Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

164 | Alfred de Rosann. to others more familiarly,—to several she spoke a few words-as they passed on—and to a few she tendered two fingers of her night hand. Mrs. Robson was honoured by this last mark of intimacy ; De Rosann was presented in due form, and the Misses Robson were addressed by the fashionable hostess as ‘‘ her young friends, Mary and Selina.” When this ceremony was accomplished, De Rosann conducted Mrs. Robson and her daughters to chairs at the farther end of the room; and having engaged the hand of Selina for the next guadrille, he mingled with the gorgeously dressed crowd, under the supposition that during the intervals between each dance it was not customary to lounge near the seats occupied by the ladies; such being the etiquette in his own country, whience, with a few exceptions, issue to the rest of Europe all the laws of politeness that control the society of the higher classes in their fashionable reunions. ‘¢ How do you do, De Rosann?™ cried a voice near him; and when our hero turned round to reply to this familiar salutation, he recognized Belle-Rose, with a quizzing-glass to his mght eye, staring most rudely at every lady who had any pretensions to beauty. He was dressed in the extreme of fashion,—a magnificent gold clain hung round his neck, and was apparent'y attached to as handsome a watch in his waistcoat pocket; the glove was pur- posely withdrawn from his right hand, to display the valuable rings that glittered on his fingers, and his countenance was radiant with joy and self-satisfaction. He was leaning on the arm of a young Englishman, who spoke French with a horrible accent, and who repeated the words ‘‘ Monsieur le Comte,” as often and as loudly as -he could, in every answer he gave to his companion’s questions, or every remark he spontaneously uttered himself. De Rosann replied to the soi-disant Count’s salutation with a low and distant bow. His wishes were understood; Belle-Rose did not care to trouble him any farther; and the pressure of the crowd, caused by the arrival of new guests, soon separated them from each other's view. ‘‘ There is a man,” thought our hero, in his own mind, “ who contrives to push himself into the fashionable circles of London, by the aid of a little swaggering, a little effrontery, and a little impudence.” In a quarter of an hour the music re-commenced, and De Rosann sought his partner. Selina was dressed in virgin-white. Her hair was unadorned save by a single rose, which resembled her raiment, and a small wreath of pearls. Her neck-lace, her ear-rings, and her bracelets, were also composed of those modest beads. Alfred could not help regarding her with a look of admiration, and he thought of Eloise as he gazed. The idea of how far more tran- scendant was the loveliness of his own dear girl than the beauties of Selina, caused a smile of satisfaction to play upon his coun- tenance; and the self-deluded young lady did not fail to notice it, and appreciate its origin in her favour. Perhaps she fancied that she was not indifferent to our hero; peradventure her fond imagina- tion deceived her with the hope that she had pleased him: at all COnicbooolks (GO)