The Opposite House: A Novel — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

242 The Opposite Flouse. have dreamed of experiencing such a pleasure so late inthe evening? You play bewitchingly—a mar- velously beautiful performance.”’ Marie pressed her handkerchief to her lips to hide her laugh by turning it intoa cough. Her mother cast a glance of alarm at Verja, whose eyes sparkled with mischief; but Count Raven, perfectly assured that the praise was sincere, bowed graciously to the ladies. “Good evening, madam. I kiss your little hand, dear cousin! Yes, yes, I knew that my polka would please you! The young ladies in Frankfort are fairly bewitched with this piece, and rarely let an entertainment pass without persuading me to go to the piano! Soyou are in full ball-dress? Superb, ladies, superb !” and with evident good humor, the heir of Raveneck put on his eye-glasses and scanned the elegant costumes. “But you, too, are dressed as though you in- tended to break hearts in the first waltz, Count Raven.” Verja held her open fan before the laugh- ing face. ‘“ Do youintend toaccompany us to cele- brate your cruel triumphs in our peaceful capital ?”’ “T really meant to surprise you, ladies, by ap- pearing in the ball-room to request a dance; but it was so horribly tiresome in the hotel, with nothing but lieutenants and waiters, that I determined to come here,” CoMmicbOoks.c©