The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

po a6 THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. Honore was happy because Grace had gradually been re- covering her former cheerful spirits, and was now quite her- self again. Grace was happy because she was now almost in the se- cluded spot where, with her idol, she might hope for per- fect peace from intrusion and trouble. Alphonse was happy because he knew the artist had not come on the same steamer, anyhow, and it would make very little difference if he should come later, for he hoped to have ~ Grace and D’Iberri out of Paris in a few days. They did not go at once, however, for Honore had con- siderable to do looking after neglected business affairs, and _ Grace was occupied not unpleasantly in meeting many old friends. Alphonse plunged at once into all the dissipations of _ which he was so fond, and of which Paris offered him such a plenty. ) Ihe days went by so free from any sign of Hastings that Alphonse had almost forgotten him. One evening he was having a good time at a cafe concert, ogling the women in approved Parisian style, and joking boisterously with his friends, when some one tapped him on the shoulder. “ Bon soir, anu.” see lt was Clinton’s mocking salutation. ‘“Mon Dieu! You here?” — «I, or my ghost; and between ourselves, I think it is I, for I am very sure I am not dead yet.” ‘What do you want?” © Ah, mon Diew! what memories that question awakes. Do you remember, mon ami, how I asked you that question one night nearly four years ago? Ah! I shall never forget that; your answer was so witty.” _ Alphonse had drawn him one side so that their conversa- tion should not be overheard. | ‘What do you want?” - | aaa was not just as I put it, you will remember. I said: **¢ Which shall it be, my money or my life?” ‘* And you answered, so wittily: ~ «*¢Tf I wanted the one I would not come here; if I want ed the other I would wait a few days.’ ” ** Will you tell me why you have come here to see me?” — comicbooks.com