The Opposite House: A Novel — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite FTouse. 225 and sends me nothing but first-class goods. I hope, cousin, that you will share some of my various pursuits. I shall be pleased to escort you to the theatre, concerts, etc., 1f it can be done without in- terfering with my usual engagements. It mustn’t be any restraint upon me, comprenez-vous? Will mamma accompany us? Why, you see, cousin, my petite maman often promises a great deal which she does not and cannot perform. She is so much in demand. People fairly quarrel over us, and I am quite accustomed to make my bowto her empty chair. But that can be arranged. I just heard the hall-door open. She is coming at last.” He leaned his head back, and gazed wearily at the door. “Bon soir, maman/” he said, without rising. “Excuse my keeping my seat. I’m fairly knocked 1p: Countess Raven kissed his forehead as she passed. ‘“Good-evening, darling.” Then she held out her hand to Marie with a pleas- ant smile. “Ah, so you have already made each other’s ac- quaintance, children ?”’ she cried, in her vivacious tones. “It is delightful to see how young people waive ceremony, and—yes, as unconcernedly as pos- sible, my Hasso in a dressing-zgown! But, mon ange, that is really too negligee for a first meeting.” Comicboolkkss C@ 5}