The Opposite House: A Novel — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite House. 45 as beautiful, as enthralling as ever, a flood of con- suming fire seemed to seethe in his heart and be- wilder his soul; the old wound opened, and an irresistible attraction drew him to the bewitching creature. He was on the point of rushing toward her and clasping her with passionate fervor to his breast, kneeling at her feet to plead for pardon, love and happiness, when he felt a sharp, sudden pang, and pressing his hand upon his breast, touched the gold locket and his mother’s white flower of death. A tremor ran through every limb; his foot paused and his hands fell loosely at his side; deadly pale, but calm and cold as stone, he drew back. The spell was broken. Heloise had noted everything. What did he wear on his heart? ‘‘It must be dear to him, dearer and more precious than I.” This thought darted wildly through her brain, and she slowly rose. “You no longer love me, Gerrald. I see that. But I do not yet know what has captured your fancy.” Her eyes glittered like those of a beast of prey watching for its booty. What did he wear on his heart? She was determined to learn at any cost, and slowly approached him. “Show me what yeu have hidden there, and I will release you.” Comicboolkks