Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN, 145 play at the Haymarket and Adelphi theatres. The whole party then retired to the salon, where the beverages concocted with the produce of Souchong and Mocha were served to the gentlemen. It was very easy to perceive that De Rosann had suddenly be- come a great favourite with the whole family. Indeed, it was both natural and proper that he should be so; for he had rendered Mr. Robson a most important service—a service that had saved the “confiding banker from certain ruin; consequently, a service that never could be forgotten. He ceased all in a moment to appear as a stranger among them,—he was converted, as it were by enchantment, into a benefactor, a friend, an intimate acquaint- ance. Selina thanked him ‘for his handsome conduct” in the name of her mother and sister, as they were totally ignorant of the French language; and she recounted to him, with a few inno- cent additions to increase its ludierous aspect, the mistake made by Mr. Goldsmith and Mr. Jenkins. Alfred laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks; but he expressed his scrrow that the worthy geniuses were not suffered to remain in their happy state of ignorance concerning the truth of the matter. Before the hour of departure arrived, Mr. Robson drew De Rosann aside, and commenced a topic peculiarly interesting to sur hero. ‘“‘T received a visit from the Count d’Elsigny yesterday after- noon,” said he; ‘* but I suspect that he is about as mach entitled to that rank as you or I.” ‘¢ Perhaps so,” remarked Alfred, without manifesting any signs of embarrassment, having made up his mind how to act relative to Belle- Rose. ‘‘ But that is immaterial,” continued the banker: “ the object of his visit is the essential point.” ‘¢ Did he entrust you with the documents?” inquired De Rosann. ‘¢ You shall hear. He called upon me, according to appoint- ment, and stated his business; of which I, of course, in the first instance affected a profound ignorance. Having furnished me with a verbal analysis of the contents of the documents he held in his possession, he desired to know whether I considered myself empowered to hand him over the property of the late Marqnis de Denneville, upon his furnishing me with a receipt, or any other security of the kind which I might require. My reply was to the effect, that I must peruse the deeds before I could give an answer. He hesitated,—and by a subtle turn endeavoured to ascertain whether any person had lately applied to me concerning the same affair. I settled his skilfully managed interrogations by an eva- sion, and again requested him to entrust me with the papers for four-and-twenty hours. To this he objected,—muttered something about considering the matter, and withdrew, telling me he should call in the course of three or four days, when he had consulted his legal adviser.” | : ‘‘ And in the mean time what is to be done?” asked Alfred, fearful that his most sanguine anticipations were destined to fall to the ground. 19 CORNICE OOOKS (SO)