The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 335: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

300 THE COURT OF LONDON claimed Hodson, who worshipped Mammon far more de- voutly than he did either royalty or aristocracy. ‘““And so am I, Page — quite rejoiced,’ added Morley, whose deity was also Money. And then the two partners shook their late traveller warmly by both hands; and, having done this, they offered their congratulations to Mrs. Page, hoping that they should have the pleasure of introducing her very shortly to Mrs. Hodson and Mrs. Morley. It was indeed wonderful to behold the effect which the magic words “‘ twenty thousand pounds” had produced upon the stiff and starch senior partner, and the active, bustling, business-like Junior. Julia no longer appeared in their eyes to have the boldness of a courtesan; in their minds her demeanour had suddenly become associated with debentures, her character with cash, her features with funds, and her entire countenance with consols; and they were seized with anxiety that their wives should make her acquaintance. Even when she tossed her head, gave herself airs, and said something about calling another day, they overwhelmed her with politeness; and there was a great deal more shaking hands ere Mr. Page and his bride took their leave on this occasion. | Having thus shown themselves off in Wood Street, they repaired to St. Paul’s Churchyard, where Mr. Page procured some drug at a chemist’s shop. Thence they proceeded into Fleet Street, where he bought another drug at another shop; and in the Strand he made his third purchase. “You see, Julia,” he observed, as they walked along, “that I exercise a sound discretion in thus obtaining the things at different places. There are three ingredients in the chemical preparation for the wash to put upon the blank sheet of paper; and if I purchased them all at the same shop, the chemist would begin to mix and compound the moment our backs were turned, in order to discover for what purpose we wanted such scarce and expensive articles.” ‘God bless your soul, Henry,” exclaimed his wife, ‘“‘ you are only acting with a prudence that is quite natural. My father always did the same; and therefore I don’t see any- thing to be so particularly proud of.” “Well, well, my dear,’ returned Page, “ at all events, you perceive that I adopt the same precautions as your deceased father, and he was a very shrewd man.” CORNICLAOO —— —" _