. Those are your orders.«
    In his execution of this mission, Mr. Tinkler perhaps expressed that Mr.
Dorrit was in a raging fume. However that was, Mrs. General's skirts were very
speedily heard outside, coming along - one might almost have said bouncing along
- with unusual expedition. Albeit, they settled down at the door and swept into
the room with their customary coolness.
    »Mrs. General,« said Mr. Dorrit, »take a chair.«
    Mrs. General, with a graceful curve of acknowledgment, descended into the
chair which Mr. Dorrit offered.
    »Madam,« pursued that gentleman, »as you have had the kindness to undertake
the - hum - formation of my daughters, and as I am persuaded that nothing nearly
affecting them can - ha - be indifferent to you -«
    »Wholly impossible,« said Mrs. General in the calmest of ways.
    »- I therefore wish to announce to you, madam, that my daughter now present
-«
    Mrs. General made a slight inclination of her head to Fanny. Who made a very
low inclination of her head to Mrs. General, and came loftily upright again.
    »- That my daughter Fanny is - ha - contracted to be married to Mr.
Sparkler, with whom you are acquainted. Hence, madam, you will be relieved of
half your difficult charge - ha - difficult charge.« Mr. Dorrit repeated it with
his angry eye on Fanny. »But not, I hope, to the - hum - diminution of any other
portion, direct or indirect, of the footing you have at present the kindness to
occupy in my family.«
    »Mr. Dorrit,« returned Mrs. General, with her gloved hands resting on one
another in exemplary repose, »is ever considerate, and ever but too appreciative
of my friendly services.«
    (Miss Fanny coughed, as much as to say, »You are right.«)
    »Miss Dorrit has no doubt exercised the soundest discretion of which the
circumstances admitted, and I trust will allow me to offer her my sincere
congratulations. When free from the trammels of passion,« Mrs. General closed
her eyes at the word, as if she could not utter it, and see anybody; »when
occurring with the approbation of near relatives; and when cementing the proud
structure of a family edifice; these are usually auspicious events. I trust Miss
Dorrit will allow me to offer her my best congratulations.«
    Here Mrs. General stopped, and added internally, for the setting of her
face,
