The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

aaah > steel a — ee — . THE BRONZE STATUE. of have known your Excellency have worked a Zitzka. *‘Come—I perceive that you are marvellous change in my opinions of the! in haste to leave us—and I will escort you Austrian character. ‘Chat change is for the| to the outskirts of the wood where your own better; and, whatever events may occur— | and your pages’ stee Is will be in readiness,’ whether Austria shall continue neutral or} ‘Thus speaking, the Taborite chieftain shall undertake an armed intervention, | drew aside the canvass curtain which cover~ which, be it understood, would be against|ed the entranee of the pavilion; and they the T'aborites, nevertheless, | shall ever en- issued forth togetiier. tertain a high esleem for your Excellency. | Satanais Was reclining beneath the shade Should we become foes, Sir Ernest, we will| of a neighboring tree; while Lionel and prove penerous enemies. And now,’ con- | Konrad were conversing with Linda and tinued the grim warrior, ‘your Excellency | Beatrice at a little distance, will permit ne to proffer a slight testimo- Sir Ernest de Colmar mechanically di- nial of my friendstip, as well as of my on his steps to the spot where the dark- “+ em i: ‘Sy ra Pes ete A — 2 re. » per- par tee ae “> = gratitude for the services which you render- | eyed beauty was thus lounging on nature’s ed last night. Be pleased to wear this| own verdant carpet; and as he drew close ring,’ added ZAitzka, presenting a costly towards her, he perceived that she was and elegant jewel to the Knight. wrapped up in profound thought. Her fea- ‘On condition that you will accept ofthis | tures, which were bent dow nward, wore an one in exchange, said De Colmar, drawing | air of melancholy pensiveness ; and her fine an equaliy handsome ring froin his own fin- | bust, half revealed by the pic'uresque garb ger and proffering it to the Taborite chief. | which so exquisitely set off the contour of ‘Since such be your desire, it were chur- | her shape, heaved and fell slowly with a lish in me to refuse,” exclaimed Zitzka:| prolonged sigh. then, the exchange of rings being accom- Suddenly the sounds of approaching plished, he added in a more serious tone, | steps, falling upon her ear, broke through which seemed to imply some hidden mean-|that profuund reverie in which she was ing and intent, ‘ Your Excellency is travel-| plunged: and raising her glorious eyes, ling in a strange land and on a mission | she sprang, light as a fawn, to her feet, on which may not be altogether free from dan-| beholding Sir Ernest de Colmar. ger. That God wili keep youfrom harm} * Pardon me, charming lady,’ he exclaim- and injury is my prayer: but no man can|ed, ‘if I nave interrupted you in the midst tell one moment what shall happen to him|of your reflections: but 1 am about to say inthe next. Therefore, should peril over-| farewell aud express my gratitude for the take you, and should enemies rise up around | hospitality which I have received in the you, it may perchance prove that some ta-| Taborite encampment.’ lismanic virtue exists in that ring which! ‘ Your Excellency is, then, determined to you have just pliced on your finger. At a.l/ leave us? said Satanais: then, after an events, never despair until you have tested | instant’s hesitation, and with a partial its power an. found the result fruitless.’ ) heightening of the rich carnation on her ‘But in what manner is the virtue of the ; cheeks, she added, as she glanced towards ring to be essayed? asked the Knight,| Zitzka who was issuing orders to some of feeling convi.ced that a deeper motive than; his men at @ little distance, ‘1 presume a mere superstition prompted Zitzka to give | that the Captain-General is about to con- this mysterious injunction. duct you to the point in the road where ‘The vicissitudes of this lifemay plunge | your horses are waiting in charge of our you in‘o a dungeon or place you inthe} grooms ? hands of men thirsting for your blood,’ re-| ‘Such is the hospitable Zitzka’s inten- sumed the T'aborite warrior: ‘and should/ tion, returned the Knight. such a calamity overtake your Excellency| ‘1 will also accompany your Excellency at any time, | pray you to allow tne brilli- | thus far? said Satanais, her words causing : | ~— ae ~~ BS way 7 a + ohh =. — . 4% SO ct ** " - - * @WePeie ies ~~ steer. aw + ~ rs —— "ia i 2a —m 6 ¢* "ee * « ancy of the ring to flash, as if by an invo-|a thrill of pleasure to shoot through Sir luntary motion on your part, before the | Ernest de Col var’s entire form. eyes of that individual on whose word or! Placing upon her head the elegant will your liberty or life may depend. | plumed cap which she had hitherto held Have [ explained myself intelligibly °° | dangling negligently in her hand, Satanais ‘] cumprehend you perfectly, General,’ | threw back the long shining tresses which answered Sir Ernest de Colmar; and I|had flowed kissingly over her ‘polished thank you unfeignedly for this additional bosom; and with aerial lightness did her proof of your good feeling towards me. | feet step slancingly alonv, as she walked Indeed, it grieves me much to be compelled | by De Colmar’s side towards the spot where thus to precipitate my departure,’ added the | Zitzka was standing. Knight, rising ftom his chatr. ‘T shall overtake you in a few minutes,’ ‘We shall meet again soon, observed | said the Taborite chief: ‘your Excellency comicbooks.com