Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

é Alfred de Rosann. 213 relieve my anxiety—my suspense! ”—and the poor girl burst into an agony of tears, while her bosom throbbed convulsively, and a cold chill came over her like the icy touch of death. ‘¢ De Rosann has abused my confidence—has deceived me—has deceived you, Eloise—has deceived the whole world,” exclaimed the enraged uncle. ‘* He has paid his addresses to a young lady in London—he has proposed—and he has been rejected. And now that all his hopes in those quarters are at an end—now that his absence has been productive of no food ne declares his intention of returning to France—and will doubtless come to claim the hand of his expectant bride !”’ ‘¢ De Rosann faithless!” cried Eloise, suddenly raising her head, and withdrawing the handkerchief from her eyes: ‘‘O no—my dear uncle—do not believe it. You have been deceived by slan- derous tongues—evil reports have done him this wrong—lI am con- vinced, I will pledge my existence for his fidelity !” ‘¢ Generous girl! alas—that you should thus buoy yourself up with vain hopes!” exclaimed Mr. Clayton. ‘* This moment onl have I left an individual who knows him well, who has been his companion in London, who was his confidant throughout—” ‘‘?Tis false—all false!” interrupted Eloise. ‘‘ That individual cannot be trust-worthy, since he so readily betrays the secrets of his friend. But what is his name— his profession—his rank ?” ‘¢ His name is Belle-Rose—and he was an associate with De Rosann at Brest!” returned Mr. Clayton. ‘s Do not credit his tale, then, uncle. He has some motives for thus defaming an absent friend. You owe a duty to yourself—to De Rosann—and to me,” continued Eloise with a vehemence she had never before used; ‘‘and that duty is to listen to Alfred’s defence—to accuse him, and to demand proofs of his innocence : and if he be unable to produce such proofs—if he be indeed the faithless, perjured, heartless swindler he is represented—then re- nounce, forget him—and I will eradicate his image from my breast, although, in so doing; I break my lacerated heart !” ‘¢ Eloise—dear Eloise, compose yourself,” cried Mrs. Clayton, terrified at the energy with which the unfortunate girl spoke, and dreadfully disappointed at the fatal discovery she now made of the permanence of her daughter’s affection for De Rosann. ‘‘ Proofs are vain; accusation and defence are alike, useless,” said Mr. Clayton, obstinately determined not to question the vera- city of Belle-Rose, because he deemed’ the evidence against De Rosann too damning to admit of an easy refutation, and because he felt himself so little in his own estimation at having been thus duped by a boy. ‘ Eloise, you must now nerve yourself to bear the hour of trial: your day-dreams of bliss are past; the antici- pated smiles of the future are turned to frowns; and it is my duty,” he continued in an elevated tone of voice, ‘to protect my relatives from insult—to remove them from a place where the may be exposed to the impertinent apologies of a villain who vill doubtless seek, by specious tales, to delude you, Eloise, still far- ther: it is my duty to protect you, I say, and I will doit. To- COnicbooolks (GO)