The Greatest Children's Classics of Charles Dickens (Illustrated). Charles Dickens

Him who had protected and preserved them — these are all matters which need not to be told. I have said that they were truly happy; and without strong affection and humanity of heart, and gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things that breathe, happiness can never be attained.

      Within the altar of the old village church there stands a white marble tablet, which bears as yet but one word: ‘AGNES.’ There is no coffin in that tomb; and may it be many, many years, before another name is placed above it! But, if the spirits of the Dead ever come back to earth, to visit spots hallowed by the love — the love beyond the grave — of those whom they knew in life, I believe that the shade of Agnes sometimes hovers round that solemn nook. I believe it none the less because that nook is in a Church, and she was weak and erring.

      NICHOLAS NICKLEBY

       Table of Contents

Table of Contents

       Author’s Preface

       Chapter 1. Introduces all the Rest

       Chapter 2. Of Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his Establishments, and his Undertakings, and of a great Joint Stock Company of vast national Importance

       Chapter 3. Mr. Ralph Nickleby receives Sad Tidings of his Brother, but bears up nobly against the Intelligence communicated to him. The Reader is informed how he liked Nicholas, who is herein introduced, and how kindly he proposed to make his Fortune at once.

       Chapter 4. Nicholas and his Uncle (to secure the Fortune without loss of time) wait upon Mr. Wackford Squeers, the Yorkshire Schoolmaster

       Chapter 5. Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his Leave-taking and his Fellow-Travellers, and what befell them on the Road

       Chapter 6. In which the Occurrence of the Accident mentioned in the last Chapter, affords an Opportunity to a couple of Gentlemen to tell Stories against each other

       Chapter 7. Mr. and Mrs. Squeers at Home

       Chapter 8. Of the Internal Economy of Dotheboys Hall

       Chapter 9. Of Miss Squeers, Mrs. Squeers, Master Squeers, and Mr. Squeers; and of various Matters and Persons connected no less with the Squeerses than Nicholas Nickleby

       Chapter 10. How Mr. Ralph Nickleby provided for his Niece and Sister-in-Law

       Chapter 11. Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their New Dwelling in the City

       Chapter 12. Whereby the Reader will be enabled to trace the further course of Miss Fanny Squeer’s Love, and to ascertain whether it ran smooth or otherwise.

       Chapter 13. Nicholas varies the Monotony of Dothebys Hall by a most vigorous and remarkable proceeding, which leads to Consequences of some Importance

       Chapter 14. Having the Misfortune to treat of none but Common People, is necessarily of a Mean and Vulgar Character

       Chapter 15. Acquaints the Reader with the Cause and Origin of the Interruption described in the last Chapter, and with some other Matters necessary to be known

       Chapter 16. Nicholas seeks to employ himself in a New Capacity, and being unsuccessful, accepts an engagement as Tutor in a Private Family

       Chapter 17. Follows the Fortunes of Miss Nickleby

       Chapter 18. Miss Knag, after doting on Kate Nickleby for three whole Days, makes up her Mind to hate her for evermore. The Causes which led Miss Knag to form this Resolution

       Chapter 19. Descriptive of a Dinner at Mr. Ralph Nickleby’s, and of the Manner in which the Company entertained themselves, before Dinner, at Dinner, and after Dinner.

       Chapter 20. Wherein Nicholas at length encounters his Uncle, to whom he expresses his Sentiments with much Candour. His Resolution.

       Chapter 21. Madam Mantalini finds herself in a Situation of some Difficulty, and Miss Nickleby finds herself in no Situation at all

       Chapter 22. Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his Fortune. He encounters Mr. Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest

       Chapter 23. Treats of the Company of Mr. Vincent Crummles, and of his Affairs, Domestic and Theatrical

       Chapter 24. Of the Great Bespeak for Miss Snevellicci, and the first Appearance of Nicholas upon any Stage

       Chapter 25 Concerning a young Lady from London, who joins the Company, and an elderly Admirer who follows in her Train; with an affecting Ceremony consequent on their Arrival

       Chapter 26. Is fraught with some Danger to Miss Nickleby’s Peace of Mind

       Chapter 27. Mrs. Nickleby becomes acquainted with Messrs Pyke and Pluck, whose Affection and Interest are beyond all Bounds

       Chapter 28. Miss Nickleby, rendered desperate by the Persecution of Sir Mulberry Hawk, and the Complicated Difficulties and Distresses which surround her, appeals, as a last resource, to her Uncle for Protection

       Chapter 29. Of the Proceedings of Nicholas, and certain Internal Divisions in the Company of Mr. Vincent Crummles

       Chapter 30. Festivities are held in honour of Nicholas, who suddenly withdraws himself from the Society of Mr. Vincent Crummles and his Theatrical Companions