The Opposite House: A Novel — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

278 The Opposete House. aloss she had sustained through Brand, how she had been found senseless beside the empty casket which had contained her diamonds, how constantly she was obliged to wander through the world, I could not help pitying her, and shuddered at the wild life which brought naught save storms and which bore so little fruit.” Gerrald silently bowed his head and gazed at the shining dragon-fly which fluttered restlessly over the water, and at last, with weary wings, sank into the depths. “Marie,” he suddenly exclaimed, pressing her hand to his lips, with a loving glance, “ forget Heloise. Do not suffer the first shadow to pass over our sunny happiness, or waken by her name memories which should now be forever buried and forgotten. My past life is closed to-day. I am be- ginning a newand promising course, and when I enter your mother’s presence in the king’s coat, adorned withthe cross I have so lately won, please God, she will not refuse me the hand of her child, in which rests all the happiness and confidence of my future! I shall remain in the army, Marie. I have learned to love my sword, and can no longer part fromthe color which has protected my treasure in battle and danger. Will you become the wife of a soldier, dearest, who can offer you laurels and an honorable sword, but no coronet ?” Comicboolk<s