The Opposite House: A Novel — page 255: what you’re looking at

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

250 The Opposite House. not mistaken?r”’ he said, with a patronizing nod. “Tam Count Raven—Raveneck.” Traugott bowed. “To what do I owe the honor?” he asked, eying the boyish young dandy with evident surprise. “You engaged my cousin, Fraulein von Rotters- wyl, for the german,’ Hasso went on, in a drawling tone. He had wiped his eye-glasses with his hand- kerchief, and again placed them on his nose to scan the young hussar from head to foot. “ I have come to settle the matter.” Traugott could not trust his ears. “Settle the matter?” he repeated, doubtfully, his face darkening under the count’s impertinent gaze. “Fraulein von Rotterswyl knows that I engaged her, and I do not think there can be any confusion, as I have invited no other lady.” Count Raven smiled, and nonchalantly twisted the little bunch of violets in his fingers. “That ’s just it, my dear sir,” he said, over his shoulder. ‘‘ My cousin, unfortunately, is aware that, in her haste, she promised a dance which—well, which she would have preferred to have given to some one else!” He uttered a short laugh and ground the high heel of his shoe into the smooth floor. Traugott stood facing him, with his face blanched to a ghostly pallor and his tall figure drawn to its Comicbooks.c© 5}