miling like heaven into my face--ay, and _took_ heaven, too,
into the Fleet prison with me--or an angel out of heaven. Ah! I had
loved her before, and happy it is to love when one is hopeful and young
in the midst of smiles and sunshine; but be _un_happy, and then see what
it is to be loved by a good woman! I declare before Heaven, that of all
the joys and happy moments it has given me, that was the crowning
one--that little ride, with my wife's cheek on my shoulder, down Holborn
to the prison! Do you think I cared for the bailiff that sat opposite?
No, by the Lord! I kissed her, and hugged her--yes, and cried with her
likewise. But before our ride was over her eyes dried up, and she
stepped blushing and happy out of the coach at the prison door, as if she
were a princess going to the Queen's Drawing-room.

CHAPTER XII

IN WHICH THE HERO'S AUNT'S DIAMOND MAKES ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE HERO'S
UNCLE

The failure of the great Diddlesex Association speedily became the theme
of all the newspapers, and every person concerned in it was soon held up
to public abhorrence as a rascal and a swindler. It was said that Brough
had gone off with a million of money. Even it was hinted that poor I had
sent a hundred thousand pounds to America, and only waited to pass
through the court in order to be a rich man for the rest of my days. This
opinion had some supporters in the prison; where, strange to say, it
procured me consideration--of which, as may be supposed, I was little
inclined to avail myself. Mr. Aminadab, however, in his frequent visits
to the Fleet, persisted in saying that I was a poor-spirited creature, a
mere tool in Brough's hands, and had not saved a shilling. Opinions,
however, differed; and I believe it was considered by the turnkeys that I
was a fellow of exquisite dissimulation, who had put on the appearance of
poverty in order more effectually to mislead the public.

Messrs. Abednego and Son were similarly held up to public odium: and, in
fact, what were the exact dealings of these gentlemen with Mr. Brough I
have never been able to learn. It was proved by the books that large
sums of money had been paid to Mr. Abednego by the Company; but he
produced documents signed by Mr. Brough, which made the latter and the
West Diddlesex Association his debtors to a still further amount. On the
day I went to the Bankruptcy Court to be examined, Mr. Abednego and the
two gentlemen from Houndsditch were presen