The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

58 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Christian could not of course help tarrying in compliance with the wishes of his aristocratic friends; he accordingly sat down, and in a few moments the waiter made his appear- ance. “ Mine goot mans,” said Baron Raggidbak, “ you sall go for to bring up two bottles of de port and de sherry wines for de present gumpany.”’ “A bottle of each, my lord? ” said the waiter, putting his hand up to his head with a half-hesitating, half-reflective air. ““ Dat is it,’ responded the baron; but as the waiter still appeared undecided, and hung about the door as if wanting to say something but not exactly liking to do so, the groom of the stole placed his hand on Christian’s shoulder, saying, with a certain emphasis, “ Dis sall be de yong mans what sall pay for de treat for de present gumpany.” The waiter now suddenly became more cheerful in aspect, and quitted the room with a blithe alacrity. Christian could scarcely believe that he had heard aright. What, his lordship, Baron Raggidbak, groom of the stole to a reign- ing duke, and the scarcely less distinguished Chevalier Kadger, equerry to the same illustrious personage, con- descending to drink at his expense, and, what was more, inviting themselves to do it! For the moment Christian felt as if he were in the midst of a dream, or else — what really did seem more probable — that he was in the midst of hungry adventurers. But he said not a word, and in a few moments the waiter reappeared with a decanter of port and another of sherry on a tray, which likewise bore the bill duly made out and receipted, the wine being charged six shillings a bottle. “ Now, my goot friend,” said Baron Raggidbak, “ out wid de monies. Dis am de German fashion of making — what you sall call it? — oh, de acquaintance.”’ Christian produced a sovereign, and on receiving the change from the waiter, he left half a crown lying on the tray for that individual’s own fee, —a liberality which procured for him a very low bow. The Chevalier Kadger proceeded to fill the glasses, which himself and Baron Rag- gidbak showed themselves very good hands at emptying also. Christian drank but little, and his abstemiousness | was highly complimented by his two aristocratic friends, = = a RE ne SN - - - ee —_ ECORNICLOOOKS com