A Silver Brand — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

oe ree eae A SILVER BRAND. “Thank you, I find it exquisite. More agreeable than the wine you gave me for your toast. When was it—an hour ago, or a week, ora year? | am utterly bewildered, for I find myself dressed as I was then for the journey. But it is broad daylight now, and then it was a moonlight evening. And Count Roderich—I pray you send him to me, or the valet. I am anxious for an explanation of the mystery.” | } Theresa looked down at him with a dazzling, coquettish smile. : “Nay, my dear Mr. Dalberg. While you are an invalid I am myself to be your nurse and attendant. I will send our faithful Max to you presently, but he will be utterly unable to answer your questions. Are you anxious to escape my company?” “Indeed I am not, your ladyship, only—only——” and here Dalberg paused, at a loss how to finish the sentence. | . The smile had faded off from her high-bred face. She set her lips together with nervous resolution. “Well, sir, [am ready to answer you. What will you know first?” | “Why Idid not go back to the city? And how long ago it was that I made ready.” “Tt was last evening. This is now three o’clock of the afternoon. And you did not go because you fell down in a dead stupor from which you have only now aroused. Roderich went on to the city.” “It is very singular,” repeated Aubrey, with his eyes upon the floor. “I cannot conceive why such a stupor should have come upon me.” “But I can make it very plain, Mr. Dalberg. You were under the effects of a powerful narcotic.” “Good Heaven! Von Schubert must have done it!” exclaimed Aubrey. . “No,” returned the cool, clear voice, the dazzling eyes fixed unblenchingly upon his’ face, “don’t accuse Von Schubert of any more than he deserves. It was I, Mr. Dalberg. The wine you alluded to, but ~ amoment since, was drugged!” “The wine drugged!” _ And there was still more genuine astonishment £ | | ~ comicbooks com