, a lady she has told
me of and made me rather anxious about, was the first cause of my coming away
from home. And being away, and coming (on purpose) round by where you lived, and
seeing a light in the window -«
    Not for the first time. No, not for the first time. In Little Dorrit's eyes,
the outside of that window had been a distant star on other nights than this.
She had toiled out of her way, tired and troubled, to look up at it, and wonder
about the grave, brown gentleman from so far off, who had spoken to her as a
friend and protector.
    »There were three things,« said Little Dorrit, »that I thought I would like
to say, if you were alone and I might come up-stairs. First, what I have tried
to say, but never can - never shall -«
    »Hush, hush! That is done with, and disposed of. Let us pass to the second,«
said Clennam, smiling her agitation away, making the blaze shine upon her, and
putting wine and cake and fruit towards her on the table.
    »I think,« said Little Dorrit - »this is the second thing, sir - I think
Mrs. Clennam must have found out my secret, and must know where I come from and
where I go to. Where I live, I mean.«
    »Indeed!« returned Clennam, quickly. He asked her, after a short
consideration, why she supposed so.
    »I think,« replied Little Dorrit, »that Mr. Flintwinch must have watched
me.«
    And why, Clennam asked, as he turned his eyes upon the fire, bent his brows,
and considered again; why did she suppose that?
    »I have met him twice. Both times near home. Both times at night, when I was
going back. Both times I thought (though that may easily be my mistake), that he
hardly looked as if he had met me by accident.«
    »Did he say anything?«
    »No; he only nodded and put his head on one side.«
    »The devil take his head!« mused Clennam, still looking at the fire; »it's
always on one side.«
    He roused himself to persuade her to put some wine to her lips, and to touch
something to eat - it was very difficult, she was so timid and shy - and then
said, musing again:
    »Is my mother at all changed
