CHAPTER XX. WHEREIN OLIVER IS DELIVERED OVER TO MR. WILLIAM SIKES

cludedthathehadbeenselectedtoperformsomeordinarymenialofficesforthehousebreaker,untilanotherboy,bettersuitedforhispurposecouldbeengaged.Hewastoowellaccustomedtosuffering,andhadsufferedtoomuchwherehewas,tobewailtheprospectofchangeveryseverely.Heremainedlostinthoughtforsomeminutesandthen,withaheavysigh,snuffedthecandle,and,takingupthebookwhichtheJewhadleftwithhim,begantoread. Heturnedovertheleaves.Carelesslyatfirstbut,lightingonapassagewhichattractedhisattention,hesoonbecameintentuponthevolume.Itwasahistoryofthelivesandtrialsofgreatcriminalsandthepagesweresoiledandthumbedwithuse.Here,hereadofdreadfulcrimesthatmadethebloodruncoldofsecretmurdersthathadbeencommittedbythelonelywaysideofbodieshiddenfromtheeyeofmanindeeppitsandwells:whichwouldnotkeepthemdown,deepastheywere,buthadyieldedthemupatlast,aftermanyyears,andsomaddenedthemurdererswiththesight,thatintheirhorrortheyhadconfessedtheirguilt,andyelledforthegibbettoendtheiragony.Here,too,hereadofmenwho,lyingintheirbedsatdeadofnight,hadbeentempted(sotheysaid)andledon,bytheirownbadthoughts,tosuchdreadfulbloodshedasitmadethefleshcreep,andthelimbsquail,tothinkof.Theterribledescriptionsweresorealandvivid,thatthesallowpagesseemedtoturnredwithgoreandthewordsuponthem,tobesoundedinhisears,asiftheywerewhispered,inhollowmurmurs,bythespiritsofthedead. Inaparoxysmoffear,theboyclosedthebook,andthrustitfromhim.Then,fallinguponhisknees,heprayedHeaventosparehimfromsuchdeedsandrathertowillthatheshoulddieatonce,thanbereservedforcrimes,sofearfulandappalling.Bydegrees,hegrewmorecalm,andbesought,inalowandbrokenvoice,thathemightberescuedfromhispresentdangersandthatifanyaidweretoberaisedupforapooroutcastboywhohadneverknowntheloveoffriendsorkindred,itmightcometohimnow,when,desolateanddeserted,hestoodaloneinthemidstofwickednessandguilt. Hehadconcludedhisprayer,butstillremainedwithhisheadburiedinhishands,whenarustlingnoisearousedhim. “What’sthat!”hecried,startingup,andcatchingsightofafigurestandingbythedoor.“Who’sthere?” “Me.Onlyme,”repliedatremulousvoice. Oliverraisedthecandleabovehishead:andlookedtowardsthedoor.ItwasNancy. “Putdownthelight,”saidthegirl,turningawayherhead.“Ithurtsmyeyes.” Oliversawthatshewasverypale,andgentlyinquiredifshewereill.Thegirlthrewherselfintoachair,withherbacktowardshim:andwrungherhandsbutmadenoreply. “Godforgiveme!”shecriedafterawhile,“Ineverthoughtofthis.” “Hasanythinghappened?”askedOliver.“CanIhelpyou?IwillifIcan.Iwill,indeed.” Sherockedherselftoandfrocaughtherthroatand,utteringagurglingsound,gaspedforbreath. “Nancy!”criedOliver,“Whatisit?” Thegirlbeatherhandsuponherknees,andherfeetuponthegroundand,suddenlystopping,drewhershawlcloseroundher:andshiveredwithcold. Oliverstirredthefire.Drawi