unfortunate name has been so long bestowed （which I can’t）； or
could level them by the extinction of my own original right （which
I can’t； either； and no human power ever can； anyhow； I believe； to
such a pass have we got）； I would do it this hour。 I would rather
restore to poor Rick his proper nature； than be endowed with all
the money that dead suitors； broken； heart and soul； upon the
wheel of Chancery； have left unclaimed with the Accountant
General—and that’s money enough； my dear； to be cast into a
pyramid； in memory of Chancery’s transcendent wickedness。”
“Is it possible； Guardian；” I asked； amazed； “that Richard can
be suspicious of you？”
“Ah； my love； my love；” he said； “it is in the subtle poison of
such abuses to breed such diseases。 His blood is infected； and
objects lose their natural aspects in his sight。 It is not his fault。”
“But it is a terrible misfortune； Guardian。”
“It is a terrible misfortune； little woman； to be ever drawn
within the influences of Jarndyce and Jarndyce。 I know none
greater。 By little and little he has been induced to trust in that
rotten reed； and it communicates some portion of its rottenness to
everything around him。 But again； I say； with all my soul； we must
be patient with poor Rick； and not blame him。 What a troop of fine
fresh hearts； like his； have I seen in my time turned by the same
means！”
I could not help expressing something of my wonder and regret
that his benevolent disinterested intentions had prospered so
little。
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“We must not say so； Dame Durden；” he cheerfully replied；
“Ada is the happier； I hope； and that is much。 I did think that I and
both these young creatures might be friends； instead of distrustful
foes； and that we might so far counteract the suit； and prove too
strong for it。 But it was too much to expect。 Jarndyce and
Jarndyce was the curtain of Rick’s cradle。”
“But； Guardian； may we not hope that a little experience will
teach him what a false and wretched thing it is？”
“We will hope so； my Esther；” said Mr Jarndyce； “and that it
may not teach him so too late。 In any case we must not be hard on
him。 There are not many grown and matured men living while we
speak； good men too； who； if they were thrown into this same
court as suitors； would not be vitally changed and depreciated
within three years—within two—within one。 How can we stand
amazed at poor Rick？ A young man so unfortunate；” here he fell
into a lower tone； as if he were thinking aloud； “cannot at first
believe （who could？） that Chancery is what it is。 He looks to it；
flushed and fitfully； to do something with his interests； and bring
them to some settlement。 It procrastinates； disappoints； tries；
tortures him； wears out his sanguine hopes and patience； thread
by thread； but he still looks to it； and hankers after it； and finds his
whole world treacherous and hollow。 Well； well； well！ Enough of
this； my dear！”
He had supported me； as at first； all this time； and his
tenderness was so precious to me； that I leaned my head upon his
shoulder and loved him as if he had been my father。 I resolved in
my own mind in this little pause； by some means； to see Richard
when I grew strong； and try to set him right。
“There are better subjects than these；” said my Guardian； “for
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such a joyful time as the time of our dear girl’s recovery。 And I had
a commission to broach one of them； as soon as I should begin to
talk。 When shall Ada come to see you； my love？”
I had been thinking of that too。 A little in connection with the
absent mirrors； but not much； for I knew my loving girl would be
changed by no change in my looks。
“Dear Guardian；” said I； “as I have shut her out so long—
though indeed； indeed； she is like the light to me—”
“I know it well； Dame Durden； well。”
He was so good； his touch expressed such endearing
compassion and affection； and the tone of his voice carried such
comfort into my heart； that I stopped for a little while； quite
unable to go on。 “Yes； yes； you are tired；” said he。 “Rest a little。”
“As I have kept Ada out so long；” I began afresh after a short
while； “I think I should like to have my own way a little longer；
Guardian。 It would be best to be away from here before I see her。
If Charley and I were to go to some country lodging as soon as I
can move； and if I had a week there； in which to grow stronger and
to be revived by the sweet air； and to look forward to the
happiness of having Ada with me again； I think it would be better
for us。”
I hope it was not a poor thing in me to wish to be a little more
used to my altered self； before I met the eyes of the dear girl I
longed so ardently to see； but it is the truth。 I did。 He understood
me； I was sure； but I was not afraid of that。 If it were a poor thing I
knew he would pass it over。
“Our spoilt little woman；” said my Guardian； “shall have her
own way even in her inflexibility； though at the price； I know； of
tears downstairs。 And see here！ Here is Boythorn； heart of
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Bleak House 681
chivalry； breathing such ferocious vows as never were breathed on
paper before； that if you don’t go and occupy his whole house； he
having already turned out of it expressly for that purpose； by
Heaven and by earth he’ll pull it down； and not leave one brick
standing on another！”
And my Guardian put a letter in my hand； without any ordinary
beginning such as “My dear Jarndyce；” but rushing at once into
the words； “I swear if Miss Summerson do not come down and
take possession of my house； which I vacate for her this day at one
o’clock； p。m。；” and then with the utmost seriousness； and in the
most emphatic terms； going on to make the extraordinary
declaration he had quoted。 We did not appreciate the writer the
less for laughing heartily over it； and we settled that I should send
him a letter of thanks on the morrow； and accept his offer。 It was a
most agreeable one to me； for all the places I could have thought
of； I should have liked to go to none so well as Chesney Wold。
“Now； little housewife；” said my Guardian； looking at his watch；
“I was strictly timed before I came upstairs； for you must not be
tired too soon； and my time has waned away to the last minute。 I
have one other petition。 Little Miss Flite； hearing a rumour that
you were ill； made nothing of walking down here—twenty miles；
poor soul； in a pair of dancing shoes—to inquire。 It was Heaven’s
mercy we were at home； or she would have walked back again。”
The old conspiracy to make me happy！ Everybody seemed to be
in it！
“Now； pet；” said my Guardian； “if it would not be irksome to
you to admit the harmless little creature one afternoon； before you
save Boythorn’s otherwise devoted house from demolition； I
believe you would make her prouder and better pleased with
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Bleak House 682
herself than I—though my eminent name is Jarndyce—could do in
a lifetime。”
I have no doubt he knew there would be something in the
simple image of the poor afflicted creature； that would fall like a
gentle lesson on my mind at that time。 I felt it as he spoke to me。 I
could not tell him heartily enough how ready I was to receive her。
I had always pitied her； never so much as now。 I had always been
glad of my little power to soothe her under her calamity； but
never； never； half so glad before。
We arranged a time for Miss Flite to come out by the coach； and
share my early dinner。 When my Guardian left me； I turned my
face away upon my couch； and prayed to be forgiven if I；
surrounded by such blessings； had magnified to myself the little
trial that I had to undergo。 The childish prayer of that old
birthday； when I had aspired to be industrious； contented； and
true…hearted； and to do so
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