The Opposite House: A Novel — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Oppostte House. 199 fixedly at his sword, whose point was jagged and stained. Raising the slender steel blade, he tested the point with his thumb. “Tt has done me manya good service,” he mur- mured ; “hold out bravely to-morrow, old friend.” Haldern made no reply; he seemed lost in thought. The leaves rustled,a horse snorted, and a sentinel’s saber clanked against the roots and stones. Leo raised his head. “Does she no longer love you?” he asked, in a low tone. Gerrald drew his treasure from his pocket. “Look; she gave me this when we parted; a tal- isman that is to protect me. Then we bade each other farewell. I do not know what itis. Icannot open it until I am severely wounded or can replace it in her hands at the close of the campaign. Does she love me?’ Yes, she said so, though perhaps it was an act of charity, of mercy, not to let the man who once possessed her heart depart without a blessing. Oh, Haldern!” he groaned, pressing his hand upon his breast in the torture of his suffering. “Why must I drag out this burdensome existence, of which I am utterly weary ?” “Do not sin, Gerrald; you are standing on the verge of the grave every instant!” said Haldern, passing his arm around his friend’s neck. “And if Comicbooolkkxs C@