Page 1120 - david-copperfield

consenting party. My object, when the contest within my-
self between stipend and no stipend, baker and no baker,
existence and non-existence, ceased, was to take advantage
of my opportunities to discover and expose the major mal-
practices committed, to that gentleman’s grievous wrong
and injury, by - HEEP. Stimulated by the silent monitor
within, and by a no less touching and appealing monitor
without - to whom I will briefly refer as Miss W. - I entered
on a not unlaborious task of clandestine investigation, pro-
tracted - now, to the best of my knowledge, information, and
belief, over a period exceeding twelve calendar months.‘‘
He read this passage as if it were from an Act of Parlia-
ment; and appeared majestically refreshed by the sound of
the words.
‘’My charges against - HEEP,‘‘ he read on, glancing at
him, and drawing the ruler into a convenient position un-
der his left arm, in case of need, ‘“are as follows.‘‘
We all held our breath, I think. I am sure Uriah held his.
‘’First,‘‘ said Mr. Micawber, ‘“When Mr. W.’s faculties and
memory for business became, through causes into which it
is not necessary or expedient for me to enter, weakened and
confused, - HEEP - designedly perplexed and complicat-
ed the whole of the official transactions. When Mr. W. was
least fit to enter on business, - HEEP was always at hand
to force him to enter on it. He obtained Mr. W.’s signature
under such circumstances to documents of importance,
representing them to be other documents of no importance.
He induced Mr. W. to empower him to draw out, thus, one
particular sum of trust-money, amounting to twelve six

111