Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 81: what you’re looking at

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‘¥ ie | » 2 3 a, ¢ & ¥ r é PICKWICK ABROAD, 71 time. But the winning smiles of Mademoi- | dering on the strange adventures which had * selle-de Volage, and the prospect of ac- uiring a sufficiency of funds to carry them Dover, where his happiness would be ensured fo life, partially if not entirely reconciled Mr. Tupman to the enactment of the part of Pantaloon in the evening's per- formance. Mr. Crashem manfully rejected Pantomime, and accordingly retired to a neighboring cafe, where, to use his own er and truly original language, e smoked cigars aud played billiards all day with his equals,” the chief society of the place being, formed of the English actors, and the attendants upon the itinerant troop. . It was about six o'clock in the evening, that Mr. Tupman, having partaken of an excellent dinner, was summoned from the presence of his fair inamorata to don the sentimental garb of a Pantaloon in his own chamber, he having declined passing through that ordeal in the robing-room at the thea- tre. One of the subordinate actors was sorte at his disposal; and Mr. Tupman rthwith underwent the ceremony of a the- “e atrical todlette. “ But I am not to appear on the stage in the first instance as a Pantaloon?” said Mr. Tupman, surveying himself from top to tue in the looking-glass, and secretly admiring his deportment in the interesting garb. “Oh! no, sir,” returned the actor; “but we shall be obliged to borrow a jacket from the prompter, a pair of trunk-breeches from the stage-manager, and a few other articles from some of my friends, for you .to wear previous to your transformation by the Harlequin; so that you had better walk down to the theatre as you are.” “Very well,” said Mr. Tupman, screw- ing his courage up to a most desperate pitch, and whispering the name of Anasta- sie at the same time; “I will just throw a cloak over my shoulders, and join you at the street-door.” The actor took the hint, and retired from the room, just as a post-chaise and four drove hastily into the court-yard of the ho- tel. r Mr. Tupman surveyed himself once more in the glass—breathed the name of Anas- tasie with holy feryor a second time—and having endorsed his mantle, which fell gracefully over his: quaint attire, he ema- nated with due solemnity from the cham- ber, and slowly descended the stairs, pon- all ideas of studying his portion of the: befallen him during the last» few days. Wrapt up in such important and deep con- templation, he did not perceive that he had nearly overturned a gentleman who was running hastily up the stair-case; but the shock recalled his scattered ideas, and, when’ he raised his head to apologise fur his ap- parent rudeness, to his horror and astonish- ment he recognised the never-to-be-forgot- ten features and intelligent countenance of Mr. Pickwick. : “What! Pickwick—is that you?” ex- . tty 2 claimed Mr, Tupman, almost sinking upon the stairs. | “Ah! Tupman!” cried our venerable old friend, starting with mingled surprise and pleasure. “ But—God bless me! what. does this mean ?”—and Mr. Pickwick indi- cated the theatrical attire through the open- ing of the cloak in front. A “J—J—” stammered Mr. Tupman, una- ble to conceal his confusion. “What is it, sir,’ demanded Myr. Pick- wick, in an authoritative tone, that showed he was determined not to be played with. “T am going to act at the theatre to- night,” said Mr. Tupman. “Toact !” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick ; “ aud, pray, sir, what were you going to act? The art of Tom-fool, I suppose—eh, sir ?” “No,” replied Mr. Tupman, meekly ; “I am to be the Pantaloon in pis night’s pan- tomime.” Mr. Pickwick was thunderstruck at this intellizence, and for some moments he re- mained without the power of utterance. — At length the presence of mind so seldom Bad : oe) lost by that truly extraordinary man, re- Psy turned ; and in a low but impressive tone, Py he said, “ Mr. Tupman, where is your pri- a vate room ¢” “Up stairs—on the second floor,” return- ed that gentleman. | “Lead the way to it, then,” said Mr Pickwick ; “I will follow you.” " There was no necessity for Mr. Pickwick to repeat his command; Mr. Tupman did not exhibit the slightest inclination to diso- bey his great leader, but turned round, and anseniled the stairs towards his bed-room with a beating heart and a countenance ex- pressive of the most profound misery. «| ‘ 7 Be re. MICOOO SalCO