'
'Pray did Barnardine tell you this?'
'He! No, ma'amselle, that he did not.'
Emily enquired who did, but Annette shewed, that she COULD keep a
secret.
During the remainder of the day, Emily's mind was agitated with
doubts and fears and contrary determinations, on the subject of
meeting this Barnardine on the rampart, and submitting herself to his
guidance, she scarcely knew whither. Pity for her aunt and anxiety
for herself alternately swayed her determination, and night came,
before she had decided upon her conduct. She heard the castle clock
strike eleven--twelve--and yet her mind wavered. The time, however,
was now come, when she could hesitate no longer: and then the
interest she felt for her aunt overcame other considerations, and,
bidding Annette follow her to the outer door of the vaulted gallery,
and there await her return, she descended from her chamber. The
castle was perfectly still, and the great hall, where so lately she
had witnessed a scene of dreadful contention, now returned only the
whispering footsteps of the two solitary figures gliding fearfully
between the pillars, and gleamed only to the feeble lamp they
carried.
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