The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

246 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “It’s the very sort of handwriting that I wanted,” pro- ceeded the duke, — ‘‘a gentleman’s, and not a clerk’s. I have had three or four applications this morning, and none would suit. There was one fellow who covered a sheet of paper with as many flourishes as a writing-master, so that my letters would have had the air of so many tradesmen’s circulars. You see, young man, I have a great number of letters of various sorts to answer, and as [ dislike the trouble of it, my correspondence gets confoundedly into arrear. So I have resolved to take an amanuensis, who will some- times write to my dictation, and at others make out a good letter from the passing hints I may give him, and from the nature of the correspondence which will in itself be suggestive of the proper response. Now, do you think you can manage this? ”’ “TI should not hesitate, my lord, to undertake it with confidence,’’ answered Christian, hope rising still higher in his soul. ‘* But if your Grace would give me some letter to put my capacity to a further test — ” ‘“No, no, I don’t think it is necessary,” interrupted the duke. ‘‘ You are well spoken, and genteel, which last is another great recommendation in your favour. I think that I may safely give you atrial. The terms I propose are fifty guineas a year, and as you will live in the house, you will of course have nothing to find except your clothes.”’ ‘‘ Live in the house, my lord,’’ murmured Christian, hope sinking again to the very bottom of his heart, where it became well-nigh extinguished, for the thought of separating from Christina was not to be endured. ‘Oh, yes,’’ said the duke, carelessly, “‘ you must live in the house, so that you may always be at hand; because it is not to be supposed that I can ever be ready at stated hours to attend to my correspondence.”’ ‘My lord, I am exceedingly sorry —I deeply regret — the situation would have pleased me so — but, but — ”’ and the tears came into the poor youth’s eyes. “Why, what’s the matter?’’? demanded Marchmont, sharply. ‘If it don’t suit you, you can retire, and there’s an end of the business.”’ “Oh, my lord, it suits me — it would be the saving of me! ”’ exclaimed Christian, with much feeling. ‘“‘ But I have Gomichbooks (E(0)