Alfred de Rosann — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

150 ALFRED DE ROSANN. | mer was delighted at the prospect held: out of reaping a considerable benefit from the lucrative speculation. ‘«‘ Belle-Rose is a clever fellow,’ said he to himself, when he was once more alone: “and before he has done with them, there will not be a rat nor a mouse all over the country.”’ As Belle-Rose issued from Champignon’s shop, he encountered Mr. Clayton, and immediately recog- nised him to be the gentleman who accompanied the two ladies at Louis Dorval’s house, and who had sup- plied De Rosann with a considerable sum of money. It was a maxim of Belle-Rose never to lose anything for want of civility, nor for want of asking. He therefore saluted Mr. Clayton, and made a remark relative to. the weather, or some common-place mat- ter. } “| think I have had the pleasure of seeing you be- fore,’’ said Mr. Clayton, acknowledging the adven-. turer’s polite bow; “but my memory fails meas | grow older,” he added with a smile. Belle-Rose mentioned his name, and explained where they had met; and Mr. Clayton accidentally noticed that De Rosann was in London. “TI came from England myself three days ago,” said Belle-Rose; “and am not at all sorry to be back again in my native land. ‘Fhe English are a—’ he was going to say “a miserable, morose, reserved peo- ple—” but recollecting Mr. Clayton was himself a son of Albion, he corrected his unlucky allusion in time, and added “a hospitable, kind, and generous race ; but I am fond of the laughter, mirth, and gaiety we meet in France.”’ | | “Did you see M. De Rosann in London? or perhaps you accompanied him thither ?”? said Mr. Clayton. ‘“ We parted at St. Malo six or seven weeks ago,” returned Belle-Rose, “ totally unaware of each other’s intentions ; and we accidentally encountered in the Kinglish metropolis. De Rosann went by Southamp- CONNIELOOOKS (coin