The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. moment he fancied some hand would clutch him from behind! On gaining the workshop, as we may de- nominate the chamber where the imple- ments were scattered on the table, the fresh air from the loop-hole’ fanned his counte- nance and seemed to steady his excited brain. Then it struck him that he would leave behind no traces of his visit to these scenes of mystery; and he accordingly closed and bolted the door through which he had just passed. Returning into the Chamber of the Statue, he cast one long and reverential look upon that exquisite work of art; and, crossing himself piously, he hastened from its mystic presence. Traversing the circular room, Sir Ernest pursued his path along the passage which he had ere now threaded, carefully closing all the doors behind him. At length he regained his own chamber in safety ; and, having fastened the panel in the wain- scotting, he replaced the heavy bedstead in its original position. Overcome with weariness, the Knight threw off his garments and lay himself} ge down torest. But sleep did not instanta- neously visit his eyes. ‘The statue—the white figure which he had beheld moving through the adjacent forest—all these haunt- ed his imagination ;—and he likewise won- dered over and over again wherefore Lord Rodolph should have consigned him to that suite of apartments which communicated with the mysteries of the Castle. At length a feverish and uneasy slumber stole over him ;—but his dreams aggravated into the most terrible forms and appear- ances all the strange and unaccountable things which he had seen ere retiring to rest. He awoke with a sudden start: the| beams of a glorious morning poured through the casement ;—and_ smiling at the phantasms from which he had thus awak- ened, he sprang from his couch. The Knight was in the midst of bis toil- ette, when a knock at the outer door of the vestibule met his ears. He hastened to open it; and the venerable looking Hubert appeared upon the threshold. ‘May I hope that your Excellency has slept well? inquired the steward; and it struck the Knigat that the old man sur- veyed him with a peculiar look. ‘Oh! never better, answered Sir Ernest de Colmar, in a cheerful tone; for he did not care to betray, either by his words or his aspect, that he had experienced any- thing extraordinary during the night. +} am charmed to hear it,’ exclaimed the oldsteward, his countenance brightening up. * Your Excellency’s two pages have arrived,’ he continued: ‘one reached the 15 Castle before daybreak—and the other within the last quarter of an hour. They came not therefore together ‘No? interrupted Sir Ernest: ‘ they have been dispatched on different errands and lin opposite directions. Have the kindness ‘to show them to me forthwith.’ Hubert bowed and retired ; and soon af- | terwards two remarkably handsome youths, 'each about nineteen years of age, hastened into the presence of their master. ‘What tidings, my brave and faithful | boys 2? demanded Sir Ernest, as soon as he had received their greetings with an affa- ble yet dignified manner, ‘Speak you first, | Lionel,’ he added, turning to one who was slightly taller than the other. ‘| have learnt, responded the youth, in a tone of the deepest respect, that the terrible Zitzka is encamped at the distsnce of about a day’s journey from this Castle.’ ‘Good! We will visit him on our route 'to Prague, observed the Knight: then ad- dressing himself to the other page, he said, + And you, my trusty Konrad—what intell- nce have you for my ears? ‘T succeeded, according to the directions which you gave me, in discovering the grotto inhabited. by the holy Father Cyprt- an, replied Konrad; ‘and the good monk will join your Excellency at mid-day, ‘The | place of meeting is a spot where a small | chapel stands, about three leagues from Al- tendorf Castle, on the highroad to Prague.’ ‘ You have both accomplished your duties well, good youths,’ said the Knight. ‘See that our steeds are in readiness by the time [ have paid my respects to Lord Rodolph and eaten a mouthful to break my fast.’ The pages retired; and Sir Ermmest de Colmar having completed his toilette, 'is- sued from the suite of apartments. , In the passage upon which the vestibule opened, Hubert was waiting to escort him to the room where the morning meal was spread, 'and where Lord Rodolph was expecting his | guest. Subduing any feelings of anger which |he might have experienced at the indignity signe in the circumstance of his con- wa = + - re — -— we - ea > — < ree en —_ om wr Ze vo re ~~ r be 4 iy signment to the disused chamber, Sir Er- nest greeted the young nobleman with a cheerful air; and to a question that was pointedly put to him, he replied that he had | never slept better in his life. That he had | been lodged in the right wing of the Castle | for some mysterious purpose or another, he now felt convinced: but his pride would not permit him to afford any indication that he was aware of this uncourteous proceed- ing. | Having partaken of the repast, Sir Br- nest rose; and thanking Rodolph for ‘his hospitality as cordially as if there were re- comicbooks.com