The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

ES ee ae ee a aaa eae a, a ee . wan, ag ahd THE STEAM PACKET. | 273 ¢ lady. There was not the slightest sentiment between them which deserved the name of affection. Belinda was anxious to become Lady Noodleton, of Diddleham Hall, Notown; and Mr. Buckram was de- sirous of living upon Mr. Pifpaf for the remainder of his days. But still the tailor was conceited enough to imagine that his fair companion was more enamoured of his person than his supposed rank; and he calculated with confidence upon being able to retain his influence over her by means of “ himself alone,’’ even when the delusion relative to his rank should be dissipated. And that the secret must now be revealed he well knew; for, bold as he was in the paths of imposture and deceit, he did not dare entertain the idea of carrying his assumed title along with his intended bride up to the very altar of God. He ac- cordingly resolved to get over this most unpleasant part of the whole adventure without delay; and scarcely had the post-chaise left Bou- logne behind it, when he entered upon the explanation in the following manner :— ‘* Courage, my sweet Belinda—courage! Why do you sighand sob $0?” | ‘My poor father and my mother are in my thoughts,”’ answered the weeping girl. “Oh! what will they think—what will they say, when they miss me ?”’ ““Why, missing me too, dearest,” ejaculated the tailor, ‘‘ they will see through the dodge ina moment. But I took my measures so well, that they can no more obtain a trace of us than I could make a pair of breeches without any seams.” “Ah! my lord ——” “Do drop the title, my dear Belinda,” interrupted the tailor, some- what pettishly; ‘‘I can’t bear to hear it come from your lips—from the lips of the woman I love—from the lips of her who should possess all my confidence, and know all my secrets—and whom I mean to stick to as tight—as—as a surtout-coat to a dandy who wears stays.”’ * Well, then, since it will please you,” murmured Belinda, reclining her head upon his shoulder at the same time—for the deluded girl really imagined that she was deeply in love with her companion— ‘since it will please you, I will call you by a more endearing term. Tell me—shall we be very happy together ?—and shall you not be _ashamed to introduce the daughter of a retired tradesman to all your high and rich acquaintances ?” - “Tell me, Belinda,” said the tailor, pressing her hand, *“ should you be happier if we were more equal in respect to our situations in life—I mean, if either I was a tradesman or you were a lady of birth ——” | T Gomichbooks (E(0)