Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 71 Felicité soon robbed the spit of its savoury burden; and having enveloped the fowls in paper, she cun- ningly transferred them to Belle-Rose’s pockets, while his comrades turned away their eyes, affecting the ut- most ignorance of the whole transaction. “What shall I say to mother for you, uncle?”’ in- quired the girl, when the above ceremony of convey- ance was accomplished. . : “Say'!—say anything you like—that is, every- thing kind and tender, my love; and rest assured, God will prosper you for what you have done.”’ | “ Do you really think God saw me give you those fowls, and that he will bless me for it ?”’ ‘¢ Most certainly: and the more you give, the more he will favour your undertakings through life. By- the-bye, my dear niece—on second thoughts—since you are so kind—although my habits be sober, and I rarely drink aught, save pure spring water—still I may as well accept a glass of wine—for my legs are weak, and my strength is declining—and to-night I will remember you in my prayers.”’ The wine was tendered with as good a grace as were the fowls; and Champignon undertook to carry a bottle, on a hint being given him to that effect by Belle-Rose, whose pockets were already full. In about a quarter of an hour the Gendarmes finished their last glass of piguette, and pushed aside the cold beef off which they had abundantly fed, although. Champignon: dd mutter between his teeth that it would have been better ina /rzceau. They then called for their cups of coffee—those universal concomitants to a Frenchman’s meals—and two little glasses of cog‘ nac. While they were discussing these supernume- rary dainties, an elderly woman, whom Felicité in- stantly called “ Mother,’ entered the room. Having respectfully saluted the Gendarmes, with whom she appeared to be acquainted, and having cast a look of mingled commiseration and contempt on the prison- ers, she laid aside her cloak, deposited her basket in a corner, passed into the kitchen, and inquired of her CoOmicooolks (GO)