The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

128 THE BRONZE STATUE. moment: and beholdingin you the hero of whom the angel had prophesied in my dream, so sudden and overwhelming a tide of joy poured in unto my soul, that I fled to conceal an enthusiasm which [ fancied it would be unmaidenly to betray. And now, Sir Knight,’ ad- ded Gloria, her voice again sinking into atone of timidity and her eyes once more bashtully seeking his countenance, ‘you have heard all those explanations which I have deemed myself called up- on to give.’ ‘And you tell me,’ said Sir Ernest de Colmar, iu a low voice that expressed deeply concentrated emotions, ‘ you tell me, Gloria,’ he repeated, fixing his looks mournfully upon her, ‘ that you were rejoiced at the thought that I was destined to become your husband.’ ‘Oh! never for a single instant have I ceased to treasure that hope in my mind,’ exclaimed Gloria, fervently,— ‘since that day when on the ramparts of Prague your conduct appeared ‘to confirm the presentiment which had previvusly sprung up in my soul!’ Earnestly and intently for some mo- ments did the Knight gaze upon the countenance that was turned towards him : searchingly and scrutinizingly did he look into the depths of those large and lustrous orbs which threw glances of passion and tenderness upon him. But the expression of Gloria’s features denoted timid innocence, hope mingled with suspense, the agitation that arose from the heart's fluttering ; and.guile was not depicted there | Angry with himself for having al- lowed a suspicion, transitory though it were, to creep into his mind; and con- vinced that the beauteous being seated by his side was all ingenuousness, art- lessness and candor, Sir Ernest de Col- mar took her hand, saying, ‘ Gloria, | have inflicted upon thee an irreparable injury, and God alone can tell how acutely my soul is anguished at the thought '’ ‘Aninjury! You—an injury—upon me !’ exclaimed the lovely creature, her countenance expressing amazement. ‘What mean you?’ ‘I mean,’ responded the knight,’ ‘that, dazzled by your charms on the first occasion when we met, I besought that second interview, which took place on the ramparts of yon city, and which filled me with a presentiment of evil at | and overpower me at the latter meef- ing, that it was no wonder if my tone, my words, and my countenance ex- pressed an admiration approaching a worship ; and [ mean, also, that it wag because I thus gave way to the ardor of my feelings and the enthusiasm of the moment, that I have inflicted an injury upon thee. Oh! rash, insane, incon- siderate conduct that it was! For J will not attempt to veil the truth from my eyes; I will look at it in the face ag fearlessly as if it were a human enemy ! And this truth is, Gloria, that you have bestowed your affections upon one who cennot return them ‘O heavens !’ she exclaimed in a voice of anguish, while her features denoted that she was now in trembling expecta- tion of hearing something fatal to her happiness. ‘Yes, that is indeed the truth, Glo- ria!’ cried De Colmar, his own voice indicating profuund emotion. ‘ You have given your love where it cannot be reciprocated; you have shed the sunlight of your affections on a heart that is unable to reflect the beams! My God! it cuts me to the very soul to think that your peace of mind should be menaced by any imprudence on my part. 1 came hither this day in order ‘that I might reveal a secret—a secret which will convince you how impossi- ble it is for us to meet hereafter other- wise than as friends, and how much pe it will be if we meet not again | for a long time to come! Yes, Gloria, for this purpose did I keep the appolnt- ment which your note gave me for to- day ‘And the secret that you refer to?’ she murmured, turning aside her coun- tenance; but the agitated swell of her snowy bosom proved how strong was the agitation that existed within. ‘That secret, Gloria, is explained in a few words,’ answered the knight : then, after a short pause, he added, Wherefore should ] keep you in sus- | pense f For the secret 1s, that I love your sister Satanais ? _ An ejaculation from the lips of Glo- ‘rla as this avowal fel] upon her ears: ee, but that ejaculation sounded to Sir Er- nest de Colmar’s comprehension rather as acry of joy thanof anguish. In this idea, however, he almost instantaneous- ly saw that he must have been deceived, Inasmuch as Gloria, covering her face the time; I mean, Gloria, that the! with her hands, burst into tears. transcendent loveliness with which thou art invested, did so bewilder, enchant. The knight remained silent : for what consolation could he offer 2 comicbooks.com