The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

terious that, if written in a book, they would constitute aromance so wild that never did human imagination conceive 92 THE BRONZE STATUE. he may set afoot, or defend you against the outrage which his maddening de- . . ; a . sires may urge him to perpetrate. | i : : - ‘ na ’ . a | the like. But over this tremendous ‘ What, then, must I do lady? asked : narrative the same dark veil which has| Angela, appealing to the mysterious hitherto concealed it must continue to| Carmelite as if she were seeking the hanes: and inasmuch as I dare not at- counsel of a mother. “ . ‘cy , tempt to raise it, so would you, Angela, | «There is but one course to pursue, my child,’ was the impressive response, | only be aggravating the misery which I | m ‘Oh! need I prompt you how to act now endure were you to demand ex- when your happiness in this world and | planations which | cannot give. Never- 1 ya theless, it is that combination of circum- | your salvation In the next are so terribly stances to which I have thus distantly |compromised? but, tell me, Angela, alluded, that compels me to recommend | what would you do if you found your- the course which I am about to implore |self in a spot where a venomous ser- you to adopt.’ | pent was already erect and hissing to ‘There is s0 much earnestness—so | spring upon you——’ much unartificial sincerity in your tone| ‘I would fly, lady ; I would fly !’ ex- and manner, lady!’ observed Angela, | claimed the maiden. ‘ And now | com- ‘that I am already prepared to promise | prehend what my duty is in respect to a full and unreserved compliance with Lord Rodolph of Altendorf,’ she added any plan which you may suggest for my |in a tone whose decision indicated the welfare.’ firmness of which her mind was ca- | ‘The good angels be thanked that you | pable when she met danger or emer- are thus confiding and reasonable, my | gency face to face. child.’ exclaimed the White Lady,’| ‘Yes, Angela, you must fly from the clasping her hands fervently and raising | perilous vicinage of Altendorf Castle,’ her eyes with an expression of ineffable | resumed the White Lady, ‘you must | gratitude. ‘In the same manner that I | quit that forest-home in which you have became aware of the fact that you ere | dwelt so long; you must bid farewell to now examined your little velvet bag in|the worthy couple who have supplied the State Chamber, so did I ascertain|the place of father and mother unto the arbitrary and violent intentions of | you.’ Lord Rodolph towards you. Yes; 1; ‘Qh! lady,’ exclaimed Angela, clasp- am no stranger to the terrible menaces | ing her hands despairingly, ‘you seem which he uttered; and I fear, alas! | to speak as if I had friends in readiness that he is fully capable of carrying |to afford me an asylum when [ abandon them into execution. But as that so-|the one which has so long protected my lemn warning declares; as that slip of| orphan head. But lam friendless, lady parchment which you wear in your bo- | —poor ‘ som affirms, the doom of thé condemn-| + Angela, Angela!’ interrupted the ed murderer were preferable to thy lot, | Carmelite, tears now starting forth from should’st thou become the wife of Ro-|her eyes upon the long sable fringes ; dolph of Altendorf !’ |'which in their jettiness enhanced the A cold shudder passed through the | alabaster pallor of her countenance, maiden’s frame as these words fell upon |* you know not how profoundly you af- her ears; for the thought flashed to her | flict me by giving way to this despon- mind that although she might escape at|dency. A minute ago, and you were present from Lord Rodolph’s power, it | nerved to encounter your destiny with would in future require some stronger | boldness; and now you are dishearten- hand than that of Wildon the forest- ed again. But cheer up, Angela; God keeper to protect her against his im- | will not desert you; and it may be that portunity and his violence. much happiness will arise from the ‘I do not ask if you love the Baron| course which I am about to point out of Altendorf’s son,’ resumed the White | for you to follow.’ Lady, after a few minutes pause, * be- | ‘Proceed, lady,’ said Angela, ‘I am ieee cause | am well aware that your heart | all attention, all obedience, and all gra- reciprocates not the indomitable pas- | titude ; for though the interest which sion which he has so unfortunately con-| you have taken in my welfare be mys- i ceived for you. But neither your vir-)terious and unaccountable even beyond tue, nor your indifference towards him, | any conjecture which the wildest flight nor your maidenly reserve, will suffice of imagination may form, yet do the to shield you from the intrigees which | profound and stirring intuitions of my o os _ comicbooks.com