A Silver Brand — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

274 A SILVER BRAND, parency and polish of ivory ; two spots of burning crim- son sent back the effect of girlhood’s roses. The eyes blazed and dilated, and deepened till their spell seemed to magnetize every one there. Around the slender, and still wonderfully graceful figure, fell and swayed in a soft shimmer of glossy waves the still luxuriant tresses, whose © golden brown vailed the silver threads beneath. The Baron Valentin gave a great cry of mingled joy and horror. fea “ Alive! The Lady Pauline alive !” A low murmur ran swiftly along the group, and then died out abruptly as the prince strode to the new-comer’s side. } 7 “The Lady Pauline herself! My lady, I give you joy of this meeting! My bird was tired of the forest and essayed wings. Has it learned yet that the master’s hand isstrong .- elsewhere as well? Is the fair rebel tamed at last—will- ing to come fluttering, a voluntary guest, and not a captive ?” “Airey 3 LN “My spirit is still the same,” returned she; “and so, alas! I see, is your cruel power. But I shall yet.escape. I still defy and scorn you !” gen “Wait a little, my princess,” spoke he, in atone of the most ironical politeness. ‘I have some one here to intro- duce to you—a fair ward of mine, newly arrived from America, for whom an impatient bridegroom clamors loudly. See yonder, the fair daughter of Arnold of Schwarzenberg !” The Lady Pauline followed the gesture of the out- stretched hand and rushed toward the two beautiful maid- ens, hesitating only a moment between them, though each countenance was alike tender and yearning, and intensely interested. She seized Serena, and clasped her to her bosom, covering her face with a hot shower of kisses and a rain of tears. | ‘My child !—my own, my little Lina!” Serena’s calmness had all broken up. Turning deadly pale, and clasping both hands against her heart, she sobbed : “No, no; you are mistaken—I am not Lina. Oh, Lina, darling, I never envied you before!” and turned away burying her face from sight. 3 Lina, in her ardent, impulsive way, threw herself into the arms that turned to her at this explanation of Serena’s. “Is it you, my child? You have more the look of my own family. I thought I recognized my Arnold’s grand, Gomicbooks.¢co