Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 59: what you’re looking at

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~~ kB ‘ himself un .2rstood. The sentry accordingly summoned another soldier from the guard- house, and under this convoy, Mr. Tupman was conducted to the Rue de Rivoli, and to Meurice’s hotel. With all the fervor of gratitude did he extract from his waistcoat pocket a five-frane piece, which he tendered to the good-natured soldier, who thus had served him as guide and _ protection in his misfortunes. But the soldier drew back with an air of offended dignity, muttered something about a “militaire Francais,” and “Thonneur de la jeune France,’ and having bowed politely, hastily retraced his steps to the guard-house | Now it happened that a-post chaise had arrived at Meurice’s hotel only a quarter of an hour previous to Mr. Tupman’s return, and there were lights in the office still. Thither did Mr. Tupman forthwith repair, and there, to his joy, did he find the atten- ive M. Cailliez seated at his desk. To him was the narrative of his woes immediately unfolded ; but the Frenchman, instead of sympathizing with the unfortunate Tracy Tupman, and without proffering his aid in the service of Mademoiselle Anastasie de Volage, bestowed meet comfort and conso- lation in the following terms :— “ My dear Sir,” said M. Cailliez, with an ill-suppressed smile, “you have fallen in with a set of swindlers and cheats, who tak- ing advantage of your inexperience in Paris, have successfully made you their dupe. By this time, they have all decamped from the apartments which they probably only re- tained till fortune should throw a victim in their way. Repining is useless, Sir,—and, even if you did make known. your loss to the police, the thing would get into the papers—and—excuse me, Sir—all your friends will laugh at you.” Mr. ‘l'upman uttered nota syllable. His countenance assumed an expression of the most profound despair—then catching hold of a flat candlestick, rushed wildly up to his bed-room, disgusted with himself, dis- gusted with the name of love, disgusted at the deceiifulness of the world, and discover- ing, when too late, that Mr. Pickwick’s ad. vice was invariably founded upon a basis of reason and propriety that would do credit tu any country and to any age “Come in, Sam,” said Mr. Tupman on the following morning, when the attentive Mr. Weller knocked at his door, and was preparing to deposit thereat one of the mystic pots of hot water before allud- a PICK WICK ‘inet 49° ed to: “come in, Sam—pray do—come in. “Vell, sir,” observed that individual, act- ing as he was so solemnly adjured to do: “vot’s the next indictment, now, as the gen- _ ‘leman remarked at the Old Bailey ?” “Sam,” said Mr. Tupman, “I am very— very miserable.” “ Air you, indeed, sir ?” inquired Mr. Wel - ler. “An’ pray vot is it that may have caused sich a melan-cholly disposition on our part, sir ?” “My feelings are too sensitive, Sam,” re- turned Mr. Tupman, dolefully. “So the boy said, sir,” observed Mr. Wel- ler, “ven he bust out a-cryin’ on the oc-ca- sion of his bein’ carried to the House o’ Cor-rection.” “T have quarrelled with my old and re- vered friend, Pickwick,” continued Mr. Tup- man, heedless of Sam’s remarks; “and I don’t dare present myself to him, till— till——” , “Ne-cessity is the nat-ral parent of in- wention, sir, as the nobleman said ven he pawned his vatch,” interrupted Mr. Weller; “an’ if so be you rek-vire a ambassador, as ull represent your casé to his high and mightiness, I des-say that Samivel Veller, Exk-vire, vill not ob-ject to fill that ’ere ca- pacity.” “Tell him, Sam,” exclaimed Mr. Tupman, enchanted with the idea, “tell him that I am ready to apologise for my conduct of yesterday afternoon, and that I hope he will think no more of the matter.” “ Weni, widi, wici !” remarked Mr. Weller to himself—(he had heard the German courier, who spoke all languages, make use of these words the day before)——-and with all the importance of a diplomatic envoy, he proceeded to execute the commission which Mr. Tupman had entrusted to his discretion. “T see you ain’t left your portable pock- et Bible at home, sir,” observed Mr. Weller to his master, when he had duly ar- ranged the shaving apparatus, and was diving into the trunk in quest of a clean shirt. “No, Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick, taking off his night-cap, and putting on his spectacles; “T never travel without it.” “ Excellent book, that Bible, sir,” remark- ed Mr. Weller, after a short pause. “ T’each- es von many admirayble maxims.” “So it does, Sam,” coincided Mr. Pick- wick. “Which do you think is the most COnnica@ae .S (SO) mn