I have seen him,' replied the middle-aged lady.

Where?' inquired Mr Magnus, 'where?'

That,' said the middle-aged lady, rising from her seat, and averting

her head - 'that I would not reveal for worlds.'

'I understand you, ma'am,' said Mr Pickwick, 'and respect your

delicacy; it shall never be revealed by ME depend upon it.'

'Upon my word, ma'am,' said Mr Magnus, 'considering the situation in

which I am placed with regard to yourself, you carry this matter off

with tolerable coolness - tolerable coolness, ma'am.'

Cruel Mr Magnus!' said the middle-aged lady; here she wept very

copiously indeed.

'Address your observations to me, sir,' interposed Mr Pickwick; 'I alone

am to blame, if anybody be.'

'Oh! you alone are to blame, are you, sir?' said Mr Magnus; 'I - I - see

through this, sir. You repent of your determination now, do you?'

My determination!' said Mr Pickwick.

Your determination, Sir. Oh! don't stare at me, Sir,' said Mr Magnus;

I recollect your words last night, Sir. You came down here, sir, to

expose the treachery and falsehood of an individual on whose truth

and honour you had placed implicit reliance - eh?' Here Mr Peter

Magnus indulged in a prolonged sneer; and taking off his green

spectacles - which he probably found superfluous in his fit of jealousy

rolled his little eyes about, in a manner frightful to behold.

'Eh?' said Mr Magnus; and then he repeated the sneer with increased

effect. 'But you shall answer it, Sir.'

'Answer what?' said Mr Pickwick.

Never mind, sir,' replied Mr Magnus, striding up and down the room.

Never mind.'

There must be something very comprehensive in this phrase of 'Never

mind,' for we do not recollect to have ever witnessed a quarrel in the

street, at a theatre, public room, or elsewhere, in which it has not

been the standard reply to all belligerent inquiries. 'Do you call

yourself a gentleman, sir?' - 'Never mind, sir.' 'Did I offer to say

anything to the young woman, sir?' - 'Never mind, sir.' 'Do you want

your head knocked up against that wall, sir?' - 'Never mind, sir.' It is

The Pickwick Papers