Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/127

81 T.'.E PICKWICK CI.UB. HI

•* I will."


 * ' His vhis|)€rs."

»' I will."

" He'll sit next her at table."

" Let him."

••He'll flaftor her."

«« Let him."

•* He'll pay her every possible attention."

" Let him."


 * And he'll cut you."

and she trembled with rage and disappointment.
 * • Cut me ! " screamed the spinster aunt, " He cut fne ;-^nnU he I "

" You will convince yourself?" said Jingle.

•' 1 will.

•• You'll show your spirit?"

•• 1 will."

♦' You'll not have him afterwards?"


 * • Never."


 * ' You'll ta'ne somebody else?"


 * • Yes."

•'You shall."

Mr. Jingle fell on his knees, remained thereupon for five minute? thereafter: and rose the accepted lover of the spinster aunt — condition- ally upon Tupman's perjury being made clear and manifest.

The burden of proof lay with Mr. Alfred Jingle ; and he produced his evidence that very day at dinner. The spinster aunt could hardly believe her eyes. Mr. Tracy Tupman was established at Emily's side, ogling, whispering, and smiling, in opposition to Mr. Snodgrass. Not a word, not a look, not a glance, did he bestow upon his heart's pride of the evening before.

" Damn that boy I" thought old Mr. Wardle to himself. — He had heard the story from his mother. " Damn that boy ! He must have been asleep. It's all imagination."

" Traitor ! " thought the spinster aunt to herself. " Dear Mr. Jingle was not deceiving me. Oh ! how I hate the wretch !"

The followiuL: conversation may serve to explain to our readers, this apparently unaccountable alteration of deportment, on the part of Mr; Tracy Tupman.

The time was evening ; the scene the garden. There were two figures walking in a side path ; one was rather short and stout ; th* other rather tall and slim. They were Mr. Tupman and Mr. Jingle. The stout figure commenced the dialogue.


 * How did I do it ?" he inquired.

•* Splendid — capital — couldn't act better myself — you must repeat the part to-morrow — every evening, till further notice."

•' Does Rachael still wish it?"

" Of course — she don't like it — but must be done — avert suspicion — < afraid of her brother — says there's no help for it — only few days mnre — when old folks blinded — crown your happiness."