Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

270) ‘PICKWICK ABROAD. Ps Sel ai a? a ee Fe , * house, in the traces of the gentleman who carried the lamp before show the way. ng, CADE The gentleman led the travellers into a spacious and well-ligh room, in which a table was spread for about fourteen or fifteen peoy Two or three servants in gorgeous liveries were occupied in arrangi a most succulent repast upon the board; and ten or twelve ladies we seated at one end of the apartment, chattering away as if they were ¢ arn magples. ae “Pray what are your friends’ names, Sir?” asked the gentlema who appeared to be the master of the house, in I’rench, of Mr. Seuttle “This is my niece, Mrs, Weston,” replied Mr. Scuttle; “that” My. Siffkin—and this is Mr. Pickwick,”’ | a The gentleman bowed profoundly; and at the name of Pickwiel the ten ladies at the end of the room burst into a simultaneous sho of laughter, so loud and long, that Mr, Nassau Siffkin actually ap pealed to Mr, Scuttle to ascertain ifhe were awake or dreaming, ~ ‘‘T really don’t know,” answered Mr. Scuttle, somewhat alarm himself; “ but the human imagination does occasionally run riot” an extraordinary degree, The other day, having just taken a pinely snuff, and wanting to blow my nose, I took out my pocket-handke chief, but accidentally dropped it. Stooping to pick it up, IT seize hold of the skirt of a lady’s dress, wiped my nose with it, and we about to stuff in into my coat-pocket, when—what do you think ? — never found out my mistake till the lady’s husband came and kicke me out of the house.” 1 “God bless me!” exclaimed Mr. Siffkin: ‘‘may I never put another female heart to torture, if the ladies ain’t all staring at Pick- wick’s black gaiters, and he is bowing—strike me! like a madman!” This was indeed the case; and most exhilarating was the sight. The ladies were convulsed with Jaughter—-Mr, Pickwick with bows—and Mrs. Weston with affright. The little old gentleman, whoin one of the servants alluded to as the Doctor, speedily restored order: the ten or twelve ladies took as many seats at the supper-table —the travellers followed this example—the Doctor occupied an ¢ n chair at the end of the hospitable Dias aulkae the meal commenced, Two seats, however, still remained unoccupied. Tc Tn a few minutes the door opened, and an aged matron entered the room, leading by the hand one of the most lovely girls mortal eve yet beheld, She was not above eighteen—and her countenance was deadly pale: but her dark, flashing eye—her long raven locks—the admirable symmetry of her person—and the melancholy cast of her — features, were calculated to make an impression evén upon tk e most — callous heart, which time could never ofits TR? bs: The matron started when she saw strangers seated at the table: but the doctor made a sign—and the old lady led the lovely being to a vacant seat, and placed herself in a chair by her side. No assed between them: that fair girl appeared imanimate as to e eature, save her eyes—and she seemed to eat mechanically, = A long pause ensued: there was something mysterious in all th which struck Mr, Pickwick and his companions as extraordina and which made them feel rather uncomfortable, they he knew not wl : ‘‘T wonder whether we can have a hackney-coach,” said Mr, P comicboo Ks.com ay 7 } j 9 ey . ; Ag ’ '