Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

90 | ALFRED DE ROSANN. for his future fate depended upon the veracity of Le-. blond’s mysterious statements—and that veracity was now put toacertain proof. He felt like a man stand- ing on the verge of avast precipice, with an avalanche above his head, and a torrent beneath his feet—ex- pecting succour, and yet aware of the possibility, or even the probability of its failure. It was the most important moment of his life—and he knew it to be such. The old man hesitated—gazed at the passport, then at Belle-Rose, then at the passport again ; and, perhaps fearful that hazard alone might have dictated the convict’s reply—or perhaps to make doubly sure —he seemed to wait for him to say something more. Belle-Rose’s heart sank within him ;—he feared it was all over—that Leblond had deceived him—that his sanguine anticipations were vain. But he re- solved to be convinced at once ; and therefore, with- out mystery or disguise, fixing a penetrating glance upon the old man, and drawing himself up to his full height, to throw as much importance as possible into his attitude, he pronounced in a firm tone the words ‘SLA FRANCE.” : ; “JT understand you—’tis well,’’ muttered Plom- bier: ‘*the examination is finished. You will keep that document,” he added, returning the passport to the hand of Belle-Rose, “until an opportunity shall render it useful to you.’’ ‘¢ And when may that be??? inquired Belle-Rose, delighted at the turn which the mysterious affair had taken. nae speedily as possible. You may rely upon my aid. : “ You are yourself, then, enlisted in the service ?” ‘In what service ?”? inquired Plombier, feigning astonishment. “in some service, evidentiy,”’ returned Belle-Rose. - “ My friend,’ said the old man, in a firm but kind tone, “do not seek to penetrate mysteries as yet un- veiled but to few. It is true I am in a certain ser- vice—and you must embrace the same : but perhaps Gomichbookssecom