The Writings of Anthony Trollope

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 Excerpt: ...was so good to me in that cottage. On the following day the party at Saulsby was broken up, and there was a regular pilgrimage towards Loughlinter. Phineas resolved upon sleeping a night at Edinburgh on his way, and he found himself joined in the bands of close companionship with Mr. Rattler for the occasion. The evening was by no means thrown away, for he learned much of his trade from Mr. Rattler. And Mr. Rattler was heard to declare afterwards at Loughlinter that Mr. Finn was a pleasant young man. It soon came to be admitted by all who knew Phineas Finn that he had a peculiar power of making himself agreeable which no one knew how to analyse or define. I think it is because he listens so well, said one man. But the women would not like him for that, said another. He has studied when to listen and when to talk, said a third. The truth, however, was, that Phineas Finn had made no study in the matter at all. It was simply his nature to be pleasant. CHAPTER XIV. LOUGHLINTER. Phineas Finn reached Loughlinter together with Mr. Rattler in a post-chaise from the neighbouring town. Mr. Rattler, who had done this kind of thing very often before, travelled without impediments, but the new servant of our hero's was stuck outside with the driver, and was in the way. I never bring a man with me, said Mr. Rattler to his young friend. The servants of the house like it much better, because they get feed; you are just as well waited on, and it don't cost half as much. Phineas blushed as he heard all this; but there was the impediment, not to be got rid of for the nonce, and Phineas made the best of his attendant. It's one of those points, said he, as to which a man never quite makes up his...