“Miss Dartle,” I returned, “you deepen the injury. It is sufficient already. I will only say, at parting, that you do him a great wrong.”

“I do him no wrong,” she returned. “They are a depraved, worthless set. I would have her whipped!”

Mr. Peggotty passed on, without a word, and went out at the door.

“Oh, shame, Miss Dartle! shame!” I said indignantly. “How can you bear to trample on his undeserved affliction!”