The Mysteries of Udolpho

At every step she took, Emily feared to see some vestige of death.

Coming soon after to an opening in the woods, Bertrand stopped to survey

the ground, which was encumbered with massy trunks and branches of the

trees, that had so lately adorned it, and seemed to have been a spot

particularly fatal to the besiegers; for it was evident from the

destruction of the trees, that here the hottest fire of the garrison

had been directed. As Ugo held again forth the torch, steel glittered

between the fallen trees; the ground beneath was covered with broken

arms, and with the torn vestments of soldiers, whose mangled forms

Emily almost expected to see; and she again entreated her companions to

proceed, who were, however, too intent in their examination, to regard

her, and she turned her eyes from this desolated scene to the castle

above, where she observed lights gliding along the ramparts. Presently,

the castle clock struck twelve, and then a trumpet sounded, of which

Emily enquired the occasion.

'O! they are only changing watch,' replied Ugo. 'I do not remember

this trumpet,' said Emily, 'it is a new custom.' 'It is only an old one

revived, lady; we always use it in time of war. We have sounded it, at

midnight, ever since the place was besieged.'

'Hark!' said Emily, as the trumpet sounded again; and, in the next

moment, she heard a faint clash of arms, and then the watchword passed

along the terrace above, and was answered from a distant part of the

castle; after which all was again still. She complained of cold, and

begged to go on. 'Presently, lady,' said Bertrand, turning over some

broken arms with the pike he usually carried. 'What have we here?'

'Hark!' cried Emily, 'what noise was that?'

'What noise was it?' said Ugo, starting up and listening.

'Hush!' repeated Emily. 'It surely came from the ramparts above:' and,

on looking up, they perceived a light moving along the walls, while,

in the next instant, the breeze swelling, the voice sounded louder than

before. 'Who goes yonder?' cried a sentinel of the castle. 'Speak or it will be

worse for you.' Bertrand uttered a shout of joy. 'Hah! my brave comrade,

is it you?' said he, and he blew a shrill whistle, which signal was

answered by another from the soldier on watch; and the party, then

passing forward, soon after emerged from the woods upon the broken road,

that led immediately to the castle gates, and Emily saw, with renewed

terror, the whole of that stupendous structure. 'Alas!' said she to

herself, 'I am going again into my prison!'