Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 3).djvu/58

This page needs to be proofread.

she was convinced, to dangers of the most dreadful nature; that Agatha had fallen by the hands of the countess's murderers she could not doubt, neither that they had entered the closet with an intention of destroying her; for their strange and mysterious disappearance from it she accounted by supposing that behind some one of the large presses it contained there was a secret door.


"I cannot suppose, (said she) that one disappointment will make them lay aside their horrible intentions; by remaining in the castle I expose myself to their continual attempts, attempts which may perhaps at last be too successful, I must fly it therefore, (continued she) however unpleasant, however agonizing to my feelings to excite the displeasure of Madame D'Alembert; I must, when next we meet, entreat, implore her to let me return to my father."


As soon as the day was advanced Madeline descended to the chapel, in order to try