The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 297: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE Sila ‘tremendous efforts she made to stifle those feelings of mortal agony which raged within her. But by the sudden- ness of that movement on his part, the sleeve fell back from his right wrist, and thena piercing scream thrilled from Emilia’s tongue as her eyes caught sight of the arm thus bared. ‘s+ Eternal God! itis nota dream,” shrieked forth Ildegardo, his own looks at the same moment fastening upon the object which had thus put the crown- ing stone upon the colossal fabric of his wife’s wretchedness. For around his wrist was traced a black mark, having the appearance of a narrow ribbon when viewed from a _ distance, but formed by a thousand little dark punc- tures when inspected closely. It had evidently been effected by some instru- ment having a small roller covered with innumerable little spikes or points, which indelibly marked the skin with the dye previously taken up by the in- strument. Thus did the chief of the tribunal of the Bronze Statue impriut upon the baron’s flesh a sign which, whenever caught by the shuddering glance, should cause the dread convie- tion to flash athwart the soul that the compact was a terrible reality, and that there was no deficiency of means to punish its violation. ‘There is a grie power of description. anguish and despair—an anguish which f which defies all rends the soul with the poignancy of erucifixion—and a despair which strikes the lips dumb and the form motionless. Such was the state of mind to which the Baron and Baroness of Ildegardo were now aprey. Long and earnestly did they gaze upon each other; but the young lord read horror and distress in the eyes of his Emilia, and she be- held the same feelings expressed in his looks. Not a syllable of consolation could their lips utter—not a glance of solace could their eyes send forth. Their’s was the woe—the ineffable woe | ¢ of a father whose rashness had fore- doomed his first-born to an unhallowed world’s afilictions, and tor wisdom to service—and of a mother who felt that | avert t her child was cursed even in her womb! At length they seemed to be struck with the simultaneous reflection that | and that | was instantaneously followed by the ba- their grief was mutually felt, it was their duty to console each other : and yielding to this sentiment, they embraced with a fervor to which des- air lent an almost frantic energy— mingling their sighs and tears as well as their kisses. lt is made up of 299 ‘ For two or three hours did they re- main in a conference, the solemnity of which was somewhat subdued by the melancholy tenderness which also eha- iracterised it; then, the baron having ‘risen from his couch, they proceeded hand-in-hand to an apartment, to which Kuther Heracles was immediately sum- moned. For the reverend priest was at the time on a visit te the castle ; and ‘to his ears did the baron now reveal his terrible tale. The holy pastor heard ‘the narrative with feelings of mingled ‘amazement and grief; and when it was brought to a conclusion, he fixed his eyes upon the unhappy Emilia and burst into tears. ‘+s Counsel us, thou good old man,” ‘said the Baron of Ildegardo; ‘and guide us in this tremendous perplexity. |For our hopes are now centred in thee, ‘inasmuch as here is the damning proof ‘of the power wielded by the tribunal ~ ~ —s e « + « . ‘ .* . ae - ‘-_’ 7 ne . . = * . - a Se. SEP sett ele Re ea ad rs i” = — —_—_ ee =< . a - _ i “— * ——- _ -, ‘ . - . y ~ Cee Ls le ne re ee ~~ 1 ‘ ee ( « - - * * ‘of the Bronze Statue ;’”’ and, as he thus spoke, he exhibited the mark upon lis wrist to Father Heracles. ++ Bat how can that mark be con- sidered as a symbol and an emblem of the power of this secret tribunal?” in- quired the priest. -«* Because the instrument with which ‘this mark was impressed, must have been a ininiature resemblance of the cylinders of that dread machinery ‘But, O God! ask me no more upon the ‘subject; torture me not with questions upon that point!” cried the Baron of ‘Iidegardo, suddenly breaking from a ‘deep solemnity of tone and manner ‘into a voice and aspect indicative of an ‘anguish bordering upon frenzy. ++ 7 beseech you, holy father,’’ whis- | pered Emilia, **not to touch again on those details from a full explanation of which his soul recoils with such in- ‘tense horror.”’ +s; Your wishes shall be obeyed, daughter,” returned the venerable | priest ; then in a louder voice he ex- laimed, ** my dear children, let us pray heaven for strength to. bear the “<< ve a4 * f aa “ , ® 4 a * a , a > i» ak, "2 - : - ~ ‘* — ee eS | eee th eos —- dail wy . - _-— -_- oo * $ ~~ * a a . to hose which it is permitted to hu- man prudence to grapple with.” ‘Thus speaking, Father Heracles sank upon his knees, an example which ron and baroness; and they all three prayed long and fervently. When their pious duty was concluded, they rose from their suppliant posture, and Fa- ther Heracles spoke in the following manner :— : comicbooks.com