 Chapter 54 of Nicholas Nicobai 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. Nicholas Nicobai by Charles Dickens. Chapter 54. The Crisis of the Project and Its Results. There are not many men who lie at bed too late or oversleep themselves on their wedding morning. A legend there is of somebody remarkable for absence of mind who opened his eyes upon the day which was to give him a young wife and forgetting all about the matter, rated his servants for providing him with such fine clothes as had been prepared for the festival. There is also a legend of a young gentleman who, not having before his eyes the fear of the cannons of the church for such cases made and provided, conceived a passion for his grandmother. Both cases are of a singular and special kind and it is very doubtful whether either can be considered as a president likely to be extensively followed by succeeding generations. At a bride had enrobed himself in his marriage garments of bottle green, a full hour before Mrs. Sliderscue, shaking of her more heavy slumbers, knocked at his chamber door and he had hobbled downstairs in full array and smacked his lips over a scanty taste of his favorite cordial air that delicate piece of antiquity enlightened the kitchen with her presence. Four said Peg, grubbing in the discharge of her domestic functions among a scanty heap of ashes in the rusty grid. Wedding indeed, a precious wedding. He wants somebody better than his old Peg to take care of him, does he? And what has he said to me, many a many a time, to keep me content with short food, small wedgies and little fire? My real Peg, my real, says he. I'm a bachelor, no friends, no relations Peg. Lies! Now he's to bring home a new mistress, a baby-faced cheat of a girl. If he wanted a wife, the fool, why couldn't he have one suitable to his age and that knew his ways? She won't come in my way, he says. Know that she won't, but you little thing why at a boy. My arm is his slider's cue, influenced possibly by some lingering feelings of disappointment and personal slight, occasioned by her old master's preference for another, was given loose to this grumbling below stairs. Atogrid was cogitating in the pallor upon what had taken place last night. I can't think how he can have picked up what he knows, says Otto. Unless I have committed myself, let something drop a brace for instance, which has been overhead. Perhaps I may. I shouldn't be surprised if that was it. Mr. Nekubai was often angry at my talking to him before we got outside the door. I mustn't tell him that part of the business or he'll put me out of sorts and make me nervous for the day. Raph was universally looked up to and recognized among his fellows as a superior genius. But upon Atogrid, his turn on yielding character and consummate art had made so deep an impression that he was actually afraid of him. Cringing and cowardly to the core by nature, Atogrid humbled himself in the dust before Raph Nekubai and even when they had not the stake in common would have licked his shoes and crawled upon the ground before him rather than venture to return him word for word or retort upon him in any other spirit than one of the most slavish and abject psycho-fancy. To Raph Nekubai, Atogrid now betook himself according to appointment and to Raph Nekubai he related how last night some young blustering blade whom he had never seen forced his way into his house and tried to frighten him from the proposed nuptials. Told in short what Nicholas had said and done with a slight reservation upon which he had determined well and what then said Raph Oh, nothing more rejoined Gryde. He tried to frighten you said Raph and you were frightened I suppose. Is that it? I frightened him by crying tears and mud I replied Gryde. Once I was in ennest, I tell you that for I had more than half a mind to swear he uttered threats and demanded my life or my money. Oh, said Raph, I in him ask you jealous too. Dear now see that cried utter rubbing his hands and affecting to laugh. Why do you make those grimaces man said Raph you are jealous and with good cause I think. No, no, no, not with good cause hey you don't think with good cause do you hide utter faltering. Do you do hey? Why how stands the fact returned Raph here is an old man about to be forced in marriage upon a girl and to this old man there comes a handsome young fellow you said he was handsome didn't you no snarled utter Gryde Oh rejoined Raph I thought he did well handsome or not handsome to this old man there comes a young fellow who casts all manner of fierce defences in his tits gums as you rather say and tells him in plain terms that his mistress hates him what does he do that for philanthropy sake not for love of the lady replied Gryde for he said that no word of love his very words had ever passed between them he said repeat third Raph contentrously but I like him for one thing and that is he's giving you this fair warning to keep your what is it tit-a-tit odenticic witch under lock and key be careful Gryde be careful it's a triumph too to tear her away from a gallant young driver a great triumph of an old man it only remains to keep her safe when you have her that's all what a man it is cried utter Gryde affecting in the extremity of his torture to be highly amused and then he added anxiously yes to keep her safe that's all and that isn't much is it much said Raph it is near why? everybody knows what easy things to understand and to control women are but come it's very nearly time for you to be made happy you pay the bond now I suppose to save us trouble afterwards oh what a man you are cried utter why not said Raph nobody will pay you interest for the money I suppose between this and 12 o'clock will they? but nobody would pay you interest for it either you know returned utter leering at Raph with all the cunning and slackness he could throw into his face besides which said Raph suffering his lip to call into a smile you haven't the money about you and you weren't prepared for this or you'd have brought it with you and there's nobody you'd so much like to accommodate as me I see we trust each other in about an equal degree are you ready? cried who had done nothing but grin and nod and chatter during this last pitch of crafts answered in the affirmative I'm producing from his heart a couple of large white favors paint one on his breast and with considerable difficulty induced his strength to do the like thus Akutot they got into a hard coach which Raph had in waiting and drove to the residence of the fair and most wretched bride cried who's spirits and courage had gradually failed him more and more as they approached nearer and nearer to the house was utterly dismayed and cowed by the monthful silence which pervaded it the face of the poor servant girl the only person they saw was disfigured with tears and want of sleep there was nobody to receive or welcome them and they stole upstairs into the usual sitting room more like two burglars than the bridegroom and his friend one would think said Raph speaking in spite of himself in a low and subdued voice that there was a funeral going on here I'm not a wedding hey hey hey tita this friend you are so so very funny I need be remarked Raph Riley for this is rather dull and chilling look a little brisker man and not so hand dog like yes yes I will say cried but but you don't think she's coming just yet do you why? I suppose she will not come till she is obliged return Raph look at his watch and she has a good half hour to spare yet curb your impatience I am not impatient that mad at her I wouldn't be hard with her for the world oh dear dear not on any account let her take her time her own time her time shall be ours by all means while Raph bent upon his trembling friend a keen look which showed that he perfectly understood the reason of this great consideration and regard a footstep was heard upon the stairs and Bray himself came into the room on tip two and holding up his hand with a cautious gesture as if there were some sick person there who must not be disturbed hush he said in a low voice she was very ill last night I thought she would have broken her heart she is dressed and crying bitterly in her own room but she's better and quite quiet that's everything she is ready is she said Raph quite ready return the father and not likely to delay us by any young lady weakness fainting or so forth said Raph she may be safely trusted now return Bray I have been talking to her this morning here come a little this way he drew Raph Nicobai to the further end of the room and pointed towards cried who sat huddled together in a corner fumbling nervously with the buttons of his coat and exhibiting a face of which every skulking and base expression was sharpened and aggravated to the utmost by his anxiety and trepidation look at that man whispered Bray emphatically this seems a cruel thing after all what seems a cruel thing inquired Raph with as much solidity of face as if he really were in utter ignorance of the others meaning this marriage answered Bray don't ask me what you know as well as I do Raph shrugged his shoulders in silent deprecation of Bray's impatience and elevated his eyebrows and paused his lips as men do when they are prepared with a sufficient answer to some remark but wait for a more favorable opportunity of advancing it or think it's costly worthwhile to answer their adversary at all look at him does he not seem cruel said Bray no replied Raph boldly I say he does retorted Bray with a show of much irritation it is a cruel thing by all that's bad and treacherous when men are about to commit or to sanction the commission of some injustice it is not uncommon for them to express pity for the object either of that or some prior proceeding and to feel themselves at the time quite virtuous and moral and immensely superior to those who express no pity at all this is a kind of upholding of fate above works and is very comfortable