Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

36 THE PRISONER OF LA IVNTRESSE. ever he is, come and attend to his own business. He is strangely short-sighted,” I think. “The fact is, he was slightly indisposed, and not very « slightly either,’ was the reply. “ Between you and me I have a suspicion that ZH Americano tried to throttle him, and nearly succeeded. At any rate I found him in bed just be- fore I came away, bandaged up and quite exhausted. Now, the young lady is a beautiful creature, as you must acknow!l- edge, and it would not be amiss to win her in spite of them all.” “Tt would be delightful,” said the senora, closing her eyes sleepily, yet smiling as she spoke—* to have so rich and hand- some a sister-in-law. But it seems to me she has compromised herself somewhat to run away in this romantic fashion.” “ Oh, no—under thee ireumstances it is not at all singular, besides great heiresses can do much without provoking the world’s scandal. She is an innocent, quiet little thing, I im- agine, and yet she has spirit,” was the reply. “ She is totally without acquaintances, if I judge right, and will be glad of a friend, poor creature. Now you must be that friend. She- will confide in you—she will love you, and possibly her lonely heart may reach out to your brother, and with her for a sister you may do what you please, for I am sure she is liberal as well as romantic.” “J wonder if she has many jewels?” mused the senora. Her brother smiled in a sarcastic way. “Oh, of course; you women never forget your jewels. If a house was on fire, [ believe, and you were a mother, the first thought would be the jewels, the next, the child. To be sure she has brought her jewels in anticipation of reverses, may be, and a delightful time you will have of it, comparing heir- looms. I fancy I see you spending hours over the precious treasures. Besides you will suit each other in other respects. She is not long from school—you have just left. Whata fund of entertaining conversation there is in store for you! What a pity I could not be behind the curtain? I might then hear with what confoundedly poor but particularly clever Ameri- ean gentleman you, too, had fallen in love,” “You need never be afraid that I shall love a poor man Manuel.” - comiclooks.com