'It is delightful to hear you say so,' said Mr Pluck, drawing a chair
close to Mrs Nickleby, and sitting himself down. 'It is refreshing
to know that you hold my excellent friend, Sir Mulberry, in such high
esteem. A word in your ear, Mrs Nickleby. When Sir Mulberry knows it, he
will be a happy man--I say, Mrs Nickleby, a happy man. Pyke, be seated.'
'MY good opinion,' said Mrs Nickleby, and the poor lady exulted in the
idea that she was marvellously sly,--'my good opinion can be of very
little consequence to a gentleman like Sir Mulberry.'
'Of little consequence!' exclaimed Mr Pluck. 'Pyke, of what consequence
to our friend, Sir Mulberry, is the good opinion of Mrs Nickleby?'
'Of what consequence?' echoed Pyke.
'Ay,' repeated Pluck; 'is it of the greatest consequence?'
'Of the very greatest consequence,' replied Pyke.
'Mrs Nickleby cannot be ignorant,' said Mr Pluck, 'of the immense
impression which that sweet girl has--'
'Pluck!' said his friend, 'beware!'
'Pyke is right,' muttered Mr Pluck, after a short pause; 'I was not to
mention it. Pyke is very right. Thank you, Pyke.'
'Well now, really,' thought Mrs Nickleby within herself.
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