Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL. RIENZI. 33 likely that any man who loved your sister would show sanity in forgetting her for another?” “You should remember the claims of that other,” I pur- sued, grimly. ‘* I think you should put duty before incli- nation. I know Miss Meredith loves you.” He confronted me with a fierce determination in his eyes. His face seemed siowly hardening into stone. ** Begone with such heartless platitudes!’ he hissed. ‘*I come to you with a famished soul, and vou feed me with husks that vour own eyes mock at! Girl, I swear—I swear to win Isolina!” ‘You area madman!” I uttered, drawing away from him. “Tell me what you are going to do?” I continued, feeling it hard to resist throwing off my sister's colors, and joining him in an attempt to carry her heart in spite of herself. ‘*T am going to end this wretched game!” he said, vehe- mently, ‘and. my little friend, I have sworn to be the victor. I do not think you are displeased.” ‘* No,” I admitted, in a low, excited tone, completely car- rie] away with his mystical power by this time; ‘ I vhink —I am almost sure she must love you, and it is only Miss Meredith’s claims which stand in the way——” A cold hand touched mine and drew me backward. My sister came between us, her eyes full of reproach, her lips quivering. ‘‘ What! plotting against me after your promise?” she said, regarding me sadly. ‘* Oh, sister! I thought I could trust you.” The gentle tone cut me to the heart. Icould not say one word in self-defense. She turned to Cecil Beaumont, and fixedly met his pas- slonate gaze. ** You will have it then ?” she breathed. ‘‘You are de- termined to drive me to extremity?” «< Yes,” said Cecil Beaumont. «Then you will have a final answer to-morrow.” «* May I fix the hour, [solina?” ‘*Pshaw! Well. as you please, sir.” <««'T’o-morrow night after the concert is over, then.” ‘<'l'oo late. Come here before we leave the house.” ‘¢T shall certainly come here as you have asked, but as you have given me permission to name an hour for our in- terview, it shall be after the concert.” com (@) boo (e(e)