The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-28
DEALINGS
BY CHARLES DICKENS.


~ BY CHARLES DICKENS.
NO. X.-CHAP. xxx.
CONTINUED.
Not SO the expalriated Native, amazed
supporter of Miss Tox's swooning form,
who, coming straight up stairs, with po-
lite inquiry touching Miss Tox's health
lin exact pursuance Of The Majors mali
cious instIuctions), had accidentally arriv-
&c in the very nick Of time TO catch the
delicate burden in his arms, and TO receive
the contents of the little watering pot in
his shoe both Of which circumstances,
coupled with his consciousness of being
closely watched by the wrathful Major,
who had threatened the usual penalty in
regard of every bone in his skin in case Of
failure, combined to render him moving
spectacle Of mental and bodily distress.
For some moments, this afflicted foreign
er remained clasping Miss Tox to his heart
with an energy Of action in remarkable OPP
position to his disconnected face, while that
poor lady trickled slowly down upon him
the very last sprinkings Of the watering
pot, as if be were a delicate exotic (Which
indeed he was) and might be also expected
to blow while the gentle rain descended.
Mrs. Chick, atlenglh recovering sufficient
presence of mind to interpose, commanded
him to drop Miss Tox upon the sofa and
withdraw; and the exile promptly obeying;
she applied herself 10 promote Miss Tox's
recovery.
But none Of that gentle concern which
usually characterizes the daughters of Eve
in their tending each other; none of that
free-masonry in fainting, by which they are
generally bound together in mysterious
bond Of sisterhood, was visible in Mrs.
Chicks demeanor. Rather like the exc
cutioneer who restores the victim to sensa-
ton previous TO proceeding with the tor
ture Cor was wont 10 do so in the good old
times for which all true men wear perpetu-
al mourning), did Mrs. Chick administer
the smelling bottle, the sIapping on the
hands, the dashing of cold water on the
face, and the other approved remedies
And when, at length, Miss Tox opened her
eyes, and gradually became restored TO con-
suiopsness, Mrs. Chick drew off, as from a
criminal, and reversing the precedent OF the
murdered king Denmark, regarded her
more in anger han in sorrow.
"Lucretia y said Mrs. Chick, 81 will not
attempt to disguise what | feel. My eyes
arc opened, all at once wouldn't have
believed this if saint had told it TO me.n
Lam foolish to give way faintness," Miss
Tox (altered. 81 shall be better presently
"You will be better presently, Lucretial''
repeated Mrs. Chick, with exceeding scorn.
"Do you suppose ! am blind3 Do you
imagine ] am in my second childhood p
No, Lucretia am obliged to your
Miss Tox directed an imploring, helpless
kind of look towards her friend, and put
her handkerchief before her face.
off any one had told me this yesterday 2
said Mrs. Chick with majesty, Cor even
half an hour ago, should have been
tempted, almost believe, to strike them to
The earth. Lucrelia Tox, my eyes are OPEN
ed to you all at once. The scales - here
Mrs. Chick cast down an imaginary pair,
such as are commonly used ingrocer's shops:
"have fallen from my sight. The blindness
OF my confidence is past, Lucretia. II has
been abused and played upon, and evasion
is quite out Of the question now, assure
YOU"
ooh to what do you allude so cruelty,
my love :" asked Miss Tox through her
tears.
tLucretia;" said Mrs. Chick, "asl your
heart. must entreat you not to address
me by any such familiar term as you have
just used, if you please. have some self
respect left though you may think other
wise.n
ooh, Louisa % cried Mis- Tox. elbow
can you speak TO me like that: ~
''Iow can ! speak to you like that 7" re-
torted Mrs. Chick, who, in default Of hav-
ing any particular argument to sustain her
self upon, relied principally on such repe-
ttions for her most whitening effects. "Like
that You may well say like that indeed!"
Miss Tox sobbed pitiluly.
"The idea'' said Mrs. Chick, "of your
having basked at my brothers. freside, like a
serpent, and wou,I yourself, through me,
almost into his confidence, Lucretia, that
you might, in secret, entertain designs upon
him, and dare to aspire to contemplate the
possibility of his uniting himself to you
Why it is an idea," said Mrs, Chick, with
sarcastic dignity, "the absurdity Of which
almost relieves ITS treachery."
"Pray, Louisa" urged Miss Tox, edo
not say such dreadful .hings."
dreadful things !" repeated Mrs. Chick.
dreadful things. Is it not a fact, Lucre-
tia, that you have just now been unable to
command your feelings even before me,
whose eyes you had SO completely closed3n
81 have made no complaint" sobbed
Miss Tox. 81 have said nothing. If have
been little oyerpowered by your news,
Louisa, and have ever had any lingering
thought that Mr.. Dombey was inclined to
be particular towards me, surely you will