The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 312: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN’S FIRST DAY 281 their occupation, and rose to receive the young gentleman. The steward bowed primly, the housekeeper proffered the youth her hand; he was invited to sit down, and then did the explanations commence in respect to the arrangements which had been made for his comfort at Marchmont House. ‘‘T have ordered a nice cheerful little bedchamber to be prepared for you,” said Mrs. Calvert, “‘ and I will show you to it presently. His Grace has suggested, if you have no objection, that you should take your meals with us —”’ ‘‘ And we have no objection,” interposed Mr. Calvert, in a half-patronizing manner, which was nevertheless both kind and respectful, ‘“‘ for you appear to be a young gentleman whose company will be agreeable to us.’’ ‘‘ And I am sure,’’ resumed Mrs. Calvert, ‘‘ we will do all we can to render you comfortable. One thing we must beg to observe, which is that we are very regular in our meals: breakfast at nine, dinner at two, tea at six, and supper at nine. But of course, if at any time you wish for refreshment, you have only to signify such a desire, and it shall be instantaneously complied with.”’ ‘While thanking you for your assurances of making me comfortable,” answered Christian, ‘I can safely promise that I shall conform to your regulations.”’ ‘‘ His Grace desired me to tell you,” said the steward, after a brief pause, ‘‘ that you are welcome to use the library as much as you think fit when his Grace is elsewhere; and on those occasions when it suits his lordship to be alone there, you can make our parlour your sitting-room. Or there is a little cabinet near the library, which Mrs. Calvert will show you presently, where you are welcome to sit when you choose to be alone. In short, I have not the slightest doubt you will soon fall into the regular routine of the house- hold, and that you will speedily find yourself at home.” Christian again expressed his thanks for the kind assur- ances thus given him, and the forethought which had dic- tated all those suggestions for his comfort and well-being. ‘“ And now,” said Mrs. Calvert, ‘‘ would you like a piece of cake and a glass of wine, or a leetle drop of cherry brandy, for the weather is uncommonly cold,” and as the worthy matron thus spoke, she repaired to a cupboard of consider- able dimensions, and the shelves of which were crowded with pots of preserves, cakes, biscuits, bottles of wine, spirits, and EONNICLIOOKS (EO)