Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

OF A FRENCH GENTLEMAN. 13 noticed so valid an objection to his proposal. ‘* But perhaps you will dine with me, ¢éte-a-téte, this evening, and we can then discuss matters of business more at our ease ?” ‘¢T shall have the greatest pleasure,” returned La Motte, his coun- tenance displaying a satisfaction at the invitation which he could not repress. ‘s Adieu, then, till six o’clock,’’ cried De Rosann, putting on his hat and gloves, and making a movement towards the door. “ 4u revoir /” said La Motte; and they separated for the present, the one to seek his intended bride, and the other to chuckle over a deeply-laid scheme of villany in his counting-house, De Rosann was always happy in the society of the charming Eloise. Every day developed some new accomplishment,—some fresh trait of amiability on the part of her he loved; and instead of experiencing an insipid sameness in her manners or her conversation, he invariably returned home, after an interview, more delighted than ever at the choice he had made, and more passionately fond of a being whose soul was composed of innocence, chastity, and affection. On her side, Eloise by no means regretted the day on which she first listened to the ardently pleaded suit of her future husband. His form was graceful—his countenance was handsome—and his manners had that peculiar fascination which characterizes the Frenchman more particularly than the citizen of any other nation. It was not asto- nishing, then, that the tender pair found pleasure in each other’s company, and that they preferred the bliss of one hour’s conversation together before all the gay concerts, balls, and amusements in which the gay capital sc profusely abounded. CHAPTER III. THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE. At six o'clock M. La Motte arrived, and dinner was immediately served up. Had Ude himself superintended the culinary arrange- ments of the repast—had the Trois Freres Provencausx in the Palais Royal supplied the wine—and had Chevet arranged the order of the courses, and laid out the dessert, they could not have succeeded better, nor have exemplified more exquisite taste than the domestics of De Rosann on this occasion. La Motte, who was somewhat addicted to gluttony, was in raptures at every consecutive dish; he praised the wines, and not only drank deeply himself, but also forced De Rosann to follow his example by proposing a variety of toasts in imitation of the English fashion. Alfred was flattered by the enco- mia which La Motte did not fail to lavish upon the beauty and accomplishments of Eloise; and he fancied within himself that his partner had never appeared to such advantage, nor seemed half so agreeable before. ‘“‘This champagne is Moétt’s best,”’ said La Motte, holding up a glass of the sparkling nectar towards the wax-candle that burned on his side of the table: “and ’tis excellent. Such ambrosia alone is worthy of being drank to the health of Eloise Clayton.” ECORNIClOOKS (©) =)