Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

108 Alfred de Rosann. cting to be offered a bed. But the peasant, to whom the cottage elonged, took me at my word, and conducted your humble servant to the pigstye. To indemnify me, however, for this bad lodging, he produced a copious supper, which was not indifferently cooked, by the bye—and the following morning he made me a present of a suit of clothes, because my own were rather dirty, on account of a battle which took place between me and the pig.” ‘¢ And then what became of you?’ enquired Belle-Rose, seeing that Champignon hesitated. ‘ You shall hear in a moment: but first, allow me to recover a little breath.” ‘¢ As much as you like,” returned Belle-Rose: ‘‘ only make haste, for it will shortly be time for us to think of breakfast.” ‘In that case,” said Champignon, ‘‘I am at your service: listen. Nothing of importance occurred the day before yesterday—nor yesterday, until the evening. I begged a dinner at about two or three o’clock from some worthy peasants, who did not inundate me with stupid questions, and then tell me to go to the devil, like the uncouth father of little Jeannette: but they gave me some soup, in which they had not put enough salt, and some bouilli boiled to rags. I, however, accepted their bounty with many thanks, and merely hinted to them the defects I found in the cookery of the viands, that they might improve by my advice on future occasions. They did not appear very well pleased with these insinuations, and muttered something about ‘ beggars not being choosers.’ I re- peated my thanks, and walked onwards, tolerably satisfied with the meal. It was my wish to reach St. Malo last night, as I havea cousin residing in that town, to whom I had an opportunity of rendering some pecuniary service in the days of the Cadran Rouge; and I know he will receive me with kindness till I establish myself once more in a place, where by change of name, or other pre- cautions, I can avoid the cunning of the Gendarmes. But about nine o'clock I found myself again overtaken by hunger, and was obliged to solicit a supper at a cottage not half an hour’s walk from this very spot. I was well received by a young man and his wife, who invited me to enter and partake of their repast. The viands, which were not yet cooked, were produced; and to my astonish- ment I saw displayed upon the table a rabbit, three or four wood- cocks, and a hare.* A moment's reflection told me that my host was doubtless a poacher, such excellent cheer being considerably at variance with the miserable appearance of the hut, JI did not, however, make any allusion to his supposed profession, but volun- teered my services to dress the provisions, telling the man and his wife that I was the first cook in Europe, as they should soon have ood reason to know. The supper was speedily submitted to the indispensable agency of the fire, and a short time saw the com- estibles so exquisitely arranged, as to be capable of tempting the daintiest appetites that formerly visited the Cadran Rouge. The founders of the feast were in raptures; they had no idea of the ee * The French eat game throughout the year. ECONlNCOOOlKS.CO