Alfred de Rosann — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ALFRED DE ROSANN. 143 _ with terror, and not daring to move from the spot. The joy of Belle-Rose was great when he thus per- ceived means of escape so near at hand; for he sus- pected that De Rosann would return with aid to capture himself and his two companions; he therefore sprang upon the back of one of the trembling steeds, and departed at full gallop towards London, heedless of the cries which escaped from the unfortunate wretch whom De Rosann had bound hand and foot and cast into the dry ditch, and who set up a most plaintive yell when he heard Belle-Rose rise from the ' ground and mutter audible curses on account of the unsuccessful enterprise that thus had allured him from a warm bed, and exposed his person to the inclemency of the weather. At about four o’clock in the morning, the self- styled Count entered the metropolis, and returned to the hotel at which he resided. His clothes were co- vered with mud; his face was disfigured with seratches and bruises acquired during his scuffle with the posti- lion, and his appearance altogether afforded a sorry spectacle. Luckily the porter who opened the door to him had no light in his hand; and being accustomed to attend such summonses at all hours, he did not make - any pafticular remark. Belle-Rose, too glad to have thus escaped detection, and felicitating himself at hav- ing avoided the observation-of impertinent curiosity, retired to his chamber, where he soon forgot in the arms of sleep the failure of his nocturnal enterprise. But when he awoke, at about nine o’clock, an un- pleasant reminiscence returned to his memory, and caused him to make a horrible grimace as his eye caught sight of a long slip of paper lying upon the table. The day before—to the uncommon surprise of the adventurer Belle-Rose, who “did not under- stand such treatment towards a gentleman of rank,’’ as he expressed himself upon the occasion —the land- lord of the hotel had had the impudence, according to his guest’s ideas, to present his bill for the thirteenth time, and request immediate payment. JBelle-Rose, COPMNICLOOOKS (F@)