The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 342: what you’re looking at

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

. *-~ > - ee ee wa OS ew - - a ar oe — ~ THE BRONZE STATUE. 340 dation for them,’ observed the Marquis, battling within himself to shake off that growing feeling of uneasiness which became alike painful and alarming. '*Surely you have done naught to incur the vengeance of that tribunal whereof youand [ are alike influential members? she desired to speak with him upon matters of the most urgent importance, and that this intimation was followed by a rapid description of the exact whereabouts of her apartment,—re- membering all this, we say, the Mar- guis thought he should be acting pru- rfl dently to awake her. Moreover, her|—surely this precipitate flight from sudden and most unexpected arrival at} Prague and unexpected arrival at Al- Altendorf Castle had filled him with aj tendorf Castle can have no ulterior aim, vague misgiving that some other mo-! beyond anything with which I am alrea- tive than the one she had alleged was at the bottom of this precipitate flight from the capital He was therefore anxious to learn the truth upon that point; and thus, after a few minutes’ dy acquainted or can easily guess ?” ‘Indeed, my dear Marquis,’ respond- ed the lady, assuming a serious air and lowering her voice to a whisper,—* in- deed I have ulterior aims, and you must ~ 2 Li ‘} i wow oe = hesitation and reflection, he decided upon arousing the sleeping Baroness. Placing his hand upon the shoulder become my accomplice !’ ‘What mean you?’ demanded the Lord of Schomberg, almost frightened — — ~ —~a “ — any = Ya * ~- = — 5 a ses ‘< ’ - a - + id « . - _ oe - -«< oe 6 «a@~ * =e 7 . — lie = ee er which lay exposed and which was of| by the mystery of her words and the east dazzling whiteness, he shook her gent-| solemnity of her manner. ‘Speak, | ral ly. She started—and, opening her) conjure you!’ ; | at eyes, threw a terrified glance around. ‘Wherefore this excitement?’ asked ; <a But observing, by the light of the lamp,the Baroness, surveying him with iso which she had left burning on the table, that it was the Marquis of Schomberg who had disturbed her, she instantly called up a smile to her handsome fea- tures; and taking his hand she pressed it affectionately to her bosom, exclaim- ing, ‘Oh! I thank you for thus arous- dng me at this moment!” ‘And wherefore should you thank “me ?’ inquired the Marquis: ‘ unless it ‘be that you have important commani- amazement. ‘Has anything occurred to vex or alarm you? Oh! I under- stand it all!’ she immediately cried: ‘you are hurt at the appointment of the Baron of Altendorf to the command of the royal forces ?—and you have reason to feel that your pride is thus wounded.’ ‘*Yes—I am indeed hurt in that res- pect,’ replied the Marquis; ‘ and I was somewhat surprised that you were so cordial in the congratulations which you a i Lie?, ae a ’ ; + : 5 ~~ . utd 4 - w a4) | Ped - F ry rabbi r} . ‘ ‘4 16: ube ‘ i@i* : lees “A 7 é *& * \ * / \ i p 4 ¥ r 2. Faas oH 4 x “ we . ~~ - a ~ ‘ _ LOO OT * 7 * : SPS - sen cations to make,’ he added in a tone in- dicative of anxiety and suspense. ‘T thank you,’ responded the Baron- ess, raising herself partially up in the couch, so that her elbow rested upon the pillow and her hand supported her shead,—‘ I thank you because I was just entering upon the details of a horrible a mmm mm ge me ee offered my successful rival ere now at the banquetting-table.’ ‘When treachery is intended,’ said the Baroness, ‘the tongue must frame honied compliments to throw men oft their guard. Such was my case,’ she added, fixing her eyes upon the Mar- quis to ascertain the effect which these _ dream ; and you have therefore relieved me from sufferings which would be dreadful even in 42 vision.’ ‘ And those sufferings?’ said the Mar- - quis, interrogatively. ‘ Were the ordeal of the Bronze Sta- tue and the Virgin’s Kiss,’ replied the Baroness, shuddering at the bare idea. ‘Ond do not give way to such horri- ble thoughts,’ exclaimed the Marquis, a strange sensation of uneasiness, and | | for which he could not account, stealing | be explicit!’ cried the marquis. * Do over him like a presentiment of evil. | you know that suspense is torturing me t ‘Nay—I could not control the train; cruelly? I see that you have grave and of ideas which took possession of me; momentous intelligence to communi- in my slumber,’ said Lady Hamelen ;} cate; and, for the first time in my life, -4but, God be thanked! your timely ar-|I am trembling all over with a vague ae rival cut them short.’ and unaccountable terror, as if a pre- ‘’Tis said that some dreams come as! sentiment of evil had seized upon my @ warning, and that all have some foun-! heart. As for vengeance aguinst the ff” words would produce upon him. ‘Treachery !’ he exclaimed ‘* Is it possible that I have heard aright? ordo mine ears deceive me?’ ‘ You are not deceived,’ said the ba- roness, ‘ and you have now an opportu- pee nity of being avenged upon your suc- cessful rival—aye, and on the Carthu- sian priest whom you have ever secretly abhorred.’ ‘In the name of the blessed Virgin, , y a ’ * . pee taj ‘ ‘ - * « via 7 4 J ‘n ¢ 7 * j ® - ! . ‘ _ * . t te ‘ay 4 » | all ty er : 4% @ 765° . 7 A ¢ M4 » ea’ a4 i - € ele/ % 4 ‘> i ea ’ * m4 fe “ 4 a) ‘ ie - 2 < ’ ¥ 7. ~>s .* me ‘ , » . : ’ 54 ' , hs ‘om cot : . ° s . ” Ad i i - u eel fr i ie “ait > % % | ere f f { 7 . ; $274 >. { ° ” a? eS ES «BL, , S's a = é : \ ] ; . * *\ 2 ° AS. 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