Chapter XXXIX

Mr Samuel Weller, Being Intrusted With A Mission Of Love,

Proceeds To Execute It; With What Success Will Hereinafter

Appear

During the whole of next day, Sam kept Mr Winkle steadily in sight,

fully determined not to take his eyes off him for one instant, until he

should receive express instructions from the fountain-head. However

disagreeable Sam's very close watch and great vigilance were to Mr

Winkle, he thought it better to bear with them, than, by any act of

violent opposition, to hazard being carried away by force, which Mr

Weller more than once strongly hinted was the line of conduct that a

strict sense of duty prompted him to pursue. There is little reason to

doubt that Sam would very speedily have quieted his scruples, by

bearing Mr Winkle back to Bath, bound hand and foot, had not Mr

Pickwick's prompt attention to the note, which Dowler had

undertaken to deliver, forestalled any such proceeding. In short, at

eight o'clock in the evening, Mr Pickwick himself walked into the

coffee-room of the Bush Tavern, and told Sam with a smile, to his very

great relief, that he had done quite right, and it was unnecessary for

him to mount guard any longer.

I thought it better to come myself,' said Mr Pickwick, addressing Mr

Winkle, as Sam disencumbered him of his great- coat and travelling-

shawl, 'to ascertain, before I gave my consent to Sam's employment in

this matter, that you are quite in earnest and serious, with respect to

this young lady.'

Serious, from my heart - from my soul!'returned Mr Winkle, with

great energy.

Remember,' said Mr Pickwick, with beaming eyes, 'we met her at our

excellent and hospitable friend's, Winkle. It would be an ill return to

tamper lightly, and without due consideration, with this young lady's

affections. I'll not allow that, sir. I'll not allow it.'

I have no such intention, indeed,' exclaimed Mr Winkle warmly. 'I

have considered the matter well, for a long time, and I feel that my

happiness is bound up in her.'

That's wot we call tying it up in a small parcel, sir,' interposed Mr

Weller, with an agreeable smile.

Mr Winkle looked somewhat stern at this interruption, and Mr

Pickwick angrily requested his attendant not to jest with one of the

best feelings of our nature; to which Sam replied, 'That he wouldn't, if

The Pickwick Papers