to do Raph nickel by justice he seldom practiced this sort of dissimulation but he understood those who did and therefore suffered Bray to say again and again with great vehemence that they were jointly doing a very cruel thing before he again offered to interpose a word you see what a dry shrivelled withered old cheap it is returned Raph when the other was at length silent if he were younger it might be cruel but as it is hacky Mr Bray he'll die soon and leave her a rich young widow Miss Madeline consorts your taste this time let her consult her all next true true said Bray biting his nails and plainly very ill at ease I couldn't do anything better for her than advise her to accept this proposal as could I now I ask you nickel by as a man of the world could I surely not answered Raph I tell you what sir there are a hundred fathers within a circuit of five miles from this place well off good rich substantial men gladly give their daughters and their own ears with them to that very man yonder ape and mummy as he looks so there are exclaimed Bray eagerly catching at anything which seemed a justification of himself and so I told her both last night and today you told her truth said Raph and did well to do so though I must say at the same time that if I had a daughter and my freedom pleasure near my very health and life depended on her taking a husband whom I pointed out I should hope it would not be necessary to advance any other arguments to induce her to consent to my wishes Bray looked at Raph as if to see whether he spoke in earnest and having nodded twice or tries in unqualified ascent to what had fallen from him said I must go upstairs for a few minutes to finish dressing when I come down I'll bring Madeline with me do you know I had a very strange dream last night which I have not remembered till this instant I dreamt that it was this morning and you and I have been talking as we have been this minute that I went upstairs for the very purpose for which I am going now and that as I stretched out my hand to take Madeline's and lead her down the floor sunk with me and after falling from such an indescribable and tremendous height as the imagination scarcely conceives except in dreams I alighted in a grave and you awoke and found you were lying on your back or with your head hanging over the bedside or suffering some pain from indigestion said Raph sure Mr. Bray do as I do you will have the opportunity now that a constant round of pleasure and enjoyment opens upon you and occupying yourself a little more by day had no time to think of what you dream by night Raph followed him with a steady look to the door and turned into the bridegroom when they were again alone said mark my words bride you won't have to pay his annuity very long you have the devil's luck in bargains always if he is not booked to make the long voyage before many months are passed and gone I wear an orange for a head to this prophecy so agreeable to his ears Hathor returned no answer than a cackle of great delight Raph, throwing himself into a chair they both sat waiting in profound silence Raph was thinking with a snare upon his lips on the altered manner of Bray that day and how soon their fellowship in a bad design had lowered his pride and established a familiarity between them when his attentive ear caught the rustling of a female dress upon the stairs and the footstep of a man wake up he said stamping his foot impatiently upon the ground and be something like life man will you they are here all those dry old bones of yours this way quick man quick bright shambles forward and stood leering and bowing close by Raph's side when the door opened and there entered in haste not Bray and his daughter but Nicholas and his sister Kate if some tremendous apparition from the world of shadows had suddenly presented itself before him Raph Nicobai could not have been more thunder-stricken than he was by the surprise his hands fell powerless by his side he reeled back and with open mouth and a face of ashy paleness stood gazing at them in speechless rage his eyes so prominent and his face so converse and changed by the passions which raged within him that it would have been difficult to recognize in him the same stern, composed, hard-futured man he had not been a minute ago the man that came to me last night whispered gride, plucking at his elbow the man that came to me last night I see, motored Raph I know I might have guessed as much before I cross my every path at every turn go where I will, do what I may he comes the absence of all color from the face the dilated nostril the quivering of the lips which those set family against each other would not be still showed what emotions were struggling for the mastery with Nicholas but he kept them down and gently pressing Kate's arm to reassure her stood erect and undaunted front to front which is unworthy relative as the brother and sister stood side by side with a gallant bearing which became them well a close likeness between them was apparent which many, had they only seen them apart might have failed to remark the air, courage and very look and expression of the brother were all reflected in the sister but suffered and refined to the nicest limit of feminine delicacy and attraction more striking still was some indefinable resemblance in the face of Raph to boot while they had never looked more handsome nor he more ugly while they had never held themselves more proudly nor he shrunk half so low there never had been a time when this resemblance was so perceptible or when all the worst characteristics of his face rendered coars and harsh by evil thoughts were half so manifest as now a way was the first word he could utter as he literally gnashed his teeth a way, what brings you here liar, scoundrel, dastard, thief I come here, said Nicholas, in a low, deep voice to save your victim if I can liar and scoundrel you are in every action of your life theft is your trade and double dastard you must be or you were not here today hard words will not move me nor would hard blows here I stand and wield till I have done my errand girl, said Raph, retire we can use force to him but I would not hurt you if I could help it retire you weak and silly wench and leave this dog to be dealt with as he deserves I will not retire cried cat with flashing eyes and a red blood mantling in her cheeks you will do him no hurt that he will not repay you may use force with me I think you will for I am a girl and that would well become you but if I have a girl's weakness I have a woman's heart and it is not you who in a cost like this can turn that from its purpose and what may your purpose be most lofty lady said Raph to offer to the unhappy subject of your treachery at this last moment replied Nicholas, a refuge and a home the respect of such a husband as you have provided will not prevail upon her I hope she may be moved by the prayers and entreaties of one of her own sex at all events they shall be tried I myself have vowing to her father from whom I come and by whom I am commissioned we will render it an act of greater business meanness and cruelty in him if he still dares to force this marriage on her here I wish to see him and his daughter for this I came and brought my sister even into your presence our purpose is not to see or speak with you therefore to you we stoop to say no more indeed said Raph you persist in remaining here ma do you his niece bosom heaved with the indignant excitement into which he had left her but she gave him no reply now on grind see here said Raph this fellow I grieve to see my brother's son a reprobate and profligate stained with every mean and selfish crime this fellow coming here today to disturb a solemn ceremony and knowing that the consequence of his presenting himself in another man's house at such a time and persisting in remaining there must be his being kicked into the streets and dragged through them like the vagabond he is this fellow Machu clings with him his sister as a protection thinking we would not expose a silly girl to the degradation and indignity which is no novelty to him and even after I have warned her of what must ensue he still keeps her by him as you see and clings to her apron strength like a cowardly boy to his mothers it's not this a pretty fellow to talk as big as you have heard him now and as I heard him last night said at a ride as I heard him last night when he sneaked into my house and he very soon sneaked out again when I nearly frightened him to death and he wanting to marry Miss Madeleine too oh there is there anything else he'd like anything else we can do for him besides giving her up would he like his debts paid and his house furnished and a few bank notes for shaving paper if he ships at all hey hey hey hey you will remain girl with you said rough turning upon Katie game to be hauled downstairs like a drunken trap I say I swear you shall if you stop here no answer thank your brother for what fellows cried called down Bray and not his daughter let them keep her above if you value your head said Nicholas taking up a position before the door and speaking in the same low voice in which he had spoken before and with no more outward passion than he had before displayed stay where you are mind me and not him and call down Bray said rough mind yourself rather than either of us and stay where you are said Nicholas will you call down Bray cried rough remember that you come near me at your peril said Nicholas cried hesitated rough being by this time as furious as a buffalo tiger made for the door and attempting to pass gate clasped her arms roughly with his hand Nicholas with his eyes darting fire seized him by the collar at that moment a heavy body fell with great violence on the floor and both and in an instant afterwards was heard a most appalling and terrific scream they all stood still and gazed upon each other scream succeeded scream a heavy pattern of feet succeeded and many