The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

o0 her Royal Highness and myself, it will be- have you to afford me ocular proof of the existence of that ample dowry whicii 1s to become bers on her bridal day. For a Princess without a throne and without a fortune would be no desirable match for my master, Duke Albert of Austria,’ ‘Your stipulation shall Be granted,’ Sir Knight,’ said Father Cyprian, after a few moments’ profound reflection. ‘There is now no point of difference between us— and may at once proceed with the business which we have in hand. Follow me.’ W ith these words the Carthusian Jed the way elong the path for upwards of two hundred. yards, when a small cemetery suddenly. broke upon the view of the Knigh' as he followed close in his cuimpanion’s footste ps. Nothing could be more picturesque than this burial-ground embosomed in the depths of the silent grove. ‘I'he crosses and toinb- stones—mute but eloquent inemorials of the traveller’s journey through life—were inter- spersed amidst knots 0. cypresses and be- neath the umbrageous fuliage of wide- spreading yews ; and the light and shade, so strangely blended, appeered emblemati- cal of the joys and sorrows which marked the career of those who now slept beneath. The Carthusian led the way through this picturesque cemetery, crossing himself with apparent devotion more than once; and on gaining the farther extremity, he turned abrubtiy round the angle of a lit- tle chapel which stood in that part of the burial-ground, Behind the building a middle-aged man, attired as a groom, was holding two horses ready caparisoned ; and under his arm he carried a bundle which looked Jike a roll of cloh. This he handed to the priest without uttering a word, and then instantaneously withdrew — plunging into the adjacent thickets of the grove. Father Cyprian lost no time in unrolling the parcel which he had received from the groom, and which proved to be a monk’s gown, He then requested Sir Ernest de Colmar to assume that garb; and when the Knight had complied with the demand, the Carthusian made him doff his plumed cap and hold it in bis hand beneath the folds of the ecclesiastical dress, Father Cypri- an drew the cowl or hood completely over our hero’s face in such a manner that, while permitting the free circulation of the fresh air, it allogether intercepted the Koaight’s view. Tiese arrangements having been perfect- ed, Father Cyprian aided De Colmar, who was so effectually blindfolded, to mount ope of the horses: he hunself bestrode tle other—and as the Knight’s steed was pro- THE BRONZE STATUE. | vided with a single guiding rein, in addition to the other, the priest was enabled to cone duct the animal, even at a rapid pace, by riding abreast of his companion and hold- ing the single rein in his hand. | Tp this manner they proceeded at a smart trot, but without exchanging a word. Sir Ernest de Colmar cou'd tell when they emerged from the grove, because the strag= giing branches overhanging the path were | disturbed by his form as he rode along $ and when this was no longer the case he knew that they were beyond the wood.— Besides, the breeze blew freshly in the felds and agitated the folds of his long rarment. But presently his guide led him into another grove: an d then the open country was gained once more. Suddenly it struck Sir Ernest de Colmar that the Carthusian was purposely length- | ening a short journey—or rather that he was doubling or trebling the distance ne- cessary to be accomplished—by various zig-zag and circuitous windings; and the moment that this suspicion flashed across his mind, he became keenly sensitive to every tittle indication or minute circum- istance which might aid in corroborating the idea. Thus, in a very short time, he I hecame aware that the priest made the | horse turn abruptly to the left out of a beat. en road—scamper across the fields to @ considerable distance, but gradually wind» ing to the right all the while—and then ac- tually regain the road once more, at a point not so very remote from the one whence the divergence took place. By a skilful horseman like Sir Ernest de Colinar, this manceuvre was soon recognised and comprehended, blindfolded though he was; and several other little incidents, which would however be tedious to detail, served to corroborate his suspicion that the priest was not only seeking to throw him — out of all possible calculation as to the di- rection which they were taking, but like- wise to make him believe that the place of the Princess Elizabetha’s retreat was much farther from Prague than it really was. ‘The first point was assuredly gained with full success ; for the Knight could not form the least conjecture as to whether he was being led northward, southward, eastward, or westward—because he had lost all reck- oring when in the tortuous pathway of that portion of the grove which lay beyond the cemetery ;—but in respect to the sec ond object which the Carthusian had in view, Sir Ernest speedily comprehended the mancuvre, as already described. For upwards of an hour and a half did the ride continue. At length they halted fora few moments, while a massive gate swung round upon its hinges —and then com _COM