'I love the child--if you could do without making me deceive her--' The dwarf muttering a terrible oath looked round as if for some weapon with which to inflict condign punishment upon his disobedient wife.

The submissive little woman hurriedly entreated him not to be angry, and promised to do as he bade her.
'Do you hear me,' whispered Quilp, nipping and pinching her arm; 'worm yourself into her secrets; I know you can.

I'm listening, recollect.

If you're not sharp enough, I'll creak the door, and woe betide you if I have to creak it much.

Go!' Mrs Quilp departed according to order, and her amiable husband, ensconcing himself behind the partly opened door, and applying his ear close to it, began to listen with a face of great craftiness and attention.
Poor Mrs Quilp was thinking, however, in what manner to begin or what kind of inquiries she could make; and it was not until the door, creaking in a very urgent manner, warned her to proceed without further consideration, that the sound of her voice was heard.
'How very often you have come backwards and forwards lately to Mr Quilp, my dear.' 'I have said so to grandfather, a hundred times,' returned Nell innocently.
'And what has he said to that ?' 'Only sighed, and dropped his head, and seemed so sad and wretched that if you could have seen him I am sure you must have cried; you could not have helped it more than I, I know.