shrill voices claiming together were heard to cry he is dead standard of crying Nicholas letting loose all the passion he had restrained till now if this is what I scarcely dare to hope it is you are caught villains in your own toils he burst from the room and darting upstairs to the quarter whence the noise proceeded forced his way through a crowd of persons who quite filled a small bed chamber and found Bray lying on the floor quite dead his daughter clinging to the body how did this happen he cried looking wildly about him several voices answered together that he had been observed through the half open door reclining in a strange and uneasy position upon a chair that he had been spoken to several times and not answering was supposed to be asleep until some person going in and shaking him by the arm he fell heavily to the ground and was discovered to be dead who is the owner of this house said Nicholas hastily an elderly woman was pointed out to him and to her he said as he knelt down and gently on wood Madeleine's arms from the lifeless mass round which they were entwined he represented this lady's nearest friends as her servant here knows I must remove her from this dreadful scene this is my sister to whose charge you confide her my name and address are up on that card and you shall receive from me all necessary directions for the arrangements that must be made stand aside every one of you and give me room and air for God's sake the people fell back scarce wondering more at what had just occurred than at the excitement and impetuousity of him who spoke Nicholas taking the insensible girl in his arms bore her from the chamber and downstairs into the room they had just quitted followed by his sister and the fateful servant whom he charged to procure a coach directly while he and Kate bent over their beautiful charge and endeavored but in vain to restore her to animation the girl performed her office with such expedition that in a very few minutes the coach was ready rough Nekobai and Gryde stunned and paralyzed by the awful event which had so suddenly overthrown their schemes it would not otherwise perhaps have made much impression on them and carried away by the extraordinary energy and precipitation of Nicholas which bore down all before him looked on at these proceedings like men in a dream or trance it was not until every preparation was made for Madeline's immediate removal that rough broke silence by declaring she should not be taken away who says so cried Nicholas rising from his knee and confronting them but still retaining Madeline's lifeless hand in his I answered rough wisely hush hush cried the terrified Gryde catching him by the arm again hear what he says air is said Nicholas extending his disengaged hand in the air hear what he says that both your debts are paid in the one great debt of nature that the bond due to day at twelve is now with paper that your contemplated fraud shall be discovered yet that your schemes are known to man and overthrown by heaven wretches that he defies you both to do your worst this man said rough in a voice scarcely intelligible this man claims his wife and he shall have her that man claims what is not his and he should not have her if he were fifty men with fifty more to back him said Nicholas who shall prevent him I will by what right I should like to know said rough by what right I asked by this right that knowing what I do you dare not tempt me further said Nicholas and by this better right that those I serve and with whom you would have done me beige rung and injury I had nearest and had dearest friends in their name I bear her hands give way one word cried rough foaming at the mouth not one replied Nicholas I will not hear of one save this look to yourself and heed this warning that I give you your day is past and night is coming on my curse my bitter deadly curse upon you boy when will curse is come at your command or what avails a curse blessing from a man like you I tell you that misfortune and discovery are thickening about your head that the structures you have raised through all your ill spent life are crumbling into dust that your path is beset with spice that this very day ten thousand pounds of your hoarded wealth have gone in one great crash this force cried rough shrinking back this through and you shall find it so I have no more words to waste stand from the door Kate do you go first lay not a hand on her or on that woman or on me or so much a brush their garments as they pass you by you let them pass and he blocks the door again at a great happens to be in the doorway but whether intentionally or from confusion was not quite apparent Nicholas swung him away with such violence as to cause him to spin around the room until he was caught by a sharp angle of the wall and then knocked down and then taking his beautiful button in his arms rushed out no one cared to stop him if any were so disposed making his way through a mob of people whom a report of the circumstances had attracted around the house and carrying Madeline in his excitement as easily as if she were an infant he reached the coach in which Kate and the girl were already waiting and confiding his charge to them jumped up beside the coachman and bade him drive away end of chapter 54 Chapter 55 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 Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens Chapter 55 of Family Matters Hopes Disappointments and Sorrows although Mrs. Nicolby had been made acquainted by her son and daughter with every circumstance of Madeline Bray's history which was known to them although the responsible situation in which Nicholas stood had been carefully explained to her and she had been prepared even for the possible contingency of having to receive the young lady in her own house improbable as such a result had appeared only a few minutes before it came about still Mrs. Nicolby from the moment when this confidence was first reposed in her late on the previous evening had remained in an unsatisfactory and profoundly mystified state from which no explanations or arguments could relieve her and which every fresh soliloquy and reflection only aggravated more and more bless my heart Kate so the good lady argued if the Mr. Cheerables don't want this young lady to be married why don't they file a bill against the Lord Chancellor make her a chance reward shut her up in the fleet prison for safety I have read of such things in the newspapers a hundred times or if they are so very fond of her as Nicholas says they are why don't they marry her themselves one of them I mean and even supposing they don't want her to be married and don't want to marry her themselves why in the name of wonder should Nicholas go about the world forbidding people's bans I don't think you quite understand said Kate gently said Kate my dear you're very polite replied Mrs. Nickelby I have been married myself I hope and I have seen other people married not understand indeed I know you have had great experience dear mama said Kate I mean that perhaps you don't quite understand all the circumstances in this instance we have stated them awkwardly I dare say that I dare say you have retorted her mother briskly that's very likely I am not to be held accountable for that though at the same time as the circumstances speak for themselves I shall take the liberty my love of saying that I do understand them and perfectly well too whatever you and Nicholas may choose to think to the contrary why is such a great fuss made because this Miss Magdalene is going to marry somebody who is older than herself your poor papa was older than I was four years and a half older Jane DeBabs the DeBabs is lived in the beautiful little thatched white house one story high covered all over with ivy and creeping plants with an exquisite little porch with twining honeysuckles and all sorts of things where the earwigs used to fall into one's tea on a summer evening and always fell upon their backs and kicked dreadfully and where the frogs used to get into the rush light shades when one stopped all night and sit up and look through the little holes like Christians Jane DeBabs she married a man who was a great deal older than herself and would marry him not withstanding all that could be said to the contrary and she was so fond of him that nothing was ever equal to it there was no fuss made about Jane DeBabs and her husband was the most honorable and excellent man and everybody spoke well of him then why should there be any fuss about this Magdalene her husband is much older he is not her own choice his character is the very reverse of that which you have just described don't you see a broad distinction between the two cases said Kate to this Mrs. Nicolby only replied that she durst say she was very stupid indeed she had no doubt she was for her own children almost as much as told her so every day of her life to be sure she was a little older than they and perhaps some foolish people might think she ought to reasonably know best however no doubt she was wrong of course she was she always was she couldn't be right she couldn't be expected to be so she had better not expose herself anymore and to all Kate's conciliations for an hour ensuing the good lady gave no other replies then oh certainly why did they ask her her opinion was of no consequence it didn't matter what she said with many other rejoinders of the same class in this frame of mind expressed when she had become too resigned for speech by nods of the head upliftings of the eyes and little beginnings of groans converted as they attracted attention into short coughs Mrs. Nicolby remained until Nicholas and Kate returned with the object of their solicitude when having by this time asserted her own importance and becoming besides interested in the trials of one so young and beautiful she not only displayed the utmost zeal and solicitude but took great credit to herself for recommending