Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

144 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES myself the task of expelling that man from your society after I had made my accusation, to which his manners, his countenance, and his subsequent cowardice pleaded guilty.” ‘“‘ My dear young friend,” cried the banker, rising from his seat, and embracing our hero as if he had known him since the moment of his oirth ; ‘how deeply am I indebted to you for the important service you have just rendered me. Within ten days would that infamous scoundrel have been a partner in my bank ; the deeds are already more than half completed at my lawyer’s office. O never can I forget this providential interference in my behalf! ” ‘¢ | have acted as you would have done towards me,” returned De Rosann; ‘and I sincerely congratulate you on your narrow escape. In less than sis months M. La Motte would have ab- sconded to America with all your fortune.” ‘‘ I know it—I know it!” cried the banker, wiping away tears of joy from his eyes, and hugging 9ar hero once more in his arms. In the mean time, the gentlemen of the seals and the spectacles sate in mute astonishment, observing all that passed, but under- standing nothing, for a reason which scarcely requires explanation. “¢ *Tis a part extracted from a French drama!” whispered Mr. Jenkins. ‘¢ To be sure,” returned the other, m the same sotto voce. “‘ The young Frenchman is the heroine’s lover; Mr. Robson is her father, and Lebrun is a villain who has endeavoured to set him against the match, and to seduce the daughter.” . | ‘¢ 7 should not at all wonder,” said he of the barnacles. ‘* See how naturally the young fellow pertorms his part. The father is convinced by his eloguence—the scandalizing mischief-maker dares not reply. Ah! he decamps—and just as if he were guilty, too!” ‘‘ And now the father falls upon the young lover’s neck, and embraces him. The heroine will be shortly introduced: I'll lay a wager tis Selina. Well! this is an agreeable surprise! But when I reflect a moment, I think I have seen a translation or imitation of the piece at the Haymarket,” added Mr. Goldsmith. ‘¢ J am sure I have at the Adelphi,” returned Mr. Jenkins: and as Alfred and the banker had now ceased speaking, and had resumed their seats, the two gentlemen whose imaginations were so fertile, shouted ‘“‘ Bravo! bravo!” with all their might. They moreover clapped their hands so violently upon the table, that the glasses, plates, and knives, danced up and down with a terrible clatter. Mrs. Robson and her daughters caught the unusual sound, as they were preparing the tea and coffee in the drawing-room, and hastened to ascertain the meaning of it. This sudden appear- ance, of the three ladies convinced their speculative visitors more than ever that the whole was a comedy got up for the occasion: and instead of ceasing their shouts and their clapping, they cun- tinued to roar and to knock the table like a couple of mad-men. At length, after a great deal of difficulty, order was restored, and an explanation took place. Mi Robson detailed all that had occurred, to the entire confusion of the two guests who had told each other such wilful untruths about their having. seen a certain EORNICLOOOKS. EO =)