Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 122: what you’re looking at

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110 and having uttered these words, he began crying himself. Mademoiselle Anastasie, finding that she had now reduced the Pickwickian to the point of tenderness which rendered him as mallea- ble to her purpose as red hotiron in the hands of a skilful artizan, gradually abated the violence of her woe; and in process of time she relapsed into a pleasing little calm. “Dis vary disagreeable,” she at length murmured, with only one sob and two sighs: “me always meet you under de unpleasant circumstance.” “ You do, indeed,” responded Mr. Tupman, glancing towards Anastasie’s eyes, and wip- ing jiis own: “and if I did my duty, I should call in the police and give you all in charge, for this infamous conspiracy to defraud me.” “Tt no conspiration,” cried Mademoiselle Anastasie: “that Monsieur Terré not know dat 1 ever see you.” Mr. Tupman’s reasoning faculties told him that this was certainly true. “ But you need not be under any alarm,” said he, after an instant’s rumination: “I shall make this Mr. Terry refund me my money, and you may depart in safety. By the bve, how is your friend, the Count Boloski?” inquired Mr. Tupman, with an ironical curl of his expressive mouth. _ Mademoiselle Anastasie, perceiving that her safety was in no way compromised with Mr. Tracy Tupman, burst into a violent fit of laughter at this query, and seemed to have entirely forgotten all previous grief in the hilarity of that moment. “Do you make your turpitude a subject for mirth and merriment?” said Mr. Tupman, in a tone of such severity that it elicited a peal of laughter much louder than ever, from his fair auditor. The exhilarating shouts were heard in the adjacent apartment; and the Matrimonial Advocate and lady’s-maid rushed 1n to ascer- tain the cause of the unexpected sounds. But Mr. Tupman cut the matter very short by taking theastonished Mr. Terry aside and speaking to him as follows, while Mademoi- selle Anastasie and her domestic made good ‘heir retreat with all desirable expedition. “ You do not intend tokeep my money, I nope,” said Mr. Tupman to the Matrimonial Advocate, “im addition to having thus made a fool of me ?” “ I pledge you my word as a gentle- man, Sir,” returned Mr. Terry, “that I am not conscious of any deceit on my part.” ne PICKWICK ABROAD. “ And all that flaming account of this young lady’s wealth ?” demanded Mr. Tup- man. “ Why—she hasn’t got a farthing in the world that’s honestly obtained.” on Terry declared that nothing was more ely. “ And as for her character, it is the most infamous in all Paris,” continued Mr. Tup- man. “She has swindled me two or three times already, and my friends besides. In fact, she has no character.” Mr. Terry intimated that he was not an- swerable for that. As “ And therefore I should thank you to re- fund the forty pounds I have advanced in this foolish affair,” added Mr. Tupman. Mr. Terry did not absolutely refuse to restore the money to Mr. Tupman: he mere- ly expressed his conviction that Mr. Tupman could only want it “ with a hook at the end of it.” This mode of settlement was, how- ever, by no means satisfactory, and high words ensued. Mr. Tupman demanded, and Mr. Terry resisted. Myr. Tupman desired to know once for all whether Mr. Terry intend- ed to disgorge the cash; and Mr. Terry on his part was solicitous of ascertaining. whe- ther Mr. Tupman “ did .not wish he might get it.” Thusa feud would mm all probability have arisen, had not Mr. Tupman, upon the principle that something is better than nothing, proposed a compromise, which was immediately accepted. “T will allow you to retain half—that is, a five-hundred-franc note,” cried Mr. Tupman, “ And you shall pay me my fees into the bargain,” urged the Matrimonial Advocate. “ Very well,” returned Mr. Tupman, anxious to bring the business to. a conclusion. “ Here goes, then,” continued Mr. William Terry; and drawing a slip of paper from his pocket, he wrote a short debtor and creditor account with a pencil that emanated from the same sanctum. The following 1s a correct draught of the bill :— Francs “ Receiving your visits upon several occasions, and conferring with you on the choice of a wife. é, 50 “ My servant answering the door to you on three different occasions, when I was not at home. ' : ' 15 “ Correspondence with several ladies on your account, and reading their an- swers. ; , h 5 50 “ Acknowledging the receipt of a brace of pheasants and a hare, which you sent me. ; . 5 (COUN (9) LNOO;KS,.ECO