doing so, he disclosed to view the face and figure of the vindictive and

sanguinary Dowler!

Mr Winkle's first impulse was to give a violent pull at the nearest bell-

handle, but that unfortunately happened to be immediately behind Mr

Dowler's head. He had made one step towards it, before he checked

himself. As he did so, Mr Dowler very hastily drew back.

'Mr Winkle, Sir. Be calm. Don't strike me. I won't bear it. A blow!

Never!' said Mr Dowler, looking meeker than Mr Winkle had expected

in a gentleman of his ferocity.

'A blow, Sir?' stammered Mr Winkle.

A blow, Sir,' replied Dowler. 'Compose your feelings. Sit down. Hear

me.'

Sir,' said Mr Winkle, trembling from head to foot, 'before I consent to

sit down beside, or opposite you, without the presence of a waiter, I

must be secured by some further understanding. You used a threat

against me last night, Sir, a dreadful threat, Sir.' Here Mr Winkle

turned very pale indeed, and stopped short.

I did,' said Dowler, with a countenance almost as white as Mr

Winkle's. 'Circumstances were suspicious. They have been explained. I

respect your bravery. Your feeling is upright. Conscious innocence.

There's my hand. Grasp it.'

'Really, Sir,' said Mr Winkle, hesitating whether to give his hand or

not, and almost fearing that it was demanded in order that he might

be taken at an advantage, 'really, Sir, I - '

'I know what you mean,' interposed Dowler. 'You feel aggrieved. Very

natural. So should I. I was wrong. I beg your pardon. Be friendly.

Forgive me.' With this, Dowler fairly forced his hand upon Mr Winkle,

and shaking it with the utmost vehemence, declared he was a fellow of

extreme spirit, and he had a higher opinion of him than ever.

Now,' said Dowler, 'sit down. Relate it all. How did you find me? When

did you follow? Be frank. Tell me.'

It's quite accidental,' replied Mr Winkle, greatly perplexed by the

curious and unexpected nature of the interview. 'Quite.'

Glad of it,' said Dowler. 'I woke this morning. I had forgotten my

threat. I laughed at the accident. I felt friendly. I said so.'

To whom?' inquired Mr Winkle.

The Pickwick Papers