Alfred de Rosann — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

112 ALFRED DE ROSANN. CHAPTER XI. A DEATH-BED. ‘¢ Your absence during a whole day is thus ex- plained, M. De Rosann,’’ said Selina. ‘And I have now given you a true and faithful account of the affair,’’? returned our hero. ‘I saw the surgeon, who attends Mr. Markham, this morn- ing, and he assured me that his patient was already much better.’ “It is fortunate that thirty hours—or thereabout— can have worked such an improvement, being a toler- ably convincing proof ofthe insignificance of the wound.”’ “T'was nothing buta mere scratch, Miss Robson,” remarked our hero, sitting uneasily on his chair ; for he had called to make a certain explanation, which perhaps the reader may recollect he was resolved to do —and not to chatter on indifferent matters. He knew that the peace of mind of a young and pretty girl was at stake ; and he hastened to acquit himself of a duty he owed her, her family,-and himself. Disagreeable as was the task, it must nevertheless be performed— and with as little delay as possible. Selina herself furnished the opportunity. “And have you no relatives—no friends, M. -De Rosann, whom your death might have plunged into the deepest affliction ?’? inquired Selina with a- shudder, as she contemplated the past possibility of such a lamentable event. “There is no one in the world,”? answered Alfred, a sigh escaping from his breast, ‘‘ whose existence is so nearly coupled with mine, that my health and happi- ness are conditions of her own—that my tears would cause her’s to flow in abundance, and my smiles ani- Gomichbooks.cGom