The Mysteries of Udolpho

Ye gods of quiet, and of sleep profound!

Whose soft dominion o'er this castle sways,

And all the widely-silent places round,

Forgive me, if my trembling pen displays

What never yet was sung in mortal lays.

THOMSON

The Count gave orders for the north apartments to be opened and prepared

for the reception of Ludovico; but Dorothee, remembering what she

had lately witnessed there, feared to obey, and, not one of the other

servants daring to venture thither, the rooms remained shut up till the

time when Ludovico was to retire thither for the night, an hour, for

which the whole household waited with impatience.

After supper, Ludovico, by the order of the Count, attended him in his

closet, where they remained alone for near half an hour, and, on leaving

which, his Lord delivered to him a sword.

'It has seen service in mortal quarrels,' said the Count, jocosely, 'you

will use it honourably, no doubt, in a spiritual one. Tomorrow, let me

hear that there is not one ghost remaining in the chateau.'

Ludovico received it with a respectful bow. 'You shall be obeyed, my

Lord,' said he; 'I will engage, that no spectre shall disturb the peace

of the chateau after this night.'

They now returned to the supper-room, where the Count's guests awaited

to accompany him and Ludovico to the door of the north apartments, and

Dorothee, being summoned for the keys, delivered them to Ludovico, who

then led the way, followed by most of the inhabitants of the chateau.

Having reached the back stair-case, several of the servants shrunk back,

and refused to go further, but the rest followed him to the top of the

stair-case, where a broad landing-place allowed them to flock round him,

while he applied the key to the door, during which they watched him with

as much eager curiosity as if he had been performing some magical rite.

Ludovico, unaccustomed to the lock, could not turn it, and Dorothee, who

had lingered far behind, was called forward, under whose hand the door

opened slowly, and, her eye glancing within the dusky chamber, she

uttered a sudden shriek, and retreated. At this signal of alarm, the

greater part of the crowd hurried down the stairs, and the Count, Henri

and Ludovico were left alone to pursue the enquiry, who instantly rushed

into the apartment, Ludovico with a drawn sword, which he had just time

to draw from the scabbard, the Count with the lamp in his hand, and

Henri carrying a basket, containing provisions for the courageous

adventurer.

Having looked hastily round the first room, where nothing appeared to

justify alarm, they passed on to the second; and, here too all being

quiet, they proceeded to a third with a more tempered step. The Count

had now leisure to smile at the discomposure, into which he had been

surprised, and to ask Ludovico in which room he designed to pass the

night. 'There are several chambers beyond these, your excellenza,' said

Ludovico, pointing to a door, 'and in one of them is a bed, they say.

I will pass the night there, and when I am weary of watching, I can lie

down.' 'Good;' said the Count; 'let us go on. You see these rooms shew nothing,

but damp walls and decaying furniture. I have been so much engaged

since I came to the chateau, that I have not looked into them till now.

Remember, Ludovico, to tell the housekeeper, to-morrow, to throw open

these windows. The damask hangings are dropping to pieces, I will have

them taken down, and this antique furniture removed.