Page 842 - david-copperfield

which I trust will never be disturbed! - we draw a line. On
one side of this line,’ said Mr. Micawber, representing it
on the desk with the office ruler, ‘is the whole range of the
human intellect, with a trifling exception; on the other, IS
that exception; that is to say, the affairs of Messrs Wickfield
and Heep, with all belonging and appertaining thereunto.
I trust I give no offence to the companion of my youth, in
submitting this proposition to his cooler judgement?’
Though I saw an uneasy change in Mr. Micawber, which
sat tightly on him, as if his new duties were a misfit, I felt I
had no right to be offended. My telling him so, appeared to
relieve him; and he shook hands with me.
‘I am charmed, Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘let
me assure you, with Miss Wickfield. She is a very superi-
or young lady, of very remarkable attractions, graces, and
virtues. Upon my honour,’ said Mr. Micawber, indefinite-
ly kissing his hand and bowing with his genteelest air, ‘I
do Homage to Miss Wickfield! Hem!’ ‘I am glad of that, at
least,’ said I.
‘If you had not assured us, my dear Copperfield, on the
occasion of that agreeable afternoon we had the happiness
of passing with you, that D. was your favourite letter,’ said
Mr. Micawber, ‘I should unquestionably have supposed that
A. had been so.’
We have all some experience of a feeling, that comes over
us occasionally, of what we are saying and doing having
been said and done before, in a remote time - of our having
been surrounded, dim ages ago, by the same faces, objects,
and circumstances - of our knowing perfectly what will be

1