The Mysteries of Udolpho

'O! I suspected what all this boasted sensibility would prove to be!'

rejoined she; 'I thought it would not teach you to feel either duty,

or affection, for your relations, who have treated you like their own

daughter!' 'Pardon me, madam,' said Emily, mildly, 'it is not natural to me to

boast, and if it was, I am sure I would not boast of sensibility--a

quality, perhaps, more to be feared, than desired.'

'Well, well, niece, I will not dispute with you. But, as I said, Montoni

threatens me with violence, if I any longer refuse to sign away my

settlements, and this was the subject of our contest, when you came into

the room before. Now, I am determined no power on earth shall make me

do this. Neither will I bear all this tamely. He shall hear his true

character from me; I will tell him all he deserves, in spite of his

threats and cruel treatment.'

Emily seized a pause of Madame Montoni's voice, to speak. 'Dear madam,'

said she, 'but will not this serve to irritate the Signor unnecessarily?

will it not provoke the harsh treatment you dread?'

'I do not care,' replied Madame Montoni, 'it does not signify: I will

not submit to such usage. You would have me give up my settlements, too,

I suppose!' 'No, madam, I do not exactly mean that.' 'What is it you do mean then?' 'You spoke of reproaching the Signor,'--said Emily, with hesitation.

'Why, does he not deserve reproaches?' said her aunt. 'Certainly he does; but will it be prudent in you, madam, to make them?' 'Prudent!' exclaimed Madame Montoni. 'Is this a time to talk of

prudence, when one is threatened with all sorts of violence?' 'It is to avoid that violence, that prudence is necessary.' said Emily. 'Of prudence!' continued Madame Montoni, without attending to her, 'of

prudence towards a man, who does not scruple to break all the common

ties of humanity in his conduct to me! And is it for me to consider

prudence in my behaviour towards him! I am not so mean.'

'It is for your own sake, not for the Signor's, madam,' said Emily

modestly, 'that you should consult prudence. Your reproaches, however

just, cannot punish him, but they may provoke him to further violence

against you.' 'What! would you have me submit, then, to whatever he commands--would

you have me kneel down at his feet, and thank him for his cruelties?

Would you have me give up my settlements?'