The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. 247 overpowering looks--were fixed with |risen, and was at that moment in the all their lustrous potency upon the | court-yard of the hostel, countenance of the forest-maiden. ‘At once—now—this morning?’ de- manded the latter, in broken sentences. ‘Without any farther delay than is absolutely necessary to bid him dare- well,’ was Gloria’s imperious rejoinder. ‘ Lady,’ said Angela, after a moment's deep thought, ‘Il owe you a large debt of gratitude—I am_ likewise bound to testify to you that 1 do not possess an ungrateful heart—and I therefore pro- mise compliance with your wish.’ +I thank you, Angela—I thank you,’ exclaimed the Daughter of Glory, tak- ing the forest-maiden’s hand and pres- sing it with fervor. ‘ But bear in mind that my visit to you this morning is to remain a profound secret, and that you mention not to Sir Ernest de Colmar the motive which prompts. you to part company from him.’ + Lady, I will perform with fidelity all that you enjoin so strictly,’ said Angela. ‘Once more I thank thee, kind mai- den,’ whispered Gloria, in a voice through the tremulousness of which a mingled joy and triumph penetrated ; ‘yes, I thank thee sincerely ‘’ she ad- ded, subduing the emotion which was expressed in her former utterance. ‘And now farewell, Angela—farewell.’ With this hurried exclamation the Daughter of Glory quitted the chamber, and Angela rose from her couch with a heavy heart. Yes, and with an increasing depres- sion of spirits did she perform her has- ty toilette, and then resume the polish- ed armor in which she had fought by the side of the warrior whom she loved, and from whom she had pledged her- self to part so soon! But wherefore should she repine thus ? they should arrive within sight of Al- giving some in- strachaee to his grooms; but the in- stant he beheld Angela approaching, he hastened to greet her with all the cor- 'diality of a friendship not only pledged, ‘but positively experienced. | Good morrow to thee, my brave un- ‘known,’ exclaimed the knight, taking |Angela’s gauntletted hand. ‘Surely ‘thou must be wearied by the constant weight of thy panoply ; but let me hope | that the time is near when the necessity for maintaing a strict incognito shall cease.’ ‘That moment has now arrived,’ re- turned Angela, with difficulty modulat- ‘ing her voice so as to conceal the emo- 'tions which filled her gentle breast. ‘1 ‘am about to reveal myself, and then take leave of your excellency—perhaps for ever,’ she added, with a mournful- .ness of accent which she could not con- | trol. ‘For ever!’ ejaculated De Colmar. ‘But what strange and deplorable fata- lity compels me thus to part from one | whose friendship I long to cherish ?” ‘Seek not to penetrate, Sir Knight,’ returned Angela, again recovering her self-possession, ‘ into the motives which have inspired me with the sudden reso- lution to bid you farewell some few hours sooner than | had at first ex- | pected.’ | ‘In good sooth,’ exclaimed De Ceol- 'mar, ‘I cannot consent that we should ‘part thus! You are about to reveal /your name, it 1s true ; but scarcely have ‘I learnt to love you as a brother, even without knowing who you are or having ever seen your face, when you deter- mine to separate yourself from me.’ ‘There is no alternative,’ rejoined Angela, with difficulty suppressing a a ee -_ Had she not all along determin- | profound sigh. ed to take leave of him the moment) ‘ But what can [ do for you, generous youth, to prove my gratitude for the tandorf Castle? and would not another | services you have rendered me ?’ de- twelve hour’se journey bring them to that point? Ah! true indeed was all this ; but those who are acquainted with the power of love do not require to be | 'manded our hero. ‘Speak—l am rich, [ am likewise powerful at the Austrian Court ‘Give me that good steed which I told how it was that Angela sighed at the stern necessity which forbade her the enjoyment of De Colmar’s company for those twelve hours more. And now her armor was resumed, her vizor was once again lowered over her countenance; and, with a palpitat- ing heart, did she descend from her! where one of the knight's dependants chamber. ‘was grooming the horse to which she Sir Ernest de Colmar had already 'had alluded. ‘ Yes, give me this good have ridden in your company,’ said An- 'gela, her voice becoming every instant |'more tremulous with emotion; and in ‘order to obtain a few moments’ leisure to collect herself, ere she came to the ‘last trial in the revelation of her sex and name, she walked rapidly up to the spot ComIcDOOKS.cCOm