Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 147 ‘“‘ Their names I am acquainted with,” answered Belle-Rose, seeing that it was no use to disguise the real truth ; ‘‘ but their place of residence I am a stranger to.” ‘‘ Those papers, of course, mention the name,” persisted the banker. ‘¢?’'Tis solely from that quarter my knowledge is obtained. The leval heir formerly resided in London; years have however past since that person quitted this kingdom.” ‘¢ And you know not where to find that person, M. Le Comte ?” said Robson. ‘¢ Candidly, I do not.” ‘* By your own confession, then, it would appear you have no right even to those papers, much less to the fortune of the Marquis de Denneville,” cried the banker, in a severe tone. ‘‘ That is my affair,” returned Belle-Rose, with his usual cool- ness and eflrontery. ‘¢ T beg your pardon, M. d’Elsigny ; but you will excuse me if I be somewhat inquisitive, because I am entrusted with a con- siderable sum, which I dare not resign to the first individual who steps forward to claim it.” ‘‘ You have more claimants than one, I suppose,” said Belle- Rose, smiling ironically. ‘¢T will be as frank with you as you have been with me,” re- plied Mr. Robson, seeing that the sot-disant Count might be induced to listen to reason, although he did not fear intimidation. ‘ There are no claimants for this property, M.d’Elsigny; but there is a young gentleman, a fellow-countryman of your’s, who is in com- munication with me on the subject. He has discovered the abode of the existing heir to the Marquis de Denneville; he possesses the authority of that heir to guarantee all he does in the business,’””— Mr. Robson did not think a little falsehood in such an emergeney could be construed into a crime of very flagrant dye—‘‘ and even without your papers he can soon find satisfactory evidence enough to ease my mind, and to induce me to give up the funds entrusted to my charge since the year 1796 or 1797.” ‘¢ And the name of this young gentleman—this fellow-country- man of mine—is Alired De Rosann,”’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, con- siderably crest-fallen since the above explanation. ‘¢ The very same.” ‘¢ Tf I had not been aware that he must have already informed you of the particulars of these papers’ contents, I should not have answered your questions just now.” ‘¢ T am perfectly convinced of the fact, M. d’Elsigny,”’ returned the banker, assuming a coolness and an indifference in the affair, that threw even the wily Belle-Rose off his guard. ‘‘Then my business with you is concluded,” said Belle-Rose, after a momentary pause: and he moved towards the door, expect- ing the banker to retain him; but that gentleman wished him a civil ** Good morning,” and turned to his desk, as if to resume his labours. Belle-Rose was now entirely satisfied that the papers were not so absolutely necessary to the real heir as he had v. fe Gomicbooksneo