Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

14 Alfred de Feosann. ‘‘ Eloise Clayton’s health!” echoed De Rosann; and they both emptied their glasses at the same time. ‘You do well, my dear friend,” continued La Motte after a brief pause, during which his lips savoured with a peculiar satisfaction the taste of the wine he had just drank, ‘‘ you do well to think seriously of settling for life in an honourable, comfortable—and, indeed, envi- able manner. One becomes wearied of the petites mattresses of the Chaussée d’Antin, and of the grisettes in the Rue Charlot, or the Boulevard du Temple. The former affect a passion which is nothing more than an evanescent caprice; and the latter ruin their lovers in dinners at the Cadran Bleu, in cachemires, and in tickets for the theatres.”’ ‘‘ And they both wind up their follies or their extravagancies by jilting you for the next handsome young man, whose beauty or whose wealth tempts their passions or their avarice,’’ said De Rosann. ‘‘ You see those vanities in the same light as myself,” rejoined La Motte. ‘‘ A virtuous woman, capable of inspiring and cherishing the affection of a young man, is as infinitely superior to the libertine mistress as gold is to dross, or diamonds to pebbles.” ‘‘ That sentiment deserves a bumper,”’ cried De Rosann, invariably applying to himself or to his situation with regard to Eloise, the moral inferences and aphorisms of his companion. The bumper was accordingly poured out and drank. ‘* By the bye, did you think of the stamps, Alfred ?”’ enquired La Motte, after a pause; and, without waiting for a reply, he continued, ‘‘ because we must observe the greatest regularity in our affairs ; and the present transaction will not only create a jealousy in two or three rival houses, but will also considerably increase the credit that we already enjoy—” ‘“And that you established, my dear friend,’ added De Rosann, with a grateful recollection of the manner in which La Motte had saved and built up the falling fortunes of his establishment, when it so nearly succumbed to neglect and mismanagement. ‘* I was certain that the union of our respective houses would pro- duce the most advantageous results,” exclaimed La Motte, delighted at the disposition in which the conversation and their repeated appli- cations to the bottle, had put the unsuspecting youth. “ But, apropos —you did not forget the stamps ?” ‘‘ No—they are in my portfolio,” was the answer. ‘‘ Because,’ continued La Motte, ‘the favourable terms on which we stand with Delisle, Guerin, and Company, must not be changed into coldness by any neglect on ouy parts. They are our most con- siderable and important correspondents ; and their transactions with us are alone worth a handsome income.”’ ‘Their orders have come very opportunely, then,” said De Rosann; ‘¢ for I have many purchases to make in preparation of my approach- ing marriage; and a little ready money is absolutely necessary, you know, on such occasions.”’ ‘Thank God, the cashier is not without ammunition,” cried La Motte; ‘‘and so long as we do business with such extensive mercan- tile houses as that of Delisle, we need never fear of being in difficulties. COnicbooolks (GO)