the course of procedure which her son had adopted frequently declaring with an expressive look that it was very fortunate things were as they were and hinting that but for great encouragement and wisdom of her own part they never could have been brought to that pass not to strain the question whether Mrs. Nicolby had or had not any great hand in bringing matters about it is unquestionable that she had strong ground for exultation the brothers on their return bestowed such commendations on Nicholas for the part he had taken and evinced so much joy at the altered state of events and the recovery of their young friend from trials so great and dangerous so threatening more than once informed her daughter she now considered the fortunes of the family as good as made Mr. Charles cheerable indeed Mrs. Nicolby positively asserted had in the first transports of his surprise and delight as good as said so without precisely explaining what this qualification meant she subsided whenever she mentioned the subject into such a mysterious and important state and had such visions of health and dignity in perspective vague and clouded though they were she was at such times almost as happy as if she had really been permanently provided for on a scale of great splendor the sudden and terrible shock she had received combined with the great affliction and anxiety of mind which she had for a long time endured proved too much for Madeline's strength recovering from the state of stupefication into which the sudden death of her father happily plunged her she was only exchanged that condition for one of dangerous and active illness when the delicate physical powers which have been sustained by an unnatural strain upon the mental energies and a resolute determination not to yield at last gave way their degree of prostration is usually proportionate to the strength of the effort which has previously upheld them thus it was that the illness which fell on Madeline was of no slight or temporary nature but one which for a time threatened her reason and scarcely worse her life itself who slowly recovering from a disorder so severe and dangerous could be insensible to the unremitting attentions of such a nurse as gentle tender earnest Kate on whom could the sweet soft voice the light step the delicate hand the quiet cheerful noiseless discharge of those thousand little offices of kindness and relief which we feel so deeply when we are ill and forget so lightly when we are well on whom could they make so deep an as on a young heart stored with every pure and true affection that women cherish almost a stranger to the endearments and devotion of its own sex save as it learned them from itself and rendered by calamity and suffering keenly susceptible of the sympathy so long unknown and so long sought in vain what wonder that days became as years in knitting them together what wonder if with every hour of returning health there came some stronger and sweeter recognition of the praises which Kate when recalled old scenes they seemed old now as to have been acted years ago with lavish on her brother where would have been the wonder even if those praises had found a quick response in the breast of Madeline and if with the image of Nicholas so constantly recurring in the features of his sister that she could scarcely separate the two she had sometimes found it equally difficult to assign to each the feelings they had first inspired and had imperceptibly mingled with her gratitude to Nicholas some of that warmer feeling which she had assigned to Kate my dear Mrs. Nicolby would say coming into the room with an elaborate caution calculated to discompose the nerves of an invalid rather more than the entry of a horse soldier at full gallop how do you find yourself tonight I hope you are better almost well mama Kate would reply laying down her work and taking Madeline's hand in hers Kate Mrs. Nicolby would say reprovingly don't talk so loud the worthy lady herself talking in a whisper that would have made the blood of the stoutest man run cold in his veins Kate would take this reproof very quietly and Mrs. Nicolby making every board creek and every thread rustle as she moved stealthily about would add my son Nicholas has just come home and I have come according to custom my dear to know from your own lips exactly how you are for he won't take my account and never will he is later than usual tonight perhaps Madeline would reply nearly half an hour well I never saw such people in all my life as you are for time up here Mrs. Nicolby would exclaim in great astonishment I declare I never did I had not the least idea that Nicholas was after his time not the smallest Mr. Nicolby used to say your poor papa I am speaking of Kate my dear used to say that appetite was the best clock in the world I have no appetite my dear Miss Bray I wish you had and upon my word I really think you ought to take something that would give you one I am sure I don't know but I have heard that two or three dozen native lobsters give an appetite though that comes to the same thing after all for I suppose you must have an appetite before you can take them if I said lobsters I meant oysters but of course it's all the same though really how you came to know about Nicholas we just happened to be talking about him mama that was it you never seem to be talking about anything else Kate and upon my word I am quite surprised that you're being so very thoughtless you can find subjects enough to talk about sometimes and when you know how important it is to keep up Miss Bray's spirits and interest her and all that it really is quite extraordinary to me what can induce you to keep on pros pros pros din din din everlastingly upon the same theme you are a very kind nurse Kate and a very good one and I know you mean very well but I will say this that if it wasn't for me I really don't know what would become of Miss Bray's spirits and so I tell the doctor every day he says he wonders how I sustain my own and I am sure I very often wonder myself how I can contrive to keep up as I do of course it's an exertion but still when I know how much depends upon me in this house I am obliged to make it there's nothing praiseworthy in that but it's necessary and I do it with that Mrs. Nicolby would draw up a chair and for some three quarters of an hour run through a great variety of distracting topics in the most distracting manner possible tearing herself away at length on the plea that she must now go and amuse Nicholas while he took his supper after a preliminary raising of his spirits with the information that she considered the patient decidedly worse she would further cheer him up by relating how dull, listless and low spirited Miss Bray was because Kate foolishly talked about nothing else but him and family matters when she had made Nicholas thoroughly comfortable with these and other inspiring remarks she would discourse at length on the arduous duties she had performed that day and sometimes be moved to tears in wondering how if anything were to happen to herself the family would ever get on without her at other times when Nicholas came home at night he would be accompanied by Mr. Frank who was commissioned by the brothers to inquire how Madeline was that evening on such occasions and they were of very frequent occurrence Mrs. Nicolby deemed it of particular importance that she should have her wits about her for from certain signs and tokens which had attracted her attention she shrewdly suspected that Mr. Frank interested as his uncles were in Madeline came quite as much to see Kate as to inquire after her the more especially as the brothers were in constant communication with the medical man came backwards and forwards very frequently themselves and received a full report from Nicholas every morning these were proud times for Mrs. Nicolby never was anybody half so discreet and sage as she or half so mysterious with all and never were there such cunning generalship and such unfathomable designs as she brought to bear upon Mr. Frank with the view of ascertaining whether her suspicions were well founded and if so of tantalizing him into taking her into his confidence and throwing himself upon her merciful consideration extensive was the artillery heavy and light which Mrs. Nicolby brought into play for the furtherance of these great schemes various and opposite the means which she employed to bring about the end she had in view at one time she was all cordiality and ease at another all stiffness and frigidity now she would seem to open her whole heart to her unhappy victim the next time they met she would receive him with the most distant and studious reserve as if a new light had broken in upon her and guessing his intentions she had resolved to check them in the bud as if she felt it her bound in duty to act with Spartan firmness and at once and forever to discourage hopes which never could be realized at other times when Nicholas was not there to overhear and Kate was upstairs busily tending her sick friend the worthy lady would throw out dark hints of attention to send her daughter to France for three or four years or to Scotland for the improvement of her health impaired by her late fatigues or to America on a visit or anywhere that threatened a long and tedious separation nay she even went so far as to hint obscurely at an attachment entertained for her daughter by the son of an old neighbour of theirs one Horatio Peltorogus a young gentleman who might have been at the time four years old and to represent it indeed as almost a settled thing between the families only waiting for her daughter's final decision to come off with the sanction of the church and to the unspeakable happiness and content of all parties it was in the full pride and glory of having sprung this last mine one night with extraordinary success that Mrs. Nicolby took the opportunity of being left alone with her son before retiring to rest to sound him