seven this evening replied Newman I can't keep it from him when he asks me then you must go out to the box said Miss Lucrevy you can easily have been kept away by business and must not return until nearly midnight then you'll come straight here retorted Newman I suppose so observed Miss Lucrevy but he won't find me at home for I'll go straight to the city the instant you leave make up matters with Mrs. Nicolby and take her away to the theatre so that he may not even know where his sister lives upon further discussion this appeared the safest and most feasible mode of proceeding that could possibly be adopted therefore it finally determined that the matter should be so arranged Newman after listening to many supplementary cautions and entreaties took his leave of Miss Lucrevy and trudged back to Golden Square ruminating as he went upon a vast number of possibilities and impossibilities which crowded upon his brain and rose out of the conversation that had just terminated the end of Chapter 31 recorded by Patti Brugman Chapter 32 of Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this recording by Anna Roberts Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens Chapter 32 relating chiefly to some remarkable conversation and some remarkable proceedings to which it gives rise London at last cried Nicholas throwing back his greatcoat and rousing smike from a long nap it seemed to me as though we should never reach it and yet you came along at a tidy pace too observed the coachman looking over his shoulder at Nicholas with no very pleasant expression of countenance I I know that was the reply but I have been very anxious to be at my journey's end and that makes the way seem long well remarked the coachman if the way seem long with such cattle as you've sat behind you must have been most uncommon anxious and so saying he let out his whiplash and touched up a little boy on the calves of his legs by way of emphasis they rattled on through the noisy bustling crowded streets of London now displaying long double rows of brightly burning lamps dotted here and there with the chemists glaring lights and illuminated besides with the brilliant flood that streamed from the windows of the shops where sparkling jewelry silks and velvets of the richest colors the most inviting delicacies and most sumptuous articles of luxurious ornament succeeded each other in rich and glittering profusion streams of people apparently without end poured on and on jostling each other in the crowd and hurrying forward scarcely seeming to notice the riches that surrounded them on every side while vehicles of all shapes and makes mingled up together in one moving mass like running water lent their ceaseless roar to swell the noise in tumult as they dashed by the quickly changing and ever-varying objects it was curious to observe in what a strange procession they passed before the eye Emporiums of splendid dresses the materials brought from every quarter of the world tempting stores of everything to stimulate and pamper the sated appetite and give new relish to the oft-repeated feast vessels of burnished gold and silver wrought into every exquisite form of vase and dish and goblet guns, swords, pistols and patent engines of destruction screws and irons for the crooked clothes for the newly born drugs for the sick, coffins for the dead and church yards for the buried all these jumbled each with the other and flocking side by side seemed to flip by in motley dance like the fantastic groups of the old Dutch painter and with the same stern moral for the unheeding restless crowd nor were their wanting objects in the crowd itself to give new point and purpose to the shifting scene the rags of the squalid ballad singer the rich light that showed the goldsmith's treasures pale and pinched up faces hovered about the windows where was tempting food hungry eyes wandered over the profusion guarded by one thin sheet of brittle glass an iron wall to them half naked shivering figures stopped to gaze at Chinese shawls and golden stuffs of India there was a christening party at the largest coffin makers and a funeral hatchement had stopped some great improvements in the bravest mansion life and death went hand in hand wealth and poverty stood side by side repletion and starvation laid them down together but it was London and the old country lady inside who had put her head out of the coach window a mile or so this side Kingston and cried out to the driver that she was sure he must have passed it and forgotten to set her down was satisfied at last Nicholas engaged beds for himself and smike at the inn where the coach stopped and repaired without the delay of another moment to the lodgings of Newman nogs for and impatience had increased with every succeeding minute and were almost beyond control there was a fire in Newman's garret and a candle had been left burning the floor was cleanly swept the room was as comfortably arranged as such a room could be and meat and drink were placed in order upon the table everything bespoke the affectionate care and attention of Newman nogs but Newman himself was not there do you know what time he will be home inquired Nicholas tapping at the door of Newman's front neighbor Mr. Johnson said crowd presenting himself welcome sir how well you're looking I never could have believed pardon me interposed Nicholas my question I'm extremely anxious to know why he has a troublesome affair business replied crowd and he will not be home before twelve o'clock he was very unwilling to go I can tell you but there