Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

2 ALFRED 3 OR ADVENTURES they lived retired and secluded together, while their child—the greatest source of comfort and of hope to them in their present circumstances —-throve apace, increasing in stature and in beauty. Often did the tender mother weep over her infant daughter, whose name was Eloise, and deplore the loss of rank and fortune on account of that innocent creature. She did not regret those deficiencies as their effects regarded herself: tranquillity and peace had always suited her quiet disposi- tion much better than the glittering fashion, the ceremonious balls, and the brilliant salons of the Faubourg Samt Germain in Paris. But she was ambitious because she was a mother; and her bosom heaved with frequent sighs as she glanced around her present lodgings, for she could not help forming a comparison between them and the magnifi- cent hotel she had inhabited in the metropolis of her native France. Alas! little did she deem, as thus her mind deplored the decay of grandeur and aristocracy, that the trophies of the future glories of her country were to be erected on the basis which appeared to her preju- diced imagination nought but irredeemable ruins ! A year passed away in the peaceful retreat of the family of d’Estelle, when a grievous illness threatened to rob the noble exile of his vir- tuous spouse. Madame d’ Estelle was naturally of a weak constitution; and the misfortunes of her family had preyed upon a too sensitive mind to such a degree, that at length the body was affected. Day and night did the heart-broken husband attend at the sick bed of her who had shared all his adversities with heroic fortitude; but vainly did he endeavour to blind himself to the certainty of soon sustaining a terr'- ble loss. Every hour appeared to add to the malignity of the slow fever which was consuming the unhappy lady; and bitter—burning tears,were those that the emigrant shed when his beloved wife snatched a momentary repose. The medical gentleman, who attended Madame d’Estelle, was a person no less renowned for his talent than for the excellence of his disposition, and the goodness of his heart. His name was Clayton; bis family was ancient and respectable; and his reputation, as a pro- fessional man, was so firmly established, and on such sound principles, that he enjoyed a practice inferior to that of no surgeon in London. He was united to an amiable woman, whom he tenderly loved; and his marriage had been blessed with a smiling offspring. ‘Two boys claimed his parental care, and engrossed all the time that he could spare from his medical duties. One was about eleven years of age at the period when Mr. Clayton was called in to attend upon Madame d’ Estelle; the other was only nine; but both were promising youths, full of vivacity, quickness, and mental energy. William—the elder of the two—was more sedate and studious in his disposition than his brother Henry; the former was the favourite of his father—for all parents are guilty, if such a term be applicable, of these predilection: and the latter was the darling of his mother. = Mrs. Clayton conceived an extraordinary degree of interest in fa- vour of the emigrants, the moment her husband became acquainted with them; and, being naturally of a kind disposition, she called upon Madame d’Estelle, and volunteered her services in the sick room, An acquaintance,.that was thus coimenced under circumstances pecuharly mteresting, though sad, scon ripened into a firm friendship ; sad EONNIE KOOKS Eo