The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

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Dazzled, bewildered, and enchanted by the charms of Gloria, the beholder might sink on his knees in adoration and in worship of that celestial blaze of loveliness: but trembling with profound feelings, melting with tenderness. and filling the air with passionate sighs. the admirer of Sutanais would himself se}! his soul to Satan in order to gaiu the pri- vilege of enjoying her love and languish- ing away existence in her arms. ‘l'o decide between Gloria and Satanais was therefore impossible; to choose be- twixt the appointment that was for noon and the one that was for nine in the even- ing, was beyond the power of mortal man. And, without losing sight of prudential views and honoroble notions, would it not be discourteous in theextreme for Sir Ernest de Colmar to reject either appoint- ment—to absent himself from either place of meeting? Should he not, as a Knight and a gentlemen, proffer his inquiries con- cermpg the health, the welfare, and the happiness of that sunny, golden-haired creature whom he had rescued from such dire peril in the church, and with whom circumstances had so. suddenly and unex-| pectedly placed him on a footing of inti-| macy all within the compass of a single | hour? Besides, had she not asked him with her own sweet voice, when they were about to separate on that memorable night, whether he wished to see her again ?—had he not replied in the affirmative, and with some degree of enthusiasm to» ?—was not, then, the appointment which she made upon the occasion exacted and extorted as it were from her lips!—and, under al! these circumstances, could Sir Ernest de Colmar refrain from ke>ping it ? Decidedly not! Then,in respect to that other appointment—the meting which was fixed with the dark-complexioned houri for nine inthe evening—was he not bound to keep this also? Had not Satanais received him with hospitality and pressed him to remain at the encampment ?—had he not of his own accord besought her to give him her friendship, when she was comporting herself towards him with the maidenly reserve of an ordinary courtesy ? and had he not induced her to name the appoluitment for the evening by demanding of her in a mournful tone when they were to meet again? Would it, then, be con sistent with the behaviour of a Knight and a geltleman to treat that appuintwent with contempt :—would it not be a gross and flagrant insult towards the beauteous and| uuoffending young lady to absent himself from the trysting-place she had named. —_ — bearings, came to the conclusion thut he was in duty bound to remain on the ram- part for the coming of Gioria, and to repair to the palace-caidens in the evening te exchange a word with Satanais. We have already stated that Sir Ernest de Colmar had never loved—at least nos until he beheld Satanais and Gloria: and whether he now loved either or both of them, he Knew not, Assuredly his heart must have been touched by their charms— or he would not have labored so hard te convince himself of the necessity of keep- ing the double appointment which had been made: for we will at once and most: emphatically assure our readers that the soul of this honorable, generous-hearted, and noble-minded man was incapable of harboring, even fora-single instant, an idea of seduction. Not for worlds would he have wantonly injured one golden gossamer flowing from the head of Gloria—nor one single ebon thread belonging to that of Satanais ! jt was, therefore, at least an innocent sen'iment---even if not a serious one— which prompted him to resolve upon keep- ing the two appointments ;—and moreover, we inay as well observe in this place that Sir Krnest de Colmar was still unmarried, though in his twenty-seventh year, because he had never as yet beheld a lady whose united charms, virtues, and accomplish- ments had obtained a sufficient hold upon his heart. But he wasa man who would prefer to wed a peasant gir! if she was ecal- culated to ensure his happiness, r: ther than a princess if he felt convinced that he could not love her. To return, however, to the immediate thread of our narrative. it was noon ;—high noon by the sun—- noon by the dial in the market-place—noon by the changing of the guard at the city- gate. Along the rampart Sir Ernest de Colmar pursued his way; and in a few moments he beheld an elegantly-dressed lady, closely veiled, advancing towards him. ile could not see her countenance—not a glimpse could he obtain of her features: —s0 thick were the folds of that veil: but by the measured step of musical grace — by the elegance and dignity, subdued by feminine softness, that blended in her de- meanor—by the goddess-like height and: Statuesque carriage of her form—and by his: hear 8 oWn Instinctive whisperings; did Sir Ernest de Co!mar know that this was Gloria who wags now approaching, ! Nor was he mistaken: for, when within a few yards of each other, the lady threw comicbooks.com