, but really engendered in the tailor's art, and composed of the
material called nankeen, arrived, and was received by Mr. Dombey alone. The next
stage of the proceedings was Mr. Dombey's sending his compliments to Mrs.
Dombey, with a correct statement of the time; and the next, the East India
Director's falling prostrate, in a conversational point of view, and as Mr.
Dombey was not the man to pick him up, staring at the fire until rescue appeared
in the person of Mrs. Skewton; whom the director, as a pleasant start in life
for the evening, mistook for Mrs. Dombey, and greeted with enthusiasm.
    The next arrival was a Bank Director, reputed to be able to buy up anything
- human Nature generally, if he should take it in his head to influence the
money market in that direction - but who was a wonderfully modest-spoken man,
almost boastfully so, and mentioned his little place at Kingston-upon-Thames,
and its just being barely equal to giving Dombey a bed and a chop, if he would
come and visit it. Ladies, he said, it was not for a man who lived in his quiet
way to take upon himself to invite - but if Mrs. Skewton and her daughter, Mrs.
Dombey, should ever find themselves in that direction, and would do him the
honour to look at a little bit of a shrubbery they would find there, and a poor
little flower-bed or so, and a humble apology for a pinery, and two or three
little attempts of that sort without any pretension, they would distinguish him
very much. Carrying out his character, this gentleman was very plainly dressed,
in a wisp of cambric for a neckcloth, big shoes, a coat that was too loose for
him, and a pair of trousers that were too spare; and mention being made of the
Opera by Mrs. Skewton, he said he very seldom went there, for he couldn't afford
it. It seemed greatly to delight and exhilarate him to say so: and he beamed on
his audience afterwards, with his hands in his pockets, and excessive
satisfaction twinkling in his eyes.
    Now Mrs. Dombey appeared, beautiful and proud, and as disdainful and defiant
of them all as if the bridal wreath upon her head had been a garland of steel
spikes put on to force concession from her which she would die sooner than
yield. With her was Florence. When they entered together, the shadow of the
night of the return again darkened Mr. Dombey'
