The Opposite House: A Novel — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

The Opposite flouse. 69 and murmured a courteous: ‘‘Charming!’’ while Traugott gezed gravely down at the little lady. “Tt is true that I have the misfortune of being disconcerted by any unexpected incident,” answered’ Gerrald, trying to smile. ‘ Besides,I am really a great lover of flowers, and itis pardonable if one does become a little confused by unexpectedly find- ing such rare blossoms by the roadside. And then, I have had so little opportunity of meeting ladies of late that the pleasant accident might well em- barrass me.” His features had grown still graver, and Verja’s jesting mood vanished under the mournful glance which met her eyes. “YT heard of your loss, last year, with sincere re- egret,’ she answered sympathizinely, “and can understand your grief the better because only a few twelvemonths ago I stood beside my own mother’s death-bed! My husband’s self-sacrificing love made the wound heal more quickly, and the many proofs of friendship I received also contributed to divert my thoughts. Are you entirely alone in the world?” “ Entirely.” ‘““Have you no relatives whom you could join ?” Gerrald shook his head. “No one in the whole wide world ?” Verja’s heart quivered at the sound of his voice. Comicloo® S 5}