Part 46 (1/2)
”C****s, thy house in Lombard Street Affords thee still employment meet, Thy consequence retaining; For there thy Partners and thy Clerks Must listen to thy sage remarks, Subservient, uncomplaining.
And rob'd in Aldermanic gown, With look and language all thy own, Thou mak'st thy hearers stare, When this here cause, so wisely tried, Thou put'st with self-applause aside, To wisely try that there.
Nor can thy brother Cits forget When thou at civic banquet sate, And ask'd of Heaven a boon, A toast is call'd, on thee all eyes Intent, when peals of laughter rise-- A speedy peace and soon!
Nor yet orthography nor grammar, Vain effort on thy pate to hammer, Impregnable that fort is!
Witness thy toast again,--Three Cs; For who would think that thou by these Meant c.o.x, and King, and Curtis C****s, though scant thy sense, yet Heaven To thee the better boon hast given Or wealth--then sense despise, And deem not Fate's decrees amiss, For still ”where ignorance is bliss 'Tis folly to be wise!”
~350~~ ”Bravo!” exclaimed Dashall; ”re-issue your Prospectus, my friend, and we will accelerate, with our best interest and influence, the publication of your volume. Let it be dedicated to the Hon. Tom Dashall and his Cousin Bob Tallyho. In the meanwhile, accept this trifle, as a complimentary _douceur_ uniformly given on such occasions; and, amidst the varied scenes of Real Life in London, I shall frequently recur to the present as the most gratifying to my feelings.”
”By this the sun was out of sight, And darker gloamin brought the night.”
The benevolent a.s.sociates now departed, pleased with the occurrences of the day, and, more than all, with the last, wherein the opportunity was afforded them of extending consolation and relief to genius in adversity!~351~~
CHAPTER XXII
........”Mark!
He who would cut the knot that does entwine And link two loving hearts in unison, May have man's form; but at his birth, be sure on't, Some devil thrust sweet nature's hand aside Ere she had pour'd her balm within his breast, To warm his gross and earthly mould with pity.
.......I know what 'tis When worldly knaves step in with silver beards, To poison bliss, and pluck young souls asunder.”
TOM and his Cousin were surprised the next morning by a visit from Mr. Mortimer and his friend Merrywell, whose dismal features and long visages plainly indicated some unpleasant disaster, and Tom began to fear blame would be attached to them for leaving his party at Darkhouse Lane.
”Pray,” said Merrywell, ”can you tell me where to find your friend Sparkle?”
”Indeed,” replied Dashall, a little relieved by this question, ”I am not Sparkle's keeper; but pray be seated--what is the matter, is it a duel, do you want a second?--I know he is a good shot.”
”This levity, Sir,” said Mortimer, ”is not to be borne. The honour of a respectable family is at stake, and must be satisfied. No doubt you, as his very oldest friend, know where he is; and I desire you will immediately inform me, or------”
”Sir,” said Dashall, who was as averse as unused to be desired by any person--”do you know whom you address, and that I am in my own house?
if you do, you have certainly discarded all propriety of conduct and language before you cross'd the threshold.”
”Gentlemen,” said Merrywell, ”perhaps some explanation is really necessary here. My friend Mortimer speaks under agonized feelings, for which, I am sure, your good sense will make every allowance. Miss Mortimer------”
”Miss Mortimer,” exclaimed Dashall, rising from his ~352~~ seat, ”you interest me strongly, say, what of Miss Mortimer?”
”Alas,” said Mortimer, evidently endeavouring to suppress emotions which appeared to agitate his whole frame, and absorb every mental faculty, ”we are unable to account for her absence, and strongly suspect she is in company with your friend Sparkle--can you give us any information relative to either of them?”
Dashall a.s.sured them he knew nothing of the fugitives, but that he would certainly make every inquiry in his power, if possible to find out Sparkle. Upon which they departed, though not without hinting they expected Tom had the power of making a search more effectually than either Mortimer or Merrywell.
”Egad!” said Tom to Tallyho, ”this absence of Sparkle means something more than I can at present conceive; and it appears that we must now venture forth in search of our guide. I hope he has taken a good direction himself.”
”Mortimer appears hurt,” continued Bob, ”and I can scarcely wonder at it.”
”It is a trifle in high life now-a-days,” replied Dashall, ”and my life for it we shall obtain some clue to his mode of operation before the day is out. Love is a species of madness, and oftentimes induces extraordinary movements. I have discovered its existence in his breast for some time past, and if he is really with the lady, I wonder myself that he has not given some sort of intimation; though I know he is very cautious in laying his plans, and very tenacious of admitting too many persons to know his intentions, for fear of some indiscreet friend unintentionally frustrating his designs.”
”I apprehend we shall have a wild-goose chase of it,” rejoined Bob.