The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

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Sir Ernest de Colmar acknowledged this tender familiarity with a smile of ANGELA. assumed gratification—a piece of du- plicity to which he forced himself for We must now leave Sir Ernest de the sake of the faithful youths on whose} Colmar for the present, while we re- behalf he was undertaking the present! turn to Angela Wildon: for it was on adventure. For the stipulations at which the la- dy had more than even vaguely allu- | ded, and which required that he should |the same evening of the Knight's ade venture with the Baroness Hamelen, that the forest-maiden, being perfectly | recovered from the effects of the acci- be blindfolded, dissipated any doubt| dent which had so nearly proved fatal te which might still have existed in his mind as to the fact that it was to the White Mansion he had been taken by Father Cyprian on the occasion which | our readers will not fail to remember. | And now, behold the Baroness Ha- melen conducting him, as she leant upon his arm, to the grove enshrouding the picturesque cemetery already so often mentioned in this narrative, Horses were there in readiness; and the same middle-aged man, whom De Colmar had seen before, was in attend- ance. An arrow of ice appeared to penetrate into the heart of Sir Ernest, as he caught the first glimpse of that indi- vidual’s countenance ;: for it instantly struck him that he should be recognised by one who probably knew him, or who at all events might address him in a ‘manner showing that they had met be- fore. But his fears that the adventure would thus abruptly terminate in failure, speedily proved to be groundless; for the man spoke not a word, nor even made the slightest sign of recognition, as he handed the ecclesiastical gown to Sir Ernest de Colmar. The lady whispered in the knight's ear a hasty entreaty that he would as- sume the disguise; and our hero un- hesitatingly obeyed. ~The cowl was then buttoned over: his face, and the discreet groom, who fulfilled to admira- tion the automaton part of a menial, without venturing to comment either by word or look on what was passing, as- sisted Sir Ernest de Colmar to mount one of the horses. T'he baroness and her two female de- pendants were similarly accommodated, though not similarly disguised and | her, took leave of the Daughter of Glo- |ry and the two kind-hearted girls at whose hands she had received the ut- most attention. To Linda and Beatrice her farewells | were first said ; and when she proceed- ed to Gloria’s chamber for the same purpose, that radiant, romantic, and | mysterious being bade her be seated, | for a few minutes, observing, ‘I would speak to thee seriously on thine ownac- count, Angela: for to-morrow I depart from Prague, and it would grieve me to know that thou wast left friendless and | unprotected in this great city.’ ‘Generous lady,’ replied Angela, +} am indebted to you more than language can express, not only for the attentions I have received and the hospitality I have experienced within these walls, but likewise for the sweet sympathy which you now manifest towards me.’ ‘Then tell me, my dear friend, for so must I alike denominate and consider you,’ said Gloria, her rich metallic voice sounding surpassingly musical to the ears of the forest-maiden; ‘tell me in what manner I can serve thee.’ ‘‘l'here is no farther kindness that 3 may crave at your hands, dear lady,’ re- plied Angela, her own liquid tones being fraught with ineffable sweetness. ‘Sut whither go you, Angela?’ in- quired the Daughter of Glory. ‘Think not that | am thus questioning you from motives of curiosity: Iam alike incapa- ble of such meanness, and have no pos- sible interest to serve by prying into your affairs. My whole and sole object is to assure myself that you go not hence to encounter any peril, distress, or difficulty which it may be in my pow- er to alleviate or remove. ‘Tell me, hooded ; and the party set off at a smart) then, in a word, how I may be useful to gallop, the lady holding the guiding-rein | you ! of the Austrian warrior’s steed. ‘Once more, dear lady,’ said Angela, ‘permit me to state that I have nothing to crave at your hands, but that my gra- titude is increased by your kindness,’ ‘I do not seek your confidence, An- gelu,’ rejoined the Daughter of Glory, comicbooks.com