Alfred de Rosann — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

4 ALFRED DE ROSANN. ‘But your influence, Mr. Clayton—your advice— Eloise’s tears—a beloved child’s, an only child’s prayers, Mr. Clayton—joined to my supplication on bended knees—in. that humiliating posture, my dear sir—’’ “Calm yourself, Alfred; you speak at random : let us converse quietly and rationally—as men, and not as stage-actors. Pardon this rebuke; I am familiar with you, De Rosann, because I love you as a relative—as a son; and you may rely upon my aid in all your em- barrassments. Why! would you believe it, that when we debated as to which sea-port town we should go to, in order to pass the summer, I suggested St. Malo, to be as near as possible to you; and thus, on our jour- ney thither, has the fortunate breaking of our car- riage enabled us to meet.’’ “So deep a debt of gratitude shall I never be able to repay; but, as long as you are my friend, I do not despair of possessing Eloise,’? exclaimed De Rosann. ‘You must not think of moving her mother,’’ said Mr. Clayton, “by tears and prayers. My sister-in- law thinks she acts from motives purely conscientious, and bearing reference to nothing save her daughter’s welfare; whereas I fancy that a little sentiment of pride has a certain influence on her actions. She has an idea that her father was some great personage— you know she is of French extraction !7?__ “Yes ; Eloise has occasionally spoken of her grand- father,’’ returned De Rosann. “But Eloise has never related to you any particu- Jars relative to his extraordinary disappearance, ef cetera 2”’ inquired Mr. Clayton. | | ‘‘ Never,’’ answered Alfred. ‘“ You know we were seldom alone for five minutes together, during the whole period when I was accustomed to visit at your house; and Eloise rarely alluded to her deceased rela- tives in the presence of her mother.” “Well, the history is somewhat long, and [ will tell it to you on another occasion,” said Mr. Clayton; “but I was remarking, that perhaps a little pride may Gomichooksico