 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Red Abrus. The Mysteries of Udalfo by Ann Radcliffe. Volume 4, Chapter 10. Lulled in the countless chambers of the brain, our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain. Awake but one and low, what mirades rise, each stamps its image as the other flies. Pleasures of memory. Emily pursued her journey without any accident along the plains of Languedoc towards the northwest. And on this her return to Tholso, which she had last left with Madame Montoni, she thought much on the melancholy fate of her aunt, who but for her own imprudence might now have been living in happiness there. Montoni too often rose to her fancy, such as she had seen him in his days of triumph, bold, spirited and commanding, such also as she had since beheld him in his days of vengeance. And now only a few short months had passed and he had no longer the power or the will to afflict. He had become a clod of earth and his life was vanished like a shadow. Emily could have wept at his fate had she not remembered his crimes for that of her unfortunate aunt she did weep. And all sense of her errors was overcome by the recollection of her misfortunes. Other thoughts and other emotions succeeded as Emily drew near the well-known scenes of her early love and considered that Valencote was lost to her and to himself forever. At length she came to the brow of the hill whence on her departure for Italy she had given a farewell look to this beloved landscape amongst whose woods and fields she had so often walked with Valencote and where he was then to inhabit when she would be far, far away. She saw once more that chain of the Pyrenees which overlooked La Valle rising like faint clouds on the horizon. There too is Gasconi extended at their feet said she oh my father my mother and there too is the Garon she added drawing the tears that obscured her sight and Tholos and my aunt's mansion and the groves in her garden oh my friends are you all lost to me must I never never see you more. The tears rushed again to her eyes and she continued to weep. Till an abrupt turn in the road had nearly occasioned the carriage to overset when looking up she perceived another part of the well-known scene around Tholos and all the reflections and anticipations which she had suffered at that moment when she bade it last adieu came with recollected force to her heart. She remembered how anxiously she had looked forward to the futurity which was to decide her happiness concerning Valencote and what depressing fears had assailed her the very words she had uttered as she withdrew her last look from the prospect came to her memory. Could I but be certain she had then said that I should ever return and that Valencote would still live for me I should go in peace. Now that futurity so anxiously anticipated was arrived she was returned but what a dreary blank appeared. Valencote no longer lived for her. She had no longer even the melancholy satisfaction of contemplating his image in her heart for he was no longer the same Valencote she had cherished there. The solace of many a mournful hour the animating friend that had enabled her to bear up against the operation of Montoni the distant hope that had beamed over her gloomy prospect. On perceiving this beloved idea to be an illusion of her own creation Valencote seemed to be annihilated and her soul sickened at the blank that remained. His marriage with her rival even his death she thought she could have endured with more fortitude than this discovery. For then amidst all her grief she could have looked in secret upon the image of goodness which her fancy had drawn of him and comfort would have mingled with her suffering. Drawing her tears she looked once more upon the landscape which had excited them and perceived that she was passing the very bank where she had taken leave of Valencote on the morning of her departure from Tholose and she now saw him through her returning tears such as he had appeared when she looked from the carriage to give him a last adieu saw him leaning mournfully against the high trees and remembered the fixed look of mingled tenderness and anguish with which he had then regarded her. This recollection was too much for her heart and she sunk back in the carriage nor once looked up till it stopped at the gates of what was now her own mansion. These being opened and by the servant to whose care the chateau had been entrusted the carriage drove into the court where alighting she hastily passed through the great hall now silent and solitary to a large oak parlor. The common sitting room of the late Madame Montoni where instead of being received by Montser Kunal she found a letter from him informing her that business of consequence had obliged him to leave Tholose two days before. Emily was upon the whole not sorry to be spared his presence since his abrupt departure appeared to indicate the same indifference with which he had formally regarded her. This letter informed her also of the progress he had made in the settlement of her affairs and concluded with directions concerning the forms of some business which remained for her to transact. But Montser Kunal's unkindness did not long occupy her thoughts which returned the remembrance of the persons she had been accustomed to see in this mansion and chiefly of the ill-guided and unfortunate Madame Montoni. In the room where she now sat she had breakfasted with her on the morning of their departure for Italy and the view of it brought most forcibly to her recollection all she had herself suffered at that time and the many gay expectations which her aunt had formed respecting the journey before her. While Emily's mind was thus engaged her eyes wandered unconsciously to a large window that looked upon the garden and here new memorials of the past spoke to her heart for she saw extended before her the very avenue in which she had parted with Valencote on the eve of her journey and all the anxiety the tender interest he had shewn concerning her future happiness his earnest remonstrance against her committing herself to the power of Montoni and the truth of his affection came afresh to her memory. At this moment it appeared almost impossible that Valencote could have become unworthy of her regard and she doubted all that she had lately heard to his disadvantage and even his own words which had confirmed Count de Villefort's report of him. Overcome by the recollections which the view of this avenue occasioned she turned abruptly from the window and sunk into a chair beside it where she sat given up to grief till the entrance of Annette with coffee aroused her. Dear madam how melancholy this place looks now said Annette to what it used to do it is dismal coming home when there is nobody to welcome one. This was not the moment in which Emily could bear the remark her tears fell again and as soon as she had taken the coffee she retired to her apartment where she endeavored to repose her fatigued spirits but busy memory would still supply her with the visions of former times. She saw Valencote interesting and benevolent as he had been want to appear in the days of their early love and amidst the scenes where she had believed that they should sometimes pass their ears together but at length sleep closed these afflicting scenes from her view. On the following morning serious occupation recovered her from such melancholy reflections for being desirous of quitting Tholos and of hastening on to La Valley she made some enquiries into the condition of the estate and immediately dispatched a part of the necessary business concerning it according to the directions of Montseor-Cunel. It required a strong effort to abstract her thoughts from other interests sufficiently to attend to this but she was rewarded for her exertions by again experiencing that employment is the surest antidote to sorrow. This day was devoted entirely to business and among other concerns she implied means to learn the situation of all her poor tenants that she might relieve their wants or confirm their comforts. In the evening her spirits were so much strengthened that she thought she could be her to visit the gardens where she had so often walked with Valencote and knowing that if she delayed to do so their scenes would only affect her the more whenever they should be viewed she took advantage of the present state of her mind and entered them. Passing hastily the gate leading from the court into the gardens she hurried up the Great Avenue scarcely permitting her memory to dwell for a moment on the circumstance of her having here parted with Valencote and soon quitted this for other walks less interesting to her heart. These brought her at length to the flight of steps that led from the lower garden to the terrace on seeing which she became agitated and hesitated whether to ascend but her resolution returning she proceeded. Ah! said Emily as she ascended these are the same high trees that used to wave over the terrace and these the same flowery thickets the libernum, the wild rose and the serinte which were wanted to grow beneath them. Ah! and there too on that bank are the very plants which Valencote so carefully reared Oh! when last I saw them she checked the thought but could not restrain her tears and after walking slowly on for a few moments her agitation upon the view of this well-known scene increased so much that she was obliged to stop and lean upon the wall of the terrace. It was a mild and beautiful evening the sun was setting over the extensive landscape to which his beams sloping from beneath a dark cloud that overhung the west gave rich and partial colouring and touched the tufted summits of the grooves that rose from the garden below with a yellow gleam. Emily and Valencote had often admired together this scene at the same hour and it was exactly on this spot that on the night preceding her departure for Italy she had listened to his remonstrances against the journey and to the pleadings of passionate affection. Some observations which she made on the landscape brought this to her remembrance and with it all the mild particulars of that conversation the alarming doubts he had expressed concerning Montoni doubts which had since been fatally confirmed the reasons and entreaties he had employed to prevail with her to consent to an immediate marriage the tenderness of his love the paroxysms of this grief and the conviction that he had repeatedly expressed that they should never meet again in happiness. All these circumstances rose afresh to her mind and awakened the various emotions she had then suffered. Her tenderness for Valencote became as powerful as in the moments when she thought that she was parting with him and happiness together and when the strength of her mind had enabled her to triumph over present suffering rather than to deserve the reproach of her conscience by engaging in a clandestine marriage. Alas! said Emily as these recollections came to her mind and what have I gained by the fortitude I then practised? Am I happy now? He said we should meet no more in happiness but oh! he little thought of his own misconduct would separate us and lead to the very evil he then dreaded. Her reflections increased her anguish while she was compelled to acknowledge that the fortitude she had formally exerted if it had not conducted her to happiness had saved her from irretrievable misfortune from Valencote himself. But in these moments she could not congratulate herself on the