The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

262 THE STEAM PACKET. grinding his teeth with rage; ‘“‘I know what you would say—but, by God, you shall sink with me if I sink!” _ “As I was saying,” continued the captain, without appearing to heed his companion’s observation and manner, “‘ you would sink from the nobleman to the jobbing tailor—whereas I should remain a gen- tleman.” : ‘A gentleman! ha! ha! ha!” cried the balan “‘ well, that is too good !”’ ‘““Yes—a gentleman, I repeat!” exclaimed Pentonville, a glow of pride appearing upon his countenance; ‘‘and would to God that .I had never descended to those meannesses which degrade the name! My father was a Doctor of Medicine—my mother was the daughter of a barrister: my mother’s only surviving brother is, or was, a wealthy merchant in India. I entered the army as an ensign, and foolishly sold out after a year’s service. My parents died, and I squandered away the competency they left behind them. But I am a gentleman by birth and by education ; and I will endeavour in future to dcEemre the distinction by my conduct.” ‘* All this is very well, my dear fellow,” began the tailor, eos now felt seriously alarmed for the progress and result of his own schemes ; “but this honest mood of yours will ruin us both. Indeed, we shall most likely get taken up as a couple of swindlers.” ‘¢'What I have now said, and what I intend to do,” rejoined Pen- tonville, with that same calmness, combined with determination of tone which had characterised his discourse all along on this memo- rable occasion, ‘‘ both are the results of mature deliberation during the last two hours. I rose early, and looked at my position in all its shapes and bearings. I seized my evil genius in my hands, and con- templated him face to face. I am not so utterly depraved as to resion all wish for repentance; and I cannot find it in my heart to counte-_ nance this fraud any longer. I will not seal the ruin of the family from whose kindness I have received so many favours. The members of that family have their faults and foibles—who has not ?—but they also possess numerous amiable and endearing qualities. I will not prove a trailor to you, Buckram, without due warning: now, therefore, listen to my resolves.”’ ‘You surely can’t be such a fool as all this!” exclaimed Buckram in despair. ‘* Whether I am a fool or not, remains to be prove ed,”’ said Penton- ville; ‘‘ that I intend to become an honest man, is certain. To-mor- row morning I shall sit down and write a letter to Pifpaf. I shall therein relate all that has passed, from the first moment of our acquaint- ance; and I shall then throw myself upon his mercy.” Gomicbooks (efo)