Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 267: what you’re looking at

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930 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES upon her chair, undecided how to act, and trembling with emotions she could scarcely account for. Alfred saluted her respectfully, and turned to grasp the hand of Mr. Clayton, who made up by the cordiality of his welcome for the coldness of his stern but conscien- tious sister-in-law. ‘‘T have only this moment received your note, or I should have hastened hither before,” said De Rosann, addressing himself to Mr. Clayton. ‘© Tt was dated yesterday, but was not sent till this morning,” returned that gentleman. ‘¢ For three days and three nights I have not been to the hotel,” continued Alfred: ‘‘ I have laboured in the defence of my country’s rights.” “ What! did you engage in the strife—in the revolution ?’ ex- claimed Eloise, turning pale at the bare idea of her lover’s danger, although it was now past. ‘¢ T did my duty, Eloise,” cried our hero, a glow of satisfaction and pride animating his countenance: ‘I led a gallant band to the aid of my fellow-countrymen that fought in the cause of freedom ; and I have ere now been informed of the death of the unfortunate Belle-Rose, whom I rescued from destruction.” ‘Was it you that brought Belle-Rose hither ?” cried Mr. Clay- ton in astonishment. ‘I wonder how the portress could fail to mention the circumstance ?” ‘‘She has just explained to me her motives,’ answered De Rosann; ‘¢and I couid not do otherwise than approve of her deli- cacy and forethought.” ‘¢The same motives must account for her silence concerning yourself, when the dying sinner confessed the falsity of the calum- nies he had uttered against you, and that prejudiced you in my estimation. But let us forget the trivial misunderstanding,” said Mr. Clayton, again grasping our hero’s hand with affectionate warmth ; ‘¢and do you recount to us the history of your adventures in London.” ‘<Tn the first place,” began Alfred, ‘I must inform you of my especial good fortune relative to La Motte.” ‘The villain who deceived you—was he not?” interrupted Mr. Clayton, turning towards our hero, and preparing to listen with the createst attention. ‘The same,” said De Rosann. ‘I met him in London, and exposed his conduct to a worthy individual he was endeavouring to deceive, as he deceived me. Shortly after this occurrence, I was sent for to attend his death-bed. I went to assure him of my full pardon, and to breathe consolation to his departing spirit. He died, and left me the heir to his whole property, which amounted to upwards of forty thousand pounds, besides a small legacy set apart to discharge a just debt.” ‘¢ Bravo!’ shouted Mr. Clayton, rubbing his hands together, and repeating the word several times to demonstrate his joy, while Eloise congratulated her lover with an expressive glance, and Mrs Clayton maintained a stubborn silence. ECORNIC LOOKS (E©)