The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. muffled in the black gowns were slowly and noiselessly advancing towards them —hemming them in—closing upon them—multiplying in number—sur- rounding them—and extending their arms towards them! ‘The same delu- sions arose in the in that of Konrad at the same instant, progressed simultaneously, and reached | the same climax at the same moment. They drew closer to each other, as they fancied that the wall of black shapes was closing in around them; they endeavored to shrink up into as nar- row a d down—the illusion gained upon them ; an appalling consternation was literally crushing out their very life, as the foul air of a cavern narrows and presses on to extinction the flame of the lamp | around which it is gradually becoming heavier and heavier ! OQ God! the horrors, the horrors of this cruel delusion under which the unfortunate youths were laboring! It was the refinement of mortal anguish, the essence of human excruciation. ‘I‘heir brows throbbed violently, a cold perspiration burst out all over them, it was a torture to which the rack were as nothing, that they were enduring. ‘he very excess of this indescribable agony unlocked their tongues at last; and from the lips of each broke a shriek which appeared to come from the bottom of their souls! At the same instant a gleam of light flashed upon the portentous obscurity, which had engendered such a terrible phantasmagoria; and Hubert, with the lamp in his hand, re-appeared upon the threshold of the door opening into the Chamber of the Statue from the pas- sage communicating with the work- shop. The old man started visibly as those piercing shrieks met his ears; and, hurrying towards the circular chamber, he demanded in a rapid tone the cause of the sudden lamentations. Starting froin their crouching, kneel- ing posture, the youths threw “terrified looks around them; but when they be- held the steward with his lamp on one side, and the three mufiled ‘figures mo- tionless as statues on the other, they perceived that they had been the victims of a wandering und excited imagination. Then, overcome by the suddenness of the relief which they thus experienced, they staggered against the wall as if about to sink down in another fit; but yielding to the impulse of other feel- ineffable | mind of Lionel and | ——— a ~~ 161 ings, as rapidly awakened, they threw themselves into each other’s arms and | wept plenteously. | «Oh! sur ely, surely the bitterness of ‘death is now passed!’ exclaimed Kon- rad. ‘God grant that it may be!’ cried the elder page, with the fervor of a martyr. ‘Death! No, no, my poor boys!’ said the old steward, in a tone that in- dicated emotions powerfully excited. '* You have been tortured too much al- ‘ready, and God forgive me for having been compelled to torture you so long!’ | ‘The announcement of joy and hope |may come with the same thunder-bolt effect as the voice of doom and the knell of fate. Thus was it on the pre- sent occasion! Amazed, bewildered, fearful to trust their ears, and trembling with apprehension lest they were now becoming the victims of a different and brighter “delus sion, Lionel and Konrad | stood gasping for breath, sustaining each other's quivering forms as well as they might; and with their eyes fixed, Oh! Yy language cannot describe with how in- ee tense an anxiety, upon the countenance 3 of the steward ! But that countenance had become un- mistakeably benevolent in expression ; there was no longer any doubt as to the nature of the light which shone in the eyes, nor the significancy of that wreath- ing of the lips. Sorrow—deep sorrow for all that had just occurred—good ti- dings for the present, and hope for the | future, those were all read.in that old man’s lineaments now. And tears, too —Oh! yes, tears were trickling down his cheeks, big drops shining in the lamp-light! And, wonder upon wonder, the three figures a moment before so awful and ominous, threw aside their sable cloaks ; ‘and instead of revealing the ferocious ‘countenances and diabolical aspect which fancy invariably asso¢iates with executioners, they appeared in the ‘form of three middle-aged men, with melancholy looks, and having nothing terrible aboutthem. Bearing aremark- able resemblance to each ‘other, and three naturally fine and even handsome ment; despite of their pale and care- ‘worn faces, they appeared to be bro- ‘thers; indeed, it was impossible to avoid receiving this impression even at the first and most casual glance thrown upon them, as they were thus standing together. But was it the reality? or wasita delusion? Had the old steward pro- | | ! | a wu —_—— A -_ a ways we comicbooks.com