The Mysteries of Udolpho

Whether Emily was alarmed by this omen, or not, she certainly was

relieved from much terror by discovering this man to be only a soldier

on duty, and it immediately occurred to her, that it might be he,

who had occasioned so much alarm on the preceding night. There were,

however, some circumstances, that still required explanation. As far

as she could judge by the faint moon-light, that had assisted her

observation, the figure she had seen did not resemble this man either

in shape or size; besides, she was certain it had carried no arms. The

silence of its steps, if steps it had, the moaning sounds, too, which

it had uttered, and its strange disappearance, were circumstances of

mysterious import, that did not apply, with probability, to a soldier

engaged in the duty of his guard.

She now enquired of the sentinel, whether he had seen any person besides

his fellow watch, walking on the terrace, about midnight; and then

briefly related what she had herself observed. 'I was not on guard that night, lady,' replied the man, 'but I heard of

what happened. There are amongst us, who believe strange things. Strange

stories, too, have long been told of this castle, but it is no business

of mine to repeat them; and, for my part, I have no reason to complain;

our Chief does nobly by us.'

'I commend your prudence,' said Emily. 'Good night, and accept this from

me,' she added, throwing him a small piece of coin, and then closing the

casement to put an end to the discourse.

When he was gone, she opened it again, listened with a gloomy pleasure

to the distant thunder, that began to murmur among the mountains, and

watched the arrowy lightnings, which broke over the remoter scene. The

pealing thunder rolled onward, and then, reverbed by the mountains,

other thunder seemed to answer from the opposite horizon; while the

accumulating clouds, entirely concealing the moon, assumed a red

sulphureous tinge, that foretold a violent storm.

Emily remained at her casement, till the vivid lightning, that now,

every instant, revealed the wide horizon and the landscape below, made

it no longer safe to do so, and she went to her couch; but, unable

to compose her mind to sleep, still listened in silent awe to the

tremendous sounds, that seemed to shake the castle to its foundation.

She had continued thus for a considerable time, when, amidst the uproar

of the storm, she thought she heard a voice, and, raising herself to

listen, saw the chamber door open, and Annette enter with a countenance

of wild affright. 'She is dying, ma'amselle, my lady is dying!' said she.