No, sir.'

Then listen, if you please. Can you hear me now?'

Yes, Sir.'

That's well. Show me to Mrs. Winkle's room, without announcing me.'

As the little old gentleman uttered this command, he slipped five

shillings into the waiter's hand, and looked steadily at him.

Really, sir,' said the waiter, 'I don't know, sir, whether - '

Ah! you'll do it, I see,' said the little old gentleman. 'You had better do

it at once. It will save time.'

There was something so very cool and collected in the gentleman's

manner, that the waiter put the five shillings in his pocket, and led

him upstairs without another word.

This is the room, is it?' said the gentleman. 'You may go.' The waiter

complied, wondering much who the gentleman could be, and what he

wanted; the little old gentleman, waiting till he was out of sight,

tapped at the door.

Come in,' said Arabella.

Um, a pretty voice, at any rate,' murmured the little old gentleman;

but that's nothing.' As he said this, he opened the door and walked

in. Arabella, who was sitting at work, rose on beholding a stranger - a

little confused - but by no means ungracefully so.

Pray don't rise, ma'am,' said the unknown, walking in, and closing

the door after him. 'Mrs. Winkle, I believe?'

Arabella inclined her head.

Mrs. Nathaniel Winkle, who married the son of the old man at

Birmingham?' said the stranger, eyeing Arabella with visible curiosity.

Again Arabella inclined her head, and looked uneasily round, as if

uncertain whether to call for assistance.

I surprise you, I see, ma'am,' said the old gentleman.

Rather, I confess,' replied Arabella, wondering more and more.

I'll take a chair, if you'll allow me, ma'am,' said the stranger.

The Pickwick Papers