The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTAIN ENJOYING HIMSELF 127 pale, care-worn, and agitated, an appearance that was enhanced by the disordered state of his hair and apparel, for, as the reader may very well suppose, he had not tarried to make a very careful toilet at Mrs. Gale’s. ‘“‘ Well, I am glad that you are here. Perhaps I shall want your - services to-morrow or next day. But have you not been drinking a little?’ he demanded, as he now observed the captain’s flushed countenance and heavy-looking eyes. ‘No, not much,’’ was the response. ‘“ About a dozen tumblers of curacao punch before the prince retired, and just those six bottles subsequently.” “Good heavens! ’’ exclaimed Horace, astonished at the quantity. ‘“‘ But no matter, I am glad you remained and felt yourself at home.” “ But what ails your lordship?’’ demanded Tash, who now, in spite of a little opaqueness of vision and obfusca- tion of ideas, could not help observing that there was something strange in Sackville’s looks. ‘““] will tell you to-morrow,” said Horace, fancying that the captain was too drunk to converse upon so delicate a matter at the present moment. “Nonsense, man!’ exclaimed Tash, “ tell me all about it now. If anybody has annoyed you, let me know who it is, and I will go and cut his throat from ear to ear; and if you have got into trouble about a woman, egad! we will make Robin marry her, and patch up her repu- tation.” | “Cease this jesting,’’ said Horace, impatiently, “ for if you purpose to act as my friend, you must exhibit due prudence and caution.” ‘Hind a more prudent man than I am in all Europe, except perhaps here and there one,’’ said Captain Tash, ‘and Pll consent to let him eat me up at a mouthful. Now then, propound your grievance. What is it? There’s a woman in the case, I feel convinced.”’’ “A lady of high rank and of great beauty,” said Horace, ‘“ whose name, too, is well known in the fashionable world. This lady has been detected with me by her own husband.”’ ‘ Daggers and blades!” said Tash, in the husky voice of semi-ebriety, “‘ this is prettily romantic but infernally dis- agreeable. Who is the lady? For I suppose all London will ring with it to-morrow.”’ CORNICLOO CS (C(O) im