was no help for it however he left word that you were to make yourself comfortable till he came back and that I was to entertain you which I shall be very glad to do the proof of his extreme readiness to exert himself for the general entertainment Mr. Crowell drew a chair to the table as he spoke and helping himself plentifully to the cold meat invited Nicholas and Smike to follow his example disappointed and uneasy Nicholas could touch no food so after he had seen Smike comfortably established at the table he walked out despite a great many dissuasion uttered by Mr. Crowell with his mouth full and left Smike to detain Newman in case he returned first as Ms. LaCurrivy had anticipated Nicholas betook himself straight to her house finding her from home he debated within himself for some time whether he should go to his mother's residence and so compromise her with Ralph Nickleby fully persuaded however that Newman would not have solicited him to return unless there was some strong reason which required his presence at home he resolved to go there and hastened eastwards with all speed Mrs. Nickleby would not be at home the girl said until past twelve or later she believed Ms. Nickleby was well but she didn't live at home now nor did she come home except very seldom she couldn't say where she was stopping but it was not at Madame Montalini's she was sure of that with his heart beating violently and appreending he knew not what disaster Nicholas returned to where he had left Smike Newman had not been home he wouldn't be till twelve o'clock there was no chance of it was there no possibility of sending to fetch him if it were only for an instant or forwarding to him one line of writing to which he might return a verbal reply that was quite impracticable he was not at Golden Square and probably had been sent to execute some commission at a distance Nicholas tried to remain quietly where he was but he felt so nervous and excited that he could not sit still he seemed to be losing time unless he was moving it was an absurd fancy he knew but he was wholly unable to resist it so he took up his hat and rambled out again he strolled westward this time pacing the long streets with hurried footsteps and agitated by a thousand misgivings and apprehensions which he could not overcome he passed into Hyde Park now silent and deserted and increased his rate of walking as if in the hope of leaving his thoughts behind they crowded upon him more thickly however now there were no passing objects to attract his attention and the one idea was always uppermost that some stroke of ill fortune must have occurred so calamitous in its nature that all were fearful of disclosing it to him the old question arose again and again what could it be? Nicholas walked till he was weary but was not one bit the wiser and indeed he came out of the park at last a great deal more confused and perplexed than when he went in he had taken scarcely anything to eat or drink since early in the morning and felt quite worn out and exhausted as he returned languidly towards the point from which he had started along one of the thoroughfares which lie between Park Lane and Bond Street he passed a handsome hotel before which he stopped mechanically an expensive place I dare say thought Nicholas but a pint of wine and a biscuit are so great debauched wherever they are had and yet I don't know he walked on a few steps but looking wistfully down the long vista of gas lamps before him and thinking how long it would take to reach the end of it and being besides in that kind of mood in which a man is most disposed to yield to his first impulse and being besides strongly attracted to the hotel in part by curiosity and in part by some odd mixture of feelings which he would have been troubled to define Nicholas turned back again and walked into the coffee room it was very handsomely furnished the walls were ornamented with the choices specimens of French paper enriched with a gilded cornice of elegant design the floor was covered with a rich carpet and two superb mirrors of the chimney piece and one at the opposite end of the room reaching from floor to ceiling multiplied the other beauties and added new ones of their own to enhance the general effect there was a rather noisy party of four gentlemen in a box by the fireplace and only two other persons present both elderly gentlemen and both alone observing all this in the first comprehensive glance with which a stranger surveys a place that is new to him Nicholas sat himself down in the box his back towards them and postponing his order for a pint of claret until such time as the waiter and one of the elderly gentlemen should have settled a disputed question relative to the price of an item in the bill of fair took up a newspaper and began to read he had not read twenty lines and was in truth himself dozing when he was startled by the mention of his sister's name little Kate Nickelby were the words that caught his ear he raised his head in amazement and as he did so saw by the reflection in the opposite glass that two of the party behind him had risen and were standing before the fire it must have come from one of them thought Nicholas he waited to hear more with the countenance of some indignation for the tone of speech had been anything but respectful and the appearance of the individual whom he presumed to have been the speaker was coarse and swaggering this person so Nicholas observed in the same glance at the mirror which had enabled him to see his face was standing with his back to the fire