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The Mysteries of Udolpho

Page 5

The deepest shade of twilight did not send him from his favourite

plane-tree. He loved the soothing hour, when the last tints of light

die away; when the stars, one by one, tremble through aether, and are

reflected on the dark mirror of the waters; that hour, which, of all

others, inspires the mind with pensive tenderness, and often elevates

it to sublime contemplation. When the moon shed her soft rays among the

foliage, he still lingered, and his pastoral supper of cream and fruits

was often spread beneath it. Then, on the stillness of night, came the

song of the nightingale, breathing sweetness, and awakening melancholy.

The first interruptions to the happiness he had known since his

retirement, were occasioned by the death of his two sons. He lost them

at that age when infantine simplicity is so fascinating; and though,

in consideration of Madame St. Aubert's distress, he restrained the

expression of his own, and endeavoured to bear it, as he meant, with

philosophy, he had, in truth, no philosophy that could render him calm

to such losses. One daughter was now his only surviving child; and,

while he watched the unfolding of her infant character, with anxious

fondness, he endeavoured, with unremitting effort, to counteract

those traits in her disposition, which might hereafter lead her from

happiness. She had discovered in her early years uncommon delicacy

of mind, warm affections, and ready benevolence; but with these was

observable a degree of susceptibility too exquisite to admit of lasting

peace.

As she advanced in youth, this sensibility gave a pensive tone to

her spirits, and a softness to her manner, which added grace to beauty,

and rendered her a very interesting object to persons of a congenial

disposition. But St. Aubert had too much good sense to prefer a charm

to a virtue; and had penetration enough to see, that this charm was too

dangerous to its possessor to be allowed the character of a blessing. He

endeavoured, therefore, to strengthen her mind; to enure her to habits

of self-command; to teach her to reject the first impulse of her

feelings, and to look, with cool examination, upon the disappointments

he sometimes threw in her way. While he instructed her to resist first

impressions, and to acquire that steady dignity of mind, that can alone

counterbalance the passions, and bear us, as far as is compatible with

our nature, above the reach of circumstances, he taught himself a

lesson of fortitude; for he was often obliged to witness, with seeming

indifference, the tears and struggles which his caution occasioned her.

In person, Emily resembled her mother; having the same elegant symmetry

of form, the same delicacy of features, and the same blue eyes, full

of tender sweetness. But, lovely as was her person, it was the varied

expression of her countenance, as conversation awakened the nicer

emotions of her mind, that threw such a captivating grace around her:

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