Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 100: what you’re looking at

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: : 88 en" at the waist—his boots were exceedingly narrow over the instep—his hand. was ex- ceedingly white—his hair and whiskers exceedingly well dyed—and his teeth did infinite credit to Mr. Desirabode, the den- tist in the Palais Royal. As to his charac- ter, the reader may gather its peculiarities _from his conversation. _ © Well, this is very fortunate,” said Mr. Pickwick: “the more, the merrier—you know, my dear Mrs. Weston.” | _ “ Of course you are come to see the vil- Jage-coronation,” said that lady: “ and of course we shall all dine together after- wards?” “© «Oh! dear me—may I be called old ‘and ugly for the rest of my life, if this isn’t delightful!” observed Mr. Siffkin, screwing up his lips, and appealing in a truly fascinating and finnikin manner to “It isa part of our systems to enjoy our- selves, sir, said the grave Mr. Hook Walker. “The last time I came to Surrenne,” re- marked Mr. Scuttle, “ I was on horseback ;, and what do you think I did?” “JT am sure I shall never guess,” said Mr. Pickwick. “ Why,” continued Mr. Scuttle, “I led my nag into the table-d’hote room, and de- sired him to seat himself next to an old lady at the table, while I proceeded to the stable, where I began eating the oats, and only found out my mistake when I under- took to neigh as the ostler came to rub me “Convey me heneaibeth straight to per- dition, if that isn’t the most extraordinary thing I ever heard in the whole course of my life,” screamed Mr. Nassau Siffkin, in a perfect paroxysm of delight. 1s ‘So it is,” coincided Mr. Pickwick. ‘* Have you been long in France, sir ?” “Only three days this time, Mr. Pick- wick,” returned the gentleman thus ap- pealed to. “But let the winds for ever efface all traces of my eyes—” “Vy don’t ye say, ‘blast them! then, sir?” interrupted a voice from behind, which Mr. Pickwick shrewdly suspected to belong to his faithful attendant ; but when he turned to ascertain the truth of the mat- ter, Mr. Weller looked so very innocent and unmoved beneath his master’s searching glance, that no notice was taken of the oc- currence. ah ah “All traces of my eyes,” continued Mr. Nassau Siffkin, “if the fashionable world PICKWICK ABROAD. . ty, S° didn’t 20) into mourning when I withdrew my lustre from its sphere. And between ourselves,” added Mr. Siffkin, lowering his voice, and glancing suspiciously around | him, “the clerk at the Aforning Post Of- » fice behaved very well on the occasion.» — He only charged mea guinea for announc- ing my departure, and the procrastination — of my great dinner-party till my return ;— — if he didn’t do this, may my teeth never be again called white !” Bc keg “How very handsome!” said Mr. Pick- wick. “ But while we are standing chat- tering here, we are losing the preliminaries to the day’s diversion. Suppose we order dinner for five o’clock, and in the mean- time put ourselves under the direction of our friends, Scuttle and Walker, who have been here before ?” if This proposition was immediately agreed to; and Mr. Weller having requested the “ company, ina tolerably audible voice, “never to say die,” the necessary commands were issued to the landlord, and the parties sallied forth in the direction of the church, whither Mr. Scuttle led them over a muddy field, which he was pleased to denominate a “ short cut.” ' The village church of Surrenne was throng- ed with gaily dressed people of every rank anc condition. On one side might be seen the high-born ladies from Paris, whom gorgeous equipages had set down at,the door of the sacred edifice; on the other the quiet and unassuming trades-people, who had perform- ed the short journey from the metropolis ina cuckoo (a species of curiously contrived short- stage van). Here was the gay young man about town, with his mistress: there the wealthy banker from the Chaussee d’ Antin with his wife. Many a young heart was there beating anxi ee ire and expec- tation: The young girls each fancied that haply the election might terminate in favor of herself ; and the young men wished for the honor of being favored with the rural queen’s hand in the anticipated dance. The mayor, the commissary of police, the justice of the peace, and the vicar were all seated near the altar, and close to the ballot-box which was soon to decide the result of the election. Three or four Gendarmes were present to maintain order, and provide with seats those who were fortunate enough to be possessed of tickets; amongst which number were Mr, Pickwick and his several companions, o. | Mr. Hook Walker having previously attend: ed to that portion of the ceremony. . 10)\(OO) (A) <S) CO rf