Shadowy visions of his distinguished relation flitted through the brain of Mr Kenwigs, as this message was delivered; and under their influence, he dispatched Morleena to show the gentleman up straightway.

`Why, I do declare,' said Mr Kenwigs, standing opposite the door so as to get the earliest glimpse of the visitor, as he came upstairs, `it's Mr Johnson! How do you find yourself, sir?'

Nicholas shook hands, kissed his old pupils all round, intrusted a large parcel of toys to the guardianship of Morleena, bowed to the doctor and the married ladies, and inquired after Mrs Kenwigs in a tone of interest, which went to the very heart and soul of the nurse, who had come in to warm some mysterious compound, in a little saucepan over the fire.

`I ought to make a hundred apologies to you for calling at such a season,' said Nicholas, `but I was not aware of it until I had rung the bell, and my time is so fully occupied now, that I feared it might be some days before I could possibly come again.'

`No time like the present, sir,' said Mr Kenwigs. `The sitiwation ofMrs Kenwigs, sir, is no obstacle to a little conversation between you and me, I hope?'

`You are very good,' said Nicholas.

At this juncture, proclamation was made by another married lady, that the baby had begun to eat like anything; whereupon the two married ladies, already mentioned, rushed tumultuously into the bedroom to behold him in the act.

`The fact is,' resumed Nicholas, `that before I left the country, where I have been for some time past, I undertook to deliver a message to you.'

`Ay, ay?' said Mr Kenwigs.

`And I have been,' added Nicholas, `already in town for some days, without having had an opportunity of doing so.'

`It's no matter, sir,' said Mr Kenwigs. `I dare say it's none the worse for keeping cold. Message from the country!' said Mr Kenwigs, ruminating; `that's curious. I don't know anybody in the country.'

`Miss Petowker,' suggested Nicholas.

`Oh! from her, is it?' said Mr Kenwigs. `Oh dear, yes. Ah! Mrs Kenwigs will be glad to hear from her. Henrietta Petowker, eh? How odd things come about, now! That you should have met her in the country! Well!'

Hearing this mention of their old friend's name, the four Miss Kenwigses gathered round Nicholas, open eyed and mouthed, to hear more. Mr Kenwigs looked a little curious too, but quite comfortable and unsuspecting.

`The message relates to family matters,' said Nicholas, hesitating.

`Oh, never mind,' said Kenwigs, glancing at Mr Lumbey, who, having rashly taken charge of little Lillyvick, found nobody disposed to relieve him of his precious burden. `All friends here.'

Nicholas hemmed once or twice, and seemed to have some difficulty in proceeding.

`At Portsmouth, Henrietta Petowker is,' observed Mr Kenwigs.

`Yes,' said Nicholas, `Mr Lillyvick is there.'

Mr Kenwigs turned pale, but he recovered, and said, that was an odd coincidence also.