The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

88 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ““ With the greatest pleasure in the world. But the wine stands with you.” “Thank you, | am getting on uncommonly well. The fact is,’ added Mr. Gunthorpe, “‘ not being accustomed to English wines, or, rather, I should say, the wines you drink in England, your lordship’s champagne, madeira, sherry, and port have already got up into my head.” “Oh, they won’t hurt you,” exclaimed Lord Harold. ‘So help yourself.”’ ‘““ Hurt you, not they!’ cried Lord Saxondale. “I can get as drunk as an owl on good wine, and never feel the effects next day. It’s only bad wine that plays the very devil with me.”’ ‘““Your experience is doubtless great,’ said Mr. Gun- thorpe. ‘‘ How old is your lordship? Thirty or five and thirty? ‘Thirty be hanged!” ejaculated Saxondale. ‘‘ I am only nineteen and a few months, but I have seen a little of life, though, have I not, Staunton? And it’s this experience that perhaps makes me look older than I really am.” “ Very likely,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, as he helped himself and passed the decanter. ‘‘ But as your lordship,” he continued, again addressing himself to Harold, “‘ was so kind as to offer me your advice and assistance in settling myself down, perhaps you will sketch out some little plan that you would have me adopt? If I do not follow the whole details, yet some of them may at least prove valuable sug- gestions.”’ . ‘First, let me ask your exact position, my dear Mr. Gunthorpe,” said Lord Harold, flinging a significant look across the table at Saxondale, as much as to imply that they were getting the old gentleman into the right line to make him useful. ‘‘ You are very rich of course? That we can pretty well guess. But are you married, any children? ”’ ‘““T am a widower, and all my children are grown up and provided for,’ returned Mr. Gunthorpe, “so I have only to think of myself.’’ ‘““Good!’”’ observed Lord Harold. ‘“‘ In the first place, then, you must leave that insufferable place, the Bell and Crown, the very name of which raises up odours of pea- soup and boiled beef — ”’ ‘““T can assure you it is a most excellent hotel,” interrupted CONNIE NO KS (E(0) m