The quiet seclusion1 of Dingley Dell, the presence of so many of the gentler sex, and the solicitude2 and anxiety they evinced in his behalf, were all favourable3 to the growth and development of those softer feelings which nature had implanted deep in the bosom4 of Mr. Tracy Tupman, and which now appeared destined5 to centre in one lovely object. The young ladies were pretty, their manners winning, their dispositions6 unexceptionable; but there was a dignity in the air, a touch-me-not-ishness in the walk, a majesty7 in the eye, of the spinster aunt, to which, at their time of life, they could lay no claim, which distinguished8 her from any female on whom Mr. Tupman had ever gazed. That there was something kindred in their nature, something congenial in their souls, something mysteriously sympathetic in their bosoms9, was evident. Her name was the first that rose to Mr. Tupman’s lips as he lay wounded on the grass; and her hysteric laughter was the first sound that fell upon his ear when he was supported to the house. But had her agitation10 arisen from an amiable11 and feminine sensibility which would have been equally irrepressible in any case; or had it been called forth12 by a more ardent13 and passionate14 feeling, which he, of all men living, could alone awaken15? These were the doubts which racked his brain as he lay extended on the sofa; these were the doubts which he determined16 should be at once and for ever resolved.
it was evening. Isabella and Emily had strolled out with Mr. Trundle; the deaf old lady had fallen asleep in her chair; the snoring of the fat boy, penetrated17 in a low and monotonous18 sound from the distant kitchen; the buxom19 servants were lounging at the side door, enjoying the pleasantness of the hour, and the delights of a flirtation20, on first principles, with certain unwieldy animals attached to the farm; and there sat the interesting pair, uncared for by all, caring for none, and dreaming only of themselves; there they sat, in short, like a pair of carefully-folded kid gloves — bound up in each other.
‘I have forgotten my flowers,’ said the spinster aunt.
‘Water them now,’ said Mr. Tupman, in accents of persuasion21.
‘You will take cold in the evening air,’ urged the spinster aunt affectionately.
‘No, no,’ said Mr. Tupman, rising; ‘it will do me good. Let me accompany you.’
The lady paused to adjust the sling22 in which the left arm of the youth was placed, and taking his right arm led him to the garden.
There was a bower23 at the farther end, with honeysuckle, jessamine, and creeping plants — one of those sweet retreats which humane24 men erect25 for the accommodation of spiders.
The spinster aunt took up a large watering-pot which lay in one corner, and was about to leave the arbour. Mr. Tupman detained her, and drew her to a seat beside him.
‘Miss Wardle!’ said he. The spinster aunt trembled, till some pebbles26 which had accidentally found their way into the large watering-pot shook like an infant’s rattle27.
‘Miss Wardle,’ said Mr. Tupman, ‘you are an angel.’
‘Mr. Tupman!’ exclaimed Rachael, blushing as red as the watering-pot itself.
‘Nay,’ said the eloquent28 Pickwickian —‘I know it but too well.’
‘All women are angels, they say,’ murmured the lady playfully.
‘Then what can you be; or to what, without presumption29, can I compare you?’ replied Mr. Tupman. ‘Where was the woman ever seen who resembled you? Where else could I hope to find so rare a combination of excellence30 and beauty? Where else could I seek to — Oh!’ Here Mr. Tupman paused, and pressed the hand which clasped the handle of the happy watering-pot.
The lady turned aside her head. ‘Men are such deceivers,’ she softly whispered.
‘They are, they are,’ ejaculated Mr. Tupman; ‘but not all men. There lives at least one being who can never change — one being who would be content to devote his whole existence to your happiness — who lives but in your eyes — who breathes but in your smiles — who bears the heavy burden of life itself only for you.’
‘Could such an individual be found —’ said the lady.
‘But he CAN be found,’ said the ardent Mr. Tupman, interposing. ‘He IS found. He is here, Miss Wardle.’ And ere the lady was aware of his intention, Mr. Tupman had sunk upon his knees at her feet.
‘Mr. Tupman, rise,’ said Rachael.
‘Never!’ was the valorous reply. ‘Oh, Rachael!’ He seized her passive hand, and the watering-pot fell to the ground as he pressed it to his lips. —‘Oh, Rachael! say you love me.’
