While she was conjecturing with Annette what could thus occasion his absence, they heard a key turn in the lock of the gate near them, and presently saw a man advancing.It was Barnardine, of whom Emily hastily enquired what he had to communicate, and desired, that he would tell her quickly, 'for I am chilled with this evening air,'
said she.
'You must dismiss your maid, lady,' said the man in a voice, the deep tone of which shocked her, 'what I have to tell is to you only.'
Emily, after some hesitation, desired Annette to withdraw to a little distance.'Now, my friend, what would you say?'
He was silent a moment, as if considering, and then said,--'That which would cost me my place, at least, if it came to the Signor's ears.You must promise, lady, that nothing shall ever make you tell a syllable of the matter; I have been trusted in this affair, and, if it was known, that I betrayed my trust, my life, perhaps, might answer it.But I was concerned for you, lady, and Iresolved to tell you.' He paused.--
Emily thanked him, assured him that he might repose on her discretion, and entreated him to dispatch.
'Annette told us in the hall how unhappy you was about Signora Montoni, and how much you wished to know what was become of her.'
'Most true,' said Emily eagerly, 'and you can inform me.I conjure you tell me the worst, without hesitation.' She rested her trembling arm upon the wall.
'I can tell you,' said Barnardine, and paused.--Emily had no power to enforce her entreaties.
'I CAN tell you,' resumed Barnardine,--'but'--'But what?' exclaimed Emily, recovering her resolution.
'Here I am, ma'amselle,' said Annette, who, having heard the eager tone, in which Emily pronounced these words, came running towards her.
'Retire!' said Barnardine, sternly; 'you are not wanted;' and, as Emily said nothing, Annette obeyed.
'I CAN tell you,' repeated the porter,--'but I know not how--you was afflicted before.'--'I am prepared for the worst, my friend,' said Emily, in a firm and solemn voice.'I can support any certainty better than this suspense.'
'Well, Signora, if that is the case, you shall hear.--You know, Isuppose, that the Signor and his lady used sometimes to disagree.It is none of my concerns to enquire what it was about, but I believe you know it was so.'
'Well,' said Emily, 'proceed.'
'The Signor, it seems, had lately been very wrath against her.I saw all, and heard all,--a great deal more than people thought for; but it was none of my business, so I said nothing.A few days ago, the Signor sent for me."Barnardine," says he, "you are--an honest man, I think I can trust you." I assured his excellenza that he could.
"Then," says he, as near as I can remember, "I have an affair in hand, which I want you to assist me in."--Then he told me what I was to do; but that I shall say nothing about--it concerned only the Signora.'
'O Heavens!' exclaimed Emily--'what have you done?'
Barnardine hesitated, and was silent.
'What fiend could tempt him, or you, to such an act!' cried Emily, chilled with horror, and scarcely able to support her fainting spirits.
'It was a fiend,' said Barnardine in a gloomy tone of voice.They were now both silent;--Emily had not courage to enquire further, and Barnardine seemed to shrink from telling more.At length he said, 'It is of no use to think of the past; the Signor was cruel enough, but he would be obeyed.What signified my refusing? He would have found others, who had no scruples.'
'You have murdered her, then!' said Emily, in a hollow and inward voice--'I am talking with a murderer!' Barnardine stood silent;while Emily turned from him, and attempted to leave the place.
'Stay, lady!' said he, 'You deserve to think so still--since you can believe me capable of such a deed.'
'If you are innocent, tell me quickly,' said Emily, in faint accents, 'for I feel I shall not be able to hear you long.'
'I will tell you no more,' said he, and walked away.Emily had just strength enough to bid him stay, and then to call Annette, on whose arm she leaned, and they walked slowly up the rampart, till they heard steps behind them.It was Barnardine again.
'Send away the girl,' said he, 'and I will tell you more.'
'She must not go,' said Emily; 'what you have to say, she may hear.'
'May she so, lady?' said he.'You shall know no more, then;' and he was going, though slowly, when Emily's anxiety, overcoming the resentment and fear, which the man's behaviour had roused, she desired him to stay, and bade Annette retire.
'The Signora is alive,' said he, 'for me.She is my prisoner, though; his excellenza has shut her up in the chamber over the great gates of the court, and I have the charge of her.I was going to have told you, you might see her--but now--'
Emily, relieved from an unutterable load of anguish by this speech, had now only to ask Barnardine's forgiveness, and to conjure, that he would let her visit her aunt.
He complied with less reluctance, than she expected, and told her, that, if she would repair, on the following night, when the Signor was retired to rest, to the postern-gate of the castle, she should, perhaps, see Madame Montoni.