Emmeline, the Orphan of the CastleSmith, Charlotte
General
Emmeline, the Orphan of the Castle
Smith, Charlotte
Gothic fiction; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century -- Fiction; Marriage -- Fiction; Single women -- Fiction
'That is almost impossible!' replied Delamere; 'but I will not terrify
you more than I have done already. No, Emmeline, I wish not to alarm
you, and will quit you instantly if you will tell me that wheresoever
you are, you will permit me to see you; and will remember me with pity
and regard! My father shall not--cannot controul my conduct; nor shall
all the power on earth prevent my following you, if you will yourself
permit me. Tell me, Emmeline,--tell me you will not forget me!'
'As what, Sir, should I remember you, but as my persecutor? as one who
has injured me beyond reparation by your wild and cruel conduct; and who
has now dared to insult me by a most unparallelled outrage.--Leave me,
Sir! I repeat to you that you must instantly quit the room!'
She arose, and walked with tottering steps to the end of it. Delamere
followed her. She turned; and came towards the door, which was still
open, and then recollected, that as she knew the passages of the castle,
which she was convinced neither Delamere or his servant did, she might
possibly escape, and find Lord Montreville's room, which she knew to be
at the end of the East gallery.
Delamere was a few steps behind her when she reached the door; which
hastily throwing quite open, she ran lightly thro' the passage, which
was very long and dark.
He pursued her, imploring her to hear him but a moment; and the
Frenchman as hastily followed his master with the candle. But at the end
of the passage, a flight of broken steps led to a brick hall, which
opened to other stair-cases and galleries.
A gust of wind blew out the candle; and Emmeline, gliding down the
steps, turned to the right, and opening a heavy nailed door, which led
by a narrow stairs to the East gallery, she let it fall after her.
Delamere, now in total darkness, tried in vain to follow the sound. He
listened--but no longer heard the footsteps of the trembling fugitive;
and cursing his fate, and the stupidity of Millefleur, he endeavoured to
find his way back to Emmeline's room, where he thought a candle was
still burning. But his attempt was vain. He walked round the hall only
to puzzle himself; for the door by which he had entered it, he could not
regain.
In the mean time Emmeline, breathless with fear, had reached the
gallery, and feeling her way 'till she came as she supposed to the door
of the room where Lord Montreville slept, she tapped lightly at it.
A man's voice asked who it was?
'It is I, my Lord,' cried Emmeline, hardly able to make herself
heard.--'Mr. Delamere pursues me.'
Somebody opened the door.--But there was no light; and Emmeline retiring
a step from it, the person again asked who it was?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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