The Mysteries of Udolpho

Valancourt’s Dancing Partner

While standing with Madame Cheron in the gardens, Emily spots Valancourt dancing with a young, beautiful, and wealthy woman from Toulouse, and is pained by his familiar, attentive manner with his partner, a contrast to the reserved behavior he displayed when interacting with her earlier.

Emily’s Fainting Spell

Overwhelmed by the sight of Valancourt with another woman, Emily is struck by sudden faintness, sits on a turf bank to recover, and struggles to hide her distress from Madame Cheron, who is preoccupied with a conversation with Signor Cavigni and does not notice Emily’s upset.

Count Bauvillers’ Observation

Count Bauvillers, who is speaking with Emily, notices her extreme pallor and asks if she is unwell, offering to fetch her water, which she politely declines. He later makes casual, unthinking remarks criticizing Valancourt’s poor dancing skills, unaware of Emily’s connection to him, which causes her great distress as she tries to steer the conversation away from Valancourt.

Cavigni’s Gallantry

Signor Cavigni exchanges flowery, backhanded compliments with Madame Cheron that subtly mock her vanity and her claim to refined understanding, with Emily recognizing the sarcasm that Madame Cheron completely misses. Cavigni also directs subtle, knowing looks at Emily as he makes his remarks, which Emily understands as shared recognition of the absurdity of Madame Cheron’s behavior.

Montoni’s Courting

Emily observes that Signor Montoni appears to be paying romantic attention to Madame Cheron, who accepts his advances and grows visibly jealous of any perceived neglect from him. Emily finds the match ridiculous given Madame Cheron’s advanced age and Montoni’s apparent discernment, though her thoughts are quickly pulled back to her own distress over Valancourt. Montoni later joins the group, offers a brief, half-hearted apology for his late arrival, and exchanges a teasing, knowing look with Cavigni that hints at Cavigni’s awareness of Montoni’s courtship of Madame Cheron.

CHAPTER XII

Chapter XII centers on a supper gathering at a château, where Emily St. Aubert is reunited with the Chevalier Valancourt. The events of the evening and its aftermath expose her aunt Madame Cheron’s shallow, self-serving attitudes toward romance and social status, while laying the groundwork for Emily and Valancourt’s courtship.

Supper at the Château and Madame Cheron’s Criticism of Valancourt

The chapter opens with a supper served across garden pavilions and the château’s large saloon, where Madame Cheron and her party dine with hostess Madame Clairval. Emily struggles to conceal her distress when she spots Valancourt seated at the same table, separated from her by the length of the long dining table. Madame Cheron immediately voices strong disapproval of Valancourt, disparaging his lack of noble bearing and claiming to have rejected his suit earlier that day, while other guests praise his accomplishments and note rumors he intends to marry the wealthy Mademoiselle d’Emery, which enrages Madame Cheron.

Revelation of Valancourt’s Identity as Madame Clairval’s Nephew

Cavigni, a guest at the supper, engages Madame Cheron in ironic, flirtatious banter that flatters her vanity without her realizing the teasing. A fellow guest then reveals Valancourt is Madame Clairval’s nephew, a fact unknown to Madame Cheron. Upon learning this, Madame Cheron immediately reverses her harsh criticism of Valancourt, praising him effusively to cover her earlier misjudgment, while Emily is surprised by her aunt’s sudden, uncharacteristic warmth toward the man she loves.

Madame Cheron’s Embarrassment and Emily Receives Valancourt’s Letter

After supper, a deeply embarrassed Madame Cheron hurries to depart the château with Emily, refusing to mention Valancourt during the ride home. The next morning, Emily receives a letter from Valancourt, which she passes to her aunt; the letter states Valancourt will only accept dismissal from Emily directly, and requests permission to visit her that evening. Unaware Emily is ignorant of Valancourt’s relation to Madame Clairval, Madame Cheron agrees to the visit, sending her own note to Valancourt to confirm, far more readily than Emily anticipated.

Madame Cheron Consents to Valancourt’s Visits with Stipulations

That evening, Madame Cheron meets with Valancourt alone first, and learns he is the nephew of the late Monsieur Clairval, brother of Valancourt’s mother the Countess de Duvarney. She laments he did not mention the relationship earlier, as it would have served as a sufficient introduction to her household, then immediately consents to his visits, framing her approval as a personal favor to Emily. She lays out strict stipulations: she will not promise any future marriage, only permit the courtship if Valancourt advances in his military profession or gains sufficient means to support a wife, and asserts her authority as Emily’s guardian, stating her will is equivalent to Emily’s in all matters.