第6章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Catherine",免费读到尾

  \"ThesedeservedpunishmentsdidnotatallalterCaptainMacshane’sdisposition;andonthe17thofFebruarylast,hestoppedtheBavarianEnvoy’scoachonBlackheath,comingfromDover,androbbedhisExcellencyandhischaplain;takingfromtheformerhismoney,watches,star,afur—cloak,hissword(averyvaluableone);andfromthelatteraRomishmissal,outofwhichhewasthenreading,andacase—bottle。\"

  \"TheBavarianEnvoy!\"saidTomparenthetically。\"Mymaster,Beinkleider,washisLordship’sregimentaltailorinGermany,andisnowmakingaCourtsuitforhim。Itwillbeamatterofahundredpoundstohim,Iwarrant。\"

  DoctorWoodresumedhisreading。\"Hum——hum!ARomishmissal,outofwhichhewasreading,andacase—bottle。

  \"BymeansofthefamousMr。Wild,thisnotoriouscriminalwasbroughttojustice,andthecase—bottleandmissalhavebeenrestoredtoFatherO’Flaherty。

  \"DuringhisconfinementinNewgate,Mr。Macshanecouldnotbebroughttoexpressanycontritionforhiscrimes,exceptthatofhavingkilledhiscommandingofficer。ForthisWoodhepretendedanexcessivesorrow,andvowedthatusquebaughhadbeenthecauseofhisdeath,——indeed,inprisonhepartookofnootherliquor,anddrunkabottleofitonthedaybeforehisdeath。

  \"Hewasvisitedbyseveraloftheclergyandgentryinhiscell;

  amongothers,bythePopishpriestwhomhehadrobbed,FatherO’FIaherty,beforementioned,whoattendedhimlikewiseinhislastmoments(ifthatidolatrousworshipmaybecalledattention),andlikewisebytheFather’spatron,theBavarianAmbassador,hisExcellencyCountMaximiliandeGalgenstein。\"

  AsoldWoodcametothesewords,hepausedtogivethemutterance。

  \"What!Max?\"screamedMrs。Hayes,lettingherink—bottlefalloverherledgers。

  \"Why,behangedifitben’tmyfather!\"saidMr。Billings。

  \"Yourfather,sureenough,unlesstherebeothersofhisname,andunlessthescoundrelishanged,\"saidtheDoctor——sinkinghisvoice,however,attheendofthesentence。

  Mr。Billingsbrokehispipeinanagonyofjoy。\"Ithinkwe’llhavethecoachnow,Mother,\"sayshe;\"andI’mblessedifPollyBriggsshallnotlookasfineasaduchess。\"

  \"PollyBriggsisalowslut,Tom,andnotfitforthelikesofyou,hisExcellency’sson。Oh,fie!Youmustbeagentlemannow,sirrah;andIdoubtwhetherIshan’ttakeyouawayfromthatodioustailor’sshopaltogether。\"

  TothispropositionMr。Billingsobjectedaltogether;for,besidesMrs。Briggsbeforealludedto,theyounggentlemanwasmuchattachedtohismaster’sdaughter,Mrs。MargaretGretel,orGretchenBeinkleider。

  \"No,\"sayshe。\"Therewillbetimetothinkofthathereafter,ma’am。Ifmypamakesamanofme,why,ofcourse,theshopmaygotothedeuce,forwhatIcare;butwehadbetterwait,lookyou,forsomethingcertainbeforewegiveupsuchaprettybirdinthehandasthis。\"

  \"HespeakslikeSolomon,\"saidtheDoctor。

  \"Ialwayssaidhewouldbeacredittohisoldmother,didn’tI,Brock?\"criedMrs。Cat,embracinghersonveryaffectionately。\"A

  credittoher;ay,Iwarrant,arealblessing!Anddostthouwantanymoney,Tom?foralord’ssonmustnotgoaboutwithoutafewpiecesinhispocket。AndItellthee,Tommy,thoumustgoandseehisLordship;andthoushalthaveapieceofbrocadeforawaistcoat,thoushalt;ay,andthesilver—hiltedswordItoldtheeof;butoh,Tommy,Tommy!haveacare,anddon’tbea—drawingofitinnaughtycompanyatthegaming—houses,oratthe——\"

  \"Adrawingoffiddlesticks,Mother!IfIgotoseemyfather,I

  musthaveareasonforit;andinsteadofgoingwithaswordinmyhand,Ishalltakesomethingelseinit。\"

  \"TheladISaladofnous,\"criedDoctorWood,\"althoughhismotherdoesspoilhimsocruelly。Lookyou,MadamCat:didyounothearwhathesaidaboutBeinkleiderandtheclothes?TommywilljustwaitontheCountwithhisLordship’sbreeches。Amanmaylearnadealofnewsinthetryingonofapairofbreeches。\"

  Andsoitwasagreedthatinthismannerthesonshouldatfirstmakehisappearancebeforehisfather。Mrs。Catgavehimthepieceofbrocade,which,inthecourseoftheday,wasfashionedintoasmartwaistcoat(forBeinkleider’sshopwascloseby,inCavendishSquare)。Mrs。Gretel,withmanyblushes,tiedafineblueribandroundhisneck;and,inapairofsilkstockings,withgoldbucklestohisshoes,MasterBillingslookedaveryproperyounggentleman。

  \"And,Tommy,\"saidhismother,blushingandhesitating,\"shouldMax——shouldhisLordshipaskafteryour——wanttoknowifyourmotherisalive,youcansaysheis,andwell,andoftentalksofoldtimes。And,Tommy\"(afteranotherpause),\"youneedn’tsayanythingaboutMr。Hayes;onlysayI’mquitewell。\"

  Mrs。Hayeslookedathimashemarcheddownthestreet,alonglongway。Tomwasproudandgayinhisnewcostume,andwasnotunlikehisfather。Asshelooked,lo!OxfordStreetdisappeared,andshesawagreencommon,andavillage,andalittleinn。Therewasasoldierleadingapairofhorsesaboutonthegreencommon;andintheinnsatacavalier,soyoung,somerry,sobeautiful!Oh,whatslimwhitehandshehad;andwinningwords,andtender,gentleblueeyes!Wasitnotanhonourtoacountrylassthatsuchanoblegentlemanshouldlookatherforamoment?Hadhenotsomecharmabouthimthatshemustneedsobeywhenhewhisperedinherear,\"Come,followme!\"Asshewalkedtowardsthelanethatmorning,howwellsherememberedeachspotasshepassedit,andthelookitworeforthelasttime!Howthesmokewasrisingfromthepastures,howthefishwerejumpingandplashinginthemill—stream!Therewasthechurch,withallitswindowslightedupwithgold,andyonderwerethereaperssweepingdownthebrowncorn。Shetriedtosingasshewentupthehill——whatwasit?Shecouldnotremember;butoh,howwellsherememberedthesoundofthehorse’shoofs,astheycamequicker,quicker——nearer,nearer!Hownoblehelookedonhisgreathorse!Washethinkingofher,orweretheyallsillywordswhichhespokelastnight,merelytopassawaythetimeanddeceivepoorgirlswith?Wouldherememberthem,——wouldhe?

