‘Indeed!’ he said. ‘Speaking from the few words Mr. Murdstone dropped — as a man frequently does on these occasions — and from what Miss Murdstone let fall, I should say it was rather a good marriage.’

‘Do you mean that there is money, sir?’ I asked.

‘Yes,’ said Mr. Spenlow, ‘I understand there’s money. Beauty too, I am told.’

‘Indeed!

Is his new wife young?’

‘Just of age,’ said Mr. Spenlow. ‘So lately, that I should think they had been waiting for that.’

‘Lord deliver her!’ said Peggotty. So very emphatically and