Where!' ejaculated Mr Pickwick.

We can only guess, from that communication,' replied Mr Snodgrass,

taking a letter from his pocket, and placing it in his friend's hand.

Yesterday morning, when a letter was received from Mr Wardle,

stating that you would be home with his sister at night, the

melancholy which had hung over our friend during the whole of the

previous day, was observed to increase. He shortly afterwards

disappeared: he was missing during the whole day, and in the evening

this letter was brought by the hostler from the Crown, at Muggleton. It

had been left in his charge in the morning, with a strict injunction

that it should not be delivered until night.'

Mr Pickwick opened the epistle. It was in his friend's hand- writing,

and these were its contents: -

MY DEAR PICKWICK, - YOU, my dear friend, are placed far beyond

the reach of many mortal frailties and weaknesses which ordinary

people cannot overcome. You do not know what it is, at one blow, to

be deserted by a lovely and fascinating creature, and to fall a victim to

the artifices of a villain, who had the grin of cunning beneath the

mask of friendship. I hope you never may.

Any letter addressed to me at the Leather Bottle, Cobham, Kent, will

be forwarded - supposing I still exist. I hasten from the sight of that

world, which has become odious to me. Should I hasten from it

altogether, pity - forgive me. Life, my dear Pickwick, has become

insupportable to me. The spirit which burns within us, is a porter's

knot, on which to rest the heavy load of worldly cares and troubles;

and when that spirit fails us, the burden is too heavy to be borne. We

sink beneath it. You may tell Rachael - Ah, that name! - 'TRACY

TupmAN.'

We must leave this place directly,' said Mr Pickwick, as he refolded

the note. 'It would not have been decent for us to remain here, under

any circumstances, after what has happened; and now we are bound

to follow in search of our friend.' And so saying, he led the way to the

house.

His intention was rapidly communicated. The entreaties to remain

were pressing, but Mr Pickwick was inflexible. Business, he said,

required his immediate attendance.

The old clergyman was present.

'You are not really going?' said he, taking Mr Pickwick aside.

Mr Pickwick reiterated his former determination.

The Pickwick Papers