The Mysteries of Udolpho

Emily, overcome by the sudden shock she had received, at the moment,

too, when she had begun to hope for better days, now thought she saw

destruction surround her on every side. Unable to reply, and almost to

think, she threw herself into a chair, pale and breathless. That Montoni

had formerly sold her to Morano, was very probable; that he had now

withdrawn his consent to the marriage, was evident from the Count's

present conduct; and it was nearly certain, that a scheme of stronger

interest only could have induced the selfish Montoni to forego a plan,

which he had hitherto so strenuously pursued. These reflections made her

tremble at the hints, which Morano had just given, which she no longer

hesitated to believe; and, while she shrunk from the new scenes of

misery and oppression, that might await her in the castle of Udolpho,

she was compelled to observe, that almost her only means of escaping

them was by submitting herself to the protection of this man, with whom

evils more certain and not less terrible appeared,--evils, upon which

she could not endure to pause for an instant.

Her silence, though it was that of agony, encouraged the hopes of

Morano, who watched her countenance with impatience, took again the

resisting hand she had withdrawn, and, as he pressed it to his heart,

again conjured her to determine immediately. 'Every moment we lose, will

make our departure more dangerous,' said he: 'these few moments lost may

enable Montoni to overtake us.' 'I beseech you, sir, be silent,' said Emily faintly: 'I am indeed very

wretched, and wretched I must remain. Leave me--I command you, leave me

to my fate.' 'Never!' cried the Count vehemently: 'let me perish first! But forgive

my violence! the thought of losing you is madness. You cannot

be ignorant of Montoni's character, you may be ignorant of his

schemes--nay, you must be so, or you would not hesitate between my love

and his power.' 'Nor do I hesitate,' said Emily.

'Let us go, then,' said Morano, eagerly kissing her hand, and rising,

'my carriage waits, below the castle walls.'

'You mistake me, sir,' said Emily. 'Allow me to thank you for the

interest you express in my welfare, and to decide by my own choice. I

shall remain under the protection of Signor Montoni.' 'Under his protection!' exclaimed Morano, proudly, 'his PROTECTION!

Emily, why will you suffer yourself to be thus deluded? I have already

told you what you have to expect from his PROTECTION.' 'And pardon me, sir, if, in this instance, I doubt mere assertion, and,

to be convinced, require something approaching to proof.' 'I have now neither the time, or the means of adducing proof,' replied

the Count. 'Nor have I, sir, the inclination to listen to it, if you had.'