meaning “Old Nick’s.”

“Ha!” said Miss Pross, “it doesn’t need an interpreter to explain

the meaning of these creatures. They have but one, and it’s

Midnight Murder, and Mischief.” “Hush, dear! Pray, pray, be

cautious!” cried Lucie.

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll be cautious,” said Miss Pross; “but I may say

among ourselves, that I do hope there will be no oniony and

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics

tobaccoy smotherings in the form of embracings all round, going

on in the streets. Now, Ladybird, never you stir from that fire till I

come back! Take care of the dear husband you have recovered,

and don’t move your pretty head from his shoulder as you have it

now, till you see me again! May I ask a question, Doctor Manette,

before I go?”

“I think you may take that liberty,” the Doctor answered,

smiling.

“For gracious sake, don’t talk about Liberty; we have quite

enough of that,” said Miss Pross.

“Hush, dear! Again?” Lucie remonstrated.

“Well, my sweet,” said Miss Pross, nodding her head

emphatically, “the short and the long of it is, that I am a subject of

His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Third”; Miss Pross

curtseyed at the name; “and as such, my maxim is, Confound their

politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On him our hopes we fix,

God save the King!”

Mr. Cruncher in an access of loyalty, growlingly