Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 361: what you’re looking at

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

348 PICKWICK ABROAD. must leave the reader to decide. But, when he had dismissed tae moons, and the columns, and the porters from his imagination, he — saw—or imagined he saw—a figure present itself at the open window, _ which looked upon the ieads, and first cautiously poke its head into — the room. The figure gazed wistfully into the chamber, and then — gradually inserted itself through the casement till it stood in the © middle of the room. Now it struck Mr. Kallaway that the figure ~ presently bent over towards his bed and gazed upon his countenance; — and that as the figure drew near to him, he shut his eyes in affnght; whereupon it was very probable that the said figure might have imagined him to be asleep. When all this was done, the figure closed the window, and looked several times thoughtfully round the room. ‘The next impression upon Mr, Kailaway’s mind was that he, havmg once more opened his eyes very slightly, saw this strange vision suddenly disencumber itself of its own clothes, and rapidly attire its limbs and carcase in his, Mr. Kallaway’s, raiment. All this took place by the light of the dawn; and much more too: for it appears that the figure made a undle of his own clothes, after having put on Mr, Kallaway’s; and then perceiving Mr. Kallaway’s cloak for the first time, he thought it expedient to assume that also, particularly as it would conceal the bundle just alluded to from the eye of the curious. ‘The figure then stole out of the room, by the door, wrapt up in mystery and the large cloak, But all this was regarded at the time by Mr. Kallaway as a dream ; and he attached, when he awoke at about eight o’clock, as much importance to the visit of the strange figure as he did to the idea of his having chased a black-and-white sow out of the celery-beds. ‘“‘ Strange things dreams are!” said Mr. Kailaway to himself, as he rubbed his eyes, and sate up in his bed. “‘ Gad—I could have sworn that I saw a fellow come in at my window!” And Mr. Kallaway laughed heartily when he thought of the strange adventure he persuaded himself he had dreamt of a few hours before. So soon as he had given vent to his mirth to the utmost of his wishes, he againlay down, pulled the bell-rope which hung at the head ef Ins bed, and once more indulged in another long and boisterous shout of hilarity. In the course of a minute the “boots” obeyed Mr. Kallaway’s summons. “Take my clothes to brush,” said Mr. Kallaway, with difficulty suppressing a third burst of merriment. “Vour boots, Zonsieuwr ?’? Gemanded the man, taking those recep- tacles for the feet from the floor. ; ‘““Yes—and my clothes, too,” said Mr. Kallaway. “ By G—d, It’s excellent!” So indeed it was, for the domestic could not find his clothes any- where; and after a most rigorous search under the bed, and in the drawers, he intimated as much to Mr. Kallaway. ; - “There—on that chair,’ exclaimed Mr. Kallaway, impatiently pointing with his right hand in a certain direction, but without turn- — ing his head. ‘“ Have you found them ?”’ te The servant replied in the negative. comicbooks.cor