ow truly I spoke of

myself just now, in saying I had no feelings, and that all the

relations I hold with my fellow-creatures are mere business

relations, when you reflect that I have never seen you since. No;

you have been the ward of Tellson’s House since, and I have been

busy with the other business of Tellson’s House since. Feelings! I

have no time for them, no chance of them. I pass my whole life,

miss, in turning an immense pecuniary Mangle.”

After this odd description of his daily routine of employment,

Mr. Lorry flattened his flaxen wig upon his head with both hands

(which was most unnecessary, for nothing could be flatter than its

shining surface was before), and resumed his former attitude.

“So far, miss (as you have remarked), this is the story of your

regretted father. Now comes the difference. If your father had not

died when he didDon’t be frightened! How you start!”

She did, indeed, start. And she caught his wrist with both her

hands.

“Pray,” said Mr. Lorry, in a soothing tone, bringing his left

hand from the back of the chair to lay it on the supplicatory

fingers that clasped him in so violent a tremble: “pray control your

agitationa matter of business. As I was saying” Her look so

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

discomposed him that he stopped, wandered, and began anew:

“As I was saying: if Monsieur