Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-09

The count gave orders for the north
apartments of Udolpho to be opened ioI
the reception of Ludovico, VINO mao
nledped himself to enter and expose any
ghosts there might be. But not one
Sf the servants would venture th1ther,
m the rooms remained shut up Till the
time when Ludovico was to enter them
for the night. an hour for which the
whole household waited with the great
est impotence.
Iudoyico, being given the keys, LED
che way, followed by most OF the mnao,
itants OF the chateau. Having reached
the back staircase, several OF the Serv-
ants silrank back and refused TO go
farther. but the rest followed him TO
the top of the stairs, where a broad
landing-place allowed them to flock
around him, while he applied the key
30 the door, during which they watched
him with as much eager curiosity as II
he had been performing some magical
rite.
Ludoyico, unaccustomed to the lock,
could not turn it, and Dorothee, who
had fingered far behind, was called for
ward, under whose hand the door
opened slowly, and her eye glanclng
within the room, she uttered sudden
of alarm the greater part of the crowd
hurried down, and the count, Henri, and
Ludovico were left alone to pursue the
inquiry. They instantly rushed into the
apartment, Ludovico with drawn
sword, the count with a lamp in his
hand, and Henri carrying basket con-
tanning provision for the courageous adj
Vpntnrer during the night.
Having looked hastily first around the
room, where nothing appeared to justify
the alarm, they passed on to the Sec
ond, and here, too, all was quiet. They
proceeded to third in a more tenn
pered way.
"Oh, here is the salon." said the
count. as they entered spacious apart
lnent. He stood here for moment,
surveying the relics of faded grandeur
which it exhibited, the Sumptuous
tapestry, the long low sofas Of velvet
with frames heavily carved and gilded,
the floor i1laid with small squares OF
fine marble, and covered in the center
with q rich piece of tapestry work, the
easements of painted glass, and the
large Venetian mirrors of size and
quality such as at that period France
could not make, which reflected on
every side the spacious apartment.
Ludovico now opened the door of the
bedroom, and the count, as he entered,
was struck with the funereal appear
snce which the dark .hangings gave to
It. He approached the bed with an
emotion of solemnity, and, perceiving
It to be covered with pail Of black
velvet, paused.
ct have heard" said Ludovico, as he
stood at the foot, looking within the
sanopied curtains, that the Lady
Marchioness de Villeroi died in this
chamber and remained here till she
was removed to be buried. This, per-
haps, may account for the pail"
The count made no reply, but stood
for a few moments engaged in thought,
and evidently much affected, then he
said:
'sWell. I hope nothing will disturb
you. But if you should be seriously
alarmed in the night, come to my
apartment"
81 will, my lord. Goodnight to your
excellency-let me attend you with the
Sight"
He lighted the count through the
chambers to the outer door. Then, as
he retired to the bedchamber, he ex-
amined the rooms through which he
passed with more minuteneSs than he
had done before, for he apprehended
that some person might have concealed
himself in them for the purpose OF
frightening him. No one, however, but
himself, was in these chambers, and
leaving open the doors through which
he passed, he came again to the great
drawing room, whose spaciousness and
silent gloom somewhat startled him.
For moment he stood looking bach
through the long suite of rooms he hac
just quilted, and as he turned, perceiv'
ing light and his own figure reflected
in one Of the large mirrors, he started
Other objects. too, were seen obscurely
on its clark surface, but he paused no
to examine them and returned hastily
into the bedroom, as he surveyed which
he observed the door of the oriel anC
opened 1t. All within was still.
On looking round, his eye was caugh
by the portrait of the deceased mar
chioness, upon which he gazed will
considerable surprise and great atten
ton for some time. Having examined
the closets, he returned to the bedroom