“I was happy,” said Mr. Lorry, “to be entrusted with the charge.
I shall be more happy to execute it.”
“Sir, I thank you indeed. I thank you very gratefully. It was told
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
me by the Bank that the gentleman would explain to me the
details of the business, and that I must prepare myself to find
them of a surprising nature. I have done my best to prepare
myself, and I naturally have a strong and eager interest to know
what they are.”
“Naturally,” said Mr. Lorry. “YesI” After a pause, he
added, again settling the crisp flaxen wig at the ears.
“It is very difficult to begin.”
He did not begin, but, in his indecision, met her glance. The
young forehead lifted itself into that singular expressionbut it
was pretty and characteristic, besides being singularand she
raised her hand, as if with an involuntary action she caught at, or
stayed some passing shadow.
“Are you quite a stranger to me, sir?”
“Am I not?” Mr. Lorry opened his hands, and extended them
outwards with an argumentative smile.
Between the eyebrows and just over the little feminine nose,
the line of which was as delicate and fine as it was possible to be,
the expression deepened itself as she took her seat thoughtfully in
the chair by which she had hitherto remained standing. He
watched her as she mused, and the moment she raised her eyes
again, went on:
“In your adopted country, I presume, I cannot do better than
address you as a young English lady, Miss Manette?”
“If you please, sir.”
“Miss Manette, I am a man of business. I have a business
charge to acquit myself of. In y