`He seems to have a amiable desire that his face should be tolerable familiar to us,' said Mr. Tapley, `for he's a-staring pretty hard. He'd better not waste his beauty, for he ain't got much to spare.'

Coming in sight of the Dragon, they saw a travelling carriage at the door.

`And a Salisbury carriage, eh?' said Mr. Tapley. `That's what he came in depend upon it. What's in the wind now? A new pupil, I shouldn't wonder. P'raps it's a order for another grammar-school, of the same pattern as the last.'

Before they could enter at the door, Mrs. Lupin came running out; and beckoning them to the carriage showed them a portmanteau with the name of CHUZZLEWIT upon it.

`Miss Pecksniff's husband that was,' said the good woman to Martin. `I didn't know what terms you might be on, and was quite in a worry till you came back.'

`He and I have never interchanged a word yet,' observed Martin; `and as I have no wish to be better or worse acquainted with him, I will not put myself in his way. We passed him on the road, I have no doubt. I am glad he timed his coming as he did. Upon my word! Miss Pecksniff's husband travels gaily!'

`A very fine-looking gentleman with him--in the best room now,' whispered Mrs. Lupin, glancing up at the window as they went into the house. `He has ordered everything that can be got for dinner; and has the glossiest moustaches and whiskers ever you saw.'

`Has he?' cried Martin, `why then we'll endeavour to avoid him too, in the hope that our self-denial may be strong enough for the sacrifice. It is only for a few hours,' said Martin, dropping wearily into a chair behind the little screen in the bar. `Our visit has met with no success, my dear Mrs. Lupin, and I must go to London.'

`Dear, dear!' cried the hostess.

`Yes, one foul wind no more makes a winter, than one swallow makes a summer. I'll try it again. Tom Pinch has succeeded. With his advice to guide me, I may do the same. I took Tom under my protection once, God save the mark!' said Martin, with a melancholy smile; `and promised I would make his fortune. Perhaps Tom will take me under his protection now, and teach me how to earn my bread.'


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