The Mysteries of Udolpho

The feeling eloquence of Valancourt, however, at length, made her

sensible in some measure of her unworthy conduct, and she became

susceptible to shame, but not remorse: she hated Valancourt, who

awakened her to this painful sensation, and, in proportion as she grew

dissatisfied with herself, her abhorrence of him increased. This was

also the more inveterate, because his tempered words and manner were

such as, without accusing her, compelled her to accuse herself, and

neither left her a hope, that the odious portrait was the caricature

of his prejudice, or afforded her an excuse for expressing the violent

resentment, with which she contemplated it. At length, her anger rose

to such an height, that Valancourt was compelled to leave the house

abruptly, lest he should forfeit his own esteem by an intemperate reply.

He was then convinced, that from Madame Montoni he had nothing to hope,

for what of either pity, or justice could be expected from a person, who

could feel the pain of guilt, without the humility of repentance?

To Montoni he looked with equal despondency, since it was nearly

evident, that this plan of separation originated with him, and it was

not probable, that he would relinquish his own views to entreaties, or

remonstrances, which he must have foreseen and have been prepared to

resist. Yet, remembering his promise to Emily, and more solicitous,

concerning his love, than jealous of his consequence, Valancourt was

careful to do nothing that might unnecessarily irritate Montoni, he

wrote to him, therefore, not to demand an interview, but to solicit one,

and, having done this, he endeavoured to wait with calmness his reply.

Madame Clairval was passive in the affair. When she gave her approbation

to Valancourt's marriage, it was in the belief, that Emily would be the

heiress of Madame Montoni's fortune; and, though, upon the nuptials

of the latter, when she perceived the fallacy of this expectation, her

conscience had withheld her from adopting any measure to prevent the

union, her benevolence was not sufficiently active to impel her towards

any step, that might now promote it. She was, on the contrary, secretly

pleased, that Valancourt was released from an engagement, which she

considered to be as inferior, in point of fortune, to his merit, as

his alliance was thought by Montoni to be humiliating to the beauty of

Emily; and, though her pride was wounded by this rejection of a member

of her family, she disdained to shew resentment otherwise, than by

silence. Montoni, in his reply to Valancourt, said, that as an interview could

neither remove the objections of the one, or overcome the wishes of the

other, it would serve only to produce useless altercation between them.

He, therefore, thought proper to refuse it.