The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

eo ee ~— . - - —— ~ - —- - _ “84 Spell-bound, she was retained motion- less and with her eyes rivetted on the object which was proceeding amidst the trees, like a spectral shape with mea- sured steps and clothed in the garments of the grave. A cry rose to the lips of the captive maiden; but terror froze it ere the tongue could give it utterance. Merci- ful heavens! were the rumors indeed true ?—did the dead walk in the vicini- ty of that ancient fortalice 7—and was night rendered hideous there by the appalling forms of ghastliness which the = = THE BRONZE STATUE. of haughty confidence, and fixing his piercing dark eyes upon her counte- nance in a manner which showed that he sought at once to read the state of her mind in respect to himself. But in the dignified reserve which she assumed as she rose from her seat, he instanta- neously recognised a perseverance In that determination which she had al- | ready manifested to treat his overtures with scorn and contempt. ‘Three days have elapsed, sweet An- vela,’ he said, throwing as much ten- derness as possible into his voice, ‘ since you became an inmate of Altendorf ' Castle sepulchre gave up? Such were the thoughts that swept through her mind Ss ‘al « » * * —such were the questions which she .asked herself all ina moment, as her eyes still followed the spectral shape that was moving amidst the trees— mever once halting, nor turning aside, nor accelerating its pace, until it sudden- ly vanished, as if the earth had swal- ‘Not with mine own consent, my lord,’ interrupted the maiden, in silver tones, which the agitation of her bosom rendered tremulously clear; ‘ but torn away from the home which I love and cherish—forcibly carried off by your lordship’s ruffian myrmidons , lowed it up, or as if it had melted all in a moment into the air! Now was it that the spell which had sealed her lips and chained her limbs was suddenly lifted; and, with a faint ery, she staggered towards a seat on | - which she fell heavily. But almost at the same instant the ‘Oh! let not harsh words pass through those delicious lips, or jar against those pearly teeth !’ exclaimed Rodolph, ex- tending his arms towards her. ‘ You are adorable, lovely Angela—yes, ado- rable ! and I worship you.’ ‘Touch me not, my lord!’ she said, springing back as he advanced to seize grating sound of a key turning in a|her in a passionate embrace; ‘touch lock met her ears; and, recalled to her- | me not, I command you !’ she repeated, self, she passed her hand rapidly across | with a voice and manner so full of dig- her brow as if to steady her thoughts | nity that the youthful hbertine was for and muster up all her resolution in or-| a few moments overawed. der to encounter a painful ordeal. Steps; ‘ How long is this folly to continue ?’ were soon heard traversing the middle| he exclaimed, almost immediately re- room which separated the one she was | covering his hardihood and audacity.— in from the ante-chamber communica- |‘ Listen to me, Angela: listen to me : ting with the passage: the maiden com- | patiently for a short time,’ he proceed- pressed her lips tightly as if to keep | ed, in a softer tone; ‘and learn all that _down the feelings of mingled indigna- | | intend to accomplish, and all that you — ee —_- — Eee * : —_ A / ee ‘ « a a's ' ‘ 4 i fe ' . nal ' ; - ; 7 " : : i ’ 7 ’ ‘ 7 Pal : 4 ‘ ; ane ’ ‘ : - ' : 4 7 - ‘ ; ' 7 - ' : ; ' 7 - : : : ‘a * 4 ' 7 4 : : ‘ ‘ ' tut its f ve A wtp ~ i : i . ’ ’ , ra + : re s ‘ay i bal ? 7] | Pe PF Le y 4 . ; o . | ry + ] he. ' »"? 4 of M , - i 4 - f f . *. ' / J 4 ! 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F . > eo “ye Se oe * - —_— ie —- ye - ‘ * bt a ee tion and anguish which rose into her | have to expect.’ very throat; and, the door being flung ‘| can scarcely believe that one so open, Lord Rodolph entered the apart- | youthful in years has already grown old ment. in iniquity,’ said the maiden, in a voice ‘ You may retire,’ he said, in a short, | of calm reproach. imperious manner, to the steward Hu- ‘Your loveliness, Angela, is calculat- bert, who, having attended him thither, | ed to drive me to any extremes, in or- was lingering upon the threshold; and | der to make you mine,’ exclaimed Lord the old man slowly withdrew, but not} Rodolph. ‘ But hear me patiently, and before he had cast a look full of sympa-| you will then be better able to judge thy and compassion upon the captive | whether it is wise, prudent, or even | ‘maiden, who failed not to perceive that | availing for you to meet my appeals with she was the object of this evident friend- | contempt, my entreaties with scorn, my ly feeling on his part. . _ | vows of love with looks of hatred. Oh, Thus retiring, in obedience to his | Angela! do not turn thus coldly away young master’s commands, Hubert! from me. A year has now elapsed since closed the door, and the maiden was | accident led me, while huntines in the now alone in the State Chamber with} Count of Rosenberg’s forest, to the cot- Lord Rodolph. _ |tage where you dwelt. I saw you, and He advanced towards her with an air | to see you was to become enamored of _ comicbooks.com