innocent babe as it lay in poor Ferguson's coat-tail.




CHAPTER II.


A Just Retribution.

One evening, about the middle of June, 18--, a gentleman called to
see me, accompanied by a lady closely veiled. He said he wished me
to procure suitable lodging for her, and to attend her on her
accouchement, which was now close at hand, stating that no money
would be spared to furnish everything necessary either to her
comfort or convenience. As I did not know of any lodging suitable to
a person of her station, I was puzzled how to act; I did not want to
lose a patient, and yet could not, even if so disposed, make room
for her in my own house. I knew that my next door neighbor (an
elderly French-Canadian lady) was accustomed to take in lodgers; so,
leaving the lady and gentleman for a while in my parlor, I went to
see if I could make arrangements for the reception of the former.
Madame Charbonneau, my neighbor, had all her rooms occupied, but
said she was willing for a consideration to give up her
drawing-rooms for a time to the fair patient. This was eminently
satisfactory to me, as, in the event of an emergency, I would be
close at hand; I accordingly arranged for Mrs. Trotter's
accommodation, and on reporting to Mr. Dombey, the gentleman
aforementioned, he seemed to be perfectly satisfied. From, what I
afterwards learned, I am able to inform the reader that Mr. Dombey