The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Stay a minute,' replied the sentinel, 'and you need not have the

trouble, for the horses will be sent round to the outer stables, then

the gates will be shut, and I can leave my post.' 'I don't mind the

trouble, comrade,' said Ludovico, 'you will do such another good turn

for me, some time. Go--go, and fetch the wine; the rogues, that are just

come in, will drink it all else.'

The soldier hesitated, and then called aloud to the people in the second

court, to know why they did not send out the horses, that the gates

might be shut; but they were too much engaged, to attend to him, even if

they had heard his voice. 'Aye--aye,' said Ludovico, 'they know better than that; they are sharing

it all among them; if you wait till the horses come out, you must wait

till the wine is drunk. I have had my share already, but, since you do

not care about yours, I see no reason why I should not have that too.'

'Hold, hold, not so fast,' cried the sentinel, 'do watch then, for a

moment: I'll be with you presently.'

'Don't hurry yourself,' said Ludovico, coolly, 'I have kept guard before

now. But you may leave me your trombone,* that, if the castle should be

attacked, you know, I may be able to defend the pass, like a hero.' (* A kind of blunderbuss. [A. R.]) 'There, my good fellow,' returned the soldier, 'there, take it--it has

seen service, though it could do little in defending the castle. I'll

tell you a good story, though, about this same trombone.' '

You'll tell it better when you have had the wine,' said Ludovico.

'There! they are coming out from the court already.'

'I'll have the wine, though,' said the sentinel, running off. 'I won't

keep you a minute.' 'Take your time, I am in no haste,' replied Ludovico, who was already

hurrying across the court, when the soldier came back. 'Whither so fast,

friend--whither so fast?' said the latter. 'What! is this the way you

keep watch! I must stand to my post myself, I see.'

'Aye, well,' replied Ludovico, 'you have saved me the trouble of

following you further, for I wanted to tell you, if you have a mind to

drink the Tuscany wine, you must go to Sebastian, he is dealing it out;

the other that Federico has, is not worth having. But you are not likely

to have any, I see, for they are all coming out.'