Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 115 ‘‘ From the galleys of Brest,” exclaimed De Rogann boldly, seeing that Mr. Clayton scarcely dared mention the hated word. ‘ An honest man,” added the youth, striking his breast forcibly with his hand, “ need not blush to name the vile dens into which misfortune has impelled him: and it is possible to preserve the spotless integrity of an honourable name even when associated with the refuse of mankind.” Had not Eloise and her uncle been already convinced of De Rosann’s innocence, the sincerity with which he uttered these words would have proved it. There was something in his-manner, in his emphasis, and in his countenance, that seemed to say he was speak- ing the language of truth, and that the syllables which flowed from his lips, were as free from the guise of hypocrisy as the lisping of an infant is devoid of guile. ‘¢ You are a noble fellow, by Jove!” cried Mr. Clayton ; ‘and you merit a better fate. As far as my friendship is of any value to you, De Rosann, you have it now—henceforth—and for ever!” ‘¢ And my love also,” whispered Eloise. ‘¢A thousand—thousand thanks!” cried De Rosann: “may I be constantly a worthy object of such sweet regard !” A pause of some minutes ensued, during which they gazed on éach other in silence: a tear trickled down the cheek of Eloise. De Rosann saw it, and hastened to change the current of herthoughts by varying the conversation; he accordingly related all that had happened to him and Belle-Rose since the day on which the chain of convicts left the walls of Bicétre. He only suppressed the nar- rative of Francois, and the circumstance of his having found the papers in the haunted room of the house that was now a heap of ruins, as being irrelevant to his own adventures, and calculated to occupy too much time by the recital. ‘‘You are still in danger of being re-captared,” retnarked Mr. Clayton, at the termination of De Rosann’s tale. ‘‘Certainly: but as Leblond did not deceive me relative to the passports, I am still in hopes of being reserved for some signal service into whose mysteries no one can as yet penetrate.” : _ “It is your intention, then, to proceed to Paris as soon as your passport is signed at St. Malo?” asked Mr. Clayton. De Rosann hesitated—cast a look at Eloise—atid then gave a melancholy glance towards the uncle. “ Ah! ah! I understand,” cried the latter: ‘all depends upon certain circumstances, relative to which, by the bye, I must have a ' little conversation with you, my young friend. Eloise, do you leave us for a few minutes, and enquire of the farmer whether there be anything for breakfast. Rest assured we shall not discuss politics in your absence, but that affairs more intimately connected with yourself are about to occupy our minds.” And Mr. Clayton smiled, as he drew De Rosann away from the spot where they had been standing, while Eloise followed them with hér eyes for séme momenits ere she departed to execute her uncle’s commission relative to the morning's repast. The farmer was en- gaged in removing his farniture from the open ait to a shed at a COMRnIClooo SS (GO)