Page:Headlong Hall - Peacock (1816).djvu/145

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HEADLONG HALL.
137

corner, out of the reach of Mr. Cranium, who sate eyeing it with lively curiosity, and after several efforts to restrain his impatience, exclaimed: "You seem to have found a rarity."

"A rarity indeed," said Mr. Escot, cracking an egg as he spoke; "no less than the genuine and indubitable skull of Cadwallader."

"The skull of Cadwallader!" vociferated Mr. Cranium: "O treasure of treasures!"

Mr. Escot then detailed by what means he had become possessed of it, which gave birth to various remarks from the other individuals of the party: after which, rising from table, and taking the skull again in his hand:

"This skull," said he, "is the skull of a hero, παλαι κατατεθνειωτος[1], and sufficiently de-


  1. Long since dead.