Chapter XXIV

Wherein Mr Peter Magnus Grows Jealous, And The Middle-Aged

Lady Apprehensive, Which Brings The Pickwickians Within The

Grasp Of The Law

When Mr Pickwick descended to the room in which he and Mr Peter

Magnus had spent the preceding evening, he found that gentleman

with the major part of the contents of the two bags, the leathern hat-

box, and the brown-paper parcel, displaying to all possible advantage

on his person, while he himself was pacing up and down the room in a

state of the utmost excitement and agitation.

Good-morning, Sir,' said Mr Peter Magnus. 'What do you think of this,

Sir?'

Very effective indeed,' replied Mr Pickwick, surveying the garments of

Mr Peter Magnus with a good-natured smile.

Yes, I think it'll do,' said Mr Magnus. 'Mr Pickwick, Sir, I have sent up

my card.'

'Have you?' said Mr Pickwick.

And the waiter brought back word, that she would see me at eleven -

at eleven, Sir; it only wants a quarter now.'

'Very near the time,' said Mr Pickwick.

Yes, it is rather near,' replied Mr Magnus, 'rather too near to be

pleasant - eh! Mr Pickwick, sir?'

'Confidence is a great thing in these cases,' observed Mr Pickwick.

I believe it is, Sir,' said Mr Peter Magnus. 'I am very confident, Sir.

Really, Mr Pickwick, I do not see why a man should feel any fear in

such a case as this, sir. What is it, Sir? There's nothing to be ashamed

of; it's a matter of mutual accommodation, nothing more. Husband on

one side, wife on the other. That's my view of the matter, Mr Pickwick.'

'It is a very philosophical one,' replied Mr Pickwick. 'But breakfast is

waiting, Mr Magnus. Come.'

Down they sat to breakfast, but it was evident, notwithstanding the

boasting of Mr Peter Magnus, that he laboured under a very

considerable degree of nervousness, of which loss of appetite, a

propensity to upset the tea-things, a spectral attempt at drollery, and

The Pickwick Papers