  \"Catmydear,\"herecriedMr。Brock,aliasCaptain,aliasDoctorWood,\"here’sthemeata—gettingcold,andIamlongingformybreakfast。\"

  Astheywentinhelookedherhardintheface。\"What,stillatit,yousillygirl?I’vebeenwatchingyouthesefiveminutes,Cat;andbehangedbutIthinkawordfromGalgenstein,andyouwouldfollowhimasaflydoesatreacle—pot!\"

  Theywentintobreakfast;butthoughtherewasahotshoulderofmuttonandonion—sauce——Mrs。Catherine’sfavouritedish——shenevertouchedamorselofit。

  InthemeanwhileMr。ThomasBillings,inhisnewclotheswhichhismammahadgivenhim,inhisnewribandwhichthefairMissBeinkleiderhadtiedroundhisneck,andhavinghisExcellency’sbreecheswrappedinasilkhandkerchiefinhisrighthand,turneddowninthedirectionofWhitehall,wheretheBavarianEnvoylodged。

  But,beforehewaitedonhim,Mr。Billings,beingexcessivelypleasedwithhispersonalappearance,madeanearlyvisittoMrs。

  Briggs,wholivedintheneighbourhoodofSwallowStreet;andwho,afterexpressingherselfwithmuchenthusiasmregardingherTommy’sgoodlooks,immediatelyaskedhimwhathewouldstandtodrink?

  Raspberryginbeingsuggested,apintofthatliquorwassentfor;

  andsogreatwastheconfidenceandintimacysubsistingbetweenthesetwoyoungpeople,thatthereaderwillbegladtohearthatMrs。PollyacceptedeveryshillingofthemoneywhichTomBillingshadreceivedfromhismammathedaybefore;nay,couldwithdifficultybepreventedfromseizinguponthecut—velvetbreecheswhichhewascarryingtothenoblemanforwhomtheyweremade。

  HavingpaidhisadieuxtoMrs。Polly,Mr。Billingsdepartedtovisithisfather。

  CHAPTERIX。INTERVIEWBETWEENCOUNTGALGENSTEINANDMASTERTHOMAS

  BILLINGS,WHENHEINFORMSTHECOUNTOFHISPARENTAGE。

  Idon’tknowinallthismiserableworldamoremiserablespectaclethanthatofayoungfellowoffiveorsixandforty。TheBritisharmy,thatnurseryofvalour,turnsoutmanyoftheyoungfellowsI

  mean:who,havingflauntedindragoonuniformsfromseventeentosix—and—thirty;havingbought,sold,orswappedduringthatperiodsometwohundredhorses;havingplayed,say,fifteenthousandgamesatbilliards;havingdrunksomesixthousandbottlesofwine;havingconsumedareasonablenumberofNugeecoats,splitmanydozenpairsofhigh—heeledHobyboots,andreadthenewspaperandthearmy—listduly,retirefromtheservicewhentheyhaveattainedtheireighthlustre,andsaunterthroughtheworld,trailingfromLondontoCheltenham,andfromBoulognetoParis,andfromParistoBaden,theiridleness,theirill—health,andtheirennui。\"Inthemorningofyouth,\"andwhenseenalongwithwholetroopsoftheircompanions,theseflowerslookgaudyandbrilliantenough;butthereisnoobjectmoredismalthanoneofthemalone,andinitsautumnal,orseedystate。Myfriend,CaptainPopjoy,isonewhohasarrivedatthiscondition,andwhomeverybodyknowsbyhistitleofFatherPop。Akinder,simpler,moreempty—headedfellowdoesnotexist。Heisforty—sevenyearsold,andappearsayoung,good—lookingmanofsixty。AtthetimeoftheArmyofOccupationhereallywasasgood—lookingamanasanyintheDragoons。Henowusesallsortsofstratagemstocoverthebaldplaceonhishead,bycombingcertainthingreysidelocksoverit。Hehas,inrevenge,apairofenormousmoustaches,whichhedyesoftherichestblue—black。Hisnoseisagooddeallargerandredderthanitusedtobe;hiseyelidshavegrownflatandheavy;andalittlepairofred,wateryeyeballsfloatinthemidstofthem:itseemsasifthelightwhichwasonceinthosesicklygreenpupilshadextravasatedintothewhitepartoftheeye。IfPop’slegsarenotsofirmandmuscularastheyusedtobeinthosedayswhenhetooksuchleapsintoWhite’sbuckskins,inrevengehiswaistismuchlarger。Hewearsaverygoodcoat,however,andawaistband,whichheletsoutafterdinner。Beforeladiesheblushes,andisassilentasaschoolboy。Hecallsthem\"modestwomen。\"Hissocietyischieflyamongyoungladsbelongingtohisformerprofession。Heknowsthebestwinetobehadateachtavernorcafe,andthewaiterstreathimwithmuchrespectfulfamiliarity。Heknowsthenamesofeveryoneofthem;andshoutsout,\"SendMarkwellhere!\"or,\"TellCuttrisstogiveusabottleoftheyellowseal!\"or,\"Dizzyvoo,MonsureBorrel,noodonnyshampangfrappy,\"etc。Healwaysmakesthesaladorthepunch,anddinesoutthreehundreddaysintheyear:theotherdaysyouseehiminatwo—franceating—houseatParis,orprowlingaboutRupertStreet,orSt。Martin’sCourt,whereyougetacapitalcutofmeatforeightpence。Hehasdecentlodgingsandscrupulouslycleanlinen;hisanimalfunctionsarestilltolerablywellpreserved,hisspiritualhaveevaporatedlongsince;hesleepswell,hasnoconscience,believeshimselftobearespectablefellow,andistolerablyhappyonthedayswhenheisaskedouttodinner。

