Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

114 ALFRED: OR ADVENTU RES period of life when the dreams of the future are usually replete with bright images ?”” ‘¢T know not what to think, uncle,” was the reply, delivered in go melancholy a tone, that it penetrated to the soul of the excel- lent man who heard it. ‘‘ My mother’s conduct appears cruel; but it is not for me to question the rectitude of her actions. All I can say is, that the laws of society are severe where they should be lenient, and ridiculously merciful in cases which demand austerity.” “© My dear Eloise, your mother’s conduct is cruel; and I have told her so a hundred times since the day of Alfred’s condemna- tion. Iam better able to judge in these matters than she; and yet my advice is disregarded. ’Tis true, | have not so great a right to control your conduct as a parent has; but hitherto I have endeavoured to replace towards you the father you have lost; and your mother has often returned thanks to God that I was spared, to be a protector to herself and her child. With regard to ali trivial matters, she has never failed to solicit my counsel, and has always followed it--because my opinion did not differ from her own ; but, now that an important affair is to be considered, my authority counts as nothing. By Jove ! it is rather too bad !” ‘Nay, my dear uncle, do not be impatient,” cried Eloise, affec- tionately taking Mr. Clayton’s hand, and pressing it to her lips. ‘If you were to quarrel with my mother and to leave us—” ‘¢ Leave you, dear girl—never !” exclaimed the excellent man, a tear trickling down his cheek. ‘‘ You are to inherit all my fortune —for you I will never marry—yon are as a daughter to me in my declining years—and rest assured, Eloise, that you shall yet be happy with him you love.” ‘¢Oh! do youreally think so? or is this said to console me ?” en- quired the beautiful girl, still squeezing her uncle’s hand. ‘¢On my honour I mean what I say. There are some difficultes to be surmounted—but those obstacles are not insuperable—parti- cularly when a daughter’s tears, and a brother’s intreaties are to be used against a mother’s stubborn resolutions. Have patience, Eloise ; and we will triumph yet, my girl. At present let us as- certain the manner in which De Rosann liberated himself, or was set free, and the ideas he has formed relative to the future.” 66 He is here to answer for himself,” cried Alfred, who had at that moment issued from the stable. Eloise uttered a cry of joy; and the two lovers were soon locked in a fervent embrace. ‘<Come—come, children,” cried Mr. Clayton: ‘recollect that we are in a court-yard whither the glances of the curious may pene- trate. Be reasonable, and do not expose yourself to ridiculous observations.” ‘¢ Love is our apology,” said Alfred with a smile, as he imprinted another kiss on the brow of Eloise, and then grasped the out-stretched hand of friendship which was tendered him by her uncle. “¢ We were talking of you as your voice met my ears,” continued Mr. Clayton; ‘‘and you may naturally suppose that we are anxious to hear the particulars of your exit from the—the—" ’ EOmicbooks (E()