younger gentleman who stood with his back to the company wore his hat and was adjusting his shirt collar by the aid of the glass they spoke in whispers now and then bursting into a loud laugh but Nicholas could catch no repetition of the words nor anything sounding at all like the words which had attracted his attention at length the two resumed their seats and more wine being ordered the party grew louder in their mirth still there was no reference made to anybody with whom he was acquainted and Nicholas became persuaded that his excited fancy had either imagined the sounds altogether or converted some other words into the name which had been so much in his thoughts it is remarkable too, thought Nicholas if it had been Kate or Kate Nickleby I should not have been so much surprised but little Kate Nickleby the wine coming at the moment prevented his finishing the sentence he swallowed a glass full and took up the paper again at that instant little Kate Nickleby cried the voice behind him I was right, muttered Nicholas as the paper fell from his hand and it was the man I supposed as there was a proper objection to drinking her in heel taps said the voice, we'll give her the first glass in the new magnum little Kate Nickleby little Kate Nickleby, cried the other three and the glasses were set down empty keenly alive to the tone and manner of this slight and careless mention of his sister's name in a public place Nicholas fired at once but he kept himself quiet by a great effort and did not even turn his head the jade said the same voice which had spoken before she's a true Nickleby a worthy imitator of her old uncle Ralph she hangs back to be more sought after so does he nothing to be got out of Ralph unless you follow him up and then the money comes doubly welcome and the bargain doubly hard for you're impatient and he isn't oh, infernal cunning infernal cunning echoed two voices Nicholas was in a perfect agony as the two elderly gentlemen opposite rose one after the other and went away lest they should be the means of his losing one word of what was said but the conversation was suspended as they withdrew and resumed with even greater freedom when they had left the room I am afraid said the younger gentlemen that the old woman has grown jealous and locked her up upon my soul it looks like it if they quarrel and little Nickleby goes home to her mother so much the better, said the first I can do anything with the old lady she'll leave anything I tell her egot, that's true, returned the other voice ha ha ha poor devil the laugh was taken up by the two voices which always came in together and became general at Mrs. Nickleby's expense Nicholas turned burning hot with rage but he commanded himself for the moment and waited to hear more what he heard need not be repeated here suffice it that as the wine went round he heard enough to acquaint him with the characters and designs of those whose conversation he overheard to possess him with the full extent of Ralph's villainy and the real reason of his own presence being required in London he heard all this and more he heard his sister's sufferings derided and her virtuous conduct jeered at and brutally misconstrued he heard her name bandied from mouth to mouth and herself made the subject of course an insolent wagers, free speech and licentious jesting the man who had spoken first led the conversation and indeed almost engrossed it being only stimulated from time to time by some slight observation from one or other of his companions to him then, Nicholas addressed himself when he was sufficiently composed to stand before the party and force the words from his parched and scorching throat let me have a word with you, sir said Nicholas with me, sir, retorted Sir Mulberry Hawk eyeing him a disdainful surprise I said with you, replied Nicholas speaking with great difficulty for his passion choked him a mysterious stranger upon my soul exclaimed Sir Mulberry raising his wine glass to his lips and looking round upon his friends will you step apart with me for a few minutes or do you refuse said Nicholas sternly Sir Mulberry merely paused in the act of drinking and bade him either name his business or leave the table and drew a card from his pocket and threw it before him there, sir, said Nicholas my business you will guess a momentary expression of astonishment not unmixed with some confusion of Sir Mulberry as he read the name but he subdued it in an instant and tossing the card to Lord Veresoft who sat opposite drew a toothpick from a glass before him and very leisurely applied it to his mouth your name and address said Nicholas turning paler as his passion kindled I shall give you neither replied Sir Mulberry if there is a gentleman in this party said Nicholas, looking round and scarcely able to make his white lips form the words he will acquaint me with the name and residence of this man there was dead silence I am the brother of the young lady who has been the subject of conversation here said Nicholas I denounce this person as a liar and impeach him as a coward and here he will save him the disgrace of the paltry attempt to conceal his name and utterly useless one for I will find it out nor leave him until I have Sir Mulberry looked at him contemptuously and addressing his companions said let the fellow talk I have nothing serious to say to boys of his station and his pretty sister shall save him a broken head if he talks till midnight you are a base and spiritless scoundrel said Nicholas I will go to the world I will know you I will follow you