The Opposite House: A Novel — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

160 The Opposite Flouse. Her plan was matured. One friend should throw around the other’s feet the snare which she only needed to draw to bring the victim into the trap. In the opposite cupboard stood a bottle with a slen- der neck. The dancer brought it to the table and let the sparkling drops flow into the glasses. It was Tokay, which makes the blood flow more swiftly through the veins. Wikke was fond of good wine, though he could not bear much. Now, when Heloise pledged him, and he could drink from the same spot which her red lips had just touched, he raised the cup with twofold joy to drain it to the dregs. Heloise had drawn the curtain aside; the crim- son rays of the setting sun cast glittering reflections on her slender figure. Resting her head on her hand, she gazed steadily at him, constantly urging him to drink, and when he would not do so alone she touched glasses with him. “Brand has just been here,” she said ; “but I am very angry with him, and he is the sole cause of my departure. Did he tell you nothing about it?” “ Not one single word!” protested Wikke, passing his handkerchief several times across his brow. “ You are angry with him, mademoiselle ; may lask why?” The Frenchwoman sipped a little wine from her elass, then carelessly raised it and pledged him. “Why shouldn’t I tell you? It was about a CoMmicboOoks.c© 5}