The Mysteries of Udolpho

'Yes,' rejoined Frances, 'and why does that circumstance excite your

surprise?' Emily did not appear to notice this question, but remained thoughtful,

for a few moments, and then said, 'It was about that same period that

the Marchioness de Villeroi expired.' 'That is an odd remark,' said Frances. Emily, recalled from her reverie, smiled, and gave the conversation

another turn, but it soon came back to the subject of the unhappy nun,

and Emily remained in the cell of sister Frances, till the mid-night

bell aroused her; when, apologizing for having interrupted the sister's

repose, till this late hour, they quitted the cell together. Emily

returned to her chamber, and the nun, bearing a glimmering taper, went

to her devotion in the chapel.

Several days followed, during which Emily saw neither the Count, or any

of his family; and, when, at length, he appeared, she remarked, with

concern, that his air was unusually disturbed.

'My spirits are harassed,' said he, in answer to her anxious enquiries,

'and I mean to change my residence, for a little while, an experiment,

which, I hope, will restore my mind to its usual tranquillity. My

daughter and myself will accompany the Baron St. Foix to his chateau. It

lies in a valley of the Pyrenees, that opens towards Gascony, and I have

been thinking, Emily, that, when you set out for La Vallee, we may go

part of the way together; it would be a satisfaction to me to guard you

towards your home.'

She thanked the Count for his friendly consideration, and lamented, that

the necessity for her going first to Tholouse would render this plan

impracticable. 'But, when you are at the Baron's residence,' she added,

'you will be only a short journey from La Vallee, and I think, sir, you

will not leave the country without visiting me; it is unnecessary to say

with what pleasure I should receive you and the Lady Blanche.'

'I do not doubt it,' replied the Count, 'and I will not deny myself and

Blanche the pleasure of visiting you, if your affairs should allow you

to be at La Vallee, about the time when we can meet you there.'

When Emily said that she should hope to see the Countess also, she was

not sorry to learn that this lady was going, accompanied by Mademoiselle

Bearn, to pay a visit, for a few weeks, to a family in lower Languedoc.

The Count, after some further conversation on his intended journey and

on the arrangement of Emily's, took leave; and many days did not succeed

this visit, before a second letter from M. Quesnel informed her, that he

was then at Tholouse, that La Vallee was at liberty, and that he wished

her to set off for the former place, where he awaited her arrival, with

all possible dispatch, since his own affairs pressed him to return

to Gascony. Emily did not hesitate to obey him, and, having taken an

affecting leave of the Count's family, in which M. Du Pont was still

included, and of her friends at the convent, she set out for Tholouse,

attended by the unhappy Annette, and guarded by a steady servant of the

Count.