Alfred de Rosann — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

100 ALFRED DE ROSANN. to give her sanction to that which, sooner or later, she would be obliged to permit, if not approve. De Rosann had begged Mr. Clayton and Eloise, in his letters to them both, not to inform Mrs. Clayton _of the promise of pardon which he had received; and his wishes were strictly compliea with, although he gave no reason for the request, which nevertheless did not appear singular; as both Eloise and her uncle divined the real truth the moment they perused their respective epistles, and guessed that De Rosann was desirous of surprising the conscientious mother, by producing his remission from all punishment and all stigma, when he should have obtained the precious do- cuments, and when he returned to implore the now unrelenting parent to accord him the hand of her daughter. Mrs. Clayton was therefore kept entirely in the dark relative to these proceedings. She, how- ever, noticed the animated countenance of Eloise, ana perceived that the beauteous girl’s spirits gradually improved as the colour returned to her cheeks; and she secretly applauded herself for the firmness with which she had acted, triumphantly observing to her brother-in-law, at the same time, that change of air and scene had not after all been without their effect. Mr. Clayton longed to drop a hint, that perhaps she was deceived concerning the real cause of this change in her daughter’s appearance and manners; but the entrance of Eloise, just as the first word trembled on the tip of his tongue, made him check his imprudent spirit of communicativeness, or of contradiction, and put an end to the conversation. “Here is a strange-looking man, uncle, who desires to speak with you,” said Eloise, vainly endeavouring to suppress a smile. “I think I have seen him be- fore—but where, I cannot recollect. He is a French- man, fat, short, and red in the face.’’ «What is his business?’’ inquired Mr. Clayton. ‘“‘ He insists upon seeing you: that is all that I can make him say,’’ returned Eloise. “The servant waits your answer.”’ EOPMICLOO KS aE)