"Miss Summerson is not related to any party in the cause, I think."

"No, my lord."

"Very well," said his lordship, after taking Miss Ada aside and asking
her if she thought she would be happy at Bleak House. "I shall make the
order. Mr. Jarndyce of Bleak House has chosen, so far as I may judge, a
very good companion for the young lady, and the arrangement seems the
best of which the circumstances admit."

He dismissed us pleasantly and we all went out. As we stood for a
minute, waiting for Mr. Kenge, a curious little old woman, Miss Flite,
in a squeezed bonnet, and carrying a reticule, came curtsying and
smiling up to us, with an air of great ceremony.

"Oh!" said she, "The wards in Jarndyce. Very happy, I am sure, to have
the honour. It is a good omen for youth, and hope, and beauty when they
find themselves in this place, and don't know what's to come of it."

"Mad!" whispered Richard, not thinking she could hear him.

"Right! Mad, young gentleman," she returned quickly. "I was a ward
myself. I was not mad at that time. I had youth and hope; I believe
beauty. It matters very little now. Neither of the three served, or
saved me. I have the honour to attend court regularly. I expect a
judgment. On the Day of Judgment. I have discovered that the sixth seal
mentioned in the Revelations is the great seal. Pray accept my
blessing."

Mr. Kenge coming up, the poor old lady went on. "I shall confer estates