Recollect Bella; come, you must keep her spirits up, poor girl.' The good old lady heard this, for her lip quivered as her son said it.
But age has its little infirmities of temper, and she was not quite brought round yet.

So, she smoothed down the lavender-coloured dress again, and turning to Mr.Pickwick said, 'Ah, Mr.Pickwick, young people was very different, when I was a girl.' 'No doubt of that, ma'am,' said Mr.Pickwick, 'and that's the reason why I would make much of the few that have any traces of the old stock'-- and saying this, Mr.Pickwick gently pulled Bella towards him, and bestowing a kiss upon her forehead, bade her sit down on the little stool at her grandmother's feet.

Whether the expression of her countenance, as it was raised towards the old lady's face, called up a thought of old times, or whether the old lady was touched by Mr.Pickwick's affectionate good-nature, or whatever was the cause, she was fairly melted; so she threw herself on her granddaughter's neck, and all the little ill-humour evaporated in a gush of silent tears.
A happy party they were, that night.

Sedate and solemn were the score of rubbers in which Mr.Pickwick and the old lady played together; uproarious was the mirth of the round table.

Long after the ladies had retired, did the hot elder wine, well qualified with brandy and spice, go round, and round, and round again; and sound was the sleep and pleasant were the dreams that followed.