Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

260 NOW MONSIEUR SMILES -BUT— spectacle—a Gordon must not be allowed to drag the name in the dust. When he is no longer in a con- dition to take care of himself he must be looked after.’’ “Sir, what do you mean?’’ splutters the squire, some of his old-time fire coming back. ‘That you have lost your reason, both of you— that you must be detained until an examination is made. Ihold the judge’s order. Doctor, do your duty,’’? waving his hand to the sleek-looking indi- vidual who stands near, and whose appearance, paper in hand, is about on a par with the condemned about to make a neat little speech before stepping off. ‘‘T hold in my hand an order from Judge Bassett authorizing me to secure the person of Squire Rudolph Gordon, or one claiming to be such——’’ ‘‘And his daughter, Ruth,’’ prompts the colonel. ‘“‘Of course, and lhis daughter Ruth, and hold him, or them, safely in my delightful retreat beyond the Harlem—a place whose satisfied inmates never yet made a complaint until the court can inquire into their mental condition, and satisfy itself regarding their sacred right to liberty.”’ The old man looks at the speaker with the same black brow he was wont, in years gone by, to terrify his slaves, and all who came in contact with him. ‘'Do I understand you rightly; you dare to call me a lunatic, and threaten to put me in a mad-house; me, Squire Rudolph Gordon, of Virginia? Such brazen impudence! It-is a piece of devilish work worthy of my talented son. But you will find it one thing to say and another to execute. This is the nineteenth century, and we are in modern New York. COMMEMOO<S COR