Ярмарка тщеславия

How Captain Dobbin Bought a Piano

           AsmallportionofthemostusefularticlesoftheplatehadbeenboughtbysomeyoungstockbrokersfromtheCity.Andnowthepublicbeinginvitedtothepurchaseofminorobjects,ithappenedthattheoratoronthetablewasexpatiatingonthemeritsofapicture,whichhesoughttorecommendtohisaudience:itwasbynomeanssoselectornumerousacompanyashadattendedthepreviousdaysoftheauction.

           "No.369,"roaredMr.Hammerdown."Portraitofagentlemanonanelephant.Who’llbidforthegentlemanontheelephant?Liftupthepicture,Blowman,andletthecompanyexaminethislot."Along,pale,military-lookinggentleman,seateddemurelyatthemahoganytable,couldnothelpgrinningasthisvaluablelotwasshownbyMr.Blowman."TurntheelephanttotheCaptain,Blowman.Whatshallwesay,sir,fortheelephant?"buttheCaptain,blushinginaveryhurriedanddiscomfitedmanner,turnedawayhishead.

           "Shallwesaytwentyguineasforthisworkofart?fifteen,five,nameyourownprice.Thegentlemanwithouttheelephantisworthfivepound."

           "Iwonderitain’tcomedownwithhim,"saidaprofessionalwag,"he’sanyhowapreciousbigone";atwhich(fortheelephant-riderwasrepresentedasofaverystoutfigure)therewasageneralgiggleintheroom.

           "Don’tbetryingtodeprecatethevalueofthelot,Mr.Moss,"Mr.

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