Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

52 PICKWICK ABROAD. entirely with red velvet. Behind this desk sate a little old gentle- man with gold spectacles of considerable dimensions, massive chains to his watch, and a magnificent brooch in his shirt. An eye-glass was appended toa riband that hung round his neck ; and his fingers were covered with rings of great value. He was dressed in deep black— his face was haggard and wrinkled—his eye was sharp and piercing —and his few thin locks were as white as snow. I shuddered as I gazed upon this strange being—and my eyes involuntarily glanced around those walls within whose circuit many a cruel mandate had been signed, many a deadly deed ordered to be committed, and many a purse transferred by the hand of bribery to that of corruption. ‘The very decrees of Danton and Robespierre appeared to be traced in letters £ blood upon the ceiling; and my imagination recalled to my memory -he days of Fouchet. It is not to be wondered at, then, if 1 trembled as J stood in the presence of one of his successors. ‘¢ Your business ?” was the laconic question addressed to the veteran of the imperial guard. “¢ T have already had the honour’’—began the czerassier. ‘Your name, then ?”’ interrupted his lordsnip. ‘Hector Dumont,”’ was the reply. “Trecollect: and that is your adopted son?” said the Prefect ; then, without giving my benefactor time to answer this latter query, his lordship proceeded ;—“‘ and it is of him that you would wishto make a gendarme? Can he be faithful to his employers ?” ‘¢ As the Newfoundland dog to his master.” ‘‘ Secret and daring ?” “‘ Secret as the grave; daring as Napole—as—as a lion.” ‘¢ Proof against bribery ?” «¢ As your lordship’s self.” « And incapable of giving way to the dictates of curiosity ?” con- tinued the Prefect, with a faint smile at Dumont’s last simile, which he probably knew to be incorrect. All these questions were answered to the satisfaction of the Prefect, and [ was informed that ina few days my appointment would be named, and my commission duly forwarded to me at our residence in the Faubourg Saint Antoine. My excellent benefactor was oyer- joyed at the success of our visit, and when we were once more in our little parlour at home, he caught me in his arms, and embraced me lone and fervently. I expressed inyself in meet terms of gratitude for that and all other favours, and fer the next two or three days dreamt of nothing but caparisoned horses, glittering swords, loaded earabines, and fugitive felonsin whose pursuit I was engaged. At length the promised brevet arrived, and the tailor was put in immediate requisition for my uniform, &c., &c. The old Dumont supplied me liberally with money to make the various purchases I required, and in the course of a week I was prepared to enter upon the performance of my new duties. I was accordingly appointed to serve in the arrondissement or quarter to which the Prefecture de Police itself belonged; and, my heart being elated with joy, I be- took myself to my post. , I was well received by my future comrades, who took all possible pains to initiate me into the mysteries of the profession, and make me familiar with my various duties, | cComircbooks;com