Alfred de Rosann — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

180 ALFRED DE ROSANN CHAPTER XVII. THE DECISION. On the morning of the thirtieth of July, Mrs. Clayton, her brother-in-law, and Eloise, were seated at the breakfast table, and were engaged in conversation, the topic of which might be easily divined by the downcast looks of our heroine, the impatient ges- tures of her uncle, and the forced tranquillity of her mother. *¢ Although the innocence of De Rosann be proven in the affair relative to the banker’s daughter,’’ said Mrs. Clayton, replying to an observation just made by her brother-in-law, “ my resolutions still remain the same : and Eloise must endeavour to conquer her - unhappy passion.’’ “Say no more upon the subject,”’ cried Mr. Clay-. ton with an unusual petulance. ‘ I perfectly remember your vow—and begin to think it is impossible to con- vince you of its injustice. Atthe same time allow me to observe, that I would willingly give half of my fortune—nay, the whole—were it possible for De Rosann to discover the particulars of your father’s sudden disappearance, and the fate of his property.”’ ‘“‘ Happily the days of fairies and enchanters have gone by,”’ returned Mrs. Clayton triumphantly: “I have therefore no reason to repent my asseveration, nor will you have an opportunity of parting with the moiety of your fortune.”’ “J am afraid not,’ said Mr. Clayton drily, and in a tone of voice that plainly indicated his desire to drop the conversation. Mrs. Clayton would have continued the unwelcome COMMICGLOOKS5(€0)