Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 209 cloth was spread in the neat back parlour—the cotelettes a ca guadrille were produced to tempt the appetite of the newly-arrived guest—and poor Champignon was amply rewarded in his own idea by the extravagant praises bestowed upon his cookery. ‘¢ Here is to your health, my dear Citron,” said Belle-Rose, “since such be your name; although, to confess the truth, I admire vour original one much more.” ‘A change was absolutely necessary, M. Belle-Rose,” returned the gastronomer, as he filled his own and his companion’s glass with marasquino. “‘ And pray, does your establishment prosper ?”’ ‘To my heart’s content. There is not another shop like it in St. Malo, I flatter myself,” answered Champignon. ‘Ah! I am glad to hear such excellent news,” cried Belle-Rose. “You know, my dear Cham— Citron, I always entertained a par- ticular friendship for you; and had it not been for my advice, your fingers could never have touched the little bequest you received at the hands of De Rosann.” ‘< Allow me to return my most sincere thanks,” said Champignon. ‘And, while [ think of our absent acquaintance, let me ask after your friend De Rosann.” ““ Yes—he was my friend—my intimate friend, as you say. I left him in London—enjoying himself—this marasquino is excellent— flirting with the giris—anovher glass, if you please—and carrying on a fine game—you may fill it up to the brim.” ‘‘T am rejoiced at these good tidings,” exclaimed the gastro- nomer, having recourse a third time to the stone bottle in which the racv liqueur was contained. ‘* It was not with the five hundred francs alone that you set up this shop,” said Belle-Rose after a pause, during which he savoured the marasquino as if it were the nectar of the gods. “ Do you not recollect that I had a cousin in St. Malo, to whom Y once rendered important pecuniary assistance? I sought his aid and advice, and I found him not only grateful for my bounty to- wards him, but also willing toserveme. He lent me three thousand francs—procured me unlimited credit—and assisted me to the utinost of his power.” ‘‘ You always have a little money in your till, then,” said Belle- Rose. ‘¢ Thank God! my business is increasing daily,” replied Cham- pignon; ‘*‘and I have no reason to complain. ' ‘* If I only had a thousand frances,” cried Belle-Rose, ‘‘ I should secure a rapid fortune.” . ‘* Indeed !” exclaimed the gastronomer: ‘* how so ?” _‘* By making rat-traps,”’ returned Belle-Rose, affecting a se- rious air. ‘“‘ Rat-traps !’’ ejaculated Champignon, who was very much inclined to laugh. ‘‘ There are already plenty of rat-traps in France.”’ ‘¢OQ yes !—common things—that hold each only one rat,” said Belle-Rose without relaxing from his well-assumed gravity. ‘TI. 27 Gomichdooksneo