Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

78 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES « Of course it was killed **” remarked the girl. «“ No such thing: the cows in that country wear stcel jackets and wadded pelisses; and in this instance the happy animal escaped un- hurt.”’ ‘‘ Papa has not seen so many wonderful sights,” cried Jeannette, shaking her head to express the extent of her astonishment at these marvels. ‘‘ T dare swear he has not,” carelessly remarked Belle-Rose. ‘¢ Nor will he ever,” added De Rosann with a significant accent ; for he was afraid his companion would soon launch out into exaggera- tions even too ridiculous to be believed by the old woman and her ignorant grand-daughter. But at that moment the door opened, anda sturdy peasant entered the hut. He made a respectful bow in a mili- tary fashion to the two strangers, and, drawing forward another stool, seated himself at the table, on which Jeannette placed three soup-plates and as many wooden spoons. ‘‘ Will not those gentlemen condescend to partake of our soup?”’ asked the labourer in good French, which contrasted strongly with the horrible patois spoken by his mother. Jeannette made a sign for her father to change the conversation; but the hospitable peasant did not understand her meaning, and persisted in his inquiry wherefore De Rosann and Belle-Rose disdained the soup ? ‘“ People who have seen kings never eat sowpe maigre, papa,’ ex- claimed Jeannette, unable to keep silent any longer on that interesting head. “The girl is mad!” cried Claude, for such was the peasant’s name: “have not I often seen our gallant Emperor? and do | refuse good potage on account of that? No, no! such pride is too ridiculous!” ‘* Napoleon was not so tall as you,’ returned Jeannette; “‘ but these gentlemen have seen the King of China—the celebrated Caccancaran- cary, or some such name—who is:as high as the tower at Brest—who eats ten oxen at one meal—who sits upon a crocodile—who takes up a cow by the tail—and who clothes his cattle in steel jackets and wadded pelisses.” The astonishment of the worthy peasant at this tirade can be better conceived than described: the extraordinary contortion that his coun- tenance assumed—the rolling of his eyes—and the manner in which he held his breath so as not to lose a syllable, made such an impression upon Belle-Rose and De Rosann, that they burst forth into a convul- sive fit of laughter, thus adding to the poor man’s confusion. “’Twas a fairy tale—do you see?—a romance that I told your daughter ere now,” cried Belle-Rose, with tears still in his eyes—the effect of the violent excitement his risible muscles had undergone. © ‘“ Ah! I comprehend,” returned Claude; and he good-humouredly joined in the mirth as heartily as his two guests. ‘‘ Then ’tis all false!” cried Jeannette pettishly. ‘¢ Nay, my child—it was done to amuse you,’ said her father, who had remarked the frown upon her countenance. ‘<In that case I will forgive you,” exclaimed she, casting a kind glance at Belle-Rose. (Eo) CONNIE OOOKS . ’ J ~