Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 113. friends and relatives forsook him in his adversity ; and because he was a penniless stranger on the face of the earth, Eloise felt that it was not only now the time to take him by the hand, but that it was her bounden duty so to do. Such were the various reflections of the mother, the daughter, and the uncle, during the hours that intervened between the commence- ment of the fire and the moment at which Mrs. Clayton consulted her watch, as stated above. The unfortunate wife of Louis Dorval was in a very precarious situation, and medical advice was recom- mended by Mr. Clayton, who at the same time took the opportunity of questioning Dorval, apart, relative to his loss, which the farmer did not estimate at more than fifteen thousand francs,* because the house was old, and required constant repairs. ‘¢ Very well, my good fellow,” said Mr. Clayton, taking out his pocket-book, and writing and talking at the same time. ‘‘ You may perhaps indirectly attribute the origin of the fire to the two travellers who arrived last night, since it was while you were engaged in transporting mattresses for them from the loft to the first floor, that a spark of your candle must have caught the straw.” ‘‘Indeed I am very far from making so unjust an accusation against two innocent people,” cried the farmer; ‘* particularly—” ‘¢ Fifteen thousand francs, you said, eh ?”’ interrupted Mr. Clay- ton: ‘that is the estimate of your loss?” ‘¢ At a rough calculation,” returned the farmer. ‘¢ Well, then,” continued Mr. Clayton, putting a scrap of paper into Dorval’s hands, “accept that order upon a mercantile house at St. Malo, and consider yourself indemnified. One of the two gen- tlemen who arrived last night is an intimate friend—a relation-— a connexion of mine; and, as he may not have immediate re- sources tangible at any banker’s in the neighbouring town, I merely anticipate his intentions by offering you wherewith to build another dwelling.” The farmer received the order in stupified astonishment, and en- deavoured to stammer out a few syllables, expressive of his grati- tude ; but the generous donor of so munificent a gift appeared ashamed of his very liberality ; and having desired Dorval not to mention the circumstance to a soul until his various guests had de- parted, Mr. Clayton turned aside to address his niece, who at that moment issued from the barn. ‘<You are pale, Eloise ; but I need scarcely inquire the reason. It has been a terrible and a joyful night for you. The horrors of the fire and the appearance of De Rosann were enough to drive sleep from your eyes.” ‘© Alas! my dear uncle—let me hope that this poor heart of mine may never resemble those desolate ruins !” ‘s What an idea, Eloise!” exclaimed Mr. Clayton, looking to- wards the dreary pile, and then glancing at the pallid features of ais niece. ‘¢Is all hope banished from thy young bosom, ait a -_ i nn ne nn ee een nnE nnn IEE EEEEESERERRESEIIEEEINEtIEneteme * Six hundred pounds sterling. EONNIE DOOKS (S©)