He modestly, and
mechanically, picks up his lethargic body, views his constitutional
self in the glass, and is much horrified, much disgusted with those
who perpetrated the freak.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE SOLD.
SLOWLY we pass through the precious scenes, hoping our readers will
indulge us with their patience.
Five days have passed since Clotilda's departure; her absence is
creating alarm. No one knows anything of her! a general search is
instituted, but the searchers search in vain. Maxwell has eluded
suspicion-Franconia no one for a moment suspects. Colonel
M'Carstrow-his mind, for the time, absorbed in the charms of his
young bride-gives little attention to the matter. He only knows that
he has signed a bond for fifteen hundred dollars, to indemnify the
sheriff, or creditors, in the event of loss; he reconciles himself
with the belief that she has been enticed into some of the
neighbouring bright houses, from which he can regain her in the
course of time. M'Carstrow knows little of Clotilda's real
character; and thus the matter rests a time.
The sheriff,--important gentleman of an important office,--will give
himself no concern about the matter: the plaintiff's attorney
acknowledged the deed of release, which is quite enough for him.
Graspum, a perfect savan where human property was to be judged, had
decided that her square inches of human vitality were worth strong
fifteen hundred; that was all desirable for the sheriff-it would
leave margin enough to cover the cost.
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