Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

A HOUSE IN THE RUE CASSETTE. 63 scattered marble vases of a precious workmanship, but soiled by lichen and void of flowers. ‘his house is not to rent,’’ said the woman. ‘Therefore I did not come for that,’’ replied Belle-Rose, who blushed slightly; ‘“‘I havea letter here which I am charged to deliver to Mademoiselle Camille. ’’ The woman threw another glance at Belle-Rose. ‘‘She has gone,’’ she then said, with eyes lowered. ‘Will you hand this letter to her brother, then?’’ Another glance glided between the eyelashes of this dis- creet person, and was promptly extinguished. ‘What brother?’’ ‘‘Monsieur Cyprien.”’ The woman extended her hand, took the letter, saluted, and shut the door in Belle-Rose’s face. The third day, Belle-Rose was halted by the landlord just as he was about to unlock his room. ‘‘There is a letter here for you,’’ he said to him. ‘Ah! ah!” said the sergeant, thinking that the reply had not been delayed as long as the captain thought it would. ‘‘Where is this letter?’’ ‘*Here it is.’’ **Eh! eh!’’ said Belle-Rose, reading the address, ‘‘it ap- pears that they know my name, title, and rank. It is in- deed this: ‘Belle-Rose, Sergeant of Sappers in the Regi- ment of La Ferté.’ ’’ The host smiled shrewdly. ‘*Yes; they suspected—like myself,’’ said he. The letter was inclosed in an envelope sealed with red wax. Belle-Rose broke the seal and quickly threw his eyes over the paper. This is what it contained: ‘*Sergeant Belle-Rose has violated discipline by quitting his com- pany without permission. In order to recall it to him, said sergeant will be placed under arrest eight days on his return to the corps ; but in order to excuse Lis absence he will find inclosed the commission of recruiting sergeant and the instructions which are incident to this new de. Sergeant Belle-Rose is authorized to remain a month at Paris or elsewhere, if need be. Le Vicomte GrorGEsS DE Navcrats.” ‘This is again kindness disguised,’’ murmured Belle- Rose; and on the following day he entered on his func- tions. Each evening Belle-Rose asked him if any one had come. re “No one,’’ replied the good man, and for fear that some COMMICE OOO) (E(0)