When I had begun to advance Herbert's prospects by stealth, I had been able to bear this with cheerful philosophy: he and his affianced, for their part, had naturally not been very anxious to introduce a third person into their interviews; and thus, although I was assured that I had risen in Clara's esteem, and although the young lady and I had long regularly interchanged messages and remembrances by Herbert, I had never seen her.

However, I did not trouble Wemmick with these particulars.
"The house with the bow-window," said Wemmick, "being by the river-side, down the Pool there between Limehouse and Greenwich, and being kept, it seems, by a very respectable widow who has a furnished upper floor to let, Mr.Herbert put it to me, what did I think of that as a temporary tenement for Tom, Jack, or Richard?
Now, I thought very well of it, for three reasons I'll give you.

That is to say: Firstly.

It's altogether out of all your beats, and is well away from the usual heap of streets great and small.Secondly.Without going near it yourself, you could always hear of the safety of Tom, Jack, or Richard, through Mr.Herbert.
Thirdly.

After a while and when it might be prudent, if you should want to slip Tom, Jack, or Richard on board a foreign packet-boat, there he is--ready." Much comforted by these considerations, I thanked Wemmick again and again, and begged him to proceed.
"Well, sir! Mr.Herbert threw himself into the business with a will, and by nine o'clock last night he housed Tom, Jack, or Richard,--whichever it may be,--you and I don't want to know,--quite successfully.