 matters with his wife, had
overlooked, or feigned to overlook, Miss Nickleby hitherto, took the hint, and
laying his finger on his lip, sunk his voice still lower. There was, then, a
great deal of whispering, during which Madame Mantalini appeared to make
reference, more than once, to certain debts incurred by Mr. Mantalini previous
to her coverture; and also to an unexpected outlay of money in payment of the
aforesaid debts; and furthermore, to certain agreeable weaknesses on that
gentleman's part, such as gaming, wasting, idling, and a tendency to
horse-flesh; each of which matters of accusation Mr. Mantalini disposed of, by
one kiss or more, as its relative importance demanded. The upshot of it all,
was, that Madame Mantalini was in raptures with him, and that they went up
stairs to breakfast.
    Kate busied herself in what she had to do, and was silently arranging the
various articles of decoration in the best taste she could display, when she
started to hear a strange man's voice in the room, and started again, to
observe, on looking round, that a white hat, and a red neckerchief, and a broad
round face, and a large head, and part of a green coat were in the room too.
    »Don't alarm yourself, Miss,« said the proprietor of these appearances. »I
say; this here's the mantie-making consarn, a'nt it?«
    »Yes,« rejoined Kate, greatly astonished. »What did you want?«
    The stranger answered not; but, first looking back, as though to beckon to
some unseen person outside, came, very deliberately, into the room and was
closely followed by a little man in brown, very much the worse for wear, who
brought with him a mingled fumigation of stale tobacco and fresh onions. The
clothes of this gentleman were much bespeckled with flue; and his shoes,
stockings, and nether garments, from his heels to the waist buttons of his coat
inclusive, were profusely embroidered with splashes of mud, caught a fortnight
previously - before the setting-in of the fine weather.
    Kate's very natural impression was, that these engaging individuals had
called with the view of possessing themselves, unlawfully, of any portable
articles that chanced to strike their fancy. She did not attempt to disguise her
apprehensions, and made a move towards the door.
    »Wait a minnit,« said the man in the green coat, closing it softly, and
standing with his back against it
