A Silver Brand — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

162 A SILVER BRAND. also by his majesty, the king. I will insure what I offered but now. I will transfer my fortune to England—all that is available. It will be enough for all our rational wants. And I will save your father all, all! And believe me it will be no light task, no common risk; but I swear I will do it, if you will love me and become my wife.” His whole figure was shaken by the great emotion which such a mental struggle induced. _ Theresa looked at him almost wonderingly. “Oh, what heroic devotion! what knightly love,” she said, mentally. ‘‘Can the wide world offer me anything more precious ?” Aloud she answered, in a fluttering voice: Let me have time to think of this, Herr von Schubert. And give me proof of your sincerity by unlocking the escritoire of heir-looms forme. I have a curiosity to see the silver brand that has had such famous history in the Schwarzenberg line. Thank Heaven, it never disfigured wrist of mine! Let me take the brand; I give you my word that it shall be safely returned.” . ‘You shall have it. But, Theresa, am I not to have one word of hope? You know how this wild passion fevers my blood; it does not cool lightly as might be with a younger man. I suffer tortures doubting and fearing. - Lady Theresa, give me some sort of answer, I pray you. Do you love me?” ‘ eae yielded her hand to his bold grasp, and whispered ’ back: “Do not ask me yet. Give me time to think. Is it not enough for me to say that I—do—not—hate you as I did ?” A radiant smile broke over his dark, stern face. “The next step is love!” he cried, exultantly. ‘Come and take the silver brand, and leave me happy with this crumb of comfort.” While yet Aubrey and the baron sat in blank silence, the girl swept inupon them. Another time the father might have noted suspiciously how her eyes shone and her cheeks burned, but now he was too preoccupied with the present dilemma. She tossed the quaintly carved toy upon the table. Aubrey looked at it curiously. To a common eye it was an unintelligible puzzle, a blotch of the most infinitesimal carving. The magnifying glass showed him it was an ex- -quisitely cut stamp of tiny silver pricks perfectly copying the Schwarzenberg crest. | | comicbooks (Elo)