Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 143 seeing you, friend Belle-Rose,’’ said the host, as he served the steaming potage which had a much better odour than that of the upright Claude. “Yes, Theodore,’ returned the worthy Pierre ; “ and I have this day done what you and I did a few years ago together.”’ ‘How? what!” exclaimed Theodore: “and your comrade as well?’’ “Precisely. After supper, when the brats have gone to bed, I will recount to you the whole adven- ture.”’ “ Bravo !’’ cried the peasant, clapping his hands with joy: then turning to his better half, he said, ina tone of voice approximating a whisper, “ Marie, my love, you must regale us witha flask of your deceased uncle’s cognac, to welcome Monsieur Belle-Rose and his friend, and to celebrate their escape. You under- stand me?”’ The female gave a significant nod, and left the room for a few minutes, at the expiration of which she re- turned, bearing in her hand a quart bottle, or ditre, of the genuine spirit. Conviviality now reigned trium- phant; a variety of toasts were proposed and drank with enthusiasm, and Belle-Rose uttered a thousand facetious things, as the brandy gradually worked its effect upon him. Even De Rosann suffered his usual scruples to be overcome on this occasion; and he joined in the mirth of his companions with undis- euised pleasure, the novelty of his situation, the force of example, and the adventures of the day, baffling all punctiliousness. In the midst of the conviviality, when the glass was often filled and speedily emptied —when jests flowed unrestrained—and when every heart was gay, a loud knock at the door excited the attention of the revel- lers. ‘Theodore rose to see who could be there at so late an hour; and a word from Belle-Rose reassured the drooping courage of De Rosann; for he instantly pictured to himself Gendarmes, chains, and dungeons. But his companion convinced him that no Gendarmes CoOnnicloookxs (C@