The Mysteries of Udolpho

Annette still kept her eyes on the lamp, and proceeded in a lower voice.

'It was one evening, they say, at the latter end of the year, it

might be about the middle of September, I suppose, or the beginning of

October; nay, for that matter, it might be November, for that, too, is

the latter end of the year, but that I cannot say for certain, because

they did not tell me for certain themselves. However, it was at the

latter end of the year, this grand lady walked out of the castle into

the woods below, as she had often done before, all alone, only her maid

was with her. The wind blew cold, and strewed the leaves about, and

whistled dismally among those great old chesnut trees, that we passed,

ma'amselle, as we came to the castle--for Benedetto shewed me the

trees as he was talking--the wind blew cold, and her woman would have

persuaded her to return: but all would not do, for she was fond of

walking in the woods, at evening time, and, if the leaves were falling

about her, so much the better.

'Well, they saw her go down among the woods, but night came, and she

did not return: ten o'clock, eleven o'clock, twelve o'clock came, and no

lady! Well, the servants thought to be sure, some accident had befallen

her, and they went out to seek her. They searched all night long, but

could not find her, or any trace of her; and, from that day to this,

ma'amselle, she has never been heard of.'

'Is this true, Annette?' said Emily, in much surprise. 'True, ma'am!' said Annette, with a look of horror, 'yes, it is true,

indeed. But they do say,' she added, lowering her voice, 'they do say,

that the Signora has been seen, several times since, walking in the

woods and about the castle in the night: several of the old servants,

who remained here some time after, declare they saw her; and, since

then, she has been seen by some of the vassals, who have happened to be

in the castle, at night. Carlo, the old steward, could tell such things,

they say, if he would.' 'How contradictory is this, Annette!' said Emily, 'you say nothing has

been since known of her, and yet she has been seen!'

'But all this was told me for a great secret,' rejoined Annette, without

noticing the remark, 'and I am sure, ma'am, you would not hurt either

me or Benedetto, so much as to go and tell it again.' Emily remained

silent, and Annette repeated her last sentence. 'You have nothing to fear from my indiscretion,' replied Emily, 'and let

me advise you, my good Annette, be discreet yourself, and never mention

what you have just told me to any other person. Signor Montoni, as

you say, may be angry if he hears of it. But what inquiries were made

concerning the lady?' 'O! a great deal, indeed, ma'amselle, for the Signor laid claim to the

castle directly, as being the next heir, and they said, that is, the

judges, or the senators, or somebody of that sort, said, he could not

take possession of it till so many years were gone by, and then, if,

after all, the lady could not be found, why she would be as good as

dead, and the castle would be his own; and so it is his own. But the

story went round, and many strange reports were spread, so very strange,

ma'amselle, that I shall not tell them.'