English fiction -- 19th century; Tailors -- Fiction
Of this great festival be it simply told that the supply was copious
and of good quality—much too good and copious for a bankrupt host: that
Evan and Mr. John Raikes were formally introduced to Old Tom before the
repast commenced, and welcomed some three minutes after he had decided
the flavour of his first glass; that Mr. Raikes in due time preferred
his petition for release from a dreadful engagement, and furnished vast
amusement to the company under Old Tom’s hand, until, by chance, he
quoted a scrap of Latin, at which the brothers Cogglesby, who would
have faced peers and princes without being disconcerted, or performing
mental genuflexions, shut their mouths and looked injured, unhappy, and
in the presence of a superior: Mr. Raikes not being the man to spare
them. Moreover, a surprise was afforded to Evan. Andrew stated to Old
Tom that the hospitality of Main Street, Lymport,—was open to him.
Strange to say, Old Tom accepted it on the spot, observing, “You’re
master of the house—can do what you like, if you’re man enough,” and
adding that he thanked him, and would come in a day or two. The case of
Mr. Raikes was still left uncertain, for as the bottle circulated, he
exhibited such a faculty for apt, but to the brothers, totally
incomprehensible quotation, that they fled from him without leaving him
time to remember what special calamity was on his mind, or whether this
earth was other than an abode conceived in great jollity for his
life-long entertainment.
CHAPTER XLII.
JULIANA
The sick night-light burned steadily in Juliana’s chamber. On a couch,
beside her bed, Caroline lay sleeping, tired with a long watch. Two
sentences had been passed on Juliana: one on her heart: one on her
body: “Thou art not loved”; and, “Thou must die.” The frail passion of
her struggle against her destiny was over with her. Quiet as that quiet
which Nature was taking her to, her body reposed. Calm as the solitary
night-light before her open eyes, her spirit was wasting away. “If I am
not loved, then let me die!” In such a sense she bowed to her fate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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