“I remember, gentlemen,” said Mr. Pell, “dining with him on one occasion; there was only us two, but everything as splendid as if twenty people had been expected⁠—the great seal on a dumbwaiter at his right hand, and a man in a bag-wig and suit of armour guarding the mace with a drawn sword and silk stockings⁠—which is perpetually done, gentlemen, night and day; when he said, ‘Pell,’ he said, ‘no false delicacy, Pell. You’re a man of talent; you can get anybody through the Insolvent Court, Pell; and your country should be proud of you.’ Those were his very words. ‘My Lord,’ I said, ‘you flatter me.’⁠—‘Pell,’ he said, ‘if I do, I’m damned.’ ”

“Did he say that?” inquired Mr. Weller.

“He did,” replied Pell.