Annette Reveals Ludovico’s Rumor of Montoni’s Banditry
Annette arrives in distress and reveals that servant Ludovico has spread a rumor that Montoni plans to become a captain of robbers, allying with Venice’s enemies to plunder the surrounding countryside. Annette begs Madame Montoni not to tell Montoni she shared the rumor, but Madame Montoni insists on hearing the full details before Montoni enters the room and dismisses Annette.
Montoni Demands Estates, Threatens Madame Montoni with Imprisonment
Montoni confronts Madame Montoni, demanding she immediately sign over her estates. When she refuses, he threatens to have her removed to the east turret that night and imprisoned if she does not comply with his demands.
Madame Montoni Suffers Convulsions, Emily Learns She Is the Estate Heir
Emily pleads with Montoni to spare her aunt, and he grants only a one-day delay for Madame Montoni to make her choice. When Montoni bursts from the room, Emily falls and suffers a bleeding forehead wound, but ignores it to tend to Madame Montoni, who collapses into violent convulsions. Once Madame Montoni regains partial awareness, she reveals the disputed estates will pass to Emily upon her death if she refuses to surrender them. Emily urges her aunt to yield for her own safety, though Madame Montoni remains conflicted.
Emily Discovers Montoni’s Secret Midnight Meeting in a Shut-Up Chamber
That night, Emily navigates the dark, empty castle corridors and hears a low sound coming from a long-shut, rumored chamber. She sees Montoni open the door briefly, revealing a person sitting by the fire inside, before he closes it again. Emily hides in a nearby corridor corner to observe, confirming Montoni is holding a secret midnight meeting in the previously sealed room.
CHAPITRE IX.
Chapter Title: CHAPTER IX Metadata: Chapter 22 (index 21), Fragment 3 of 3 total fragments
Emily Observes Montoni Close the Corridor Door
Section Title: Emily Observes Montoni Close the Corridor Door After waiting in silent expectation for several minutes with her gaze fixed on the corridor door, Emily sees the door open again, and identifies the entrant as Montoni. He looks around cautiously without noticing her, steps forward to close the corridor door, and leaves. Emily soon hears the door being fastened from the inside, so she withdraws to her chamber, puzzled by what she has witnessed.
Midnight Guard Relief at the Castle
Section Title: Midnight Guard Relief at the Castle At midnight, as Emily closes her casement, she hears footsteps on the terrace below, and glimpses several figures advancing through the gloom who pass under her window. She hears the clink of arms, then the watch-word is called, and recalling a command she overheard from Montoni earlier and the late hour, she realizes these men are relieving guard at the castle for the first time. After listening until all falls silent again, she retires to sleep.
CHAPITRE X.
Chapter X (Chapter 23) opens with a prefatory verse mourning a deceased loved one, then depicts the escalating conflict between the tyrannical Montoni, his wife Madame Montoni, and his niece Emily. Madame Montoni remains resolved to oppose Montoni’s demands and plots escape from his heavily guarded castle despite Emily’s warnings of extreme danger. Montoni issues an ultimatum to his wife, commands both her and Emily to attend a state dinner for his cavalier guests, and later accuses Madame Montoni of poisoning his wine, imprisoning both women as he vows vengeance.
Madame Montoni’s Resolve
The morning after the prior conflict, Emily visits the apartment of Madame Montoni, who has recovered her health and spirits and remains determined to oppose Montoni’s demands, though her resolve is still tempered by fear. Emily endeavors to strengthen her aunt’s determination to resist further submission to Montoni’s will.
Counsel Against Escape
Madame Montoni, who has a long-held habit of rejecting unpleasant realities and seeking arguments to dismiss them, reveals her plan to escape the castle to secure a formal separation and live comfortably on her remaining estates. Emily agrees with the desire for freedom but warns that the castle’s heavily secured, closely guarded gates make escape nearly impossible, and trusting a servant with the plan risks betrayal or accidental disclosure that would incur Montoni’s unrestrained vengeance. Emily advises Madame Montoni to relinquish her demands to avoid further harm, though Madame Montoni continues to brood over escape possibilities.
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