The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

dal i a Te, ee, eee. 2, 368 THE" BRONZE STATUE. ‘There is—at least [ have every reason to suppose that she is still there—a lady within those walls But I dare not say more on this subject ‘Dearest Angela, methinks I can aid you in this difficulty,’ observed the knight. ‘Oh! if this were possible!’ ex- claimed the virgin heroine, clasping her hands fervently; then, after a few moments’ pause, she said with an art- less melancholy, ‘ But I shall be com- pelled to abandon your excellency to such attentions as Messer Bernard or your own remaining dependent may be enabled to afford.’ ‘Oh! then you are mindful of your led her to weep. promise, Angela, to stay with me until my recovery be complete?’ cried De Colmar. ‘ButI will not, by any sel- fishness on my part, prevent another from receiving the benefit of your ser- vices. No, [ release you from that promise; and much as it will grieve me to lose your sweet company—much | as it will distress me to part with you—’ ‘Were your excellency still in dan- ger, | would not offer to leave you,’ | said Angela, her own tell-tale blushes indicating that she experienced with even a keener poignancy that feeling of regret at the idea of an early separa- tion. ‘But advancing rapidly as you are towards convalescence, and with all but certain prospects of being enabled to resume your journey to Vienna within a week from the pre- sent time, [ cannot remain deaf to the secret voice which prompts me to car- ry my services elsewhere ‘Nor will I mar your usefulness, he- roic maiden, in the slightest degree, or for a single moment!’ exclaimed De Colmar, fixing upon her those looks which conveyed the most exalted admi- ration, ‘ Here, take this ring, ’twas a present from Zitzka himself, and it will serve as a talisman to enable thee to pass the lines of the besieging army. You need but show it to whomsoever you find barring your way, or disposed to question your presence in the T'abo- rite encampment; and, unless its virtue shall have been revoked by a recent de- cree of the Captain General, the magic power which I[ myself have tésted more than once, will serve you to the full ex- tent of the noble purpose that you have in contemplation.’ ‘I accept the ring with the sincerest and most heartfelt thanks,’ said Angela, as she received the jewel from De Col- mar’s hand, ‘And now ; But she was unable to breathe the farewell to which she sought to give ut- terance; the words remained in her throat with a suffocating sensation, her heart grew full even to overflowing, and the pearly tears trickled down her cheeks. Covered with confusion, she averted her countenance; tremendous were the efforts she made to subdue her emotions and regain her compo- sure; but the very attempt was a su- peradded torture, and, yielding to the force of the varied sensations which had taken complete possession of her soul, she burst into a violent agony of grief. For some minutes De Colmar suffer- He knew not how to console her—he was utterly at a loss how to frame in words the sympathy which he experienced for her. There was so solemn a purity in her affliction, so grave an artlessness in her sorrow, that the wounds of so generous, noble, and energetic a spirit were not to be reached by the ordinary anodynes. Be- sides, not only did circumstances, but also the chivalrous character of De Col- mar himself, suggest that the most del- icate course must be adopted towards a beauteous young woman who loved him fondly—who possessed much ex- tensive and manifold claims upon his best regards—and yet to whom it would be improper and inconsistent in the ex- treme to venture any declaration of re- ciprocal attachment, even if he were in reality prepared or inclined to make such an avowal. For only six weeks had passed since Angela had beheld the happiness which he experienced in the society of the being who at that time bore the name of Satanais: and there- fore it would be indelicate and even in- sulting to address the forest-maiden in language of tenderness within so short an interval. Moreover, De Colmar was not prepared to make any avowal of that nature: and thus was his position in every way an awkward and an embar- rassing- one. ‘Sweet sister,’ he at length said, when he found that the violence of her grief was rapidly abating, ‘I fully ap- preciate all the noble and generous friendship which you bear towards me —a friendship which I so unfeignedly and profoundly reciprocate. Nor do | feel less acutely than you the pain of separation where such friendship exists. Indeed, mine will be the more pitiable lot; for you depart to enter amidst the scenes of bustle and excitement,— whereas | must linger here for some comicbooks.com