The Romany Rye

atching at Words - The Two Females - Dressing of Hair - T

uineas: his breeches were of a stuff half velveteen, half corduroy, the cords exceedingly broad. He had leggings of buff cloth, furred at the bottom; and upon his feet were highlows. Under his left arm was a long, black whalebone riding-whip, with a red lash, and an immense silver knob. Upon his head was a hat with a high peak, somewhat of the kind which the Spaniards call calane, so much in favour with the bravos of Seville and Madrid. Now, when I have added that Mr. Petulengro had on a very fine white holland shirt, I think I have d

hovahanee, an

len is Petu

me ashamed of you with your vulgar ditties. We are come a

hy bring what's low to the ding

ought that catching at words had been confined to

n for an hour or two to the discourse of a set they call newspaper editors, and if you don't go out and eat grass as a dog does when he is sick, I am no female woman. The young lord whose hand I refused when I took up with wise Jasper, once brought two of the

ings for the present. Pray take your seat on this stool, wh

t upon your coming forthwith, and showing proper courtesy to your visitors. If you do not their feelings will be hurt, and you are aware that I cannot bear that people's feelings should be outraged. Come this moment, or -' 'Or what?' said Belle, half smiling. 'I was about to say something in Armenian,' said I. 'Well,' said Belle, laying down her work,

ll upon his wife. Both these females were very handsome - but how unlike! Belle fair, with blue eyes and flaxen hair, Mrs. Petulengro with olive complexion, eyes black, and hair dark - as dark could be. Belle, in demeanour calm and proud, the gypsy graceful, but full of movement and agitation. And then, how different were those two in stature! The head of the Romany rawnie scarcely

his gentlewoman, a pity he didn't come, quotha? not at all, the fellow is a sneak, afraid of his w

is able to knock him down either one way or the other. I have heard of her often enough, and have seen her once or twice, though not so near as now. Well, ma'am, my wife and I are come to

im; you had better mind what you say,' sai

better fellow-lodger you cannot have, or a more instructive, especially if you have a desire to be ino

othing but this kind of conversation I must leave you, as I am go

been here, which was that we came to pay our respects to you. We have dressed ourselves in our best Roman way, in order to do honour to you; perhaps

,' said Belle; 'people should keep to the

ungenteel; in fact, I once heard the wife of a rich citizen say that gypsies were vulgar creatures. I should have taken her saying very much to heart, but for her improper pronunciation; she could not pronounce her words, madam, which we gypsies, as they call us, usually can, so I thought she was no very high purchase. You are very b

id Belle withdrawing her hand; 'I t

of condescension. You are very beautiful, madam, and I think you doubly so, because you are so fair; I have a great est

ake up with me?' said Mr. Petulengro; 'tha

dings. I sometimes think that had I not been something of a simpleton, I might at this time be a great court lady

ngry with you,' said Belle, giving

and wishes to do you honour; do oblige her and me too, for I sh

as a nose of his own, which he keeps tolerably exalted; he does not think small-beer of himself, madam; and all the time I have been with him, I never heard him ask a favour before; therefore, madam, I am sure you will oblige him. My sister Ursu

e for catching at words, catching at

doing so. I am no conceited body; no newspaper Neddy; no pot-house witty person. I was about to say, madam, that if the young rye asks

,' said Belle; 'the young rye, a

d Mrs. Petulengro; 'do allow me

; 'however, as you came to see me, and ask th

tenance. Should you ever go to the great city, among the grand folks, you would make a sensation, madam. I have made one myself, who am dark; the chi she is kauley, 58 which last word signifies black, which I am not

nversation. 'Any news stirring, Mr. Petulengro?' said I.

ted to take place; and then they are trying all they can to prevent the fight between the lion and the dogs, 60 which they say is a disgrace to a Christian country. Now, I can't say that I have any quarrel with the religious party and the Evangelicals; they ar

g else?'

eel very comfortable; for I thought to myself, what a queer place such a road would be to pitch one's tent upon, and how impossible it would be for one's cattle to find a bite of grass upon it; and I thought likewise of the danger to which one's family would be exposed of being run over and severely scorched by these same flying, fiery vehicles; so I made bold to say, that I hoped such an invention would never be countenanced, because it was likely to do a great deal of harm. Whereupon, one of the men, giving me a glance, said, without taking the pipe out of his mouth, that for his part, he sincerely hoped that it would take effect; and if it did no other good than stopping the rambles of gypsies, and other like scamps, it ought to be encouraged. Well, brother, feeling myself insulted, I put my hand into my pocket, in order to pull out money, intending to challenge him to fight for a five-shilling stake, but merely found sixpence, having left all my other money

think Belle was improved in appearance by having submitted to the ministry of Mrs. Petulengro's hand. Nature never intended Belle to appear as a gypsy; she had made her too proud and serious. A more proper part for her was that of a heroine, a queenly heroine - that of Theresa of

you do everybody will be in love with you.' 'No,' said Belle, 'hitherto I have allowed you to do what you please, but henceforth I shall have my own way. Come, come,' said she, observing that the gypsy was about to speak, 'we have had enough of nonsense, whenever I leave this hollow it will be wearing my hair in my own fashion.' 'Come, wife,' said Mr. Petulengro, 'we will no longer intrude upon the rye and rawnie, there is such a thing as being troublesome.' Thereupon Mr. Petulengro and his wife took their leave, with many salutations. 'Then you are going?' said I, when Belle and I were left alone. 'Yes,' said Belle, 'I am going on a journey, my affairs compel me.' 'But you will return again?' said I. 'Yes,' said Belle, 'I shall return once more.' 'Once more,' said I, 'what do you mean by once more? The Petulengros 62 will soon be gone, and will you abandon me in this place?' 'You were alone here,' said Belle, 'before I came, and I suppose, found it agreeable, or you would not have stayed in it.' 'Yes,' said I, 'that was before I knew you; but having lived with you here, I should be very loth to live here without you.' 'Indeed,' said