Alfred de Rosann — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

26 ALFRED DE ROSANN. considerable difficulty, to the private office of the head partner. To his astonishment he found himself in the presence of the very Englishman whom he had offended on board the steam-vessel. Mr. Robson—for he it was in propria persond— received our hero with a cordial smile and an excess of politeness. He was probably ashamed of himself for his ungentlemanly petulance on a late occasion. Be that as it may, Mr. Robson was quite another per- son when enacting the part of the rich banker, than he was when travelling zmcognzto on business. “Ah! Monsieur,” he exclaimed, as De Rosann made a low bow, and stood a moment uncertain how to commence his business; “ you have lost no more time on the road than myself; and to tell you the truth, I am not at all sorry your affairs have brought you to this house ; my conscience assures me that | owe you an apology fora little abruptness which I unworthily manifested—’’ : ‘“‘ Not at all,’ replied De Rosann, with theseasiness of manner which was natural to him, and which most essentially increased Mr. Robson’s good humour ; “ | was sadly afraid of encountering in this office a gen- tleman unable to converse with me in my own tongue; and I assure you that lam most agreeably disappointed, by meeting one who speaks French so fluently.’’ This compliment entirely won Mr. Robson’s heart in favour of our hero; and he offered De Rosann a pinch of snuff, with a gesture that bespoke a certain familiarity or intimacy which did not really yet exist between them. “Alfred touehed the box, and bowed politely. “Mr. Robson,”’ said he, “I know that your time is precious, and I must not intrude too long upon your leisure. Waull you permit me,’? continued De Rosann, with a species of confidence which the open manners of the Ecenglishman encouraged, or rather created, * to ask you a few questions concerning an affair of the ut- most importance ?”’ “Certainly, Monsteur,—lI have not the pleasure of being acquainted with your name,” cried the banker. Gomichbooks.com