an irresistible inclination to look at the clock, every other second, were

among the principal symptoms.

He-he-he,'tittered Mr Magnus, affecting cheerfulness, and gasping

with agitation. 'It only wants two minutes, Mr Pickwick. Am I pale,

Sir?' 'Not very,' replied Mr Pickwick.

There was a brief pause.

I beg your pardon, Mr Pickwick; but have you ever done this sort of

thing in your time?' said Mr Magnus.

You mean proposing?' said Mr Pickwick. 'Yes.'

Never,' said Mr Pickwick, with great energy, 'never.'

You have no idea, then, how it's best to begin?' said Mr Magnus.

Why,' said Mr Pickwick, 'I may have formed some ideas upon the

subject, but, as I have never submitted them to the test of experience,

I should be sorry if you were induced to regulate your proceedings by

them.'

I should feel very much obliged to you, for any advice, Sir,' said Mr

Magnus, taking another look at the clock, the hand of which was

verging on the five minutes past.

'Well, sir,' said Mr Pickwick, with the profound solemnity with which

that great man could, when he pleased, render his remarks so deeply

impressive. 'I should commence, sir, with a tribute to the lady's

beauty and excellent qualities; from them, Sir, I should diverge to my

own unworthiness.'

'Very good,' said Mr Magnus.

'Unworthiness for HER only, mind, sir,' resumed Mr Pickwick; 'for to

show that I was not wholly unworthy, sir, I should take a brief review

of my past life, and present condition. I should argue, by analogy, that

to anybody else, I must be a very desirable object. I should then

expatiate on the warmth of my love, and the depth of my devotion.

Perhaps I might then be tempted to seize her hand.'

'Yes, I see,' said Mr Magnus; 'that would be a very great point.'

I should then, Sir,' continued Mr Pickwick, growing warmer as the

subject presented itself in more glowing colours before him - 'I should

then, Sir, come to the plain and simple question, ‘Will you have me?’ I

The Pickwick Papers