The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

376 REYNOLDS’ WORKS simply on a trip to Brighton, or Cheltenham, or Rams- gate, or Dover, just as the fancy takes me. You see, Iam a bachelor, and have to kill time to the best of my ability.” Christian assured Mr. Sycamore that he had no objection to accompany him on such little journeys as those to which he had alluded. “You will see the world and amuse yourself,” continued Mr. Sycamore, “‘ and I have no doubt your place will be an easy and agreeable one. At all events I can tell you this, you will never see any low people visiting me. I never in my life spoke to a person that did not keep his carriage. If any friend of mine puts down his carriage for the sake of economy, damme, I cut him instantly. So now you see what sort of a person I am.” Christian did see it, and with infinite disgust too, but he was careful not to betray what he felt, for it was not his business to quarrel with Mr. Sycamore’s peculiar fastidi- ousness, nor was it his interest to throw away the chance of obtaining a good situation simply because he had to do witha coxcomb or a boaster. Mr. Sycamore continued to talk in the same style for another quarter of an hour, and then he asked for testimonials. Christian produced those which he had received from the Duke of Marchmont and the Grand Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha, wherewith Mr. Sycamore was pleased to express his satisfaction, observing that they were at least not “ low people,’’ and that he had no doubt Christian would suit him very well. “TJ am going out of town the first thing to-morrow morn- ing,’ said Mr. Sycamore, “ and you must accompany me. You had therefore better be here as soon after breakfast as you can.”’ ‘“T will be here, sir,’”’ answered Christian, with ingenuous readiness, ‘“‘ at nine o’clock, or earlier if you wish it.” Mr. Sycamore gave a sort of despairing groan, and then sur- veyed our hero with wonderment and dismay. Christian saw that he had said or done something that was most out- rageous, but for the life of him he could not conjecture what it was. ‘At nine o’clock in the morning?” at length said Mr. Sycamore, in a faint voice, as if his nerves had been dreadfully shocked. ‘‘ What I call the first thing in the morning, is about half an hour past noon, Pray don’t entertain such Gomichbooks (E(0)