Chapter 15 - Page 2

head, made a brief though pertinent rejoinder; the
same being neither more nor less than that he had long perceived
Miss Fanny to have no nonsense about her, and that he had no doubt
of its being all right with his Governor. At that point the object
of his affections shut him up like a box with a spring lid, and
sent him away.

Proceeding shortly afterwards to pay his respects to the Bosom, Mr
Dorrit was received by it with great consideration. Mrs Merdle had
heard of this affair from Edmund. She had been surprised at first,
because she had not thought Edmund a marrying man. Society had not
thought Edmund a marrying man. Still, of course she had seen, as
a woman (we women did instinctively see these things, Mr Dorrit!),
that Edmund had been immensely captivated by Miss Dorrit, and she
had openly said that Mr Dorrit had much to answer for in bringing
so charming a girl abroad to turn the heads of his countrymen.

'Have I the honour to conclude, madam,' said Mr Dorrit, 'that the
direction which Mr Sparkler's affections have taken, is--ha-
approved of by you?'

'I assure you, Mr Dorrit,' returned the lady, 'that, personally, I
am charmed.'

That was very gratifying to Mr Dorrit.

'Personally,' repeated Mrs Merdle, 'charmed.'

This casual repetition of the word 'personally,' moved Mr Dorrit to
express his hope that Mr Merdle's approval, too, would not be
wanting?

'I cannot,' said Mrs Merdle, 'take upon myself to answer positively
for Mr Merdle; gentlemen, especially gentlemen who are what Society
calls capitalists, having their own ideas of these matters. But I
should think--merely giving an opinion, Mr Dorrit--I should think
Mr Merdle would be upon the whole,' here she held a review of
herself before adding at her leisure, 'quite charmed.'

At the mention of gentlemen whom Society called capitalists, Mr
Dorrit had coughed, as if some internal demur were breaking out of
him. Mrs Merdle had observed it, and went on to take up the cue.

'Though, indeed, Mr Dorrit, it is scarcely necessary for me to make
that remark, except in the mere openness of saying what is
uppermost to one whom I so highly regard, and with whom I hope I
may have the pleasure of being brought into still more agreeable
relations. For one cannot but see the great probability of your
considering such things from Mr Merdle's own point of view, except
indeed that circumstances have made it Mr Merdle's accidental
fortune, or misfortune, to be engaged in business transactions, and
that they, however vast, may a little cramp his horizons. I am a
very child as to having any notion of business,' said Mrs Merdle;
'but I am afraid, Mr Dorrit, it may have that tendency.'

This skilful see-saw