The Opposite House: A Novel — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

70 The Opposite Flouse. A sincere interest was awakened for this man, who was so handsome, so young and so desolate. “You live entirely aloof from society, I have heard,” she continued. ‘Have you no friends to whom you could express your feelings °” “No,” he answered sadly. “I have learned to despise society. Brand was the only person who sought me, and to him alone I owe this happy hour, madam.” Verja looked at him kindly. Huis sincere manner pleased her, perhaps on account of its rarity. “ Doctor Brand intends to enter society here,” she answered. ‘‘He has promised to call on me; but since you hate the world,” she added, mischievously, “T cannot possibly hope ever to welcome you to our circle.”’ “Oh, madam,” he exclaimed, a deep flush crim- soning his brow, “I hate the world only to honor individuals the more sincerely. Would you permit me to accompany my friend °” “You will always be a welcome guest, Herr Ger- rald,” replied the baroness, with a gracious bend of the head. “Unfortunately, the court-mourning prohibits any large entertainments, but it has issued no edict against friendly visits.” She raised her fan to protect herself against the sun, which was sending its golden beams into her smiling face. o- ComicbooOoks.c©