The Opposite House: A Novel — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite Flouse. 169 haughtily. A name from the play-bills fairly froze her blood. ‘““May I ask you to hear me patiently, madam?” said Heloise, advancing a few steps nearer. “I re- peat, that the matter I have to discuss is a serious and important one.” The baroness silently pointed toachair. Allsorts of fancies darted through her brain. What could this person want of her? She could not under- stand. “Permit me first to ask a few questions,” the Frenchwoman began, leaning lightly on the carved back of the seat. ‘“ Did you knowin your youth Madam von B——, the widow of an officer who lived for some years in Stuttgart ?” “Certainly,” replied the baroness 1n astonishment. “ But where, if I may ask—”’ “Let me go on,” interrupted the dancer, with a modest but very resolute gesture. “I will relate the following incidents merely to show that I am aware of them, that you may credit the remainder of what I have tosay. This lady was betrothed toa Count Berndt, who accompanied her on a visit to her brother Lewin at Castle H——.” “Yes,” nodded the old lady. “And this brother—pardon my indiscretion, baroness—was secretly betrothed to you.” Baroness von Rotterswyl shrank back, her face Comicboolk<s C@