 extraordinary character, and was, in an
inexplicable way, at once so suited to the night, and yet such a coarse
intrusion on its terrors, that his fellow-traveller, always a coward, shrunk
from him in positive fear. Instead of Jonas being his tool and instrument, their
places seemed to be reversed. But there was reason for this too, Montague
thought; since the sense of his debasement might naturally inspire such a man
with the wish to assert a noisy independence, and in that license to forget his
real condition. Being quick enough, in reference to such subjects of
contemplation, he was not long in taking this argument into account, and giving
it its full weight. But, still, he felt a vague sense of alarm, and was
depressed and uneasy.
    He was certain he had not been asleep; but his eyes might have deceived him;
for, looking at Jonas now in any interval of darkness, he could represent his
figure to himself in any attitude his state of mind suggested. On the other
hand, he knew full well that Jonas had no reason to love him; and even taking
the piece of pantomime which had so impressed his mind to be a real gesture, and
not the working of his fancy, the most that could be said of it, was, that it
was quite in keeping with the rest of his diabolical fun, and had the same
impotent expression of truth in it. »If he could kill me with a wish,« thought
the swindler, »I should not live long.«
    He resolved, that when he should have had his use of Jonas, he would
restrain him with an iron curb: in the meantime, that he could not do better
than leave him to take his own way, and preserve his own peculiar description of
good-humour, after his own uncommon manner. It was no great sacrifice to bear
with him: »for when all is got that can be got,« thought Montague, »I shall
decamp across the water, and have the laugh on my side - and the gains.«
    Such were his reflections from hour to hour; his state of mind being one in
which the same thoughts constantly present themselves over and over again in
wearisome repetition; while Jonas, who appeared to have dismissed reflection
altogether, entertained himself as before. They agreed that they would go to
Salisbury, and would cross to Mr. Pecksniff's in the morning; and at the
prospect of deluding that worthy gentleman, the spirits of his amiable
son-in-law became more boisterous than ever
