 did), and thought with an uplifted heart of the train of circumstances
which had delivered the old gentleman into his hands for the confusion of
evil-doers and the triumph of a righteous nature, he always felt that Mary
Graham was his stumbling-block. Let the old man say what he would, Mr. Pecksniff
knew he had a strong affection for her. He knew that he showed it in a thousand
little ways; that he liked to have her near him, and was never quite at ease
when she was absent long. That he had ever really sworn to leave her nothing in
his will, Mr. Pecksniff greatly doubted. That even if he had, there were many
ways by which he could evade the oath and satisfy his conscience, Mr. Pecksniff
knew. That her unprotected state was no light burden on the old man's mind, he
also knew, for Mr. Chuzzlewit had plainly told him so. »Then,« said Mr.
Pecksniff, »what if I married her! What,« repeated Mr. Pecksniff, sticking up
his hair and glancing at his bust by Spoker: »What if, making sure of his
approval first - he is nearly imbecile, poor gentleman - I married her!«
    Mr. Pecksniff had a lively sense of the Beautiful: especially in women. His
manner towards the sex was remarkable for its insinuating character. It is
recorded of him in another part of these pages, that he embraced Mrs. Todgers on
the smallest provocation: and it was a way he had: it was a part of the gentle
placidity of his disposition. Before any thought of matrimony was in his mind,
he had bestowed on Mary many little tokens of his spiritual admiration. They had
been indignantly received, but that was nothing. True, as the idea expanded
within him, these had become too ardent to escape the piercing eye of Cherry,
who read his scheme at once; but he had always felt the power of Mary's charms.
So Interest and Inclination made a pair, and drew the curricle of Mr.
Pecksniff's plan.
    As to any thought of revenging himself on young Martin for his insolent
expressions when they parted, and of shutting him out still more effectually
from any hope of reconciliation with his grandfather, Mr. Pecksniff was much too
meek and forgiving to be suspected of harbouring it. As to being refused by
Mary, Mr. Pecksniff was quite satisfied that in her position she could never
hold out if he and Mr. Chuzzlewit were both against her. As to consulting the
wishes of her heart in
