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her pillow was long a sleepless one.
On this her return to her native country, many interesting
remembrances were awakened; all the events and sufferings she had
experienced, since she quitted it, came in long succession to her fancy,
and were chased only by the image of Valancourt, with whom to believe
herself once more in the same land, after they had been so long, and so
distantly separated, gave her emotions of indescribable joy, but which
afterwards yielded to anxiety and apprehension, when she considered the
long period, that had elapsed, since any letter had passed between them,
and how much might have happened in this interval to affect her future
peace. But the thought, that Valancourt might be now no more, or, if
living, might have forgotten her, was so very terrible to her heart, that
she would scarcely suffer herself to pause upon the possibility. She
determined to inform him, on the following day, of her arrival in France,
which it was scarcely possible he could know but by a letter from
herself, and, after soothing her spirits with the hope of soon hearing, that
he was well, and unchanged in his affections, she, at length, sunk to
repose.
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol III
CHAPTER XII
Oft woo'd the gleam of Cynthia, silver-bright,
In cloisters dim, far from the haunts of folly,
With freedom by my side, and soft-ey'd melancholy.
-- GRAY
The Lady Blanche was so much interested for Emily, that, upon
hearing she was going to reside in the neighbouring convent, she
requested the Count would invite her to lengthen her stay at the chateau.
 And you know, my dear sir, added Blanche,  how delighted I shall be
with such a companion; for, at present, I have no friend to walk, or to
read with, since Mademoiselle Bearn is my mamma's friend only.
The Count smiled at the youthful simplicity, with which his
daughter yielded to first impressions; and, though he chose to warn her
of their danger, he silently applauded the benevolence, that could thus
readily expand in confidence to a stranger. He had observed Emily, with
attention, on the preceding evening, and was as much pleased with her,
as it was possible he could be with any person, on so short an
acquaintance. The mention, made of her by Mons. Du Pont, had also
given him a favourable impression of Emily; but, extremely cautious as
to those, whom he introduced to the intimacy of his daughter, he
determined, on hearing that the former was no stranger at the convent of
St. Claire, to visit the abbess, and, if her account corresponded with his
wish, to invite Emily to pass some time at the chateau. On this subject,
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol III
he was influenced by a consideration of the Lady Blanche's welfare, still
more than by either a wish to oblige her, or to befriend the orphan
Emily, for whom, however, he felt considerably interested.
On the following morning, Emily was too much fatigued to appear;
but Mons. Du Pont was at the breakfast-table, when the Count entered
the room, who pressed him, as his former acquaintance, and the son of a
very old friend, to prolong his stay at the chateau; an invitation, which
Du Pont willingly accepted, since it would allow him to be near Emily;
and, though he was not conscious of encouraging a hope, that she would
ever return his affection, he had not fortitude enough to attempt, at
present, to overcome it.
Emily, when she was somewhat recovered, wandered with her new
friend over the grounds belonging to the chateau, as much delighted with
the surrounding views, as Blanche, in the benevolence of her heart, had
wished; from thence she perceived, beyond the woods, the towers of the
monastery, and remarked, that it was to this convent she designed to go.
 Ah! said Blanche with surprise,  I am but just released from a
convent, and would you go into one? If you could know what pleasure I
feel in wandering here, at liberty, -- and in seeing the sky and the fields,
and the woods all round me, I think you would not. Emily, smiling at
the warmth, with which the Lady Blanche spoke, observed, that she did
not mean to confine herself to a convent for life.
 No, you may not intend it now, said Blanche;  but you do not
know to what the nuns may persuade you to consent: I know how kind
they will appear, and how happy, for I have seen too much of their art.
When they returned to the chateau, Lady Blanche conducted Emily
to her favourite turret, and from thence they rambled through the ancient
chambers, which Blanche had visited before. Emily was amused by
observing the structure of these apartments, and the fashion of their old
but still magnificent furniture, and by comparing them with those of the
castle of Udolpho, which were yet more antique and grotesque.
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol III
She was also interested by Dorothee the house-keeper, who
attended them, whose appearance was almost as antique as the objects
around her, and who seemed no less interested by Emily, on whom she
frequently gazed with so much deep attention, as scarcely to hear what
was said to her.
While Emily looked from one of the casements, she perceived,
with surprise, some objects, that were familiar to her memory; -- the
fields and woods, with the gleaming brook, which she had passed with
La Voisin, one evening, soon after the death of Monsieur St. Aubert, in
her way from the monastery to her cottage; and she now knew this to be
the chateau, which he had then avoided, and concerning which he had
dropped some remarkable hints.
Shocked by this discovery, yet scarcely knowing why, she mused
for some time in silence, and remembered the emotion, which her father
had betrayed on finding himself so near this mansion, and some other
circumstances of his conduct, that now greatly interested her. The music,
too, which she had formerly heard, and, respecting which La Voisin had
given such an odd account, occurred to her, and, desirous of knowing
more concerning it, she asked Dorothee whether it returned at midnight,
as usual, and whether the musician had yet been discovered.
 Yes, ma'amselle, replied Dorothee,  that music is still heard, but
the musician has never been found out, nor ever will, I believe; though
there are some people, who can guess.
 Indeed! said Emily,  then why do they not pursue the enquiry?
 Ah, young lady! enquiry enough has been made -- but who can
pursue a spirit?
Emily smiled, and, remembering how lately she had suffered
herself to be led away by superstition, determined now to resist its
contagion; yet, in spight of her efforts, she felt awe mingle with her
curiosity, on this subject; and Blanche, who had hitherto listened in
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol III
silence, now enquired what this music was, and how long it had been
heard.
 Ever since the death of my lady, madam, replied Dorothee.
 Why, the place is not haunted, surely? said Blanche, between
jesting and seriousness.
 I have heard that music almost ever since my dear lady died,
continued Dorothee,  and never before then. But that is nothing to some
things I could tell of.
 Do, pray, tell them, then, said Lady Blanche, now more in
earnest than in jest.  I am much interested, for I have heard sister
Henriette, and sister Sophie, in the convent, tell of such strange
appearances, which they themselves had witnessed!
 You never heard, my lady, I suppose, what made us leave the
chateau, and go and live in a cottage, said Dorothee.
 Never! replied Blanche with impatience.
 Nor the reason, that my lord, the Marquis -- Dorothee checked
herself, hesitated, and then endeavoured to change the topic; but the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]