The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

co i et Or \s -—- fe oe ee SVs ws lCMlCOsé‘S THE BRONZE STATUE. 7 rich herbage that bordered the forest ; and, mounting the noble animal, he pursued his} we you to his presence ‘¢ way in the direction of Altendorf Castle. CHAPTER IL. LORD RODOLPH, Iw about twenty minutes the lofty towers of the feudal fortalice bega ike shapely clouds, tn the pure moon against the deep purple sky; and by degrees, as the stranger approached them, they as- aumed the solemn and imposing form of a vast castellated structure. The summits of those huge masses of masonry shone with a greyis’) lustre, borrowed from the sweet planet of the night; but that appearance gradually deepened ‘downwards in hue, until the lower portions of the stupendous edifice were revealed in an awe-inspiring and gloomy blackness. The forest stretched completely up to the | them.’ right wing of the building, a portion of which was thus enbowered by the mighty oaks that seemed as capable of defying old Time as the gothic walls themselves ; and from the central tower to that extremity which was so completely shrouded by the dense foliage, not 4 single light climmered from the high, narrow, arched windows. But through many a lattice in the left wing and the adjacent structures the beams of lamps shone forth, displaying, instead of mitigating, the sombre aspect and prison- like gloom that invested the entire Castle, as it frowned in sullen grandeur high above the broad moat which glittered like 4 river | of quicksi.ver in the powerful lustre of the) moon. | The road grew less rugged and broken, and considerably wider, as it approached the draw-bridge, which lay like a deep black shadow across the pure stream, and on reaching the foot of the massive wooden | viaduct, the traveller blew the horn that was | suspended by a chain toa post. The wicket of the great gates was speedily opened 5 | and a burly warder appeared on tho | threshold. ‘Who art thou, worthy stranger 2’ de- mand-d the menial, ‘1 crave hospitality unti! the morrow, waa the answer. ‘ Travelling for a special | purpose, and on behalf of his Highness, Al-| ber, Duke of Austria, { am the bearer of | credentials proving me to be a trusty mes-| senger in the service of that Sovereign Prince.’ ‘The Baron of Altendorf 1s, at this pre- sent time, absent on a journey,’ said the warder, in a respectful tone ; ‘but his noble son, the Lord Rodolph, will make you right the reply ; ‘ and | won the golden spurs of knighthood in battle against the Turks.’ the warder, instantly throwing open the gates of the Castle; although, at the same time, he marvelled that a man of such rank and inthe special service of the reigning n to stand out| Prince of the Duchy of Austria should light, | travel unattended even by a single ser- vitor. dismounted from his steed in the court-yard of the Castle, and making the present ob- servation either because he divined what was passing in the man’s thoughts, or because he felt that some excuse Was neces- sary— my two pages will be here before I take my departure in the morning. ‘They have tarried behind me to execute certain commissions wherewith I had entrusted ceived the travel-wearied horse ; and Sir Ernest wasconducted into 4 spacious arched vestibule, lighted by a massive jron lamp suspended to the ceiling. At the far- ther extremity. were the high and deeply- set gothic doors, evidently opening into the chapel: and on either side of the hall was a largestaircase. The warder led the way up the flight commun,.ating with that por- tion of the building which stood on the left of the huge centrai tower; and on reaching the landing, the Knight was escorted 'through several long passages, until his guide threw open a door, announcing, in 4 ‘nounced in the usual terms, he smoothed ‘seized with a sudden paroxysm of mingled lcome. By \. hat name shall I introduce ‘Tam called Sir Ernest de Colmar,’ was ‘ Enter, Sir Ernest de Colmar ’ exclaimed ‘ My two pages,’ said the Knight, as he A groom, summoned by the warder, re- loud voice, * Sir Ernest de Colmar.’ The apartment which the guest noW eBe tered was spacious, lofty, and furnished in a style of gloomy grandeur well befitting the general aspect of the ancient fortalice. Upon a table in the centre stood flagons of wine, drinking-cups, and several dishes of fruit; but no one was seated at the board: for the only occupant of the room at the time when the Knight was ushered in was a very young man, who seemed to be inter- rupted by this visit as he was pacing toand, fro in an apparently agitated manner. The moment, however, @ guest was an- hig ruffed brow, and, assum‘ng a milder deportment, advanced to greet him, Butthe instant the light of the Jamp, suspeaded to the ceiling, revealed to Lord Rodolph—for he it was—the countenance of the Knight, he started, turned pale, and appeared to be rage and surprise ; then, recovering himself so promptly that this rapid excitement of comicbooks.com