The Mysteries of Udolpho

'By what right!' cried Montoni, with a malicious smile, 'by the right of

my will; if you can elude that, I will not inquire by what right you do

so. I now remind you, for the last time, that you are a stranger, in a

foreign country, and that it is your interest to make me your friend;

you know the means; if you compel me to become your enemy--I will

venture to tell you, that the punishment shall exceed your expectation.

You may know I am not to be trifled with.'

Emily continued, for some time after Montoni had left her, in a state of

despair, or rather stupefaction; a consciousness of misery was all that

remained in her mind. In this situation Madame Montoni found her, at the

sound of whose voice Emily looked up, and her aunt, somewhat softened by

the expression of despair, that fixed her countenance, spoke in a manner

more kind than she had ever yet done. Emily's heart was touched; she

shed tears, and, after weeping for some time, recovered sufficient

composure to speak on the subject of her distress, and to endeavour to

interest Madame Montoni in her behalf. But, though the compassion of her

aunt had been surprised, her ambition was not to be overcome, and

her present object was to be the aunt of a Countess. Emily's efforts,

therefore, were as unsuccessful as they had been with Montoni, and she

withdrew to her apartment to think and weep alone. How often did she

remember the parting scene with Valancourt, and wish, that the Italian

had mentioned Montoni's character with less reserve! When her mind,

however, had recovered from the first shock of this behaviour, she

considered, that it would be impossible for him to compel her alliance

with Morano, if she persisted in refusing to repeat any part of the

marriage ceremony; and she persevered in her resolution to await

Montoni's threatened vengeance rather than give herself for life to a

man, whom she must have despised for his present conduct, had she never

even loved Valancourt; yet she trembled at the revenge she thus resolved

to brave.

An affair, however, soon after occurred, which somewhat called off

Montoni's attention from Emily. The mysterious visits of Orsino were

renewed with more frequency since the return of the former to Venice.

There were others, also, besides Orsino, admitted to these midnight

councils, and among them Cavigni and Verezzi. Montoni became more

reserved and austere in his manner than ever; and Emily, if her own

interests had not made her regardless of his, might have perceived, that

something extraordinary was working in his mind.