home if you walk the streets till morning Sir Mulberry's hand involuntarily closed upon the decanter and he seemed for an instant about to launch it at the head of his challenger but he only filled his glass and laughed in derision Nicholas sat himself down directly opposite to the party and summoning the waiter paid his bill do you know that person's name he inquired of the man in an audible voice Sir Mulberry as he put the question Sir Mulberry laughed again and the two voices which had always spoken together echoed the laugh but rather feebly that gentleman sir replied the waiter who no doubt knew his cue and answered with just as little respect and just as much impertence as he could safely show no sir I do not sir here you sir cried Sir Mulberry as the man was retiring do you know that person's name name sir no sir then you'll find it there said Sir Mulberry throwing Nicholas's card towards him and when you have made yourself master of it put that piece of paste board in the fire do you hear me the man grinned and looking doubtfully at Nicholas compromised the matter by sticking the card in the chimney glass having done this he retired Nicholas folded his arms inviting his lip sat perfectly quiet sufficiently expressing by his manner however a firm determination to carry his threat of following Sir Mulberry home into steady execution it was evident from the tone in which the younger member of the party appeared to remonstrate with his friend that he objected to this course of proceeding and urged him to comply with the request which Nicholas had made Sir Mulberry however who was not quite sober and who was in a sullen and dogged state of obstinacy soon silenced the representations of his weak young friend and further seemed as if to save himself from a repetition of them to insist on being left alone however this might have been the young gentleman and the two who had always spoken together actually rose to go after a short interval and presently retired leaving their friend alone with Nicholas it will be very readily supposed that to one in the condition of Nicholas the minutes appeared to move with leaden wings indeed and that their progress did not seem the more rapid from the monotonous ticking of a French clock or the shrill sound of its little bell which told the quarters but there he sat and in his old seat on the opposite side of the room reclined Sir Mulberry hawk with his legs upon the cushion and his handkerchief thrown negligently over his knees finishing his magnum of claret with the utmost coolness and indifference thus they remained in perfect silence for upwards of an hour Nicholas would have thought for three hours at least but that the little bell had only gone four times twice or thrice he looked angrily and impatiently round but there was Sir Mulberry in the same attitude putting his glass to his lips from time to time and looking vacantly at the wall as if he were wholly ignorant of the presence of any living person at length he yawned stretched himself and rose walked coolly to the glass and having surveyed himself therein turned around and honored Nicholas with a long and contemptuous stare Nicholas stared again with right good will Sir Mulberry shrugged his shoulders smiled slightly rang the bell and ordered the waiter to help him on with his great coat the man did so and held the door open don't wait said Sir Mulberry and they were alone again Sir Mulberry took several turns up and down the room whistling carelessly all the time stopped to finish the last glass of claret which he had poured out a few minutes before walked again, put on his hat adjusted it by the glass his gloves and at last walked slowly out Nicholas who had been fuming and chafing until he was nearly wild darted from his seat and followed him so closely that before the door had swung upon its hinges after Sir Mulberry's passing out they stood side by side in the street together there was a private cabriolet in waiting the groom opened the apron and jumped out to the horse's head will you make yourself known to me asked Nicholas in a suppressed voice no replied the other fiercely and confirming the refusal with an oath no if you trust your horse's speed you will find yourself mistaken said Nicholas I will accompany you by heaven I will if I hang on to the foot board you shall be horsewhipped if you do return Sir Mulberry you are a villain said Nicholas you are an errand boy for odd I know said Sir Mulberry Hawk I am the son of a country gentleman Sir Mulberry Nicholas your equal in birth and education and your superior I trust in everything besides I tell you again Miss Nickleby is my sister will you or will you not answer for your unmanly and brutal conduct to a proper champion yes to you no return Sir Mulberry taking the reins in his hand stand out of the way dog William let go her head you had better not cried Nicholas springing on the step as Sir Mulberry jumped in and catching at the reins he has no command over the horse mind you shall not go you shall not I swear till you have told me who you are the groom hesitated for the mayor who is a high-spirited animal and thoroughbred plunged so violently that he could scarcely hold her leave go I tell you thundered his master the man obeyed the animal reared and plunged as though it would dash the carriage into a thousand pieces but Nicholas was confined to all sense of danger and conscious of nothing but his fury still maintained his place and his hold upon the reins will you unclasp your hand will you tell me who you are no no in less