 the righteous as a work of sin and evil. She would no doubt have
pursued her admonition much further, and would have founded on it a long list of
precious precepts of inestimable value, but that the young gentleman standing by
in a somewhat uncomfortable and discomfited manner while she read her spouse
this lecture, occasioned her to bring it to a premature conclusion.
    »I'm sure you'll excuse me, sir,« said Mrs. Varden, rising and curtseying.
»Varden is so very thoughtless, and needs so much reminding - Sim, bring a chair
here.«
    Mr. Tappertit obeyed, with a flourish implying that he did so, under
protest.
    »And you can go, Sim,« said the locksmith.
    Mr. Tappertit obeyed again, still under protest; and betaking himself to the
workshop, began seriously to fear that he might find it necessary to poison his
master, before his time was out.
    In the meantime, Edward returned suitable replies to Mrs. Varden's
courtesies, and that lady brightened up very much; so that when he accepted a
dish of tea from the fair hands of Dolly, she was perfectly agreeable.
    »I am sure if there's anything we can do, - Varden, or I, or Dolly either, -
to serve you, sir, at any time, you have only to say it, and it shall be done,«
said Mrs. V.
    »I am much obliged to you, I am sure,« returned Edward. »You encourage me to
say that I have come here now, to beg your good offices.«
    Mrs. Varden was delighted beyond measure.
    »It occurred to me that probably your fair daughter might be going to the
Warren, either to-day or to-morrow,« said Edward, glancing at Dolly; »and if so,
and you will allow her to take charge of this letter, ma'am, you will oblige me
more than I can tell you. The truth is, that while I am very anxious it should
reach its destination, I have particular reasons for not trusting it to any
other conveyance; so that without your help, I am wholly at a loss.«
    »She was not going that way, sir, either to-day, or to-morrow, nor indeed
all next week,« the lady graciously rejoined, »but we shall be very glad to put
ourselves out of the way on your account, and if you wish it, you may depend
upon its going to-day. You might
