The Opposite House: A Novel — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

48 The Opposite Flouse. his very heart, and he smiled as he watched the play of two swallows, darting in zig-zag lines through the blue air, eluding, yet at last joining each other. At the same moment he heard behind him the rapid beat of a horse’s hoofs. A man was urging a snorting steed down the highway. “Strange,” thought Traugott, “he dashes along like the Wild Huntsman himself ;” and he turned his own horses aside to make room for the unknown rider. But the latter seemed to have other intentions. Stopping beside Traugott’s vehicle, he raised his hat courteously : “Have I the pleasure of speaking to Herr Ger- rald ?” Traugott, much surprised, returned the bow. “Yes, my name is Gerrald !”’ “Tam delighted to meet you,” the stranger con- tinued. ‘“ I have come directly from the mills, where I learned you had already left your rooms. I wished to domyself the honor of renewing a very slight acquaintance and paying you a visit.” ‘“T really don’t know—I am extremely sorry ; but Icannot possibly recall—” stammered the young owner of the mills. The pale face, with its pierc- ing eyes and perpetual smile, seemed familiar. “My name is Brand—Doctor Brand,” said the horseman, courteously, introducing himself. “ You ConmcooOoks.c©