time than the quickest tongue could tell it these words were exchanged and Sir Mulberry shortening his whip applied it furiously to the head and shoulders of Nicholas it was broken in the struggle Nicholas gained the heavy handle and with it laid open one side of his antagonist face from the eye to the lip he saw the gash knew that the mayor had darted off at a wild mad gallop a hundred lights danced in his eyes and he felt himself flung violently upon the ground he was giddy and sick but staggered to his feet directly roused by the loud shouts of the men who were tearing up the street and screaming to those ahead to clear the way he was conscious of a torrent of people rushing quickly by looking up could discern the cabriolet whirled along the foot with frightful rapidity then heard a loud cry the smashing of some heavy body and the breaking of glass and then the crowd closed in in the distance and he could see or hear no more the general attention had been entirely directed from himself to the person in the carriage and he was quite alone rightly judging that under such circumstances it would be madness to follow he turned down a by street in search of the nearest coach stand finding after a minute or two he was reeling like a drunken man and aware for the first time of a stream of blood that was trickling down his face and breast End of Chapter 32 Chapter 33 of Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This recording by Anna Roberts Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens Chapter 33 in which Mr. Ralph Nicolby is relieved by a very expeditious process from all commerce with his relations Smyke and Newman Noggs who in his impatience had returned home long before the time agreed upon sat before the fire listening anxiously to every footstep on the stairs and the slightest sound that stirred within the house for the approach of Nicholas time had worn on and it was growing late he had promised to be back in an hour and his prolonged absence began to excite considerable alarm in the minds of both as was abundantly testified by the blank looks they cast upon each other at every new disappointment. At length a coach was heard to stop and Newman ran out to light Nicholas up the stairs beholding him in the trim described at the conclusion of the last chapter he stood aghast in wonder and consternation Don't be alarmed said Nicholas hurrying him back into the room there is no harm done beyond what a basin of water can repair no harm cried Newman passing his hands hastily over the back and arms of Nicholas as if to assure himself that he had broken no bones what have you been doing I know all interrupted Nicholas I have heard apart and guessed the rest but before I remove one jot of these stains I must hear the whole from you you see I am collected my resolution is taken now my good friend speak out for the time for any palliation or concealment is passed and nothing will avail Ralph Nickleby now your dress is torn in several places and you walk lame and I'm sure you're suffering pain said Newman let me see to your hurts first I have no hurts to see to beyond a little soreness and stiffness that will soon pass off said Nicholas seating himself with some difficulty but if I had fractured every limb and still preserved my senses you should not bandage one till you had told me what I have the right to know calm said Nicholas giving his hand to dogs you had a sister of your own told me once who died before you fell into misfortune now think of her and tell me Newman yes I will I will said nox I'll tell you the whole truth Newman did so Nicholas nodded his head from time to time as it corroborated the particulars he had already gleaned but he fixed his eyes upon the fire and did not look round once his recital ended Newman insisted upon his young friends stripping off his coat and allowing whatever injuries he had received to be properly tended Nicholas after some opposition at length consented and while some pretty severe bruises on his arms and shoulders were being rubbed with oil and vinegar and various other efficacious remedies which Newman borrowed from the different lodgers related in what manner they had been received the recital made a strong impression on the warm imagination of Newman for when Nicholas came to the violent part of the quarrel he rubbed so hard as to occasion him the most exquisite pain which he would not have exhibited however for the world being perfectly clear that for the moment Newman was operating on Sir Mulberry hawk and had quite lost sight of his real patient this martyred him over Nicholas arranged with Newman that while he was otherwise occupied next morning arrangements should be made for his mother's immediately quitting her present residence and also for dispatching Miss LaCriebe to break the intelligence to her he then wrapped himself in smikes great coat and repaired to the inn where they were to pass the night and where after writing this to Ralph the delivery of which was to be entrusted to Newman next day he endeavored to obtain the repose of which he stood so much in need drunken men they say may roll down precipices and be quite unconscious of any serious personal inconvenience when their reason returns the remark may possibly apply to injuries received in other kinds of violent excitement certain it is that although Nicholas experienced some pain on first awakening next morning he sprung out of bed as the clock struck seven with very little pain and was soon as much on the alert as if nothing had occurred merely looking