1The Brothers Cheeryble make various Declarations for themselves and others. Tim Linkinwater makes a Declaration for himself

2Some weeks had passed, and the first shock of these events had subsided. Madeline had been removed; Frank had been absent; and Nicholas and Kate had begun to try in good earnest to stifle their own regrets, and to live for each other and for their motherwho, poor lady, could in nowise be reconciled to this dull and altered state of affairswhen there came one evening, per favour of Mr. Linkinwater, an invitation from the brothers to dinner on the next day but one: comprehending, not only Mrs Nickleby, Kate, and Nicholas, but little Miss La Creevy, who was most particularly mentioned.

3Now, my dears,’ said Mrs. Nickleby, when they had rendered becoming honour to the bidding, and Tim had taken his departure, ‘what does this mean?’

4What do you mean, mother? asked Nicholas, smiling.

5I say, my dear,’ rejoined that lady, with a face of unfathomable mystery, ‘what does this invitation to dinner mean? What is its intention and object?’

6I conclude it means, that on such a day we are to eat and drink in their house, and that its intent and object is to confer pleasure upon us,’ said Nicholas.

7And thats all you conclude it is, my dear?

8I have not yet arrived at anything deeper, mother.

9Then Ill just tell you one thing,’ said Mrs. Nickleby, youll find yourself a little surprised; thats all. You may depend upon it that this means something besides dinner.

10Tea and supper, perhaps,’ suggested Nicholas.

11I wouldn’t be absurd, my dear, if I were you,’ replied Mrs. Nickleby, in a lofty manner, ‘because its not by any means becoming, and doesn’t suit you at all. What I mean to say is, that the Mr. Cheerybles dont ask us to dinner with all this ceremony for nothing. Never mind; wait and see. You wont believe anything I say, of course. Its much better to wait; a great deal better; its satisfactory to all parties, and there can be no disputing. All I say is, remember what I say now, and when I say I said so, dont say I didn’t.’

12With this stipulation, Mrs. Nickleby, who was troubled, night and day, with a vision of a hot messenger tearing up to the door to announce that Nicholas had been taken into partnership, quitted that branch of the subject, and entered upon a new one.

13Its a very extraordinary thing,’ she said, ‘a most extraordinary thing, that they should have invited Miss La Creevy. It quite astonishes me, upon my word it does. Of course its very pleasant that she should be invited, very pleasant, and I have no doubt that shell conduct herself extremely well; she always does. Its very gratifying to think that we should have been the means of introducing her into such society, and Im quite glad of itquite rejoicedfor she certainly is an exceedingly well-behaved and good-natured little person. I could wish that some friend would mention to her how very badly she has her cap trimmed, and what very preposterous bows those are, but of course thats impossible, and if she likes to make a fright of herself, no doubt she has a perfect right to do so. We never see ourselvesnever do, and never didand I suppose we never shall.’

14This moral reflection reminding her of the necessity of being peculiarly smart on the occasion, so as to counterbalance Miss La Creevy, and be herself an effectual set-off and atonement, led Mrs. Nickleby into a consultation with her daughter relative to certain ribbons, gloves, and trimmings: which, being a complicated question, and one of paramount importance, soon routed the previous one, and put it to flight.

15The great day arriving, the good lady put herself under Kate’s hands an hour or so after breakfast, and, dressing by easy stages, completed her toilette in sufficient time to allow of her daughters making hers, which was very simple, and not very long, though so satisfactory that she had never appeared more charming or looked more lovely. Miss La Creevy, too, arrived with two bandboxes (whereof the bottoms fell out as they were handed from the coach) and something in a newspaper, which a gentleman had sat upon, coming down, and which was obliged to be ironed again, before it was fit for service. At last, everybody was dressed, including Nicholas, who had come home to fetch them, and they went away in a coach sent by the brothers for the purpose: Mrs. Nickleby wondering very much what they would have for dinner, and cross-examining Nicholas as to the extent of his discoveries in the morning; whether he had smelt anything cooking at all like turtle, and if not, what he had smelt; and diversifying the conversation with reminiscences of dinners to which she had gone some twenty years ago, concerning which she particularised not only the dishes but the guests, in whom her hearers did not feel a very absorbing interest, as not one of them had ever chanced to hear their names before.

