The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 338: what you’re looking at

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

- — Sed ~_ lie — os aay = — & - oe ae oe | = J ry > ~ Femme - a ~ - = a “ 2 - x = _ : - ro —" a - i se a — =< i Se tee Ld . yo< ~ ee nn ee ee ee ee F ~ ~ see ge > ewrue _ a = a ~ - - & .* & : “ on he *. —s = = * — - . ad - b< < - - =<¢ _ a »@ | a i « ~~ . = bes - . - 336 CHAPTER LXXAXITI. THE WHITE LADY AND THE TWO PAGES. DESCEND Wwe now into those subter- raneans to which the reader has already been introduced more than once, and with which so many wild and awful mysteries are associated. It was about eleven o’clock on the same night when the incidents just re- | you,’ added Konrad, ‘but remember ‘that we are so young—oh! so very |young to be thus snatched away from ‘the great world without—that world lated took place, and just about the time when the priest beheld the Mar- quis of Schomberg enter the chamber of the Baroness Hamelen, that the White Lady issued from that large un- derground room where Lioneland Kon- rad had been enrolled amongst the number of those occupying that mourn- ful habitation. The Carmelite carried a lamp in her hand; and she was followed by the two pages, who wore dark funeral garments. The countenances of these unfortunate youths were pale and care-worn ; their ———E THE BRONZE STATUE. And this reflection likewise recalled ‘to their memories the incalculable debt of gratitude which they owed to the White Lady; and as she hurried them through the chamber of the Bronze Statue, Lionel said in a tone of deep feeling, ‘ Pardon us, thou kind benefac- tress, if we have grown restless and life-weary in the captivity to which our evi] fortunes have doomed us!’ ‘ Yes, pardon us, dear lady, l implore which possessed so many charms for us !’ ‘I cannot pardon you, poor youths, because you have given me no offence,’ responded the Carmelite, in her low, plaintive, and musical voice which was now more than ordinarily tremulous. ‘It is natural that you should pine in ‘regret for that world whence you have /been compelled to separate yourselves ; + . ot 4. ey , é - > « >» y ¥ J, Toe 2 - awe - — + ry as . e ad > * Eid - * —% . ~ ~~ - * - Pas = oe eek cheeks were sunken, the bloom of vigo- | rous health had fled, and their eyes had | instead of experiencing the faintest sen- lost the fire whicn was wont to animate |timent of annoyance. Yes, my dear them. An expression of profound me- | children, for such have you become to lancholy sate upon their features, the | me; and whatever our destiny may still pallor of which was thrown out with | have in store for us, I shall always love corpse-like effect by the sable apparel | you as if you were my own sons. For that clothed their forms and the cowls ) misfortune excites the kindliest sympa- that were thrown over the back part of | thies in the human breast; and heaven their heads. knows that we have miseries enough to The White Lady was as pale as we | teach us to cling all the more lovingly have before described her; and her|to each other.’ countenance bore still deeper traces of | ‘ But are you not angry, lady, because sorrow than ever. This mournful ex- | we besought you ere now to permit us pression was now blended with a cruel | to quit the Hall of the Brotherhood, if anxiety and an evident uneasiness which ‘it were only for a few minutes?’ asked bespoke some recent or present cause | Lionel. ‘ Methinks that your counten- of annoyance; and her blue eyes, usu-| ance is less placid than usual; and it ally so mild in their looks, shone with | would break my heart were I the cause the glitter of the soul’s restlessness. of enhancing the sorrows which your Closing the huge massive door which | soul already experiences.’ fitted so well into the wall, the pages ‘It is true, my dear youths,’ answer- followed the lady as she led the way | ed the White Lady, ‘that I am a prey through the circular chamber into the | to new and serious sources of affliction ; hall of the Bronze Statue; and the | but they have naught in connexion with youths cast shuddering and _ horrified | the simple request which you made me looks upon that magnificent image | just now, and to which I at once gave which shone in the lamp-light with the | my assent. And speaking of that re mellowed and subdued lustre of bur- | quest, I do not wonder you should have nished gold. For the secret of that} madeit. For although the numerous awful engine of punishment was now | companions amongst whom your desti- known to them; and they were shaken | ny has thrown you, have exerted them- with terror to the inmost confines of selves to the utmost to pour consolation their whole being as its presence |into your souls, still must ye pant and brought vividly back to their minds the | pine for change of scene; and the mo- frightful death from which they had | notony of the existence ye have led for been so providentially delivered about | the last ten days must seem terrible to ten days previously. your minds.’ and I pity you—deeply, deeply pity you, | | | comicbooks.com