第266章

"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'm," replied Sam."I only assisted natur', ma'm; as the doctor said to the boy's mother, arter 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.""Only three days, eh?" said Mr.Pickwick "Why, what have you been doing these three months?""Ah, to be sure!" interposed Perker; "come! Account for this idleness.

You see Pickwick's only astonishment is, that it wasn't all over, months ago.""Why, the fact is," replied Mr.Winkle, looking at his blushing young wife, "that I could not persuade Bella to run away, for a long time.And when I had persuaded her, it was a long time more, before we could find an opportunity.Mary had to give a month's warning, too, before she could leave her place next door, and we couldn't possibly have done it without her assistance.""Upon my word," exclaimed Mr.Pickwick, who by this time had resumed his spectacles, and was looking from Arabella to Winkle, and from Winkle to Arabella, with as much delight depicted in his countenance as warm-heartedness and kindly feeling can communicate to the human face: "upon my word! you seem to have been very systematic in your proceedings.And is your brother acquainted with all this, my dear?""Oh, no, no," replied Arabella, changing colour."Dear Mr.Pickwick, he must only know it from you--from your lips alone.He is so violent, so prejudiced, and has been so--so anxious in behalf of his friend, Mr.

Sawyer," added Arabella, looking down, "that I fear the consequences dreadfully.""Ah, to be sure," said Perker gravely."You must take this matter in hand for them, my dear sir.These young men will respect you, when they would listen to nobody else.You must prevent mischief, my dear sir.Hot blood, hot blood." And the little man took a warning pinch, and shook his head doubtfully.

"You forget, my love," said Mr.Pickwick, gently, "you forget that Iam a prisoner."

"No, indeed I do not, my dear sir," replied Arabella."I never have forgotten it.I have never ceased to think how great your sufferings must have been in this shocking place.But I hoped that what no consideration for yourself would induce you to do, a regard to our happiness, might.

If my brother hears of this, first, from you, I feel certain we shall be reconciled.He is my only relation in the world, Mr.Pickwick, and unless you plead for me, I fear I have lost even him.I have done wrong, very, very wrong, I know." Here poor Arabella hid her face in her handkerchief, and wept bitterly.

Mr.Pickwick's nature was a good deal worked upon, by these same tears;but when Mrs.Winkle, drying her eyes, took to coaxing and entreating in the sweetest tones of a very sweet voice, he became particularly restless, and evidently undecided how to act.As was evinced by sundry nervous rubbings of his spectacle-glasses, nose, tights, head, and gaiters.