The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

114 THE COURT OF LONDON sworn as a witness. He did not leave his place on the bench near the recorder, neither did he rise from his seat, but gave his evidence as comfortably as if lounging in his own drawing- room. He was a tall, thin man, of about fifty-five years of age, with iron-gray hair, and a sprawling, awkward, uncouth ficure. He was immensely vain, outrageously arrogant, fond of hearing himself talk, and yet as empty-headed as lords generally are. He had a habit of hesitating so much in his speech that it seemed like a natural impediment, and made it painful to listen to him. Im fact, he was a shallow-pated numskull; and if he had not been an aristocrat, would have been written down an ass. ‘‘ T believe, my lord,’ said the attorney-general, ‘‘ you are acquainted with Mr. Dysart, the gentleman whose case is under investigation? ”’ ‘‘ Haw — hem — ah — oh, yes, perfectly well acquainted with Mr. Dysart,”’ responded Lord Herbert, crossing one leg over the other. ‘* And I believe your lordship gave a grand entertainment to a party of noblemen and gentlemen in the beginning of June, of the present year? ”’ ‘““ Hem — hah — haw — oh, yes, a dinner-party.” ~“ At which Mr. Dysart was present? ” ‘“ Haw — ay — yes — haw — Mr. Dysart was present — he — haw.”’ ‘And the lamented deceased, the Honourable George Sefton, was likewise of the party? ” ‘‘ Kh — haw — hem — oh, yes— George Sefton — haw — hem — was there.”’ ““T believe that when the cloth was removed and the dessert was placed upon the table, a dispute arose upon some matter? ”’ ‘“ Oh — ah — hem — a dispute about Tantivy, the winner —haw—of the Oaks—hem—and also about Old Fogey, another crack racer — haw.”’’ “And Mr. Dysart gave the Honourable George Sefton the lie, I believe? ”’ ‘ Hem — hah — yes— I’m afraid he did. Then, you know, high words — hem — haw — ensued — and Mr. Dy- sart flung a glass of wine in Sefton’s face — haw — haw — and Sefton flew into a rage — haw — and I don’t know how it was — haw — or how it came about exactly — hem — (COU (Q) IDoOOkKs (E(0)