Beautiful Rienzi; or, The Secret Vendetta — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

BEAUTIFUL RIENZI. 61 Withont preface or warning the girl flung herself on her knees beside me, and buried her face in her apron. ‘IT don’t believe it,” she sobbed violently. ‘<I don’t be- lieve a word against dear, sweet Miss Isolina. Oh, Miss Iva, darling, don’t look so terribly quiet—hasn’t you cried any?” ‘** No,” I sighed, “tears are denied to me; my heart is too stupefieua yet. But I, too, know that my sister has done no wrong, and I thank you for your trust, my girl.” Sophie went out of the room with loud sobs, and I sat quietly looking into the fire and waiting for her return with my breakfast. But when it came, although I assured my- self it was my duty to eat, I could not. My thirst was burning, and my throat seemed to crack whenever I at- tempted to speak, yet I could not force down Sophie’s cup of tea, though fragrant as art could render it. I could not endure the girl’s anxious eves, so I left the tray and went down into the still drawing-room. I restlessly wandered around the luxurious apartment; I read poetry and hummed an air which Isolina had often sung to me in the twilight hours. As the day wore to its close I grew wild with terror at my calmness and strove by every art to melt the fount of sorrow. Presently the door opened and Sophie came in through the gloom. *¢ Miss Iva, where are you ?” she whispered ; the master has come home and wants you downstairs to eat something. He’s here waiting, miss.” I went out to the lighted hall and slipped my hot hand into his. ‘‘ Papa,” I said, gently; ‘‘ yon have left me a long time alone. Did vou hear of her?” He did not answer but to draw my hand within his arm with a spasmodic grip; then he made me go down to the dining-room where dinner was laid as usual, oily that my gister’s chair was set to the wall, and her-place empty. My father did not place me at the table; he put my chilled” form into a great easy-chair beside the fire, and brought a glass of wine to me, which I drank obediently ; then he made me eat, which I did with difficulty, for the ball m my throat almost choked me; but I was eager to give no trouble, soI managed it. After eating a brief meal him- self, which I pityingly remarked was almost as small as mine, he left the table and took me up stairs again, The Gomicbook (ee) ~- ns Nines Vite SRS oe