  PoorPopisnotveryhighinthescaleofcreatedbeings;but,ifyoufancythereisnonelower,youareinegregiouserror。Therewasonceamanwhohadamysteriousexhibitionofananimal,quiteunknowntonaturalists,called\"thewusser。\"Thosecuriousindividualswhodesiredtoseethewusserwereintroducedintoanapartmentwhereappearedbeforethemnothingmorethanalittleleanshrivelledhideousblear—eyedmangypig。Everyonecriedout\"Swindle!\"and\"Shame!\"\"Patience,gentlemen,beheasy,\"saidtheshowman:\"lookatthattherehanimal;it’saperfectphenomalyofhugliness:Iengageyouneverseesuchapig。\"Nobodyeverhadseen。\"Now,gentlemen,\"saidhe,\"I’llkeepmypromise,hasperbill;andbadasthattherepigis,lookatthishere\"(heshowedanother)。\"Lookatthishere,andyou’llseeatoncethatit’sA

  WUSSER。\"InlikemannerthePopjoybreedisbadenough,butitservesonlytoshowofftheGalgensteinrace;whichisWUSSER。

  Galgensteinhadledaverygaylife,asthesayingis,forthelastfifteenyears;suchagayone,thathehadlostallcapacityofenjoymentbythistime,andonlypossessedinclinationswithoutpowersofgratifyingthem。Hehadgrowntobeexquisitelycuriousandfastidiousaboutmeatanddrink,forinstance,andallthathewantedwasanappetite。HecarriedaboutwithhimaFrenchcook,whocouldnotmakehimeat;adoctor,whocouldnotmakehimwell;amistress,ofwhomhewasheartilysickaftertwodays;apriest,whohadbeenafavouriteoftheexemplaryDubois,andbyturnsusedtoticklehimbytheimpositionofpenance,orbytherepetitionofatalefromtherecueilofNoce,orLaFare。Allhisappetiteswerewastedandworn;onlysomemonstrositywouldgalvanisethemintomomentaryaction。Hewasinthateffetestatetowhichmanynoblemenofhistimehadarrived;whowerereadytobelieveinghost—raisingoringold—making,ortoretireintomonasteriesandwearhair—shirts,ortodabbleinconspiracies,ortodieinlovewithlittlecook—maidsoffifteen,ortopineforthesmilesoratthefrownsofaprinceoftheblood,ortogomadattherefusalofachamberlain’skey。ThelastgratificationherememberedtohaveenjoyedwasthatofridingbareheadedinasoakingrainforthreehoursbythesideofhisGrandDuke’smistress’scoach;takingthepasofCountKrahwinkel,whochallengedhim,andwasrunthroughthebodyforthisverydispute。Galgensteingainedarheumaticgoutbyit,whichputhimtotorturesformanymonths;andwasfurthergratifiedwiththepostofEnglishEnvoy。Hehadafortune,heaskednosalary,andcouldlooktheenvoyverywell。FatherO’Flahertydidalltheduties,andfurthermoreactedasaspyovertheambassador——asinecurepost,forthemanhadnofeelings,wishes,oropinions——absolutelynone。

  \"Uponmylife,father,\"saidthisworthyman,\"Icarefornothing。

  YouhavebeentalkingforanhourabouttheRegent’sdeath,andtheDuchessofPhalaris,andslyoldFleury,andwhatnot;andIcarejustasmuchasifyoutoldmethatoneofmybauersatGalgensteinhadkilledapig;orasifmylacquey,LaRoseyonder,hadmadelovetomymistress。\"

  \"Hedoes!\"saidthereverendgentleman。

  \"Ah,Monsieurl’Abbe!\"saidLaRose,whowasarranginghismaster’senormousCourtperiwig,\"youare,helas!wrong。MonsieurleComtewillnotbeangryatmysayingthatIwishtheaccusationweretrue。\"

  TheCountdidnottaketheslightestnoticeofLaRose’swit,butcontinuedhisowncomplaints。

  \"Itellyou,Abbe,Icarefornothing。Ilostathousandguineast’othernightatbasset;IwishtomyheartIcouldhavebeenvexedaboutit。Egad!Irememberthedaywhentoloseahundredmademehalfmadforamonth。Well,nextdayIhadmyrevengeatdice,andthrewthirteenmains。Therewassomedelay;acallforfreshbones,Ithink;andwouldyoubelieveit?——Ifellasleepwiththeboxinmyhand!\"

  \"Adesperatecase,indeed,\"saidtheAbbe。

  \"IfithadnotbeenforKrahwinkel,Ishouldhavebeenadeadman,that’spositive。Thatpinkinghimsavedme。\"

  \"Imakenodoubtofit,\"saidtheAbbe。\"HadyourExcellencynotrunhimthrough,he,withoutadoubt,wouldhavedonethesameforyou。\"

  \"Psha!youmistakemywords,Monsieurl’Abbe\"(yawning)。\"I

  mean——whatcursedchocolate!——thatIwasdyingforwantofexcitement。NotthatIcaredfordying;no,d————meifIdo!\"

  \"WHENyoudo,yourExcellencymeans,\"saidtheAbbe,afatgrey—hairedIrishman,fromtheIrlandoisCollegeatParis。

  HisExcellencydidnotlaugh,norunderstandjokesofanykind;hewasofanundeviatingstupidity,andonlyreplied,\"Sir,ImeanwhatIsay。Idon’tcareforliving:no,norfordyingeither;butI

  canspeakaswellasanother,andI’llthankyounottobecorrectingmyphrasesasifIwereoneofyourcursedschoolboys,andnotagentlemanoffortuneandblood。\"

  HerewiththeCount,whohadutteredfoursentencesabouthimself(heneverspokeofanythingelse),sunkbackonhispillowsagain,quiteexhaustedbyhiseloquence。TheAbbe,whohadaseatandatablebythebedside,resumedthelabourswhichhadbroughthimintotheroominthemorning,andbusiedhimselfwithpapers,whichoccasionallyhehandedovertohissuperiorforapproval。

  PresentlyMonsieurlaRoseappeared。

  \"HereisapersonwithclothesfromMr。Beinkleider’s。WillyourExcellencyseehim,orshallIbidhimleavetheclothes?\"

  TheCountwasverymuchfatiguedbythistime;hehadsignedthreepapers,andreadthefirsthalf—a—dozenlinesofapairofthem。

  \"Bidthefellowcomein,LaRose;and,harkye,givememywig:onemustshowone’sselftobeagentlemanbeforethesescoundrels。\"

  Andhethereforemountedalargechestnut—coloured,orange—scentedpyramidofhorsehair,whichwastoawethenew—comer。

