The Opposite House: A Novel — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

220 The Opposite Flouse. clearly Marie saw the fundamental defects in his character, which were concealed by the superficial varnish of polished manners. She had already seen men of character too wholly unlike to be impressed by this youthful dandy, who too often strove to supply his lack of personal comeliness by the arts of the toilet. But Count Raven was a good match, and this enabled marriageable beauties to close their eyes, admire him in the most undeserved manner, and con- stantly inspire the heir of Castle Raveneck with fresh conceit. His personal appearance was styled original, in- teresting and attractive, because it was 1mpossible to call him handsome. Count Hasso had the height which, combined with the leanness often associated with it, produces a figure similar to Offenbach’s Prince of Arcadia—a figure whose every garment seems borrowed, and hangs limp on the limbs. Every novelty in the fashion journals, even were it the most monstrous idea of some Paris or London brain, was first adopted by Count Raven, who liked to appear in society attired in the most extravagant elegance. His mouth was large, and frequently opened for a yawn,at which no one took offense ; or for some witless remark intended to arouse a laugh, and which duly fulfilled its purpose. This mouth also opened at times to delight a circle of Comicbookks C@ 5}