far from the machinery and foundry business and surely might be taken
sometimes if at no other time about mid…day when a glass of sherry and a
humble sandwich of whatever cold meat in the larder might not e amiss
nor taste the worse for being friendly for you know you buy it somewhere
and wherever bought a profit must be made or they would never keep the
place it stands to reason without a motive still never seen and learnt
now not to be expected； for as Mr F。 himself said if seeing is believing
not seeing is believing too and when you don't see you may fully believe
you're not remembered not that I expect you Arthur Doyce and Clennam to
remember me why should I for the days are gone but bring another teacup
here directly and tell her fresh toast and pray sit near the fire。'
Arthur was in the greatest anxiety to explain the object of his
visit； but was put off for the moment； in spite of himself； by what he
understood of the reproachful purport of these words； and by the genuine
pleasure she testified in seeing him。 'And now pray tell me something
all you know；' said Flora； drawing her chair near to his； 'about
the good dear quiet little thing and all the changes of her fortunes
carriage people now no doubt and horses without number most romantic； a
coat of arms of course and wild beasts on their hind legs showing it
as if it was a copy they had done with mouths from ear to ear good
gracious； and has she her health which is the first consideration after
all for what is wealth without it Mr F。 himself so often saying when his
twinges came that sixpence a day and find yourself and no gout so much
preferable； not that he could have lived on anything like it being the
last man or that the previous little thing though far too familiar an
expression now had any tendency of that sort much too slight and small
but looked so fragile bless her？'
Mr F。's Aunt； who had eaten a piece of toast down to the crust； here
solemnly handed the crust to Flora； who ate it for her as a matter of
business。 Mr F。's Aunt then moistened her ten fingers in slow succession
at her lips； and wiped them in exactly the same order on the white
handkerchief； then took the other piece of toast； and fell to work
upon it。 While pursuing this routine； she looked at Clennam with an
expression of such intense severity that he felt obliged to look at her
in return； against his personal inclinations。
'She is in Italy； with all her family； Flora；' he said； when the dreaded
lady was occupied again。
'In Italy is she really？' said Flora； 'with the grapes growing
everywhere and lava necklaces and bracelets too that land of poetry with
burning mountains picturesque beyond belief though if the organ…boys
e away from the neighbourhood not to be scorched nobody can wonder
being so young and bringing their white mice with them most humane； and
is she really in that favoured land with nothing but blue about her and
dying gladiators and Belvederes though Mr F。 himself did not believe
for his objection when in spirits was that the images could not be true
there being no medium between expensive quantities of linen badly got
up and all in creases and none whatever； which certainly does not seem
probable though perhaps in consequence of the extremes of rich and poor
which may account for it。'
Arthur tried to edge a word in； but Flora hurried on again。
'Venice Preserved too；' said she； 'I think you have been there is it
well or ill preserved for people differ so and Maccaroni if they really
eat it like the conjurors why not cut it shorter； you are acquainted
Arthur……dear Doyce and Clennam at least not dear and most assuredly
not Doyce for I have not the pleasure but pray excuse me……acquainted I
believe with Mantua what has it got to do with Mantua…making for I never
have been able to conceive？'
'I believe there is no connection； Flora； between the two；' Arthur was
beginning； when she caught him up again。
'Upon your word no isn't there I never did but that's like me I run away
with an idea and having none to spare I keep it； alas there was a time
dear Arthur that is to say decidedly not dear nor Arthur neither but you
understand me when one bright idea gilded the what's…his…name horizon of
et cetera but it is darkly clouded now and all is over。'
Arthur's increasing wish to speak of something very different was by
this time so plainly written on his face； that Flora stopped in a tender
look； and asked him what it was？
'I have the greatest desire； Flora； to speak to some one who is now in
this house……with Mr Casby no doubt。 Some one whom I saw e in； and
who； in a misguided and deplorable way； has deserted the house of a
friend of mine。'
'Papa sees so many and such odd people；' said Flora； rising； 'that I
shouldn't venture to go down for any one but you Arthur but for you I
would willingly go down in a diving…bell much more a dining…room and
will e back directly if you'll mind and at the same time not mind Mr
F。's Aunt while I'm gone。'
With those words and a parting glance； Flora bustled out； leaving
Clennam under dreadful apprehension of this terrible charge。
The first variation which manifested itself in Mr F。's Aunt's demeanour
when she had finished her piece of toast； was a loud and prolonged
sniff。 Finding it impossible to avoid construing this demonstration
into a defiance of himself； its gloomy significance being unmistakable；
Clennam looked plaintively at the excellent though prejudiced lady
from whom it emanated； in the hope that she might be disarmed by a meek
submission。
'None of your eyes at me；' said Mr F。's Aunt； shivering with hostility。
'Take that。'
'That' was the crust of the piece of toast。 Clennam accepted the boon
with a look of gratitude； and held it in his hand under the pressure
of a little embarrassment； which was not relieved when Mr F。's Aunt；
elevating her voice into a cry of considerable power； exclaimed； 'He
has a proud stomach； this chap！ He's too proud a chap to eat it！' and；
ing out of her chair； shook her venerable fist so very close to his
nose as to tickle the surface。 But for the timely return of Flora； to
find him in this difficult situation； further consequences might
have ensued。 Flora； without the least disposure or surprise； but
congratulating the old lady in an approving manner on being 'very lively
to…night'； handed her back to her chair。
'He has a proud stomach； this chap；' said Mr F。's relation； on being
reseated。 'Give him a meal of chaff！'
'Oh！ I don't think he would like that； aunt；' returned Flora。
'Give him a meal of chaff； I tell you；' said Mr F。's Aunt； glaring round
Flora on her enemy。 'It's the only thing for a proud stomach。 Let him
eat up every morsel。 Drat him； give him a meal of chaff！'
Under a general pretence of helping him to this refreshment； Flora got
him out on the staircase； Mr F。's Aunt even then constantly reiterating；
with inexpressible bitterness； that he was 'a chap；' and had a 'proud
stomach；' and over and over again insisting on that equine provision
being made for him which she had already so strongly prescribed。
'Such an inconvenient staircase and so many corner…stairs Arthu