In Search of an Unknown Race — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

VAN. 123 ‘* You have given him ¢he ring, Ninada!” said Flores, in a curiously repressed voice, which, with the act itself, at once attracted the notice of her father, who looked keenly from one to the other of the three, with- out speaking. ‘‘ Why should I not do as I wish with my own!” proudly answered the beautiful girl, drawing herself up toher full stature. Apparently finding the question difficult to answer, Flores, with a fierce exclamation which I fear was an oath in choice Itambezi, flung Van's hand rudely from him, and, without replying, entered the house. Now the ring referred to was one which I casually mentioned as having ornamented Ninada’s slim finger the evening before. It was a large oval gem resem- bling the moonstone of Ceylon. Glowing up through the milky whiteness was the wonderful iridescent sheen of the fine opal, changing in every light. The beauti- ful stone was set in a band of dull gold, inside of which were engraved the insignia of Itambez. ‘‘ Last night, father,” said Ninada, upon whose clear cheek the faintest touch of color had come and gone like the dusky spark in the gem itself, ‘‘ I gave the ring to my cousin, asa Seal of our friendship. Was it well?” ‘<Tt was well, Ninada,” gravely answered her father, with a curious look into Van’s manly, earnest face. ‘© And Van,” he said, as though satisfed with what he saw in the young man’s features, ‘‘let me say this. In Itambez the giving ofa ring containing the bezelz stone implies the strongest friendship known. By your acceptance ofit, I shall look to you to be my daughter's protectcr and guardian when I shall have given her into EOmiGcdoo <SriG