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The Mysteries of Udolpho

Page 248

'How much you mistake me, madam!' said Emily, 'I am unequal to advise

you on a point so important as the last: but you will pardon me for

saying, that, if you consult your own peace, you will try to conciliate

Signor Montoni, rather than to irritate him by reproaches.' 'Conciliate indeed! I tell you, niece, it is utterly impossible; I disdain to attempt it.'

Emily was shocked to observe the perverted understanding and obstinate

temper of Madame Montoni; but, not less grieved for her sufferings,

she looked round for some alleviating circumstance to offer her. 'Your

situation is, perhaps, not so desperate, dear madam,' said Emily, 'as

you may imagine. The Signor may represent his affairs to be worse than

they are, for the purpose of pleading a stronger necessity for his

possession of your settlement. Besides, so long as you keep this, you

may look forward to it as a resource, at least, that will afford you

a competence, should the Signor's future conduct compel you to sue for

separation.'

Madame Montoni impatiently interrupted her. 'Unfeeling, cruel girl!'

said she, 'and so you would persuade me, that I have no reason to

complain; that the Signor is in very flourishing circumstances, that my

future prospects promise nothing but comfort, and that my griefs are

as fanciful and romantic as your own! Is it the way to console me, to

endeavour to persuade me out of my senses and my feelings, because you

happen to have no feelings yourself? I thought I was opening my heart

to a person, who could sympathize in my distress, but I find, that your

people of sensibility can feel for nobody but themselves! You may retire

to your chamber.' Emily, without replying, immediately left the room, with a mingled

emotion of pity and contempt, and hastened to her own, where she yielded

to the mournful reflections, which a knowledge of her aunt's situation

had occasioned.

The conversation of the Italian with Valancourt, in

France, again occurred to her. His hints, respecting the broken fortunes

of Montoni, were now completely justified; those, also, concerning his

character, appeared not less so, though the particular circumstances,

connected with his fame, to which the stranger had alluded, yet remained

to be explained. Notwithstanding, that her own observations and the

words of Count Morano had convinced her, that Montoni's situation was

not what it formerly appeared to be, the intelligence she had just

received from her aunt on this point, struck her with all the force of

astonishment, which was not weakened, when she considered the present

style of Montoni's living, the number of servants he maintained, and the

new expences he was incurring, by repairing and fortifying his castle.

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