the advice of Messrs. Dodson & Fogg, solicitors, Mrs. Bardell
brought an action for breach of promise of marriage against Mr.
Pickwick, and the damages were laid at L1,500. February 14 was the day
fixed for the memorable trial.

When Mr. Pickwick and his friends reached the court, and the judge--Mr.
Justice Stareleigh--had taken his place, it was found that only ten of
the special jury were present, and a greengrocer and a chemist were
caught from the common jury to make up the number.

"I beg this court's pardon," said the chemist, "but I hope this court
will excuse my attendance. I have no assistant, and I can't afford to
hire one."

"Then you ought to be able to afford it," said the judge, a most
particularly short man, and so fat that he seemed all face and
waistcoat.

"Very well, my lord," replied the chemist, "then there'll be murder
before this trial's over, that's all. I've left nobody, but an errand-
boy in my shop, and I know that he thinks Epsom salts means oxalic acid,
and syrup of senna, laudanum; that's all, my lord."

Mr. Pickwick was regarding the chemist with feelings of the deepest
horror when Mrs. Bardell, supported by her friend, Mrs. Cluppins, was
led into court.

Then Sergeant Buzfuz opened the case for the plaintiff, and when he had
finished Elizabeth Cluppins was called.

"Do you recollect, Mrs. Cluppins," said Sergeant Buzfuz, "do you
recollect being in Mrs. Bardell's back room on one particular morning
last July, when she was dusting Pickwick's apartment?"

"Yes, my lord and jury, I do," replied Mrs. Cluppins.

"What were you doing in the back room, ma'am?" inquired the little
judge.

"My lord and jury," said Mrs. Cluppins, "I will not deceive you."

"You had better not, ma'am," said the little judge.

"I was there," resumed Mrs. Cluppins, "unbeknown to Mrs. Bardell; I had
been out with a little basket, gentlemen, to buy three pounds of red
kidney pertaties, which was tuppence ha'penny, when I see Mrs. Bardell's
street-door on the jar."

"On the what?" exclaimed the little judge.

"Partly open, my lord."

"She _said_ on the jar," said the little judge, with a cunning look.

"I walked in, gentlemen, just to say good mornin', and went in a
permiscuous manner upstairs, and into the back room. There was a sound
of voices in the front room, very loud, and forced themselves upon my
ear."

Mrs. Cluppins then related the conversation we have already heard
between Mr. Pickwick an