Alfred de Rosann — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

176 ALFRED DE ROSANN. it was herself—instantly rose from her knees, and obeyed De Rosann’s commands: she recollected his handsome countenance, and was moreover humane in her disposition. Alfred inquired if Miss Clayton were in good health; and having received satisfactory re- plies to that and other questions which he put to the old woman relative to his adored Eloise, he recom- mended Belle-Rose to the especial care of the kind portress; and once more returned to take the lead of his gallant followers. In the meantime, the portress examined the wounds of the individual confided to her charge, and succeeded in bringing him back to partial recollection. A faint animation excited his pulse, and gave tokens of a feeble existence not yet passed away, but soon to eva- porate. She placed him upon a bed, and opened her drawers to seek for rags, to staunch the blood that flowed from many places at the same time. But either she had not the linen she looked for, or else the confusion and agitation of her ideas so bewildered her senses, that she could not find a single morsel. In this dilemma she bethought herself of the well-known charitable and compassionate disposition of Mrs. Clayton ; and hurried to the apartments occupied by that lady, to solicit the wherewith to arrest the ebbing tide of life that issued from the wounds of the dying man. Her request was instantly granted ; and Mrs. Clayton, accompanied by her brother-in-law, descend- ed to aid the portress in her humane task. Belle- Rose had opened his eyes during her absence, and was gazing wildly around him when his benefactors entered the lodge. His glance encountered that of Mr. Clayton, and a smile of satisfaction animated his pallid countenance. He raised himself with consider- able difficulty on his right'arm—repulsed the portress who advanced towards the bed bearing linen and bandages in her hands—and beckoned Mr. Clayton to approach. | : “T have but a short time to live,” said Belle-Rese in a faint voice almost depressed to a mere whisper, “and Iam desirous of quitting this world in peace COMIC OOS a0)