prudence that had saved her. She could only lament with bitterest anguish the circumstances which had conspired to betray Valencote into a course of life so different from that which the virtues, the tastes and the pursuits of his early years had promised. But she still loved him too well to believe that his heart was even now depraved though his conduct had been criminal. An observation which had fallen from Montseur-Saint-Aubere more than once now occurred to her. This young man said he, speaking of Valencote has never been at Paris a remark that had surprised her at the time it was uttered but which she now understood and she exclaimed sorrowfully Oh Valencote, if such a friend as my father had been with you at Paris your noble ingenious nature would not have fallen. The sun was now set and recalling her thoughts from their melancholy subject she continued her walk for the pensive shade of twilight was pleasing to her and the nightingales from the surrounding groves began to answer each other in the long drawn which always touched her heart. While all the fragrance of the flowery tickets that bounded the terrace was awakened by the cool evening air which floated so lightly among their leaves that they scarcely trembled as it passed. Emily came at length to the steps of the pavilion that terminated the terrace and where her last interview with Valencote before her departure from Taulos had so unexpectedly taken place. The door was now shut and she trembled while she hesitated whether to open it but her wish to see again a place which had been the chief scene of her former happiness at length overcoming her reluctance to encounter the painful regret it would renew she entered. The room was obscured by a melancholy shade but through the open lattices darkened by the hanging foliage of the vines appeared the dusky landscape the groan reflecting the evening light and the west still glowing. A chair was placed near one of the balconies as if some person had been sitting there but the other furniture of the pavilion remained exactly as usual and Emily thought it looked as if it had not once been moved since she set out for Italy. The silent and deserted air of the place added solemnity to her emotions for she had heard only the low whisper of the breeze as it shook the leaves of the vines and the very faint murmur of the Garon. She seated herself in a chair near the lattice and yielded to the sadness of her heart while she recollected the circumstances of her parting interview with Valencote on this spot. It was here too that she had passed some of the happiest hours of her life with him when her aunt favoured the connection for here she had often sat and worked while he conversed or read and she now well remembered with what discriminating judgment with what tempered energy he used to repeat some of the sublimest passages of their favourite authors how often he would pause to admire with her their excellence and with what tender delight he would listen to her remarks and correct her taste. And is it possible, said Emily, as these recollections returned, is it possible that a mind so susceptible of whatever is grand and beautiful could stoop to low pursuits and be subdued by frivolous temptations? She remembered how often she had seen the sudden tear start in his eye and had heard his voice tremble with emotion while he related any great or benevolent action or repeated a sentiment of the same character. And such a mind, said she, such a heart where to be sacrificed to the habits of a great city? These recollections becoming too painful to be endured she abruptly left the pavilion and anxious to escape from the memorials of her departed happiness returned towards the chateau. As she passed along the terrace she perceived a person walking with a slow step and a dejected air under the trees at some distance. The twilight which was now deep would not allow her to distinguish who it was and she imagined it to be one of the servants till the sound of her steps seeming to reach him he turned half round and she thought she saw Balancourt. Whoever it was he instantly struck among the tickets on the left while Emily her eyes fixed on the place whence he had vanished and her frame trembling so excessively that she could scarcely support herself remained for some moments unable to quit this part and scarcely conscious of existence. With a recollection her strength returned and she hurried towards the house where she did not venture to inquire who had been in the gardens lest she should betray her emotion and she sat down alone endeavouring to recollect the figure air and features of the person she had just seen. Her view of him however had been so transient and the gloom had rendered it so imperfect that she could remember nothing with exactness yet the general appearance of his figure and his abrupt departure made her still believe that this person was Balancourt. Sometimes indeed she thought that her fancy which had been occupied by the idea of him had suggested his image to her uncertain sight but this conjecture was fleeting if it was himself whom she had seen she wondered much that he should be at Tholos and more how he had gained admittance into the garden but as often as her impatience prompted her to inquire whether any stranger had been admitted she was restrained by any unwillingness to betray her doubts and the evening was passed in anxious conjecture and in efforts to dismiss the subject from her thoughts but these endeavours were ineffectual and a thousand inconsistent emotions assailed her whenever she fancied that Balancourt might be near her now she dreaded it to be true and now she feared it to be false and while she constantly tried to persuade herself that she wished the person whom she had seen might not be Balancourt her heart as constantly contradicted her reason the following day was occupied by the visits of several neighbouring families formerly intimate with Madame Montoni who came to condole with Emily on her death to congratulate her upon the acquisition of these estates and to inquire about Montoni and concerning the strange reports they had heard of her own situation all which was done with the utmost decorum and the visitors departed with as much composer as they had arrived Emily was varied by these formalities and disgusted by the subservient manners of many persons who had thought her scarcely worthy of common attention while she was believed to be a dependent on Madame Montoni Shirley said she there is some magic and wealth which can thus make persons pay their coat to it when it does not even benefit themselves how strange it is that a fool or a naïve with riches should be treated with more respect by the world than a good man or a wise man in poverty it was evening before she was left alone and she then wished to have refreshed her spirits in the free air of her garden but she feared to go dither lest she should meet again the person whom she had seen on the preceding night and he should prove to be Valencote the suspense and anxiety she suffered on this subject she found all her efforts unable to control and her secret wish to see Valencote once more though unseen by him powerfully prompted her to go but prudence and a delicate pride restrained her and she determined to avoid the possibility of throwing herself in his way by forbearing to visit the gardens for several days when after near a week she again ventured dither she made Annette her companion and confined her walk to the lower grounds but often started as the leaves rustled in the breeze imagining that some person was among the tickets and at the turn of every alley she looked forward with apprehensive expectation she pursued her walk thoughtfully and silently for her agitation would not suffer her to converse with Annette to whom, however, thought and silence were so intolerable that she did not scruple at length to talk to her mistress Dear madam said she why do you start so? one would think you knew what has happened what has happened? said Emily in a faltering voice and trying to command her emotion the night before last, you know, madam I know nothing Annette replied her lady in a more hurried voice the night before last, madam there was a robber in the garden a robber? said Emily in an eager yet doubting tone I suppose he was a robber, madam what else could he be? where did you see him, Annette? rejoined Emily looking around her and turning back towards the chateau it was not I that saw him, madam it was Jean the gardener it was twelve o'clock at night and as he was coming across the court to go to the back into the house what should he see but somebody walking in the avenue that fronts the garden gate so with that Jean guessed how it was and he went into the house for his gun his gun exclaimed Emily yes, madam, his gun and then he came out into the court to watch him presently he sees him come slowly down the avenue and lean over the garden gate and look up at the house for a long time and I warrant he examined it well and settled what window he should break in at but the gun said Emily, the gun yes, madam, all in good time presently Jean says the robber opened the gate and was coming into the court and then he thought proper to ask him his business so he called out again and made him say who he was and what he wanted but the man would do neither but turned upon his heel and passed into the garden again Jean knew then well enough how it was and so he fired after him fired? exclaimed Emily yes, madam, fired of his gun but holy virgin, what makes you look so pale, madam? the man was not killed I dare say but if he was his comrades carried him off for when Jean went in the morning to look for the body it was gone and nothing to be seen a pack of blood on the ground Jean followed it that he might find out where the man got into the garden but it was lost in the grass and a net was interrupted for Emily's spirits died away and she would have fallen to the ground if the girl had not caught her and supported her to a bench close to them when after a long absence her senses returned Emily desired to be led to her apartment and though she trembled with anxiety and inquired further on the subject of her alarm she found herself too ill at present to dare the intelligence which it was possible she might receive of Valencoat having dismissed a net that she might weep and think at liberty she endeavored to recollect the exact air of the person whom she had seen on the terrace and still her fancy gave her the figure of Valencoat she had indeed scarcely a doubt that it was he whom she had seen and at whom the gardener had fired for the manner of the latter person as described by Annette was not that of a robber nor did it appear probable that a robber would have come alone to break into a house so spacious as this when Emily thought herself sufficiently recovered to listen to what Jean might have to relate she sent for him but he could inform her of no circumstance that might lead to a knowledge of the person who had been shot or of the consequence of the wound and after severely reprimanding him for having fired with bullets and ordering diligent inquiry to be made in the neighbourhood for the discovery of the wounded person she dismissed him and herself remained in the same state of terrible suspense all the tenderness she had ever felt for Valencoat was recalled by the sense of his danger and the more she considered the subject the more her convictions strengthened that