Alfred de Rosann — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 65 momentary and as evanescent as the flap of a bird’s wing, or the reply of an echo to a single sound; but it brought a blush to Selina’s countenance—a blush that scarcely failed to meet the eye of De Rosann. He did not apologize—but affected to be unaware that his hand had instantaneously encountered her’s—and he acted prudently; for a solicitation of pardon would only have attached an importance to that which Selina should have regarded as a trifle. ‘“ No—I do not think that vanity is one of the faults you intend to’conceal by so precipitate a de- parture,’’ said Selina, endeavouring to maintain a cheerful tone of voice by assuming a gaiety in her conversation. ‘Then you are certain that I have faults.” ‘¢ Now I shall accuse you of vanity,’’ returned Miss Robson. ‘ But is it decided that you leave London the day after to-morrow?”’ “ Unalterably fixed: although others take advan- tage of the convenient words ‘ urgent circumstances,’ ‘matters of vital importance,’ e¢ cetera, to serve as their apologists, I have no need of dissimulation, be- eause your father is acquainted with the important nature of my affairs.”’ “Papa is really too tiresome!” cried Miss Robson: ‘‘he never tells us anything. I dare say he knew three or four days ago, of your intended departure.”’ «¢ No—indeed he did not—let me do him that jus- tice. It is true he was aware of my determination to leave London as soon as I had perfected a weighty affair; but he was uncertain whether I should succeed until this morning. ‘That is—we were both morally sure—though not absolutely.”’ The entrance of Mrs, Robson and her elder daugh- ter changed the conversation ; and our hero shortly after took his leave. But as he returned slowly to the hotel where he lodged, his imagination gave way to a variety of conflicting ideas. He was not vain in rea- lity—he did not venture to flatter himself, because he had a certain pride to offer up incense to—but he sus- 6 EOPMNICLOOOLK (F@)