The Opposite House: A Novel — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

62 The Uppostie f1ouse. Marie began to laugh. “You are certainly very much excited, dear aunt,” she said, in a jesting tone. ‘“ How can you think of society amid this beautiful scenery ?” ‘Oh, nonsense about nature!” replied Frau von Kartege. ‘I don’t understand how you can feel so little interest. I assure you that I shall have no peace until the doctor sits beside me at the prin- cess’s musicale, and if I turn D—— upside down, I will accomplish my purpose.”’ She pouted with an air of the most charming defiance, and shielded her eyes from the sunbeams with her fan. “Where was this famous personage all last sum- mer?’ asked Marie. ‘I didn’t see him ride by at all for a time, and he was often absent weeks.”’ “He travelled a great deal,” replied Verja, ab. sently, “but now heintends to remain here entirely.” She bent sideways a little. “‘ Marie !’’—she clutched her niece’s hand with an iron grasp—“ look there— over yonder—two horsemen.” The young baroness started. “ Two horsemen?’ she slowly repeated. “I thought you expected no one but the doctor?” “Yes, yes,” cried Verja, raising her lorgnette, “the other must be young Gerrald himself. Look again, and don’t be so tiresome — quick, Marie. Well?” C@ Comicbooolk<s