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you might desire； it is because his being there； my dear madam；
and not proving conversational； led me hither； and procured me
the happiness of this interview with one； in whom the whole
management； conduct； and prosperity of her family are centred； I
perceive。’
With that he took Mrs Varden’s hand again； and having pressed
it to his lips with the highflown gallantry of the day—a little
burlesqued to render it the more striking in the good lady’s
unaccustomed eyes—proceeded in the same strain of mingled
sophistry； cajolery； and flattery； to entreat that her utmost
influence might be exerted to restrain her husband and daughter
from any further promotion of Edward’s suit to Miss Haredale；
and from aiding or abetting either party in any way。 Mrs Varden
was but a woman； and had her share of vanity； obstinacy； and love
of power。 She entered into a secret treaty of alliance； offensive and
defensive； with her insinuating visitor； and really did believe； as
many others would have done who saw and heard him； that in so
doing she furthered the ends of truth； justice； and morality； in a
very uncommon degree。
Overjoyed by the success of his negotiation； and mightily
amused within himself； Mr Chester conducted her downstairs in
the same state as before； and having repeated the previous
ceremony of salutation； which also as before comprehended Dolly；
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took his leave； first completing the conquest of Miss Miggs’s heart；
by inquiring if ‘this young lady’ would light him to the door。
‘Oh； mim；’ said Miggs； returning with the candle。 ‘Oh gracious
me； mim； there’s a gentleman！ Was there ever such an angel to
talk as he is—and such a sweet…looking man！ So upright and
noble； that he seems to despise the very ground he walks on； and
yet so mild and condescending； that he seems to say “but I will
take notice on it too。” And to think of his taking you for Miss Dolly；
and Miss Dolly for your sister—Oh； my goodness me； if I was
master wouldn’t I be jealous of him！’
Mrs Varden reproved her handmaid for this vain…speaking； but
very gently and mildly—quite smilingly indeed—remarking that
she was a foolish； giddy； light…headed girl； whose spirits carried
her beyond all bounds； and who didn’t mean half she said； or she
would be quite angry with her。
‘For my part；’ said Dolly； in a thoughtful manner； ‘I half believe
Mr Chester is something like Miggs in that respect。 For all his
politeness and pleasant speaking； I am pretty sure he was making
game of us； more than once。’
‘If you venture to say such a thing again； and to speak ill of
people behind their backs in my presence； miss；’ said Mrs Varden；
‘I shall insist upon your taking a candle and going to bed directly。
How dare you； Dolly？ I’m astonished at you。 The rudeness of your
whole behaviour this evening has been disgraceful。 Did anybody
ever hear；’ cried the enraged matron； bursting into tears； ‘of a
daughter telling her own mother she has been made game of！’
What a very uncertain temper Mrs Varden’s was！
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Chapter 28
epairing to a noted coffee…house in Covent Garden when
Rhe left the locksmith’s； Mr Chester sat long over a late
dinner； entertaining himself exceedingly with the
whimsical recollection of his recent proceedings； and
congratulating himself very much on his great cleverness。
Influenced by these thoughts； his face wore an expression so
benign and tranquil； that the waiter in immediate attendance
upon him felt he could almost have died in his defence； and settled
in his own mind （until the receipt of the bill； and a very small fee
for very great trouble disabused it of the idea） that such an
apostolic customer was worth half…a…dozen of the ordinary run of
visitors； at least。
A visit to the gaming…table—not as a heated； anxious venturer；
but one whom it was quite a treat to see staking his two or three
pieces in deference to the follies of society； and smiling with equal
benevolence on winners and losers—made it late before he
reached home。 It was his custom to bid his servant go to bed at his
own time unless he had orders to the contrary； and to leave a
candle on the common stair。 There was a lamp on the landing by
which he could always light it when he came home late； and
having a key of the door about him he could enter and go to bed at
his pleasure。
He opened the glass of the dull lamp； whose wick； burnt up and
swollen like a drunkard’s nose； came flying off in little carbuncles
at the candle’s touch； and scattering hot sparks about； rendered it
matter of some difficulty to kindle the lazy taper； when a noise； as
of a man snoring deeply some steps higher up； caused him to
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pause and listen。 It was the heavy breathing of a sleeper； close at
hand。 Some fellow had lain down on the open staircase； and was
slumbering soundly。 Having lighted the candle at length and
opened his own door； he softly ascended； holding the taper high
above his head； and peering cautiously about； curious to see what
kind of man had chosen so comfortless a shelter for his lodging。
With his head upon the landing and his great limbs flung over
half…a…dozen stairs； as carelessly as though he were a dead man
whom drunken bearers had thrown down by chance； there lay
Hugh； face uppermost； his long hair drooping like some wild weed
upon his wooden pillow； and his huge chest heaving with the
sounds wh