The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

126° THE COURT OF LONDON ) place,’’ responded Plumpstead, “‘ and there he sits just for all the world as if he was afraid he was going to be eaten up.” “Ah! you see how modest and diffident he is,’”’ exclaimed the captain. ‘‘ That’s the way I’ve disciplined him. You can tell him I want to speak to him.”’ The butler departed to execute these commissions, and in a few minutes he returned, bringing half a dozen of wine and followed by Robin. “Set down the bottles,’’ said Tash, ‘‘ and I will decant them as I want them.’’ Then, as soon as Plumpstead had withdrawn, he exclaimed, ‘‘ Now, Robin, sit down and make yourself comfortable. You see how nicely I have managed to get the run of the place, and here I am, the bosom friend of Lord Sackville, the confidant of the prince regent, and smiled upon even by the beautiful Venetia, who does not forget the service we rendered her some time ago. Come, sit down, Robin, I say, and help me knock off this half- dozen of wine, for I mean to wait till Lord Sackville comes back.” | Robin accordingly sat down with his master, who began a complete carouse, to which his former potations while sitting with the prince were mere drops oi water compared to Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Robin to some little extent threw off his timidity and reserve, and kept his master company. Thus two or three hours passed away, until at length Captain Tash’s watch — for he sported one now, and a very handsome one it was, too — initormed him that it was close upon three o’clock in the morning. He now ordered Robin to be off home and get to bed, and the Man Friday accordingly took his departure from Carlton House. Captain Tash then opened the last bottle of the six, which he had kept as a special relish for himself, and he was just imbibing the first tumbler — ordinary glasses he affected not — when the door opened and Lord Sackville made his appearance. “ Here I am, my lord, you see,” said Tash, in a voice that was somewhat thick and husky, and also interrupted by the hiccoughs, for though the captain was as well-seasoned a human cask as any in London, yet on the present occasion he certainly had imbibed a leetle too much- ‘“ Ah! Tash, are you here still? ” said Horace, who looked se Le CORNIELOOO KS, (EO) im