tly heard to state that she could kiss that dear Mr. Pickwick.
Whereupon Mr. Winkle gallantly inquired if it couldn't be done by
deputy: to which the young lady with the black eyes replied 'Go away,'
and accompanied the request with a look which said as plainly as a look
could do, 'if you can.'

'My dear friends,' resumed Mr. Pickwick, 'I am going to propose the
health of the bride and bridegroom--God bless 'em (cheers and tears).
My young friend, Trundle, I believe to be a very excellent and manly
fellow; and his wife I know to be a very amiable and lovely girl, well
qualified to transfer to another sphere of action the happiness which
for twenty years she has diffused around her, in her father's house.
(Here, the fat boy burst forth into stentorian blubberings, and was
led forth by the coat collar, by Mr. Weller.) I wish,' added Mr.
Pickwick--'I wish I was young enough to be her sister's husband
(cheers), but, failing that, I am happy to be old enough to be her
father; for, being so, I shall not be suspected of any latent designs
when I say, that I admire, esteem, and love them both (cheers and sobs).
The bride's father, our good friend there, is a noble person, and I
am proud to know him (great uproar). He is a kind, excellent,
independent-spirited, fine-hearted, hospitable, liberal man
(enthusiastic shouts from the poor relations, at all the adjectives;
and especially at the two last). That his daughter may enjoy all
the happiness, even he can desire; and that he may derive from the
contemplation of her felicity all the gratification of heart and peace
of mind which he so well deserves, is, I am persuaded, our united wish.
So, let us drink their healths, and wish them prolonged life, and every
blessing!'

Mr. Pickwick concluded amidst a whirlwind of applause; and once more
were the lungs of the supernumeraries, under Mr. Weller's command,
brought into active and efficient operation. Mr. Wardle proposed Mr.
Pickwick; Mr. Pickwick proposed the old lady. Mr. Snodgrass proposed
Mr. Wardle; Mr. Wardle proposed Mr. Snodgrass. One of the poor relations
proposed Mr. Tupman, and the other poor relation proposed Mr. Winkle;
all was happiness and festivity, until the mysterious disappearance of
both the poor relations beneath the table, warned the party that it was
time to adjourn.

At dinner they met again, after a five-and-twenty mile walk, undertaken
by the males at Wardle's recommendation, to get rid of the effects of