16The old butler received them with profound respect and many smiles, and ushered them into the drawing-room, where they were received by the brothers with so much cordiality and kindness that Mrs. Nickleby was quite in a flutter, and had scarcely presence of mind enough, even to patronise Miss La Creevy. Kate was still more affected by the reception: for, knowing that the brothers were acquainted with all that had passed between her and Frank, she felt her position a most delicate and trying one, and was trembling on the arm of Nicholas, when Mr. Charles took her in his, and led her to another part of the room.

17Have you seen Madeline, my dear,’ he said, ‘since she left your house?’

18No, sir! replied Kate. Not once.’

19And not heard from her, eh? Not heard from her?

20I have only had one letter,’ rejoined Kate, gently. I thought she would not have forgotten me quite so soon.’

21Ah,’ said the old man, patting her on the head, and speaking as affectionately as if she had been his favourite child. Poor dear! what do you think of this, brother Ned? Madeline has only written to her once, only once, Ned, and she didn’t think she would have forgotten her quite so soon, Ned.’

22Oh! sad, sad; very sad! said Ned.

23The brothers interchanged a glance, and looking at Kate for a little time without speaking, shook hands, and nodded as if they were congratulating each other on something very delightful.

24Well, well,’ said brother Charles, ‘go into that room, my dearthat door yonderand see if theres not a letter for you from her. I think theres one upon the table. You needn’t hurry back, my love, if there is, for we dont dine just yet, and theres plenty of time. Plenty of time.’

25Kate retired as she was directed. Brother Charles, having followed her graceful figure with his eyes, turned to Mrs. Nickleby, and said:

26We took the liberty of naming one hour before the real dinner-time, maam, because we had a little business to speak about, which would occupy the interval. Ned, my dear fellow, will you mention what we agreed upon? Mr. Nickleby, sir, have the goodness to follow me.

27Without any further explanation, Mrs. Nickleby, Miss La Creevy, and brother Ned, were left alone together, and Nicholas followed brother Charles into his private room; where, to his great astonishment, he encountered Frank, whom he supposed to be abroad.

28Young men,’ said Mr. Cheeryble, ‘shake hands!’

29I need no bidding to do that,’ said Nicholas, extending his.

30Nor I,’ rejoined Frank, as he clasped it heartily.

31The old gentleman thought that two handsomer or finer young fellows could scarcely stand side by side than those on whom he looked with so much pleasure. Suffering his eyes to rest upon them, for a short time in silence, he said, while he seated himself at his desk:

32I wish to see you friendsclose and firm friendsand if I thought you otherwise, I should hesitate in what I am about to say. Frank, look here! Mr. Nickleby, will you come on the other side?

33The young men stepped up on either hand of brother Charles, who produced a paper from his desk, and unfolded it.

34This,’ he said, ‘is a copy of the will of Madelines maternal grandfather, bequeathing her the sum of twelve thousand pounds, payable either upon her coming of age or marrying. It would appear that this gentleman, angry with her (his only relation) because she would not put herself under his protection, and detach herself from the society of her father, in compliance with his repeated overtures, made a will leaving this property (which was all he possessed) to a charitable institution. He would seem to have repented this determination, however, for three weeks afterwards, and in the same month, he executed this. By some fraud, it was abstracted immediately after his decease, and the otherthe only will foundwas proved and administered. Friendly negotiations, which have only just now terminated, have been proceeding since this instrument came into our hands, and, as there is no doubt of its authenticity, and the witnesses have been discovered (after some trouble), the money has been refunded. Madeline has therefore obtained her right, and is, or will be, when either of the contingencies which I have mentioned has arisen, mistress of this fortune. You understand me?’

35Frank replied in the affirmative. Nicholas, who could not trust himself to speak lest his voice should be heard to falter, bowed his head.

36Now, Frank,’ said the old gentleman, ‘you were the immediate means of recovering this deed. The fortune is but a small one; but we love Madeline; and such as it is, we would rather see you allied to her with that, than to any other girl we know who has three times the money. Will you become a suitor to her for her hand?’