into smikes room and telling him that Newman dogs would call for him very shortly Nicholas descended into the street and calling a hackney coach made the man drive to miss with it early according to the direction which Newman had given him on the previous night it wanted a quarter to eight when they reached Cadgan place Nicholas began to fear that no one might be stirring at that early hour when he was relieved by the sight of a small servant employed in cleaning the door steps by this functionary he was referred to the doubtful page who appeared with disheveled hair and a very warm and glossy face as of a page who had just got out of bed by this young gentleman he was informed that Miss Nicolby was then taking her morning's walk in the gardens before the house on the question being propounded whether he could go and find her the page desponded and thought not but being stimulated with a shilling and thought he could say to Miss Nicolby that her brother is here and in great haste to see her said Nicholas the plated buttons disappeared with an alacrity most unusual to them and Nicholas paced the room in a state of feverish agitation which made the delay even of a minute insupportable he soon heard a light footstep which he well knew and before he could advance to meet her Kate had fallen on his neck and burst into tears my darling girl said Nicholas he embraced her how pale you are I have been so unhappy here dear brother sobbed poor Kate so very very miserable do not leave me here dear Nicholas or I shall die of a broken heart I will leave you nowhere answered Nicholas never again Kate he cried moved in spite of himself as he folded her to his heart tell me that I acted for the best tell me that we parted because I feared to bring misfortune on your head that it was a trial to me no less than to yourself and that if I did wrong it was in ignorance of the world and unknowingly why should I tell you what we know so well returned Kate soothingly Nicholas dear Nicholas how can you give way thus it is such bitter reproach to me to know what you have undergone returned her brother to see you so much altered and yet so kind and patient God cried Nicholas clenching his fists and suddenly changing his tone and manner it sets my whole blood on fire again you must leave here with me directly you should not have slept here last night but that I knew all this too late to whom can I speak before we drive away this question was most opportunity put for at that instant Mr. Wittiterly walked in and to him Kate introduced her brother who had once announced his purpose and the impossibility of deferring it the quarter's notice said Mr. Wittiterly with the gravity of a man on the right side is not yet half expired therefore therefore interposed Nicholas the quarter's salary must be lost sir you will excuse this extreme haste but circumstances require that I should immediately remove my sister and I have not a moment's time to lose whatever she brought here I will send for if you will allow me in the course of the day Mr. Wittiterly bowed but offered no opposition to Kate's immediate departure with which indeed he was rather gratified than otherwise Sir Tumley snuff him having given it as his opinion but she rather disagreed with Mrs. Wittiterly's constitution with regard to the trifle of salary that is due said Mr. Wittiterly I will, here he was interrupted by a violent fit of coughing I will owe it to Miss Nicolby Mr. Wittiterly it should be observed was accustomed to owe small amounts and to leave them owing all men have some little pleasant way of their own and this was Mr. Wittiterly's if you please, said Nicholas and once more offering a hurried apology for so sudden a departure he hurried Kate into the vehicle and bade the man drive with all speed into the city to the city they went accordingly with all the speed the Hackney coach could make and as the horses happened to live at Whitechapel and to be in the habit of taking their breakfast there when they breakfasted at all they performed the journey with greater expedition than could reasonably have been expected Nicholas sent Kate upstairs a few minutes before him that his unlooked-for appearance might not alarm his mother and when the way had been paved presented himself with much duty and affection Newman had not been idle for there was a little cart at the door and the effects were hurrying out already now Mrs. Nicolby was not the sort of person to be told anything in a hurry or rather to comprehend anything of peculiar delicacy or importance on a short notice wherefore although the good lady had been subjected to a full hours preparation by little Miss Lucrevy and was now addressed in the most lucid terms by both Nicholas and his sister she was in a state of singular bewilderment and confusion and could by no means be made to comprehend the necessity of such hurried proceedings why don't you ask your uncle my dear Nicholas what he can possibly mean by it said Mrs. Nicolby my dear mother return Nicholas the time for talking has gone by there is but one step to take him off with the scorn and indignation he deserves your own honour and good name demand that after the discovery of his vile proceedings you should not be beholden to him one hour even for the shelter of these bare walls to be sure said Mrs. Nicolby crying bitterly he is a brute a monster and the walls are very bare and want painting too and I have had the ceiling whitewashed at the expense of 18 pence which is a very distressing thing considering that you have not much gone into