Beautiful Rienzi; or, The secret vendetta — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. 19 I said, steadily. ‘I will claim her quietly, and say noth- ing of what I have become acquainted with in the house, if you deliver her to this gentleman and me immediately.” My listener’s double eye-glass glared up and down my person with an air of awful majesty—anger prevailing over fear. “This house 1s conducted on strictly honorable prin- ciples! I would have you know, madam, that no patient ever entered these walls who was not pronounced incurably insane by two physicians! We never admitted any one who was not made over tous by bond and seal of their natural or lawful guardians! Madam, I defy you to pro- duce one proof that can impeach our integrity. Others may have made mistakes, or sought to defraud us by put- ting under our charge ladies over whom they had no legal authority. We have not the responsibility of that. We are not punishable for other people’s frauds! Adbducted indeed!” He folded his arms magnificently and regarded me with virtuous indignation. ‘Very good, doctor,” said my father. ‘‘ You have left a loop-hole of escape for yourself. We shall not look into your manifestations of integrity, but take the young lady who has been fraudulently pawned upon you and go.” — ‘What is the name? [ shall look in my books if she is here,” said the superintendent, still puzzling himself over my father’s real character, and half-dubiously coming to she point. | ‘‘ Nay,” said my father, smiling, “more than likely she has been entered here under a false name. Better ask nothing about it. The less you meddle in the circumstances the safer for you. You are not, as you say, punishable for other people’s frauds.” ‘Then how am I to know which patient this lady claims as a sister?’ queried the doctor. “Any of the matrons will tell you which of the patients rushed to the grated door upon seeing me,” I interposed. ‘‘And now, before you produce the lady,” remarked my father, ‘‘I would ask you a few questions. | Who sent her here as a lunatic?” ‘Sir, [am a man of honor!” exclaimed the doctor, flying into a passion, and betraying his knowledge of what patient we had come to claim; ‘‘and having given my promise COMICOOO S (©)