 was
some folly about one Walter, a common lad, who is fortunately dead now: and some
very undesirable association, I regret to say, with certain coasting sailors, of
anything but good repute, and a runaway old bankrupt.«
    »I have heard the circumstances, Sir,« said Edith, flashing her disdainful
glance upon him, »and I know that you pervert them. You may not know it, I hope
so.«
    »Pardon me,« said Mr. Carker, »I believe that nobody knows them so well as
I. Your generous and ardent nature, Madam - the same nature which is so nobly
imperative in vindication of your beloved and honoured husband, and which has
blessed him as even his merits deserve - I must respect, defer to, bow before.
But, as regards the circumstances, which is indeed the business I presumed to
solicit your attention to, I can have no doubt, since, in the execution of my
trust as Mr. Dombey's confidential - I presume to say - friend, I have fully
ascertained them. In my execution of that trust; in my deep concern, which you
can so well understand, for everything relating to him, intensified, if you will
(for I fear I labour under your displeasure), by the lower motive of desire to
prove my diligence, and make myself the more acceptable; I have long pursued
these circumstances by myself and trustworthy instruments, and have innumerable
and most minute proofs.«
    She raised her eyes no higher than his mouth, but she saw the means of
mischief vaunted in every tooth it contained.
    »Pardon me, Madam,« he continued, »if in my perplexity, I presume to take
counsel with you, and to consult your pleasure. I think I have observed that you
are greatly interested in Miss Florence?«
    What was there in her he had not observed, and did not know? Humbled and yet
maddened by the thought, in every new presentment of it, however faint, she
pressed her teeth upon her quivering lip to force composure on it, and distantly
inclined her head in reply.
    »This interest, Madam - so touching an evidence of everything associated
with Mr. Dombey being dear to you - induces me to pause before I make him
acquainted with these circumstances, which, as yet, he does not know. It so far
shakes me, if I may make the confession, in my allegiance, that on the
intimation of the least desire to that effect from you, I would suppress them.«
    Edith raised her head quickly