it was he who had visited the gardens for the purpose of soothing the misery of disappointed affection amidst the scenes of his former happiness Dear madam said Annette when she returned I never saw you so affected before I dare say the man is not killed Emily shuddered and lamented bitterly the rashness of the gardener in having fired I knew you would be angry enough about that madam or I should have told you before and he knew so too for it says he Annette say nothing about this to my lady she lies on the other side of the house so did not hear the gun perhaps but she would be angry with me if she knew seeing there is blood but then she is he how is one to keep the garden clear if one is afraid to fire at a robber when one sees him no more of this said Emily pray leave me Annette obeyed and Emily returned to the agonizing considerations that had assailed her before but which she at length endeavored to soothe by a new remark if the stranger was valent court it was certain he had come alone and it appeared therefore that he had been able to quit the gardens without assistance a circumstance which did not seem probable had his wound been dangerous with this consideration she endeavored to support herself during the inquiries that were making by her servants in the neighborhood but day after day came and still closed in uncertainty concerning this affair and Emily suffering in silence at length drooped and sunk under the pressure of her anxiety she was attacked by a slow fever and when she yielded to the persuasion of Annette to send for medical advice the physicians prescribed little beside air gentle exercise and amusement but how was this last to be obtained she however endeavored to abstract her thoughts from the subject of her anxiety by implying them in promoting that happiness in others which she had lost herself and when the evening was fine she usually took an airing including in her ride the cottages of some of her tenants and in her loose condition she made such observations as often enabled her unasked to fulfill their wishes her indisposition and the business she engaged in relative to this estate had already protracted her stay at Tholose beyond the period she had formally fixed for her departure to La Valley and now she was unwilling to leave the only place where it seemed possible that she could be obtained on the subject of her distress but the time was come when her presence was necessary at La Valley a letter from the Lady Blanche now informing her that the Count and herself being then at the chateau of the barons sent for proposed to visit her at La Valley on their way home as soon as they should be informed of her arrival there Blanche added that they made this visit with the hope of inducing her to return with them to Chateau Le Blanche Emily having replied to the letter of her friend and said that she should be at La Valley in a few days made history preparations for the journey and in thus leaving Tholose endeavored to support herself with a belief that if any fatal accident had happened to Valencote she must in this interval have heard of it on the evening before her departure she went to take leave of the terrace and the pavilion the day had been sultry but a light shower that fell just before sunset had cooled the air and given that soft verdure to the woods and pastures which is so refreshing to the eye while the raindrops still trembling on the shrubs glittered in the last yellow gleam that lighted up the scene and the air was filled with fragments exhaled by the late shower from herbs and flowers and from the earth itself but the lovely prospect which Emily beheld from the terrace was no longer viewed by her with delight she sighed deeply as her eye wandered over it and her spirits were in a state of such dejection that she could not think of her approaching return to La Valley without tears and seemed to mourn again the death of her father as if it had been an event of yesterday having reached the pavilion she seated herself at the open lattice and while her eyes settled on the distant mountains that overlooked Gasconi still gleaming on the horizon though the sun had now left the plains below alas said she I returned to your long lost scenes but shall meet no more the parents that were wont to render them delightful no more shall see the smile of welcome or hear the well-known voice of fondness all will now be cold and silent in what was once my happy home tears stole down her cheek as the remembrance of what that home had been returned to her but after indulging her sorrow for some time she checked it accusing herself of ingratitude in forgetting the friends that she possessed while she lamented those that were departed and she at length left the pavilion and the terrace without having observed a shadow of valent court or of any other person end of volume 4 chapter 10 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Martin Giesen in Hazelmere Surrey The Mysteries of Udolfo by Ann Radcliffe volume 4 chapter 11 our happy hills our pleasing shade our fields beloved in vain where once my careless childhood strayed a stranger yet to pain I feel the gales that from ye blow a momentary bliss bestow as waving fresh their gladsome wing my weary soul they seem to sooth gray on the following morning Emily left Toulouse at an early hour and reached Lavalle about sunset with the melancholy she experienced on the review of a place which had been the residence of her parents and the scene of her earliest delight was mingled after the first shock which subsided a tender and undescribable pleasure for time had so far blunted the acuteness of her grief that she now courted every scene that awakened the memory of her friends in every room where she had been accustomed to see them they almost seemed to live again and she felt that Lavalle was still her happiest home one of the first apartments she visited was that which had been her father's library and here she seated herself in his armchair and while she contemplated with tempered resignation the picture of past times which her memory gave the tears she shed could scarcely be called those of grief soon after her arrival she was surprised by a visit from the venerable Monsieur Barot who came impatiently to welcome the daughter of his late respected neighbour to her long deserted home Emily was comforted by the presence of an old friend and they passed an interesting hour in conversing of former times and in relating some of the circumstances that had occurred to each since they parted the evening was so far advanced when Monsieur Barot left Emily that she could not visit the garden that night but on the following morning she traced its long regretted scenes with fond impatience and as she walked beneath the groves which her father had planted and where she had so often sauntered in affectionate conversation with him his countenance, his smile even the accents of his voice returned with exactness to her fancy and her heart melted to the tender recollections this too was his favourite season of the year at which they had often together admired the rich and variegated tints of these woods and the magical effect of autumn lights upon the mountains and now the view of these circumstances made memory eloquent as she wandered pensively on she fancied the following address to autumn, sweet autumn how thy melancholy grace steals on my heart as through these shades I wind soothed by thy breathing sigh I fondly trace each lonely image of the pensive mind loved scenes, loved friends long lost around me rise and wake the melting thought the tender tear that tear, that thought which more than mirth I prize sweet as the gradual tint that paints thy year thy farewell smile with fond regret I view thy beaming light soft gliding all the woods thy distant landscape touched with yellow hue while falls the lengthened gleam thy winding floods now veiled in shade save where the skiffs white sails swell to the breeze and catch thy streaming ray but now he now the partial vision fails and the wave smiles as sweeps the cloud away emblem of life thus checkered is its plan thus joy succeeds to grief thus smiles the varied man one of Emily's earliest inquiries after her arrival at Lavalé was concerning Thérèse, her father's old servant whom it may be remembered that Monsieur Connell had turned from the house when it was let without any provision understanding that she lived in a cottage at no great distance Emily walked with her and on approaching was pleased to see that her habitation was pleasantly situated on a green slope sheltered by a tuft of oaks and had an appearance of comforts and extreme neatness she found the old woman within picking vine stalks who on perceiving her young mistress was nearly overcome with joy ah my dear young lady said she I thought I should never see you again in this world when I heard you has gone to that outlandish country I have been hardly used since you went I little thought they would have turned me out of my old master's family in my old age Emily lamented the circumstance and then assured her that she would make her latter days comfortable and expressed satisfaction on seeing her in so pleasant an habitation Teresa thanked her with tears adding yes mademoiselle it is a very comfortable home thanks to the kind friend who took me out of my distress when you was too far off to help me and placed me here I little thought but no more of that and who was this kind friend said Emily whoever it was I shall consider him as mine also ah mademoiselle that friend forbade me to blazen the good deed I must not say who it was but how you are altered since I saw you last you look so pale now and so thin too but then there is my old master's smile yes that will never leave you any more than the goodness that used to make him smile alas a day the poor luster friend indeed when he died Emily was affected by this mention of her father which Teresa observing changed the subject I heard mademoiselle said she that madame Sharon married a foreign gentleman after all and took you abroad how does she do Emily now mentioned her death alas said Teresa if she had not been my master's sister I should never have loved her she was always so cross but how does that dear young gentleman do Monsieur Valencourt he was a handsome youth and a good one is he well mademoiselle Emily was much agitated a blessing on him continued Teresa ah my dear young lady you need not look so shy I know all about it do you think I do not know that he loves you why when you was away mademoiselle he used to come to the chateau and walk about it so disconsolate he would go into every room in the lower part of the house and sometimes he would sit himself down in a chair with his arms across and his eyes on the floor and there he would sit and think and think for the hour together he used to be very fond of the south parlor because I told him it used to be yours and there he would stay looking at the pictures which I said you drew and playing upon your loot that hung up by the window and reading in your books till sunset and then he must go back to his brother Chateau and then it is enough Teresa said Emily how long have you lived in this cottage and how can I serve you will you remain here or return and live with me nay mademoiselle said Teresa do not be so shy to your poor old servant I'm sure it is no disgrace to like such a good young gentleman a deep sigh escaped from Emily ah how he did love to talk of you I loved him for that