  Hewasaladofaboutseventeen,inasmartwaistcoatandablueriband:ourfriendTomBillings,indeed。HecarriedunderhisarmtheCount’sdestinedbreeches。Hedidnotseemintheleastawed,however,byhisExcellency’sappearance,butlookedathimwithagreatdegreeofcuriosityandboldness。Inthesamemannerhesurveyedthechaplain,andthennoddedtohimwithakindlookofrecognition。

  \"WherehaveIseenthelad?\"saidthefather。\"Oh,Ihaveit!Mygoodfriend,youwereatthehangingyesterday,Ithink?\"

  Mr。Billingsgaveaverysignificantnodwithhishead。\"Inevermiss,\"saidhe。

  \"WhatayoungTurk!Andpray,sir,doyougoforpleasure,orforbusiness?\"

  \"Business!whatdoyoumeanbybusiness?\"

  \"Oh,Ididnotknowwhetheryoumightbebroughtuptothetrade,oryourrelationsbeundergoingtheoperation。\"

  \"Myrelations,\"saidMr。Billings,proudly,andstaringtheCountfullintheface,\"wasnotmadefornosuchthing。I’matailornow,butI’magentleman’sson:asgoodaman,ay,ashislordshipthere:forYOUa’n’thislordship——you’rethePopishpriestyouare;andwewereveryneargivingyouatouchofafewProtestantstones,master。\"

  TheCountbegantobealittleamused:hewaspleasedtoseetheAbbelookalarmed,orevenfoolish。

  \"Egad,Abbe,\"saidhe,\"youturnaswhiteasasheet。\"

  \"Idon’tfancybeingmurdered,myLord,\"saidtheAbbe,hastily;

  \"andmurderedforagoodwork。ItwasbuttobeusefultoyonderpoorIrishman,whosavedmeasaprisonerinFlanders,whenMarlboroughwouldhavehungmeuplikepoorMacshanehimselfwasyesterday。\"

  \"Ah!\"saidtheCount,burstingoutwithsomeenergy,\"Iwasthinkingwhothefellowcouldbe,eversinceherobbedmeontheHeath。I

  recollectthescoundrelnow:hewasasecondinaduelIhadhereintheyearsix。\"

  \"AlongwithMajorWood,behindMontagueHouse,\"saidMr。Billings。

  \"I’VEheardonit。\"Andherehelookedmoreknowingthanever。

  \"YOU!\"criedtheCount,moreandmoresurprised。\"AndpraywhothedevilAREyou?\"

  \"Myname’sBillings。\"

  \"Billings?\"saidtheCount。

  \"IcomeoutofWarwickshire,\"saidMr。Billings。

  \"Indeed!\"

  \"IwasbornatBirminghamtown。\"

  \"Wereyou,really!\"

  \"Mymother’snamewasHayes,\"continuedBillings,inasolemnvoice。

  \"IwasputouttoanursealongwithJohnBillings,ablacksmith;

  andmyfatherrunaway。NOWdoyouknowwhoIam?\"

  \"Why,uponhonour,now,\"saidtheCount,whowasamused,——\"uponhonour,Mr。Billings,Ihavenotthatadvantage。\"

  \"Well,then,myLord,YOU’REMYFATHER!\"

  Mr。BillingswhenhesaidthiscameforwardtotheCountwithatheatricalair;and,flingingdownthebreechesofwhichhewasthebearer,heldouthisarmsandstared,havingverylittledoubtbutthathisLordshipwouldforthwithspringoutofbedandhughimtohisheart。Asimilarpieceofnaivetemanyfathersoffamilieshave,Ihavenodoubt,remarkedintheirchildren;who,notcaringfortheirparentsasingledoit,conceive,nevertheless,thatthelatterareboundtoshowallsortsofaffectionforthem。Hislordshipdidmove,butbackwardstowardsthewall,andbeganpullingatthebell—ropewithanexpressionofthemostintensealarm。

  \"Keepback,sirrah!——keepback!SupposeIAMyourfather,doyouwanttomurderme?Goodheavens!howtheboysmellsofginandtobacco!Don’tturnaway,mylad;sitdownthereataproperdistance。And,LaRose,givehimsomeeau—de—Cologne,andgetacupofcoffee。Well,now,goonwithyourstory。Egad,mydearAbbe,I

  thinkitisverylikelythatwhattheladsaysistrue。\"

  \"Ifitisafamilyconversation,\"saidtheAbbe,\"Ihadbetterleaveyou。\"

  \"Oh,forHeaven’ssake,no!Icouldnotstandtheboyalone。Now,Misterah!——What’s—your—name?Havethegoodnesstotellyourstory。\"

  Mr。Billingswaswoefullydisconcerted;forhismotherandhehadagreedthatassoonashisfathersawhimhewouldberecognisedatonce,and,mayhap,madeheirtotheestatesandtitle;inwhichbeingdisappointed,heverysulkilywentonwithhisnarrative,anddetailedmanyofthoseeventswithwhichthereaderhasalreadybeenmadeacquainted。TheCountaskedtheboy’smother’sChristianname,andbeingtoldit,hismemoryatoncereturnedtohim。

  \"What!areyoulittleCat’sson?\"saidhisExcellency。\"Byheavens,moncherAbbe,acharmingcreature,butatigress——positivelyatigress。Irecollectthewholeaffairnow。She’salittlefreshblack—hairedwoman,a’n’tshe?withasharpnoseandthickeyebrows,ay?Ahyes,yes!\"wentonmyLord,\"Irecollecther,Irecollecther。ItwasatBirminghamIfirstmether:shewasmyLadyTrippet’swoman,wasn’tshe?\"

  \"Shewasnosuchthing,\"saidMr。Billings,hotly。\"Herauntkeptthe’BugleInn’onWalthamGreen,andyourLordshipseducedher。\"

  \"Seducedher!Oh,’gad,soIdid。Stapme,now,Idid。Yes,I

  madeherjumponmyblackhorse,andboreherofflike——likeAeneasborehiswifeawayfromthesiegeofRome!hey,l’Abbe?\"

  \"Theeventswerepreciselysimilar,\"saidtheAbbe。\"Itiswonderfulwhatamemoryyouhave!\"

  \"Iwasalwaysremarkableforit,\"continuedhisExcellency。\"Well,wherewasI,——attheblackhorse?Yes,attheblackhorse。Well,I

  mountedherontheblackhorse,androdeherencroupe,egad——ha,ha!——toBirmingham;andtherewebilledandcooedtogetherlikeapairofturtle—doves:yes——ha!——thatwedid!\"

