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Thackeray, William Makepeace, 1811-1863

"The History of Pendennis"

They were friends, in fine: although Mr.
Garbetts seldom called at Costigan's house, being disliked by Miss
Fotheringay, of whom in her turn Mrs. Garbetts was considerably jealous.
The truth is, that Garbetts had paid his court to Miss Fotheringay and
been refused by her, before he offered his hand to Mrs. G. Their history,
however, forms no part of our present scheme--suffice it, Mr. Garbetts
was called in by Captain Costigan immediately after his daughter and Mr.
Bows had quitted the house, as a friend proper to be consulted at the
actual juncture. He was a large man, with a loud voice and fierce aspect,
who had the finest legs of the whole company, and could break a poker in
mere sport across his stalwart arm.
"Run, Tommy," said Mr. Costigan to the little messenger, "and fetch Mr.
Garbetts from his lodgings over the tripe shop, ye know, and tell 'em to
send two glasses of whisky-and-water, hot, from the Grapes." So Tommy
went his way; and presently Mr. Garbetts and the whisky came.
Captain Costigan did not disclose to him the whole of the previous
events, of which the reader is in possession; but, with the aid of the
spirits-and-water, he composed a letter of a threatening nature to Major
Pendennis's address, in which he called upon that gentleman to offer no
hindrance to the marriage projected between Mr.


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