Roxy Hastings — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 169 during this rude speech, but when, at its close, the pallid mother of Louis rose trembling, and came forward with a very eager expression to hear the answer, her benevolent look returned, and she could contain her secret no longer. Laura, who had been addressed by the stranger, had looked to her mother for a reply, and the latter said, quickly : “Do not be so distressed, my dear woman. For I—I have the very best of news for you.” “ Thank—thank God !” “Now, Maria, don’t be—” * But, in the first place, I should tell you that my son, the lieutenant, is absent from home, or he—” “Oh, we know that,” replied Eldon, “from your daugh- ter’s letter.” “Or, I was going to add, he would have been the first to greet the parents of his preserver.” “You are very kind,” murmured her mother. “Well, don’t interrupt her,” said Eldon. ‘‘Let’s get at the end of it.” “In short, then,” added the disturbed widow, “your son is alive, and he is well. More than that, he is in this city.” “In New York?” ‘And he is in this house.” “In this house? George! George! Do you hear that?” exclaimed Mrs. Eldon, looking, with flowing tears, to her severe husband for some show of gladness at last. “It was like him not to come home,” said the father, eruffly. “He reached New York quite destitute,” resumed the widow, and naturally came directly to us, and we have been so glad to help him.” Mrs. Eldon, after a timid glance at her husband, threw her arms around the widow, and kissed her, and then kissed Laura, after which she stealthily took out the little kerchief again, which was now reduced to a mere wad. “Tf you have done with that kind of business,” said Eldon, “I should now like to see my son.” “Ton’t—don’t be severe with him, husband,” said the mother. ‘‘ You know how Celia feels. Speak—speak kindly ~ to him, and he will go home with us, I know. He is as gentle as a girl, if you only speak kindly to him.” ‘‘T think I know how to speak without so much advice, Maria. Can we see him, madam? Where do you keep him ?” “Well, to tell the truth, he is not up yet—” GComichboo <s) (el)