The Mysteries of Udolpho

Her melancholy was assisted by the hollow sighings of the wind along the

corridor and round the castle. The cheerful blaze of the wood had long

been extinguished, and she sat with her eyes fixed on the dying embers,

till a loud gust, that swept through the corridor, and shook the doors

and casements, alarmed her, for its violence had moved the chair she had

placed as a fastening, and the door, leading to the private stair-case

stood half open. Her curiosity and her fears were again awakened. She

took the lamp to the top of the steps, and stood hesitating whether to

go down; but again the profound stillness and the gloom of the place

awed her, and, determining to enquire further, when day-light might

assist the search, she closed the door, and placed against it a stronger

guard. She now retired to her bed, leaving the lamp burning on the table; but

its gloomy light, instead of dispelling her fear, assisted it; for,

by its uncertain rays, she almost fancied she saw shapes flit past her

curtains and glide into the remote obscurity of her chamber.--The castle

clock struck one before she closed her eyes to sleep.