As he got to his own door he found Charles leaning pensively against
the balustrade, gazing wistfully at the heavens.
"Well, Charlie, have you forgotten your latch-key?"
"N--no Sir," stammered Charles, "but it is so confoundedly hot
inside that I did not care to go in."
Dombey reflected that as the thermometer registered only about ten
degrees Fahrenheit he had but to open his window to attain as low a
temperature as was consistent with comfort; however, he said nothing,
and they both walked upstairs.
"Good night, Charlie."
"Good night, Father."
And they entered their respective chambers.
I have heard it said that if two men are placed in one bed, one in
love and the other with a toothache, that the man with the toothache
will fall asleep first. Here, however, were two men; one, past the
prime of life, afflicted with the most bitter remorse; the other,
young and susceptible, with all the fever of a youthful passion
springing up within his breast. Dombey could not sleep, the thought
that what at first was barely possible was now become highly
probable goaded him almost to madness. He rose and dressed himself,
going quietly out of the front door into Sherbrooke street. Along
the street he went at a fearful pace, till, almost faint from want
of breath, he turned down the hill towards the city, habit bringing
him along the route he was accustomed to take to his office.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32