The Mysteries of Udolpho

What, you know then, ma'amselle, all about it!' rejoined Annette. 'No,

no, I do know better than to do so; though, if the Signor can sleep

sound, nobody else in the castle has any right to lie awake, I am sure.'

Emily did not appear to notice this remark. 'Down this passage, ma'amselle; this leads to a back stair-case. O! if I

see any thing, I shall be frightened out of my wits!'

'That will scarcely be possible,' said Emily smiling, as she followed

the winding of the passage, which opened into another gallery: and then

Annette, perceiving that she had missed her way, while she had been

so eloquently haranguing on ghosts and fairies, wandered about through

other passages and galleries, till, at length, frightened by their

intricacies and desolation, she called aloud for assistance: but they

were beyond the hearing of the servants, who were on the other side of

the castle, and Emily now opened the door of a chamber on the left. 'O! do not go in there, ma'amselle,' said Annette, 'you will only lose

yourself further.'

'Bring the light forward,' said Emily, 'we may possibly find our way

through these rooms.' Annette stood at the door, in an attitude of hesitation, with the light

held up to shew the chamber, but the feeble rays spread through not half

of it. 'Why do you hesitate?' said Emily, 'let me see whither this room

leads.' Annette advanced reluctantly. It opened into a suite of spacious and

ancient apartments, some of which were hung with tapestry, and others

wainscoted with cedar and black larch-wood. What furniture there was,

seemed to be almost as old as the rooms, and retained an appearance

of grandeur, though covered with dust, and dropping to pieces with the

damps, and with age. 'How cold these rooms are, ma'amselle!' said Annette: 'nobody has lived

in them for many, many years, they say. Do let us go.' 'They may open upon the great stair-case, perhaps,' said Emily, passing

on till she came to a chamber, hung with pictures, and took the light

to examine that of a soldier on horseback in a field of battle.--He was

darting his spear upon a man, who lay under the feet of the horse, and

who held up one hand in a supplicating attitude. The soldier,

whose beaver was up, regarded him with a look of vengeance, and the

countenance, with that expression, struck Emily as resembling Montoni.

She shuddered, and turned from it. Passing the light hastily over

several other pictures, she came to one concealed by a veil of black

silk.