Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 111 ceeded to the appeal: the bait héld out allured not éven one of those degraded beings: the treachery of Judas was not to be there purchased with the thirty pieces of silver. Nearly another minute elapsed; a hum of satisfaction commenced throughout the ranks of convicts; the old man, whose supplication had ap- parently been listened to and granted at the throne of eternal grace, smiled faintly; the priests were about to begin a prayer of thanksgiving—the sentry had re- sumed his march—the Governor turned with tears of satisfaction in his eyes, to remand Francois to his dun- geon—and Belle-Rose ventured a joke at the expense of Champignon, to demonstrate his joy—when a con- vict, who was not manacled, issued from the band, stepped quickly up to where the Commissary was standing, and cried in a firm tone of voice, “ I accept your proffer, and am ready todo my duty!” The Governor retrograded a few paces, as if confronted by a wild beast, or venomous thing, and stared in stupid astonishment, mingled with horror, upon the speaker. An universal groan burst from all those who recog- nised the volunteer—disgust, alarm, anger, were de- picted upon the countenances of the galley-slaves; for it was Edouard that now stood forward as the execu- tioner of his benefactor! “The monster !” cried Belle-Rose: “ Francois is lost 1° | “The Governor hesitates,” said De Rosann; “there is yet hope.”’ | ‘>A fellow like that would eat his own father,” in- terrupted Champignon, “if he were only served up with a sauce piquante.”’ | «“ Alas! hope is vain,’? remarked the experienced Belle-Rose: “the Governor as yet scarcely believes his own ears—his own eyes; but when his astonish- ment is past, he dares not refuse to accept Edouard’s services: Francois must die!” ‘And become meat for worms!’? added Cham- pignon. s See, see!’’ cried Belle-Rose, after a pause-—“‘ the Connicloookxs (C@