Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 105 that you, myself, and De Rosann, with our full descriptions, have already figured as fugitive convicts amongst its advertising columns.” ‘¢ And that is the way my name has been brought before the pub- lic, then,’”’ said Champignon in a melancholy tone of voice. ‘¢ Exactly,” returned Belle-Rose with an emphasis on his laconic answer, that increased the disappointment of the ex-restaurateur. ‘¢ But pray continue your interesting narrative,” exclaimed De Rosann ; ‘‘ you left off in the most entertaining part: I am dying to hear how you escaped from the town in your Gendarme’s cloak and cocked hat” ‘If you choose to pay attention, and neither interrupt me with adulation nor with blame, I will conclude the history of my adven- tures,” said Champignon; and having received the promise demanded, he proceeded as follows. ‘‘ No sooner had I left the prison walls, than I hurried down two or three streets as quickly as my legs would carry me, uncertain whither to go, a perfect stranger in Brest, and fearful of being arrested every moment. At length I saw an old-clothes shop in a narrow lane ; and knowing that 1 must entrust my secret to somebody to procure a change of raiment, | rushed into the house, knocked down a chair in which a large cat was reposing, trampled on the paw of a surly dog, that commenced a barking deafening to the ear, and ran against an old man who issued from a chamber adjoining his shop, to ascertain the meaning of so extraordinary a disturbance. At first he was purple through inten- sity of ire; but I gradually succeeded in pacifying his wrath; and he listened to my tale with the greatest attention. The Gendarme’s cloak was almost new, and the cocked hat was in tolerable condi- tion. I offered them in exchange for any suit of clothes he chose to give me; anda bargain was soon made to our mutual satisfaction. Just as I was about to leave the shop, the old man enquired if I had a passport ;—‘ Because,’ said he, ‘on account of the disturbance in the bagne, no one will be permitted to leave the town without pro- ducing his papers.’—I frankly confessed I had none; and my dilemma appeared to be as great as ever: but in a moment an idea struck me, and I addressed the salesman as follows:—‘ My worthy friend and benefactor,’ said I, ‘you must not do things by halves, nor suffer a fellow-creature to be arrested for want of a little assistance. You have accommodated me with a seedy coat anda patched pair of pantaloons, and you may as well lend me your pass- port. There is not much difference between us—except that 1 am somewhat younger and better-looking—and your nose is most infer- nally crooked ; added to which I might notice a slight squint—but, barring those defects, you are as like meas a couple of fowls or a pair of partridges.’—The old man saw he could not get rid of me un- less he acceded to my request; and he knew if I were arrested in his shop, it would go hard with him for having afforded protection to a forcat évadé; so he generously handed over his passport, and wished me a pleasant journey. I thanked him, and sallied forth not exactly in search of adventures, but to avoid them as much as. possible.” » “* Never was there a less Quixotic plan, nor one coupled at the same time with more difficulty,” interrupted Belle- Rose 14 CORNIELOOOKS»€O©