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she suggested from herself； knowing it was only necessary to suggest；
that it might be better if I were a little less panionable with Mr
Gowan。
I asked her how she could answer for what I meant？ She could always
answer； she replied； for my meaning nothing wrong。 I thanked her；
but said I would prefer to answer for myself and to myself。 Her other
servants would probably be grateful for good characters； but I wanted
none。
Other conversation followed； and induced me to ask her how she knew that
it was only necessary for her to make a suggestion to me； to have it
obeyed？ Did she presume on my birth； or on my hire？ I was not bought；
body and soul。 She seemed to think that her distinguished nephew had
gone into a slave…market and purchased a wife。
It would probably have e； sooner or later； to the end to which it did
e； but she brought it to its issue at once。 She told me； with assumed
miseration； that I had an unhappy temper。 On this repetition of the
old wicked injury； I withheld no longer； but exposed to her all I had
known of her and seen in her； and all I had undergone within myself
since I had occupied the despicable position of being engaged to her
nephew。 I told her that Mr Gowan was the only relief I had had in my
degradation； that I had borne it too long； and that I shook it off too
late； but that I would see none of them more。 And I never did。 Your dear
friend followed me to my retreat； and was very droll on the severance of
the connection； though he was sorry； too； for the excellent people
（in their way the best he had ever met）； and deplored the necessity of
breaking mere house…flies on the wheel。 He protested before long； and
far more truly than I then supposed； that he was not worth acceptance
by a woman of such endowments； and such power of character； but……well；
well……！
Your dear friend amused me and amused himself as long as it suited
his inclinations； and then reminded me that we were both people of the
world； that we both understood mankind； that we both knew there was no
such thing as romance； that we were both prepared for going different
ways to seek our fortunes like people of sense； and that we both foresaw
that whenever we encountered one another again we should meet as the
best friends on earth。 So he said； and I did not contradict him。
It was not very long before I found that he was courting his present
wife； and that she had been taken away to be out of his reach。 I hated
her then； quite as much as I hate her now； and naturally； therefore；
could desire nothing better than that she should marry him。 But I was
restlessly curious to look at her……so curious that I felt it to be one
of the few sources of entertainment left to me。 I travelled a little：
travelled until I found myself in her society； and in yours。 Your dear
friend； I think； was not known to you then； and had not given you any of
those signal marks of his friendship which he has bestowed upon you。
In that pany I found a girl； in various circumstances of whose
position there was a singular likeness to my own； and in whose character
I was interested and pleased to see much of the rising against swollen
patronage and selfishness； calling themselves kindness； protection；
benevolence； and other fine names； which I have described as inherent in
my nature。 I often heard it said； too； that she had 'an unhappy temper。'
Well understanding what was meant by the convenient phrase； and wanting
a panion with a knowledge of what I knew； I thought I would try to
release the girl from her bondage and sense of injustice。 I have no
occasion to relate that I succeeded。
We have been together ever since； sharing my small means。
CHAPTER 22。 Who passes by this Road so late？
Arthur Clennam had made his unavailing expedition to Calais in the midst
of a great pressure of business。 A certain barbaric Power with valuable
possessions on the map of the world； had occasion for the services of
one or two engineers； quick in invention and determined in execution：
practical men； who could make the men and means their ingenuity
perceived to be wanted out of the best materials they could find
at hand； and who were as bold and fertile in the adaptation of such
materials to their purpose； as in the conception of their purpose
itself。 This Power； being a barbaric one； had no idea of stowing away
a great national object in a Circumlocution Office； as strong wine is
hidden from the light in a cellar until its fire and youth are gone；
and the labourers who worked in the vineyard and pressed the grapes are
dust。 With characteristic ignorance； it acted on the most decided and
energetic notions of How to do it； and never showed the least respect
for； or gave any quarter to； the great political science； How not to do
it。 Indeed it had a barbarous way of striking the latter art and mystery
dead； in the person of any enlightened subject who practised it。
Accordingly； the men who were wanted were sought out and found； which
was in itself a most uncivilised and irregular way of proceeding。 Being
found； they were treated with great confidence and honour （which again
showed dense political ignorance）； and were invited to e at once and
do what they had to do。 In short； they were regarded as men who meant to
do it； engaging with other men who meant it to be done。
Daniel Doyce was one of the chosen。 There was no foreseeing at that time
whether he would be absent months or years。 The preparations for his
departure； and the conscientious arrangement for him of all the details
and results of their joint business； had necessitated labour within a
short pass of time； which had occupied Clennam day and night。 He
had slipped across the water in his first leisure； and had slipped as
quickly back again for his farewell interview with Doyce。
Him Arthur now showed； with pains and care； the state of their gains and
losses； responsibilities and prospects。 Daniel went through it all
in his patient manner； and admired it all exceedingly。 He audited the
accounts； as if they were a far more ingenious piece of mechanism than
he had ever constructed； and afterwards stood looking at them； weighing
his hat over his head by the brims； as if he were absorbed in the
contemplation of some wonderful engine。
'It's all beautiful； Clennam； in its regularity and order。 Nothing can
be plainer。 Nothing can be better。'
'I am glad you approve； Doyce。 Now； as to the management of your capital
while you are away； and as to the conversion of so much of it as the
business may need from time to time……' His partner stopped him。
'As to that； and as to everything else of that kind； all rests with you。
You will continue in all such matters to act for both of us； as you
have done hitherto； and to lighten my mind of a load it is much relieved
from。'
'Though； as I often tell you；' returned Clennam； 'you unreasonably
depreciate your business qualities。'
'Perhaps so；' said Doyce； smiling。 'And perhaps not。 Anyhow； I have a
calling that I have studied more than such matters； and that I am better
fitted for。 I have perfect confidence in my partner； and I am satisfied
that he will do what is best。 If I have a prejudice connected with money
and money figures；' continued Doyce； laying that plastic workman's thumb
of his on the lapel of his partner's coat； 'it is against speculating。
I don't think I have any other。 I dare say I entertain that prejudice；
only because I have never given my mind fully to the subject。'
'But you shouldn't call it a prejudice；' said Clennam。 'My dear Doyce；
it is the soundest sense。'
'I am glad you think so；' returned Doyce； with his grey eye looking kind
and bright。
'It so happens；' said Clennam； 'that just now； not half an hour before
you came down； I was saying the same thing to Pancks； who looked in
here。 We both agreed that to travel out of safe investments is one of
the most dangerous； as it is one of the most mon； of those follies
which often deserve the name of vices。'
'Pancks？' said Doyce； tilting up his hat at the back； and nodding with
an air of confidence。 'Aye； aye； aye！ That's a cautious fellow。'
'He is a very cautious fellow indeed；' returned Arthur