About the middle of the third day the travellers left the direct road, and struck into one which took a different direction. This path was more rugged than the one they had left, lying for a considerable way among gloomy forests, desert heaths, and rocky precipices. No human abode, except a few solitary huts, appeared within the reach of vision, whose rude inhabitants were chiefly employed in leading their goats from the shrubby tops of the mountains to the tinkling of a bell, or the soft breathings of a flute, or in seeking for the moss-lined nest of the marmot amid the clefts of the rocks. These wandering rustics were frequently addressed by Anselmo; but his interrogatories were usually answered with rudeness, or at best with incivility.
The scene now gradually became more barren; yet, though destitute of the accompaniment of trees, it was still highly interesting and charming to the admirers of romantic imagery. Large masses of granite scowled beneath the eye, and mountains, whose crested summits penetrated into the clouds, considerably augmented that sensation of solitary sublimity that overwhelms and astonishes the mind of the spectator.
The melancholy air of neglect and depopulation, which was on every side discernible, unenlivened by sun, threw a melancholy calm over the spirits of our hero, though they tended not to subdue the energy of his soul. As the evening advanced, a dark line of threatening clouds, rolling in vast volumes round the heads of the eminences, were productive of an effect, at once awful and sublime, which was heightened by the scream of the eagle returning to her lofty abode, or the repeated cries of the kestril, or the archangel, sated with the triumph of rapacious pursuit.
Anselmo, alarmed and intimidated at the gloomy appearance of Nature, aided by the approach of night, looked wistfully around for some hospitable retreat; but they had now passed near a league beyond the huts of the peasantry, and no place of security was to be seen. The path, which had long wound among the mountains, now directed them by a precipitant descent into a deep and extensive valley, bordered with wood, and interspersed with lakes. Though this new scene afforded more appearance of vegetation than those they had quitted, the entangled thickets being occasionally intermingled with a variety of dark firs and evergreen oaks, still it wore an aspect of melancholy and desolation; the luxuriance that clothed the lofty side of the glen being no where else perceptible, whilst the uncultivated mountain and the frowning precipice were still the principal objects of this lonely, yet sublime landscape, rising into the most majestic and yet terrifying forms that imagination could conceive. A branch of the Danube, rushing impetuously over several large fragments of broken rock, only disturbed the universal silence, rendering the effect of the whole more awfully impressive, as it foamed with dreadful and inconceivable rapidity through the intervals between the masses of rock that formed the bed of the torrent. It was with much difficulty that they were enabled to proceed through this deep and rough glen, rendered dangerous by the advance of night, and the motion of this boisterous stream, which rushed impetuously in a series of broken cascades, till it precipitated itself, with the force of a cataract, into the bosom of the parent river. They now continued their way, through long and winding sheep-walks, towards the extremity of the valley, till they reached the border of a small clear lake, which again intercepted their path. Here amid long grass, weeds, and rushes, the solitary bittern had long fixed her abode, who having shaken off her autumnal indolence, was seen rising in a spiral ascent, filling the air with her cries, till she was lost in the immensity of distance. Night, which now closed in, brought them to the edge of a forest, dark, dreary, and almost inaccessible. As they advanced, the gloom became more profound, and the clouds, which had long been gathering over their heads, discharged their humid contents: even Enrico felt appalled, and turned to descry, if possible, some place of security. Anselmo was still more anxious to obtain an hospitable shelter, but no vestige of habitation was to be seen; and the latter, encouraged by the example of his master, ventured, though reluctantly, to proceed. A path cut in the forest directed them along till they had reached that dreary and unfrequented spot, known to the traveller by the name of the Jammer Holtz, or Wood of Groans, situated near the Ghorde. This place, which cannot fail of exciting in the occasional visiter a sensation of fear and horror, did not lose its accustomed effect, and they were each for the moment irresolute whether to venture into the interior of the forest, or to return towards the skirts of it, and await the approach of morning.
