Alfred de Rosann — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

- 52 | ALFRED DE ROSANN. young man, I mortgaged a part of my property—-my own ancestral estate in Picardy, to relieve him from his embarrassments.’’ ev ‘Most noble conduct!’’ cried Mr. Robson, with a serious countenance, as if he believed every syllable of this rhodomontade. “ And it is my intention to give him my younger sister in marriage, if he act honourably towards me,” continued Belle-Rose. ‘* But at present I am rather pressed for ready cash ; and as | do not choose to en- cumber my estate in Picardy any farther—’’ ‘Very natural!’? exclaimed the banker, not a mus- cle of his face moving, nor the slightest smile curling his lip. “You understand me, I perceive,”’ proceeded Belle- Rose: “I am not one of those gay young noblemen who squander away their property, as if estates and bank-notes were as plentiful as brick-bats in a kiln. Besides, my giddy days are over,—you and Iy Mr. Robson, must not think of committing the follies that lead children into difficulties—we have wives—’? “Ah! M. d’Elsigny is married!”’ cried the banker, feigning astonishment at an assertion which he sus- pected to be as false as the preceding, and those that were to succeed. ~ aoa) “OQ yes—and blessed with a smiling family of eleven children,’’ answered Belle-Rose, with a bland smile. “The Countess was a rich heiress, of a noble and ancient family, descended in a direct line from the celebrated Roldan, who was killed by Bernardo, the Spanish warrior, at the battle of Roncésvalles—” “JT did not know Roldan left any offspring.” ‘‘T fancy, between ourselves, that they were all bastards,” said Belle-Rose: “but be that as it may, my wife traces her lineage back to the good old paladin ; and we have still his helmet in my ancestral castle.”’ “And at this minute you are somewhat in want of money, M. d’Elsigny?’’ cried Robson, fearful that his companion was about to amuse him with the history of the twelve peers of Charlemagne, and to connect — Gomichbooks,..com