Page 518 - bleak-house

people coming in and going out, which we were in the midst
of and which the change in the business had brought to-
gether. Richard and I were making our way through it, and
I was yet in the first chill of the late unexpected recognition
when I saw, coming towards us, but not seeing us, no less
a person than Mr. George. He made nothing of the people
about him as he tramped on, staring over their heads into
the body of the court.
‘George!’ said Richard as I called his attention to him.
‘You are well met, sir,’ he returned. ‘And you, miss. Could
you point a person out for me, I want? I don’t understand
these places.’
Turning as he spoke and making an easy way for us, he
stopped when we were out of the press in a corner behind a
great red curtain.
‘There’s a little cracked old woman,’ he began, ‘that—‘
I put up my finger, for Miss Flite was close by me, having
kept beside me all the time and having called the attention
of several of her legal acquaintance to me (as I had over-
heard to my confusion) by whispering in their ears, ‘Hush!
Fitz Jarndyce on my left!’
‘Hem!’ said Mr. George. ‘You remember, miss, that we
passed some conversation on a certain man this morning?
Gridley,’ in a low whisper behind his hand.
‘Yes,’ said I.
‘He is hiding at my place. I couldn’t mention it. Hadn’t
his authority. He is on his last march, miss, and has a whim
to see her. He says they can feel for one another, and she has
been almost as good as a friend to him here. I came down

518 Bleak House