The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. so numerous or of so fearful an interest crowded into so short a space.’ + W hat do you mean?’ demanded the priest. ‘You excite my curiosity strangely.’ ‘Ah! then the news has not as yet travelled up the road towards Prague,’ observed the landlord, looking at his wife as he spoke. ‘What news, my good man?’ in- quired the Carthusian. ‘‘Vhe news of the terrible murder which was committed the night before last beneath this roof,’ responded the host, his voice becoming solemn and his brow overclouded. ‘A murder— here— beneath root!’ exclaimed Father ¢ ‘Who was the victim? and criminal ?’ ‘The victim was a handsome young page, holy futher,’ was the reply; the murderess was the most beautiful creature | ever set eyes upon.’ ‘And of course she-is in custody 2’ said the priest, in a tone of inquiry. Your /yprian, who the ‘Indeed she is not, your*reverence,’ | ‘and | hastily interjected the landlady: ‘and | her escape is the most singular part of the whole business.’ But we should begin by informing . | you, holy father,’ resumed the landlord, | ‘that about sunset, the day before yes- | terday, a party of well-mounted travel- | lers rode up to our door. They consist- ed of a knight of handsome appearance, a youth clad in complete armor, and who by the bye was particularly cau- tious in concealing his face. ‘Yes, for reasons which soon tran- spired,’ exclaimed the hostess. * Who would have thought he should have been bold and resolute enough to accomplish the escape of the three noble prisoners at Prague?’ ‘Ah!’ ejaculated the Carthusian, with asudden start. * But do you know the name of the handsome knight to whom you alluded?’ he demanded hm pa- tiently. ‘Su Ernest de Colmar, I believe,’ answered the landlord. ‘| thought so!’ ‘And the page who was murdered — did he belony to the suite of Sir Ernest?’ e) ‘Assurediy. vour reverence,’ responded the host: ‘and as comely a youth he was as ever——' ‘His name—his name?’ demanded Father Cyprian, with an impatience that now amounted toateverish excite- ment. ‘EKrmach,’ was the answer. 259 ‘Holy Virgin! this is wonderful— wonderful !’ exclaimed the priest, crossing himself: and then, even as his hand was yet sinking down trom the performance of this act of devotion, an expression of diabolical satisfaction passed slowly over his countenance. ‘Did you know aught of the deceased youth, holy father?’ inquired the land- lord, not being exactly aware what to think of the priest’s excitement at the intelligence thus imparted to him. ‘Yes; IL was partially acquainted with him—poor boy!’ was the reply, delivered with a sudden attempt to ex- hibit some degree of sympathy on be- half of the murdered youth. * But you said that a lady of extraordinary beauty committed the crime- ‘And she has escaped,’ observed the landlady. ‘What was her name?’ demanded the priest: ‘ who was she?’ ‘rier name is Gloria,’ responded the hostess;:’ and she is the sister of the well-known Satanais?’ ‘Gloria!’ repeated the Carthusian,. every lineament of his countenance de- noting the wildest astonishment : * Glo- rlua—the sister of Satanais, he said in a low and mechanical voice of increasing: bewilderment. ‘And she was travelling with Sir Ernest de Colmar ?7—and she was taken into custody, and she escaped, you say!’ he asked, with the manner of one who searcely dares credit the evi- said the landlord. dence of his own ears. ‘itis as | have told your reverence,’ sut pardon me, the -elfect produced upon you, holy father, by the intelligence,’ continued the man with) some degree of hesitation, ‘makes: me apprehend that some of the parties must be connected with you; perhaps in the ties of relationship ; ‘No: not at all,’ exclaimed the Car- thusian: ‘but Ll am acquainted with them to a certain extent. Hence the startling interest which this unexpected communication has excited in my mind. But tell me, worthy friend, how all this occurred.’ cried the priest. ae | —_— — ‘+l was already once about to explain to your reverence,’ resumed the land- lord. ‘that. a party consisting of the knight, the youth in armor, the Lady (gloria, the Ermach, two hand- maidens, and two grooms, arrived atthe page hostel about sunset the day before yes- terday. inthe middle of the night the Lady Gloria came knocking at our bed- ‘room door and made me and my wite cet up and follow her. She led us to comicbooks.com