The King's Talisman — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

58 THE KINGS TALISMAN. ‘¢ Alas! I could not help it. The safety of my father is to be the price of my sacrifice.” «<’Tis hard for me to comprehend the nature of the man who could thus consign his child to utter ‘ : Noureddin did not finish the sentence, for at that moment he caught the glance of his companion fixed upon him with such an imploring look, that he would not pain her by the remark he was about to make; but without appearing to notice the effect his language had had, he immediately said: ‘“* But tell me, fair lady, how is it that your present posi- tion affects your father’s safety?” ‘<The king,” she said, after a moment’s hesitation, ‘‘ has demanded me of my father.” ‘‘And has the king threatened him in case of a refusal?” The fiery flash that shot forth from Noureddin’s eyes as he asked this question, made Selina start. ‘‘He has threatened,” she at length replied, ‘‘and even with death.” ‘Unless you married the Khaibarite king,” added the young man. “Married!” cried the fair girl, starting as though some hidden serpent had darted its head in her way. ‘« Married! Oh, God! would that it were so.” ‘But still,” continued Noureddin, striving hard to sus- tain a calmness he did not feel, ‘‘ you would not desire even to marry Boljaz?” Not a shade in the countenance of the young man be- trayed the emotions of his soul, but when he met the look which Selina cast upon him—a look made up of the most intense anxiety and prayerful inquiry, he melted from his assumed mood, and sreou ny forth his hand until it rested upon his companion’s arm, he said, in a firm, meaning fone: ‘‘ Pair Selina, I know full well the fate which is designed (E(O)AAICEl oxeve) SS) co