Alfred de Rosann — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 168 their conversation was generally known. De Ro- sann marked the air of agitation, the gaze of astonish- ment, the attitude of resignation, the smile of incredu- lity, the laugh of assurance, the glow of pride, the shudder of cowardice, the silence of conviction, the noise of doubt, and the tranquillity of hope. Every ° passion, every feeling was there excited: the signs were ominous and alarming. De Rosann became more and more curious to ascer- tain the cause of this extraordinary excitement. He ascended the steps that lead to the front parlour of Tortoni’s café, and seated himself ata table. The waiter desired to know what he would take. Our hero hesitated—his mind was in a state of confusion —he had already breakfasted—and he ordered break- fast a second time in the agitation of the moment. The only person who appeared indifferent to what was going on, was the female seated at the bar. De Rosann approached her, made a polite bow, and requested to be informed of the causes of the myste- rious behaviour he noticed in every one save herself. The female did not answer a word, but took a news paper from a shelf, and placed it in Alfred’s hands. He thanked her, returned to his seat, and cast his eyes over the journal, doubtful whether his question had been understood. It was the Moniteur of the day before—the twenty-sixth of July, 1830; and the first words that attracted De Rosann’s attention, after a cursory glance, were those ever memorable ones —* The freedom of the periodical press is sus- pended!’’* | There was at once an explanation of all he had seen, and all he had deemed unaccountable. From his palace of St. Cloud the rash monarch issued those ter- rible mandates that were to pave the way for the over- throw of his dynasty, place another upon the throne, and cast his ministers into a prison. The royal tyrant, in his insolent pride, deemed that the sons of France * La Liberté de la presse periodique est suspendue ! VOL. I1.—15 Gomicbooks (E@)