The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

14 REYNOLDS’ WORKS it would be paid by your employer. I will not insult you by offering to return the money, but I beg that you will do me the favour to remain here as my guest for as long as it may suit you to stay in Ramsgate. Is there any necessity for your speedy departure? ”’ ‘‘On the contrary,” replied Christian, ‘it suits me well enough to remain here for a fewdays; and as your proposal is so generously made, in the same friendly spirit do I accept it.” ‘Use the coffee-room, therefore,” said the landlord, ‘just as if it were your own, and I will take care that every attention shall be shown you. As for that villain Sycamore, he will be punished, and this is a source of satisfaction. Fortunately his boxes contain the greater portion of the goods which he obtained from the tradesmen in this town, and they shall all be returned to them.”’ ‘‘ But your loss is a severe one? ”’ remarked Christian. The landlord shrugged his shoulders, and said, ‘‘ It is one of the risks which we must run in business.” Here the conversation ended, and our young hero pro- ceeded to the coffee-room, where an excellent breakfast was served up to him, — the waiters displaying as much atten- tion as if he were the best customer they ever had. There were several other gentlemen partaking of their morning meal at the time, but one especially attracted Christian’s notice. He was about three and twenty years of age, tall, well made and without being positively handsome, had a gsood-looking countenance characterized by manly frankness. He however seemed unhappy, or at least troubled in his mind, as might be discerned by the pensiveness of his air, which was, however, interrupted by occasional slight starts, as if he were goaded by some sudden poignancy of feeling. He was handsomely dressed, his appearance was eminently genteel, and when he had occasion to address the waiter it was with the well-bred air of the polished gentleman. Christian had not seen him at the hotel before this occasion, and he presently learned, from some observation which he made to the waiter, that he had only arrived late on the previous evening. After breakfast, Christian strolled out, and he soon found himself bending his way in the direction of Verner House, which, as already stated, was about three miles distant from ECORNICIOOKS (E(0)