The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

Ser NOLDS WORKS CHAPTER I THE FINALE OF THE SYCAMORE EPISODE In the meantime what had been passing at the Royal Hotel in that town? At about a quarter past six o’clock two young gentlemen were introduced by the waiter to Mr. Sycamore’s sitting-room; and that individual received them with every appearance of the warmest friendship. One was barely twenty-two, the other a few months younger still. Both on coming of age had inherited fortunes, both were inexperienced, giddy, gay, and extravagant, anxious to be considered very fine, dashing fellows, and never pausing to reflect at what high price they were purchasing this reputa- tion. There was no kinship between them, but they had been to college together, and their intimacy was renewed when launching themselves upon the great sea of life. They con- sidered Mr. Sycamore to be the very pink of everything that was most admirable, fascinating, and worthy of imitation as a man of fashion, and they were as proud of having ob- tained his friendship as if they were associating with the highest aristocrat in the land. Such were the two young gentlemen whom Mr. Sycamore had invited to dinner; and on their being introduced, he ordered the waiter to have the banquet served up at once. The command was promptly obeyed, and Mr. Sycamore sat down to table with his guests. The courses of soup and fish passed off agreeably enough, and Sycamore felt his spirits revive as he perceived that the young gentlemen were in an excellent humour to do justice to the wine. With the 1 CORNICLOOOKS (CO)