‘Mr. Tupman,’ said the spinster aunt, with averted32 head, ‘I can hardly speak the words; but — but — you are not wholly indifferent to me.’
Mr. Tupman no sooner heard this avowal33, than he proceeded to do what his enthusiastic emotions prompted, and what, for aught we know (for we are but little acquainted with such matters), people so circumstanced always do. He jumped up, and, throwing his arm round the neck of the spinster aunt, imprinted34 upon her lips numerous kisses, which after a due show of struggling and resistance, she received so passively, that there is no telling how many more Mr. Tupman might have bestowed36, if the lady had not given a very unaffected start, and exclaimed in an affrighted tone —
‘Mr. Tupman, we are observed! — we are discovered!’
Mr. Tupman looked round. There was the fat boy, perfectly38 motionless, with his large circular eyes staring into the arbour, but without the slightest expression on his face that the most expert physiognomist could have referred to astonishment39, curiosity, or any other known passion that agitates40 the human breast. Mr. Tupman gazed on the fat boy, and the fat boy stared at him; and the longer Mr. Tupman observed the utter vacancy41 of the fat boy’s countenance42, the more convinced he became that he either did not know, or did not understand, anything that had been going forward. Under this impression, he said with great firmness —
‘What do you want here, Sir?’
‘Supper’s ready, sir,’ was the prompt reply.
‘Have you just come here, sir?’ inquired Mr. Tupman, with a piercing look.
‘Just,’ replied the fat boy.
Mr. Tupman looked at him very hard again; but there was not a wink43 in his eye, or a curve in his face.
Mr. Tupman took the arm of the spinster aunt, and walked towards the house; the fat boy followed behind.
‘He knows nothing of what has happened,‘he whispered.
‘Nothing,’ said the spinster aunt.
There was a sound behind them, as of an imperfectly suppressed chuckle44. Mr. Tupman turned sharply round. No; it could not have been the fat boy; there was not a gleam of mirth, or anything but feeding in his whole visage.
‘He must have been fast asleep,’ whispered Mr. Tupman.
‘I have not the least doubt of it,’ replied the spinster aunt.
They both laughed heartily45.
Mr, Tupman was wrong. The fat boy, for once, had not been fast asleep. He was awake — wide awake — to what had been going forward.
The supper passed off without any attempt at a general conversation. The old lady had gone to bed; Isabella Wardle devoted46 herself exclusively to Mr. Trundle; the spinster’s attentions were reserved for Mr. Tupman; and Emily’s thoughts appeared to be engrossed47 by some distant object — possibly they were with the absent Snodgrass.
Eleven — twelve — one o’clock had struck, and the gentlemen had not arrived. Consternation48 sat on every face. Could they have been waylaid49 and robbed? Should they send men and lanterns in every direction by which they could be supposed likely to have travelled home? or should they — Hark! there they were. What could have made them so late? A strange voice, too! To whom could it belong? They rushed into the kitchen, whither the truants50 had repaired, and at once obtained rather more than a glimmering51 of the real state of the case.
Mr. Pickwick, with his hands in his pockets and his hat cocked completely over his left eye, was leaning against the dresser, shaking his head from side to side, and producing a constant succession of the blandest52 and most benevolent53 smiles without being moved thereunto by any discernible cause or pretence54 whatsoever55; old Mr. Wardle, with a highly-inflamed countenance, was grasping the hand of a strange gentleman muttering protestations of eternal friendship; Mr. Winkle, supporting himself by the eight-day clock, was feebly invoking56 destruction upon the head of any member of the family who should suggest the propriety57 of his retiring for the night; and Mr. Snodgrass had sunk into a chair, with an expression of the most abject58 and hopeless misery59 that the human mind can imagine, portrayed60 in every lineament of his expressive61 face.
‘is anything the matter?’ inquired the three ladies.
‘Nothing the matter,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘We — we’re — all right. — I say, Wardle, we’re all right, ain’t we?’
‘I should think so,’ replied the jolly host. —‘My dears, here’s my friend Mr. Jingle62 — Mr. Pickwick’s friend, Mr. Jingle, come ‘pon — little visit.’
