Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

114 BEAUTIFUL RIENZI its bearings, and all things considered, determined to tell my father that night. | I did so, and was not surprised to find that the incidents connected with the disappearance aroused his most intense interest. He questioned me closely; and, late as it was, it being then about nine o'clock, hurried off to catch Mr. Speingle before he should leave his office. The last of May dawned softly, with rose-clouds of filmy transparency; and as I, with restless soul, watched at my casements, | hoped that even as this day had risen, so might the innocent be raised from her night of sorrow. My mother and I were early at the prison, and with ten- der care I arrayed my poor sister for her first appearance as ‘* prisoner at the bar.” She was very quiet-and passionless and seemed to look forward with no terror to her danger. Doctor Graves arrived at ten o’clock and carefully exam- ined his patient’s capabilities. He said that she was stronger to-day, and ‘‘ If she is kept quiet she will stand a trial, but if it goes against her—she’s gone!” Rather a doubtful situation for an invalid to be in! At eleven o’clock, a cab arrived to convey the prisoner to _ the court, and almost at the same moment my father dashed up to the prison and entered tke cell. There was an expression almost of exultation on his face, which was nevertheless looking very care-worn with the re- cent labor he had been undergoing; and after fondly em- bracing Isolina and whispering a word or two of encourage- ment, he turned to me and drew me into a corner. ‘‘Remember,” he said, ‘‘to answer plainly whatever questions may be put to you by Isolina’s counsel. You will be called as a witness; keep all your presence of mind about you.” _ He gave me a few more instructions, which I anxiously listened to, and did my best to profit by. ' The court was crammed; there was a dull hum of whis- pering voices, which subsided all at once as the judge and the jurymen entered and took their seats with all the ‘“pomp and circumstance ” of office. Lhe trial of Isolina Rienzi was the first case called. There was a movement among the crowd, a straining of eyes, and rising from their seats as the accused walked slowly up between the officers, Doctor Graves closely fol- (E(0) comicbooks