Alfred de Rosann — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

42 - ALFRED DE ROSANN. was increasing every moment, and whose confusion, at the last remark made by Mr. Robson, was palpable to all present. ¢ He does not wish it to be publicly known quite yet,’’ whispered the banker to the gentleman in spec- tacles : and the worthy Mr. Robson actually believed the truth of his own assertion. The conversation now became more general, as the dessert had made its appearance. De Rosann was sur- prised at the removal of the table-cloth immediately before this last service ; and his wonder was not a little excited when he saw the ladies rise from their seats, and leave the room unattended by the gentle- men. His good sense, however, almost instantly as- sured him that this was one of the prevailing customs in England; and he did not suffer any mark of asto- nishment to escape him. mM “ By-the-bye,’”’? said Mr. Robson, when he had passed the decanters of port and sherry to his neigh- bour, ‘it is true that Williams, the stock-broker, has absconded.”’ “ Indeed !”’ eried he of the seals: “ I heard a vague rumour of the affair this morning, but did not attach any importance to it.”’ ‘¢ Has he decamped with much property ?”? inquired Mr. Jenkins, whom we might have dubbed knight of the silver barnacles. ‘‘] fancy not,’’ answered the banker: and remark- ing that De Rosann did not discourse with Lebrun, -he explained in French the subject of the present con- versation. ‘¢ Such instances, | hope, are rare in this land,”’ said Alfred, with a bitter smile. ‘In France, the stock- brokers, as well as the lawyers and the -notaries, are obliged to give ample security for the rectitude of their proceedings to the government ; and no man can be- come a stock-broker, without being able to prove that he possesses a certain property.”’ “In that case public confidence is seldom violated,’’ observed Mr. Robson. OOO KS {COR (©) =) a