A Silver Brand — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. 9 white hand, on which glittered a massive seal ring bearing the arms of the royal line. A smile of ineffable scorn flashed across her marble white face. “Man, do you think constancy is impossible? I tell you, though you keep me here thrice tifteen years longer, I shall still despise, and abhor, and defy you!” “Do you dare me thus boldly?” he demanded, fiercely. “I marvel at my own patience. Here you are completely at my mercy, and I neither scourge nor kill you. Ah, well, it is because I hold the win- ning card that has not yet been brought forward, and I can afford to laugh at your idle passion and your obstinate coldness. I have been too lenient hitherto, but yet I confess it was not without © motive. I was afraid your mind would give way, and thus cheat me of the most exquisite zest of my long-plotted revenge. I left you to your sweet will in the garden here. I see that you have enjoyed it. It would bea poor punishment for me to give you stinging blows, for the smart would heal quickly, I know a better way.” He laughed again in that horrible, sardonic fash- ion, and glanced meaningly around the lovely beds -blooming so charmingly with flowers of every hue. “T have brought a few American letters for your entertainment,” he continued. “You were wont to be of an inquiring mind, I believe. I have no doubt you will find them of interest. And here is a pict- ure. See, is it nota sweet young face? I faith, it costs me a pang to yield so faira flower to one of my courtiers. But to carry out my long-cherished plan I must deny myself some delights. Sebastian Schrodter will be the gainer.” The stately head never turned in his direction. The dazzling blue eyes were on the scarcely as blue _ heavens. “It is a pity you cannot close your ears also, my lady,” scoffedthe. “But you hear, and every word cuts home. though your proud heart will not betray it. Butdo not think your powers of defiance are ~ quite invulnerable. I have spared you hitherto be- Gomicboo cS C 6) m .