‘Is anything the matter with Mr. Snodgrass, Sir?’ inquired Emily, with great anxiety.
‘Nothing the matter, ma’am,’ replied the stranger. ‘Cricket dinner — glorious party — capital songs — old port — claret — good — very good — wine, ma’am — wine.’
‘It wasn’t the wine,’ murmured Mr. Snodgrass, in a broken voice. ‘It was the salmon63.’ (Somehow or other, it never is the wine, in these cases.)
‘Hadn’t they better go to bed, ma’am?’ inquired Emma. ‘Two of the boys will carry the gentlemen upstairs.’
‘I won’t go to bed,’ said Mr. Winkle firmly.
‘No living boy shall carry me,’ said Mr. Pickwick stoutly65; and he went on smiling as before. ‘Hurrah!’ gasped66 Mr. Winkle faintly.
‘Hurrah!’ echoed Mr. Pickwick, taking off his hat and dashing it on the floor, and insanely casting his spectacles into the middle of the kitchen. At this humorous feat67 he laughed outright68.
‘Let’s — have —‘nother — bottle,‘cried Mr. Winkle, commencing in a very loud key, and ending in a very faint one. His head dropped upon his breast; and, muttering his invincible69 determination not to go to his bed, and a sanguinary regret that he had not ‘done for old Tupman’ in the morning, he fell fast asleep; in which condition he was borne to his apartment by two young giants under the personal superintendence of the fat boy, to whose protecting care Mr. Snodgrass shortly afterwards confided70 his own person, Mr. Pickwick accepted the proffered71 arm of Mr. Tupman and quietly disappeared, smiling more than ever; and Mr. Wardle, after taking as affectionate a leave of the whole family as if he were ordered for immediate72 execution, consigned73 to Mr. Trundle the honour of conveying him upstairs, and retired74, with a very futile75 attempt to look impressively solemn and dignified76. ‘What a shocking scene!’ said the spinster aunt.
‘Dis-gusting!’ ejaculated both the young ladies.
‘Dreadful — dreadful!’ said Jingle, looking very grave: he was about a bottle and a half ahead of any of his companions. ‘Horrid77 spectacle — very!’
‘What a nice man!’ whispered the spinster aunt to Mr. Tupman.
‘Good-looking, too!’ whispered Emily Wardle.
‘Oh, decidedly,’ observed the spinster aunt.
Mr. Tupman thought of the widow at Rochester, and his mind was troubled. The succeeding half-hour’s conversation was not of a nature to calm his perturbed78 spirit. The new visitor was very talkative, and the number of his anecdotes79 was only to be exceeded by the extent of his politeness. Mr. Tupman felt that as Jingle’s popularity increased, he (Tupman) retired further into the shade. His laughter was forced — his merriment feigned80; and when at last he laid his aching temples between the sheets, he thought, with horrid delight, on the satisfaction it would afford him to have Jingle’s head at that moment between the feather bed and the mattress81.
The indefatigable82 stranger rose betimes next morning, and, although his companions remained in bed overpowered with the dissipation of the previous night, exerted himself most successfully to promote the hilarity83 of the breakfast-table. So successful were his efforts, that even the deaf old lady insisted on having one or two of his best jokes retailed84 through the trumpet85; and even she condescended86 to observe to the spinster aunt, that ‘He’ (meaning Jingle) ‘was an impudent87 young fellow:’ a sentiment in which all her relations then and there present thoroughly88 coincided.
It was the old lady’s habit on the fine summer mornings to repair to the arbour in which Mr. Tupman had already signalised himself, in form and manner following: first, the fat boy fetched from a peg89 behind the old lady’s bedroom door, a close black satin bonnet90, a warm cotton shawl, and a thick stick with a capacious handle; and the old lady, having put on the bonnet and shawl at her leisure, would lean one hand on the stick and the other on the fat boy’s shoulder, and walk leisurely91 to the arbour, where the fat boy would leave her to enjoy the fresh air for the space of half an hour; at the expiration92 of which time he would return and reconduct her to the house.
