The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

122 REYNOLDS’ WORKS countenance of the Duke of Marchmont, but it rapidly passed away, as if suppressed by his own strong will, because he did not choose to display it to the individual who was thus ushered into his presence. This individual was a man of about fifty, of middle stature, somewhat inclined to cor- pulency, and with a countenance that was far from pre- possessing. It had a mean, cunning look, — an expression of cold, worldly-minded calculation, which evinced selfish- ness, love of gain, petty ambitions, and other low, debasing feelings. Yet there was a certain gentility of manner about this person, — a gentility, however, which to the eye of a well-bred observer would seem to have been picked up from contact with his betters, rather than to be naturally his own. He was dressed with some degree of pretension, and at all events looked like a well-to-do individual in comfortable circumstances. Advancing into the room, Mr. Armytage bowed, with a certain commingling of familiarity and respect, to the Duke of Marchmont, who, without rising from his seat, merely nodded his head, and indicating a chair, inquired, “‘ Well, Armytage, what has brought you hither this morning? ”’ ‘““T come to consult your Grace,’ replied the visitor, “‘ on a certain family matter which I have very much at heart, and on which I have been thinking for some little time past, so that at length I resolved to address myself to your lord- ship.”’ ‘A family matter? ’’ ejaculated the Duke of Marchmont, in evident surprise. ‘ What the deuce can you mean? This is the first time you ever thought of consulting me on such a subject, and really, Mr. Armytage, I should fancy that with your shrewdness you are the best possible person in the world to manage your own affairs.”’ ‘“But sometimes, my lord duke,” rejoined Armytage, “the best manager requires the assistance of — of —” he was evidently about to say ‘‘a friend,’ but he substi- tuted the term “ an adviser.”’ ‘Well, then, proceed,’’ exclaimed the duke, “for it is past midday, and I am not yet dressed to go out.”’ “ Your Grace is aware,’ proceeded Armytage, “ that my daughter Zoe is now in her twentieth year — ”’ ‘“ Ah! is she so old as that?” said the duke, listlessly. ‘“ But as you are aware, I have seen her so seldom.” CORNICE KS (E()