Mr. Dombey reddened as he answered:

`Mrs. Dombey is quite well. You remind me, Carker, of some conversation that I wish to have with you.'

`Robin, you can leave us,' said his master, at whose mild tones Robin started and disappeared, with his eyes fixed on his patron to the last. `You don't remember that boy, of course?' he added, when the immeshed Grinder was gone.

`No,' said Mr. Dombey, with magnificent indifference.

`Not likely that a man like you would. Hardly possible,' murmured Carker. `But he is one of that family from whom you took a nurse. Perhaps you may remember having generously charged yourself with his education?'

`Is it that boy?' said Mr. Dombey, with a frown. `He does little credit to his education, I believe.'

`Why, he is a young rip, I am afraid,' returned Carker, with a shrug. `He bears that character. But the truth is, I took him into my service because, being able to get no other employment, he conceived (had been taught at home, I dare say) that he had some sort of claim upon you, and was constantly trying to dog your heels with his petition. And although my defined and recognised connexion with your affairs is merely of a business character, still I have that spontaneous interest in everything belonging to you, that--'

He stopped again, as if to discover whether he had led Mr. Dombey far enough yet. And again, with his chin resting on his hand, he leered at the picture.

`Carker,' said Mr. Dombey, `I am sensible that you do not limit your--'

`Service,' suggested his smiling entertainer.

`No; I prefer to say your regard,' observed Mr. Dombey; very sensible, as he said so, that he was paying him a handsome and flattering compliment, `to our mere business relations. Your consideration for my feelings, hopes and disappointments, in the little instance you have just now mentioned, is an example in point. I am obliged to you, Carker.'

Mr. Carker bent his head slowly, and very softly rubbed his hands, as if he were afraid by any action to disturb the current of Mr. Dombey's confidence.

`Your allusion to it is opportune,' said Mr. Dombey, after a little hesitation; `for it prepares the way to what I was beginning to say to you, and reminds me that that involves no absolutely new relations between us, although it may involve more personal confidence on my part than I have hitherto--'

`Distinguished me with,' suggested Carker, bending his head again: `I will not say to you how honoured I am; for a man like you well knows how much honour he has in his power to bestow at pleasure.'

`Mrs. Dombey and myself,' said Mr. Dombey, passing this compliment with august self-denial, `are not quite agreed upon some points. We do not appear to understand each other yet. Mrs. Dombey has something to learn.'

`Mrs. Dombey is distinguished by many rare attractions; and has been accustomed, no doubt, to receive much adulation,' said the smooth, sleek watcher of his slightest look and tone. `But where there is affection, duty, and respect, any little mistakes engendered by such causes are soon set right.'

Mr. Dombey's thoughts instinctively flew back to the face that had looked at him in his wife's dressing- room, when an imperious hand was stretched towards the door; and remembering the affection, duty,