Sam's account of the matter,' replied Perker, 'is, I will venture to say,

a perfectly correct one. Well now, my dear Sir, the first question I have

to ask, is, whether this woman is to remain here?'

'To remain here!' echoed Mr Pickwick.

To remain here, my dear Sir,' rejoined Perker, leaning back in his

chair and looking steadily at his client.

'How can you ask me?' said that gentleman. 'It rests with Dodson and

Fogg; you know that very well.'

I know nothing of the kind,' retorted Perker firmly. 'It does NOT rest

with Dodson and Fogg; you know the men, my dear Sir, as well as I

do. It rests solely, wholly, and entirely with you.'

With me!' ejaculated Mr Pickwick, rising nervously from his chair, and

reseating himself directly afterwards.

The little man gave a double-knock on the lid of his snuff-box, opened

it, took a great pinch, shut it up again, and repeated the words, 'With

you.'

I say, my dear Sir,' resumed the little man, who seemed to gather

confidence from the snuff - 'I say, that her speedy liberation or

perpetual imprisonment rests with you, and with you alone. Hear me

out, my dear Sir, if you please, and do not be so very energetic, for it

will only put you into a perspiration and do no good whatever. I say,'

continued Perker, checking off each position on a different finger, as

he laid it down - 'I say that nobody but you can rescue her from this

den of wretchedness; and that you can only do that, by paying the

costs of this suit - both of plaintive and defendant - into the hands of

these Freeman Court sharks. Now pray be quiet, my dear sir.'

Mr Pickwick, whose face had been undergoing most surprising

changes during this speech, and was evidently on the verge of a strong

burst of indignation, calmed his wrath as well as he could. Perker,

strengthening his argumentative powers with another pinch of snuff,

proceeded - 'I have seen the woman, this morning. By paying the

costs, you can obtain a full release and discharge from the damages;

and further - this I know is a far greater object of consideration with

you, my dear sir - a voluntary statement, under her hand, in the form

of a letter to me, that this business was, from the very first, fomented,

and encouraged, and brought about, by these men, Dodson and Fogg;

that she deeply regrets ever having been the instrument of annoyance

or injury to you; and that she entreats me to intercede with you, and

implore your pardon.'

The Pickwick Papers