The Opposite House: A Novel — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite House. 275 from the waves. The lake must open its icy arms when the voice of the heart commands. The depths must yield their booty when a faithful hand demands it; and now believe the miracle, you doubter, and be happy—happier than you ever were before.” Traugott, deeply agitated, gazed long and ear- nestly into the beautiful eyes of the woman he loved, covered her little hand with kisses, pressed it with its treasure to his throbbing heart, and again examined the genuineness of the gift, in whose reality he could yet scarcely believe. But here within were the letters of his father’s name ; here still lay the white flower of death, uninjured! Ay, it was indeed his precious property ! A tumult of bliss took possession of his soul, in- toxicating him with its resistless might. All sor- rows were forgotten, all darkness merged in dazzling light; and the swift alternation of grief and joy confused him. It was too much happiness all at once! Then, when the tumult had partially subsided, when the young man passionately pleaded for an explanation of the miracle, Marie’s sweet voice described that night on the lake, when, with Franz, she had cast the net for happiness and drawn up so magnificent a prize ; the unutterable anguish which threatened to overwhelm her, and finally the moment when she again held in her hand the treas- C@ Comicboolkk<s