The Mysteries of Udolpho

About an hour before sun-set, La Voisin shewed her the way through the

woods to the convent, which stood in a small bay of the Mediterranean,

crowned by a woody amphitheatre; and Emily, had she been less unhappy,

would have admired the extensive sea view, that appeared from the green

slope, in front of the edifice, and the rich shores, hung with woods

and pastures, that extended on either hand. But her thoughts were

now occupied by one sad idea, and the features of nature were to her

colourless and without form. The bell for vespers struck, as she passed

the ancient gate of the convent, and seemed the funereal note for St.

Aubert. Little incidents affect a mind, enervated by sorrow; Emily

struggled against the sickening faintness, that came over her, and was

led into the presence of the abbess, who received her with an air of

maternal tenderness; an air of such gentle solicitude and consideration,

as touched her with an instantaneous gratitude; her eyes were filled

with tears, and the words she would have spoken faltered on her lips.

The abbess led her to a seat, and sat down beside her, still holding

her hand and regarding her in silence, as Emily dried her tears and

attempted to speak. 'Be composed, my daughter,' said the abbess in

a soothing voice, 'do not speak yet; I know all you would say. Your

spirits must be soothed. We are going to prayers;--will you attend

our evening service? It is comfortable, my child, to look up in our

afflictions to a father, who sees and pities us, and who chastens in his

mercy.'

Emily's tears flowed again, but a thousand sweet emotions mingled with

them. The abbess suffered her to weep without interruption, and watched

over her with a look of benignity, that might have characterized the

countenance of a guardian angel. Emily, when she became tranquil, was

encouraged to speak without reserve, and to mention the motive, that

made her unwilling to quit the cottage, which the abbess did not oppose

even by a hint; but praised the filial piety of her conduct, and added a

hope, that she would pass a few days at the convent, before she returned

to La Vallee. 'You must allow yourself a little time to recover from

your first shock, my daughter, before you encounter a second; I will not

affect to conceal from you how much I know your heart must suffer, on

returning to the scene of your former happiness. Here, you will have

all, that quiet and sympathy and religion can give, to restore your

spirits. But come,' added she, observing the tears swell in Emily's

eyes, 'we will go to the chapel.'