nay for that matter he liked to hear me talk for he did not say much himself but I soon found out what he came to the chateau about then he would go into the garden and down to the terrace and sit under that great tree there for the day together with one of your books in his hand but he did not read much I fancy for one day I happened to go that way and I heard somebody talking who can be here says I I'm sure I let nobody into the garden but the Chevalier so I walked softly to see what could be and behold it was the Chevalier himself talking to himself about you and he repeated your name and sighed so and said he had lost you forever for that you would never return for him I thought he was out in his reckoning there he said nothing and stole away no more of this trifling said Emily awakening from her reverie it displeases me but when Monsieur Canal let the chateau I thought it would have broke the Chevalier's heart Teresa said Emily seriously you must name the Chevalier no more not name him mademoiselle cried Teresa what times have come up now I love the Chevalier next to my old master and you mademoiselle perhaps your love was not well bestowed then replied Emily trying to conceal her tears but however that might be we shall meet no more meet no more not well bestowed exclaimed Teresa what do I hear no mademoiselle my love was well bestowed for it was the Chevalier Valancourt this cottage and has supported me in my old age ever since Monsieur Canal turned me from my master's house the Chevalier Valancourt said Emily trembling extremely yes mademoiselle he himself though he made me promise not to tell but how could one help when one heard him ill spoken of ah dear young lady you may well weep if you have behaved unkindly to him more tender heart than his never young gentleman had he found me out in my distress when you was too far off to help me and Monsieur Canal refused to do so and bade me go to service again alas I was too old for that the Chevalier found me and bought me this cottage and gave me money to furnish it and bade me seek out another poor woman to live with me and he ordered his brother's steward to pay me every quarter that which has supported me in comfort think then mademoiselle whether I have not reason to speak well of the Chevalier and there are others who could have afforded it better than he and I'm afraid he has hurt himself by his generosity for quarter day has gone by long since and no money for me but do not weep so mademoiselle you are not sorry surely to hear of the poor Chevalier's goodness sorry said Emily and wept the more but how long is it since you have seen him not this many a day mademoiselle when did you hear of him inquired Emily with increased emotion alas never since he went away so suddenly into Languedoc and he was but just come from Paris then or I should have seen him I'm sure quarter day has gone by long since and as I said no money for me I begin to fear some harm has happened to him and if I was not so far from estuvière and so lame I should have gone to inquire before this time and I have nobody to send so far Emily's anxiety as to the fate of Valencourt was now scarcely and durable and since propriety would not suffer had to send to the chateau of his brother she requested that Theresa would immediately hire some person to go to his steward from herself and when he asked for the quarterage due to her to make inquiries concerning Valencourt but she first made Theresa promise never to mention her name in this affair or ever with that of the chevalier Valencourt and her former faithfulness to Monsieur Sainte-Aubere induced Emily to confide in her assurances Theresa now joyfully undertook to procure a person for this errand and then Emily after giving her a sum of money to supply her with present comforts returned with spirits heavily oppressed to her home lamenting more than ever that an heart possessed of so much benevolence as Valencourt should have been contaminated by the vices of the world but affected by the delicate affection which is kindness to her old servant expressed for herself End of Volume 4, Chapter 11 Macbeth Meanwhile, Count de Villefort and Lady Blanche had passed a pleasant fortnight at the chanteau de Saint-Foix with the Baron and Baroness during which they made frequent excursions among the mountains and were delighted with the romantic wildness of Pyrenean scenery it was with regret that the Count bated her to his old friends although with the hope of being soon united with them and one family for it was settled that M. Saint-Foix who now attended them into Gascony should receive the hand of the Lady Blanche upon their arrival at Chateau de Blanche as the road from the Baron's residence to Lavalais was over some of the wildest track to the Pyrenees and where a carriage wheel had never passed the Count hired mules for himself and his family as well as a couple of stout guides who were well armed informed of all the passes of the mountains and who boasted, too, that they were acquainted every break and dingle in the way could tell the names of all the highest points of this chain of alps knew every forest that spread along their narrow valleys the shallowest part of every torrent they must cross and the exact distance of every goat, herds and hunter's cabin they should have occasioned to pass which last article of learning required no very capacious memory for even such simple inhabitants were but thinly scattered over these wilds the Count left the Chateau de Saint-Foix early in the morning an intention of passing the night at a little inn upon the mountains about half way to Lavalais of which his guides had informed him and, though this was frequented chiefly by Spanish mule-tears on their route into France and, of course, would afford only sorry accommodation the Count had no alternative for it was the only place like an inn on the road after a day of admiration and fatigue the travellers found themselves about sunset in a woody valley overlooked on every side by abrupt heights they had proceeded for many leagues without seeing a human habitation and had only heard, now and then, at a distance the melancholy tinkling of a sheep-bell but now they caught the note of merry music and presently saw, within a little green recess among the rocks, a group of mountaineers trapping through a dance the Count, who could not look upon the happiness any more than on the misery of others with indifference, halted to enjoy this scene of simple pleasure the group before him consisted of French and Spanish peasants the inhabitants of a neighbouring hamlet some of whom were performing a sprightly dance the women with casignettes in their hands did the sounds of a lute and a tambourine till, from the brisk melody of France the music softened into a slow movement to which two female peasants danced a Spanish pavan the Count, comparing this with the scenes of such gaiety as it witnessed at Paris where false taste painted the features and, while it vainly tried to supply the glow of nature concealed the charms of animation where affectation so often distorted the air and vice perverted the menace sighed to think that natural grazes and innocent pleasures flourished in the wiles of solitude while they drooped amidst the concourse of polished society but the lengthened shadows reminded the travellers that they had no time to lose and, leaving this joyous group they pursued their way towards the little inn which was to shelter them from the night the rays of the setting sun now through a yellow gleam upon the forests of Pine and Chestnut that swept down the lower region of the mountains and gave a resplendent tinge to the snowy points above but soon even this light faded fast and the scenery assumed a more tremendous appearance in vesset with the obscurity of twilight where the torrent had been seen it was now only heard where the wild cliffs had displayed every variety of form and attitude a dark mass of mountains now alone appeared and the veil which far, far below had opened its dreadful chasm the eye could no longer fathom a melancholy gleam still lingered on the summits of the highest Alps overlooking their deeper pose of evening and seeming to make the stillness of the hour more awful Blanche fewed the scene in silence and listened with enthusiasm to the murmur of the pines that extended in dark lines along the mountains and to the faint voice of the isid among the rocks that came at interval in the air but her enthusiasm sunk into apprehension when, as the shadows deepened she looked upon the doubtful precipice that bordered the road as well as on the various fantastic forms of danger that glimmered through the obscurity beyond it and she asked her father how far they were from the inn and whether he did not consider the road to be dangerous at this late hour the Count repeated the first question to the Guides who returned a doubtful answer that when it was darker it would be safest to rest till the moon rose it is scarcely safe to proceed now, said the Count but the Guides, assuring him that there was no danger, went on Blanche, revived by this assurance, again indulged a pensive pleasure as she watched the progress of twilight gradually spreading its tints over the woods and mountains and stealing from the eye every minute or feature of the scene till the grand outlines of nature alone remained then fell the silent dews and every wildflower and aromatic plant that bloomed among the cliffs breathed forth its sweetness then, too, when the mountain bee had crept into its blossomed bed and the hum of every little insect that had floated gaily in the sunbeam was hushed, the sound of many streams not heard till now, murmured at a distance the bats alone of all the animals inhabiting this region seemed awake and while they flitted across the silent path which Blanche was pursuing she remembered the flowing lines which Emily had given her to the bed from hand of man, from day's obtrusive glare thou shouts thee in the rune's ivy tower or in some shadowy glance romantic bower where wizard forms their mystic charms prepare where horror lurks and ever-boating care but at the sweet and silent evening hour when close and sleep is every languid flower thou loves to sport upon the twilight air mocking the eye that would thy cause pursue in many a wanton round, elastic, gay thou flits'd earthward the pensive wondrous way as its lone footsteps print the mountain dew from Indian aisles thou com'st with summer's car twilight thy love, thy guide, her beaming star to a warm imagination that Ubi's forms that float half veiled in darkness afford a higher delight than the most distinct scenery that the sun can show while the fancy thus wanders over landscapes partly of its own creation a sweet complacency steals upon the mind and, refines it all to soulless feeling bids the tears of rapture roll the distant note of a torrent the weak trembling of the breeze among the woods where the far-off sound of a human voice now lost and heard again are circumstances which wonderfully heighten the enthusiastic tone of the mind the young Saint-Foy who saw the presentations of a fervent fancy and felt whatever enthusiasm could suggest sometimes interrupted the silence which the rest of the party seen by mutual consent to preserve remarking and pointing out to Blanche the most striking effect of the hour upon the scenery while Blanche, who's apprehensions were beguiled by the conversation of her lover yielded to the taste so congenial