Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

ALFRED DE ROSANN. | 149 “Jt appears you are well acquainted with Theodore,”’ said Alfred, desirous of turning the conversation. “He and I escaped together from Brest,” replied Belle-Rose, “and like Leblond, he is grateful for my aid and advice on that occasion. You see he is now settled down as a sober peasant: he possesses an acre or two of land round this cottage, which is also his own property ; and having renounced the follies of youth, he passes his time in tranquil rural felicity.” “ And does not that picture of domestic happiness, which you have just now so ably drawn, induce you to imitate his example ?”? asked De Rosann. ‘¢ Not in the least,” answered Belle-Rose: “I could not dwell in the country, in the first place: the re- straint of a trade, profession, or fixed employment, would be insupportable ; and the idea of a parcel of squalling children is enough to drive one mad. No,”’ continued Pierre, his eyes lighting up with a sudden brilliancy, ‘* such an existence would never suit me. Give me the gay capital—the first city in the universe —its boulevards, its Palais Royal, its theatres, its re- staurants, and its eafés—and I can be happy!” “ Einthusiast!’’? exclaimed De Rosann. ““ Yes—while conversing on this subject, I am, in- deed, enthusiastic. But when I call to mind the happy hours I have passed in that brilliant metropolis—when I think of the thousand pleasures it contains, and the ever-varying delights in which it abounds, I do not wonder that foreigners flock thither in crowds, and tear themselves with difficulty away from the Circean rock; nor am [ astonished that so many are daily ruined and undone by the charms of the luxurious city!” The entrance of Theodore, who came to summon his guests to the morning’s repast, interrupted this conversation. ¢¢ And what have you done with the man of a deli- cate taste??? inquired Belle-Rose ; upon which the peasant narrated all that had taken place both in and out of the pigstye. «“ Was he handsome or ugly—tall or short—fat or | ) 13* | C@nnicloool< (C@ S|