Anselmo, though he disdained the imputation of cowardice, pleaded warmly for the former plan, observing that there were several trees, whose interwoven branches were capable of affording them security from the storm; and that in such a situation they would be in less danger of becoming a prey to banditti, or to the beasts that infested the deserts. Impatient of delay, Enrico did not yield immediately to the proposition; but was giving it a second review, when Anselmo perceived a light glimmering through the wood at no considerable distance from that part of it in which they were stationed: it cast only a faint gleam, and from the waving of the trees was seen only at intervals; yet they were soon convinced that it proceeded from a taper, and not from one of those watery exhalations, which in low boggy grounds frequently leads the traveller astray. Elated by this unexpected adventure, they dismounted, and tying their horses to the stump of an oak, advanced towards the place. The storm was now past, and the moon, emerging from a cloud, threw her soft light upon the tops of the trees, and discovered half hid, among the unfoliated branches, the shattered wing of a hunting villa. It appeared to have been once a stately structure, but now exhibited an air of extreme neglect and desolation. Part of the portico was still visible; but the pillars, which were broken and decayed, scarcely supported its roof. A small court led to the door, which was scattered over with masses of the ruined edifice. It had once been paved; but the stones were so much broken, that several self-planted trees had established themselves in its area, which exalted their tall heads above the mouldering walls that enclosed them. A light still gleamed from a window, and having with much difficulty made their way through the heaps of rubbish that on every side obstructed their path, they arrived at the entrance, hoping in this long-neglected spot, which, doubtless, from the circumstance of the taper, contained some solitary inhabitant, to gain admittance for the night. Anselmo advancing first, heaved a large rusty knocker, whose sullen sound was awfully reverberated through the building, but no answering footstep approached. Again they repeated the summons, but no one appeared; nor was any sound to be heard but the deep murmurs of the wind, which blew in rising gusts round the decayed mansion, and the loud roar of a distant cataract. In a few moments the light receded, but no human being was visible; and half-despairing of success, the unfortunate travellers walked round the edifice to discover if it was possible to obtain admission at another door; but no other entrance appeared, and they were returning hopelessly towards that which they had quitted, when a deep groan, proceeding from a kind of grate, or loop-hole, again riveted their attention.
"Some one is suffering here," cried Enrico, recalled from his abstraction by this new incident, "and Providence has, perhaps in mercy, conducted us to this place for their deliverance. Let us make another attempt, and if we are still unsuccessful, we will address the prisoner, and, if possible, afford assistance."
Anselmo did not wait for a second command, but sprang hastily round, whilst Enrico lingered for some moments behind, with his eyes fixed in astonishment upon the ivyed arch of the window, in hopes, as the moon still shone full upon it, of being able to discern the unfortunate sufferer who had thus interested his compassion. The groan was not repeated; but, assured that it was not fancy, having heard it distinctly in the pauses of the wind, he determined not to leave this melancholy abode till the affair was investigated. Grown desperate by delay, Anselmo again thundered at the door, and on hearing a slow measured step advance towards the entrance, called loudly to his master. Enrico instantly appeared, and the door being opened by a being, whose aspect indicated the extreme of guilt and wret
chedness, they were asked who they were, and what had directed them thither? Enrico, after informing him that they were benighted travellers, who requested a lodging for the night, put a ducat into his hand, and besought admittance. The haggard wretch, whose meagre countenance was distorted by a long connexion with vice and misery, having already the splendid present in possession, would have closed the door upon his necessitous guests, had not our hero, who was aware of his design, assured him that if he would allow them to remain there during the night, he would present him with twice the sum on their departure.
