Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 229 when it was too late, in vain sent messengers to the chiefs of the revolutionary body : no compromise could be made with a monarch who had violated the liberties of his subjects, and had drawn upon himself by his own misdeeds a righteous doom. Exiled from his native land, abandoned by the numerous dependants he had lately seen humbling their heads to his august presence, the royal wan- derer left his regal halls at St.Cloud, and fruitlessly deplored the follies that had deprived him of a crown he might have worn in peace. The dynasty of the Bourbons was thus overthrown—the tri- coloured banner waved on every house—the news of this great and sudden blow was quickly spread over the face of the country—and till the end of time must the Genius of France, as she turns the pages of her favourite nation’s annals, point to the one on which are recorded the glorious events of the 27th, 28th, and 29th of July, 1830. CHAPTER XXXI. THE DECISION. On the morning of the thirtieth of July, Mrs. Clayton, her bro- ther-in-law, and Eloise, were seated at the breakfast-table, and were engaged in a conversation, the topic of which might be easily divined by the down-cast looks of our heroine, the impatient ges- tures of her uncle, and the forced tranquillity of her mother. ‘¢ Although the innocence of De Rosann be proven in the affair relative to the banker’s daughter,” said Mrs. Clayton, replying to an observation just made by her brother-in-law, ‘* my resolutions still remain the same: and Eloise must endeavour to conquer her unhappy passion.” ‘¢Say no more upon the subject,” cried Mr. Clayton with an unusual petuiance. ‘<I perfectly remember your vow— and begin to think it is impossible to convince you of its injustice. At the same time allow me to observe, that I would willingly give half of my fortune—nay, the whole—were it possible for De Rosann to dis- cover the particulars of your father’s sudden disappearance, and the fate of his pro erty.” ‘¢ Happily the days of fairies and enchanters have gone by,” returned Mrs. Clayton triumphantly: “I have therefore no reason to repent my asseveration, nor will you have an opportunity of parting with the moiety of your fortune.” ‘¢T am afraid not,” said Mr. Clayton drily, and in a tone of voice that plainly indicated his desire to drop the conversation. Mrs. Clayton would have continued the unwelcome topic, had not a violent knock at the door startled her as she was about to. speak. Eloise’s heart palpitated violently—a well-known step was heard on the oaken floor of the anti-chamber—and a servant announced M. De Rosann. Forgetful of her mother’s presence, Eloise arose and threw herself into his arms: and the lovers in- dulged in a long and fervent embrace. Mrs. Clayton sate stupified COnicbooolks (GO)