'Come on, Sir!' replied Mr Pickwick. Stimulated by the exciting nature

of the dialogue, the heroic man actually threw himself into a paralytic

attitude, confidently supposed by the two bystanders to have been

intended as a posture of defence.

'What!' exclaimed Mr Snodgrass, suddenly recovering the power of

speech, of which intense astonishment had previously bereft him, and

rushing between the two, at the imminent hazard of receiving an

application on the temple from each - 'what! Mr Pickwick, with the

eyes of the world upon you! Mr Tupman! who, in common with us all,

derives a lustre from his undying name! For shame, gentlemen; for

shame.'

The unwonted lines which momentary passion had ruled in Mr

Pickwick's clear and open brow, gradually melted away, as his young

friend spoke, like the marks of a black-lead pencil beneath the

softening influence of india-rubber. His countenance had resumed its

usual benign expression, ere he concluded.

'I have been hasty,' said Mr Pickwick, 'very hasty. Tupman; your

hand.'

The dark shadow passed from Mr Tupman's face, as he warmly

grasped the hand of his friend.

'I have been hasty, too,' said he. 'No, no,' interrupted Mr Pickwick, 'the

fault was mine. You will wear the green velvet jacket?'

No, no,' replied Mr Tupman.

To oblige me, you will,' resumed Mr Pickwick.

Well, well, I will,' said Mr Tupman.

It was accordingly settled that Mr Tupman, Mr Winkle, and Mr

Snodgrass, should all wear fancy-dresses. Thus Mr Pickwick was led

by the very warmth of his own good feelings to give his consent to a

proceeding from which his better judgment would have recoiled - a

more striking illustration of his amiable character could hardly have

been conceived, even if the events recorded in these pages had been

wholly imaginary.

Mr Leo Hunter had not exaggerated the resources of Mr Solomon

Lucas. His wardrobe was extensive - very extensive - not strictly

classical perhaps, not quite new, nor did it contain any one garment

made precisely after the fashion of any age or time, but everything was

more or less spangled; and what can be prettier than spangles! It may

be objected that they are not adapted to the daylight, but everybody

The Pickwick Papers