Her Royal Lover: A Novel — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

210 — HER ROYAL LOVER, marry at the same time. Our marriage will be kept secret, however, until it isan accomplished fact, on account——” “On account of the Empress of Hindostan, is it not?” exclaimed Najeska Ivanowna. “Yes, you are right—thou art right!” she added, more tenderly, gliding, full of confidence, into the king’s arms. “And when does the empress arrive?” Madame de Mineleko suddenly demanded. “Day after to-morrow. I have just received a dispatch announcing this news. She wishes to be here several days before Agusta’s marriage.” “But is it not her dearest dream to marry you to Princess Corysande?” “Perhaps, but the heart cannot be thus com- manded.” “Oh! sire!” said Najeska Ivanowna, seized with instinctive fear, “consider well upon that which you are about to do before uniting yourself to one by the sacred ties of marriage; weigh everything well; there is yet time! I entreat you, do not en- gage yourself immediately—wait—let us wait. Who urges us? Ah! if some day you were to have re- grets, to reproach me! If the world, if the royal family especially, were to blame me, to cast at me that I have been an intriguent, endeavoring to cir- cumvent you! Oh! sire!—my king!” “Reassure yourself, my best beloved, they will never cast that at your head.” And, pulling out a jewel-casket which he had hitherto kept concealed, the king offered it to the trembling young woman. On pressing the spring of the casket, the cover immediately opened, and a splendid diadem all glit- tering with precious stones, appeared to the dazzled eyes of the princess. Eomicbooks.¢com