A fresher air came to her face, as she unclosed the door, which opened upon the east rampart, and the sudden current had nearly extinguished her light, which she now removed to a distance; and again, looking out upon the obscure terrace, she perceived only the faint outline of the walls and of some towers, while, above, heavy clouds, borne along the wind, seemed to mingle with the stars, and wrap the night in thicker darkness.

As she gazed, now willing to defer the moment of certainty, from which she expected only confirmation of evil, a distant footstep reminded her, that she might be observed by the men on watch, and, hastily closing the door, she took her lamp, and passed up the stair-case.

Trembling came upon her, as she ascended through the gloom.

To her melancholy fancy this seemed to be a place of death, and the chilling silence, that reigned, confirmed its character.
Her spirits faltered.

'Perhaps,' said she, 'I am come hither only to learn a dreadful truth, or to witness some horrible spectacle; I feel that my senses would not survive such an addition of horror.' The image of her aunt murdered--murdered, perhaps, by the hand of Montoni, rose to her mind; she trembled, gasped for breath--repented that she had dared to venture hither, and checked her steps.