The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

296 REYNOLDS’ WORKS coward; ideas of daggers and knives connected with that Lascar swept through his brain, and in the second place, he dared not quit the equipage. His hasty ejaculations startled the groom almost completely back into life, and he said, ‘“‘ What is the matter, my lord? ”’ Rushbrook was on the very point of proclaiming the ex- tent to which he had been robbed, when it struck him that if he were to do so, he must inevitably cut the figure of the veriest dastard in the eyes of his dependent, for not having at once pursued the plunderer. Thus, though almost mad- dened with vexation, his pride nevertheless inspired him with sufficient self-possession to make him hold his peace on that score, and he exclaimed, ‘“‘ Oh, it was nothing. Only the strange manner in which that fellow darted away after I had given him a few shillings.”’ The groom’s thoughts were still too much in confusion for him to perceive at the moment that there was something strange in the business, and that his master was speaking evasively. When he subsequently reflected upon it, it was too late to put any further questions. Rushbrook now inquired if the groom were very much hurt. The man responded that he was considerably shaken, but he congratulated himself on having broken no bones. The viscount resumed his seat, but he drove very cautiously for the remainder of the journey, and all the way homeward to his father’s residence in Park Lane, he never ceased in- wardly cursing his ill luck, which had deprived him of a sum that was so much needed by existing circumstances. CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)