Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 229: what you’re looking at

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

196 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES for my health and happiness. Since the morning on which I dis- covered my terrible mistake, we have kept our vows, and have not again touched upon the melancholy topic. You are now going to leave me—you are about to be united to one whom you love—we shall be separated for ever—never more to meet in this world, unless by some strange accident, for it will be my duty to avoid you, on account of your innocent wife, who must naturally expe- rience a certain jealousy of her husband’s female friends; and I did not think it a crime once more to unburthen my mind, and assure you of the constant esteem I shall entertain for you, although hundreds of miles may separate us. Do not question my natural delicacy in thus reviving a subject over which the veil of oblivion should have been for ever drawn; but pardon the weakness of a maiden condemned to sigh and to despair.” ‘‘ My fatal reserve—my want of frankness in the first instance have caused these sufferings; and never shall I cease to reproach my injustice and my folly as the origin of an amiable woman’s sorrows.” ‘< If you persist in thus accusing yourself, you will only add to my unhappiness; whereas, did I know that you feel an inward conviction, a secret certainty of your innocence, I should be con- tented. Promise me, then, M. De Rosann—Alfred—that you will not blame—”’ ‘¢ Not blame myself, Selina!” cried De Rosann, his heart bleeding at the agony he saw depicted on the countenance of the noble- minded girl: ‘ only name your wishes—tell me to vituperate my conduct—or to accuse no one—to consider all unoffending—and I will obey you!” ‘¢ Accuse no one, then,” said Selina, repeating Te Rosann’s words: ** and forget that we have ever revived the subject—or rather, forget the subject itself: henceforth be it no more a reminis- cence to which you can even refer, so that the thought may cause you neither pain nor remorse.” | The entrance of Mrs. Robson and Mary put an end to the embar- rassment of De Rosann and the melancholy disclosures of Selina. When the banker’s wife was informed of Alfred’s speedy departure, and of the very next morning being fixed upon as the day, she could scarcely conceal an expression of sorrow or disappointment ; for she had fondly anticipated, that ‘‘ the handsome young French- man would have proposed to her younger daughter;” and since he had succeeded to the wealth of the late La Motte, she had been particularly anxious to retain him in her family as a son-in-law. But the worthy lady was doomed to see her Chateaux en Espagne levelled in an instant. When Mr. Robson entered the room, his disappointed spouse drew him aside, and whispered in his ear, ‘‘So M. De Rosann is decided on leaving London to-morrow morning ?” ‘“« Yes, my love.” | | | ‘‘ And he has not proposed to Selina,” continued the good lady. ‘¢ No, my love.” ** Do you not think it rather strange?” enquired Mrs. Robson. EORNNICE OOKS (EC)