The Mysteries of Udolpho

Emily’s Hesitant Reply

Emily’s emotion prevents her from replying, and when Valancourt presses for some hope of seeing her in future she is torn between the partiality of her heart and her fear of judging too quickly. His family is known to her father as unexceptionable, and he has hinted that he can offer little beyond his devotion, but the absence of any relative or friend to advise her, coupled with her aunt’s coldness, makes propriety agonizingly hard to determine. At last she says she is honoured by the good opinion of anyone her father esteemed, and, when Valancourt urges further, she acknowledges that he has long possessed her esteem; the rest of the sentence dies on her lips, and she is rescued from confusion only by tears.

Valancourt Admits Secret Visits

Valancourt, exulting that his declaration is not rejected, presses her trembling hand to his lips and watches in anxious silence as she recovers herself. The relief of certainty restores his tongue, and, forgetting his own resolve to let the subject rest, he confesses that for some time past he has wandered near the château by night, drawn by the thought of being close to her while she slept. He admits that he once even ventured inside the fence and passed one of the happiest and most melancholy hours of his life walking beneath what he believed to be her window.

CHAPTER X

This chapter of Ann Radcliffe’s The Mysteries of Udolpho depicts a pivotal confrontation at La Vallée. Valancourt confesses to Emily that he has been lodging nearby for several days but has hesitated to visit, despite M. St. Aubert’s permission. Their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of Madame Cheron, Emily’s aunt, who censures Emily for receiving a young man. Madame Cheron announces her intention to take Emily to Toulouse, criticizes the late St. Aubert’s generosity over providence, and accuses Emily of duplicity regarding Valancourt. Emily defends her father’s memory and her wish to remain at La Vallée, then rebukes her aunt’s cruel remarks. After a prolonged argument in which Madame Cheron reveals her ruling passion of love of sway and her desire to control her orphan niece, Emily persuades her aunt to delay their departure until the next day. That night, Emily wanders through the rooms of her childhood home, taking final leave of her father’s study and bedroom, then descends to the moonlit garden where she finds spiritual solace in the contemplation of the divine. She bids a final farewell to the plane-tree where she had met Valancourt, then hurries back to the château, fearful that Valancourt may be wandering in the grounds and that she might encounter him.

Valancourt Confesses His Nearby Presence and Deferred Visit

Emily enquires how long Valancourt has been in the neighbourhood, and he confesses it has been several days. He had M. St. Aubert’s permission to visit but kept deferring his visit, his resolution always failing when the moment approached. He lodged at a village at some distance and wandered with his dogs among the scenes of the charming country, wishing continually to meet Emily yet not daring to visit her.

Madame Cheron Interrupts Emily and Valancourt’s Meeting

Valancourt and Emily continue conversing without perceiving the flight of time, until Valancourt recollects himself and prepares to depart, hoping to see Emily again and be permitted to pay his respects to her family. Emily says her family will be happy to see any friend of her dear father. Valancourt kisses her hand and lingers, unable to depart, while Emily sits silently with her eyes bent on the ground. At this moment a hasty footstep approaches from behind the plane-tree, and Emily sees Madame Cheron. She feels a blush steal upon her cheek and her frame trembles, but she rises to meet her visitor. Madame Cheron greets her with a cutting remark about her recovery from grief; Emily replies that her looks do her injustice. Madame Cheron criticizes Emily’s father’s disposition, saying it would have been happier for him if it had been different. Emily regards her with dignified displeasure, makes no other reply, and introduces Valancourt, who can scarcely stifle his resentment. Madame Cheron returns his bow with a slight curtsy and a look of supercilious examination, and after a few moments Valancourt takes his leave in pain.