Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEM4N. 167 for two people to stand like statues in the middle of a ball-room The delicacy of his motives was fully appreciated, and when ex- plained to Mary by Selina, was thanked by a smile. The minds of the scandal-hunting and inquisitive were more tonvinced than ever of the truth of the pervading report concern- ing the engagement subsisting between our hero and Miss Selina Robson, when they st6od up to dance with each other a second time. It did not enter into the recollection of a soul that a friend could be thus twice honoured as well as a lover. Every indifferent clance that De Rosann cast upon the mild countenance of Selina, was noticed as a look of affection; and every time he uttered a word to his attentive partner, it was construed into a vow of ten- derness and fidelity. When the quadrille was concluded, De Rosann strolled into the card-room, and approached the écarté-table, round which a number of young men were gathered to bet their sovereigns, or to witness the game. A thin long-visaged person was seated on one side of the. table, and the young Englishman, who accompanied Belle- Rose, was on the other. The name of the latter was Markham. The stakes were high, and the anxiety of the players excessive. Markham’s opponent had already won considerable sums ; and his success at this rubber appeared certain. Fortune, however, de- cided against him, and Markham gained the last point with an air of triumph. The other instantly left his seat, according to the general usage of the game, and made way for any one who was ad- venturous enough to occupy it. A sudden fancy seized hold of De Rosann’s mind; and he instantly assumed the forsaken chair. No sooner had he thus rashly sate down to play with a stranger, than ne heartily repented, and would have given much to be able to retire with decency; for Belle-Rose drew near the table at the saine time, and, thrusting forward his head, desired Markham to bet five sovereigns for him. ‘¢ Very well, my dear Count,” cried his friend: ‘‘ I hope I shall not be the cause of your losing them.” ‘¢ Never fear,” returned Belle-Rose; and he placed himself at the back of Markham’s chair to assist him with his advice. De Rosann laid ten pounds upon the cloth, and turned up the king the first deal, besides making two points in addition to the one thus secured. Markham appeared uneasy, particularly as he had himself volunteered to cover half of the cash which our hero had wagered, and he had not yet produced a shilling. ‘¢Why do you not lay down your money?” enquired Belle- Rose: “ five sovereigns for yourself—and as much for me. If you refuse to take up M. De Rosann’s stakes, suffer some one else to have the option, or not, as he chooses ?” ‘¢There is no hurry,” said Markham, evidently embarrassed : ‘‘T am good for a paltry ten-pound note, I hope,” he added with a faint smile, while one or two gentlemen, that were looking on, exchanged suspicious glances with each other. De Rosann did not say a word, but pursued the game in a calm and quiet manner. Five minutes decided it in his favour. ECORNICELOOKS»CO