Thus, in the midst of the mud and at the heart of the fog, sits the Lord High Chancellor in his High Court of Chancery.
'Mr. Tangle,' says the Lord High Chancellor, latterly something restless under the eloquence of that learned gentleman.
'Mlud,' says Mr. Tangle. Mr. Tangle knows more of Jarndyce and Jarndyce than anybody. He is famous for it– supposed never to have read anything else since he left school.
'Have you nearly concluded your argument?'
'Mlud, no – variety of points – feel it my duty tsubmit– ludship,' is the reply that slides out of Mr. Tangle.
'Several members of the bar are still to be heard, I believe?' says the Chancellor, with a slight smile.
Eighteen of Mr. Tangle's learned friends, each armed with a little summary of eighteen hundred sheets, bob up like eighteen hammers in a pianoforte, make eighteen bows, and drop into their eighteen places of obscurity.
'We will proceed with the hearing on Wednesday fortnight,' says the Chancellor. For the question at issue is only a question of costs, a mere bud on the forest tree of the parent suit, and really will come to a settlement one of these days.
The Chancellor rises; the bar rises; the prisoner is brought forward in a hurry; the man from Shropshire cries, 'My lord!' Maces, bags, and purses, indignantly proclaim silence, and frown at the man from Shropshire.
'In reference,' proceeds the Chancellor, still on Jarndyce and Jarndyce, 'to the young girl–'
'Begludship's pardon – boy,' says Mr. Tangle, prematurely.
'In reference,' proceeds the Chancellor, with extra distinctness, 'to the young girl and boy, the two young people,'
(Mr. Tangle crushed.)
'Whom I directed to be in attendance to-day, and who are now in my private room, I will see them and satisfy myself as to the expediency of making the order for their residing with their uncle.'
Mr. Tangle on his legs again.
'Begludship's pardon – dead.'
'With their,' Chancellor looking through his double eyeglass at the papers on his desk, 'grandfather.'
'Begludship's pardon – victim of rash action – brains.'
Suddenly a very little counsel, with a terrific bass voice, arises, fully inflated, in the back settlements of the fog, and says, 'Will your lordship allow me? I appear for him. He is a cousin, several times removed. I am not at the moment prepared to inform the Court in what exact remove he is a cousin; but he