The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 188: what you’re looking at

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

THE GIBBET © 171 “ Now. waiter,” said this last-mentioned personage, when the tavern functionary made his appearance, “ we want a private sitting-room for the night.” “ Yes, my lord,” responded the waiter, to whom the Ear! of Curzon was known. “ And no end of whithkey punth,” cried Lord Plantagenet Tithtide, who had the misfortune to lisp somewhat, — a circumstance which did not disqualify him from becoming a Member of Parliament, because he was a lord. “ And a box of the best cigars, wai-tar!’’ roared out the Marquis of Brandyford. ‘‘ Now mind they’re good, you unhung scoundrel, you, or, by Jove, I’ll punch your head into a jelly for you! ” “ And a demn’d good fire bethidth,’’ added Lord Plan- tagenet. ‘‘ But don’t neglecth the whithkey punth, you pwethiouth wathcal! ”’ “ Vot you call de viskey pohnch vare good, — vare good,” observed the Count d’Orsayville. The waiter promised instantaneous compliance with all the instructions he had received; and as he retired from the -room the Marquis of Brandyford sent the cushion of a chair spinning after him, but the domestic, who was well on his guard against his lordship’s tricks, nimbly avoided the missile. ‘The freak, however, caused the entire party to laugh immoderately, and Lord Plantagenet Tithtide de- clared that it was “ ekthellenth sporth,”’ while the count exclaimed, ‘‘ Vare good! Vare good! ”’ In the course of half an hour the private sitting-room was announced to be in readiness, and thither the aristocratic company repaired, the Marquis of Brandyford tripping up a commercial traveller whom they met upon the stairs, and then gravely apologizing to him for the ‘“‘ accidental occur- rence.” ‘This proceeding excited another burst of uproarious laughter, which was prolonged by the circumstance of the said humourous marquis kissing an old charwoman of seventy who was clearing away some things upon the landing. The room to which the waiter escorted the party was the best in the house; for although the landlord was fully prepared to find everything smashed to pieces in the morn- ing, he was equally aware that his bill for the damage would be liberally paid, — and, indeed, he was not altogether sorry at the prospect of thus having an opportunity of furnishing ECORNICLOO© Ss (C(O)