'Holy Virgin! what can this mean ?' exclaimed Annette.

'This is surely the picture they told me of at Venice.' 'What picture ?' said Emily.

'Why a picture--a picture,' replied Annette, hesitatingly--'but I never could make out exactly what it was about, either.' 'Remove the veil, Annette.' 'What! I, ma'amselle!--I! not for the world!' Emily, turning round, saw Annette's countenance grow pale.

'And pray, what have you heard of this picture, to terrify you so, my good girl ?' said she.

'Nothing, ma'amselle: I have heard nothing, only let us find our way out.' 'Certainly: but I wish first to examine the picture; take the light, Annette, while I lift the veil.' Annette took the light, and immediately walked away with it, disregarding Emily's call to stay, who, not choosing to be left alone in the dark chamber, at length followed her.
'What is the reason of this, Annette ?' said Emily, when she overtook her, 'what have you heard concerning that picture, which makes you so unwilling to stay when I bid you ?' 'I don't know what is the reason, ma'amselle, replied Annette, 'nor any thing about the picture, only I have heard there is something very dreadful belonging to it--and that it has been covered up in black EVER SINCE--and that nobody has looked at it for a great many years--and it somehow has to do with the owner of this castle before Signor Montoni came to the possession of it--and'-- - 'Well, Annette,' said Emily, smiling, 'I perceive it is as you say--that you know nothing about the picture.' 'No, nothing, indeed, ma'amselle, for they made me promise never to tell:--but'-- 'Well,' rejoined Emily, who observed that she was struggling between her inclination to reveal a secret, and her apprehension for the consequence, 'I will enquire no further'-- - 'No, pray, ma'am, do not.' 'Lest you should tell all,' interrupted Emily.
Annette blushed, and Emily smiled, and they passed on to the extremity of this suite of apartments, and found themselves, after some further perplexity, once more at the top of the marble stair-case, where Annette left Emily, while she went to call one of the servants of the castle to shew them to the chamber, for which they had been seeking.
While she was absent, Emily's thoughts returned to the picture; an unwillingness to tamper with the integrity of a servant, had checked her enquiries on this subject, as well as concerning some alarming hints, which Annette had dropped respecting Montoni; though her curiosity was entirely awakened, and she had perceived, that her questions might easily be answered.