Ludovico Volunteers for Haunted Suite Vigil
It is Ludovico who proves both his courage and his gratitude for the Count’s kindness by offering to watch during a night in the suite of rooms reputed to be haunted. He declares he fears no spirits, and should anything of human form appear, he dreads that equally little. The other servants look upon one another in doubt and amazement, while Annette employs tears and entreaties to dissuade him from his purpose.
Count Accepts Ludovico’s Vigil Request
The Count pauses before accepting, then smiles at Ludovico’s boldness and promises acceptance if he perseveres, with intrepidity going unrewarded. Ludovico desires only the Count’s approval and asks only for a sword to be equal to any enemy. The Count ironically remarks that a sword cannot defend against a ghost, since spirits can glide through keyholes as easily as doors. Ludovico insists he will lay all attacking spirits in the red sea, and the Count grants him a sword and provisions, while suggesting his boldness might confine all the spectre’s malice to himself for the night. Curiosity now struggles with fear among the remaining servants, and several resolve to await the outcome of Ludovico’s vigil.
Emily’s Concealed Concern for Ludovico’s Safety
Emily is surprised and concerned when she learns of Ludovico’s intention. Though frequently inclined to mention what she witnessed in the north apartments to the Count, her reason reminds her that she cannot entirely divest herself of fears for Ludovico’s safety—fears her reason insists are absurd. However, the necessity of concealing the secret Dorothée entrusted to her, which would have to be mentioned alongside the recent occurrence to excuse her private visits to the north apartments, keeps her entirely silent. She can only try to soothe Annette, who believes Ludovico is certainly doomed, and who remains unmoved by Emily’s consolations, affected more by Dorothée’s sighs and upturned eyes to heaven.
CHAPTER VI
This chapter opens with an invocation to the gods of quiet and profound sleep, then follows Count de Villeroi as he orders the abandoned north apartments prepared for Ludovico, who volunteers to spend the night alone to dispel superstitious beliefs about ghosts in the château. The Count gifts Ludovico a sword for protection, and the household accompanies them to the apartments, where most servants flee in fear at the threshold. The Count, Henri, and Ludovico explore the decaying suite, with the Count reminiscing about the saloon’s former glory during the Marchioness’s nuptial celebrations. They discover the Marchioness’s bedchamber, still draped in the black velvet pall from her death, and Ludovico insists on staying despite the eerie atmosphere. Later, the Count and his guests debate whether spirits can revisit the living and be visible to mortals, before the Count hears mysterious, exquisite midnight music coming from the nearby woods, which his valet confirms is a recurring supernatural event. Meanwhile, Ludovico settles into the bedchamber, builds a fire to combat the gloom, eats from his provisions, and reads a volume of old Provençal tales as the clock strikes midnight.
Invocation to Gods of Quiet and Sleep
The chapter opens with a quoted poem addressed to the gods of quiet and deep sleep, who are said to hold soft dominion over the castle and its surrounding silent places. The speaker asks the gods for forgiveness for revealing tales never before sung in mortal verse, attributed to Thomson.
Preparations for Ludovico’s Stay in North Apartments
The Count orders the long-sealed north apartments to be opened and prepared for Ludovico’s stay, but Dorothée, recalling recent unsettling events in the rooms, refuses to obey. No other servant dares enter the abandoned suite, so the rooms remain locked until the hour Ludovico is to retire there for the night, which the entire household awaits with great impatience.
Count Gives Ludovico a Sword to Expel Ghosts
After supper, Ludovico attends the Count in his closet per his orders, and upon leaving, the Count gives Ludovico a sword, joking that Ludovico will use it honourably in a spiritual quarrel to expel all remaining ghosts from the château by the next day. Ludovico respectfully accepts the charge, promising no spectre will disturb the château’s peace after that night.
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