Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

90 MONSIEUR MERLE, THE WIZARD. “T do not know, but I can give one good guess, knowing zat Mr. Livingstone pride himself on being a man of ze worl’—as I might say. He seek her money—when he finds zat others are ahead of him in zat game he change his cards and play for some- thing else. Iam delighted to know he got—what you call ’em—left.’’ Although the lawyer rubs his hands together a gives all the evidences of being greatly tickled, Bob does not trust him too far. He has had some experience with this class of the genus homo before, and cannot say that he admires the breed. “Can Ido anything for you, Monsieur Merle?’ for something in the lawyer’s manner tells him this meeting is not a chance one. ‘Tt is true—you can do me one favor, if you are so disposed.’’ ‘‘Mention it,’’ coldy, which does not argue well for the success of the Frenchman’s quest. ‘‘Pardon me, are you one bachelor ?”’ S$ Ves: ? ‘Without ze entangling alliance, ze promise to love and cherish ?’’ eagerly. Somewhat puzzled, Bob replies: ‘‘Tf I catch your meaning, you want to know if I aim engaged—is that it ?”” ‘‘Ah! you have hit it ze first pop, and what do I hear you reply ?”’ } ‘‘Tam quite free.’? ‘What are ze inclinations—do you ever expect to take ze charming wife—to change from better to CORNICE OOOKS. Conn