to his and they conversed in a low, restrained voice the effect of the pensive tranquility which twilight and the scene inspired rather than of any fear that they should be heard but while the heart was thus soothed to tenderness Saint-Foy gradually mingled with his admiration of a country a mention of his affection and he continued to speak and Blanche to listen to the mountains, the woods and the magical illusions of twilight who remembered no more the shadows of evening soon shifted to the gloom of night which was somewhat anticipated by the vapours that gathering fast round the mountains rolled in dark wreaths along their sides and the guides proposed a rest till the moon should rise adding that they thought a storm was coming on as they looked round for a spot that might afford some kind of shelter an object was perceived obscurity through the dusk on a point of rock a little way down the mountain which they imagined to be a hunters or a shepherd's cabin and the party with cautious steps proceeded towards it their labour however was not rewarded or their apprehensions soothed for on reaching the object of their search they discovered a monumental cross which marked the spot to have been polluted by murder the darkness would not permit them to read the inscription but the guides knew this to be a cross raised to the memory of a Count de Beliart who had been murdered here by a whore of Banditi that had infested this part of the Peronese a few years before and the uncommon size of the monument seemed to justify the supposition that it was erected for a person of some distinction Blanche shuttered as she listened to some horrid particulars of the Count's fate which one of the guides related in a low restrained voice as if the sound of his own voice frightened him but while they lingered at the cross attending to his narrative a flash of lightning glanced upon the rocks thunder metered at a distance and the travellers now alarmed quitted this scene of solitary horror in search of shelter having regained their former trek the guides as they passed on endeavoured to interest the Count by various stories of robbery and even of murder which had been perpetrated in the very places they must unavoidably pass with the Count's of their own dauntless courage and wonderful escapes the Chief Guide or rather he who was the most completely armed drawing forth one of the four pistols that were tucked into his belt swore that it had shot three robbers within the year he then brandished a clasp knife of enormous length and was going to the wonderful execution it had done when Saint-Foy, perceiving that Blanche was terrified interrupted him the Count meanwhile, secretly laughing at the terrible histories and extravagant boastings of the man resolved to humour him and telling Blanche in a whisper his design began to recount some exploits of his own which infinitely exceeded any related by the guide to these surprising circumstances he so artfully gave the colouring of truth that the courage of the guides was visibly affected by them who continued silent long after the Count had ceased to speak the lequacity of the Chief Hero thus late asleep the vigilance of his eyes and ears seemed more thoroughly awakened for he listened with much appearance of anxiety to the deep thunder which murmured at intervals and often paused as the breeze that was now rising rushed among the pines but when he made a sudden halt before a tuft of cork trees that projected over the road and drew forth a pistol before he would venture to brave the Banditi which might lurk behind it the Count could no longer refrain from laughter having now however arrived at a level spot somewhat sheltered from the air by overhanging cliffs and by a wood of large that rose over the precipice on the left and the guides being yet ignorant how far they were from the inn the travellers determined to rest till the moon should rise or the storm disperse Blanche recalled to a sense of the present moment looked on the surrounding gloom with terror but giving her hand to Saint-Foix she alighted and the whole party entered a kind of cave if such it could be called which was only a shallow cavity formed by the curve of impending rocks a light being struck a fire was kindled whose blaze afforded some degree of cheerfulness and no small comfort for though the day had been hot the night air of this mountainous region was chilling a fire was partly necessary also to keep off the wolves with which those wilds were infested for villains being spread upon a projection of the rock the Count and his family partook of a supper which in a scene less rude would certainly have been thought less excellent when the repast was finished Saint-Foix, impatient for the moon sanded along the precipice to a point that fronted the east but all was yet wrapped in gloom and the silence of night was broken only a murmuring of woods that waved far below or by distant thunder and now and then by the faint voices of the party had quitted he viewed with emotions of awful sublimity the long volumes of so fierce clouds that floated along the upper and middle regions of the air and the lightnings that flashed from them sometimes silently and at others followed by silent peels of thunder which the mountains feebly prolonged while the whole horizon which he stood were discovered in the momentary light upon the succeeding darkness the fire which had been kindled in the cave through a partial gleam illuminating some points of the opposite rocks and the summits of pine woods that hung beatling on the cliffs below while their recesses seemed to frown in deeper shade Saint-Foix stopped to observe the picture which the party in the cave presented where the elegant form of blanche was finally contrasted by the majestic figure of the Count who was seated by her on a rude stone and each was rendered more impressive by the grotesque habits and strong features of the guides and other attendants who were in the background of the piece the effect of the light too was interesting on the surrounding figures it threw a strong though pale gleam and glittered on their bright arms while upon the foliage of a gigantic large that impended shade over the cliff above appeared a red dusky tint deepening almost imperceptibly into the blackness of night while Saint-Foix contemplated the scene the moon, broad and yellow rose over the eastern summit from among embattled clouds and showed dimly the grandeur of the heavens the mass of vapours that rolled half way down the precipice beneath and the doubtful mountains what dreadful pleasure there to stand sublime like shipwrecked mariner on desert coast and view the enormous waste of vapour tossed in billows lengthened to the horizon round the minstrel from this romantic reverie he was awakened by the voices of the guides repeating his name which was reverbed from cliff to cliff till a hundred tongs seemed to call him when he soon quieted the fears of the Count and the Lady Blanche by returning to the cave as the storm however seemed approaching they did not quit their place of shelter and the Count seeded between his dorsal and Saint-Foix endeavoured to divert the fears of the former and conversed on subjects relating to the natural history of the scene among which they wandered he spoke with the mineral and fossil substances found in the deaths of these mountains the veins of marble and granite with which they abounded the strata of shells discovered near their summits many thousand fathom above the level of the sea and at a vast distance from its present shore of the tremendous chasms and caverns of the rocks the grotesque form of the mountains and the various phenomena that seemed to stamp up on the world the history of the deluge from the natural history he descended to the mention of events and circumstances connected with the civil story of the Peronese named some of the most remarkable fortresses which France and Spain had erected in the passes of these mountains and gave a brief account of some celebrated sieges and encounters in early times when ambition first frightened solitude from these her deep recesses made her mountains which before had echoed only to the tauren's roar tremble with a clang of arms and when man's first footsteps in her sacred haunts had left the print of blood as Blanche said attentive to the narrative that rendered the scenes doubly interesting and resigned to solemn emotion while she considered that she was on a very ground once polluted by these events her reverie was suddenly interrupted by a sound that came in the wind it was the distant bark of a watchdog the travellers listened with eager hope and as the wind blew stronger fancied that the sound came from no great distance and the guides having little doubt that it proceeded from the inn they were in search of the count determined to pursue his way the moon now afforded a stronger though still in an uncertain light as she moved among broken clouds and the travellers, led by the sound recommended their journey along the brow of the precipice proceeded by a single torch that now contended with the moonlight for the guides believing they should reach the inn soon after sunset had neglected to provide more in silent caution they followed the sound which was heard by the intervals and which after some time entirely seized the guides endeavoured however to point their course to the quarter when they had issued but the deep roaring of a torrent soon seized their attention and presently they came to a tremendous chasm of the mountain which seemed to forbid all further progress Blanche alighted from her mule as did the count at Saint-Foy while the guides traversed the edge in search of a bridge which however rude might convey them to the opposite side and they at length confessed what the count had begun to suspect that they had been for some time doubtful of their way and were now certain only that they had lost it end of volume 4 chapter 12 part a volume 4 chapter 12 part b of the mysteries of Adolfo this is a lipovox recording all lipovox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit lipovox.org recording by Anna Simon the mysteries of Adolfo by Anne Radcliffe volume 4 chapter 12 part b at a little distance was discovered a rude and dangerous passage formed by an enormous pine which thrown across the chasm united the opposite precipices and which had been felt probably by the hunter to facilitate his chase of the isid or the wolf the whole party, the guides accepted shattered the prospect of crossing this alpine bridge whose sides afforded no kind of defence and from which to fall was to die the guides however prepared to lead over the mules while Blanche stood trembling on the brink of the roar of the waters which was seen descending from rocks above overhung with lofty pines and lens precipitating themselves into the deeper base where their white surges gleamed faintly in the moonlight the poor animals proceeded over this perilous bridge with instinctive caution neither frightened by the noise of the cataract or deceived by the gloom which the impending foliage threw atward their way it was now that the solitary torch which had been hitherto of little service was found to be an inestimable treasure and Blanche terrified shrinking but endeavouring to recollect all her firmness and presence of mind proceeded by her lover and supported by her father followed the red gleam of the torch in safety to the opposite cliff as they went on the heights