The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 352: what you’re looking at

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

— ~ * - <> ——— > a a > — . - - 7 — ee ee ee ae i i>, we . @- > e- > - -_ »@ ¥ J a le os : ~~ r . a ae ~ > * B Dus. “ at iw ’ ‘pe J . é* * . aay « - -* ee eS ~ hin nd = —-— — . . > Pe Me eae ” ts . - + 4 vt pnts fa ‘ “ , s ‘f ee ae od hat. ye | — lt gpl a a Ee > a. «4 —-~ * —_s es *—<—/ + * * teia’ a 350 THE BRONZE STATUE. of spies as well as servitresses about the person of the queen. While advancing towards the throne that stood on the right hand, Elizabetha coldly acknowledged the salutations of the peers, the knights, and the ladies amidst whom she passed; and on occu- pying her seat, she appeared to fall into a deep and mournful reverie, forgetful of every thing that was taking place around her. But Father Cyprian at length descended from the altar under | the pretence of doing homage to his sovereign; and the few words which he hurriedly whispered in her ears, aroused her from that waking trance and compelled her to assume, if not to experience, a certain interest in the scene. Almost immediately after Elizabetha had thus taken her seat, Lord Rodolph entered the chapel. He was splendid- ly attired, and was followed by two gentlemen-at-arms and six pages. ‘['ri- _umph beamed in his eyes, as he ac- knowledged the salutations of the peers and as he bowed low to the ladies who smiled upon his path. and advancing with a dignified grace towards the queen, he sank upon one knee before her and pressed to his lips the hand which she mechanically extended to him. Elizabetha then rose from her seat: and Rodolph conducted her up the steps of the altar, the ladies in attendance and the pages ranging themselves on each side. The marriage-ceremony now com- menced, and it proceeded up to that point in the Catholic ritual when the indissoluble knot was about to be tied for ever. But at this moment, while all present were kneeling, save Father Cyprian, who stood in front of the altar, and while the looks of all were fixed on that young couple on whom the nuptial benediction was about to be bestowed— while, too, the ambitious Rodolph was saying to himself, ‘[n another moment I shall be King-Consort of Bohemia !’— and while his father, the grim Baron of Altendorf, was already rejoicing in the event which thus allied his house to the royalty of the land—at that moment was it that a fearful cry broke upon every ear. “I'was a cry. that seemed to come from the depths of the earth—a cry such as the dead may send up from their graves when awakened on the day of doom—a fearful and a terrible cry, sounding like that of murder mingling with a northern blast. a | At the same instant a column of red ‘fire shot up from behind the altar screen, spreading slowly over that extremity of ithe chapel, and enveloping the sacred itable and all who were near it in a bril- ‘liant roseate halo. Then, while the ‘knights and nobles, the ladies and the dependants, were all gazing in silent consternation upon this wondrous spec- 'tacle, a female form suddenly appeared in the midst of the translucent splendor. Despite of the rosy halo which sur- ‘rounded her, it was easy to perceive that her countenance was pale and co- ‘lorless as that of a corpse; while the apparel which clothed her form seemed like the garments of the grave. ' The ladies shrieked, and either sank upon the floor or threw themselves with awful terror into each other’s arms; the peers and knights laid their hands upon their swords, but dared not draw the weapons from their sheaths; Elizabe- tha fainted, Lord Rodolph was trans- fixed with dread, and the Baron of Al- | tendorf,who had sprung from his kneel- \ing posture, trembled from head to foot as if convulsions had seized upon him. ‘Let not this marriage ceremony pro- ceed!’ exclaimed that female form, from the midst of the roseate halo which still continued to ascend around the altar. ‘ Heaven protests against it!’ added the voice, which was musical and sweet, though thrilling and imperious in its tone. Then did a terrible ejaculation of hor- ror burst from the Jips of the Baron of Altendorf ; and, sinking upon his knees, he extended his arms towards the be- ing in the midst of the roseate halo, ex- claiming at the same time in a wild voice and with rending accent, ‘ Erme- nonda! ’tis thou—’tis thou!’ And then, overcome by the tremen- dous recollections which burst into re- newed and vivid existence in his brain, the baron fell heavily forward, deprived of consciousness. Terrific was the scene of confusion — which followed ; for while a dense cloud of black smoke arose rapidly round the altar, superseding the roseate halo of light, and enveloping the mysterious fe- male form in utter obscurity,—the com- pany, a few minutes before so intent upon the marriage, rushed pell-meil to- wads the folding doors, the ladies sclaming, battling with each other in their frantic eagerness to secure & prompt retreat, and utterly forgetful of g\the queen, whom they had left in a | swoon behind them; and the peers and : comicbooks.com yw a” ° : J cll