A Silver Brand — page 280: what you’re looking at

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

272 A SILVER BRAND. contemptuously. He actually enjoyed the wrath of his defeated enemy. Me it “Rail on!” he sneered. “Do you think I shall conde- “scend to be roused to anger at such an insignificant voice. My planning! Well, if it is, you must confess that I have wrought powerfully and well. I told you, when there was _time for you to heed it, what would be the result of step- ping in my path, thwarting my wishes. You vowed ‘to save the Lady Pauline from my polluting grasp.’ You see my memory holds the words yet. Poor fool! you thought your own mad passion would thus gain some re- sponse. Well were you fooled. When you thought she was already yours, behold! the favored lord of Schwarzen- berg stepped in and bore away the prize.” ; The Baron Valentin’s face was fairly hvid with the rage stirred up by this taunt. “Tt was your devilish wiles that deceived me. You gave me false hopes,” he shouted. ‘‘You goaded me on to quarrel with a noble and generous kinsman. You de- ceived us all—one and all. On your head lies the curse for all the guilt and horror that followed.” ‘The prince rubbed his hands together softly. ete ‘It was horrible, was it not? The proud blaze of the Schwarzenberg glory was abruptly quenched in blood and shame. Why once to be a Schwarzenberg was to be next _ to the royal family itself, so powerful and influential were they at the court. And now——” 2 Diabolical and vindictive was the hoarse laugh he gave as he paused, and looked fiercely into the poor baron’s quivering face. ‘‘Itis your doing—all your doing! I call Heaven to witness it,” vociferated the latter again. The prince had turned to the shuddering Lina. ‘‘Fairest lady, it is ungallant to dwell upon these un- pleasant themes when first you have come home to your ancestral roof. Pardon us. Be assured there is one younger and more ardent, waiting impatiently for his bride, who will speedily clear the place of yonder usurpers. He will vindicate your rights here.” f : ‘Stephano, oh! where is Stephano!” groaned the Baron Valentin. | Theresa stepped forward to his side, and laid her white hand caressingly upon his shoulder, while she whispered : __ “Hush, my father—oh, hush! All may not be lost yet. Von Schubert can save us even now.” | “But why do I linger with such trifles when the triumph comicbooks (ere)