When he had got so far, it came again into his head that the question
was, not what they thought of it, but what she thought of it.
Arthur Clennam was a retiring man, with a sense of many deficiencies;
and he so exalted the merits of the beautiful Minnie in his mind, and
depressed his own, that when he pinned himself to this point, his hopes
began to fail him. He came to the final resolution, as he made himself
ready for dinner, that he would not allow himself to fall in love with
Pet. There were only five, at a round table, and it was very pleasant indeed.
They had so many places and people to recall, and they were all so easy
and cheerful together (Daniel Doyce either sitting out like an amused
spectator at cards, or coming in with some shrewd little experiences of
his own, when it happened to be to the purpose), that they might have
been together twenty times, and not have known so much of one another.
'And Miss Wade,' said Mr Meagles, after they had recalled a number of
fellow-travellers. 'Has anybody seen Miss Wade?' 'I have,' said Tattycoram.
She had brought a little mantle which her young mistress had sent for,
and was bending over her, putting it on, when she lifted up her dark
eyes and made this unexpected answer. 'Tatty!' her young mistress exclaimed. 'You seen Miss Wade?--where?' 'Here, miss,' said Tattycoram. 'How?'
An impatient glance from Tattycoram seemed, as Clennam saw it, to answer
'With my eyes!' But her only answer in words was: 'I met her near the
church.' 'What was she doing there I wonder!' said Mr Meagles. 'Not going to it,
I should think.' 'She had written to me first,' said Tattycoram.
'Oh, Tatty!' murmured her mistress, 'take your hands away. I feel as if
some one else was touching me!'
She said it in a quick involuntary way, but half playfully, and not more
petulantly or disagreeably than a favourite child might have done, who
laughed next moment. Tattycoram set her full red lips together, and
crossed her arms upon her bosom. 'Did you wish to know, sir,' she said,
looking at Mr Meagles, 'what Miss Wade wrote to me about?' 'Well, Tattycoram,' returned Mr Meagles, 'since you ask the question,
and we are all friends here, perhaps you may as well mention it, if you
are so inclined.' 'She knew, when we were travelling, where you lived,' said Tattycoram,
'and she had seen me not quite--not quite--'