The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

THE SCHOOLMASTER of to his Royal Highness, who motioned him to draw still nearer, and then began to converse with him in tolerably good English. “It is my purpose to remain about a month in this coun- try,’’ said the duke, “ for which period I require the services of a young gentleman to write letters in English for me to those noble and illustrious personages with whom I may have to correspond. Does such a position suit you? ”’ Christian answered in the affirmative, and the duke con- tinued speaking. ‘1 shall require your attendance every morning at ten o’clock, and you may consider the hours of occupation to be until five; because, in addition to the management of my English correspondence, you will have to make notes oi certain statistical details which I am anxious to obtain, and the sources of which will be duly furnished to you. Have you testimonials? ”’ Christian produced the one which he had obtained from the Duke of Marchmont, and this of course proved emi- nently satisfactory. His Royal Highness. inquired the amount of salary which Christian expected. This little matter was soon arranged, and he was informed that Baron Farthenless, the privy purse, would settle with him weekly. The audience now terminated, and Christian was conducted from the august presence by the Chevalier Kadger, the odour emanating from whose breath and garments had not appeared to affect the olfactory nerves of his ducal master in the slightest degree, although it was particularly strong, and in its combinations none of the most fragrant. But then, Christian thought to himself, the duke had perhaps erown accustomed to inhale the atmosphere which his equerry carried about with him, and the old adage says that “use is second nature.”’ On gaining the antechamber, where Baron Raggidbak was again found seated in the armchair near the fire, the Cheva- hier Kadger laid his hand upon Christian’s shoulder, and said, “ Me and de baron sall drink your one goot health in one bottle of wine — or two bottles, begar! — and you sall stop some minutes for de same.” “ Vare goot,’”’ exclaimed Baron Raggidbak, caressing his beard with one hand while he gave the bell-pull a violent tug with the other. CONnNIELOOOKS (C(O)