Alfred de Rosann — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

154 ALFRED DE ROSANN. that all his hopes in those quarters are at an end—now that his absence has been productive of no good—he declares his intention of returning to France—and will doubtless come to claim the hand of his expectant bride!” “De Rosann faithless!”? cried Eloise, suddenly raising her head, and withdrawing the handkerchief from her eyes: “O no—my dear uncle—do not be- lieve it. You have been deceived by slanderous tongues—evil reports have done him this wrong—l am convinced, I will pledge my existence for his fidelity !”’ ‘Generous girl! alas—that you should thus buoy yourself up with vain hopes!”’ exclaimed Mr. Clayton, “ This moment only have I left an individual who knows him well, who has been his companion in London, who was his confidant throughout—”’ “?Tis false—all false!’? interrupted Eloise. ‘ ‘That individual cannot be trust-worthy, since he so readily betrays the secrets of his friend. ‘But what is his name—his profession—his rank?’’ “‘ His name is Belle-Rose—and he was an associate with De Rosann at Brest!”’ returned Mr. Clayton. “Do not credit his tale, then, uncle. He hassome motives for thus defaming an absent friend. You owe’ a duty to yourself—to De Rosann—and to me,’’ con- tinued Eloise witha vehemence she had never before used; “and that duty is to listen to Alfred’s defence —to accuse him, and to demand proofs of his inno- cence: and if he be unable to produce such proofs—if he be indeed the faithless, perjured, heartless swindler he is represented—then renounce, forget him—and I will eradicate his image from my breast, although, in so doing, I break my lacerated heart!’’ ‘‘ Hloise—dear Eloise, compose yourself,’ cried Mrs. Clayton, terrified at the energy with which the unfortunate girl spoke, and dreadfully disappointed at. the fatal discovery she now made of the permanence of her daugnter’s affection for De Rosann. ‘Proofs are vain; accusation and defence are alike eommichooks.eolin