 said Miss Blimber, who preserved an awful politeness in her
admonitions. »That is a line of argument I couldn't dream of permitting.«
    Paul felt it safest to say nothing at all, so he only looked at Miss
Blimber's spectacles. Miss Blimber having shaken her head at him gravely,
referred to a paper lying before her.
    »Analysis of the character of P. Dombey. If my recollection serves me,« said
Miss Blimber breaking off, »the word analysis as opposed to synthesis, is thus
defined by Walker. The resolution of an object, whether of the senses or of the
intellect, into its first elements. As opposed to synthesis, you observe. Now
you know what analysis is, Dombey.«
    Dombey didn't seem to be absolutely blinded by the light let in upon his
intellect, but he made Miss Blimber a little bow.
    »Analysis,« resumed Miss Blimber, casting her eye over the paper, »of the
character of P. Dombey. I find that the natural capacity of Dombey is extremely
good; and that his general disposition to study may be stated in an equal ratio.
Thus, taking eight as our standard and highest number, I find these qualities in
Dombey stated each at six three-fourths!«
    Miss Blimber paused to see how Paul received this news. Being undecided
whether six three-fourths, meant six pounds fifteen, or sixpence three
farthings, or six foot three, or three quarters past six, or six somethings that
he hadn't learnt yet, with three unknown something elses over, Paul rubbed his
hands and looked straight at Miss Blimber. It happened to answer as well as
anything else he could have done; and Cornelia proceeded.
    »Violence two. Selfishness two. Inclination to low company, as evinced in
the case of a person named Glubb, originally seven, but since reduced.
Gentlemanly demeanour four, and improving with advancing years. Now what I
particularly wish to call your attention to, Dombey, is the general observation
at the close of this analysis.«
    Paul set himself to follow it with great care.
    »It may be generally observed of Dombey,« said Miss Blimber, reading in a
loud voice, and at every second word directing her spectacles towards the little
figure before her: »that his abilities and inclinations are good, and that he
has made as much progress as under the circumstances could have been expected.
But it is to be lamented of this young gentleman that he is singular (what is
usually termed old-fashioned) in his character and conduct,