your uncle's pocket I never could have believed it never nor I nor anybody else said Nicholas Lord bless my life exclaimed Mrs. Nicolby to think that that Sir Mulberry hawk should be such an abandoned wretch as Miss Lacrievy says he is Nicholas my dear when I was congratulating myself every day on his being an admirer of our Cates and thinking what a thing it would be for the family if he was to become connected with us to get you some profitable government place there are very good places to be got about the court I know for a friend of ours Miss Cropley at Exeter my dear Kate you recollect he had one and I know that it was the chief part of his duty to wear silk stockings and a bag wig like a black watch pocket and to think that it should come to this after all oh dear dear it's enough to kill one that it is with which expressions of sorrow Mrs. Nicolby gave fresh vent to her grief and wept piteously as Nicholas and his sister were by this time compelled to superintend the removal of the few articles of furniture Miss Lacrievy devoted herself to the consolation of the matron and observed with great kindness of manner that she must really make an effort and cheer up oh I dare say Miss Lacrievy returned Mrs. Nicolby with a petulance not unnatural in her unhappy circumstances it's very easy to say cheer up but if you had as many occasions to cheer up as I have had and there said Mrs. Nicolby stopping short think of Mr. Pike and Mr. Plunk two of the most perfect gentlemen that ever lived what am I to say to them what can I say to them why if I was to say to them I'm told your friend Sir Mulberry is a base wretch they'd laugh at me they will laugh no more at us I take it said Nicholas advancing mother there's a coach at the door and until Monday at all events we will return to our old quarters where everything is ready and a hearty welcome into the bargain added Miss Lacrievy now let me go with you downstairs but Mrs. Nicolby was not to be so easily moved for first she insisted on going upstairs to see that nothing had been left and then on going downstairs to see that everything had been taken away and when she was getting into the coach she had a vision of a forgotten copy pot of that kitchen hob and after she was shot in a dismal recollection of a green umbrella behind some unknown door at last Nicholas in a condition of absolute despair ordered the coachman to drive away and in the unexpected jerk of a sudden starting Mrs. Nicolby lost a shilling among the straw which fortunately confined her attention to the coach until it was too late to remember anything else having seen everything safely out discharged the servant and locked the door and just jumped into a cabriolet and drove to a by-place near Golden Square where he had appointed to meet nogs and so quickly had everything been done that it was barely half past nine when he reached the place of meeting here is the letter for Ralph, said Nicholas and here is the key when you come to me this evening, not a word of last night ill news travels fast and they will know it soon enough have you heard of he was much hurt Newman shook his head I will ascertain that myself without loss of time Nicholas, you had better take some rest return Newman, you are fevered and ill Nicholas waved his hand carelessly and concealing the indisposition he really felt now that the excitement which had sustained him was over took a hurried farewell of Newman nogs and left him Newman was not three minutes walk from Golden Square but in the course of that three minutes he took the letter out of his hat and put it in again twenty times at least first the front then the back then the sides the superscription then the seal were objects of Newman's admiration then he held it at arm's length as if to take in the hole at one delicious survey and then he rubbed his hands in a perfect ecstasy with his commission he reached the office hung his hat on its accustomed peg laid the letter and key upon the desk and waited impatiently until Ralph Nickelby should appear after a few minutes the well-known creaking of his boots was heard on the stairs and then the bell rung did the post come in? no any other letters? one Newman eyed him closely and laid it on the desk what's this? asked Ralph taking up the key left with the letter a boy brought them quarter of an hour ago or less Ralph glanced at the direction opened the letter and read as follows you are known to me now there are no reproaches I could heap upon your head which would carry them with one thousandth part shame that this assurance will awaken even in your breast your brother's widow and her orphan child spur in the shelter of your roof and shun you with disgust and loathing your kindred renounce you for they know no shame but the ties of blood which bind them in name to you you are an old man and I leave you to the grave may every recollection of your life cling to your false heart and cast their darkness on your deathbed Ralph Nickelby read this letter twice and frowning heavily fell into a fit of musing the paper fluttered from his hand and dropped upon the floor but he clasped his fingers as if he held it still suddenly he started from his seat and thrusting it all crumpled into his pocket turned furiously to Newman Noggs as though to ask him why he lingered but Newman stood unmoved with his back towards him following up with the worn and black and stump of an old pen some figures in an interest table which was pasted against the wall and apparently quite distracted from every other object End of Chapter 33