Alfred de Rosann — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. ¥27 eount of your innocent wife, who must naturally expe- rience a certain jealousy of her husband’s female friends; and I did not think it a crime once more to unburthen my mind, and assure you of the constant esteem I shall entertain for you, although hundreds of miles may separate us. Do not question my natural delicacy in thus reviving a subject over which the veil of oblivion should have been for ever drawn; but par- don the weakness of a maiden condemned to sigh and to despair.”’ ‘My fatal reserve—my want of frankness in the first instance have caused these sufferings; and never shall I cease to reproach my injustice and my folly as _the origin of afi amiable woman’s sorrows.”’ “Jf you persist in thus accusing yourself, you will only add to my unhappiness; whereas, did I know that you feel an inward conviction, a secret certainty of your innocence, I should be contented. Promise me, then, M. De Rosann—Alfred—that you will not blame—”’ “Not blame myself, Selina!’ cried De Rosann, his heart bleeding at the agony he saw depicted on the countenance. of the noble-minded girl: “only name your wishes—tell me to vituperate my conduct—or to accuse no one—to consider all unoffending—and I will obey you!”’ «“ Accuse no one, then,’ said Selina, repeating De Rosann’s words: “ and forget that we have ever revived the subject—or rather the subject itself: henceforth be it no more a reminiscence to which you can even re- fer, so that the thought may cause you neither pain nor remorse.”’ | The entrance of Mrs. Robson and Mary put an end to the embarrassment of De Rosann and the melancholy disclosures of Selina. When the banker’s wife was in- formed of Alfred’s speedy departure, and of the very next morning being fixed upon as the day, she could scarcely conceal an expression of sorrow or disappoint- ment; for she fondly anticipated, that “ the handsome. COLPMICLOOOKS (E@)