The old lady was very precise and very particular; and as this ceremony had been observed for three successive summers without the slightest deviation93 from the accustomed form, she was not a little surprised on this particular morning to see the fat boy, instead of leaving the arbour, walk a few paces out of it, look carefully round him in every direction, and return towards her with great stealth and an air of the most profound mystery.
The old lady was timorous94 — most old ladies are — and her first impression was that the bloated lad was about to do her some grievous bodily harm with the view of possessing himself of her loose coin. She would have cried for assistance, but age and infirmity had long ago deprived her of the power of screaming; she, therefore, watched his motions with feelings of intense horror which were in no degree diminished by his coming close up to her, and shouting in her ear in an agitated95, and as it seemed to her, a threatening tone —
‘Missus!’
Now it so happened that Mr. Jingle was walking in the garden close to the arbour at that moment. He too heard the shouts of ‘Missus,’ and stopped to hear more. There were three reasons for his doing so. In the first place, he was idle and curious; secondly96, he was by no means scrupulous97; thirdly, and lastly, he was concealed98 from view by some flowering shrubs99. So there he stood, and there he listened.
‘Missus!’ shouted the fat boy.
‘Well, Joe,’ said the trembling old lady. ‘I’m sure I have been a good mistress to you, Joe. You have invariably been treated very kindly100. You have never had too much to do; and you have always had enough to eat.’
This last was an appeal to the fat boy’s most sensitive feelings. He seemed touched, as he replied emphatically — ‘I knows I has.’
‘Then what can you want to do now?’ said the old lady, gaining courage.
‘I wants to make your flesh creep,’ replied the boy.
This sounded like a very bloodthirsty mode of showing one’s gratitude101; and as the old lady did not precisely102 understand the process by which such a result was to be attained103, all her former horrors returned.
‘What do you think I see in this very arbour last night?’ inquired the boy.
‘Bless us! What?’ exclaimed the old lady, alarmed at the solemn manner of the corpulent youth.
‘The strange gentleman — him as had his arm hurt — a-kissin’ and huggin’—’
‘Who, Joe? None of the servants, I hope.’ ‘Worser than that,’ roared the fat boy, in the old lady’s ear.
‘Not one of my grandda’aters?’
‘Worser than that.’
‘Worse than that, Joe!’ said the old lady, who had thought this the extreme limit of human atrocity104. ‘Who was it, Joe? I insist upon knowing.’
The fat boy looked cautiously round, and having concluded his survey, shouted in the old lady’s ear —
‘Miss Rachael.’
‘What!’ said the old lady, in a shrill105 tone. ‘Speak louder.’
‘Miss Rachael,’ roared the fat boy.
‘My da’ater!’
The train of nods which the fat boy gave by way of assent106, communicated a blanc-mange like motion to his fat cheeks.
‘And she suffered him!’ exclaimed the old lady. A grin stole over the fat boy’s features as he said —
‘I see her a-kissin’ of him agin.’
If Mr. Jingle, from his place of concealment107, could have beheld108 the expression which the old lady’s face assumed at this communication, the probability is that a sudden burst of laughter would have betrayed his close vicinity to the summer-house. He listened attentively109. Fragments of angry sentences such as, ‘Without my permission!’—‘At her time of life’—‘Miserable old ‘ooman like me’—‘Might have waited till I was dead,’ and so forth, reached his ears; and then he heard the heels of the fat boy’s boots crunching110 the gravel111, as he retired and left the old lady alone.
It was a remarkable112 coincidence perhaps, but it was nevertheless a fact, that Mr. Jingle within five minutes of his arrival at Manor113 Farm on the preceding night, had inwardly resolved to lay siege to the heart of the spinster aunt, without delay. He had observation enough to see, that his off-hand manner was by no means disagreeable to the fair object of his attack; and he had more than a strong suspicion that she possessed114 that most desirable of all requisites115, a small independence. The imperative116 necessity of ousting117 his rival by some means or other, flashed quickly upon him, and he immediately resolved to adopt certain proceedings118 tending to that end and object, without a moment’s delay. Fielding tells us that man is fire, and woman tow, and the Prince of Darkness sets a light to ’em. Mr. Jingle knew that young men, to spinster aunts, are as lighted gas to gunpowder119, and he determined to essay the effect of an explosion without loss of time.
