The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

266 THE BRONZE STATUE. dwellings of the enemy, common sense , cal changes which you advocate! Yeg,. @njoins us f0O adopt all proper precau- all this do { confess With a candor and tions 1N receiving such new proselytes.’ a frankness which, J fondly hope, will ‘but if those proselytes offer unequi- inspire you with confidence towards vocal guarantees,’ said the baroness, her | me. Nay, more—I am Willing to ad- voice “assuming a more confidential | mit that I should have perhaps clung to whisper, and her looks a deepe* signi- my old opinions and ancient prejudices ficancy, ‘you will then be disposed to, unto the end, had not your proceeding yleld them your confidence and treat! of this day startled me as if a thunder. them accordingly Y bolt had fallen at my feet, and aroused ‘Assuredly,’ answered Zitzka. per- | me to the contemplation of the real ag- ceiving that the baroness was gradually | pect of Bohemian affairs. And the ra- and cautiously feeling her way towards | pid survey which I have taken Within a particular point. ‘I have proclaimed | the last few hours has opened my eyes acrusade against the Bohemian Aris ‘to the conviction that might and power tocracy,’ he continued, ‘and my troops;are on your side, and that by those have expressed _their adhesion to the | means must you triumph. In this fore- measure.’ shadowing of the future, I behold the ‘I am well aware—too well aware of | finger of Providence ; and T have there- all that has occurred this day,’ said the fore come to the conclusion that truth baroness, ‘and it was in consequence | and justice must be on the side of that thereof that I sought your presence.’ I man who is thus unmistakeably destined ‘But in proclaiming that crusade.’ to overthrow systems and annihilate in- resumed the Captain-General, ‘I have | stitutions which have endured for ages.’ not menaced an indiscriminate slaugh- | _‘ Your reasoning, lady, has been con- ter. No,—where blood is shed, the sistent with sound sense,’ observed blame must lie at the door of those who | Zitzka, who was now disposed to give: offer resistance; but mercy, forbear- | the baroness credit for more sincerity . ance, and leniency will be shown to-!thaa he had at first imagined, instead of wards those who make a timely sub- | fathoming all the sophistry of her lan- mission and yield to a destiny which | guage and the artfulnessof her conduct. they cannot control.’ : ‘And the result of your self-commun- ‘Then in me, mighty chieftain,’ ex- | ings,’ he added, + has been a resolve to claimed the baroness, ‘behold one of} give in your adhesion to the Taborite those who deem it right to adopt the cause Y more prudent alternative.’ ‘Even so,’ answ+red the Baroness. . ~~. = z3 d . a ee = x =a. pia ‘What am I to understand by your | ‘But your ladysaip even now spoke set ladyship’s observation ?’ inguired Zitz- | of guarantees and proofs of sincerity 2? SY, ka, still maintaining his wonted imper- | said Zitzka, in at. ae of inquiry. pee turbability. ‘I did so,’ rejvined the baroness : pth ‘Ah! do you not already understand |*because I am prepared to throw my- bab me!’ exclaimed the Baroness Tlame-|self body and soul into your cause—but he | Jen ; ‘ or will you compel me to descend |I demand your implicit confidence in re- tpl to the painful minuteness of a detailed|turn. In a word, mighty Zitzka,’ she Toe explanation? Well, be it so: the first }added significantly,—*I have it in my step in the path of desertion from one’s | power to render you an immense ser- ancient creed, is always fraught with | vice, if you will promise to grant the humiliation.’ recompense which | may demand.’ ‘There is no humiliation, lady,’ said ‘Name alike the service and the re-- 4itzka, *in abandoning an erroneous | ward,’ said the stern and imperturbable and worn-out system, to adopt a true | Taborite : ‘and I will answer your lady- one whose star is in the ascendant: nor ship yea or nay in a moment.’ is there any shame in yielding where resistance would be useless.’ ed the lady, ‘am I to consider that my ‘The sternness of truth marks your | proposal shall be buried in the strictest language, great chieftain,’ rejoined the | secrecy—as if indeed it had never been baroness. ‘Let me therefore at once | made ? throw myself upon your generosity,| ‘Bethat the understanding between your goodness, and your mercy; let/us,’ replied the Captain-General. ‘ And me confess that I have been the uncom- | now speak frankly and fearlessly.’ promising opponent of the Taborite ‘First I will specity my conditions,’ cause, and that I have abhorred both | said the baroness; ‘because if the the religious reformation and the politi- |should be found exorbitant, and there- \ ‘And if the response be nay,’ observ- y comicbooks.com