Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 169 De Rosann said nothing, but waited patiently for the other to hand him over his money. ‘¢ This is most cxtraordinary,’’ continued Markham, his face the colour of scarlet—every eye being fixed upon him—and our hero’s tranquillity and silence appearing a mockery for the purpose of increasing his embarrassment. ‘‘I must have Jeft my money at home : but the Count, of course, has his purse about him ; he drew eight hundred pounds yesterday morning at Robson's. D'Elsigny —where are you?” but not even an echo answered ‘‘ Where!” The noble Count had disappeared the moment De Rosann threw down his cards, and no reply was given to the voice of his friend. ‘¢T am waiting, sir,” said De Rosann coolly. - Indeed I am sorry, M. De Rosann—very sorry—but I have evidently left my purse at home. Will you favour me with your address, that I may enclose you the amount the first thing in the morning ?” ‘¢ And supposing you had won my money, Mr. Markham, you would have taken it: therefore I have been playing against my own interests.” ‘¢ How—what!"’ exclaimed Markham, delighted at having an excuse to bully; ‘‘do you mean to insinuate that you stand a chance of loosing the few paltry pounds I owe you?” ‘‘T think that nothing is more probable,” answered our hero with the same imperturbable coolness. ‘¢ You are no gentleman !” shouted Markham. ‘¢ And you are a sharper!” returned Alfred gently: ‘ but I do not choose to disturb the tranquillity of this hospitable mansion— our kind hosts must not regret the invitation they have vouchsafed to me, at least ; there is my address, sir,” continued De Rosann, throwing a card upon the table; ‘may I solicit your's?” Markham hastily complied with our hero’s request, or, rather, command, and shortly after withdrew in the greatest possible con- fusion ; while all admired and expressed their approbation of the gentlemanly conduct of the young Frenchman. But what had become of Belle-Rose? The moment he saw that his friend had lost the game, he gave his waistcoat-pocket one ta with his fingers, to convince himself that it was empty, and sud- denly made his escape from the écarté-table. Arrived at the door of the room set apart exclusively to dancing, he found the passage barred by the ladies and gentlemen occupied in a quadrille ; and all hopes of passing round, without treading on the toes of the old dowagers and maiden aunts, who sate in solemn state against the walls to witness the amusements of ‘the young people,” were totally vain. Belle-Rose was therefore obliged to wait at the door, which formed the communication between the card-room and the dancing-room, until the guadrille was finished. In about a minute he felt his arm slightly pulled; and turning hastily round, saw himself confronted by a gentleman, whose nose supported an immense pair of gold spectacles, and whose face he recollected to have seen peering over the shoulders of the loiterers .round the card-table. COnicbooolks (GO)