The Opposite House: A Novel — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite Flouse. 235 time she surveyed the work with the air of a con- noisseur, and finally asserted her entire satisfaction, though without every losing sight of the courtyard gate, through which Corporal Friedrich must pass if, faithful to his promise, he came there for a welcome. Her young lady, too, as she had just told her father, had prepared to receive the troops. Marie von Rotterswyl held a magnificent laurel wreath, adorned with a blue ribbon, ready for the victors— or rather for one of them. And now the hour had come, the fulfillment of many a fervent prayer and the hope of so many. souls whose weal and woe were in Gerrald’s hands. Iiundreds of voices shouted a welcome from the depths of loyal hearts. The adornment of the courtyard was completed. The workmen, men- and maid-servants stood in the center, and before the steps of the owner’s residence, musicians were stationed on the steps themselves, and in front stood Inspector Lohfeld, with his wife and child; then, in the order of their rank, the rest of the principal employees. All were in gala dress, with a little bunch of flowers on the breast or in the hat. Every face wore a happy smile, for each was animated by the same feeling, and full of gratitude to God for having restored a master whose equal it would have been hard to find. CoOmicbooolk<s