contracted and formed a narrow pass at the bottom of which the torrent they had just crossed was hurred to thunder but they were again cheered by the bark of a dog keeping watch perhaps over the flocks of the mountains to protect them from the nightly descend of the wolves the sound was much nearer than before and while they rejoiced in the hope of soon reaching a place of repose a light was seen to glimmer at a distance it appeared at a height considerably above the level of their path and was lost and seen again as if the waving branches of trees sometimes excluded and then admitted its rays the guides hallowed with all their strength but the sound of no human voice was heard in return and at length as a more effectual means of making themselves known they fired a pistol but while they listened in anxious expectation the noise of the explosion was alone heard echoing among the rocks and it gradually sunk into silence which no friendly hint of man disturbed the light however that had been seen before now became plainer and soon after voices were heard indistinctly on the wind but upon the guides repeating the call the voices suddenly seized and appeared the Lady Blanche was now almost sinking beneath the pressure of anxiety fatigue and apprehension and the united efforts of the Count and Saint-Foy could scarcely support her spirits as they continued to advance an object was perceived on a point of rock above which the strong rays of the moon then falling on it appeared to be a watchtower the Count from its situation and some other circumstances had little doubt that it was such as he endeavoured to reanimate his daughter's spirits by the near prospect of shelter and repose which however rude the accommodation a ruined watchtower might afford numerous watchtowers have been erected among the Pyrenees set the Count anxious only to call Blanche's attention from the subject of affairs and the method by which they give intelligence of the approach of the enemy is, you know, by fires kindled on the summits of these edifices signals have thus sometimes been communicated from post to post along a frontier line of several hundred miles in length then as occasion may require the lurking armies emerge from their fortresses in the forests and march forth to defend perhaps the entrance of some grand pass where planting themselves on the heights they assail their astonished enemies who wind along the glen below with fragments of the shattered cliv and pour death and defeat upon them the ancient forts and watchtowers overlooking the grand passes the Pyrenees are carefully preserved but some of those in inferior stations have been suffered to fall into decay and are now frequently converted into the more peaceful habitation of the hunter or the shepherd who, after a day of toil retires hither and with his faithful dogs forgets near a cheerful blaze the labour of the chase or the anxiety of collecting his wandering flocks while he is sheltered from the nightly storm but are they always thus peacefully inhabited? said the Lady Blanche no, replied the Count there are sometimes the asylum of French and Spanish smugglers who cross the mountains with contraband goods from their respective countries and letter are particularly numerous against whom strong parties with King's troops are sometimes sent by the desperate resolution of these adventurers who, knowing that if they are taken they must expiate the breach of the law by the most cruel death travel in large parties well aren't, often dance the courage of the soldiers the smugglers who seek only safety never engage when they can possibly avoid it the military also who know that in these encounters dangerous, certain and glory almost unattainable are equally reluctant to fight an engagement therefore very seldom happens but when it does it never concludes till after the most desperate and bloody conflict you are in attentive Blanche added the Count Blanche, looking up, perceived that they were at the foot of the cliff on whose summit the buildings stood but no light now issued from it the barking of the dark two-head for some time seized and the guides began to doubt whether this was really the object of their search from the distance at which they surveyed it, shown imperfectly by a cloudy moon it appeared to be a photo of Blanche, looking up at the foot of the cliff on a cloudy moon it appeared to be of more extent than a single watchtower the difficulty was how to ascend the height whose abrupt the clivities seemed to afford no kind of pathway while the guides carried forward the torch to examine the cliff the Count remained with Blanche and Sanfois at its foot under the shadow of the woods endeavored again to be galled the time by conversation but again anxiety abstracted the mind of Blanche and he then consulted, apart with Sanfois whether it would be advisable, should a path be found to venture to an edifice which might possibly harbour Banditi they considered that their own party was not small and that several of them were well armed and after enumerating the dangers to be incurred by passing the night in the open wild exposed perhaps to the effects of a thunderstorm there remained not a doubt that they ought to endeavour to obtain admittance to the edifice above at any hazard respecting the inhabitants it might harbour but the darkness and the dead silence that surrounded it appeared to contradict the probability of its being inhabited at all a shout from the guides aroused their attention after which in a few minutes one of the Count's servants returned with intelligence that a path was found and they immediately hastened to join the guides when they all ascended a little winding way cut in the rock among thickets of dwarf wood and after much toil and some danger reached the summit where several ruined towers surrounded by a massy wall rose to their view partially illumined by the moonlight the space around the building was silent and apparently forsaken but the Count was cautious step softly said he in a low voice while we reconnoiter the edifice having proceeded silently along for some paces they stopped at a gate whose portals were terrible even in ruins and after a moment's hesitation passed on to the court of entrance at the head of a terrace which branching from it ran along the brow of a precipice over this rose the main body of the edifice which was now seen to be not a watchtower but one of those ancient fortresses that from age and neglect had fallen to decay many parts of it however appeared to be still entire it was built of grey stone in the heavy Saxon Gothic style with enormous round towers buttresses of proportionable strength which seemed to open into the hall of the fabric was round as was that of a window above the air of solemnity which must so strongly have characterised the pile even in the days of its early strength was now considerably heightened by its shattered battlements and half demolished walls by the huge masses of ruin scattered in its wide area now silent and grass grown in this court of entrance stood the gigantic remains of an oak that seemed to have flourished and decayed with the building which had still appeared frowningly to protect by the few remaining branches leafless and moss grown that crowned its trunk and whose wide extent told how enormous the tree had been in a former age this fortress was evidently once of great strength and from its situation on a point of rock impending over a deep glen had been of great power to annoy as well as to resist the count therefore as he stood surveying it surprised that it had been suffered ancient as it was to sink into ruins and its present lonely and deserted air excited in his breast emotions of melancholy awe while he indulged for a moment these emotions he thought he heard a sound of remote voices steel upon the stillness from within the building the front of which he again surveyed with scrutinising eyes but yet no light was visible he now determined to walk round the fort to that remote part of it once he thought the voices had arisen that he might examine whether any light could be discerned there before he ventured to knock at the gate for this purpose he entered upon the terrace whether remains of cannon were yet apparent in the thick walls but he adult proceeded many paces when his steps were suddenly arrested by the loud barking of a dog within and which he fancied to be the same whose voice had been the means of bringing the travellers thither it now appeared certain that the place was inhabited but he returned to consilled again with Saint-Foix whether he should try to obtain admittance for its wild aspect had somewhat shaken his former resolution but after a second consultation he submitted to the considerations which before determined him and which were strengthened by the discovery of the dog that guarded the fort as well as by the stillness that pervaded it he therefore ordered one of his servants to knock at the gate who was advancing to obey him loudly but receiving no answer he went up to the gate himself and struck upon it with an iron-pointed pole which had assisted him to climb the steep when the echoes had seized that this blow had awakened the renewed barking and there were now more than one dog was the only sound that was heard the counts had back a few paces to observe whether the light was in the tower and perceiving that it was gone he returned to the portal and had lifted the pole to strike again he fancied he heard the murmur of voices within and paused to listen he was confirmed in the supposition but there were two removed to be heard otherwise than in a murmur and the count now let the pole fall heavily upon the gate when almost immediately a profound silence followed it was apparent that the people within had heard the sound and their caution in admitting strangers gave him a favourable opinion of them there are either hunters or shepherds said he though, like ourselves, have probably sought shelter from the night within these walls and are fearful of admitting strangers lest they should prove robbers have all endeavour to remove their fears so saying he called aloud we are friends who ask shelter from the night in a few moments steps were heard within which approached and a voice then inquired who calls friends repeated the count open the gates and you shall know more strong bolts were now heard to be undrawn and a man armed with a hunting spear appeared what is it you want at this hour said he the count beckoned his attendants and then answered that he wished to inquire the way to the nearest cabin are you so little acquainted with these mountains said the man as not to know that there is none within several leagues I cannot show you the way you must seek it, there is a moon saying this he was closing the gate and the count was turning away half disappointed and half afraid when another voice was heard from above and on looking up he saw a light and a man's face at the great depth of the portal stay a friend you have lost your way said the voice you are hunters I suppose like ourselves I will be with you presently the voice seized and the light disappeared Blanche had been alarmed by the appearance of the man at the gate and she now entreated her father to quit the place but the count had observed the hunter's spear which he carried and the words from the tower encouraged him to await the event the gate was soon opened and several men in hunters' habits who had heard above what had passed