Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 149: what you’re looking at

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122 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES into the town?” cried the worthy uncle, as if the plans adopted by De Rosann were not already known to him. | ‘‘T shall take my place in the diligence, or the malle-poste,* this very evening,” was the answer. ‘“ But J will not trespass any longer upon your time, Madame,” he added, turning to Mrs. Clayton, and bowing profoundly, without venturing to offer his hand. ‘I wish you a pleasant journey, ladies. Adieu, my dear Sir.” And De Rosann retired, having cast a single glance at Eloise to assure the trembling girl of his constant love. The purport of that glance was not misunderstood: lovers have a language ten thousand times more expressive than mere syllables which flow from the lips, and which are cooled by the breath ere they vibrate on the ear; but the language of the eyes is replete with fire! When De Rosann rejoined Belle-Rose, Champignon was not for the moment in the dairy. A consultation accordingly arose on the expediency of taking the worthy gastronomer with them, or the necessity of leaving him behind. ‘¢T have obtained a small supply of money from my friend,” said De Rosann, without mentioning any name: ‘and can easily give the poor fellow the wherewith to sustain himself for a certain time. Besides, he has a cousin or an uncle at St. Malo; and his culinary talents will always provide him with the means of sub- sistence. If you concur in my opinion, I will speak to him myself, and we shall continue to travel alone together, as before.” ‘‘Be it so,” returned Belle-Rose, ‘‘ and use dispatch ; for we must soon think of resuming our march.” De Rosann accordingly sought Champignon in the vicinity of the dairy ; and at length found him holding forth to Louis Dorval— whom he retained by the button-hole—on the excellencies of co- telettes @ la quadrille. The poor farmer understood bunt one-half of the rhodomontade uttered by Champignon. and was unable to conceal his delight when the appearance of De Rosann put an end to the lecture; for the gastronomer, oblivious in the heat of argument that his hands were covered with flour, had imprinted various white marks on the coat and waistcoat of his unwilling pupil, who did not dare exhibit the slightest impatience or ill-humour, being totally ignorant as to what degree of intimacy the self-dubbed cook might claim with an individual that had given proofs of an unbounded munificence towards himself. De Rosann drew Champignon aside ; explained to him, in a few words, that he and Belle-Rose had certain reasons for being desirous of travelling alone ; and placed a bill for five hundred francs in his hand. The ex-resfaurateur opened his eyes with the most stupid astonishment at this instance of generosity on the part of one whom he had only known for a short time, and endeavoured to mutter a sentence expressive of his gratitude; but, failing in the attempt, he pulled off his night-cap, made a respect- cee en ES * The mail. ECONMMICLOOKSs(ee)