First, there was Wardle himself, looking, if that were possible, more

jolly than ever; then there were Bella and her faithful Trundle; and,

lastly, there were Emily and some eight or ten young ladies, who had

all come down to the wedding, which was to take place next day, and

who were in as happy and important a state as young ladies usually

are, on such momentous occasions; and they were, one and all,

startling the fields and lanes, far and wide, with their frolic and

laughter.

The ceremony of introduction, under such circumstances, was very

soon performed, or we should rather say that the introduction was

soon over, without any ceremony at all. In two minutes thereafter, Mr

Pickwick was joking with the young ladies who wouldn't come over the

stile while he looked - or who, having pretty feet and unexceptionable

ankles, preferred standing on the top rail for five minutes or so,

declaring that they were too frightened to move - with as much ease

and absence of reserve or constraint, as if he had known them for life.

It is worthy of remark, too, that Mr Snodgrass offered Emily far more

assistance than the absolute terrors of the stile (although it was full

three feet high, and had only a couple of stepping-stones) would seem

to require; while one black-eyed young lady in a very nice little pair of

boots with fur round the top, was observed to scream very loudly,

when Mr Winkle offered to help her over.

All this was very snug and pleasant. And when the difficulties of the

stile were at last surmounted, and they once more entered on the

open field, old Wardle informed Mr Pickwick how they had all been

down in a body to inspect the furniture and fittings- up of the house,

which the young couple were to tenant, after the Christmas holidays;

at which communication Bella and Trundle both coloured up, as red

as the fat boy after the taproom fire; and the young lady with the

black eyes and the fur round the boots, whispered something in

Emily's ear, and then glanced archly at Mr Snodgrass; to which Emily

responded that she was a foolish girl, but turned very red,

notwithstanding; and Mr Snodgrass, who was as modest as all great

geniuses usually are, felt the crimson rising to the crown of his head,

and devoutly wished, in the inmost recesses of his own heart, that the

young lady aforesaid, with her black eyes, and her archness, and her

boots with the fur round the top, were all comfortably deposited in the

adjacent county.

But if they were social and happy outside the house, what was the

warmth and cordiality of their reception when they reached the farm!

The very servants grinned with pleasure at sight of Mr Pickwick; and

Emma bestowed a half-demure, half-impudent, and all-pretty look of

recognition, on Mr Tupman, which was enough to make the statue of

Bonaparte in the passage, unfold his arms, and clasp her within

them.

The Pickwick Papers