Alfred de Rosann — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 79 image of Eloise was uppermost in his mind, and for several seconds he did not appear to recollect that he was in the society of another individual. At length, awaking from his transient reverie, before his absence had amounted to actual rudeness, he hastened to renew the conversation. “IT think you asked me, Miss Robson, if your father were aware of my intention to remain in London a short time longer?” } 1 “QO, I dare say he is; for if you were as important a personage as Victor Hugo or Lamartine in disguise, and if you had entrusted your secret to him, with in- junctions to communicate it to his own family only, he would follow the safer plan, and never divulge it at all.’’ ‘The generality of men of business are thus cau- tious,’’? observed De Rosann: “ but I assure you that he is not yet informed of this change in my plans.” ‘‘Flere he is to answer for himself,’’ cried Selina. “ My dear friend,” said Alfred, taking the banker’s hand, “your daughter will not believe that you areas yet ignorant of my resolution to trouble you a fort- night or a month longer with my frequently repeated visits.”” | “Indeed! I am heartily glad to hear that you do not leave us so precipitately: at the same time I wish youy departure was procrastinated for a year rather than a month.’’ ‘ Now you believe me, Miss Selina,’’ said De Ro- sann, smiling. “] never really doubted you,’’ was the reply : and - Selina blushed, for she thought her answer was given in such a tone as to make Alfred fancy that she in- tended to convey a more serious meaning, and a pro- mise of full reliance on his word and assurance on every other occasion. Our hero noticed the blush which painted her cheek, and was obliged to confess within himself that his ideas were not unfounded, and that Selina already experienced the germination of a - sincere but ill-starred affection. The entrance of Mrs. and Mary Robson, and the EOPMICLOOO KS) (E@)