The Mysteries of Udolpho

Fears of Being Observed

Emily grows anxious that her visit to the chamber was witnessed, since the door was closed immediately after her departure. She dreads Montoni’s vengeance should he learn of her intrusion. She also wonders about the origin of the false report imposed upon Annette, since Montoni would presumably prefer silence, but the subject proves too terrible to pursue further in her lonely state.

Midnight Alarms

Sitting with Annette until nearly midnight, Emily hears the hall doors shut for the night. When the great portal bell suddenly tolls and carriage wheels sound in the courtyard, she is overcome with dread, certain it is the Count. She urgently begs Annette to investigate, but is left trembling in darkness when Annette departs with the light.

The Count’s Arrival

After an agonizing wait, Annette returns to confirm that the midnight visitor is indeed Count Morano. Emily, faint and trembling, retreats toward her apartment, insisting she needs air. Once partially recovered, she persuades a reluctant Annette to remain with her until she hears from Montoni.

Annette’s Report

Annette recounts what she observed: the Count’s carriage waiting at the great door, the Count alighting with another gentleman, and her encounter with Ludovico, who silently indicated that secret business was underway. She reports that Montoni was awake and counselling with the Count and other Signors at the end of the north gallery, though she could not discern details of their conversation.

Seeking Servants’ Intelligence

Emily’s mounting anxiety prompts her to send Annette to the servants’ hall in hopes of learning the Count’s intentions regarding his stay. To avoid the great hall and the risk of being seen by the Count, Annette leads Emily through private passages to a back staircase before departing on her errand.

Madame Montoni’s Secret

Returning toward her chamber, Emily hears low moaning and discovers Madame Montoni weeping at her dressing-table, comforted by an unidentified seated figure. Though desperate to know the cause of her aunt’s distress, Emily forbears to intrude upon the private interview and quietly withdraws, allowing nearer personal concerns to eclipse her surprise.

The Miniature Picture

Dismissed by Annette, Emily muses alone over the miniature picture discovered among her late father’s papers, which she had been ordered to destroy. The sweet melancholy of the likeness, bearing her father’s features, soothes her briefly until she recalls the troubling manuscript found with it, plunging her into a deep and disquieting reverie.

The Staircase Door

The staircase door becomes a fresh source of reasonable alarm, as Emily fears it may communicate secretly with the dreadful apartment. Resolved not to undress, she lies down in her clothes with her faithful dog Manchon at the foot of the bed as a guard, striving to banish reflection as the castle clock strikes two.

The Midnight Intruder

From disturbed slumber, Emily is awakened by a noise arising within her chamber, emanating from the staircase door. She watches in speechless terror as the door slowly opens and a shadowy form glides into the room, pausing and approaching the hearth where the dim lamp’s light gradually reveals a human figure advancing toward her bed.

Count Morano Revealed

The dog Manchon barks and lunges at the intruder, who strikes the animal with a sheathed sword and springs toward the bed, revealing himself as Count Morano. Emily flees toward the staircase but discovers another man half-way down the steps, leading her to scream in despair, believing Montoni has abandoned her to her fate.

The Count’s Declaration

Morano leads Emily back into the chamber, declaring his desperate love and denouncing Montoni as a villain who would have sold her to his passion. Emily responds with calm contempt, accusing the Count of equal baseness and demanding he leave. Morano hints darkly at Montoni’s new, more profitable schemes concerning her, attempting to exploit the renewed hope and terror warring in her expression.

CHAPITRE VI.

CHAPTER VI — In this climactic fragment of Chapter VI, Count Morano makes a desperate final plea to Emily to flee Udolpho with him, but she refuses. His reaction escalates from entreaty to fury to attempted abduction, culminating in a violent duel with Montoni, his defeat and banishment from the castle, and Emily’s compassionate defiance of her uncle to tend the wounded Count, who departs with a vow of vengeance.