A Silver Brand — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. O71 his dressing-gown as he came, to give the appearance of a | sudden rousing from sleep. Theresa likewise glided among them. She had seen the flutter of ladies’ dresses, and caught the words “Baroness of Schwarzenberg,” and intense curiosity and feverish interest had overcome both fear and prudence. Following softly behind her father, she hovered in the background, looking over wistfully to rie two centrai figures who were the focus of all the eyes there. | “Bring more lights!” commanded the prince. ‘‘Let us give the fitting illumination to this important occasion. And seats also for the fair and noble ladies. I trow this is an. entertainment not often given, famous as the old house may be for its fetes and revels.” The few servants who could be roused obeyed with the alacrity of fear. Hernberg and his allies grouped them- selves on one side. Von Schubert, still pale and nervous, half shielded Lady Theresa with his broad shoulders, and the prince, with glittering eyes, flushed face, and evidently extremely agitated, though he tried to assume a cool and nonchalant manner, was striding to and fro in the center of the ring thus made in front of the two trembling, alarmed maidens, whose pale but beautiful faces shone _. out with singularly thrilling effect. “The last of the Schwarzenbergs!” exclaimed Valentin Baer. ‘‘Do you mean that this is the Baron Arnold’s daughter ?” “Hyven so, my lord baron. The proofs are indisputable. It is rather inconvenient for you, I confess. Let me see, it takes away your title. You are simply Herr von Baer! And a proscribed man at that. Well, I ought to condole with you, but somehow—” and here a triumphant smile broke over his face, ‘‘somehow I do not—remembering: the prophecy I made for you eighteen years ago.” ‘‘“Condole!” returned Valentin Baer, fiercely. ‘‘No, it would be as much mockery for you to offer as for me to accept it. Itis your work, your planning. Why was the daughter of the Baron Arnold concealed, her very exist- ence hidden? Well enough I know it was in furtherance of some deeper plot, some atrocious villainy. It is your © work, all the misery, and wrong, and cruel experience that 4 has blighted all our lives. Yours alone!” _ Von Schubert laid a warning hand upon hisarm. Hern- berg took-a step forward as if ready at the first command to throttle the daring speaker, but the prince only laughed Eomicbooks €O