The Mysteries of Udolpho

Her calculations concerning fortune in this alliance were

guided rather by her wishes, than by any hint of Valancourt, or strong

appearance of probability; and, when she rested her expectation on the

wealth of Madame Clairval, she seemed totally to have forgotten, that

the latter had a daughter. Valancourt, however, had not forgotten this

circumstance, and the consideration of it had made him so modest in

his expectations from Madame Clairval, that he had not even named the

relationship in his first conversation with Madame Cheron. But, whatever

might be the future fortune of Emily, the present distinction, which the

connection would afford for herself, was certain, since the splendour of

Madame Clairval's establishment was such as to excite the general envy

and partial imitation of the neighbourhood. Thus had she consented to

involve her niece in an engagement, to which she saw only a distant and

uncertain conclusion, with as little consideration of her happiness,

as when she had so precipitately forbade it: for though she herself

possessed the means of rendering this union not only certain, but

prudent, yet to do so was no part of her present intention.

From this period Valancourt made frequent visits to Madame Cheron, and

Emily passed in his society the happiest hours she had known since the

death of her father. They were both too much engaged by the present

moments to give serious consideration to the future. They loved and were

beloved, and saw not, that the very attachment, which formed the delight

of their present days, might possibly occasion the sufferings of years.

Meanwhile, Madame Cheron's intercourse with Madame Clairval became

more frequent than before, and her vanity was already gratified by

the opportunity of proclaiming, wherever she went, the attachment that

subsisted between their nephew and niece.

Montoni was now also become a daily guest at the chateau, and Emily

was compelled to observe, that he really was a suitor, and a favoured

suitor, to her aunt. Thus passed the winter months, not only in peace, but in happiness,

to Valancourt and Emily; the station of his regiment being so near

Tholouse, as to allow this frequent intercourse. The pavilion on the

terrace was the favourite scene of their interviews, and there Emily,

with Madame Cheron, would work, while Valancourt read aloud works of

genius and taste, listened to her enthusiasm, expressed his own, and

caught new opportunities of observing, that their minds were formed to

constitute the happiness of each other, the same taste, the same noble

and benevolent sentiments animating each.