Alfred de Rosann — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 73 to assume those easy manners, and the half-familiar, half-respectful style of conversation, which he hoped would convince her that he considered her in the light of a friend, and simply as the daughter of one to whom he was under obligations, and in whose family he had accidentally become intimate. But he could not help noticing the pale countenance of Selina, and the con- fusion with which she received him; for her delicate mind instantly suspected that Alfred might imagine those interviews were purposely so arranged as to take place in the absence of witnesses. It was therefore in vain and fruitlessly she essayed to be cheerful; her smiles were melancholy, her laughter was forced, and her gaiety was assumed. All this did not escape the observation of our hero. “Had I not been engaged to dine with you this evening,’ said Alfred, “I should nevertheless have done myself the pleasure of calling.”’ “For a particular purpose again?’? asked Selina, playfully alluding to a portion of the conversation that took place between them the day before. “Precisely. I have procrastinated my departure.”’ “ For four-and-twenty hours?” inquired Selina, with a sigh. | “ Do you wish it was for no more?’’ cried De Ro- sann, carelessly: then recollecting that his words might probably awaken disagreeable ideas, he hastened to add, “‘ But, of course, that is a matter of indifference to you. I shall not leave London at least till the ex- piration of a fortnight, and perhaps not before the 17th or 18th of July: the latter period is the more probable.” «¢ Now, indeed, we shall have time to discover your faults,”’ cried Selina, while the joy that the news afford- ed her flashed in her eyes, and revivificated a portion of the faded roses that had nearly died upon her cheeks. “Pray, does papa know of this sudden change in your determinations—this new proof of a fickle mind! Ah! how can men reproach us poor frail creatures with Gomichboo SS (Eo)