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Thackeray, William Makepeace, 1811-1863

"The History of Pendennis"

Arthur Pendennis and his
daughter, Miss Fotheringay, and to fix an early day for its celebration:
or, in any other case, to give him the satisfaction which was usual
between gentlemen of honour. And should Major Pendennis be disinclined to
this alternative, the Captain hinted, that he would force him to accept
by the use of a horsewhip, which he should employ upon the Major's
person. The precise terms of this letter we cannot give, for reasons
which shall be specified presently; but it was, no doubt, couched in the
Captain's finest style, and sealed elaborately with the great silver seal
of the Costigans--the only bit of the family plate which the Captain
possessed.
Garbetts was despatched then with this message and letter; and bidding
Heaven bless 'um the General squeezed his ambassador's hand, and saw him
depart. Then he took down his venerable and murderous duelling-pistols,
with flint locks, that had done the business of many a pretty fellow in
Dublin: and having examined these, and seen that they were in a
satisfactory condition, he brought from the drawer all Pen's letters and
poems which he kept there, and which he always read before he permitted
his Emily to enjoy their perusal.


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