The Mysteries of Udolpho

Thus heavily moved the hours till midnight, when she counted the sullen

notes of the great clock, as they rolled along the rampart, unmingled

with any sound, except the distant foot-fall of a sentinel, who came

to relieve guard. She now thought she might venture towards the turret,

and, having gently opened the chamber door to examine the corridor, and

to listen if any person was stirring in the castle, found all around

in perfect stillness. Yet no sooner had she left the room, than she

perceived a light flash on the walls of the corridor, and, without

waiting to see by whom it was carried, she shrunk back, and closed her

door. No one approaching, she conjectured, that it was Montoni going to

pay his mid-night visit to her unknown neighbour, and she determined to

wait, till he should have retired to his own apartment.

When the chimes had tolled another half hour, she once more opened

the door, and, perceiving that no person was in the corridor, hastily

crossed into a passage, that led along the south side of the castle

towards the stair-case, whence she believed she could easily find her

way to the turret. Often pausing on her way, listening apprehensively to

the murmurs of the wind, and looking fearfully onward into the gloom of

the long passages, she, at length, reached the stair-case; but there her

perplexity began. Two passages appeared, of which she knew not how to

prefer one, and was compelled, at last, to decide by chance, rather than

by circumstances. That she entered, opened first into a wide gallery,

along which she passed lightly and swiftly; for the lonely aspect of the

place awed her, and she started at the echo of her own steps.

On a sudden, she thought she heard a voice, and, not distinguishing

from whence it came, feared equally to proceed, or to return. For some

moments, she stood in an attitude of listening expectation, shrinking

almost from herself and scarcely daring to look round her. The voice

came again, but, though it was now near her, terror did not allow her to

judge exactly whence it proceeded. She thought, however, that it was the

voice of complaint, and her belief was soon confirmed by a low moaning

sound, that seemed to proceed from one of the chambers, opening into

the gallery.

It instantly occurred to her, that Madame Montoni might be

there confined, and she advanced to the door to speak, but was checked

by considering, that she was, perhaps, going to commit herself to a

stranger, who might discover her to Montoni; for, though this person,

whoever it was, seemed to be in affliction, it did not follow, that he

was a prisoner. While these thoughts passed over her mind, and left her still in

hesitation, the voice spoke again, and, calling 'Ludovico,' she then

perceived it to be that of Annette; on which, no longer hesitating, she

went in joy to answer her.