The Mysteries of Udolpho

'And is it possible,' said Emily, as these recollections returned--'is

it possible, that a mind, so susceptible of whatever is grand and

beautiful, could stoop to low pursuits, and be subdued by frivolous

temptations?'

She remembered how often she had seen the sudden tear start in his eye,

and had heard his voice tremble with emotion, while he related any great

or benevolent action, or repeated a sentiment of the same character.

'And such a mind,' said she, 'such a heart, were to be sacrificed to the

habits of a great city!'

These recollections becoming too painful to be endured, she abruptly

left the pavilion, and, anxious to escape from the memorials of her

departed happiness, returned towards the chateau. As she passed along

the terrace, she perceived a person, walking, with a slow step, and a

dejected air, under the trees, at some distance. The twilight, which

was now deep, would not allow her to distinguish who it was, and she

imagined it to be one of the servants, till, the sound of her steps

seeming to reach him, he turned half round, and she thought she saw

Valancourt!

Whoever it was, he instantly struck among the thickets on the left, and

disappeared, while Emily, her eyes fixed on the place, whence he

had vanished, and her frame trembling so excessively, that she could

scarcely support herself, remained, for some moments, unable to quit the

spot, and scarcely conscious of existence. With her recollection, her

strength returned, and she hurried toward the house, where she did not

venture to enquire who had been in the gardens, lest she should betray

her emotion; and she sat down alone, endeavouring to recollect the

figure, air and features of the person she had just seen.

Her view of him, however, had been so transient, and the gloom had rendered it

so imperfect, that she could remember nothing with exactness; yet the

general appearance of his figure, and his abrupt departure, made her

still believe, that this person was Valancourt. Sometimes, indeed, she

thought, that her fancy, which had been occupied by the idea of him,

had suggested his image to her uncertain sight: but this conjecture was

fleeting. If it was himself whom she had seen, she wondered much, that

he should be at Tholouse, and more, how he had gained admittance into

the garden; but as often as her impatience prompted her to enquire

whether any stranger had been admitted, she was restrained by an

unwillingness to betray her doubts; and the evening was passed in

anxious conjecture, and in efforts to dismiss the subject from her

thoughts.