‘Good!’ rejoined Mr. Brownlow. ’And
as I see on the faces about me, a disposition to inquire
how it happened that I was not in the way to corroborate
Oliver’s tale, and had so suddenly left the
kingdom, let me stipulate that I shall be asked no
questions until such time as I may deem it expedient
to forestall them by telling my own story. Believe
me, I make this request with good reason, for I might
otherwise excite hopes destined never to be realised,
and only increase difficulties and disappointments
already quite numerous enough. Come! Supper
has been announced, and young Oliver, who is all alone
in the next room, will have begun to think, by this
time, that we have wearied of his company, and entered
into some dark conspiracy to thrust him forth upon
the world.’
With these words, the old gentleman gave his hand
to Mrs. Maylie, and escorted her into the supper-room.
Mr. Losberne followed, leading Rose; and the council
was, for the present, effectually broken up.
AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF OLIVER’S, EXHIBITING
DECIDED MARKS OF GENIUS, BECOMES A PUBLIC CHARACTER
IN THE METROPOLIS
Upon the night when Nancy, having lulled Mr. Sikes
to sleep, hurried on her self-imposed mission to Rose
Maylie, there advanced towards London, by the Great
North Road, two persons, upon whom it is expedient
that this history should bestow some attention.
They were a man and woman; or perhaps they would be
better described as a male and female: for the
former was one of those long-limbed, knock-kneed,
shambling, bony people, to whom it is difficult to
assign any precise age,—looking as they
do, when they are yet boys, like undergrown men, and
when they are almost men, like overgrown boys.
The woman was young, but of a robust and hardy make,
as she need have been to bear the weight of the heavy
bundle which was strapped to her back. Her companion
was not encumbered with much luggage, as there merely
dangled from a stick which he carried over his shoulder,
a small parcel wrapped in a common handkerchief, and
apparently light enough. This circumstance,
added to the length of his legs, which were of unusual
extent, enabled him with much ease to keep some half-dozen
paces in advance of his companion, to whom he occasionally
turned with an impatient jerk of the head: as
if reproaching her tardiness, and urging her to greater
exertion.
Thus, they had toiled along the dusty road, taking
little heed of any object within sight, save when
they stepped aside to allow a wider passage for the
mail-coaches which were whirling out of town, until
they passed through Highgate archway; when the foremost
traveller stopped and called impatiently to his companion,
‘Come on, can’t yer? What a lazybones
yer are, Charlotte.’
‘It’s a heavy load, I can tell you,’
said the female, coming up, almost breathless with
fatigue.
