Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

108 NOW IT IS BOB, THE MAGICIAN. Bob has a little spasm of remorse—can it be that rascally old lawyer has scared her in some way? He opens the door and enters. Gypsy is seated in a comfortable chair—she 1s attired in a bewitching house gown, and Bob is im- mediately convinced that she never before looked one-half so charming. True, a blush suffuses her face, but back of it he sees the same arch look that so captivated him on the occasion of their first meeting. At her feet his astonished eyes beheld a cushion,. and it strikes him, allina heap, that, knowing the nature of his mission, she has prepared for his com- ing. So he is expected to drop his knee on that and sue for her hand. Perhaps Bob may adopt other methods—he has been known as an original fellow. “You look rather downcast, Mr. Pemberton. ‘The morning is bracing—I hope you are not sick?’’ she says, with affected sympathy. ‘Never felt better in my life.’ ‘*Perhaps you have heard bad news from home.”’ ‘*Have no home—poor orphan.”’ ‘*Business troubles ?”’ ‘“There, you have struck it, Miss Gypsy. I am worrying over the details of anew business. I am thinking of entering upon a sort of partnership Sita sy The audacious fellow actually enjoys seeing her cheeks suddenly flush crimson at his significant words ; but she keeps her self-possession. “It is too bad you have cause for such worry. You are bold by nature; why don’t you untie the COMMICIIOONKS EO in