The Mysteries of Udolpho

As the moment of interview approached, her agitation increased so much,

that she almost resolved to excuse herself under what could scarcely

be called a pretence of illness; and, when she considered what could

be said, either concerning herself, or the fate of her aunt, she was

equally hopeless as to the event of her entreaty, and terrified as

to its effect upon the vengeful spirit of Montoni. Yet, to pretend

ignorance of her death, appeared, in some degree, to be sharing its

criminality, and, indeed, this event was the only ground, on which Emily

could rest her petition for leaving Udolpho.

While her thoughts thus wavered, a message was brought, importing, that

Montoni could not see her, till the next day; and her spirits were

then relieved, for a moment, from an almost intolerable weight of

apprehension. Annette said, she fancied the Chevaliers were going out

to the wars again, for the court-yard was filled with horses, and she

heard, that the rest of the party, who went out before, were expected at

the castle. 'And I heard one of the soldiers, too,' added she, 'say

to his comrade, that he would warrant they'd bring home a rare deal of

booty.--So, thinks I, if the Signor can, with a safe conscience, send

his people out a-robbing--why it is no business of mine. I only wish

I was once safe out of this castle; and, if it had not been for poor

Ludovico's sake, I would have let Count Morano's people run away with

us both, for it would have been serving you a good turn, ma'amselle, as

well as myself.' Annette might have continued thus talking for hours for any interruption

she would have received from Emily, who was silent, inattentive,

absorbed in thought, and passed the whole of this day in a kind

of solemn tranquillity, such as is often the result of faculties

overstrained by suffering.

When night returned, Emily recollected the mysterious strains of music,

that she had lately heard, in which she still felt some degree of

interest, and of which she hoped to hear again the soothing sweetness.

The influence of superstition now gained on the weakness of her

long-harassed mind; she looked, with enthusiastic expectation, to the

guardian spirit of her father, and, having dismissed Annette for the

night, determined to watch alone for their return. It was not yet,

however, near the time when she had heard the music on a former night,

and anxious to call off her thoughts from distressing subjects, she sat

down with one of the few books, that she had brought from France; but

her mind, refusing controul, became restless and agitated, and she went

often to the casement to listen for a sound. Once, she thought she heard

a voice, but then, every thing without the casement remaining still, she

concluded, that her fancy had deceived her.