"The Prisoner, who was fashionably attired, and of genteel appearance;" i.e., An ill-got-up swell-mobsman.
"A powerful-looking fellow;" i.e., An awful ruffian.
"A rumour has reached us"—(in the well-nigh impenetrable recesses wherein, as journalists, we habitually conceal ourselves).
"Nothing fresh has transpired;" i.e., The local Reporter's invention is at last exhausted.
"The Prisoner seemed fully alive to the very serious position in which he was placed;" i.e., He occasionally wiped his mouth on his knuckles.
"The proceedings were kept up until an advanced hour;" i.e., The Reporter left early.
Social.
"I'm so sorry I've forgotten to bring my Music;" i.e., I'm not going to throw away my singing on these people.
"Dear me, this is a surprise to meet you here! I didn't, you see, know you were in Town;" i.e., By which I wish her to understand that I hadn't seen that prominent account of her Mid-Lent dance (for which I had received no invitation) that appeared in last Thursday's Morning Post.
"Never heard it recited better. Wonder you don't go on the Stage;" i.e., Then one needn't come and hear you; now one can't keep out of your way.