The Mysteries of Udolpho

Madame Cheron Censures Emily for Receiving Valancourt

After Valancourt’s departure, Madame Cheron asks “Who is that young man?” in an accent implying both inquisitiveness and censure. She assumes he is some idle admirer and scolds Emily for receiving the visits of any young man in her present unfriended situation, warning that the world will observe and talk very freely.

Madame Cheron Announces She Will Take Emily to Toulouse

Emily attempts to interrupt, but Madame Cheron continues with the self-importance of a person to whom power is new. She declares that Emily must be under the eye of some person more able to guide her, and that she herself will take Emily under her care, in accordance with her brother’s dying request. She warns, however, that unless Emily determines to be very conformable to her direction, she shall not trouble herself longer. Emily, kept silent by grief and the pride of conscious innocence, listens until Madame Cheron announces she has come to take Emily with her to Toulouse. She expresses sorrow that St. Aubert died in such indifferent circumstances and remarks that he was always more generous than provident, or he would not have left his daughter dependent on his relations.

Emily Defends Her Father and Her Wish to Remain at La Vallée

Emily calmly responds that her father has not, she hopes, left her dependent, and that his pecuniary misfortunes did not arise from the noble generosity which always distinguished him. She trusts that the affairs of M. de Motteville may yet be settled without deeply injuring his creditors, and in the meantime she would be very happy to remain at La Vallée.

Madame Cheron Accuses Emily of Duplicity Regarding Valancourt

Madame Cheron replies with a smile of irony, saying she sees how necessary tranquillity and retirement are to restore Emily’s spirits, and that she shall no doubt consent. She accuses Emily of duplicity, declaring she did not think her capable of it: when Emily pleaded the excuse of remaining, she had foolishly believed it to be a just one, and had not expected to have found with her so agreeable a companion as this M. La Val—, whose name she professes to forget.

Emily Rebuffs Madame Cheron’s Cruel Remarks

Emily, no longer able to endure these cruel indignities, declares that the excuse was a just one and that she feels more than ever the value of the retirement she had solicited. If the purport of Madame Cheron’s visit is only to add insult to the sorrows of her brother’s child, she could well have spared it.

Madame Cheron Reveals Her Desire to Control Emily

Madame Cheron, colouring highly, declares she sees she has undertaken a very troublesome task. Emily, mildly and with restrained tears, responds that her father did not mean it should be such, that her conduct under his eye was such as he often delighted to approve, and that it would be very painful to disobey the sister of such a parent. If the task will really be so troublesome, she must lament that it is Madame Cheron’s. Madame Cheron says fine speaking signifies little, and that she is willing to overlook the impropriety and try Emily’s future conduct. When Emily asks her to explain the impropriety, Madame Cheron says it is that of receiving the visits of a lover unknown to her family. Emily, blushing, recounts Valancourt’s introduction to her father, the pistol-shot incident, their travels together, and their accidental meeting the previous evening. She admits he declared a partiality for her and asked permission to address her family. When Madame Cheron asks who this young adventurer is and what his pretensions are, Emily replies that he must explain himself, that her father knew his family and it is unexceptionable, and she mentions what she knows. Madame Cheron exclaims he is a younger brother and therefore a begger, criticizes St. Aubert for his fancies and his foolish reliance on countenances, and delivers a tirade against physiognomy. Emily, desirous of concluding the conversation, enquires if her aunt will accept some refreshment, and they walk to the château, but Madame Cheron continues the topic, accusing Emily of having her father’s prejudices and imagining herself violently in love. Emily, checking her tears, defends herself: when her conduct shall deserve this severity, Madame Cheron will do well to exercise it; till then justice, if not tenderness, should restrain it. She has never willingly offended her aunt, and now that she has lost her parents, Madame Cheron is the only person to whom she can look for kindness. The last words are almost stifled by her emotions, and she bursts into tears, remembering St. Aubert’s tenderness and the happy days now contrasted with her aunt’s coarse behaviour. Madame Cheron, more offended by the reproof than touched by the sorrow, says nothing to soften her grief, but, notwithstanding an apparent reluctance to receive her niece, desires her company. The love of sway is revealed to be her ruling passion, and she knows it would be highly gratified by taking into her house a young orphan who has no appeal from her decisions, and on whom she could exercise without control the capricious humour of the moment.