melancholy circumstance to Wemmick, Mr. Jaggers standing magisterially before the fire and taking no share in the proceedings, Mike's eye happened to twinkle with a tear.

“What are you about?” demanded Wemmick, with the utmost indignation. “What do you come snivelling here for?”

“I didn't go to do it, Mr. Wemmick.”

“You did,” said Wemmick. “How dare you? You're not in a fit state to come here, if you can't come here without spluttering like a bad pen.

What do you mean by it?”

“A man can't help his feelings, Mr. Wemmick,” pleaded Mike.

“His what?” demanded Wemmick, quite savagely.