The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

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However. since you tell me that | necessary tor you to have at least some the Lady Satanais has arrived, of course it must be so. May I inquire whether the interview of the sisters was very affecting ?’ ‘The Lady Gloria loves the Lady Sa- tanais as dearly as her own self,’ re- plied Linda; ‘and you may therefore judge whether the meeting was likely to be a tender one or not. Besides, only consider the circumstances—the awful circumstances : ‘Alas! yes,’ observed Gondibert, in a musing tone. ‘'The Ludy Gloria has placed herself in a most awful dilem- ma, and all the interest which her sis- ter may possess with the Captain-Gene- ral will not save her. For John Zitzka is not the man to turn aside the course of justice from its proper and legitimate channel. A stern and rigorous admin- istration of the laws forms part of the system of the mighty Chief of Mount Tabor.’ ‘Ob! but there may be extenuating circumstances in favor of my poor mis- tress,’ said Linda; ‘and Zitzka is mer- ciful and generous, as well as just and impartial.’ ‘God send that your mistress may be enabled to prove a provocation commen- surate with the vengeance inflicted,’ observed Gondibert. ‘It would be ter- rible for one so young and beautiful to perish by the hand of the headsman.’ ‘Terrible indeed !’ ejaculated Linda, shuddering from head to foot at the bare idea of such a tremendous catastrophe. ‘Ah! poor girl, you are naturally af- flicted by this tragic occurrence,’ said “Gondibert, in a tone of unfeigned com- miseration; for, like the first sentinel, he possessed a kind and generous heart. ‘Is the Lady Gloria older or younger than her sister?’ he inquired, after a few moments’ pause. ‘They are twins,’ responded Linda. ‘Twins! and yet so different in their style of beauty!’ exclaimed Gondibert. ‘How know you aught on this sub- ject?’ inquired Linda, ‘ since you were not even aware until to-day that the Lady Satanais had a sister ?’ ‘Are you not already aware that the comrade whom I just now relieved gave me certain informatjon respecting your personal acquaintance with the prisoner whom you are guarding,’ said Linda, ‘At the same time, it is ridiculous to suppose that my mistress would attempt to escape; she, who voluntarily pro- claimed the damning fact which has made her a captive.’ ‘ My dear young maiden,’ said Gondi- bert, leaning upon his halberd, ‘1 do not myself fancy that the Lady Gloria would for a single moment dream of flighty af- ter having been her own accuser. But [am here to perform a particular duty, and not to make conjectures nor indulge in surmises, much less to trust to pro- babilities and chances. Therefore, as it is my part to prevent the escape of the prisoner, I should have been compelled |to ascertain by my own ocular testi- | mony, the exact personal appearance of the Lady Gloria, if my comrade had | not been kind and considerate enough to give me such a description of her as enables me to dispense with that cere- mony. And I am the better pleased that it should have been so, inasmuch as it would grieve me to force my way into the poor lady’s presence, with the brutal intimation that I had come to have a good long look at her, in order that [ might know her again. And now, Linda, do you consider it to have been all mere idle gossip and chit-chat be- tween me and the worthy ‘Taborite whom I relieved ?’ ‘Pardon me, good Gondibert,’ ex- claimed the handmaiden, ‘if fora single moment I should have appeared to treat with levity or disrespect any portion of yourconduct. I appreciate, on my un- fortunate mistress’s behalf, all the kind consideration of your comrade and your- self; and I shall not fail to mention the same to the Lady Satanais, in order that she may report your generous be- haviour to the Captain-General when she sees him again. But since you are acquainted, at least by description, with the personal appearance of the Lady Gloria, I do not wonder at your remark upon the contrast which her style of beauty presents to that of the Lady Sa- tanais.’ ‘If can assure you that the soldier whom I just now relieved, was highly f comicbooks.com