The Mysteries of Udolpho

'You mistake, friend,' said the Count, 'we are not

hunters, but travellers; but, if you will admit us to hunters' fare, we

shall be well contented, and will repay your kindness.' 'Sit down then,

brother,' said one of the men: 'Jacques, lay more fuel on the fire, the

kid will soon be ready; bring a seat for the lady too. Ma'amselle, will

you taste our brandy? it is true Barcelona, and as bright as ever flowed

from a keg.' Blanche timidly smiled, and was going to refuse, when her

father prevented her, by taking, with a good humoured air, the glass

offered to his daughter; and Mons. St. Foix, who was seated next her,

pressed her hand, and gave her an encouraging look, but her attention

was engaged by a man, who sat silently by the fire, observing St. Foix,

with a steady and earnest eye. 'You lead a jolly life here,' said the Count.

'The life of a hunter is

a pleasant and a healthy one; and the repose is sweet, which succeeds to

your labour.' 'Yes,' replied one of his hosts, 'our life is pleasant enough. We live

here only during the summer, and autumnal months; in winter, the place

is dreary, and the swoln torrents, that descend from the heights, put a

stop to the chace.'

''Tis a life of liberty and enjoyment,' said the Count: 'I should like

to pass a month in your way very well.'

'We find employment for our guns too,' said a man who stood behind the

Count: 'here are plenty of birds, of delicious flavour, that feed upon

the wild thyme and herbs, that grow in the vallies. Now I think of it,

there is a brace of birds hung up in the stone gallery; go fetch them,

Jacques, we will have them dressed.'

The Count now made enquiry, concerning the method of pursuing the

chace among the rocks and precipices of these romantic regions, and

was listening to a curious detail, when a horn was sounded at the gate.

Blanche looked timidly at her father, who continued to converse on the

subject of the chace, but whose countenance was somewhat expressive of

anxiety, and who often turned his eyes towards that part of the hall

nearest the gate. The horn sounded again, and a loud halloo succeeded.

'These are some of our companions, returned from their day's labour,'

said a man, going lazily from his seat towards the gate; and in a

few minutes, two men appeared, each with a gun over his shoulder, and

pistols in his belt. 'What cheer, my lads? what cheer?' said they,

as they approached. 'What luck?' returned their companions: 'have you

brought home your supper? You shall have none else.'