Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 367: what you’re looking at

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

354 PICKWICK ABROAD. who felt himself very much bewildered by the conversation of the strange visitor. “Did you not see m.a. upon my card ?” enquired Mr, Terry, after he had satisfied himself by along and scrutinizing glance round the room, that there were no unhallowed listeners present. ‘¢T did notice the m.a.,”’ returned Mr. Pickwick, “ and thence in- ferred that you were a Master of Arts.” “Out again, Sir,’ rejoined Mr. Terry. ‘‘ And yet. a little art és occasionally required in my very complicated and delicate business.” — Mr. Pickwick coughed impatiently—Mr. Tupman exchanged glances with Mr. Winkle—and Mr. Snodgrass expressed his spite by a desperate attack upon a cold tongue which stood before him. ‘Well, gentlemen, to come to the point—tfor I see that you are rather anxious to know whol am,” cried Mr. Terry, after a long pause, during which he had gazed most mysteriously at each of his auditors, ‘‘ 1 am one of those who seek to join in the bonds of—” ‘¢ Ah!’ exclaimed Mr. Winkle, a lucid idea striking him when he heard the word ‘‘ bonds” mentioned; ‘‘ you are a Money Agent— I see—m.a.—how dull we all were!’’—and Mr. Winkle glanced with a triumphant air round the table. | “Out again, I declare!’ said Mr. Terry. ‘“ But you will never guess—and must leave me to explain the mystery. Iam a Matrimo- nial Advocate !” ‘¢A what?” demanded Mr. Pickwick. ‘A Matrimonial Advocate,” was Mr. Terry’s steady reply, “And, pray, what is that 2” said Mr. Winkle, unable to restrain 4is curiosity. ‘‘One, Sir, who contrives matrimonial projects between young people,” was the answer. ‘* But I am married,” cried Mr. Winkle. ‘‘ And so am I,” added Mr. Snodgrass, quitting the neat’s tongue to speak with his own, ‘And I am going to be,” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. Mr. Tupman remained silent: he was neither married, nor engaged to be. To him, therefore, did Mr. Terry address himself. ‘You are still single, I presume, Sir?” said Mr. Terry, extracting a letter from his waistcoat pocket. Mr. Tupman nodded an affirmative. ‘¢ Have the kindness to read this, Sir,” continued Mr. Terry; and he handed the letter to Mr. ‘Tupman. “Aloud 2” demanded that gentleman. ‘‘ Certainly, if you please,” was the amiable reply. | Mr. Tupman unfolded the letter, and read the followmg pro- | spectus :-— | ‘Mr, William Terry, late of Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London, begs to inform his English friends and the English generally, in Paris, that he has opened a snug establishment in the Rue Mont- | martre, No. —, for the transaction of matrimonial negotiations, and | hopes, by strict attention to his business and providing suitable matches at a moderate commission, to merit an extensive patronage. | W. T. keeps a book of addresses, in which ladies and gentlemen, who | com (@) ibooks.com —