A Silver Brand — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

~ A SILVER BRAND, =. 8 my reputation lost, my honor in danger, and that man held over me a power that any moment I knew could give me, innocent as I was, to the block.” She had her arms around him, but at the same instant slipped away white and cold. The great joy was more overwhelming than her bitterest trial. W hile Theresa and Serena were anxiously attending to her resuscitation, Valentin Baer came forward slowly with a head drooping low in shame. “Arnold, Baron of ‘Schwarzenberg! Heaven sees that there is none who can more sincerely rejoice at your re- turn than the cowardly kinsman who left you to your fate. What can I doto prove my bitter remorse, my sincere penitence ?” ‘It needs nothing, Valentin. I have known the truth long ago, and forgave you at the same time. Did I not write you that the witness in America could clear you from the black charge which kept you a prisoner at Schwarzenberg? Do you not see that Iam Naiman Wom- berg?” | The two grasped hands in joyful reconciliation. And here the Baroness Pauline revived and murmured her husband’s name fondly. A joyful, living group sur- rounded her. It was a scene too tumultuously rapturous for portrayal. | Aubrey. Dalberg had stolen out where Lina stood hesita- ting and half disconsolate. ‘“‘T am so thankful,” he murmured in herear. “I could not be reconciled to have you for my sister, Lina.” And Lina blushed hotly, and saw a world of comfort also in the new view. Penelope was wise enough to understand. “Ah!” gaid she, “you may find her parentage not so humble. The Darns must have been a noble family.” “That is my family name,” spoke Lady Pauline, softly. “My mother was a Darn, and Konrad was my beloved cousin.” At which Lina’s bright face dimpled again into joyous smiles, and she came back to Serena’s side. : “That accounts for the likeness between them, the like- ness and yet the difference,” said Stephano, and with a little embarrassed hem, he added for his father’s ear ear aie back what I said. I will not yield to Roderich my claims upon the Schwarzenberg heiress.” | EOomichboo SS €oO