on the subject which so occupied her thoughts could have but one opinion respecting it to this end she approached the question with diverse laudatory and appropriate marks touching the general amiability of Mr. Frank Cheerable you are quite right mother said Nicolus quite right he is a fine fellow good looking too said Mrs. Nicolby decidedly good looking answered Nicolus what may you call his nose now my dear pursued Mrs. Nicolby wishing to interest Nicolus in the subject to the utmost call it repeated Nicolus ah returned his mother what style of nose what order of architecture if one may say so I'm not very learned in noses do you call it a Roman or a Grecian upon my word mother said Nicolus laughing as well as I remember I should call it a kind of composite or mixed nose but I have no very strong recollection on the subject if it will afford you any gratification I'll observe it more closely and let you know I wish you would my dear said Mrs. Nicolby in an earnest look very well returned Nicolus I will Nicolus returned to the perusal of the book he had been reading when the dialogue had gone thus far Mrs. Nicolby after stopping a little for consideration resumed he is very much attached to you Nicolus my dear Nicolus laughingly said as he closed his book that he was glad to hear it and observed that his mother seemed deep in their new friend's confidence already said Mrs. Nicolby that my dear but I think it is very necessary that somebody should be in his confidence highly necessary elated by a look of curiosity from her son and the consciousness of possessing a great secret all to herself Mrs. Nicolby went on with great animation I am sure my dear Nicolus how you can have failed to notice it is to me quite extraordinary though I don't know why I should say that either because of course as far as it goes and to a certain extent there is a great deal in this sort of thing especially in this early stage which however clear it may be to females can scarcely be expected to be so evident to men I don't say that I have any particular penetration in such matters I may have those about me should know best about that and perhaps do know upon that point I shall express no opinion it wouldn't become me to do so it's quite out of the question quite Nicolus snuffed the candles put his hands in his pockets leaning back in his chair assumed a look of patient suffering and melancholy resignation I think it might duty, Nicolus, my dear resumed his mother, to tell you what I know not only because you have a right to know it too and to know everything that happens in this family but because you have it in your power to promote and assist the thing very much and there is no doubt that the sooner one can come to a clear understanding on such subjects it is always better every way there are a great many things you might do such as taking a walk in the garden sometimes or sitting upstairs in your own room for a little while or making believe to fall asleep occasionally or pretending that you recollected some business and going out for an hour or so and taking Mr. Smike with you these seem very slight things and I dare say you will be amused at my making them of so much importance at the same time, my dear, I can assure you and you'll find this out, Nicolus for yourself one of these days if you ever fall in love with anybody I hope you will provided she is respectable and well conducted and of course you'd never dream of falling in love with anybody who was not I say I can assure you that a great deal more depends upon these little things than you would suppose possible if your poor papa was alive he would tell you how much depended on the parties being left alone of course you are not to go out of the room as if you meant it and did it on purpose but as if it was quite an accident and to come back again in the same way if you cough in the passage if you open the door or whistle carelessly or hum a tune or something of that sort to let them know you're coming it is always better because of course though it's not only natural but perfectly correct and proper under the circumstances still it is very confusing if you interrupt young people when they are when they are sitting on the sofa and all that sort of thing which is very nonsensical perhaps but still they will do it the profound astonishment with which her son was gradually increasing as it approached its climax in no way discomposed Mrs. Nicolby but rather exalted her opinion of her own cleverness therefore merely stopping to remark with much complacency that she had fully expected him to be surprised she entered on a vast quantity of circumstantial evidence of a particularly incoherent and perplexing kind the upshot of which was to establish beyond the possibility of doubt that Mr. Frank Cheerable had fallen desperately in love with Kate with whom? cried Nicholas Mrs. Nicolby repeated with Kate what? our Kate? my sister? Lord Nicholas! returned Mrs. Nicolby whose Kate should it be if not ours or what should I care about it or take any interest in it for if it was anybody but your sister dear mother said Nicholas surely it can't be very good my dear replied Mrs. Nicolby with great confidence Nicholas had never until that moment bestowed a thought upon the remote possibility of such an occurrence as that which was now communicated to him for besides that he had been much from home of late and closely occupied with other matters his own jealous fears had prompted the suspicion that some secret interest in Madeline akin to that which he felt himself occasioned those visits of Frank Cheerable which had recently become so frequent even now although he knew that the observation of an anxious mother was much more likely to be correct in such a case than his own and although she reminded him of many little circumstances which taken together were certainly susceptible of the construction she triumphantly placed upon them he was not quite convinced but that they arose from mere good-natured thoughtless gallantry which would have dictated the same conduct towards any other girl who was young and pleasing at all events he hoped so and therefore tried to believe it I am very much disturbed by what you tell me said Nicholas after a little reflection though I yet hope you may be mistaken I don't understand why you should hope so said Mrs. Nicolby I confess but you may depend upon it I am not what of Kate? inquired Nicholas why that my dear returned Mrs. Nicolby is just the point upon which I am not yet satisfied during this sickness she has been constantly at Madeline's bedside never were two people so fond of each other as they have grown and to tell you the truth Nicholas I have rather kept her away now and then because I think it's a good plan and urges a young man on he doesn't get too sure you know she said this with such a mingling of high delight and self-congratulation that it was inexpressibly painful to Nicholas to dash her hopes but he felt that there was only one honourable course before him and that he was bound to take it dear mother he said kindly don't you see that if there were really any serious inclination on the part towards Kate and we suffered ourselves for a moment to encourage it we should be acting a most dishonourable and ungrateful part I ask you if you don't see it but I need not say that I know you don't or you would have been more strictly on your guard let me explain my meaning to you remember how poor we are Mrs. Nicolby shook her head and said through her tears that poverty was not a crime no said Nicholas and for that reason poverty should engender an honest pride which tempts us to unworthy actions and that we may preserve the self-respect which a hewer of wood and drawer of water may maintain and does better in maintaining than a monarch in preserving his think what we owe to these two brothers remember what they have done and what they do every day for us with a generosity and delicacy for which the devotion of our whole lives would be a most imperfect and inadequate return what kind of return would that be which would be comprised in our permitting their nephew only relative whom they regard as a son and for whom it would be mere childishness to suppose they have not formed plans suitably adapted to the education he has had and the fortune he will inherit in our permitting him to marry a portionless girl so closely connected with us that the irresistible inference must be that he was entrapped by a plot that it was a deliberate scheme and a speculation amongst us three bring the matter clearly before yourself mother now how would you feel they were married and the brothers coming here on one of those kind errands which bring them here so often you had to break out to them the truth would you be at ease and feel you had played an open part poor Mrs. Nicolby crying more and more murmured that of course Mr. Frank would ask the consent of his uncles first why to be sure that would place him in a better situation with them said Nicolus but we should still be open to the same suspicions the distance between us would still be as great the advantages to be gained would still be as manifest as now we may be reckoning without our host in all this he added more cheerfully and I trust and almost believe we are if it be otherwise I have that confidence in Kate that I know she will feel as I do and in you dear mother to be assured that after a little consideration you will do the same after many more representations and in treaties Nicolus obtained a promise from Mrs. Nicolby that she would try all she could to think as he did and that if Mr. Frank persevered in his attentions she would endeavor to discourage them or at the least would render him no countenance or assistance he determined to forebear mentioning the subject to Kate until he was quite convinced that there existed a real necessity for his doing so and resolved to assure himself as well as he could by close personal