The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. 249 short halt which they will allow them- selves at your hospitable establishment.’ ‘Of how many persons does the party consist?’ inquired the landlord and his wife, both speaking as it were in the same breath. ‘There cannot be less than twenty- four of us altogether,’ replied the man, ‘and in two hours you may expect the arrival of the procession.’ closely veiled and attired in mourning garments, rode upon a beautiful palfrey of the glossiest sable. On her right hand there were two warriors in com- plete armor, with their vizors closed ; but the golden spurs upon their heels showed that they were men of rank. On her left rode a priest of the Carthu- sian order, and whose cowl completely shaded his features. Immediately be- ‘Two hours !’ ejaculated the hostess, | hind this front rank, appeared four ‘that is little enough to provide for | handmaidens, whose remarkable beauty such a number, and most likely people | was concealed by no invidious veils.— of quality amongst them into the bar- These lovely girls were followed by four gain !’ pages, whose handsome countenances ‘Yes,—my masters are of rank and/|and graceful figures constituted appro- wealth; but they now preserve the | priate sequences to the charms which strictest incognito for certain reasons of | had just preceded them. Next came a their own,’ said the horseman. ‘ How- |hearse, or funeral-car, drawn by tour ever, that is not your business; and/|black steeds guided by two postilions in here are ten good golden pieces as an |deep mourning. A mute rode on each earnest that yeu will be liberally paid | side of the sombre vehicle, on which for such entertainment as you may | the coffin was placed, covered with an afford.’ ‘ample pall of sable velvet having a ‘Depend upon it that complete sa-| white cross in the middle. ‘lhe pro- tisfaction will be given,’ exclaimed the host, joyfully receiving the money.— ‘Come, wife, bustle about! Away with you to the kitchen, while | see that the rooms are all got in readiness. By the bye, my good friend,’ he added, turning towards the armed messenger, are there any ladies in the proces sion 7” ‘Yes; there is one lady, attended by four handmaidens,’ wes the response. cession was closed by seven men armed like the one who had performed the part of outriding messenger and who was evidently their comrade ; for not only was their apparel thus uniform, but their countenances all expressed the same ruffian-like determination and desperado kind of character. Thus, the front rank consisting of the ‘veiled lady, the two warriors 1n com- plete armor, and the Carthusian priest ‘But wherefore that question ?’ |—then the four handmaidens—next the ‘Simply that I may know the nature of the accommodation likely to be re- quired,’ answered the landlord. ‘1 four pages; afterwards, the two posti- lions and the two mutes, and lastly, the eight armed men forming the guard or presume that the party having partaken | escort, these made up the aggregate of of the meal and duly rested, will con- | twenty-four. tinue their journey forthwith? that is| The lady and her handmaidens were to say, there is no chance of beds being | conducted by the hostess to the cham- required for to-night ?’ | ber already provided for their reception ‘No, no,’ returned the armed man—j|—and the Carthusian priest attended ‘ere sunset we shall be far away on|them to the door of that apartment. our journey southward. But I shall} But he proceeded no farther than the now proceed to the stable and ascertain | threshold, where he said a few words that my horse is properly cared for |in a low but impressive whisper to the while you attend to your household | eldest of the four handmaidens; and concerns,’ | then, bowing respectfully to the lady, The two hours speedily slipped away | he retired. —and at the expiration of that interval| In the meantime the lady herself had the procession was seen advancing at a isunk upon q seat, evidently in a state tolerably rapid rate. It came along the | of much bodily fatigue; and perhaps, : ~ — road from the direction of Prague ; and all the inmates of the hostel turned out to receive this numerous company. as the landlady thought, of mental de- pression also, for a profound sigh, com- ing from the bosom of the veiled stran- As the out-riding messenger had| ger, reached the ears of the worthy stated, the cavalcade consisted of no | hostess. less than twenty-four persons, all ‘Can I be of any service here ?—or mounted on horseback. In front a lady, |do you require aught for the moment?’ Ccomicbooks.com —< ~~ ¥ ‘ a tg =e \: = <a ~ A a - * ~- = = a <=" is » - . ~~, - - *. = - 2, ae - * . is - > « a - a =* . «%% -