Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 131 ‘himself, “‘ Belle-Rose thinks he possesses documents that wall im- mediately deliver a considerable sum of money into his hands: and heis mistaken. ‘The biter is still bit. He may discover where it is, but he cannot touch one centime of the treasure.” And De Rosann rubbed his hands with delight as this idea flitted across his mind. But his joy was as evanescent as the noise occasioned by the whizzing arrow shot past us; for he again recollected, that perhaps those documents, through his carelessness, might be now for ever lost to the righttul heir, whom their contents would so essentially serve. Stung by this reflection, and aware of the urgent necessity there existed of communicating as speedily as ossible with certain parties in London before Belle-Rose could biive time to deceive them, he ordered a post-chaise, flung himself into it, and soon had reason to acknowledge that the rate of travelling in England was considerably superior to that of his own country. Arrived in London, his first care was to inquire for the firm of Messieurs Robson and Co.; he fortunately recollected the name, but the address had escaped his memory. The banking-house was however well known; and he hastened to Threadneedle-street as fast as a hackney-coach and a drunken driver could conduct him, The vehicle stopped opposite an extensive building, and De Rosann made his way, after considerable difficulty, to the private office of the head partner. To his astonishment he found himself in the presence of the very Englishman whom he had offended on board the steam-vessel. Mr. Robson—for he it was in propria personé—received our hero with a cordial smile and an excess of politeness. He was es ashamed of himself for his ungentlemanly petulance on a ate occasion. Be that asit may, Mr. Robson was quite another person when enacting the part of the rich banker, than he was when travelling incognito on business. ‘¢ Ah! Monsieur,” he exclaimed, as De Rosann made a low bow, and stood for a moment uncertain how to commence his business 3 ‘¢vou have lost no more time on the road than myself; and to tell you the truth, I am not at all sorry your affairs have brought you to this house ; my conscience assures me that I owe you an apology for a little abruptness which I unworthily manifested—” ‘¢ Not at all,” replied De Rosann, with the easiness of manner which was natural to him, and which most essentially increased Mr. Robson’s good humour: ‘I was sadly afraid of encountering in this office a gentleman unable to converse with me in my own tongue; and I assure you that I am most agreeably disappointed, by meeting one who speaks French so fluently.” This compliment entirely won Mr. Robson’s heart in favour of our hero; and he offered De Rosann a pinch of snuff, with a gesture that bespoke a certain familiarity or intimacy which did not really yet exist between them. Alfred touched the box, and bowed politely. | ‘¢ Mr. Robson,” said he, ‘“‘ I know that your time is precious, and that I must not intrude too long apon your leisure. Will you EM MICLOOOKS» CO