A Silver Brand — page 241: what you’re looking at

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

, A SILVER BRAND. — 233 opened the door, and Mike came in with a large basket in his hand. * Robinson has brought this over. He says Iam to let you come into the kitchen if you like. There’s a stove there, and the tea-kettle is boiling.” “Excellent!” smiled perena. ‘Come, Lina, and see that the breakfast has come to the captives, only it must be prepared. I think there is really no other way than to make ourselves contented and comfortable.” “The very best way, indeed, mum,” said Mike, approv- ingly. “There won't be a hair of your heads harmed if you’re only quiet and peaceable.” “We will try tobe. If you don’t mind, you may leave us. the kitchen, and we'll set out our table in the other room.” 7 “Yes,” said Mike, scraping another awkward baer Sid go out and look after my nets. I shall lock the doors, so you needn’t try to get out,” he added, with a roguish smile; “it will be time lost out of the breakfast.” And he went out, and the heavy key turned after him. “This is jolly enough,” laughed Lina. “I don’t think I can be miserable if I try. I would like to push open those shutters; but the perforated holes admit more light than one would believe.” _ And then, skipping back archly,‘she said, gayly : ‘Rise, sir knight, and come out and see a queen serving her subjects. You may as well improve the opportunity for free rambling. Sir knight! why you have not told us your name.’ “You must call me Stephano. That is the only true part of my name I dare to reveal at present,” he returned, - rising with alacrity, and walking a little unsteadily across the floor to the door of the little kitchen. Serena turned her head with a mingling smile and blush. She had rolled up her sleeves from the round, white arms, and was busy pouring the steaming water upon the coffee, whose fragrant aroma presently filled the place. “All my accomplishments will come in play, I fancy. Lina, dear, you were to beat up those eggs for the omelet.” “T might do that,” said Stephano, wistfully. She shook her head authoritatively. “Not to-day. If the idle hands take to mischief to- morrow we will see what employment can be found for them. You are to have invalid’s fare to-day—toast, and a wee bit of the omelet.” And then she Eiited back to the table and stirred away Ecomicboo “S €O