In Search of an Unknown Race — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

134 VAN. CHAPTER XX. PREPARATIONS FOR THE JOURNEY. FLorEs’s unexpected announcement caused quite a sensation among his hearers, who were considerably astonished by his cold audacity. Mr. Briscoe was the frst to speak. ‘‘As your guardian, Flores,” he said. ‘‘I simply advise you to put this foolish fancy out of your head. I certainly shall never give my consent to anything of the kind.” ‘‘T shall go without it, then,” was the unmoved reply, ‘*and as you have seen fit to intrust your daughter to the care of a stranger of whom you know only what he chooses to tell you, perhaps there is more need that I should be near her to watch over her safety.” The cool insolence of this remarkable assertion caused Van's face to crimson with anger. A hasty reply rose to his lips, which was as quickly checked by the gentle touch of Ninada’s fingers. ‘‘My father and myself have chosen both a protector and companion in my cousin—we ask no other, Flores,” she proudly responded. ‘‘Well said, my daughter,” was Mr. Briscoe’s calm remark. ‘‘So, Flores, you see that Ninada’s safety will be insured without your valuable services.” Eomicbdooks.Gco im