The Mysteries of Udolpho

Group Moves to Stone Gallery

Jacques returns from the stone gallery and announces that a fire has been lit, the birds are dressing, and the table is spread there because the room is warmer. His companions approve and invite their guests to follow, but Blanche appears distressed and remains seated, while St. Foix looks at the Count. The Count says he prefers the fire he is near, but the hunters press the removal with such courtesy that, half doubting and half fearful of betraying his doubts, he consents. The long, ruinous passages somewhat daunt him, but the thunder bursting above makes it dangerous to leave shelter, and he forbears to show distrust.

Blanche Separated in Dark Passage

The hunters lead the way with a lamp; the Count and St. Foix carry each a seat to please their hosts, and Blanche follows with faltering steps. As she passes along, part of her dress catches on a nail in the wall, and while she stops too scrupulously to disengage it, the Count, talking to St. Foix, follows their conductor round an abrupt angle of the passage. Blanche is left behind in darkness, and the thunder prevents them from hearing her call. Once she frees her dress, she follows what she believes is their way, guided by a glimmering light ahead.

Blanche Overhears Banditti Plot

Blanche approaches an open door through which the light issues, thinking the room beyond is the stone gallery, but pauses near the chamber to be sure. By the lamp hanging from the ceiling she observes four men seated round a table, leaning in apparent consultation, one of them the figure who had gazed at St. Foix. Alarmed to find neither her father nor St. Foix there and terrified by the fierce countenances, she turns to retreat but overhears the men debating whether to secure their party, dispatch the two chevaliers, and what to do with the rest. They discuss poison as a silent method, recognise St. Foix as the son of a man they once attacked, and eye the diamond ring and the portrait of diamonds at Blanche’s neck, calculating the booty. The men finally lower their voices, and Blanche, in an agony, tries to turn back toward the gallery to warn her friends, but terror and darkness fail her and she stumbles over a step and falls.

Blanche Seized by Ruffians

The noise of Blanche’s fall startles the banditti into sudden silence, and they rush into the passage to examine whether anyone has overheard their councils. Blanche sees their fierce, eager looks and, before she can raise herself, is discovered and seized. As they drag her toward the chamber they had quitted, her screams draw horrible threatenings from them, and once in the room they begin consulting what to do with her, asking how long she has been in the passage and what brought her there.

Blanche Surrenders Portrait

One of the ruffians declares they must first secure the picture and approaches Blanche, demanding she surrender the miniature by her leave or by force. Blanche, entreating their mercy, immediately gives up the portrait. Another ruffian fiercely interrogates her about what she overheard, her confusion and terror too plainly confessing what her tongue will not. The ruffians look expressively at one another, and two withdraw to consult further. The thief examining the miniature exclaims that the diamonds are fine and that the portrait shows a handsome young chevalier, Blanche’s spouse, the very spark from her company. Blanche, sinking with terror, conjures him to have pity, hands over her purse, and promises silence if he will let her return to her friends; he smiles ironically and is about to reply.

Distant Noises Signal Fort Attack

The ruffian’s attention is caught by a distant noise, and as he listens he grasps Blanche’s arm more firmly, fearing she will escape, and she again shrieks for help. The other banditti are summoned from the far part of the chamber; they suspect betrayal but wonder if the sounds are comrades returning from the mountains. A distant discharge of shot confirms this for a moment, then the sounds draw nearer with clashing of swords, voices of contention, and heavy groans in the avenue. As the ruffians prepare their arms, they hear themselves called by comrades afar off, and a shrill horn sounds without the fortress, a signal three of them instantly recognise; they leave Blanche to the care of the fourth and rush from the chamber.