Dick Swiveller and the Marchioness Page #3

"Dick Swiveller and the Marchioness" is a novella by Charles Dickens, originally included in "The Old Curiosity Shop." The story follows the whimsical yet poignant relationship between the lovable and somewhat bumbling Dick Swiveller and the innocent, sweet-natured Marchioness. Dick, an imaginative and carefree character, finds himself navigating the challenges of his life while protecting and caring for the vulnerable Marchioness, who is often caught in difficult circumstances. Their friendship unfolds in a blend of humor and pathos, showcasing Dickens's signature ability to highlight the struggles of the downtrodden and the importance of kindness and compassion in a harsh world.

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wrenched the tassel from his nightcap instead. At last, undressing
himself with a gloomy resolution, he got into bed.

Some men, in his blighted position, would have taken to drinking; but as
Mr. Swiveller had taken to that before, he only took, on receiving the
news that this girl was lost to him forever, to playing the flute;
thinking, after mature consideration, that it was a good, sound, dismal
occupation, not only in unison with his own sad thoughts, but tending to
awaken a fellow-feeling in the bosom, of his neighbors. Following out
this resolution, he now drew a little table to his bedside, and,
arranging the light and a small oblong music-book to the best advantage,
took his flute from its box and began to play most mournfully.

The air was "Away with melancholy"--a composition, which, when it is
played very slowly on the flute in bed, with the farther disadvantage of
being performed by a gentleman not fully acquainted with the instrument,
who repeats one note a great many times before he can find the next, has
not a lively effect. Yet for half the night, or more, Mr. Swiveller,
lying sometimes on his back with his eyes upon the ceiling and sometimes
half out of bed to correct himself by the book, played this unhappy tune
over and over again; never leaving off, save for a minute or two at a
time to take breath and talk to himself about the Marchioness and then
beginning again with renewed vigor. It was not until he had quite
exhausted his several subjects of meditation, and had breathed into the
flute the whole sentiment of the purl down to its very dregs, and had
nearly maddened the people of the house, and at both the next doors, and
over the way--that he shut up the music-book, extinguished the candle,
and, finding himself greatly lightened and relieved in his mind, turned
round and fell asleep.

Dick continued his friendly relations towards the Marchioness, and when
he fell ill with typhoid fever his little friend nursed him back to
health. Just after this illness an aunt of his died and left him quite a
large sum of money, a portion of which he used to educate the
Marchioness, whom he afterwards married.
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