Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

Alfred de Rosann. 73 fervour to which he was not accustomed, “ that the lesson may be an use- ful one both for you and me.” ‘¢ As for lessons being useful, and examples good,” replied Belle-Rose coolly, ‘I can hear my grandmother or the parish parson talk about that kind of thing any time in the course of the week; but that my memory will treasure up the events of this morning with the greatest tenacity, is quite certain: not to be of the most remote service to me in a moral point, my dear fellow, because my life will always continue the same: the singularity and horror of the circumstances alone render them wor- thy of recollection in my mind.” | No sooner had Belle-Rose done speaking, than the roar of a cannon fell upon the ears of himself and De Rosann, and drove the colour from the cheek of the latter. In a moment the explosion was repeated, and then a third time. De Rosann turned round to ascertain whence the smoke issued: the misty volumes came from the walls of Brest, and rolled over the fertile plains which he and his companion were tra- versing. ‘‘ The riot is at length concluded,” exclaimed Belle-Rose, ‘ and our flight is discovered, But do not be alarmed, my dear fellow,” he added, noticing the extreme terror of De Rosann, who would rather have entered a lion’s den than have returned to the galleys: “ when I escaped with Leblond—then called Ledoux—from Toulon, I was only at the gate of the town the instant the warning guns were fired; and we are already a good league from the glacis. ‘Take courage—march boldly on—let us gain yonder wood, and I pledge my existence to our safety.” The cannon again fired three times as Belle-Rose uttered these words, and De Rosann required no other stimulus to urge him forward. He walked with a desperate courage, determined not to be overcome by fatigue, nor to give way to weariness; and his companion from time to time held out such hopes as reason declared to be feasible. Presently they entered the wood, and De Rosann gave vent to an exclamation of joy. Belle-Rose reiterated his assurance that they were now beyond the reach of danger, and might indulge in a quarter of an hour's repose; for the reader must recollect all they have gone through since day-break. They seated themselves on a green bank, and were hazarding conjectures relative to the event of the riot in the prison, when, to their astonish- ment, the report of artillery fell upon their ears a third time. There was no mistaking that sonorous explosion—once—twice— thrice again. Belle-Rose started up, and looked towards the town they had left far behind them. Thence came the smoke once more, borne upon the breeze that blew steadily from the ocean. “ This is a glorious day,” cried Belle-Rose ; “ three convicts have escaped !”’ ‘¢ But who can be the third?” asked De Rosann. CHAP. XI. THE PEASANTS. % Tue rays of a scorching meridian sun now penetrated through the dense covering of boughs and leaves beneath which De Rosann and Belle- COMRnIClooo SS (GO)