Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

MONSIEUR MERLE, THE WIZARD. 93 ‘Well, it’s a consummation devoutly to be wished ; but I have grave fears,’’ shaking his head. The other rubs his hands 1 in a miser-like way and chuckles. ‘‘Begar! it shall come to pass! I have ze lever zat will influence Mees Gordon. All you must do is to pop ze question and propose to give her a protector by to-morrow night, I will do the rest.’’ ‘“Why particularly then ?’’ Does Monsieur Merle turn a little red—if so his confusion is immediately gone. ‘Tt must be—I was ze confidential adviser of her grandfather—zere are reasons why Mees Estelle should be married. I will tell ’emtoher. All you have eo do is to propose—Monsieur Merle paves ze way.’ ‘But you don’t care a picayune for me—then why this sudden interest ?’’ The lawyer studies a minute and sees light. “T will tell you. Ze young lady is bound to get married, and I would like to continue ze manage- ment of ze legal business. You will promise me zis if I secure your happiness.’’ It is well put. “‘T could not do less,’’? declares Bob, frankly, though to himself he is saying: ‘‘Now, what under the sun is this old heathen vp to—some deep game, I’d swear. ‘To discover it I must match cunning against cunning, and pretend to be mere putty in his hands. ’? ‘You promise zen, zat if you become the hus- band of Mees Gordon inside of a week, you will i Fo GEomMmichbooksneo i =)