 »is so prone to
pervert even facts to his own view, when he is at all opposed, in consequence of
the warp in his mind, that he - can I give a better instance than this! - he
sincerely believes (you will excuse the folly of what I am about to say; it not
being mine) that his severe expression of opinion to his present wife, on a
certain special occasion she may remember, before the lamented death of Mrs.
Skewton, produced a withering effect, and for the moment quite subdued her!«
    Edith laughed. How harshly and unmusically need not be described. It is
enough that he was glad to hear her.
    »Madam,« he resumed, »I have done with this. Your own opinions are so
strong, and, I am persuaded, so unalterable,« he repeated those words slowly and
with great emphasis, »that I am almost afraid to incur your displeasure anew,
when I say that in spite of these defects and my full knowledge of them, I have
become habituated to Mr. Dombey, and esteem him. But when I say so, it is not,
believe me, for the mere sake of vaunting a feeling that is so utterly at
variance with your own, and for which you can have no sympathy« - oh how
distinct and plain and emphasized this was! - »but to give you an assurance of
the zeal with which, in this unhappy matter, I am yours, and the indignation
with which I regard the part I am required to fill!«
    She sat as if she were afraid to take her eyes from his face.
    And now to unwind the last ring of the coil!
    »It is growing late,« said Carker, after a pause, »and you are, as you said,
fatigued. But the second object of this interview, I must not forget. I must
recommend you, I must entreat you in the most earnest manner, for sufficient
reasons that I have, to be cautious in your demonstrations of regard for Miss
Dombey.«
    »Cautious! What do you mean?«
    »To be careful how you exhibit too much affection for that young lady.«
    »Too much affection, Sir!« said Edith, knitting her broad brow and rising.
»Who judges my affection, or measures it out? You?«
    »It is not I who do so.« He was, or feigned to be, perplexed.
    »Who then?«
    »Can you not guess who then?«
    »I do not choose to guess,
