The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

AN ADVISER 299 The duke simply inclined his head in acknowledgment of these compliments, and then observed, in a cold, severe voice, “‘ I requested you to call upon me, Mr. Hyde, that you may give some little explanations — ”’ “ Quite right, my lord. Always glad to wait upon your Grace to explain what is going forward in the political world. But — ” and he glanced toward Christian. “This young gentleman is my private secretary,’ said the duke, ‘‘ and we may speak in his presence. Indeed, he will not pay any attention to what we may have to say, for, as you perceive, he is busy in answering letters.”’ “Oh, very good, my lord,” exclaimed Mr. Fenwick Finni- kin Hyde, bestowing a patronizing smile upon Christian. “Of course, if your Grace has no objection to the young gentleman being present, I can have none. Seen this morn- ing’s papers, my lord? Astonishing how they are turning against the Ministry, — astonishing, ’pon my honour.” ‘And I could wish, Mr. Hyde,” said the duke, with a voice and look of severe meaning, “‘ that certain gentlemen be- longing to the House of Commons would be equally firm in their opposition to that same most despicable Cabinet. I think, Mr. Hyde, that you addressed your constituents at Viviandale a few days back? ” “ Quite right, my lord,’”’ exclaimed the honourable gentle- man. “ Public dinner given to me by the free and inde- pendent electors, — exceedingly sorry that your Grace was not in the chair. Astonishing enthusiasm nevertheless, — astonishing, ‘pon my honour,’”’ and Mr. Fenwick Finnikin Hyde caressed his whiskers with an assumed look of com- plaisance, though a very close observer might have seen that he was sitting somewhat uneasily on his chair, like a schoolboy who has committed a fault, and being summoned into the presence of his master is dreading the moment when he will be charged therewith. “Yes, Mr. Hyde,’’ resumed Marchmont, still speaking severely, “‘ you did attend a public dinner at Viviandale, — a dinner, sir, at which there were one hundred and thirty- three electors present, — being the Tory majority of the two hundred and nine freemen of the borough. And that Tory majority as a matter of course looks to me as the lord and master of their opinions, their consciences, and their souls. There is no mistake about the matter, Mr. Hyde; ECORNICLOOKS (C(O)