The Mysteries of Udolpho

The Count, comparing this with the scenes of such gaiety as he had

witnessed at Paris, where false taste painted the features, and, while

it vainly tried to supply the glow of nature, concealed the charms

of animation--where affectation so often distorted the air, and vice

perverted the manners--sighed to think, that natural graces and innocent

pleasures flourished in the wilds of solitude, while they drooped amidst

the concourse of polished society. But the lengthening shadows reminded

the travellers, that they had no time to lose; and, leaving this joyous

group, they pursued their way towards the little inn, which was to

shelter them from the night.

The rays of the setting sun now threw a yellow gleam upon the forests of

pine and chesnut, that swept down the lower region of the mountains, and

gave resplendent tints to the snowy points above. But soon, even this

light faded fast, and the scenery assumed a more tremendous appearance,

invested with the obscurity of twilight. Where the torrent had been

seen, it was now only heard; where the wild cliffs had displayed

every variety of form and attitude, a dark mass of mountains now alone

appeared; and the vale, which far, far below had opened its dreadful

chasm, the eye could no longer fathom. A melancholy gleam still lingered

on the summits of the highest Alps, overlooking the deep repose of

evening, and seeming to make the stillness of the hour more awful.

Blanche viewed the scene in silence, and listened with enthusiasm to the

murmur of the pines, that extended in dark lines along the mountains,

and to the faint voice of the izard, among the rocks, that came at

intervals on the air. But her enthusiasm sunk into apprehension, when,

as the shadows deepened, she looked upon the doubtful precipice, that

bordered the road, as well as on the various fantastic forms of danger,

that glimmered through the obscurity beyond it; and she asked her

father, how far they were from the inn, and whether he did not consider

the road to be dangerous at this late hour. The Count repeated the first

question to the guides, who returned a doubtful answer, adding, that,

when it was darker, it would be safest to rest, till the moon rose.

'It is scarcely safe to proceed now,' said the Count; but the guides,

assuring him that there was no danger, went on. Blanche, revived by

this assurance, again indulged a pensive pleasure, as she watched the

progress of twilight gradually spreading its tints over the woods and

mountains, and stealing from the eye every minuter feature of the scene,

till the grand outlines of nature alone remained. Then fell the silent

dews, and every wild flower, and aromatic plant, that bloomed among the

cliffs, breathed forth its sweetness; then, too, when the mountain-bee

had crept into its blossomed bed, and the hum of every little insect,

that had floated gaily in the sun-beam, was hushed, the sound of many

streams, not heard till now, murmured at a distance.--The bats alone,

of all the animals inhabiting this region, seemed awake; and, while

they flitted across the silent path, which Blanche was pursuing, she

remembered the following lines, which Emily had given her: