'What did you think of that performance ?' 'So far as I could judge, being on the stage,' replied Nicholas, 'I thought it very agreeable.' 'Agreeable!' cried the collector.

'I mean to say, sir, that it was delicious.' Mr Lillyvick bent forward to pronounce the last word with greater emphasis; and having done so, drew himself up, and frowned and nodded a great many times.
'I say, delicious,' repeated Mr Lillyvick.

'Absorbing, fairy-like, toomultuous,' and again Mr Lillyvick drew himself up, and again he frowned and nodded.
'Ah!' said Nicholas, a little surprised at these symptoms of ecstatic approbation.

'Yes--she is a clever girl.' 'She is a divinity,' returned Mr Lillyvick, giving a collector's double knock on the ground with the umbrella before-mentioned.

'I have known divine actresses before now, sir, I used to collect--at least I used to CALL for--and very often call for--the water-rate at the house of a divine actress, who lived in my beat for upwards of four year but never--no, never, sir of all divine creatures, actresses or no actresses, did I see a diviner one than is Henrietta Petowker.' Nicholas had much ado to prevent himself from laughing; not trusting himself to speak, he merely nodded in accordance with Mr Lillyvick's nods, and remained silent.
'Let me speak a word with you in private,' said Mr Lillyvick.
Nicholas looked good-humouredly at Smike, who, taking the hint, disappeared.
'A bachelor is a miserable wretch, sir,' said Mr Lillyvick.
'Is he ?' asked Nicholas.
'He is,' rejoined the collector.