The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

Hn HI | For an instant he dreaded that the Ae a lamp of life was extinguished in the i i mit LE maiden’s bosom ; and it was with a spe Bi sees ays 348 eles of blank despair that the generous- Ani Mie ty hearted knicht bent over the inanimate DA arsed Ss form that jay motionless and breathless Be Ae ec 4 asa marble statue, and likewise as a AS ER La ae statue pale, upon the sward sloping Pritt cada Waa |) down to the stream whence had shatch- 4 Lt i i} | ed her. me | | He ke Ae Horrified by the thought that she, so Bierce eI | young and beautiful, had perhaps only ath iW | escaped a watery tomb in order to find ea a grave upon the lard, he now hastened 4s ate 'to adopt all the means which suggested eR f, themselves to effect her restoration.— | q Wide ti He wrung out the moisture from her ie bi long chestnut hair; he took her hands a? te and rubbed them briskly between his | own: and in a little more than a mi- nute he was relieved from a crue! sus- pense by beholding a roseate tinge re- turning to her cheeks, faint indeed, at first, but still affording a sure indication that the spark of existence was rekindl- Bey ) ing within her. Bate The bosom began to heave slowly with the returning breath; and then ti ) she opened her melting blue eyes, | which gazed up into the knight's coun- “HEB tenance with a species of bewilderment Hae —as if the maiden were just awaken- ing from a profound slumber the effects of which still held complete conscious- | ness in abeyance. But when De Col- mar spoke a few reassuring words, the lamp of memory appeared to light up | suddenly ; and it was evident that a flood of recollections swept up into her | brain, making her aware of what had | happened and who had saved her: for | | the look which she now fixed upon De Bake Colmar was one of the deepest, most ) fervent, most heartfelt gratitude. At this instant a slight rustling was heard amongst the adjacent trees; De Colmar raised his eyes; and, behold! the transcendent Gloria stood him ! An expression of mingled surprise and Joy appeared upon her radiant counten- ance as the condition of the knight and i; Angela, whose clothes were dripping, a See Tea rie - - a a, Se <i orn ee eee eS ee -_ _ ~ 7 —s ee . -- oe ae ——— _~ ° - a | ‘ ‘marin such a predicaument,—and she 1) ees was rejoiced that he had escaped the peril which he had evidently dared. aig te But that-expression almost instantane- Bei ee ously changed to one of vexation and ~- — ~ = ree —— - - -_ = - * = ‘ a “~h. = 7 —- la’s features showed her how be oe + eee ys autitul Pe Fw a - - + > . . oo - — — — receive before | at once enabled her to form an idea of. | the incident which had occurred; she | | Was surprised at encountering De Col- | annoyance, as a second glance at Anve- | THE BRONZE STATUE. | was the young woman whom De Cok 'mar had snatched from a watery tomb, . Yes, a feeling of jealously had seized upon Gloria; but, as if ashamed of hays ing yielded to the sentiment even fora moment, she breathed a few kind though hurried words to the knight,— | then, placing a small ivory whistle te her lips, blew it shrilly | There was a rustling in the adjacent grove, as of persons hastening toe. obe the summons thus given; and, in less than a minute from amidst the trees ap- peared Linda and Beatrice, followed by two ‘l'aborite warriors. ‘Maidens,’ said Gloria, addressing the two beauteous girls, ‘ to your charge do 1 entrust this young woman, who, as it would appear, has narrowly escaped a sad death ; and you, my good friends,” she continued, turning towards the Tas borite soldiers, ‘ will conduct Sir Ernes¢ de Colmar to your tent, where you will provide his excellency with change of raiment and minister unto him with al} possible attention and respect. ‘Sir Knight,’ she added, bending her lus- trous looks upon the Austrian warrior: /and sinking her voice: so as to be audible to him alone, ‘I shall await thee here,. if thou wilt presently condescend to grant me thy companionship for a few moments.’ ‘Lady,’ answered De Colmar, ‘3 came hither at this hour on purpose te any commands which thow may’st have for me.’ ‘I thank thee, Sir Knight,"responded Gloria, in.a still more subdued and melt- lng volce ; and, as she spoke, her looks ? | were thrown with an irrepressible feel= ‘Ing of tenderness upon his handsome countenance ; then, at the next moment» her eyes were cast down with a mourt- ful bashfulness, while her bosom of dazzling whiteness rose and fell with a profound sigh. Meantime Linda and Beatrice had raised Angela between them; and the maiden was now sufficiently recovered to walk, supported by the arms of these two lovely and gentle girls whom Gloria had summoned to her aid. Sir Ernest de Colmar motioned to the Taberite soldiers to l-ad the way; and the little party plunged into the crove, the beauw- teous Gloria remaining alone on the bank of the river, | Having proceeded about two hun- dred yards, amidst the maze of emerald | verdure, Sir Ernest de Colmar and An- gela found that their guides had brought them toa small open spece where the comicbooks.com 7s