The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTAIN ENJOYING HIMSELF 129 caressed, and lionized when once this affair is well blown. Upon my soul, you will become the envy of every man about town. When you go into society you will soon see that tis much better to have the reputation of a good crim. con. than to carry about with you the sanctity of a bishop. Ah! what a triumph is in store for you! ZThe moment you enter a ballroom, you will have all the old dowagers tapping you with their fans, and saying, ‘Ah! the naughty man!’ while they lick their old lips and wish to Heaven that their young and beautiful days had not passed. Then good-look- ing mammas of between thirty and forty will pretend to be horrified, and holding up their hands, will exclaim, ‘ Don’t come near me, Lord Sackville. It is really quite shocking of you,’ and at the same time they will look up with such ardent longing into your face that it will be your own fault if you don’t revel in the conquest of all the finest women in London. But the young ladies, the unmarried ones, the misses—ah! that will be quite charming. What wicked looks will be thrown upon you! What sly glances flung sidelong from eyes flashing with the nascent fires that the very idea of your doings will excite in the virginal bosom! In fact, it will be a perfect triumph for your lordship, and it makes me quite sentimental and romantic when I think of it. But, by the bye, what will her ladyship say?” and Captain Tash jerked his finger up to a splendid portrait of Venetia which hung in the apartment. “Oh, I am not afraid of curtain-lectures,’’ exclaimed Horace, scarcely weighing what he said. ‘‘ I feel more for Lady Curzon, on whose head such dishonour has fallen.”’ “Well, my lord, go up to bed, I tell you,” said Tash, ‘and cool your brain with a few hours’ sleep. I will lie down on the sofa in this room, so that I shall be ready in the morning to act for you at once should a hostile message come.”’ Lord Sackville followed the captain’s advice and sought his own bedchamber, where, fatigued alike in mind and body, he fell into a profound ‘slumber. The gallant officer, The finished the last bottle and just taken what he called “ thimbleful ”’ (half a tumbler) of brandy to sink it all, Siilea himself off his chair upon the sofa, and there speedily became entranced in sleep. When the captain awoke, it was broad daylight, and COM a LOOKS (CO)