Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

124 Alfred de Rosann. which he spread the mysterious papers. We have before stated that they were letters, and that many had escaped the attacks of vermin and the ravages of time. De Rosann sought for the one that bore the oldest date, so as to read them in a proper order; and applied himself attentively to its examination. But scarcely had his eyes run over the first ten words, when he uttered an exclamation of astonishment, and struck his forehead forcibly with his hand, as if in doubt whether he were awake ordreaming. He then appeared to ruminate for a few minutes ere he continued the perusal of a document which had thus created his wonder. At length he started from his reverie, drew the letters near him once more, and hastened to accomplish his task. As his eyes ran over each successive line, his attention became more deeply rivetted to the papers, and his interest more essentially ex- cited. At one moment a partial gloom would pervade his features ; at another a joyous ray illuminated his countenance. He seemed the victim of mingled hope and fear, joy and sorrow, anticipation and dread. Letter after letter was consecutively scanned and laid aside—not a word had escaped his scrutiny; and only one epistle remained unread. His anxiety now appeared worked up to an ex- traordinary pitch; for some moments he almost hesitated whether to conclude his task, or relinquish it for ever, so violently was his bosom a prey to the wildest excesses of expectation and alarm. At length he recalled his departed energy—nerved himself to bear the result, whatever it might be—and cast his eyes in an instant of des- perate courage on the only letter that was still to be perused. Sud- denly his visage brightened—a triumphant smile played upon his countenance—his glances were replete with delight—he involun- tarily clapped his hands together— started from his chair, and cried out ‘Thank God—thank God! the hand of heaven is indeed evi- dent in this miraculous event!” For many minutes he forgot his real situation—he did not recol- lect where he was—he seemed involved in an ecstasy even greater than that into which Jeannette’s song had thrown him three days before. His mind was occupied by new ideas—fresh hopes were awakened in his breast—and he pictured to himself a smiling future as he paced the room with uneven steps. His delirium of joy resembled the effects of an extraordinary dose of opium on a som- nambulist. He rubbed his hands together, laughed incoherently, and cast wild glances around him. His spirits appeared to be wound up to such a degree as to threaten most dismal consequences in case of a too sudden reaction. Fortunately, however, his eye caught sight of the papers scattered upon the table, and he recovered his natural equanimity in a moment. Having carefully folded the precious documents, and placed them about his person as before, he unlocked the door of the bed-chamber, and rang the bell. The landlord himself appeared to answer the summons. ‘‘ Have you succeeded in obtaining the fulfilment of the neces- sary formalities to our passports ?” enquired De Rosann. ‘¢ Most unquestionably,” returned the landlord. COnicbooolks (GO)