37No, sir. I interested myself in the recovery of that instrument, believing that her hand was already pledged to one who has a thousand times the claims upon her gratitude, and, if I mistake not, upon her heart, that I or any other man can ever urge. In this it seems I judged hastily.

38As you always do, sir,’ cried brother Charles, utterly forgetting his assumed dignity, ‘as you always do. How dare you think, Frank, that we would have you marry for money, when youth, beauty, and every amiable virtue and excellence were to be had for love? How dared you, Frank, go and make love to Mr. Nickleby’s sister without telling us first what you meant to do, and letting us speak for you?’

39I hardly dared to hope—’

40You hardly dared to hope! Then, so much the greater reason for having our assistance! Mr. Nickleby, sir, Frank, although he judged hastily, judged, for once, correctly. Madelines heart is occupied. Give me your hand, sir; it is occupied by you, and worthily and naturally. This fortune is destined to be yours, but you have a greater fortune in her, sir, than you would have in money were it forty times told. She chooses you, Mr Nickleby. She chooses as we, her dearest friends, would have her choose. Frank chooses as we would have him choose. He should have your sisters little hand, sir, if she had refused it a score of times; ay, he should, and he shall! You acted nobly, not knowing our sentiments, but now you know them, sir, you must do as you are bid. What! You are the children of a worthy gentleman! The time was, sir, when my dear brother Ned and I were two poor simple-hearted boys, wandering, almost barefoot, to seek our fortunes: are we changed in anything but years and worldly circumstances since that time? No, God forbid! Oh, Ned, Ned, Ned, what a happy day this is for you and me! If our poor mother had only lived to see us now, Ned, how proud it would have made her dear heart at last!

41Thus apostrophised, brother Ned, who had entered with Mrs. Nickleby, and who had been before unobserved by the young men, darted forward, and fairly hugged brother Charles in his arms.

42Bring in my little Kate,’ said the latter, after a short silence. Bring her in, Ned. Let me see Kate, let me kiss her. I have a right to do so now; I was very near it when she first came; I have often been very near it. Ah! Did you find the letter, my bird? Did you find Madeline herself, waiting for you and expecting you? Did you find that she had not quite forgotten her friend and nurse and sweet companion? Why, this is almost the best of all!’

43Come, come,’ said Ned, ‘Frank will be jealous, and we shall have some cutting of throats before dinner.’

44Then let him take her away, Ned, let him take her away. Madelines in the next room. Let all the lovers get out of the way, and talk among themselves, if theyve anything to say. Turnem out, Ned, every one!’

45Brother Charles began the clearance by leading the blushing girl to the door, and dismissing her with a kiss. Frank was not very slow to follow, and Nicholas had disappeared first of all. So there only remained Mrs Nickleby and Miss La Creevy, who were both sobbing heartily; the two brothers; and Tim Linkinwater, who now came in to shake hands with everybody: his round face all radiant and beaming with smiles.

46Well, Tim Linkinwater, sir,’ said brother Charles, who was always spokesman, ‘now the young folks are happy, sir.’

47You didn’t keepem in suspense as long as you said you would, though,’ returned Tim, archly. Why, Mr. Nickleby and Mr. Frank were to have been in your room for I dont know how long; and I dont know what you weren’t to have told them before you came out with the truth.’

48Now, did you ever know such a villain as this, Ned? said the old gentleman; ‘did you ever know such a villain as Tim Linkinwater? He accusing me of being impatient, and he the very man who has been wearying us morning, noon, and night, and torturing us for leave to go and tellem what was in store, before our plans were half complete, or we had arranged a single thing. A treacherous dog!’

49So he is, brother Charles,’ returned Ned; ‘Tim is a treacherous dog. Tim is not to be trusted. Tim is a wild young fellow. He wants gravity and steadiness; he must sow his wild oats, and then perhaps hell become in time a respectable member of society.’

50This being one of the standing jokes between the old fellows and Tim, they all three laughed very heartily, and might have laughed much longer, but that the brothers, seeing that Mrs. Nickleby was labouring to express her feelings, and was really overwhelmed by the happiness of the time, took her between them, and led her from the room under pretence of having to consult her on some most important arrangements.

