 resolution is (call it
weakness or folly if you please) to wrong no one.«
    Mr. Woodcourt rather sternly rejoined that he was glad to hear it.
    »I wish, sir,« said Mr. Vholes, »to leave a good name behind me. Therefore,
I take every opportunity of openly stating to a friend of Mr. C., how Mr. C. is
situated. As to myself, sir, the labourer is worthy of his hire. If I undertake
to put my shoulder to the wheel, I do it, and I earn what I get. I am here for
that purpose. My name is painted on the door outside, with that object.«
    »And Mr. Carstone's address, Mr. Vholes?«
    »Sir,« returned Mr. Vholes, »as I believe I have already mentioned, it is
next door. On the second story you will find Mr. C.'s apartments. Mr. C. desires
to be near his professional adviser; and I am far from objecting, for I court
inquiry.«
    Upon this, Mr. Woodcourt wished Mr. Vholes good day, and went in search of
Richard, the change in whose appearance he began to understand now but too well.
    He found him in a dull room, fadedly furnished; much as I had found him in
his barrack-room but a little while before, except that he was not writing, but
was sitting with a book before him, from which his eyes and thoughts were far
astray. As the door chanced to be standing open, Mr. Woodcourt was in his
presence for some moments without being perceived; and he told me that he never
could forget the haggardness of his face, and the dejection of his manner,
before he was aroused from his dream.
    »Woodcourt, my dear fellow!« cried Richard, starting up with extended hands,
»you come upon my vision like a ghost.«
    »A friendly one,« he replied, »and only waiting, as they say ghosts do, to
be addressed. How does the mortal world go?« They were seated now, near
together.
    »Badly enough, and slowly enough,« said Richard; »speaking at least for my
part of it.«
    »What part is that?«
    »The Chancery part.«
    »I never heard,« returned Mr. Woodcourt, shaking his head, »of its going
well yet.«
    »Nor I,« said Richard, moodily. »Who ever did?«
    He brightened again
