The Mysteries of Udolpho

Give thy thoughts no tongue.

SHAKESPEARE

The Baron St. Foix, whom anxiety for his friend had kept awake, rose

early to enquire the event of the night, when, as he passed the Count's

closet, hearing steps within, he knocked at the door, and it was opened

by his friend himself. Rejoicing to see him in safety, and curious to

learn the occurrences of the night, he had not immediately leisure to

observe the unusual gravity, that overspread the features of the Count,

whose reserved answers first occasioned him to notice it.

The Count, then smiling, endeavoured to treat the subject of his curiosity with

levity, but the Baron was serious, and pursued his enquiries so closely,

that the Count, at length, resuming his gravity, said, 'Well, my friend,

press the subject no further, I entreat you; and let me request

also, that you will hereafter be silent upon any thing you may think

extraordinary in my future conduct. I do not scruple to tell you, that I

am unhappy, and that the watch of the last night has not assisted me to

discover Ludovico; upon every occurrence of the night you must excuse my

reserve.'

'But where is Henri?' said the Baron, with surprise and disappointment

at this denial. 'He is well in his own apartment,' replied the Count. 'You will not

question him on this topic, my friend, since you know my wish.'

'Certainly not,' said the Baron, somewhat chagrined, 'since it would

be displeasing to you; but methinks, my friend, you might rely on my

discretion, and drop this unusual reserve. However, you must allow me to

suspect, that you have seen reason to become a convert to my system, and

are no longer the incredulous knight you lately appeared to be.'

'Let us talk no more upon this subject,' said the Count; 'you may be

assured, that no ordinary circumstance has imposed this silence upon me

towards a friend, whom I have called so for near thirty years; and

my present reserve cannot make you question either my esteem, or the

sincerity of my friendship.'

'I will not doubt either,' said the Baron, 'though you must allow me to

express my surprise, at this silence.'

'To me I will allow it,' replied the Count, 'but I earnestly entreat

that you will forbear to notice it to my family, as well as every thing

remarkable you may observe in my conduct towards them.'

The Baron readily promised this, and, after conversing for some time on

general topics, they descended to the breakfast-room, where the Count

met his family with a cheerful countenance, and evaded their enquiries

by employing light ridicule, and assuming an air of uncommon gaiety,

while he assured them, that they need not apprehend any evil from the

north chambers, since Henri and himself had been permitted to return

from them in safety.