The Opposite House: A Novel — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

256 Lhe Opposite House. whole affair is absurd!” cried the heir of Raveneck, in a shrill tone. ‘‘ Farewell, cousin. It’s a mere bagatelle,’ and tossing his head, he turned on his heel, and walked carelessly to one of the adjacent rooms. He had plenty of friends whose finances were always at a low ebb, who would consider it an honor to fight for the aristocratic favorite of the Frankfort society dames. Gold rules the world, was the thought with which Count Raven consoled himself. Traugott gazed earnestly at Marie’s terrified face and, leading her to a divan, he sat down by her side. “Do you really expect me to let that arrogant boy’s insult pass unpunished ’” he asked quietly “JT owe it to this uniform to let no speck sully its lustre.” “You yourself call the count a boy, and yet wish to judge him as a man!” she exclaimed wildly. “Oh, I will not suffer you to risk your hfe again after escaping, as if by a miracle, from all the perils of war! Oh, no; promise, promise me to keep the peace. I cannot endure the thought of being the cause of this unhappy quarrel.” Tears sparkled in her eyes, and her voice was full of heart-rending entreaty. Gerrald, smiling, tried to soothe her. “The count must beg my pardon,” he said, “and, ComicboOoks.c© 5}