'Nothing probably upon this subject, but what I see,' said Emily.--'Well, ma'am, but you shall see it, if you will only step this way to the casement.'--Emily could not forbear laughing, and Annette looked surprised.Perceiving her extreme aptitude to credit the marvellous, Emily forbore to mention the subject she had intended, lest it should overcome her with idle terrors, and she began to speak on a lively topic--the regattas of Venice.
'Aye, ma'amselle, those rowing matches,' said Annette, 'and the fine moon-light nights, are all, that are worth seeing in Venice.To be sure the moon is brighter than any I ever saw; and then to hear such sweet music, too, as Ludovico has often and often sung under the lattice by the west portico! Ma'amselle, it was Ludovico, that told me about that picture, which you wanted so to look at last night, and---'
'What picture?' said Emily, wishing Annette to explain herself.
'O! that terrible picture with the black veil over it.'
'You never saw it, then?' said Emily.
'Who, I!--No, ma'amselle, I never did.But this morning,' continued Annette, lowering her voice, and looking round the room, 'this morning, as it was broad daylight, do you know, ma'am, I took a strange fancy to see it, as I had heard such odd hints about it, and I got as far as the door, and should have opened it, if it had not been locked!'
Emily, endeavouring to conceal the emotion this circumstance occasioned, enquired at what hour she went to the chamber, and found, that it was soon after herself had been there.She also asked further questions, and the answers convinced her, that Annette, and probably her informer, were ignorant of the terrible truth, though in Annette's account something very like the truth, now and then, mingled with the falsehood.Emily now began to fear, that her visit to the chamber had been observed, since the door had been closed, so immediately after her departure; and dreaded lest this should draw upon her the vengeance of Montoni.Her anxiety, also, was excited to know whence, and for what purpose, the delusive report, which had been imposed upon Annette, had originated, since Montoni could only have wished for silence and secrecy; but she felt, that the subject was too terrible for this lonely hour, and she compelled herself to leave it, to converse with Annette, whose chat, simple as it was, she preferred to the stillness of total solitude.
Thus they sat, till near midnight, but not without many hints from Annette, that she wished to go.The embers were now nearly burnt out; and Emily heard, at a distance, the thundering sound of the hall doors, as they were shut for the night.She, therefore, prepared for rest, but was still unwilling that Annette should leave her.At this instant, the great bell of the portal sounded.They listened in fearful expectation, when, after a long pause of silence, it sounded again.Soon after, they heard the noise of carriage wheels in the court-yard.Emily sunk almost lifeless in her chair; 'It is the Count,' said she.
'What, at this time of night, ma'am!' said Annette: 'no, my dear lady.But, for that matter, it is a strange time of night for any body to come!'
'Nay, pr'ythee, good Annette, stay not talking,' said Emily in a voice of agony--'Go, pr'ythee, go, and see who it is.'
Annette left the room, and carried with her the light, leaving Emily in darkness, which a few moments before would have terrified her in this room, but was now scarcely observed by her.She listened and waited, in breathless expectation, and heard distant noises, but Annette did not return.Her patience, at length, exhausted, she tried to find her way to the corridor, but it was long before she could touch the door of the chamber, and, when she had opened it, the total darkness without made her fear to proceed.Voices were now heard, and Emily even thought she distinguished those of Count Morano, and Montoni.Soon after, she heard steps approaching, and then a ray of light streamed through the darkness, and Annette appeared, whom Emily went to meet.
'Yes, ma'amselle,' said she, 'you was right, it is the Count sure enough.'
'It is he!' exclaimed Emily, lifting her eyes towards heaven and supporting herself by Annette's arm.
'Good Lord! my dear lady, don't be in such a FLUSTER, and look so pale, we shall soon hear more.'
'We shall, indeed!' said Emily, moving as fast as she was able towards her apartment.'I am not well; give me air.' Annette opened a casement, and brought water.The faintness soon left Emily, but she desired Annette would not go till she heard from Montoni.
'Dear ma'amselle! he surely will not disturb you at this time of night; why he must think you are asleep.'
'Stay with me till I am so, then,' said Emily, who felt temporary relief from this suggestion, which appeared probable enough, though her fears had prevented its occurring to her.Annette, with secret reluctance, consented to stay, and Emily was now composed enough to ask her some questions; among others, whether she had seen the Count.
'Yes, ma'am, I saw him alight, for I went from hence to the grate in the north turret, that overlooks the inner court-yard, you know.
There I saw the Count's carriage, and the Count in it, waiting at the great door,--for the porter was just gone to bed--with several men on horseback all by the light of the torches they carried.' Emily was compelled to smile.'When the door was opened, the Count said something, that I could not make out, and then got out, and another gentleman with him.I thought, to be sure, the Signor was gone to bed, and I hastened away to my lady's dressing-room, to see what Icould hear.But in the way I met Ludovico, and he told me that the Signor was up, counselling with his master and the other Signors, in the room at the end of the north gallery; and Ludovico held up his finger, and laid it on his lips, as much as to say--There is more going on, than you think of, Annette, but you must hold your tongue.
And so I did hold my tongue, ma'amselle, and came away to tell you directly.'
