The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

196 THE STEAM PACKET, and a half ago, and he never returned home. It is to seek him that I am now in this city, from which I intend to depart to-morrow morn- ing, my researches having all proved unavailing.” ‘‘ Disappeared !’’ again ejaculated the lady, who had received this announcement with the most unfeigned surprise: ‘‘ disappeared, do you say? and about that time—about two years and a half ago ? Speak —M. Michel—speak ! ” ‘It is as you say, madam.”’ ‘¢Ah! now I comprehend it all!” cried the lady, a flush of crimson suddenly overspreading her countenance; then turning towards her ~ companion, she said in a tone of bitter irony, but still of deep emotion, ‘Viscount, you can probably acquaint this old man—this unhappy — father—with the place in which he may find his son!” She disengaged her arm from that of her companion as she spoke, and cast upon him a glance which seemed to penetrate to nis soul— for he quailed beneath it. *¢My son—my son! ”’ ried the old man, joining his hands topetlase in an appealing manner: ‘* what know you, sir, of my son? Oh! tell me,—keep me not in sugpenses -Wiiat know you of my son ?” “Your son—your son—” stammered the individual who was thus addressed. ‘“My son—my dear, my only son, Albert Michel!” added the old man. ‘¢ Albert Michel ! ’’ muttered the viscount—for so the lady had desig- nated him—between his teeth, while he compressed his lips together with rage: “do you ask me about Albert Michel?” Then, after a moment’s pause, he added ‘‘ Old man, where do you reside ?” Father Michel named the inn at which he was staying. ‘To-morrow, by mid-day, you shall hear from me!” said the viscount in a low but decided tone; and taking the lady’s hand, he led her hastily away from the spot where this conversation had taken place. Father Michel fell upon the seat, exclaiming, “‘ Thank God! I shall again behold my son! He is not dead—he will be restored to me! ” He sank into a reverie as delicious as that from which he had originally been awakened was painful; and it was not until a sentinel warned him that the gardens were about to close that he recollected where he was, or thought of the necessity of retiring. That night he scarcely slept a wink; and on the following morning he was up at an early hour. How heavily hung the time upon his hands until the clock struck twelve: he thought the sun would never gain its meridian point. At length the wished-for moment came ; and Gomicbooks. co