Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

28 Alfred de Rosana. ‘“‘ In the first place, then,” replied De Rosann, willing to conciliate Pierre Belle-Rose, ‘‘ as regards the decamping, I must inform you that I was arrested for the forgery only ten minutes after I knew it had been committed ; and in the second place, my youth, and the eventual intercession of an old nobleman, obtained a commutation of the severity of my sentence.” At this moment the chain entered Versailles, and the Gendarmes endeavoured to enforce a strict silence amongst the prisoners. ‘‘Are you not very much ashamed, De Rosann, for all the people are at their windows to gaze upon us?’ enquired Belle-Rose in a whisper that was scarcely audible. ‘‘ God knows I am,” returned the youth in agony. ‘‘ Silence, thieves !"’ thundered a Gendarme. ‘There, my dear boy,” muttered Belle Rose, as he threw a hand- kerchief over Alfred’s head, so as completely to cover his face. ‘‘ A thousand thanks,’’ whispered the youth, feeling really grateful for this unexpected act of kindness. In about five minutes he felt a trembling hand touch his pocket, and drop something heavy into it. A voice, almost choked with sobs, at the same time said, ‘‘ God bless thee, my poor dear—-dear nephew; and recollect that at thy return, thine uncle will be glad to give thee an asylum !”’ De Rosann would have turned round to convince the compassionate personage of his mistake; but a word from Belle-Rose checked him, and he continued his weary march without altering his position in the rank, | ‘‘ Now we are outside the town,” cried Belle-Rose, ‘‘ and you may take off the handkerchief. Let us see how much the old fellow has given you.” ‘'What—how ?” asked De Rosann, momentarily forgetting the circumstance of a heavy object having been slid into his pocket ‘© Your uncle,”’ replied Belle- Rose with an ironical grin. De Rosann drew forth a purse in which there were a few gold coins. ‘‘ Bravo! bravo!’ exclaimed Pierre, laughing heartily ; and soon the whole chain of galley-slaves was made acquainted with the contents of the good uncle's bequest. Even the Gendarmes Joined in the general mirth, which was not a little heightened by the ignorance of e Rosann as to the means practised to obtain the supply. His curio- sity was however speedily satisfied. ‘‘T met the nephew of that worthy old gentleman at Bicétre,”’ said Pierre Belle-Rose, ‘‘ and learnt his whole history, for he was blest with an extraordinary mania of communicativeness. He told me that his excellent and kid uncle lived at Versailles—that this uncle would look out for him when the chain passed through the town— and that the handkerchief over the face was to be the signal, if he were one of the number. Thus, thanks to thy modesty, did the rag betray thee, De Rosann !’’ At this communication the galley-slaves in the immediate vicinity of Belle-Rose set up a hearty laugh; and that individual, willing to maintain the mirth he had so successfully originated, without preface or prelude, cleared his throat, and commenced the following air in a voice far from discordant and disagreeable :— COnicbooolks (GO)