第68章

On hearing this alarming presentiment of their being doomed to an early death in the flower of their infancy, all four little girls raised a hideous cry, and burying their heads in their mother's lap simultaneously, screamed until the eight flaxen tails vibrated again; Mrs Kenwigs meanwhile clasping them alternately to her bosom, with attitudes expressive of distraction, which Miss Petowker herself might have copied.

At length, the anxious mother permitted herself to be soothed into a more tranquil state, and the little Kenwigses, being also composed, were distributed among the company, to prevent the possibility of Mrs Kenwigs being again overcome by the blaze of their combined beauty. This done, the ladies and gentlemen united in prophesying that they would live for many, many years, and that there was no occasion at all for Mrs Kenwigs to distress herself: which, in good truth, there did not appear to be;the loveliness of the children by no means justifying her apprehensions.

`This day eight year,' said Mr Kenwigs after a pause. `Dear me--ah!'

This reflection was echoed by all present, who said `Ah!' first, and `dear me,' afterwards.

`I was younger then,' tittered Mrs Kenwigs.

`No,' said the collector.

`Certainly not,' added everybody.

`I remember my niece,' said Mr Lillyvick, surveying his audience with a grave air; `I remember her, on that very afternoon, when she first acknowledged to her mother a partiality for Kenwigs. "Mother," she says, "I love him."'

`"Adore him," I said, uncle,' interposed Mrs Kenwigs.

`"Love him," I think, my dear,' said the collector, firmly.

`Perhaps you are right, uncle,' replied Mrs Kenwigs, submissively. `Ithought it was "adore."'

`"Love," my dear,' retorted Mr Lillyvick. `"Mother," she says, "I love him!" "What do I hear?" cries her mother; and instantly falls into strong conwulsions.'

A general exclamation of astonishment burst from the company.

`Into strong conwulsions,' repeated Mr Lillyvick, regarding them with a rigid look. `Kenwigs will excuse my saying, in the presence of friends, that there was a very great objection to him, on the ground that he was beneath the family, and would disgrace it. You remember, Kenwigs?'

`Certainly,' replied that gentleman, in no way displeased at the reminiscence, inasmuch as it proved, beyond all doubt, what a high family Mrs Kenwigs came of.

`I shared in that feeling,' said Mr Lillyvick: `perhaps it was natural;perhaps it wasn't.'

A gentle murmur seemed to say, that, in one of Mr Lillyvick's station, the objection was not only natural, but highly praiseworthy.

`I came round to him in time,' said Mr Lillyvick. `After they were married, and there was no help for it, I was one of the first to say that Kenwigs must be taken notice of. The family did take notice of him, in consequence, and on my representation; and I am bound to say--and proud to say--that I have always found him a very honest, well-behaved, upright, respectable sort of man. Kenwigs, shake hands.'

`I am proud to do it, sir,' said Mr Kenwigs.

`So am I, Kenwigs,' rejoined Mr Lillyvick.

`A very happy life I have led with your niece, sir,' said Kenwigs.

`It would have been your own fault if you had not, sir,' remarked Mr Lillyvick.

`Morleena Kenwigs,' cried her mother, at this crisis, much affected, `kiss your dear uncle!'

The young lady did as she was requested, and the three other little girls were successively hoisted up to the collector's countenance, and subjected to the same process, which was afterwards repeated on them by the majority of those present.

`Oh dear, Mrs Kenwigs,' said Miss Petowker, `while Mr Noggs is making that punch to drink happy returns in, do let Morleena go through that figure dance before Mr Lillyvick.'

`No, no, my dear,' replied Mrs Kenwigs, `it will only worry my uncle.'

`It can't worry him, I am sure,' said Miss Petowker. `You will be very much pleased, won't you, sir?'

`That I am sure I shall' replied the collector, glancing at the punchmixer.

`Well then, I'll tell you what,' said Mrs Kenwigs, `Morleena shall do the steps, if uncle can persuade Miss Petowker to recite us the Blood-Drinker's Burial, afterwards.'