Beautiful Rienzi; or, The secret vendetta — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL RIENZI, 45 scientiously listening to the professor, when a group of our friends discovered us, swooped around us, carried off my sister from my grasp to hear something better worth listen- ing to than the professor’s dry dissertation, and I was left almost alone with-a pair of keen blue eyes beaming down upon me. ‘‘Cheer up, Zerlina,” said Mr. Lindhurst, extending his hand. ‘* Do not look so forsaken Miss Rienzi. I will do my best to fill the vacuum, if you will allow me.” Just as the signal was given for the singers to make their appearance on the platform, a hand was laid on my shoulder, and a voice whispered in my ear: ‘¢Whereis Isolina? Quick!” The breath scorched my ear. I turned in affright and beheld Cecil Beaumont. ‘Why, sir, what are you doing here? Where is Miss Meredith?” ‘‘Oh, I see her. In time after all,” he muttered, turning from me and pushing through the crowd. Isolina was in effect coming toward him with all haste; but she did not see him; her eyes were resting on me; she was anxious to reach me, that we might enter the hall and be together. Not until she had almost touched him, was she aware of Mr. Beaumont’s presence. They met not five rods from me, and my ears, sharpened by extreme anxiety, drank in all that passed between them. ‘Take my arm, Isolina.” ‘‘What—you? Where is Lillia?” ‘Curse Lillia! I beg your pardon, but she’s right enough. LTimplore you to take my arm—you can’t crush in alone.” ‘‘[ prefer to crush in alone. Go back to Miss Mere- dith.” ‘‘Tsolina, look in my face and see if I can bear much more. Be wise and grant this trifling favor.” His red-brown eyes were flashing—his face dangerously white. No wonder she looked and gasped. ‘¢ Poor wretched boy,” she exclaimed; ‘‘can I help it? I do not wish to give you pain, Heaven knows.” ‘Grant this favor then—such a mere rag of mercy to throw me—your hand on my arm sixty seconds. See, your CONN (7) LIAOO (©)