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Penny Dreadfuls, 1850 · page 326 of 400

The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 326: what you’re looking at

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The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 326: Penny Dreadfuls, 1850

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=~, om - -_ ~s-.. et kh ap Fo i i i, i Sind . a = i — —_ - a. as - _ ree « oe Rees eee a = es - fk - . .* - += peo >= ~ meow —— + -_- —»_ — : “< aS * ° a —_-—=— —_ - r % - = =< . - =P oi. wei oe es - » ~_ 2 = b ee | Bay 2a OE im oe ~~ .-am .'- ~ i = _— —- 7 . ee 7 - ee Faye Ppa e- ww 2 - Ca. ~ . - -_—- > — ~ - - ‘ > * — u - Pewee or _ = o = - — “a 2 4+ alepip ore * 4 = am ¢ >.<. - ~~ —— Penge > te gly eae wt gor ey. - a SS - = ee aout ame ae ———— ene ek, ues By H fed ie tht Pol || toy ee, . 2 : ° —— : =< 4 - 324 THE BRON horde ?’ exclaimed the Austrian war- rior, starting to his feet and drawing his sword. , ‘The next moment the door was thrown open, and one of John Zitzka’s captains, followed by half-a-dozen Ta- borites, appeared upon the threshold. Behind this little band, old Bernard was | seen supporting Linda and Beatrice, who were evidently laboring under a protound terror. ‘What means this intrusion, my friends ?’ demanded Sir Ernest de Col- mar, who, on recognising the T'aborite | uniform, was struck with amazement at | so unceremonious and even apparently hostile a proceeding on their part. ‘There must be some mistake,’ cried Satanais, to whom the countenance of the captain of the band was well known —‘or else perhaps danger menaces us, and these brave men have been de- spatched to our succor,’ she added, starting from the couch. ‘ Lady, there is no error on our part, { can assure you,’ said the Taborite of- ficer, in a firm but respectful tone. ‘We are acting in obedience to the posi- | tive commands of the Captain-General, and you must consider yourself our) prisoner.’ ‘J—your prisoner !’ ejaculated Sata- nais, the blood rushing to her counte- nance, and suffusing even her neck and bosom with its crimson glow, while her magnificent eyes flashed forth the fires of indignation. ‘ With sorrow, lady, do I execute or- ders which are peremptory,’ said the J'aborite captain, advancing towards her. But there is no alternative; for John Zitzka, the Governor of Bohemia, has commanded me to make you my priso- expedition to Prague.’ ‘I will not consent to this tyranny !’ exclaimed Satanais, drawing herself proudly up to her full height. ‘Sir ‘Most assuredly no violence shall be offered to you in my presence,’ inter- rupted the knight, with a resolute air. ‘Then, soldiers, do your duty !’ cried the captain, and the T'aborites precipi- tated themselves into the turret-cham-. ber. mF . ae " | sir Ernest de Colmar instantaneously rushed in front of Satanais to protect her; but the place was too small to en- able him to wield his sword with any effect ; and, while he was engaging with three of the soldiers, the others rushed ZE STATUE. 'violently past him and seized upon Sa- tanais. With’a desperate effort did she en- .deavor to break from their grasp and draw her poniard; but, behold! in the hasty struggle the bandage fell from her wounded arm! Then a piercing shriek burst from her lips, a shriek which was echoed by the lips of both Linda and Beatrice, who, from their position on the roof outside, were watching with terrified looks all that was taking place within the turret chamber. At those rending sounds, the conflict between De Colmar and the ‘l'aborites suddenly ceased; and every eye was directed towards Satanais, who, havin given vent to her anguish in that thril- ling note of despair, fell back insensible /upon the couch. ‘hen from the lips of De Colmar and the Taborites burst ejaculations of the wildest wonderment: for, behold! the ‘flesh of that part of the arm whence ‘the bandage had fallen, was white as | snow—and it became evident in an in- stant that the dark complexion of Sata- /nais was an artificial dye, and not a na- tural tint! | * Away with her !’ exclaimed the cap- tain, who was the first to recover from the astonishment produced by this scarcely credible discovery. ‘No, you shall not remove her!’ ‘thundered Sir Ernest de Colmar. ‘There are mysteries regarding myself which she must clear up ere I consent to separate from her.’ And the knight with a giant strength hurled back the soldiers from the vici- ee eee nage of the couch where the Daughter of Satan lay stretched, deprived of all , consciousness. ner, and bear you back with all possible | ‘One word, Sir Ernest de Colmar!’ cried the captain. ‘ Not a sylluble !’ exclaimed the Aus- trian warrior, brandishing his weapon. : 3 _*] command you to retire.’ Ernest de Colmar, to you I appeal <3 ‘Our orders are peremptory, Sir knight!’ said the captain. ‘*’Tis John Gitzka who hath sent us. : ‘Then, if there be any virtue in this ring, | order you to depart !’ interrupt- ed De Colmar, displaying the Taborite chieftain’s talismanic gift. ‘he soldiers instantaneously recog- nised the jewel, and shrank back in obe- dience to the authority of him who wore it; but the captain, taking a letter from the breast of his doublet, exclaim - ed, ‘l'beseech your excellency to read this !’ comicbooks.com