The Opposite House: A Novel — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite flouse. 227 take it. But I’ve treated her just like a cousin, though she was so distant.” “Yes, my Hasso becomes acquainted at once!” said his mother, smiling. ‘‘Come, my son, offer Marie your arm, and let us go to dinner.” x % x % % This was Marie’s first impression of the young man, and, unfortunately, all the time of their inter- course could give no more attractive view of him. His exaggerated familiarity, especially in the pres- ence of strangers, affected Marie almost unpleas- antly. The hints of acquaintances, and even of Aunt Raven herself, which intimated that a future wedding was in prospect, seemed an absurdity to the young girl. But she maintained silence toward her aunt as well as to her mother, and merely treated the young hero to a few ready retorts, which reduced him to the condition of an embarrassed school-boy. Nevertheless, Count Hasso sometimes paid a visit to D ,and was thoroughly convinced of the honor he paid the gray old house by his august presence. The baroness seemed to have expected the son of the clever Countess Raven to be a person very un- like this affected dandy, who had scarcely out- grown the childishness of youth. His immature character was by no means suited to attract or bestow lasting happiness upon a woman of earnest Comicloo® <S C@ 5}