The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

= a THE BRONZE STATUE. 193 ah sible 7?’ ejaculated the priest, drawing | de Rosenberg is a staunch friend to the ‘4 nearer to the maiden, and fixing his | cause of Catholicism and monarchy— | keen looks searchingly upon her. and as we must likewise conclude that } ‘Your manner would imply, holy fa- | this fair youth here entertains the same | ther, that you had some knowledge of | noble sentiments, seeing that he has un- ; me,’ said Angela, enduring his penetrat- | dertaken and accomplished the chival- { rous task of delivering your lordships from the captivity in which the blood- thirsty Zitzka held you,—under these . : circumstances, I say, itis clear that we all present are united by a common in- ing stare with a mingled expression of haughtiness, surprise, and curiosity ; ‘and yet my memory fails me sadly as to where, when, and how, we may have met before.’ ‘If it suit thee to play the unknown towards me, I will not mar thy game,’ observed the priest, suddenly stepping close up to Angela, and giving utterance to these words in a whisper inaudible to terest in religious and political matters. Therefore | shall not hesitate to speak before his lordship of Rosenberg and the gallant Angelo Wildon; and I will af once frankly inform you that the ba- roness is at this moment engaged in conference with Sir Ernest de Colmar.’ ‘Sir Ernest de Colmar!’ ejaculated the Baron of Altendorf, in a tone of the three nobles; then, before the mai- den had time to speak a single syllable in reply, he said aloud, ‘If this comely youth be really your deliverer, my lords, ye must admit that a good deed was | such amazement that the sudden start, never performed by a more suitable | which Angela gave at the same instant agent.’ | Was unperceived even by the lynx eyes ‘Angelo Wildon is deserving of all} and ubiquitous glances of the Carthi- our gratitude,’ exclaimed the Count de) sian. ‘ What can that impostor have Rosenberg. ‘His sister Angela has|to communicate’ to the Baroness Ha- | long been known to me—indeed, ever , melen ?’ F ' : i] ‘ ) 7 at | "e, Py vs ws f ‘ ’ ' a a o-—-— on * + ee] . tm = since her infancy; andI can honestly| ‘That is a point which I should like- _ 7 . * . . . ai ; declare that the brother’s chivalry is| wise wish explained,’ observed the oe . . . . . a, ‘4 only equalled by the maiden’s virtue.’ | Marquis of Schomberg, also speaking - ‘Ah! then you have a sister, fair|in a tone of deep curiosity. : The Count of Rosenberg said no- ‘thing; and Angela effected to have her attention suddenly drawn to a fine paint cret, so completely as to defy all at-| ing on the wall, in which direction she tempts at mystification. turned and gazed as if the conversation ‘Have you nothing more important| were now upon a topic wherein she to talk about than my affairs?’ she ex-| had not the slightest interest. claimed, with a petulance which she ‘I have not leisure now to giye your could not altogether subdue; ‘for me-|lordships full explanations,’ said the seems,’ she added in a milder tone, Carthusian, ‘nor should I have wasted though still assuming the voice and off- | time by communicating to you the fact hand manner of the rougher sex, ‘ me- | that the baroness is thus engaged with seems that the sooner our journey is | Sir Ernest de Colmar, were it not that continued the better, inasmuch as John |the interview promises important re- Zitzka is not likely to lose a momentin | sults. For this De Colmar is no impos- sending forth emissaries in all direc- | tor after all tions, the instant the escape of their| ‘But does he possess the influence Jordships shall be discovered. And this | requisite to induce the Duke of Austria | escape is probably known even now— | to assist us with an army against the for at the first changing of the guard was | rebel T'aborites !’ demanded the Baron | it certain to be detected.’ of Altendorf. ‘The youth speaks reasonably,’ said| ‘He does,’ answered the Carthusian. the Marquis of Schomberg. ‘Inafew/in a solemn tone and with impressive minutes we will depart. But I must! manner. ‘During the last few days, have one word first with the excellent | strange facts have become known to baroness me, strange things have occurred, and ‘You cannot disturb her ladyship just |if your lordships were not bound by for the present, my lord,’ interrupted| prudence to depart so speedily, we the priest, as he glanced towards the | might perhaps hold a council the results elepsydra, and noticed that it wanted ten | —_—« 2 a a ae tg youth?’ said the priest, once more fix- ing his eyes so peculiarly upon our he- roine that she saw he had read her se- __ 4 » ° —— ~~ ~~ ° J —— - 7 = Py Ste ake ~ 4 a a a —— = _— _—— ee of which would enable us to take the minutes to the half hour past midnight. | initiative in large and comprehensive * But as [ am well aware that the Count! measures on behalf of Bohemia. But ' 4 comicbooks.com