第267章

Taking advantage of these symptoms of indecision, Mr.Perker (to whom, it appeared, the young couple had driven straight that morning) urged with legal point and shrewdness that Mr.Winkle, senior, was still unacquainted with the important rise in life's flight of steps which his son had taken;that the future expectations of the said son depended entirely upon the said Winkle, senior, continuing to regard him with undiminished feelings of affection and attachment, which it was very unlikely he would, if this great event were long kept a secret from him; that Mr.Pickwick, repairing to Bristol to seek Mr.Allen, might, with equal reason, repair to Birmingham to seek Mr.Winkle, senior; lastly, that Mr.Winkle, senior, had good right and title to consider Mr.Pickwick as in some degree the guardian and adviser of his son, and that it consequently behoved that gentleman, and was indeed due to his personal character, to acquaint the aforesaid Winkle, senior, personally, and by word of mouth, with the whole circumstances of the case, and with the share he had taken in the transaction.

Mr.Tupman and Mr.Snodgrass arrived, most opportunely, in this stage of the pleadings, and as it was necessary to explain to them all that had occurred, together with the various reasons pro and con, the whole of the arguments were gone over again, after which everybody urged every argument in his own way, and at his own length.And, at last, Mr.Pickwick, fairly argued and remonstrated out of all his resolutions, and being in imminent danger of being argued and remonstrated out of his wits, caught Arabella in his arms, and declaring that she was a very amiable creature, and that he didn't know how it was, but he had always been very fond of her from the first, said he could never find it in his heart to stand in the way of young people's happiness, and they might do with him as they pleased.

Mr.Weller's first act, on hearing this concession, was to despatch Job Trotter to the illustrious Mr.Pell, with an authority to deliver to the bearer the formal discharge which his prudent parent had had the foresight to leave in the hands of that learned gentleman, in case it should be, at any time, required on an emergency; his next proceeding was, to invest his whole stock of ready money, in the purchase of five-and-twenty gallons of mild porter: which he himself dispensed on the racket ground to everybody who would partake of it; this done, he hurra'd in divers parts of the building until he lost his voice, and then quietly relapsed into his usual collected and philosophical condition.

At three o'clock that afternoon, Mr.Pickwick took a last look at his little room, and made his way, as well as he could, through the throng of debtors who pressed eagerly forward to shake him by the hand, until he reached the lodge steps.He turned here, to look about him, and his eye lightened as he did so.In all the crowd of wan, emaciated faces, he saw not one which was not the happier for his sympathy and charity.

"Perker," said Mr.Pickwick, beckoning one young man towards him, "this is Mr.Jingle, whom I spoke to you about.""Very good, my dear sir," replied Perker, looking hard at Jingle."You will see me again, young man, to-morrow.I hope you may live to remember and feel deeply, what I shall have to communicate, sir."Jingle bowed respectfully, trembled very much as he took Mr.Pickwick's proffered hand, and withdrew.

"Job you know, I think?" said Mr.Pickwick, presenting that gentleman.

"I know the rascal," replied Perker, good-humouredly."See after your friend, and be in the way to-morrow at one.Do you hear? Now, is there anything more?""Nothing," rejoined Mr.Pickwick."You have delivered the little parcel I gave you for your old landlord, Sam?""I have, sir," replied Sam."He bust out a cryin', sir, and said you wos wery gen'rous and thoughtful, and he only wished you could have him innokilated for a gallopin' consumption, for his old friend as had lived here so long, wos dead, and he'd noweres to look for another.""Poor fellow, poor fellow!" said Mr.Pickwick."God bless you, my friends!"As Mr.Pickwick uttered this adieu, the crowd raised a loud shout.Many among them were pressing forward to shake him by the hand, again, when he drew his arm through Perker's, and hurried from the prison: far more sad and melancholy, for the moment, than when he had first entered it.

Alas! how many sad and unhappy beings had he left behind!

A happy evening was that, for, at least, one party in the George and Vulture; and light and cheerful were two of the hearts that emerged from its hospitable door next morning.The owners thereof were Mr.Pickwick and Sam Weller, the former of whom was speedily deposited inside a comfortable post coach, with a little dickey behind, in which the latter mounted with great agility.

"Sir," called out Mr.Weller to his master.

"Well, Sam," replied Mr.Pickwick, thrusting his head out of the window.

"I wish them horses had been three months and better in the Fleet, sir.""Why, Sam?" inquired Mr.Pickwick.

"Wy, sir," exclaimed Mr.Weller, rubbing his hands, "how they would go if they had been!"[Next Chapter] [Table of Contents]The Pickwick Papers: Chapter 48[Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents]