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But Ralph looked coldly on; and Arthur Gride, whose bleared eyes gloated only over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reigned within, evinced a fantastic kind of warmth certainly, but not exactly that kind of warmth of feeling which the contemplation of virtue usually inspires. 'Madeline, said her father, gently disengaging himself, 'it was nothing.
She looks prettier in tears. 'Villain! said Nicholas, choking with his rage. 'One minute more, cried Arthur Gride, 'and I'll rouse the street with such screams, as, if they were raised by anybody else, should wake me even in the arms of pretty Madeline. 'You hound! said Nicholas. 'If you were but a younger man
'Why, who the devil should there be? retorted Ralph, testily. 'I didn't know but that perhaps somebody might be passing up or down the stairs, said Arthur Gride, after looking out at the door and carefully reclosing it; 'or but that your man might have come back and might have been listening outside.
There's a liquorish devilry in your face. What is this? 'I wouldn't deceive YOU, you know, whined Arthur Gride; 'I couldn't do it, I should be mad to try. I, I, to deceive Mr Nickleby! The pigmy to impose upon the giant. I ask again he, he, he! what should you say to me if I was to tell you that I was going to be married? 'To some old hag? said Ralph.
'There's something more to be told, said Ralph, as stony and immovable as ever. 'Yes, yes, there is, but you won't give me time, returned Arthur Gride. 'I want a backer in this matter; one who can talk, and urge, and press a point, which you can do as no man can. I can't do that, for I am a poor, timid, nervous creature.
'I'll cry robbers, thieves, murder, alarm the neighbourhood, struggle with you, let loose some blood, and swear you came to rob me, if you don't quit my house, replied Gride, drawing in his head with a frightful grin, 'I will! 'Wretch! cried Nicholas.
Without waiting for a reply, he darted off at a rapid pace, and, plunging into the crowds which thronged the street, was quickly lost to view. 'He's a violent youth at times, said Newman, looking after him; 'and yet like him for it. There's cause enough now, or the deuce is in it. Hope! I SAID hope, I think! Ralph Nickleby and Gride with their heads together! And hope for the opposite party!
Now, if you get a good composition for this debt, which you long ago gave up for lost, you'll stand my friend, and help me. Won't you? 'There's something more, said Ralph. 'No, no, indeed, cried Arthur Gride. 'Yes, yes, indeed. I tell you yes, said Ralph. 'Oh! returned old Arthur feigning to be suddenly enlightened. 'You mean something more, as concerns myself and my intention.
Reparation! Here is an offer of marriage, that many a titled father would leap at, for his child. Mr Arthur Gride, with the fortune of a prince. Think what a haul it is! 'My daughter, sir, returned Bray, haughtily, 'as I have brought her up, would be a rich recompense for the largest fortune that a man could bestow in exchange for her hand.
I mustn't tell him that part of the business, or he'll put me out of sorts, and make me nervous for the day. Ralph was universally looked up to, and recognised among his fellows as a superior genius, but upon Arthur Gride his stern unyielding character and consummate art had made so deep an impression, that he was actually afraid of him.
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