The Opposite House: A Novel — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite Ffouse. 171 “Passed away!” cried the baroness, almost bit- terly. ‘So long as this heart still beats it will have no other thought.” “And do you hope tofulfill yourvow? You have some suspicion, have you not?” Heloise gazed keenly into the old lady’s eyes; her voice sounded hollow and menacing. The baroness started up from her chair. A ter- rible thought flashed through her brain. This woman knew Brand; she was his sweetheart—his spy—sent toexamine her. Herreply was ahaughty rebuff. “Suspicion, mademoiselle ? Why should I? True, I have one that you have come here from other mo- tives than mere interest in me. Do not imagine that the yearshavedimmed myeyes. ‘They arestill keen enough, thank Heaven, to see through the plans of my fellow-mortals.” She turned her back upon her with almost insult- ing contempt. “And yet you are mistaken, baroness,” replied Mademoiselle Chénois, with a quiet smile. “I as- sure you that I stand before you asa friend. So you have no suspicion? Very well; Ihave! Ay, I even know who stole the jewels; I know Count Berndt’s real name; I know who shot the baron in the forest, and I know the hand that wore Ida’s be- trothal ring !” | C@ IGDOOkKS > a C@ 5}