The Marchioness considered which to play.
W. H. C. Groome
1900
12.3 x 8 cm, framed
Lithograph
Dickens's Old Curiosity Shop (pp. 696), facing 544.
[Click on image to enlarge it.]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.
Context of the Illustration: Dick teaching The Marchioness Cribbage
"Next," said Dick, handing the purl, "take a pull at that; but moderate your transports, you know, for you’re not used to it. Well, is it good?"
"Oh! isn’t it?" said the small servant.
Mr. Swiveller appeared gratified beyond all expression by this reply, and took a long draught himself, steadfastly regarding his companion while he did so. These preliminaries disposed of, he applied himself to teaching her the game, which she soon learnt tolerably well, being both sharp-witted and cunning.
"Now," said Mr. Swiveller, putting two sixpences into a saucer, and trimming the wretched candle, when the cards had been cut and dealt, "those are the stakes. If you win, you get ‘em all. If I win, I get ‘em. To make it seem more real and pleasant, I shall call you the Marchioness, do you hear?"
The small servant nodded.
"Then, Marchioness," said Mr. Swiveller, "fire away!"
The Marchioness, holding her cards very tight in both hands, considered which to play, and Mr. Swiveller, assuming the gay and fashionable air which such society required, took another pull at the tankard, and waited for her lead. [Chapter LVII, 537-38]
Related Resources
- Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop — Some Discussions
- The Old Curiosity Shop Illustrated: A Team Effort by "The Clock Works."
- Kyd's Characters from Dickens (1889)
Bibliography
Dickens, Charles. The Old Curiosity Shop. Illustrated by William H. C. Groome. The Collins' Clear-Type Edition. Glasgow & London: Collins, 1900.
Victorian
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W. H. C. Groome
Created 7 August 2020
Last modified 23 November 2020