Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 11 — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

54 THE PRISONER OF LA VINTRESSE. face is in the shadow, and he don’t look up, but I am sure it is of great importance, as the gentleman says.” “T ean not go,” cried Minerva, with decision. “Oh! sup- pose it should be Don Carlos himself?” “Don Carlos,” murmured The woman, wanderingly, and With another of her peculiar glances, “a foreign gentleman, then I thought as much.” The poor girl knew not what step to take next, she seemed to be environed with difficulties, turn which way she would, tere was trouble iu store for her. Neither did she like the manner of her hostess at times. Was it possible she suspected her integrity ? “T will tell you a little of my history,” she said in a low, rapid voice. “I am a foreigner, and I have left relatives who - oppressed me, who did not use me well. Of these I am mor- tally afraid, and I thought it might be, the man below stairs was one of them. I know not what to do. I must go, I ‘ suppose, but I wish to ask as a fuyor, that you will go with me, and remain in the room.” The woman assented, and trembling like a leaf, Minerva descended the stairs) She took a step into the room, and then remained, almost transfixed, for before her stood fone other than Senor Velasquez, the some cold smile on his lip, the same deep cunning in his eye, vail it as he would with his long, sweeping lashes. Her next movement was one of dismay, as he came cau- tiously toward her, and held out his hand. He frowned a little, but spoke nevertheless in his ominously soft voice. “T am happy to see you, senorita.” “J—I thought you had sailed for Cuba,” faltered Minerva. “Such was my intention, senora, but I delayed the voyage, thinking I might be of some service to you. Have youa message, senora? If so, allow me to be the bearer.” “How did you find, me here? and why have you come?” exclaimed Minerva, her vexation getting the better of her pru- dence. “I found you easily, senora, I had only to follow the dicta- tion of my heart. I came, thinking that I might do youa favor. Can I see you alone, for a few moments?” he asked, in Spanish, looking askance at the woman beside them. comliclbooks.com