Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

170 Alfred de Rosann. ‘© Monsieur le Comte,” began our old acquaintance, Mr, Jenkins. ‘¢ What the devil would you have with me?”’ enquired Belle- Rose in French, his voice being any thing but suave and dulcet at the moment. Mr. Jenkins gave no reply, but pointed to the card-table, and made a sign with the fingers of his right hand in the out-stretched palm of his left. Belle-Rose understood full-well the meaning of the worthy gentlemen, and turned his back upon him with a look of the most sovereign contempt, purposely placing the heel of his shoe on the officious individual’s toes at the same time. Mr. Jen- kins gave a terrible start, and fell with such violence against his friend of the seals, who was endeavouring to force a passage through the crowd at the door, that the watch-chain and its appen- dages rattled like pebbles against a window. When their con- fusion, into which this sudden shock had thrown them, was some- what abated, Mr. Jenkins looked around to discover Belle-Rose. But the music had ceased—the guadrille was concluded—and the soi-disant Count had taken advantage of the momentary bustle to make his escape. Arrived in the hall, a footman im gorgeous livery demanded of the retiring guest whether he had brought a cloak or great-coat with him ; and as the eye of Belle-Rose fell at the same instant upon a magnificent mantle lined with sables, he replied in the affimative, although he had no real claim to the said garment. After a proper delay in pretending to search for bis own property, he unhooked the splendid mantle that had before at- tracted his attention; and having cast it negligently on his left shoulder, he placed half-a-crown in the footman's hand, and quitted the house, totally reckless of what might become of his riend Markham. When De Rosann rejoined Mrs. Robson and her daughters, he found them all three extremely anxious on his account—particularly Selina, in whose eye glistened a tear. The report of his quarrel with Markhan, and the certainty of a duel, had reached their ears ; but the particulars of the tale were entirely in favour cf our hero; and while his friends deplored the disagreeable occurrence, they could not help admiring his noble conduct and manly courage. ‘¢T hope the dispute will lead to no desperate result,” said Selina in a low voice, that was almost choked with an internal emotion which she vainly endeavoured to conceal. ‘The person with whom I had a few words,” answered De ‘Rosann, “is most probably a coward ; and [I suspect that there is ‘but little chance of his seeking an honourable satisfaction.” ‘¢'You wish to make the matter appear more trifling than it really is,” continued Selina: ‘‘ I am, however, certain it ts serious —and I implore you, M. De Rosann—if you have any regard—”’ Selina stopped short in the middle of her sentence; and when she raised her eyes to De Rosann’s countenance, she saw that he was gazing on herin astonishment. An unpleasant impression was immediately conveyed to her mind. She thought that if he felt the slightest interest in her welfare, or that if he knew she was attached to him, he would not have looked at her with wonder, comiclbools (GO)