Agnes’s Warning to Emily
Agnes’s Warning to Emily
Sister Agnes rises, takes Emily’s hand, and gazes earnestly upon her. She declares Emily is young and innocent of great crime, but has passions—scorpions—that sleep within her heart. She warns Emily to beware how she awakens them, for they will sting even unto death. Emily, affected by the solemn delivery, cannot suppress tears. Agnes’s countenance softens as she exclaims “We are sisters, then indeed” in shared misfortune, yet laments that among the guilty there is no gentleness, peace, or hope.
Sister Frances’s Confession
Sister Frances’s Confession
After Agnes withdraws with Margaret, Frances explains to Emily that Agnes is often deranged, though not recently so frantic. Her usual mood is melancholy. The current fit has been building for several days; seclusion and customary treatment will restore her. Frances notes that Agnes can converse with method and acuteness before suddenly starting into madness. Emily observes Agnes’s conscience seems afflicted. Frances agrees to share Agnes’s history privately in her cell that night, after midnight prayers.
The Story of Agnes
The Story of Agnes
Frances reveals that Agnes is of noble family, evident from her dignified air. Love occasioned both her crime and madness. Her father, having heard she was beloved by a gentleman of inferior fortune, bestowed her instead on a nobleman she disliked. This ill-governed passion proved her destruction. Every obligation of virtue and duty was forgotten, and she profaned her marriage vows. Her guilt was soon detected, and she would have fallen victim to her husband’s vengeance had not her father conveyed her from his power.
Agnes’s Forbidden Love
Agnes’s Forbidden Love
Agnes was loved by a gentleman of inferior fortune, creating the forbidden attachment that ultimately led to her downfall when her father forced her into a marriage with a man of higher rank whom she could not love.
Agnes’s Forced Marriage
Agnes’s Forced Marriage
Her father, disregarding her true attachment, gave her in marriage to a nobleman she disliked. The ill-governed passion that resulted from this forced union—her inability to accept the constraints placed upon her heart—proved her destruction. She profaned her marriage vows, and her guilt was quickly discovered.
Agnes’s Confinement
Agnes’s Confinement
Her husband’s vengeance was imminent, but her father contrived to convey her from his power and secret her in this convent. He prevailed upon her to take the veil while a report circulated that she was dead. The father assisted the rumor and employed means to convince her husband she had become a victim to his jealousy. The long struggle between love, remorse, and the duties of her order unsettled her reason. She became frantic and melancholy by quick alternatives, then sank into deep, settled melancholy, interrupted by fits of wildness now grown frequent again.
Emily’s Resemblance to Agnes
Emily’s Resemblance to Agnes
Emily admits there are moments when Agnes’s countenance has appeared familiar to her memory, though she has never seen her before coming to the convent. Frances suggests Emily’s imagination has been deluded by the deep melancholy’s impression. Frances remarks she could as reasonably perceive a likeness between Emily and Agnes. Emily then mentions the Marchioness de Villeroi expired at about the same period Agnes entered the convent—nearly Emily’s entire lifetime ago.
The Count’s Proposed Journey
The Count’s Proposed Journey
Several days pass with no visits from the Count or his family. When he finally appears, his air is unusually disturbed. He explains his spirits are harassed and plans to change his residence for a while. He and his daughter will accompany Baron St. Foix to his château in a Pyrenees valley opening toward Gascony. He offers to guard Emily partway to La Vallée when she sets out. The Countess will visit a family in lower Languedoc with Mademoiselle Bearn for a few weeks.
M. Quesnel’s Summons
M. Quesnel’s Summons
A second letter from M. Quesnel arrives, informing Emily he is at Thoulouse, that La Vallée is now at liberty, and urging her to set off immediately as his own affairs press him to return to Gascony. Emily does not hesitate to obey.
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