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As the topic seemed exhausted, and Mr Merdle too, Fanny inquired if he were going to take up Mrs Merdle and the carriage in his way home? No, he answered; I shall go by the shortest way, and leave Mrs Merdle to here he looked all over the palms of both his hands as if he were telling his own fortuneto take care of herself. I dare say shell manage to do it. Probably, said Fanny. There was then a long silence; during which, Mrs Sparkler, lying back on her sofa again, shut her eyes and raised her eyebrows in her former retirement from mundane affairs. But, however, said Mr Merdle, I am equally detaining you and myself. I thought Id give you a call, you know. Charmed, I am sure, said Fanny. So I am off, added Mr Merdle, getting up. Could you lend me a penknife? It was an odd thing, Fanny smilingly observed, for her who could seldom prevail upon herself even to write a letter, to lend to a man of such vast business as Mr Merdle. Isnt it? Mr Merdle acquiesced; but I want one; and I know you have got several little wedding keepsakes about, with scissors and tweezers and such things in them. You shall have it back to-morrow. Edmund, said Mrs Sparkler, open (now, very carefully, I beg and beseech, for you are so very awkward) the mother of pearl box on my little table there, and give Mr Merdle the mother of pearl penknife. Thank you, said Mr Merdle; but if you have got one with a darker handle, I think I should prefer one with a darker handle. Tortoise-shell? Thank you, said Mr Merdle; yes. I think I should prefer tortoise-shell. Edmund accordingly received instructions to open the tortoise-shell box, and give Mr Merdle the tortoise- shell knife. On his doing so, his wife said to the master-spirit graciously: I will forgive you, if you ink it. Ill undertake not to ink it, said Mr Merdle. The illustrious visitor then put out his coat-cuff, and for a moment entombed Mrs Sparklers hand: wrist, bracelet, and all. Where his own hand had shrunk to, was not made manifest, but it was as remote from Mrs Sparklers sense of touch as if he had been a highly meritorious Chelsea Veteran or Greenwich Pensioner. Thoroughly convinced, as he went out of the room, that it was the longest day that ever did come to an end at last, and that there never was a woman, not wholly devoid of personal attractions, so worn out by idiotic and lumpish people, Fanny passed into the balcony for a breath of air. Waters of vexation filled her eyes; and they had the effect of making the famous Mr Merdle, in going down the street, appear to leap, and waltz, and gyrate, as if he were possessed of several Devils. |
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