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.

MR. GUNTHORPE 93 old gentleman took his departure. “ But I say,” he ob- served, as a thought struck him, when he had issued instruc- tions to the footman who answered his summons, relative to the cab, “‘ if you happen to be writing to my uncle, you won’t let him know anything that we have been saying or doing this evening? ”’ “Why, is there any harm in it?” asked Mr. Gunthorpe, rising from his seat and tottering somewhat. “Oh, no, no harm,” replied Harold, “ only it’s just as well to avoid touching upon such matters. You see, the marquis is a precious eccentric old fool, and might put a very different construction on things from what they really ought to bear.’’ ‘““ So he might, so he might,’”’ said Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘‘ There- fore, if your lordship wishes it, I certainly will not mention anything at all upon the subject when I write to the Marquis of Eagledean.”’ “That will be best,” rejoined Staunton. The footman now reappeared, but as he could not possibly bring himself to mention the vulgar name of cab, he, with much delicate forethought for the aristocratic feelings of his master and Lord Saxondale, announced that “ the convey- - ance was at the door.”’ “Well, good evening, my lords,’ said Mr. Gunthorpe, shaking them both with such violence by the hand that they very nearly cried out. ‘* Il am much indebted to you for your hospitality. It is an evening which I shall not forget in a hurry, and I hope that time will show how I can appreciate your conduct.”’ “Good night, old fellow,’ said Lord Saxondale. ‘‘ You are a regular trump, after all.” “It makes me proud to think that I have your lordship’s good opinion,”’ answered the retired banker, with a low bow. ‘““ Now, when are we to meet again,” asked Lord Harold, ‘to begin putting into force the various things we have been talking about? ” “I will write to your lordship to-morrow, from the Bell and Crown,” answered Mr. Gunthorpe; and he thereupon took his leave, walking out of the room a trifle more steadily than the young noblemen thought he would be enabled to do. And then this same mean old gentleman, who had quar- relled with the cabman for his fare and insisted upon having GOmMmiGaooks (C(O)