The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

me rT = = _— =. —-> it as os « = a ome ws oe oa ee ee en“ _—_-._- “= 3. ee € off. ’ el - - « pr. - ~ , SS Lt oe e. * p —-s a> - as 9 * © ; es ~. 2 Ave 2 64 THE BRONZE STATUE. : a : : \ : : i] ‘ i _ p > ee _ ee ee ~ | or ee a ose fon dropping it—for it was not withdrawn by the lady herself, though a deep blush sul- fused her che: ks at the action—he suid Ip an earnest tone, ‘lam sorry that | have seen you asecond time, Goria, because this interview wil! make me wish to enjoy the pleasure of another—and heaven onl) knows whether it will end for the happiness of yourself and me" ‘Do you wish to Jeave me, Sir Kn'ght, at once—iinnediately ?’ answered Gloria, In a low tone which was expressive of deeply concentrated emotions, ‘My God! no—no!’ ejaculated De Col- mar. ‘ We have not been five minetes to- gether—and you talk of leaving me.’ * Because methought your Excellency re- pent d that we had met,’ answered Gloria. turning upon him those magnificent eyes which were capable of kindiing in the seul the purest, brightest flood of argentine splendour filled the air, ‘The tall towers of Prague shove as if sheathed in silver; and each pinnacle glistened as if tipped with a star, In the deep clear blue of the over-arch- ing sky sate the virgin-goddess of the night on her alabaster throne; and the cold chaste glory of her crystal crown was re- flected in the c-lin bo-om of the river Mol- dau, on whose banks the Bohemian capital is built. Amidst the silence, and softness, and f eshness of this moon lit scene, Sir Ernest de Colmar entered the spacious gardens attached to the palace which no longer harbored a Sovereign. The massive tow- ers of a light grey hue—the long, arched, narrow windows shining like polished mir- rors—the noble ascent of white marble the same fervent and impassioned fires with which they burnt. *{ repented and yet I was glad—l still repent and yet | am steeped as it were in happiness,” said De Colmar. ‘Oh! you must be something more than woman— steps leading to the principal entrance— and the numerous exquisite specimens of sculpture scattered upon the terrace of the palatial edifice, contrasted with the deep green of the foliage and with those soubre — —_ = ee AE pS ae Ses — —~ es — 2 — ~ a _ a 25 o¢ Geeta = — ee _ ° and? booed —7T =? = ~ —~ ' - « a ; . es gr aw © reres _~ sé and ov Oe i — all ~ vi , . . , —— --~ - wn ae eee ww ee age oe eet = te ee - © r ae v- we ea = ———— oe " . * * a . i * i re oF —- rs es - 2s - “ ee, 2s * ’ - » _ ’ - * a @ =» Ged - a as - ipl - - ~ ~--e@ ~ e ie + a . A « bs » oom -—* 7 ao a “ ¢ 44 » ? “> ~, = ~ . re > : a d 2 —— — 2 oa > - = ~ ~ = ~~ o égmvating . - - = * a - ae 7 aaj + sumething of the nature of an angel—thus to exeicise so powerful an influence and such an irresistible spell over the hearts of those who gaze upon you.’ ‘Know you not that lam the Daughter of Giory ?’ she exclaimed, with an air and a tone of archness so strangely commingled with myst ry thut the Knight was once more bewildered and his senses were en- thralled for a few moments. He gazed upon her—gazed in adoration as she reminded him that she was the Diughter of Glory—and whether it were that a more powerful sunlight was shed upon her hair and was reflecied in her eyes at the instant—or whether it were that the Knight’s ardent fancy was kindled to a pitch of beatific exiltation—we cannot say : certuin however it was that as her lids pro- nounced .hose words, her countenance sud- denly seemed to shine with a preternatu- ral radiance—and De Colmar felt as if he were indeed looking upon an angel. he ilulatry—the worehip—the adniira- tion which filled his brain, merged into a delirium—his heart palpitated violently— his bead swam—wild and thrilling hopes sprang up in his breast—his vision became obscured—he staggered back towards the oe pet of the rampurt—then he passed his and before his eyes—he gazed again— shades which are inseparable from even a glowing night. But all was still! Nostrains of delicious music floated from the casements of that splendid structure—no brilliant crowds moved in the mazy dance within those regal halls—no floeds of roseate light gushed forth from the lofty portals. Nor did the gardens gleam with refulgent illumina- tions to provoke the jealousy and disturb the calm dignity of the silver moon—nor did countless f.rms of sy|ph-like grace yield with gay gailants to the soft blandishments of love in the acacia bowers, or trip light- ly and glancingly along the parterres of roses. Gone was the blaze of tinsel pageantry attendant upon the royal state: the pomp— the Juxury—the ostentation—the magnifi- cence of monarchy had vanished as if their very existence were a dream! Darkness was within the gilded saloons—silence | reigned in the gardens and the groves—and the breath of no King weighed like lead upon the elastic atmosphere. Sir Ernest de Colmar sighed as he stood fora few moments to survey the desert palace: and yet to his soul rushed the con- viction that it would have been better for the human race had mankind obeyed the solemn warning which the Almighty con- veyed by the lips of the Prophet Samuel and Gloria was gone!’ against the raising up of Kings ! But suddenly a hand was Jaid lightly upon his shoulder—and starting from a mournful reverie to the consciousness of a pleasure ineffably sweet, he turned and beheld the beautiful Satanais. Not a word of greeting, however, could — = ~. die) - a“, me be i ea. ee ee ae 4 - - 3° * * - a Z = >. — >. + = ~—— oe. ae — vt tk ye, ‘ % > CHAPTER XVIL -——_—-s —— — “fee fe THE MEETING WITH SATANAL. i +. atte . rs ~ ~ - ~ =. ‘Twas evening—beautiful evening ; and Patna ay Oe te ~~ -e * ~ . > a - o = | in a ae en oy te - ~ - % <w - é 7 aut =e + ‘ —_ - o~-e- - ° 2. = comicbooks.com