The History of Samuel Titmarsh, and The Great Hoggarty Diamond

place; with handsome lawns sloping down to the river, handsome shrubberies and conservatories, fine stables, outhouses, kitchen-gard

coat and gold lace, with Brough's crest on the buttons, brought me a silver shaving-pot of hot water on a silver tray; and a gra

fair-haired woman, in light blue satin; then to his daughter, a tall, thin, d

, "this young gentleman is one o

ys Belinda, toss

your aristocratic airs with him. He is a nephew of the Countess of Drum; and I

me very hard, and said she would try and make the Rookery pleasant to any friend of Papa's. "We have not much monde to-day," continued Mi

shionable girl, from her using

dently as proud of her as a man could be. "Isn't she a fine gir

or I was thinking all the while how "Somebody" was a

est love been doing a

a little to Captain Fizgig's f

d the harp, and touchéd the piano, and égratignéd the guitar, and écorchéd a song

ies Mrs. Brough, "

nderstand French!" says M

, to have some lessons; or at least get up a couple of dozen phrases, and introduce them into your conversation here and there. I s

r," says I, "knowing

rybody has not voyagé like nous autres, hey? Mais que voulez-vous, my good sir? you mu

? Je n'en s?ais

a-million. Is there any man in the House better listened to than John Brough? Is there any duke in the land that can give a better dinner than John Brough; or a larger fortune to his daughter than John Brough? Why, sir, the humble person now speaking to you could buy out many a German duke! But I'm not proud-

nd round his neck instead of a handkerchief, and his collars turned down like Lord Byron. He was lean

gh, seizing her husband's hand and kissi

ide, except in you and my daughter here-my two Bells, as I call them! This is the way that we live, T

t the hand fall, and heaved from her ample bosom a great large sigh. I felt a liking for that

Captain Fizgig, because that gentleman had offered his arm to Mrs. Brough. He sat on the right of Mrs. Brough, and Mi

ual boiled turkey? It was real turtle-soup: the first time I had ever tasted it; and I remarked how Mrs. B., who insisted on helping it, gave al

ch cook for those who are not of my way of thinking. I'm no egotist, look you; I've no prejudices;

hose. Brough made especially a boast of drinking beer; and, when the ladies retired, said, "Gentlemen, Tiggins will give

so," whispered

ays the Captain. "That other claret we had yester

llow seal much better tha

Mr. Tidd was, and wh

orious creature

sir?"

"Did mortal ever look upon eyes like h

d a little less eyebrow. They look vicious, those scowling eyebrows,

rkably good clar

" says the Captain. "Volto sciolto, eh?

st man in the city of Londo

his day fortnight, when I'm of a

ow?"

em-a considerable property, sir, on the 14th

he was a ta

education, and have the feelings of a gentleman; as much-ay,

!" says the Captain, d

nd Mr. Brough has been so good as to say he can get me twelve hundred a

lesex, sir?" says

friend of my family, sir, and he has taken a great liking to me; and he says that with my talents I ought to

I used to lick you at school, who ever would have

or my name's not Brough! You shall have six per cent. for your money, or never believe me! But as for my daughter-ask her, and not me. You, or the Captain

st sank off to sleep again, pointed archly at h

e Captain sang songs with Miss Brough; Tidd looked at her and said nothing; I looked at prints, and Mrs. Brough sat knitting stockings for the poor. The Captain was sneering openly

ine we all assembled in the breakfast-room, where Mr. Brough read prayers, a chapter, and made an exhortation afterwards, to us and all the members of the hous

the religious part of Mr. Brough's behaviour: suffice it, that religion was always on his lips; that he went to church thrice every Sunday, when he had not a party; and if he did not talk religion with us when we were alone, had a great deal to say upon the subject upon occasions, as I found one day when we had a Quaker and Dissenter party to dine, and when his talk was as grave as that of any minister present. Tidd was not there that day,-for nothing could make him forsake his Byron riband or refrain from wearing his coll

seemed always delighted to see him. One day I met him as I was

want some information that you can give. Tell me, in the first place, if you will-and upon my honour it shall go no farther-

mother, who is very poor, devoted a small sum of money that came to us to the purchase of an annuity for herself and a provision for me. The matter was debated by the family and our attorneys, Messrs. Hodge and Smithers, who are very well known in our part of the country; and it was agreed on all hands that my mother could not do better with her money for all

persuade you

business will come to us that way. But we must work ourselves as well. Every single shareholder and officer of the establishment must exert himself, and bring us customers,-no matter for how little they are engaged-engage them: that is the great point.' And accordingly our Director makes all his friends and servants shareholders: his very lodge

awkward, M

l in just at the very moment when he had need of me; and he hopes to gain over my family through me. He told me as much as we drove down. 'You are a man of the world, Titmarsh,' said he; 'you know that I don't give

make Brough so eager for such a sm

e-market have for increasing their connection. Mr. Brough, sir, would canvass and wheedle a chimney-sweep in the way of business. See, here is poor T

e he runs off wi

England runs off! But here we are at the lodge-gate. Let's ask Gates,

atter cleverly, "you are one of my masters

g. He was a retired servant, with a l

Gates, that you can lay by so much mon

ghters into service, two of his sons to charity schools, made one apprentice, and narrated a hundred other benefits that he had received from the family. Mrs. Brough clothe

Brough gives to these people fifty times as much as he gains f

ow; and I confess your argument sounds well. Now tell me,

t I suppose the Captain saw some particular expre

nk she's dear at the price. Well, I

so bold, Captain Fizgig, a

wenty thousand pounds;" and he went back t

give his word that the engagement should be kept secret for a few months. And Captain F. only made a confidant of me, and the mess, as he said: but this was after Tidd had paid his twenty thousand pounds over to our governor, which he did punctually when he came of age. The same day, too, he proposed for the young lady, and I need not say was rejected. Presently the Captain's engagement began to be whispered about

name, paying me many compliments upon my honesty and talent; of which, she said, Mr. Brough had given her the most flattering account. And at the same time my aunt informed me that at her death the shares should be my own. This gave me a great weight i

id Brough to me; "do you know w

money, to be sur

ook all Abednego's tales for gospel. That was the reason you got the place, mark you, and not on account of your miserable three thousand pounds. Well, sir, a fortnight after you were with us at Fulham, I met Preston in the House, and made a merit of having given the place to his cousin. 'Confound the insolent scoundrel!' said he; 'he my cousin! I suppose you take all old Drum's

aunt's di

in the side and going out of the way.