The Mysteries of Udolpho

Some few words of Montoni then passed in the wind; and, as the

men were separating, she heard him say, 'This evening, then, begin the

watch at sun-set.' 'At sun-set, Signor,' replied one or two of them, and walked away; while

Emily approached Montoni, who appeared desirous of avoiding her: but,

though she observed this, she had courage to proceed. She endeavoured to

intercede once more for her aunt, represented to him her sufferings,

and urged the danger of exposing her to a cold apartment in her present

state. 'She suffers by her own folly,' said Montoni, 'and is not to be

pitied;--she knows how she may avoid these sufferings in future--if she

is removed to the turret, it will be her own fault. Let her be obedient,

and sign the writings you heard of, and I will think no more of it.'

When Emily ventured still to plead, he sternly silenced and rebuked her

for interfering in his domestic affairs, but, at length, dismissed her

with this concession--That he would not remove Madame Montoni, on the

ensuing night, but allow her till the next to consider, whether she

would resign her settlements, or be imprisoned in the east turret of

the castle, 'where she shall find,' he added, 'a punishment she may not

expect.' Emily then hastened to inform her aunt of this short respite and of the

alternative, that awaited her, to which the latter made no reply,

but appeared thoughtful, while Emily, in consideration of her extreme

languor, wished to sooth her mind by leading it to less interesting

topics: and, though these efforts were unsuccessful, and Madame Montoni

became peevish, her resolution, on the contended point, seemed somewhat

to relax, and Emily recommended, as her only means of safety, that she

should submit to Montoni's demand. 'You know not what you advise,' said

her aunt. 'Do you understand, that these estates will descend to you at

my death, if I persist in a refusal?'

'I was ignorant of that circumstance, madam,' replied Emily, 'but the

knowledge of it cannot with-hold me from advising you to adopt the

conduct, which not only your peace, but, I fear, your safety requires,

and I entreat, that you will not suffer a consideration comparatively so

trifling, to make you hesitate a moment in resigning them.'

'Are you sincere, niece?' 'Is it possible you can doubt it, madam?' Her

aunt appeared to be affected. 'You are not unworthy of these estates,

niece,' said she: 'I would wish to keep them for your sake--you shew a

virtue I did not expect.' 'How have I deserved this reproof, madam?' said Emily sorrowfully. 'Reproof!' replied Madame Montoni: 'I meant to praise your virtue.' 'Alas! here is no exertion of virtue,' rejoined Emily, 'for here is no

temptation to be overcome.'