Contents ( 132)
- THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO
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- ANN RADCLIFFE
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- Contents
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- VOLUME 1
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- Chapter I
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- Chapter II
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- Chapter III
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- Chapter IV
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- Chapter V
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- Chapter VI
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- Chapter VII
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- Chapter VIII
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- Chapter IX
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- Chapter X
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- Chapter XI
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- Chapter XII
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- Chapter XIII
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- VOLUME 2
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- Chapter I
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- Chapter II
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- Chapter III
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- Chapter IV
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- Chapter V
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- Chapter VI
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- Chapter VII
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- Chapter VIII
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- Chapter IX
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- Chapter X
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- Chapter XI
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- Chapter XII
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- VOLUME 3
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- Chapter I
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- Chapter II
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- Chapter III
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- Chapter IV
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- Chapter V
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- Chapter VI
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- Chapter VII
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- Chapter VIII
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- Chapter IV
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- Chapter X
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- Chapter XI
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- Chapter XII
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- Chapter XIII
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- VOLUME 4
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- Chapter I
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- Chapter II
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- Chapter III
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- Chapter IV
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- Chapter V
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- Chapter VI
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- Chapter VII
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- Chapter VIII
- *
- Chapter IV
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- Chapter X
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- Chapter XI
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- Chapter XII
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- Chapter XIII
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- Chapter XIV
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- Chapter XV
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- Chapter XVI
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- Chapter XVII
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- Chapter XVIII
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- Chapter XIX
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- * * *
- Endnotes
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'I was saying, ma'amselle, that I well remember when first I heard that music. It was one night, soon after my lady's death, that I had sat up later than usual, and I don't know how it was, but I had been thinking a great deal about my poor mistress, and of the sad scene I had lately witnessed. The chateau was quite still, and I was in the chamber at a good distance from the rest of the servants, and this, with the mournful things I had been thinking of, I suppose, made me low spirited, for I felt very lonely and forlorn, as it were, and listened often, wishing to hear a sound in the chateau, for you know, ma'amselle, when one can hear people moving, one does not so much mind, about one's fears. But all the servants were gone to bed, and I sat, thinking and thinking, till I was almost afraid to look round the room, and my poor lady's countenance often came to my mind, such as I had seen her when she was dying, and, once or twice, I almost thought I saw her before me,—when suddenly I heard such sweet music! It seemed just at my window, and I shall never forget what I felt. I had not power to move from my chair, but then, when I thought it was my dear lady's voice, the tears came to my eyes. I had often heard her sing, in her life-time, and to be sure she had a very fine voice; it had made me cry to hear her, many a time, when she has sat in her oriel, of an evening, playing upon her lute such sad songs, and singing so. O! it went to one's heart! I have listened in the anti- chamber, for the hour together, and she would sometimes sit playing, with the window open, when it was summer time, till it was quite dark, and when I have gone in, to shut it, she has hardly seemed to know what hour it was. But, as I said, madam,' continued Dorothee, 'when first I heard the music, that came just now, I thought it was my late lady's, and I have often thought so again, when I have heard it, as I have done at intervals, ever since. Sometimes, many months have gone by, but still it has returned.'
'It is extraordinary,' observed Emily, 'that no person has yet discovered the musician.'
'Aye, ma'amselle, if it had been any thing earthly it would have been discovered long ago, but who could have courage to follow a spirit, and if they had, what good could it do?—for spirits, YOU KNOW, ma'am, can take any shape, or no shape, and they will be here, one minute, and, the next perhaps, in a quite different place!'
'Pray resume your story of the Marchioness,' said Emily, 'and acquaint me with the manner of her death.'
'I will, ma'am,' said Dorothee, 'but shall we leave the window?'