The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE, 199 on thy behalf. And now, in the third place, let me beseech thee to tell me who thou art—aye, and likewise to raise thy vizor, that by the moonlight I may | obtain a glimpse of those features which shall henceforth remain graven on my | memory as if they were the fondly cherished lineaments of a near and dear relative. For again dol repeat,’ added De Colmar, ‘that thou hast done me a/| service which henceforth renders us brothers.’ ‘Sir Knight,’ answered our heroine, after a brief pause, during which. she had to overcome and subdue the ineffable emotions of joy aad pleasure which his words hac excited in her bosom; for that pledge of brotherly affection—oh |! it went warm and glowing to the heart of Angela—this maiden who was so dauntless in the hour of danger, and yet so tender and sensitive in all the sott | and beneficent feelings of her woman’s nature :—‘Sir Knight,’ she said, ‘1 re- ceive your thanks as a generous com- pliment rather than as a meed of praise duly earned by any real and effective service on my part. For although I had the will and the inclination to suc- cor you. ‘By heaven! young gentleman, you murvellously under-rate your own prow- ess!’ interrupted DeColmar. ‘ Not only had you the will and the inclination to | assist me, but you likewise had the courage and the power; for ill would it have fared with me more than once during that half-hour of rapidly suc- ceeding perils and stirring incidents, had it not been for thine aid. ‘lhere- fore; my dear youth—for tuat you are young, your gentle voice and embar- rassed manner alike prove—therefore, was I about to observe, although 1 much admire modesty and diffidence when seasonably exhibited and properly plac- ed, yet can | never consent to engross the whole of that merit which another can so worthily claim to share. We have beaten our enemies, my dear friend, in three distinct encounters have we beaten them, although they muster- ed in strong numbers against us ;,and at least half of any amount of glory at- taching to those exploits belongs tothee. But thou hast a far greater claim upon my admiration, gratitude, and friend- ship:’ continued De Colmar solemnly ; ‘inasmuch as you made your appear- ance at a moment when I was over- powered and a prisoner—and therefore, I repeat, am I indebted to thee for my life. Who art thou, then, my brave un- known? and how was it that thou didst come thus opportunely to reseue me from my enemies ?’ ‘It were a long tale to tell in all its minuteness,’ answered the forest-maid- en; ‘and therefore must your excel- lency be contented with the shortest and most meagre outline for the pre- sent—at least until we obtain another opportunity to converse upon the sub- ject. Suffice it, then, to say that cer- tain circumstances led me to the White Mansion—that almost immediately af- ter my arrival within its walls I over- heard enough to convince me _ that treachery was intended towards you; and that finding my way to the Gallery of Porcelain Vases, I fortunately ar- rived in time ; ‘To save me from destruction,’ added Sir Ernest de Colmar, emphatically. : Perhaps | may be permitted tO men- tion certain particulars which the mo- desty of this young gentleman appears determined to keep in the background,’ said the youthful page, now joining in the discourse.’ | Speak, Ermach,’ cried De Colmar. | ‘T am all attention, though nothing that you may communicate can possibly en- hance the affectionate regard which I ‘already experience towards my gallant | deliverer.’ ‘And yet your excellency’s admira- tion will rise into wonder and amaze- ment,’ continued Ermach, ‘ when I as- sure you that this gentle youth, who ‘knows not what real danger is, but who ‘shrinks from praise as if it were the ‘most formidable of perils—this gentle youth, I say, has delivered the three ‘noble hostages from the Castle of Prague.’ | ‘What! is it possible?’ ejaculated ‘De Colmar. ‘The Marquis of Schom- | berg, the Count of Rosenberg, and the Baron of Altendorf are free !’ ‘ Free, and delivered by the unaided ingenuity of our companion,’ responded Ermach, evidently experiencing a gene- rous pleasure in thus proclaiming the ‘achievements of one whose prowess ‘had excited the enthusiastic admiration of his soul. ‘Oh! the tidings soon spread through the White Mansion,’ ‘continued the boy, speaking in a fervid tone: ‘the domestics who took up the refreshments to the three nobles, over- heard enough of their lordships’ dis- course to make them aware that the brave deliverer was none other than the mild-looking, gentle youth in the pol- {ished armor a comicbooks.com her ee *% . f . 7 . -« © - 7 a, Wa = —. oe e a ee a 4 = ® ~ s . ae ae wo Tot: te a