The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

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Forth from their sheaths gleamed in the moonlight the swords of De’Co]mar and Angela, and the weapons clashed against those of their assailants. But Ermach, less rapid in his movements, was thrown down, and the Carthusian himself, brandishing a dagger, leapt over the prostrate youth. Another instant, and the long shining blade would have drunk the boy’s vital tide; but the eye winks not more speedily nor more ab- ruptly than De Colmar’s sword swept. hissingly through the air, and Father Cyprian’s right arm, from which the sleeve had fallen back, received a ghast- ly wound. A terrific yell burst from the lips of yond the reach of danger, the knight paused, saying, ‘* Let us rest ourselves here a few minutes, for I am most an 'xious, brave unknown, to become better ‘acquainted with thee.’ These last words were addressed to Angela, but before she had time to re- ply, the young page exclaimed, *‘ Most respectfully but emphatically would I suggest that we tarry not here; for al-| though your prowess, fair sirs, has just | discomfitted the priest and his compa- | nions, yet ’tis more than probable that there be others of the same infernal gang prowling abroad in search of us.’ ‘Shall we, then, push on towards |Prague with all possible haste?’ de- 'manded Sir Ernest de Colmar. ‘Nay, it will not suit my safety to re- turn thither,’ observed Angela; ‘inas- . ; much as I borrowed this suit of panoply from the armoury of the castle, and it 'has served me in a purpose which is not | well calculated to recontmend me tothe the enraged and agonizing priest, as the | good graces of General Zitzka.’ dagger dropped from his hand, and his o> ‘I see that it is necessary we should arm fell powerless by his side; and at| hold some converse together,’ observed the same moment Ermach sprang to his| De Colmar; ‘and we will therefore en- feet. The armed men who accompanied ter the adjacent wood for the purpose.’ They accordingly turned from the the Carthusian now surrounded him to! moon-lit road into the maze of dark ver- afford their protection against farther |dure which bordered it; and on reach- injury ; and the combat ceasing to be of- fensive on their part, De Colmar, An- gela, and Ermach, retired slowly along the pathway. No additional molesta- tion was offered them; their enemies, although more numerous than they, ap- peared to have had enough of the con- fiict, and in a few minutes our hero and heroine, together with the young page, gained the high road in safety. CHAPTER L. THE KNIGHT, THE PAGE, AND THE FO- . REST-MAIDEN. So rapid had been the succession of events, and so thrillingly exciting were these incidents, from the moment when Angela had appeared upon the threshold of the Gallery of Porcelain Vases until the instant when the party entered. the broad and open road, as just stated, that during this interval Sir Ernest de Col- mar had scarcely found a moment to ex- press his thanks to his unknown friend, for tho important services rendered / ing a small open space amidst the trees they deemed the spot suitable for their conference. ‘There the knight, the page, and Angela accordingly seated themselves upon the dewy grass; and De Colmar resumed the conversation by addressing himself in these terms to our heroine : ‘In the first place, gallant unknown, you must permit me to offer you my ° sincerest, warmest, and most fervent thanks for the good service which you have rendered me this night. ‘To your timely appearance and generous aid am I indebted for my life ; and the gratitude [ owe you is therefore commensurate | with the boon I[ have received. In the second place, my brave friend, | must inform thee that my name is Ernest de Colmar ; and while [ live, shall my heart cherish a brother’s affection towards thee. Some interest do I possess at the Court of Vienna, and if there be any service which [ can render thee in ack- nowledgment of that aid whieh thou hast so chivalrously lent me this night, be assured that his sovereign highness the. Duke of Austria will listen with at- tention to any prayer that I may proffer va wes comicbooks.com