A Silver Brand — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. 87 Oy FOLBIInE as the mistress in the Von Schrodter 4, GP”? . “Von Schrodter!” repeated the lady’s ashy lips, “what has she to do with that evil, brutal race who have always disgraced the lowest scene they en- tered? What has she in common with the enemies of her father’s house?” ea “I forget that you have been secluded from a knowleage of the world’s movements, fair lady. It is right | should give you information. The Von schrodter’s have managed to win my royal father’s _ favor—through the growing weakness of age and mental debility, you will say; but quite as much, I ~ assure you, through my quiet influence and skillful plotting. Sebastian, the presen‘ heir, is asad dog, I admit. He carries the family vices with a higher hand than has ever before bcen seen. But there is a dash about him, and an imperious willfulness, not to call it temper, that few dare to withstand. So he goes where he will. I won’t swear but that it might be different were the old Schwarzenberg family represented at the court. But they, you know, are in disgrace. So you remember the oath I took fifteen years and more ago? Iswore‘their ruin and disgrace—root and branch! Well, it looks like it certainly.” And here he laughed long and fiercely. The lady clasped her cold hands across the pict- © ure, and looked at him with wide, distended, horri- fied eyes. “Are you human? It seems to me no mother’s milk ever nourished a thing so fiendish,” she gasped. But he only laughed the louder. “Tama king’s son. What more is needed! And the king is old and feeble. The flickering light of his life may go out any moment—and I am the throne’s heir.” “Heaven help the poor distracted land then!” ‘ejaculated Lady Pauline, solemnly. “But to go back to the interesting topic under discussion. I wanted just such a husband for this fair young maiden, my ward, you understand. Sebastian Schrodter even exceeds my desires. If I Comicboo “Ss con