  \"Andthis,Isuppose,istheendofsomeoftheBILLINGS?\"saidtheAbbe,pointingtoMr。Tom。

  \"Billings!whatdoyoumean?Yes——oh——ah——apun,acalembourg。Fidonc,M。l’Abbe。\"Andthen,afterthewontofverystupidpeople,M。deGalgensteinwentontoexplaintotheAbbehisownpun。

  \"Well,buttoproceed,\"crieshe。\"WelivedtogetheratBirmingham,andIwasgoingtobemarriedtoarichheiress,egad!whenwhatdoyouthinkthislittleCatdoes?Shemurdersme,egad!andmakesmemanquerthemarriage。Twentythousand,Ithinkitwas;andIwantedthemoneyinthosedays。Now,wasn’tsheanabominablemonster,thatmotherofyours,hey,Mr。a——What’s—your—name?\"

  \"Sheservedyouright!\"saidMr。Billings,withagreatoath,startingupoutofallpatience。

  \"Fellow!\"saidhisExcellency,quiteaghast,\"doyouknowtowhomyouspeak?——toanoblemanofseventy—eightdescents;acountoftheHolyRomanEmpire;arepresentativeofasovereign?Ha,egad!

  Don’tstamp,fellow,ifyouhopeformyprotection。\"

  \"D——nyourprotection!\"saidMr。Billings,inafury。\"Curseyouandyourprotectiontoo!I’mafree—bornBriton,andno————FrenchPapist!Andanymanwhoinsultsmymother——ay,orcallsmefeller——

  hadbetterlooktohimselfandthetwoeyesinhishead,Icantellhim!\"AndwiththisMr。BillingsputhimselfintothemostapprovedattitudeoftheCockpit,andinvitedhisfather,thereverendgentleman,andMonsieurlaRosethevalet,toengagewithhiminapugilisticencounter。Thetwolatter,theAbbeespecially,seemeddreadfullyfrightened;buttheCountnowlookedonwithmuchinterest;and,givingutterancetoafeeblekindofchuckle,whichlastedforabouthalfaminute,said,——

  \"Pawsoff,Pompey!Youyounghangdog,you——egad,yes,aha!’ponhonour,you’realadofspirit;someofyourfather’sspunkinyou,hey?Iknowhimbythatoath。Why,sir,whenIwassixteen,Iusedtoswear——toswear,egad,likeaThameswaterman,andexactlyinthisfellow’sway!Bussme,mylad;no,kissmyhand。Thatwilldo\"——andheheldoutaveryleanyellowhand,peeringfromapairofyellowruffles。Itshookverymuch,andtheshakingmadealltheringsuponitshineonlythemore。

  \"Well,\"saysMr。Billings,\"ifyouwasn’ta—goingtoabusemenormother,Idon’tcareifIshakehandswithyou。Iain’tproud!\"

  TheAbbelaughedwithgreatglee;andthatveryeveningsentofftohisCourtamostludicrousspicydescriptionofthewholesceneofmeetingbetweenthisamiablefatherandchild;inwhichhesaidthatyoungBillingswastheelevefavoriofM。Kitch,Ecuyer,lebourreaudeLondres,andwhichmadetheDuke’smistresslaughsomuchthatshevowedthattheAbbeshouldhaveabishopriconhisreturn:for,withsuchstoreofwisdom,lookyou,myson,wastheworldgovernedinthosedays。

  TheCountandhisoffspringmeanwhileconversedwithsomecordiality。Theformerinformedthelatterofallthediseasestowhichhewassubject,hismannerofcuringthem,hisgreatconsiderationaschamberlaintotheDukeofBavaria;howheworehisCourtsuits,andofaparticularpowderwhichhehadinventedforthehair;how,whenhewasseventeen,hehadrunawaywithacanoness,egad!whowasafterwardslockedupinaconvent,andgrewtobesixteenstoneinweight;howherememberedthetimewhenladiesdidnotwearpatches;andhowtheDuchessofMarlboroughboxedhisearswhenhewassohigh,becausehewantedtokissher。

  Alltheseimportantanecdotestooksometimeinthetelling,andwereaccompaniedbymanyprofoundmoralremarks;suchas,\"Ican’tabidegarlic,norwhite—wine,stapme!norSauerkraut,thoughhisHighnesseatshalfabushelperday。IateitthefirsttimeatCourt;butwhentheybroughtitmeasecondtime,I

  refused——refused,splitmeandgrillmeifIdidn’t!Everybodystared;hisHighnesslookedasfierceasaTurk;andthatinfernalKrahwinkel(mydear,Ididforhimafterwards)——thatcursedKrahwinkel,Isay,lookedaspleasedaspossible,andwhisperedtoCountessFritsch,’Blitzchen,FrauGrafinn,’sayshe,’it’salloverwithGalgenstein。’WhatdidIdo?Ihadtheentree,anddemandedit。’Altesse,’saysI,fallingononeknee,’Iatenokrautatdinnerto—day。Youremarkedit:IsawyourHighnessremarkit。’

  \"’Idid,M。leComte,’saidhisHighness,gravely。

  \"Ihadalmosttearsinmyeyes;butitwasnecessarytocometoaresolution,youknow。’Sir,’saidI,’IspeakwithdeepgrieftoyourHighness,whoaremybenefactor,myfriend,myfather;butofthisIamresolved,IWILLNEVEREATSAUERKRAUTMORE:itdon’tagreewithme。AfterbeinglaidupforfourweeksbythelastdishofSauerkrautofwhichIpartook,Imaysaywithconfidence——IT

  DON’Tagreewithme。Byimpairingmyhealth,itimpairsmyintellect,andweakensmystrength;andbothIwouldkeepforyourHighness’sservice。’

  \"’Tut,tut!’saidhisHighness。’Tut,tut,tut!’Thosewerehisverywords。

  \"’Givememyswordormypen,’saidI。’Givememyswordormypen,andwiththeseMaximiliandeGalgensteinisreadytoserveyou;butsure,——sure,agreatprincewillpitytheweakhealthofafaithfulsubject,whodoesnotknowhowtoeatSauerkraut?’HisHighnesswaswalkingabouttheroom:Iwasstillonmyknees,andstretchedforwardmyhandtoseizehiscoat。

  \"’GEHTZUMTEUFEL,Sir!’saidhe,inaloudvoice(itmeans’Gotothedeuce,’mydear),——’GehtzumTeufel,andeatwhatyoulike!’

