Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/201

147 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 147

CHAPTER XV.

IN WHICH IS GIVPN A FAITHFUL PORTRAITURE OF TWO DISTIN- GUISHED PERSONS ; AND AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF A PUBLIC BREAKFAST IN THEIR HOUSE AND GROUNDS: WHICH PUBLIC BREAKFAST, LEADS TO THE RECOGNITION OF AN OLD ACQUAINT- ANCE, AND THE COiMMENCEMENT OF ANOTHER CHAPTER.

Mr. Pickwick's conscience had been somewhat reproaching him, for his recent neglect of his friends at the Peacock ; and he was just on the point of walking forth in quest of them, on the third morning after the election had terminated, when his faithful valet put into his hand a card, on which was engraved the following inscription.

iWrs. Hefi l^nnter.

The Den. EatanswilL

" Person's a waitin'," said Sam, epigrammatically.

" Does the person want me, Sam ? " inquired Mr. Pickwick.

private secretary said, ven he fetched avay Doctor Faustus," replied Mr. Weller.
 * < He wants you partickler; and no one else'll do, as the Devil's

" He. Is it a gentleman ? "said Mr. Pickwick.

" A wery good imitation o' one, if it an't," replied Mr. Welbr.

" But this is a lady's card," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Given me by a gen'lm'n, hows'ever," replied Sam, *' and he's a waitin' in the drawing-room — said he'd rather wait all day, than not see you."

Mr. Pickwick on hearing this determination, descended to the drawing-room, where sat a grave man, who started up on his entrance, and said, with an air of profound respect —

" Mr. Pickwick, I presume ? "


 * ^ The same."

" Allow me. Sir, the honour of grasping your hand — permit me Sir, to shake it," said the grave man.

" Certainly," said Mr. Pickwick.

The stranger shook the extended hand, and then continued.

'* We have heard of your fame. Sir. The noise of your antiquarian discussion has reached the ears of Mrs. Leo Hunter — my wife. Sir: / am Mr. Leo Hunter " — the stranger paused, as if he expected that Mr. Pickwick would be overcome by the disclosure ; but seeing that he remained perfectly calm, proceeded.

" My wife, Sir — Mrs. Leo Hunter — is proud to number among her acquaintance, all those who have rendered themselves celebrated by their works and talents. Permit me, Sir, to place in a conspicuous part

o