The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

206 THE BRONZE STATUE. CHAPTER LILI. A CONVERSATION ON A THRILLING TOPIC. In the preceding chapter we have narrated the meeting of Gloria and Sir Ernest de Colmar at the southern gate of Pracue: and we have likewise en- deavored to afford the reader an idéa ot those feelings which the -knicht expe- rienced when thus again exposed to the | witching influence of the lady’s super- human beauty. But we did not choose to interrupt our narrative in order to notice the fact which Gloria’s presence produced upon the youthful page Er- mach. We must, therefore, now observe that when the radiant being threw back her veil and thus made all the sun-lit glory of her charms burst upon the dazzled eyes of Sir Ernest de Colmar, at that moment Ermach, who had rein- ed in his steed beneath the shade of a wide- spreading oak on the way-side, gave utterance to an ejaculation of amazement as he caught sicht of the resplendent countenance ot Gloria. But this expression of wonderment on his part escaped the ears of the rest, | tor the knight had spurred his steed to- | wards the lady as she issued from the outer gate,—and the two grooms had halted with their sumpter-horses at a little distance. Thus the surprise of Ermach at thus beholding Gloria. pass- ed unnoticed; but from beneath the deep shade of that friendly oak did he contemplate the beauteous creature with a strange and profoundly earnest attention, as she extended her hand to the Austrian knight, whose feelings as | he touched it with his lips we have al- | ready described. The cavalcade now arranged itself in travelling order. mar and Gloria went first, the knight riding on the lady’s left hand, according to custom ; then came Linda and Bea- trice, between whom the young page Sir Ernest de Col- Ermach placed himself with a due ob- | servance of courtesy; and the two. grooms brought up the rear. But we must observe that while these arrangements were making, or rather, while all the’ members of the party thus fell into their proper places in the pro- cession, Gloria did not happen to take any notice of Ermach; therefore whe- ther she would recognise him on any future occasion when she could not help observing him, was a matter of doubt to the young page, defying all conjecture as to the issue. There was another circumstance which we must mention in connection with this meeting at the southern gate of the city of Prague; namely, the mingled surprise and vexation which Linda and Beatrice éxperienced when the timid and furtive glances which they threw upon the knight’s atten- dants, encountered not Lionel and Kon- rad. ‘Then the looks which the two sisters rapidly exchanged, showed each other that they were both seized with the same sentiment of disappointment mingled with wonder at the absence of the two youths whom they had expect- ed to become their travelling compa- nions. But hastily composing their countenances.in order to conceal their emotions from Ermach, as he took his place between them, they awaited in painful suspense until some opportuni- ty should reveal to them the reason why Lionel and Konrad were no longer in attendance upon Sir Ernest de Col- mar. I'he cavaleade now moved on in the order already described; but its pace was slow, because the knight was fear- ful of missing his youthful deliverer who had promised to join him at the southern gate soon after sun-rise. He accordingly mentioned to Gloria that he expected an immediate addition to their party; and this remark opened the con- versation between the knight and his lovely companion. ‘Any friend of your excellency wilk be most welcome to me,’ said Gloria, concealing with a powerful effort the vexation that she in reality experienced at the intelligence on which she thus. commented with so much duplicity, for she had entertained the hope of having the society of De Colmur all to herself dnring the journey from Prague to V1- enna. ‘And may I[ inquire the name and rank of the companion whom you are thus expecting?’ she asked, with all the rich harmony of her golden voice. . ‘In good sooth, beauteous lady,’ re- sponded De Colmar, ‘I am unable to answer that question. The fact is that the past night has been one pregnant with ineidents of a startling and roman- tic character; and not for a single mo- ment have my eyes been closed in slumber. Privation of rest is however a matter of small importance to one who has seen so many rough campaigns, and been engaged in so many hard- fought battles, during the Turkish wars ? comicbooks.com