Clara returned soon afterwards, and Herbert accompanied me up stairs to

see our charge. As we passed Mr. Barley's door, he was heard hoarsely

muttering within, in a strain that rose and fell like wind, the

following Refrain, in which I substitute good wishes for something quite

the reverse:-"Ahoy! Bless your eyes, here's old Bill Barley. Here's old Bill Barley,

bless your eyes. Here's old Bill Barley on the flat of his back, by the

Lord. Lying on the flat of his back like a drifting old dead flounder,

here's your old Bill Barley, bless your eyes. Ahoy! Bless you."

In this strain of consolation, Herbert informed me the invisible Barley

would commune with himself by the day and night together; Often, while

Advertisement..

it was light, having, at the same time, one eye at a telescope which was

fitted on his bed for the convenience of sweeping the river.

In his two cabin rooms at the top of the house, which were fresh and

airy, and in which Mr. Barley was less audible than below, I found

Provis comfortably settled. He expressed no alarm, and seemed to

feel none that was worth mentioning; but it struck me that he was

softened,--indefinably, for I could not have said how, and could never

afterwards recall how when I tried, but certainly.

The opportunity that the day's rest had given me for reflection had

resulted in my fully determining to say nothing to him respecting

Compeyson. For anything I knew, his animosity towards the man

might otherwise lead to his seeking him out and rushing on his own

destruction. Therefore, when Herbert and I sat down with him by his

fire, I asked him first of all whether he relied on Wemmick's judgment

and sources of information?

"Ay, ay, dear boy!" he answered, with a grave nod, "Jaggers knows."

"Then, I have talked with Wemmick," said I, "and have come to tell you

what caution he gave me and what advice."

This I did accurately, with the reservation just mentioned; and I told

him how Wemmick had heard, in Newgate prison (whether from officers or

prisoners I could not say), that he was under some suspicion, and that

my chambers had been watched; how Wemmick had recommended his keeping

close for a time, and my keeping away from him; and what Wemmick had

said about getting him abroad. I added, that of course, when the time

came, I should go with him, or should follow close upon him, as might

be safest in Wemmick's judgment. What was to follow that I did not touch

upon; neither, indeed, was I at all clear or comfortable about it in my

own mind, now that I saw him in that softer condition, and in declared

peril for my sake. As to altering my way of living by enlarging my

expenses, I put it to him whether in our present unsettled and difficult

circumstances, it would not be simply ridiculous, if it were no worse?




Most Popular