The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

124 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “ Will you sit down and join us?” asked Chiffin the Cannibal. ‘* No, I have not time,”’ responded Lady Bess, beating one of her legs negligently with the horsewhip as she surveyed the group through the haze of tobacco-smoke. “You never have time,’ growled Chiffin, in a surly manner. ‘But I have had time, though, to do you a service,” immediately rejoined Lady Bess, “‘ and when you had just recovered from a long illness I gave you assistance in the hour of your need. I have never asked it back again, I have never wanted it, I would not take it even were it offered, but what I do look for, is civility in return.”’ ‘‘ Lady Bess is right! ’’ exclaimed several voices, all the females joining in without exception. ‘“Come, we will have no disputing,” said the Amazonian beauty. Then opening the door, she cried out, ‘“‘ Solomon! Where is that scoundrel, old Solomon? ”’ ‘“ Here I be, my lady,’ answered a fawning, obsequious voice from behind the bar outside. ‘“‘ What’s your ladyship’s orders? Bill’s holding your ladyship’s horse.” ‘A truce to so many ladyships,’’ exclaimed the woman in male attire, ‘and bring in two crown bowls of punch; and then bid your old wife prepare such supper as her larder affords, and charge the whole to me.” ‘There, didn’t I say her ladyship would come down handsome? ”’ cried the female who had previously predicted the regale of punch that had just been ordered. “ But wouldn’t it be a greater treat still if Lady Bess would sit down and drink it with us? ”’ ‘“To be sure. To be sure!’ cried many voices. “ But while thanking you for the compliment,” said Lady Bess, “‘ I have already told you that I have no time. Now, who is there here that will do me a service? —I mean amongst the men, for it is a message that I wish to send.” Several of the male revellers volunteered, and Lady Bess, sweeping her bright eyes over them, as if to select the one whom she most fancied for the purpose, said, “‘ I choose you, Tony Wilkins.” The individual to whom she thus addressed herself was a young man of not more than three or four and twenty, but whose looks fell very little short of those of any of his EORMICLIOO KS (E(O)