Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 85 atone of voice as possible: but the sudden alarm so terrified the mind of our hero, that he started up from the bank on which they were seated, and advanced several paces towards the outside of the wood, ere he was stopped by his companion. This unguarded conduct on the part of De Rosann, instead of betraying them to a foe, proved of considerable benefit: for the disturbance their movements had made amongst the dead leaves strewed upon the ground, apparently alarmed the individual who had first terrified them ; and in an instant they heard him retreating into the thickest recesses of the wood, with a speed which nothing but an extreme terror could have occasioned. “That is no gendarme,” cried Belle-Rose, Jaughing heartily. ‘“ But he-may be the convict for whom the guns fired a third time,” returned De Rosann. “ Very probably; and if so, I am glad he has failed to encounter us; for we could not have easily refused the poor devil the pleasure of traveiling in our society ; and that would have disorganized all our plans, as well as have endangered our personal security. But it is now some time since the sun has set: let us hasten and conclude our first day’s march.” Belle-Rose and our hero accordingly emerged from the wood, which had stood them in such friendly need, and pursued their journey across the open fields. A clear moon soon shewed its chaste disk, and a cloud- less sky, spangled with a thousand stars, was above their heads. No danger was to be dreaded as to Belle-Rose missing his way: the whole country was better known to him than a private estate is to its owner. Every thing appeared to favour their flight and to inspire them with courage ; and if De Rosann occasionally heaved a sigh, it was when he thought of his absent Eloise: but he determined to write to her on the first opportunity, and inform her of his escape, and of his intention to revisit Paris. He knew that his letters would be welcome; and that his pre- sence would be a thousand times more so; and he consoled himself with the certainty of her unalterable love. Little or no conversation passed between our hero and his companion, as they hastened forward in the silence of the night; each appeared occupied with his own refiections. In this manner they completed about four leagues, when suddenly a light met their eyes. Belle-Rose pointed to it as the beacon of their destination ; and in ten minutes they stopped at the door of a large cottage, from the windows of which emanated the lustre that had struck them in the distance. Belle-Rose gave a low knock, and was immediately invited to enter. He beckoned De Rosann to follow him; and they found themselves in a commodious chamber, a good fire burning in the hearth, and some slices of meat cooking upon embers by the side. A middle aged man, and a woman some few years _ younger, were seated at a table, on which a tureen of smoking soup was already served; a couple of children, with chubby faces and red hands, were playing in a corner. An air of neatness and comfort reigned throughout the modest dwelling ; polished saucepans of glittering copper adorned the walls; nosegays, arranged upon the mantlepiece in a tasteful manner, shed a sweet perfume around; and the white table- napkin evinced the care of a thrifty housewife. The peasants recognized Belle-Rose the moment he entered, and CONNIE OOOKS (SO)