The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

110 REYNOLDS’ WORKS as usual, one morning at ten o’clock to Mivart’s Hotel, found the utmost excitement prevailing amongst the ducal retinue. There was to be a grand review in Hyde Park that day, at which his Royal Highness the Duke of Maxe-Stolburg- Quotha was to be present, and in honour of whom the military display was to take place. It was necessary that the duke should be accompanied by his entire retinue, and therefore great preparations were in progress for the occasion. In the various rooms the high functionaries were issuing orders to the servants of the hotel; some of them were inspecting their best apparel (and Heaven knows that bad was the best!), while others were burnishing up their trumpery jewelry with pieces of washleather. Christian passed on to the little room in which he was accustomed to sit, but on opening the door he stopped short in sudden dismay at the astounding spectacle which met his eyes. For there sat Baron Raggidbak, the groom of the stole, in his coat, waist- coat, boots, and shirt — but without his breeches; for his lordship was busily engaged in the more notable than digni- fied task of mending a rent in the seat of those very panta- loons of which he had divested himself! No wonder that Christian stopped short; but the baron started up, in a towering rage, exclaiming ‘‘ Der deyvil! why for, yong mans, you go for to come in widout knocking at de door? ”’ Christian’s only reply was a peal of laughter at the ludi- crous figure presented to his view by his lordship Baron Raggidbak, groom of the stole to the high and mighty reigning Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha. His lordship gnashed his teeth with rage, and endeavoured to slip on his pantaloons with all possible despatch, but in his confusion and haste he thrust his right boot through the half-mended rent, and losing his balance, sprawled upon the floor. Chris- tian now felt concerned on the poor devil’s behalf, and not wishing to add to his embarrassment, precipitately retreated, closing the door. He thought of repairing to the antecham- ber and waiting there until Baron Raggidbak should leave the secretary’s room free for his use. -Again he passed through the midst of the greater portion of the ducal retinue, and on entering the antechamber somewhat hastily, he surprised the Chevalier Kadger in the act of putting on his military frock coat, when, to his renewed amazement, Christian discovered CORMICLOOOK