The Mysteries of Udolpho

Jealousy and revenge lent all their fury to Morano, while the superior

skill and the temperance of Montoni enabled him to wound his adversary,

whom his servants now attempted to seize, but he would not be

restrained, and, regardless of his wound, continued to fight. He seemed

to be insensible both of pain and loss of blood, and alive only to the

energy of his passions. Montoni, on the contrary, persevered in the

combat, with a fierce, yet wary, valour; he received the point of

Morano's sword on his arm, but, almost in the same instant, severely

wounded and disarmed him. The Count then fell back into the arms of his

servant, while Montoni held his sword over him, and bade him ask his

life. Morano, sinking under the anguish of his wound, had scarcely

replied by a gesture, and by a few words, feebly articulated, that he

would not--when he fainted; and Montoni was then going to have plunged

the sword into his breast, as he lay senseless, but his arm was arrested

by Cavigni. To the interruption he yielded without much difficulty, but

his complexion changed almost to blackness, as he looked upon his fallen

adversary, and ordered, that he should be carried instantly from the

castle. In the mean time, Emily, who had been with-held from leaving the chamber

during the affray, now came forward into the corridor, and pleaded a

cause of common humanity, with the feelings of the warmest benevolence,

when she entreated Montoni to allow Morano the assistance in the castle,

which his situation required. But Montoni, who had seldom listened to

pity, now seemed rapacious of vengeance, and, with a monster's cruelty,

again ordered his defeated enemy to be taken from the castle, in

his present state, though there were only the woods, or a solitary

neighbouring cottage, to shelter him from the night.

The Count's servants having declared, that they would not move him till

he revived, Montoni's stood inactive, Cavigni remonstrating, and Emily,

superior to Montoni's menaces, giving water to Morano, and directing the

attendants to bind up his wound. At length, Montoni had leisure to feel

pain from his own hurt, and he withdrew to examine it. The Count, meanwhile, having slowly recovered, the first object he saw,

on raising his eyes, was Emily, bending over him with a countenance

strongly expressive of solicitude. He surveyed her with a look of

anguish. 'I have deserved this,' said he, 'but not from Montoni. It is from you,

Emily, that I have deserved punishment, yet I receive only pity!' He

paused, for he had spoken with difficulty. After a moment, he proceeded.

'I must resign you, but not to Montoni. Forgive me the sufferings I have

already occasioned you! But for THAT villain--his infamy shall not go

unpunished. Carry me from this place,' said he to his servants. 'I am

in no condition to travel: you must, therefore, take me to the nearest

cottage, for I will not pass the night under his roof, although I may

expire on the way from it.'