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At length the clock struck twelve; she opened the door to listen, if

any noise was in the castle, and heard only distant shouts of riot and

laughter, echoed feebly along the gallery She guessed, that the Signor

and his guests were at the banquet 'They are now engaged for the

night,' said she; 'and Valancourt will soon be here' Having softly

closed the door, she paced the room with impatient steps, and often went

to the caseitation every th unable to support

herself, and sat down by theAnnette, whom she detained, was, in

the meanti

she said, and having at length risen to the caseuished

the chords of the lute, struck with an expressive hand, and then the

voice, she had for love they fann'd, now pleasing dole

They breath'd in tender raver, sacred strain they stole,

As when seraphic hands an hymn impart!

Emily wept in doubtful joy and tenderness; and, when the strain ceased,

she considered it as a signal, that Valancourt was about to leave the

prison Soon after, she heard steps in the corridor;--they were the

light, quick steps of hope; she could scarcely support herself, as they

approached, but opening the door of the apartment, she advanced to meet

Valancourt, and, in the next er His

voice--his countenance instantly convinced her, and she fainted away

On reviving, she found herself supported by the stranger, as

watching over her recovery, with a countenance of ineffable tenderness