Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/602

504 "504 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

'«ngafred at this moment, Sam."
 * ' I can't speak to you just now, Sam/' said Mr. Pickwick. " I am

" Beg your pardon, Sir," rejoined Mr. Weller. " But here's a lady here. Sir, as says she's som.ethin' wery partickier to disclose."

'^ I can't see any lady," replied Mr. Pickwick, whose mind was filled with visions of Mrs. Bardell.

" I vouldn't make too sure o' that. Sir," urged Mr. Weller, shaking his head. '' If you know'd who was near. Sir, I rayther think you'd change your note ; as the hawk remarked to himself vith a cheerful laugh, ven he heerd the robin redbreast a singin' round the corner."

" Who is it ? " enquired Mr. Pickwicl?.

'' Vill you see her. Sir ? " asked Mr. Weller, holding the door in his hand, as if he had got some curious live animal on the other side.

" I suppose I must," said Mr. Pickwick, looking at Perker.

" Veil then, all in to begin," cried Sam. " Sound the gong, draw up the curtain, and enter the two con-spirators."

As Sam Weller spoke, he threw the door open, and there rushed tumultuously into the room, Mr. Nathaniel Winkle, leading after him by the hand the identical young lady who, at Dingley Dell, had worn the boots with the fur round the tops ; and who, now a very pleasing compound of blushes and confusion, and lilac silk, and a smart hat, and a rich lace veil, looked prettier than ever.

" Miss Arabella Allen ! " exclaim.ed Mr. Pickwick, rising from his chair.

" No," replied Mr. Winkle, dropping on his knees. ^* Mrs. Winkle. Pardon, my dear friend, pardon."

Mr. Pickwick could scarcely believe the evidence of his own senses, and perhaps would not have done so, but for the corroborative testimony afforded by the smiling countenance of Perker, and the bodily presence, in the background, of Sam and the pretty housemaid, who appeared to contemplate the proceedings with the liveliest satisfaction.

" Oh, JNIr. Pickwick," said Arabella in a low voice, as if alarmed at the silence, ^' can you forgive my imprudence ? ''

Mr. Pickwick returned no verbal response to this appeal, but he took off his spectacles in great haste, and seizing both the young lady's hands in his, kissed her a great number of times — perhaps a greater number than was absolutely necessary — and then, still retaining one of her hands, told Mr. Winkle he was an audacious young dog, and bade him get up, which Mr. Winkle, who had been for some seconds scratching his nose with the brim of his hat in a penitent manner, did ; whereupon Mr. Pickwick slapped him on the l>ack several times, and then shook hands heartily with Perker, who, not to be behindhand in the compliments of the occasion, saluted both the bride and the pretty housemaid with right good will, and having wrung Mr. Winkle's hand most cordially, wound up his demonstrations of joy, by taking snufF enough to set any half dozen men, with ordinarily constructed noses, a sneezing for life.

about ? Come, sit down, and let me hear it all. How well she looks, doesn't she Perker ? " added Mr. Pickwick, surveying Arabella's face
 * ' Why, my dear girl," said Mr. Pickwick, '' how has all this come