“If you two gent’lmen, gent’lmen growed,” said Mr. Peggotty, “don’t excuse me for being in a state of mind, when you understand matters, I’ll arks your pardon. Em’ly, my dear!⁠—She knows I’m a-going to tell,” here his delight broke out again, “and has made off. Would you be so good as look arter her, Mawther, for a minute?”

Mrs. Gummidge nodded and disappeared.

“If this ain’t,” said Mr. Peggotty, sitting down among us by the fire, “the brightest night o’ my life, I’m a shellfish⁠—biled too⁠—and more I can’t say. This here little Em’ly, sir,” in a low voice to Steerforth, “⁠—her as you see a blushing here just now⁠—”

Steerforth only nodded; but with such a pleased expression of interest, and of participation in Mr. Peggotty’s feelings, that the latter answered him as if he had spoken.