The Opposite House: A Novel — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

112 Lhe Opposete House. “Brand? Is he to appear in the tableau, too?” asked Gerrald, in surprise. ‘Oh, I forgot—it was to be a surprise to you also. Of course. Brand is our Wephistopheles. Ah, there comes Martha !”’ Gerrald turned, a hand was laid heavily on his shoulder, and, almost startling in its disagreeable resemblance, Mephistopheles laughed in his face. “Capital! said Verja, approvingly. ‘ You are enough to frighten us. Go into the background at once. Do you see this picture? That’s your posi- tion in promenading with Martha. Herr Gerrald and Marie, come here, please; close to the front.” It was not difficult to group the handsome couple advantageously. Gerrald could easily fix an admir- ing glance upon Marie’s face; clasp her slender fig- ure tenderly. True, he scarcely ventured to touch her, and the first time Verja was obliged to say: “Don’t be too stiff, Herr Gerrald.” The second at- tempt was much better. At last everything was ready. Gretchen, with face averted, counted the white petals of the daisy. Mephistopheles and his companion were in the back- ground. The curtain slowly rose, a soft melody from “Faust” greeted the exquisite picture. There was no other sound in the hall; the audience scarcely ventured to breathe. Gretchen trembled in the ComicooOoks.c©