The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 93: what you’re looking at

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

“ THE BRONZE STATUE. 91 ture ; for her lineaments had evidently; me and my welfare, and you are un- been changed by grief rather than by have passed over her brow, whole cen- turies had poured their bitterness into her heart. a . . . She was attired in the white gar- meuts of a Carmelite nun; and thus no wonder was it if her vesture had ap- peared, at the first glance, like the ap- parel of the dead to the disordered im- agination of Angela. And this sepul- ehral aspect was enhanced by the corpse-like pallor of the lady’s counte- nance,—a pallor so free from vital tint that it deprived the features of all vital semblance. Such was the being who now stood in the presence of Angela; and, every happy! time ; and though forty winters might Oh, suffer me to console you —permit me to offer you all the solace » which it may be in my power to bestow. 1 will weep with you—I will pray with you—I will endeavor to bring back smiles to your lips———’ ‘Smiles ! ejaculated the White Lady, with despair, but hot bitterness, in her tone; ‘oh! no—never—never! But let us not talk of my griefs, Angela—- they are long-standing, profound, and irreparable. All that concerns yourself is at the present moment of interest to me. You asked me if I knew you; need | do more than direct your atten- tion to the little velvet bag which you were ere now examining in the State Chamber ?’ sentiment of fear having vanished from| ‘Ah, then you saw me, and yet you the maiden’s mind, she gazed upon that | yourself, lady, were unseen?’ exclaimed fady with an illimitable sympathy ex- Angela, a momentary revival of super- pressed in every lineament of her beau- | stitious feeling coming over her. ‘ Yes, teous face. And, on the other hand, |} and that sigh which | heard , the lady herself contemplated Angela| «Let us not waste precious time in with a profound and touching interest, unnecessary observations,’ said the lady. —so that it seemed as if ‘there were | ‘It is for you to listen, Angela, and for some circumstances or some secret| me to speak. Yes, I know you; and it A springs of affection that taught two spi- rits, made kindred by adversity, to blend in the warm transfusion of tenderness and compassion. ‘Angela,’ said the lady at length, in that same soft and plaintive tone which had already produced such an effect upon the maiden; ‘ be seated for a few minutes, and rest yourself after the pri- vation of sense which you ere now ex- perienced. Your escape from the cas- tle will be ensured ; fear nothing, there- fore, upon that head. But in the mean- time it is necessary, imperatively neces- sary, that you should lend a patient and attentive ear to the counsel which I am about to give you, and that you should prepare to adopt, without even a mur- mur of hesitation, the course which it is my duty to mark out for you to pur- $$ was [ who caused that velvet bag, with the warning which it contains and the hair chain to which it is attached, to be secretly placed in your way. But, alas! circumstances so enthral my tongue, that I dare not venture upon even the slightest, faintest, smallest explanation of my motives, or of the perils against which I have thus forewarned you. If you will believe that I am sincerely, deeply interested in you—if you will consent to follow my counsel, in the con- viction that its aim is entirely and solely for your good, and if you will give me credit for the best motives and the ho- liest purposes, without demanding a single explanatory word from my lips, then, maiden,’ added the White Lady, her tone assuming a more solemn ear- nestness and a deeper pathos, ‘ then will sue.’ ; ‘ Lady, you have addressed me by my name,’ said Angela, reseating herself: ‘and the kind manner in which you have spoken, proves likewise that you’ not only know me, but that I have been | fortunate enough to deserve your sym- if I can indeed alleviate any portion of pathy.’ that appalling load of affliction which ‘he lady turned away for a few mo-) weighs so heavily upon your heart.’ ments, and a deep sob, which she vainly} + Listen, then, my dear Angela,’ re- endeavored to stifle, came floating upon! sumed the lady, caressing the maiden’s the ear of Angela. From her seat | beauteous countenance with her thin, sprang the generous-hearted maiden;)| white hand. ‘ Hitherto you have been you be acting wisely towards yourself, and kindly towards me.’ ‘Oh! yes;_1 will place a blind con- fidence in you,’ exclaimed Angela, pro- foundly touched ; ‘and it will prove a source of indescribavle happiness to me : and, taking the lady’s hand, she ex-| claimed, ‘ You entertain an interest in unaware that you are the victim of cir- cumstances so strange, so sad, so mya- comicbooks.com