am, I appeal to you. What warning did I give that
fellow, the first time he set foot in the house, when the express object of his
visit was to know how he could knock Religion over, and floor the Established
Church? Mrs. Sparsit, in point of high connexions, you are on a level with the
aristocracy, - did I say, or did I not say, to that fellow, you can't hide the
truth from me: you are not the kind of fellow I like; you'll come to no good?«
    »Assuredly, sir,« returned Mrs. Sparsit, »you did, in a highly impressive
manner, give him such an admonition.«
    »When he shocked you, ma'am,« said Bounderby; »when he shocked your
feelings?«
    »Yes, sir,« returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a meek shake of her head, »he
certainly did so. Though I do not mean to say but that my feelings may be weaker
on such points - more foolish if the term is preferred - than they might have
been, if I had always occupied my present position.«
    Mr. Bounderby stared with a bursting pride at Mr. Harthouse, as much as to
say, »I am the proprietor of this female, and she's worth your attention, I
think.« Then, resumed his discourse.
    »You can recall for yourself, Harthouse, what I said to him when you saw
him. I didn't mince the matter with him. I am never mealy with 'em. I KNOW 'em.
Very well, sir. Three days after that, he bolted. Went off, nobody knows where:
as my mother did in my infancy - only with this difference, that he is a worse
subject than my mother, if possible. What did he do before he went? What do you
say;« Mr. Bounderby, with his hat in his hand, gave a beat upon the crown at
every little division of his sentences, as if it were a tambourine; »to his
being seen - night after night - watching the Bank? - to his lurking about there
- after dark? - To its striking Mrs. Sparsit - that he could be lurking for no
good - To her calling Bitzer's attention to him, and their both taking notice of
him - And to its appearing on inquiry to-day - that he was also noticed by the
neighbours?« Having come to the climax, Mr. Bounderby, like an oriental