Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 99 be stupified with alarm and horror at the dreadful loss her husband would experience; and no sooner did she arrive in the open air, than she fainted. Belle-Rose and Dorval placed the helpless female in a chair, and conveyed her to an adjoining barn, where they administered the proper remedies to recover her. In the meantime De Rosann had re-entered the house, and sought the apartments of the ladies, naturally supposing that the one, whose ankle was sprained, would require assistance. Just as he was about to knock at the first door, it was thrown open, and the younger of the ladies rushed out, calling loudly for the servant and the gentleman that accom- panied them. There was no candle in the corridor; but the glare of the flames rendered it as light as day. De Rosann cast one glance upon the beautiful girl who had issued from the chamber—that fairy form, that lovely face, that melodious voice were too well impressed upon his memory ever to be forgotten—he uttered an exclamation of joy—and in a moment Eloise was clasped in the arms of her lover. “ Your mother and uncle are with you?” inquired Alfred hastily. ‘¢ Yes—but you, dear Alfred—how have you escaped from that odious place?” inquired Eloise, forgetful at the instant of all the world save him she adored. “‘ To-morrow—presently—I will tell you all, dear Eloise,” answered the young man ; “ at this moment let us think of your mother.” And with these words he imprinted another kiss upon the chaste brow of that affectionate girl, then gently disengaged himself from her fervent embrace, and hurried into the room to assist the parent of his beloved Eloise. ‘“‘ Do not be astonished at my preseyce here, Mrs. Clayton !’’ cried De Rosann ; ‘ but haste and save yourself, for the fire gains upon us.” ‘* Alfred de Rosann!’’ exclaimed the mother, sinking back in her chair, as if she were confronted by a spectre. “ Yes—'tis I, madam,” returned the youth: “ hasten, I pray you— we can talk anon—this is no time or place for explanation. Support yourself well on my arm—Eloise, assist your mother the other side—and now away from this chamber.” Mrs. Clayton was scafgely able to walk, her ankle pained her to such a degree; and the party would have moved onwards but slowly, had not Mr. Clayton stepped forward and made his niece resign her place to him. His astonishment on recognizing De Rosann was equal to that of his companions when they first respectively saw the young man, whom they deemed to be shackled in an ignominious gaol ; but his joy equalled his astonishment, and he addressed a few words of kindness to our hero in the most affectionate manner. Eloise inwardly thanked the good man who had exemplified so unequivocal a proof of his regard for her and her lover; and she sighed heavily when she thought of the different wel- come Alfred had received from her mother. Arrived with difficulty in the court-yard, Mrs. Clayton was conducted to the out-house, where the farmer's wife already lay on a bed hastily contrived of mattresses, &c., as those objects were saved piecemeal from the ravages of the fire. It was a species of barn, in which the ladies were fain to take refuge; and being situate at a little distance from the house, there was no danger of the flames communicating to its roof, COMicoooks