The Mysteries of Udolpho

When Count de Villefort, with Blanche, came to the convent to give

Emily the advice of the advocate, he was informed of the contents of

M. Quesnel's letter, and gave her his sincere congratulations, on

the occasion; but she observed, that, when the first expression

of satisfaction had faded from his countenance, an unusual gravity

succeeded, and she scarcely hesitated to enquire its cause.

'It has no new occasion,' replied the Count; 'I am harassed and

perplexed by the confusion, into which my family is thrown by their

foolish superstition. Idle reports are floating round me, which I can

neither admit to be true, or prove to be false; and I am, also, very

anxious about the poor fellow, Ludovico, concerning whom I have not been

able to obtain information. Every part of the chateau and every part of

the neighbourhood, too, has, I believe, been searched, and I know not

what further can be done, since I have already offered large rewards

for the discovery of him. The keys of the north apartment I have not

suffered to be out of my possession, since he disappeared, and I mean to

watch in those chambers, myself, this very night.'

Emily, seriously alarmed for the Count, united her entreaties with those

of the Lady Blanche, to dissuade him from his purpose

. 'What should I fear?' said he. 'I have no faith in supernatural combats,

and for human opposition I shall be prepared; nay, I will even promise

not to watch alone.' 'But who, dear sir, will have courage enough to watch with you?' said

Emily. 'My son,' replied the Count. 'If I am not carried off in the night,'

added he, smiling, 'you shall hear the result of my adventure,

tomorrow.'

The Count and Lady Blanche, shortly afterwards, took leave of Emily, and

returned to the chateau, where he informed Henri of his intention, who,

not without some secret reluctance, consented to be the partner of his

watch; and, when the design was mentioned after supper, the Countess was

terrified, and the Baron, and M. Du Pont joined with her in entreating,

that he would not tempt his fate, as Ludovico had done. 'We know not,'

added the Baron, 'the nature, or the power of an evil spirit; and

that such a spirit haunts those chambers can now, I think, scarcely be

doubted. Beware, my lord, how you provoke its vengeance, since it has

already given us one terrible example of its malice. I allow it may be

probable, that the spirits of the dead are permitted to return to the

earth only on occasions of high import; but the present import may be

your destruction.' The Count could not forbear smiling; 'Do you think then, Baron,' said

he, 'that my destruction is of sufficient importance to draw back

to earth the soul of the departed? Alas! my good friend, there is no

occasion for such means to accomplish the destruction of any individual.

Wherever the mystery rests, I trust I shall, this night, be able to

detect it. You know I am not superstitious.'