A Silver Brand — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. | 159 fully glanced over the rooms, and finding them empty, had passed out of doors. She saw Von Schubert’s tall figure standing in the garden, with rings of silvery smoke from his meerschaum floating around his head. She caught a branch of scarlet blossoms from a shrub as _ She passed, and fastened it in her hair, well understand- ing how the brilliant tint became her dark eyes and mid- night tresses. Then as she neared the walk i in which he stood she slack- ened her steps, folded her arms, and seemed to be walking abstractedly unconscious of aught around her. He heard her step, and turned, his swarthy cheek flush- ing, his eye brightening, in spite of his efforts to the contrary. ‘‘Lady Theresa, it is long since I have seen you here. Your devotion to your brother’s sick-bed has been untir- ing, yet lam glad for your own health’s sake to see you out in the fresh air,” he said, removing the meerschaum from his lips, and bowing with something beyons respect- ful courtesy. She gave a little start, as if for the first time aware of his vicinity. “Ah, it is you, Herr von Schubert. Yes, I have come for the fresh air; Iam weary, thirsty, stifled.” There was a tragic intonation in the rich voice that ap- pealed to the man’s quick sensibilities. - “It is no wonder, my lady ; itis a dreary life for one so young and gifted — and ‘pardon | me, so -wondrously beautiful.” “But it is a life I cannot escape; that it is my duty to endure,” she returned, softly. The voice was gentleness itself. Von Schubert’s heart throbbed. How long it had been since she had spoken thus in friendliness. ‘“‘Are you sure the first duty is not your own happi- ness?” he asked. ‘My own happiness? Ah, whither should I go for it?” murmured the beautiful siren, her head drooping, her long, jetty eyelashes sweeping low upon the scarlet cheek. “Tf you would allow me to show you!” ventured Von Schubert, his admiring eyes losing no single attribute of the maidenly loveliness before him. ‘Oh, Lady Theresa, do not be angry with me, your gentleness makes me bold, She half turned her graceful head. A tremulous weak- ness was in the murmuring voice. “Because I am so tired, Herr von Schubert. I have ne Eomicbhoo XS (Efe)