The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

4G mansion which met your Excellency’s view at about three leagues’ distance from Prague, and in the course of a covple of years the noble edifice was finished. But think not, Sir Knight, that so fine and spa- cious a structure was raised to gratify the, vanity or the pride of the Baroness Hame- THE BRONZE STATUE. ‘Your Excellency speaks the solemn truth in thus recording vour sentiments,’ said the worthv landlord: ‘ but | warn you that the mansion is not accessible to all who may choose to direct their footstep9 thither.’ ‘f can well conceive that, having so len. No: far different was the purpose: large a female community under her care, which her ladyship had in view.’ | the Baroness adopts all possible precau- ‘Doubtiess some humane and philan- tions to ensure the reception of only those thropic object ? remarked the Knight. | visitors whose fame is go.d, and whose re- ‘It was so, answered Templin. ‘ Her! pute will ‘bear investigation. Is not that ladyship’s xperience, when visiting the, your meaning, worthy host ’ demanded De poor and afflicted, had tanght her that the | Colmar. , | misfortunes of this world fall with the! ‘It is, Sir Knight,’ was the response, heaviest weight and most crushing effect|‘ For it happens, as a matter of course,’ he upon. the widow ahd the orphan maiden ;| continued, in a tone of ingenuous frankness, and when her husband’s death placed sd,‘ that out of a hundred females thus col- enormous a fortune at her disposal, she re-; lected together, there are many of great solved to rescue a certain number of personal loveliness. Moreover, fifty youag females in that position from the abyss of handmaidens are constantly retained in the wretchedness anu misery. Hence the/| service of the Baroness, as attendants upon promptitude with which she set the masons herself and the hundred recipients of her to work inorder to raise that splendid man-, bounty; and thus, with so many of the fair sion—a mansion which has become the|sex beneath the same roof, her ladyship asylum of an equal number of widows and} could not act otherwise than with the ut- orphan maidens. most precaution and circumspection.’ * Well may you ba proudof your Baron-' ‘ True! exclaimed Sir Ernest de Colmar. ess Hamelen)’ exclaimed the Knight, ina} * But think you that she will hesitate to re- tone of the most fervent enthusijasm.| ceive a visit from the accredited plenipo- ‘ Proceed, worthy man—and tell me aught| tentiary of the Duke of Austria to the Bo- more that you know of this excellent} hemian council of nobles?’ lady.’ ‘Her ladyship will assuredly give your ‘ It is now twelve years since the Baron-| Excellency a cordial welcome,’ answered egs took possession of her new abode,’ con-; T’emplin; * and the more so, inasmuch as tinued the landlord; ‘ and beneath her roof} she is a sincere Catholic, and, therefore, as have fifty widows and fifty orphan girls} friendiy to the object of that council as she found refuge. When one dies, her place is| is hostile to the rabid Zitzka and his horde filled up as soon as her Jadyship can insti-| of pretended Reformers.’ tute the necessary inquirics relative tothe, ‘* You speak bitterly of the Taborites ? characiers of the applicants; for your !x-| said Sir Ernest de Colmar; ‘ is it not pos- ceilency may easily conceive that, on a sibie that their true character may have vacancy occurring in the establishment, | been much misrepresented—much ma- there is no luck of candidates. But in order | ligned ?” that her charity and benevolence may be| * Well—it is possible” observed the land- , based upon certain fixed principles, the| lord, speaking as if such an idea had now Baroness has drawn up divers rules and | struck him—or, rather, had just been pre- conditions respecting the age at which can-| sented to his contemplation—for the first didates are eligible, the peculiar circum-| time. ‘ But I have not as yet half finished stances in which they have been left, and! my description of the good deeds and gene- other matters of the same kind. Thus, |! rous actions which the Baroness Hamelen believe, widows are eligible for admission | has accomplished.’ from twenty-five to forty, and young! ‘Is it possible that you have more to re- maidens from fifteen to twenty—her lady-| late concerning her charity” exclaimed ship considering that these two classes of De Colmar. ‘ You have already informed females are more liable, at those periods of; me of sufficient to render her a perfect life, to be seduced and Jed astray by such/| angel in my estimation.’ temptations as poverty, want, and wretch-| ‘ And I have only acquainted your Excel- edness, render almost irresistible.’ _ |lency with preciselp one-half of her lady- ‘] must assuredly seek an opportunity|ship’s benevolence, returned Templin, to testify my veneration and respect to the |‘ Did you not observe a spacious, castel- Baroness Hamelen, exclaimed Sir Ernest | lated, antique-looking pile of buildings at a de Colmar. ‘Such an exemplary woman | distance of abouta quarter of a league from deserves the homage of every true knight.’ | the white mansion on the hills ” COMIMCDOVOKS. COM