Vanity Fair - Page 524/573

Jos was seated at that moment on deck under the awning, and pretty

nearly opposite to the Earl of Bareacres and his family, whose

proceedings absorbed the Bengalee almost entirely. Both the noble

couple looked rather younger than in the eventful year '15, when Jos

remembered to have seen them at Brussels (indeed, he always gave out in

India that he was intimately acquainted with them). Lady Bareacres'

hair, which was then dark, was now a beautiful golden auburn, whereas

Lord Bareacres' whiskers, formerly red, were at present of a rich black

with purple and green reflections in the light. But changed as they

were, the movements of the noble pair occupied Jos's mind entirely.

The presence of a Lord fascinated him, and he could look at nothing

else.

"Those people seem to interest you a good deal," said Dobbin, laughing

and watching him. Amelia too laughed. She was in a straw bonnet with

black ribbons, and otherwise dressed in mourning, but the little bustle

and holiday of the journey pleased and excited her, and she looked

particularly happy.

"What a heavenly day!" Emmy said and added, with great originality, "I

hope we shall have a calm passage."

Jos waved his hand, scornfully glancing at the same time under his

eyelids at the great folks opposite. "If you had made the voyages we

have," he said, "you wouldn't much care about the weather." But

nevertheless, traveller as he was, he passed the night direfully sick

in his carriage, where his courier tended him with brandy-and-water

and every luxury.

In due time this happy party landed at the quays of Rotterdam, whence

they were transported by another steamer to the city of Cologne. Here

the carriage and the family took to the shore, and Jos was not a little

gratified to see his arrival announced in the Cologne newspapers as

"Herr Graf Lord von Sedley nebst Begleitung aus London." He had his

court dress with him; he had insisted that Dobbin should bring his

regimental paraphernalia; he announced that it was his intention to be

presented at some foreign courts, and pay his respects to the

Sovereigns of the countries which he honoured with a visit.

Wherever the party stopped, and an opportunity was offered, Mr. Jos

left his own card and the Major's upon "Our Minister." It was with

great difficulty that he could be restrained from putting on his cocked

hat and tights to wait upon the English consul at the Free City of

Judenstadt, when that hospitable functionary asked our travellers to

dinner. He kept a journal of his voyage and noted elaborately the

defects or excellences of the various inns at which he put up, and of

the wines and dishes of which he partook.