 the effect upon her was such
that she gave a scream and became insensible. I couldn't approach the subject
again, for months.«
    »You did at last?« said I.
    »Well, the Reverend Horace did,« said Traddles. »He is an excellent man,
most exemplary in every way; and he pointed out to her that she ought, as a
Christian, to reconcile herself to the sacrifice (especially as it was so
uncertain), and to bear no uncharitable feeling towards me. As to myself,
Copperfield, I give you my word, I felt a perfect bird of prey towards the
family.«
    »The sisters took your part, I hope, Traddles?«
    »Why, I can't say they did,« he returned. »When we had comparatively
reconciled Mrs. Crewler to it, we had to break it to Sarah. You recollect my
mentioning Sarah, as the one that has something the matter with her spine?«
    »Perfectly!«
    »She clenched both her hands,« said Traddles, looking at me in dismay; »shut
her eyes; turned lead-colour; became perfectly stiff; and took nothing for two
days but toast-and-water, administered with a tea-spoon.«
    »What a very unpleasant girl, Traddles!« I remarked.
    »Oh, I beg your pardon, Copperfield!« said Traddles. »She is a very charming
girl, but she has a great deal of feeling. In fact, they all have. Sophy told me
afterwards, that the self-reproach she underwent while she was in attendance
upon Sarah, no words could describe. I know it must have been severe, by my own
feelings, Copperfield; which were like a criminal's. After Sarah was restored,
we still had to break it to the other eight; and it produced various effects
upon them of a most pathetic nature. The two little ones, whom Sophy educates,
have only just left off de-testing me.«
    »At any rate, they are all reconciled to it now, I hope?« said I.
    »Ye - yes, I should say they were, on the whole, resigned to it,« said
Traddles, doubtfully. »The fact is, we avoid mentioning the subject; and my
unsettled prospects and indifferent circumstances are a great consolation to
them. There will be a deplorable scene, whenever we are married. It will be much
more like a funeral than a wedding. And they'll all hate me for taking her
