The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

er ' * Si mae 24 “22 oes 3 rT. . . x « ° a = =. te ee . 5 - a Sel contend * - * nae “ a . a Se ee oe ~— . ¥ 7. . a ews = — So > SIG AK IN RRS me SSS , : oa iy > ~ 2 ; o_— << re « — ? V4 < SS Ne SC ~, ~ > 35>. == ee S| ” - = a Mahe. icdin — fy ase «ye set et eS Phe aA 7. * _ 2 ey, owe = a, - bad « - : - oc 7 = - - “ > . 7 . 4 — EE var = 2 r -*- ere «™ ~ > ~ . ® on — « o “ -« ——s - —_ —— , _- “sy =— oo . _ _ * * lt * «<< ~» --* alee ‘ «*s : ; — : - e . kh ow - . 4 +--+ ow . * - - “a i % * , ; = : . . od meemty » - a * S 7 . ~ 4 e, * a > « ~ “ >» “4 —~< ‘ * . + .+,.%* ot lm, on 4 - le - calli = ~ om z » > ~— ’ = @ t 7% 4 -; im - /" ae . * b . j s- - af - = - — 2 7 >= . 2 ; * “. ~ ~ _ + ae te ” : “ - - = % & : * — s = a é 7 a - ss - rs =. - > - ad 7 2 - » A Py ~ . - - am -: P _ * » t 4 2 ~ - Ts . : Py — ia , - —7 : . , ‘ -m * - * owes tt ; ” —" . — a on ~~ ~ te . = : ott wee” - ll - 7; S28 em... : > we * a pa « wr, ° Plat > 2 -_> -~ eo ~ ~*~ 302 THE BRONZE STATUE. conscious of a fault in the presence of | riage ; and they induce their husbands “RS aR Se, to follow their example and become ‘** And now, my lord,” continued the | members of the secret fraternity. Thus Baron of Altendorf in atone of stern|our institution seeures the support of remonstrance and haughty defiance ;} powerful adherents, and our influence 6 let me assure you that as much as [| is extended in all quarters of the king- despise the machinations concocted by |dom. ‘l‘hink you, then, that I will con- the doting old priest, do I hate and ab- | sent to resign my claim to the services hor both him for counselling the treach |of the noble daughter of the Baron of .ery and yourself for becoming so ready | Ildegardo, whenever she shall reach the an accomplice.. As for the king’s pro-| age at which she may be tutored to ac- mises, they are to be valued at the price | cept her vocation, and enter upon the of the chaff which the wind disperses. | fulfilment of her destiny ? Amongst his very councillors and inti- ‘QO God! is this all true? oram] mate advisers there are votaries and | dreaming ?” exclaimed Ildevardo, stag- adherents of the Bronze Statue, though | gering to a seat, and pressing his hands his majesty suspects it not; and they | forcibly against his throbbing brows. will permit no royal commission to is-| *** Ah! what? do you again imagine sue to any league of chiefs—no warrant | that you are the prey to an halincten: to be signed for the apprehension of the | tion?” cried the Baron of Altendorf, Baron of Altendorf—and no five thou-| with a mocking laugh. “Gaze y on ae men pti geet join the vassals your wrist, my lord, and see if themes of Darons lidegardo and Georgey.”’ no sig 8 e : rithi ‘These Cie uttered oth the Wil hekck wie pay “het is Ce ner, and still more ter- strong emphasis and lofty tone of one rible proof, of the reality of all that has who was fully confident of the truth of! hitherto occurred and is still what he was advancing, not only struck | plece in respect to your com act with dismay to the heart of my young mas-|the Bronze Statue: and I naan ou ter, but likewise made him aware that! that when you behold the s cctaota Baron of Altendorf could not have nishing this additional] teattiaind “of He therefore saw that open en mity in- | with Fer ip Mawar Ayia on van hath ag or eh: nity wit 1; no, nor even venture so far as to g enace were utterly use drop the slightest hint that your recog- | | — taking aan ooahirien a ret dire oP a rt ate vengeance of the secret tribu- | gst, J al in the deed. For if you disobe go prayer.” me in this respect, I swear by all the 1? my lord,” he exclaimed, in a| saints in heaven and by all the fiends in tone of anguish, ‘* I confess that my con- | hell, that you shall be torn from your duct has been treacherous and ungrate- | couch in the dead of night, hurried toc ful to a degree; but you will make al- | to those subterraneans which you as lowances for a father anxious to rescue strondy once visited, and sonal ned to his first-born from the consequences of | the tender mercies of th Vi in’ a fatal vow, recorded in a moment of! Kiss!” age despair? Oh! spare my child—release| + *+O horror!” murmured the wretch- me from the hideous compact—and I | ed Ildegardo, falling forward with his will yield unto you the fairest portion |face upon the floor, for too well did he of my estate; I will even become your | comprehend the appalling significancy vassal, and do you feudal service when- of this tremendous threat. For sever- ever I may be called upon.” | : al minutes did he remain thus crushed & «6 . . . > . Vain are your beseechings, myjand overwhelmed with mingled an- lord—vain are your proposals,” said the | gnish, horror, and despair; and when Baron of Altendorf, in a voice of cold recovering somewhat of his presence derision ; ‘for although I am the chief | of mind, he slowly raised himself u of the tribunal of the Bronze Statue, I | again, he found that he was alone The am unable to change its laws or deviate | Baron of Altendorf was gone; but on from its principles—and those admit not | this occasion Iidegardo experienced nel- of any compromise. Besides, it is of | ther the curiosity nor the energy sufii- the utmost importance to our associa- ‘cient to make inguiries ow ha had tion to obtain the adhesion of high-born | gained admittance, nor in what manner ladies and noble damsels. For if they | he had departed. ; be beautiful and rich, brave warriors | For nearly an hour did the unhappy and proud peers court them in mar-| young noble remain in that apartment comicbooks.com