The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM PACKET. 191 Albert stood paralysed in the midst of the street: the cavalcade whirled out of sight; and he was exposed to the rude jesting of the mob that had witnessed his singular behaviour. But she, to gain a glimpse of whose countenance he had thus exposed himself to insult, had not seen him. He returned to the hotel where he and Henri were staying, more melancholy than ever. He felt convinced that it was not M. Tascher who had spoken to him so abruptly from the window of the carriage. Could Mademoiselle | Tascher have married ? and was he her husband who had ordered him to move off, and called him “‘ fellow ’’?. At all events she was in the royal train, and, even if stili unwedded, was far above the reach of his presumptuous hopes. , Urged by that infatuation which invariably prompts the lover to seek to throw himself in the way of the object of his affection, even. when an impassable gulf appears to exist between him and the chance of happiness, Albert wandered all day, and throughout a considerable portion of the night, about the precincts of the Tuileries, at which _ palace the royal family was then staying. Again he obtained a glimpse of the beloved one—yjust as, lounging back in an open barouche, she was whirled beneath the archways leading into the Place de Carrousel, on her way to the royal presence. There was a gentleman by her side—the same who had called him “ fellow;” and this gen- tleman again beheld Albert gazing earnestly upon the lady seated by his side; but the lady saw not her admirer. The gentleman fixed a scowling glance upon the young man, from whose view the coach almost immediately afterwards disappeared. ‘‘ This is a visit of ceremony, and will be brief,” thought Albert: *¢T will wait here until they leave the palace.” An hour and a half passed away, and Albert remained at his post. Presently the well-known barouche made its appearance ; and this time its female occupant cast her eyes by accident upon our young hero. He instantly raised his hat; she recognised him, and uttered a cry of joy, while her cheeks were suddenly flushed with the glow~of pleasure. Albert was about to advance nearer, when her companion, —the cross gentleman before noticed—ejaculated ‘in a voice rendered tremulous with rage, ‘ Back—back—fellow! We do not know you— back !”’ | : The lady cast a glance of mingled surprise‘and indignation at her companion, while Albert, embarrassed and discomfited, knew not in which way to take this strange conduct. But ere he had half made up his mind how to act, the barouche drove rapidly away; and the suard at the gates of the palace, es had witnessed the whole proceed- Gomicbooks (E(0)