Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. 127 although disguised in the rude garb of a peasant; and her features, if not beautiful, were pleasing to a de- gree. ‘l'here was a species of melancholy depicted upon her soft countenance, which appeared somewhat at variance with the coarse and indelicate feelings of the vulgar class, whose passions verge into extremes, whose grief is expressed in dismal howlings, and whose mirth is proclaimed by boisterous shouts of laughter. One would scarcely expect to encounter a placid, resigned, and silent grief—a tranquil sorrow —in a person brought up amongst people whose habits border upon barbarism, whose minds are nar- row and superstitious, and whose very felicity is made known rather by grins than smiles. But an inward melancholy was betrayed by the blue eye and pensive brow of that cottage girl; and De Rosann sighed involuntarily as he gazed upon her mild countenance. It was evidently her voice that he had heard singing the praises of Bonaparte; for she and the old woman alone occupied the cottage at the moment Belle-Rose and Alfred entered it. ‘Jeannette, give these strangers the two stools that stand in the corner near the bed, and place some- what to eat before them.’’ This command, which was uttered by the old wo- man in as kind a tone as her harsh voice could assume, was speedily obeyed; and dried fruits, milk, bread, cheese, and cold vegetables, were quickly spread upon the table. Neither De Rosann nor Belle-Rose waited for a ceremonious invitation to partake of the edibles served up to them, but they commenced their attack with all the vigour that a good appetite usually pro- duces. Even the sour wine,towhich Jeannette helped them, seemed a luxury at that moment. “ Your dwelling is somewhat retired, my good woman,” said Belle-Rose to the old hag, as he pushed his plate away from him, to indicate the eonclusion of his meal. “Yes; but poverty has nothing to fear,’’ was the laconic-reply. : Conmnicoookxs (C@