Hush!' said Sam. 'The Vellingtons has gone to Doctors' Commons.'

No,' said the little man.

Yes, for a licence.'

We're in time,' exclaimed Wardle. 'Show us the room; not a moment is

to be lost.'

'Pray, my dear sir - pray,' said the little man; 'caution, caution.' He

drew from his pocket a red silk purse, and looked very hard at Sam as

he drew out a sovereign.

Sam grinned expressively.

Show us into the room at once, without announcing us,' said the little

man, 'and it's yours.'

Sam threw the painted tops into a corner, and led the way through a

dark passage, and up a wide staircase. He paused at the end of a

second passage, and held out his hand.

Here it is,' whispered the attorney, as he deposited the money on the

hand of their guide.

The man stepped forward for a few paces, followed by the two friends

and their legal adviser. He stopped at a door.

Is this the room?' murmured the little gentleman.

Sam nodded assent.

Old Wardle opened the door; and the whole three walked into the

room just as Mr Jingle, who had that moment returned, had produced

the licence to the spinster aunt.

The spinster uttered a loud shriek, and throwing herself into a chair,

covered her face with her hands. Mr Jingle crumpled up the licence,

and thrust it into his coat pocket. The unwelcome visitors advanced

into the middle of the room. 'You - you are a nice rascal, arn't you?'

exclaimed Wardle, breathless with passion.

'My dear Sir, my dear sir,' said the little man, laying his hat on the

table, 'pray, consider - pray. Defamation of character: action for

damages. Calm yourself, my dear sir, pray - '

'How dare you drag my sister from my house?' said the old man.

The Pickwick Papers