to remain here, if it be for twelve months,
so long as you assure me that any hope remains.«
    »Good!« rejoined Mr. Brownlow. »And as I see on the faces about me, a
disposition to inquire how it happened that I was not in the way to corroborate
Oliver's tale, and had so suddenly left the kingdom, let me stipulate that I
shall be asked no questions until such time as I may deem it expedient to
forestal them by telling my own story. Believe me, I make this request with good
reason, for I might otherwise excite hopes destined never to be realised, and
only increase difficulties and disappointments already quite numerous enough.
Come! Supper has been announced, and young Oliver, who is all alone in the next
room, will have begun to think, by this time, that we have wearied of his
company, and entered into some dark conspiracy to thrust him forth upon the
world.«
    With these words, the old gentleman gave his hand to Mrs. Maylie, and
escorted her into the supper-room. Mr. Losberne followed, leading Rose; and the
council was, for the present, effectually broken up.
 

                                  Chapter XLII

 An Old Acquaintance of Oliver's, Exhibiting Decided Marks of Genius, Becomes a
                       Public Character in the Metropolis

Upon the night when Nancy, having lulled Mr. Sikes to sleep, hurried on her
self-imposed mission to Rose Maylie, there advanced towards London, by the Great
North Road, two persons, upon whom it is expedient that this history should
bestow some attention.
    They were a man and woman; or perhaps they would be better described as a
male and female: for the former was one of those long-limbed, knock-kneed,
shambling, bony people, to whom it is difficult to assign any precise age, -
looking as they do, when they are yet boys, like undergrown men, and when they
are almost men, like overgrown boys. The woman was young, but of a robust and
hardy make, as she need have been to bear the weight of the heavy bundle which
was strapped to her back. Her companion was not encumbered with much luggage, as
there merely dangled from a stick which he carried over his shoulder, a small
parcel wrapped in a common handkerchief, and apparently light enough. This
circumstance, added to the length of his legs, which were of unusual extent,
enabled him with much ease to keep some half-dozen paces in advance of his
companion, to whom he occasionally turned with an impatient jerk of