Room in the Dragon Volant | Page 2

of a rather picturesque little town, the name of
which, as of many more important places through which I posted in my
hurried journey, I forget, and about two hours before sunset, that we
came up with a carriage in distress.
It was not quite an upset. But the two leaders were lying flat. The
booted postilions had got down, and two servants who seemed very
much at sea in such matters, were by way of assisting them. A pretty
little bonnet and head were popped out of the window of the carriage in
distress. Its tournure, and that of the shoulders that also appeared for a
moment, was captivating: I resolved to play the part of a good
Samaritan; stopped my chaise, jumped out, and with my servant lent a
very willing hand in the emergency. Alas! the lady with the pretty
bonnet wore a very thick black veil. I could see nothing but the pattern
of the Brussels lace as she drew back.
A lean old gentleman, almost at the same time, stuck his head out of the
window. An invalid he seemed, for although the day was hot he wore a
black muffler which came up to his ears and nose, quite covering the
lower part of his face, an arrangement which he disturbed by pulling it
down for a moment, and poured forth a torrent of French thanks, as he
uncovered his black wig, and gesticulated with grateful animation.
One of my very few accomplishments, besides boxing, which was
cultivated by all Englishmen at that time, was French; and I replied, I
hope and believe grammatically. Many bows being exchanged, the old
gentleman's head went in again, and the demure, pretty little bonnet
once more appeared.
The lady must have heard me speak to my servant, for she framed her
little speech in such pretty, broken English, and in a voice so sweet,
that I more than ever cursed the black veil that baulked my romantic
curiosity.

The arms that were emblazoned on the panel were peculiar; I remember
especially one device--it was the figure of a stork, painted in carmine,
upon what the heralds call a "field or." The bird was standing upon one
leg, and in the other claw held a stone. This is, I believe, the emblem of
vigilance. Its oddity struck me, and remained impressed upon my
memory. There were supporters besides, but I forget what they were.
The courtly manners of these people, the style of their servants, the
elegance of their traveling carriage, and the supporters to their arms,
satisfied me that they were noble.
The lady, you may be sure, was not the less interesting on that account.
What a fascination a title exercises upon the imagination! I do not mean
on that of snobs or moral flunkies. Superiority of rank is a powerful and
genuine influence in love. The idea of superior refinement is associated
with it. The careless notice of the squire tells more upon the heart of the
pretty milk-maid than years of honest Dobbin's manly devotion, and so
on and up. It is an unjust world!
But in this case there was something more. I was conscious of being
good-looking. I really believe I was; and there could be no mistake
about my being nearly six feet high. Why need this lady have thanked
me? Had not her husband, for such I assumed him to be, thanked me
quite enough and for both? I was instinctively aware that the lady was
looking on me with no unwilling eyes; and, through her veil, I felt the
power of her gaze.
She was now rolling away, with a train of dust behind her wheels in the
golden sunlight, and a wise young gentleman followed her with ardent
eyes and sighed profoundly as the distance increased.
I told the postilions on no account to pass the carriage, but to keep it
steadily in view, and to pull up at whatever posting-house it should stop
at. We were soon in the little town, and the carriage we followed drew
up at the Belle Étoile, a comfortable old inn. They got out of the
carriage and entered the house.
At a leisurely pace we followed. I got down, and mounted the steps
listlessly, like a man quite apathetic and careless.

Audacious as I was, I did not care to inquire in what room I should find
them. I peeped into the apartment to my right, and then into that on my
left. My people were not there. I ascended the stairs. A drawing-room
door stood open. I entered with the most innocent air in the world. It
was a spacious room, and, beside myself, contained but one living
figure--a very pretty and lady-like one. There was the very bonnet with
which I