The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 166: what you’re looking at

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

ZOE 143 a moment a scowl of displeasure appeared upon the features of Mr. Armytage, as if he felt that he was receiving the treat- ment of a plebeian at the hands of a patrician immeasur- ably his superior, but the next moment, as a recollection flashed to his mind, his countenance recovered its wonted cold equanimity, and he sped down-stairs. “No doubt,” he thought to himself, as he thus hastened forth to the duke’s carriage, ‘‘ Marchmont has come to tell me something about the affair I spoke to him of a few days back.”’ The duke was alone inside the carriage, and as Armytage hurried up to the window, the footman who had descended from behind to knock at the front door stood back a pace or two so as not to have the air of listening to whatsoever might be said. ‘““ 1 just called to tell you, Armytage,’’ said the duke, in a low voice, “‘ that I have been enabled to manage that little business about which you called on me the other day. What say you to Lord Octavian Meredith, youngest son of the Marquis of Penshurst? ”’ Mr. Armytage reflected deeply for a few minutes, without making any response. ‘“ The family is a very ancient and a most honourable one,”’ continued the Duke of Marchmont. ‘‘ Meredith himself is a handsome and elegant young man — ”’ ‘“ But if I mistake not,” observed Mr. Armytage, “ he is at variance with his relatives, and I would not have my daughter marry into any family where she would stand a chance of being cut, and where I myself should not be a welcome guest.”’ ‘* Of all this you need entertain no apprehension,’’ rejoined the Duke of Marchmont. ‘“‘ The Marquis of Penshurst is more parsimonious than proud, and depend upon it, he will joy- fully receive his son and his son’s wife when the latter brings an ample dowry with her on her wedding-day. As for your- self, you have only to lend a few thousand pounds to Lord Meredith, the marquis’s eldest son, and to Lord Charles, his second son, both of whom are kept by their father’s penurious- ness in total want of money, — you have only to do this, I say, in order to receive all possible civility at their hands.” “Yes, your Grace speaks truly,” said Mr. Armytage. “ As for Octavian Meredith, he is a very nice young man, CONNIE OOO a SS) (E(O)