The Mysteries of Udolpho

During her stay at this pleasant villa, Emily was thus rendered

miserable by the assiduities of Morano, together with the cruelly

exerted authority of M. Quesnel and Montoni, who, with her aunt, seemed

now more resolutely determined upon this marriage than they had even

appeared to be at Venice. M. Quesnel, finding, that both argument and

menace were ineffectual in enforcing an immediate conclusion to it, at

length relinquished his endeavours, and trusted to the power of Montoni

and to the course of events at Venice. Emily, indeed, looked to Venice

with hope, for there she would be relieved in some measure from the

persecution of Morano, who would no longer be an inhabitant of the same

house with herself, and from that of Montoni, whose engagements would

not permit him to be continually at home. But amidst the pressure of her

own misfortunes, she did not forget those of poor Theresa, for whom she

pleaded with courageous tenderness to Quesnel, who promised, in slight

and general terms, that she should not be forgotten.

Montoni, in a long conversation with M. Quesnel, arranged the plan to

be pursued respecting Emily, and M. Quesnel proposed to be at Venice, as

soon as he should be informed, that the nuptials were concluded.

It was new to Emily to part with any person, with whom she was

connected, without feeling of regret; the moment, however, in which she

took leave of M. and Madame Quesnel, was, perhaps, the only satisfactory

one she had known in their presence.

Morano returned in Montoni's barge, and Emily, as she watched her

gradual approach to that magic city, saw at her side the only person,

who occasioned her to view it with less than perfect delight. They

arrived there about midnight, when Emily was released from the presence

of the Count, who, with Montoni, went to a Casino, and she was suffered

to retire to her own apartment.

On the following day, Montoni, in a short conversation, which he held

with Emily, informed her, that he would no longer be TRIFLED with, and

that, since her marriage with the Count would be so highly advantageous

to her, that folly only could object to it, and folly of such extent

as was incapable of conviction, it should be celebrated without further

delay, and, if that was necessary, without her consent.

Emily, who had hitherto tried remonstrance, had now recourse to

supplication, for distress prevented her from foreseeing, that, with a

man of Montoni's disposition, supplication would be equally useless. She

afterwards enquired by what right he exerted this unlimited authority

over her? a question, which her better judgment would have with-held

her, in a calmer moment, from making, since it could avail her nothing,

and would afford Montoni another opportunity of triumphing over her

defenceless condition.