Alfred de Rosann — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

60 ALFRED DE ROSANN. “Lord bless your worship!’’? exclaimed the chop- fallen grocer; “I’m sure if I’d known that such was the law, I would never have lifted up a finger, much less a fist against the Frenchman: but, I am as basely ignorant of the laws as your lordship, or any other fellow-creature.”’ “Do not make me the subject of your odious com- parisons,”’ cried the Lord Mayor; “ but terminate this affair as speedily as you can, and let me never see your face in this office again.’’ “JT thought the liberty of a British subject, who hates the French as he ought to do,’’? remonstrated Mr. Higgins, “ was as safe as a guinea in your lord- ship’s pocket.’’ “ Justice, sir, is the basis of liberty. And now, once more, I command you to solicit that gentleman’s pardon, or it shall go hard with you.” “ Pretty justice!’’? muttered Mr. Higgins between his teeth; then, calling the interpreter towards him, he said, “ Will you have the goodness to explain to that snivelling Frenchman, that I heartily forgive him for the stamp on my corns, and I desire him to think no more about the rap on the head that I gave him in return; and you may say, if you like, that I’ll shake hands with him, and stand a bottle of wine to drink the Lord Mayor’s health. The conciliatory portion of this apology was briefly explained to the soz-disant count, who thanked the Lord Mayor for his kindness, in having thus termi- nated the business, and withdrew from the court, say- ing to himself, as a complaisant smile animated his countenance, “ Well! at all events, the English au- thorities pay more respect to aristocracy than the French. Decidedly I must try London a little longer.”’ And having thus made up his mind to prolong his visit to the metropolis of England, he pulled his hat once more over his right ear, ran. his fingers through his hair, and resumed his former swagger as he turned into the Poultry. CORMICLOOKS.COnn