Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 285: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

PICKWICK ABROAD. 235 ideas of matrimony arose in his imagination. His pride had beep hitherto so eminently flattered by the gay beauties of the metropolis, that he could not for one moment conceive how any opposition was to be experienced in his suit with a young girl fresh trom the country, and whose ideas would be shortly bewildered by the splendour, the bril- dancy, and the novelty of Parisian fashionable life. These were, how- ever, merely the passing reflections of the moment; but the chevalier wist not at the time how deep was the sudden impression made upon his mind by the charms of the beautiful Eugenie. In the course of the afternoon the chevalier accompanied M. de Lamoreau to inspect his new lodgings in the Rue de I'l niversité, and that nobleman expressed himself highly gratified with his friead’s choice. No sooner was the family installed in these apartments, than the chevalier became a constant visitor. But it was not merely the regard he entertained for the count, that induced the elegant De Val- mont to pass the chief portion of his days in the society of the Lamoreau family. He saw that his mellifluous compliments were generally unheeded—that his opinion was not considered infallible by the apathetic Eugenie—and that, for the first time in his life, his abso- lute sway in the realms of fashion was tacitly unacknowledged. This conviction made a more powerful impression on the heart of the che- valier than the charms of Eugenie could have ever produced. He felt annoyed—his vanity was offended—his pride was piqued-—and he determined to reduce the haughty and rebellions beauty to subjection. This was no easy task. Eugenie’s very innocence was the originating cause of her disregard for the chevalier’s done mots, elegant compli- ments, interesting chit-chat, and exquisite taste in all matters of fashionable life. Too httle experienced in the mysteries of genteel scandal, private discussion of a neighbour's affairs, or the meanings antended to be imparted by indirect compliment, amorous comparison, and poetic allusion, Eugenie was not at all calculated to be enlisted amongst the number of the chevalier’s female worshippers. Hence did that experienced gentleman determine in his own mind to convince De Lamoreau’s beautiful niece of his great superiority, and to compel her to value his acquaintance and patronising smile in the grandes réuntone where they met. How fatal was this scheme to the happiness of the chevalier! B dint of perseverance in his ambitious speculation, he gradually suf- fered the personal attractiors of Eugenie to entwine adamantine chains around his heart; and while he fondly fancied that he was reducing the country-bred gn to an acknowledgment and comprehension of his merits, he daily drank deeper of those intoxicating draughts which were shortly destined to work upon his imagination and cause him to commit the most egregious of follies. Hector de Lamoreau was the dangerous rival whom the chevalier had to encounter. Brought up together from infancy, it was not extraordinary if the two cousins entertained a deep and sincere affec- tion for each other. But they concealed it from the eyes of Hector’s arents—and still more strictly from the world—well knowing that, wever kind and indulgent the count and countess might be towards the dependent Eugenie, they would never permit their only son, the hope of their ancient family, to espouse a pennyless orvham. Thuis (COLA (@) 6)(0)) <S (c©)