The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM PACKET. | 79 just and the unjust, a holiday—while heaven lends its choicest in- fluences to earth, and smiles from end to end to see all creatures . glad. Prompted by the beauty of this day, and the calmness of the sea, Mr. Pifpaf suddenly received a brilliant inspiration, which he forth- with imparted to Mr. Buckram. ‘* My lord,” said he, in a solemn and mysterious tone, sinking his voice at the same time almost to a whisper, ‘‘ what should your lord- ship say to a dance ?”’ ** A dance ?—-admirable!”’ ejaculated the tailor. “‘ I would give any- thing to see that little stout gentleman there, with the pepper-and-salt trousers, the buff waistcoat ~ ““That is Mr. Tiptile, the treasurer, my lord!’’ said Mr. Pifpaf, impressively. **T don’t care who the devil he is, or is not,”’ cried Buckram; “all I know is, that it will be very amusing to see him trip it on the light fantastic toe !”’ Mr. Pifpaf affected not to hear an observation which was somewhat derogatory to the high functionary to whom it alluded; and he hastened -to communicate his idea about the dance to Captain Pen- tonville. ““ My dear Pifpaf—the swmmum bonum of enjoyment!’ exclaimed the captain, quite delighted at the proposal. ‘Nothing could be more enchanting—a dance upon the deck—just the very thing—lI have seen it in Italy a thousand times, when I was there as attaché to Lord Crip- plegate’s embassy !” *¢Do they dance in the gondolas by moonlight, Augustus ?” in- quired Aramintha, in a soft voice, and with a glance of fond appeal towards her lover. | ‘“ Dance, my dear girl ?—Oh! yes, and serenade, too!”’ answered the captain. ‘‘ But let us have the awning up ; and, Pifpaf: “¢ Well, my dear friend ?”’ said the amiable chairman. : “You have a little champagne on board: suppose we enjoy that, too, as well as the dance—eh?” “Excellent!” cried Mr. Pifpaf, whose countenance was quite ani- mated with pleasure and perspiration: and he trotted away to give directions according to the hints he had just oo from Captain Pentonville. | In a few minutes the awning was spread, and the deck was cleared _ for the dance. Those who did not choose to join in the recreation, ‘a proud around to witness the Terpsichorean performances of those who Captain Pentonville, Mr. Buckram, and Mr. Smale engaged the Gomichbooks m