"Let him make haste, Mr. Costigan," cried out the Major, almost beside
himself with rage. "I wish you a good morning, sir." And Captain Costigan
bowed a magnificent bow of defiance to Major Pendennis over the
landing-place as the latter retreated down the stairs.




CHAPTER XII

In which a Shooting Match is proposed


Early mention has been made in this history of Mr. Garbetts, Principal
Tragedian, a promising and athletic young actor, of jovial habits and
irregular inclinations, between whom and Mr. Costigan there was a
considerable intimacy. They were the chief ornaments of the convivial
club held at the Magpie Hotel; they helped each other in various bill
transactions in which they had been engaged, with the mutual loan of each
other's valuable signatures. 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