The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

| Hs 52 THE BRONZE STATUE. the convex to the conclave tendencies, and| Carthusian: so that the former immediate- rising with an easy and insensible swell. ly comprehended that her beauty had pro- | The neck of the Princess was long and} duced a favorable impression pon the re- lapering, and arched grandly. Her com-| presentative of the Sovereign Duke of Aus- plexion wus fair—the freshness, fineness,| tria—while the latter understood that Sir and animation of the skin denoting a vigor-| Ernest was prepared to send a propitious ous health, in spite of the cares “and mis-| report of the royal Isdy’s charms to his i- fortunes which hid overtaken her. Indeed, | Justrious master at Vienna. i) her cheeks had all the brightness of bloom| A deep blush suddenly suffused itslf over | which characterises a brunette, but united| the countenance of the Princess; and, if in this instance with ivory fairness. | turning aside, she affected to play for a few Her eyes were of a deep blue—crowned | moments with the fan of ostrich plumes with brows deticately pencilled, and anima-| which she held in one of her fair hands. ted with an expression of voluptuousness to/ The Carthusian walked to the farther extre- which a tinge of melancholy imparted a| mity of the room, where he seated himself new and ineffable charm. Her hair was of and apparently fell intoa deep reverie: but a rich brown, and formed a glossy and ma g-| Sir Erne st, comprehending that the priest nificent frame for a forehead of nobie| was desirous of affording him an oppotuni- height and snowy stainlessness: her mouth| ty of conversing unrestrainedly with Eliza- was sma'l, and just sufficiently pouting to| betha, immediately accosted her. invest the lower part of the countenance| She placed herself upon a sofa—at the with that slightly sensual expression whic h} same time waving het fan towards a chair, the upper portion derived from the eyes.— | thereby Intimating that Sir Ernest de Col- At the same time, there was nothing gross| mar was honore d by pel rmission to take @ in the entire mien and look of that beaute- | seat In her presence: for in those times , as ous face: all tha: could be said was that it| indeed at the prow nt nn silly, ridiculous, conveyed the impression of one well fitted! and nauseatii F etiquette maint Lined a wide by nature and instinct to love and be be-} line of demare: ition between royal persone loved. ages and all the rest of the com: munity, The attire of this charming Prinzess cor- seating himself, therefore, the Knight respon led wit h her own beauty 2nd with | said in a bw and touc hink: y tone of unfeign- the tasteful e eganc e characte ris ing the!ed sincerity, ‘ Your Highness will believe apartment. The period of mourning at that | that it is no idle co: npliment when I declare time prescribed for the loss of a parent: that the spectacle of beauty in distress, was six months: and this interval having! ‘though at all times calculated to move the just expired, her Royal Highness was clad | heart, is doubly afflicting in the present in- in # manner becoming her rank, her loveli-| stance, Left an orphan ‘at 80 lender an age ness, and her wealth. In a word, her = —deprived of the crown which is your in- pearance altogether justified the panegyric heritane e—compelled to immure yourself which the priest had drawn in regard to] in seclusion—and racked with the painful F her personal fascinations: ard Sir Ernest} conviction that your country is a prey to de Culmar experienced therefore-no disap- anarchy—your Royal Hiichnesa is placed in poin'ment in this respect, a position which excites my deepest sym- There was a kind of musical grace in| pathy. And rem winber, Princess, that J her step, as she advanced a few paces to| speak not mere! y on my own behalf as a receive the Knight and the Carthusian. | Christian man and a true Kni ight—but also To the former she made a courteous inc'i-} on that of my master, the Duke Albert of nation of the head, accompanied by that |, Austria. half curtsey which so exquisitely becomes ‘And I thank you, Sir Ernest de Colmar? the faultless figure, every movement of| said KL lizabetha, the tears streaming down which has its own peculiar charm: then,| her cheeks 2H thank you,’ she repeated, turning towards the priest; she said in| ina voice half suffocated with sobs,— not a voice of perfect melody, ‘ Welcome, holy only for the sympathy which you express father, to my retreat.’ towards me on account of the Sovereign ‘I give thee my blessing, daughter,’ re-| Prince whose representative you are, but sponded the ecclesiastic ; Cand may the| likewise for the kind words w bich your own good Saints grant that the present interview | generous feelings have prompted you to shall result to thine advantage and benceiit,’| utter, : , ‘ added Father Cyprian, glancing from the; * Royal lady,’ observed the Knight, * it Princess towards Sir Ernest de Colmar. were a ridiculous affectation on m art, ‘It assurediy rests with her Royal High-| and a poor compliment towards Bend came ness to command her own destiny,’ said sense, to ask if you be aware of tne iu! } the Knight, in an emphatic tone and with a} and object which have this day oeera Hi 3 meuning look alike at Klizabetha and the! me the honor of an interview ‘Suk : as ~ - your com IC _COM