'
'You are very obliging,' returned Martin; 'presently will not do. I must
trouble you to talk to me at once.'
Mr Pecksniff made a feint of being deeply interested in his pocketbook,
but it shook in his hands; he trembled so.
'Now,' retorted Martin, rapping the table again. 'Now. Presently will
not do. Now!'
'Do you threaten me, sir?' cried Mr Pecksniff.
Martin looked at him, and made no answer; but a curious observer
might have detected an ominous twitching at his mouth, and perhaps
an involuntary attraction of his right hand in the direction of Mr
Pecksniff's cravat.
'I lament to be obliged to say, sir,' resumed Mr Pecksniff, 'that it
would be quite in keeping with your character if you did threaten me.
You have deceived me. You have imposed upon a nature which you knew to
be confiding and unsuspicious. You have obtained admission, sir,' said
Mr Pecksniff, rising, 'to this house, on perverted statements and on
false pretences.'
'Go on,' said Martin, with a scornful smile. 'I understand you now. What
more?'
'Thus much more, sir,' cried Mr Pecksniff, trembling from head to foot,
and trying to rub his hands, as though he were only cold.
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