The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

76 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘Her teeth are magnificent,’ answered the captain. ‘“T am very fond of fine teeth, so I am of this punch,” and he refilled his glass. ‘‘ But do you not intend, sir, to go on with the cards? ”’ ‘Not just for the moment,’’ answered the prince; “ let us talk of this Mrs. Malpas. She has somewhat struck my fancy, and if I thought — ”’ : “T am well acquainted with Mrs. Malpas,’’ said the captain, now penetrating the prince’s views with regard to that lady, ‘‘ and if I can do anything — your Royal Highness knows what I mean —”’’ “ But what sort of a reputation does she bear?’ asked the prince, catching the look of intelligence which the captain fixed upon him. ‘Is she quite correct, quite modest, very particular, and so forth? ”’ ‘“T believe so, I never heard anything to the contrary,” rejoined the gallant officer. ‘‘ In fact, I am almost certain that she 1s a virtuous woman. But Lord bless you, sir,” he continued, “‘ if your Royal Highness only wishes to possess Mrs. Malpas, it could be easily managed, for she is such a soft, easy kind of creature that the bare idea of the honour which the prince regent would be doing her would over- power her at once and make her fall into your arms. But | wonder where Sackville has put his cigars.’’ “Ah! let us have a cigar,” said the prince, will discuss this matter about Mrs. Malpas.”’ The captain rose from his seat and searched in the side- board drawers, on the mantel, and every place he could think of for Sackville’s cigar-case, but it was not to be found. ‘Tf you don’t mind the trouble of going to my dressing- room,”’ said the prince, — ‘‘ you know where it is? — you will find some splendid cigars upon the mantel. Or you can ring and send to fetch them.”’ ‘No, I will go myself, sir,’ replied Tash, and thus speaking he issued forth from the dining-room. It was now close upon eleven o’clock, and as the captain was proceeding along the passage to seek the prince’s private apartments, he suddenly caught sight of Mrs. Malpas and Lady Sackville as they emerged together from the latter’s boudoir. On observing the gallant officer advancing, the two ladies retreated into the room, doubtless fancying that ‘and we CORNICLIOOKS (E(0) m