The Opposite House: A Novel — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite Flouse. 67 “And you include that portrait among your treasures °”’ What strange questions he could ask! “Ves,” the young girl confessed frankly, raising her eyes to his. ‘I am very, very fond of my pale ancestress. She has often been my only compan- ion when I was alone and sorrowful; when no one else cared for me she always understood and—”’ “That is why you took your friend from the gal- lery to the quiet bow-window room °” There was a strangely set expression upon the young man’s lips; he gazed at her with a fixed, earnest look. ‘“No,” replied Marie, sorrowfully. ‘‘ Mamma did not like the portrait, and because it had long been in the attic, she let it stay there, and was even un- willing to permit me to take it. This grieved me, so I cared doubly for it, and gradually learned to love the portrait. I was alone, like Barbara; so we suited each other.” “Do you know the history of that portrait?” He bent lower, and gazed intently into her eyes. “Yes, [know Barbara Gerrald’s story.”” A shadow crossed her face,and she tossed her head almost defiantly. “I know it, and yet love her. That is strange, isn’t it, Herr Gerrald?”’ She gazed quietly at him; a faint flush tinged her cheeks, but her lips still smiled. cComiclsoo S