Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 2.djvu/183

Rh, but that I might have done so, and might have been equally helpless and unprotected with this poor child, have pity upon him before it is too late."

"My dear love!" said the elder lady, as she folded the weeping girl to her bosom; "do you think I would harm a hair of his head?"

"Oh, no!" replied Rose, eagerly, "not you, aunt, not you!"

"No," said the old lady with a trembling lip; "my days are drawing to their close, and may mercy be shown to me as I show it to others. What can I do to save him, sir?"

"Let me think, ma'am," said the doctor, "let me think."

Mr. Losberne thrust his hands into his pockets and took several turns up and down the room, often stopping and balancing himself on his toes, and frowning frightfully. After various exclamations of "I've got it now," and "no, I haven't," and as many renewals of the walking and frowning, he at length made a dead halt, and spoke as follows:

"I think if you give me a full and unlimited