The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

ee ae é THE STEAM PACKET. 233 tially acknowledge the influence of cupid-ity. If in time we should come to terms, my affection shall only experience abatement by death. By the znventory of your amiable qualifications, I am wholly engrossed ; and I am of opinion that should you grant me: a collate- ral promise to pay my addresses, you would not prove a demurrer, nor make a false return. If you, therefore, are willing to become a jot tenant, with the present zxcumbent, I should consider the bond of union as a serious obligation not to put any cross questions. To make your rule absolute, let us avoid for once the law’s delay, by having, in brief, a conveyance drawn up, and prepare to start for Paris as a set-off. We are the only parties to the deed, consequently none have a right to stay proceedings. ** Anxiously awaiting your reply, I have the honour to remain, madam, | ‘“¢ Your obedient humble servant, ** Lyrrneton Latrrat.”’ Miss Belinda read this precious composition three times, and then jumped as often over a footstool. Her next impulse was to show the letter to her father, who, in his turn, transferred it, after perusal, to Mr. Buckram. This gentleman duly digested its contents, and was at length enabled to obtain an insight into the lawyer’s meaning. “< Leave this to me,” said the tailor to Mr. Pifpaf: “no one has a right to act as Bell’s champion but me. By Gad! I wouldn’t advise this miserable pettifogger to come within the reach of my fists!” ‘Pray do not involve yourself in any dilemma, my lord!” urged Mr. Pifpaf. ‘Trust me!’ ejaculated the tailor. ‘‘ Why—how do you think I once served the Turkish Ambassador, when he dared to wink his wicked old eye at a young Jady whom I was escorting at the moment down Regent Street ;—how do you think I served his Excellency ? ” ‘“‘How ?” said Mr. Pifpaf, whose curiosity was evidently deeply excited. A ‘¢ Why—lI went to his house in the evening, when he was at dinner, and insisted upon seeing him. ‘ You winked your eye,’ said J, going up to him as he was sitting at the head of his table carving a goose, with a napkin tucked all the way up to his chin, and his beard flowing over it into the gravy,—‘* you winked your eye at a young lady who was under my protection this morning.’—‘ Mashallah !’ ejaculated the’ Turk ; ‘1 don’t know what you mean.’—‘ It is a serious thing,’ said 1; ‘and nothing but the most abject apology will suffice. —‘ There is but one God, and Mohammed is his Prophet!’ murmured the old Mus- Gomichbooks (E(0)