  Withthishewentoutoftheroomabruptly;leavinginmyhandoneofhisbuttons,whichIkeeptothisday。AssoonasIwasalone,amazedbyhisgreatgoodnessandbounty,Isobbedaloud——criedlikeachild\"(theCount’seyesfilledandwinkedattheveryrecollection),\"andwhenIwentbackintothecard—room,steppinguptoKrahwinkel,’Count,’saysI,’wholooksfoolishnow?’——Heythere,LaRose,givemethediamond——Yes,thatwastheverypunImade,andverygooditwasthought。’Krahwinkel,’saysI,’WHOLOOKS

  FOOLISHNOW?’andfromthatdaytothisIwasneverataCourt—dayaskedtoeatSauerkraut——NEVER!\"

  \"Heythere,LaRose!Bringmethatdiamondsnuff—boxinthedrawerofmysecretaire;\"andthesnuff—boxwasbrought。\"Lookatit,mydear,\"saidtheCount,\"forIsawyouseemedtodoubt。Thereisthebutton——theveryonethatcameoffhisGrace’scoat。\"

  Mr。Billingsreceivedit,andtwisteditaboutwithastupidair。

  Thestoryhadquitemystifiedhim;forhedidnotdareyettothinkhisfatherwasafool——hisrespectforthearistocracypreventedhim。

  WhentheCount’scommunicationshadceased,whichtheydidassoonasthestoryoftheSauerkrautwasfinished,asilenceofsomeminutesensued。Mr。Billingswastryingtocomprehendthecircumstancesabovenarrated;hisLordshipwasexhausted;thechaplainhadquittedtheroomdirectlythewordSauerkrautwasmentioned——heknewwhatwascoming。HisLordshiplookedforsometimeathisson;whoreturnedthegazewithhismouthwideopen。

  \"Well,\"saidtheCount——\"well,sir?Whatareyousittingtherefor?

  Ifyouhavenothingtosay,sir,youhadbettergo。Ihadyouheretoamuseme——splitme——andnottosittherestaring!\"

  Mr。Billingsroseinafury。

  \"Harkye,mylad,\"saidtheCount,\"tellLaRosetogivetheefiveguineas,and,ah——comeagainsomemorning。Anicewell—grownyounglad,\"musedtheCount,asMasterTommywalkedwonderingoutoftheapartment;\"aprettyfellowenough,andintelligenttoo。\"

  \"Well,heISanoddfellow,myfather,\"thoughtMr。Billings,ashewalkedout,havingreceivedthesumofferedtohim。AndheimmediatelywenttocalluponhisfriendPollyBriggs,fromwhomhehadseparatedinthemorning。

  Whatwastheresultoftheirinterviewisnotatallnecessarytotheprogressofthishistory。Havingmadeher,however,acquaintedwiththeparticularsofhisvisittohisfather,hewenttohismother’s,andrelatedtoherallthathadoccurred。

  Poorthing,shewasverydifferentlyinterestedintheissueofit!

  CHAPTERX。SHOWINGHOWGALGENSTEINANDMRS。CATRECOGNISEEACH

  OTHERINMARYLEBONEGARDENS——ANDHOWTHECOUNTDRIVESHERHOMEIN

  HISCARRIAGE。

  Aboutamonthafterthetouchingconversationaboverelated,therewasgiven,atMaryleboneGardens,agrandconcertandentertainment,atwhichthecelebratedMadameAmenaide,adancerofthetheatreatParis,wastoperform,underthepatronageofseveralEnglishandforeignnoblemen;amongwhomwashisExcellencytheBavarianEnvoy。

  MadameAmenaidewas,infact,nootherthanthemaitresseentitreoftheMonsieurdeGalgenstein,whohadheragreatbargainfromtheDukedeRohan—ChabotatParis。

  Itisnotourpurposetomakeagreatandlearneddisplayhere,otherwisethecostumesofthecompanyassembledatthisfetemightaffordscopeforatleasthalf—a—dozenpagesoffinewriting;andwemightgive,ifneedwere,specimensoftheverysongsandmusicsungontheoccasion。DoesnottheBurneycollectionofmusic,attheBritishMuseum,affordoneanamplestoreofsongsfromwhichtochoose?AretherenotthememoirsofColleyCibber?thoseofMrs。

  Clark,thedaughterofColley?IstherenotCongreve,andFarquhar——nay,andatapinch,the\"DramaticBiography,\"oreventheSpectator,fromwhichtheobservantgeniusmightborrowpassages,andconstructprettyantiquarianfigments?Leavewethesetriflestomeanersouls!Ourbusinessisnotwiththebreechesandperiwigs,withthehoopsandpatches,butwiththedivineheartsofmen,andthepassionswhichagitatethem。Whatneed,therefore,havewetosaythatonthisevening,afterthedancing,themusic,andthefireworks,MonsieurdeGalgensteinfeltthestrangeandwelcomepangsofappetite,andwaspickingacoldchicken,alongwithsomeotherfriendsinanarbour——acoldchicken,withanaccompanimentofabottleofchampagne——whenhewasledtoremarkthataveryhandsomeplumplittleperson,inagorgeousstiffdamaskgownandpetticoat,wassaunteringupanddownthewalkrunningoppositehissupping—place,andbestowingcontinualglancestowardshisExcellency。Thelady,whoevershewas,wasinamask,suchasladiesofhighandlowfashionworeatpublicplacesinthosedays,andhadamalecompanion。Hewasaladofonlyseventeen,marvellouslywelldressed——indeed,nootherthantheCount’sownson,Mr。ThomasBillings;whohadatlengthreceivedfromhismotherthesilver—hiltedsword,andthewig,whichthataffectionateparenthadpromisedtohim。

  Inthecourseofthemonthwhichhadelapsedsincetheinterviewthathasbeendescribedintheformerchapter,Mr。Billingshadseveraltimeshadoccasiontowaitonhisfather;butthoughhehad,accordingtoherwishes,frequentlyalludedtotheexistenceofhismother,theCounthadneveratanytimeexpressedtheslightestwishtorenewhisacquaintancewiththatlady;who,ifshehadseenhim,hadonlyseenhimbystealth。

  Thefactis,thatafterBillingshadrelatedtohertheparticularsofhisfirstmeetingwithhisExcellency;whichended,likemanyofthelattervisits,innothingatall;Mrs。Hayeshadfoundsomepressingbusiness,whichcontinuallytookhertoWhitehall,andhadbeenprowlingfromdaytodayaboutMonsieurdeGalgenstein’slodgings。Fourorfivetimesintheweek,ashisExcellencysteppedintohiscoach,hemighthaveremarked,hadhechosen,awomaninablackhood,whowaslookingmosteagerlyintohiseyes:butthoseeyeshadlongsinceleftoffthepracticeofobserving;andMadamCatherine’svisitshadsofargonefornothing。

