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Thackeray, William Makepeace, 1811-1863

"The History of Pendennis"


From the servants of the officers at the barracks Mr. Morgan found that
the Captain had so frequently and outrageously inebriated himself there,
that Colonel Swallowtail had forbidden him the messroom. The
indefatigable Morgan then put himself in communication with some of the
inferior actors at the theatre, and pumped them over their cigars and
punch, and all agreed that Costigan was poor, shabby, and given to debt
and to drink. But there was not a breath upon the reputation of Miss
Fotheringay: her father's courage was reported to have displayed itself
on more than one occasion towards persons disposed to treat his daughter
with freedom. She never came to the theatre but with her father: in his
most inebriated moments, that gentleman kept a watch over her; finally
Mr. Morgan, from his own experience added that he had been to see her
act, and was uncommon delighted with the performance, besides thinking
her a most splendid woman.
Mrs. Creed, the pew-opener, confirmed these statements to Doctor Portman,
who examined her personally, and threatened her with the terrors of the
Church one day after afternoon service.


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