The Opposite House: A Novel — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

Lhe Opposite House. 83 what you have accomplished, and don’t bore me with questions about things in which you have no concern.” Brand half closed his eyes and leaned back with folded arms. “You are mistaken, my child!” he said, sharply. “This matter interests me more than you may, per- haps, imagine. I beg you to show me your jewels.” The dancer shrugged her shoulders, angrily. “Just to try my patience to the utmost,” she said. “T don’t understand, Max, how you can find pleas- ure in tormenting me So.”’ He raised her hands coaxingly to his lips. “T won't detain you more than five minutes, little goddess! And these five minutes will be so interesting tome. Let me see whether the orna- ments are worthy to adorn you, the most precious pearl.” The Chénois laughed. Then, with a pout, turned her back upon him and went to the next room, re- turning with a large casket, which she placed on the table, and unlocked with a key fastened to the gold chain she wore around her neck. “Most of these things came from Lord Lang- bury,’ she said. “He made me more valuable gifts than the prince.”’ Brand arose. His greedy eyes dilated at the sight before him. cComiclsoo <S C@ 5}