The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. Konrad; and, this being done, the hostler assisted the youths to mount which were already pawing the ground )m- | While she was yet speaking, the animals patiently. The old woman was next placed | broke out into.a smart canter ; and forthree by the man’s aid upon her pillion, and sta- tioning herself between the two pages, she was enabled to hold the guiding-rein at- tached to each of their horses. In this manner the party rode away from the cemetery at a brisk trot. For nearly a quarter of an hour not 4 word was spoken: but at the expiration of that time the steeds were reined into a walk, and the old woman availed herself of the opportunity to utter a few reassuring words to her youthful companions. ‘You must not be surprised nor alarmed, young sirs,’ she said ‘at the mysterv which thus shrouds your journey our destination. ‘The truth js that having once passed a night in the midst of that scene of pleasure, luxury, and enjoyment, you may never again hope to penetrate thither: the same guest thus imtroduced from the great busy world without, must not cross the threshold of that noble man- sion a second time. But so ravishing are the attractions—so irresistible the fascina- tions of this terrestrial paradise, that he who has once sipped of the cup of pleasure within that sphere of love, and music, and festivity, can never divest himself of the ardent longing that prompts him to return. And inasmuch as | have already told you that such return is forbidden—so is it ne- cessary to veil from the eye of the guest the path which leads to a scene wherein all his sweetest reminiscences will be ever after centred. Now, fair youths,’ demanded the old woman, ina lively tone, ‘do you | comprehend wherefore | am leading you blindfolded to a spot the glories of which surpass the brightest and most enchanting visions that your slumber ever conjured up? ‘ VYes—we understand—and we are satis- fied’ said Konrad, ashamed of the tempo- rary alarm which he had ere now experl- enced, and anxious to convince his fellow- page that he no longer entertained any misgiving. ‘You have raised my curiosity and my hopes to such a degree,’ cried the more enthusiastic and impassioned Lionel, * that were it necessary to pass through unheard- of perils and encounter incredible dangers, ‘1 order to reach the earthly paradise whic. you have depicted, good dame, I should not hesitate to dare them all.’ ¢ Which sentiment I now cordially echo, observed Konrad, catching the spirit of adventure and the chivalrous love of enter- rise which animated his companion. ‘Worthy are ye then, f > 20 Lil ¥y OULIaS, | claimed the old woman, ‘of the pleasures the animals | and delights to which ye are hastening.’ to the place of ‘the company would be by that time as- :sembled. The pages then retired—and lionel and Konrad found themselves alone, But they had lite leisure for hazarding | conjectures relative | enture the in- 71 quarters of an hour more the journeys waa continued in silence. At the expiration of that interval the party halted—a massive door swung heavily on its hinges—and the equest ian came ‘conducted the two youthful companions into a paved court-yard, where they alighted.— The hoods were speedily unbuttoned—the gowns were thrown off—and a mellowed blaze of roseate lustre streamed from innu- merable windows upon the eyes.of the | pages | For a moment they were dazzled and be- wildered by the vermeil efflulgence which ‘thus shone forth upon them, but a second ‘glance showed them that they were ina ‘court surrounded by a stately marble edt | fice, the casements of which were of stain- ed glass. Several pages, elegantly dressed, ‘advanced towards them from the threshold ‘of a hall, the vast folding doors of which 'stood open; and while some received their horses, others conducted the two youths in- ‘to the mansion. The old woman did not accompany them: but ere they passed from the court, Lionel and Konrad turned their ‘beads and threw upon her a look of grati- tude for having brought them toa place the exterior of which seemed to give ample pro- mise that all her representations would be | fulfi led within. The dependants of the mansion condneted ‘the two youths up a marble staircase adorn- ed with immense vases filled with the choicest flowers, and lighted by lamps held in the hands of alabasterstatues. All was bright and glowing: the air was laden with perfume ;—and sounds'of music from dis- le sofuy and entrancingly ————— : —— : tant rooms sto upon the ears. Lionel and Konrad were already intoxi- ‘cuted with the delightful anticipation of all the pleasures hinted at by the old woman; and they ceased to remember the myste- rious circumstances under which the night's | adventure was begun. The pages escorted them into an elegantly furnished toilette- ‘chamber, whence a bathing-room opened ; ‘and pointing to a wardrobe, one of the de- pendants intimated that it contained an as- ‘sortment of costumes whence they might |select whose which they fancied to be the !most becoming. ‘The same servitor added that in half-an-hour he would return and ‘conduct the two guests to the saloons where o. comicbooks.com