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wreck on the Cornish coast to a review in Hyde Park； or a meeting
at Manchester；—and in Mrs Perkins’s own room； memorable
evermore； he then and there throws in upon the block； Mr Krook’s
house； as large as life； in fact considerably larger； making a very
temple of it。 Similarly； being permitted to look in at the door of the
fatal chamber； he depicts that apartment as three quarters of a
mile long； by fifty yards high； at which the court is particularly
charmed。 All this time； the two gentlemen before mentioned pop
in and out of every house； and assist at the philosophical
disputations—go everywhere； and listen to everybody；—and yet
are always diving into the Sol’s parlour； and writing with the
ravenous little pens on the tissue…paper。
At last come the coroner and his inquiry； like as before； except
that the coroner cherishes this case as being out of the common
way； and tells the gentlemen of the Jury； in his private capacity；
that “that would seem to be an unlucky house next door；
gentlemen； a destined house； but so we sometimes find it； and
these are mysteries we can’t account for！” After which the six…
footer comes into action； and is much admired。
In all these proceedings Mr Guppy has so slight a part； except
when he gives his evidence； that he is moved on like a private
individual； and can only haunt the secret house on the outside；
where he has the mortification of seeing Mr Smallweed
padlocking the door。 But before these proceedings draw to a close；
that is to say； on the night next after the catastrophe； Mr Guppy
has a thing to say that must be said to Lady Dedlock。
For which reason； with a sinking heart； and with that hang…dog
sense of guilt upon him； which dread and watching； enfolded in
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the Sol’s Arms； have produced； the young man of the name of
Guppy presents himself at the town mansion at about seven
o’clock in the evening； and requests to see her ladyship。 Mercury
replies that she is going out to dinner； don’t he see the carriage at
the door？ Yes； he does see the carriage at the door； but he wants
to see my lady too。
Mercury is disposed； as he will presently declare to a fellow
gentleman in waiting； “to pitch into the young man；” but his
instructions are positive。 Therefore he sulkily supposes that the
young man must come up into the library。 There he leaves the
young man in a large room； not overlight； while he makes report of
him。
Mr Guppy looks into the shade in all directions； discovering
everywhere a certain charred and whitened little heap of coal or
wood。 Presently he hears a rustling。 Is it —？ No； it’s no ghost； but
fair flesh and blood； most brilliantly dressed。
“I have to beg your ladyship’s pardon；” Mr Guppy stammers；
very downcast。 “This is an inconvenient time—”
“I told you； you could come at any time。” She takes a chair；
looking straight at him as on the last occasion。
“Thank your ladyship。 Your ladyship is very affable。”
“You can sit down。” There is not much affability in her tone。
“I don’t know； your ladyship； that it’s worth while my sitting
down and detaining you； for I—I have not got the letters that I
mentioned when I had the honour of waiting on your ladyship。”
“Have you come merely to say so？”
“Merely to say so； your ladyship。” Mr Guppy besides being
depressed； disappointed； and uneasy； is put at a further
disadvantage by the splendour and beauty of her appearance。 She
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Bleak House 649
knows its influence perfectly； has studied it too well to miss a grain
of its effect on any one。 As she looks at him so steadily and coldly；
he not only feels conscious that he has no guide； in the least
perception of what is really the complexion of her thoughts； but
also that he is being every moment； as it were； removed further
and further from her。
She will not speak it is plain。 So he must。
“In short； your ladyship；” says Mr Guppy； like a meanly
penitent thief； “the person I was to have had the letters of； has
come to a sudden end； and—” He stops。 Lady Dedlock calmly
finishes the sentence。
“And the letters are destroyed with the person？”
Mr Guppy would say no； if he could—as he is unable to hide。
“I believe so； your ladyship。”
If he could see the least sparkle of relief in her face now？ No； he
could see no such thing； even if that brave outside did not utterly
put him away； and he were not looking beyond it and about it。
He falters an awkward excuse or two for his failure。
“Is this all you have to say？” inquires Lady Dedlock； having
heard him out—or as nearly out as he can stumble。
Mr Guppy thinks that’s all。
“You had better be sure that you wish to say nothing more to
me； this being the last time you will have the opportunity。”
Mr Guppy is quite sure。 And indeed he has no such wish at
present； by any means。
“That is enough。 I will dispense with excuses。 Good evening to
you！” and she rings for Mercury to show the young man of the
name of Guppy out。
But in that house； in that same moment； there happens to be an
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Bleak House 650
old man of the name of Tulkinghorn。 And that old man； coming
with his quiet footstep to the library； has his hand at that moment
on the handle of the door—comes in—and comes face to face with
the young man as he is leaving the room。
One glance between the old man and the lady； and for an
instant the blind that is always down flies up。 Suspicion； eager and
sharp； looks out。 Another instant； close again。
“I beg your pardon； Lady Dedlock。 I beg your pardon a
thousand times。 It is so very unusual to find you here at this hour。
I supposed the room was empty。 I beg your pardon！”
“Stay！” She negligently calls him back。 “Remain here； I beg。 I
am going out to dinner。 I have nothing more to say to this young
man！”
The disconcerted young man bows； as he goes out； and
cringingly hopes that Mr Tulkinghorn of the Fields is well。
“Ay； ay？” says the lawyer； looking at him from under his bent
brows； though he has no need to look again—not he。 “From Kenge
and Carboy’s； surely？”
“Kenge and Carboy’s； Mr Tulkinghorn。 Name of Guppy； sir。”
“To be sure。 Why； thank you； Mr Guppy； I am very well！”
“Happy to hear it； sir。 You can’t be too well； sir； for the c