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Thunderer； where she would have an opportunity of reading Lord
George Gordon’s speeches word for word； which would be a
greater comfort and solace to her； than a hundred and fifty Blue
Beards ever could impart。 She appealed in support of this
proposition to Miss Miggs； then in waiting； who said that indeed
the peace of mind she had derived from the perusal of that paper
generally； but especially of one article of the very last week as ever
was； entitled ‘Great Britain drenched in gore；’ exceeded all belief；
the same composition； she added； had also wrought such a
comforting effect on the mind of a married sister of hers； then
resident at Golden Lion Court； number twenty…sivin； second bell…
handle on the right…hand door…post； that； being in a delicate state
of health； and in fact expecting an addition to her family； she had
been seized with fits directly after its perusal； and had raved of the
Inquisition ever since； to the great improvement of her husband
and friends。 Miss Miggs went on to say that she would recommend
all those whose hearts were hardened to hear Lord George
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themselves； whom she commended first； in respect of his steady
Protestantism； then of his oratory； then of his eyes； then of his
nose； then of his legs； and lastly of his figure generally； which she
looked upon as fit for any statue； prince； or angel； to which
sentiment Mrs Varden fully subscribed。
Mrs Varden having cut in； looked at a box upon the mantel…
shelf； painted in imitation of a very red…brick dwelling…house； with
a yellow roof； having at top a real chimney； down which voluntary
subscribers dropped their silver； gold； or pence； into the parlour；
and on the door the counterfeit presentment of a brass plate；
whereon was legibly inscribed ‘Protestant Association：’—and
looking at it； said； that it was to her a source of poignant misery to
think that Varden never had； of all his substance； dropped
anything into that temple； save once in secret—as she afterwards
discovered—two fragments of tobacco…pipe； which she hoped
would not be put down to his last account。 That Dolly； she was
grieved to say； was no less backward in her contributions； better
loving； as it seemed； to purchase ribbons and such gauds； than to
encourage the great cause； then in such heavy tribulation； and
that she did entreat her （her father she much feared could not be
moved） not to despise； but imitate； the bright example of Miss
Miggs； who flung her wages； as it were； into the very countenance
of the Pope； and bruised his features with her quarter’s money。
‘Oh； mim；’ said Miggs； ‘don’t relude to that。 I had no intentions；
mim； that nobody should know。 Such sacrifices as I can make； are
quite a widder’s mite。 It’s all I have；’ cried Miggs with a great burst
of tears—for with her they never came on by degrees—‘but it’s
made up to me in other ways； it’s well made up。’
This was quite true； though not perhaps in the sense that Miggs
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intended。 As she never failed to keep her self…denial full in Mrs
Varden’s view； it drew forth so many gifts of caps and gowns and
other articles of dress； that upon the whole the red…brick house
was perhaps the best investment for her small capital she could
possibly have hit upon； returning her interest； at the rate of seven
or eight per cent in money； and fifty at least in personal repute and
credit。
‘You needn’t cry； Miggs；’ said Mrs Varden； herself in tears； ‘you
needn’t be ashamed of it； though your poor mistress is on the
same side。’
Miggs howled at this remark； in a peculiarly dismal way； and
said she knowed that master hated her。 That it was a dreadful
thing to live in families and have dislikes； and not give
satisfactions。 That to make divisions was a thing she could not
abear to think of； neither could her feelings let her do it。 That if it
was master’s wishes as she and him should part； it was best they
should part； and she hoped he might be the happier for it； and
always wished him well； and that he might find somebody as
would meet his dispositions。 It would be a hard trial； she said； to
part from such a missis； but she could meet any suffering when
her conscience told her she was in the rights； and therefore she
was willing even to go that lengths。 She did not think； she added；
that she could long survive the separations； but； as she was hated
and looked upon unpleasant； perhaps her dying as soon as
possible would be the best endings for all parties。 With this
affecting conclusion； Miss Miggs shed more tears； and sobbed
abundantly。
‘Can you bear this； Varden？’ said his wife in a solemn voice；
laying down her knife and fork。
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‘Why； not very well； my dear；’ rejoined the locksmith； ‘but I try
to keep my temper。’
‘Don’t let there be words on my account； mim；’ sobbed Miggs。
‘It’s much the best that we should part。 I wouldn’t stay—oh；
gracious me！—and make dissensions； not for a annual gold mine；
and found in tea and sugar。’
Lest the reader should be at any loss to discover the cause of
Miss Miggs’s deep emotion； it may be whispered apart that；
happening to be listening； as her custom sometimes was； when
Gabriel and his wife conversed together； she had heard the
locksmith’s joke relative to the foreign black who played the
tambourine； and bursting with the spiteful