| 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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'
He is a strolling actor!' said the lieutenant contemptuously, turning to
Doctor Slammer. - 'He acts in the piece that the officers of the 52nd
get up at the Rochester Theatre to-morrow night. You cannot proceed
in this affair, Slammer - impossible!'
'
Quite!' said the dignified Payne.
'
Sorry to have placed you in this disagreeable situation,' said
Lieutenant Tappleton, addressing Mr Pickwick; 'allow me to suggest,
that the best way of avoiding a recurrence of such scenes in future
will be to be more select in the choice of your companions. Good-
evening, Sir!' and the lieutenant bounced out of the room.
'
And allow me to say, Sir,' said the irascible Doctor Payne, 'that if I
had been Tappleton, or if I had been Slammer, I would have pulled
your nose, Sir, and the nose of every man in this company. I would,
sir - every man. Payne is my name, sir - Doctor Payne of the 43rd.
Good-evening, Sir.' Having concluded this speech, and uttered the last
three words in a loud key, he stalked majestically after his friend,
closely followed by Doctor Slammer, who said nothing, but contented
himself by withering the company with a look. Rising rage and
extreme bewilderment had swelled the noble breast of Mr Pickwick,
almost to the bursting of his waistcoat, during the delivery of the
above defiance. He stood transfixed to the spot, gazing on vacancy.
The closing of the door recalled him to himself. He rushed forward
with fury in his looks, and fire in his eye. His hand was upon the lock
of the door; in another instant it would have been on the throat of
Doctor Payne of the 43rd, had not Mr Snodgrass seized his revered
leader by the coat tail, and dragged him backwards.
'Restrain him,' cried Mr Snodgrass; 'Winkle, Tupman - he must not
peril his distinguished life in such a cause as this.'
'Let me go,' said Mr Pickwick.
'
Hold him tight,' shouted Mr Snodgrass; and by the united efforts of
the whole company, Mr Pickwick was forced into an arm-chair. 'Leave
him alone,' said the green-coated stranger; 'brandy- and-water - jolly
old gentleman - lots of pluck - swallow this - ah! - capital stuff.'
Having previously tested the virtues of a bumper, which had been
mixed by the dismal man, the stranger applied the glass to Mr
Pickwick's mouth; and the remainder of its contents rapidly
disappeared.
There was a short pause; the brandy-and-water had done its work;
the amiable countenance of Mr Pickwick was fast recovering its
customary expression.
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