A Silver Brand — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND, | 263 ‘Do not despair,” said she. = ‘‘We have the promise of freedom this very night. You shall fly'on the wings of the wind to your fair princess, and win her away from Stephano, if you are able.” ) Aubrey could not respond to her gay smile. His heart was very sore, his mind troubled and anxious. What course should he pursue—what path would be open to him —if this secret retreat were revealed, and the hapless . fugitives delivered into this royal villain’s hands? The prospect of his own escape was but a new perplexity. How could he go and leave her whom his heart acknowl- - edged as his mother in this dangerous situation? A sud- den, overpowering impulse came to him, “Lady Theresa,” said he, “you tell me that Herr von Schubert hides a noble and generous heart under his stern’ exterior. Bring him to me, I beseech you; I have an im- portant revelation to make to him.” ‘But he does not know of your presence here; he be- lieves you are Stephano,” she returned. ‘‘Are you afraid of his anger at the discovery of the de- ception?” asked Aubrey. “Ifhe isso changed in charac- ter from your first description he will pardon the inno- cent victim surely ; and if he loves you as devotedly as I believe he does he will not chide your share of the pro- ceeding. Tell him I know the secret of the picture-gallery, that I can lead him into the hidden passage-way.” | “Vou! In Heaven’s name, how came you by sucha knowledge ?” “Have we not discovered that I am a Schwarzenberg, and should not the knowledge come intuitively to such? Lose no delay, I beg of you!” he implored. She gave him a single earnest look, rose swiftly, and hurried away, and was just in season to lay a detaining hand upon Von Schubert’s shoulder, as he was passing to the outer door, all equipped for a ride to the town. “ Just-a moment, if you please !—I will try not to detain you more. Come up stairs, and speak with some one there,” she said, softly, caring not for the stares of the © men stationed at all the doors below. . He obeyed the more promptly that it annoyed him to have her beauty known and commented upon. She led him straight into the chamber, only stopping at the threshold to say, leaning against his breast, a tremu- lous smile on her lips, her cheeks scarlet with blushes. “You know we were enemies once. Now that we are friends, I have no secrets from you. Herr von Schubert, Eomicbooks (Efe)