I shall be a body.

Some handsome women will cry; she will laugh demnebly.' 'Alfred, you cruel, cruel creature,' said Madame Mantalini, sobbing at the dreadful picture.
'She calls me cruel--me--me--who for her sake will become a demd, damp, moist, unpleasant body!' exclaimed Mr Mantalini.
'You know it almost breaks my heart, even to hear you talk of such a thing,' replied Madame Mantalini.
'Can I live to be mistrusted ?' cried her husband.

'Have I cut my heart into a demd extraordinary number of little pieces, and given them all away, one after another, to the same little engrossing demnition captivater, and can I live to be suspected by her?
Demmit, no I can't.' 'Ask Mr Nickleby whether the sum I have mentioned is not a proper one,' reasoned Madame Mantalini.
'I don't want any sum,' replied her disconsolate husband; 'I shall require no demd allowance.

I will be a body.' On this repetition of Mr Mantalini's fatal threat, Madame Mantalini wrung her hands, and implored the interference of Ralph Nickleby; and after a great quantity of tears and talking, and several attempts on the part of Mr Mantalini to reach the door, preparatory to straightway committing violence upon himself, that gentleman was prevailed upon, with difficulty, to promise that he wouldn't be a body.

This great point attained, Madame Mantalini argued the question of the allowance, and Mr Mantalini did the same, taking occasion to show that he could live with uncommon satisfaction upon bread and water, and go clad in rags, but that he could not support existence with the additional burden of being mistrusted by the object of his most devoted and disinterested affection.