The Mysteries of Udolpho

It was now twelve o'clock. As she closed her casement, she heard

footsteps on the terrace below, and saw imperfectly, through the gloom,

several persons advancing, who passed under the casement. She then

heard the clink of arms, and, in the next moment, the watch-word; when,

recollecting the command she had overheard from Montoni, and the hour

of the night, she understood, that these men were, for the first time,

relieving guard in the castle. Having listened till all was again still,

she retired to sleep.