The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Well, but the repairs,' interrupted Montoni. 'Aye, the repairs,' said Carlo: 'a part of the roof of the great hall

has fallen in, and all the winds from the mountains rushed through it

last winter, and whistled through the whole castle so, that there was no

keeping one's self warm, be where one would. There, my wife and I used

to sit shivering over a great fire in one corner of the little hall,

ready to die with cold, and'-'But there are no more repairs wanted,' said Montoni, impatiently. 'O Lord! Your excellenza, yes--the wall of the rampart has tumbled down

in three places; then, the stairs, that lead to the west gallery, have

been a long time so bad, that it is dangerous to go up them; and the

passage leading to the great oak chamber, that overhangs the north

rampart--one night last winter I ventured to go there by myself, and

your excellenza'-'Well, well, enough of this,' said Montoni, with quickness: 'I will talk

more with thee to-morrow.'

The fire was now lighted; Carlo swept the hearth, placed chairs, wiped

the dust from a large marble table that stood near it, and then left the

room. Montoni and his family drew round the fire. Madame Montoni made several

attempts at conversation, but his sullen answers repulsed her, while

Emily sat endeavouring to acquire courage enough to speak to him. At

length, in a tremulous voice, she said, 'May I ask, sir, the motive

of this sudden journey?'--After a long pause, she recovered sufficient

courage to repeat the question. 'It does not suit me to answer enquiries,' said Montoni, 'nor does it

become you to make them; time may unfold them all: but I desire I may

be no further harassed, and I recommend it to you to retire to your

chamber, and to endeavour to adopt a more rational conduct, than that

of yielding to fancies, and to a sensibility, which, to call it by the

gentlest name, is only a weakness.' E

mily rose to withdraw. 'Good night, madam,' said she to her aunt, with

an assumed composure, that could not disguise her emotion. 'Good night, my dear,' said Madame Montoni, in a tone of kindness, which

her niece had never before heard from her; and the unexpected endearment

brought tears to Emily's eyes. She curtsied to Montoni, and was

retiring; 'But you do not know the way to your chamber,' said her aunt.

Montoni called the servant, who waited in the ante-room, and bade

him send Madame Montoni's woman, with whom, in a few minutes, Emily

withdrew. 'Do you know which is my room?' said she to Annette, as they crossed the

hall. 'Yes, I believe I do, ma'amselle; but this is such a strange rambling

place! I have been lost in it already: they call it the double chamber,

over the south rampart, and I went up this great stair-case to it. My

lady's room is at the other end of the castle.'