Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 267: what you’re looking at

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

252 Alfred de Rosann. ‘‘and I have done. Mrs. Clayton,” he continued, turning towards that lady, and addressing himself to her, ‘“ will you permit me to inquire if you be acquainted with the real name and rank of your late father ?”’ ‘‘ Certainly not!” cried Mr. Clayton, starting from his seat: ‘and will you believe the ridiculous vow my sister has made rela- tive to your engagement with her daughter? She declares that her approbation shall alone be elicited when you develop those very mysteries to which you have just alluded.” ‘«°Tis singular!” exclaimed De Rosann, a gleam of irrepressible joy illuminating his handsome features. ‘‘ Then it remains for me to perform the rest.” ‘¢ How ? what?” shouted the uncle, throwing himself upon his chair, and resigning himself to the bitter conviction that Alfred was about to manifest a proper spirit, and retort upon Mrs. Clayton as she deserved, but in a manner that would break the heart of Eloise. ‘¢ Madam, you are the daughter of the Marquis de Denneville !” said our hero, addressing himself to Mrs. Clayton. ‘¢ Impossible !’”’ cried the mother, fixing the eye of astonishment upon De Rosann, and waiting with breathless anxiety to hear more. ‘‘ Yes—madam,” he continued; ‘‘ you are the daughter of the Marquis de Denneville. Your property, amounting to thirty-two thousand pounds, English money, is at your disposal. There are the deeds which prove the truth of my statement, and which will establish your claim to your father’s wealth :” and our hero handed the mysterious papers to their legitimate owner. ‘¢ A miracle! a miracle!” thundered Mr. Clayton, once more starting from his chair. ‘The vow must be fulfilled—the oath must be accomplished. Alfred, there is your future bride—her mother cannot recall her words.” ‘‘Nor will she endeavour to do so,’ cried Mrs. Clayton. ‘SM. De Rosann, you have done me a service I can never for- get—you have developed a mystery it has long been my sincerest wish to fathom—and the least I can do to demonstrate my grati- tude, is to accord you the hand of my daughter. I shall moreover settle the wealth thus providentially recovered upon her; and at my death all I now possess will alike devolve to you and to Eloise.” De Rosann and Eloise rushed into each other’s arms, and in- dulged in a second embrace as long and ardent as the first. Mr. Clayton clapped his hands together in an ecstasy of joy, and his sister-in-law was not sorry that the affair had terminated thus amicably. Our hero now related the providential manner whereby he became ‘possessed of the documents that had worked so favourable a change in his favour. He accounted for the sudden deviation from his intentions of hastening to Paris, according to his agree- ment with Mr. Clayton at the farm-house—he detailed the various treacheries of Belle-Rose, and the difficulty he experienced in recovering the precious papers: he related more fully than before his adventures at the galleys, his escape, the history of Cham- pignon, and the hopeless attachment of Selina Robson. He did COnicbooolks (GO)