 so
truly. You know how few our wants are - John's and mine - and what little use we
have for money, after the life we have led together for so many years; and now
that he is earning an income that is ample for us, through your kindness. You
are not unprepared to hear what favour I have come to ask of you?«
    »I hardly know. I was, a minute ago. Now, I think, I am not.«
    »Of my dead brother I say nothing. If the dead know what we do - but you
understand me. Of my living brother I could say much: but what need I say more,
than that this act of duty, in which I have come to ask your indispensable
assistance, is his own, and that he cannot rest until it is performed!«
    She raised her eyes again; and the light of exultation in her face began to
appear beautiful, in the observant eyes that watched her.
    »Dear Sir,« she went on to say, »it must be done very quietly and secretly.
Your experience and knowledge will point out a way of doing it. Mr. Dombey may,
perhaps, be led to believe that it is something saved, unexpectedly, from the
wreck of his fortunes; or that it is a voluntary tribute to his honourable and
upright character, from some of those with whom he has had great dealings; or
that it is some old lost debt repaid. There must be many ways of doing it. I
know you will choose the best. The favour I have come to ask is, that you will
do it for us in your own kind, generous, considerate manner. That you will never
speak of it to John, whose chief happiness in this act of restitution is to do
it secretly, unknown, and unapproved of: that only a very small part of the
inheritance may be reserved to us, until Mr. Dombey shall have possessed the
interest of the rest for the remainder of his life; that you will keep our
secret, faithfully - but that I am sure you will; and that, from this time, it
may seldom be whispered, even between you and me, but may live in my thoughts
only as a new reason for thankfulness to Heaven, and joy and pride in my
brother.«
    Such a look of exultation there may be on Angels' faces, when the one
repentant sinner enters Heaven, among ninety-nine just men. It was not dimmed or
tarnished by the joyful tears that filled her eyes,
