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Contents ( 132)
  1. THE MYSTERIES OF UDOLPHO
  2. * * *
  3. ANN RADCLIFFE
  4. *
  5. Contents
  6. *
  7. *
  8. VOLUME 1
  9. *
  10. Chapter I
  11. *
  12. Chapter II
  13. *
  14. Chapter III
  15. *
  16. Chapter IV
  17. *
  18. Chapter V
  19. *
  20. Chapter VI
  21. *
  22. Chapter VII
  23. *
  24. Chapter VIII
  25. *
  26. Chapter IX
  27. *
  28. Chapter X
  29. *
  30. Chapter XI
  31. *
  32. Chapter XII
  33. *
  34. Chapter XIII
  35. *
  36. VOLUME 2
  37. *
  38. Chapter I
  39. *
  40. Chapter II
  41. *
  42. Chapter III
  43. *
  44. Chapter IV
  45. *
  46. Chapter V
  47. *
  48. Chapter VI
  49. *
  50. Chapter VII
  51. *
  52. Chapter VIII
  53. *
  54. Chapter IX
  55. *
  56. Chapter X
  57. *
  58. Chapter XI
  59. *
  60. Chapter XII
  61. *
  62. VOLUME 3
  63. *
  64. Chapter I
  65. *
  66. Chapter II
  67. *
  68. Chapter III
  69. *
  70. Chapter IV
  71. *
  72. Chapter V
  73. *
  74. Chapter VI
  75. *
  76. Chapter VII
  77. *
  78. Chapter VIII
  79. *
  80. Chapter IV
  81. *
  82. Chapter X
  83. *
  84. Chapter XI
  85. *
  86. Chapter XII
  87. *
  88. Chapter XIII
  89. *
  90. VOLUME 4
  91. *
  92. Chapter I
  93. *
  94. Chapter II
  95. *
  96. Chapter III
  97. *
  98. Chapter IV
  99. *
  100. Chapter V
  101. *
  102. Chapter VI
  103. *
  104. Chapter VII
  105. *
  106. Chapter VIII
  107. *
  108. Chapter IV
  109. *
  110. Chapter X
  111. *
  112. Chapter XI
  113. *
  114. Chapter XII
  115. *
  116. Chapter XIII
  117. *
  118. Chapter XIV
  119. *
  120. Chapter XV
  121. *
  122. Chapter XVI
  123. *
  124. Chapter XVII
  125. *
  126. Chapter XVIII
  127. *
  128. Chapter XIX
  129. *
  130. * * *
  131. Endnotes
  132. *

Ludovico now opened the door of the bed-room, and the Count, as he entered, was struck with the funereal appearance, which the dark arras gave to it. He approached the bed, with an emotion of solemnity, and, perceiving it to be covered with the pall of black velvet, paused; 'What can this mean?' said he, as he gazed upon it.

'I have heard, my Lord,' said Ludovico, as he stood at the feet, looking within the canopied curtains, 'that the Lady Marchioness de Villeroi died in this chamber, and remained here till she was removed to be buried; and this, perhaps, Signor, may account for the pall.'

The Count made no reply, but stood for a few moments engaged in thought, and evidently much affected. Then, turning to Ludovico, he asked him with a serious air, whether he thought his courage would support him through the night? 'If you doubt this,' added the Count, 'do not be ashamed to own it; I will release you from your engagement, without exposing you to the triumphs of your fellow- servants.'

Ludovico paused; pride, and something very like fear, seemed struggling in his breast; pride, however, was victorious;—he blushed, and his hesitation ceased.

'No, my Lord,' said he, 'I will go through with what I have begun; and I am grateful for your consideration. On that hearth I will make a fire, and, with the good cheer in this basket, I doubt not I shall do well.'

'Be it so,' said the Count; 'but how will you beguile the tediousness of the night, if you do not sleep?'

'When I am weary, my Lord,' replied Ludovico, 'I shall not fear to sleep; in the meanwhile, I have a book, that will entertain me.'

'Well,' said the Count, 'I hope nothing will disturb you; but if you should be seriously alarmed in the night, come to my apartment. I have too much confidence in your good sense and courage, to believe you will be alarmed on slight grounds; or suffer the gloom of this chamber, or its remote situation, to overcome you with ideal terrors. To-morrow, I shall have to thank you for an important service; these rooms shall then be thrown open, and my people will be convinced of their error. Good night, Ludovico; let me see you early in the morning, and remember what I lately said to you.'

'I will, my Lord; good night to your excellenza; let me attend you with the light.'