The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 311: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. exclaimed, ‘*I understand you, Ber- nard! Whatever may have happened elsewhere, it is my duty to live for the sake of this innocent being! Go, then, my faithful friend—go and learn the is- sue of the contest, and here will | await your return.’ ‘I accordingly retraced my way to- wards the castle; but | had not pro- ceeded far, when I observed two horse- men approaching me ata rapid pace. They were evidently flying from the scene of the conflict, and in a few mo- ments I recognised the Baron of Ilde- gardo and John Zitzka. ‘This latter had a bandage tied over one of his eyes, and the blood was trickling down his cheek: I therefore concluded that he had been wounded. They reined in their steeds the instant they came up to me ; and in reply to the baron’s hasty and anxious inquiries I reassured hima to the safety of his wife and child. + ¢]T will hasten to them,” he exclaim- ed in a fever of excitement; then, turn- ing towards Z7itzka, he said, ** How can [reward you, my excellent friend, for saving my life and rescuing me from the horde of bloodhounds, that sought to im- molate me to their ferocity !”’ ‘«¢ My lord,” answered Zitzka, in a cold and severe tone, “I seek no re- ward, even were you now able to afford any. Isaw you hemmed in by your in- censed vassals, and, obedient to my duty, I rushed among them at the peril of my own life to save yours. I suc- ceeded—and, more than that, I enabled you to effect your escape. The result has, however, been the loss of one of my eyes; but this grieves me little, since | have placed you in safety, for | owed you a debt of gratitude, which is now acquitted. Thus far have | accom- panied your lordship, to assure myself that you are beyond the reach of dan- cer—but here we part. I thank you for the bounties [ have received at your hand; but were you restored to your castle and estates to-morrow, L would not remain any longer in the service of one whose hands are stained with the blood of a worthy old man.” ‘The Baron of Ildegardo was thun- derstruck by the words which thus came in cold and severe tones from the lips of the young man; and before he eould recover from the mingled surprise and indignation which seized upon him —hbefore, in fact, he could give utter- ance to a syllable in reply, John “Aitzka put spurs to his steed and galloped away. , — ee 309 ++ He believes me guilty, Bernard,” at length exclaimed the baron; “he is. blinded by circumstantial evidence as well as the rest. But I take God to wit- ness that I am innocent of the good old; priest’s death, and when we have lei-. sure to converse, I will unbosom all my misfortunes to thy friendly ears !—- Meantime we must hasten to my fa-- ther-in-law’s abode, for the maddened. peasantry are in possession of Ildegardo Castle.” ‘I now led the way tothe spot where I had left the Lady Emilia and the in- nocent Gloria; and in a few minutes the baron clasped his wife and child in his arms. A hasty consulation was then held; and it was resolved that the baron should take his wife and child on his own horse direct to Lord Geor- gey's dwelling, while I followed on toot —for my master and mistress were- afraid to permit me to return to Ilde- gardo Castle to see how affairs were. progressing, lest I should be murdered: by the peasantry on account of my known attachment to the baron and his family. But in order to reach Georgey Castle by the most direct road, it was necessary to traverse a portion of Ba- ron Manfredo’s estate; and, as some evil genius would have it, this nobleman was riding forth at the time with a party of his dependants. The news of the discovery of Father Heracles’ body and the suspicions which attached them- selves to the Baron of Ildegardo, had already become known, as | have pre- viously stated, on Lord Manfredo’s es- tates: and the instant that the fugitive family were thus encountered, journey- ing upon one horse and totally unattend- ed, the extent of their misfortune was easily divined by the hostile baron.— Availing himself of this opportunity to gratify a long cherished vengeance.— Manfredo ordered his followers to make the Baron of Iidegardo their prisoner 3 and in spite of the entreaties of the al- most heart-broken Emilia and the pite- ous lamentations of the interesting Glo- ria, my master was borne away captive to Manfredo Castle. ‘Crushed by the weight of her mis- fortunes, the unhappy lady arrived with her child at Georgey Castle, where she experienced an afiectionate reception at the hands of her kind old father. ‘T’o him she confided all that she knew of the dreadful mysteries which had of late embittered her existence; but concerning the murder of Heracles she ‘eould of course give no explanation.— » eae ~~ hy t ’ comicbooks.com