Full of reflections upon this important decision, he crept from his place of concealment, and, under cover of the shrubs before mentioned, approached the house. Fortune seemed determined to favour his design. Mr. Tupman and the rest of the gentlemen left the garden by the side gate just as he obtained a view of it; and the young ladies, he knew, had walked out alone, soon after breakfast. The coast was clear.
The breakfast-parlour door was partially120 open. He peeped in. The spinster aunt was knitting. He coughed; she looked up and smiled. Hesitation121 formed no part of Mr. Alfred Jingle’s character. He laid his finger on his lips mysteriously, walked in, and closed the door.
‘Miss Wardle,’ said Mr. Jingle, with affected37 earnestness, ‘forgive intrusion — short acquaintance — no time for ceremony — all discovered.’
‘Sir!’ said the spinster aunt, rather astonished by the unexpected apparition122 and somewhat doubtful of Mr. Jingle’s sanity123.
‘Hush!’ said Mr. Jingle, in a stage-whisper —‘Large boy — dumpling face — round eyes — rascal124!’ Here he shook his head expressively125, and the spinster aunt trembled with agitation.
‘I presume you allude126 to Joseph, Sir?’ said the lady, making an effort to appear composed.
‘Yes, ma’am — damn that Joe! — treacherous127 dog, Joe — told the old lady — old lady furious — wild — raving128 — arbour — Tupman — kissing and hugging — all that sort of thing — eh, ma’am — eh?’
‘Mr. Jingle,’ said the spinster aunt, ‘if you come here, Sir, to insult me —’
‘Not at all — by no means,’ replied the unabashed Mr. Jingle —‘overheard the tale — came to warn you of your danger — tender my services — prevent the hubbub130. Never mind — think it an insult — leave the room’— and he turned, as if to carry the threat into execution.
‘What SHALL I do!’ said the poor spinster, bursting into tears. ‘My brother will be furious.’
‘Of course he will,’ said Mr. Jingle pausing —‘outrageous.’ ‘Oh, Mr. Jingle, what CAN I say!’ exclaimed the spinster aunt, in another flood of despair.
‘Say he dreamt it,’ replied Mr. Jingle coolly.
A ray of comfort darted131 across the mind of the spinster aunt at this suggestion. Mr. Jingle perceived it, and followed up his advantage.
‘Pooh, pooh! — nothing more easy — blackguard boy — lovely woman — fat boy horsewhipped — you believed — end of the matter — all comfortable.’
Whether the probability of escaping from the consequences of this ill-timed discovery was delightful132 to the spinster’s feelings, or whether the hearing herself described as a ‘lovely woman’ softened133 the asperity134 of her grief, we know not. She blushed slightly, and cast a grateful look on Mr. Jingle.
That insinuating135 gentleman sighed deeply, fixed136 his eyes on the spinster aunt’s face for a couple of minutes, started melodramatically, and suddenly withdrew them.
‘You seem unhappy, Mr. Jingle,’ said the lady, in a plaintive137 voice. ‘May I show my gratitude for your kind interference, by inquiring into the cause, with a view, if possible, to its removal?’
‘Ha!’ exclaimed Mr. Jingle, with another start —‘removal! remove my unhappiness, and your love bestowed upon a man who is insensible to the blessing138 — who even now contemplates139 a design upon the affections of the niece of the creature who — but no; he is my friend; I will not expose his vices129. Miss Wardle — farewell!’ At the conclusion of this address, the most consecutive140 he was ever known to utter, Mr. Jingle applied141 to his eyes the remnant of a handkerchief before noticed, and turned towards the door.
‘Stay, Mr. Jingle!’ said the spinster aunt emphatically. ‘You have made an allusion142 to Mr. Tupman — explain it.’
‘Never!’ exclaimed Jingle, with a professional (i.e., theatrical) air. ‘Never!’ and, by way of showing that he had no desire to be questioned further, he drew a chair close to that of the spinster aunt and sat down.
‘Mr. Jingle,’ said the aunt, ‘I entreat143 — I implore144 you, if there is any dreadful mystery connected with Mr. Tupman, reveal it.’
