Emily Urges Morano to Flee
Emily, growing anxious, pleads with Count Morano to leave the castle for his own safety, fearing the consequences of Signor Verezzi’s passion and Montoni’s resentment should he learn of Morano’s continued presence.
Morano’s Farewell
Morano, visibly moved and struggling to master his emotions, asks Emily to assure him once more that she wishes him well. After she does, he takes her hand, kisses it, and the two bid each other farewell.
The Second Summons
Before Morano can depart, a second summons from Montoni arrives, compelling Emily to renew her urgent pleas. She then leaves the corridor to attend Montoni.
Montoni Wounded in the Cedar Parlour
Montoni is found in the cedar parlour adjoining the great hall, laid upon a couch. Though suffering intensely from his wound, he conceals his pain; his stern countenance reveals only the dark passion of revenge. Old Carlo and Signor Bertolini attend him, but Madame Montoni is absent.
Montoni’s Jealous Rebuke
Montoni rebukes Emily severely for not having obeyed his first summons, and cynically attributes her delay with Morano to a romantic interest, implying that she favored the Count only after Montoni withdrew his own support of the suit.
Accusations of Caprice and Hypocrisy
Montoni further charges Emily with hypocrisy and caprice, lecturing her on the virtues indispensable to a woman—sincerity, uniformity of conduct, and obedience—before she presumes to regulate the morals of others.
Emily’s Silent Pride
Emily is struck to the heart by these accusations, but the consciousness of her own integrity and delicately regulated conduct swells within her, and she replies with a silence born of wounded pride.
Morano Removed from the Castle
On learning from a servant that Morano’s people are carrying him on a couch to a neighbouring cottage, and receiving confirmation from Ludovico, Montoni permits Emily to withdraw to her apartment.
A Dispute in the Gallery
Retiring through the great gallery, Emily overhears voices raised in dispute, which she soon identifies as those of Cavigni and Verezzi, and approaches them in the hope of reconciling their quarrel.
Verezzi’s Rage and Cavigni’s Counsel
Verezzi, his rage now displaced from Morano, threatens to inform Montoni of Morano’s insults—particularly the accusation of murder. Cavigni counsels restraint, warning that such a course could have fatal consequences for both men.
Emily Appeases Verezzi
Emily joins her entreaties to Cavigni’s arguments, and together they prevail upon Verezzi to retire without confronting Montoni.
Madame Montoni’s Cold Indifference
On reaching her aunt’s apartment, Emily finds the door fastened and is admitted by Madame Montoni herself. Despite the recent violence, the elder woman displays perfect apathy toward her wounded husband, calmly informing Emily that she is already apprised of the whole affair.
The Trail of Blood
Returning toward her own chamber, Emily follows a track of blood along the corridor to the very spot where the Count and Montoni fought; the whole floor there is stained, and she shudders, leaning on Annette for support.
Annette Joins Emily
Having obtained permission for Annette to sleep in her chamber, Emily brings her trusted servant to her apartment for company and protection.
Securing the Mysterious Door
Alarmed that the staircase door has been left open, Emily and Annette determine to investigate where it leads. Finding the door already fastened on the outside, they bar it from within with as much of the heavy furniture as they can lift; Emily then retires to bed while Annette keeps watch by the dying embers on the hearth.
CHAPITRE VII.
Chapter VII opens with an epigraph from Milton and then fills in circumstances surrounding Emily’s abrupt departure from Venice and her arrival at Montoni’s castle on the Apennine. The chapter traces Count Morano’s vain pursuit of his intended bride, the calculating motives that drove Montoni to flee Venice with Emily, Morano’s violent confrontation and thwarted abduction plot, and the mysterious aftermath at the castle marked by the arrival of suspicious strangers and Emily’s unsettling encounter with a portrait of the castle’s vanished former lady.
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