The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 56: what you’re looking at

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

54 THE BRONZE STATUE. ‘It were as well, holy father, said the} ‘No—caprices, he reiterated ; ‘and be- Knight, in a reproachful tone, ‘that this in-| ware how you trifle with me, Elizabetha ? terview should termincte at once. Behola ‘Trifle with you!’ exclaimed the Prin- —it is already most painful to her High-| cess, but not in a tone loud enough to be ness’ he added, turning his eyes upon Eli-| heard by the Knight: and as she spoke, zabetha, who was vainly endeavoring to| her countenance crimsoned with indigna- contro! the feelings which the generous | tion. and touching language of Sir Ernest de| ‘By the Saints! you are determined to Colmar had so deeply excited. anger me, perverse and obstinate girl! said ‘Your Excellency wlil pardon me,’ ex-|the monk, ‘But you shal! do my bidding, claimed the monk, ‘if [ remind you that,| Elizabetha—you shaJl do my bidding, | tell situated as her Royal Highness is, it would! you,’ he repeated, in a tone of concentrated De imprudent and dangerous for her to| rage and menace. ‘Remember your oath! grant you another interview for the mere| remember the spell which makes you my sake of giving you those assurances which | slave—my instrument! When the silver bell can be so easily aflorded on the present! tinkles at mdnighl 4 occasion. Permit me to say one word to! ‘ Mnough—enough!’ murmured the wretch- her Highness—and then, I have no doubt.| ed girl, with a palsied tremor on the lip, a this interview may be forthwith brought to! wild glaring in the eyes, and an ashy pale- a speedy and satisfactory close.’ | hess on the countenance—as if those last Sir Ernest de Colmar glanced towards | words which the priest uttered were fraught the Princess's countenance: but he read no| with a mystic horror or else awoke memo- sign there which told him whether to de-| ries that shot through her brain with the part or remain ;—she had regained her self- | lancinating effect of a poroxysm of ineffable possession—her.courage; though so near-| anguish. ‘Say no more, Father Cyprian— ly akin was this composure to the dull ap-|say no more,’ she whispered hurriedly, at athy of despair, that her demeanor was fro-| the expiration of a few instants: ‘I will zen—her beauty had suddenly become gla-| tranquillise myself—I will give the assur- cial. | ances which you have already dictated , De Colmar, searcely knowig how to act,| ‘ Thanks-—a thousand thanks!’ whispered turned aside for a few moments in order to | the monk, his features now lighting up with allow the priest an opportunity of speaking | joy: then, turning towards de Colmar, he a word in Etizabetha’s ear according tothe} said, ‘Sir Knight, her Royal Highness, intimation which he had given: and Father | having recovered from that confusion and Cyprian, availing himself of the opportuniy, | excitement into which the important consi- hastily bent down his head until the cow! | derations associated with your Excellency’s which overshadowed all the upper part of| visit had so naturally plunged her, is now his face touched the glossy, shining hair of| prepared to give those assurances which the youthful Princess. your Excellency requires as a preliminary « @lizabetha,’ whispered the monk, in a} ‘0 the settlement of the compact in all rapid and imperious tone,’ ‘I command you | Other respects agreed upon between us,’ to. give this Austrian-the assurances which}. ut while Father Cyprian was pronoune- he requires. Remember ’ ing this long sentence in a measured tone, his object being to afford the Princess a few moments’ leisure to regain her self-posses- sion, the glance which Sir Ernest de Col- mar threw upon her countenance couvinced him that she was yielding only to intimida- tion. For there was something unnatural and forced in the very composure which . she assumed—something terrible to con- | template in the lips so tightly compressed implore you! Ina few days—perhaps to- oa they a We quiver and the bosom morrow—I shall be better prepared to re- od theca 4. with the suspend- cele Gila Austen Kaioht ; d breath consequent on the violence put wada kaa letacieked Father Cypsint | upon feelings which demanded a vent! hag fen ‘ober enlihas foe ca OO Royal lady, exclaimed Sir Ernest de savagely: besuns me not to Jring Aw 1.) Colmar, darting a look of mingled indigna- ther a dozen times in obedience to your|tion and abhorrence upon the priest, “my caprices worst fears are now. confirmed—and } can ‘Caprices’ murmured the Princess,| no longer entertain the slightest doubt that darting upon the monk a look of mingled | your Highness is net a free agent,’ reproach and afiger: ‘feelings you would| ‘I beseech your Excellency ‘a eonfna have said?’ yourself to the motive anu elect of thig — ED —— —— ¢Silence—silence !’ said the Princess, with: that subdued ejaculation which when given in a hoarse and hollow whisper ex- plains the heart’s horrorfar more signifi cantly:then the loudest shriek: ‘ silence! she receated, glancing appealingly up into the stern countenance that was rendered more menacing still by tue dark shace of the cowl. ‘Let this interview end now, | — ’ comicbooks.com