 importance to you, I know;
there's the difficulty; but it's of very great importance to me, and will you be
so good as to consider of it?«
    If this were meant as a second appeal to Martin's weak side, founded on his
observation of the effect of the first, Mr. Tapley was a skilful and shrewd
observer. Whether an intentional or an accidental shot, it hit the mark full;
for Martin, relenting more and more, said, with a condescension which was
inexpressibly delicious to him, after his recent humiliation:
    »We'll see about it, Tapley. You shall tell me in what disposition you find
yourself to-morrow.«
    »Then, sir,« said Mark, rubbing his hands, »the job's done. Go on, sir, if
you please. I'm all attention.«
    Throwing himself back in his arm-chair, and looking at the fire, with now
and then a glance at Mark, who at such times nodded his head sagely, to express
his profound interest and attention; Martin ran over the chief points in his
history, to the same effect as he had related them, weeks before, to Mr. Pinch.
But he adapted them, according to the best of his judgment, to Mr. Tapley's
comprehension; and with that view made as light of his love affair as he could,
and referred to it in very few words. But here he reckoned without his host; for
Mark's interest was keenest in this part of the business, and prompted him to
ask sundry questions in relation to it; for which he apologised as one in some
measure privileged to do so, from having seen (as Martin explained to him) the
young lady at the Blue Dragon.
    »And a young lady as any gentleman ought to feel more proud of being in love
with,« said Mark, energetically, »don't draw breath.«
    »Aye! You saw her when she was not happy,« said Martin, gazing at the fire
again. »If you had seen her in the old times, indeed -«
    »Why, she certainly was a little down-hearted, sir, and something paler in
her colour than I could have wished,« said Mark, »but none the worse in her
looks for that. I think she seemed better, sir, after she come to London.«
    Martin withdrew his eyes from the fire; stared at Mark as if he thought he
had suddenly gone mad; and
