Amid the profound silence of the whole court, Mr Winkle faltered out,

that the trifling circumstance of suspicion was Mr Pickwick's being

found in a lady's sleeping-apartment at midnight; which had

terminated, he believed, in the breaking off of the projected marriage

of the lady in question, and had led, he knew, to the whole party being

forcibly carried before George Nupkins, Esq., magistrate and justice of

the peace, for the borough of Ipswich!

'You may leave the box, Sir,' said Serjeant Snubbin. Mr Winkle did

leave the box, and rushed with delirious haste to the George and

Vulture, where he was discovered some hours after, by the waiter,

groaning in a hollow and dismal manner, with his head buried

beneath the sofa cushions.

Tracy Tupman, and Augustus Snodgrass, were severally called into

the box; both corroborated the testimony of their unhappy friend; and

each was driven to the verge of desperation by excessive badgering.

Susannah Sanders was then called, and examined by Serjeant

Buzfuz, and cross-examined by Serjeant Snubbin. Had always said

and believed that Pickwick would marry Mrs. Bardell; knew that Mrs.

Bardell's being engaged to Pickwick was the current topic of

conversation in the neighbourhood, after the fainting in July; had

been told it herself by Mrs. Mudberry which kept a mangle, and Mrs.

Bunkin which clear-starched, but did not see either Mrs. Mudberry or

Mrs. Bunkin in court. Had heard Pickwick ask the little boy how he

should like to have another father. Did not know that Mrs. Bardell

was at that time keeping company with the baker, but did know that

the baker was then a single man and is now married. Couldn't swear

that Mrs. Bardell was not very fond of the baker, but should think

that the baker was not very fond of Mrs. Bardell, or he wouldn't have

married somebody else. Thought Mrs. Bardell fainted away on the

morning in July, because Pickwick asked her to name the day: knew

that she (witness) fainted away stone dead when Mr Sanders asked

her to name the day, and believed that everybody as called herself a

lady would do the same, under similar circumstances. Heard Pickwick

ask the boy the question about the marbles, but upon her oath did

not know the difference between an 'alley tor' and a 'commoney.'

By the COURT. - During the period of her keeping company with Mr

Sanders, had received love letters, like other ladies. In the course of

their correspondence Mr Sanders had often called her a 'duck,' but

never 'chops,' nor yet 'tomato sauce.' He was particularly fond of

ducks. Perhaps if he had been as fond of chops and tomato sauce, he

might have called her that, as a term of affection.

Serjeant Buzfuz now rose with more importance than he had yet

exhibited, if that were possible, and vociferated; 'Call Samuel Weller.'

The Pickwick Papers