The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

THE BRONZE STATUE. from even this, appalling though it be? ‘No—no—we will not . dishi nor our- selves,” murmured Konrad, calling all his presence of mind to his aid. ‘Follow me! I command you,’ spoke the lady a third time, extending her arm im- perious}y towards the interior of the, room. And with difficulty suppressing renewed ejaculations of horror, the two pages crossed the threshold. Then the door closed behind them ;— and when it opened again and they came forth at the expiration of about five minutes, their countenances were ghastly pale— their lips, from which the color had fled, quivered convulsively and they trembled so excessively that they could scarcely return into the sheaths the daggers which they held drawn in their hands. But the lady had regained all her wonted calmness: her features had recovered the goft, sensual, yet dignified expression of beauty which ordinarily characterised 1! ;— and it was in atone of ineflable sweetness that she invited the youths to partake some refreshment. Then, with her own fair hands, she presentcd to each a goblet of 79 ‘Oh! lady tell us how we can secure your friendship! ejaculated the youths, the burning hope that now sprang Up in their hearts being now easily read upon their glowing and animated countenances: ‘tell us how we can induce you to rescind in our favor that rule which bars your doors ‘against a return to these realms of bliss?’ ) ' | | ‘The way to accomplish all this Is easy, sweet youths,’ said the lady, with a smile of ‘such ravishing softness and locks cf such ‘entrancing delight, that the pages sank ‘down at her feet with the involuntary but irresistible impulse of a worship and beati- fe adoration. * All that I require of you,’ added the lady, ‘is that you now return to the saloon and that while rendering your- iself as agreeable as possible to the fair ee — - eee beings to whom } shall present you, you hesitate not to plunge heudlong into the fount of pleasure and enjoyment wherein ali the rest will su fully steep their seases,’ As the lady thus spoke, she bent down— imprinted a burning kiss upon the fore- head of each youth, and darted into their reyes atthesame moment all the poison of her ) | / : - spiced wine; and the pages drank With | avidity the cheering draught whereof they stood so much in need. Yes, Lionel and Konrad quafied the con- tents of those golden goblets; and in a; moment they experienced the exhilarating effects of the generous liquor. ‘The color | rushed back, with an heighthened glow, to | their cheeks—a flood of light poured into their swimming eyes—smiles wreathed their lips unwittingly, the blood, a moment before stagnant and ice-bound in thei / / ’ ’ veins, chased like lightning through those | erimson channels, and, without being in the least degree inebriated, they felt all the rapture of an indescribable bliss. Turning towards the lady, game moment, as if suddenly and simulta- meously animated by thre same idea, they | tess took their hands and raised them respect- | far as an fully to their lips. ‘Pardon us, kind hostess,” they said, “for having appeared to disobey you even for a single moment. Weare overwhelmed with confusion and shame that such should have been our conduct: but deign to point out to us the means of retrieving ourselves in your good opinion ‘You have already done so effectually, dear youths,” interrupted the lady, ‘by the path which you have taken. And now, would you know how you can secure my friendsinp for ever, and perhaps induce me to break through that rule which, if en- forced, wou'd. prevent you from visiting my mansions a own bewitching Jooks: then gently riring them from their suppliant posture, she led the way back into the midst of the bril- liant assembly. The moment the lady and the two pages re-appeared, all eyes were Cast upon the latter: but their joyous, radiant, and ani- mated features instantaneously conjured up.a smile of satisfaction to every coun- tenance — and bright glances became brighter still as they shot forth from orbs in the depths of » hich an unmixed cheer- tulness succeeded to an evanescent appre- hension, Conducting Lionel and Konrad through the glorious company, the lady paused at length in the presence of that bewiiching ‘creature whom we have already noticed, ‘ . | | ‘not both at the |and who held the variegated fan in her ‘hond. To this yousg lady the superb hos- introduced Lionel—that is to say, 80 introduction could take place without the mention of each party’s name: for the pages were not only unacquainted with even the appellation of the mistress of the mansion, but had not been ques- tioned by her relative to their own names, ‘My sweet friend,’ said the hostess to the young lady with a fan, ‘permit me to introduce to your notice a fair youth who is well worthy of the initiation which he has received into the mysteries of our earthly paradise. Your usual companion is here to night——-Oh! does a cloud pass over your countenance dear, girl ? exclaimed 1 mistress of the mansion mn tender Lone, On observing that the young shudc | suddenly : +c oie a : 7 1, 7 pred and necame comicbooks.com