The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Yes, ma'am, I saw him alight, for I went from hence to the grate in the

north turret, that overlooks the inner court-yard, you know. There I

saw the Count's carriage, and the Count in it, waiting at the great

door,--for the porter was just gone to bed--with several men on

horseback all by the light of the torches they carried.' Emily was

compelled to smile. 'When the door was opened, the Count said something,

that I could not make out, and then got out, and another gentleman with

him. I thought, to be sure, the Signor was gone to bed, and I hastened

away to my lady's dressing-room, to see what I could hear. But in the

way I met Ludovico, and he told me that the Signor was up, counselling

with his master and the other Signors, in the room at the end of the

north gallery; and Ludovico held up his finger, and laid it on his lips,

as much as to say--There is more going on, than you think of, Annette,

but you must hold your tongue. And so I did hold my tongue, ma'amselle,

and came away to tell you directly.

' Emily enquired who the cavalier was, that accompanied the Count, and how

Montoni received them; but Annette could not inform her.

'Ludovico,' she added, 'had just been to call Signor Montoni's valet,

that he might tell him they were arrived, when I met him.'

Emily sat musing, for some time, and then her anxiety was so much

increased, that she desired Annette would go to the servants' hall,

where it was possible she might hear something of the Count's intention,

respecting his stay at the castle. 'Yes, ma'am,' said Annette with readiness; 'but how am I to find the

way, if I leave the lamp with you?' Emily said she would light her, and they immediately quitted the

chamber. When they had reached the top of the great stair-case, Emily

recollected, that she might be seen by the Count, and, to avoid the

great hall, Annette conducted her through some private passages to a

back stair-case, which led directly to that of the servants.

As she returned towards her chamber, Emily began to fear, that she

might again lose herself in the intricacies of the castle, and again

be shocked by some mysterious spectacle; and, though she was already

perplexed by the numerous turnings, she feared to open one of the many

doors that offered. While she stepped thoughtfully along, she fancied,

that she heard a low moaning at no great distance, and, having paused a

moment, she heard it again and distinctly. Several doors appeared on the

right hand of the passage. She advanced, and listened. When she came to

the second, she heard a voice, apparently in complaint, within, to which

she continued to listen, afraid to open the door, and unwilling to

leave it.