| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
|
exchanged snuff-boxes, and looked very much like a pair of Alexander
Selkirks - 'Monarchs of all they surveyed.'
While the aristocracy of the place - the Bulders, and Clubbers, and
Snipes - were thus preserving their dignity at the upper end of the
room, the other classes of society were imitating their example in
other parts of it. The less aristocratic officers of the 97th devoted
themselves to the families of the less important functionaries from the
dockyard. The solicitors' wives, and the wine-merchant's wife, headed
another grade (the brewer's wife visited the Bulders); and Mrs.
Tomlinson, the post-office keeper, seemed by mutual consent to have
been chosen the leader of the trade party.
One of the most popular personages, in his own circle, present, was a
little fat man, with a ring of upright black hair round his head, and an
extensive bald plain on the top of it - Doctor Slammer, surgeon to the
9
7th. The doctor took snuff with everybody, chatted with everybody,
laughed, danced, made jokes, played whist, did everything, and was
everywhere. To these pursuits, multifarious as they were, the little
doctor added a more important one than any - he was indefatigable in
paying the most unremitting and devoted attention to a little old
widow, whose rich dress and profusion of ornament bespoke her a
most desirable addition to a limited income.
Upon the doctor, and the widow, the eyes of both Mr Tupman and his
companion had been fixed for some time, when the stranger broke
silence.
'Lots of money - old girl - pompous doctor - not a bad idea - good fun,'
were the intelligible sentences which issued from his lips. Mr Tupman
looked inquisitively in his face. 'I'll dance with the widow,' said the
stranger.
'Who is she?' inquired Mr Tupman.
'Don't know - never saw her in all my life - cut out the doctor - here
goes.' And the stranger forthwith crossed the room; and, leaning
against a mantel-piece, commenced gazing with an air of respectful
and melancholy admiration on the fat countenance of the little old
lady. Mr Tupman looked on, in mute astonishment. The stranger
progressed rapidly; the little doctor danced with another lady; the
widow dropped her fan; the stranger picked it up, and presented it - a
smile - a bow - a curtsey - a few words of conversation. The stranger
walked boldly up to, and returned with, the master of the ceremonies;
a little introductory pantomime; and the stranger and Mrs. Budger
took their places in a quadrille. The surprise of Mr Tupman at this
summary proceeding, great as it was, was immeasurably exceeded by
the astonishment of the doctor. The stranger was young, and the
Page
Quick Jump
|