The Mysteries of Udolpho

CHAPTER V

Chapter V follows Emily’s arrival at Montoni’s castle in the Apennines. As Montoni paces a gloomy apartment, Emily observes the scene and grieves over her separation from Valancourt. The old servant Carlo welcomes Montoni and details the castle’s decay, while Montoni rebukes Emily’s inquiries about their sudden journey. Emily’s aunt shows unexpected kindness as Emily is led to her chamber by Annette. They become lost in the castle’s intricate passages, encounter ancient apartments, and discover a mysterious veiled picture that terrifies Annette. Emily finally reaches her remote “double chamber,” where she finds a hidden staircase and a door she cannot fully secure, leaving her to spend a fearful night alone.

The Solemn Apartment

Montoni paces the room with thoughtful steps while Madame Montoni sits silently on a couch awaiting the servant’s return. Emily observes the singular solemnity and desolation of the apartment, lit by a single lamp near a large Venetian mirror that reflects Montoni’s tall figure passing slowly with folded arms and hat-plume shadowing his countenance.

Emily’s Reflections

Emily’s contemplation of the scene gives way to apprehension of what she might suffer within it. The remembrance of Valancourt, far distant, softens her heart to sorrow, and a heavy sigh escapes her. She conceals her tears and walks to a high window opening on the ramparts, where she looks down upon the dark woods and faintly traces the mountain horizon marked only by a red streak glimmering in the western sky.

Carlo’s Welcome

When the door opens, the old servant Carlo enters bending under a load of pine-branches, followed by two of Montoni’s Venetian servants with lights. Having laid the wood upon the hearth, Carlo rises and welcomes Montoni to the castle, noting it has been a lonely place and remarking that nearly two years have passed since his Excellenza was within its walls. Montoni, in turn, asks Carlo how he has contrived to live so long.

The Castle’s Decay

Carlo replies that he has managed with much ado, finding the cold winter winds through the castle almost too much to bear. He describes the castle’s many needed repairs: battlements tumbled from the north tower, part of the great hall’s roof fallen in allowing mountain winds to whistle through, walls of the rampart collapsed in three places, the west gallery stairs dangerous, and the passage to the great oak chamber over the north rampart perilous.

Montoni’s Rebuke

Impatient with the catalogue of decay, Montoni repeatedly interrupts Carlo with cries of “Well, but the repairs” and “Well, well, enough of this,” finally declaring he will talk more on the matter tomorrow.

The Hearthside Gathering

With the fire now lighted, Carlo sweeps the hearth, places chairs, and wipes dust from a large marble table before leaving the room. Montoni and his family draw round the fire, but Madame Montoni’s several attempts at conversation are met with sullen, repelling answers from Montoni.

Emily’s Inquiry

Sitting in silence and trying to summon courage, Emily at length asks Montoni in a tremulous voice the motive of their sudden journey. After a long pause she repeats the question, but Montoni sharply replies that it does not suit him to answer enquiries, reproves her for making them, and bids her retire to her chamber and adopt more rational conduct, calling her sensibility a mere weakness.

Aunt’s Kindness

Emily rises to withdraw, bidding her aunt good night with an assumed composure that cannot hide her emotion. To her surprise, Madame Montoni responds in a tone of kindness Emily has never before heard from her, and the unexpected endearment brings tears to Emily’s eyes. After Emily curtsies to Montoni, her aunt notes she does not know the way to her chamber, and Montoni calls a servant to send Madame Montoni’s woman.

Navigating the Castle

With Annette in attendance, Emily crosses the hall and asks if she knows which is her room. Annette believes she does, describing it as the double chamber over the south rampart reached by a great staircase, though she admits to having already been lost in the rambling castle. Emily ascends the marble staircase and enters the corridor, where Annette resumes her chatter about the wild, lonely place.