‘Can I,’ said Mr. Jingle, fixing his eyes on the aunt’s face —‘can I see — lovely creature — sacrificed at the shrine145 — heartless avarice146!’ He appeared to be struggling with various conflicting emotions for a few seconds, and then said in a low voice —
‘Tupman only wants your money.’
‘The wretch147!’ exclaimed the spinster, with energetic indignation. (Mr. Jingle’s doubts were resolved. She HAD money.)
‘More than that,’ said Jingle —‘loves another.’
‘Another!’ ejaculated the spinster. ‘Who?’ ‘Short girl — black eyes — niece Emily.’
There was a pause.
Now, if there was one individual in the whole world, of whom the spinster aunt entertained a mortal and deep-rooted jealousy148, it was this identical niece. The colour rushed over her face and neck, and she tossed her head in silence with an air of ineffable149 contempt. At last, biting her thin lips, and bridling150 up, she said —
‘It can’t be. I won’t believe it.’
‘Watch ’em,’ said Jingle.
‘I will,’ said the aunt.
‘Watch his looks.’
‘I will.’
‘His whispers.’
‘I will.’
‘He’ll sit next her at table.’
‘Let him.’
‘He’ll flatter her.’
‘Let him.’
‘He’ll pay her every possible attention.’
‘Let him.’
‘And he’ll cut you.’
‘Cut ME!’ screamed the spinster aunt. ‘HE cut ME; will he!’ and she trembled with rage and disappointment.
‘You will convince yourself?’ said Jingle.
‘I will.’
‘You’ll show your spirit?’
‘I will.’ ‘You’ll not have him afterwards?’
‘Never.’
‘You’ll take somebody else?’ ‘Yes.’
‘You shall.’
Mr. Jingle fell on his knees, remained thereupon for five minutes thereafter; and rose the accepted lover of the spinster aunt — conditionally151 upon Mr. Tupman’s perjury152 being made clear and manifest.
The burden of proof lay with Mr. Alfred Jingle; and he produced his evidence that very day at dinner. The spinster aunt could hardly believe her eyes. Mr. Tracy Tupman was established at Emily’s side, ogling153, whispering, and smiling, in opposition154 to Mr. Snodgrass. Not a word, not a look, not a glance, did he bestow35 upon his heart’s pride of the evening before.
‘Damn that boy!’ thought old Mr. Wardle to himself. — He had heard the story from his mother. ‘Damn that boy! He must have been asleep. It’s all imagination.’
‘Traitor!’ thought the spinster aunt. ‘Dear Mr. Jingle was not deceiving me. Ugh! how I hate the wretch!’
The following conversation may serve to explain to our readers this apparently155 unaccountable alteration156 of deportment on the part of Mr. Tracy Tupman.
The time was evening; the scene the garden. There were two figures walking in a side path; one was rather short and stout64; the other tall and slim. They were Mr. Tupman and Mr. Jingle. The stout figure commenced the dialogue.
‘How did I do it?’ he inquired.
‘Splendid — capital — couldn’t act better myself — you must repeat the part to-morrow — every evening till further notice.’
‘Does Rachael still wish it?’
‘Of course — she don’t like it — but must be done — avert31 suspicion — afraid of her brother — says there’s no help for it — only a few days more — when old folks blinded — crown your happiness.’
‘Any message?’
‘Love — best love — kindest regards — unalterable affection. Can I say anything for you?’
‘My dear fellow,’ replied the unsuspicious Mr. Tupman, fervently157 grasping his ‘friend’s’ hand —‘carry my best love — say how hard I find it to dissemble — say anything that’s kind: but add how sensible I am of the necessity of the suggestion she made to me, through you, this morning. Say I applaud her wisdom and admire her discretion158.’ ‘I will. Anything more?’
‘Nothing, only add how ardently159 I long for the time when I may call her mine, and all dissimulation160 may be unnecessary.’
‘Certainly, certainly. Anything more?’
‘Oh, my friend!’ said poor Mr. Tupman, again grasping the hand of his companion, ‘receive my warmest thanks for your disinterested161 kindness; and forgive me if I have ever, even in thought, done you the injustice162 of supposing that you could stand in my way. My dear friend, can I ever repay you?’
