Dickensblog

I'm calling it that out of respect for those who get squicked out by the notion of calling some of these pairs "couples." (Truthfully, I can understand that reaction.)

Anyway, here it is, your long-delayed creepy pairs poll! Only three pairs made the three-nominations cut this time. They are . . .

Bradley Headstone and Lizzie Hexam, Our Mutual Friend

The wild energy of the man, now quite let loose, was absolutely
terrible. He stopped and laid his hand upon a piece of the coping of the
burial-ground enclosure, as if he would have dislodged the stone.

"No man knows till the time comes, what depths are within him. To some
men it never comes; let them rest and be thankful! To me, you brought
it; on me, you forced it; and the bottom of this raging sea," striking
himself upon the breast, "has been heaved up ever since."

Uriah Heep and Agnes Wickfield, David Copperfield

"Agnes," said Uriah, either not regarding him, or not knowing what the
nature of his action was, "Agnes Wickfield is, I am safe to say, the
divinest of her sex. May I speak out, among friends? To be her father is
a proud distinction, but to be her usband—"

Spare me from ever again hearing such a cry, as that with which her
father rose up from the table!

"What's the matter?" said Uriah, turning
of a deadly colour. "You are not gone mad, after all, Mr. Wickfield, I
hope? If I say I've an ambition to make your Agnes my Agnes, I have as
good a right to it as another man. I have a better right to it than any
other man!"

Bill Sikes and Nancy, Oliver Twist

"Bill, Bill!" gasped the girl, wrestling with the strength of mortal
fear,—"I—I won't scream or cry—not once—hear me—speak to me—tell
me what I have done!"

"You know, you she devil!" returned the robber, suppressing his breath. "You were watched to-night; every word you said was heard."

"Then spare my life for the love of Heaven, as I spared yours,"
rejoined the girl, clinging to him. "Bill, dear Bill, you cannot have
the heart to kill me. Oh! think of all I have given up, only this one
night, for you. You shall have time to think, and save yourself this
crime; I will not loose my hold, you cannot throw me off. Bill, Bill,
for dear God's sake, for your own, for mine, stop before you spill my
blood! I have been true to you, upon my guilty soul I have!"

***

The poll is on the right side of the page. (Please let me know if you have trouble viewing it, as my own regular browser, Firefox, seems to be having some trouble with it.) You may vote for one couple only, and you have until next Sunday to get your vote in.