Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

12 BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. low, musical voice. ‘‘I was not aware of the presence of another lady.” ‘«< My sister Iyanilla—Mr. Cecil Beaumont,” said Isolina. On the instant a small, strong hand was clasping mine, a pair of fiery, red-brown eyes leaped into mine. I raised my eyes to a face which was pale, and fierce, and resolute, despite its boyish youthfulness, And as I read what was expressed in the restless face, I saw behind its mystic beauty a great sorrow in the past, or in the future, which threw a chill weight upon my soul, _ “Is this the foreign sister? They say she is a goddess. of romance; ail heart, nerve, sympathies... What then will your sympathy do for me? Behold me, a poor wretch, who lives on his wits—ay, an author—and an exile, in a land of enmity, condemned to win bread from hands which helped to dig his father’s grave. Behold me, a victim to the Queen of Beauty, kneeling toa heart of ice. Come now, do you pity me?” “*Mr. Beaumont!” broke in my sister’s voice, so coldly and with such scorn that I scarce could believe I heard my -mild-hearted Isolina. He turned to her and took a quick step toward her with such hunger, wild and yearning, in his eyes that one conic on the spot discern the reason of his being there. ‘Shall I go away?” I whispered to my sister. She bowed her head, though I hoped she would detain me. It was he, the visitor, who caught my hand as I passed, aid pressed it to his lips. «« Plead for me!” he whispered, once more transfixing me with those fiery, red-brown eyes. I shivered and retreated, my heart throbbing with dismay. The deepening sunset smote my sister’s face, and filled the room with glory. I turned softly to the door, glided out and stood in the hall alone. Darkness filled that face and room when next I looked upon them; the shadow had slid within the portal, and our days of girlish happiness were over. com choo <S5e€Om