The Opposite House: A Novel — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite Flouse. 139 with no coronet. It is long since I have kissed any lips. I yearn to humble myself to the dust. Come, Brand, I will try whether a ballet-dancer can for- give!’ He rushed through the long suite of apart- ments and leaned over Heloise’s chair. ‘ Do you love me still, Heloise ?”’ She started up, shaking her curls back from her brow. “Gerrald,” she whispered, “have you come at laste” And clinging to hisarm with beaming eyes, she drew him toward theopen door. “Come, dear- est; the lanterns are swaying outside, the moon is shining on the quiet lake, and the green branches will repeat no tender whispers.” Marie walked silently beside her uncle Franz. Her head had sunk on his shoulder, and she wept burning tears. All this misery had come upon her so quickly, so suddenly ; the sweet dream was for- ever shattered. A single quarter of an hour had decided her earthly existence. How could she help breaking down? A little island in the lake was connected with the land by a wooden bridge. ‘Tall trees shaded it, and the slender branches of glimmering alders dipped into the water. To this spot Franz von Kartege led his grieving niece. Marie suddenly started and stood as though spell- bound. Surely, those loud, passionate tones were Comicbooks.c©