| 305 | 306 | 307 | 308 | 309 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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'It's - it's - only a gentleman, ma'am,' said Mr Pickwick, from behind
the curtains.
'
'
'
A gentleman!' said the lady, with a terrific scream.
It's all over!' thought Mr Pickwick.
A strange man!' shrieked the lady. Another instant and the house
would be alarmed. Her garments rustled as she rushed towards the
door.
'Ma'am,' said Mr Pickwick, thrusting out his head. in the extremity of
his desperation, 'ma'am!'
Now, although Mr Pickwick was not actuated by any definite object in
putting out his head, it was instantaneously productive of a good
effect. The lady, as we have already stated, was near the door. She
must pass it, to reach the staircase, and she would most undoubtedly
have done so by this time, had not the sudden apparition of Mr
Pickwick's nightcap driven her back into the remotest corner of the
apartment, where she stood staring wildly at Mr Pickwick, while Mr
Pickwick in his turn stared wildly at her.
'
Wretch,' said the lady, covering her eyes with her hands, 'what do you
want here?'
'
Nothing, ma'am; nothing whatever, ma'am,' said Mr Pickwick
earnestly.
'
'
Nothing!' said the lady, looking up.
Nothing, ma'am, upon my honour,' said Mr Pickwick, nodding his
head so energetically, that the tassel of his nightcap danced again. 'I
am almost ready to sink, ma'am, beneath the confusion of addressing
a lady in my nightcap (here the lady hastily snatched off hers), but I
can't get it off, ma'am (here Mr Pickwick gave it a tremendous tug, in
proof of the statement). It is evident to me, ma'am, now, that I have
mistaken this bedroom for my own. I had not been here five minutes,
ma'am, when you suddenly entered it.'
'
If this improbable story be really true, Sir,' said the lady, sobbing
violently, 'you will leave it instantly.'
'
I will, ma'am, with the greatest pleasure,' replied Mr Pickwick.
Instantly, sir,' said the lady.
'
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