Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 11126-h.htm or 11126-h.zip: (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/1/2/11126/11126-h/11126-h.htm) or (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/1/2/11126/11126-h.zip) TEN GIRLS FROM DICKENS BY KATE DICKINSON SWEETSER AUTHOR OF "TEN BOYS FROM DICKENS" "TEN GREAT ADVENTURERS" "BOOK OF INDIAN BRAVES" ETC. ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE ALFRED WILLIAMS [Illustration: LITTLE NELL AND HER GRANDFATHER] PREFACE As a companion volume to Ten Boys from Dickens, this book of girl-life, portrayed by the great author, is offered. The sketches have the same underlying motive as those of boy-life, and have been compiled in the same manner, with the same purpose in view. Among them will be found several of the most popular of the creations of Dickens, notably, The Marchioness, Little Nell, Jenny Wren, and Florence Dombey, and it is hoped that in this presentation as simple stories of girlhood, their classic form and beauty may arouse in the young people of our day a new interest in the novels from which they are taken. This volume and its companion will have accomplished their purpose when they have won fresh laurels and a wider audience for the famous writer to whom they are indebted for their existence. K.D.S. _April, 1902_. CONTENTS THE MARCHIONESS. MORLEENA KENWIGS. LITTLE NELL. THE INFANT PHENOMENON. JENNY WREN. SISSY JUPE. FLORENCE DOMBEY. CHARLEY. TILLY SLOWBOY. AGNES WICKFIELD. THE MARCHIONESS [Illustration: THE MARCHIONESS AND DICK SWIVELLER] THE MARCHIONESS The Marchioness was a small servant employed by Sampson Brass and his sister Sally, as general house-worker and drudge, in which capacity she was discovered by Mr. Richard Swiveller, upon the very first day of his entering the Brass establishment as clerk. The Brasses' house was a small one in Bevis Marks, London, having upon its door a plate, "Brass, Solicitor," and a bill tied to the knocker, "First floor to let to a single gentleman," and served not only as habitation, but likewise as office for Sampson Brass,--of none too good legal repute,--and his sister; a gaunt, bony copy of her red-haired brother, who was his housekeeper, as well as his business partner. When the Brasses decided to keep a clerk, Richard Swiveller was chosen to fill the place; and be it known to whom it may concern, that the said Richard was the merriest, laziest, weakest, most kind-hearted fellow who ever sowed a large crop of wild oats, and by a sudden stroke of good-luck found himself raised to a salaried position. Clad in a blue jacket with a double row of gilt buttons, bought for acquatic expeditions, but now dedicated to office purposes, Richard entered upon his new duties, and during that first afternoon, while Mr. Brass and his sister were temporarily absent from the office, he began a minute examination of its contents.