The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER III MORE PEARLS FROM THE STRING It was between four and five o’clock on the same day of which we are writing that a handsome cabriolet, drawn by a splendid horse, dashed up to the front door of Leveson House. Everything was unexceptionable about the appear- ance of this equipage, save in respect to the groom who stood behind it. It was not that his livery was shabby, or that it was inconsistent with the dashing brilliancy of the ‘“turnout.’’ On the contrary, it was as fine as a gold hatband, a green coat with yellow buttons and plenty of lace, brown knee-breeches, and a new pair of top-boots could possibly combine to render it. But the defect was in the wearer, for most assuredly this groom was of a very singular, awk- ward, and unprepossessing appearance. He was thin, lank, and lean in person; his gait, so far from having the respectful assurance which characterizes a good servant enjoying the confidence of his master, was shuffling and shambling, while his looks were sneaking, downcast, and furtive. In- deed, he looked a veritable starveling, and seemed as if he were some whining, wretched mendicant who had been suddenly elevated from rags and the gutter to the full bloom of livery and a stand behind that dashing cabriolet. When the vehicle stopped at the door of Leveson House, this menial crept down as if he were half-frightened lest the equipage should dash off and fling him on the curbstone, or lest the officers of justice were looking out for him in every direction. Indeed, he seemed altogether out of his element, but it must be likewise observed that his aspect was such as to render it difficult to decide what possible element could suit him. Sneaking along from the rear of the vehicle . to the horse’s head, he so placed himself in the shade of the 20 CORTICLOOO (C(O)