The Mysteries of Udolpho

Dark power! with shudd'ring, meek submitted thought

Be mine to read the visions old

Which thy awak'ning bards have told,

And, lest they meet my blasted view,

Hold each strange tale devoutly true.

COLLINS' ODE TO FEAR

Emily was recalled from a kind of slumber, into which she had, at

length, sunk, by a quick knocking at her chamber door. She started up

in terror, for Montoni and Count Morano instantly came to her mind; but,

having listened in silence for some time, and recognizing the voice

of Annette, she rose and opened the door. 'What brings you hither so

early?' said Emily, trembling excessively. She was unable to support

herself, and sat down on the bed.

'Dear ma'amselle!' said Annette, 'do not look so pale. I am quite

frightened to see you. Here is a fine bustle below stairs, all the

servants running to and fro, and none of them fast enough! Here is a

bustle, indeed, all of a sudden, and nobody knows for what!'

'Who is below besides them?' said Emily, 'Annette, do not trifle with

me!' 'Not for the world, ma'amselle, I would not trifle for the world; but

one cannot help making one's remarks, and there is the Signor in such

a bustle, as I never saw him before; and he has sent me to tell you,

ma'am, to get ready immediately.'

'Good God support me!' cried Emily, almost fainting, 'Count Morano is

below, then!' 'No, ma'amselle, he is not below that I know of,' replied Annette, 'only

his excellenza sent me to desire you would get ready directly to leave

Venice, for that the gondolas would be at the steps of the canal in a

few minutes: but I must hurry back to my lady, who is just at her wits

end, and knows not which way to turn for haste.'

'Explain, Annette, explain the meaning of all this before you go,' said

Emily, so overcome with surprise and timid hope, that she had scarcely

breath to speak. 'Nay, ma'amselle, that is more than I can do. I only know that the

Signor is just come home in a very ill humour, that he has had us

all called out of our beds, and tells us we are all to leave Venice

immediately.'

'Is Count Morano to go with the signor?' said Emily, 'and whither are we

going?' 'I know neither, ma'am, for certain; but I heard Ludovico say something

about going, after we get to terra-firma, to the signor's castle among

some mountains, that he talked of.'