arm, 'only see here. Look at these figures, the result of long
calculation, and painful and hard experience. I MUST win. I only want
a little help once more, a few pounds, but two score pounds, dear
Quilp.'

'The last advance was seventy,' said the dwarf; 'and it went in one
night.'

'I know it did,' answered the old man, 'but that was the very worst
fortune of all, and the time had not come then. Quilp, consider,
consider,' the old man cried, trembling so much the while, that the
papers in his hand fluttered as if they were shaken by the wind, 'that
orphan child! If I were alone, I could die with gladness--perhaps even
anticipate that doom which is dealt out so unequally: coming, as it
does, on the proud and happy in their strength, and shunning the needy
and afflicted, and all who court it in their despair--but what I have
done, has been for her. Help me for her sake I implore you; not for
mine; for hers!'

'I'm sorry I've got an appointment in the city,' said Quilp, looking at
his watch with perfect self-possession, 'or I should have been very
glad to have spent half an hour with you while you composed yourself,
very glad.'

'Nay, Quilp, good Quilp,' gasped the old man, catching at his skirts,
'you and I have talked together, more than once, of her poor mother's
story. The fear of her coming to poverty has perhaps been bred in me
by that. Do not be hard upon me, but take that into account. You are
a great gainer by me. Oh spare me the money for this one last hope!'

'I couldn't do it really,' said Quilp with unusual politeness, 'though
I tell you what--and this is a circumstance worth bearing in mind as
showing how the sharpest among us may be taken in sometimes--I was so
deceived by the penurious way in which you lived, alone with Nelly--'

'All done to save money for tempting fortune, and to make her triumph
greater,' cried the old man.

'Yes, yes, I understand that now,' said Quilp; 'but I was going to say,
I was so deceived by that, your miserly way, the reputation you had
among those who knew you of being rich, and your repeated assurances
that you would make of my advances treble and quadruple the interest
you paid me, that I'd have advanced you, even now, what you want, on
your simple note of hand, if I hadn't unexpectedly become acquainted
with your secret way of life.'

'Who is it,' retorted the old man desperately, 'that, notwithstanding
all my caution, told you? Come. Let me know the