 riches, no matter how
slight or ordinary in itself, was a new and different expression, unequalled in
intensity by any other of which it was capable. Whether Mr. Dombey, wrapped in
his own greatness, was at all aware of this, or no, there had not been wanting
opportunities already for his complete enlightenment; and at that moment it
might have been effected by the one glance of the dark eye that lighted on him,
after it had rapidly and scornfully surveyed the theme of his
self-glorification. He might have read in that one glance that nothing that his
wealth could do, though it were increased ten thousand fold, could win him for
its own sake, one look of softened recognition from the defiant woman, linked to
him, but arrayed with her whole soul against him. He might have read in that one
glance that even for its sordid and mercenary influence upon herself, she
spurned it, while she claimed its utmost power as her right, her bargain - as
the base and worthless recompense for which she had become his wife. He might
have read in it that, ever baring her own head for the lightning of her own
contempt and pride to strike, the most innocent allusion to the power of his
riches degraded her anew, sunk her deeper in her own respect, and made the
blight and waste within her more complete.
    But dinner was announced, and Mr. Dombey led down Cleopatra; Edith and his
daughter following. Sweeping past the gold and silver demonstration on the
sideboard as if it were heaped-up dirt, and deigning to bestow no look upon the
elegancies around her, she took her place at his board for the first time, and
sat, like a statue, at the feast.
    Mr. Dombey, being a good deal in the statue way himself, was well enough
pleased to see his handsome wife immoveable and proud and cold. Her deportment
being always elegant and graceful, this as a general behaviour was agreeable and
congenial to him. Presiding, therefore, with his accustomed dignity, and not at
all reflecting on his wife by any warmth or hilarity of his own, he performed
his share of the honours of the table with a cool satisfaction; and the
installation dinner, though not regarded down stairs as a great success, or very
promising beginning, passed off, above, in a sufficiently polite, genteel, and
frosty manner.
    Soon after tea, Mrs. Skewton, who affected to be quite overcome and worn out
by her emotions of happiness, arising in the contemplation of her dear child
united to the man of her heart
