Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

| OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 125 * But [ have changed my mind,” cried Alfred. ‘* Circumstances will oblige me to go to England as speedily as possible.” ‘¢ Actually !”’ exclaimed the landlord. ‘Therefore have the goodness to inform me whether there be a steam-boat from hence to Dover; and if so, when it starts.” ‘‘ Apparently, there is no steam-vessel between this port and Dover; and, consequently, you must proceed to Havre-de-grace, where, invariably, there are ships of all descriptions, bound usually for a place generally called Southampton.” ‘ ‘¢ Have you such a thing as a post-chaise?”” asked De Rosann. ‘¢ Indubitably,” was the reply. ‘¢Which means Yes, I suppose,” cried Alfred pettishly ; for he was wearied of the extraordinary profusion of adverbs adopted by the landlord, and the mualadroit manner in which they were placed amongst the other words that formed the sentences he uttered. ‘‘ Unquestionably,” answered the host, with the most imperturb- able gravity. ‘In that case I will trouble you to order the horses.” ‘ Tmmediately ?”’ asked the landlord. ‘© Tn about an hour,’ returned Alfred, now, for the first time, recollecting that he had not yet communicated his intention to Belle-Rose, whom he could scarcely leave in so abrupt a manner. ‘ Voluntarily! But your companion, Monsieur, has prudently ordered a luxuriantly sumptuous dinner to be served up incouti- nently ; and if I might adventurously offer a piece of advice, I should energetically counsel Monsieur not to expose himself incon- siderately to the cold air without having preparatively fortified his stomach.” ‘¢ You are right, my worthy host,” replied De Rosann, after a mo- ment’s consideration ; ‘¢ I will depart after dinner.” ‘¢ Excellently arranged, admirably thought of, and judiciously contrived!” ejaculated the landlord, as he left the apartment with a low bow. ‘¢ There is a man who would fain pass himself off for a pedant,” thought De Rosann in his own mind, when he was once more alone; ‘and all he succeeds in doing is to make himself appear a consummate ass. But let me now seek Belle-Rose, and commu- nicate my intentions of proceeding to England, instead of accom- panying him to Paris. Leblond—the police—the secret service— and everything must give way to the important mission with which chance or destiny has charged me.” Belle-Rose was reclining on asofa, in a handsome parlour of the inn, perusing one of Pigault Le Brun’s novels, or rather dosing over it, when our hero entered. ‘¢ My dear Belle-Rose,” said Alfred, somewhat embarrassed, for he was afraid his precipitate conduct might appear strange, or be badly interpreted, particularly as it was impossible to reveal the real causes of so sudden a change in his plans; ‘‘ my dear Belle- Rose, I shall not be able to accompany you to Paris; I have made up my mind to go to England.” : eonniclooks (EO)