The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. from a long journey, will not be taken asa damning evidence of the fact of a secret understanding between us ?’ ‘God forbid that my rashness—my folly—my madness should compromise you!’ exclaimed the wretched woman. ‘But what time is it now, think you?’ she demanded in a hurried, anxious tone. ‘Tt was eleven when I[ entered your room,’ replied the Marquis; ‘ and near- ly two hours must have elapsed since then. But wherefore this question ?” ‘Because it was only ten o’clock when I retired from the banquetting- hall,’ was the instantaneous response ; ‘and then the paper was secure and safe in my possession. Indeed, | well remember ascertaining that fact while threading the corridor leading hither.’ ‘Then perhaps you dropped it in the ‘rushed into the — oe a ee —_ 343 ‘state of poignant excitement, had re- sumed her apparel, or rather had thrown it disorderly upon her person; and she had just completed her rapid task, when the door was suddenly burst open. The Marquis of Schomberg sprang to his feet and drew his sword, with the determination of selling his life as dear- ‘ly as possible: but half-a-dozén, of the sworn servitors of the Bronze Statue room, precipitated themselves upon the desperate noble- /man, and overpowered him in an in- stant. A gag was thrust between his teeth, his arms were pinioned, and he remained, overwhelmed with terror, in ‘the hands of the myrmidons of that tre- mendous tribunal, whose mysteries were no secret to him. At the same time the three execu- 'tioners, enveloped in their long black orridor,’ said the Marquis, catching at : | rs Sg hits Bahay > *"\ cloaks, and with the cowls drawn justso she hope as a drowning-man clutches a | ¢ | far over their heads as to shade their ttraw : ‘and it may still be there.’ faces, seized upon the Baroness Hame- ‘G ‘ant that it may!’ cried the ' 1, God shes os . = cried + len, gagged her in a moment, and began aroness‘ seizing with avidity Upon the | 4, hurry her away from the chamber. same slender thread of hope. In the corridor outside, the Carthu- And while she was yet giving fervid isian and the Baron of Altendorf were utterance to that ejaculation, the mar- quis hastened to the door, in order to rush forth into the passage and search for that document, on the finding or loss of which life and death now seemed in- evitably to depend. But the door was fastened on the out- side ! ‘God have mercy upon us!’ exclaim- ed the nobleman, staggering back to- wards his paramor, who had once again sunk upon her knees in an agony of ter- ror the instant she perceived that egress was thus barred. ‘Oh! to escape—to escape!’ she cried, wringing her hands ; and starting to her feet, she hastily began to throw on her apparel. The marquis rushed to the window, but the silver beams of the moon irra- diated the moat which lay beneath, and all hope of flicht in that quarter was de- stroyed in an instant. + Lost—lost—irretrievably lost mur- mured the miserable man, sinking upon | that staircase. ‘ges and vaulted ‘threaded, the | gloomily with the footsteps ef the party, waiting, attended by Hubert, who car- ried a lamp in his hand. A stern and even savage resolution sate upon the features of Father Cy- prian ; the baron was cold and gloomy ; ‘but the venerable steward was ghastly pale, and trembled from head to foot. Along the corridor was the wretched woman hurried by the three execution- ers; a private staircase was descended, and at the bottom a door opened into the castle chapel. This sacred place was traversed with rapid steps, Hubert leading the way; and another door, opening behind the altar-screen, reveal- eda flight of stone steps, conducting down into utter darkness. ee Despite of her furious struggles and desperate exertions {to escape, the wretched baroness was dragged down Several winding passa- corridors were then echoes reverberating a seat, while a cold perspiration started land at Jength the circular chamber was forth from every pore, and his counte- | reached. nance became ghastly with the expres- sion of horror that settled upon it.— ‘ Death—death—death is our portion; and, O God! what a death °’ Then, covering his face with his hands, he remained silent, motionless, paralyzed with dumb despair: Meantime the baroness, though in a There the miserable woman was or- dered to kneel upon the granite block, and make her peace with heaven. 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