hreat, but really actuated by a malicious wish to hear what
Nicholas would say; 'come back, Mr Nickleby!'

Mr Nickleby came back, and looked as confused as might be, as he
inquired whether the ladies had any commands for him.

'Don't stop to talk,' urged Miss Price, hastily; 'but support her on the
other side. How do you feel now, dear?'

'Better,' sighed Miss Squeers, laying a beaver bonnet of a reddish brown
with a green veil attached, on Mr Nickleby's shoulder. 'This foolish
faintness!'

'Don't call it foolish, dear,' said Miss Price: her bright eye dancing
with merriment as she saw the perplexity of Nicholas; 'you have no
reason to be ashamed of it. It's those who are too proud to come round
again, without all this to-do, that ought to be ashamed.'

'You are resolved to fix it upon me, I see,' said Nicholas, smiling,
'although I told you, last night, it was not my fault.'

'There; he says it was not his fault, my dear,' remarked the wicked Miss
Price. 'Perhaps you were too jealous, or too hasty with him? He says it
was not his fault. You hear; I think that's apology enough.'

'You will not understand me,' said Nicholas. 'Pray dispense with this
jesting, for I have no time, and really no inclination, to be the
subject or promoter of mirth just now.'

'What do you mean?' asked Miss Price, affecting amazement.

'Don't ask him, 'Tilda,' cried Miss Squeers; 'I forgive him.'

'Dear me,' said Nicholas, as the brown bonnet went down on his shoulder
again, 'this is more serious than I supposed. Allow me! Will you have
the goodness to hear me speak?'

Here he raised up the brown bonnet, and regarding with most unfeigned
astonishment a look of tender reproach from Miss Squeers, shrunk back a
few paces to be out of the reach of the fair burden, and went on to say:

'I am very sorry--truly and sincerely sorry--for having been the
cause of any difference among you, last night. I reproach myself, most
bitterly, for having been so unfortunate as to cause the dissension
that occurred, although I did so, I assure you, most unwittingly and
heedlessly.'

'Well; that's not all you have got to say surely,' exclaimed Miss Price
as Nicholas paused.

'I fear there is something more,' stammered Nicholas with a half-smile,
and looking towards Miss Squeers, 'it is a most awkward thing to
say--but--the very mention of such a supposition makes one look like a
puppy--still--may I ask if that lady supposes that I entertain any--in