Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

0S PICKWICK ABROAD. wickian, m the deepest indignation and astonishment. “ But by how Sanilar a combination of circumstances have I become'the victim of him who has so successfully duped my friends! Why—it was but a short time ago that the villam passed through the Insolvents’ Court m London.” ‘And the lady?” suggested Mr. Lawson. “ We have been uncivil enough to neglect her ladyship,” said the Gendarme, with a smile. “ Perh naps I may know her also.” Mr. Lawson led the way to the chamber which had been allotted to the fair Loveminski; but its supposed d occupant was not there. *¢ And tl here was a quantity of plate locked wp in the cupboard!” exciaimed Myr. Lawson, a sudden paleness overspreading his counte mance: then, having handed the candle to the Gendarme, he rushed té the corner in which the litle articles hinted at had been concealed. God bless me! she’s decamped with my best dinner service!” he added after a moment’s investigation: “‘not a spoon—not a fork—not a thing left behind!” ‘‘ But here also is a trace of her,” said the Gendarme; and he took from the fugitive lady’s trunk a pair of gloves, in the inside of which the magic words ‘‘ Anastasie de Volage’’ had been written with blue ink, *¢ And my money 2” ejaculated Mr. Snodgrass, as he suddenly re- collected the purse he had consigned to the Count near Samer. ‘** Not one stiver will you ever recover of that,” answered the Gen- darme. ‘“‘ And my plate?” cried Mr. Lawson. ‘* In a condition equally hopeless,’ was the consolatory reply. “But I must at once put my men 5p the alert after the fugitives; and then we will talk over the matter,” continued the Gendarme ; “for, l suppose,” he added witha smile, ‘“you have neither of you any inclination to sleep.” Both Mr. Lawson and Mr. Snodgrass declared that they had not; nd while the Gendarme hastened to send his followers in pursuit of the Count and the Countess, alias Mr. Sugden and Mademoiselle Anastasie de Volage, the landlord and his guest proceeded to the pri- vate sitting of the former, near the office, m which there was a cheerful fire, by the aid of which and a little hot brandy-and-water, they ma- saged to mstil a trifle of comfort into their souls and bodies at the iene time. ‘* Altogether this is one of the most extraordinary adventures I ever meé t with,” observed the Gendarme, when he had returned from the. Re riormance of his duty, and was seated in the private parlour afore- aid. ‘It is very remarkable,” assented Mr. Snoderass, “But there is one coincidence with which you are not yet ac- quainted,” contmuedthe Gendarme. ‘* Have your friends ever spoken to you in their letters of one Dumont?” # ‘““-Yes—often,” exclaimed Mr. Snodgrass, a light breaking in upon um. 79 ] “That's my name,” added the Gendarme; “ Alfred Dumont, at % your service. Why—I know Mr. Pickwick and his companions well; _ or else do you think I should be sitting so quietly over this fire anc of Gomicbooks Sasisesichi> 255" - ~~ vy i