The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

124 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘On the contrary, my lord, it is precisely what I do mean,’’ said Mr. Armytage, “ and I will tell you how. Your Grace is intimately acquainted with all those young noble- men who visit me — ”’ “No doubt,’ interjected Marchmont, ‘‘ because it was through me that you became acquainted with them.”’ “Precisely so, my lord,’’ said Mr. Armytage. ‘‘ They are your Grace’s companions and friends, you meet them at your club, you ride with them, they visit you at your country- seats and at your shooting-box, they dine at your table, they are satellites revolving around your Grace as their central sun.”’ “Well, Armytage, and to what is all this to lead?” inquired the duke. “Simply to this, my lord, —that you have it in your power to hint to these noblemen that Mr. Armytage is a wealthy man, —a very wealthy man, — that by success- ful speculations he has amassed a considerable for- tune — ”’ “The young noblemen to whom you allude are aware of this already,’’ observed the duke. “Yes, my lord, but they are not aware that I will give my daughter sixty thousand pounds on her wedding-day. Of course this is an announcement which I cannot blazon forth from the head of my dinner-table, nor in the midst of my drawing-room. Your Grace, however, can bring up the conversation, as if quite in an indifferent manner, and whatsoever hint your lordship may throw out in respect to my means and intentions of providing for my daughter will assume for those who hear it the shape of a recommen- dation to reflect seriously thereon. If the attention of the young noblemen to whom we are alluding be once settled on that particular point — ‘Your aim will be soon accomplished, you think? ” added the duke. “ Well, it may be so. But do you reflect, Army- tage, that these young noblemen are for the most part younger sons, without much means of their own? ”’ ‘What matters their means,” ejaculated Armytage, “when I possess ample? I would sooner bestow my daughter on @ nobleman without a shilling than on the richest com- moner in all England.” ‘“’ Really, if this be your game,” observed the Duke of EORNICLIOOKS (E(0)