The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

90 REYNOLDS’ WORKS End, we will be looking out for an estate with a splendid mansion upon it, beautiful grounds, a deer-park, and every- thing proper. We must also have you presented at court; and I don’t know, but I dare say it can be contrived,’ added Lord Harold, with a mysterious air and knowing look, “ to get you a baronetcy.” ‘Ah, indeed!’’ cried Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘“ Well, I don’t know but that I should like a handle to my name. How my poor father and mother, the cobbler and charwoman, would stare 1f they could only get up out of their graves in Clerkenwell churchyard and see their son a baronet! ”’ ‘“T am sure you deserve a baronetcy,’’ said Lord Harold, with a slight grimace at that reference to his guest’s parent- age, ‘‘ for having made so fine a fortune. How much did you tell us just now? ”’ “ T don’t think that I mentioned the amount,” responded Mr. Gunthorpe, now beginning to hiccup, “‘ but when I went into the whole affair with Snuff— my attor— solicitor, I mean, we found it a little above half a million.” “Well, that’s not bad,” said Lord Harold, sipping his wine coolly, as if he were quite accustomed to contemplate such fortunes. ‘‘ But what is your Christian name? ”’ “ Jonathan,” answered the old gentleman, with a some- what vacant stare. “Sir Jonathan Gunthorpe,”’ observed Harold. “ Excel- lent! It would look well enough in the ‘ Court Guide.’ Edmund, you must introduce our very intimate and par- ticular friend Gunthorpe to Lady- Saxondale and your sisters.’’ “Oh, Lady Saxondale will be delighted to see him,’ exclaimed Edmund; and as he spoke he could not help smiling at the idea of presenting that queer-looking figure to his haughty and brilliant mother, — with whom, by the bye, he was on no terms to present anybody at all. “IT am sure your lordships,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, “ are uncommon kind, and if in return I can do you any little service, I shall be glad.”’ He spoke these words with much apparent difficulty, swaying from side to side on his chair, hiccupping, and sur- veying first one of the young noblemen and then the other, with the dull and vacant gaze of complete inebriety. ‘Well, I hope that this friendship, which has begun so CONNIE NO KS (E(0)