faithful attendant. It was indeed Mr. Samuel Weller, who after
sitting up thus late, in conversation with the Boots, who was sitting
up for the mail, was now about to retire to rest.

Imagine this story told by Miss Witherfield in open court, with all its
details, the lady's narrative being coloured by the recollection that she
had lost a suitable husband owing to her adventure. Mr. Peter Magnus
would have deposed to Mr. Pickwick's extraordinary interest in the matter
of the proposal, and have added his suspicions on recalling Mr.
Pickwick's ambiguous declaration that he had come down to expose a
certain person--even one of his own sympathetic friends, who had
witnessed the scene with Mrs. Bardell, and recalled the Boarding House
incident, might murmur, "How odd that he is ever thus in pursuit of the
fair under suspicious circumstances? _could_ it be that after all?--What
if he had some previous knowledge of the lady, and secretly admired her,
and stung to fury at the notion of Mr. Peter Magnus marrying, had taken
this strange mode of declaring his passion?" Even the sagacious Sam,
devoted as he was to his master, was taken aback on meeting him in his
midnight wanderings.

'Sam,' said Mr. Pickwick, suddenly appearing before him, 'Where's my
bedroom?'

Mr. Weller stared at his master with the most emphatic surprise; and
it was not until the question had been repeated three several times,
that he turned round, and led the way to the long-sought apartment.

'Sam,' said Mr. Pickwick, as he got into bed, 'I have made one of the
most extraordinary mistakes to-night, that ever were heard of.'

'Werry likely, Sir,' replied Mr. Weller, drily.

'But of this I am determined, Sam,' said Mr. Pickwick, 'that if I
were to stop in this house for six months, I would never trust myself
about it alone, again.'

'That's the wery prudentest resolution as you could come to, Sir,'
replied Mr. Weller. 'You rayther want somebody to look arter you,
Sir, ven your judgment goes out a wisitin'.'

'What do you mean by that, Sam?' said Mr. Pickwick. He raised
himself in bed, and extended his hand, as if he were about to say
something more; but suddenly checking himself, turned round, and bade
his valet 'Good night.'

'Good night, Sir,' replied Mr. Weller. He paused when he got outside
the door--shook his head--walked on--stopped--snuffed the