Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

228 BEAUTIFUL RIENZL. now, and alone, or the messenger would not discover him- self. : I stepped into the upper hall from the balcony. No one had risen; it was not four o’clock; I might be far away be- fore they would miss me, I must not attempt to take any one with me; she had said, ‘‘Come alone, and privately.” I prepared myself hurriedly, and supplied myself with some money; there might be need; she might be induced to fly with me; I must be able to command resources. When I was ready I found a pencil and tore the fly-leaf out of Dante’s Inferno; my fingers trembled, but I wrote some lines to those who would miss me: ‘‘DeaR MotHer—Derar Victor:—Isolina hassent forme. I must go secretly or not see her at all. Iam going with the messenger, who came to meas I was on the balcony at sunrise. I trust in God, and am afraid of nothing. I will bring her back if this hand ever touches hers again. Pray for us both—and do not——” I could not finish; agitation and anxiety made the words illegible. I inclosed my sister’s note inside, and left them on my dressing-table. I flung myself upon my knees and prayed for wisdom and guidance. I was calm when I stepped upon the balcony. ‘Come now,” I breathed, audibly. «‘ Are you alone?” replied a voice beneath me. ‘¢ Yes, I am alone.” : _ Istrained my eyes at every mass of foliage, but saw noth- ing. ep Go down to the beach behind the house, and if no one follows you I will meet you there.” Step by step I stole down the balcony stairs, and looked within the piazza for the owner of the voice. ‘« Let me see you,” I said, softly. There was no reply. I waited a long time. I began to feel a little afraid. 7 Then a man appeared from behind a rock and stood _be- fore me. I shrank back in dismay, «« Ralph Morecombe!” | “There is no time to lose. Come away.” ‘¢ Are you my sister’s messenger?” **Yes, yes. Are you parleying here until some one comes?” ‘I have given you my word that I am alone, Can you comicbooks. co