The Mysteries of Udolpho

Madame Cheron’s Selfish Motives and Emily and Valancourt’s Courtship

The narrative exposes Madame Cheron’s consent is driven entirely by selfish vanity: she initially rejected Valancourt for his lack of apparent wealth and status, which would have brought her no social elevation, but reverses her stance when she learns of his connection to the high-status Madame Clairval, hoping the match will bring her the distinction she craves, with no consideration for Emily’s happiness. It notes Madame Cheron, in her eagerness for the match, had forgotten Madame Clairval has a daughter who would inherit her wealth, while Valancourt had avoided mentioning the relationship earlier out of modesty about his limited expectations of inheritance from his aunt. From this point, Valancourt visits the château frequently, and he and Emily spend joyful, carefree hours together, largely ignoring the uncertain future of their courtship, while Madame Cheron enjoys the social prestige of the connection, often proclaiming the attachment to acquaintances. The chapter also notes that Montoni has become a daily guest at the château, and is a favored suitor to Madame Cheron.

CHAPITRE XIII.

This chapter opens with an excerpt from the poem The Castle of Indolence, describing a shepherd on the remote Hebrides who witnesses a large, shifting spectral assembly on a hillside that suddenly vanishes into the air, before transitioning to events surrounding Emily, her aunt Madame Cheron, Valancourt, and the Italian Signor Montoni.

Excerpt from The Castle of Indolence

The opening passage of the chapter quotes lines from the epic poem The Castle of Indolence, painting a vivid scene of a solitary shepherd on the wind-swept Hebrides who sees a vast, moving host of aerial beings on a nearby hill as the sun sets over the ocean, only for the entire assembly to dissolve into thin air moments later.

Madame Cheron Arranges Emily and Valancourt’s Marriage

Inspired by the social status and admiration she gained after attending Madame Clairval’s lavish entertainments, Madame Cheron pushes for an immediate marriage between her niece Emily and Madame Clairval’s nephew Valancourt, offering a dower for Emily to formalize the alliance. Emily is initially shocked and opposed to the sudden arrangement, as Valancourt had not requested the match, but agrees to the union after reuniting with Valancourt, who is overjoyed by the news of their pending betrothal.

Montoni and Madame Cheron’s Secret Marriage

While wedding preparations for Emily and Valancourt are underway, Madame Cheron secretly marries the Italian Signor Montoni, a union that displeases Madame Clairval, who had hoped to tie her family to Emily’s expected inheritance through the earlier proposed match. Madame Cheron announces the marriage to Emily abruptly, explaining she kept the ceremony private to avoid public fuss, and reveals that Emily’s wedding will be delayed so the existing preparations can be repurposed for her own celebratory events.

Montoni Assumes Control of the Château

Montoni quickly takes over full command of Madame Cheron’s château and its household staff, treating the property as already his own. He assigns apartments to his friend Cavigni, who had previously flattered Madame Cheron to win her favor for Montoni, and grants Cavigni the same authority over the servants as the master of the house. The couple holds one grand entertainment to celebrate their marriage, attended by Valancourt but not Madame Clairval; Montoni soon grows weary of frivolous social gatherings, while Madame Cheron later opposes further events after becoming self-conscious about her personal attractiveness compared to other women in local society.

Proposed Relocation to Italy Separating Emily and Valancourt

A few weeks after their marriage, Madame Cheron (now Madame Montoni) informs Emily that the household will relocate to Italy, first to Montoni’s mansion in Venice and then to his Tuscan estate, and that Emily is required to accompany them. She coldly reveals that Montoni has forbidden her earlier promise of Emily’s hand to Valancourt, dismissing Valancourt as an unsuitable match and insisting Emily submit to Montoni’s judgment. Emily is devastated by the news, fearing Montoni aims to arrange a more advantageous match for her, possibly with his friend Cavigni, and is further distressed by the thought of being taken to war-torn Italy, far from Valancourt.