A Silver Brand — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

a - ——s A SILVER BRAND. 957 him take her, fortune and title. I care not. One only joy will satisfy my ambitious heart, and that won my life will be replete with bliss. It is you, Serena, who can crown me with more than coronet, or title or fortune is able to bestow—with the richest joy, the purest happiness. You have only to say, ‘Ilove you, Stephano.’ Ah, Serena, - ’ if you would say it now !” What winning tenderness, what pleading entreaty was in the rich, deep voice! All her heart yearned to answer. Aud yet Serena hesitated. oe : ‘*Let me answer for her,” spoke Lina’s arch voice from the other door-way. ‘‘My Cousin Stephano, you might have clearer eyes, but you are a passable and clever fel- low. Iwill promise you, in her name, that when Serena and I arrive in possession of our castle, she will not say you nay.” ‘Thank you, little Lina. Serena, sweetest and best, do you also agree to such a promise 2” He had found the soft and slender fingers, and the gentle pressure they returned to his answered for the shy, ~ dumb lips. 3 More could not have been spoken then, for at that mo- ment came the sound of voices from below. “Well, Jack, this finishes the lot. Ill go back to the schoener, and get her under way into the old position. I’d like to have taken alook at your beautiful ladyship, but I’ll see her in & week’s time. We’ll signal you the night we are lying off here, and then send a boat’s crew. I’d rather you would take them all. I’m afraid the others might betray the secret of this place. We’ll make sure of their silence before we let them go—no fear of that. You’ll know if I make a good trade with old Moss, for his boats will be down and signal, according to agreement,” said a gruff, strange voice. To which they heard Robinson reply : “Well, of course you’ll hurry this thing as much as you can, for you see yourself itis a profitable job, and only you and I will share the ransom. The crew needn’t under- stand it, and Mike can be blinded. But I tell you it is best ~ to get off quick. You’re right about the boat’s crew. I shall need help. Like as not the women will make a thundering fuss, and that young fellow is strong and smart; he don’t cheat me with hisshamming. I'll keep Dave and Jim here to help load for old Moss. I’m as fidgety as a woman about getting off, now I tell you.” “Well, it won’t be outside a week, though it is rough on Eomicboo ‘Ss (Efe)