The Opposite House: A Novel — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

102 The Opposite House. silken trains were already rustling over the floor, glittering uniforms mingled with the elegant cos- tumes of the ladies; the stars and ribbons of vari- ous orders vying with the sparkle of the diamonds and pearls which this evening adorned fair necks even more lavishly than usual. The band, concealed behind tall groups of plants, was already beginning to play, and the hostess, a stately woman in a very effective costume, was pass- ing through the groups of guests, with a pleasant word for each. Now she hastened to the first row of arm-chairs, directly in front of the stage, placed for the older guests, seated herself beside one of the ladies, and soon became engaged in an animated conversation. The person thus distinguished had chosen a somewhat isolated seat. Her tall, erect figure was attired in black moire antique, and her jewels were magnificent pearls. ‘The old Baroness von Rotterswyl was a rare guest, and her appear- ance in her excellency’s drawing-room had awak- ened the utmost astonishment. People could not understand it, and made one conjecture after another to account for the remarkable event. The curtain was drawn slightly aside, and a head covered with dark curls appeared before the brilliant throng. Then it vanished, and aslender figure the next instant bowed before her excellency. “Welcome, my dear Frau von Karteoo,” ex- ComicboOoks.c©