Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

256 NOW MONSIEUR SMILES-—BUT— ‘‘T knew Craig—he came to me and told me a little, asking my presence here. You see I have come to witness your final triumph over the forces that conspired against you.”’ ‘“Thanks—a thousand thanks.’’ The curtain rises, the interval has been brief, and the last act of the comedy in opera begins; so, too, the time for the closing scene in the other drama draws near. | Craig leans forward—his mouth is close to the ear of Bob Pemberton as he says: “Ah! Monsieur Merle and the doughty colonel have slipped out. ‘The time has arrived for the real tragedy to open. Come, give the signal; now is our chance during this break; we leave our seats—we are gone. ”’ CHAPTER XXXI. NOW MONSIEUR SMILES—BUT— Bob speaks to his wife, and they all rise. Fortu- nately no one blocks their way to the aisle, which is to be laid at the door of good luck or else the general- ship of Craig. Bob gives one backward glance in the direction of the box. What he sees is a lady standing erect and nervously donning her wraps, while an old gentle- man expostulates in vain against this unseemly de- parture. This time it is the daughter’s will that has Gomichooksscom