A Parisian Romance — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

A PARISIAN ROMANCE, 191 “Yes, indeed. You are invincible, baron.” Chevrial smiled a little ambiguously. “Gentlemen,” he said, seating himself in a weary way, and speaking in arather high-pitched voice, which had a suspicion of nervous trembling in it, as if it were not quite under its owner’s control; “you really confuse me with your compliments, all the more as I do not deserve them. For, in reality, I am beaten.” All three gentlemen looked surprised, and politely incredulous. — “Bah!” ejaculated Laubanere. “Hxplain yourself!” said Vaumartin. “May we be permitted to know how?” “It is really a very funny affair, as you will see,” returned the baron. “Every one knows that, for a long time, Rosa has appealed strongly to my imagi- nation; in short, Ihave been wild over her. But still, as you know, I am notachild; I even think sometimes that I never was one. So, fascinated as I was with her, I did not think it was worth while to offer her the moon and stars, especially if she did not ask for them. Now, for some time past, she has been in the habit of consulting me and taking my advice as to her operations on the Bourse, and her bets on the races; you know what a gambler she is. Well, naturally, my first thought and even my second, was to give her bad advice.” Tirandel glanced up at this. “Ah! thatis so like you, dear boy,” he muttered, EONMIE OOO KS im