“Now, sir,” said my aunt to Mr. Micawber, as she put on her gloves, “we are ready for Mount Vesuvius, or anything else, as soon as you please.”

“Madam,” returned Mr. Micawber, “I trust you will shortly witness an eruption. Mr. Traddles, I have your permission, I believe, to mention here that we have been in communication together?”

“It is undoubtedly the fact, Copperfield,” said Traddles, to whom I looked in surprise. “ Mr. Micawber has consulted me in reference to what he has in contemplation; and I have advised him to the best of my judgement.”