The Mysteries of Udolpho

'But the boy lived, monsieur, in spite of Father Denis.' 'Father Denis!' said St. Aubert, who had listened to 'narrative old age'

with patient attention, 'are we near a convent, then?'

'Yes, sir; the convent of St. Clair stands at no great distance, on the

sea shore yonder.' 'Ah!' said St. Aubert, as if struck with some sudden remembrance, 'the

convent of St. Clair!' Emily observed the clouds of grief, mingled with

a faint expression of horror, gathering on his brow; his countenance

became fixed, and, touched as it now was by the silver whiteness of

the moon-light, he resembled one of those marble statues of a monument,

which seem to bend, in hopeless sorrow, over the ashes of the dead,

shewn by the blunted light

That the dim moon through painted casements lends.*

* The Emigrants. 'But, my dear sir,' said Emily, anxious to dissipate his thoughts, 'you

forget that repose is necessary to you. If our kind host will give me

leave, I will prepare your bed, for I know how you like it to be made.'

St. Aubert, recollecting himself, and smiling affectionately, desired

she would not add to her fatigue by that attention; and La Voisin, whose

consideration for his guest had been suspended by the interests

which his own narrative had recalled, now started from his seat, and,

apologizing for not having called Agnes from the green, hurried out of

the room.

In a few moments he returned with his daughter, a young woman of

pleasing countenance, and Emily learned from her, what she had not

before suspected, that, for their accommodation, it was necessary

part of La Voisin's family should leave their beds; she lamented this

circumstance, but Agnes, by her reply, fully proved that she inherited,

at least, a share of her father's courteous hospitality. It was settled,

that some of her children and Michael should sleep in the neighbouring

cottage. 'If I am better, to-morrow, my dear,' said St. Aubert when Emily

returned to him, 'I mean to set out at an early hour, that we may rest,

during the heat of the day, and will travel towards home. In the present

state of my health and spirits I cannot look on a longer journey with

pleasure, and I am also very anxious to reach La Vallee.' Emily, though

she also desired to return, was grieved at her father's sudden wish to

do so, which she thought indicated a greater degree of indisposition

than he would acknowledge. St. Aubert now retired to rest, and Emily to

her little chamber, but not to immediate repose. Her thoughts returned

to the late conversation, concerning the state of departed spirits; a

subject, at this time, particularly affecting to her, when she had every

reason to believe that her dear father would ere long be numbered with

them.