He walked on, and she did not appear to hear his steps until he was
close upon her. When he said 'Miss Dorrit!' she started and fell back
from him, with an expression in her face of fright and something like
dislike that caused him unutterable dismay. She had often avoided him
before--always, indeed, for a long, long while. She had turned away and
glided off so often when she had seen him coming toward her, that the
unfortunate Young John could not think it accidental. But he had hoped
that it might be shyness, her retiring character, her foreknowledge of
the state of his heart, anything short of aversion. Now, that momentary
look had said, 'You, of all people! I would rather have seen any one on
earth than you!'
It was but a momentary look, inasmuch as she checked it, and said in her
soft little voice, 'Oh, Mr John! Is it you?' But she felt what it had
been, as he felt what it had been; and they stood looking at one another
equally confused. 'Miss Amy, I am afraid I disturbed you by speaking to you.' 'Yes, rather. I--I came here to be alone, and I thought I was.'
'Miss Amy, I took the liberty of walking this way, because Mr Dorrit
chanced to mention, when I called upon him just now, that you--'
She caused him more dismay than before by suddenly murmuring, 'O father,
father!' in a heartrending tone, and turning her face away.
'Miss Amy, I hope I don't give you any uneasiness by naming Mr Dorrit.
I assure you I found him very well and in the best of Spirits, and he
showed me even more than his usual kindness; being so very kind as to
say that I was not a stranger there, and in all ways gratifying me very
much.' To the inexpressible consternation of her lover, Little Dorrit, with her
hands to her averted face, and rocking herself where she stood as if she
were in pain, murmured, 'O father, how can you! O dear, dear father, how
can you, can you, do it!'
The poor fellow stood gazing at her, overflowing with sympathy, but not
knowing what to make of this, until, having taken out her handkerchief
and put it to her still averted face, she hurried away. At first he
remained stock still; then hurried after her.
'Miss Amy, pray! Will you have the goodness to stop a moment? Miss Amy,
if it comes to that, let ME go. I shall go out of my senses, if I have
to think that I have driven you away like this.'