IN WHICH THE PICKWICK CLUB IS FINALLYDISSOLVED, AND EVERYTHING CONCLUDEDTO THE SATISFACTION OF EVERYBODYor a whole week after the happy arrival of Mr. Winklefrom Birmingham, Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller werefrom home all day long, only returning just in time fordinner, and then wearing an air of mystery and importance quiteforeign to their natures. It was evident that very grave andeventful proceedings were on foot; but various surmises wereafloat, respecting their precise character. Some (among whom wasMr. Tupman) were disposed to think that Mr. Pickwickcontemplated a matrimonial alliance; but this idea the ladies moststrenuously repudiated. Others rather inclined to the belief that hehad projected some distant tour, and was at present occupied ineffecting the preliminary arrangements; but this again was stoutlydenied by Sam himself, who had unequivocally stated, when cross-examined by Mary, that no new journeys were to be undertaken.

　　At length, when the brains of the whole party had been racked forsix long days, by unavailing speculation, it was unanimouslyresolved that Mr. Pickwick should be called upon to explain hisconduct, and to state distinctly why he had thus absented himselffrom the society of his admiring friends.

　　With this view, Mr. Wardle invited the full circle to dinner at theAdelphi; and the decanters having been thrice sent round, openedthe business.

　　‘We are all anxious to know,’ said the old gentleman, ‘what wehave done to offend you, and to induce you to desert us and devoteyourself to these solitary walks.’

　　‘Are you?’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘It is singular enough that I hadintended to volunteer a full explanation this very day; so, if youwill give me another glass of wine, I will satisfy your curiosity.’

　　The decanters passed from hand to hand with unwontedbriskness, and Mr. Pickwick, looking round on the faces of hisfriends with a cheerful smile, proceeded:

　　‘All the changes that have taken place among us,’ said Mr.

　　Pickwick, ‘I mean the marriage that has taken place, and themarriage that will take place, with the changes they involve,rendered it necessary for me to think, soberly and at once, uponmy future plans. I determined on retiring to some quiet, prettyneighbourhood in the vicinity of London; I saw a house whichexactly suited my fancy; I have taken it and furnished it. It is fullyprepared for my reception, and I intend entering upon it at once,trusting that I may yet live to spend many quiet years in peacefulretirement, cheered through life by the society of my friends, andfollowed in death by their affectionate remembrance.’

　　Here Mr. Pickwick paused, and a low murmur ran round thetable.

　　‘The house I have taken,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘is at Dulwich. Ithas a large garden, and is situated in one of the most pleasantspots near London. It has been fitted up with every attention tosubstantial comfort; perhaps to a little elegance besides; but ofthat you shall judge for yourselves. Sam accompanies me there. Ihave engaged, on Perker’s representation, a housekeeper―a veryold one―and such other servants as she thinks I shall require. Ipropose to consecrate this little retreat, by having a ceremony inwhich I take a great interest, performed there. I wish, if my friendWardle entertains no objection, that his daughter should bemarried from my new house, on the day I take possession of it.

　　The happiness of young people,’ said Mr. Pickwick, a little moved,‘has ever been the chief pleasure of my life. It will warm my heartto witness the happiness of those friends who are dearest to me,beneath my own roof.’

　　Mr. Pickwick paused again: Emily and Arabella sobbed audibly.

　　‘I have communicated, both personally and by letter, with theclub,’ resumed Mr. Pickwick, ‘acquainting them with my intention.

　　During our long absence, it has suffered much from internaldissentions; and the withdrawal of my name, coupled with thisand other circumstances, has occasioned its dissolution. ThePickwick Club exists no longer.

　　‘I shall never regret,’ said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, ‘I shallnever regret having devoted the greater part of two years tomixing with different varieties and shades of human character,frivolous as my pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many.

　　Nearly the whole of my previous life having been devoted tobusiness and the pursuit of wealth, numerous scenes of which Ihad no previous conception have dawned upon me―I hope to theenlargement of my mind, and the improvement of myunderstanding. If I have done but little good, I trust I have doneless harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than asource of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline oflife. God bless you all!’

　　With these words, Mr. Pickwick filled and drained a bumperwith a trembling hand; and his eyes moistened as his friends rosewith one accord, and pledged him from their hearts.

　　There were few preparatory arrangements to be made for themarriage of Mr. Snodgrass. As he had neither father nor mother,and had been in his minority a ward of Mr. Pickwick’s, thatgentleman was perfectly well acquainted with his possessions andprospects. His account of both was quite satisfactory to Wardle―as almost any other account would have been, for the good oldgentleman was overflowing with Hilarity and kindness―and ahandsome portion having been bestowed upon Emily, themarriage was fixed to take place on the fourth day from thattime―the suddenness of which preparations reduced threedressmakers and a tailor to the extreme verge of insanity.

　　Getting post-horses to the carriage, old Wardle started off, nextday, to bring his mother back to town. Communicating hisintelligence to the old lady with characteristic impetuosity, sheinstantly fainted away; but being promptly revived, ordered thebrocaded silk gown to be packed up forthwith, and proceeded torelate some circumstances of a similar nature attending themarriage of the eldest daughter of Lady Tollimglower, deceased,which occupied three hours in the recital, and were not halffinished at last.

　　Mrs. Trundle had to be informed of all the mighty preparationsthat were making in London; and, being in a delicate state ofhealth, was informed thereof through Mr. Trundle, lest the newsshould be too much for her; but it was not too much for her,inasmuch as she at once wrote off to Muggleton, to order a newcap and a black satin gown, and moreover avowed herdetermination of being present at the ceremony. Hereupon, Mr.

　　Trundle called in the doctor, and the doctor said Mrs. Trundleought to know best how she felt herself, to which Mrs. Trundlereplied that she felt herself quite equal to it, and that she hadmade up her mind to go; upon which the doctor, who was a wiseand discreet doctor, and knew what was good for himself, as wellas for other people, said that perhaps if Mrs. Trundle stopped athome, she might hurt herself more by fretting, than by going, soperhaps she had better go. And she did go; the doctor with greatattention sending in half a dozen of medicine, to be drunk uponthe road.

　　In addition to these points of distraction, Wardle was intrustedwith two small letters to two small young ladies who were to act asbridesmaids; upon the receipt of which, the two young ladies weredriven to despair by having no ‘things’ ready for so important anoccasion, and no time to make them in―a circumstance whichappeared to afford the two worthy papas of the two small youngladies rather a feeling of satisfaction than otherwise. However, oldfrocks were trimmed, and new bonnets made, and the youngladies looked as well as could possibly have been expected ofthem. And as they cried at the subsequent ceremony in the properplaces, and trembled at the right times, they acquitted themselvesto the admiration of all beholders. How the two poor relations everreached London―whether they walked, or got behind coaches, orprocured lifts in wagons, or carried each other by turns―isuncertain; but there they were, before Wardle; and the very firstpeopl............