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‘In the name of the great judge,’ said I, ‘before whom you
and all of us must stand at His dread time, dismiss that ter-
rible idea! We can all do some good, if we will.’
She trembled, and her lip shook, and her face was paler,
as she answered:
‘It has been put into your hearts, perhaps, to save a wretch-
ed creature for repentance. I am afraid to think so; it seems
too bold. If any good should come of me, I might begin to
hope; for nothing but harm has ever come of my deeds yet. I
am to be trusted, for the first time in a long while, with my
miserable life, on account of what you have given me to try
for. I know no more, and I can say no more.’
Again she repressed the tears that had begun to flow; and,
putting out her trembling hand, and touching Mr. Peggotty,
as if there was some healing virtue in him, went away along
the desolate road. She had been ill, probably for a long time.
I observed, upon that closer opportunity of observation,
that she was worn and haggard, and that her sunken eyes
expressed privation and endurance.
We followed her at a short distance, our way lying in the
same direction, until we came back into the lighted and
populous streets. I had such implicit confidence in her dec-
laration, that I then put it to Mr. Peggotty, whether it would
not seem, in the onset, like distrusting her, to follow her
any farther. He being of the same mind, and equally reliant
on her, we suffered her to take her own road, and took ours,
which was towards Highgate. He accompanied me a good
part of the way; and when we parted, with a prayer for the
success of this fresh effort, there was a new and thoughtful

10 0 David Copperfield