This was a bribe too considerable to be rejected, and having thrown open the door, which he had held half closed in his hand, they were admitted into the interior of the structure. They then proceeded through a long dark passage, in which opened two doors on contrary directions, that on the right leading into a large desolate hall, and the opposite one into a kind of kitchen, which the stranger observed was the room usually inhabited by himself, and the only one with which they could be accommodated during their continuance in the mansion. This miserable apartment contained no other furniture than a few broken chairs, an old worm-eaten cupboard occupying one of the angles, a Norway oak table, whose grotesque frame was cut into numerous devices, and an ancient time-piece, which was erected as a fixture, and seemed, from the antiquity of its appearance, to be nearly co-existent with the building. There was no fire, though it was the middle of winter, and the room consequently rendered intensely cold by several apertures in the wall, which admitted the bleak winds of the east. Anselmo complaining of the chill air, besought the stranger to kindle a fire upon the hearth, and also to prepare them some refreshment. Masehero, which was the name of the host, eyeing him askance as he made the request, replied sullenly that he had no food in the house, except a few barley cakes, and a dish of goat's milk, which were both of them stale and unpalatable. Enrico desiring that he would bring these, and also some wood to kindle a fire, the stranger took the lamp from the table, and withdrew. Anselmo knowing that his master's thoughts were partly absorbed in a new subject of astonishment, proposed that they should engage their host in conversation during the greater part of the night, and take an opportunity of searching the mansion when he was overpowered by sleep.
"How can this possibly be effected?" replied Enrico, hastily; "if he has an important secret in his possession, it is unlikely he should be so little on his guard as to disclose it. Force is the only means that can be adopted with success: and though I should unwillingly spill the blood of a wretch like this, if innocence can by no other method be released from the grasp of oppression, we must submit to necessity."
"I have something in my wallet though," returned Anselmo, rising with a look of self-complacency, "which, if properly applied, may be of use notwithstanding, as it sometimes brings to confession as completely and instantaneously as the most acute tortures of the inquisition."
Enrico turned to him with a look of inquiry, and could not forbear smiling when he saw him select from his store two flasks of wine which he had thus fortunately procured. The matter was now hastily determined; the liquor was to be presented to Masehero, who would doubtless receive it with pleasure, and if it failed in the design of making him sufficiently communicative, it would, at least, from its inebriating qualities, lull him into a state of insensibility, till they had explored the different apartments in the ruin, and had accomplished their design.
In a short time the gloomy and sullen inhabitant of this miserable abode returned with a log of wood, and a bundle of sticks. There was no grate remaining; but throwing the fuel upon the hearth, a fire was instantly kindled, and his guests, who had been long shivering with cold, drew close to the blaze. The barley cakes were then placed upon the table, with a small bowl of goat's milk, and a large old horn, to be used as a drinking vessel. Anselmo, who was too hungry to be nice, eyed them with satisfaction, whilst Enrico, though little inclined to partake of this coarse, unpalatable fare, attempted to eat. The wine was then produced, and the stranger was requested to taste of it. He assented. It was a liquor he had been long unused to. The lineaments of his face seemed to lose their hardness, and he began to join in the conversation. Enrico demanded if the mansion contained any other tenant? and being answered in the negative, discontinued the inquiry. Finding from his name, as well as from his accents, that he was an Italian.
Anselmo availed himself of this discovery, by claiming him as a countryman, and asking several questions concerning his family and former residence; but the recluse was too wary not to elude his inquiries, and soon convinced his guests that he had previously determined never to unfold any particular with which they were at present unacquainted. The wine now went cheerfully round; Masehero drank plentifully, and was soon so much elevated as not to perceive that Enrico and his servant, after having taken a very small quantity, were satisfied with only raising it to their lips.
