The Opposite House: A Novel — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

106 Lhe Opposite Flouse. ‘And I?” asked Brand, with languishing eyes, “Tf you behave prettily, we ‘ll take you, too,” re- plied Verja, gayly, turning hastily toward the door. ‘‘ Ah, here are our sovereigns. Farewell, gentlemen. There is old Prince George, too. Au revoir” As she spoke she glided swiftly through the crowd and vanished behind the curtain. Traugott leaned against the pedestal of a Cupid taking aim, and pressed his hand upon his heart. The tempest raging in his soul filed him with em- barrassment. He compelled himself to turn his mind to other thoughts. Huis eyes, unconsciously, wandered over the sea of heads to rest upon the figure of the duchess. Gerrald had seen her almost daily in the street, and was familiar with her feat- ures; yet, this evening she did not look the same. Her fair hair was very becoming to her fresh complexion, and her sea-green silk had been chosen to suit the Southern tint of her com- plexion. Prince George stood by her side, greeting the hostess in his usual cordial manner, while Baron von Kartegg, the hereditary prince’s adju- tant, had respectfully taken the old gentleman's tea-cup to carry it to the chair reserved for his royal highness. By degrees the movement ceased, the seats were filled, and all eyes rested upon the curtain, which must rise the next instant. A bell rang. The hall was still as death. The CoOmicbooOoks.c©