  Onthisnight,however,inspiredbygaietyanddrink,theCounthadbeenamazinglystrickenbythegaitandoglingoftheladyinthemask。TheReverendO’Flaherty,whowaswithhim,andhadobservedthefigureintheblackcloak,recognised,orthoughtherecognised,her。\"ItisthewomanwhodogsyourExcellencyeveryday,\"saidhe。

  \"Sheiswiththattailorladwholovestoseepeoplehanged——yourExcellency’sson,Imean。\"AndhewasjustabouttowarntheCountofaconspiracyevidentlymadeagainsthim,andthatthesonhadbrought,mostlikely,themothertoplayherartsuponhim——hewasjustabout,Isay,toshowtotheCountthefollyanddangerofrenewinganoldliaisonwithawomansuchashehaddescribedMrs。

  Cattobe,whenhisExcellency,startingup,andinterruptinghisghostlyadviserattheverybeginningofhissentence,said,\"Egad,l’Abbe,youareright——itISmyson,andamightysmart—lookingcreaturewithhim。Hey!Mr。What’s—your—name——Tom,yourogue,don’tyouknowyourownfather?\"Andsosaying,andcockinghisbeaverononeside,MonsieurdeGalgensteinstruttedjauntilyafterMr。

  Billingsandthelady。

  ItwasthefirsttimethattheCounthadformallyrecognisedhisson。

  \"Tom,yourogue,\"stoppedatthis,andtheCountcameup。Hehadawhitevelvetsuit,coveredoverwithstarsandorders,aneatmodestwigandbag,andpeach—colouredsilk—stockingswithsilverclasps。

  TheladyinthemaskgaveastartashisExcellencycameforward。

  \"Law,mother,don’tsqueegeso,\"saidTom。Thepoorwomanwastremblingineverylimb,butshehadpresenceofmindto\"squeege\"

  Tomagreatdealharder;andthelattertookthehint,Isuppose,andwassilent。

  ThesplendidCountcameup。Yegods,howhisembroideryglitteredinthelamps!Whataroyalexhalationofmuskandbergamotcamefromhiswig,hishandkerchief,andhisgrandlacerufflesandfrills!Abroadyellowribandpassedacrosshisbreast,andendedathishipinashiningdiamondcross——adiamondcross,andadiamondsword—hilt!Wasanythingeverseensobeautiful?Andmightnotapoorwomantremblewhensuchanoblecreaturedrewneartoher,anddeigned,fromtheheightofhisrankandsplendour,tolookdownuponher?AsJovecamedowntoSemeleinstate,inhishabitsofceremony,withallthegrandcordonsofhisordersblazingabouthisimperialperson——thusdazzling,magnificent,triumphant,thegreatGalgensteindescendedtowardsMrs。Catherine。Hercheeksglowedred—hotunderhercoyvelvetmask,herheartthumpedagainstthewhaleboneprisonofherstays。Whatadeliciousstormofvanitywasraginginherbosom!Whatarushoflong—pentrecollectionsburstforthatthesoundofthatenchantingvoice!

  Asyouwindupahundred—guineachronometerwithatwopennywatch—key——asbymeansofadirtywoodenplugyousetallthewatersofVersaillesa—raging,andsplashing,andstorming——inlikemanner,andbylikehumbleagents,wereMrs。Catherine’stumultuouspassionssetgoing。TheCount,wehavesaid,slippeduptohisson,andmerelysaying,\"Howdo,Tom?\"cuttheyounggentlemanaltogether,andpassingroundtothelady’sside,said,\"Madam,’tisacharmingevening——egaditis!\"Shealmostfainted:itwastheoldvoice。

  Therehewas,afterseventeenyears,oncemoreatherside!

  NowIknowwhatIcouldhavedone。IcanturnoutaquotationfromSophocles(bylookingtotheindex)aswellasanother:Icanthrowoffabitoffinewritingtoo,withpassion,similes,andamoralattheend。What,pray,isthelastsentencebutonebuttheveryfinestwriting?Suppose,forexample,IhadmadeMaximilian,ashestoodbythesideofCatherine,lookuptowardstheclouds,andexclaim,inthewordsofthevoluptuousCorneliusNepos,’Aenaoinephelai’ArthoomenphaneraiDroseranphusineuageetoi,k。t。l。*

  *Anglicisedversionoftheauthor’soriginalGreektext。

  Orsuppose,again,Ihadsaid,inastylestillmorepopular:——

  TheCountadvancedtowardsthemaiden。Theybothweremuteforawhile;andonlythebeatingofherheartinterruptedthatthrillingandpassionatesilence。Ah,whatyearsofburiedjoysandfears,hopesanddisappointments,arosefromtheirgravesinthefarpast,andinthosebriefmomentsflittedbeforetheunitedones!Howsadwasthatdeliciousretrospect,andoh,howsweet!Thetearsthatrolleddownthecheekofeachwerebubblesfromthechokedandmoss—grownwellsofyouth;thesighthatheavedeachbosomhadsomelurkingodoursinit——memoriesofthefragranceofboyhood,echoesofthehymnsoftheyoungheart!Thusisitever——fortheseblessedrecollectionsthesoulalwayshasaplace;andwhilecrimeperishes,andsorrowisforgotten,thebeautifulaloneiseternal。

  \"Ogoldenlegends,writtenintheskies!\"musedDeGalgenstein,\"yeshineasyedidintheoldendays!WEchange,butYEspeakeverthesamelanguage。Gazinginyourabysmaldepths,thefeebleratioci——\"

  *****

  There,now,aresixcolumns*ofthebestwritingtobefoundinthisoranyotherbook。GalgensteinhasquotedEuripidesthrice,Platoonce,Lycophronninetimes,besidesextractsfromtheLatinsyntaxandtheminorGreekpoets。Catherine’spassionateembreathingsareofthemostfashionableorder;andIcallupontheingeniouscriticoftheX————newspapertosaywhethertheydonotpossesstherealimpressofthegiantsoftheoldentime——therealPlatonicsmack,inaword?NotthatIwantintheleasttoshowoff;butitisaswell,everynowandthen,toshowthepublicwhatoneCANdo。

  (*ThereWEREsixcolumns,asmentionedbytheaccurateMr。

  Solomons;butwehavewithdrawntwopagesandthree—quarters,because,althoughourcorrespondenthasbeenexcessivelyeloquent,accordingtocustom,wewereanxioustocometothefactsofthestory。

