Alfred de Rosann — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

66 ALFRED DE ROSANN. pected that his anticipated departure had awakened something more important than a momentary sorrow, or a common regret, in the mind of Selina. Her con- fusion—her repeated changes of colour—her refusal to resume her music—and the suddenness of her in- disposition—all corroborated his supposition. It was true he had given her no reason to suppose that he was in the slightest degree captivated by her charms : or her accomplishments. He had paid more attention to her than to her sister, or to any other young lady he had ever encountered at her father’s house ; because she alone could discourse with him in his own native language. But in all their conversations, he had scarcely ever paid her the usual compliments that a chi- valrous spirit of gallantry invariably encourages when in the society of a young and pretty woman: he saw that her mind was too sensible and too much superior to the frivolities of life, to require the offerings of flat- tery; and literary subjects had invariably furnished them with topics. De Rosann was, therefore, quite innocent of*any attempt to engage the affections of a heart whose love he could not return; and while he felt that no levity on his side had given Selina the slightest encouragement or hope, he could not help commisserating the luckless maiden from the bottom of his soul, and of breathing fervent prayers that he might be mistaken. At the same time he knew that Love is a tyrant, and not a slave—a master, and nota menial. It 1s the magic power whose enchantments can cast chains around the hearts of princes, poten- tates, and nobles—whose influence is universally felt, and seldom dared—and whose entrance into the human breast is as often effected by degrees as with precipi- tation. Love tames the pride of the warrior—makes the mighty monarch bow the knee—and visits the lordly palace or the humble cottage at will. Bolts— bars—walls—and ramparts, may keep at bay every- thing but Love! a When De Rosann. returned to the hotel, he found two letters lying on his table. The first was from Mr. Gomichbooks. com