about
half-way through, to console her sister, in her affliction, with a sight
of the aforesaid bonnet; and being quite unconscious of the presence of
a visitor, until she found Mr Chuzzlewit standing face to face with her,
her surprise was an uncomfortable one.

'So, young lady!' said the old man, eyeing her with strong disfavour.
'You are to be married to-day!'

'Yes, sir,' returned Miss Pecksniff, modestly. 'I am. I--my dress is
rather--really, Mrs Todgers!'

'Your delicacy,' said old Martin, 'is troubled, I perceive. I am not
surprised to find it so. You have chosen the period of your marriage
unfortunately.'

'I beg your pardon, Mr Chuzzlewit,' retorted Cherry; very red and angry
in a moment; 'but if you have anything to say on that subject, I must
beg to refer you to Augustus. You will scarcely think it manly, I hope,
to force an argument on me, when Augustus is at all times ready to
discuss it with you. I have nothing to do with any deceptions that may
have been practiced on my parent,' said Miss Pecksniff, pointedly; 'and
as I wish to be on good terms with everybody at such a time, I should
have been glad if you would have favoured us with your company at
breakfast. But I will not ask you as it is; seeing that you have been
prepossessed and set against me in another quarter. I hope I have my
natural affections for another quarter, and my natural pity for
another quarter; but I cannot always submit to be subservient to it, Mr
Chuzzlewit. That would be a little too much. I trust I have more respect
for myself, as well as for the man who claims me as his Bride.'

'Your sister, meeting--as I think; not as she says, for she has said
nothing about it--with little consideration from you, is going away with
me,' said Mr Chuzzlewit.

'I am very happy to find that she has some good fortune at last,'
returned Miss Pecksniff, tossing her head. 'I congratulate her, I
am sure. I am not surprised that this event should be painful to
her--painful to her--but I can't help that, Mr Chuzzlewit. It's not my
fault.'

'Come, Miss Pecksniff!' said the old man, quietly. 'I should like to see
a better parting between you. I should like to see a better parting on
your side, in such circumstances. It would make me your friend. You may
want a friend one day or other.'

'Every relation of life, Mr Chuzzlewit, begging your pardon; and every
friend in life,' returned Miss Pecksniff, with dignity, 'is now bound up
and cemented in Au