The Opposite House: A Novel — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

(| Lhe Opposite Flouse. Gerrald pressed the speaker’s hand, and gazed silently into the ruddy glow at his feet. “You have been my best and truest friend, Traugott,” Von Haldern added, in an agitated tone. ‘“T have loved few persons, and been loved by few. I have never known happiness. Death robbed me of all that I held dear; you are the only soul who has understood me ; you have often shared my grief and been silent concerning your own life. I have never asked the cause of your mysterious conduct, have never tortured you with questions, as a friend may be permitted to do, because I was afraid of being indiscreet. This is, perhaps, the last time that we shall have the sky above our heads. Take no secret into the grave, Gerrald. Reveal it.” The young officer raised his eyes sorrowfully. ‘“ T have no secret, Leo,” he said, in a hollow tone. ‘On the contrary, too many already know it; that is why I keep silence. What you desire to learn is quickly told; the words containing so much misery are absurdly few. I made a vow and broke it. I possessed the love of awoman of angelic purity and forfeited it. I deserted a ballet-dancer and she revenged herself upon me, and now I wish to offer my life in expiation, and Death disdains it; or has hitherto. What the morrow will bring I do not know.” He supported his head on his hand and gazed Comicboolk<s