The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

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At first the forest-maiden stood gaz- ing upon this suit of armor with no oth- er feeling than of curiosity : but insen- sibly there stole info her mind aa idea which brought asmile to her lips, and then a flush of heroism to her cheeks. And as this thought obtained greater | consistency 10 her brain. she was led to | reflect that in her female garb she in- | curred many risks and perils which would not menace a person of the oppo- site sex; aud, in order therefore, to ward off those dangers and those pro- | shield she slung over her back; the babilities of insult, it seemed only ne- cessury toassume the apparel of a man. But if she were to usurp the garments of the other sex, why not assume the defences also? why not, in a word, ar- ray herself in that very panoply and take those very weapons which she be- held before her? Besides, in the per!- lous undertaking which she had in hand, she knew thut she should presently en- counter a sentinel; and though she was already in the possession of the watch- word to enable her to pass him unmo- lested, yet if would be far more calcula- ted to lull all suspicions on his part asleep, were she to declare herself an emissary from Zitzka rather than as a female friend having received permission to visit the three State Prisoners. For it was this latter representation which she had hitherto thought of making: but now the presence of that. fine suit of armor suggested the former scheme as the better andthe more feasible. In a word, while appearing in the garb of het sex. as she now wus, she could only represent herself us a relative or friend of the noble prisoners: but if she dis- guised herself as an armed page, the excuse she could then make would be far more colorable. Time was precious, and Angela had not long to deliberate. Nor did she re- quire much self consultation when once the idea was fully developed in her mind, and in the presence of the weighty motives which we have just explained, But now-arose the question with the forest-maiden whether she could put on that armor without assist- ance? <A few moments’ careful exami- nation of the yarious plates and pieces : ' she proceeded to invest her lovely form with the bright steel armor, the whole of which was lined with soft wash- SEE ee eee leather; andasshe overcame each new difficulty and succeeded in fastening each successive piece, her enthusiasm became more exalted. -At length this heroic toilet, so thoroughly new to her, was completed by the placing of the helmet on her head and the gauntlets upon her hands; and as she girton the ‘sword to her waist, she felt that the /weapon would not prove a mere orna- mental appendage if danger demanded that she should use it. The light oval spear she thought it better not to take, as it would only prove an encumbrance in her present enterprise within the walls of the Castle of Prague ; but with the swora on one side, a dagger on the other, and the good steel armor at all points, she felt us if by putting off her female apparel she had laid aside all her natural feminine timidity at the same time. Yes—that timidity might have been ‘cast away from her; but her woman’s ‘bilities still remained. graces an her woman’s tender sensi- For nothing could exceed the elegance of the forest- maiden’s appearance as she now tra- versed the armory with the lamp in her hand; and the bosom that was impri- soned in the steel corselet, sighed gent- ly as she thought how happy she could be if allowed to follow in that guise the fortunes of Sir Ernest de Colmar. Keeping her vizor up, Angela now proceeded on her way—her feet no longer treading noiselessly upon the stone-paved floor, but raising the echoes of the passage into which she entered. Ina few minutes she reached a third iron grating, which opened into a yard; and having ascertained this fact, she re- traced her steps to the armory, where she deposited the lamp in a secure ‘place to protect it from the gusts which swept through the lofty apartment. Then, groping her way along the pas- sage once more, she opened the grating and passed into the yard, which was a very small enclosure, surrounded by high frowning towers. To that yard the regular and usual mode of entrance was by means of a composing it, as they were now fitted | narrow alley running between two of together, relieved her of any doubt upon | the towers and forming an outlet into that head; and, placing the lamp in a|the great court of the Castle: so that convenient position, the intrepid young | the sentinel whom Angelp woman commenced her task. Having lnid aside her upper garments, i, knew she ‘was now about to encounter, would be 'eertain to suppose that she had come comicbooks.com