Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 54: what you’re looking at

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we 46 more conversant with French manners and customs than myself”. “ Admirably © spoken ! ae “exclaimed _ the stranger; “quite agrees with my system ! But, before we proceed any further, let us understand each other. What is your name ?” Mr. Tupman detailed his prenomen and cognomen forthwith. “ And mine is Walker,” returned the sys- tematic gentleman ; -—“ Mr, Hook Walker, at your service.” Mr. Tupman bowed, expressed himself much pleased with having formed the ac- quaintance of Mr. Hook Walker, and looked very amiable and satisfied. “Excellent soup, this,’ observed Mr. Walker. “ Excellent,” cried Mr. ne ae, have you ordered any wine ?”’ “I sit corrected,” said Mr. Walker, se- riously ; andiin a moment the waiter received orders to supply his very best Saint Emilion, and to put a couple of bottles of ‘Champagne in ice. The two gentlemen then took wine together, and Mr. Walker inquired if ¢ fish formed a part of Mr. Tupman’s system of dining ?” ‘To this a reply was given in the affirmative ; and turbot, with the necessary concomitant of lobster sauce, was instanta- neously commanded. This was followed | by a variety of dishes, of which Mr: Tup- man did not even know the names, but to which he nevertheless rendered ample jus- tice; while Mr. Hook Walker drank glass after glass with such rapidity that Mr. Tup- man began to wonder at certain component parts of the cp an adopted by his new ac- quaintance. At length, having waded through at least ten differ ent courses, the, dessert was placed upon the table, and Mr. Walker, with sys- tematic precision, cut two enormous slices out of a very fine pine-apple; one of which he handed to Mr. Tupman, and the other he judiciously kept for himself. The iced Champagne was then produced, and, Mr. Walker condescended to chatter a little more than he had hitherto done, at the same time endeavoring to conyince Mr. Tupman that all his actions, important or trivial, were regulated on:a certain system from which the treasures of the universe could never induce him to depart. was highly delighted with the philosophical reasoning of Mr. Walker, and sighed when he recollected, how favieh Mr. Pickwick would have been pleased with the society seks’ wie ABROAD. “ But. Mr. Tupman: i Bh, On of so panting an individual; had he been present. |The time glided swiftly away, and ata quarter past nine Mr. ‘Tupman informed his companion that he had an appoint- ‘ment, and must bid him farewell for the pr esent, + ‘ ff N ever miss your appointments, my dear sir,” exclaimed Mr. Walker, with his usual solemnity. « Regularity and punctuality are the | a essential basis of my, system.— Have the kindness to order the bi return in one moment—and we will settle our score.” Mr. Walker then lounged Pe out of the room, and Mr. Tupman felicitated himself on not only having passed a very agreeable evening, but on having formed an acquaint- ance that might probably turn out to be of material advantage to him during his sojourn in Paris. Five minutes elapsed while he made these exhilarating reflec- tions—another five passed away as he dis- - cussed the remainder of his Champagne— and at length the half-hour was struck by. re the clock in the public room where he was seated. — “Strange!” said Mr. Tupman to himself, “ T hope no accident has befallen him, Sup- pose I give him another five minutes; the | Marchioness’s house is. close by—and- one — never ought to be too punctual.” But the supplementary five minutes passed away, and still Mr. Hook Walker returned not. Mr. Tupman began to be seriously alarmed for his friend’s safety ; but as he could wait for him no longer, he called for the bill, which amounted to a hundred and twenty-seven franes—paid it with a slight grimace, and hurried away to the residence of Madame de Volage in. the Rue Neuve des Petits Champs, 1arvelling that Mr. Walker’ s system should contain so grievous a fault as that of making his as- sociates wait for his return in a manner at once mysterious and alarming. - After a great deal of trouble, Mr. ok man discovered the abode he so anxious sought ; and resuming his jaunty air of the morning, he mounted lightly up the six flights, and pulled the bell with the violence of a man whose inward conviction is. that will be received with | affectionate wel- ne. The door was opened -by a black servant in a livery which looked very well by candlelight ; and Mr. Tupman was ush- ered into the presence of his hostess. | Mad- ame la Marquise expressed her unfeigued JOO (GO) “S$ rec