The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

136 THE BRONZE STATUE. curate instructions which I received |tendorf Castle, he instantly took notice | from ignorance in some cases and from |of the sudden manner in which I gave aaa ae wilful misrepresentation in others. Oc- | an involuntary start. I was now cer- wa Ay casionally, too, I have been necessitated | tain that he knew me or something aly to tarry some hours at a time, at a way-| about me, and that he had made a par- side village or hamlet, in order to avail| ticular remark in order to assure him- ee ep “~ = ~ a : ; ~~ _ ae — oan Oe we ——--e oor -_- iain, gi Oe - ~ = _ a => > a + ~- 7 e . . ad myself of the escort of the first com- pany of travellers passing in the same direction—the disturbed condition of particular districts, or the evil repute of certain forests rendering it unsafe for solitary individuals, especially defence- less women, to traverse those tracts by themselves. perceives that my journey was long, tedious, and even perilous at intervals.’ ‘But how came you to be travelling so late to-night, alone, and across this barren heath ?’ inquired De Colmar, as he and his fair compauvion now rode along at a somewhat brisk pace. ‘I will tell your excellency,’ said An gela, slightly reining in her steed, so that she could converse without incon- venience. * At about five o’clock in the evening of the day which is just passed —for it is now the morning of another— T reached a small hamlet, where I halt- ed atthe inn. My intention was to re- main there for the night ; and the land- lady welcomed me with great kindness. A repast was spread, and I was partak- ing of some refreshment in company with the woman and her husband when a priest entered. He addressed the landlord and his wife in terms which in- dicated that he was well known at the house, and: they received him with sreat attention and respect. He sate down to table and ate with us. In the course of conversation he observed that he should remain at the inn for the night, and proceed to Prague on the morrow, as it was dangerous to cross the heath after dusk. ‘I’he landlady in- formed him that I was likewise bound for the capital, whereupon the holy fa- ther surveyed me with more attention, and his cowl falling completely back, it struck me that I had seen his face be- fore. I know not how it was, but a pre- sentiment of evil came slowly into my mind; and this idea augmented to a positive uneasiness when | began to no- tice that the priest regarded me fixedly and furtively as often as he thought that I was not noticing him. The repast being over, and the landlord and lady Thus your Excellency | | Rodolph caused me to be seized and ' ' ’ a ' | | | self that I was indeed the person he sup- posed me to be. Then, with the vivid- ness of an inspiration did a remembrance flash to my mind, suggesting where and under what circumstances this priest might have seen me before. For [| must now inform you that at the com- mencement of the present month Lord conveyed to Altendorf Castle; and it was when his cowardly servitors were conducting me into the hall of the fer- dal mansion, that I caught a glimpse of a priest who was coming forth from the chapel. He paused to gaze upon me, and I appealed to him, but vainly, to in- tercede with Lord Rodolph in my be- half. He only smiled, methought even insolently, and turned away. ‘That same priest it was,’ added Angela, ‘whom I met this evening at the village hamlet.’ ‘ Did not the landlady or landlord ad- dress him by any name?’ inquired De Colmar. ‘They called him Father Cyprian,, was the response. ‘Father Cyprian!’ ejaculated the knight. ‘I know him well, and have myself good cause to complain of his treachery.’ ‘Ah! then my own misgivings were not perhaps unfounded !’ exclaimed An- gela. ‘ But to proceed with my narra- tive, [ need scarcely inform your excel- lency that when I recognised in Father Cyprian the same priest whom I had seen, and to whom I had vainly ad- dressed myself for succor at Altendorf Castle, | experienced an alarm which must have betrayed itself in my coun- tenance; for his reverence immediate- ly said, with a significant look, ** We are not altogether unknown to each other. But fear nothing; I would ra- ther save than injure you; and to-mor- row you shall proceed under my escort to Prague.” I surveyed him with astonishment, wonderin x how he would dare venture in his ecclesiastical garb amongst the ‘Taborites who hold pos- session of the capital. ‘J understand he having quitted the room, his reverence, | that look of surprise,’’ he ebserved with H Pid who had hitherto scarcely addressed a} a smile; “but to-morrow morning you ict word to the, began to converse in a free | will behold me disguised in such a man- y and apparently friendiy manner ; and, | ner that my own mother, were she on gett dexterously introducing the name of Al- | alive, would not recognise me.” {made 7 Mii comicbooks.com