The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

fore be rejected, it will then be un-| have made, and the necessary to name at all the service which I propose to render.’ ‘And those conditions,’ said Zitzka, | ‘what are they ?’ ‘Kirst, that you abstain from placing any garrison in Hamelen Castle, or in- | terfering with those persons who are. now residing there. Secondly,’ con- tinued the baroness, ‘ that in any parti- tion of landed property which you may hereafter make, you leave my untouched, Thirdly, that for whatever intrigues, machinations, or schemes, | may have been implicated in, up to the present moment, you accord me a full and complete pardon. And fourthly, that you grant an equally unconditional forgiveness and manumission to a cer- tain nobleman whom I shall hereafter name. ‘l‘hese are my terms, General Aitzka.’ ‘And assuredly they are of a nature to which I could only assent on account of some service of the most important cha- racter, rendered not to me, personally, but to the ‘laborite cause in general, Under such circumstances,’ added Zitz- ka, § those conditions which your ladyship has laid down.’ ‘(good !’ exclaimed the Baroness, her magnificent features lighting up with joy, and her deep blue eyes dilating and flashing with triumph. ‘1 now en- tertain not tne slightest apprehensioa,’ she continued, ‘that you will look upon my demands as disproportionate with the service which | am prepared to per- form.’ ‘I will guarantee the fulfilment of tain-General estates | (ow and deep-toned voice, Is . THE BRONZE STATUE. 267 terms I have de- manded.’ ‘Lady,’ said John Zitzka, after a pause of more than a minute, during which he reflected deeply upon the to- pic of the conversation, ‘I accept your proposal, and I agree to your terms.’ ‘You will give me the guarantee of your own hand-writing?’ said the ba- roness ; then, perceiving that the cap- hesitated, she added ina ‘Because it like my very soul to Satan, and | must be sure of receiving the full price of my black iniquity.’ ‘True,’ murmured the Captain-Ge- neral, struck by the full force of the per- fidious woman’s remark; and again so deep was the sense of loathing with which she inspired him, and so com- pletely was he now undeceived in re- spect to her true character, that he could not raise his look towards that countenance from which the mask had thus fallen. but hastily taking a piece of paper, he wrote thereon the four conditions wm 09 selling which the baroness had specified, and which she now dictated anew, and ap- pending his signature to the document, he placed it in her hand. ‘Within eight days trom the present time,’ said the baroness, concealing the | paper in her bosom, ‘ shall the princess ‘And that service ?’ said Zitzka, in- | quiringly. ‘The surrender of the Princess Eliza- betha and hertreasures into your hands!’ responded Lady Hamelen, in a low but resolute voice. ‘Ah! then the subterraneans of your be in your power, and her treasures at your disposal. But in the meantime, the compact we have formed—nay, the very circumstance of my visit to this castle—must be retained profoundly se- cret.’ ‘Fear not that I shall betray your ladyship,’ observed John Zitzka, rising 'from his seat to imply that their inter- astle have been doubtless turned to a good use !’ exclaimed Zitzka. As there is a God above us, mi ghty chief,’ said the baroness, in atone full of sincerity and confidence, ‘ neither the princess nor her treasures are con- cealed beneath my roof. Search the White Mansion, if you Hamelen Castle—penetrate into the vaults—examine every nook, and cre- vice, and and you will depart bafiled and disappointed. adopt this course,’ she added solemnly, ‘then everything is at an end between | view need not be prolonged. ‘Farewell, mighty chieftain,’ said the baroness, drawing her veil carefully in several folds over her countenance. She then took her departure, and the Captain-General of the ‘T'aborites was once more alone to deliberate upon the affairs of Bohemia. Until a Jate hour in the night did he remain thus occupied; and twelve had /been announced some time by the wa- will—search | ber. ter-clock in his apartment, when he thought of seeking his couch. But just as he was ubout to retire to his cham- a messenger, much travel-soiled, -and who had just arrived at the castle, But if you do. was conducted into his presence. This midnight arrival was that of a courier bearing a letter from the magis- you and me in respect to the proposal [| trate who had investigated the affair of comicbooks.com