The Mysteries of Udolpho

Emily, for the remainder of the late eventful night, had been suffered

to sleep, undisturbed; and, when her mind recovered from the confusion

of slumber, and she remembered, that she was now released from the

addresses of Count Morano, her spirits were suddenly relieved from a

part of the terrible anxiety, that had long oppressed them; that which

remained, arose chiefly from a recollection of Morano's assertions,

concerning the schemes of Montoni. He had said, that plans of the

latter, concerning Emily, were insearchable, yet that he knew them to

be terrible. At the time he uttered this, she almost believed it to be

designed for the purpose of prevailing with her to throw herself into

his protection, and she still thought it might be chiefly so accounted

for; but his assertions had left an impression on her mind, which a

consideration of the character and former conduct of Montoni did not

contribute to efface. She, however, checked her propensity to anticipate

evil; and, determined to enjoy this respite from actual misfortune,

tried to dismiss thought, took her instruments for drawing, and placed

herself at a window, to select into a landscape some features of the

scenery without.

As she was thus employed, she saw, walking on the rampart below, the

men, who had so lately arrived at the castle. The sight of strangers

surprised her, but still more, of strangers such as these. There was a

singularity in their dress, and a certain fierceness in their air, that

fixed all her attention. She withdrew from the casement, while they

passed, but soon returned to observe them further. Their figures seemed

so well suited to the wildness of the surrounding objects, that, as they

stood surveying the castle, she sketched them for banditti, amid the

mountain-view of her picture, when she had finished which, she was

surprised to observe the spirit of her group. But she had copied from

nature.

Carlo, when he had placed refreshment before these men in the apartment

assigned to them, returned, as he was ordered, to Montoni, who was

anxious to discover by what servant the keys of the castle had been

delivered to Morano, on the preceding night. But this man, though he was

too faithful to his master quietly to see him injured, would not

betray a fellow-servant even to justice; he, therefore, pretended to be

ignorant who it was, that had conspired with Count Morano, and related,

as before, that he had only overheard some of the strangers describing

the plot. Montoni's suspicions naturally fell upon the porter, whom he ordered now

to attend. Carlo hesitated, and then with slow steps went to seek him.