‘Don’t talk of it,’ replied Mr. Jingle. He stopped short, as if suddenly recollecting163 something, and said —‘By the bye — can’t spare ten pounds, can you? — very particular purpose — pay you in three days.’
‘I dare say I can,’ replied Mr. Tupman, in the fulness of his heart. ‘Three days, you say?’
‘Only three days — all over then — no more difficulties.’ Mr. Tupman counted the money into his companion’s hand, and he dropped it piece by piece into his pocket, as they walked towards the house.
‘Be careful,’ said Mr. Jingle —‘not a look.’
‘Not a wink,’ said Mr. Tupman.
‘Not a syllable164.’
‘Not a whisper.’
‘All your attentions to the niece — rather rude, than otherwise, to the aunt — only way of deceiving the old ones.’
‘I’ll take care,’ said Mr. Tupman aloud.
‘And I’LL take care,’ said Mr. Jingle internally; and they entered the house.
The scene of that afternoon was repeated that evening, and on the three afternoons and evenings next ensuing. On the fourth, the host was in high spirits, for he had satisfied himself that there was no ground for the charge against Mr. Tupman. So was Mr. Tupman, for Mr. Jingle had told him that his affair would soon be brought to a crisis. So was Mr. Pickwick, for he was seldom otherwise. So was not Mr. Snodgrass, for he had grown jealous of Mr. Tupman. So was the old lady, for she had been winning at whist. So were Mr. Jingle and Miss Wardle, for reasons of sufficient importance in this eventful history to be narrated165 in another chapter.
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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bosoms
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| 胸部( bosom的名词复数 )； 胸怀； 女衣胸部（或胸襟）； 和爱护自己的人在一起的情形 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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17
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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18
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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19
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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20
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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21
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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22
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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23
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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24
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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25
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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26
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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27
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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28
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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29
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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30
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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31
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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32
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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33
avowal
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| n.公开宣称，坦白承认 | |
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34
imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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35
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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36
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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38
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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39
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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40
agitates
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| 搅动( agitate的第三人称单数 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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41
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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42
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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43
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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44
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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45
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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46
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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47
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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48
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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49
waylaid
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| v.拦截，拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
truants
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| n.旷课的小学生( truant的名词复数 )；逃学生；逃避责任者；懒散的人 | |
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51
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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52
blandest
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| adj.（食物）淡而无味的( bland的最高级 )；平和的；温和的；无动于衷的 | |
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53
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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54
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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55
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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56
invoking
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| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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57
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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58
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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59
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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60
portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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61
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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62
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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63
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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65
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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66
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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67
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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68
outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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69
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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70
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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71
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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73
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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74
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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75
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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76
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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77
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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78
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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80
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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81
mattress
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| n.床垫，床褥 | |
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82
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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83
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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84
retailed
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| vt.零售（retail的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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85
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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86
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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87
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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88
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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89
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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90
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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91
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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92
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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93
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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94
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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95
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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96
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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97
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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98
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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99
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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100
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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101
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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102
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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103
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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104
atrocity
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| n.残暴，暴行 | |
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105
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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106
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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107
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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108
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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109
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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110
crunching
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的现在分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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111
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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112
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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113
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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114
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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115
requisites
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| n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 ) | |
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116
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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117
ousting
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| 驱逐( oust的现在分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺 | |
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118
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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119
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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120
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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121
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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122
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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123
sanity
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| n.心智健全，神智正常，判断正确 | |
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124
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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125
expressively
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| ad.表示(某事物)地；表达地 | |
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126
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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127
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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128
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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129
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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130
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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131
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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132
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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133
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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134
asperity
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| n.粗鲁，艰苦 | |
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135
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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136
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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137
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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138
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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139
contemplates
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的第三人称单数 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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140
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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141
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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143
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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144
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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145
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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ineffable
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| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
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150
bridling
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的现在分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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151
conditionally
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| adv. 有条件地 | |
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perjury
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| n.伪证；伪证罪 | |
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153
ogling
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的现在分词 ) | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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161
disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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162
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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163
recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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164
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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