Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

180 BEAUTIFUL RIENZI I might as well have invoked the helpless Flora at her side. Her eyes turned upon me with unconscious, mourn- ful gaze; a weird flame began to burn in her cheeks. That unnatural look informed me of the last calamity. I now remembered the peculiar manner in which the woman had pressed down my mother’s hand; also a jewel which I had seen on her right hand, which she often ad- justed. JI remembered the horror of my sister as she tore off my wet glove, after one of the stranger’s hand-grasps, and gazed at my fingers. Were they doth poisoned, and was I all that was left to father of his dearly loved family? Zwo victims—and I escaped? Oh, Heaven, have pity on the wretch who escaped! I went to my mother, and lifted her heavy hands. ‘«“Which hand did she touch?” I said, in trembling tones. Her mournful eyes lifted themselves to me with a mighty effort. Her head fell back asthe lethargy attacked her. She, too, was unconscious. I fell on my knees beside her and seized her hands again. My eyes were dim with horror; but I dashed them clear of tears and ferocity. Now I could discern a tiny puncture on the back of the middle finger, with a faint-blue ring round it. IJ wildly sucked it. Clammy drops began to bedew her brow. The lethargy developed itself. My mother slumbered heavily. Also the room was in death-like silence. I alone seemed living. Heaven has given me life to save the others, I- must try to do so. I went out and called the servants. “‘Go away and send Nelson for a doctor!” I cried, when the housekeeper appeared. She gasped, and stood with her eyes fixed. _ Away!” I exclaimed; ‘‘and come back again in-~ stantly. She went, and Sophie rushed down stairs. ‘“What’s the matter, miss? My good gracious—your voice is just dreadful; and your face—Lord!” ‘“ Wheel in a sofa from the parlor—I will help.” ‘¢ But do tell me, dear Miss Iva, who is sick?” «You shall see, my girl—you shall see.” All this time I was making her wheel out the sofa. I pulled recklessly at it; and almost lifted it bodily into the cComicbhooks: com