Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 108: what you’re looking at

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OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 89 slumbers, evidently refreshed with their night's rest, and in good spirits to continue their journey. ‘¢ We shall arrive in the neighbourhood of St. Brieue at a suitable hour this evening,” said Belle-Rose; “ and will sleep outside the walls. To-morrow night we shall see the spires of St. Malo, and the next morning we can walk leisurely into the town, put up at a second rate auberge,* and send the landlord to have our passports signed at the Hotel- de-Ville. When a respectable housekeeper thus answers for you, it is not necessary to go thither in person. ‘« And how are we to settle our account at the tavern?” inquired De Rosann, who found every thing admirable in his companion’s scheme, except his silence on that head. “ T have a little purse that will answer all exigencies,’ was the reply. “ Do you not recollect the worthy uncle’s present at Versailles, where you shammed his nephew with a handkerchief over your head?” “ And yet I did not notice that you transferred it from your prison- garb to your present apparel, when old Plombier gave us a change of clothes in his little lodge.” “ Suffice it for you to know, my dear De Rosann, that I have a few Napoleons in my pocket now,” returned Belle-Rose, pulling out four or five pieces of the gold coin he named. “ But,’’ added he, perceiving that Alfred was lost in astonishment, ‘‘ 1 see you cannot comprehend how I passed that money into the prison at Brest; and the way I con- cealed it must for ever remain a secret, even from you.” ‘It appears you are well acquainted with Theodore,” said Alfred, desirous of turning the conversation. “‘ He and I escaped together from Brest,” replied Belle-Rose; “ and like Leblond, he is grateful for my aid and advice on that occasion. You see he is now settled down as a sober peasant: he possesses an acre or two of land round this cottage, which is also his own property; and having renounced the follies of youth, he passes his time in tranquil rural felicity.” ‘And does not that picture of domestic happiness, which you have just now so ably drawn, induce you to imitate his example ?’’ asked De Rosann. ‘¢ Not in the least,” answered Belle-Rose: ‘‘ I could not dwell in the country, in the first place: the restraint of a trade, profession, or fixed employment, would be insupportable; and the idea of a parcel of squall- ing children is enongh to drive one mad. No,’’ contmued Pierre, his eyes lighting up with a sudden brilliancy, “such an existence would never suit me. Give methe gay capital—the first city in the universe—_ its boulevards, its Palais Royal, its theatres, its restaurants, and its capa . —and I can be happy!” « Enthusiast !’’ exclaimed De Rosann. ‘“‘ Yes—while conversing on this subject, I am indeed enthusiastic. But when I call to mind the happy hours I have passed in that brilliant metropolis—when I think of the thousand pleasures it contains, and the ever-varying delights in which it abounds, I do not wonder that foreign- ers flock thither in crowds, and tear themselves with difficulty away from * An inn. CORNICE ODOOKS (S©)