Electronic fiction by ladyhildegarde

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Library

               As I enter the library my eyes are drawn to the myriad shadows crawling across the carpet, thrown by the flickering firelight. The warmth is ebbing even as I linger and when the fire is out, the room will be lit merely by the full moon radiating through the verandah doors.
               Therefore if I would read, I must do so with haste.
               I advance toward the fireplace with intent of stirring the embers, encouraging their proliferation and I pause, poker in hand, as my eyes draw to the subject encased in a gilt frame.
               Though I have studied this painting many times, its beauty and personal significance leaves me breathless. It is a likeness of none but Lady Hildegarde herself.
               She poses immortalized framed in sumptuous velvet draperies which cast a luminous gleam to her dark, softly curling hair and porcelain face. The expression is one of innocence but for the too-generous, too-crimson mouth which smiles mockingly. Her absinthe-colored eyes light brightly on me with uncanny precision.
               As before I am stupified and watch till I realize the fire lights are extinguished, and the room is dark but for a slant of light across her immaculate face.
               As though a guardian angel watches loyally, I spy a lighted candle next to a glass of gently-bubbling champagne. I move across the room and lift the candle high, sure these accoutrements were provided especially for me, but I see no lurker in the shadows.

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Preface	Courtyard	Contact
Beginning	Library	Tower
Conservatory	Dark Virtue	Links
Other Works	Sign Chronicles	Read Chronicles

© 1998-2007 by ladyhildegarde
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Last update Monday, July 2, 2007 5:20 PM