Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

é + ’ a 98 Oe “How very extraordinary !” cried Mr. | , Snodgrass. “T really should not have thought it,”» y | ‘The Count declared that he should have wondered if he had, and was about to nar- rate another anecdote connected with his native land, when the breakfast made its appearance. ray i) ‘The beauteous Loveminski seated herself exceedingly close to, Mr. Snodgrass, chat- tered to him a great deal during the repast, and terminated the conversation by assuring _ him that “she did so love de Inglis gentel- mans, dey were so vary insiniwating and gallant.”* All this was very flattering and pleasant; and that, together with plenty of Wine and liqueur (at the second glass of which latter the Countess accidentally placed her foot upon Mr. Snodgrass’s toes and neglected to withdraw it in the excite- ment of the conviviality), served to render the meal exceedingly social and agreeable. When it was brought to a conclusion, the Countess hastened to her room to tie on her bonnet, the Count proceeded to the yard to see that the luggage was properly stowed away, ape Mr. Snodgrass, Laving nothing else to do, paid the bill. Another quarter of an hour elapsed, dur- ing which the trunks were. corded _be- hind the vehicle and the horses before ; and then the equipage proceeded on its way, ac- companied by a cloud of dust and the best wishes of the landlord and his dependents. _“ How very civil and attentive every one appears to be,” observed Mr. Snodgrass, as the chaise rattled rapidly along the paved road. “ A title, my dear Snodgrass, does every thing,” exclaimed the. Count, tapping the writing-case which he carried upon his knees, “ Oh! de title vary good ting,” assented the fascinating Loveminski. “T really do begin to think that it must be rather agreeable,” said Mr. Snodgrass, slightly envying the aristocratic appendages to the names of his fellow-travellers. » “ One certainly experiences more civility at the hotels where one stops.” : “No doubt about that,” said the Count. But I am sure I care little for my rank and title,” he, added, stretching himself» azily back in the vehicle, and yawaing despe- { arrival at inns; and these hints having been duly attended to, Mr. Snodgrass’s style of personating his superiors was pronounced to rately as if with ennai. “ An’ me sure me not care more PICKWICK ABROAD. dan de wal-u of dis button for my title,” cried the } Countess, a smile. of contempt for all | Ky) ‘1 ’ Py Ed | = ae “ How » beautiful are condescension and humility in aristocracy and wealth !” ejacu- lated Mr. Snodgrass, almost involuntarily, “The lowliness and meekness of the high- born and the noble are as—as—” “Wonderful as they are rare,” said the Count, perceiving that his. friend was some- what at a loss how to round his period, _ “ Exactly what I should have myself ob- served, my lord,” returned Mr. Snodgrass. “Well, Snodgrass—Ill tell you what it is,” cried the Count, starting as if a very sudden idea had struck him; “let-us have a bit.of fun. I am tired of always being a lord—and you aré anxious to try it, Now Ill tell you what we'll do. During the re- mainder of the journey you shall be,the Count, and I will be Mr. Snodgrass. at Say you ?” » me Mr. Snodgrass had a great deal to, say against the propriety of this arrangement ; but all his objections were over-ruled by the Count, who laughed heartily at the joke, and declared, in a peculiar sty cratic eloquence, that it was “the rummest go he'd ever known in the whole course of his life.” And so it was, indeed. But Mr. Snodgrass was compelled to submit, be- ah : *, of aristo- 4 . cause the Countess Loveminski besought him >” to lend himself to so excellent a piece of fun. The matter was accordingly arranged to the satisfaction of the Count and his fair cousin; and a great deal more jaughing, and joking and. quizzing succeeded, to make the means ofsamusement complete. , Now, be it observed, that Mr. Snodgrass was not more. vain than his feilow-creatures ; but he felt his impurtance in the world of letters as a poet, and in that of utility asa traveller: and he knew that if he were not a nobleman in reality, he fully deserved the title at the hands of his countrymen. Per- haps he was persuaded that himself and his three illustrious friends whom he was hast- ening to join in Paris, would certainly attain that eminence shortly: but, be this as it may—he adopted the Count’s title with an ease which set it off to advantage, and was pronounced by both that individaaland his beauteous cousin to ha¥e every appearance of a legitimate noble. The Count, however, ventured to suggest an increase of swagger, and a little drawling in the voice, on their e inimitable. | fp worldly vanities curling her pouting lips.! © “How vary well youdo it, miord Snow- * GOMGoOO @) (C(O)