"No matter! Do you think you bring your paltry money here s a favour or gift; or as a matter of business, and in return for value received?"
Fred Barnard
1875
13.7 x 10.5 cm (5 ½ by 4 ⅛ inches), framed, p. 309. For Chapter 40.
Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby, The Household Edition, p. 309.
[Click on image to enlarge it.]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.
And yet Nicholas was in the Rules of the King’s Bench Prison! If he had been in Italy indeed, and the time had been sunset, and the scene a stately terrace! But, there is one broad sky over all the world, and whether it be blue or cloudy, the same heaven beyond it; so, perhaps, he had no need of compunction for thinking as he did.
It is not to be supposed that he took in everything at one glance, for he had as yet been unconscious of the presence of a sick man propped up with pillows in an easy-chair, who, moving restlessly and impatiently in his seat, attracted his attention.
He was scarce fifty, perhaps, but so emaciated as to appear much older. His features presented the remains of a handsome countenance, but one in which the embers of strong and impetuous passions were easier to be traced than any expression which would have rendered a far plainer face much more prepossessing. His looks were very haggard, and his limbs and body literally worn to the bone, but there was something of the old fire in the large sunken eye notwithstanding, and it seemed to kindle afresh as he struck a thick stick, with which he seemed to have supported himself in his seat, impatiently on the floor twice or thrice, and called his daughter by her name.
"Madeline, who is this? What does anybody want here? Who told a stranger we could be seen? What is it?"
"I believe —" the young lady began, as she inclined her head with an air of some confusion, in reply to the salutation of Nicholas.
"You always believe," returned her father, petulantly. "What is it?"
By this time Nicholas had recovered sufficient presence of mind to speak for himself, so he said (as it had been agreed he should say) that he had called about a pair of hand-screens, and some painted velvet for an ottoman, both of which were required to be of the most elegant design possible, neither time nor expense being of the smallest consideration. He had also to pay for the two drawings, with many thanks, and, advancing to the little table, he laid upon it a bank note, folded in an envelope and sealed.
"See that the money is right, Madeline," said the father. "Open the paper, my dear." [Chapter XLVI, "Throws some Light upon Nicholas's Love; but whether for Good or Evil the Reader must determine," xxx]
Left: C. S. Reinhart's American Household Edition interpretation of the third meeting of Nicholas and the young lady: "I must speak to her — I will! I will not leave this house without." Right: Harry Furniss's interpretation of Nicholas's later rescue of Madeline: Nicholas rescues Madeline (1910).
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Left: Phiz finally brings Nicholas and Madeline face to face in Nicholas Makes His First Visit to Mr. Bray (June 1839). Right: Sol Eytinge, Jr.'s Diamond Edition study of the novel's belatedly introduced secondary heroine: Walter Bray and Madeline (1867).
Barnard, J. "Fred" (il.). Charles Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby, with fifty-nine illustrations. The Works of Charles Dickens: The Household Edition. 22 vols. London: Chapman and Hall, 1875. XV. Rpt. 1890.
Bentley, Nicolas, Michael Slater, and Nina Burgis. The Dickens Index. Oxford and New York: Oxford U. P., 1988.
Davis, Paul. Charles Dickens A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Life and Work. New York: Facts On File, 1998.
Dickens, Charles. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. With fifty-two illustrations by C. S. Reinhart. The Household Edition. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1872. I.
__________. Nicholas Nickleby. With 39 illustrations by Hablot K. Browne ("Phiz"). London: Chapman & Hall, 1839.
__________. Nicholas Nickleby. Illustrated by Harry Furniss. The Charles Dickens Library Edition. 18 vols. London: Educational Book, 1910. Vol. 4.
__________. "Nicholas Nickleby." Scenes and Characters from the Works of Charles Dickens, being eight hundred and sixty-six drawings by Fred Barnard et al.. Household Edition. London: Chapman and Hall, 1908.
Created 8 September 2021
