{"product_id":"2940015242508","title":"Black Magic","description":"When \"The Viper of Milan\" first brought the name of Miss Marjorie Bowen into prominence, critics were not wanting who were skeptical as to the endurance of the young writer's popularity. The notable success of her next two novels, however, has proved these forebodings to be baseless, and it is gratifying to Miss Bowen's publisher to find that \" Black Magic: a Tale of the Rise and Fall of Anti-Christ,\" as her new romance is entitled, is in such huge demand as regards advance orders. The following extract from the closing pages of the book will show that Miss Bowen's pen is as vigorous as ever; it deals with the close of the infamous usurpation of the false Pope, Michael II.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuddenly, at its very height the storm ceased, the air became cool and fragrant, and a bright moon floated from the clouds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe silver radiance of it, extraordinarily bright and vivid, illuminated the Maremma, the pools, the tall reeds, the deserted buildings, the ruins that sheltered them; the clouds rolled swiftly from the sky, leaving it clear and blazing with stars.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first moon and the first stars that had shone since Michael II reigned in the Vatican.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheirry's dark dress and hair, and white agonized face pressed against the marble pavement showed in the luminous glow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBalthasar looked at his wife; neither dared to speak, but Wencelaus gave a panting sigh of relief at the lifting of the darkness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"My lord,\" he said, striving out of his mother's arms, \" a goodly company comes across the marsh\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA great awe and fear held them silent, and the wonderful silver shine of the moon was over them like a spell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey saw, slowly approaching them, two knights and two ladies, who seemed to advance without motion across the marshland.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe knights wore armour that shone like glass, and long mantles of white samite; the dames were clad in silver tissue, and all had close-pressed wreaths of roses mingled red and white around their brows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery bright and fair they were; the knights came to the fore, carrying silver trumpets; the ladies held each other's hands lovingly, and their gleaming tresses of red and gold wove together as they walked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey came to the portals of the villa, and the air blew cold and pure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lady with the yellow hair, who held white violets in her hand, spoke to the other, and her voice was like the echo of the sea in a wide lipped shell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey paused, Balthasar drew back before the great light they brought with them, and Ysabeau hid her face, for some of them she knew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn earth their names had been Melchoir, Sebastian, Jacobea and Sybilla.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Balthasar,\" said the foremost Knight, \" we are come from the courts of Paradise to bid you march against Rome. In that city reigns evil, sent to punish a sinful people, but now her time is come. Go you to Viterbo, there is the Cardinal of Narbonne, whom God has ordained Pope, with him an army; with these storm Rome, and all the people shall join you in destroying Antichrist.\"","brand":"OGB","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47074163523824,"sku":"2940015242508","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940015242508_p0.jpg?v=1763620222","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940015242508","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}