The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 374: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

348 THE COURT OF LONDON lando Tash, as we must now call him, had at once jumped at the proposal, inasmuch as he had very highly appreciated the personal qualifications of Miss Penelope. Advancing, therefore, with the most studied demeanour of affability and jauntiness, Sir Rolando Tash smiled so as to exhibit his white teeth in contrast with the glossy darkness of his moustache, and when he reached the place where the ladies were standing, he literally confounded himself in bows and salutations. Penelope was willing enough to receive this gentleman as a husband, but perhaps she would have laughed at the manner in which he now accosted her had not a sense of shame produced a more serious feeling. ‘‘ Come, Miss Arbuthnot,” said the prince, ‘‘ you need not be bashful. My very particular friend, Sir Rolando Tash, feels highly honoured at the prospect of conducting you to the altar; and if you are equally satisfied to accompany him thither, I do not see why your happiness should be delayed beyond to-morrow. A special license, St. George’s, Hanover Square, a déjeuner, off in a chaise-and-four to spend the honeymoon at Brighton or Bath, and a paragraph in the newspapers to let the world know what has happened, — these are all that are now required.”’ “ Fair lady,” began Sir Rolando Tash, with another low bow, “‘ may I venture to hope that my suit is acceptable, and that you are prepared to follow the kind suggestions of our mutual friend his Royal Highness the Prince Regent? ”’ Penelope gave her hand to the newly created baronet in token of an affirmative response, and her suitor gallantly raised that fair hand to his lips. ‘“‘ Receive, my dear Sir Rolando, the patent which bestows the title I had already authorized you to bear,’’ and as the prince thus spoke he presented the document to Penelope’s intended husband. At the same moment Mrs. Arbuthnot gave the prince Sellis’s unfinished letter, which his Royal Highness at once consigned to his pocket. We need not dwell any longer upon this episode in our history. Suffice it to say that Mrs. Arbuthnot and Penelope, on taking leave of the prince, were escorted by Sir Rolando Tash to the house of their friend, Miss Bathurst, in Stratton Street; and this lady, upon hearing what was in contempla- CORDICLOOO S (CO) im “=> —— Oe ————~a — -