The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

92 REYNOLDS’ WORKS for a moment seized with a little uneasiness as they thought they observed a vein of sarcasm running through his words. But as his looks corroborated not this suspicion, they grew perfectly satished again, and rapidly exchanged glances of delight as the old gentleman asked for the ink. Writing materials were speedily supplied, and Mr. Gunthorpe, diving his hand deep down into one of his capacious pockets, drew forth a cheque-book, which to the two noblemen was mighty pleasant to behold. Laying it open upon the table before him, Mr. Gunthorpe proceeded to fill up one of the draughts, but it seemed that he had no small difficulty in steadying his hand to write, while his head kept bobbing down, as if his wig would bob off also into a dish of straw- berries Just before him. However, he succeeded in writing the cheque for five thousand pounds; and then, tearing out the leaf, handed it to Lord Harold, who, folding it negli- gently up, thrust it with true aristocratic listlessness into his waistcoat pocket. ‘“ By the bye,” he said, “‘ I will just give you my note of hand for this.” ‘“ Don’t trouble yourself. JI dare say it will be all the same in the end,” answered Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘“ Well, I will give it to you next time we meet. And now I suppose you mean to make a night of it with us? What shall we do? It’s just ten o’clock,’ added Lord Harold, looking at his watch. ‘ Shall we go and lounge into some hell? ” “Don’t you think it’s better to wait till you are com- pelled to go there?” asked Mr. Gunthorpe, apparently with amazing innocence. ‘““T mean the gaming-house,”’ rejoined Harold. “ Not that I should propose to you to play, Mr. Gunthorpe. Oh, no, not for the world. But it struck me that if you would like to see a little of London life — ” ‘J don’t think it was exactly for that purpose your uncle gave me letters of introduction to you. Besides, this wine has got into my head; and so, if you will be good enough to send and order me a cab, I will take my leave.” ‘‘ Well, if you insist, I won’t detain you,” said Lord Harold Staunton, ringing the bell; for the truth was that now he had got as much as he required out of the old gentleman, at least for the present, he did not care how soon the said Gomichbooks (E(0)