The Mysteries of Udolpho

The travellers, soon after, quitted this glen, and found themselves in

a narrow valley that stretched towards the north-west. The morning light

upon the mountains now strengthened fast, and gradually discovered the

green hillocks, that skirted the winding feet of the cliffs, tufted with

cork tree, and ever-green oak. The thunder-clouds being dispersed, had

left the sky perfectly serene, and Blanche was revived by the fresh

breeze, and by the view of verdure, which the late rain had brightened.

Soon after, the sun arose, when the dripping rocks, with the shrubs that

fringed their summits, and many a turfy slope below, sparkled in his

rays.

A wreath of mist was seen, floating along the extremity of the

valley, but the gale bore it before the travellers, and the sun-beams

gradually drew it up towards the summit of the mountains. They had

proceeded about a league, when, St. Foix having complained of extreme

faintness, they stopped to give him refreshment, and, that the men, who

bore him, might rest. Ludovico had brought from the fort some flasks of

rich Spanish wine, which now proved a reviving cordial not only to

St. Foix but to the whole party, though to him it gave only temporary

relief, for it fed the fever, that burned in his veins, and he could

neither disguise in his countenance the anguish he suffered, or suppress

the wish, that he was arrived at the inn, where they had designed to

pass the preceding night.

While they thus reposed themselves under the shade of the dark green

pines, the Count desired Ludovico to explain shortly, by what means he

had disappeared from the north apartment, how he came into the hands of

the banditti, and how he had contributed so essentially to serve him and

his family, for to him he justly attributed their present deliverance.

Ludovico was going to obey him, when suddenly they heard the echo of

a pistol-shot, from the way they had passed, and they rose in alarm,

hastily to pursue their route.