The Mysteries of Udolpho

After wandering, for some time, in these, the party returned to the

shore and embarked; and, the beauty of the evening tempting them to

extend their excursion, they proceeded further up the bay. A dead calm

had succeeded the light breeze, that wafted them hither, and the men

took to their oars. Around, the waters were spread into one vast expanse

of polished mirror, reflecting the grey cliffs and feathery woods, that

over-hung its surface, the glow of the western horizon and the dark

clouds, that came slowly from the east. Blanche loved to see the dipping

oars imprint the water, and to watch the spreading circles they left,

which gave a tremulous motion to the reflected landscape, without

destroying the harmony of its features.

Above the darkness of the woods, her eye now caught a cluster of high

towers, touched with the splendour of the setting rays; and, soon after,

the horns being then silent, she heard the faint swell of choral voices

from a distance. 'What voices are those, upon the air?' said the Count, looking

round, and listening; but the strain had ceased. 'It seemed to be a

vesper-hymn, which I have often heard in my convent,' said Blanche.

'We are near the monastery, then,' observed the Count; and, the boat

soon after doubling a lofty head-land, the monastery of St. Claire

appeared, seated near the margin of the sea, where the cliffs, suddenly

sinking, formed a low shore within a small bay, almost encircled with

woods, among which partial features of the edifice were seen;--the great

gate and gothic window of the hall, the cloisters and the side of a

chapel more remote; while a venerable arch, which had once led to a part

of the fabric, now demolished, stood a majestic ruin detached from the

main building, beyond which appeared a grand perspective of the woods.

On the grey walls, the moss had fastened, and, round the pointed windows

of the chapel, the ivy and the briony hung in many a fantastic wreath.

All without was silent and forsaken; but, while Blanche gazed with

admiration on this venerable pile, whose effect was heightened by the

strong lights and shadows thrown athwart it by a cloudy sun-set, a sound

of many voices, slowly chanting, arose from within. The Count bade his

men rest on their oars. The monks were singing the hymn of vespers, and

some female voices mingled with the strain, which rose by soft degrees,

till the high organ and the choral sounds swelled into full and solemn

harmony. The strain, soon after, dropped into sudden silence, and was

renewed in a low and still more solemn key, till, at length, the holy

chorus died away, and was heard no more.--Blanche sighed, tears trembled

in her eyes, and her thoughts seemed wafted with the sounds to heaven.

While a rapt stillness prevailed in the boat, a train of friars, and

then of nuns, veiled in white, issued from the cloisters, and passed,

under the shade of the woods, to the main body of the edifice.