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attempted to pass them; neither was it probable, that Ludovico would
have incurred the risque of breaking his neck, by leaping from a
window, when he might have walked safely through a door.
The Count's amazement did not admit of words; but he returned
once more to examine the bed-room, where was no appearance of
disorder, except that occasioned by the late overthrow of the chair, near
which had stood a small table, and on this Ludovico's sword, his lamp,
the book he had been reading, and the remnant of his flask of wine still
remained. At the foot of the table, too, was the basket with some
fragments of provision and wood.
Henri and the servant now uttered their astonishment without
reserve, and, though the Count said little, there was a seriousness in his
manner, that expressed much. It appeared, that Ludovico must have
quitted these rooms by some concealed passage, for the Count could not
believe, that any supernatural means had occasioned this event, yet, if
there was any such passage, it seemed inexplicable why he should
retreat through it, and it was equally surprising, that not even the
smallest vestige should appear, by which his progress could be traced. In
the rooms every thing remained as much in order as if he had just
walked out by the common way.
The Count himself assisted in lifting the arras, with which the bed-
chamber, saloon and one of the anti-rooms were hung, that he might
discover if any door had been concealed behind it; but, after a laborious
search, none was found, and he, at length, quitted the apartments, having
secured the door of the last anti-chamber, the key of which he took into
his own possession. He then gave orders, that strict search should be
made for Ludovico not only in the chateau, but in the neighbourhood,
and, retiring with Henri to his closet, they remained there in
conversation for a considerable time, and whatever was the subject of it,
Henri from this hour lost much of his vivacity, and his manners were
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol IV
particularly grave and reserved, whenever the topic, which now agitated
the Count's family with wonder and alarm, was introduced.
On the disappearing of Ludovico, Baron St. Foix seemed
strengthened in all his former opinions concerning the probability of
apparitions, though it was difficult to discover what connection there
could possibly be between the two subjects, or to account for this effect
otherwise than by supposing, that the mystery attending Ludovico, by
exciting awe and curiosity, reduced the mind to a state of sensibility,
which rendered it more liable to the influence of superstition in general.
It is, however, certain, that from this period the Baron and his adherents
became more bigoted to their own systems than before, while the terrors
of the Count's servants increased to an excess, that occasioned many of
them to quit the mansion immediately, and the rest remained only till
others could be procured to supply their places.
The most strenuous search after Ludovico proved unsuccessful,
and, after several days of indefatigable enquiry, poor Annette gave
herself up to despair, and the other inhabitants of the chateau to
amazement.
Emily, whose mind had been deeply affected by the disastrous fate
of the late Marchioness and with the mysterious connection, which she
fancied had existed between her and St. Aubert, was particularly
impressed by the late extraordinary event, and much concerned for the
loss of Ludovico, whose integrity and faithful services claimed both her
esteem and gratitude.
She was now very desirous to return to the quiet retirement of her
convent, but every hint of this was received with real sorrow by the
Lady Blanche, and affectionately set aside by the Count, for whom she
felt much of the respectful love and admiration of a daughter, and to
whom, by Dorothee's consent, she, at length, mentioned the appearance,
which they had witnessed in the chamber of the deceased Marchioness.
At any other period, he would have smiled at such a relation, and have
believed, that its object had existed only in the distempered fancy of the
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THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO Vol IV
relater; but he now attended to Emily with seriousness, and, when she
concluded, requested of her a promise, that this occurrence should rest in
silence.  Whatever may be the cause and the import of these
extraordinary occurrences, added the Count,  time only can explain
them. I shall keep a wary eye upon all that passes in the chateau, and
shall pursue every possible means of discovering the fate of Ludovico.
Meanwhile, we must be prudent and be silent. I will myself watch in the
north chambers, but of this we will say nothing, till the night arrives,
when I purpose doing so.
The Count then sent for Dorothee, and required of her also a
promise of silence, concerning what she had already, or might in future
witness of an extraordinary nature; and this ancient servant now related
to him the particulars of the Marchioness de Villeroi's death, with some
of which he appeared to be already acquainted, while by others he was
evidently surprised and agitated.
After listening to this narrative, the Count retired to his closet,
where he remained alone for several hours; and, when he again
appeared, the solemnity of his manner surprised and alarmed Emily, but
she gave no utterance to her thoughts.
On the week following the disappearance of Ludovico, all the
Count's guests took leave of him, except the Baron, his son Mons. St. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]