Madame Mélanie having, in a moment of forgetfulness, returned to her old
habits, and abstracted a small casket from the house of one of her
customers, is expiating her crimes in a spot set aside for such
purposes. Count Rabelais has disappeared from the social horizon, and is
supposed to be gaining an honest livelihood as a courier.
Madame Carron, under the advice of Dr Leadbitter, laid aside her family
pride, and married a very respectable impresario, who turns her talents
to advantage, and lays by her earnings for that rainy day to which
managers more than ordinary mortals are liable. Lady Coxe will not
contract any more debts, though she still nourishes a partiality for
port. Florence married on the same day as her sister, and Letitia seems
likely to justify the surmise of Count Rabelais, by blessing the hearth
of Mr Whiting.
OUR NEW DOCTOR.
There was great excitement at Mudford when it was ascertained beyond a
doubt that we were really going to have a New Doctor. Poor old Mole, who
was bidding fair to shortly attain the proud position of “Oldest
Inhabitant,” had at length found it useless to struggle longer with his
infirmities, and had advertised his practice for sale to the best
bidder. I don’t think he would ever have given in; but his old pony,
which had carried him well and faithfully for more than twenty years,
was gone at last, and he felt that he could never mount another. His
hands were so crippled that he could not drive; and, besides, he had no
horse and gig—nor would his practice pay for keeping one; and as for
walking, the state of his poor old feet and legs rendered that quite out
of the question. So he did the best thing he could do—sold his practice;
and, in spite of the teetotallers, I verily believe that, if he had
stopped at Mudford and spent the whole of his time, as he had previously
spent nine-tenths of it, with his gin-and-water and pipe, in his own
special corner at the White Hart, he would be there, as well as ever, at
the present moment, and would be able to enjoy many a good growl, and
tell many a prosy tale, for years to come yet. But, alas! he did not
stop here. He left the old place altogether, and retired to his native
village, to be killed with care and fidgets by three old maiden sisters.
Poor old Mole! He had come into Mudford I don’t know how many years
ago—for it was before even my time—a smart, buckish, good-looking young
fellow, in top-boots and spotless white neckcloth; telling a good story,
singing a good song, fond of the ladies, fond of his glass, fond of
sport, and up to any hounds. But, dear me! it was all changed, except
the neckcloth and the glass, which endured to the end; and he left the
place a poor, testy, prosy, gouty old bachelor, with no one to care for
or regard him, except the few who remembered what he had been, or who
took the trouble to look for the genuine good qualities which lay
beneath the prickly outer rind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account