Alfred de Rosann — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 145 turn, he therefore immediately departed to lay_ the foundation of the plan. Markham was easily gained over as an accomplice; and another of their abandoned associates was enlisted in the same service. The reader is already acquainted with the failure and result of the scheme. Scarcely had Belle-Rose completed a hasty toilet, when the landlord entered his room, and requested the fulfilment of the promise so solemnly given the day before. “ You are in a dreadful hurry, my worthy friend,’’ said Belle-Rose, recoveging his presence of mind, and speaking with his usual coolness: “cannot you wait till I have called upon my banker—’’ “ That is the old excuse, M. d’Elsigny,’’ returned the obstinate landlord, evincing a dogged resolution not to be idly made the butt of his guest’s disposition for trifling any longer. | ‘“ How? the old excuse!’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, affecting an angry excitement which he did not feel ; ‘¢T went out yesterday to fetch the money to liquidate my bill; and falling in with my friend Markham, I entirely forgot it.”’ ‘“ You have broken your word, then; and a man of honour, as you pretend to be, should avoid subjecting himself to'an accusation of telling an untruth.” ‘¢T have not broken my word—nor do I intend to do so,”’ returned Belle-Rose. ‘“ The character of the Count d’Elsigny must never be impugned with im- punity. I promise to settle your account this morn- ing. Before twelve o’clock the money shall be pro- duced in this very room.”’ “Tf I could rely upon your word—”’ ‘ Incredulous wretch!’’ exclaimed Belle-Rose, pre- tending to get-into a passion, “go and draw the mo- ney yourself, if you choose.”’ “T will trust you once more, M. d’Elsigny,’’ cried the landlord, scarcely knowing what step to take, and thinking that his noble guest could scarcely fail to VOL. 11.—13 Gomicbooks (EC)