have little or nothing to expect. Provided he has made no will that can
come into force, leaving a legacy to Mrs. General, I am contented. Dear papa,
dear papa!«
    She wept again, but Mrs. General was the best of restoratives. The name soon
stimulated her to dry her eyes and say:
    »It is a highly encouraging circumstance in Edward's illness, I am thankful
to think, and gives one the greatest confidence in his sense not being impaired,
or his proper spirit weakened - down to the time of poor dear papa's death at
all events - that he paid off Mrs. General instantly, and sent her out of the
house. I applaud him for it. I could forgive him a great deal, for doing, with
such promptitude, so exactly what I would have done myself!«
    Mrs. Sparkler was in the full glow of her gratification, when a double knock
was heard at the door. A very odd knock. Low, as if to avoid making a noise and
attracting attention. Long, as if the person knocking were preoccupied in mind,
and forgot to leave off.
    »Halloa!« said Mr. Sparkler. »Who's this!«
    »Not Amy and Edward, without notice and without a carriage!« said Mrs.
Sparkler. »Look out.«
    The room was dark, but the street was lighter, because of its lamps. Mr.
Sparkler's head peeping over the balcony looked so very bulky and heavy, that it
seemed on the point of overbalancing him and flattening the unknown below.
    »It's one fellow,« said Mr. Sparkler. »I can't see who - stop though!«
    On this second thought he went out into the balcony again and had another
look. He came back as the door was opened, and announced that he believed he had
identified his governor's tile. He was not mistaken, for his governor, with his
tile in his hand, was introduced immediately afterwards.
    »Candles!« said Mrs. Sparkler, with a word of excuse for the darkness.
    »It's light enough for me,« said Mr. Merdle.
    When the candles were brought in, Mr. Merdle was discovered standing behind
the door, picking his lips. »I thought I'd give you a call,« he said. »I am
rather particularly occupied just now; and, as I happened to be out for a
stroll, I thought I'd give you a call.«
    As he was