Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

Pickwick Abroad. 171 - You did not really then invite me to your house for dishonest purposes ?” said Mr. Tracy Tupman, growing sentimental with wine and the tender passion. “Oh! mon Dieu—no!” was the agonizing reply. ‘“‘ And -you have never been on the stage ?” A convulsive moan implied a negative. ‘¢ And—and—you never loved another 2” A terrific squeeze of the hand, which might have been meant for tenderness, conveyed a satisfactory answer. ‘“ Nor were you the other day about to marry an English no- bleman ?”’ | ‘s°Tis true Inglis nobleman ask me—but me love you,” was the _ response. ‘¢ Nor—in a moment of weakness—that is, being deceived by a villain—”’ ““On! what make you tink dat?” interrupted the young lady, in a whisper; for, with most extraordinary penetration, she had evi- dently divined the nature of Mr. Tupman’s intended question and implied suspicion. Matters were now placed on so pleasant and comfortable a footing, that a slight luncheon was ordered, and an agreeable conversation ensued between the lovers thus easily reconciled. Indeed, Mr. Tupman was astonished at the turpitude of the world, when he reflected upon the manner in which the unblemished character of a virtuous young lady had been disparaged; and he almost suspected that the account given of her former life by Vidocq was the result of a trick to separate him from a being he adored. Such were the beautiful and truly rational sentiments which filled his imagination, as he discussed general topics and mutton-cutlets with Mademoiselle de Volage. ‘And pray,” said Mr. Tupman, when the dejeuner was cleared from the table, ‘“‘ what brought you in this quarter of the city?” ** Me leave Paris at five of de clock dis evening,”’ replied Anastasie, in a voice rendered almost inaudible with emotion; ‘‘ and me come to take place by diligence for St. Omers.”’ ‘“* Do you go alone?’ enquired Mr. Tupman hastily. ‘* Alas! me obliged—my mother vary ill at her aunt’s, the Countess von Strackenheim,’”’ answered the fair Anastasie; ‘‘and me have business with one great lord’s wife at St. Omers.”’ Mr. Tupman appeared to reflect for a moment. He felt a lurking, suspicion in his breast, that a conspiracy had been got up against hin, to alienate his affections from his present companion; and he prn dently resolved to show his friends that he was his own master, an. at liberty to act as he chose in that as well as in every other matier He accordingly made up his mind to accompany Mademoiselle de Volage to St. Omers. Great men, when their minds are once bent upon a certain purpose, are invariably prompt in the execution of their schemes. They are above the every-day system of maturely reflecting on the prudence vo! their measures, and demonstrate the magnitude of their talents by the daring promptitude of their actions. So it was with Mr. Tracy Tup- man. Five minutes were sufficient for that extraordinary and saga- cious individual to communicate his plan to Mademoiselle Anastasie, eoniichbooks (C(O)