The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

78 “s An exclamation of mingled anger and amazement burst from the lips of all the assembled nobles—and every eye was at once turnec, with suspicious and indignant glances, upon Sir Ernest de Colmar. And, of a surety, the conduct of the Knight was not calculated to remove the disagreeable | impression created by the Baron’s words | with regard to him: for he appeared to be | so overwhelmed with confusion as to be} unable to utter a syllable. Nevertheless his hand sought his sword, the hilt of which it gresped convulsively ; and then, his em- barrassment suddenly subsiding, he re- sumed a look so full of p'acid dignity and calm confidence that his demeanor amazed | and even overawed many of those who an | instant before were ready to leap from their seats and expel him ignominiously as | a vile impostor. But not a word escaped his lips; and the Baron of Altendorf proceeded im a tone of enhancing triumph: | ‘Your lordship perceives that no denial | is given to the averment which I have made; and | now fécall your attention to this doc- | ument whicli has been presented to us as a‘ credential authorising the self-styled Sir Ernest de Colmar to take part in our delibe- | rations and assist in our councils. Let us, then, even grant, for argument’s sake, that he is no impostor—that he is in truth a Knight of Austria—that his name and title | are as he would have us believe—let us grant all this, I say—and still, my lords, must we look with suspicion upon this dec- ument—still must we renudiate it with in- | dignation—and still must we expel the bearer of it from our presence—for, behold ! it bears not the signature of the Duke of Austria, nor the counter-signature of the | Lord High Chancellor of the Austrian Duchy | ‘Tis tslse!—you lie, foul slanderer!’ | ejaculated Sir Ernest de Colmar, starting | from his seat and half drawing his sword from its scabbard: while the utmost ex- citement aud confusion prevailed in the room. ‘My lords, judge between me and this insolent impostor!’ exclaimed the Baron of Altendorf, throwing the document upon the table. The Marquis of Schomberg took it up. and the pobles crowded around him with the most eager curiosity and intense an- xiety to catch a glimpse of the paper: and, surely enough—as the Baron of Altendorf'| had affirmed—the sienatures were indeed | wanting to the credential ! ‘Wretched impostor’ thundered several | ble T of the Bohemian noblemen, drawing their swords and rushing towards Sir Ernest de Coimar to inflict upon him the chastise- THE BRONZE STATUE. ment due to what they now looked upon as a foul deceit incontestibly proved. ‘It suits me as well to vindicate myself With my sword as with my tongue!’ ex- claimed the Knight, his good weapon flashing in the eyes of those who were Springing with such murderous intent upon him: and, placing his back against a pillar, he said, ‘Come singly—or come all at once—and ye will notthe less c: rtainly ‘meet vour doom ” and In an tnstant - o 4 ‘Villain’ cried the infuriate nobles dozen swords clashed a against the bright brand wielded by Sir Ernest de Colmar. sut ere a drop of blood was shed—ere ano'her movement was made by the hostile parties—the Marquis of Schomberg and the Count of Rosenberg hastened to interpose 5 and, in brief but eloquent terms, they made their fellow-nobles understand how disho- norable it was to seek to punish the Knight without having allowed him an opportu- nity to utter a word of either explanation or defence, ‘hese remonstrances restored tranquil- ity—the gleaming brands were thrust back into the scabbards—and every one return- ed to his seat, in order that Sir Ernest de Colmar might be permitted to answer the charge brought against him by the Baron of Altendorf. sefore the Knight. however, was called Upon to speak, the Marquis of Rosenberg addressed the Council in a few brief and Giphatic words, enjoining the members to vouchsafe as patient and attentive a hear- ing to the accused as they had already piven to his accuser. And while the chairman was thus speaking, Sir Ernest de Colmar, having recovered all his wonted presence of mind and _ self-possession, glanced complacently around upon the assembly wiih a look in which a noble dignity anda proud confidence were imn- posingly blended. But ere he had time even to intimate whether he would condescend to give any explanation at all, the door was suddenly burst open—and the terrible Zitzka ap- peared in the presence of the Council, CHAPTER XXII. ZITZKA AND THE COUNCIL OF BOHEMIARB NOBLES, THE sudden appearance of the formida- aborite chieftain produced for a few moments a perfect consternation on all the members of the assembly with the excep- . - ‘ ‘tion of Sir Ernest de Colmar, who, as the comicbooks.com