Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosunn. 43 their cups of coffee—those universal concomitants to a Frenchman’s meals—and two little glasses of cognac. While they were dis- cussing these cupernumerary dainties, an elderly woman, whom Felicite instantly called ‘* Mother,” entered the room. Having respectfully saluted the Gendarmes, with whom she appeared to be acquainted, and having cast a look of mingled commiseration and contempt on the prisoners, she laid aside her cloak, deposited her basket in a corner, passed into the kitchen, and enquired of her daughter ‘*‘ Who had been at the house during her absence?” ‘¢ My dear mother, something very extraordinary has happened,” began Felicité, drawing her parent aside, and speaking in a whisper. Ah! what is it, my child ?” ‘¢ Have you not often spoken of uncle Thomas, who's gone as a soldier ?” ‘¢ Certainly, child: proceed !”’ ‘¢ You know the fowls you left me to roast?” ‘¢ They are cooked by this time—eh?” ‘¢Q yes—and gone too.” ‘¢ Gone! whither are they gone ?” ‘¢ Into uncle Thomas's pockets.” ‘¢ Uncle Thomas! has he been here ?” -¢ And a bottle of that wine,” continued Felicite, ‘* which stands in the corner of the cellar next the stairs, and mto which we put the logwood and braridy last month, you know.” ‘¢ The girl’s mad! What has all this to do with uncle Thomas ?” ‘‘ Only that the wine’s gone along with the fowls.” During this brief discourse, Felicite cast many knowing looks towards Belle-Rose, who made the most horrible grimaces, with a thousand shakes of the head and warnings of the hands, intended as signs to induce the girl to silence. She, however, mistook them for expressions of gratitude, and persisted in returning all that dumb show with sundry significant winks, while Belle-Rose was determined not to pay for the fowls, whatever might be the result, and Champignon watched the extraordinary pantomime with eyes of the most stupid astonishment, being quite decided in his own mind that their ignorance how to cook some dish was the cause of the whole. ‘¢ Why didn’t uncle Thomas stay to take some soup with us, Felicité?” inquired the mother, still in a whisper. ‘‘ So I dare say he will, if the Gendarmes allow him,” was the prompt reply. - © How—speak—girl!”’ ‘¢ Dear uncle! he’s amongst those convicts.” ‘¢ Amon the convicts!” shrieked the poor woman aloud, to the astonieli ent of all preséfft, save herself, her daughter, and Belle- Rose. os ‘‘ Yes—yes,” cried Felicité in the same audible tone of voice, forgetful of Belle-Rose’s injunction to secresy, and heedless of the continued signs he was making, like the telegraph on the towers of Saint Sulpice, or the superb dwelling of his Excellency the Minister of Marine, in Paris. COnicbooolks (GO)