Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 68: what you’re looking at

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08 to proceed in the investigation of the matter by assuring them that they might “go it, as crutches were cheap.” This in- formation, being in some way connected with the word “cripples,” gave a most pleasing aspect to the face of the affair. “Tf that be the case then,” continued M. Vidocq, alluding to Mr. Tupman’s answer, and not to Mr. Weller’s observation, “ you wil not probably be averse to give fifteen pounds, sterling, for the recovery of your watch ?” “On the contrary,” replied Mr. Tupman eagerly, “I shall do so with the greatest pleasure—provided I can also punish the delinguents.” “No—-no,” said Vidocq with a smile: “the watch will be returned on condition that no further notice be taken of the affair.” ~“Vonders vill never cease,” cried Mr. Weller, “as the tailor said to the gen’ leman _-ven he paid his bill.” - “Sam,” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. “ Here you air, Sir,” returned the. valet, stepping forward, and pulling his front locks by way of salutation. | _ “Hold your tongue till youre spoken to,” said Mr. Pickwick. | “‘Wery good, Sir,” rejoined Mr. Weller, - relapsing into the back-ground. In the meantime the negotiation, by the advice of the Gendarme, had been effected, and Mr. Tupman’s stomach once more overhung the valued watch and chain he had lately despaired of ever recovering. “You are probably acquainted, then, Sir, with Miss Anastasie de Volage,” said Mr, Tupman, when he had counted out the money on the desk of the extraordinary personage in whose presence he stood. “She has many names, my dear Sir,” answered Vidocq, “as I have had in my time--and those are not a few. Her father was a field-marshal of France, and her mothera figurante at the Opera. In process of time Mademoiselle Anastasie became a votary of the buskin also; and in that capacity, at the age of fifteen, she attracted the notice of a certain Count, and threw herself into his chariot and keeping at the same time. Her reign in that sphere lasted but a short time, and whenever she appended to herself a new name she added the appurtenances of a new lover also. At length she became notorious—and foreigners are now the objects upon which she preys. At one time she is the daughter of a Marchioness, and at another a Marchioness PICKWICK ABROAD. di herself. Her flights indeed have been se lofty, that the title of Duchess has not un- frequently been assumed to dupe her victims. She is at present, I understand, in a fair way to captivate and espouse’ an old English Lord, whom she met the day be- fore yesterday, and whom she intends te lead to the hymeneal altar the day after to-morrow. Her mother, the Marchioness de Volage,” added M. Vidocq, with a sly glance towards Mr. Tupman’s countenance, “has been seventeen times before the Sixth Chamber of Correctional Police— twice before thé Criminal Court of the Assizes—and once in the Penitentiary- prison.” “ So astounded was the unfortunate Mr. Tupman at these overwhelming tidings, that he would have certainly deemed it becoming and prudent to faint upon the spot, had he not perceived, on casting a hasty look around him, that his friends were at too great a distance to catch him in his meditated fall. He therefore applied his hand to his pocket—but, alas! he had accidentally left his handkerchief behind me. could not weep—so he gave vent to his emotions in a sigh of more than decent length, while Mr. Weller muttered some- What audibly the expressive dissyllable “Gammon!” and then hummed the popular air of “ A froggie would a wooing go,” to pretend that the ejaculation had not eman- ated from his especial lips. Mr. Pickwick looked a thunder-storm, and Mr. Winkle a flash of lightning: but no verbal reference was made to Mr. Weller’s unaccountable behavior. It is to this occasion that we must look for the origin of that episode in Mr. Pick- wick’s adventurous life, which forms so ex- traordinary and important a feature in the memoirs of his continental tour. It would appear, that when the party was once more seated in the hackney-coach, Mr. Tupman’s countenance was still elongated to so deplorable an extent, that Mr. Pick- wick’s benevolent heart was deeply touched by the consciousness of his friend’s un- happiness. CHAPTER XIIL. This is a short chapter, in which certain particulars There was no alternative left: he me relative to Mr. Adolphus Crashem are succinctly . detailed. 7 Axsour a week after the important date (EO) LOOVC Sa(GO)