shocked by this discovery, yet scarcely knowing why, she mused for some time in silence, and remembered the emotion, which her father had betrayed on finding himself so near this mansion, and some other circumstances of his conduct, that now greatly interested her.the music, too, which she had formerly heard, and, respecting which la voisin had given such an odd account, occurred to her, and, desirous of knowing more concerning it, she asked dorothee whether it returned at midnight, as usual, and whether the musician had yet been discovered.
'yes, ma'amselle,' replied dorothee, 'that music is still heard, but the musician has never been found out, nor ever will, i believe;though there are some people, who can guess.'
'indeed!' said emily, 'then why do they not pursue the enquiry?'
'ah, young lady! enquiry enough has been made--but who can pursue a spirit?'
emily smiled, and, remembering how lately she had suffered herself to be led away by superstition, determined now to resist its contagion;yet, in spight of her efforts, she felt awe mingle with her curiosity, on this subject; and blanche, who had hitherto listened in silence, now enquired what this music was, and how long it had been heard.
'ever since the death of my lady, madam,' replied dorothee.
'why, the place is not haunted, surely?' said blanche, between jesting and seriousness.
'i have heard that music almost ever since my dear lady died,'
continued dorothee, 'and never before then.but that is nothing to some things i could tell of.'
'do, pray, tell them, then,' said lady blanche, now more in earnest than in jest.'i am much interested, for i have heard sister henriette, and sister sophie, in the convent, tell of such strange appearances, which they themselves had witnessed!'