Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

PICKWICK ABROAD. 363 unavoidably cast down his eyes as he requested the stranger to be seated. After a short pause, afew general remarks led to a conversa- tion relative to Eugene’s situation in life, his prospects, and his em- - ployment. ** 1 do not ask, young man,” said the stranger, ‘‘ from motives of curiosity. lam interested in your welfare—and would willingly do something to serve you.” ** Might I inquire,” asked Archambault respectfully, ‘‘ who kindly appealed to your bounty in my behalf?” ‘* A gentleman whom you know,” was the reply : “‘his nameI am not at liberty to mention.” ‘*} know no friend save M, Gosselin,” returned Eugene eagerly. **Tt’s well,” said the stranger shaking his head: ** question me not— but listen. It is enough for you that I am desirous of serving you.” Eugene now began to relate, in a moving manner, the history of his unsuccessful suit with the father of Rose: but in the midst of his sentimental narrative, the stranger again interrupted him, and in some- what an authoritative tone of voice desired him to be silent. Eugene felt his cheek flushing—but his affection for Rose compelled him to restrain the incipient choler rising in his breast, as he well knew that to defeat the compassionate intentions of his visitor was not to advance himself on the road to wealth. ‘* Paris,” said the stranger, ‘‘ is not a fitting place nor a good schoo. Jor young men: I propose to give youa situation in a banker’s house at Havre, with a salary of five thousand francs a year.” ‘Tam infinitely obliged, Monsieur,” said Archambault ;—“infinitely obliged: but I cannot yet quit Paris.” “Qh! J understand,” said the stranger. ‘‘ "Tis that young lady— Rose Sevigne—whose charms fascinate and detain you. But youmust renounce all hopes of her; for a premature marriage would neithe: benefit your afiairs—”’ ‘“Oh! Monsieur—it would make me happy!’ exclaimed Eugene, with all the energy that love imparts to the expression of the tongue. ** And with an assurance of the place you offerme, I might still obtain her father’s consent—however deeply his honour be involved in promises to another.” ‘* Young man,” sald the stranger, positively, ‘‘ I am willing to do you good; but I cannot blindly see you throw yourself away. Ac- cept my offer—go to Havre this very day”’ ‘Impossible !” interrupted Eugene. | “To-morrow, then, at farthest,” persisted that singular old man. ‘*No—no—never will I quit Paris, till I be assured of the fate of Rose,” ejaculated Archambault. ‘« Stay as long as you will, perverse boy—if it must be so,” cried the stranger: ‘“‘ only promise that you will not press your suit with mers “Do you know her—are you acquainted with her ?” demanded Eugene; and without waiting foran answer he went on,—‘‘ for if you did, you would not wish to separate us.” “Speak to me frankly, Eugene Archambault,” said the stranger, rising from his chair, and chinking gold in his pocket. “You are poor—your gainsare smalland uncertain—you say that without forture CORMICOOOL<ESaEO©) =