| 495 | 496 | 497 | 498 | 499 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
'Snobby's in this, I see, Sir?' he said to Mr Abel Garland. 'I thought he
wasn't in the last trip because it was expected that his presence
wouldn't be acceptable to the ancient buffalo.'
'
'
'
To whom, Sir?' demanded Mr Abel.
To the old gentleman,' returned Mr Chuckster, slightly abashed.
Our client prefers to take him now,' said Mr Abel, drily. 'There is no
longer any need for that precaution, as my father's relationship to a
gentleman in whom the objects of his search have full confidence, will
be a sufficient guarantee for the friendly nature of their errand.'
'Ah!' thought Mr Chuckster, looking out of window, 'anybody but me!
Snobby before me, of course. He didn't happen to take that particular
five-pound note, but I have not the smallest doubt that he's always up
to something of that sort. I always said it, long before this came out.
Devilish pretty girl that! 'Pon my soul, an amazing little creature!'
Barbara was the subject of Mr Chuckster's commendations; and as
she was lingering near the carriage (all being now ready for its
departure), that gentleman was suddenly seized with a strong interest
in the proceedings, which impelled him to swagger down the garden,
and take up his position at a convenient ogling distance. Having had
great experience of the sex, and being perfectly acquainted with all
those little artifices which find the readiest road to their hearts, Mr
Chuckster, on taking his ground, planted one hand on his hip, and
with the other adjusted his flowing hair. This is a favourite attitude in
the polite circles, and, accompanied with a graceful whistling, has
been known to do immense execution.
Such, however, is the difference between town and country, that
nobody took the smallest notice of this insinuating figure; the
wretches being wholly engaged in bidding the travellers farewell, in
kissing hands to each other, waving handkerchiefs, and the like tame
and vulgar practices. For now the single gentleman and Mr Garland
were in the carriage, and the post-boy was in the saddle, and Kit, well
wrapped and muffled up, was in the rumble behind; and Mrs Garland
was there, and Mr Abel was there, and Kit's mother was there, and
little Jacob was there, and Barbara's mother was visible in remote
perspective, nursing the ever-wakeful baby; and all were nodding,
beckoning, curtseying, or crying out, 'Good bye!' with all the energy
they could express. In another minute, the carriage was out of sight;
and Mr Chuckster remained alone on the spot where it had lately
been, with a vision of Kit standing up in the rumble waving his hand
to Barbara, and of Barbara in the full light and lustre of his eyes - his
eyes - Chuckster's - Chuckster the successful - on whom ladies of
Page
Quick Jump
|