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'Little Dorrit,' he said, taking her hand again, and speaking lower than

he had spoken yet, so that even Maggy in the small room could not hear

him, 'another word I have wanted very much to say this to you; I have

tried for opportunities Don't ht be your father or your uncle Always think of me as quite an

old man

I know that all your devotion centres in this roo to the last will ever tee here If I were not sure of it, I should, before now, have

implored you, and implored your father, to let me make some provision

for you in a more suitable place But you h even that ht be--may have, at another time,

an interest in some one else; an interest not incompatible with your

affection here' She was very, very pale, and silently shook her head

'It may be, dear Little Dorrit' 'No No No' She shook her head, after each slow repetition of

the word, with an air of quiet desolation that he re

afterwards The ti afterwards,

within those prison walls; within that very room

'But, if it ever should be, tell me so, my dear child Entrust the truth

to me, point out the object of such an interest to me, and I will try

with all the zeal, and honour, and friendship and respect that I feel