observation of the exact position of affairs this was a very wise resolution but he was prevented from putting it in practice by a new source of anxiety and uneasiness Smike became alarmingly ill so reduced and exhausted that he could scarcely move from room to room without assistance and so worn and emaciated that it was painful to look upon him Nicolus was warned by the same medical authority to whom he had at first appealed that the last chance and hope of his life depended on his being instantly removed from London that part of Devonshire in which Nicolus was named as the most favorable spot but this advice was cautiously coupled with the information that whoever accompanied him thither must be prepared for the worst for every token of rapid consumption had appeared and he might never return alive the kind brothers who were acquainted with the poor creature's sad history dispatched old Tim to be present at this consultation that same morning Nicolus was summoned by brother Charles into his private room and thus addressed my dear sir, no time must be lost this lad shall not die if such human means as we can use can save his life neither shall he die alone and in a strange place remove him to-morrow morning see that he has every comfort that his situation requires and don't leave him don't leave him, my dear sir until you know that there is no longer any immediate danger it would be hard indeed to part you now no, no, no brother, Tim shall wait upon you tonight with a parting word or two brother Ned, my dear fellow Mr. Nicolby waits to shake hands and say goodbye this poor chap will soon get better very soon get better and then he'll find out some nice homely country people to leave him with and we'll go backwards and forwards sometimes backwards and forwards, you know, Ned and there's no cause to be downhearted for he'll very soon get better very soon, won't he, won't he, Ned? or what he brought with him that night needs not to be told next morning Nicholas and his feeble companion began their journey and who but one, and that one he who but for those who crowded round him then had never met a look of kindness or known a word of pity could tell what agony of mind what blighted thoughts, what unavailing sorrow were involved in that sad parting see, cried Nicholas eagerly as he looked from the coach window they are at the corner of the lane still and now there's Kate, poor Kate whom you said you couldn't bear to say goodbye to waving her handkerchief don't go without one gesture of farewell to Kate I cannot make it cried his trembling companion falling back in his seat and covering his eyes do you see her now is she there still yes, yes, Nicholas earnestly there she waves her hand again I have answered it for you and now they are out of sight do not give way so bitterly, dear friend don't, you will meet them all again he whom he thus encouraged raised his withered hands and clasped them fervently together in heaven, I humbly pray to God in heaven it sounded like the prayer of a broken heart all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Bruce Peary Nicholas Nicolby by Charles Dickens Chapter 56 Ralph Nicolby baffled by his nephew in his late design hatches a scheme of retaliation which accident suggests to him and takes into his counsels a tried auxiliary the course which these adventurers shape out for themselves and imperatively call upon the historian to observe now demands that they should revert to the point they attained previously to the commencement of the last chapter when Ralph Nicolby and Arthur Greid were left together in the house where death had so suddenly reared his dark and heavy banner with clenched hands and teeth ground together so firm and tight that no locking of the jaws could have fixed and riveted them more securely Ralph stood for some minutes in the attitude in which he had last addressed his nephew breathing heavily but as rigid and motionless in other respects as if he had been a brazen statue after a time he began by slow degrees as a man rousing himself from heavy slumber to relax for a moment he shook his clasped fist towards the door by which Nicholas had disappeared and then thrusting it into his breast as if to repress by force even this show of passion turned round and confronted the less hearty usurer who had not yet risen from the ground the cowering wretch who still shook in every limb and whose few gray hairs trembled and quivered on his head with abject dismay tortured to his feet as he met Ralph's eye and shielding his face with both hands protested while he crept towards the door that it was no fault of his who said it was, man returned Ralph in a suppressed voice who said it was but if you thought I was to blame said Gryde timidly Shaw Ralph muttered forcing a laugh I blame him for not living an hour longer one hour longer would have been long enough I blame no one else no one else said Gryde not for this mischance replied Ralph I have an old score to clear with that young fellow who has carried off your mistress but that has nothing to do with his bustering just now for we should soon have been quit of him but for this chrissid accident there was something so unnatural in the calmness with which Ralph Nickelby spoke when coupled with his faith the expression of the features to which every nerve and muscle as it twitched and throbbed with a spasm whose workings no effort could conceal gave every instance some new and frightful aspect there was something so unnatural and ghastly in the contrast between his harsh slow steady voice only altered by a certain halting of the breath which made him pause every word like a drunken man bent upon speaking plainly and these evidences of the most intense and violent passion and the struggle he made to keep them under that if the dead body which lay above had stood instead of him before the cowering Gryde it could scarcely have presented a spectacle which would have terrified him more the coach said Ralph after a time during which he had struggled like some strong man against a fit became in a coach is it waiting? Gryde gladly availed himself of the pretext for going to the window to sea Ralph keeping his face steadily the other way tore at his shirt with the hand which he had thrust into his breast and muttered in a horse whisper ten thousand pounds he said ten thousand the precise sum paid in but yesterday were the two mortgages and which would have gone out again at heavy interest to-morrow if that house has failed and he the first to bring the news is the coach there yes yes said Gryde startled by the fierce tone of the inquiry it's here dear dear what a fiery man you are come here said Ralph beckoning to him we mustn't make a show of being disturbed we'll go down arm in arm but you pinch me black and blue urged Gryde Ralph let him go impatiently and descending the stairs with his usual firm and heavy tread got into the coach Arthur Gryde followed after looking doubtfully at Ralph when the man asked where he was to drive and finding that he remained silent and expressed no wish upon the subject Arthur mentioned his own house and thither they proceeded on their way Ralph sat in the furthest corner with folded arms and uttered not a word with his chin sunk upon his breast and his downcast eyes quite hidden by the contraction of his knotted brows he might have been asleep for any sign of consciousness he gave until the coach stopped and glancing through the window inquired what place that was my house answered the disconsolate Gryde affected perhaps by its loneliness oh dear my house true said Ralph I have not observed the way we came I should like a glass of water you have that in the house I suppose you shall have a glass of of anything you like answered Gryde with a groan it's no use knocking coachman ring the bell the man rang and rang and rang again then knocked until the street re-echoed with the sounds then listened at the keyhole of the door nobody came the house was silent as the grave how's this? said Ralph impatiently Pegas so very deaf answered Gryde with a look of anxiety and alarm oh dear ring again coachman she sees the bell again the man rang and knocked and knocked and rang again some of the neighbors threw up their windows and called across the street to each other must have dropped down dead others collected round the coach and gave vent to various surmises some held that she had fallen asleep some that she had burnt herself to death some that she had got drunk and one very fat man that she had seen something to eat which had frightened her so much not being used to it that she had fallen into a fit this last suggestion particularly delighted the bystanders who cheered it rather uproariously and were with some difficulty deterred from dropping down the area or to ascertain the fact nor was this all rumours having gone abroad that Arthur was to be married that morning very particular inquiries were made after the bride who was held by the majority to be disguised in the person of Mr. Ralph Nickelby which gave rise to much jacos indignation at the public appearance of the bride in boots and pantaloons and called forth a great many hoots and groans at length the two money lenders obtained shelter in a house next door and being accommodated with a ladder clambered over the wall of the back yard which was not a high one and descended in safety on the other side I am almost afraid to go in, I declare, said Arthur turning to Ralph when they were alone suppose she should be murdered lying with her brains knocked out by a poker, eh? suppose she were, said Ralph, I tell you I wish such things were more common than they are and more easily done you may stare and shiver, I do he applied himself to a pump in the yard having taken the deep draft of water and flung a quantity on his head and face regained his accustomed manner and led the way into the house cried following close at his heels it was the same dark place as ever