Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 235 not forget the duel—the circumstance of the horses’ running away with the post-chaise, in which he travelled from London to South- ampton—end the particulars of the attempt made upon his pro- perty by Belle-Rose, and the two accomplices in that daring deed. At one time he excited the laughter of his auditors by a recital of the freaks of the deceased Belle-Rose, or the extravagancies and credulity of Champignon; at another be caused them to shudder at the idea of the dangers he had himself encountered. But when he narrated the awful confession of Francois, and informed Mrs, Clayton that her late father had died by the hands of a murderer, that lady’s tears burst forth in torrents, and the eyes of Eloise were also moistened with the crystal drops of sorrow. De Rosann and Mr. Clayton shared in their emotion, although not to so great a degree. The documents, which had been of such service to our hero, were then produced and read. They consisted of letters received by the Marquis de Denneville from the father of the existing Mr. Clayton, of copies of the several replies that nobleman had written, and of an epistle from the head partner of a mercantile house in Paris to the said nobleman, stating that the eight hundred thousand francs were duly banded over to him by the Marquis’s servant, Gustave, and that a proper notice of the deposit had been sent, according to orders, to the firm of Messieurs Robson, Son, and Co., Threadneedle-street, London. ‘¢ Pardon me, madam,” said Alfred to Mrs. Clayton, when he had concluded reading aloud the last letter, ‘“‘ for not having imme- diately given up those precious deeds, when I discovered to whom they belonged. But the idea, that they might eventually serve me in forwarding my suit with a certain person,” he continued, gazin tenderly at Eloise, ‘‘ and the conviction that no very long interval would ensue before I should deliver them to you, made me guilty of so unwarranted an act of audacity and boldness.” ‘No apology is necessary, my dear Alfred,” returned Mrs. Clayton, wiping away ber tears, and smiling as she was wont to do a year before at our hero. Eloise did not fail to notice this happy change in her mother’s behaviour towards De Rosann; and her bosom swelled with the purest sentiments of delight and joy. The moment the metropolis was again tranquil and quiet, Alfred mixed in the fashionable society of the Chausseé d’ Antin together with his destined bride, her mother and uncle; and not one of the gay acquaintances he had known in the times of his former pro- sperity, and that had deserted him on the day of tribulation, failed to offer him their congratulations and address him in flattering speeches. He returned their salutations and fulsome homage to an ascendant star, with the politeness that was so characteristic of his manners ; because he did not choose to let them perceive he ever felt their commiseration or disdain. Eloise was universally admired in the fashionable circles of Paris. Happiness produces a wonderful effect upon the personal appear- ance of individuals, because the mind and the body are so de- pendent on each other, and are intimately united together. An additional bloom appeared upon the cheeks of our fair heroine— COnicbooolks (GO)