Beautiful Rienzi; or, The secret vendetta — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. 197 But, thanks be to a merciful Providence which sent me here at the right time, she’s better, and will be quite revived in a few days. <¢ My little friend, I have relieved your anxiety to the best of my ability; now sit you there, and relieve mine. Tell me your side of Isolina’s history.” I began from the day on which I first beheld my sister in her matchless loveliness holding back the door of the saloon and looking at me; I recounted every link of the dreary record, from gloom to gloom, of the slowly gathering sor- row; and with my heart kindled by his evident sympathy and deep emotion into burning vehemence, I recounted with passion and tears the wrongs of me and mine unto the bitter end. Then my friend clasped me to his breast in a sudden and uncontrollable burst of tenderness. ‘Noble, heroic girl!” he cried; “‘ you have been faithful iudeed to the sister you profess to love. But you have suf- too much for that loyal little heart to remain unbroken. In the name of those whose lives are bound up in Isolina Rienzi, I thank you.” ‘* Now tell me who you are, and what you have to do with my sister’s life?—a benefactor you must be!” I breathed, resting trustingly upon the arm which was still thrown around me. But he smoothed my hair with thoughtful hand and shook his head slowly. ‘* Be content with what you know of me,” he said; “‘ you know enough for the heart to bear. When I can help you, you shall know what knit Alphonse Pemberton’s heart to ou.” When the dawn was stealing in, and the lamp burned with a wild and haggard gleam, our conference was ended. CORNUCG OOO S (©)