every room dismal and silent as it was wont to be and every ghostly article of furniture in its customary place the iron heart of the grim old clock undisturbed by all the noise without still beat heavily within its dusty case the tottering presses slunk from the site as usual in their melancholy corners the echoes of footsteps returned the same dreary sound the long-legged spider paused in his nimble run and scared by the sight of men in that his dull domain hung motionless on the wall counterfeiting death until they should have passed him by from cellar to garret went the two usurers opening every creaking door and looking into every deserted room but no peg was there at last they sat them down in the apartment which Arthur Gryde usually inhabited to rest after their search the hag is out on some preparation for your wedding festivities I suppose said Ralph preparing to depart see here I destroy the bond we shall never need it now Gryde who had been peering narrowly about the room fell at that moment upon his knees before a large chest and uttered a terrible yell how now said Ralph looking sternly round robbed robbed screamed Arthur Gryde robbed of money no no no worse far worse of what then demanded Ralph worse than money worse than money cried the old man casting the papers out of the chest like some beast tearing up the earth she had better have stolen money all my money I haven't much she had better have made me a beggar than have done this done what said Ralph answered but tore and scratched among the papers and yelled and screeched like a fiend in torment there is something missing you say said Ralph shaking him furiously by the collar what is it papers deeds I am a ruined man lost lost I am robbed I am ruined she saw me reading it reading it of late I did very often she watched me saw me put it in the box that fitted into this the box is gone she has stolen it damnation sees her she has robbed me of what cried Ralph on whom a sudden light appeared to break for his eyes flashed and his frame trembled with agitation as he clutched Gryde by his boney arm of what she don't know what it is she can't read shrieked Gryde not heeding the inquiry there's only one way in which money can be made of it and that is by taking it to her somebody will read it for her and tell her what to do she and her accomplice will get money for it and be let off besides they'll make a merit of it say they found it knew it and be evidence against me the only person that will fall upon is me me me patience said Ralph clutching him still tighter and eyeing him with a side long look so fixed and eager as sufficiently to denote that he had some hidden purpose in what he was about to say here reason she can't have been gone long I'll call the police do you but give information of what she has stolen and they'll lay hands upon her trust me here help no scream the old man putting his hand on Ralph's mouth I can't I darent help help cried Ralph no no no shrieked the other stamping on the ground with the energy of the madman I tell you no I darent I darent darent make this robbery public said Ralph no rejoined Gryde ringing his hands hush hush not a word of this not a word must be said I am undone whichever way I turn I am undone I am betrayed I shall be given up I shall die in Newgate with frantic exclamation such as these and with many others in which fear, grief and rage were strangely blended the panic-stricken wretch gradually subdued his first loud outcry until it had softened down into a low despairing moan checkered now and then by a howl as going over such papers as were left in the chest he discovered some new laws with very little excuse for departing so abruptly Ralph left him and greatly disappointing the loiterers outside the house by telling them there was nothing the matter got into the coach and was driven to his own home a letter lay on his table he let it lie there for some time as if he had not the courage to open it but at length did so and turned deadly pale the worst has happened he said the house has failed I see the rumour was abroad in the city last night and reached the ears of those merchants well well he strode violently up and down the room and stopped again ten thousand pounds and only lying there for a day for one day how many anxious years how many pinching days and sleepless nights before I scraped together that ten thousand pounds ten thousand pounds how many proud painted dames would have fond and smiled and how many spin-thrift blockheads done me lips surfaced to my face and cursed me in their hearts while I turned that ten thousand pounds into twenty while I ground and pinched and used these needy borrower's for my pleasure and profit what smooth-tongued speeches and courteous looks and civil letters they would have given me the can't of the lying world is that men like me compass our riches by dissimulation and treachery by fawning, cringing and stooping why how many lies, what mean and abject evasions what humbled behaviour from upstarts who but for my money would spurn me aside as they do their betters every day would that ten thousand pounds have brought me in grant that I had doubled it made cent per cent for every sovereign told another there would not be one piece of money in all the heap which wouldn't represent ten thousand mean and paltry lies told not by the money lender oh no but by the money borrower's your liberal thoughtless generous dashing folks who wouldn't be so mean as save a six pence for the world striving as it would seem to lose part of the bitterness of his regrets in the bitterness of these other thoughts Ralph continued to pace the room there was less and less of resolution in his manner as his mind gradually reverted to his loss at length dropping into his elbow chair grasping its sides so firmly that they creaked again he said the time has been when nothing could have moved me like the loss of this great sum nothing for births, deaths, marriages and all the events which are of interest to most men have unless they are connected with gain or loss of money no interest for me but now I swear I mix up with the loss his triumph in telling it if he had brought it about I almost feel as if he had I couldn't hate him more let me but retaliate upon him by degrees however slow let me but begin to get the better of him let me but turn the scale and I can bear it his meditations were long and deep they terminated in his dispatching a letter by Newman addressed to Mr. Squeers at the Saracen's head with instructions to inquire whether he had arrived in town and if so to wait an answer Newman brought back the information that Mr. Squeers had come by mail that morning and had received the letter in bed but that he sent his duty and word that he would get up and wait upon Mr. Nicolby directly the interval between the delivery of this message and the arrival of Mr. Squeers was very short but before he came Ralph had suppressed every sign of emotion and once more regained the hard immovable inflexible manner which was habitual to him and to which perhaps was ascribable no small part of the influence which over many men of no very strong prejudices on the score of morality he could exert almost at will well Mr. Squeers he said welcoming that worthy with his accustomed smile of which a sharp look and a thoughtful frown were part and parcel how do you do why sir said Mr. Squeers I'm pretty well sows the family and sows the boys except for a sort of rash as is a running through the school and rather puts them off their feed but it's a ill wind as blows no good to nobody that's what I always say when them lads has a visitation a visitation sir is the lot of mortality mortality itself sir is a visitation the world is chock full of visitations and if a boy repines at a visitation and makes you uncomfortable with his noise he must have his head punched that's going according to the scripture that is Mr. Squeers said Ralph dryly sir we'll avoid these precious morsels of morality if you please and talk of business with all my heart sir rejoined Mr. Squeers and first let me say first let me say if you please nox Newman presented himself when the summons had been twice or thrice repeated and asked if his master called I did go to your dinner and go at once do you hear at and time said Newman doggedly my time is yours and I say it is returned Ralph you alter it every day said Newman it isn't fair you don't keep many cooks and can easily apologize to them for the trouble retorted Ralph be gone sir Ralph not only issued this order in his most peremptory manner but under pretense of fetching some papers from the little office saw it obeyed and when Newman had left the house chained the door to prevent the possibility of his returning secretly by means of his latchkey I have reason to suspect that fellow said Ralph when he returned to his own office therefore until I have thought of the shortest and least troublesome way of ruining him I hold it best to keep him at a distance it wouldn't take much to ruin him I should think as it squeers with a grin perhaps not answered Ralph nor to ruin a great many people whom I know you were going to say Ralph's summary and matter of course way of holding up this example and throwing out the hint that followed it had evidently an effect as doubtless it was designed to have upon Mr. Squeers who said after a little hesitation and in a much more subdued tone why what I was going to say sir is that this here business regarding of that ungrateful and hard-hearted chap snolly senior puts me out of my way and occasions an inconvenience quite unparalleled besides as I may say making for whole weeks together Mrs. Squeers a perfect witter it's a pleasure to me to act with you of course said Ralph dryly yes I say of course resumed Mr. Squeers rubbing his knees but at the same time when one comes as I do now better than two hundred and fifty mile to take a affer David it does put a man out a good