A Silver Brand — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

198 | -A SILVER BRAND. name. But that is but a trifle. What I would so earnestly impress upon you is my tender and unselfish desire for Lina’s happiness,” he returned, “my earnest wish to be your friend also.” _ “The best way to accomplish both is to leave us in peace,” she said, indignantly. “Nay, on the contrary, that is the way to insure the poor child’s life-long misery. Miss Penelope, listen to me, I conjure you, and be persuaded. You do not know, you cannot have heard to what this innocent creature is destined, or I know the love you bear her would have given you the same impulse that has come to me—a pas- sionate desire to snatch her away and hide her from every German eye.” | Penelope stood catching her breath spasmodically, as though the air was close and suffocating. She looked at him gloomily, and then burst forth: “T said before that subterfuge was idle. I cannot pre- tend to misunderstand your allusions, and yet I declare to you I know nothing that is not bright and grand, and de- lightful for her waiting there. Heaven forgive me! itis only my own loneliness and heartache that terrifies me. I have said this much, but I will say no more until you ex- plain to me how it is that you, whom we supposed a harm- less hermit, have penetrated into this carefully guarded secret. Show me how much you know.” : “You love the child,” murmured Nat, more to himself than to her; ‘‘whatever else may puzzle me, that much is sure. I don’t know why it is, Penelope Foss, but some- thing seems to assure me that when you see the truth of this thing you will help me.” “Yes, I love her. Heaven knows I love her full well, if not wisely,” answered Penelope. “And you would not see her given into that demon’s’ grasp. I wonder how far you Foss people have been trusted with the plans of the master mind which brought all this about.” : A Penelope shook her head grimly. “I told you my lips were sealed. I will speak nothing until I know how far you are enlightened,” she said. “But I will be more generous,” he returned, gravely. ‘‘T trust all my hopes upon the single truth I know about you—that you love Lina. For her sake you will not dare betray me, even though I cannot win you to my side. I say to you frankly that I have been enlisted by your own high-born patron, but that, loving this innocent creat: Eomicbooks-co