The Mysteries of Udolpho

'There is some truth in that,' said Emily, who would now have concluded

it was Orsino's music, which she had heard, on the preceding night,

had she not known, that he had neither taste, or skill in the art. But,

though she was unwilling to add to the number of Annette's surprises, by

mentioning the subject of her own, she enquired, whether any person in

the castle played on a musical instrument?

'O yes, ma'amselle! there is Benedetto plays the great drum to

admiration; and then, there is Launcelot the trumpeter; nay, for that

matter, Ludovico himself can play on the trumpet;--but he is ill now. I

remember once'-Emily interrupted her; 'Have you heard no other music since you came to

the castle--none last night?'

'Why, did YOU hear any last night, ma'amselle?' Emily evaded this question, by repeating her own. 'Why, no, ma'am,' replied Annette; 'I never heard any music here, I

must say, but the drums and the trumpet; and, as for last night, I did

nothing but dream I saw my late lady's ghost.'

'Your LATE lady's,' said Emily in a tremulous voice; 'you have heard

more, then. Tell me--tell me all, Annette, I entreat; tell me the worst

at once.' 'Nay, ma'amselle, you know the worst already.' 'I know nothing,' said Emily. 'Yes, you do, ma'amselle; you know, that nobody knows any thing about

her; and it is plain, therefore, she is gone, the way of the first lady

of the castle--nobody ever knew any thing about her.'

Emily leaned her head upon her hand, and was, for some time, silent;

then, telling Annette she wished to be alone, the latter left the room.

The remark of Annette had revived Emily's terrible suspicion, concerning

the fate of Madame Montoni; and she resolved to make another effort to

obtain certainty on this subject, by applying to Montoni once more.

When Annette returned, a few hours after, she told Emily, that the

porter of the castle wished very much to speak with her, for that he had

something of importance to say; her spirits had, however, of late been

so subject to alarm, that any new circumstance excited it; and this

message from the porter, when her first surprise was over, made her look

round for some lurking danger, the more suspiciously, perhaps, because

she had frequently remarked the unpleasant air and countenance of this

man. She now hesitated, whether to speak with him, doubting even, that

this request was only a pretext to draw her into some danger; but a

little reflection shewed her the improbability of this, and she blushed

at her weak fears. 'I will speak to him, Annette,' said she; 'desire him to come to the

corridor immediately.' Annette departed, and soon after returned.