The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. 275 so darkly splendid now evinced a pain-| denly conjured up to his memory by ful mingling of anguish and curlosity ;| the question which had been put and and it was evident that all her thoughts the answer he had given, and feelings were absorbed in the cir-| ‘Bernard—for many years in the cumstance of this old man’s sudden and| service of Baron Ildegardo,’ repeated most unexpected appearance. | Satanais, ina low and musing tone, so ‘Satanais, dear Satanais,’ said De/| that she was not overheard by the old Colmar, at length recovering the power} man, although De Colmar’s ear lost not of speech, and addressing her in the! the reiteration of these words which kindest tone,— ‘this. good old man of-| that octogenarian had himself first spo- fers you refreshment, or the use of his ken. cell, if you stand in need of repose.’ ‘Satanais, in the name of heaven, hat singular sentiment of mingled) what ails you?’ demanded the knight, suspense, curlosity, and terror, which| in a whispering voice full of anxiety. had for nearly a minute held the Daugh-|* From the first moment that we set ter of Satan motionless and spell-bound, | foot within these walls, everything has now seemed to break all of a sudden; | disturbed you—your entire manner has and, starting to her feet, she said in a} changed —your eyes look strange things anaugury of evil. In fine, her features | personages of happier times were sud- | | hurried manner, ‘ Ernest. dear Ernest. |- -you are nervous and pre-occupied at let us depart, i beseech you!’ the same time ‘ ‘But you are, unwell, Satanais—you ‘Do not question me now, my well- are profoundly agitated by emotions, beloved,’ murmured the dark houri ims which you would conceal from me!’| ploringly; ‘I shall be calmer and feel exclaimed De Colmar, taking her hand | better in a few moments.’ and pressing it tenderly between both| And she re-seated herself, or rather his own. ‘ Indeed, I ought to remem-| sank down upun the stone, as if over- ber that you ere now spoke of certain| whelmed by the weight of ineffable re- reminiscences connected with this scene collections. of desolation , Sir Ernest de Colmar, fancying that ‘Ah?! who possesses recollections of| she wished to be alone, as it were, with Iidegardo Castle in the time of its glory, | 'her own thoughts, in order to be en- its might, and its pomp !’ said the old| abled ‘to tranquillize them and thereby man, his voice e xpressing a mingled so-| regaining her composure, turned aside lemnity and excitement, and his feet| and once more accosted the old man, quickening their pace as he advanced} who was now gazing in a deep abstrac- close up to the spot where Satanais was| tion upon the far-off castles in the ho- now leaning, or rather clinging to the! rizon. knight’s arm. ‘Not you, young lady,’} ‘ Venerable Bernard,’ said the knight, continued the octogenarian, fixing his ‘you appear to be contemplating céer- blue eyes searchingly upon the Daugh- | tain objects which have already excited ter of Satan, who appeared to quail and! a strange and mysterious interest in my contract, as it were, within herself, be- soul.’ neath that look so earnest aad yet so} ‘'lo what does your excellency al- full of a melancholy benevolence of feel- | lude ?’ inguired the old man, not exact- . y . : . ing. ‘No, not you!’ he repeated.—| ly understanding the remark, because ‘And yet it may be—yes, for your years| he did not at the moment perceive in must have numbered eighteen or nine-| which direction De Colmar’s eyes were teen, and therefore it is probable that in| turned. your childhood you may have had a ‘] was speaking of those ruins which knowledge of things, or an acquaintance-|[ observe in the south-east, and like- slip with persons connected with this} wise of those which are visible on yon castle.’ /eminence in the east,’ said our hero. ‘Who are you, old man?’ suddenly |*T’o whom did those castles belong? inquired Satanais, putting the question} and how came they as dilapidated and With a cold shudder, as if she already} desolate as the one on whose tower we anticipated the answer. /now stand % ‘My name is bernard, and I was for ‘Ah! then your excellency is a stran- many years in the service of Ildegar-| ger in these parts, that the legend at- do,’ was the melancholy response; and! tached to the three fortalices should be a train of unutterable thoughts swept| unknown to you?’ said the venerable over the countenance of the aged man,| Bernurd. ‘At all events, you must as if allthe scenes, and incidents, and! have been aware—uand if not. I believe comicbooks.com