“But she fainted of her own accord,” said Mr. Pickwick. “She threw herself into my arms.”

“Very likely, my dear Sir,” replied Perker; “very likely and very natural. Nothing more so, my dear Sir, nothing. But who’s to prove it?”

“They have subpoenaed my servant, too,” said Mr. Pickwick, quitting the other point; for there Mr. Perker’s question had somewhat staggered him.

“Sam?” said Perker.

Mr. Pickwick replied in the affirmative.