Muzzle was an undersized footman, with a long body and short legs.

Muzzle!' 'Yes, your Worship.'

Place a chair, and leave the room.'

Yes, your Worship.'

Now, ma'am, will you state your business?' said the magistrate.

It is of a very painful kind, Sir,' said Miss Witherfield.

Very likely, ma'am,' said the magistrate. 'Compose your feelings,

ma'am.' Here Mr Nupkins looked benignant. 'And then tell me what

legal business brings you here, ma'am.' Here the magistrate

triumphed over the man; and he looked stern again.

'It is very distressing to me, Sir, to give this information,' said Miss

Witherfield, 'but I fear a duel is going to be fought here.'

'Here, ma'am?' said the magistrate. 'Where, ma'am?'

'In Ipswich.' 'In Ipswich, ma'am! A duel in Ipswich!' said the

magistrate, perfectly aghast at the notion. 'Impossible, ma'am; nothing

of the kind can be contemplated in this town, I am persuaded. Bless

my soul, ma'am, are you aware of the activity of our local magistracy?

Do you happen to have heard, ma'am, that I rushed into a prize-ring

on the fourth of May last, attended by only sixty special constables;

and, at the hazard of falling a sacrifice to the angry passions of an

infuriated multitude, prohibited a pugilistic contest between the

Middlesex Dumpling and the Suffolk Bantam? A duel in Ipswich,

ma'am? I don't think - I do not think,' said the magistrate, reasoning

with himself, 'that any two men can have had the hardihood to plan

such a breach of the peace, in this town.'

My information is, unfortunately, but too correct,' said the middle-

aged lady; 'I was present at the quarrel.'

It's a most extraordinary thing,' said the astounded magistrate.

Muzzle!'

Yes, your Worship.'

Send Mr Jinks here, directly! Instantly.'

Yes, your Worship.'

The Pickwick Papers