 pleasure.«
    »Mrs. Dombey and myself,« said Mr. Dombey, passing this compliment with
august self-denial, »are not quite agreed upon some points. We do not appear to
understand each other yet. Mrs. Dombey has something to learn.«
    »Mrs. Dombey is distinguished by many rare attractions; and has been
accustomed, no doubt, to receive much adulation,« said the smooth, sleek watcher
of his slightest look and tone. »But where there is affection, duty, and
respect, any little mistakes engendered by such causes are soon set right.«
    Mr. Dombey's thoughts instinctively flew back to the face that had looked at
him in his wife's dressing-room, when an imperious hand was stretched towards
the door; and remembering the affection, duty, and respect, expressed in it, he
felt the blood rush to his own face quite as plainly as the watchful eyes upon
him saw it there.
    »Mrs. Dombey and myself,« he went on to say, »had some discussion, before
Mrs. Skewton's death, upon the causes of my dissatisfaction; of which you will
have formed a general understanding from having been a witness of what passed
between Mrs. Dombey and myself on the evening when you were at our - at my
house.«
    »When I so much regretted being present,« said the smiling Carker. »Proud as
a man in my position necessarily must be of your familiar notice - though I give
you no credit for it; you may do anything you please without losing caste - and
honoured as I was by an early presentation to Mrs. Dombey, before she was made
eminent by bearing your name, I almost regretted that night, I assure you, that
I had been the object of such especial good fortune.«
    That any man could, under any possible circumstances, regret the being
distinguished by his condescension and patronage, was a moral phenomenon which
Mr. Dombey could not comprehend. He therefore responded, with a considerable
accession of dignity. »Indeed! And why, Carker?«
    »I fear,« returned the confidential agent, »that Mrs. Dombey, never very
much disposed to regard me with favourable interest - one in my position could
not expect that, from a lady naturally proud, and whose pride becomes her so
well - may not easily forgive my innocent part in that conversation. Your
displeasure is no light matter, you must remember; and to be visited with it
before a third party -«
    »Carker,« said Mr. Dombey