deal letting alone the risk and where may the risk be Mr. Squeers said Ralph I said letting alone the risk replied Squeers evasively and I said where was the risk I wasn't complaining you know Mr. Nickleby pleaded Squeers upon my word I never see such a I ask you where is the risk repeated Ralph emphatically where the risk returned Squeers rubbing his knees still harder why it ain't necessary to mention certain subjects is best avoided oh you know what risk I mean how often have I told you said Ralph and how often am I to tell you that you run no risk what have you sworn or what are you asked to swear but at such and such a time a boy was left with you in the name of Mike that he was at your school for a given number of years was lost under such and such circumstances is now found and has been identified by you in such and such keeping this is all true is it not yes replied Squeers that's all true well then said Ralph what risk do you run who swears to a lie but snolly a man whom I have paid much less than I have you did it cheap did snolly observe Squeers he did it cheap retorted Ralph testily yes and he did it well and carries it off with a hypocritical face and a sanctified air but you risk what do you mean by risk the certificates are all genuine snolly had another son he has been married twice his first wife is dead none but her ghost could tell that she didn't write that letter none but snolly himself can tell that this is not his son and that his son for worms the only perjury is snollies and I fancy he is pretty well used to it where's your risk well you know said Squeers fidgeting in his chair if you come to that I might say where's yours you might say where's mine returned Ralph you may say where's mine I don't appear in the business neither do you all snollies interest is to stick well to the story he has told and all his risk is to depart from it in the least talk of your risk in the conspiracy I say remonstrated Squeers looking uneasily around don't call it that just as a favor don't call it what you like said Ralph irritably but attend to me this tale was originally fabricated as a means of annoyance against one who hurt your trade and half cudgled you to death and to enable you to obtain repossession of a half dead drudge whom you wish to regain because while you reach your vengeance on him for his share of kindness you knew that the knowledge that he was again in your power would be the best punishment you could inflict upon your enemy is that so Mr. Squeers why sir returned Squeers almost overpowered by the determination which Ralph displayed to make everything tall against him and by his stern unyielding manner in a measure it was what does that mean said Ralph why in a measure means returned Squeers as it may be that it wasn't on my account because you had some old grudge to satisfy too if I had not had said Ralph in no way abashed by the reminder do you think I should have helped you why no I don't suppose you would Squeers replied I only wanted that point to be all square and straight between us how can it ever be otherwise retorted Ralph except that the account is against me for I spend money to gratify my hatred and you pocket it and gratify yours at the same time you are at least as avaricious as you are revengeful so am I which is best off you who win money and revenge at the same time and by the same process and who are at all events sure of money if not of revenge or I who am only sure of spending money in any case and can but win bare revenge at last as Mr. Squeers could only answer this proposition by shrugs and smiles Ralph bad him be silent and thankful that he was so well off and then fixing his eyes steadily upon him proceeded to say first that Nicholas had thwarted him in a plan he had formed for the disposal in marriage of a certain young lady and had in the confusion attendant on her father's sudden death secured that lady himself and born her off in triumph secondly that by some will or settlement certainly by some instrument in writing which must contain the young lady's name and could be therefore easily selected from others if access to the place where it was deposited were once secured she was entitled to property which if the existence of this deed ever became known to her would make her husband and Ralph represented that Nicholas was certain to marry her a rich and prosperous man and most formidable enemy thirdly that this deed had been with others stolen from one who had himself obtained or concealed it fraudulently and who feared to take any steps for its recovery and that he Ralph knew the thief to all this Mr. Squeers listened with greedy ears that devoured every syllable and with his one eye and his mouth wide open marvelling for what special reason he was honored with so much of Ralph's confidence and to what it all tended now said Ralph leaning forward and placing his hand on Squeers' arm hear the design which I have conceived and which I must I say must if I can ripen it have carried into execution no advantage can be reaped from this deed whatever it is save by the girl herself or her husband and the possession of this deed by one or other of them is indispensable to any advantage being gained that I have discovered beyond the possibility of doubt I want that deed brought here that I may give the man who brings it fifty pounds in gold and burn it to ashes before his face Mr. Squeers after following with his eye the action of Ralph's hand towards the fireplace as if you were at that moment consuming the paper drew a long breath and said yes but who's to bring it nobody perhaps for much is to be done before it can be got at said Ralph but if anybody you Mr. Squeers' first tokens of consternation and his flat relinquishment of the task would have staggered most men if they had not really occasioned an utter abandonment of the proposition. On Ralph they produced not the slightest effect resuming when the school master had quite talked himself out of breath as coolly as if he had never been interrupted Ralph proceeded to expatiate on such features of the case as he deemed it most advisable to lay the greatest stress on. These were the aged decrepitude and weakness of Mrs. Sliderskew the great improbability of her having any accomplice or even acquaintance taking account her secluded habits and her long residence in such a house as Grydes the strong reason there was to suppose that the robbery was not the result of a concerted plan otherwise she would have watched an opportunity of carrying off a sum of money the difficulty she would be placed in when she began to think on what she had done and found herself encumbered with documents of whose nature she was utterly ignorant and the comparative ease with which somebody with a full knowledge of her position obtaining access to her working on her fears if necessary might worm himself into her confidence and obtain under one pretense or another free possession of the deed. To these were added such considerations as the constant residence of Mr. Squeers at a long distance from London which rendered his association with Mrs. Sliderskew a mere masquerading frolic in which nobody was likely to recognize him either at the time or afterwards the impossibility of Ralph's undertaking the task himself of being already known to her by sight and various comments on the uncommon tact and experience of Mr. Squeers which would make his overreaching one old woman a mere matter of child's play and amusement. In addition to these influences and persuasions Ralph drew with his utmost skill and power a vivid picture of the defeat which Nicholas would sustain should they succeed in linking himself to a beggar where he expected to wed an heiress of noble importance it must be to a man situated as Squeers to preserve such a friend as himself dwelt on a long train of benefits conferred since their first acquaintance when he had reported favorably of his treatment of a sickly boy who had died under his hands and whose death was very convenient to Ralph and his clients but this he did not say and finally hinted that the fifty pounds might be increased to seventy-five or in the event of very great success of his treatment. These arguments at length concluded Mr. Squeers crossed his legs uncrossed them scratched his head rubbed his eye examined the palms of his hands and bit his nails and after exhibiting many other signs of restlessness and indecision asked whether one hundred pound was the highest that Mr. Nickelby could go being answered in the affirmative he became restless again and after some thought and an unsuccessful inquiry one other fifty said he supposed he must try and do the most he could for a friend which was always his maxim and therefore he undertook the job but how are you to get at the woman he said that's what it is as puzzles me I may not get at her at all replied Ralph but I'll try I have hunted people in this city before now who have been better hid than she and I know quarters in which a guinea or two carefully spent will often solve darker riddles than this I and keep them close too if need be I hear my man ringing at the door we may as well part you had better not come to and fro but wait till you hear from me good return Squeers I say if you shouldn't find her out you'll pay expenses at the Sarasen and something for loss of time well said Ralph Testilly yes you have nothing more to say Squeers shaking his head Ralph accompanied him to the street door and audibly wondering for the edification why it was fastened as if it were night let him in and Squeers out and return to his own room now he muttered come what come may for the present I am firm and unshaken let me but retrieve this one small portion of my loss and disgrace let me but defeat him in this one hope dear to his heart as I know it must be let me but do this and it shall be the first link in such a chain which I will wind about him as never man forged yet End of chapter 56