Mr. Venus did as he was asked.

“Very good,” said Silas, looking about: “ve⁠—ry good. Will you hand me that chair, sir, to put atop of it?”

Venus handed him the chair.

“Now, Boffin,” said Wegg, “mount up here and take your seat, will you?”

Mr. Boffin, as if he were about to have his portrait painted, or to be electrified, or to be made a Freemason, or to be placed at any other solitary disadvantage, ascended the rostrum prepared for him.