Read Online Free Book

The Mysteries of Udolpho

Page 126

As when a shepherd of the Hebrid-Isles,

Placed far amid the melancholy main,

(Whether it be lone fancy him beguiles,

Or that aerial beings sometimes deign

To stand embodied to our senses plain)

Sees on the naked hill, or valley low,

The whilst in ocean Phoebus dips his wain,

A vast assembly moving to and fro,

Then all at once in air dissolves the wondrous show.

CASTLE OF INDOLENCE

Madame Cheron's avarice at length yielded to her vanity. Some very

splendid entertainments, which Madame Clairval had given, and the

general adulation, which was paid her, made the former more anxious than

before to secure an alliance, that would so much exalt her in her own

opinion and in that of the world. She proposed terms for the immediate

marriage of her niece, and offered to give Emily a dower, provided

Madame Clairval observed equal terms, on the part of her nephew.

Madame Clairval listened to the proposal, and, considering that Emily was the

apparent heiress of her aunt's wealth, accepted it. Meanwhile, Emily

knew nothing of the transaction, till Madame Cheron informed her, that

she must make preparation for the nuptials, which would be celebrated

without further delay; then, astonished and wholly unable to account for

this sudden conclusion, which Valancourt had not solicited (for he was

ignorant of what had passed between the elder ladies, and had not

dared to hope such good fortune), she decisively objected to it.

Madame Cheron, however, quite as jealous of contradiction now, as she had been

formerly, contended for a speedy marriage with as much vehemence as she

had formerly opposed whatever had the most remote possibility of leading

to it; and Emily's scruples disappeared, when she again saw Valancourt,

who was now informed of the happiness, designed for him, and came to

claim a promise of it from herself.

While preparations were making for these nuptials, Montoni became the

acknowledged lover of Madame Cheron; and, though Madame Clairval was

much displeased, when she heard of the approaching connection, and was

willing to prevent that of Valancourt with Emily, her conscience told

her, that she had no right thus to trifle with their peace, and Madame

Clairval, though a woman of fashion, was far less advanced than

her friend in the art of deriving satisfaction from distinction and

admiration, rather than from conscience.

Emily observed with concern the ascendancy, which Montoni had acquired

over Madame Cheron, as well as the increasing frequency of his visits;

and her own opinion of this Italian was confirmed by that of Valancourt,

who had always expressed a dislike of him. As she was, one morning,

sitting at work in the pavilion, enjoying the pleasant freshness of

spring, whose colours were now spread upon the landscape, and listening

to Valancourt, who was reading, but who often laid aside the book to

converse, she received a summons to attend Madame Cheron immediately,

and had scarcely entered the dressing-room, when she observed with

surprise the dejection of her aunt's countenance, and the contrasted

gaiety of her dress. 'So, niece!'--said Madame, and she stopped under

some degree of embarrassment.--'I sent for you--I--I wished to see you;

I have news to tell you. From this hour you must consider the Signor

Montoni as your uncle--we were married this morning.'

PrevPage ListNext