The Opposite House: A Novel — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite House. 4I he felt as though panoplied by the memory of the innocent girl behind the laughing roses, innocent of deception, rouge or guile, herself as fair as a flower ; and, drawing a long sigh of relief, he remained. Several minutes passed ; then the door opened softly, a flood of brilliant light poured into the little room and, glittering like a dragon-fly, laughing, scantily clad in ballet-costume, the bewitching Heloise rushed to meet him. Traugott involuntarily stepped back ; the flood of light dazzled him, and he pressed his hand almost timidly upon his breast, on the white blossom he wore on his heart. Heloise was indeed beautiful— fairer, more bewitching than ever. smiling radiantly as of yore, she stood before him with arms uplifted. Then she sank lightly on one knee, the glittering gauze dress floating about her like a golden cloud: “My lord—my loved one!” ‘The head, crowned with dark curls, drooped upon her breast, the white arms were folded across the shimmering gauze. The tableau was fascinating and cleverly planned. Traugott slowly approached her. ‘““Mademoiselle—”’ Heloise raised her eyes in astonishment; then, laughing merrily, she started up and clung closely to him. “No, Gerrald !” she exclaimed with beaming eyes. cComiclsoo S