Madame Cheron’s Invitation to Thoulouse
Emily, now at La Vallée following her parents’ deaths, receives letters from her aunt Madame Cheron. The aunt offers formal condolences and extends an invitation for Emily to come to Thoulouse. Madame Cheron reminds Emily that, having been entrusted with Emily’s education by the late St. Aubert, she considers herself bound to oversee her niece’s conduct.
Emily’s Request to Remain at La Vallée
Emily wishes desperately to remain at La Vallée, where the memories of her early happiness and her parents linger. She hopes to grieve unobserved among familiar scenes. However, she is equally anxious to avoid offending her aunt, upon whose goodwill her happiness now depends. In her reply, she requests permission to stay, citing her depressed spirits and need for quiet retirement—knowing that Madame Cheron’s life of dissipation would offer no such peace.
Monsieur Barreaux’s Mourning Visit
During the early days of her mourning, Emily is visited by Monsieur Barreaux, who sincerely grieves for St. Aubert. He declares he shall never find another man like his friend and would not have abandoned society had he encountered St. Aubert’s equal there. His deep admiration for her father endears him to Emily, and she finds comfort in discussing her parents with this kind but rough-appearing gentleman.
Emily’s Recovery Through Productive Routine
As weeks pass in quiet retirement, Emily’s grief softens into melancholy. She begins to engage with her father’s belongings—reading his books, sitting in his library chair, tending his flowers, and playing his favorite airs on the instrument. Recognizing that indolence threatens her recovery, she commits to filling her hours with productive employment. She comes to appreciate the full value of St. Aubert’s education, which provides her with intellectual refuge and varied amusement. His moral guidance also enables her to respond to others’ misfortunes with benevolence and sympathy rather than selfish withdrawal.
Madame Cheron’s Silence on Emily’s Request
Madame Cheron provides no response to Emily’s letter requesting to remain at La Vallée. Emily interprets this silence hopefully, believing she may be permitted to stay longer. Her mind has grown stronger, and she ventures once more to visit the places most associated with her parents.
Emily’s Solitary Visit to the Fishing-House
Emily journeys alone to the fishing-house at the still evening hour, bringing her lute. This place holds painful memories—her last visit was with Monsieur and Madame St. Aubert shortly before her mother’s fatal illness. As she walks through the woods and sees the overgrown path, weeds choking her father’s carefully scattered flowers, her composure breaks. Upon entering the desolate building, she remarks that everything remains exactly as when she last left it with those who would never return. She gazes from the window over the rivulet, lost in reverie, the mournful wind in the pines more suited to her feelings than her lute. Evening darkness descends before a stranger’s footsteps outside alert her.
Reunion with Valancourt at the Fishing-House
The stranger enters and, recognizing Emily’s voice, reveals himself as Valancourt. Overwhelmed by their unexpected reunion and by grief for her father, Emily weeps as Valancourt takes her hand in sympathy. He struggles to find words of comfort and, learning of St. Aubert’s death on the road, exclaims that he wishes he had been there to help. When Emily grows exhausted from recounting the tragedy, Valancourt shifts to speaking of himself.
Valancourt’s Account of His Travels
Valancourt explains that after parting from Emily, he wandered along the Mediterranean shores before returning through Languedoc to Gascony, his native province where he usually resides. He then falls silent, leaving Emily free to absorb this information about his journeys without interruption.
Walk Back to the Château and Leave-Taking
The two walk together through the woods to the château gate, Valancourt torn between curiosity about her recent life and reluctance to ask painful questions. Emily is too distressed to speak freely until she finds strength to describe her father’s death. Upon arriving, Valancourt announces his intention to return to Estuvière the next day and asks permission to take his leave of her in person the following morning. Emily, unable to refuse this ordinary courtesy without implying expectations of something more, agrees.
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