The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. 25 ‘T feel, Gloria,’ he said, himself} the landlord demanded who it was that deeply moved with the immensity of} thus disturbed his slumbers ; and om the pity which filled his heart on ac- hearing a reply given in a female tone, count of that lovely being who was alike he bede his wife get up and see wnat so unfortunate and so gully, ‘| feel us| was the matter. For the only answer - . = © net —~+- =) -.~- 4 ~ ° 4 ee te ee ‘You would only plunge me into | in mingled terror and amazement when deeper and more inextricable difficul- | she beheld Gloria standing In the pas- ties, were you to oppose me in the re-| sage, with her hair and dress 10 disor- solution which [ have taken,’ she an-| der, her countenance ghastly pale, a swered. ‘And now farewell,—a long wild light gleaming in her large velvet- fare well,—a farewell pertiaps for ever | black eyes, and her whole aspect ren- | dered more terrible and spectre-like by ‘But vou will not remain here, Glo-! the vascillating beams of the lamp ria?’ suid De Colmar, glancing with a| which she carried in her hand. ine shudder towards the corpse which lay | ‘In the name of the blessed Virgin! rigid and ghastly in the blood-stained| what 1s the matter 2 demanded the bed.’ - | landlady, shrinking back In dismay. Be ae | shall leave the room within fl few | . Bid your husband rise and tollow “minutes after you have quitted it,’ re-| me,’ returned Gloria, In a deep tone. plied the Daughter of Gloria,— and|* And you must accompany him,’ she in- then. an alarm will be made throughout | stantly added, SES the house. and I shall proclaim myself! There was something in the Daugh- a murderess !’ ter of Glory’s tone and manner which ‘Oh! would it not be better for you forbade all remonstrance, and produced to fly > exclaimed De Colmar, vehem-| too great an excitement to allow of any entlr. hesitation ; the landlord and landlady, ‘And leave you perhaps to be sus- accordingly huddled on each a few ar- pected ?” returned Gloria. ‘No, no, my ticles of clothing, both wondering what on earth could be the meaning of this strange disturbance at one o’clock in the morning, and yet feeling too much alarmed even to venture a guess be- tween themselves. ‘ Come—despatch !’ said Gloria, from the outside of their chamber-door, for she was impatient to get through this only na beauteous and unfortunate wo-/| new act of her wild and terrible drama. man, and not a murderess; and then, ‘We are ready, may it please your after a moment’s hesitation, he retired | Jadyship,’ said the landlord, coming forth noiselessiv from the scene of crime to | from the apartment, followed by his bet- his own chamber. 'ter half. ‘What in the world can it be? And the Daughter of Glory remained | Have the thieves broken in! or is your alone with the ghastly corpse of her | chamber troubled by evil spirits ” | victim ! t ‘Silence, and come quickly,’ said Glo- tia; leading the way along the straggling | passage to the room which had been al- lotted to Ermach. CHAPTER LVI. She entered that room—she advanced ‘rapidly up to the bed—she held the THE SELF-ACCUSATION AND THE RESULT. ; lamp over it—she beckoned the landlord and landlady to approach, and then, as their looks recoiled from the appalling if | were perpetrating Hh deed of cow- | he had obtained to his demand, was an a ardice in thus abandoning you to all the} Imperious order to open the door. : ah the course which you are about to pur- obedience to her husband 5 command ; Wi, t sue.’ | and opening the door, she started back wr ° 4 “ a St em 5 Le ; c >=: ¢ ee 4.) ee ed apes me : =o ~e - “ > & wet _ - ad $8 Da et hy ‘ ae | ay Pe Pal ee | - \e < vo S>An a ~~ * a te * eam e at “ » ‘> wal i. ‘ « mind is made up! and now leave me— leave me!’ Thus speaking, she took De Colmar’s hand, pressed it for an instant in her own, and then motioned him to with- draw. He threw upon her a last look of boundless compassion, a look which saw * jem 7 2, 2 * = . ° = = - -. « " - ~ * as sif> : bad ot, — 3, & a . a ?, —p—_z£, — . a allege, ~My e- > —— o pa 4 aT. — i oe .-« Se I _ — te Pe ee —— ee Plaur an hour had elapsed, and dur- ing that interval a profound silence spectacle which they encountered, she ' s ; : ‘ . bad , e reigned throughout the hostel: when’ exclaimed, ‘lam the murderess !’ suddenly the landlord and landlady were ‘You? impossible, lady !’ ejaculated & } . ‘ <r > <7 il . . . —P - j . aroused by an abrupt and peremptory the landlord, his first thought being that knocking at the door of th: ir bed-cham-! horror had turned her brain. ber. Hastily rising from the couch, ‘Oh! heavens! a murder, audinour comicbooks.com