Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

74 ALFRED ; OR ADVENTURES Rose enjoyed a momentary repose. ‘The ideas that occupied their minds may be readily imagined—joy for their lucky escape, and anxiety to pre- serve their liberty. That the gendarmes would speedily be upon the alert was very certain; but the conviction that their cunning was not in- fallible, offered considerable consolation to our hero and his companion. Besides this, Belle-Rose was well versed in the geography of all that neighbourhood; he knew the devious cuts and turnings of the wood, where it was impossible for the mounted police to conduct their horses, and where it was not probable they would search on foot; he was ac- quainted with those cottages at which food might be sought for in safety, and even beds for the night, if necessary; and he could tell every point of the compass in the dark, and in the midst of that vast maze of thicket and of verdure. With such a guide De Rosann had little to fear; he was, moreover, well aware of the cool and deliberate courage of Belle- Rose; and he did not dread any treachery on the part of that individual, because they were embarked in the same enterprise, although ignorant of its nature and its object, and because Belle-Rose had nothing to gain in playing a traitor’s game. ‘¢ Our quarter of an hour has elapsed, and a few additional minutes besides,”’ said Belle-Rose, suddenly rising from the green sward, and preparing to continue his march: ‘‘ let us penetrate one league* deeper into this wood, De Rosann, and we shall not only be secure against the visits of gendarmes, but shall also find wherewith to satisfy the crav- ings of our appetites; for to tell you the truth, my morning's repast has long since ceased to allay a certain hunger which takes us all at times.” “ For my part,” returned Alfred, leaping from the grass, ‘‘ 1 have before made you acquainted with the forlorn state of my pocket. Were we in some town of repute, I could readily draw a bill upon a friend in Paris, which would not be dishonoured.” “Yes, my dear fellow,” said Belle-Rose, with his usual coolness ; ‘“ butin the midst of this wood your credit is of as much utility to us as a bank-note would have been to Noah in his ark.” ‘“ T merely ventured an observation,’ cried De Rosann somewhat petulantly. : «And a deuced foolish one it was too, so far as it regards the pre- sent moment,’ remarked Belle-Rose. “ Sir—I do not understand —”’ began De Rosann, offended at his companion’s levity. ‘“ What ! are we going to quarrel at an instant when you require my services to procure you a luncheon!” exclaimed Belle-Rose with the most ineffable good humour, while Alfred reddened at the idea of his ridiculous wrath. _ “Come, my good fellow; we will just place another league between us and the town, and then talk of eating, or fighting, or any other matter you choose.”’ This little dispute, if it can be so called, made De Rosann feel that in the midst of danger and trouble Belle-Rose was superior to himself ; that the adventurer, with his good humour, his constitutional gaiety, * A French league consists of fourteen hundred and sixty-seven yards, or two miles and a half, English measure. CORNICE OOOKS (E(@)