 opinions on an immense variety of subjects.
If some people in public life were acquainted with Mrs. Wititterly's real
opinion of them, they would not hold their heads, perhaps, quite as high as they
do.«
    »Hush, Henry,« said the lady; »this is scarcely fair.«
    »I mention no names, Julia,« replied Mr. Wititterly; »and nobody is injured.
I merely mention the circumstance to show that you are no ordinary person, that
there is a constant friction perpetually going on between your mind and your
body; and that you must be soothed and tended. Now let me hear, dispassionately
and calmly, what are this young lady's qualifications for the office.«
    In obedience to this request, the qualifications were all gone through
again, with the addition of many interruptions and cross-questionings from Mr.
Wititterly. It was finally arranged that inquiries should be made, and a
decisive answer addressed to Miss Nickleby under cover to her uncle, within two
days. These conditions agreed upon, the page showed them down as far as the
staircase window; and the big footman, relieving guard at that point, piloted
them in perfect safety to the street-door.
    »They are very distinguished people, evidently,« said Mrs. Nickleby, as she
took her daughter's arm. »What a superior person Mrs. Wititterly is!«
    »Do you think so, mama?« was all Kate's reply.
    »Why, who can help thinking so, Kate, my love?« rejoined her mother. »She is
pale though, and looks much exhausted. I hope she may not be wearing herself
out, but I am very much afraid.«
    These considerations led the deep-sighted lady into a calculation of the
probable duration of Mrs. Wititterly's life, and the chances of the disconsolate
widower bestowing his hand on her daughter. Before reaching home, she had freed
Mrs. Wititterly's soul from all bodily restraint; married Kate with great
splendour at St. George's, Hanover Square; and only left undecided the minor
question, whether a splendid French-polished mahogany bedstead should be erected
for herself in the two-pair back of the house in Cadogan Place, or in the
three-pair front: between which apartments she could not quite balance the
advantages, and therefore adjusted the question at last, by determining to leave
it to the decision of her son-in-law.
    The inquiries were made. The answer - not to Kate's very great joy
