If he was astonished as he sat in his ferry-boat, he was paralyzed when he cast his eye over the unwelcome vessel he had boarded.
He stood for at least two minutes rooted to the spot.

His eye swept over a long, broad deck, the polish of which resembled that of a ball-room floor.

Amidships, running from three-quarters aft to three-quarters forward, stood a structure that in its lines resembled, as Charon had intimated, a barn, designed by an architect enamoured of Florentine simplicity; but in its construction the richest of woods had been used, and in its interior arrangement and adornment nothing more palatial could be conceived.
"What's the blooming thing for ?" said Charon, more dismayed than ever.
"If they start another line with a craft like this, I'm very much afraid I'm done for after all.

I wouldn't take a boat like mine myself if there was a floating palace like this going the same way.

I'll have to see the Commissioners about this, and find out what it all means.