Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

DANGER IN THE DARK. 81
her temples. Her gentle bosom heaved with emotion,
and the angelic creature seemed strugglIng like a martyr
at the stake, for resignation to her fate. Arabella,
though manifesting some trepidation, endured the
cruel ceremonies with surprising fortitude. The
gloomthat hung upon her young heart, clouded her fair
brow, but still the bloom of health was on her cheek;
her hair, of a golden hue, looked like shining threads
of amber as, disheveled, it dropped upon the graceful
form of the kneeling beauty. When the solemn vows
had passed their lips, Dupin, the ministering priest,
said in a doleful voice: "Heaven requires sacrifice I
long hair is a vain ornament and only fosters pride,
and as pride becomes not saints, you must now be
shorn." Saying which, he inserted into Anna Maria's
ebon locks, the sacred scissors, like his own heart,
relentless and remorseless! The monster ceased not to
despoil until the head was made bare, and the last
ringlet dropped from the temples of beauty! Then
looking upon his mutilated victim, said with an air of
piety, ~'As your head has been divested of its gay
covering, so may your heart be disrobed of all earthly
affections! "
Arabella had now to pass the same ordeal; and
when beneath the priestly hand, her glittering tresses
began to fall, the pearly tear, despite her religious fortitude,
might have been seen glistening in her mild,
blue eye; yet no audible sigh or moan escaped her
lips. 'I/< .. 'I/< BI ck caps were now put on their heads;
then two coffins, covered with dark velvet, were
6 .