The Mysteries of Udolpho

Annette Tends to Emily Through the Night

With some difficulty Annette leads Emily to the bed, which Emily surveys with an eager, frenzied eye before lying down, and turns to Annette with shuddering emotion, begging her in soft, plaintive tones not to forsake her, for since her father died everyone has abandoned her. When Annette, surprised, reminds her that her father died long before they met, Emily acknowledges it with a flood of tears, weeping silently and long until she becomes quite calm and at last sinks into sleep. Annette, as affectionate as she is simple, forgets her own fears of remaining alone in the chamber and keeps watch over Emily through the whole night.

CHAPITRE II.

Emily awakens to find Annette beside her bed, and through their conversation learns of the failed abduction attempt orchestrated by Count Morano, which Annette had frustratingly foiled by following Barnardine and the attackers through the castle passages to the gates where Morano’s men awaited. The narrative then traces Morano’s return to Venice, explaining how his professions of remorse during his wound had been hollow, and how, upon recovery, he had bribed the castle porter again and concerted with Barnardine a second scheme to decoy Emily away, only for this plan also to be thwarted. Meanwhile, Emily, still reeling from these events, resolves to petition Montoni for permission to leave Udolpho and return to France, though she dreads the interview and his vengeful temper; but when Montoni postpones their meeting until the following day, her anxiety temporarily subsides, and she spends the hours in solemn contemplation. Later that night, she watches from her casement for the mysterious music she had previously heard, and instead perceives mournful sounds rising from the rampart below, where a silent, phantom-like figure appears and disappears, leading her to cycle through various theories—prisoner, Morano, supernatural visitor—before determining to watch again the next night.

Emily Awakens Refreshed

Emily awakens from sleep to find Annette sleeping beside her bed. She cannot remember the events of the previous night, which have been swept from her memory. When Annette awakens, she explains that Emily has been very ill, and Emily suddenly recalls a terrifying event, asking if her aunt has been murdered. Annette screams, misunderstanding Emily’s meaning, and clarifies that she refers to the attempt to carry Emily off. Emily is relieved to learn that the abduction plot has been thwarted, though she struggles to process the reminder of her aunt’s death.

Annette Reveals the Rescue

Annette proudly recounts how she discovered the abduction scheme by following Emily to the terrace and beyond. She explains that she watched Barnardine open a secret door and followed at a distance, hearing men outside who were waiting to seize Emily. When Barnardine nearly caught her, she ran back to alert Signor Montoni and Signor Cavigni, who dispatched enough men to frighten off Barnardine and his associates. Annette also mentions that she believes Count Morano was behind the scheme.

The Abduction Plot Foiled

The source reveals that Count Morano, recovering from his wound, had his former schemes of love revive once his health improved. He bribed the castle porter once more to arrange a plan for drawing Emily to the gates, while he waited at a distant hamlet with intentions to carry her immediately to Venice. This second scheme was frustrated through Annette’s intervention, leaving Morano in a state of violent passion upon returning to Venice.

Death of Emily’s Aunt

Emily wishes to speak with Signor Montoni, hoping to petition him to allow her return to France now that her aunt has died. The aunt’s death represents the only possible grounds on which Emily might rest her request for leaving Udolpho, though she is uncertain whether such a request would be granted.

Morano’s Poisoning Scheme

Montoni begins to believe that Morano had formerly mingled poison with his wine. The narrative explains that Morano’s professions of repentance, made during his suffering from his wound, were sincere at the moment but revealed that he lamented only his own suffering rather than the cruelty of his designs.