below appeared and having listened some time to the count told him he was welcome to rest there for the night they then pressed him with much curtsy to enter and to partake of such fare as they were about to sit down to the count who had observed them attentively while they spoke was cautious and somewhat suspicious but he was also wary fearful of the approaching storm out of encountering alpine heights in the obscurity of night being likewise somewhat confident in the strength and number of his attendants he, after some further consideration determined to accept the invitation with this resolution he called his servants who, advancing round the tower behind which some of them had silently listened at this conference, followed their lord the Lady Blanche and Saint Foix into the fortress the strangers led them on to a large and rude hall partially seen by a fire that blazed at its extremity round which four men in the hunter's dress were seated and on the hearth were several dogs stretched in sleep in the middle of the halls to the large table and over the fire some part of an animal was boiling as the count approached the men arose and the dogs half raising themselves looked fiercely at the strangers but on hearing their master's voices kept their postures on the hearth Blanche looked round this gloomy and spacious hall then at the men and to her father who, smiling cheerfully at her addressed himself to the hunters this is a hospitable hearth said he the blaze of a fire is reviving after having wandered so long in these dreary wilds your dogs are tired what success have you had such as we usually have replied one of the men who had been seated in the hall we kill our game with tolerable certainty these are fellow hunters said one of the men who had brought the count hearth that have lost their way and I've told them there is room enough in the fort for us all very true, very true replied his companion what luck have you had in the chase brothers we have killed two isots and that you will say is pretty well you mistake friend we are not hunters but travellers but if you will admit us to hunters fair we shall be well contented and will repay your kindness sit down then brother said one of the men Jacques lay more fuel in the fire the kit will soon be ready bring a seat for the lady too Mamazelle 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 with a good humid air the glass offered to his daughter and monsieur Saint-Foy who was seated next to 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 Saint-Foy 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 but enough we live here only during the summer and autumnal months in winter the place is dreary and the swollen torrents that descend from the heights put a stop to the chase it is 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 the man who stood behind the count here are plenty of birds of delicious flavour that feed upon the wild thiamine herbs that grow in the valleys now I think of it there is a braise of birds hung up in the stone gallery go fetch them Jacques we'll have them dressed the count now made inquiry concerning the method of pursuing the chase 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 chase 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 hallou succeeded these are some of our companions returned from their days 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 after you brought home your supper and none else ah, who the devil have you brought home said they embared Spanish on perceiving the Count's party are they from France or Spain where did you meet with them they met with us and a merry meeting too replied his companion loud in good French this chevelier and his party had lost their way and asked a night lodging in the fort the others made no reply but threw down a kind of knapsack and drew forth several braids of birds the bag sounded heavily as it fell to the ground and the glitter of some bright metal within glanced on the eye of the Count who now surveyed with a more inquiring look the man that helped the knapsack he was a tall, robust figure of a hard countenance and a short black hair curling in his neck instead of the hunter's dress he wore a faded military uniform sandals were leased on his broad legs and a kind of short trousers hung from his waist on his head he wore a leathern cap somewhat resembling in shape an ancient Roman helmet but the brows that Scowl beneath it would have characterized those of the barbarians who conquered Rome rather than those of a Roman soldier the Count at length turned away his eyes and remained silent and thoughtful till again raising them he perceived a figure standing in an obscure part of the hall fixed in a tent of gaze on Saint-Foy who was conversing with Blanche and did not observe this but the Count soon after saw the same man looking over the shoulder of the soldier as attentively at himself he withdrew his eye when that of the Count met it who felt mistrust gathering fast upon his mind but feared to betray it in his countenance and forcing his features to assume a smile addressed Blanche on some indifferent subject when he again looked round he perceived that the soldier and his companion were gone End of Volume 4, Chapter 12, Part B Volume 4, Chapter 12, Part C of The Mysteries of Adolfo This is a Libvrox recording all Libvrox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Libvrox.org recording by Anna Simon The Mysteries of Adolfo by Anne Redcliffe Volume 4, Chapter 12, Part C The man who was called Jack now returned from the Stone Gallery A fire is lighted there, said he and the birds are dressing the table too is spread there for that place is warmer than this His companions approved of the removal and invited their guests to follow to the gallery of whom Blanche appeared distressed and remained seated and Saint-Foy looked at the Count who said he preferred the comfortable blaze of the fire he was then near The hunters however commanded the warmth of the other apartment and pressed his removal with such semen curtsy to the Count half doubting and half fearful of betraying his doubts consented to go the long and ruinous passages through which they went somewhat daunted him but the thunder which now burst and loud peels above made it dangerous to quit this place of shelter and he forbade to provoke his conductors by showing that he distrusted them The hunters led the way with a lamp The Countess of Foix who wished to please their hosts by some instances of familiarity carried each a seat and Blanche followed with faltering steps part of a dress caught on a nail in the wall and while she stopped somewhat too scrupulously to disengage it the Count who was talking to Saint-Foy and neither of whom observed the circumstance followed their conductor round an abrupt angle of the passage and Blanche was left behind in darkness The thunder prevented them from hearing her call but having disengaged her dress she quickly followed as she thought the way they had taken a light that glimmered at a distance confirmed this belief She proceeded towards an open door once it issued, conjecturing the room beyond to be the stone gallery the man had spoken of Hearing voices as she advanced she paused within a few paces of the chamber that she might be certain whether she was right and from thence by the light of a lamp that hung from the ceiling observed four men seated round a table over which they lent in apparent consultation In one of them she distinguished the features of him whom she had observed gazing at Saint-Foy with such deep attention though speaking and in earnest though restrained voice till one of his companions seeming to oppose him they spoke together in a loud and harsh tone Blanche, alarmed by perceiving that neither her father or Saint-Foy were there and terrified of the fierce countenances and menace of these men was turning hastily from the chamber to pursue her search of the gallery when she heard one of the men say Let all dispute end here Who talks of danger? Follow my advice and there will be none Secure them and the rest are in easy prey Blanche, struck with these words paused the moment to hear more There's nothing to be got by the rest said one of his companions I'm never for blood when I can help it dispatch the two others and our business is done the rest may go May they so exclaimed the first Ruffian with a tremendous oath What, to tell how we have disposed of their masters and to send the king's troops to drag us to the wheel? He was always a choice advisor I warrant we've not yet forgot Saint Thomas's Eve last year Blanche's heart now sunk with horror Her first impulse was to retreat from the door but when she would have gone her trembling frame refused to sport her and having tottered a few paces to a more obscure part of the passage she was compelled to listen to the dreadful counsels of those who she was no longer suffered to doubt were banditie In the next moment she heard the following words Why, you would not murder the whole gang? I warrant our lives are as good as theirs replied his comrade if we don't kill them they will hang us better they should die than we be hanged Better, better cried his comrades To commit murder is a hopeful way of escaping the gallows said the first Ruffian Many an honest fellow has run his head into the news that way though There was a pause of some moments during which they appeared to be considering Confound those fellows exclaimed one of the robbers impatiently They ought to have been here by this time They will come back presently with the old story and no booty If they were here our business would be plain and easy I see we shall not be able to do the business tonight for our numbers are not equal to the enemy and in the morning they will be for marching off and how can we detain them without force I've been thinking of a scheme that will do said one of his comrades If we can dispatch the two serviliers silently it will be easy to master the rest That's a plausible scheme in good faith said another with a smile of scorn If I can eat my way through the prison wall I shall be at liberty How can we dispatch them silently By poison replied his companions Well said, that will do said the second Ruffian That will give a lingering death too and satisfy my revenge These barons shall take care of the again tempter vengeance I knew the son the moment I saw him said the man whom Blanche had observed gazing on Semfoie though he does not know me the father I'd almost forgotten Well you may say what you will said the third Ruffian but I don't believe he is the baron and I am as likely to know as any of you for I was one of them that attacked him with our brave lads that suffered and was not I another said the first Ruffian but what does it signify whether he is or not shall we let all this booty go out of our hands it's not often we have such luck as this while we run the chance of the wheel for smuggling a few pounds of tobacco to cheat the king's manufacturing out of breaking our necks down the precipices in the chase of our food and now and then rob a brother smuggler or a straggling pilgrim of what scarcely repaces the powder we fired them shall we let such a prize as this go why they have enough about them to keep us for I am not for that I am not for that replied the third robber let us make the most of them only if this is the baron I should like to have a flesh the more at him for the sake of our brave comrades that he brought to the gallows