The Opposite House: A Novel — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite flouse. 133 “My conscience.”’ “Don’t be a simpleton, Gerrald, and drop such follies, which may suit prudish spinsters, but not a man. Put on petticoats and sit in a corner, if you haven’t courage and strength enough to govern your own passions. If you don’t wish to play, very well; omit it, but at least go with me. I want to tisk something to-day.” Gerrald ground his teeth as he started up, and hurriedly advanced toward him. “Never dare to sneer at me again, Brand, or you shall learn to know the man whom you would lke to put into petticoats! Come, I'll go and show you whether I have a will of my own or not.” Gerrald followed him to the ¢rente et quarante table and, leaning on Brand’s chair, gazed steadily at the white hand of the croupier, which so calmly dealt out life and death. He glanced up hurriedly as Brand held out a handful of coins. “Won!” he said. Then, as his dull gaze roved over the long table, he started as he met a pair of sparkling eyes. At the end of the table sat the gold-witch, in an exqui- site toilet, and resting her head, with its crown of dark curls, on her hand, smiled at him—Heloise. Traugott gazed into those dark eyes as if spell- bound. Was not that the same sweet, alluring smile CoMmicbOoks.c©