afforded by the smiling countenance of Perker, and the bodily

presence, in the background, of Sam and the pretty housemaid; who

appeared to contemplate the proceedings with the liveliest

satisfaction.

Oh, Mr Pickwick!' said Arabella, in a low voice, as if alarmed at the

silence. 'Can you forgive my imprudence?'

Mr Pickwick returned no verbal response to this appeal; but he took

off his spectacles in great haste, and seizing both the young lady's

hands in his, kissed her a great number of times - perhaps a greater

number than was absolutely necessary - and then, still retaining one

of her hands, told Mr Winkle he was an audacious young dog, and

bade him get up. This, Mr Winkle, who had been for some seconds

scratching his nose with the brim of his hat, in a penitent manner,

did; whereupon Mr Pickwick slapped him on the back several times,

and then shook hands heartily with Perker, who, not to be behind-

hand in the compliments of the occasion, saluted both the bride and

the pretty housemaid with right good-will, and, having wrung Mr,

Winkle's hand most cordially, wound up his demonstrations of joy by

taking snuff enough to set any half-dozen men with ordinarily-

constructed noses, a-sneezing for life. 'Why, my dear girl,' said Mr

Pickwick, 'how has all this come about? Come! Sit down, and let me

hear it all. How well she looks, doesn't she, Perker?' added Mr

Pickwick, surveying Arabella's face with a look of as much pride and

exultation, as if she had been his daughter.

Delightful, my dear Sir,' replied the little man. 'If I were not a married

man myself, I should be disposed to envy you, you dog.' Thus

expressing himself, the little lawyer gave Mr Winkle a poke in the

chest, which that gentleman reciprocated; after which they both

laughed very loudly, but not so loudly as Mr Samuel Weller, who had

just relieved his feelings by kissing the pretty housemaid under cover

of the cupboard door.

I can never be grateful enough to you, Sam, I am sure,' said Arabella,

with the sweetest smile imaginable. 'I shall not forget your exertions in

the garden at Clifton.'

Don't say nothin' wotever about it, ma'am,' replied Sam. 'I only

assisted natur, ma'am; as the doctor said to the boy's mother, after

he'd bled him to death.'

'Mary, my dear, sit down,' said Mr Pickwick, cutting short these

compliments. 'Now then; how long have you been married, eh?'

Arabella looked bashfully at her lord and master, who replied, 'Only

three days.'

The Pickwick Papers