“Let us celebrate this happy meeting with a convivial glass,” said he. This proposition, like the other, was received with unanimous applause. Having himself deposited the important stone in a small deal box, purchased from the landlady for the purpose, he placed himself in an armchair, at the head of the table; and the evening was devoted to festivity and conversation.

It was past eleven o’clock⁠—a late hour for the little village of Cobham⁠—when Mr. Pickwick retired to the bedroom which had been prepared for his reception. He threw open the lattice window, and setting his light upon the table, fell into a train of meditation on the hurried events of the two preceding days.