Book 1

, chap. xi.]

[Illustration: THE PARLOUR FIRE TICKED IN THE GRATE. THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON ON THE PARLOUR HEARTH, AND THE LOUD WATCH IN HIS POCKET TICKED AUDIBLY. THE SERVANT MAID HAD TICKED THE TWO WORDS, "MR. CLENNAM," SO SOFTLY, THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN HEARD; AND HE CONSEQUENTLY STOOD, WITHIN THE DOOR SHE HAD CLOSED, UNNOTICED-- Book 1 , chap. xiii.]

[Illustration: HIS DOOR WAS SOFTLY OPENED, AND THESE SPOKEN WORDS STARTLED HIM, AND CAME AS IF THEY WERE AN ANSWER, "LITTLE DORRIT"--