Accustomed only to spare and meagre diet, it soon arrested his faculties, and before he had drained the second flask, he fell back on his chair, and closing his eyes, sunk into a fast sleep. The success of the design elated the spirits of our travellers, who anticipated with pleasure the full accomplishment of the project they had so artfully imagined. Anxious to commence the pursuit, Anselim arose from his seat, and taking the lamp from the table, moved it slowly towards the corner, in which Masehero was placed, to observe if his slumbers were sound. The lids of his eyes did not move, and being convinced that he was perfectly insensible, he was going to make a sign for his master to proceed, when he perceived a small dagger just appearing beneath the cloak of the stranger. The policy of securing this instantly occurred, and drawing it carefully from its concealment, he presented it with an air of triumph to his master, telling him, at the same time, in a low voice, that he was ready to accompany him. Enrico, having extended his arm to grasp this instrument of death, started when he examined the blade, which was apparently rusted with blood. He, however, repressed the expression of his astonishment, and desiring Anselmo to follow him, quitted the room, without neglecting the necessary precaution of fastening the door on the other side, which was easily effected by means of a bolt. This, from long disuse, could not be managed without some little noise; but the loud breathings of Masehero convinced them that he still slept. Having previously secured the lamp, they advanced along the hall, and departing through a contrary door, which directed them into a long vaulted passage, they were enabled to find their way through many intricate windings to a stone stair-case. These steps, which were mouldering into ruins, led them into a wide dreary gallery, in which opened several rooms. Anselmo, being naturally superstitious, followed slowly behind, and as the hollow gusts of wind hurried through the deserted passages, expected every moment to see the form of a spectre gliding into the remote corners; but ashamed of confessing his fears in the presence of his master, he remained silent, whilst Enrico took a general survey of the old chambers through which they passed. All that had hitherto fallen under their observation were unfurnished. The casements were gone, the walls were in several places decayed and mouldered into dust, whilst the yarrow, the nettle, and other weedy shrubs, which had taken root in the interstices of the broken stones, were seen waving through the apertures. Birds of prey had long lived unmolested in this dreary building, and seemed, from long possession, to have laid claim to the most considerable part of it. The sight of the lamp, however, put many of them to flight, whose screams resounding through the whole range of apartments, had a dreadful and solemn effect. Unappalled by these terrors, Enrico reached the extent of the gallery, and undrawing a rusty bolt, opened the door of the only room which had not before fallen under his notice. This chamber was of a triangular form, low, gloomy, and extensive, containing nothing like furniture except a small mattress at the farther end of it, a stool, and a broken table. A high narrow grate was the only means of admitting the light, and from the whole of its appearance, it seemed to have been originally intended for a prison. Being well assured, from the directi
on of the window, that this was the room from whence the groan proceeded, Enrico desiring Anselmo to wait without the door, advanced towards that corner where the mattress was laid, and beheld, to his unutterable astonishment, the figure of a female, whose face was covered with a veil, apparently asleep! Enrico's breast now throbbed with new emotion; his heart beat quick, his limbs trembled, and a feverish heat pervaded his whole frame. Having proceeded within a few steps of the bed, he placed the lamp upon the floor, and turning the veil gently aside, beheld the pale, yet lovely, countenance of Laurette! She started, but did not awake, and never did Enrico discover so much self-command as at this moment. Rapture and tenderness struggled in his breast, and scarcely could he stifle those feelings which would have prompted him to clasp her wildly to his heart, and awaken her to a sense of unexpected happiness. But a moment's reflection was sufficient to convince him that such a conduct might be attended with danger; joy might operate too powerfully upon a frame enervated by sorrow, and he prudently resolved to send Anselmo to watch by her till she awaked, and gently to prepare her for an interview; yet, after having thus determined, he could not deny himself the luxury of gazing once more upon her beautiful face. Her slumbers seemed now to be tranquil, yet mournful visions had recently been presented to her fancy, for her cheek was still wet with tears.
As he stooped to take up the lamp, which he had placed by the side of the mattress, he observed a small book, bound in red leather, that he instantly knew to have been his own, and which he recollected to have left at the castle of Lunenburg. He took it up, and saw on the blank leaf that she had been attempting to sketch his likeness. Memory had been too faithful to its task not to portray his exact resemblance, and charmed with this new proof of her affection, all his senses were absorbed in delight and rapture.
The Complete Northanger Horrid Novel Collection (9 Books of Gothic Romance and Horror) Page 365