Alfred de Rosann — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. s 7 the slightest incident worth relating,’ answered De Rosann : then, after a moment’s hesitation, he added, “and if I were occasionally to enclose a line to Eloise, my dear Mr. Clayton?’’ “It would be punctually delivered,’ was the prompt reply. “To prove that your noble confidence does not stand even the remotest chance of being abused, I shall invariably leave the notes intended for Eloise unsealed.” “In which case I shall as invariably send them back to you,’ returned Mr. Clayton. ‘“ Now, attend to me, Alfred. I am not a mere go-between—a cat’s- paw in this affair ; but I act from principle, and with the firmest conviction of your honourable intentions. I love my niece too much to sacrifice her happiness for want of a little complaisance on my part; and I should not be ashamed if all the world were made aware of my conduct. So seal your letters, De Ro- sann: a man who could act basely towards the purest of God’s creatures would be a wretch only fit to be trampled under foot.” 4 De Rosann was about to reply in suitable terms to this last proof of Mr. Clayton’s excellent heart and noble disposition, when a loud cry of “Stop him ! stop him !”? met his ears; and in a moment Azor rushed past, with a large bone in his mouth. De Rosann suspected somewhat of the real truth; and he was not exceedingly astonished to see Champignon, the white night-cap on his head, and the soup-ladle in his hand, pursuing the fugitive animal at a pace that did not give much promise of overtaking him. Champignon’s face was smeared with flour, save the tips of his nose and chin, which exhibited a fearful rubicundity, the_effects of stooping near a large fire. The perspiration ran down his cheeks, forming furrows in the white powder that yielded to the large drops which fell from his forehead, where a thick paste began to appear. Still he relaxed not in the ardour of his chase, but persisted in running after the dog like COPMICGLOOOkKS (E@)