Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 371: what you’re looking at

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358 PICKWICK ABROAD. an’ I’m wery happy to hear it, my lady,’ says Bob. ‘I thought it vos all my carelessness, as ven I took the Nzghtingale this mornin’ to the Countess of Flareumup, she jumps up in a hurry and says, Och, and your velcome, Bob, says she, for I’ve been starvin’ here this last half- hour, says she, a-vaitin’ to see Missus Rafhinay’s adwertisement before I goes out, cos I doesn’t know her address. So I sets about lookin’ for the adwertisement for her ladyship; but devil a adwertisement vos there. The Countess vos exceedin’ wexed, and so I jist run here, quite flabbergasted, for fear I should be the means of your losing her custom, an’ to ask you vot I shall do.’—‘ Oh! says the manty-maker, ‘ pray take a copy of my adwertisement, and get ’em put into the Vaghtingale as soon as you can; an’ to-morrow do me the faviour to pint it out to the Countess ven you takes her paper.’—‘ That I vill,’ says Bob, ‘ and bless your sveet face into the bargain, my dear; an’ I shall see you in my dreams as beautiful as the goddess Wulcan, only more dacent in dress.’—So Bob succeeded on this adwentur as vell as on t’others.” Scarcely had Mr. Weller brought this second characteristic sketch to a conclusion, when he was called to the front-door by a loud rmg at the bell; and M. Dumont was shortly ushered into the presence of Mr. Pickwick and his friends. ‘¢ Any news of the Count and his cousin?” enquired Mr. Snodgrass, with a smile. ‘““None,” returned the Gendarme. ‘“ As for the female swindler, we could do but little with her even if we were to catch her; but Crashem vould be sent to the Gallies for five years.” ‘““That’s a wery cheerful prospect,” observed Mr. Weller, who was clearing away the breakfast materials: ‘“‘ Newgate’s nothin’ to it, as the man said at the tread-mill.” ‘¢Sam,” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. ‘Sir,’ said Mr. Weller. ‘* You may retire,’ added Mr. Pickwick. ‘'Thank’ee, Sir,” said Mr. Weller, and he disappeared in company vith the tray and china-ware. | The conversation then turned upon a variety o1 interesting matters, and amongst others, to a subject which recalled M. Dumont’s facih- ties of tale-telling to the memories of his companions. A request that he would favour them with a story was therefore proffered ; and as the weather was not exceedingly inviting, the Gendarme thought that an hour could not be wiled away more profitably. He accordingly nar- rated that which will be found in the next chapter. CHAPTER XLIYV. ROSE SEVIGNE.—A TALF THE HEROINE AND HER FATHER.-—EUGENE ARCHAMBAULT.—"HE LETTER.—INTERVIEW IN THE CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME.—THE STRANGER.—THE BRIDAL.—THE LOTTERY TICKET.—THE EVENT, fy a dark and gloomy street, in the immediate vicinity of the Cathe- dral of Notre Dame, there is an old house which for many years has EComicbooks.com