The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 125: what you’re looking at

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

THE BANQUET 109 he exclaimed, springing toward Malpas and seizing him by the nose, ‘‘ you are the greatest cur and the clumsiest villain I ever knew in all my life! So take that — and that — and this — and this— and that — and that!” And, suiting the actions to the words, the redoubtable Rolando dragged the shrieking, yelling colonel ignominiously by the nose around the hall, bestowing upon him sundry boxes on the ears and sidelong kicks on the breech by way of chastisement. Then suddenly releasing his victim, Captain Tash gave him one parting kick which sent him flying across the hall and ultimately sprawling on the door-mat. The whole party, Venetia excepted, had in the meantime crowded at the entrance of the dining-room to witness this scene, which excited peals of laughter; and when it was over, they returned to their seats, Captain Tash resuming his own chair and addressing himself again to the fruit and wine as calmly and composedly as if nothing had happened. Then, while Colonel Malpas, crushed and confounded, was taking his departure in company with Mr. Moses Ikey and his man Tom, the Marquis of Leveson said, ‘‘ We had better conclude our business at once and leave the house of a vile impostor as soon as we can.” “But where is Robin?” inquired Sackville. ‘“‘ Surely we may offer him a glass of wine? ” ‘Oh, there he is,’’ observed Tash, coolly; and as every eye was directed toward the point indicated by the gallant officer, a portion of Robin’s form and the tip of his nose were seen betwixt the opening of the window-curtains. It was with great difficulty he could be persuaded to come forth and drink some wine; and when he had tossed off the contents of a glass which Sackville handed him, he glided back again to his lurking-place, now completely disappearing behind the curtains. | “We have heard an infamous accusation triumphantly refuted,” said the Marquis of Leveson; ‘and if further evidence had been required on behalf of Mrs. Sackville, his Royal Highness and myself could have supplied it. For on that very Friday night which the coward scoundrel and vile cheat named as the period of his alleged success, and between the specified hours of nine and eleven, his Royal Highness and I can declare that we were each honoured by a visit from Mrs. Sackville, then Miss Trelawney; and we both emphatically COUMIUCG 0)(0)0) eS (SO