The Mysteries of Udolpho

Montoni’s Departure

As Emily turns into the corridor to return to her chamber, a chamber door opens and Montoni emerges. She shrinks back into the passage to avoid being seen, waits until his footsteps fade completely, then returns to her room, secures the door, and goes to bed with a lamp burning. Sleep eludes her as she replays the night’s horrors, convinced Montoni has murdered her aunt and left her body in the turret.

CHAPITRE X.

Chapter 23, titled “CHAPTER X”, opens with a scene of early morning, where grey dawn has already filtered through Emily’s casements long before she manages to fall asleep.

Emily’s Respite from Suffering Through Sleep

This section describes Emily’s hard-won moment of rest: after a long period of wakefulness, her wearied nature finally yields her a temporary respite from her ongoing suffering as she drifts off to sleep.

CHAPITRE XI.

Emily spends a harrowing day venturing from her chamber to seek food and intercede for the imprisoned Annette, only to encounter the menacing Montoni who callously dismisses her concerns about her aunt and reveals that Ludovico’s captor died the previous day. After narrowly escaping the commotion of Verezzi’s return, she retreats to her room where the kind Carlo brings sustenance and releases Annette, who informs her that Ludovico, though grievously wounded, still lives. As the days pass without any tidings of Madame Montoni, Emily’s anxiety deepens, and on the second night she is troubled by mysterious music that recalls her late father, compelling her to resolve that she will watch again at the same hour to discover its source.

Emily’s Confinement

Emily spent the morning alone in her chamber without word from Montoni. Having eaten nothing since the previous day’s dinner, faintness compelled her to venture out. Her main concerns were obtaining food and securing liberty for Annette, but her urgent anxiety about her aunt’s whereabouts ultimately drove her to seek an audience with Montoni.

Decision to Seek Montoni

Emily resolved to approach Montoni directly, despite her fear of him, to inquire after Madame Montoni and to petition for Annette’s release. The uncertainty surrounding Ludovico’s fate weighed heavily on her, as she suspected some accident had befallen him and that Annette remained confined.

Annette in the South Gallery

When Emily reached the south gallery around noon, she found it unnecessary to call Annette—the girl’s lamentations were audible from a distance. Annette bewailed her fate and feared she would starve if not released immediately. Emily assured her that she would plead for her freedom to Montoni, but Annette’s terror of the Signor made her beg that her hiding place be kept secret.

The Blood-Stained Hall

Passing through the great hall toward Montoni’s cedar room, Emily observed fragments of swords and blood-stained garments on the pavement, though no dead body. The sound of voices within made her hesitate to intrude. As she debated seeking a messenger, the door opened suddenly and Montoni himself appeared, his face betraying alarm and suspicion.

Montoni’s Suspicion

Montoni accused Emily of eavesdropping, reproving her for a meanness she had not committed. When she explained she had come only to plead for her aunt and Annette, he regarded her with a scrutinizing, malignant look that confirmed her worst fears. He tersely informed her that Ludovico, the fool who imprisoned Annette, was dead, and dismissed her questions about her aunt with haste.

Ludovico’s Death

News reached Emily that Ludovico had perished from his wounds, though this information would later prove premature when she learned he still lived, gravely wounded.

Verezzi’s Arrival

A trumpet suddenly sounded, announcing new arrivals at the castle. The heavy gates opened and horsemen entered the courtyard. Emily recognized them as Verezzi’s party, the same group she had seen depart days before.

Carlo’s Compassion

Old Carlo came to Emily’s chamber with fruit and wine, expressing concern for her welfare. He revealed that the recent disputes among the guests had been amicably settled and that Montoni believed his suspicions mistaken. He agreed to release Annette immediately and provided what comfort he could during her distress.