up-stairs with a flushed
face as soon as she was out of hearing, pounce in upon her sister, call her a
little Dormouse, shake her for the better opening of her eyes, tell her what had
passed below, and ask her what she thought about Pa now?
    Towards Mrs. Merdle, the young lady comported herself with great
independence and self-possession; but not as yet with any more decided opening
of hostilities. Occasionally they had a slight skirmish, as when Fanny
considered herself patted on the back by that lady, or as when Mrs. Merdle
looked particularly young and well; but Mrs. Merdle always soon terminated those
passages of arms by sinking among her cushions with the gracefullest
indifference, and finding her attention otherwise engaged. Society (for that
mysterious creature sat upon the Seven Hills too) found Miss Fanny vastly
improved by her engagement. She was much more accessible, much more free and
engaging, much less exacting; insomuch that she now entertained a host of
followers and admirers, to the bitter indignation of ladies with daughters to
marry, who were to be regarded as having revolted from Society on the Miss
Dorrit grievance, and erected a rebellious standard. Enjoying the flutter she
caused, Miss Dorrit not only haughtily moved through it in her own proper
person, but haughtily, even ostentatiously, led Mr. Sparkler through it too:
seeming to say to them all, »If I think proper to march among you in triumphal
procession attended by this weak captive in bonds, rather than a stronger one,
that is my business. Enough that I choose to do it!« Mr. Sparkler, for his part,
questioned nothing; but went wherever he was taken, did whatever he was told,
felt that for his bride-elect to be distinguished was for him to be
distinguished on the easiest terms, and was truly grateful for being so openly
acknowledged.
    The winter passing on towards the spring while this condition of affairs
prevailed, it became necessary for Mr. Sparkler to repair to England, and take
his appointed part in the expression and direction of its genius, learning,
commerce, spirit, and sense. The land of Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, Newton,
Watt, the land of a host of past and present abstract philosophers, natural
philosophers, and subduers of Nature and Art in their myriad forms, called to
Mr. Sparkler to come and take care of it, lest it should perish. Mr. Sparkler,
unable to resist the agonised cry from the depths of his country's soul,
declared that he must go.
    It followed that the