carried each other by turns - is uncertain; but there they were, before

Wardle; and the very first people that knocked at the door of Mr

Pickwick's house, on the bridal morning, were the two poor relations,

all smiles and shirt collar.

They were welcomed heartily though, for riches or poverty had no

influence on Mr Pickwick; the new servants were all alacrity and

readiness; Sam was in a most unrivalled state of high spirits and

excitement; Mary was glowing with beauty and smart ribands.

The bridegroom, who had been staying at the house for two or three

days previous, sallied forth gallantly to Dulwich Church to meet the

bride, attended by Mr Pickwick, Ben Allen, Bob Sawyer, and Mr

Tupman; with Sam Weller outside, having at his button-hole a white

favour, the gift of his lady-love, and clad in a new and gorgeous suit of

livery invented for the occasion. They were met by the Wardles, and

the Winkles, and the bride and bridesmaids, and the Trundles; and

the ceremony having been performed, the coaches rattled back to Mr

Pickwick's to breakfast, where little Mr Perker already awaited them.

Here, all the light clouds of the more solemn part of the proceedings

passed away; every face shone forth joyously; and nothing was to be

heard but congratulations and commendations. Everything was so

beautiful! The lawn in front, the garden behind, the miniature

conservatory, the dining-room, the drawing-room, the bedrooms, the

smoking-room, and, above all, the study, with its pictures and easy-

chairs, and odd cabinets, and queer tables, and books out of number,

with a large cheerful window opening upon a pleasant lawn and

commanding a pretty landscape, dotted here and there with little

houses almost hidden by the trees; and then the curtains, and the

carpets, and the chairs, and the sofas! Everything was so beautiful, so

compact, so neat, and in such exquisite taste, said everybody, that

there really was no deciding what to admire most.

And in the midst of all this, stood Mr Pickwick, his countenance

lighted up with smiles, which the heart of no man, woman, or child,

could resist: himself the happiest of the group: shaking hands, over

and over again, with the same people, and when his own hands were

not so employed, rubbing them with pleasure: turning round in a

different direction at every fresh expression of gratification or

curiosity, and inspiring everybody with his looks of gladness and

delight.

Breakfast is announced. Mr Pickwick leads the old lady (who has been

very eloquent on the subject of Lady Tollimglower) to the top of a long

table; Wardle takes the bottom; the friends arrange themselves on

either side; Sam takes his station behind his master's chair; the

laughter and talking cease; Mr Pickwick, having said grace, pauses for

The Pickwick Papers