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.