Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 156: what you’re looking at

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Cs ‘soon. “That was in‘ a duel, I suppose,’ ob- served Mr. Winkle. ' “No, it wasn’t” cried Mr. Wegsworth Muffley. “ We had another eating match— and the German died of an indigestion.” “Which scarcely compensated you for the loss of your right eye, I should ima- gine,” remarked Mr. Pickwick. “T assure you I have not suffered amongst the ladies on that account,” answered Mr. Muffley :” “and, between ourselves, I ra- ther think that this very black patch of mine will produce some wonderful effects In fact, I dont know if it has not al- ready secured. me the affections of a most amiable and intelligent girl, who, with her mother, travelled in the same coach from London in which I had taken my place.” “Js she an English lady ?” inquired Mr , Tupman. “She speaks English,” answered Mr. Muffley: “ but she is a Circassian by birth. Her mother is one of the widows of the Emir Frostiphace Fo-gho, who was killed in an encounter with the Russians.” “ And is she very beautiful?” asked Mr. ‘Tupman. “Mr. Muffley replied in the affirmative. “Is she fond of poetry?” asked Mr. Snodgrass. “Very,” said Mr. Muffley. “ But if you be not otherwise engaged, I shall feel most happy in presenting you all to this charm- ing creature. Her mother gave me a most pressing invitation to call this evening, and desired me to bring any English acquaint- ances with me that I chose. She loves the English, but detests the French most. cor- dially.” “ How singular !” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. “Treally feel very curious to see these Cir- cassian ladies. I don't thmk Lever saw a Circassian in my life.” “Oh! I once saw a battle between the Circassians and the Russians,” cried Mr. Muffley. “ W here—in Circassia itself? Pickwick. “No—at Astley’s,” returned the traveller. “And so you were rather smitten with this young lady—percussus fuisti,” remark- ed Mr, Chitty. “Oh! more than smitten” cned Mr. Muffley . “my heart is henceforth devoted to her alone. She is, besides, immensely y] "inquired Mr. rich in her own country; and of course I did not make myself out a regular pauper. In fact, I had an opportunity of obliging her.” abe stu va e PICKWICK ABROAD. . » “You will marry her, then ”. muttered Mr. Tupman, with a very audible sigh. “I shall make her an offer, most de cidedly,” was the answer. “ They fortu- nately return to England to-morrow also.” “And you think you will be accepted?’ said Mr. Chitty. ' “JT feel certain of it,” ejaculated the tra- veller. “And why do you think I feel cer- tain?” ‘s “ Because she said you might hope, I sup- pose,’ observed Mr. Tupman, with another sigh. ny “ No—but because she let me kiss her,” “That was a practical fashion of encour- aging hope,” remarked Mr. Pickwick, smack- ing his lips; but whether to relish the cham- pagne, or for any other reason, we are at a loss to determine. “Tf we intend to visit the Circassians this evening,” continued Mr. Wegsworth Muffley, “we had better start at once.” “You do not think we shall be deemed intrusive?” asked Mr. Pickwick. “Quite the contrary,” said the traveller. “They have put up at the Hotel du Rhin, in the Place Vendome: to tell you the truth—lI lodge there afc myself, and I per- suaded them to patronize the same hotel: or elsethey were going to stay with the Pre- sident of the Chamber of Peers. But, as their abode is so very,near, we can walk thither in ten minutes.” ; The truth of this suggestion was immedi- ately recognised by the gentlemen to whom it was addressed : and they all forthwith pro ceeded to the Place Vendome. “What are the names of the Circassian ladies?” inquired Mr. Pickwick, as Mr. Muffley led the way up a wide staircase in the Hotel du Rhin. “Upon my word I do not know,” was the reply. “They wished to preserve the most strict incognito in Paris, and so I advised them to adopt my name for the moment. | The fact is, | was desirous of establishing myself im their confidence, by assuming the part of a protector.” “You behaved very judiciously,’ ob served Mr. Pickwick, — Mr. Muffley led the way into. a handsome apartment, where two ladies, dressed.in the most fashionable French style, and wearing anything but an Asiatic appearance, were lounging on velvet ottomans. The moment 'the gentlemen entered the room, and when Mr. Muffley announced himself and _ his friends in his most insinuating tone. the twe CORNIELOOO (9) (C(O)