Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/294

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230 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

through his coloured spectacles for several minutes, and then said, with an air of modesty —

" And what do you think — what do you think, Mr. Pickwick — 1 have come down here for ? "

" Upon my word," said Mr. Pickwick, " it is wholly impossible for me to g-uess ; on business, perhaps."

" Partly right. Sir," replied Mr. Peter Magnus, '^ but partly wrong, at the same time : try again, Mr. Pickwick."

" Really," said Mr. Pickwick, " I must throw myself on your mercy, to tell me or not, as you may think best ; for I should never guess, if I were to try all night."

" Why, then, he — he — he !" said Mr. Peter Magnus, with a bashful titter, " What should you think, Mr. Pickwick, if I had come down here, to make a proposal. Sir, eh ? He — he — he I ''

" Think ! that you are very likely to succeed," replied Mr. Pickwick^ with one of his most beaming smiles.

" Ah !" said Mr. Magnus, '* but do you really think so, Mr. Pickwick? Do you, though ?"

•' Certainly," said Mr. Pickwick.

" No ; but you're joking, though.'*

" I am not, indeed."

" Why, then," said Mr. Magnus, *' to let you into a little secret, / think so too. I don't mind telling you, Mr. Pickwick, although I'm dreadful jealous by nature — horrid — that the lady is in this house." Here Mr. Magnus took off his spectacles, on purpose to wink, and then put them on again.

'^ That's what you were running out of the room for, before dinner, then, so often," said Mr. Pickwick, archly.

" Hush — yes, you're right, that was it; not such a fool as to see her, though."

«No!"

" No; wouldn't do, you know, after having just come off a journey. Wait till to-morrow. Sir ; double the chance then. Mr. Pickwick, Sir, there is a suit of clothes in that bag, and a hat in that box, which I expect, in the effect they will produce, will be invaluable to me. Sir."

" Indeed I" said Mr. Pickwick.

" Yes; you must have observed my anxiety about them to-day. I do not believe that such another suit of clothes, and such a hat, could be bought for money, Mr. Pickwick."

Mr. Pickwick congratulated the fortunate owner of the irresistible garments, on their acquisition ; and Mr. Peter Magnus remained for a few moments, apparently absorbed in contemplation.

" She's a fine creature," said Mr. Magnus.

" Is she ? " said Mr. Pickwick.

" Very," said Mr. Magnus, " very. She lives about twenty miles from here, Mr. Pickwick. I heard she would be here to-night and all to-morrow forenoon, and came down to seize the opportunity. I think an inn is a good sort of place to propose to a single woman in, Mr. Pickwick. She is more likely to feel the loneliness of her situation

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