'O, if you really live, speak!' said Emily, in a voice of desperation, 'that I may not lose my senses--say you know me!' 'I do live,' replied Madame Montoni, 'but--I feel that I am about to die.' Emily clasped the hand she held, more eagerly, and groaned.

They were both silent for some moments.

Then Emily endeavoured to soothe her, and enquired what had reduced her to this present deplorable state.
Montoni, when he removed her to the turret under the improbable suspicion of having attempted his life, had ordered the men employed on the occasion, to observe a strict secrecy concerning her.

To this he was influenced by a double motive.

He meant to debar her from the comfort of Emily's visits, and to secure an opportunity of privately dispatching her, should any new circumstances occur to confirm the present suggestions of his suspecting mind.