The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

116 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “You must let me be one of the party,” interrupted Alexis. “‘ The truth is, I want to get into a new set. All my old acquaintances have fallen off, somehow or another, or disappeared, I scarcely know by what means. One is in the Bench, another has gone abroad with his regiment, a third has died, a fourth has married, a fifth has taken holy orders, and what the devil has become of the rest I can’t tell. Ruined and turned billiard-markers, perhaps.’’ “Why, you really speak, Oliver,’’ exclaimed Stanley, laughing, ‘‘ like a man of sixty who had outlived all his acquaintances, and yet you are not more than one and twenty.” ‘‘Something of that sort,’’ replied Alexis; and then he added, with a half-affected, half-dissipated yawn, ‘“‘ When one knocks about town for two or three years, you know, one does begin to feel cursed old. But I say, Mr. Craven, — or plain Craven [ shall call you, for it is decreed that you and I are to get uncommonly intimate together, — we have filled our glasses three or four times while you have been poring over that stupid paper.” “T was only looking at the Sporting Intelligence,” ob- served Christian, with a smile. ‘‘ The fact is, 1 have a bet or two —”’ “ Which is your favourite? ”’ ejaculated Alexis, eagerly. ‘“ Seringapatam,” suggested Captain Stanley, thus with readiness coming to our young hero’s assistance, for he felt perfectly well assured that Christian knew no more of sport- ing matters than of what was taking place in the moon. ‘““T don’t mind giving you large odds against Seringapa- tam,’’ exclaimed Alexis Oliver; and from a small pocket cut slantwise on the outside of the left breast of his surtout coat he drew forth his betting-book. ‘‘ What shall we say, —a cool hundred to eighty? ”’ ‘‘ Oh, by all means! ” ejaculated Christian; and then draw- ing forth his own pocketbook, he proceeded to make a memorandum with as much artistic nonchalance as that displayed by Alexis himself. ‘“T am really glad I have fallen in with you two fellows,” proceeded Oliver; “‘ we will have rare games together. And to begin, let us have another bottle of claret.’’ The wine was ordered, and when the first glasses had been discussed and approved of, Alexis Oliver, who was now more CONNIELIOOKS (E(©)