When, after a long absence, her senses returned, Emily desired to be

led to her apartment; and, though she trembled with anxiety to enquire

further on the subject of her alarm, she found herself too ill at

present, to dare the intelligence which it was possible she might

receive of Valancourt. Having dismissed Annette, that she might weep

and think at liberty, she endeavoured to recollect the exact air of the

person, whom she had seen on the terrace, and still her fancy gave her

the figure of Valancourt. She had, indeed, scarcely a doubt, that it was

he whom she had seen, and at whom the gardener had fired: for the manner

of the latter person, as described by Annette, was not that of a robber;

nor did it appear probable, that a robber would have come alone, to

break into a house so spacious as this.

When Emily thought herself sufficiently recovered, to listen to what

Jean might have to relate, she sent for him; but he could inform her of

no circumstance, that might lead to a knowledge of the person, who

had been shot, or of the consequence of the wound; and, after severely

reprimanding him, for having fired with bullets, and ordering diligent

enquiry to be made in the neighbourhood for the discovery of the wounded

person, she dismissed him, and herself remained in the same state of

terrible suspense. All the tenderness she had ever felt for Valancourt,

was recalled by the sense of his danger; and the more she considered the

subject, the more her conviction strengthened, that it was he, who

had visited the gardens, for the purpose of soothing the misery of

disappointed affection, amidst the scenes of his former happiness.

'Dear madam,' said Annette, when she returned, 'I never saw you so

affected before! I dare say the man is not killed.'

Emily shuddered, and lamented bitterly the rashness of the gardener in

having fired. 'I knew you would be angry enough about that, madam, or I should have

told you before; and he knew so too; for, says he, "Annette, say nothing

about this to my lady. She lies on the other side of the house, so did

not hear the gun, perhaps; but she would be angry with me, if she knew,

seeing there is blood. But then," says he, "how is one to keep the

garden clear, if one is afraid to fire at a robber, when one sees him?"'

'No more of this,' said Emily, 'pray leave me.'

Annette obeyed, and Emily returned to the agonizing considerations, that

had assailed her before, but which she, at length, endeavoured to sooth

by a new remark. If the stranger was Valancourt, it was certain he had

come alone, and it appeared, therefore, that he had been able to quit

the gardens, without assistance; a circumstance which did not seem

probable, had his wound been dangerous. With this consideration, she

endeavoured to support herself, during the enquiries, that were making

by her servants in the neighbourhood; but day after day came, and still

closed in uncertainty, concerning this affair: and Emily, suffering in

silence, at length, drooped, and sunk under the pressure of her anxiety.




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