A Silver Brand — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

° 280 | A SILVER BRAND. “Nat—dear Mr. Nathaniel safe! That wicked “man made us think he was dead,” ejaculated Serena, in a voice of intense gratitude. “And they can tell me about my poor grandmother.” | “My darling old Auntie Pen!” cried Lina. “They came with the American Consul. They appealed to him claiming you two girls as American citizens,” re- sumed Stephano. ‘Is it safe to show them up here aa And he looked rather doubtfully at Herr von Schubert. “ He is our friend, Stephano—he is our best friend ” de- clared Theresa, proudly. “Tt is true !” confirmed his father. And Stephano’s ingenuous forehead cleared. “Send for them atonce. I heard the great news as I came in. The prince is dead.” And then Stephano hastily pulled his father away. “Father, father, send for Roderich at once,” he whis- pered, “if you want to secure the heiress. I know her head is full of this Aubrey Dalberg, and—and—it’s no use to ex- pect anything of me.. Iam pledged to- her friend—I will live or die for Serena. I yield all my claims to Roderich, for I will never marry any but Serena. There! now my mind is free !” His father had no ability to respond to this vehement and startling declaration. He only stared a moment be- wilderedly into the young man’s face, and then sat down again. Stephano, drawing a long breath, returned to Serena’ S side. In afew moments the door again unclosed, and Nat, pale and thin, but a glad, eager light in his eyes, entered, followed by Penelope and Paul. The two girls sprang forward with joyful cries, and were clasped tenderly and close. “Auntie Pen—Auntie Pen,” said, Lina, sorrowfully ! ! “Oh, how you have pined ! how you have mourned for me. You are so pale, so pale and thin!” Penelope’s great deep eyes were full of unutterable joy. “You are safe, my darling. You are safe!” she kept. murmuring. “Safe, and in my castle at last,” answered Lina, gayly. ‘*And, oh, Auntie Pen, I have found my mother. Come and see my mother !” ‘“Your mother,” echoed Penelope, in a hollow voice. “ Why do you jest with me?” Nat had turned, too, with a sudden start, and with the first investigating glance toward the rest of the group, for comichooks com