Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

50 THE PRISONER OF LA VINTRESSE. - was not wholly agreeable to her. There was not a spice of coquetry in her nature, and consequently any attentions of such a character from one for whom she had no answering emotions were in a high degree repulsive. At the close of the entertainment, he applied himself with assiduity to assist her, . in fact, he confused her by the closeness of his attention, and this confusion was by him attributed to a possibly growing tenderness for himself. Minerva had on one or two occasions been somewhat surprised by his demeanor toward her, now there was no mistaking his manner, and it gave her heart a new and regretful pang. The next day and the next, his gen- tleness of manner remained and increased. Manuel was often in the house, he seemed to find his greatest pleasure in sitting _beside Minerva, in listening while she sang, in doing any little ~ trivial service for her, in his mute but expressive admiration. Dora seemed also to feel a great sympathy for her brother. She was always telling of his goodness, his little points of amiability, and sometimes she left them alone together. Thus, the poor girl’s situation was becoming every day more wun- pleasant. Not even the gilding about her pretty cage, the lux- - uries, Dora’s little affectionate ways, could compensate for this miserable certainty, for a certainty it speedily became. At last, Manuel declared his love in the most passionate language, and entreated her to become his wife. In no other way, he protested would she be longer safe, for Senor Velasquez had set sail for Cuba, and would probably before long meet Don Carlos, and then his search would be indefatigable. His sister came to his help. Tears and smiles were tried, great offers, and patient persistence. At last, Minerva compromised. They must give her a week to decide, by that time she should have fully made up her mind. Under this arrangement, she was to be entirely free for & short space, and it was a relief to have gained that advantage. Dora, meantime, used her liberty. She had made some new acquaintances, and finding that her once pleasant companion had grown somber, and even duil, she did not covet so much the pleasure of her society. The ~ freedom of American ladies was charming to her, she had learned to move upon the public promenade with as careless a mien as any of them, and liked the pleasure, dear to every Cuban, of being looked at and admired. Meanwhile, Minerva comlicbooks.com