A Silver Brand — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

os . 164 8 A SILVER BRAND. prince and his chosen boon companion, the unprincipled — and graceless Sebastian, Count Schrodter. The silver stemmed, ruby globed glasses still sparkled with the foaming wine, filled again as fast as emptied, though they had taken the cigars, and the high room was already dimmed by the rising wreaths of smoke. “It is as you say, my prince,” laughed Count Schrodter ; “the fashionable world will only understand a sensation when this comes to pass. I can picture the burning curi- osity of the women. The wrath of some of the courtiers, ‘even the queen’s surprise, and our own unbounded enter- tainment. Speed the fair voyager along, I say! You. have set your orders, I hope.” “Ves, and a trusty escort for the lovely bride. You ought to pay those debts of mine twice over, Schrodter, in return for such good luck played into your hands.” “T ought to keep the lady out of your sight, my prince; you who are so susceptible to new faces and youthful - charms, for fear you will break from the agreement.” The prince shrugged his shoulders and tossed off another glass of wine. : | “Never fear. I have astronger preventive than you think. I have an old conquest to’settle first.” And here he frowned a little, for between him and the rosy brim seemed to rise the pale, scornful, defiant face that had at last confronted him from the dreary roof-top of the solitary house in the Bavarian woods. } “Yes,” he muttered, “I have a-victory to accomplish in another direction. Your successful betrothal, Sebastian, is a wheel within a wheel. Well, we shall see.” “Yes, I trust we shall. And if the reality is half as fair as the pictured semblance, faith! I’m not sure but you may send the next rascal of a Jew, who dares to be importunate with a royal prince, to my coffers for settle- ment.” esis ‘“‘Agreed! Let us drink to the fair American’s safe and speedy arrival.” | At that moment there came a hasty summons at the door without, and in a few moments a page appeared, bowing low in obsequious humiliation as he said : “Your royal highness will pardon me. for disobeying orders. The man waiting without to see your highness will not take a refusal. He says he has a matter of great — importance to lay before your highness.” | ‘“Confound his importance. I said I would not be dis turbed,” retorted the prince, angrily, : “comicbooks:co