... Clavering's money went. No, be hanged to it, it was swept off in another way. One night, at the Countess's, there was several of us at supper—Mr. Bloundell-Bloundell, the Honourable Deuceace, the Marky de la Tour de Force—all tip-top nobs, sir, and the height of fashion, when we had supper, and champagne you may be sure in plenty, and then some of that confounded brandy. I would have it—I would it go on at it—the Countess mixed the tumblers of punch for me, and we had cards as well ... — The History of Pendennis • William Makepeace Thackeray