The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 383: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. ‘Never,’ responded Angela, trem- bling all over with the undefinable emo- tions of one who feels that she is stand- ing upon the verge of some discovery of stupendous importance. +] was lett in my infancy to the care of that honest couple of whom I have ere now spo- ken ‘And thine age—thine age?’ cried Fitzka, his excitement now wrought up to the highest pitch. ‘IT am twenty-three,’ was the answer, delivered in a tone that vibrated like a note of melody upon the gale. ‘Oh! then it must be so!’ exclaimed Zitzka, in a tone of mingled exultation, wonderment, and feeling. ‘* Yes—na- ture herself prompts me I under- stand all Oh! come to my arms, Angela; for, as sure as there is a God who hath thus thrown us together, thou art my beloved girl?’ ‘My father *’ crid Angela Wildon, indescribable sensations seizing upon fastened as a precaution, at the com- her: and the next moment she flew|mencement of the siege?’ inquired into the armsof the mighty Zitzka, the captain-general of the Taborites. CHAPTER XCIV. A LAST VISIT TO THE SUBTERRANEANS- Har an hour after the scene which we have just described, Zitzka and An- gela issued forth together from the pa- vilion. The former was muffled in an ample military cloak, and wore a velvet cap with a sable plume, which shaded his countenance; while the forest mal- den was enveloped in her mantle.— Hastily did they traverse the encamp- ment, and in a short time they reached the little chapel to which allusion has already been so frequently made. The sentinel who was on duty at this point happened to be the very one that had ere now recognised Angela Wildon, and instantaneously perceiving by Zitz- ta’g manner towards her, thut she was in high favor with the Captain General, the poor wretch began to shake and tremble Jest she should seek some means of avenging herself against him for having denounced her as trix of the State Prisoners. But Ange la, who penetrated his thoughts the mo- ment she cast her looks upon his terri- fied countenance, gave him a reassuring glance, and the man’s features bright- ened up. | own child, and I am thy father, | ge the libera- . 331 | A pine torch was burning in an iron ring projecting from the wall and, tak- ing the light in his hand, Zitzka pro- ‘ceeded to scrutinize the floor of the ‘chapel with the utmost attention.— Stooping down, ke passed the torch slowly over the pavement, so as to fling ‘its beams upon the lines formed by the joints of the flagstones; but such was ‘the uniformity of the pavement, at least | in appearance, that he was as much baf- ‘fled in his search as Angela had pre- viously been. ‘Are you sure, my dear child,’ he | demanded, in a whispering tone, * that it was here you emerged from the subter- 'raneans of Altendorf Castle, on the oc- ‘casion which you have explained to | me 2’ -¢I am confident beyond all possibility | of mistake, beloved father,’ replied An- la. ‘*The trap-door is assuredly there : ‘May it not have been hermetically ir west ey ot ak ae , ee > Oe ee ee ~- - - 2 fi _- vi arpr ez > <<. we ine windy - eo Fe oe == ‘ , e& | ‘ ° - “‘ y * e . a . “a 1 «% ‘ *. ii ‘s , Zitzka. The feasibility of this conjecture in- stantaneously struck upon Angela's mind: and she was about to ask of her newly-found sire what course he now proposed to pursue, when the Taborite sentinel suddenly advanced from the threshold into the interior of the cha- pel. ‘ Wherefore do you thus accost us?’ demanded Zitzka,who saw by the man's air that he had something to commuant- cate. - ‘+ Pardon me, General,’ was the re- He | sponse, * but it is not difficult to perceive a that you are searching for some object which you have not as yet found. And if | may judge by the peculiar manner ‘of that search, it is for a secret spring or a trap-door in the pavement.’ ‘ How is it possible that you could have gleaned this much from the man- ner of my search ?’ demanded the Cap- tain General. ‘It istrue that | took no pains to conceal my purpose from your observation; but at the same time | cannot understand how thou hast so rea- dily seized upon a clue to my proceed- ie | ings. Speak frankly pe ‘IT have no cuuse to do otherwise, ereai chieftain,’ exclaimed the soldier, ‘The truth is, then, that about ten days _or rather ten nights—ago, | was on duty here as [ am tus evening. But tiiere was no pine torch burning within ‘the chapel; and outside the flood of | moonlight was so pure and poweriul “* ms » , Ss _-— a ne aa ‘ ae ol a ~ “ ee ie mz. ~ - “ - ~ “ 7 » < - - : oe Stare s «om -* th, re aad an Set Oa mma comicbooks.com