The Opposite House: A Novel — page 272: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite Htouse. 267 as he reined in his charger, to catch a wreath which floated down to him with fluttering ribbons. Ah, it was already four and twenty hours since she had seen him for the first time after their long separa- tion. What a flood of thoughts filled her soul, what a longing contracted her heart, when she saw Verja rush so joyously into her husband’s arms! She could rejoice before the world ; could express her happiness in a thousand tender words, while Marie still stood at the window, gazing intently with tear- ful eye at the spot where “he” had just bowed his thanks for her greeting of love. Ah, what would happen now! Will nosun of hap- piness ever rise? Yet she was full of hope. Her heart was overflowing with gratitude to God, who had permitted his return home. He lives, he loves you ; do not despair, my heart. She had been sitting in her little room, thinking of him alone. Then her mother entered, grave and solemn, as if she were come in the name of the law. “Marie,” she said, abruptly, ‘““Count Raven asks your hand in marriage. Will you give it to him?” Alas, it seemed as if a violent blow had shattered her sweet dream! What answer her cry of terror, her deadly fright made she knew not; she saw only the strange tremor of the old baroness’s lips as she gravely stooped to kiss her on the forehead. Comicboolk<s