Alfred de Rosann — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 37 *¢ Well—well!”? cried Mr. Clayton, wearied of the gastronomer’s explanations, and anxious to escape from the rude gaze of the loiterers at the door ; “ have the kindness to send them to my lodgings’”?—and he gave the address. “The pheasants, and the other articles I recom- mended ?’” inquired Champignon. “* Yes—anything you choose,” replied Mr. Clay- ton, scarcely comprehending a word that was said to him, so great was his confusion. “QO, but you must cast a single glance at my kitchen!’ exclaimed the provoking Champignon, lay- ing hold of his customer’s arm, and endeavouring to pull him towards the entrance of the place he had mentioned. “| will not givexyou the trouble.” “No trouble, I assure you; allow me to show you the way.”’ “My God, what a man!’’ cried Mr. Clayton, in agony; and disengaging his arm by a sudden motion, he made his escape from the shop, and took refuge in a neighbouring news-room for a couple*of hours, fear- ‘ful of meeting the sneering countenances of any of the individuals who had witnessed his unlucky encounter with Champignon. On his return home, he found Mrs. Clayton, his niece, and the cook, in grand con- sultation together, and overheard the voice of the ser- vant, saying, “ You may depend upon it, Madame, that Monsieur intends to regale a large party of friends.”’ ‘Indeed he does not, though!’’ exclaimed Mr. Clayton, stepping forward, and pushing open the kitchen door, in the vicinity of which he was standing. ‘Then wherefore such a profusion of dishes?” asked Mrs. Clayton. ‘¢ There must be some mistake!’’ cried her brother- in-law, whose countenance betokened ill humour and perplexity. ‘Oh! no—since the friandeur produced the ad- dress of the house written upon your own card.”’ VOL. I1.—4 Gomichoo cS (F@)