The Mysteries of Udolpho

The Countess was the first of her party to awaken from this pause of

silence. 'These dismal hymns and friars make one quite melancholy,' said she;

'twilight is coming on; pray let us return, or it will be dark before we

get home.' The count, looking up, now perceived, that the twilight of evening

was anticipated by an approaching storm. In the east a tempest was

collecting; a heavy gloom came on, opposing and contrasting the glowing

splendour of the setting sun. The clamorous sea-fowl skimmed in fleet

circles upon the surface of the sea, dipping their light pinions in the

wave, as they fled away in search of shelter. The boatmen pulled hard

at their oars; but the thunder, that now muttered at a distance, and the

heavy drops, that began to dimple the water, made the Count determine

to put back to the monastery for shelter, and the course of the boat

was immediately changed. As the clouds approached the west, their lurid

darkness changed to a deep ruddy glow, which, by reflection, seemed to

fire the tops of the woods and the shattered towers of the monastery.

The appearance of the heavens alarmed the Countess and Mademoiselle

Bearn, whose expressions of apprehension distressed the Count, and

perplexed his men; while Blanche continued silent, now agitated with

fear, and now with admiration, as she viewed the grandeur of the clouds,

and their effect on the scenery, and listened to the long, long peals of

thunder, that rolled through the air.

The boat having reached the lawn before the monastery, the Count sent a

servant to announce his arrival, and to entreat shelter of the Superior,

who, soon after, appeared at the great gate, attended by several

monks, while the servant returned with a message, expressive at once of

hospitality and pride, but of pride disguised in submission. The party

immediately disembarked, and, having hastily crossed the lawn--for the

shower was now heavy--were received at the gate by the Superior, who, as

they entered, stretched forth his hands and gave his blessing; and they

passed into the great hall, where the lady abbess waited, attended by

several nuns, clothed, like herself, in black, and veiled in white.

The veil of the abbess was, however, thrown half back, and discovered a

countenance, whose chaste dignity was sweetened by the smile of welcome,

with which she addressed the Countess, whom she led, with Blanche and

Mademoiselle Bearn, into the convent parlour, while the Count and Henri

were conducted by the Superior to the refectory.

The Countess, fatigued and discontented, received the politeness of the

abbess with careless haughtiness, and had followed her, with indolent

steps, to the parlour, over which the painted casements and wainscot of

larch-wood threw, at all times, a melancholy shade, and where the gloom

of evening now loured almost to darkness.