The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 337: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. 330 handmaidens. in attendance on Eliza-| ‘’Tis scarcely possible that he knows betha, and. likewise on the devotion of |}where it is situated,’ interrupted the a.large number of the servitors of the | baron; ‘seeing that they had no oppor- Bronze Statue. By their connivance | tunity of conversing together 1n a pri- and aid she could:indeed accomplish her | vate manner at the banquet.’ perfidious designs; aud the royal cause} ‘Oh? an artful woman finds an op. would be lost beyond redemption. What | portunity for so hasty and brief a whis- can we do, holy father? what, plan do| per as was alone required for such an you suggest 2” intimation,’ returned the priest. ‘If, ‘There is but one course to adopt,’|then, as I was saying, the marquis said the priest, in a gloomy tone. ee seek the chamber of the baro- ‘And that course?’ demanded the | ness this night, and remain with her 1n baroa, looking into the depths of the Fear edited. wh he, in a word, be- Carthusian’s eyes to read the response | come acquainted with the projects of which he expected to his question. | that treacherous creature,—then he also ‘The Bronze Statue and the Vir-| must perish ! For in the present state gin’s Kiss,’ was the appallingly signifi-|of his discontented mind, it would be cant reply. sufficient for him to know that there The baron started, although he had | does exist a means of treating with Zitz- expected the answer. ka. and saving himself by the sacrifice ‘There is no alternative,’ continued | of his friends, in order to induce him to the Carthusian, in the same moody|enter into negotiations with the ‘labo- voice and manner. ‘That woman has|rite General. ‘T’herefore, as | before sold us to Zitzka, and must be punished. | observed, if the marquis should have any We must either do this, or allow her}|communication with the baroness this to continue her machinations while we | night, he must undergo the same fate. compass to defeat them. It then be-|”Tis now half-past ten,’ added the priest, comes a struggle of artifice against arti- glancing at a. water-clock which stood fice ; and in the chapter of accidents | upon a shelf in the apartment ; ‘at one we might be defeated. What mercy | your lordship will meet me here again, would then be shown to us?’ attended by the three executioners.’ ‘None,’ answered the baron. ‘ Yes, The baron spoke an assent, and has- she must die. But how came that do-|tily quitted the priest’s chamber. cument in your possesssion ?” | The Carthusian then proceeded to ‘She dropped it accidentally as she|the corridor whence the apartment of was proceeding to her chamber,’ replied | the Baroness Fiamelen opened ; and, the priest; ‘and I picked it up.’ concealing himself in a secluded nook, ‘Perhaps she has already missed it ?’| he anxiously watched the door of her exclaimed the baron, ‘Inthis case she | room. #2 : may become alarmed and secretly leave In about half an hour the faint light the castle.’ shed by a lamp suspended to the ceiling ‘’Tis for you to give orders that no was obscured by the shadow of # man one shall issue forth without the pass- | passing along the corridor ; and the word,’ interrupted the Carthusian.—| priest from his hiding-place recognized ‘See that the banquet be over by mid-!the tall form of the Marquis of Schom- night, and ere the clock strikes one the |berg. _ three executioners shall repair to the} Cautiously did the nobleman advance, chamber of the baroness, to convey her} counting all the doors on his right hand, thence to the hall of the Bronze Statue.’ | and when he reached the seventh, he ‘Be it as you say,’ observed the ba- gently opened it and entered the cham- ron. ‘And the Marquis of Schomberg | ber with which it communicated. aati? ‘’Tis as I suspected,’ muttered the ‘I shall keep a watch upon the corri- Carthusian to himself, as he emerged dor leading to the apartment of the ba- | from his hiding-place ; then, as he crept roness,’ said the priest. ‘As yet I am/| back to his own apartment, he said with certain that she has had no opportunity bes low triumphant chuckle, ‘two vit of making any private communication | tims this night for the Virgin’s Kiss! to the marquis; and he is therefore ig norant of her perfidious compact with Zitzka, and the share she intends his lordship to take in the transaction. It | ———_ he continues thus ignorant, he may live. | But should he seek her apartment——’ | comicbooks.com - “~~ > - Cs “Ne. 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