  Mr。Solomons,bysendingtoouroffice,mayhavethecancelledpassages。——O。Y。)

  Instead,however,ofallthisrantandnonsense,howmuchfineristhespeechthattheCountreallydidmake!\"Itisaveryfineevening,——egaditis!\"The\"egad\"didthewholebusiness:Mrs。Catwasasmuchinlovewithhimnowasevershehadbeen;and,gatheringupallherenergies,shesaid,\"Itisdreadfulhottoo,I

  think;\"andwiththisshemadeacurtsey。

  \"Stifling,splitme!\"addedhisExcellency。\"Whatdoyousay,madam,toarestinanarbour,andadrinkofsomethingcool?\"

  \"Sir!\"saidthelady,drawingback。

  \"Oh,adrink——adrinkbyallmeans,\"exclaimedMr。Billings,whowastroubledwithaperpetualthirst。\"Come,mo——,Mrs。Jones,Imean。

  you’refondofaglassofcoldpunch,youknow;andtherumhereisprime,Icantellyou。\"

  TheladyinthemaskconsentedwithsomedifficultytotheproposalofMr。Billings,andwasledbythetwogentlemenintoanarbour,whereshewasseatedbetweenthem;andsomewax—candlesbeinglighted,punchwasbrought。

  Shedrankoneortwoglassesveryeagerly,andsodidhertwocompanions;althoughitwasevidenttosee,fromtheflushedlooksofbothofthem,thattheyhadlittleneedofanysuchstimulus。

  TheCount,inthemidstofhischampagne,itmustbesaid,hadbeenamazinglystrickenandscandalisedbytheappearanceofsuchayouthasBillingsinapublicplacewithaladyunderhisarm。Hewas,thereaderwillthereforeunderstand,inthemoralstageofliquor;

  andwhenheissuedout,itwasnotmerelywiththeintentionofexaminingMr。Billings’sfemalecompanion,butofadministeringtohimsomesoundcorrectionforventuring,athisearlyperiodoflife,toformanysuchacquaintances。OnjoiningBillings,hisExcellency’sfirststepwasnaturallytoexaminethelady。Aftertheyhadbeensittingforawhileovertheirpunch,hebethoughthimofhisoriginalpurpose,andbegantoaddressanumberofmoralremarkstohisson。

  WehavealreadygivensomespecimensofMonsieurdeGalgenstein’ssoberconversation;anditishardlynecessarytotroublethereaderwithanyfurtherreportsofhisspeeches。Theywereintolerablystupidanddull;asegotisticalashismorninglecturehadbeen,andahundredtimesmoreramblingandprosy。IfCathadbeeninthepossessionofhersobersenses,shewouldhaveseeninfiveminutesthatherancientloverwasaninny,andhavelefthimwithscorn;

  butshewasunderthecharmofoldrecollections,andthesoundofthatsillyvoicewastohermagical。AsforMr。Billings,heallowedhisExcellencytocontinuehisprattle;onlyfrowning,yawning,cursingoccasionally,butdrinkingcontinually。

  SotheCountdescantedatlengthupontheenormityofyoungBillings’searlyliaisons;andthenhetoldhisown,intheyearfour,withaburgomaster’sdaughteratRatisbon,whenhewasintheElectorofBavaria’sservice——then,afterBlenheim,whenhehadcomeovertotheDukeofMarlborough,whenaphysician’swifeatBonnpoisonedherselfforhim,etc。etc。;ofapiecewiththestoryofthecanoness,whichhasbeenrecordedbefore。Allthetalesweretrue。Aclever,uglymaneverynowandthenissuccessfulwiththeladies;butahandsomefoolisirresistible。Mrs。Catlistenedandlistened。Goodheavens!shehadheardallthesetalesbefore,andrecollectedtheplaceandthetime——howshewashemmingahandkerchiefforMax;whocameroundandkissedher,vowingthatthephysician’swifewasnothingcomparedtoher——howhewastired,andlyingonthesofa,justcomehomefromshooting。Howhandsomehelooked!Catthoughthewasonlythehandsomernow;andlookedmoregraveandthoughtful,thedearfellow!

  Thegardenwasfilledwithavastdealofcompanyofallkinds,andpartieswerepassingeverymomentbeforethearbourwhereourtriosat。Abouthalf—an—hourafterhisExcellencyhadquittedhisownboxandparty,theRev。Mr。O’Flahertycamediscreetlyround,toexaminetheproceedingsofhisdiplomaticalchef。Theladyinthemaskwaslisteningwithallhermight;Mr。Billingswasdrawingfiguresonthetablewithpunch;andtheCounttalkingincessantly。

  TheFatherConfessorlistenedforamoment;andthen,withsomethingresemblinganoath,walkedawaytotheentryofthegardens,wherehisExcellency’sgiltcoach,withthreefootmen,waswaitingtocarryhimbacktoLondon。\"Getmeachair,Joseph,\"saidhisReverence,whoinfinitelypreferredaseatgratisinthecoach。

  \"Thatfool,\"mutteredhe,\"willnotmoveforthishour。\"Thereverendgentlemanknewthat,whentheCountwasonthesubjectofthephysician’swife,hisdiscourseswereintolerablylong;andtookuponhimself,therefore,todisappear,alongwiththerestoftheCount’sparty;whoprocuredotherconveyances,andreturnedtotheirhomes。

  AfterthisquietshadowhadpassedbeforetheCount’sbox,manygroupsofpersonspassedandrepassed;andamongthemwasnootherthanMrs。PollyBriggs,towhomwehavebeenalreadyintroduced。

  Mrs。Pollywasincompanywithoneortwootherladies,andleaningonthearmofagentlemanwithlargeshouldersandcalves,afiercecocktohishat,andashabbygenteelair。HisnamewasMr。Moffat,andhispresentoccupationwasthatofdoorkeeperatagambling—

  houseinCoventGarden;where,thoughhesawmanythousandspassdailyunderhiseyes,hisownsalaryamountedtonomorethanfour—and—sixpenceweekly,——asumquiteinsufficienttomaintainhimintherankwhichheheld。

  Mr。Moffathad,however,receivedsomefunds——amountingindeed,toamatteroftwelveguineas——withinthelastmonth,andwastreatingMrs。Briggsverygenerouslytotheconcert。ItmaybeaswelltosaythateveryoneofthetwelveguineashadcomeoutofMrs。

  Polly’sownpocket;who,inreturn,hadreceivedthemfromMr。

点击下载App,搜索"Catherine",免费读到尾