) attained
the age of one-and-twenty.
At this fete, which was of a peculiarly glittering character--so much
so, that the details of it are given at great length by the
historians of the day--the strange demeanour of a man in a green
domino, early in the evening, excited attention. This mask, who
showed nothing remarkable as to figure--though tall, rather, and of
robust proportion--seemed to be gifted with an _appetite_, not merely
past human conception, but passing the fancies of even romance.
The dragon of old, who churches ate
(He used to come on a Sunday),
Whole congregations were to him
But a dish of Salmagundi,--
he was but a nibbler--a mere fool--to this stranger of the green
domino. He passed from chamber to chamber--from table to table of
refreshments--not tasting, but devouring--devastating--all before
him. At one board he despatched a fowl, two-thirds of a ham, and
half-a-dozen bottles of champagne; and, the very next moment, he was
found seated in another apartment performing the same feat, with a
stomach better than at first. This strange course went on until the
company (who at first had been amused by it) became alarmed and
tumultuous.
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