The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

THE FEMALE GARB 93 ment upon you, then, by all the cannons and bayonets, I will very soon show you the contrary,’ and he made a movement as if about to draw forth the formidable knite from his coat-pocket. | “No, no!’’ ejaculated the colonel, ‘‘ spare me, spare me! Tell me what you require, and I will at once accede to your demands.”’ Suddenly the thought struck Captain Tash that it would be gratifying his revenge and ministering to his facetious sense of amusement at the same time if he were to put a crowning ignominy upon the grovelling coward whom he so loathed and detested. No sooner did the idea thus strike him than he resolved to carry it into execution, and assuming his most ferocious aspect, he exclaimed, “ ‘There is but one condition on which I will spare you.” “Name it, name it,” eagerly cried the colonel. “That you put on this gown and this cap,’’ said Tash, pointing to the articles of female apparel which he thus specified, “and that you go forth from the palace in this garb.” | “Good heavens! you cannot be serious?” said the colonel, in dismay. 3 “Ten thousand thunders!” exclaimed the captain, ‘“ I never was more serious in my life. Come, be quick, or, by Heaven! the butcher’s knife — ”’ “ Oh, don’t, don’t,’’ groaned the colonel, a cold tremor passing visibly over him. “Then be quick, I say,’’ said the captain, again thrusting his hand in a menacing manner beneath his coat-tails to erasp the visionary butcher’s knife. “Yes, yes,’ said Malpas, in such a flutter of cowardly excitement that he scarcely knew what he was doing. “ Now, then, let me be your handmaid,” said Tash, and stripping off the colonel’s coat and waistcoat, he made him put on the gown which was*hanging to the wall, and also -a cap with gay ribbons that lay upon a chest of drawers. ‘And now go forth, you miserable coward!’ exclaimed Tash, laughing tauntingly as he opened the door and pushed out the unhappy colonel into the passage. But here we must pause for a few minutes, in order to return to Jessica after she left Malpas and went to seek her mistress in the boudoir. There she found Venetia seated GOMIGdoOo! <S) (C(O) am