'It is very true, Sir,' said Mr Pickwick, replying to the magistrate's look

of amazement; 'my only business in this town, is to expose the person

of whom we now speak.'

Mr Pickwick proceeded to pour into the horror-stricken ear of Mr

Nupkins, an abridged account of all Mr Jingle's atrocities. He related

how he had first met him; how he had eloped with Miss Wardle; how

he had cheerfully resigned the lady for a pecuniary consideration; how

he had entrapped himself into a lady's boarding-school at midnight;

and how he (Mr Pickwick) now felt it his duty to expose his

assumption of his present name and rank.

As the narrative proceeded, all the warm blood in the body of Mr

Nupkins tingled up into the very tips of his ears. He had picked up the

captain at a neighbouring race-course. Charmed with his long list of

aristocratic acquaintance, his extensive travel, and his fashionable

demeanour, Mrs. Nupkins and Miss Nupkins had exhibited Captain

Fitz-Marshall, and quoted Captain Fitz-Marshall, and hurled Captain

Fitz-Marshall at the devoted heads of their select circle of

acquaintance, until their bosom friends, Mrs. Porkenham and the

Misses Porkenhams, and Mr Sidney Porkenham, were ready to burst

with jealousy and despair. And now, to hear, after all, that he was a

needy adventurer, a strolling player, and if not a swindler, something

so very like it, that it was hard to tell the difference! Heavens! what

would the Porkenhams say! What would be the triumph of Mr Sidney

Porkenham when he found that his addresses had been slighted for

such a rival! How should he, Nupkins, meet the eye of old Porkenham

at the next quarter-sessions! And what a handle would it be for the

opposition magisterial party if the story got abroad!

But after all,' said Mr Nupkins, brightening for a moment, after a long

pause; 'after all, this is a mere statement. Captain Fitz-Marshall is a

man of very engaging manners, and, I dare say, has many enemies.

What proof have you of the truth of these representations?'

Confront me with him,' said Mr Pickwick, 'that is all I ask, and all I

require. Confront him with me and my friends here; you will want no

further proof.'

Why,' said Mr Nupkins, 'that might be very easily done, for he will be

here to-night, and then there would be no occasion to make the

matter public, just - just - for the young man's own sake, you know. I

I - should like to consult Mrs. Nupkins on the propriety of the step,

in the first instance, though. At all events, Mr Pickwick, we must

despatch this legal business before we can do anything else. Pray step

back into the next room.'

Into the next room they went.

The Pickwick Papers