is away at Naples or in Sicily. I was going to say -
but you are such a beloved little Marplot for putting one out - when you are
left alone here with Mrs. General, Amy, don't you let her slide into any sort of
artful understanding with you that she is looking after Pa, or that Pa is
looking after her. She will if she can. I know her sly manner of feeling her way
with those gloves of hers. But, don't you comprehend her on any account. And if
Pa should tell you when he comes back, that he has it in contemplation to make
Mrs. General your mama (which is not the less likely because I am going away),
my advice to you is, that you say at once, Papa, I beg to object most strongly.
Fanny cautioned me about this, and she objected, and I object. I don't mean to
say that any objection from you, Amy, is likely to be of the smallest effect, or
that I think you likely to make it with any degree of firmness. But there is a
principle involved - a filial principle - and I implore you not to submit to be
step-mothered by Mrs. General, without asserting it in making every one about
you as uncomfortable as possible. I don't expect you to stand by it - indeed, I
know you won't, Pa being concerned - but I wish to rouse you to a sense of duty.
As to any help from me, or as to any opposition that I can offer to such a
match, you shall not be left in the lurch, my love. Whatever weight I may derive
from my position as a married girl not wholly devoid of attractions - used, as
that position always shall be, to oppose that woman - I will bring to bear, you
may depend upon it, on the head and false hair (for I am confident it's not all
real, ugly as it is, and unlikely as it appears that any one in their senses
would go to the expense of buying it) of Mrs. General!«
    Little Dorrit received this counsel without venturing to oppose it, but
without giving Fanny any reason to believe that she intended to act upon it.
Having now, as it were, formally wound up her single life and arranged her
worldly affairs, Fanny proceeded with characteristic ardour to prepare for the
serious change in her condition.
    The preparation consisted in the despatch of her maid to Paris under the
protection of the Courier, for the