as unlocked, and there
stood Wardle and the silent Trundle. A rather lame account is given of
the coincidence. Mr. Pickwick naturally asked, "How did you come here?"
"Trundle and I came down here for some good shooting on the first," &c.
Now, here it is evident Wardle good-naturedly saddled himself with the
company of the silent man, but he had his reasons. Trundle was now son-
in-law _elect_. They were both at the "Angel" at Bury, and for some days
here were Mr. Pickwick and his "followers." There was the exciting
notice of action _re_ Bardell v. Pickwick. There had nearly been Pott v.
Pott and Winkle. And yet, all the time, this Trundle listens, and eats
and drinks; but there is no sign of him on the record. He is busy
maintaining his character as a cypher.

Everything, however, points to show the all but comtemptuous opinion that
was held of this Trundle. Wardle had been there two or three days when
Winkle and the others came over from Eatanswill, yet he had never told
Mr. Pickwick or Winkle that Trundle was to be married at Christmas, and
that they were all to be invited to the wedding. By the oddest of
coincidences, Tupman and Snodgrass, getting down from the coach at the
"Angel," were met by Wardle, who at once said, "I have _just been_
telling Pickwick that we must have you all down at Christmas. We're
going to have a wedding." But I doubt if this _be_ an oversight. The
fact was, no one thought anything of that cypher Trundle, or of his
marriage--a matter of no importance to anybody. That this is the true
explanation is plain, for Snodgrass, fancying that the wedding was of
_his_ lady, turned pale. What was old Wardle's remark? Most significant
of Trundle's _status_. "Don't be frightened," he said, "_it's only_
Trundle _there_ and Bella." "Only Trundle there," _i.e._, only that poor
insignificant thing there! No more depreciatory words could be chosen,
or put into the mouth of an honest country gentleman. I am certain that
old Wardle gave his child reluctantly to this soft sort of fellow--"Only
Trundle there!" Then for the shooting party. We hear of Tupman and
Winkle even, with their guns, &c., but not a sign of this Trundle, a
country gentleman, supposed to enjoy field sports. If Tupman and Winkle
had to carry their guns reversed "like privates at a funeral," was
Trundle excepted? We cannot tell, for he is not even named. Or was he
of the shooting party at all? It has always seemed aston