The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

ee hat ees wad > f » . —— ° ——e < - 7 zx -_ Re PI Oe on o - —— — = o — 4 . ~—]@ ~ a ee a a = ~ ee eee ase 4 ® 246 THE BRON its walls. Thus the generous part which you played towards me did not suggest to me the scheme of berating the prisoners, but merely aided it. ‘And should not that very hospitality AE STATUE. |claimed the forest-maiden, overjoyed at the turn which the conversation had taken. ‘Andoh! believe me,’ she con- tinued in a more solemn tone, *‘ when T |assure you that profound and sincere is have disarmed you ot your purpose, the sympathy which | entertain towards Angela,’ inquired the Daughter of|you—the compassion which I feel for Glory, in a reproachful tone, ‘inasmuch you on account of that deed——’ as you were aware that General Zitzka ‘Oh! then you do not believe that T was my guardian and that | myself be-|am as guilty as circumstances would longed to the ‘l‘aborite sect ?’ tend to make me appear?’ exclaimed ‘ Lady, I believe and still believe that | Gloria. it was not a mere accidental combina-| ‘I believe. lady,’ answered the forest tion of circumstances which rendered| maiden, * that you: must have received me an inmate of that very castle which | a provocation of so godding a nature as i so deeply longed to penetrate,’ an-|to triumph over the powers of human swered the forest-maiden; ‘but [ be-| endurance. For were not this my con- held in that chain of events the hand of | viction, and did I look upon you as a a providential power which was guid-| mere cold-blooded murderess—oh ! not ing, succoring, and encouraging me. for an instant should we have held this And having, therefore, my settled pur-| friendly converse together. But uow I pose still in view, surely—surely, dear | am reminded to ask you, lady, whether lady, 1 may be pardoned if-I listened| it be safe for you to appear at this hos- attentively to all the remarks which | tel, which is but half a day’s journey were made around me during my so-| distant from the scene of the sad tra- journ in your apartments at the fortress. | gedy ?” But whatever your opinion may hence-| ‘ Fear not for me, Angela,’ responded forth be concerning me, I do not hesi-| Gloria; ‘it is no ordinary influence that tate to avow the truth—the whole truth | shields me, no common puissance that —upon the present occasion; and in| protects me! My visit to this inn has this spirit do I confess that it was by | been paid on your account, and for you . | > + means of the observations I overheard | only ; and hence is it a secret and the questions I put, that J learnt not only where the State prisoners were confined, but likewise an amount! ; of topographical knowledge which proved of material assistance to me af- terwards. ‘lhe watchword, you will remember, was duly communicated to your ladyship every twenty-four hours, and you were accustomed to mention it to Linda end Beatrice in case they might be challenged by some sentinel unacquainted with their persons, while ‘ambling about the castle. From their lips did I accordingly glean the talis- | manic passport for the special period | during which it was available ; and, as- | sisted by all the circumstances which | have detailed, was the liberation of the State prisoners effected by my hands.’ ‘lhe explanation which you have given me, Angela,’ said the Daughter of Glory,’ compels me to view your con- duct in afar more favorable light. At all events, I have heard enough to con- vince me that the blackest ingratitude does not form a feature of your charac- ter; and therefore may I expect a ready consent on your part to the boon which I am about to demand of you.’ | ‘Speak, lady—hesitate not to put my | a ll <i ‘Ah! lady, fear not that I shall be- tray you!’ exclaimed Angela. ‘ Butthe boon which you have to ask at my hands : ‘Is easily granted,’ returned the Daughter of Glory. ‘Do yeu promise that you will afford me this proof of your gratitude for any kindness which you may have received at my hands? But you hesitate—you hesitate,’ ex- claimed the beauteous lady in a tone of feverish excitement; and she put back with her dazzling white hand the flood of golden tresses which had fallen too far over her countenance, and with which the glinting sunbeams now ming- led their nascent glory. ‘Speak, lady—speak !’ cried Angela, hurt by jthe suspicion implied in the words which the lovely being had last uttered; ‘and fear not that I shall re- fuse any demand to which in maidenly honor and propriety I may assent. Tell me, then, without farther delay, for the sun is already rising over the eastern hills,—tell me, I say, what is the boon which you require ?’ ‘That you at once separate yourself from the company of Sir Ernest de Col- mar,’ was the Daughter of Glory’s fratitude towards you to the test!’ ex- prompt reply; and her looks—those 4 comicbooks.com