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872 THE ADVENTURES OF PHILIP
the Miss Bolderos, who must naturally be very uncomfortable, being
on sufferance and as it were in pain, as they lie on their beds ;—
what sorrows do we not perceive brooding over the nightcaps?
There is poor Charlotte who has said her prayer for her Philip ; and
as she lays her young eyes on the pillow, they wet it with their
tears. Why does her mother for ever and for ever speak against
him ? Why is her father so cold when Philip's name is mentioned ?
Could Charlotte ever think of any but him ? Oh, never, never !
And so the wet eyes are veiled at last ; and close in doubt and fear
and care. And in the next room to Charlotte's, a little yellow old
woman lies stark awake ; and in the bed by her side an old gentleman
can't close his eyes for thinking—my poor girl is promised to
a beggar. All the fine hopes which we had of his getting a legacy
from that lord are over. Poor child, poor child, what will become
of her?
Now, Two Sticks, let us fly over the river Seine to Mr. Philip
Firmin's quarters : to Philip's house, who has not got a penny ; to
Philip's bed, who has made himself so rude and disagreeable at that
tea-party. He has no idea that he has offended anybody. He has
gone home perfectly well pleased. He has kicked off the tattered
boot. He has found a little fire lingering in his stove by which he
has smoked the pipe of thought. Ere he has jumped into his bed
he has knelt a moment beside it ; and with all his heart—oh ! with
all his heart and soul—has committed the dearest one to Heaven's
loving protection ! And now he sleeps like a child.