The Mysteries of Udolpho

He paused again; and, looking at Emily, perceived her countenance

change, and that she was falling from the seat; he caught her, but she

had fainted, and he called loudly for assistance. They were, however,

beyond the hearing of his servants at the chateau, and he feared

to leave her while he went thither for assistance, yet knew not how

otherwise to obtain it; till a fountain at no great distance caught his

eye, and he endeavoured to support Emily against the tree, under which

she had been sitting, while he went thither for water. But again he was

perplexed, for he had nothing near him, in which water could be brought;

but while, with increased anxiety, he watched her, he thought he

perceived in her countenance symptoms of returning life.

It was long, however, before she revived, and then she found herself

supported--not by the Count, but by Valancourt, who was observing her

with looks of earnest apprehension, and who now spoke to her in a tone,

tremulous with his anxiety. At the sound of his well-known voice, she

raised her eyes, but presently closed them, and a faintness again came

over her.

The Count, with a look somewhat stern, waved him to withdraw; but he

only sighed heavily, and called on the name of Emily, as he again held

the water, that had been brought, to her lips. On the Count's repeating

his action, and accompanying it with words, Valancourt answered him

with a look of deep resentment, and refused to leave the place, till she

should revive, or to resign her for a moment to the care of any person.

In the next instant, his conscience seemed to inform him of what had

been the subject of the Count's conversation with Emily, and indignation

flashed in his eyes; but it was quickly repressed, and succeeded by an

expression of serious anguish, that induced the Count to regard him with

more pity than resentment, and the view of which so much affected Emily,

when she again revived, that she yielded to the weakness of tears.

But she soon restrained them, and, exerting her resolution to appear

recovered, she rose, thanked the Count and Henri, with whom Valancourt

had entered the garden, for their care, and moved towards the chateau,

without noticing Valancourt, who, heart-struck by her manner, exclaimed

in a low voice--'Good God! how have I deserved this?--what has been

said, to occasion this change?' E

mily, without replying, but with increased emotion, quickened her

steps. 'What has thus disordered you, Emily?' said he, as he still

walked by her side: 'give me a few moments' conversation, I entreat

you;--I am very miserable!'