A Silver Brand — page 242: what you’re looking at

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

934 A SILVER BRAND,” deftly at the preparation there, looking just the same grand, noble creature that she would have been robed in velvet and seated in some palace drawing-room. Stephano’s eyes followed every movement admiringly, and could hardly leave the lovely, gentle countenance, when, having bolted the inner door against any sudden in- trusion on Mike’s part, the three sat down to the table for their breakfast. And a merry mealit was. Young hearts are light and buoyant; and despite their novel and uncertain position, each one secretly acknowledged the enjoyment of the occasion. “Three forlorn prisoners, indeed!” cried Lina, merrily, as she roseup. ‘Ido believe we are every one of us secretly delighted with the situation.” ‘‘I don’t pretend to deny it,” said Stephano, gayly. “I am mentally skylking from my plain duty of knocking down this accommodating Mike and bearing you off to your grieving friends; just because it would put an end to this romantic experience.” “It would be much more romantic if. we were allowed to roam along the rocks and plunge into the surf. You ought to be able to swim gallantly away bearing us from a devouring dragon. That is the true hero!” laughed Lina. “You are a very commonplace mortal, indeed, sitting over a breakfast prepared by the queen heroine. ” “It was a hero who fearlessly came to our rescue last night,” said Serena, softly, with a shining approval in her blue eyes that made Stephano’s heart beat warmly. “It would take a long series of commonplace affairs to efface that from my memory.” ‘Would that I might have been of effectual service, ” returned Stephano. “Hush !” interrupted Lina. ‘‘Go back to insensibility as quickly as possible. There comes the jailer again. Itisa new idea to have bars on both sides. We might play keep- ing prison with him.” Serena hurried away Stephano’s dishes while Lina worked away at the bolt. “It isan ugly thing for such little fingers,” said Mike, with a grinning glance at the girl’s white hands. “The bolt must be oiled. I’m glad you’re having a good time. 1 heard you laughing.” “Tf you would let us go out on the rocks or down to the water it would be pleasanter,” coaxed Lina, . He shook his head decidedly. GEomicbooks:.¢o