The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

46 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the general effect of the receipt, Mr. Chubb gravely dried it on his blotting-paper, and handed it to Christian. “‘ 'That’s the way,” he said, pointing with his pen to the writing, ‘‘ that I teach the boys to make their up-strokes and their down-strokes. But you shall see.” Then raising his voice, he exclaimed, “‘ Now then, first class, with your copy-books! ” This command was followed by a bustling about on the part of some dozen of the scholars, and then ensued a rush of the same interesting youths, in corduroys and pinafores, up to the desk. Mr. Chubb examined the copy-books one after another, passing them as he did so to Christian, and looking very hard in his face to observe the effect produced by these elegant specimens of juvenile calligraphy. Of course Christian admired everything thus submitted to him, and expressed himself so well pleased with Mr. Chubb’s scholars that he begged to be allowed to place five shillings in the schoolmaster’s hands, to be expended on whatsoever refreshments the juveniles might fancy and which the nearest pastry-cook could supply. It must be again con- fessed that there was a little artifice in all this, though venial and natural enough; for, as we have before said, the youth was desirous to obtain Mrs. Chubb’s good opinion, in the hope that it would facilitate the realization of his desire to see Miss Vincent. Nor was he disappointed, for Mrs. Chubb requested the pleasure of his company to tea in the evening. He was speedily installed in his lodgings, and having drawn up an advertisement for the situation of private secretary to a nobleman, member of Parliament, or any other person requiring such a functionary, he sallied forth to take it to the office of the Times. Returning home again, he dined; and with some books whiled away the hours until six in the evening, when, having studied his toilet with an unusual degree of nicety, he repaired to Mrs. Chubb’s parlour. As Christian opened the door, he could scarcely conceal the joy which thrilled through him on beholding the lovely creature who had inspired him with so deep an interest. Isabella Vincent was, as we have previously said, sixteen years of age, and it was no wonder that her exquisite beauty should have made an impression upon the heart of Christian Ashton. She was tall and slender, with a sylphid symmetry of shape that was at once gracile and elegant; for hers was CORnnliclooolk