51Now, Tim and Miss La Creevy had met very often, and had always been very chatty and pleasant togetherhad always been great friendsand consequently it was the most natural thing in the world that Tim, finding that she still sobbed, should endeavour to console her. As Miss La Creevy sat on a large old-fashioned window-seat, where there was ample room for two, it was also natural that Tim should sit down beside her; and as to Tims being unusually spruce and particular in his attire that day, why it was a high festival and a great occasion, and that was the most natural thing of all.

52Tim sat down beside Miss La Creevy, and, crossing one leg over the other so that his foothe had very comely feet and happened to be wearing the neatest shoes and black silk stockings possibleshould come easily within the range of her eye, said in a soothing way:

53Dont cry!

54I must,’ rejoined Miss La Creevy.

55No, dont,’ said Tim. Please dont; pray dont.’

56I am so happy! sobbed the little woman.

57Then laugh,’ said Tim. Do laugh.’

58What in the world Tim was doing with his arm, it is impossible to conjecture, but he knocked his elbow against that part of the window which was quite on the other side of Miss La Creevy; and it is clear that it could have no business there.

59Do laugh,’ said Tim, ‘or Ill cry.’

60Why should you cry? asked Miss La Creevy, smiling.

61Because Im happy too,’ said Tim. We are both happy, and I should like to do as you do.’

62Surely, there never was a man who fidgeted as Tim must have done then; for he knocked the window againalmost in the same placeand Miss La Creevy said she was sure hed break it.

63I knew,’ said Tim, ‘that you would be pleased with this scene.’

64It was very thoughtful and kind to remember me,’ returned Miss La Creevy. Nothing could have delighted me half so much.’

65Why on earth should Miss La Creevy and Tim Linkinwater have said all this in a whisper? It was no secret. And why should Tim Linkinwater have looked so hard at Miss La Creevy, and why should Miss La Creevy have looked so hard at the ground?

66Its a pleasant thing,’ said Tim, ‘to people like us, who have passed all our lives in the world alone, to see young folks that we are fond of, brought together with so many years of happiness before them.’

67Ah! cried the little woman with all her heart, ‘that it is!’

68Although,’ pursued Timalthough it makes one feel quite solitary and cast away. Now dont it?’

69Miss La Creevy said she didn’t know. And why should she say she didn’t know? Because she must have known whether it did or not.

70Its almost enough to make us get married after all, isn’t it? said Tim.

71Oh, nonsense! replied Miss La Creevy, laughing. We are too old.’

72Not a bit,’ said Tim; ‘we are too old to be single. Why shouldn’t we both be married, instead of sitting through the long winter evenings by our solitary firesides? Why shouldn’t we make one fireside of it, and marry each other?’

73Oh, Mr. Linkinwater, youre joking!

74No, no, Im not. Im not indeed,’ said Tim. I will, if you will. Do, my dear!’

75It would make people laugh so.

76Letem laugh,’ cried Tim stoutly; ‘we have good tempers I know, and well laugh too. Why, what hearty laughs we have had since weve known each other!’

77So we have,’ cried Miss La Creevy—giving way a little, as Tim thought.

78It has been the happiest time in all my life; at least, away from the counting-house and Cheeryble Brothers,’ said Tim. Do, my dear! Now say you will.’

79No, no, we mustn’t think of it,’ returned Miss La Creevy. What would the brothers say?’

80Why, God bless your soul! cried Tim, innocently, ‘you dont suppose I should think of such a thing without their knowing it! Why they left us here on purpose.’

81I can never lookem in the face again!’ exclaimed Miss La Creevy, faintly.

82Come,’ said Tim, ‘lets be a comfortable couple. We shall live in the old house here, where I have been for four-and-forty year; we shall go to the old church, where Ive been, every Sunday morning, all through that time; we shall have all my old friends about usDick, the archway, the pump, the flower-pots, and Mr. Franks children, and Mr. Nickleby’s children, that we shall seem like grandfather and grandmother to. Lets be a comfortable couple, and take care of each other! And if we should get deaf, or lame, or blind, or bed-ridden, how glad we shall be that we have somebody we are fond of, always to talk to and sit with! Lets be a comfortable couple. Now, do, my dear!’

