Mr Nathaniel Winkle,' said Mr, Pickwick.

Mr Benjamin Allen deliberately crushed his spectacles beneath the

heel of his boot, and having picked up the pieces, and put them into

three separate pockets, folded his arms, bit his lips, and looked in a

threatening manner at the bland features of Mr Pickwick.

Then it's you, is it, Sir, who have encouraged and brought about this

match?' inquired Mr Benjamin Allen at length.

And it's this gentleman's servant, I suppose,' interrupted the old lady,

who has been skulking about my house, and endeavouring to entrap

my servants to conspire against their mistress. - Martin!'

Well?' said the surly man, coming forward.

Is that the young man you saw in the lane, whom you told me about,

this morning?'

Mr Martin, who, as it has already appeared, was a man of few words,

looked at Sam Weller, nodded his head, and growled forth, 'That's the

man.' Mr Weller, who was never proud, gave a smile of friendly

recognition as his eyes encountered those of the surly groom, and

admitted in courteous terms, that he had 'knowed him afore.'

And this is the faithful creature,' exclaimed Mr Ben Allen, 'whom I

had nearly suffocated! - Mr Pickwick, how dare you allow your fellow

to be employed in the abduction of my sister? I demand that you

explain this matter, sir.'

Explain it, sir!' cried Bob Sawyer fiercely.

It's a conspiracy,' said Ben Allen.

A regular plant,' added Mr Bob Sawyer.

A disgraceful imposition,' observed the old lady.

Nothing but a do,' remarked Martin. 'Pray hear me,' urged Mr

Pickwick, as Mr Ben Allen fell into a chair that patients were bled in,

and gave way to his pocket- handkerchief. 'I have rendered no

assistance in this matter, beyond being present at one interview

between the young people which I could not prevent, and from which I

conceived my presence would remove any slight colouring of

impropriety that it might otherwise have had; this is the whole share I

have had in the transaction, and I had no suspicion that an

immediate marriage was even contemplated. Though, mind,' added Mr

The Pickwick Papers