aye aye flesh as much as you will rejoin the first man but I tell you the baron is a taller man confound your quibbling said the second Ruffian if we stay here much longer they will take the hint and mark off without our leave let them be who they will they are rich or why all those servants did you see the ring he you called a baron head on his finger it was a diamond but he has not got it all now he saw me looking at it I warned and took it off aye and then there is the picture did you see that she has not taken that off observed the first Ruffian it hangs at her neck if it had not sparkled so I should not have found it out for it was almost hit by her dress those are diamonds too and a rare many of them there must be to go around such a large picture but how are we to manage this business said the second Ruffian let us talk of that there is no fear of there being booty enough but how are we to secure it aye aye said his comrades let us talk of that and remember no time is to be lost I am still for poison observed the third but consider their number why there are nine or ten of them and armed too when I saw so many at the gate I was not for letting them in you know nor you either I thought they might be some of our enemies her like the second I did not so much mind numbers but you must mind them now or it will be worse for you we are not more than six and how can we master ten by open force I tell you we must give some of them a dose and the rest may then be managed I'll tell you a better way rejoin the other impatiently draw closer Blanche who would listen to this conversation in an agony which it would be impossible to describe could no longer distinguish what was said for the Ruffians now spoke in lowered voices but the hope that she might save her friends from the plot if she could find her way quickly to them suddenly reanimated her spirits and lent her strength enough to turn her steps in search of the gallery terror however and darkness conspired against her and having moved a few yards the feeble light that issued from the chamber no longer even contended with the gloom and her foot stumbling over a step that crossed the passage she fell to the ground the noise started the Banditi who became suddenly silent and then all rushed to the passage to examine whether any person was there who might have overheard their counsels Blanche saw them approaching and perceived their fears and eager looks but before she could raise herself they discovered and seized her and as they dragged her towards the chamber they had quitted her screams drew from them horrible threatenings having reached the room they began to consult what they should do with her let us first know what she had heard said the chief robber how long have you been in the passage lady and what brought you there let us first secure that picture said one of his comrades approaching the trembling Blanche fair lady buy her leave that picture is mine come surrender it or I shall seize it Blanche and treating their mercy immediately gave up the miniature while another of the ruffians fiercely interrogated her concerning what she had overheard of their conversation when her confusion and terror too plainly telling what her tongue feared to confess the ruffians looked expressively upon one another and two of them withdrew to a remote part of the room as if to consult further these are diamonds by St. Peter exclaimed the fellow who had been examining the miniature and here is a very pretty picture too faith as handsome a young chevalier as you would wish to see by a summer sun lady this is your spouse I warned for it is a spark that was in your company just now Blanche, sinking with terror conjured him to have pity on her and delivering him her purse promised to say nothing of what had passed if he would suffer her to return to her friends he smiled ironically and was going to reply when his attention was called off by a distant noise and while he listened he grasped the arm of Blanche more firmly as if he feared she would escape from him and she again shrieked for help the approaching sounds called the ruffians from the other part of the chamber we are betrayed, said they but let us listen a moment perhaps it is only our comrades come in from the mountains and if so our work is sure listen a distant discharge of shot confirmed this supposition for a moment but in the next the former sounds drawn near the clashing of swords mingled with the voices of loud contention and with heavy groans were distinguished in the avenue leading to the chamber while the ruffians prepare their arms they hurt themselves cold by some of their comrades afar off and then a shrill horn was sounded without the fortress a signal it appeared they too well understood for three of them leaving the lady Blanche to the care of the fourth instantly rushed from the chamber while Blanche trembling and nearly fainting was supplicating for release she heard amid the tumult that approached the voice of Saint-Foy and she had scarcely renewed her shriek when the door of the room was thrown open and he appeared much disfigured with blood and pursued by several ruffians Blanche neither saw or heard any more her head swam her sight failed and she became senseless in the arms of the robber who entertained her when she recovered she perceived by the gloomy light that trembled round her she was in the same chamber but neither the Count, Saint-Foy or any other person appeared and she continued for some time entirely still and nearly in a status to perfection but the dreadful images of the past returning she endeavoured to raise herself that she might seek her friends when a sudden groan at a little distance reminded her of Saint-Foy and of the condition in which she had seen him enter this room then starting from the floor by a sudden effort of horror the place whence the sound had proceeded where her body was lying stretched upon the pavement and where, by the glimmering light of a lamp she discovered the pale and disfigured countenance of Saint-Foy her horrors at that moment may be easily imagined he was speechless his eyes were half closed and on the hand which she grasped in the agony of despair cold damns had settled while she vainly repeated his name and called for assistance, steps approached a person entered the chamber who she soon perceived was not the count her father but what was her astonishment when supplicating him to give his assistance to Saint-Foy she discovered Ludovico he scarcely paused to recognise her but immediately bound up the wounds of the chevelier and perceiving that he had fainted probably from loss of blood ran for water but he had been absent only a few moments when Blanche heard other steps approaching and while she was almost frantic the light of a torch flashed upon the walls and then Count de Villefort appeared within her frightened countenance and breathless with impatience calling upon his daughter at the sound of his voice she rose and ran to his arms while he letting fall the bloody sword he held pressed her to his bosom in a transport of gratitude and joy and then hastily inquired for Saint-Foy who now gave some signs of life Ludovico, soon after returning with water and brandy he applied to his lips and letter to his temples and hands and Blanche at length saw him and close his eyes and then heard him inquire for her but the joy she felt on this occasion was interrupted by new alarms when Ludovico said it would be necessary to remove Monsieur Saint-Foy immediately and added the banditi that are out my lord were expected home an hour ago and they will certainly find us if we delay that shrill horn they know is never sounded by their comrades on those desperate occasions and it echoes among the mountains for many leagues around I've known them brought home by its sound even from the Pierre de Mélicante is anybody standing watch at the great gate my lord nobody replied the count the rest of my people are now scattered about I scarcely know where though Ludovico, collect them together and look out yourself and listen if you hear the feet of mules Ludovico then hurried away and the count consulted as to the means of removing Saint-Foy who could not have worn the motion of a mule even if his strength would have supported him in the saddle while the count was telling that the banditi whom they had found in the fort were secured in the dungeon Belange observed that he was himself wounded and that his left arm was entirely useless but he smiled at her anxiety assuring her the wound was trifling the count's servants except two who kept watch at the gate now appeared and soon after Ludovico I think I hear mules coming along the glen my lord, said he but the roaring of the torrent below will not let me be certain however I have brought what will serve the chevelier he added, showing a bare skin fastened to a couple of long poles which have been adapted for the purpose of bringing home such that the banditi has happened to be wounded in their encounters Ludovico spread it on the ground and placing the skins of several goats upon it made a kind of bed into which the chevelier who was however now much revived was gently lifted and the poles being raised upon the shoulders the guides whose footing among these steeps could best be depended upon he was born along with an easy motion some of the count's servants were also wounded but not materially and their wounds being bound up they now followed to the great gate as they passed along the hall a loud tumult was heard at some distance and Belange was terrified it is only those villains in the dungeon my lady, said Ludovico they seemed to be bursting it open said the count no my lord, her plight Ludovico it has an iron door we have nothing to fear from them but let me go first and look out from the rampart they quickly followed him and found their mules browsing before the gates where the party listened anxiously but heard no sound except that of the torrent below and of the early breeze sighing among the branches of the old oak that grew in the court and they were now glad to perceive the first tints of dawn over the mountaintops the mules Ludovico, undertaking to be their guide let them by an easier path than that by which they had formally ascended into the glen we must avoid that valley to the east, my lord, said he or we may meet the Banditi they went out that way in the morning the travellers soon after quitted this glen and found themselves in a narrow valley that stretched towards the northwest the morning light upon the mountains now strengthened fast and gradually discovered the green hillocks at the feet of the glyphs tufted with cork tree and evergreen 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 Virgia which the late rain had brightened soon after the sun arose when the dripping rocks with the traps that fringe 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 right before the travellers and the sunbeams gradually drew it up towards the summit of the mountains they had proceeded about a league when Saint-Foix having complained of extreme faintness they stopped to give him refreshment and that the man 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 Saint-Foix but to the whole party though to him it gave only temporary relief 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 proceeding 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 Banditi 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 boot End of Volume 4 Chapter 12 Part C