83Five minutes after this honest and straightforward speech, little Miss La Creevy and Tim were talking as pleasantly as if they had been married for a score of years, and had never once quarrelled all the time; and five minutes after that, when Miss La Creevy had bustled out to see if her eyes were red and put her hair to rights, Tim moved with a stately step towards the drawing-room, exclaiming as he went, ‘There ant such another woman in all London! I know there ant!’

84By this time, the apoplectic butler was nearly in fits, in consequence of the unheard-of postponement of dinner. Nicholas, who had been engaged in a manner in which every reader may imagine for himself or herself, was hurrying downstairs in obedience to his angry summons, when he encountered a new surprise.

85On his way down, he overtook, in one of the passages, a stranger genteelly dressed in black, who was also moving towards the dining-room. As he was rather lame, and walked slowly, Nicholas lingered behind, and was following him step by step, wondering who he was, when he suddenly turned round and caught him by both hands.

86Newman Noggs! cried Nicholas joyfully

87Ah! Newman, your own Newman, your own old faithful Newman! My dear boy, my dear Nick, I give you joyhealth, happiness, every blessing! I cant bear itits too much, my dear boyit makes a child of me!

88Where have you been? said Nicholas. What have you been doing? How often have I inquired for you, and been told that I should hear before long!’

89I know, I know! returned Newman. They wanted all the happiness to come together. Ive been helpingem. IIlook at me, Nick, look at me!’

90You would never let me do that,’ said Nicholas in a tone of gentle reproach.

91I didn’t mind what I was, then. I shouldn’t have had the heart to put on gentlemans clothes. They would have reminded me of old times and made me miserable. I am another man now, Nick. My dear boy, I cant speak. Dont say anything to me. Dont think the worse of me for these tears. You dont know what I feel today; you cant, and never will!

92They walked in to dinner arm-in-arm, and sat down side by side.

93Never was such a dinner as that, since the world began. There was the superannuated bank clerk, Tim Linkinwater’s friend; and there was the chubby old lady, Tim Linkinwater’s sister; and there was so much attention from Tim Linkinwater’s sister to Miss La Creevy, and there were so many jokes from the superannuated bank clerk, and Tim Linkinwater himself was in such tiptop spirits, and little Miss La Creevy was in such a comical state, that of themselves they would have composed the pleasantest party conceivable. Then, there was Mrs. Nickleby, so grand and complacent; Madeline and Kate, so blushing and beautiful; Nicholas and Frank, so devoted and proud; and all four so silently and tremblingly happy; there was Newman so subdued yet so overjoyed, and there were the twin brothers so delighted and interchanging such looks, that the old servant stood transfixed behind his masters chair, and felt his eyes grow dim as they wandered round the table.

94When the first novelty of the meeting had worn off, and they began truly to feel how happy they were, the conversation became more general, and the harmony and pleasure if possible increased. The brothers were in a perfect ecstasy; and their insisting on saluting the ladies all round, before they would permit them to retire, gave occasion to the superannuated bank clerk to say so many good things, that he quite outshone himself, and was looked upon as a prodigy of humour.

95‘Kate, my dear,’ said Mrs. Nickleby, taking her daughter aside, as soon as they got upstairs, ‘you dont really mean to tell me that this is actually true about Miss La Creevy and Mr. Linkinwater?’

96Indeed it is, mama.

97Why, I never heard such a thing in my life! exclaimed Mrs. Nickleby.

98Mr. Linkinwater is a most excellent creature,’ reasoned Kate, ‘and, for his age, quite young still.’

99For his age, my dear! returned Mrs. Nickleby, ‘yes; nobody says anything against him, except that I think he is the weakest and most foolish man I ever knew. Its her age I speak of. That he should have gone and offered himself to a woman who must beah, half as old again as I amand that she should have dared to accept him! It dont signify, Kate; Im disgusted with her!’

100Shaking her head very emphatically indeed, Mrs. Nickleby swept away; and all the evening, in the midst of the merriment and enjoyment that ensued, and in which with that exception she freely participated, conducted herself towards Miss La Creevy in a stately and distant manner, designed to mark her sense of the impropriety of her conduct, and to signify her extreme and cutting disapprobation of the misdemeanour she had so flagrantly committed.